Wilder Trilogy (Wilder 1-3) by Ali Dean-Review & Excerpt Tour

Wilder Games
Suspenseful Sports Romance 1
by Ali Dean
Release Date: November 2021
Genre: adult, contemporary, sports,romantic suspense

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It’s match point in the most important tennis match in my life, and nothing can distract me. Nothing, that is, except the sight of Jude Wilder sitting in the stands with his little sister on his lap. He’s never watched me play. Never even noticed me before. And yet his eyes are on me now. I know what he must be thinking. I’m not just an outcast, I’m a social pariah thanks to my family being the town’s most notorious con artists. Jude is on the opposite side of the spectrum. Not only is he accepted, he’s worshipped. I’m nobody to him, and yet I’ve got this chance to impress him.

As it turns out, he isn’t at all impressed when I win the match, and I’m worse than a nobody to him. Jude thinks I’m a threat to his family. This should alarm me. It should scare me. Jude in protective mode is hot, all right, but I can’t afford to be on his radar. I’ve got one year to secure a college scholarship. It’s hard enough keeping a low profile with my tennis success, and the last thing I need is Jude Wilder of all people drawing more attention my way.

Especially if it’s hostile.
Even if I like it.

••••••

REVIEW:WILDER GAMES is the first instalment in Ali Dean’s contemporary, young adult WILDER romance series, a spin off from the author’s PEPPER JONES’ series. This is high school seniors Jude Wilder, and tennis phenom Karis Jackson’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jude and Karis) WILDER GAMES follows the enemies to frenemies relationship between high school seniors Jude Wilder, and tennis phenom Karis Jackson. Karis Jackson wants nothing more than to qualify for a tennis scholarship to college but her mother and sister’s reputations have preceded our heroine’s introduction to everything and everyone in the small town of Brockton. Karis has the opportunity to turn pro but our heroine wants to earn her degree before setting off on the professional circuit. Still struggling to get out from under her mother and sister’s schemes that have affected most of the people in the town in which she continues to lives, Karis often finds herself facing off against fellow senior Jude Wilder, a young man whose parents have lived the life of successful and professional sports stars. As a member of the local Brockton Tennis Club, Karis has become an over night success but the reminders of the past refuse to die down, reminders of which Jude continues to expose. What ensues is the building enemies to frenemies relationship between Jude and Karis, and the potential fall-out as high school antics, and the return of her sister Renee, may threaten Karis’s future going forward.

Jude Wilder doesn’t trust Karis having watched his extended family implode as a result of Karis’s mother and sister’s need to destroy. Karis Jackson was never a part of the lifestyle that continues to affect our story line heroine but the past is about to return, and with it, Karis’ path towards college may take a detour, alone.

The relationship between Karis and Jude is acrimonious at best. Jude Wilder despises Karis without justification but her mother and sister’s ongoing deceit and lies has preceded Karis’ arrival and her shot at the future. Jude struggles with his attraction to Karis but quickly realizes that there is more to Karis than the reputation of the family that has left her behind. The lone $ex scene is passionate but mostly implied.

We are introduced to Karis’ coach Maxine Squire; her sister Renee and Renee’s boyfriend Battle; Jude’s parents Jace and Pepper Wilder (Pepper Jones series), as well as Jude’s brother Dash, sister Quinn, and Granny B; Jude’s friends Kwabena and Kofi Jamison, and their younger brother Cole; Karis’ friend Vanna Beaucraft; and basketball captain Nash Carver. There is a large ensemble cast of students, tennis players, parents and agents.

WILDER GAMES is a story of betrayal and vengeance; dysfunctional and tragic family dynamics, loneliness, acceptance, secrets and lies. The premise is emotional and edgy; the characters are heartbreaking yet charismatic-the requisite mean kids and challenging parents and adults are present; the romance struggles in the face of preconceived notions, and teenaged angst. WILDER GAMES end on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

__________

Wilder Match
Suspenseful Sports Romance 2
by Ali Dean
Release Date: January 6, 2022
Genre: adult, contemporary, sports,romantic suspense

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One second, the future of my tennis career is brighter than ever; the next, nothing is certain. Nothing, that is, except that I won’t be swinging a racket anytime soon. Jude Wilder wants to come to my rescue. I don’t need rescuing, even if it’s offered by the one guy who ignites a fire inside of me like I’ve only ever felt on the tennis court.

I’ve done things on my own my entire life, and I won’t let this setback steal my independence. Only, it’s not so easy to turn Jude away when he’s determined to help me. I want him, but I don’t trust him enough to let him in. Then again, if I can keep his savior complex at bay, he might just be the perfect distraction while I’m sidelined. It’s not like he’s going to stick around for long, and I can always cut him out of my life when I need to. That is, if I don’t fall in love with him first.

