Pepped Up

Pepper Jones Book 1

By: Ali Dean

Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

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. He has the personal magnetism and good looks to hook just about any girl in town - and he has. 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. Apparently, I’ve caught his eye, and suddenly Jace starts seeing me in a different light. Everything changes, for all of us. 

On the trails, my goals are clear. Train, run, breathe, run, win. But when it comes to Jace and Ryan, it’s nowhere near as simple. This battle can’t be won by crossing a finish line; this war is in my heart. 

©2013 Ali Dean Fiction, Inc. (P)2015 Ali Dean Fiction, Inc.

2.5 frustrated stars.

Mild spoilers ahead:

Pepped-up is the first book of a series about Pepper Jones and her rise through high school and beyond as a running star. I don’t mind reading a series if it’s great. Here, the writing is good, the narration is excellent, but the plot made me pause. What?!

The heroine, Pepper, a running athlete, appears to have her head on straight as long as her crush on her neighbour/high school quarterback, Jace, is kept under wraps.

Along comes a lovely young man, Ryan, also on the running team, who is decent to Pepper, shares her interests and seems compatible in every way. We get to watch their relationship develop and he’s great. But he’s not the hero? I had to double check the blurb.

Nope, the hero is the neighbour Jace who treats Pepper inconsiderately and engages in a reprehensible activity - unless he’s working with the police, but that’s unlikely at his age, isn’t it?

Pepper is besotted with Jace, but her love for him developed “off page” before the book began so I’m not invested in Jace in any way. I’m TOLD about their past, I’m not SHOWN it like I am shown the relationship with Ryan.

Therefore, as a reader I fell for the wrong guy - Ryan (who’s really the better guy at this stage). Therefore, I’m frustrated. If Pepper chooses Jace right now, I can’t respect her (even though she has so much going for her). If I don’t respect the protagonists, I can’t engage.

That’s just me. If you’re not bothered by what irritates me, you may love this whole series.

Will I read the rest of the series? Not unless it’s available on Audible’s Escape Package.

Before Pepped up, I listened to Ali Dean’s THE LINE BELOW and KICK and thoroughly enjoyed both as the writing was terrific and the narration by Stacey Glemboski was excellent (as usual). I recommend those novels without hesitation. I can’t say the same for PEPPED UP. Not yet, anyway.

Gran is my Spirit Animal

First, I think Gran is a little underrated in this story. She is awesome! I loved her and her since of parenting and it reminded me a bit of my own upbringing; the theory of you might as well try at home in a safe space rather than somewhere you may not have help. That being said, I’m not a fan of overt drug use in novels, but I understood how it was necessary to add to this story.

I loved this book and listened to it in pretty much one sitting. I agree with other reviewers that it does seem to end a bit abruptly, but I expect it is to lead you to the next book. The high school novel and interplay that has very little to do with class time was refreshing. I truly look forward to reading the rest of this series and finding out where this relationship goes. I had the sense through the entire novel that there is something that Jase knows about his and Pepper’s childhood that he is not letting on yet. I’m eager to see if my hunch is correct.

The narrator did a great job with different voices and attitudes for the different characters and ‘settings.’ I enjoyed listening and couldn’t stop but certainly didn’t want it to be over.

I was provided with a free copy of this audio book for my honest review. The views expressed here are entirely my own.

Loved it!

I love this series. This is the first series I read from this author and I can’t wait to read whatever she comes out with next.

Pepper Jones is a runner in high school who is happy with her life of running and hanging with her best friend Jace. She has her running goals and her routine. She has been friends with Jace since they were young, but her feeling for him has moved from platonic to attraction. Jace however, keeps his friendship with Pepper and his life of girls and parting separate . Pepper is resigned that Jace just sees her like a sister. Things start changing with them, Pepper wants more, but Jace is getting more secretive and she is starting to think she doesn’t know Jace at all. As Pepper starts pulling away and trying to movie on from her feelings for Jace, he starts spiraling out of his usual tight control. Pepper is torn between wanting to be there for Jace and not wanting to get sucked in and get her heart broken.

This book was a great read. The story flowed and the character development was great. I have read this series a few times and listened to the audio book. The audiobook was great! The actress reading was great and truly displayed the emotion of the characters.

