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Out of Bounds #2.5
A Numbers Game
Love is worth more than the sum of its hearts…
CPA Merrit Callahan learned early not to let passion unravel her orderly life. Back in college she fell hard for a football player, only to be devastated when she discovered he’d been duping her all along—dared by his teammates to score with his bookish tutor. Now, after her back-stabbing fiancé breaks off their engagement, Merrit flees to Baltimore to escape the fallout.
After eight years in the pros, a series of concussions have forced Heath Gibson out of the NFL. The transition from player to coach for the Baltimore Blaze hasn’t been smooth, but finding himself face-to-face with Merrit Callahan makes the ride even rockier. He’s been filled with regret ever since a stupid team prank caused Merrit to run away from him a decade earlier.
Merrit’s stunned to reconnect with Heath. And despite the authenticity of his reignited feelings this time around, Merrit’s got her mind set on payback. She’ll give Heath a night he won’t forget and then walk away. But Heath’s hold on her heart—and the rest of her body—is difficult to break…
This title was previously released with a different cover.
CPA Merrit Callahan learned early not to let passion unravel her orderly life. Back in college she fell hard for a football player, only to be devastated when she discovered he’d been duping her all along—dared by his teammates to score with his bookish tutor. Now, after her back-stabbing fiancé breaks off their engagement, Merrit flees to Baltimore to escape the fallout.
After eight years in the pros, a series of concussions have forced Heath Gibson out of the NFL. The transition from player to coach for the Baltimore Blaze hasn’t been smooth, but finding himself face-to-face with Merrit Callahan makes the ride even rockier. He’s been filled with regret ever since a stupid team prank caused Merrit to run away from him a decade earlier.
Merrit’s stunned to reconnect with Heath. And despite the authenticity of his reignited feelings this time around, Merrit’s got her mind set on payback. She’ll give Heath a night he won’t forget and then walk away. But Heath’s hold on her heart—and the rest of her body—is difficult to break…
This title was previously released with a different cover.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2014
89 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Solheim
23 books1,122 followersTracy Solheim writes books with shirtless men on the cover. Some of them are actually best-sellers. The books, not the men. When she's not writing, she's practicing her curling. . . bottles of wine, that is. She's been known to cook dinner but no more than two nights in a row. Most days, she'd rather be reading, which to her is just necessary research. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and a neurotic Labrador retriever. Her two adult children visit but not often enough. (See the note above about cooking.) Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.tracysolheim.com/ to see what she’s up to. She'll send you a free cookbook from her Chances Inlet series as a thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 30, 2018
While I do enjoy Solheim's writing, I'm getting extremely tired of reading about couples who break up due to a misunderstanding/miscommunication/whatever, and then he goes on and gets married/has a child/sleeps around while she has one or two (or NO) other sexual relationships. I get that men don't pine the way women do, but could we just for once have a story where the woman marries another man and is actually a bit happy in the interim time apart? No woman should put her happiness on hold because of a man, not even fictional women.
June 21, 2014
My Review:
Aww, I really liked the backstory on this one. Merrit and Heath dated while they were in college. He was her first lover and she thought they meant everything to one another, but that all ended when she found out about a humiliating bet among the jocks. She was shattered by the revelation and took off never giving Heath a chance to explain.
For Heath, she was the one who got away. For Merrit, he was a humiliating awful memory that she wishes she could forget. So when they run across one another 10 years later, there is a lot to get past and work through. Heath has a marriage and divorce under his belt. Merrit is fresh off another humiliating experience...the betrayal by her fiance. Heath sees this as a second chance, but Merrit sees this as a way to prove to herself that she's not the cold fish that her fiance said she was. She could never trust him again.
The emotion to this story felt very real. My heart hurt for Heath because it sounds like he did everything he could to fix the original hurt, but she had left the country and her family was over-protective. On the other hand, I also could completely understand Merrit's complete humiliation. It was one thing when it was just a vague bet, but when the details of what all was on the list came out, I could most definitely see her point. It's a no-win for both of them...until they talk. And that's all I'm gonna say because it's a story worth reading and exploring yourself.
