I HAVE NO WORDS BUT I CAN'T STOP UGLY CRYING. I'M TALKING THE KIND WITH SNOT ALL DOWN MY FACE. This was so heartbreakngly beautiful. I can't focus on anything else until I read the 2nd book!

I don’t think I’ll ever recover from the emotional rollercoaster that is Full Tilt. I cried when I started, I cried while I read it, and I’m crying now writing this review. The way Emma Scott can write the saddest story and still make you fall in love with it is absolutely bonkers.

This book completely wrecked me. I knew going in it would be painful, but I didn’t expect it to be this painful—and yet, I couldn’t put it down. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.

Emma Scott has officially made me a forever fan, even if she did shatter my heart into a million pieces.

I enjoyed listening to this book. It’s not my usual type of book, as I usually read books with a bit more action, but I thought I thought the story was good. It was well paced and the connection between the characters felt genuine.

Kris Koscheski and Caitlin Kelly were great choices for this audio. They both captured their characters’ emotions well and made it feel like I was experiencing the story with them rather than just listening to it.

Overall, I enjoyed both, the story and the narration. Great for anyone looking for an emotional read.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this ALC

4-4.5⭐️ Kacey Dawson, on the verge of music stardom, is struggling to overcome trauma from her past. Jonah Fletcher, facing a fatal diagnosis, has one goal— finish the glass installation he has worked so hard on before his time is up. But when a hangover Kacey wakes up on Jonah’s couch following a bender, neither of their lives will ever be the same.

I have to admit, I knew going in that this was a heartbreaker of a book, and as a result, I kept myself slightly less than fully engaged in order to avoid the full-on meltdown I was warned about. Did this hinder my enjoyment and the ability to experience the story fully? Perhaps. But there are only so many times I can have my heart ripped out, stomped on, and put back together. And yet I still came away having enjoyed the build-up, the misery, and the setup for what I knew would be coming in book two.

Emma Scott tackles really heavy issues, including chronic illness stemming from diabetes, as well as addiction and mental health struggles, and does it in an honest, raw way that I think helps to create a connection to the characters struggling to process real-life, everyday issues (well, maybe minus the up-and-coming rockstar element). However, given the emotionally daunting nature of this book, if you are easily triggered by any one of these components, please use caution when diving into this story.

Read if you like:
▪️emotional romance
▪️friends to lovers
▪️slow burn
▪️rockstar romance
▪️found family
▪️chronic illness rep
▪️navigating addiction

Thank you Tantor Audio for the advanced copy.

4⭐, 2.5🌶️

Okay. Im trying to gather my thoughts for this book because at times I was bored, but then at the ending I was BALLING because I was so emotionally moved. I personally was not a fan of Caitlin Kelly's voice for Kacey. It was hella sweet and just didnt fit the vibe for a "bad girl" rockstar. It took me a minute to get invested in the story for Jonah and Kacey because of the insta-love it had. Jonah's medical concerns ar obviously an incredibly moving period, and I enjoyed how they were as a couple.

With the way the book ended, I NEW I was running straight to read All In cause I have theories that may have me loving book two more than this.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an ALC (and Sourcebooks Bloom books for an eARC) in exchange for my honest review

Full Tilt may be labeled as a Contemporary Romance—and that fits—but it’s also so much more. Emma Scott weaves a heart-wrenching love story with themes of grief, personal growth, redemption, and terminal illness. It feels written for an older New Adult audience, one ready to sit with complex emotions. Scott’s writing is bittersweet and tender—one of those rare books you almost dread starting, because you know it will break you by the end.

Thank you Netgalley for my ALC copy!

Book: Full Tilt
Author: Emma Scott
Rating: 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I went into this one right after a super tough, dark read, and I most definitely was not ready for it!

This book is sad. It's so good, but it covers some rough subjects and struggles with hard themes.

I really enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters. The connection was there right from the start and I just loved how good they were for each other.

You get:
• Contemporary Romance
• Spicy
• No HEA
• Tear Jerker
• Terminal Illness
• Forced Proximity
• I'm Better With You

I recommend this one! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook.

This beautiful story is heartbreaking. I read the July 2025 rereleased version, thanks to NetGalley. Sitting here with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I have to read the next book because I need Kacey to be OK!

DNF @ 34% - too slow paced, I found myself bored & not wanting to pick it back up. I can already tell I'm not rooting for these two to get together, especially with the insta-love aspect that seems to be playing out.

I've been wanting to read this book for the longest, so when I got approved for the ALC of it, I was overjoyed to finally be able to dive into this story.

In terms of the actual book itself, I liked it, but I didn't love it. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that at the time of my reading, this book was a decade old, and because of a current oversaturation of books like this, I could see the plot lines from a mile away. However, this did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. I feel like the author did a great job exploring the connection between Jonah and Kacey.

