Pep Talks

Pepper Jones #4

by Ali Dean

(This is the fourth book in the Pepper Jones series, which should be read in order. The first three books in the series may be purchased as a box set for a discounted price, under the title “The Pepper Jones Collection.”)
Pepper’s freshman year at college is a harder transition than she anticipated. Uncertain of her coach’s expectations or her place amongst her new teammates, she struggles to redefine her running goals and identity on the cross country team. Pepper’s steady relationship with Jace should be a source of comfort as she navigates the college social environment, but an unexpected event throws everything between them off track. Also, hear from Jace’s point of view for the first time EVER. Growing up is hard, and when you’re Pepper Jones, running may be the only way to help you get through it.

Genres: Romance, Sports, College, Sports Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Friends To Lovers

281 pages, ebook

First published July 26, 2015

About the author

Ali is a USA Today Bestselling author of sports romance. She has always loved to read, especially when there's a happily ever after, but found that there weren't enough books out there featuring girl athletes. So, she decided to work on that. Like the heroines in her books, Ali is an athlete, with running and skiing her favorite sports these days. Ali hails from Vermont and now lives in her own happily-ever-after in Colorado with her husband, two sets of twins, and golden retriever Pancake. When she's not pursuing an outdoor adventure, Ali's less healthy passions include ice cream, coffee, and beer.

Get to know Ali Dean by following her on any of her social media and author links below.

www.alideanfiction.com
www.facebook.com/alideanfiction
www.twitter.com/alideanfiction
www.instagram.com/alideanfiction
www.bookbub.com/profile/ali-dean
www.pinterest.com/alidean750

Sign up for Ali's newsletter and receive free short stories as a welcome gift! https://www.subscribepage.com/alidean...

Reviews

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay story, although it did feel a bit slow in places. Jace’s behaviour towards Pepper was awful though, and I don’t blame her for being upset about it.



6 out of 10

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I like about this book:
1) Pepper still doesn't feel the need to succumb to peer pressure and party hard or sleep around.
2) She's not judgmental of those who do, but just doesn't want to do the same.
3) She doesn't spiral out of control when life throws her for a loop.
4) She cares about her friends and her Gran.
5) Gran is still hilarious.
6) Pepper works hard in school and cross.

What I don't like about this book:
1) Pepper acts shocked when her boyfriend, who isn't the most emotionally healthy person, shuts her out.
2) The tired and overdone theme- bad boy with major issues, finally settling down with the good girl who makes him want to be better, but then...wait for it...breaks her heart. Ugh.
3) Team Ryan is now gone. I'm sad.

[Haley Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this book being the 4th installment in the Pepper Jones Series, I can tell you, you will not be able to put this down once you have started! I absolutely LOVED it!

Not only does Ali give you Pepper’s POV but she also throws in a couple of Jace's POV. I’m really glad Ali gave us a glimpse of what Jace what thinking.

We get to see “Wild” Pepper be born (I kinda like this side of Pepper lol ) and then you see the closed off Jace (not a big fan)

So in this book, Pepper will be a Freshman at UC & on the cross and track team. Mind you her hottie of a BF Jace Wilder is UC quarterback on the football team.

Throughout the book, Jace and Pepper deal with life changing events. Some are good, but then there are some that are bad. And the bad one are the ones that change your life forever….

[Michelle Claypot_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to shake both of them in this one. Plenty of angst in this story. Jace’s childhood causes some very poor decisions but then again he’s a twenty year old guy 🙄

Highlight of the book is Gran. I freaking adore her!

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read. It does remind me of why I try to stay away from YA books. Jace and Pepper are both in college now. Things are going great until his mother calls him. Then he becomes a jerk. Pepper doesn't handle things well. Needless to say, there was a lot of useless drama in this book. I just hope it doesn't take too long to get this relationship back on track.

[Kate R · Rating 3 out of 5]

ugh so did not like jace in this one. i'm sure he'll redeem himself in the next book though

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review and more at http://bookplusheart.com/2015/07/24/p...

This book showed Jace and Pepper at their lowest points. It was great that Ali Dean added some chapters of Jace, so we as the reader can get a since of what is going on with him.

