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Gone South #2
Scrimmage Gone South
Welcome to Merritt, Alabama, where summers are lazy, tea is sweet, and guests are always welcome.
Thirteen years ago, Tolly Lee cost Nathan Scott his future in the NFL - and he’s never forgiven her for it. Tolly was only sixteen when she led college senior Nathan to believe she was older, but she never imagined he’d want to pursue a long-distance relationship. When he learned the truth, they both paid a heavy price…
Tolly didn’t think she’d ever see Nathan again. Now that he’s returned, it’s only a matter of time before the good citizens of Merritt find out she’s the culprit who cost their hometown hero his future. When that happens, Tolly will lose everything. Again.
Nathan wouldn’t have taken the job of high school football coach if he’d known Tolly was in town - but he can’t back out now. When an orphaned teenager needs mentoring, Nathan forms an uneasy truce with Tolly as they work together to ensure the boy’s future. But as old resentments resurface, so too do old attractions.
After all this time, could the end zone finally be in sight?
Thirteen years ago, Tolly Lee cost Nathan Scott his future in the NFL - and he’s never forgiven her for it. Tolly was only sixteen when she led college senior Nathan to believe she was older, but she never imagined he’d want to pursue a long-distance relationship. When he learned the truth, they both paid a heavy price…
Tolly didn’t think she’d ever see Nathan again. Now that he’s returned, it’s only a matter of time before the good citizens of Merritt find out she’s the culprit who cost their hometown hero his future. When that happens, Tolly will lose everything. Again.
Nathan wouldn’t have taken the job of high school football coach if he’d known Tolly was in town - but he can’t back out now. When an orphaned teenager needs mentoring, Nathan forms an uneasy truce with Tolly as they work together to ensure the boy’s future. But as old resentments resurface, so too do old attractions.
After all this time, could the end zone finally be in sight?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2013
79 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Hunter Pace
59 books116 followersAs Alicia Hunter Pace, Stephanie Jones and Jean Hovey write contemporary romantic comedy and light fantasy with a distinct southern voice.
Stephanie lives in Jasper, AL, where she teaches third grade and wishes for a bigger bookstore. She is a native Alabamian who likes football, civil war history, and people who follow the rules. She is happy to provide a list of said rules to anyone who needs them.
Jean, a former public librarian, lives in Decatur, AL, with her husband in a hundred-year-old house that always wants something from her. She likes to cook but has discovered the joy of Mrs. Paul's fish fillets since becoming a writer.
Stephanie lives in Jasper, AL, where she teaches third grade and wishes for a bigger bookstore. She is a native Alabamian who likes football, civil war history, and people who follow the rules. She is happy to provide a list of said rules to anyone who needs them.
Jean, a former public librarian, lives in Decatur, AL, with her husband in a hundred-year-old house that always wants something from her. She likes to cook but has discovered the joy of Mrs. Paul's fish fillets since becoming a writer.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 6, 2014
How can some authors write contemporary romance and make it sing and others only make it banal and mundane? This novel is of the first sort. I am trying to figure out what made me madly turn the pages of this book desperate to find out how the hero and heroine were going to get to their happy ever after.
The heroine was well rounded and well written. She had made a mistake as a teenager that ruined the hero's life and she was still dealing with it 13 years later. She had loved him all this time but he would not forgive her.
There was just enough pathos and angst to jerk your heartstrings a bit but it was not OTT melodramatic and purple prosy. The hero and the heroine definitely had a sizzling amount of heat going on as they meet again 13 years later.
The plotting was pretty tight and believable and there were some wonderful secondary characters.
Well sign me up for the rest of the series.
The heroine was well rounded and well written. She had made a mistake as a teenager that ruined the hero's life and she was still dealing with it 13 years later. She had loved him all this time but he would not forgive her.
There was just enough pathos and angst to jerk your heartstrings a bit but it was not OTT melodramatic and purple prosy. The hero and the heroine definitely had a sizzling amount of heat going on as they meet again 13 years later.