The choice is hers...

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast. I have to start by saying I can't wait to listen to book 2 in this series. This book was all too easy to listen to! The narrator kept my attention the whole time, and the book is written with excellently animated characters. Pepper has it all going for her, but can she decide which guy to let in to her nearly perfect life? This book is worth the credit to find out!!

All Pepped Up!

Pepped Up was a fantastic start to a series by Ali Dean. Pepper Jones is such a relatable character. I appreciate her love of running and admire how she overcomes many obstacles. She has to choose between her best friend from childhood Jace and another guy Ryan. I love the relationships she has with these two guys as well as her grandma, coach, and friends. I really did not know who she was going to end up with until the very end of the book, and I personally cannot make up my mind which guy I really wanted her with.

The story had a nice balance of school life and personal life. The plot did not drag and kept me engaged. I planned on sitting down to listen to 30-60 minutes and listened to it in one sitting. I found the ending slightly abrupt, but I am wondering if it is because it will lead right into the second book. I enjoyed the cross country knowledge that is shared as well. Many people think cross country runners just run, but there is so much more to training than just running. I found this book to be a very realistic story.

Stacey Glemboski does a lovely job with the narration, is easy to listen to, and has nice, varying voices.

I received a copy of this book at my request, and I have voluntarily left this review.

Can't wait for the next book!

What a great start to the series - I can't wait for the next book. The story gave a good glimpse into the mind of an athlete and the narrator did a great job with the characters. I loved the way the relationships progressed and all the different players in the story made you feel like you were there and part of their lives.

I was given this free review copy at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Pepped Up

A great story! Elite high school athlete, Pepper Jones is not only preparing for her cross country running season, but she’s also dealing with changing feelings for her lifelong best friend. Add in a new boy (also an elite athlete), and things get confusing.

Ali Dean has written what I imagine is a very realistic story. I was drawn to the characters and genuinely interested in what was happening. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.

Not my first Stacey Glemboski listen, and I know it won’t be my last. Well done!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Pepper Jones gives me life!

As always, I have to let you guys know that I received this book for free in exchange for a review. But as always, this does not affect my opinion of the book, so I always give honest feedback.

Such a great and interesting book. I loved it.

Pepped Up

This is the first book that I have read or listened to by Ali Dean, and I was not disappointed. This book is about a high school cross country star that is navigating her feelings between her lifelong best friend and a new kid that is the defending national cross country winner. It shows some of the challenges that teenagers are facing in today's world while maintaining the great story line of a young adult romance book! I enjoyed this immensely and can't wait to finish the series!

love+friendship+running+great characters=awsome

This audiobook was provided to me by the author at no cost, in exchange for an unbiased review.

Pepper Jones is a high school student and ambitious runner, who enjoys her live with her Grandma, spending time with her friends from the running team and hanging out with her best friend since childhood-Jace (who is also the high schools star quarterback).
Pepper has had a crush on Jace for a long time, but since he sees her like a little sister, she tries to keep it secret from him, to obtain their friendship.
She is even ok with his womanizing (ok kind of), but is really hurt, when she realizes, that Jace has this whole other live with a lot of partying, alcohol etc. which he actively tries to keep her away from. She feels like she doesn`t know her best friend at all anymore and starts to withdraw from their friendship and starts to spend more time with her girlfriends and the new guy on the running team, Rian, who helps her realize a couple of things (both about her running and her relationship to Jace).
As a reaction to Peppers withdrawal, Jace Partying begins to get out of control, helping both Pepper and him to realize, just how much he needs her to be part of his live. In what capacity? –Well you will just have to read / listen to the book yourself ;-).
What I like best about the story is, the change of dynamics between Pepper and Jace, but also that she doesn`t sacrifice her life for him, but stays true to herself. And also the complexity and development of the characters. IN addition I loved the running scenes, which are often used for an internal monologue, to let the reader know what exactly Pepper is thinking.

I have read a few books by Ali Dean by now and I enjoy her writing style immensely, I find it to flow easily and when it sometimes get a bit explicit, I feel like it is to help develop a character (the bad boy swearing a little more than the girl next door, etc.).