Okay, so I just finished reading the 4th book in the Pepper Jones Series. I have to say there were many things that surprised me. Now I will put my disclaimer in now.

1. I got an ARC copy from the author in PDF form that was still in the final stages of editing. So there were some mistakes I found, but usually there is no problems.

2. I am going to mention spoilers, so if you haven't read it yet and plan to, don't read on till you have finished the book.

Here is the deal. Ali jumped about 8 to 9 months in the story. We don't get anything from Pepper's finally few months as a senior at Brockton. We are told things that happened, but it wasn't the same. She and Jace are still together and they are going strong. The book begins with UC sports preseason. Some of the character's from the last book that we were introduced to return: Clayton, Lexi, and Frankie. Pep Talks (Pepper Jones Book 4).

I am glad that we got some personal drama between these two. They always seem like the perfect couple. They have had so many external forces trying to separate them, but instead in this book they self-implode. We know Jace has baggage with his mom abandoning him; and, his dad having an affair which leads to Wes and Jace being brothers. It seems like he has conquered all that because he has Pepper in his life, but when he begins to fall apart, he pushes the one good thing in his life away. He says, “That girl is my light, my center. Like gravity, she keeps me grounded” (Chapter 11). I love that. I love that we finally get to see inside Jace’s head. I want to know more about this darkness he talks about. I wonder if he has more baggage then Pepper or anyone else really knows.Ali Dean added more layers and depth to Pepper and Jace. We are now dealing with severer issues between these two and others around them. Eating disorders, abandonment, anger, and depression.

Now let us bring up Jace's mom, ANNIE! Let me tell you, I was right there with Pepper feeling Annie was going to be a problem. Load-and-behold she became the straw that broke the camel’s back. Annie once again leaves Jace with no word. Just Poof, gone. A few weeks later she even calls Jace and ask for money to get her out of jail in California. Which he doesn’t do, THANK GOODNESS!

So Jace falls apart. He begins pushing everyone away. He distances himself from Pepper especially. He pushed her so far that he ends up breaking-up with her. During this time, Pepper goes to see Gran (Bunny) and finds her fallen in the bathroom. She broke her hip. Pepper falls apart and she stops eating. Her teammates get on her because she is losing too much weight to fast. With all the stress, she keeps trying to reach out to Jace, but he is purposely trying to make Pepper hate him. There are a few chapters that we are told Jace's point-of-view. He still loves pepper, but doesn't feel as if he deserves her. It ends a few months into second semester, with Jace trying to apologize to Pepper. She doesn't accept it, she chews him out and leaves. She promising herself she will move on.


One thing I really liked was Pepper coming into her own. She is learning how to be her own person. Away from Jace and Bunny. Someone she can be proud to look back at in the mirror. What Pepper says at the end shows the growth she has made.

“I wonder what my happily-ever-after looks like now. If this is it – running my heart out every day with my teammates and laughing, dancing, and eating with them afterward – it’s one I can embrace without regrets” (Chapter 25).

Don't fret friends, Ali Dean is going to release the 5th and final book coming this fall. This was originally going to be two, but she has changed her mind and has decided that everything can fit into one book.

It is not my favorite book out of the series, because I am sad they are not together, but it was needed. I still give it a 5 star rating.

[Meedah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so i semi enjoyed this series especially the first two book but then the third one was just a hot mess, it was too much crazy going in still i read it and enjoyed it. I like reading about pepper's journey.

So pepper has started college and it's basically the same as when she was in high school, she is literally boring (like me lol), she does meet new friends yet she's feeling very homesick( i wanted her to suck it up and stop complaining)

Everything was going great with her life and with jace until the author of course has to pull the us back into reality and let us know jace mom is up and leaving again which hurts him deeply and causes him to pull away.

