“I would love you forever if I only had the chance…”Kacey Dawson has always lived life on the edge–impulsively, sometimes recklessly. And now, as lead guitarist for a hot up-and-coming band, she is poised at the brink of fame and fortune. But she is torn between wanting to be a serious musician, and the demons that lure her down the glittering, but alcohol-soaked path of rock stardom. A … stardom. A wrecked concert in Las Vegas threatens to ruin her career entirely. She wakes up with the hangover from hell and no memory of the night before, or how she ended up on her limo driver’s couch…
Jonah Fletcher is running out of time. He knows his situation is hopeless, and he’s vowed to make the most of the handful of months he has left to him. His plans include seeing the opening of his glass installation at a prestigious art gallery…they do not include falling in love with a wild, tempestuous rock musician who wound up passed out on his couch.
Jonah sees that Kacey is on a path to self-destruction. He lets her crash with him for a few days to dry out and get her head on straight. But neither of them expected the deep connection they felt, or how that connection could grow so fast from friendship into something more. Something deep and pure and life-changing…something as fragile as glass, that they both know will shatter in the end no matter how hard they try to hold on to it.
Full Tilt is a story about what it means to love with your whole heart, to sacrifice, to experience terrible grief and soaring joy. To live life with all its beauty, and all its pain, and in the end to be able to smile through tears and know you wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Full Tilt, a contemporary romance, is Book I in the Full Tilt Duet. Book II, All Inis now available.
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Wow…..what have I just read? Full Tilt is an incredible book, full of emotion! It’s wonderfully written and bursting with heart, soul and love. I loved it, my heart is in pieces, it was a truly moving story.
Kacey is spiralling out of control in her rock and roll, alcohol induced world, trying to escape from the pains of life. Jonah has shut down, he’s closed himself off from everyone except his closest loved ones. He has a plan and a schedule he cannot deviate from. Then Kacey comes flying into his life and things will never be the same again.
This is a tear jerking ugly cry of a story but oh so very beautiful and tender. A powerful, sad but also uplifting and inspiring story of two lost people who find each other when they are most needed. A soul bonding love that shows them how to live, even in the most desperate and heartbreaking of circumstances. I’ve sat with tears streaming down but also with a big smile on my face. I cant imagine how difficult this was for Emma Scott to write, I’m getting emotional again just thinking about it!
Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? To feel what Jonah and Kacey had, I’d like to think I would be brave enough to say yes.
Full Tilt could be read as a standalone, but there is a book two, All In, and I for one can’t leave it where it ended, I need to know how the future pans out for the characters involved. I’ve read some wonderful books in recent times and this is right at the top with best of them. It deserves more than five “to the ends of the universe” bright wonderful stars. This is one of those books that I’m going to feel inside for a long time.
This book was one of the best romance books I have read in quite some time. I loved the storyline and the characters but most importantly for me, I loved the realness to it. Stories that have the ability to touch my heart and bring tears to my eyes, I find are some of my most favorite reads. For me, this book stands right next to Carnage. I absolutely loved this book! This story is one of love, bravery and living life to the fullest without wasting one precious moment. This story was not all hearts and roses, the characters inside had their own battles to fight; their own demons. Jonah, Kacey, Theo, their family, friends and the love and closeness they have is what made this book special. I love stories that make me feel something and/0r take me on an emotional roller coaster ride and this one did not disappoint. If you want a story will all of the FEELS to it this is it! I definitely recommend this book. I cannot wait to get started on the next book in this series.
Full Tilt is about Jonah Fletcher and Kacey Dawson. Jonah recently underwent surgery for a heart transplant. He’s had to make adjustments to his lifestyle. One of those adjustments was a regimented schedule of healthier eating habits and a handful of pills. Jonah blows glass during the day and drives a limo at night.
Kacey is a guitarist in a rock band partying till she passes out or falls into bed with any guy she meets. Kacey craves human contact, yet she’s on a downward spiral of chaos and destruction when she lands herself in the back seat of Jonah’s limo.
Neither was looking for a a relationship so they settled for friendship. But as time wore on or in his case ran out they found love in each other’s company. The best medicine for a broken heart is love.
Now onto the hard part. Rating and reviewing a book is not easy. I’m not artistic when it comes to formulating my thoughts. Trying to express those thoughts is challenging especially since I’m not a skilled writer. With that being said this book didn’t grab my attention the same way some of her other story’s did.
When reading a book I seek a well written voice that speaks to me with dialogue propelling the story forward. I’m not as concerned with the genre of the read as I am with the writing style. That’s the hard part. Books don’t have a category for writing style. My rating is based on the style of writing and whether I felt an emotional connection to the story and it’s characters.
