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!

Full Tilt is one of those rare books that burrows into your heart and doesn’t let go. Emma Scott crafts a deeply emotional, beautifully raw story about love, loss, and the fleeting magic of truly being seen. At its core, this is a novel about two broken people—Kacey, a hard-living rock star on the brink of self-destruction, and Jonah, a reserved artist quietly running out of time—who find something extraordinary in each other.

The writing is lyrical and poignant without ever tipping into melodrama. Scott's portrayal of Jonah's illness is both sensitive and gut-wrenching, and Kacey’s character arc—from reckless and lost to grounded and self-aware—is executed with grace and authenticity. Their chemistry is electric, not just physically but emotionally, and the connection they build feels inevitable, fated, and heartbreakingly brief.

This is not a romance with a fairytale ending—but it is one with incredible heart, meaningful transformation, and a love that transcends the physical. It hurts in the best way, and it’s the kind of story that will stay with you long after the final page.

Quote that stuck with me:
"If we had forever, I would have never left your side."

Final thoughts:
Full Tilt is a stunning, unforgettable read. Have tissues ready—you’ll need them. But you’ll also walk away believing in the power of love to save, heal, and endure, even in the face of impossible odds.

Obviously loved. I'd been wanting to read this for YEARS after Steph Bohrer said it was one of her favs back in 2020. "i would love u forever, if only i had the chance." HELLOOOO??? This book will break you and then put you back together JUST enough to make you not just want but need to read the second book immediately.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

🤍Book review 🤍

Full Tilt
by Emma Scott
As usual, Emma knows how to pull at your heartstrings in the best possible way. This story is not for everyone but one that I think it’s so worth reading and talked about because it encapsulates so much of real life and feelings and raw emotions. From the very beginning, Jonah and Kayce completely stole my heart. Their connection, built on friendship and love, unfolds in such a genuine and touching way that you can’t help but root for them.
It’s a beautiful story with lots of heartfelt moments and some very emotional scenes.
It had been sitting on my TBR far longer than it deserved, and now that I’ve read it, I wish I’d picked it up sooner. It’s the kind of book that lingers—with its warmth, depth, and quiet power.

Very grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy, opinions are my own

Full Tilt
by Emma Scott

It has been quite a while since a book has touched my heart as deeply and profoundly as this remarkable story. From the very first page, I found myself irresistibly drawn into its world. Even as tears streamed down my face, I couldn’t bring myself to put it down. I would remove my glasses to wipe away the emotional tide, only to continue reading, compelled by the unfolding story. There are few words that can truly capture my feelings in this review, except to declare it an absolute must-read; it may break your heart, but it will undoubtedly fill you with an overwhelming sense of love.

Jonah doesn’t have the luxury of time. In fact, he's battling the relentless passage of time with every ounce of his being. He is consumed by his ambition to create a breathtaking glass installation, a final masterpiece to leave his mark on the world before his life draws to a close. Yet, in an unexpected twist, fate offers him a chance to experience love—a transformative gift he never anticipated.

Kacey Dawson, the guitarist for Rapid Confession, is trapped in a spiral of chaos, grappling with the emptiness that has engulfed her life. One day, she finds herself waking up on a stranger’s couch, an unusual yet comforting place where she feels a blanket of safety for the first time in memory. When Jonah takes a chance and allows Kacey to crash on his couch, he unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will irrevocably alter both of their lives.

As their paths entwine, falling in love becomes a profound catalyst for change, lifting them both from their respective struggles. Yet, the tale unfolds with an emotional complexity that reminds us that not every story can conclude with happily ever afters, even if that’s the ending we wish for.

these books!!!! there's so much to unpack these 2 but basically the series speaks to grief, love, the meaning of life, sobriety.... these are sooooo sad but sooooo good...5💫!!!

I'm the kind of reader who feels everything a book throws at me—deeply—but rarely remembers all the details (thanks, ADD). Full Tilt, however, is one of the rare exceptions. I remember every moment. Jonah and Kacey may have only been in my life for a short time, but their story left a lasting impression.

They met at exactly the right moment—when they needed each other the most. Had their paths crossed at any other time, it might not have worked. Jonah, a structured and serious limo driver, and Kacey, a rockstar burying her pain in a whirlwind of parties, couldn’t be more different. But together, they find a beautiful balance. What unfolds between them is something raw, real, and unforgettable.

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

Sinopsis en español:



Kacey Dawson siempre ha vivido la vida al límite, impulsivamente, a veces imprudentemente. Y ahora, como guitarrista principal de una banda prometedora, está al borde de la fama y la fortuna. Pero ella está dividida entre querer ser una música seria y los demonios que la atraen por el camino brillante, pero empapado de alcohol, del estrellato del rock. Un concierto destrozado en Las Vegas amenaza con arruinar por completo su carrera. Se despierta con la resaca del infierno y sin recuerdo de la noche anterior, o cómo terminó en el sofá de su conductor de limusina...