Now i can understand him wanting to protect himself and not wanting to go through it with pepper but this part of the plot pissed me off ( don't want to spoil but god he did the predictable thing) and hurt Pepper and she's trying to give him his space and wanting advice from friends and family and they basically spewed BS about letting him pull away but be patient and be there for him and i'm like NO HELL NO THERE IS A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH PATIENCE WHEN YOUR GF/BF IS BEING A JERK AND TREATING YOU LIKE TRASH JUST TO PUSH YOU AWAY BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED OF GETTING HURT. No Excuse

And when Pepper finally lets him be and get's the message to give him time, he has the verve at the end to come back and be surprised that pepper is not happy and he actually says " i guess i hoped you'd have more faith in me"
and pepper had the perfect response " what?, you gave me that bracelet as some sort of test? when i took it off it mean't i gave up on you? you didn't even give me a chance to give up on you, jace. i had no choice in this so stop acting like i have one now" and she walks away and i just was like preach girl because ugh i wanted to do bodily harm to a character lol

Overall i enjoyed jumping back into Pepper's world

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope there will be another one

Loved reading more about Pepper as she goes to college. I hope that is not the end though, don't want the series to end on that note

[Kate McMurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

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🎧

[TheBookBoutique Brittany_Elizabeth_Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We fit together. We look right together. We feel right together. She makes me happy, brings me a peace I can't find anywhere else."

Oh JACE WILDER! I was in HEAVEN when I started Pep Talks because I love dual points of view. And we finally got a sneak peak inside the mind of Jace Wilder himself. Although at times I wanted to punch him because he was being ridiculous, that was quickly gotten over because I still loved reading his thoughts. It was like the vault door was finally opened and we got to see all of his deep thoughts.

You know Jace loves Pepper at this point, but you also know that he has a tendency to just dive right into the deep end without thinking of the consequences of his actions. I kept going back to this quote because by the end of the book, my world of Peper and Jace was rocked.

I honestly felt so emotionally attached to these two at this point in the books. I feel so attached to these characters because I feel like I have completely immersed myself in their world and I don't want it to end- I celebrated with them, I took the big leaps and steps with them in their sporting fields- experienced all of their firsts (if you are catching what I am saying here!). I loved the maturity that came with this book, but my heart was left broken. Out of all the books this definitely made me feel the most, and I was torn between devouring the final book or holding off so that it would't end.

[Aria · Rating 3 out of 5]

audiobook (youtube, listened in one day, this how my summer break has started)
IDK this kinda reminded me of the To All The Boys series. Just how the MC was and how the story was told and the writing and kinda the love interest. I mean the interest was chill and nice and seemed cool and great until he wasn't. I had understanding for him because of yk Shawn Hunter and other dudes that were messed up so I understood and I knew when him being a lil shit started that he was being inconsiderate but that maybe he would eventually come around. The main character was really cool actually. I mean she loved the dude so I guess it makes sense on why she didn't just give up on his ass. And how she just kinda dealt with him for so long and even after it was over she still was missing the dude but yeah 3 out of 5 stars. Also i just found it on youtube i have never read/listened to any of the other books. Also i am happy they broke up and she was happy at teh end of the book even tho i read the goodreads summaries for the other books so i guess they get married or something in later books. Idk how she forgives him but whatever.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Toula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio book review
Book 4 in the series . This audio is great. I haven’t listened to the rest in the series but .... this one will grab your ears , your heat and your emotions.
Hero is Jace. Heroine is Pepper.
Pepper is off to college , to an athletic life. Pepper is having the time of her life . It’s a great connection that the school is having between both female and male runners .
Male in the story is Jace.
Jace and Pepper has an up and down time together. Jace at one point breaks up with Pepper.
Pepper meanwhile has to get use to like at the college, drinking, partying, Pepper wants to be strong and only concentrate on her running only . Pepper needs to make a decision, what is important to her .
After awhile Jace returns and wants Pepper back .
Grab it and see does Pepper make her decisions, will she take Jace back. Will she make a deacon the drinking and partying.

Stacey performance with this story was great . Her tone with the characters and scenes were spot on . Her voice is strong , clear and smooth

[Tiffany Copple · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Trisha c · Rating 5 out of 5]

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🎧

[Crissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh

Easily my least favorite of this series. The first 3 books were great, and all the drama was outside of their relationship for the most part. But in this one, it's just so dang frustrating!

