Title: Pepped Up
Author: Ali Dean
First published August 25, 2013
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.91
Overview
Pepped Up is a heartwarming tale of a girl determined to qualify for Nationals. Cross country is her passion and nothing can stop her from achieving her dreams, except maybe boys.
Her longtime friend, Jace Wilder, has never seen her as anything more than a friend, but that all changes when Ryan Harding moves to town. Suddenly, Jace and Ryan are fighting for her heart, and she’s not sure which way to turn.
With the finish line in sight for her running goals, the race for her heart is just beginning. Will she be able to choose between the two boys or will she lose everything she’s worked so hard for?
Find out in Pepped Up.
About the Author
Meet Ali, a USA Today Bestselling author who specializes in sports romance. As an avid reader herself, Ali always craved stories with happy endings, but she noticed a lack of books featuring female athletes.
So, she took matters into her own hands and started writing books that filled that void. Just like the heroines in her books, Ali is an athlete too.
These days, she loves running and skiing. Originally from Vermont, Ali now lives in Colorado with her husband, twin sets of children, and a furry friend named Pancake.
When she’s not enjoying the great outdoors, Ali indulges in her less healthy passions, like ice cream, coffee, and beer.
If you want to learn more about Ali, you can follow her on social media or check out her other works using the author links below. Plus, if you sign up for her newsletter, you’ll get free short stories as a welcome gift!
Editoral Review
Pepped Up by Ali Dean is a young adult novel that tackles themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of excellence. Published on August 25, 2013, the book follows the story of Pepper Jones, a junior in high school who is determined to become a star in cross country running.
Ali Dean is a prolific author who has written several other books in the young adult genre. The book is set in rural Ohio, in a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
Pepper is the main character, a driven and ambitious teenager who is focused on her running goals. She has a close-knit group of friends, including her best friend Jules, who is also a runner.
Pepper’s life is turned upside down when she meets a new boy in school, named Jace Wilder, who is a star football player with a charming personality. Pepper struggles to balance her athletics, social life, and schoolwork with her growing attraction to Jace.
Ali Dean’s writing style is engaging and easy to read. She captures the voice of a teenage girl in a way that feels authentic and relatable.
The pacing of the novel is well-done, with a good balance of dialogue, action, and introspection. Dean does an excellent job of highlighting the challenges that many high school students face, from bullying to academic pressure.
She shows how friendships and romantic relationships can be both a source of support and a source of conflict. One of the book’s strengths is its character development.
Pepper is a complex and likable protagonist who has a clear character arc. Jace is a well-drawn love interest who has his own set of flaws and motivations.
Pepper’s friends and family are also well-defined characters who are essential to the story. Dean does a great job of exploring the dynamics of teenage relationships and how they shift as people grow and change.
However, one of the book’s weaknesses is its predictability. The plot follows a familiar pattern of a young woman who achieves success while navigating romantic obstacles.
The ending of the book is somewhat formulaic, and some readers may feel like they’ve seen this story before. There are also some moments of melodrama that feel forced and over-the-top.
Despite these flaws, Pepped Up is an enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of the young adult genre. It’s a well-written and engaging coming-of-age story that explores important themes that are relevant to teenagers today.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced and emotionally satisfying read. I give Pepped Up a rating of 4 stars out of 5.