The plotting was pretty tight and believable and there were some wonderful secondary characters.
Well sign me up for the rest of the series.
September 3, 2021
I don't get it. a teenage crush and a lost football dream....many years later and they still act like immature brats.
May 6, 2020
3.5 stars
When two people have a history (Nathan and Tolly) and they can put aside their differences and come together to help someone they both care about, that shows maturity and that is what Nathan and Tolly did. Their character dynamic was spot on and how this is written by two authors! Expert storytelling!!!! This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more from the authors and this series.
When two people have a history (Nathan and Tolly) and they can put aside their differences and come together to help someone they both care about, that shows maturity and that is what Nathan and Tolly did. Their character dynamic was spot on and how this is written by two authors! Expert storytelling!!!! This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more from the authors and this series.
September 11, 2013
I picked up Scrimmage Gone South as an Amazon Kindle Deal of the Day. I almost didn't - the cover didn't pull me in, it looked a little old fashioned - but I'm really glad I did. I expected it to be treacly sweet and found it to be well written with a little bit of sexy heat. The author is actually 3 people and they blend their storytelling well enough that SGS has the flow and feel of a Nora Roberts story. While there were a few obvious editing errors (mostly spelling and a couple of continuity issues), they were only slightly distracting.
Nate and Townshend are our H/h and their story takes place in a small town. He's the high school football coach and she's an attorney that has set up a new practice in town. I thought they were well matched even if Nate is sometimes a jerk - the man has a short fuse and he jumps to conclusions. Worse, he let's it fly and, seriously, he's really lucky that Tolly (Townshend's nickname) forgives him. This sets up for some great chemistry overall but you have to be willing to buy into her feelings despite Nate being a jerk a little too often. Honestly, the man has issues. Tolly does as well but she doesn't take them out on people.
I liked SGS enough to read the other book these ladies wrote, Sweet Gone South, which takes place before Scrimmage Gone South. Not a huge deal to read them out of order but it might bother some.
Nate's a bossy alpha, Tolly/Townshend is a strong, independent woman. There's a fair amount of sizzle, not much bacon - if you're looking for something spicy, this isn't your gig. Good cast of secondary characters and the location (Merritt, AL) really comes to life. I found it a good balance to my other reading, which runs a little more towards what my husband calls ladyporn. :)
Nate and Townshend are our H/h and their story takes place in a small town. He's the high school football coach and she's an attorney that has set up a new practice in town. I thought they were well matched even if Nate is sometimes a jerk - the man has a short fuse and he jumps to conclusions. Worse, he let's it fly and, seriously, he's really lucky that Tolly (Townshend's nickname) forgives him. This sets up for some great chemistry overall but you have to be willing to buy into her feelings despite Nate being a jerk a little too often. Honestly, the man has issues. Tolly does as well but she doesn't take them out on people.
I liked SGS enough to read the other book these ladies wrote, Sweet Gone South, which takes place before Scrimmage Gone South. Not a huge deal to read them out of order but it might bother some.
Nate's a bossy alpha, Tolly/Townshend is a strong, independent woman. There's a fair amount of sizzle, not much bacon - if you're looking for something spicy, this isn't your gig. Good cast of secondary characters and the location (Merritt, AL) really comes to life. I found it a good balance to my other reading, which runs a little more towards what my husband calls ladyporn. :)
December 26, 2015
I'm going to start with the cover. It's better than the cover of the first book in this series, but still not good. If I didn't know who these characters were already, I would think I was reading a YA book. This book is about adults yet they put a picture of a young man in his late teens/early twenties on the cover. I just do not understand the thinking sometimes.
Anyway, another wonderful book if not a wonderful cover. I will admit that there was a time that I almost hated the hero, Nathan. So, so, so pig-headed! To not even want to talk about the past and hear anyone else's version of what truly happened. Ugh! What a you-know-what. I don't think I will be giving too much away when I say I absolutely loved the line, "Thank you, Mr. Darcy." It was just so spot on. Nathan really took quite the "high and mighty" stance while Tolly always seemed to be the martyr. She didn't even realize how much she let others dictate her life. In fact, I think the authors did a great job with that because most of the things were subtle. Things that most women wouldn't even realize were being done to them. I'm glad one of her friends pointed out to her that she was a people pleaser and had to stand up for herself a bit more.
