Jace College isn’t all fun and games, and it gets lonely at the top. Thankfully, I have Pepper. She is the last person I would ever dream of hurting, but when I realize she has the power break my heart, I do the only thing I know. I push her away like I did back in high school, back when I thought she was better off without me. One thing’s becoming clear, I’m not better off without her. I need … need her. What have I done?
Pepper
I thought everything would fall into place when I started college, instead everything is falling apart. Uncertain of my coach’s expectations or my place amongst new cross country teammates, I’m struggling to redefine my running goals and prove myself. My steady relationship with Jace should be a source of comfort, but his unexplained behavior throws everything between us off track. Running may be the only way to help me get through it, but I’m not running away, not from this new team or from Jace. This freshman is headed for the finish line, and nothing is standing in my way.
more
Fourth book in a compelling YA/NA sports romance series
This YA/NA novel is the fourth book in a six-book series about Pepper Jones and Jace Wilder, whom we have previously encountered in book 1, PEPPED UP, book 2, ALL PEPPED UP, and book 3, PEPPED UP AND READY. The books in this series are not stand-alone, and it is recommended that they be read in order. Note that this review will be a spoiler for books 1, 2 and 3 if you have not read them yet.
It is Pepper’s freshman year and Jace’s sophomore year at the University of Colorado in Denver. Pepper is living in a dormitory dedicated to scholarship athletes, and Jace has moved off-campus into a house with fellow football players. At the start of the book, their romantic relationship is going strong, and they are madly in love. Then the unthinkable happens. Jace’s alcoholic mother, who abandoned him to his father’s care when he was a toddler, and with whom during the last two years he has strongly reconnected as she has been in recovery, suddenly leaves town without warning, gets back into drugs and gets arrested. Jace spirals down into an abandonment depression triggered by her defection. Due to a lack of adequate coping skills (and unwisely failing to seek therapy), he withdraws from Pepper. In a dysfunctional attempt to avoid feeling gut-wrenching emotional pain, he opts instead to feel nothing at all. He believes he cannot be with Pepper, because around her he cannot remain an emotionless robot, and early in the book he breaks up with her.
Pepper is, not surprisingly, totally devastated. Jace is the love of her life, her soulmate, and she thought she was that to him. To deal with the pain, she puts all her energy into running and her school work, and she turns for emotional support to the wonderful women who are both on her university track team and living with her as roommates and fellow residents in the athletes’ dorm.
The two concurrent plots in this book are a tragic romance and a girl-power sports plot. Pepper has many wonderful female friendships, which she deeply explores and relies on in this book, and which I greatly enjoyed reading about. For those of us who are romance junkies who demand a “happily ever after” ending, I will put in a necessary spoiler: Be aware that this is a six-book odyssey. There is more to come that is hopeful and positive in the next two books, so don’t give up on Jace and Pepper.
Pepper remains a very sympathetic heroine, both as an athlete and in her relationships with her friends and teammates. Because she is a dedicated and skilled athlete, the sports plot is filled with fascinating details of her struggles and victories as a sports competitor. Her grandmother, Bunny Jones, is in this book as well, and continues to be a terrific subcharacter.
The author wisely alternates points of view between Jace and Pepper in this book for the first time in this series. By allowing us to look into Jace’s mind about a tenth of the total book as he struggles with angry depression, it helps prevent us, the readers, from irretrievably despising Jace for dumping Pepper. We are allowed to see that he is hurting Pepper out of his immense abandonment issues, not to be malicious, and it helps us to endure the fact that the entire romantic conflict in this book is due to his emotional breakdown. It also allows us to know that (another necessary spoiler for fans of classic romance plotting) there is, in fact, no actual cheating on his side.
This book is best suited for adults and older teens because of a realistic portrayal of underage drinking and drunkenness and underage sex (though none of it is graphic). There are some relatively minor occurrences of off-color language.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Romantic Hero: 3 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Setting: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 3 stars
Girl-Power Sports Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars
This is a good series, the flow is just slow. Jace and Pepper story continues in this book so please read this story in order. I was not surprised by what Annie did. Disappointed? Yes, but not surprised at all. It’s sad that she fell off track and her actions affected Jace more than ever. It causes major changes to his and Pep’s relationship. I hated how he hurt Pep but after a while I was over it and wanted her to fake it til she make it. I hated the way she let Jace see her hurt and I wanted her to exact a little revenge. However, she was too good for that but she had great friends to support her, and lets not forget an amazing grandmother. I didn’t hate Jace in this book but I didn’t like his actions either and that goes for how he was with his brother. This was a good one time read for me and I do look forward to reading the next book to get the rest of Jace and Pep’s story.
This is Peppers first year at college. She’s trying to figure out how she fits in her with the college running team and new roommates. There are more parties, drinking and of course Jace.
Jace Has self doubt when his mom abandoned him for a second time in his life. This rejection numbed his feelings. He pushed Pepper away, because in his mind, he didnt want to feel. Pepper knew he felt loss, but his decision devastated her.
Ali Dean added another depth to this story between Jace and Pepper. Their love, their fears and their finality.
Stacey Glemboski narration captures the emotions, turmoil within Jace and Pepper. She tells their story with all the feels. Pepper’s angst and despair. Jaces love for Pepper, and his self doubt. When you listen have tissues ready! Yes , Stacey is that good! audiobookobsessionreviewer
This was an ok read. Just wished that they would just sit down and talk everything through.
