All In (Full Tilt #2)

This is book 2 of the Full Tilt series and it's advised that you read Full Tilt before reading All In.

Three words to describe this book: Empathic. Fluid. True.

There truly was no other way to arc this plot and with the story as is, Emma displays a distinct empathy for her readers and the characters . We all reeled from the death of Jonah but the period between book 1 and 2 allowed for a start to the healing process. If Full Tilt was devastation, then All In is the corresponding panacea and really, the perfect coda for this duet.

For those of us that have lost loved ones, it's something that never goes away but rather becomes part of you, seeping into your core and ready to flay at random. I appreciate how Emma did not disregard the need for an appropriate grieving period for Jonah. It was true. She didn't pretend all was well; or as if Jonah was suddenly irrelevant. As if only Theo and Kacey's story needed to be told. As if all could be made right by a few pages of heartfelt longings and insipid desires.

The plot crescendos when both Kacey and Theo finally decide to accept their need for each other. They transit from being non-friends to friends to best friends, and finally, lovers. Le sigh.

Another point to Emma's credit is the writing. For a book to span months and yet retain such fluidity, is a testament to impeccable writing. Nothing jarred; it all was done so seamlessly that you'd be forgiven for thinking mere weeks had elapsed between the tragedy and Kacey and Theo's emergence as a couple.

Can I just reiterate that there was only one way to have written this story and that Emma wrote the heck out of it? It, simply, was perfection.

If you are familiar with Emma Scott's writing, then you know how her characters and writing touches parts of the soul and embed in the heart. It's not just a story, it's an absorbing experience. And every time she writes a book, I feel a profound sense of longing for more, but contentedly settle for what's already been given. Perhaps that's why when I finished Full Tilt, I didn't have nearly that magnitude of heaviness afterwards, due to the rare treat of knowing that there is more to come. Yes, I clung to that thought of "more," that it was not over yet because the characters WOULD return.

And if you haven't read any of Emma's books before, then I highly discourage you from choosing All In as your first one, since it comes after Full Tilt, so start there, because this book duet should not be overlooked. I think stories like this can be tricky or riotous for the emotions and I often find myself being rather obstinate about where I stand in these particular cases, that it leaves very little leeway for the characters and author to do it justice without me being a little unfair in my judgment, but Emma nails it beautifully. Because when I was done, I didn't doubt the authenticity of anything or anyone. It all felt completely organic with how it was meant to be without diminishing other aspects.

***Caution - contains spoilers for Full Tilt***

Kacey Dawson is struggling and drowning in her grief. And I really empathized with her, feeling the sadness every time she would reach for the orb that Jonah gave her as she fought to survive while clinging to his memory. Because who didn't absolutely love and adore every bit of Jonah and what he represented? And then there is Theo Fletcher, the other person who is equally overwhelmed by loss, but continues to get through each day with worries and potential broken promises burdening him.

When Theo first appeared in Full Tilt, my immediate thought was, "he is most definitely Kacey's type and perfect match" even if he didn't act much like it initially. Theo gives off the vibe that he can't be penetrated emotionally, has a bit of a shadow overhanging him and seems wary of excess attention or praise due to a vulnerability that he hates to acknowledge. However, Theo is truly one of the best guys out there when he cares about someone because there isn't anything he wouldn't do for that person, including sacrifice his own happiness. Theo is my favorite character out of everyone because he represents a certain kind of complexity with flaws that I can appreciate and love no matter what.

All the potential obstacles between Kacey and Theo are addressed, on top of their own personal issues that they deal with and are handled with a delicate finesse. A relationship isn't just about 2 people forming a bond, it also includes the others whom they interact with and contributed to shaping them into who they are now. I didn't really get too overwrought about the ending of Full Tilt because it wasn't over yet, but All In dragged out those emotions from me that included the ones for Full Tilt, because of the permanency and the legacy, and it was all consuming. And to see the people that Kacey and Theo become as a result of their experiences, grief and growth is a fantastic and satisfying journey. Loved this book and the underlying messages!

Wow!! I am not sure where to even start with this review. There are so many emotions going through me. When I read Full Tilt I fell in love with Jonah and Kacey. They were just so good together, but when I got to the end of the book and saw what would be coming next I was so excited. I will admit when a character in a book that you fall head over heels in love with dies, there is a part of me that does not want to see their lover move on. It’s for selfish reasons because usually in my mind I just don’t want to accept them falling in love with someone else. I can’t think of them as having two amazing love stories. I think if you are going to go in that direction you have to truly make it feel real, believable and you have to feel the connection between the characters. And Emma Scott nailed it!!! My God did she do a fantastic job with Kacey and Theo’s story.