After I read this book I really didn't know why I should have or did root for Nathan and Tolly to end up together, but I did. I guess that's what good writing is all about. I am truly enjoying this series and still cannot get over the fact that it is written by two authors.
Anyway, another wonderful book if not a wonderful cover. I will admit that there was a time that I almost hated the hero, Nathan. So, so, so pig-headed! To not even want to talk about the past and hear anyone else's version of what truly happened. Ugh! What a you-know-what. I don't think I will be giving too much away when I say I absolutely loved the line, "Thank you, Mr. Darcy." It was just so spot on. Nathan really took quite the "high and mighty" stance while Tolly always seemed to be the martyr. She didn't even realize how much she let others dictate her life. In fact, I think the authors did a great job with that because most of the things were subtle. Things that most women wouldn't even realize were being done to them. I'm glad one of her friends pointed out to her that she was a people pleaser and had to stand up for herself a bit more.
After I read this book I really didn't know why I should have or did root for Nathan and Tolly to end up together, but I did. I guess that's what good writing is all about. I am truly enjoying this series and still cannot get over the fact that it is written by two authors.
September 11, 2013
Interesting romantic fiction. The main characters are a young blue blood attorney and the local football hero turned high school coach from the wrong side of the tracks. They have a secret dark history but are brought together out of concern for a senior football player who is left alone after his grandmother and guardian dies unexpectedly. Pretty predictable and would be especially tedious for someone who is not a sports fan.
However, the authors have small southern town life nailed down pat, paint a very accurate picture of the life of a high school sports/band mom and the various characters are fun and seem to ring true. I am also fascinated that two people write these “gone south” stories together. I would love to hear them speak at some time about how they make this work!
However, the authors have small southern town life nailed down pat, paint a very accurate picture of the life of a high school sports/band mom and the various characters are fun and seem to ring true. I am also fascinated that two people write these “gone south” stories together. I would love to hear them speak at some time about how they make this work!
December 25, 2016
Unexpected .....
OMGosh... very well written. So happy for Kirby!Ending could have gone in several different directions! Loved the drama, anger, and love
OMGosh... very well written. So happy for Kirby!Ending could have gone in several different directions! Loved the drama, anger, and love
October 28, 2017
3.5 Trust Stars because that's what it all boils down to. Trust. Either you have it or you don't. Scrimmage Gone South is the second book in the Gone South series and has its beginning about thirteen years prior. Nathan and Tolly have a history and it slowly unfolds through flashbacks. Tolly has a lot of regrets and a lot to atone for. Nathan has just as many regrets and he blames them all on Tolly. Now they're stuck in the same small town. For years they've been able to circle in the same crowd by simply having noninteractions. When Tolly finds herself the guardian of a seventeen-year-old boy, Nathan's star quarterback, all that changes. That's when all the sparks start to fly. Both of them get a rude awakening and take a stroll down self-discovery. Will it be enough to reconcile their past?
The story clips along at a good pace, the characters are totally relatable, and while it's not quite a second chance there are elements of that woven throughout the book.
The story clips along at a good pace, the characters are totally relatable, and while it's not quite a second chance there are elements of that woven throughout the book.
May 6, 2020
Tolly made a mistake 13 years ago, and she's been paying for it ever since. She cost hometown hero, Nathan, a career in the NFL, and he's still quite angry about it to the point that he can't listen to anything anyone says about what really happened. Now, I can understand some resentment, but Nathan acted like it had just happened when he came home to coach high school football. He came off very badly for a lot of the book, making it almost impossible to keep reading, while Tolly was a strong woman, though at times she let too much slide. I'm not saying that it wasn't a good read, just Nathan had me so mad that I wanted to break my kindle to be honest. Even 13 years later, these two had some serious chemistry, but will his anger destroy it completely?! You'll have to hit those one click buttons to find out! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
May 6, 2020
As a teenager Tolly made a mistake not realizing that consequences of it would not only haunt her but Nathan for years. She has moved forward with her life but she still believes she is deserving of the guilt and judgment that others inflict on her.