Full Tilt is comprised of three parts. The story includes a few supporting cast of characters that aids in developing Jonah and Kacey’s character. I know this is going to sound pretty crappy given the nature of this story, but I didn’t love all the parts of this story. In some places I wasn’t consumed by the content as I wanted to be. I found the only time I was immersed in their lives was when Kacey and Jonah were together or Jonah was in the hospital. The rest read like moments to pass the time. I appreciated his talent and Emma’s ability to create an original character. It was an informative read, but at the same time not enough to keep me glued to the pages. I still found myself skimming along.
Full Tilt by Emma Scott did not measuring up to the writing standards I deem a 5 star read. I really wanted to like this story more than I did considering the topic of Jonah being a heart transplant patient and Kacey being a reckless carefree rock star. The concept was great but the execution fell flat. All the filler stuff about Jonah blowing glass just didn’t interest me.
This unforgettable love story is worth a million tears! FIVE EXTRAORDINARY STARS!
Once again, my eyes are full of tears as I review another book by Emma Scott, because her stories inevitably shred my emotions and touch my heart. Just when I thought nothing could surpass the perfection of Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, Full Tilt proved me wrong. OMG, THIS BOOK! Jonah and Kacey’s unforgettable love story grabbed me from the very first page and never let go, easily becoming one of the best books I’ve ever read. Please don’t miss this incredible reading experience, but keep a box of tissues nearby. I guarantee you’ll need them!
No lengthy plot summary from me this time; the blurb and numerous reviews are descriptive enough. But I can’t pass up a chance to say how much I loved Jonah Fletcher, a true hero. His new heart may be failing, but his soul overflows with love as he rescues a troubled young rock star (Kacey Dawson) from a path of self-destruction. Traumatized by her father’s cruel rejection, she’s lost in an endless round of parties, booze and meaningless sex until Jonah opens his home and his heart to her, beginning a friendship that soon deepens into a profound and infinite love.
Even as his health deteriorates, Jonah and Kacey find happiness in each other, sharing each precious moment remaining to them. Kacey tells him, “we might not have months or years, but we have moments. Thousands and thousands of them. Let’s take each moment, seize it and wring it dry.” And they do. Their intimate sex scenes are heart wrenching and beautiful, especially their tantric sex near the end. “Tears filled our eyes as our bodies rolled and slid, driving toward a bittersweet crescendo of pleasure. Tears for love. For loss. For the weeks he had, and the years he didn’t. For the joy and laughter, the heartache and grief. For this lonely man and the lost woman he’d rescued. For us, and the rapidly approaching time in which there would be only me.” (Yes, I cried too.)
Jonah creates exquisite blown glass sculptures, and he’s determined to leave a legacy–an installation of his work in the Wynn Galleria in Las Vegas. He hopes the exhibition will be attended by Dale Chihuly, a nationally famous glass sculptor. (I had the pleasure of viewing an exhibition of Chihuly’s sculptures in Denver and gained an appreciation for this truly breathtaking art form. Thanks to Jonah’s story, I now know much more about this creative process.)
Jonah and Kacey’s love will last forever, because “. . . the universe is a vast place, and the soul of a human is infinite, even if the body is temporary.” But Kacey is not the only person Jonah loves. He’s close to his parents but even closer to his brother (Theo), a brooding, talented tattoo artist who dreams of opening a shop of his own despite his father’s disapproval. Theo also harbors another desire–a secret love for Kacey Dawson. Must his love remain a secret forever? And will Kacey find a way to heal her broken heart? I’m about to find out in All In (Full Tilt Duet #2).
I especially want to commend the author for her research into the “complex intricacies of heart transplants and chronic rejection.” These details made the story seem even more real (and heartbreaking). Full Tilt #1 easily rates five stars and my enthusiastic recommendation!
“I’m going to leave you,” I said, my voice hardly more than a whisper. The words hung between us, the crux of all our pain and tears and hesitation. But Kacey smiled—smiled—with brave tears sliding down her cheeks. “Not yet. Not tonight. 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?”
OMG! This book just broke my heart
This beautiful, heartbreaking and unbelievable tragic love story, of which I cried or better yet was uncontrollable sobbing the whole last 15%, completely wrecked me.
What a book!
This book is a reminder that we should be grateful for all the beautiful moments we take for granted every day. For our family and loved ones
Kacey’s and Jonah’s story doesn’t end with a HEA, but their wonderful unique love story is so unbelievable beautiful and powerful.
I love them so much. They are perfect for each other despite that they are from two different worlds.