Now the audiobook narration was fantastic. The narrators brought so much more emotion to the story, and I feel like it definitely creates a completely different experience once you read the book in this format.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and Emma Scott for this Advanced Listener Copy in exchange for my honest review

If Emma writes it, I am going in and preparing to be shattered. This book was emotional but hearing it in audio is a whole new experience and a must listen. It will grip your heart and squeeze so hard and make you ache in beautiful ways.

Full Tilt by Emma Scott
Format: Audio
Rating: 3/5 stars

Thank you RBmedia and Netgalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Full Tilt was an emotional and heartfelt story, but ultimately didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. The writing is solid and the characters are likable, but the tone and themes felt a bit too YA for my taste, even though it's technically classified as New Adult. While I appreciated the emotional depth, I haven’t really thought about it since finishing it. It’s a decent read for fans of emotional romance, but it didn’t quite resonate with me personally.

I’d been aware of this book for a long time but had never gotten round to reading it. So with the audiobook now available, it seemed like the perfect time to pick it up.

What a gut punch! From the book summary, and after the first few chapters of the book, it becomes fairly obvious that this is not going to be a HEA (although, like Kacey, my romantic heart couldn’t help but hope) 💔 There is something about the pair of them, not just individually, but as a couple that draws you in from the start. Jonah, an artist battling against time to leave his legacy before his heart fails, and Kacey, a talented guitarist who has lost her way. Each brings out the best in the other.

I thought it was a beautiful book and, despite dealing with the heartbreaking subject of grief, it was predominantly uplifting and romantic. The audiobook, which was dual narrated, was also well done and made for an enjoyable, easy listen (easy in terms of following along, not easy in terms of plot 😭).

Going into this book, I knew nothing about book 2; however, reading Full Tilt, I could see the foreshadowing of Kacey’s potential future relationship with Theo and that was the only thing I didn’t love about this one. Not because I didn’t like Theo as a character, but because I was invested in the here now, and in Kacey’s relationship with Jonah; I didn’t want to think about what might happen when their time inevitably ran out. I’m not sure whether or not I’ll pick up book 2 but, if I do, I think I’ll need some time to pass so I can grieve Jonah before being able to consider another romantic interest for Kacey!

Overall, if you like a romance that will likely make you cry, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC of this book.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to listen this beautifully written story. I loved the connection between the two MC’s and how real their relationship felt. This book will definitely have you in your feelings.

4.5 stars.

I loved "Full Tilt" by Emma Scott. I haven't felt this deeply while reading a book in quite some time! This story will give you emotional damage, that's for sure. It's raw, realistic, depressing, painful, and moving, yet it's also sort of life-affirming? I loved every minute of this story. The characters are imperfect and messy. I was unsure about the FMC, Kacey, at first, but she quickly changed my mind about her. She starts the book out as a wild rocker who gets drunk every single night to forget her life, and she quickly becomes someone readers can root for, someone worth believing in, someone worth saving. And Jonah... gahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Jonah. What a sweetheart! I hate what Emma Scott does at the end of this book, but I cannot imagine it ending any other way. Perfect ending, really. Jonah lives his life on repeat, so there are no distractions in his life. He works, sees his friends, visits his family, sticks to a strict diet, and does his glassblowing, nothing more, nothing less. He doesn't need the distractions: his life is one big ticking time bomb. And so is Kacey, just in another way. When their fires collide in Las Vegas one night, their lives are going to be forever changed, for better and for worse. The characters in this book have wonderful arcs, and they learn a lot and grow a lot throughout the course of the book. Even Theo, Jonah's brother, goes from being a total jerk to someone readers can sympathize with. I also loved the dual audiobook narration between Kris Koscheski and Caitlin Kelly. They embody these characters perfectly and bring them to life in a wonderful, vibrant, but sad way! I have to say, I openly sobbed while reading this book. I found it to be a quickly paced read, mostly because I just couldn't put it down. The grief I felt reading this one is something I won't soon forget. Please check the trigger warnings because this book might not end the way you think it will. CHECK THIS ONE OUT ASAP!!!

Thank you to Emma Scott, NetGalley, and Tantor Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

5⭐
5🥹

I first read Full Tilt back in 2022 and it absolutely broke my heart. So when I was gifted the audiobook I thought, why not, let's listen to the pain this time...

Firstly, this is a duet, BOTH books need to be read, stopping after book 1 will not give you the same experience. And yes, at the end of book 1 you will want to chuck it out of the window and forget you ever read it, but trust me book 2 brings it full circle. It's the kinda book you read in one sitting (with a box of tissues 🤧)

In Full Tilt you meet Kacey, an up and coming musician, living on the edge. After a rough night she meets limo driver Jonah who recently had a heart transplant. She passes out in the limo and he takes her home (like not in a creepy way) and this sets them off on a path that neither of them expected.