All In starts with that moment that you do not want to have to relive again but yet it was so important to do so. I am not going to explain why or what happened but it just makes everything that happened after that point in this book completely ok.

Kacey is trying so hard to get past the pain that the loss of Jonah has left her in. All she wants to do is feel numb and the one way she knows how to do that is with alcohol. She has moved to a new city and just going through the motions of life, drowning herself in the process. When Theo gets a call that Kacey is in a really bad way he is on the next plane out to take care of her. Kacey and Theo both know what the other is going through. They both loved Jonah so much and understand more than anyone how much it hurts. But maybe together they can lean on each other and be able to heal and move on from the grief. And this is where their beautiful story really begins.

Through their love for Jonah and their shared grief they become the best of friends. But their relationship begins to turn into more than just feelings of friendship. They see how much they miss each other when they are not together. Theo awakens something inside of Kacey that has been dead since losing Jonah. There is this amazing connection between the two of them. Despite the feelings they have for each other, there are obstacles in their way. Between the fear of getting close to someone again, and the reactions of their family and friends, can this truly work between the two of them? Is their love strong enough to survive those obstacles?

I loved this book so much. When I read Full Tilt I loved Kacey and Jonah together and honestly I think I would have been content if the story ended there. But at the same time knowing that Kacey and Theo were getting their story just made me happy. For one I felt the love that Theo had for Kacey in the first book. I could see what she did to him even if no one else knew it. I felt that he loved her and knew that he would take care of her after his brother was gone. Theo may seem to be this tough tattoo artist who has many women, but he is so far from that man. The love he has for Kacey knows no bounds. They way he cared for her and loved her but also let her be when he knew she needed it. Oh I just loved that man so much.

What I really loved about this story was the pace of it all. This wasn’t a story where Theo came to the rescue and BAM!!! They were in love. No, Ms. Scott took her time with this beautiful love story. They both had to heal, accept the loss in their life, accept that they needed to move on. But most of all Kacey needed to feel that it was the right time to move on with someone else. She needed her heart to feel it and once she knew it was right that was it. It was beautiful to watch these two become best friends and even more so as lovers. There were so many touching moments between them that I just feel the love and connection between them. I found my self getting choked up on more than one occasion. Everything about the two of them just felt so real. What an absolutely amazing and beautiful story about loss, friendship, love and moving on. This story shows that while the pain of losing someone may slowly go away your love for that person never has to. But more importantly it is ok to move on and love again.

NOTE: This is not a standalone. It's the the sequel to Full Tilt and needs to be read in order.

I dropped everything to read this book as soon as it became available and I was not disappointed. Full Tilt was a 5 Star read for me and I'm going to go out on a limb to say All In is even better!

Reading the synopsis I was wondering how the author would tackle this story line. It was a very delicate situation that could have been a hit or a miss depending on how it was delivered. Well I can confidently say it was handled perfectly and this story line is an absolute winner!!

Teddy and Kacey's story was beautifully written. The storyline flowed seamlessly without any unnecessary drama and is what I consider a friends to lovers story but with a twist given Theo is Jonah's brother.

Jonah's passing at the end of Full Tilt left a great big gaping hole in the lives of his friends and family but mostly to Theo and Kacey who where closest to him. Kacey's way of coping was leaving Las Vegas and everything that reminded her of Jonah, whilst Theo just knuckled down and got on with work, finishing his masters degree, and supporting his mum who was not coping with losing Jonah and now Kasey as well.

After 6 months of being off the grid, and drunk every day in New Orleans, Theo finally finds her thanks to the help of bartender Big E . Theo drops everything to get to her, where he helps her become sober and get her life back on track, never wanting anything more than to make sure that she is ok.

Theo is an absolutely standout character for me.He is not a man of many words with a tough no nonsense exterior. He is selfless, brave and deeply protective of the ones he loves. But exteriors can be deceiving and they certainly were in his case. Once we got to know more of Theo or Teddy as Kacey called him, we see that deep down he is a real softy capable of so much love. I loved him and cried for him when couldn't over come his grief or see a way that he would ever find happiness.