Nathan was a skilled football player with a promising career until it all came crashing down and he blames Tolly for everything that has transpired since. He now finds himself back in his hometown coaching football when destiny throws them together once again. Will this be their second chance or is the pain of the past too much to overcome?
There is no denying that Nathan is still bitter about the past but as he gets to know the woman Tolly is today he may just realize that one mistake doesn’t make a person.
Nathan was a skilled football player with a promising career until it all came crashing down and he blames Tolly for everything that has transpired since. He now finds himself back in his hometown coaching football when destiny throws them together once again. Will this be their second chance or is the pain of the past too much to overcome?
There is no denying that Nathan is still bitter about the past but as he gets to know the woman Tolly is today he may just realize that one mistake doesn’t make a person.
May 5, 2020
3.5 stars
Nathan is back in the small town of Merritt and he is not happy to see Tolly. She's worried him being back in town will reveal her mistakes as a teenager that led to him losing a future in the NFL. They reluctantly work together to help a teenager Nathan is mentoring, and it isn't long before their mutual attraction comes up again. Will they be able to put the past behind them and move forward together?
I thought this was a fun second-chance, small-town romance. Though this is the second in the series it can be read as a standalone. I am looking forward to going back and reading the first book in the series.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Nathan is back in the small town of Merritt and he is not happy to see Tolly. She's worried him being back in town will reveal her mistakes as a teenager that led to him losing a future in the NFL. They reluctantly work together to help a teenager Nathan is mentoring, and it isn't long before their mutual attraction comes up again. Will they be able to put the past behind them and move forward together?
I thought this was a fun second-chance, small-town romance. Though this is the second in the series it can be read as a standalone. I am looking forward to going back and reading the first book in the series.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
February 22, 2018
Enjoyable small-town romance but good grief, Nathan needs to get over the past already! The very small and very common mole-hill of mistake of a young girl fibbing about her age turns into a huge mountain when he blames her for not getting into the NFL because of it.... really? Poor Tolly, going through her life being tortured and hated because of it. By the half-way point I wanted to yell at Tolly to stand up for herself and hit Nathan over the head for being a whiney baby.
December 28, 2016
FANTASTIC
Really a great moving story about young love and football. Tolly was amazing as a teen and FANTASTIC as an adult. I couldn't put this down now I want to see more in this series.
Really a great moving story about young love and football. Tolly was amazing as a teen and FANTASTIC as an adult. I couldn't put this down now I want to see more in this series.
February 20, 2018
I didn't find their story quite as interesting as the first story. All that angst and heartbreak over refusal to communicate was too frustrating for me. I'll wait to see what's in store in the next book.
September 23, 2022
Trust is a big issue
I enjoyed this story a lot, and I agree no matter how much love you have without trust it won't survive. I was so happy that Tolly and Nathan finally got together. My heart went out to Kirby, poor kid had so much to deal with.
I enjoyed this story a lot, and I agree no matter how much love you have without trust it won't survive. I was so happy that Tolly and Nathan finally got together. My heart went out to Kirby, poor kid had so much to deal with.
February 5, 2017
Scrimmage Gone South
Fast moving. Couldn't put down. Want more of Tolly, what does the future hold for her, Nathan and Kirby? loved this.
Fast moving. Couldn't put down. Want more of Tolly, what does the future hold for her, Nathan and Kirby? loved this.
January 5, 2020
Just OK
The town's former football star and his former flame, now a lawyer, must overcome problems from their school days to rekindle their romance. Predictable and no surprises.
The town's former football star and his former flame, now a lawyer, must overcome problems from their school days to rekindle their romance. Predictable and no surprises.
