I kinda thought this might not be for me, and I’m sad to say i was right. There’s just something authors do when they add a gimmick to the book that either makes or breaks the book for me, and this instance was a break.

4⭐️

- rivals to lovers
- theme park scavenger hunt
- forced proximity
- plus sized FMC
- YA (super sweet, no spice!)

Lia and some of her friends are headed down to Fableland (a theme park in Florida) for a week of bestie-fun before college, and Lia happens to also be participating in a scavenger hunt that comes with a cash prize for the winner. Lia’s group of friends ends up crossing paths with another contestant, Mason, and some of his friends, and Lia and Mason link up pretty quickly to work through the challenges together, and some emotions and feelings start to bloom between them. But Lia knows in the back of her mind that her current time in Florida has an expiration date, what will happen when she has to go back home?

There is truly so much *love* in this book, between the two MCs, the friend group, and even the MCs learning to love themselves. Lia and Mason take you on an absolutely emotional rollercoaster I was so invested in that I truly couldn’t wait to get back to reading. and that ending 😭

Thank you so much to Jenny, Delacorte & NetGalley for this ARC!

"And I met you," I said softly. The biggest piece of Fableland magic, standing warm and solid beside me.

・゜゜・。。・❰･❉･❱・。。・゜゜・
💙First-person POV
🎢Disney World Vibes x Scavenger Hunt
🎠Coming of Age YA
🎡Alliance of Convenience
💙Perfect for fans of Lynn Painter
・゜゜・。。・❰･❉･❱・。。・゜゜・

4.5★
Love at Full Tilt does a fantastic job at conveying the core of being a teenager and how struggles can be a tad bit more dramatic; from feeling like your best friends are out of sync with one another to feeling the burden of others' expectations. All this shows with the main character of the book, Lia Baker. She truly feels like an actual living breathing teenager and she faces very teen related struggles throughout the book. At the same time while she might want more freedom from her parents like any other teen, it is in part due to feeling suffocated from her mom's intense anxiety and that helps to make Lia a more well rounded character. She's relatable while also being more than meets the eye because things aren't ever that simple as it seems. Lia is far from perfect like anybody else, she's flawed but the journey she goes on throughout the book was really rewarding to read as we watch her grow to be more confident.

When it comes to Mason, to quote Lia's friend, Issy, "is a walking green flag." While he might not talk a lot, his actions spoke volumes for him. Some of the softer moments between Lia and Mason were sweet, like when Mason opens up about his grandad and how he partly wants to be a teacher because his granddad believed he could be one.

I also thought it was very relatable when it came to Mason's feelings towards Fableland. As somebody that used to live close to Disney World, it does feel just like a place at some points. But it doesn't mean Lia isn't valid in her feelings about the place feeling magical. It can be easy to forget why a place can mean so much for someone. For Lia, Fableland is both her salvation and escape from her actual life. This ties into the themes being explored throughout the novel, such as a sense of belonging and self-discovery. Lia expresses how she just wants her friends to recognize how her experience in the world is different from theirs, rather than dismissing her. It's how she and Mason connect to one another over their desire to be seen from their own point of views.

The romance between Lia and Mason was cute, but it's very much insta-love with its whirlwind romance. I would have loved more build up in their relationship. I feel like they went from strangers to working as partners rather quickly since it had only been around a day at that point. This does get addressed with Lia pondering that "maybe four days can be enough to know someone. Really know them. Care about them in ways you didn't mean." Despite the quickness of their relationship development, everything does feel real between the two and the pair just simply click. The downside, there's a third act breakup.

Jenny L. Howe does such a good job at capturing and making Fableland seem like an actual theme park with adventures awaiting in every corner. Her descriptions are vivid and colorful, with a slight fun edge to it. Reading the descriptions of some of the rides and locations, really added to the reading experience. I liked the quirky names of the rides and the quotes that start off the chapter. Jenny L. Howe also does an amazing job at just building the world, as shown with the snippets we got of Fable Industry's filmography. There's also lore sprinkled throughout the chapters. The one that stuck out the most was the story of Ava and Casterman with the roses; it parallels the relationship between Lia and Mason so well.

While Love at Full Tilt has a fun backdrop, it takes time to dive into deeper and more sensitive topics such as body weight and general anxiety disorders. I was able to feel Lia's emotions so well, especially when she feels embarrassed about not being able to get on a ride or feeling frustrated over wanting to make her friends happy by wearing matching shirts, but it doesn't fit her right. It brings up a very valid point of size inclusiveness at parks, because nobody should have to feel ashamed or be embarrassed over not being able to get on a ride due to their shape. Inclusivity doesn't mean just doing the bare minimal.