I did really, really enjoy it. I read it out of place in the series order, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of it one bit. It's certainly part of the Out of Bounds series, but it absolutely works completely and totally as a stand alone. In fact, if you've never read Tracy Solheim, this would be a good "feeler" novel to see if you like her style (hint: I think you will.) AND...I still need to know who the blogger is and wonder if we'll ever find out.
Aww, I really liked the backstory on this one. Merrit and Heath dated while they were in college. He was her first lover and she thought they meant everything to one another, but that all ended when she found out about a humiliating bet among the jocks. She was shattered by the revelation and took off never giving Heath a chance to explain.
For Heath, she was the one who got away. For Merrit, he was a humiliating awful memory that she wishes she could forget. So when they run across one another 10 years later, there is a lot to get past and work through. Heath has a marriage and divorce under his belt. Merrit is fresh off another humiliating experience...the betrayal by her fiance. Heath sees this as a second chance, but Merrit sees this as a way to prove to herself that she's not the cold fish that her fiance said she was. She could never trust him again.
The emotion to this story felt very real. My heart hurt for Heath because it sounds like he did everything he could to fix the original hurt, but she had left the country and her family was over-protective. On the other hand, I also could completely understand Merrit's complete humiliation. It was one thing when it was just a vague bet, but when the details of what all was on the list came out, I could most definitely see her point. It's a no-win for both of them...until they talk. And that's all I'm gonna say because it's a story worth reading and exploring yourself.
I did really, really enjoy it. I read it out of place in the series order, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of it one bit. It's certainly part of the Out of Bounds series, but it absolutely works completely and totally as a stand alone. In fact, if you've never read Tracy Solheim, this would be a good "feeler" novel to see if you like her style (hint: I think you will.) AND...I still need to know who the blogger is and wonder if we'll ever find out.
December 29, 2013
I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy of this and it was another touchdown for Tracy. Even though this was a shorter novella it did not feel rushed and I feel like Merritt's and Heath's story was sweet and a great read. It was fun to get to read about more people who are part of the "Out of Bounds" family and it was another great story that I did not want to put down.
March 24, 2014
I love to hate novellas...and this one from Tracy is just the reason why. I want more of Meritt and Heath! I enjoyed the entire premise of the college athlete participating in a silly "game" that can only be classified as hurtful and arrogant and the shy smart girl finding out after losing her heart. The fact that she ran away before any explanation can be given and they run into each other many years later makes for a great story. So good that this greedy reader wanted even more. But just so, the characters are wonderful, real and their chemistry is off the charts, despite how Meritt chooses to handle that...
I love the team, the series, the characters and this novella was a great addition. I find myself looking for more of these characters that I want to have a story about each time I read one of Tracy's novels. Looking forward to her next one...which is about one of my faves from the second in the Out of Bounds series....Brody!
I love the team, the series, the characters and this novella was a great addition. I find myself looking for more of these characters that I want to have a story about each time I read one of Tracy's novels. Looking forward to her next one...which is about one of my faves from the second in the Out of Bounds series....Brody!
May 24, 2014
While I love to have the meat of a full novel, every once in a while a shorter novella will hit the spot, and this one certainly did. Even in a short piece of work, Tracy Solheim has created full and interesting characters with strengths and flaws that are believable. I particularly love the blue crab scene, where she has included unexpected detail on how to crack a crab. Most authors would gloss over that in a short story, but Tracy uses it to further build her character profiles.
If you find that you don't have time for a full novel, pick this one up for a quick read. It's quite excellent, and ties in well to the other novels in her trilogy (plus one).
If you find that you don't have time for a full novel, pick this one up for a quick read. It's quite excellent, and ties in well to the other novels in her trilogy (plus one).
March 24, 2014
So lucky to receive an advance copy of Tracy's new novella A Numbers Game. It's a fun little story related to her great Out of Bounds series which follows the Baltimore Blaze football team players, coaches, staff and families. Each story from this fun author makes you crave another and you really develop an affection for the characters and root for things to be worked out with love as the ultimate winner! I should add that novellas are such a great idea - the perfect treat...you owe yourself!
April 22, 2014
Love Health and Merrit's story--We meet more of the staff at the Blaze camp plus the Callahan
family--can see lots of interesting stories to come from Tracy.
Thanks for this good read and the set up for things to come.
family--can see lots of interesting stories to come from Tracy.
Thanks for this good read and the set up for things to come.
April 17, 2014
A perfect sports novella! My only gripe is that I enjoyed Merrit and Heath's romance so much that I think they deserved to have a full length novel.
April 22, 2014
Loved it! Can't wait for the next installment. Was like a teaser for the next book.
April 19, 2014
Another great story!! I wish it had been longer, I couldn't put it down once I started reading it!
October 6, 2015
I liked the book. I liked the back story and felt many areas of the book needed more development. Characters were too lightly developed...Good writing but needed more editing for more.....keep at it.
February 6, 2021
Solid novella - likable characters, some heat, some sweet. Biggest downside probably being the short length!
Merrit (h) and Heath (H) dated in college. An intense connection between football player and math tutor, which broke Merrit's heart when she discovered it was all part of a game amongst the players. She ran, and they haven't spoken for years. Until her accounting firm is hired to do an audit of the football team he is coaching, and she ends up staying right next door to him. Has there been enough time for a second-chance start to be possible, or is she setting herself up for yet another heartbreak?
I liked both leads a lot. Merrit is intelligent, but shy and inexperienced when it comes to relationships. Between Heath's betrayal in college and her (ex)fiance's cheating, she's understandably gun-shy about dating again. She was relatable and not idiotic or airheaded - an actual adult. I thought Heath was sweet in his determination to win Merrit back - both after college (climbing the fence!) and now. I loved the bit his teammate drops about his points in college ()
This is a novella, and a well done one at that. Which means it's got likable characters and a solid enough story to be satisfying, but at the same time has the downside that it leaves you wanting more. A victim of its own strength?
Minor complaint - formatting. There were several times in conversations where there should be a new paragraph started as a new person started talking, but instead it all ran into one paragraph. Made it a little challenging to follow the flow. Otherwise, well edited and easy to read.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No cheating, no love triangles, no OW/OM idiocy. Two people sorting through a decade of baggage and seeing if there's enough there for a fresh start. A satisfying novella - a good break from longer, heavier reads. HEA with no cliffhanger (though some of the plot threads seem like they'll continue?). No epilogue either, though.
Would I read more from this series? This author? Solid yes to both.
Merrit (h) and Heath (H) dated in college. An intense connection between football player and math tutor, which broke Merrit's heart when she discovered it was all part of a game amongst the players. She ran, and they haven't spoken for years. Until her accounting firm is hired to do an audit of the football team he is coaching, and she ends up staying right next door to him. Has there been enough time for a second-chance start to be possible, or is she setting herself up for yet another heartbreak?
I liked both leads a lot. Merrit is intelligent, but shy and inexperienced when it comes to relationships. Between Heath's betrayal in college and her (ex)fiance's cheating, she's understandably gun-shy about dating again. She was relatable and not idiotic or airheaded - an actual adult. I thought Heath was sweet in his determination to win Merrit back - both after college (climbing the fence!) and now. I loved the bit his teammate drops about his points in college ()
This is a novella, and a well done one at that. Which means it's got likable characters and a solid enough story to be satisfying, but at the same time has the downside that it leaves you wanting more. A victim of its own strength?
Minor complaint - formatting. There were several times in conversations where there should be a new paragraph started as a new person started talking, but instead it all ran into one paragraph. Made it a little challenging to follow the flow. Otherwise, well edited and easy to read.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No cheating, no love triangles, no OW/OM idiocy. Two people sorting through a decade of baggage and seeing if there's enough there for a fresh start. A satisfying novella - a good break from longer, heavier reads. HEA with no cliffhanger (though some of the plot threads seem like they'll continue?). No epilogue either, though.
Would I read more from this series? This author? Solid yes to both.