••••••

REVIEW:WILDER MATCH is the second instalment in Ali Dean’s contemporary, young adult WILDER romance series-a spin off from the author’s PEPPER JONES series. This is the continuing story of high school seniors Jude Wilder, and tennis phenom Karis Jackson. WILDER MATCH should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of boon one WILDER GAMES.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jude and Karis) WILDER MATCH follows the building relationship between high school seniors Jude Wilder, and tennis phenom Karis Jackson. A accident left our heroine with a possible career ending injury, and in the following weeks Karis found herself the victim of two robberies, a loss of income, facing eviction, and the realization that the previous few years had been predicated upon a series of lies. Karis Jackson has been living alone, a lonely existence, struggling to keep her head above water, hoping to earn a scholarship for post-secondary education but the reappearance of her half-sister meant Karis’ life continued to spiral out of control, and the only bright spot was her blossoming relationship with Jude Wilder. With everything else crumbling around her, Karis and Jude will become the target of an unknown assailant, someone who is determined to keep Jude and Karis apart. What ensues is the building relationship between Karis and Jude, and the potential fall-out as even more devastating news threatens to upend Karis’ embattled world.

The relationship between Karis and Jude continues to build but Karis is keeping many secrets from our story line hero, secrets that are threatening Karis sense of safety, and her already low self esteem. Jude has fallen quickly for the young woman who has stolen his heart but Karis’ secrets are building a wall between our story line couple. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

All of the previous story line characters return with the addition of the requisite mean girls that are slowly tearing our couple apart.

WILDER MATCH is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and obsession, love and loss. The premise remains edgy and emotional; the characters are broken but surviving; the romance is impassioned. WILDER MATCH ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

___________

Wilder Play
Suspenseful Sports Romance 3
by Ali Dean
Release Date: March 10, 2022
Genre: adult, contemporary, sports, romantic suspense

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he addicting, edge-of-your seat Wilder trilogy concludes with this final instalment filled with
sports, romance, and characters you’ll obsess about. Enjoy this fast-paced binge-read and its
twisty, unpredictable plot!

I’m back on the tennis court, but the rest of my life is a hot mess. My mom stopped paying my bills, and I
just discovered the reason for it: she’s dead. I’m about to get kicked out of my apartment – the same
one that’s been broken into twice – if I don’t pay rent soon. My sister is still lurking about, up to no
good. And someone is leaving messages telling me to break up with Jude.

He’s back from football camp and didn’t forget about me while he was gone. Jude’s seen the reality of
my life, and he isn’t running away. Instead, he’s demanding I open up to him more, even though I’ve
already made myself more vulnerable with him than with anyone else in my life. I keep telling myself it’s
for his own good to keep secrets from him, but I’m starting to wonder if it’s more about protecting my
heart than it is about proving my independence.

We’ve fallen hard and fast, and it’s up to me what happens next.

The man who’s come to deliver the news about my mom is about to tell me who my father is, and I have
a feeling my world is going to get turned upside down. Should I take Jude’s hand and bring him along for
the ride? And if I do, will having Jude beside me make me weaker, or stronger?

•••••••

REVIEW:WILDER PLAY is the third instalment in Ali Dean’s’ contemporary, young adult WILDER romance series focusing on high school seniors Jude Wilder, and Karis Jackson. WILDER PLAY should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book two WILDER MATCH.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jude and Karis) WILDER PLAY follows in the aftermath of the death of Karis’s mother, a woman who has not been a part of Karis’ life for a very long time but with the announcement, Karis’s half-sister Renee is determined to gain guardianship of our story line heroine, a guardianship that will leave Renee in control of our heroine’s life. Meanwhile, a new designer drug has hit the streets of Brockton, Colorado, and Karis believes she knows who is responsible for the supply and delivery but when threats against Karis become personal, Jude moves Karis into his family home, a move they hope would protect Karis from the threats that keep coming. As Karis and Jude’s relationship turns into something more, the jealous mean girls begin a campaign to push Karis out of Jude’s life, a campaign that now involves rumour, innuendo, deception and drugs.

The relationship between Karis and Jude has crossed the proverbial line into love but someone is targeting our story line couple, and Jude is determined to protect our heroine, even if it means, walking away from the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and questionable secondary and supporting characters , and as per most young adult story lines, the requisite mean girls, numerous suitors, jealousy, and controversial adults play a significant role behind the scenes.

WILDER PLAY continues to focus on betrayal and vengeance, greed and obsession, jealousy and love. The premise is intriguing and engaging but the conflict resolution needed more detail; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic, engaging and charismatic.

Copies supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

–>Get your Bookfunnel copy of the extended epilogue WILDER ACE HERE

REVIEW: WILDER ACE  is the contemporary, new adult, extended epilogue in Ali Dean’s WILDER series focusing on Jude Wilder and Karis Jackson Taylor. WILDER ACE quickly covers three years in the life of our story line couple, and should not be read as a stand alone as it makes reference to past events and future dreams but also leaves some open ended possibilities for Jude’s siblings to get their own story.

About Ali Dean

Ali is a USA Today Bestselling author of girl power sports romance books, with enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. 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 (yes, you read that correctly) and golden retriever Pancake. When she’s not pursuing an outdoor adventure, Ali’s less healthy passions include ice cream, coffee, and beer.

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