By and large, Love at Full Tilt is such a well-paced charming summer time read. It gives such strong Disney World vibes and reminds me so much like a book form of those classic DCOM movies. The ending was so cute and the last line is just the perfect note to end on. I do wish there was little extra epilogue.

Thank you to Random House Children's & Delacorte Romance for the ARC.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I was incredibly excited to hear about Jenny L. Howe’s foray into YA with Love at Full Tilt, after enjoying all of her previous books (even if some took a bit longer to appreciate than others). And while I didn’t entirely know what to expect going in, this ended up being the warm hug I needed just as much as Howe said it was for her in the Acknowledgments.
While I’ve never been to Disney World in Florida (I’ve been to Disneyland California, however(, I loved the tribute to the fun of a Disney-esque amusement park environment. I was particularly intrigued by the effort that went into building the lore around the fictional Fableland, even if most of it was just set dressing and didn’t have massive bearing on the plot. However, getting the feeling that this property and the fandom around it exist from the way the characters interact with it is a massive plus.
So many things about Lia spoke to me in this book. I’m also plus-size/fat, so I loved seeing a character like her who was conscious of her worth and fought for her dreams. And while I’m no longer a teenager, I absolutely relate to the relationships she has with her parents, especially her mother, where she’s trying to prove that she’s ready for adult challenges, even as she’s still figuring it all out. I also love that she’s a budding writer, and how this ties into the fandom aspect.
I also really enjoyed the solid nature of the friend group, and how they truly support each other. They also have their own issues going on, like one of them is navigating coming out as ace. The sentiments she expressed about disinterest in dating resonated, and while this isn’t the first/only instance of ace/aro representation I’ve seen, it was great to see in such an affirming context here, especially when a major theme was “teens figuring themselves out.”
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Mason going in, given my mixed record with Howe love interests, but he’s just a sweetheart. The story is a bit more about her navigating both love and making choices for her future, as opposed to a romance where both have fully fleshed out arcs, but it’s cute for what it is.
Plotting/pacing wise, I did feel like the story was a bit slow, especially initially. However, I’ve almost come to expect it from Howe, and have learned to be more patient, especially after ending up loving a book I previously DNFed. I will note that some of the lore did make the book a little crowded, as much as I appreciated it, but it wasn’t to the point where it detracted from the deeper themes of the book.
I really enjoyed this, and would recommend it to readers in search of a fun late-summer read!

[4.25 stars]

Lia Baker is arguably the biggest fan of Fableland, so when she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in the fiftieth-anniversary scavenger hunt, she knows she has to win. This scavenger hunt is also her ticket out of the lackluster life she's currently living. With the $50,000 cash prize, Lia can move away from her small Massachusetts town and pursue what she really wants, not what her parents want. After a little convincing and numerous promises to check in with her anxious mother, Lia and her two best friends are on their way to Florida to make this dream a reality. Quickly after arriving at the resort, Lia meets Mason, the most dreamy guy she has ever laid eyes on. But she can't get distracted! She HAS to win this prize. Fortunately for Lia, Mason knows just as much about Fableland as she does and even has some insider information. Together, they are the unstoppable duo, quickly rising the ranks of the competition. However, as the competition progresses, Lia realizes she may be falling for Mason - and hard. Not only is she going back home in a few days, but they both can't win the competition. Lia must make a decision (well, multiple) that will change her life forever.

If you know me, you know I LOVE JENNY. Everything she has ever written is fabulous, and it makes sense because she is also fabulous. Anyway, Love at Full Tilt is Jenny's YA debut, and what a debut it is! Although I am very much outside of the YA bracket, I still really enjoyed this. Maybe not as much as her adult fiction since I'm so far out of high school, but I did try to read this through high school Katelyn's eyes. And boy, do I wish I had something like this in my younger years. This story is full of laughs, heartwarming moments, and everything in between. Jenny has a real gift for portraying what life is like as a plus-sized individual of all ages. I am so glad we have authors like Jenny who are showing that you are worthy of love at all sizes. Please give this a read! You won't be disappointed (especially if you are a big fan of the big resorts that start with a D).

I wish books like this were around when I was growing up, which is why I'm so happy they exist now.
Love at full tilt is the ya plus size romance of my dreams that is centered around two contestants in a huge competition in a theme park who also makes movies.
With a prize of $50k plus opportunities, it's life changing money for our two love interests.
The world that Jenny created in this one and the amount of lore she had to build up to create a brand new theme park was incredible. So many times I felt like she was talking about a real place you could visit, only to be bummed out that I can't pick my own glowing flower from a field of them 😭
There was also a beautiful line about ghost in love stuck in a loop just dancing together and I thought the imagery of that was so beautiful.
So here is why I wish I had this as a teen. First off I'm fat.
Shocking I know. I have been all my life and when I was growing up I was told by media that meant I was undesirable. Certainly never saw people who looked like me in books or movies, only the rare comedic relief. So this book existing makes me so happy.
Another huge part of this book that made my heart sing is when our fmc's best friend came out. She is still trying to figure herself out because she is 18 and doesn't have to have all the answers just yet, but seeing asexuality and aromantic being talked about the way it was made me so happy to see. Again, wish I had this when I was younger because when I was uninterested in dating or other things I felt like there was something wrong with me.
Learning about asexuality and the many umbrella terms under that identity was a huge part of my coming out journey.
So in closing, if it wasn't clear already | HIGHLY recommend you pick this one up when it comes out

I love Jenny Howes books! Love at Full tilt was a great representation of a curvy girl, and magical friendship. This was a sweet and innocent romance with no steamy scenes, and sometimes, this is just what I need.
Definitely recommend if you want a feel good story and an easy read.

Love at Full Tilt was just what I needed! A fast-paced YA with all of my favorite things: theme parks, scavenger hunts, friendship, and romance. I think everyone can relate to Lia's complicated feelings as she transitions from high school to college and who wouldn't want a chance at achieving their dreams!? This was my first book by this author and I am looking forward to more!

Thank you to Jenny L. Howe, Random House Children's/Delacorte Romance, and NetGalley for the ebook ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Review will be shared on socials on publication day (July 22nd).

Just finished Love at Full Tilt and it was exactly what I needed — cozy, emotionally satisfying, and so darn cute. 🩷 This YA story has relatable characters you can’t help but root for, plus a bit of nuance and depth to the relationships that made it feel real. Perfect summer read that hits the spot if you’re craving something sweet and heartwarming

I found a new insta-buy author! What a fun book! Jenny L. However created characters you can root for, and a plot that makes it impossible to put the book down!

This book was so cozy and emotionally satisfying! Jenny L. Howe always writes the most relatable characters, and Love at Full Tilt was no exception!

Oh man, do I love this book. I don't typically read YA and I was immersed in this story from page one.
This book has vibes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with a lot of Amazing Race. It's so. much. fun and has so much heart and soul.

Lia is part of a scavenger hunt at Fableland, the theme park that she loves, even if she hasn't been there in person. Winning the cash prize will give her the freedom to explore the future on her own terms. It's also a trip of a lifetime to make memories with her two best friends before they leave her to go college. I really enjoyed this friendship; the three deal with some pretty complicated things (like sexuality, mental health, finances) individually and together. I appreciated seeing life through Lia's eyes as a plus sized person in a standard size world.

Lia teams up with Mason who is the most cinnamon roll male character. There need to be more Masons in the world. I was dreading a third act misunderstanding/break-up but the way the narrative is handled was earned and realistic.

The whole theme park and cinematic worlds that Jenny L. Howe created are absolutely immersive and magical. My ARC did not have the map at the beginning so I'm looking forward to seeing it in the finished copy on release day. Basically, I want a season pass to Fableland.

Please can we have a adult Christmas romance set at Fableland? Asking for a friend.

Thank you Random House Children's | Delacorte Romance and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
#LoveatFullTilt #NetGalley.

Ugh, this book was so good! I literally thought about it all the time when I wasn't reading it, and I was so entranced by the story and the characters when I was reading it.

Love at Full Tilt was magical. A homage to girlhood, friendship, and young love. Lia was an amazing leading lady, and I loved her friend group so much! The moments between her and Mason gave me butterflies and had me giggling while kicking my feet in the air. It was wholesome and adorable!! The differences between Lia, Issy, and Tess really made each character shine and have their moment.

The setting of a theme park really made this a great summer read (which I needed because it's hard for me to adjust to summer). And I also appreciated the representation of the struggles that a plus-size person may face in their life. While I fortunately couldn't relate to all Lia went through, there were moments or thoughts that resonated with me (like the plus-size geometry!!).

You can tell Fableland was inspired by Disneyland, but I think it was a great character of its own. Lowkey wanna go to Fableland, it seems more magical ✨

I absolutely adored this book!! The main story with Lia, her two best friends, her mom's anxiety, and new boy Mason was excellent. There was a lot of nuance to all of the relationships and a lot of needing to put yourself in the other person's shoes. What took this really over the top for me was the entire world of Fableland. It was not just the creation of the Disney-esque amusement park, but the entire filmography to go along with it. Each movie sounds incredible and lends such depth to an already well put together story. Highly recommended for grades 8 & up.

The way Jenny creates complex and relatable characters, especially with an emphasis on fat representation, is really important.

Characters like Lia, who are given space to follow their dreams and embrace their true selves, help challenge the traditional narratives around body image and self-worth.

Having a love interest like Mason who is a supportive, gentle presence is a refreshing change too. It’s not just about romance but also about showing healthy, empowering relationships.

There’s something really impactful about seeing plus-size women being the main focus of stories, especially when they're portrayed as multidimensional characters.

Thanks to Random House Children's for the advanced copy of Love at Full Tilt by Jenny L Howe!

In all honesty, it was a bit awkward reading this book while being named Leah and having had a teenage boyfriend named Mason too.

In truth, though, I've loved Howe's adult novels and their foray into young adult was just as good as I imagined it could be. The delicate balance of worldbuilding and plot was done wonderfully in Love at Full Tilt. I really enjoyed Lia and Mason's budding relationship and their commitment to each other, plus Lia's relationship with Tess and Issy at such an uncertain time in their lives led to a really well-rounded novel.

Jenny Howe’s Love at Full Tilt is the YA book I wish had existed when I was a teen. Howe always does a fantastic job of creating realistic characters who are complex and relatable, and most importantly, she creates accurate fat representation, which we need more of in literature.

The story of Lia, a plus size girl pursuing her magical dreams at Fableland is one that so many of us can relate to. She’s at a transitional point in her life, post high school graduation, friends are soon off to college, trying to be seen as the adult she is while her parents (especially her mother) still treat her as a fragile child that needs managing.

Lia figures out who she is and what she wants from life and pursues it with her whole heart, something that we as readers need to see, especially young readers who can relate even more to Lia.

I loved this book and hope to read more YA from Jenny Howe in the future.

This was such a fun YA summer romance that sees three friends participating in a huge scavenger hunt at a Disneyland esque amusement park in order to win a big cash prize. The main character, Lia is looking for a week long escape from her highly anxious and overprotective mother and also is the BIGGEST fan of all things related to the park and its various films and lore.

While there the three friends reveal secrets, bond deeper and Lia even falls in love with a fellow contestant. Great on audio, with excellent fat rep, ace/asexual rep (Lia's best friend comes out on the trip), anxiety rep and perfect for fans of authors like Julie Murphy and books like We could be magic by Marissa Meyers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I will read anything Jenny Howe writes—Love at Full Tilt is another stunning reminder of why. This story is tender, empowering, and filled with the kind of representation I desperately needed as a teen (and still need now). Lia is a plus-size girl who gets to be the star of her own fandom-fueled adventure at Fableland, where she meets Mason—a soft-hearted, golden-retriever boy who sees and adores her exactly as she is.

It’s got all the best tropes: rivals-to-lovers, forced proximity, he falls first, fandom magic, and plus-size joy that isn’t centered on trauma. Lia’s size isn’t a punchline—it’s just part of who she is, and she still gets the romance, the banter, the big dreams. I cried multiple times because I saw myself so clearly in her.

This book is everything: joyful, emotional, and so important for readers of all ages who have ever felt too big for the spaces they were given. It belongs on every shelf.

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Romance, and Random House Children's for this advanced copy! You can pick up Love at Full Tilt on July 22, 2025.

What an adorable, heartfelt YA romance! Lia, our protagonist, felt so unbelievably relatable. After graduating from high school, she's struggling to balance her pipe dreams of working at Fableland, her favorite amusement park, while her friendships are changing and her parents' control is getting stricter. She wins an incredible opportunity to complete a scavenger hunt at Fableland for $50,000, and she sees this as the perfect opportunity to find her freedom and pursue her dreams.

But several factors affect her chances of winning, including the shy, sweet, nerdy Mason, who's also competing.

Love at Full Tilt really had me feeling all the emotions, from joy to stress to anger to swooning and kicking my feet giggling. Mason and Lia's relationship was so unbelievably sweet, and it was heartwarming to see them truly be themselves around each other. I also loved seeing plus-sized representation in a teen book, especially with the commentary Lia and Jenny make throughout the story. I felt seen, as a curvy girlie, and it was so refreshing to see my experiences on the page and our MC going through the same tumult of emotions I have.

Also, as a side note, I need Fableland to exist in the real world because it sounded SO AWESOME. I give so much credit to Jenny for crafting such intricate backstories for all the rides, parks, attractions, and movies (this is truly an ode to Disney lovers).

All in all, an adorable YA romance with a queer, fat FMC you can't stop rooting for!