Review: Curveball – V. K. Sykes

Taylor Page has never wanted anything but a career in major league baseball. Through talent and guts, she’s finally landed a position as Assistant General Manager of the Philadelphia Patriots. But she wants the ultimate prize—General Manager. The only problem is that most men in baseball still don’t take a woman exec seriously, especially a thirty-year old blonde with no on-field experience. She needs to do something big to convince her bosses she has what it takes to run a team.

Veteran Pittsburgh outfielder Ryan Locke’s career is in jeopardy when a suddenly unreliable throwing arm comes on top of rehab from a major injury. He’s had a solid run but he’s not a star with a mega-contract. A single parent with a troubled daughter and an alcoholic mother to provide for, retirement is out of the question. Ryan’s best hope is for a trade to an American League team as a designated hitter, allowing him several more years of play.

When Taylor needs to find a replacement for an injured first baseman, she comes up with an innovative but risky idea: convince her boss to make a trade for Ryan Locke, and then convince the still talented slugger to play first base for the Patriots. With Ryan dead-set against that plan and both their careers on the line, neither Taylor nor Ryan can afford the explosive physical attraction between them. But despite Taylor’s best efforts to resist Ryan’s campaign of seduction, she’s not sure she’s got to willpower to keep from playing along.

Series: Philadelphia Patriots #4
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: V. K. Sykes
Source: Provided by Author via Manic Readers
Reviewer: Karen
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

Taylor Page’s focus is on her career in baseball, until she meets baseball player Ryan Locke.

Taylor Page is the new assistant general manager for the Philadelphia Patriots. She is a statistical wiz and determined to make her mark in the field. Taylor makes a controversial suggestion to her boss. She thinks they should hire Ryan Locke to fill in for an injured player who is out for the season. The only problem is Locke is an outfielder, and she is suggesting they play him at first base. Taylor is an attractive, sassy woman who loves everything about baseball. She is a woman working in a field dominated by men. She has to constantly prove herself and work harder than her male counterparts.

Ryan Locke is a veteran baseball player who is slowing down due to his age and some injuries. He still loves baseball and has the fire in his gut, but the Hornets want to trade him. Ryan is struggling with a few issues in his life, including being a single father to a teenage daughter. I loved Ryan he is a good guy and a great dad. He is the perfect combination of stubborn, alpha male, with a sensitive side. Ryan never complains and always tries to do his best.

From the moment Taylor and Ryan look at each other sparks fly. They are attracted to one another, but Taylor is management and knows she can’t be involved with Ryan. Taylor and Ryan are forced to make some hard decisions in their life. They are hard working career driven people and they have to decide if they can change their goals and still be happy.

Curveball is a delightful, entertaining story. It’s the fourth book in V. K. Sykes’ baseball series and can be read as a standalone. Some of the characters from the other books make an appearance in this story. Curveball has it all, baseball, romance, sizzling chemistry and a hot alpha male.