Thrown By A Curve (A Play-by-Play Novel Book 5)

Thrown By a Curve by Jaci Burton
Contemporary Romance- March 5th, 2013
4 1/2 stars

This contemporary romance is part of a steamy series about the Rileys. An extended family who are all somehow related to sports.

In this story, Alicia Riley is a sports therapist working on the St Louis Rivers professional baseball team. Her group is working with the troublesome star pitcher Garrett Scott. Garrett has not been doing his therapy and is obviously being coddled. When she points it out in a burst of frustration she fears she will be fired! But instead Garrett is intrigued by the perky therapist who claims she can 'fix' him. He requests she be his personal therapist. As they work together Alicia gets him into shape and makes sure that he tows the line. But the problem is the building sexual tension between the two! As both succumb, Alicia is worried how it will look for her professionally and personally. Because she is beginning to care for the playboy Garrett far more than she feels comfortable. Not only that, what if her boss finds out? Can she protect her heart and her job?

This was a light romance with real characters. Garrett has had everything come far too easy for him and for the first time he has to struggle. And he doesn't do it very gracefully. But thankfully he has Alicia there to push him and get him motivated. I liked how Garrett realizes that he has to lean on someone and discovers that he is in love when Alicia isn't there. Alicia wants to be the best therapist and proving to herself and the team she can rehabilitate Garrett is important to her. She really likes Garrett but doesn't want to be one of his love 'em, leave girls. Being with Garrett is something entirely new and delicious -because Garrett really has the 'moves' in the bedroom. But she fears how she will feel when it is over. She doesn’t have the experience like Garrett and feels out of her depth. I also liked this book because it didn't have any hidden curves and focused itself on the main characters and how they related to each other. I really felt I got to know each of them and could feel them falling from professional respect, into friendship and then finally love.

This was a very satisfying and sexy read. A sweet heroine nabs and shapes up the playboy pitcher.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

I really like Alicia. She is strong willed and opinionated. She is not afraid to speak up and go after what she wants...in all aspects of her life. Being one of a small group of FEMALES in sports medicine working with professional athletes, is no small feat.

Pitching Superstar Garrett's physical rehab is not going as anyone expected. It is at a standstill and he is looking for more. He asks Alicia her opinion, and she gives it,leaving everyone stunned. Garrett wants her and only her to take on his rehabilitation.

Alicia and Garret, professionally is a good thing. She fights her personal feelings for him though, not wanting to cross THAT line. They both try for a while...

I am all for smutty books AND this has smut for sure, BUT its also nice to see an actual story and some build up that leads to THAT good stuff. They don't fall in love after a day, they do quickly BUT thankfully NOT that quickly.

Its a nice ending. For some odd reason I am reading this series all out of order but I am not lost at all.

Entrusted with the job of getting pitcher Garrett Scotts shoulder back into working order, Sports therapist Alicia Riley is confident in her ability to get the job done. What neither of them counted on was the deep attraction and emotional connection that would form.

Instead of lighting me on fire, this story was more of a slow burn, which almost made it even better. Rather than race through, I was able to take my time and really feel the connection between Alicia and Garrett. Their feelings toward each other were very believable. They came across as very real people who struggled with figuring out he right thing to do.

As always in this series, there was plenty of steamy sex. What makes it even better though is the love that develops as well.

THERE ARE NO MORE RELATIVES. HOW AM I SUPPOSSED TO KEEP AN EYE ON PREVIOUS CHARACTERS!?!?

Well besides that fact, can I just say that I'll never get enough of this series? Because I won't. Jaci Burton's characters are full of depth and heart. Yes angst gets the best of them as well as frustration got the best of me while reading but there's something about them that makes me want more and more and more.

BOOK 6 HERE I COME.

I like sports romance, so this satisfied my need. However, this was not my favorite in this series. I liked the characters and story but, but the story didn't grab me the way some of the other books in this series did. Alicia and Garret meet when she helps him with his shoulder injury. They both work for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team. Alicia is a sports therapist and Garret is the star pitcher. Alicia is Gavin's sister and cousin to the other characters in this series. All the characters from the previous books make appreances in this one. Fun, but not fabulous.

When physical therapist Alicia Riley for the Saint Louis Rivers baseball team gets the chance to work with their star pitcher Garret Scott on an injury the sparks seriously fly. I fell in love with the developing relationship between the two of them while Garret is facing the challenges of not playing Alicia fights to keep her libido in check on the job. Can they keep their professional careers and also have a future together and what will happen if the relationship reaches those who may make or break them and their careers down. Can Alicia also get Garret ready to pitch through it all.

OH I really liked this sports related romance and the erotica wasn't too bad(skip if desired). All Jaci Burton's Play-by-Play series of books have good sports related romances and as I said above - if you are not into erotica, just skip over.

Less romance, more sport-talk, exercise routines, the higher calling of sports therapy, pitches in baseball and lots of quivering body parts. A long yet light read that I could not wait to finish because it was fairly predictable. I am just not interested in these characters and the dry boring writing style. I give the book 2.5 stars for the cover-model's chest.... which is quite fantastic to look at.

This book kept me interested from the beginning to the end. I loved the hot & steamy scenes. Alicia & Garrett made a cute couple. I love how Alicia didn't baby Garrett or put with his crap like the other therapists did. I love how Alicia showed Garrett he can have a loving family like hers. I love the sacrifice Garrett was willing to make to be with Alicia. I love this series.

Jaci Burton's realistic novel Thrown by a Curve explores the lives of two characters who know what they want and are afraid they can never have it. Full of warmth and want, this 3 1/2 star novel Thrown by a Curve has a smooth ebb and flow of conflict and romance that makes it a satisfying read.
Danielle Christie at affairedecoeur.com

This book is like the others of Jaci Burton, wich always finished with HEA. A romance reading with steamy scenes, with enjoyable characters. This story contínuos in Riley's family, and this time the romance is between Alicia, Gavin's cousin , and Garrett , a hot baseball player.
Very safe and nice reading!