Theo and Kasey become each other's best friends, sharing numerous text's, long distance phone calls and occasional visits. They shared this deep grief and found solace in each other's company and memories of Jonah that no one else could relate to or understand.

Their relationship wasn't rushed and never disrespectful to Jonah. It evolved naturally/ organically and when they finally realised the possibility of them having a relationship with each I was finally able to breath.

The support characters were a standout in the sequel just like in Full Tilt but my favourite once again has to be Dena. Her conversation with Theo at the 76% mark brought me to tears. She is so insightful with the ability to see right through you with just a glance.

Memories of Jonah and his legacy were throughout book and I loved how well this worked. It never felt too much or inappropriate, the balance was perfect.

This duet is definitely the best of 2016 for me for its unique storyline, wonderful character and beautiful writing.

Congratulations Ms Scott on an outstanding and memorable book / series and I eagerly await your next book.

This is like the duet of books that can. That can give you love and joy, hurt and sadness. Two stories that rip you apart then consequently fill you with hope. They're like wrapping yourself in your favorite blanket feeling the immense warmth and comfort it provides. All In, Emma Scott's follow up to Full Tilt, must be read in order to get the entire story arc and full majesty of what this story holds within it's pages.

The lives of the characters have been irreparably changed. Over the course of book one we felt the change so subtly until it happened. With All In we see the aftermath of those previous changes and how love and loyalty can uproot you from you deepest darkness even when you're drowning in it. The characters for whom the story focuses on use as each other as pillars of strength. It was amazing to embark on this journey with these two. The intimacy in which Emma Scott writes makes us feel captivated, as if we're a welcome sightseer in their life.

Emma Scott's prose feels so natural in it's delivery. Nothing forced or artificially created. It's writing that seeps into your reading soul and stays planted there causing a visceral connection between readers and characters. I was glued to the pages not wanting to escape any of the emotions set forth by Scott's storytelling; I needed each and every one of them to effect me so directly, so poignantly, so perfectly.

All In is an amazing reading experience enhanced by the beautiful experience of Full Tilt. Putting into words the grandeur of these books proves hard. As a romance reader, I urge you to read this moving story about these very special people. As a reader in general I believe this books represents life in such a profound way. Loss and love cycling through the circles of life we often find ourselves immersed in are so aptly and beautifully represented through the gift of storytelling Emma Scott possesses. It was a treasure to read this story. It's one I won't soon forget.

A beautiful story about love, hope, and letting go. From the first page that had me in tears and my heart breaking, to the Epilogue that gave me tears of happiness, this is a story that sweep me away on a deeply emotional ride as two discover their second chance.

Before I get into the actual review of the book, I want to address the couple in this story. I know some people didn't think that this couple was right, given what happened in book one. Personally, I not only wasn't surprised by this match, I looked forward to it, because I knew if done right, it would be perfect. And let me say, this author does it right. The relationship is not rushed. Both know what is at risk, and for that reason, they proceed with extreme caution. The road they take together is bumpy but worth it. Added to that, the author has promises shared, which made the idea of pairing, one that was hard not to love.

How did this couple come to be?
For one, the attraction was there for some time. But it was hidden away. For the right reasons.
For the other, the attraction grew over time as the struggle to let go, becomes easier.

When I started this book, I didn't expect to be crying at 1%. I felt prepared for the sadness in book one, but didn't expect the author to hit me with that sadness right off the bat in this installment. But rereading those sad moments, set the course of this story. One that begins with a downward spiral.

Jonah's death had a ripple effect for those close to him.
His parents became shells of their former selves.
His friends only found forced laughter.
Theo focused solely on making something of what Jonah left him.
And Kacey simply couldn't deal. She isolates herself from the past, and turns back to alcohol to soothe the pain.

It killed me that all of the progress she made with Jonah was ruined. However, it was also easy to understand. Her grief nearly broke me. Then Theo comes along with a sledgehammer to my heart. And I mean that in the best possible way. What he does for Kacey will have fighting back tears. He made two promises to Jonah, and while he doesn't see how one can be achieved, he makes a series of selfless decisions to honor the second promise. I fell hard for him. HARD!

I won't go thru the path these two take towards recovery, and how their story together is built, because I simply don’t think I can describe the true beauty of this author's words. What I can tell you is that every moment with Kacey and Theo held meaning for me. Each moment made me fall deeper in love with them and this story.

