CURVEBALL: A Baseball & Softball Romantic Comedy

by A.K. Landow

468 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2024

About the author

Known as the queen of RaunchCom, AK Landow is a spicy RomCom author. She’s a recovering attorney living outside of the Philadelphia area with her husband, who she secretly pined for through her teen years, three crazy daughters, and multiple animals.

She enjoys reading, now writing, drinking copious amounts of vodka, and laughing. Having discovered there’s no other need in the world for funny perverts, she’s thrilled to have this new avenue to channel her age-inappropriate sense of humor.

She began her publishing journey with the City of Sisterly Love series, initially writing the first book, Knight, because it pisses her off that there are so few FMCs over the age of 40. She wrote it as an FU to the romance community to let them know that "oldies" still get it on. She fell so madly in love with both being an author and her fictitious family, that she can't seem to stop writing.

The entire series centers around a group of strong, intelligent, confident, and supportive women. The central family is known for severe cases of oversharing and walking in on each other. Hilarity often ensues.

The Belles of Broad Street series debuted in 2023 with Conflicting Ventures. Indecent Ventures and Unexpected Ventures followed shortly thereafter. The final book in the series, Enchanted Ventures, came out in early 2024. It world shares with the City of Sisterly Love series, but can be read as standalones.

2024 also became the year AK entered the sports romance world. Staying true to her goals of portraying strong women, her debut sports romance novel, Double Play, is both a baseball AND softball romance. It's the first in the Extra Innings series, which is now complete with four full-length novels and a prequel novella.

In 2025, AK is looking forward to diving into the world of women's basketball and men's football. The first book in the Fourth Quarter Fever series will be Home Town Advantage, coming on September 4, 2025.

Her writing is known for laughs, tears, and being one-handed reads.

Reviews

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness this hit me good. Ripley knew she had found her man at five. Even though he was a very grown up ten , didn’t know she was alive as anything but his sister’s friend ,he was her daddy but not like that he was a father figure to her and his sister. But boy when she was sixteen and he twenty one . Hold him back from a full on attack on her curvaceous body. But then he goes full on noddy . The silly man . Thinks he shouldn’t have gone there and she just wants her man. She’s insecure and he has baggage but they’ve both got heart. She was five starting kindergarten in her leggings and Canada Olympic softball sweatshirt, she goes nowhere without her softball glove. Her mommy has a job teaching and coaching at the high school . Her new teacher introduces her Ripley St. James ,all the way from Canada she tells the class and asks for a volunteer buddy to help the young lass. Arizona Abbott volunteers,so that’s how they meet…Ripley swoons at a boy much older than she ,well he’s five years older but looks so grown up. He’s Arizona’s brother and she introduced him as Q . Quincy a dream calls her shortcake..Z ( Arizona ) has said how good her pitch is and she’s in . A Great Dane called Diamond is the siblings’ soft teddy bear of a dog.Flexing for fun and she’s undone. Wait till you get older hun. It will be more fun.”I think I’ll take all your firsts , Shortcake. Okay?” Quincy 21 is heading home from college to Northern California The Major League Baseball draft is today and his new agent Ted is confident…Arizona has a draft party planned .Ripley 16 has filled out nicely she’s all woman now . Wow! Arizona and Ripley are a force to be reckoned with on the pitch too only the softball not baseball pitch. When Quinn makes the draft it’s an happy occasion ,everyone has gone home and he’s soaking in the tub . “It’s you Quincy. It’s always been you .i promised you all my firsts. I’ve saved them for you. For years ,I’ve wanted it to be you.” Softball scholarship for Arizona and Ripley at age 18 I’m a little in awe if truth be known . By the awesome way AK Landow draws you into her superb sporting stories ,with all their glories. The writing is sublime ,draws you in . From the first page I’m hooked and dangling awaiting with bated breath for the outcome already. They’re not even going steady and I want them to go far. Him her super stud and she his bright shining star ,maybe she is but he doesn’t show it. Quincy takes a stand for his curvy girl against a mean girl and gets people talking , he’s usually a laid back teddy not grizzly bear. He calls her beautiful ,says she’s perfect. If only he knew then she says it’s over , they’re done .wants a divorce. Oh hun… There’s so much to this epic love story and it’s steamy as all heck . If he was mine I’d keep going back ,no danger! I certainly wouldn’t be a stranger. Very , very exciting and HOT AK my love I lost the plot! In a good way as I was lost in lust. I had to read it again of course. Excellent work, I’m still undone , but looking forward to the next one . I’ve heard it’s real good . About a Daddy who gives it good…

[Donna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

💋“We shine in the darkness, you and me.”💋

⚾️Sports Romance
ᴀ ʙᴀsᴇʙᴀʟʟ ᴀɴᴅ sᴏғᴛʙᴀʟʟ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛɪᴄ ᴄᴏᴍᴇᴅʏ
🧔Best Friend’s Brother
Little Quincy is just so fricken cute! I adore him!
💍Marriage of Convenience
🫄Surprise Pregnancy
👩‍🦰Curvy FMC
🤐Secret Relationship
🤝Forced Proximity
🎬 Second Chance

AK you have done it again you clearly hit a home run with this story. I literally couldn’t put this book down. I love how Ripley and Quincy’s love story was a bumpy one and it started when she fell in love with him at age 5. I know you’re probably thinking age 5 love ain’t possible. But trust me it is if it’s your soul mate it is.

