Garrett Scott, starting pitcher for the St. Louis Rivers, is on the bench due to a shoulder injury. Impatient, frustrated, and unhappy with the progress of his rehabilitation, he's not a pleasant patient. Alicia Riley, physical therapist on the sports medicine team, knows Garrett is his own worst enemy. If he would get his head on straight and do the work he'll pitch again, she's sure of it. When Garrett demands Alicia take over his rehabilitation, they find themselves working together to get him pitching again while fighting an attraction that gets stronger each day.

THROWN BY A CURVE is the fifth book by Jaci Burton in the Play-by-play series, one of my favorites. I thoroughly enjoy the hot athletes determined to be the best and the smarty, sexy women who excel at their own profession. Garrett, overly-confident athlete was well matched by Alicia, the demanding and blunt therapist. The focus on rehabilitation was a twist on the sports theme that I found intriguing. The mental and physical attraction between Garrett and Alicia was strong. As always, I appreciated catching-up with other members of the Riley clan.

I eagerly anticipate each book in the Play-by-play series so I have to confess to being a little disappointed in THROWN BY A CURVE. Compared to earlier books in the series it lacked emotional depth and in some ways felt both slow and rushed. I liked Garrett and Alicia but the circumstances impacting their growing relationship did not create strong emotional tension. Garrett had some issues related to his parents' divorce that were mentioned but never carried any real weight. I think someone as smart as Alicia would have struggled a bit more with the idea of sleeping with a patient and the implications for her career. One of my favorite things about the Play-by-play series is the big-break-up followed by a grand-gesture ending. I re-read those endings over and over again. When I didn't feel the urge to re-read after finishing THROWN BY A CURVE, I knew something was missing. I'm hopeful the next book in the series, One Sweet Ride, will leave me satisfied.

Book Summary

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.

Read an Excerpt