Jonah Fletcher se está quedando sin tiempo. Sabe que su situación es desesperada, y ha prometido aproverar al máximo los pocos meses que le quedan. Sus planes incluyen ver la apertura de su instalación de vidrio en una prestigiosa galería de arte... no incluyen enamorarse de un músico de rock salvaje y tormentoso que terminó desmayado en su sofá. Jonah ve que Kacey está en el camino hacia la autodestrucción. Él la deja dormir con él durante unos días para que se seque y se enderece la cabeza. Pero ninguno de ellos esperaba la profunda conexión que sentían, o cómo esa conexión podría crecer tan rápido de la amistad a algo más. Algo profundo y puro y que cambia la vida... algo tan frágil como el vidrio, que ambos saben que se romperá al final sin importar cuánto intenten aferrarse a él.




Reseña:


Ahhhh, sabía por la sinopsis que sería triste, pero no pensé que me dolería tanto.

Necesito el siguiente libro y a la vez no.


Gracias NetGalley por el ARC.

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Tropes;
💜illness
🩶tragedy
💜opposites attract
🩶dual POV
💜found family

Technically this one is a reread for me. When I saw Bloom Book was rereleasing I ran and grabbed it.
Emma Scott has been one of my favorites and this book is one of my favorites by her .

This is such a deeply emotional beautiful story that deals with love and loss. Kacey is the lead guitarist in a band and one night meets Jonah and her life is forever altered. Neither seem to be fully LIVING just existing. But when they meet it seems to set them on a path to live and heal.

The relationship between Kacey and Jonah is so pure and it turns into something beautiful. This story isn't just not your typical romance story, it's so much more.
I adored all the family dynamics, especially with Theo, Jonah's brother.

The story continues with Theo in the next book.. All in.
Can't wait to check that out

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

4⭐️ 2🌶️

WOW okay I went into this blind and I was sobbing like a baby. wowowowowow.

Kacey is a guitarist in a well known band and has been struggling for a while, turning to alcohol and crazy partying. Jonah’s a part time limo-driver and an artist who was assigned to Kacey’s band for the evening. After an after party goes a little too crazy, the band manager tries to get Kacey out of the scene and pushes her right into Jonah’s arms. Only, Jonah has his own secrets and schedule to keep to, and he doesn’t know what to do with a drunk guitarist who’s now puked in his limo. Against all common sense and rules, he takes Kacey home to sleep on his couch so he can keep an eye on her.

The next morning, Jonah can see that she needs help and offers his place for her to stay and calm down after the last show. Jonah knows that his days are numbered and he’s trying to leave a legacy by completing a glass art installation, will Kacey stay when Jonah will need her the most?

Wow way to rip my heart out with that ending 😭 this was such a beautiful story and I can’t wait to read book 2

This was such an emotional read. I had to take a few breaks because I was sobbing and couldn't see the words anymore.
I am broken but I loved this book so much. Pleeeeeease read and recommend this book!

Okay Jonah is utterly adorable in this book and I was rooting for him so hard. I enjoyed Kacey's character a bit less but on the whole I really liked them together. A solid romance book.

This book was very average for me. I didn’t find myself wanting to pick it up and it was very predictable. Jonah is such a sweetheart and he deserves to be protected at all costs! I really loved his determination and drive to leave a mark behind. I also really did enjoy the character growth that Kacey goes through.

Kacey Dawson has always lived life on the edge, and as lead guitarist for a hot up-and-coming band, she is poised at the brink of fame and fortune. Yet she is torn between wanting to be taken seriously as a musician and her struggles with her family, which manifest in many alcohol binges. After drinking excessively after a sold-out concert in Vegas, she wakes up with a massive hangover and no memory of the night before or how she ended up on her limo driver's couch. Jonah Fletcher has recently had a heart transplant and fears that he is running out of time. He’s vowed to make the most of the handful of months he has left to him, including seeing the opening of his glass installation at a prestigious art gallery. Yet when he meets Kacey, he finds himself falling in love with her. They both feel the connection between them but are unsure how to navigate the future when all is so uncertain.
There are so many beautiful quotes that I could take from this book as they highlight the love and friendship that Kacey and Jonah share. Jonah is just the right person for Kacey, saving her from self-destruction while she brings light into his life when he wonders what it is all for. Without revealing too much of this story, all I can say is that it is a beautiful read. It left me reflecting on the story long after I had finished reading.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.