“I kissed Jonah Fletcher with all of my heart, and with every piece of my soul that would love him forever.”

Read this if you like:
🎸Angsty romance
⌛Friends to lovers
🎸Books that make you sob
⌛You like to cry whilst reading
🎸You do not like happiness
⌛You live on tears

Would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes, and I have and I will continue to do so ✅

Please check the content warnings, this book deals with some heavy topics and although we all like to have a cry with a good book - it should be for the right reasons. 🫶🏼

The narrators did an absolute amazing job at bringing this story to life!

Thank you Netgalley and Tantor Audio for gifting me a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Emma Scott’s Full Tilt follows the story of Kacey Dawson, a self-destructive guitarist spiraling through fame and alcohol, and Jonah Fletcher, a talented artist quietly grappling with a fatal heart condition. When their paths collide after a disastrous Vegas show, the two form a connection that quickly deepens into something more.

The premise had real potential—a raw, emotional journey between two broken souls trying to find meaning in their remaining time. Jonah, gentle and grounded, was the heart of the novel. His quiet strength and artistic passion offered a moving contrast to Kacey’s chaotic energy. Unfortunately, that contrast also highlighted what didn’t work for me: Kacey’s immaturity. Her character arc felt rushed and at times unconvincing. It was hard to believe their romance would have survived under different circumstances, and it often felt like the depth of their relationship hinged solely on Jonah’s impending death.

While there were touching moments—especially Jonah’s thoughtful gestures and moments of vulnerability—the story leaned heavily on the “sick and dying” trope, which felt emotionally manipulative rather than truly moving. For readers who enjoy tragic romances, this might hit the right emotional notes. But for me, the melodrama and reliance on illness to drive the plot came off as cliché.

In the end, Full Tilt aimed for profound but didn’t quite land it. It’s a quick read with moments of sweetness, but ultimately fell short of the emotional maturity and depth it was reaching for.

Wow, I honestly did not think I would love this book as much as I did. Initially I was unsure about the FMC, especially with the narrator’s portrayal of the wild rock star character, but I was quickly captivated by the book. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and I felt my heart hurt. I’m glad I got this book as an audiobook, because the dual narrators really brought this story to life and I was so drawn in. During the heart wrenching chapters, the narrators really brought across the raw emotion of the scene and the characters’ pain, love, and loss. I immediately went to go read the second book in this 2-book series, and this is now one of my favorite books. Since I rarely rate a book 5 stars, I’d give this 4 to 4.5 stars. I will be recommending this book to others, and checking out the other novels by the author.
📚
I highly recommend this book for those looking for a heartbreaking, yet beautifully written strangers to lovers romance. If you are looking for a happily ever after…. I cannot guarantee 😶
✨

Thank you Tantor Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Kacey should be grateful. She’s on tour as the lead guitarist for Rapid Confession with her best friend. The band is finally starting to blow up but she's drowning. Desperate for a genuine connection with anyone, she drinks herself into oblivion after every show, crawling into bed with any man who gives her the time of day. Until one night she meets Jonah, feeling an immediate connection with him.

Jonah lives life on a set schedule. No outsiders, no distractions, he has a deadline to meet. That is until one night Kacey nearly wrecks her entire career in a drunken stupor, and something in him can’t let her fall. Though they’re strangers, he offers her a few nights of peace to stay with him. A break from the chaos and the chance to stay sober.

But what begins as a temporary act of kindness turns into something far more complicated. Because of the connection between them? It’s instant. Intense. Inevitable.
I was crashing out after finishing this book. I felt every damn emotion and it had me SOBBING. And I did it to my damn self. But fuck this was such a good book, it is SO well written.

Despite the short amount of time Kacey and Jonah knew each other, absolutely nothing felt rushed about their relationship. Their connection was undeniable, a magnetic pull between them. It felt as if I were watching soulmates finally find each other. Which is why this book obliterated my soul. It is such an amazing book but fuck it hurt to read. However, if you are into books that aim to destroy you, this one's for you.

I didn’t quite understand the hype around this book. I found the plot predictable and could see most of it coming early on. For a story that centers around a tragedy, the pacing felt slow, with the emotional weight hitting only at the very end—and even then, it didn’t move me the way it seems to have impacted others.

Grief alone isn’t enough for me to give a book 5 stars. The emotional impact just wasn’t there for me.

As for the narration, I really enjoyed the MMC’s narrator—he delivered a strong and grounded performance. The FMC’s narrator, on the other hand, made the character feel immature, which didn’t help my connection to the story.

I also think the book would have had more impact if the relationship had developed earlier rather than halfway through. After looking into the second book in the duet and seeing who it focuses on, I’ve decided to skip it.