Pepper is a Freshman in college and learns quickly that life doesn’t always go as planned. Jace loves Pepper and is happy that they are in the same place until a life altering event. Fear causes him to push her away. Can Pepper stay strong for the both of them? Will Jace come to his senses? I love this series so much! Bunny is always a scene stealer and is one of my favorite characters. I love how much Pepper grows and finds an inner strength that I don’t think she realized she had. I can’t wait for the next one.
I lost a lot of love and respect for Jace’s character in this story.
Having said that I am not going to indicate my reasons that would give away to much. I do also have mention it maybe for the best, for Peppers sake. This is not a joy filled story, will move on hopefully the next Pepped Up Forever is.
Stacey again did a great job narrating.
Reviewed for Audiobook Obsession
Pep Talks (Pepper Jones, Book 4) continues to keep you engaged & craving what’s next. The writing style shows no inconsistency, repetitiveness, or fluff to drag out the narrative. Characters are compelling with complex personalities. All components of concoction including angst, betrayal, brokenheart, family drama, romance, & sports all well blended together to create a entertaining listen. Looking forward to listening to the next novel in this series.
Narator Stacey Glemboski performance continues to sparkle. She has a organic style that fits the narrative perfectly. Her tonality and pace flows through smoothly, clearly, and flawlessly.
Audiobook Obsession
Ok so this has been the worst book of them all thus far! Now before you start hammering me, let me explain..
Pepper is finally in college with Jace, they are finally together. Then things fall apart and I think oh ok a small break, it happens. BUT I don’t expect the crap that really happens in this book! It makes me hurt and angry and sad all at once. I love that we get small glimpses of Jace and what is going through his head, but it’s nowhere near enough. It doesn’t answer half my questions, my main one being WHY?!
I am going to keep this short because I have to start the next book and find out what happens. I just have to!
What an Emotional Rollercoaster! Pepper Jones! Fantastic Audible Listen
Pep Talks
Pepper Jones, Book 4
By: Ali Dean
Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
OMG, I’ve been loving everything about this series, from Ali Dean’s writing style to the amazing storylines and characters she created, as well as the narration. I’ve been routing for Pepper and Jace, they’ve been friends since childhood and are now lovers, they are each others biggest supporters. They are both attending the same college now, Jace is a sophomore and Pepper a freshman. Pepper is settling in nicely, handling the pressures of her new college life, getting used to living with fellow teammates, having a new coach and facing competition like she never did before. Even her relationship with Jace was going well, until Jace gets devastating news that leaves him heartbroken. He closes himself off and pushes away those who love him including Pepper. My heart breaks for Pepper, I’d say it breaks for Jace too but I am too made at him for being an idiot. I love how Peppers teammates surround her and give her the comfort and support she needs, I also love how Pepper prevails. Thank you Ali Dean for these awesome books and for continuing to bring your awesomeness to them. Thank you for the emotional rollercoaster ride too.
I listened to the Audible edition, Stacey Glemboski does an amazing job narrating and performing the voices for all the characters. She brings them to life, giving them their own voice and personality and a whole lot of heart. She is a natural talent and an entertaining storyteller. Thank you for another awesome listen
Thank you @AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
Pep Talks
Pepper Jones, Book 4
By: Ali Dean
Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
I can’t even begin to tell you how involved I am in Jace and Pepper’s relationship. Each book delves me a little further into the story. While I would love for everything to always be rosey, this book gives us a look at life as Pepper enters her freshman year in college and hoping to have that storybook year with school, running and of course her boyfriend. But we all know life isn’t like that, and things take a turn. I would love to say I it’s all one person’s fault, but there is a lot at play here. There is past hurt, family problems, and circumstances that need to be worked through. I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. Loved seeing all the characters again, it’s like coming home.
Stacey Glemboski is this story, and I am so glad she continues the narration. She fits this genre of new adult so well, and her voice is perfect as Jace and Pepper. I love that she can switch it up to elderly right back to 19 years old with ease. Wonderful performance.
https://adbl.co/2Yym9f9
5 stars for Pep Talks by Ali Dean. This is book 4 in the Pepper Jones series. This book has a different feel to it than the rest so far. Pepper is learning to stand on her own more and not rely so much on Jace. Jace is facing something that might just break him. He falls back on how he used to treat Pepper.
“I start to wonder if he has all of us fooled. Did I ever know him like I thought I did? His ability to shut me out like I don’t even matter frightens me. It makes me afraid of him and for him. Does anyone really know Jace Wilder?”
This book broke my heart in so many ways. I cried a lot for all the characters in this book. I can not wait to see what happens between Jace and Pepper in the future. I don’t know if my heart can handle much more. I will say in this book I wanted to throat punch Jace on more than one occasion .
I am loving this series and how strong Pepper is truly becoming
Pepper is a freshman at the same college as Jace. They are still together and she’s focused on running. We get some previous characters that pop back u and we get some new ones. I was excited because Jace and Peeper were back at the same school but things get a little rocky. I wasn’t a big fan of Jace and book one but along the way I grew to love him but in this one we get jerky Jace back. I loved this one but I hated the turn that Jace and Pepper’s relationship took.