January 23, 2021
The story was fine, predictable, but the characters were spiteful, bitter, and annoying. Oh, the DRAMA!
July 1, 2013
In Scrimmage Gone South by Alicia Hunter Pace, Tolly Lee may be from old money but that does not take away from the shame of what she did as a teenager. Trying to act wild and older than her then 16 years old, she ended up ruining the life of a young man with her lies and deceptions.
Nathan Scott also known as “The Angel” by everyone in Merritt, Alabama from his college football days has never forgiven Tolly for her deceptions, which led to his accident and his lost chance at the NFL. He believes that all she wanted is to be the center of attention and that he was no more than another star to add to her collection of sport stars. Read More...
Nathan Scott also known as “The Angel” by everyone in Merritt, Alabama from his college football days has never forgiven Tolly for her deceptions, which led to his accident and his lost chance at the NFL. He believes that all she wanted is to be the center of attention and that he was no more than another star to add to her collection of sport stars. Read More...
April 2, 2021
Such a good read with terrific characters & crazy cute town!
I’ve been enjoying this series by this author pair. The setting is so perfect & shows obvious knowledge of a small-town southern town where everybody knows everybody, football is king, long time gal pals are forever & parties can get pretty crazy! I was glad to get to know Nathan better (he is a friend from the first book) and I love Tolly. Their relationship is so convoluted! And wrap that around high school hijinks, trying to get a winning football season & find out if young love (and lifetime love) can survive adulthood.
Meant to mention this on my review of the first book, but I love the artwork covers of these books!
I’ve been enjoying this series by this author pair. The setting is so perfect & shows obvious knowledge of a small-town southern town where everybody knows everybody, football is king, long time gal pals are forever & parties can get pretty crazy! I was glad to get to know Nathan better (he is a friend from the first book) and I love Tolly. Their relationship is so convoluted! And wrap that around high school hijinks, trying to get a winning football season & find out if young love (and lifetime love) can survive adulthood.
Meant to mention this on my review of the first book, but I love the artwork covers of these books!
January 15, 2017
Contemporary romance with just enough sassy attitude :)
Kindle Unlimited standalone in series. We met them in the first book. He's the pretend boyfriends and she was one of the best friends. Let's just say their past crossed and it left him hurt and her alone. Can they put their past behind them and find love again? Good story, strong characters, and a book you can't put down.
Kindle Unlimited standalone in series. We met them in the first book. He's the pretend boyfriends and she was one of the best friends. Let's just say their past crossed and it left him hurt and her alone. Can they put their past behind them and find love again? Good story, strong characters, and a book you can't put down.
May 25, 2020
This is Scrimmage Gone South, book 2 of the Gone South series written by Alicia Hunter Pace. You will fall in love with all of the residents in Merritt Alabama where this series takes place. When old memories come between their new relationship Coach Nathan and Tolly have to face some hard truths. Can they get past the past or will it swallow them up? You will be cheering for them and the Bobcats before you are done!
September 25, 2013
This book gives great insight into Southern football culture. I love the history and chemistry between Nathan and Tolly. The supporting cast is realistic for the small town atmosphere. This story has a lot of heart.
December 27, 2014
Quite long. I was irritated with both characters for their lack of communication with each other. They were both so angry all the time. Or sad. Or "woe is me". It got old. I only finished this book because I invested so much time in reading it to begin with.
April 3, 2018
I am absolutely enthralled and delighted with this series based in Merritt, Alabama. This is the second in the series, and I love the depth of the characters the two women writing as Alicia Hunter Pace have created.
August 12, 2016
This native Alabamian thoroughly enjoyed this book! The author has done well in crafting a story that is a fun, entertaining read, in honest keeping with the flavor and character of the south! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
December 4, 2014
It was a free amazon book and it was so delightful. I love the south and small towns. Great read.
July 21, 2019
More enjoyable than I expected. Golly could have been a stereotypical Southern glamourpuss, but all of the characters had a lot of depth and made you care.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews