Total Book Geek: Book Review: Thrown by a Curve (Play by Play #5) by Jaci Burton

She thinks she knows this player—but he has a few surprise moves.

For Alicia Riley, her job as a sports therapist for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team is a home run—until she becomes the primary therapist for star pitcher, Garrett Scott. Out of the lineup with an injury, he’s short-tempered, hard to handle, and every solid inch, a man.

Right now, the only demand he’s making on Alicia is that she get him ready to pitch in time for opening day. Except the sexual chemistry between them is so charged, Alicia’s tempted to oblige Garrett just about anything. But both their careers are at stake—one bad move and it’s game over for both of them.

Garrett also feels the hot sparks between them, and the way he figures it, what better therapy is there than sex? Now all he has to do is convince the woman with the power to make the call.

Review:

So far we've had football (2x), baseball, ice hockey and now it's back to baseball. I do love me some sports themed books. Even though I often know pretty much nothing about the games, I have a great imagination for sports guys. It's pretty easy to picture their great physical shape thanks to those steaming covers.

"I know I can, if you pull your head out of your ass and work with me."

That is pretty much how the book starts. If Garret doesn't do what he's suposed to do in therapy, his career might be over. Sick and tired of everyone coddling him, Alicia puts it down loud and clear. Fortunately for her he finds her attitude refreshing and she ends up as his personal physical therapist. Their only goal is to get him pitching again, preferably by the start of the season.

"Six feet four inches of dark-haired, dark-eyed intensity, with a leanly honed body that was a work of art."

Of course Alicia is attracted to him, she's only female you know. Garret is also definitely attracted to her. Sex might even be considered therapy, is what he is thinking. Now he just has to convince her that sharing his bed is a good idea. Which isn't going to be easy, because Alicia's job means so much for her and she doesn't want to ruin her reputation. So what is she to do? Will she risk it all for him?

"She was an adult and had made an adult decision."

This describes Alicia to a T. She's very confident, knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. We're talking inside and outside the bedroom here. From a young age she knew what she wanted to do with her life and completely went for it. But know that might be on the line if she would give in to Garret.

The tension between Alicia and Garret builds up very nicely. With every page you turn, you hope now is the time they are going to act on that attraction. They are both so stubborn, it turns into a battle of wills.

Garret makes it all sound so simple. In the beginning it seems he's not the one taking the risks. He obviously is holding something back. Will they become close enough for him to share his secret with Alicia?

"They all stood up, and it was like walking into a cover shoot for a magazine."

The main character (Gray) of the next book in the series is introduced like that. Definitely one of my favorite scenes in the book.

Fans of the serie will also be glad to know some characters from the previous books make some appearances and we check in what's been going on in their lives. With exception of the baby, it's mostly things that can be considered TMI.

Thrown by a Curve was a fun book, no real surprises, but it's always nice to read about a handsome athlete and a too stubborn for her own good woman.

P.S. At the end of the book is a sneak preview for One Sweet Ride (Play by Play #6), which comes out June 4, 2013