Pepper: The best part of a happy ending… finding out it’s actually just the beginning. Having someone promise to be by your side, to chase dreams with, whisper troubles to, it’s more than I could have imagined. But after three seasons of Jace playing pro ball in Ohio, three long seasons, with him on the road, and me training all over the world, I’m questioning if we can really have it all. … really have it all. Harsh criticism of our relationship is all too familiar and uncovers old wounds. I only ever wanted to run and to be with Jace, and finding the perfect balance proves to be my greatest trial yet.
We vowed not to let our love deter each other’s athletic goals, but I miss him. I miss us.
Jace:
The demands of our careers have us running in opposite directions, when we should be putting down roots, together. But escalating fame and an overbearing agent have me fumbling everything I hold dear, including Pepper.
After years of dedication and sacrifice, I’m finally in a position to trade to my hometown team. Moving back to Colorado could be the answer to all our problems, but just when I think we’re finally on the right track, we’re sacked with news that turns everything upside down. News that rattles me and sends Pepper into a tailspin. It’s time for me to remind the girl that I fell in love with how to fight.
Until she’s ready, I’ll fight hard enough for the both of us. For better or for worse.
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Pepped Up & Wilder (Pepper Jones, Book 6) is the final book in this sports romance and ends Pepper and Jace’s journey. My best-loved chapter was the final chapter. I absolutely adored the epilogue too as it was perfect glimpse of the future. I love how everything fit together like a puzzle perfectly. This final book wasn’t rushed or capacity batting added to extend it. Grams will always be my favourite character. Umbrella, a sports romance with sports stats, angst & love creating a entertaining listen.
Narator Stacey Glemboski performance continues to show her panache. A flawless performance with perfect intonation, pace and flows through smoothly.
Audiobook Obsession
Pepped Up & Wilder
Pepper Jones, Book 6
By: Ali Dean
Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
Ah, this journey of Pepper and Jace has come to and end and what an story! Once again, Ali Dean had me entranced in their story as they enter marriage, their high profile careers and whatever comes with it. I was right their with them through each trial, felt their pain and love, enjoyed their triumphs, hated their tribulations and loved being with Bunny. Watching these two grow and mature from high school to adulthood is something we all can relate to. It’s great fun having the characters consistently move from book to book, having those we love and those we don’t, from great friends to mean girls. It’s a wonderful series, and I especially loved the epilogue! Ali Dean has a winning series, one I will definitely recommend and add to my top listens.
Stacey Glemboski is this series, and I am so glad she narrated the entire thing. She became these characters, consistently kept the voices so we knew who was talking, could feel all the emotions they went through and found their essence. Her performance is amazing, and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next.
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Great ending to the series. Loved how the author handled sensitive topics.
5 stars for Pepped Up and Wilder by Ali Dean. This is the 6th and final book in the Pepper Jones series. How is married life treating Pepper and Jace. They are both on career paths that are taking them all over the place. These two love each other and love what they do. Even doing what they loved to do , they both miss each other something fierce. Do these two have what it takes to be married and still have the careers they want and dreamed about.
“Marriages mean compromises, Jace. We each give up a little bit for each other.”
This is my favorite book out of the series. You truly see what these two are made of and how much they truly love each other. They go thru many ups and downs during this book as a married couple. I love the strength they show and support they have for each other. This series is one great series. You will not be disappointed when reading this.
