All In

Full Tilt #2

by Emma Scott

MP3 CD Format

Reeling from her loss, Kacey Dawson is grieving and heartbroken, her addictive demons hauling her back into the alcohol-soaked abyss she worked so hard to crawl out of. Kacey teeters on the edge of oblivion, and must fight her way through the pain, to build a new life for herself with her music, and somehow fulfill the promise she made to Jonah . . . one she feels is impossible to keep.

Theo Fletcher has a secret burning in his heart, one that he holds close, while he struggles to keep strong for his family that is falling apart. His mother’s health is fragile and his father’s disapproval is breaking him down. Theo is afraid if he follows his heart, he’ll fail, and not just himself, but his brother who believed in him when no one else did.

Drawn together by their pain, Theo and Kacey slowly build a friendship, re-forge old ties, help each other to heal, and give one another the courage to reach for their dreams. Together, from the depths of grief and guilt, they learn to laugh again, to trust again, and quite possibly find something beautiful and lasting amid the shattered pieces of their broken hearts.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Emotional, Audiobook

1 pages, Audio CD

First published October 11, 2016

About the author

Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in seven languages and featured in Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. Her first MM romance, Someday, Someday won the Utopia Con Award for LGBTQ Book of the Year. Emma writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and heroes who treat their heroines like gold, you will enjoy her novels.

RECENT RELEASES all available now and FREE with KU

The Muse an MM romance

Between Hello & Goodbye

The Sinner, a paranormal angels and demons romance

The Lost Boys, a three-book series of interconnected standalones

The Girl in the Love Song
When You Come Back to Me
The Last Piece of His Heart

Someday, Someday M/M romance (Winner! LGBTQ Book of the Year, Utopia Con)

A Five-Minute Life


UPCOMING RELEASES:

The Muse 2022

You can follow me on all the places...

emmascottwrites.com

Super-cute NON SPAMMY newsletter: http://bit.ly/2nTGLf6

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fqUULx

author page: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaScottwri...

Reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/90674...

Email: [email protected]

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars!!!



All In is the all-consuming, beautiful conclusion to Full Tilt. It’s one of those books that ‘hurt so good’. Full Tilt was one of the very best books I’ve read this year. It’s an unforgettable and touching read. I was anxious to read this one. Would it live up to the first? I can easily say with no hesitation YES. It did. Just like the first book, this one left it’s mark on me. I have been thinking of it non-stop since I finished. This story won’t leave my head or my heart. My tears were like a faucet the entire read (sad tears, happy tears, all the tears) but I love that when I read. I love the feelings that stories like this give me. Emma Scott is truly gifted when it comes to brining them out in me. This duet was completely epic and these are two books I can’t recommend enough.

My review will be as spoiler-free as possible, but if you haven’t read Full Tilt you should not be reading this review any further. It’s such an incredible read, I recommend you read it ASAP, but don’t read anymore of this review. STOP READING. It’s impossible to review this book without SOME spoilers of Full Tilt and I don’t want that book to be spoiled for anyone.

“Where there is ruin, there is hope for treasure.”

After I read Full Tilt, I was devastated. I wanted closure for Kacey, to know she would be okay after all she’d been through. Losing someone is never easy. Losing that one person that gave you hope, completed you, and loved you like no other is unthinkable. And no one can be okay with that kind of loss. Kacey is not okay.



Theo, or Teddy as I now refer to him, is Jonah’s brother. In Full Tilt, I had mixed emotions about Teddy. When I saw that this book was going to be about him and Kacey was I was a nervous wreck. How was this going to work? Would I be okay with how this turned out? I was more than okay with it. Teddy is so much more than I thought he was. So much more amazing than I ever gave him credit for. That man has a heart so big, and I didn’t see it. Not at first. Not completely. Now I do, and there is no going back. Teddy will capture your heart. I loved seeing him with a new set of eyes. He totally made this book for me.

Now back to Kacey. Kacey is not in a good place. Grief has taken over her life. But Teddy is there for her. To be her friend. To listen. To help her in anyway he can. Kacey also had other friends to help her along the way. I loved all the new characters that were introduced. They were truly special. But none of them as special as Teddy.



This story had moments that were devastating. It also had moments that brought me hope and gave me peace. As I said earlier, I cried through the entire book. Just when I thought my tears had dried, something would happen, a memory would come back, and just like that, I’d be in tears again. Not all the tears were sad. Some were happy. I was in emotional overload and I loved every second.

This story is so much more than a romance. It’s a story of friendship, of family, of healing, and love. There are many different kinds of love. This book made me believe that you can truly have two great loves in your life. Everything was full circle by the end of the book and I couldn’t have been happier with how it ended.

Full Tilt and All In will both be towards the top of my 2016 favorites list. These books are so special to me and I can’t recommend them enough! Believe me when I say, these books are MUST READS!

Love had no end. She was infinite. She was a universe, my universe, and I was hers. Love had no boundaries, no rules, no favorites. And no limits.

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆˚࿔ '𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓀 𝒽𝒶𝒾𝓇 𝓈𝓁𝒾𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀; 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝒸𝓁𝒶𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓃𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒸𝓊𝒻𝒻𝓁𝒾𝓃𝓀𝓈 𝑔𝓁𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝓃. 𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒻𝓁𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒷𝑜𝓇𝑒𝒹𝑜𝓂, 𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝓈𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝑒. 𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝑜𝓊𝓉𝒽 𝒻𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝒶 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝓎𝑒𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓃𝑒𝒹.