January 23, 2021
Merrit Callahan was the rebel in the Callahan family, she never did want everyone else wanted her to do. Now she was a CPA working a firm that had been hired by the NFL team Baltimore Blazers to do an audit while doing a transfer of owners. It was also a good excuse for her to run from Chicago where her life had turned into a mess as her fiancé ditched her for someone else. Never did she imagine that another man would come into her life, one that had broken her heart when she was a freshman at Norte Dame. Her body overrules her heart and one night of solid passion shows that they should have been together. But will she let it continue to build into something spectacular or will she run away again not willing to risk it all for love
Heath Gibson had been a good player in the NFL but that career had come to a quick end when he had a series of concussions. While he did want to go in advertising, that wasn’t possible at the moment, so he was hired as a coach for the Blazers. When he met her in the condo building they were neighbors all, it all came back in a rush. He had never forgotten how much he had a fallen in love with her in college, but never had gotten the chance to tell her his side of the prank that split them apart.
Now the question is would they have a second chance at love, love that could conquer all, or would they each go back onto the path that had pulled them apart in the first place.
This is a quick read novella that was first put out in 2014 and then again in the fall of 2018 under different covers. It doesn’t matter if you read it then or you read it now, it is a great quick read that allows you to escape for a little time into the world of hopeful HEAs. Tracy Solheim is a great writer and one I will always enjoy.
Heath Gibson had been a good player in the NFL but that career had come to a quick end when he had a series of concussions. While he did want to go in advertising, that wasn’t possible at the moment, so he was hired as a coach for the Blazers. When he met her in the condo building they were neighbors all, it all came back in a rush. He had never forgotten how much he had a fallen in love with her in college, but never had gotten the chance to tell her his side of the prank that split them apart.
Now the question is would they have a second chance at love, love that could conquer all, or would they each go back onto the path that had pulled them apart in the first place.
This is a quick read novella that was first put out in 2014 and then again in the fall of 2018 under different covers. It doesn’t matter if you read it then or you read it now, it is a great quick read that allows you to escape for a little time into the world of hopeful HEAs. Tracy Solheim is a great writer and one I will always enjoy.
February 15, 2021
Merrit and Heath had a fling in college that endly badly when she found out that it was a joke and that it was based on a bet that his friends made with him. Now 10 years later they run into each other again, when she's hired to do an audit for the pro football team that he coaches. Seeing that this is his chance for redemption, Heath does everything he can to get her to listen to him and let him apologize for what he did to her...unfortunately for him. she wants nothing to do with him! A great read about second chances and forgiveness!
February 21, 2021
I feel like I'm pushing it giving it 4 stars because I never really connected with either of the main characters. She seems really weak and annoying, and him, well, he deserves her. Ten years over a misunderstanding seems a tad extreme for two people that supposedly 'love' each other so deeply and yet, both tried making a future with someone else in the interim. Lots of little editing errors also that detract from the enjoyment. A solid 3.5 stars would be appropriate. There is some good spice and dialogue in the bedroom.
September 10, 2018
Loved this novella of second chances!! Merrit and Heath had a fling in college but then found out he was duping her, tutor vs football player. Fast forward and they are both involved with Baltimore Blaze football team. Their sexual chemistry is still there and hot but can Merrit open her heart and trust Heath?
This is a quick sexy read that I did not want to see end. Loved these characters!! The perfect take me away during this football season. I highly recommend.
This is a quick sexy read that I did not want to see end. Loved these characters!! The perfect take me away during this football season. I highly recommend.
February 21, 2021
Liked the characters. Enjoyed the story.
Good story. Holds your interest and keeps you turning the pages.
It has room to be lengthed a bit, and I'd enjoy an epilogue.
An editor could polish this up. There are a couple of sentences that don't say what the author thinks they do, like 'could care less' instead of 'couldn't care less'. And there's an extra word elsewhere.
Enjoyable and recommendable.
Good story. Holds your interest and keeps you turning the pages.
It has room to be lengthed a bit, and I'd enjoy an epilogue.
An editor could polish this up. There are a couple of sentences that don't say what the author thinks they do, like 'could care less' instead of 'couldn't care less'. And there's an extra word elsewhere.
Enjoyable and recommendable.