This is without a doubt one of the most touching and emotional duets I've read in some time. Sometimes it’s hard for an author to repeat the success of the first book in a series. This author not only did that in my mind, but she wrote a second book I loved more than the first. If you are looking for a thought provoking story about the impact of loss and letting go to live a better fuller life, this book (duet) is a MUST READ!

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK/SERIES I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I THOUGHT THAT IT COULDN’T GET ANY BETTER AFTER THE FIRST BOOK BUT IT SOMEHOW DID.

Emma Scott’s “Full Tilt” book brought me tears of sadness and tears of joy. It brought me so many emotions that wrapped together to make the perfect book to read during any time in a person’s life. It was relatable and full of extraordinary writing, and yet somehow, I feel “All in” exceeds it. SOMEHOW, I’ll never know, Mrs. Scott created a second book that was all of these things and even more.

This book will forever be my ALL TIME FAVORITE. There were so many plot twists too. I’ve never really enjoyed books that were predictable and this was definitely not. So many things happened that I would’ve never guessed.

The book held so many themes that taught about loss and letting go and it just warms my heart when I think about the struggles the characters went through and how they were able to depend on one another to make it through the messy parts of life.

I truly thought I wouldn’t be able to get over what happened in the first book but Emma Scott broke my heart in the first book and then used her second to mend it. Only a truly masterful writer could do it so gracefully, as she did.

I’d like to share a quote from the book that stuck with me because of how TRUE it was, “See, this is why I don’t talk about sh**. It just doesn’t do any f**king good and it just…”
“Hurts,” Zelda said. “It hurts, right? It’s messy and complicated and it’s like a tattoo that never ends. A million needles inking something on your heart that isn’t even beautiful.”

*sigh* This is why I truly love reading. The things you can feel and experience, simply by the sheer power of words upon paper and the imagination of an author who gifts us by passing it on.

Thank you Emma Scott for giving me this gift. I will forever cherish it.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book Via NetGalley.

Emma Scott really knows how to write about love. She doesn't just do romance, she does the kind of all-encompasing love that changes lives. I fell in love with Full Tilt, although I cried buckets, so when I saw All In on Netgalley I admit I got a bit grabby. I wondered if I'd built it up too much in my head, but as soon as I started reading I knew it was going to live up to my high expectations. It's not an easy read, but it is a beautiful one. Kacey and Teddy are perfect for one another, and their slow yet heated love in no way detracts from what Kacey and Jonah had.

All In will provide you with all the feels, and I just can't say enough good things about it. The characters, as we already know from Full Tilt, are incredibly real. The story is sad, uplifting, romantic and hard, all at once. Technically, it's all there - pacing, dialogue, world, lives - Scott is a creative genius and I can't wait to read what she has for us next.

4 1/2 stars. Wowza. I really didn't Ms. Scott was going to pull this off. I really couldn't fathom how she was going to sell us Kasey and Theo. But Good God Almighty - she pulled it off!! This sensitive relationship was handled perfectly. I can't imagine it being presented in a better way. The only reason this wasn't a 5 star read was that I felt that Theo was quite different in this book than he was in the first. I understand that he was always a bit different with Kasey, but he almost seemed like a different person at times. I understood the underlying softness he had and the selflessness he had but I felt his hard shell (that was so prevalent in the first book) was almost missing in this book. Other than that - this read was incredible. Well done, Ms. Scott.

Complete perfection on so many levels. Love can shatter you and leave you a shell of who you once were. You need to sometimes push through the pain to find the joy. This book complete put my heart back together. First we got to experience the complete and utter pain that Kacey has let consume her and then we go through each stage of healing as if we are experiencing it with her. The emotions pour off the pages. Sometimes a love that can last a life times comes from a place you least expect you just need to hold on tight and not let go. I can honestly say that Emma has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

In Full Tilt, Emma Scott began an emotional story that was so deep and moving, but completely devastating. It broke me. When I got to the end of it, I couldn't imagine not reading its sequel, All In. I needed to know how all of the characters moved on from the trauma of Full Tilt.

All In had a different feel to me than Full Tilt. Even though it dealt with Kacey, Theo, their friends and family's grief, there was a feeling of lightness to it. There was still some devastation and sadness, but there was also hope and healing. The way Emma Scott navigated her characters through one of the toughest times of their lives was exceptional and inspirational.