They are the definition of soul mates
Kacey’s is a young lost girl, who’s method of dealing with problems and traumas is alcohol, drugs, and sex. She is longing for love and affection and this is the only way she knows how to get it.
Until she meets this to nice and to perfect driver…
Jonah has an agenda and a tight schedule to make his life as productive as possible. His days are perfect planned and he can’t effort any distractions. Meeting Kacey is a big distraction, but he is drawn to her from the beginning and he can’t stay away…
This book is an emotional roller-coaster, but also a beautiful story about love, life and self-forgiveness.
“I’m at peace, and I hope to God I gave you the same happiness you gave me. I hope the love we have outweighs the pain when I’m gone.”
This is the first book in a duet and I hope the second book gives me a HEA, because I’ve no more tears left
This is a new author to me and this book came highly recommended when I said give me something that will rip my heart out and my me cry… something that has all the feels. THIS DID JUST THAT!!!
Right from the start I just knew these two characters were in for an epic journey of the emotional kind. I wasn’t wrong… this authors writing blew me away with the pain and toture in every word. This author made me feel everything. The highs and the lows. I literally felt part of this world. I felt myself falling in love with Jonah. I was invested in their journey. Kaceys pain of the past, the need to love be loved was there in colour!
This story will stay with me, not many books have gotten under my skin the way this did. Yes, I’ve read sad books, I’ve shed a tear or two but this one was a full blown ugly cry. I’m still tearing up writing this… my heart has been battered. But I won’t complain becuase that is what I asked for. Bravo Emma… Beautifully written. You’ve done this couple justice with your words.
This book broke me…it grabbed my heart and just ripped it out. Sure it didn’t start out that way, it started out about a girl who was lost. Kacey Dawson was the smokin’ hot guitarist for a band on the verge of their huge break out into the rock world. The only problem is that Kacey is hiding her true feelings behind alcohol and meaningless sex with any roadie that gives her the time of day.
Jonah Fletcher is a glass blower that moonlights as a limo driver on nights and weekends for the extra money and to keep busy at all times. One night he is hired to drive a rock band to and from their Vegas venue to their rented mansion, but when all hell breaks loose at the venue the bouncer brings the hit guitarist who is passed out from alcohol to his limo and tells him to take her home. Only she pukes all over the back and he isn’t able to get her into the mansion, so he takes her to his home.
Neither Jonah or Kacey is ready for the ride they end up taking together. Both fighting the inevitable every step of the way. By the end I had laughed, loved, cried…I was left gutted and with the WORST cliffhanger ever!! Thank goodness I had the second book, All In, ready to go. You do want to read this duet, so many emotions are to be had, but it’s so worth it all.
it would be wrong if i didn’t write a proper review. i feel like my heart was shattered into so many pieces right now and i don’t think im seriously able to function. i just know after reading this book i’ll never be the same anymore. i always try to avoid book that pull of this trope because i know the pain that will cause my poor heart.
i love kacey. she’s such a strong fierce girl and i truly adore her. she’s like a broken angel that is sent from heaven for the fletchers. i love her pure soul that never go half of the way. she didn’t leave jonah when she knew his condition. she stayed for him instead of letting him go. all i could feel is heartbreak for her throughout this book.
i love theo as much. i feel like he deserves his own love that will prioritise him. in this book i do felt for him how he was always going to be the second place. their parents always praise jonah and not him but he loved jonah no less. theo deserves so much love in the world and someone that could love him fiercely. i love his protective side and he is truly a good brother. i just want him to feel like he’s enough and he should be. he’s an amazing character overall.
as for jonah… he’s the main star. i love kacey and theo but jonah have a special place in my heart. he knows both theo and kacey’s struggle. he knew that his parents would always praise his achievements but not theo yet he always praise him and talk highly of him. he always made kacey like she’s at home when she never had those feelings before throughout her life. he’s just the character i’m always going to mourn forever for the loss. i just wish things would go out differently but……. i just can’t. he’s such a pure soul i don’t know what to say anymore because he deserves to live more than I DO. everytime i read his pov i feel like i die a little and it’s like my breath also got stolen away.
this book reminds me so much of my favourite k-drama called “uncontrollably fond”. the drama gave me nothing but pain and bittersweet moments. both stories are telling me that we should never waste time even one second and always cherish the one we love truly. i love that k-drama so much i love the message both stories give me. they have different storylines but both have me the same amount of pain and heartbreak.