February 25, 2022
missing a lot!
It was a great starter concept to a story. It missed a lot though. This book reminds me of more of a brainstorming session to a much longer book. I really would to have loved for the book to start off during school and following the progression of their relationship and maybe end with this portion of the book. I just felt like there was so much untapped potential with this book.
It was a great starter concept to a story. It missed a lot though. This book reminds me of more of a brainstorming session to a much longer book. I really would to have loved for the book to start off during school and following the progression of their relationship and maybe end with this portion of the book. I just felt like there was so much untapped potential with this book.
February 20, 2021
Great read!
Tracy Solheim’s prequel novella to Just for Kicks introduces head coach, Heath Gibson’s love match with Merrit Callahan. This is just the quick read you need to get into Solheim’s passionate love story of a Scottish football kicker and his arranged marriage to keep him from being deported. Solheim never disappoints! Enjoy!
Tracy Solheim’s prequel novella to Just for Kicks introduces head coach, Heath Gibson’s love match with Merrit Callahan. This is just the quick read you need to get into Solheim’s passionate love story of a Scottish football kicker and his arranged marriage to keep him from being deported. Solheim never disappoints! Enjoy!
September 13, 2021
Second chances
Merritt had met Heath 10 years ago, then ran away when she discovered a list on how to seduce a girl, complete with a rating system. Since then she'd not been able to trust. Fast forward and they're in the same area, neighbors even, and you can probably guess the rest. Even though it was predictable, it was still a fun read.
Merritt had met Heath 10 years ago, then ran away when she discovered a list on how to seduce a girl, complete with a rating system. Since then she'd not been able to trust. Fast forward and they're in the same area, neighbors even, and you can probably guess the rest. Even though it was predictable, it was still a fun read.
November 9, 2021
I read the book just randomly...I didn't know that it was in between series ie, 2.5..When I read the plot I thought there will be something to read,but it seems to be a 99 pages book so I was wrong to expect much.
The book seems to be finished in a whirlwind( it should be like that as it is no 2.5 In the series)
The book is 3rd pov which I don't like about any books. 😌
The book seems to be finished in a whirlwind( it should be like that as it is no 2.5 In the series)
The book is 3rd pov which I don't like about any books. 😌
January 13, 2018
Esta historia es cortica pero es bonita
Merrit y Heath son el uno para el otro pero errores de adolescentes los separaron hacia 10 años, pero ahora que se reencuentran la química que los unía no ha terminado por lo que se dan otra oportunidad
Merrit y Heath son el uno para el otro pero errores de adolescentes los separaron hacia 10 años, pero ahora que se reencuentran la química que los unía no ha terminado por lo que se dan otra oportunidad
June 5, 2022
So Heart Warming
OMG, Heath and Meritt are so good for each other. Such a good second chance at romance sports read. Full of all emotions that pull at the heart strings, wow!! Loved every moment t of this short story.
OMG, Heath and Meritt are so good for each other. Such a good second chance at romance sports read. Full of all emotions that pull at the heart strings, wow!! Loved every moment t of this short story.
April 6, 2024
As usual with this author, I loved the characters and the connectivity was off the charts. Merrit had a lot to overcome and not as much as she thought. Lol. You will love this if you love an easy to read romance that sizzles just enough.
October 18, 2018
This is book #2.5 in the Out of Bounds series by Ms Solheim. It’s cute, quick, and entertaining. If you sometimes just want something quick and fun between “bigger” reads this one might be for you.
Read
July 18, 2020DNF
February 19, 2021
Righting a wrong
It took ten years to finally .fix this mistake.But it was worth the wait This grabbed your interest an took you on a sizzling hot ride. Great story.
It took ten years to finally .fix this mistake.But it was worth the wait This grabbed your interest an took you on a sizzling hot ride. Great story.
March 20, 2021
Great story and wonderful characters.
July 17, 2021
This was ok nothing special
August 29, 2021
Good
It was an emotional journey for the people involved. It was good with a happy ending for the couple. 😀
It was an emotional journey for the people involved. It was good with a happy ending for the couple. 😀
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews