Thank you so much SOURCEBOOKS Bloom & NetGalley for this e-arc.

'Full Tilt' is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of two individuals who meet at the wrong time yet love each other with everything they have while they still can. Kacey is in a downward spiral when she meets Jonah, and he gives her the strength to leave her toxic life and start anew. In exchange, her love enables Jonah to know what it's really like to be loved during his lifetime. The book was affecting me in ways I wasn't prepared for. You should read this book if you want your heart to be broken. Highly recommend!!

Never has going into a book blind bite me in the ass as hard as it did with this one.

We follow struggling, alcoholic musician: Kasey. She’s the guitarist in an up and coming band and due to family issues, she finds herself getting blackout drunk nearly nightly. After destroying the green room and being carried out by a body guard while blacked out, she gets deposited back into the limo where he begs the limo driver, Jonah, to just get her away from the scene.

He can’t get into the rental house for the band because no one’s home, she’s passed out, so he takes her back to his apartment - and they start a very weird friendship.

Then there’s Jonah, who’s struggling with heart failure after his body is rejecting the transplanted heart he was given and he’s on a timeline: 6 months left to live. So he’s putting everything into his glass work and an upcoming gallery event he has (that’s closer to his end of the life line).

This can be a very emotional read, so please make sure you read any triggers and such. I also didn’t realize it was a duet, so we don’t exactly get a happy ending with this one.

"That's my legacy: I loved you and was loved by you."

- terminally !ll artist MMC
- rockstar/broken FMC
- friends to lovers
- not a HEA
- 🌶️🌶️.5/5
- dual pov
- dual narration by Nelson Hobbs and Caitlin Kelly

Full Tilt is every bit as emotionally devastating as people say. It's officially on my "ugly cry" shelf.

It's a heartbreakingly beautiful story about two people who find each other at the wrong time, but love each other with everything they have while they can. Kacey and Jonah try to stay just friends, but their connection is too strong to ignore, even with the inevitable looming.

Their love changes them. Kacey is spiralling when she meets Jonah, and he gives her the strength to walk away from her toxic life and start over. And in return, her love lets Jonah experience what it truly means to be loved in his lifetime. The vulnerable conversations, the quiet moments—they hit deep.

Reading (or listening to) this book feels like a full-body experience. I'm not emotionally ready for All In yet, but Emma Scott set it up perfectly.

This was a tough read. Although I enjoyed it I found the MFC a bit dislikeable in the beginning. However as time went on i guess you can say she grew on me. A good romance that will have you in tears.

This novel was a bit of a tough read. It was an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. I sobbed This book was moving in ways that I wasn't ready for. If you want your heart broken, this is the book for you.

Amazing Romance, I have read the earlier version before coming with bloom, and the new edition is as beautiful.

A wonderful romance to be put forward for this summer.

This is definitely the kind of book you need to be in the right mind set to read, as it is quite an emotional ride. I knew a little before I jumped into this book, since I knew that there was a sequel, and I had heard a little of what the sequel was about, but this books still hit me hard.

The thing about this kind of books for me is that I walk away only with the e-mail response it gave me. This book broke my heart and made me ugly cry. There was something hauntingly beautiful about Kacey and Jonah’s story. And this is what I was left with when I finished this book.

And I’ll be transparent, I struggled a bit to get into the book, but once I got into it, I just devoured it (and I will say, it only took me a few chapters to get into it, not that long. It was just that knowing that I was in for an emotional ride, the first 2-3 chapters didn’t hook me right away to motivate me for the pain I knew was coming)

Do I think I’ll read the sequel, All In? Yes, I will, but I need to recover a little before I jump back into that story.

This is a beautiful story of an up and coming Rockstar who meets her knight in shining armour only to find out he's on borrowed time. Jonah was the perfect person to save her but what she didn't realize was that she was saving him instead. A chance at love, who wouldn't risk it all?

I knew the ending was coming and I still let my heart get broken. I should have read the blurb before committing but silly me, I just dived in head first. No cliffhanger thankfully but there is a sequel about what happens after the event. My heart needs to heal before I can start that journey.

Overall a great story, 4/5 stars. Not the HEA ending I'm used to but it is a part of life. 2.5/5 on the spice. It wasn't overwhelming and put in exactly where it was needed.

J'ai relu ce livre car il va ressortir chez Bloom Books et j'ai encore une fois adoré cette lecture! C'est un coup de coeur! J'avoue que j'avais un peu oublié l'intrigue (j'avais lu le livre en 2019) mais au bout de 10%, j'ai commencé à m'en souvenir mais cela n'a pas gâché ma lecture au contraire! J'ai adoré redécouvrir cette histoire, ces personnages, si touchant, puissant et attachant! Alors oui, j'ai encore pleuré mais j'ai adoré cette intrigue et toutes les émotions qu'elle m'a fait vivre!

so i have seen nothing but raving reviews about this book for YEARS and to see the opportunity to read it early i was absolutely ecstatic. i unfortunately wasn’t able to read it by pub date but it seems that if you want a book to crush your heart this’ll be your girl!! 😃

This book wrecked me in the best way. I cried. I smiled. I laughed. Then cried some more. And I stayed up way too late letting this book wreck me further and crushing all hope things would be different. This was a raw, beautiful, emotionally intense roller coaster romance that hits you right in the heart. Kacey, a self-destructive rock star, and Jonah, a quiet artist with a secret that changes everything. Their love story is slow-burning, soul-deep, and unforgettable. I loved them individually and together. It’s not just about romance—it's about finding purpose, healing, and choosing to live fully, even when time is limited.

If you love books that makes you feel, read this.

Favorite Quotes
"We might not have months or years, but we have moments. Thousands upon thousands of them. Let's take each moment, seize it and wring it dry. Okay?"

"I would love you forever, Kacey, if I only had the chance."

“Being loved by you, Jonah…it’s the greatest honor of my life.”

4.25 ⭐️
Thank you to both the author and publisher for the advanced reader copy. This book is one of those books that you jump right in head first and just keeps going. It was such an emotional read, but in a good way. It makes you stop. Think and want to live life to the fullest.

The character growth and connection is amazing. You will feel completely bonded and fall in love with the characters. There’s parts of this journey that won’t be easy to read but is completely worth the ride! Emotional, heartbreaking and yet uplifting. Definitely recommend!!

The most beautiful but heartbreaking book of all time! It was hard to read book through all the tears I was shedding. This book was so good and so worth it! I can’t believe I’m just now reading it. Truly amazing.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the arc of this book.

I don't know what is harder. Finishing the story with a bleeding heart or knowing that there is the next one and gathering the courage to read it. A part of me just want to leave the story here. With heartbreak and love for Jonah. And another part of me wants to move forward, like Kacey's last promise. Emma Scott always writes such difficult stories with complex human emotions and she always show us beauty in pain. Full Tilt is no exception. These kind of love stories always leave me inspired.

Kacey ran away from home when she was just 17 and now she has almost proved her narrow minded father wrong by being the lead guitarist of up and coming all girls rock band Rapid Confessions. But she isn't happy even with all fame and money. She is drowning her depression in alcohol and that's how she meets Jonah who was the limousine driver for the band during one night. Jonah took care of her when she was unconscious and this was an eye opener for her. She feels a connection to the sweet man but his days are numbered. Truly. He is suffering from a deadly heart condition and his body is rejecting his transplanted heart. He doesn't want hurt her by falling for her but Kacey knows not loving him will hurt even more.


Well there is no easy way to read a story when the MMC dies. Since it's a pretty old series, there is no way to avoid spoilers. But it was still a remarkable read. Because the author brought so much heartwarming feels in every page. Kacey is a bright soul but she is lost. At least she was till she found Jonah. She is so strong for embracing her feelings a man who will be gone any day now. Jonah is just perfect. He is living on borrowed time but he wants to live fully. He is not just giving up. He is working hard on his glass art and he wants to leave behind a legacy through his art. He is caring and protective and charming. It's just so unfair that he couldn't enjoy life with Kacey but I loved the moments they had together. Jonah healed Kacey's broken heart and while Kacey couldn't heal his heart, she gave him the happiest days of his lives. Full of love, adventure and beauty. Now you might ask where is second book going...oh man I am not sure I am ready. It was a gut wrenching one but I smiled through the years.

I reviewed a complimentary copy voluntarily

I'm completely wrecked. Again. Still. I always thought it would be beyond hard to reread Full Tilt yet here I am a blubbering mess reliving the heartbreaking love story that is Kacey Dawson and Jonah Fletcher. Reminding me once more just how talented a wordsmith Emma Scott was and continues to be. I mean, this is the book and duet (with All In) that is mentioned anytime someone asks for a recommendation for a book that will obliterate them. With my reply always the same: "Oh yeah, that's the one that will undoubtedly do you in'. But even as I feel those same gut-wrenching emotions, the one that will forever stand out to me is gratitude. That I'm able to even read such an outstanding story and that it gives me an appreciation for all that I have in life. That we can all take a lesson from Jonah to grasp every moment, no matter how small and simply appreciate that we can.

I won't go into detail about what this race against time kind of romance is about because it's a book one must go into blindly. Yes, there might be some triggering parts for some but if you can handle the thought of a looming tragedy that will change the course of not only Kacey's life but those closest to Jonah, then please pick up this book. There are so many layers to Jonah and Kacey's stories, both together and separately. To get to find your person is truly a gift but when that person ultimately saves you in more ways than one, there is simply nothing better.