One of the things I loved the most about All In was how Kacey found love and strength with Theo. At first, I wasn't so sure what I thought about Kacey falling for Jonah's brother. I thought it might be uncomfortable or seem unnatural. Kacey and Theo's relationship didn't make me feel either of those things. It progressed slowly and in a way I could understand and relate to. It was sweet and actually really perfect. I loved them together -- maybe even more than I loved Kasey and Jonah.

I absolutely loved this duet and would recommend it to romance readers. It was a beautifully written journey of love, loss and healing.

Oh the feels! I’ve lost the ability to even with this book. Full Tilt left me wrecked in the most wonderful way and set the bar very high for All In which is the second book in the Full Tilt duet. If Emma Scott was aiming to destroy my emotions once again, target achieved.

Theo is harsh towards Kacey through much of the previous book. Here we get a better understanding of his behavior. This story shows the kindhearted, sensitive man he really is beneath his tough façade. It’s simultaneously wonderful and sad to see the extent to which he goes to support his loved ones—even to his own detriment at times.

Kacey is drowning in a sea of inconsolable despair, and my heart couldn’t ache for her more. Theo tries to help Kacey cope with her grief, all the while suppressing his own emotions. I couldn’t help but love him desperately. Jonah is still very much present—but not in a paranormal sense—and the way in which he is integrated into the story is quite impactful.

I really appreciated how Kacey and Theo develop a friendship based on mutual understanding as well as Theo’s devotion. It makes the resulting slow burn all the more realistic, emotional, and gratifying.

All In is utterly captivating and moving. Emma Scott has written a stunning conclusion to an amazing duet—definitely among my top reads of 2016.

Emma Scott is a new author to me and I am kicking myself that I waited so long to start reading her books. After finishing Full Tilt, I was so, so happy that I was able to start right into All In. I needed to know what life was like for the people that had lost Jonah. **Spoiler alert right here: If you don't know what I'm referring to in regards to Jonah, stop now! You must read Full Tilt first before reading All In. These two books are a duet and must be read in order.**

So as I was saying, I desperately needed to know how Kasey and Theo and everyone were handling losing Jonah. He was the glue that held everyone together. He was so deeply ingrained in all of their hearts, that I couldn't even imagine how any of them were going to keep going after such a huge loss. Well, Kasey, she wasn't faring so well, and my heart broke for her all over again reading about her spiral.

Jonah was the first person who had totally loved and accepted Kasey and now she's lost, drowning in a sea of grief. She runs, leaving behind the people who had become her family, because she couldn't handle her own grief, let alone watching anyone else suffering too. And those old demons from her past rear their ugly head, calling her back to the dark side of living in a state of numbness.

Theo has been hurting just as badly as Kasey, but he's become the rock of his family, holding his mom together while his father buries himself in work. He's made certain promises to Jonah, ones that seem impossible to accomplish but he's going to try all the same. Some will be easier than others, and some had already happened before Theo even agreed to them.

Emma has such a mastery of writing such beautiful moments in the midst of so much grief and heartache. No one truly knows how to go on without Jonah being there, and yet, somehow they do. Days pass and somehow everyone makes it through them. Some days are harder than others, but other days start to pop up that seem a little easier, have more light in them than darkness. I was impressed how Emma doesn't rush any of this, the story unfolds at it's own pace and it felt natural and organic.

The slow burn between Kasey and Theo was perfect. Each feeling something they don't think they're supposed to but can't help it. What started out as friendship has morphed into an intense, all encompassing love that burns so brightly there's no way to extinguish it's light. So many times I was talking to my Kindle, saying, "Just tell her! Just tell him! Give in to your feelings!"

All while Theo and Kasey are dealing with their grief and their burgeoning feelings for each other, they're both still dealing with their strained relationships with their fathers. I loved how they were each there to be a source of strength, support and encouragement for the other. My heart broke for Kasey and Theo for multiple things that they had to deal with. Kudos to Emma for the depth of emotion she infused throughout this book in every aspect of every storyline. Wow....just wow.

This book was packed full of emotion and I smiled as much as I cried. One of my most favorite scenes occurs at the very end between Theo and his father. "I see you, Theo. I see you. If Jonah was the glue that held us together, you're the rock we set our backs to. I'm proud of you for that. I'm so proud that you're my son." Cue the tears once again!!

Everything came full circle in this story and I was so truly happy at the journey that Emma took us on. I have now become an Emma fan for life!