I have to say I absolutely adored Ripley and she broke my heart in many ways. She is the type of character that you can relate to I know I did. She has very realistic insecurities, she is very loyal to her friends, and loves hard meaning she wears her heart on her sleeve. I will admit that it took me a little bit to warm up to Quincy. His baggage almost completely destroyed Ripley. I won't give any spoilers even though I don’t mind spoilers I know some people don’t like them. But he eventually redeems himself. It finally takes an earth-shattering event to get him to pull his head out of his rear end.

This story kept me emotionally invested. It literally has it all: childhood crush, secret marriage, divorce, an unexpected pregnancy and groveling and so much more. Trust me If you haven’t read any of AK’s books, you are seriously missing out. I’m completely addicted to her work. You should really check her out, you will not be disappointed I promise you that. AK has quickly become a must buy for me. The plots, the characters, the witty banter and her steamy scenes are one of the best. Add her to your TBR I promise you won’t be disappointed.

[Elisabeth Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has quickly become a must buy for me. Her plots, characters, witty banter and oh so hot steamy scenes are one of the best. This story is no exception.

Ripley and Quincy’s love story was a bumpy one and it started when she fell in love with him at age 5.

I absolutely adored Ripley and my heart broke for her. She is a character that you can relate to. She has realistic insecurities, loyal to her friends, and loves hard. I will admit that it took me a bit to warm up to Quincy. His baggage almost destroyed Ripley. I won't give any spoilers, but he does redeem himself. But it takes an earth-shattering event to get him to pull his head out.

This story has it all: childhood crush, secret marriage, divorce, an unexpected pregnancy and groveling.

If you have not read any of this author’s books, you do not know what you are missing. Check them out, you will not be disappointed.

[Neena · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We shine in the darkness, you and me.”

⚾️Sports Romance
ᴀ ʙᴀsᴇʙᴀʟʟ ᴀɴᴅ sᴏғᴛʙᴀʟʟ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛɪᴄ ᴄᴏᴍᴇᴅʏ
🧔Best Friend’s Brother
Little Quincy is just the cutest! I fell in love with him too!
💍Marriage of Convenience
🫄Surprise Pregnancy
👩‍🦰Curvy FMC
🤐Secret Relationship
🤝Forced Proximity
🎬 Second Chance

Quincy Abbott aka ‘Hit It and Quit It Quincy’ (age 33) is living his dream of pitching in the major leagues.
Ripley St. James (age 28) is also following her dream of pitching on a softball team.
Their connection is strong and natural but as often is the case, we are our own worst enemy.

Another great read! This author is such a natural writer where I feel like I am in the scenes with these characters. I laughed, loved and cried along with them!
Ripley and her crush on Q is so relatable. I love that Ripley had all her firsts with Quincy.

I loved the cameos and friends banter! Really excited that Trey and Gemma will get their own story 😍

[CeCe B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ripley and Arizona have been best friends since 5 years old. Their friendship extends to the softball diamond. Ripley has crushed on Quincy (Z older brother) since being a teenager. They have some great wins on and off the ballfield. But, Q can't give Rip what she really truly wants. Curveball follows Rip and Q through their spicy relations off the diamond.

Seriously, after meeting A K Landow at a local romance book signing at B&N, her pitch was dead on. Indie authors have been my go spicy romantacy reads. Curveball did not disappoint! The story is filled with positive body image and pro female love. Ripley is so relatable as a woman like me. Definitely have to find more from A K Landow.

[mylittlebooktavern · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing felt juvenile and the MMC was so immature. He was not someone you wanted to root for in my opinion. (this is my opinion not an attack on the author). The age gap was weird (AND ILLEGAL) when they were younger (16/21) I tried to stick it out because I saw the good reviews but I only got 75% done, I may read another book from author to keep an open mind but he way the MMC was written reminded me of real men and I read romance to escape.

[Pamela Winkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great book in AK Landow's baseball/softball series. You got quite a rollercoaster ride while following Quincy and Ripley. Happy, sad and super sexy.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving AKs books!