This book starts to add in Jace's point if view a few times, and while I can see where Ali Dean was going with it, we wouldn't have missed out on anything without it. It almost felt as if it was put in to add length because his perspective doesn't really offer anything we wouldn't already know, just from knowing his character from the last 3 books.

I did enjoy Pepper growing into herself a bit more, but that was the only thing that wasn't super frustrating. I hate at what cost her growth came at. I know there's gotta be drama, but it's just so ugh! I'm hoping that with the next book they'll get their crap together.

[Karen Voitik · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Book Review – Pep Talks
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 4th in the Pepper Jones series and ends so freaking sad. Pepper is now in her first year at the same college that Jace is at. She is dealing with new girls and teammates, a new coach and coaching style and more talented competition. She needs Jace to ground herself. Jace faces his issues as his mom abandons him again. He starts to push Pepper away so she can’t hurt him first.
>Pepper is very mature about Jace’s behavior. She tries to be there for him. He goes too far when he acts as if he is cheating on her. I was glad she gave him up at that point and did not turn into a doormat. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this story 5 stars. The story is very sad without an HEA.

[Christi Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Pep Talks
Author: Ali Dean
Format: Audio
Narrator: Stacey Glemboski
Genre: YA/NA, Sports (Running)
Standalone: Nope
Part of a Series: Book 4 (of 6) of the Pepper Jones series
POV: Pepper and some Jace
Steam Level: Not much/Fade to Black
4/5

Holy Shitake Mushrooms! Pep Talks got real! We join Pepper, now in her first year at college. Pepper and Jace go through their ups and downs . Pepper makes new friends but we revisit some old ones as well. Pep Talks keeps you rooting for Pepper and Jace, gets you angry at decisions made and breaks your heart at times. I'm really glad to have the next/final book in the Pepper Jones series and the cliffhanger is a doozy.

I received this audiobook from Audiobook Obsessions. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Mary Mutisya-Astin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a ride! I laughed, I cried, I screamed out loud!

Pepper Jones is finally at college and everything seems to be going great. She and Jace are stronger than ever after everything they have even through and she seems to be finding her feet with her new teammates. That is until Jace receives news that shocks him to the core and he is determined to push Pepper away while he deals. Read on to find out what happens.

This was a page turner from start to finish and I am thankful I was able to read the first three books in the series before this one to understand the complexities of Pepper and Jace’s relationship. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

I voluntarily read this book for an honest review.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh….pulls you in on an emotional rollercoaster

Holy crap!! This story pulls you in, especially if you have read the previous books in the series and throws you on this crazy emotional rollercoaster and then leaves you hanging. I was not expecting this book to go like it did and it definitely has me on the down side of things for where we are left with Jace and Pepper. They are in a hard spot right now and I love how Pepper refuses to be a doormat or treated badly, by anywhere. She is finding her ground and figuring out who she is without compromising herself, even when things are beyond difficult. I will be starting the next book immediately because damnit, I need Jace and Pepper together. I need the redemption and for their happy ending to come around.

[Megb · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Sophie Koufes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review:
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.

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 🎧

[Shedevilreads Bookstagram · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

I really enjoyed that we got Pepper and Jace's points of view in this book. I loved getting inside Jace's head. I liked watching Pepper grow up in this book and realize she can be happy on her own.

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

I would recommend this series if you like YA romances, contemporary romances, sports romances, friends-to-lovers romances, or slow burn romances.


Audiobook Obsession Reviewer

[bluepits73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this book.

Get ready to have your heart torn out if your chest. There is so much that happens. I love that Pepper is such a strong character and it really shows itself in this book above any. I'm both angry and in awe of the author's ability to break our hearts in this one.

The narrator did sound a little different in this book but was equally as amazing as the rest of the series. I think the slight change was a good representation of Pepper's transition from high school to college.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pep Talks (Pepper Jones #4) was another good read by Ali Dean. Jace feels how lonely college can be but feels lucky to have Pepper. Unfortunately once he realizes just how badly Pepper can hurt him he decides to push her away. It may be too late once he realizes that he was wrong. I absolutely loved reading Pepper and Jace's story even though I wanted to yell at the both of them many times. I can't wait to read more by Ali Dean.