Coming to the other important part of an AUDIObook, the voice.
At the beginning I couldn`t stand the voice, she sounded just wrong to me, not at all how I would have expected Pepper to sound (after reading the series about 5 times I was rather set on how she was supposed to sound). And I found it difficult to distinguish the male voices in the beginning.
But after a while I got used to it and by chapter three I had no issues at all with recognizing the characters by voice. (I am still not that happy with Bunnys voice but that’s just my personal opinion).
What did hinder the listening experience for me was the naming of the chapters, but again not that big of a problem.

So summing it Up, I loved the story, the voice was good but not excellent and I will totally recommend the Audiobook /Book to some friends.

YA Contemporary Romance

Pepped Up by Ali Dean is a YA contemporary romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Stacey Glemboski. This is the first book in the Pepper Jones series.

This is the first book of Ali's that I have read and I look forward to reading more of her books. It is a sweet high school romance with the drama included when you are that age. I am not completely on board with the relationship between Pepper and Jace at this point. But I will be jumping into the next book All Pepped Up to see where their relationship goes from here.

Stacey did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.



Audiobook Obsession Reviewer

Brilliant

I love Ali Dean, Pepper and Jace shouldn’t work but I was just rooting for them the whole way through. Can’t wait to listen to the next book and find out what’s next.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Great start to an already addictive YA series.

Confession: I started with book 4 and now I’m here for the full story.

I was completely immersed in throughout. Pepper Jones is such a sweet and driven girl. But boy does Jace Wilder have a hold of her heart. Life long best friends and she’s been in crush with him forever.
It’s maddening to see Jace living it up on the wild side while actively controlling their friendship and any outside interest in Pepper. We’ve probably all been there... I know I have do it was so easy to relate but so frustrating nonetheless.

I cannot wait to dive into book 2. I feel like these characters will stay with me for a very long time.

Great start to an already addictive YA series.

4.5 stars

Pepped Up

YA Friends to lovers, which is normally one of my favorite tropes. I liked Pepper more than Jace. I didn't really care for the ending and don't know if I will continue the series. I did think it was an ok/enjoyable read- listen because of Pepper and the narration.
#AudiobookObsession review

Indecisive Pepper

Pepper is confused about everything except running. Her best friend Jace has been making sure that no one dates her and does not know how to handle her seeing someone else. He is not ready for a relationship and sleeps around. Pepper must decide does she want the friend that she has crushed on who is bad for her or the good boy.
Good Narration
🎧 Audiobook Obsession

Pepped Up

High school love stories are always a fun read when you have all the teenage angst and confusion in the mix. I really liked this book. Pepper’s grandmother is hilarious and may be one of y favorite characters to read in quite a while. I look forward to listening to the next book soon.

#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Peeped it up

This author was so new to me and I am glad I was introduced to this author. Narrator was also new to me. They made a great team with this one. Can't wait to dive into the next one.

Jace

Pepped up is my first book by Ali Dean and I enjoyed it. First of all I loved the cover and I loved listening to the book. If I maybe read this one it might not have been as enjoyable with the back and forth and the get together not happening till the end. I like young adult books and this one was friends to lover with a mix of different friends. I enjoyed the difference with the cross country running and I looking forward to the future books and I am hoping the momentum of their relationship stay as I thought they took a little too long to get together. The story 🌟🌟🌟💫

Amazing

Hello new favourite series!
So. Good!
Great narrator. Love Buns, Pepper and Jace. Ryan too

Excellent story!

This is a great story that has been well written.

Pepper is a runner who is very good. She won States last year and her goal is to qualify for nationals.

Jase is her friend and has been for many years. They grew up together. He’s a football player who is also good. They run in different circles at school and he parties a lot and Pepper doesn’t party.

Ryan, new in their school, also a runner , he won at nationals last year. He and Pepper are attracted to each other and start dating.

What happens when they do is a series of issues that make you want to keep listening. There’s many sides to all of these people, and Ali Dean is showing us all of them! Looking for book 2 immediately!!!

Stacey Glemboski did a wonderful job with the voices in this book!!! They were easily discernible and all pleasant to listen to.