For Jonah and Kacey, they find the one person who really sees them for not just what they might have done in the past or what might plague them, but for what is right in front of them right now. And what they both see is everything. I loved their rocky beginnings. I loved their playful and not so playful banter. They each gave as good as they got but found a soft spot within the other only they could understand. They found true joy in every minute spent together and no matter how long that may have been, it always felt like forever.

Full Tilt is a beautifully written and all-encompassing book. Yes, the tissues need to be by your side but even in those tougher passages, I could always feel the love. It was such a pleasure to watch both Kacey and Jonah grow as their love did, opening up their hearts and souls like never before. Even with how the book ends and fully knowing that there is a chance for a new normal that may or may not be ideal, I felt pride for how well these characters handled everything thrown at them. Even knowing what will happen next in All In, I'm here to say that I can't wait to feel all that I know will gut me again but once again realizing just how great it feels to hurt so good.

5+++ stars.

4.5 ⭐

I love Emma Scott’s books, but I put this one off for a long time (it’s technically the first in the duet) because I knew how it ends. But when I saw that Bloom Books would be re-releasing it, I knew the time had come!

Kacey is the lead guitarist in an up-and-coming band, but she’s not happy. She’s cut off from her family—her dad kicked her out years ago—and she drowns her pain in alcohol. Then she meets Jonah, a limousine driver who completely changes her life. The only problem? Jonah’s time is running out.

This story is deeply emotional and heartbreakingly beautiful. I was terrified to read the final chapters—it was hard to breathe—but I’m so glad I did. This is the kind of book that stays with you forever. Jonah will stay in my heart forever! The way he worked on his glass installation, wanting to leave something behind… it moved me beyond words. His relationship with Kacey was everything.

And Theo? He’s such an interesting character—I can’t wait to read his story next. But first, I need time to recover emotionally.

This book is a reminder that time is fleeting, life is fragile, and we should treasure every moment. It broke my heart—but I’d let it break me again! Highly, highly recommend.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓slow burn
✓found family
✓friends to lovers
✓opposites attract
✓right person, wrong time
✓tragic romance

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book follows the love story of Jonah and Kacey. Jonah, a heart transplant recipient, juggles his work as a limo driver while also creating a stunning glass art installation. Kacey, a member of an up-and-coming band, crosses paths with Jonah one night when she gets drunk and he ends up taking care of her. From there, sparks fly and their relationship begins to unfold.

I don’t want to give too much away because the twists later in the story are best experienced without spoilers. That said, I did hit a rough patch about 70% in—I honestly considered DNF’ing (did not finish) the book. The pacing dragged, and I felt like nothing meaningful was happening.

However, I’m glad I stuck with it. Would I recommend it? Maybe. It depends on the reader. I’m interested enough to continue with the second book in the duology, but I don’t think I’ll revisit this one again.

Full Tilt isn’t just a love story—it’s a soul story.

Kacey Dawson lives fast and loud, teetering on the edge of rock stardom and self-destruction. Jonah Fletcher is the opposite: quiet, steady, introspective—and dying. Their worlds collide when Kacey wakes up on his couch after a night she doesn’t remember, and neither of them could predict what would come next: a slow-burning, deeply transformative love that defies the timeline they’ve been given.

Emma Scott writes with devastating beauty, wrapping readers in a story that feels both tender and shattering. Jonah’s quiet courage and Kacey’s chaotic vulnerability create a dynamic that’s raw, real, and unforgettable. Their relationship is more than just romantic—it's redemptive.

Scott doesn't shy away from the harsh truths of illness, grief, and mortality, but she balances that weight with breathtaking moments of connection, laughter, creativity, and purpose. The glasswork metaphor throughout the novel is a stunning touch—art as permanence in the face of fading time.

You will cry. You will fall in love. And when you finish, you’ll be left holding your heart, aching and full at once.

Full Tilt is not just worth the read—it’s the kind of book that imprints on your soul.

This book will stay with me for a long time to come. I don't think I've ever cried for so long consecutively in a book before (and I'm a big crier).
The relationship between Jonah and Kacey was beautiful to witness alongside their separate journeys of growth and grief.
I don't think I can adequately capture in words how beautiful and moving this was.
When I finished the first book, I had to jump straight into the second one because I couldn't stand not knowing what happened next.
This was an easy 5-star read, and I can't wait to dive into more of Emma's writing in the future.

This book was spectacular, but also intense. The story revolves around Jonah, who knows he only has a matter of months to live, and Kacey, a talented musician who drinks to be able to deal with the rockstar life.

As one of her earlier works, Emma Scott made this story worth the journey, no matter how it was going to end. It pulled heart-strings, lit the page on fire at times, and oozed lines of bravery, struggle, and art. This story was part soul destroying and partly a cleansing journey to healing. The only part I desperately missed was pictures of the art to complement the story.

Can’t wait to catch up on the second-half of Kacey’s journey. 4.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the advanced copy of the soon-to-be-republished novel. I love the new cover!