i’m definitely gonna read the second book because im ALL IN for second-chance at love but im seriously still trying to process everything and gather my thoughts. i want to see kacey and theo happy even though i can’t still fathom the idea of them being together but both of them deserve happiness after everything. kacey deserves her happy ever after and her solo career as a singer also her parents apology though idk if i would get it and theo deserves to prosper with his shop and his talents being acknowledge by his own parents especially father.
trigger warning loss of loved ones so please stay far far away from this book if you don’t want to end up crying. sorry if this is spoiling but i want people to be aware what they’re reading and what they’re getting themselves into. if you want to try the experience, give it ahead. i was also pretty much aware what I’m getting myself into but i still want to read this because i need something that could remind me that nothing last forever, even for someone that we truly love. i need to read something meaningful and I’m truly glad i read it.
every stars in the sky — 10000/10
I’m finally starting to make my way through Emma’s backlists and I have absolutely NO regrets about reading this story. Was it a difficult read? Darned skippy it was. Was it worth it? Every, single, last beautiful word was worth every single, last, beautiful moment I spent reading it. I ugly cried and I laughed out loud. I had memories of Vegas I thought I’d forgotten and for this alone, it was worth the price of admission. The ending may tilt you on your axis, but I’m hearing All In will bring me to rights again…so off I go.
Simply beautiful.
5 Blown Glass Stars
Here I am reviewing another Emma Scott book. After I popped my cherry, I vowed to read all her books. They are written with such precise and depth that you need to do a binge and read them all.
Full Tilt is an emotional journey of two people.
Kacey Dawson is the rising star. The band she is in is making waves and heading to the top of the charts. The thing is, Kacey is spiraling out of control. She loves her guitar and singing…but the environment is toxic for her. Drinking and becoming so drunk is her norm these days.
Jonah is living each day as scheduled. After suffering from an infection that caused him to need a heart transplant. On the final countdown, Jonah receives a new heart. From that day forward he is on a regimen of medications and healthy foods.
A little over a year has gone by and Jonah is trying to complete his project. Working during the day as an artist that blows glass, then finishing up the day as a limo driver.
When the feisty, drunk, passed out Kacey lands in the back of his limo, Jonah had no idea that from that moment on, his live would forever change.
As I sit here with my tears now dried, I’m in awe of this story. How strong people can be even at their weakest. Fantastic job on this writing this story. It definitely isn’t an easy one to read but it gives you strength as the story progresses to make it to the ending.
#BookBistroBlogApproved
Full Tilt was a breathtakingly beautiful yet emotionally heart-wrenching story that will grab your attention from beginning to end. This is the first book in the Full Tilt duet and it will evoke a range of emotions from you. You will love these two characters who find each other by chance and in no time you will be invested in their story. This novel was well written and deeply layered with so many emotions, it gives you all the feels from early on.
I listened to the audible version of this novel. It was narrated by Nelson Hobbs and Caitlin Kelly. These two were phenomenal together. Their voices blended well together and they both brought out the emotions in the characters. I loved listening to them.
This is a story you won’t forget anytime soon as it stays with you long after you are done. It was a phenomenal read worthy of more than 5 stars and I would highly recommend it to all romance readers.
Kacey Dawson is on her way to fame as the lead guitarist in a rock band, she seems to have it all so why does she have to get totally wasted to get through the night? After once again drinking to the point of passing out, Kacey wakes up on the couch of Jonah Fletcher, her limo driver. Jonah can see that Kacey needs a place to get away and dry out and he offers her his place to stay in until she has to leave for her next stop on the tour. Surprisingly, she takes him up on it and they begin an unlikely friendship, finding something in the other that brings their hearts to life.
I have never read a novel by Emma Scott, but after reading Full Tilt I know I will definitely be looking through her backlog for my next fix. Full Tilt was heavy, dark, desperate, uplifting, sad, and joyous. By the third chapter I was all in and I think I must’ve gone through a box of Kleenex while rooting for this couple to overcome the odds.
I wasn’t so sure about Kacey at first. She’d had a hard life, found herself in a sweet spot with fame and then wasn’t happy with what that got her. She seemed to be a typical rock chick, at first. Jonah was a little tougher to undertand. He’d shut himself off from everyone but his immediate family and a couple of friends, to protect himself, but to also protect others because he was terminally ill. By doing this he took all of the color out of his own life, which is funny because he was an artist who was building a glass installation full of color and imagery. Kacey was anything but colorless and she filled his life with the technicolor of love. He and Kacey’s unlikely friendship turned into a soul changing love story. Not just theirs, but mine too as I read their story. It was heart lifting and heart breaking at the same time.