I was introduced to Ali Dean’s writing with PEPPED UP, the first book in the Pepper Jones series, and was immediately hooked. I was surprised when a sixth book was released because Pepper and Jace’s story seemed to be over in in book 5, but I was eager to dive into their world once more. Both professional athletes now, Pepper and Jace are early to mid twenties now, and life seems to be going pretty well, other than the fact that they spend a lot of time apart from each other. They’re looking to settle down in their old home town of Brockton, Colorado, with Jace vying for a spot as the quarterback on the local NFL team, the Stallions (Broncos). There’s plenty of shallow people in both the running and NFL world to deal with along with returning favorites, including Bunny, Wes, Zoe and the rest of the Brockton crew. Madeline Briscole, my favorite mean girl (i.e. the girl I love to hate) makes a brief and snarky reappearance, but she doesn’t really rock the boat this time. In fact, not much rocks the boat, and that’s my biggest issue with this last installment. There isn’t as much conflict as I’m used to in Ali Dean’s stories. And the conflict that does arise is quickly doused by our now more mature protagonists. This is what we all wanted for them, but it doesn’t make for a page-turning read. That said, it was a very satisfying final conclusion to the series and the epilogue was especially fulfilling.
Plot
There doesn’t seem to be a main plot, but there are several parallel plots taking place: where will Jace play football, will Pepper make the Olympic marathon team, and where will they settle down. The three are obviously linked. Where Jace plays has a lot to do with where they will ultimately live which in turn impacts Pepper’s running career. As I mentioned above, there isn’t much conflict in any of these and anything that does threaten their happiness, isn’t a long-term issue. But the story unfolds at a steady pace and I didn’t get bored.
Characters
It was so fun being back with Pepper, Jace and the gang! I enjoyed seeing the more mature versions of these two and cameos from some of my favorite characters from the past. I would have liked more of Bunny, but isn’t that always the case?
What I Enjoyed About PEPPED UP & WILDER
1. Pepper and Jace. They work so well together, and after watching their trials and failures through five books, I love their HEA.
2. The Running. Pepper has evolved from trail running to marathon running. Having only ever run one half, I read through these scenes with only a superficial appreciation of what is involved, but I felt sucked into the events anyway. This is where Dean’s descriptive elements really shine.
3. Supporting Cast. Both old favorites and newcomers rounded out the characters nicely.
4. NFL Drama. It was my favorite sport to watch before the Chargers up and moved to LA (don’t get me started) but I still enjoyed reading about the behind-the-scenes drama that a bunch of egotistical jocks can drum up. Tween girls ain’t got nothing on this bunch.
5. The Epilogue. A deeply satisfying wrap up to one of my all-time favorite couples.
Bottom Line
A thoroughly satisfying conclusion to the series.
I love epilogues because you get a peak into the world of characters you have come to love and get to set what happens after the end of the story. What’s better than an epilogue? Another book in a great series. Ali Dean brings us back into the world of Pepper Jones and Jace Wilder with Pepper Up & Wilder and if you loved the original series, you will love this book. Dean brings back all of our favorite people along with some of our least as Pepper and Jace brave the world of celebrities and sports, as a rarity that is a married couple committed to each other. They still seem to face the same old problems along with some emotionally draining new ones, but Dean’s great writing shines throughout while showing readers why we came to love these characters in the first place.
I wish it were a bit longer and even though it is book six, I wish it were a bit more developed, but over all it is a great read. If there could be a book seven, even better. This reader is hoping Dean will also go back to the world of Stark Spring next!
I have read a lot of Ali Dean’s books. Some of them were perfect YA/NA/Sports romances, few of them not so much.
When Ali Dean offered the opportunity to read whole Pepper Jones series, I was extatic as I adored most of her books. There was angst, feelings, lots of fun and sport+ definite love for sport. The fifth book felt like appropriate ending of the story.
When the author announced the release of Pepped Up & Wilder, I did not know how the sixth book would continue the story for Pepper and Jace, but hoped for more action, unfortunately – did not feel it. I hope this is final book of the series as I do not see where the story can go further.
Anyway, this is logical ending of the series, so fans of Pepper and Jace – go for it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pepper and Jace were one of the first couples I feel in love with when I started reading this genre. I was so excited to see their story continue to the present day (and future). I loved to see all the characters show up and progress in their own lives while adding depth to Pepper and Jace’s story. This book wrapped up the series in a nice little bow and I loved every word. I won’t hesitate to recommend this series to all of my friends.