Pepper Jones

My best friend’s that guy. You know the one. Popular. Quarterback. Trouble. And clueless about my deeper feelings for him. So I’m focused on my other love, running. I want to qualify for cross country nationals, and I don’t need to be distracted by Jace Wilder’s latest shenanigans. Good thing there's a new guy in town. Even better, Ryan Harding is a running star, and it seems I've caught his interest. I can handle long miles and hill sprints, but guys? That’s an entirely different challenge.

Qualifying for Nationals. It’s all I can think about, and I’m willing to do anything it takes to make it happen. I can handle long miles and hill sprints in cross country, but guys? That’s an entirely different challenge. I’ve kept my feelings hidden from the boy next door all this time. My longtime friend Jace Wilder doesn’t see me that way. Our friendship stands apart from high school social circles, and I’m fine with that, or so I keep telling myself. That is, until running star Ryan Harding moves to town and bridges the gap.

Winning nationals wasn’t the only dream that came true. I also walked away with the heart of the one boy I couldn’t live without. I knew that being Jace Wilder’s girlfriend wouldn’t be simple. But, how could I have known all the hurdles we would face? Drama at school? That’s a given. Jealous girls? That I expected. Family secrets? Not so much. At least, I can always hit the trails to clear my head…or so I thought.

Senior year is finally here, and with it comes a surge in my competitive spirit. I’m determined to defend my national cross-country title. Although Jace is busy with the demands of college football, he’s still cheering me on and supporting my goals. With him by my side and my drive focused like never before, I’m ready to take on the world. But am I taking my renewed enthusiasm for training too far? With my boyfriend as the campus idol, I fear that I might just be a target to those who find Jace threatening. 

Continue this addicting, intense, and heartwarming sports romance series, including: Pep Talks, book 4, Pepped Up Forever, book 5, and Pepped Up and Wilder, book 6. New friendships, new teammates, and new athletic dreams await, along with plenty of unexpected obstacles, angst, and suspense.

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 among 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.

I’ve made it this far and I’m not about to slow down now. In fact, I’m ready to start breaking some records. With my junior year of college quickly approaching, I know it’s time to step it up a notch if I want to run professionally after I graduate. Hoping for a race day breakthrough, I wonder if it’s actually a mental barrier holding me back - and if so, how am I supposed to confront what I can’t see? Letting my past be my guide, both on and off the trails, I listen to my heart and finally know what it takes to win it all…trust. In Jace and myself.

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. 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.