This is a novel that you just need to throw yourself into. I had put it on my Kindle quite a few months ago after reading a review that made me curious. Other than that Kacey was a rock star who was on the rocks, I didn’t remember the plot and I’m glad I went into this one blind. Take my word for it. Get this novel. Don’t read the synopsis, just pick it up and take yourself on a journey. It will be heart breaking and yes, you’ll ugly cry, but it will also remind you what love is all about. That’s why we read romance novels, right?
~Heartwarming
••••Heartfelt
~Fabulous characters
••••Beautiful
The relationship development was very bl nicely done. I love it! Love how the got to know each other, became friends and fell in love
Wow! This book was so great! The heartbreakingly emotional story was so wonderfully written. This was my first Emma Scott book and won’t be my last. Highly recommend!!!
Heartbreakingly Beautiful!
I read this duet in 2017 and just noticed I had not left a review.
Full Tilt and All In have stayed with me ever since reading them and I am always recommending them to my friends
I adored these books, I could not put them down – they pulled at all my heartstrings and it was probably the first time I wanted to throw my kindle.
These books are everything – friendship, love and heartbreak in the most uninmangeable way. I was so glad I had the duet as I had to start reading All in as soon as I had finished Full Tilt.
Have the tissues ready because you will not be able to read these books without them.
These were the first books I had read from this author and she fast became one of my go to authors.
Absolutely amazing writing, it definitely surpasses 5 stars. I look forward to reading more from you Emma.
OH MY DEAR LORD. I hope you have some tissues ready when reading this one. This was by far such a painstakingly sad but wonderful experience reading this book. I had such a hard time putting this book down. The writing flowed well, the characters developed throughout the book, and the chemistry was flying off the pages. I absolutely fell in love with these characters and their relationship.
This was a painstakingly beautiful book. It’s sad. It’s happy. It’s thought provoking. You need to read it.
I don’t think I’m going to be okay for a while….but there is another book….how am I going to read it after this one?!?
5 Cranky Stars
Everyone said you need to read this book it’s amazing but will rip your heart out. I’m an emotion reader so I let it sit on my Kindle until I was in need of a good cry. So now I write this among of sea of Kleenex and my husband looking at me like a family member died. I’m not ok not even a little bit.
Jonah had such fantastic dreams and goals. One trip and one illness changed his life. Now he lives each day carefully planned. His only goal is to get his art instillation done before his time is up. He knows he’s not prolonging his life by being so careful, but he tries. It’s not until a drunken whirl of an angry chick in leather passed out in his limo that he thinks maybe he can try to live again.
Kasey is on the verge of stardom, but her demons are dragging her down. Night after night drunk and lost in random guys she feels this isn’t for her. She wants more calm and she wants more acceptance from her parents. When she wakes up in a strange room she knows this is the shift in her universe. She’s not sure how to love Jonah but she will try with what all she has and what time she has.
Ho. Lee. Heck!!! I’m gutted and broken. I knew it was coming but nothing could prepare me for it. I wish I could give it a million stars. Jonah has made the book boyfriend list. I can’t wait to see more of Theo. He just intrigues me to no end. I admire Kasey and how she found herself. She tried so hard to be the one for Jonah and she rose above it all. Read it read it!! Have Kleenex and maybe some wine handy. Now excuse me I need to go blow my nose and eat my feelings.
I’ve been a sobbing mess since I finished reading Full Tilt. Correction, I sobbed throughout half of this beautiful and heartbreaking story. I feel like someone pulled my heart from my chest. It hurts and yet it’s both a good and bad hurt. Just as I’m writing this review my tears are threatening to burst through again. Because this story was so powerful and life affirming. The blurb says it all so I won’t go into what the story was about, I want the reader to experience it for themselves.
I would rather tell how it affected me because it did. Kacey and Jonah were two remarkable and strong as hell characters. I’m so in awe of them and their gift they gave to one another. The purest and honest gift of them all. LOVE! Oh my god! Did they love. They loved with all of their being. It was shown in their words, touch and how they looked at each other. Down to the simplest thing.
It was a heartbreaking story and yet again it was a love story of epic proportions. Their love was all consuming and earth shattering. Real and believable.
Jonah and Kacey’s story will be with me for quite some time. I’ll remember their instant connection, how deeply they affected one another and changed their lives for the better. But most of all I will forever remember their love and what it entailed. Also how deeply it touched me.
Emma Scott’s writing was impeccable. Flawless and captivating. My first book of hers and it’s definitely not my last. She brilliantly conveys emotions through words even if it makes my eyes swollen from crying. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m so in love with her storytelling and can’t wait for the sequel. This story is far from over.
5 BadAssDirtyYou’reMyUniverseStars