𝐼 𝓈𝓂𝒾𝓁𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓉 𝒽𝒾𝓂, 𝓉𝓇𝒾𝑒𝒹 𝒶 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒽𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝓎 𝓈𝓂𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓇𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓈. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝑜 𝒹𝒾𝒹𝓃’𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑜𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝒹, 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃’𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓋𝑒 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁. 𝐼 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝐼 𝓃𝑒𝒶𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝓎 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂, 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒹𝑒𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝒹𝒹𝑒𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎.' * .ೃ࿐₊ ⊹

➽───OMG I Can't 4.5 Stars───❥

I'll tell you, I read Full Tilt a while back- long enough that I couldn't remember everything that happened, so I did a re-read- and then I remembered why I didn't move on to this book so quickly. 😭😭

Omg the pain from book one was so much that I just wasn't ready to move to book two. Even after the reread I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this book- LOL. I'm so extra but the first book was such a masterpiece I felt that anything more would ruin the story for me.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ⚠️ Almost any and everything in this review will spoil book 1 - Full Tilt. ⚠️

Once a book ends, I don’t spend time thinking ‘ah and they’ll get children and grandchildren…’ no. LOL. Which is why I hardly ever read extended epilogues or stories written ‘years after’ the original book ended. Particularly with books that end the way Full Tilt did.

Of course in real life a 20 something year old girl would find love again after such loss. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to see it happen. The first two or three chapters I was still battling with myself on whether to put the book down. But then it picked up and Emma Scott, yet again, managed to wow me.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ All In is not a standalone story. I suppose it could be read as one but you’d miss the brilliance of the back story. So I’m just reviewing on the assumption that those reading it have already read Full Tilt, especially those who, just like me, were unsure whether to continue on to this book.

So Jonah made everyone promise him something. We know what he asked of Kacey, but we could only guess what he said to Theo.

Theo’s attitude to Kacey was hot and cold (mostly cold) in book 1. But if you’re like me, you caught the subtlety of his attitude, the way Jonah looked when Kacey thought Theo hated her…

Anyway, we start with the promises. With the pain being too much for Kacey so she moves to New Orleans. To Theo becoming her best friend. To maybe more.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I didn’t expect to love this book. And initially I debated on whether I should continue reading. I just couldn’t imagine buying into the storyline. I missed Jonah and I found Theo too… different. Just not the sweetness and beauty that was Jonah.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ And so this is a testament to the writing prowess of Emma, because she sold it to me. She did not turn Theo into Jonah, she did not diminish what Kacey and Jonah had, she did not try to make one bigger than the other. I ended up loving the difference that was Theo. How loyal and strong he was.

Plus, I felt both Theo and Kacey’s grief, I felt their confusion about what was happening and when it finally happened, I felt I had also purged my grief over Jonah and so I could be happy that these two just were.

And don’t get me started on the steamy moments! The dancing in New Orleans- hello! It should have come with a warning sign so I would know not to read it in public! I mean the steamy scenes were just so well done. It was Theo through and through, and it was perfect.

While the book wasn’t as earth shattering as its predecessor, it did more than hold it’s on. It stood on it’s own, a different story but just as beautiful.

“𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓊𝓅, 𝒷𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒷𝓇𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝓀𝓈 𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓊𝓅 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈? 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝓇𝓊𝓉𝒽 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓈.”

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

[Maria✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Despite our losses, we would keep going. Never give in or give up. Because love always wins. Always."

➦I will keep this review short and sweet. First of all, if you haven't read the first book in the duet you definitely need to read that one first. You can read my review to the first book HERE

➦Passing out while reading before bed is a pretty regular occurrence for me. But sometimes... RARELY... a book will keep me up. That's a great book! This book, however... THIS BOOK has not only kept me up, but I couldn't even fall asleep for a while after I put it down. If that's not a sign of an amazing read, then I don't know what is!

➦Emma Scott's writing is absolutely stunning. The characters she creates are so unique and beautiful - you cannot help but fall in love with them. The experiences she describes are so raw that you feel like you've lived through them yourself. Nothing felt over the top for me, it all felt authentic and real. There were a lot of events in the book that have left me angry and sad and I just... FELT.

❤This is a story about loss, love and healing. With it being a rather slow paced read, I felt like I was healing alongside with the main characters while flipping the pages. It took them some time to accept, move on and live.

❤Overall, the book is not heavy on sexual content, BUT... when these two finally come together...
I might or might not have spontaneously combusted. lol IT. WAS. HOT!

➦The two books in Full Tilt duet are my absolute favorites of all time and I could not recommend it enough! They are tear jerkers though, so just prepare some tissues in advance and may be stock up on ice cream :)

[cherie ^_-★ (on a break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ⭐
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

“Love had no boundaries, no rules, no favourites. And no limits.” 🦋

i am truly unwell. love is messy and unpredictable too, and this book captured all of it in the most heartbreaking yet beautiful way.

if you’ve read the first book, you’ll understand why i was so conflicted about picking this one up. i wasn’t sure my heart could take it, but i’m glad i took the leap.

emma scott did an incredible job crafting something so raw and visceral once again. this book dives into grief, confusion, guilt, and love, and it completely wrecked me. at times, it felt like betrayal. one minute i was rooting for kacey and theo, and the next, i felt like i was going to be sick. my emotions were all over the place and my heart was constantly at war with itself.

as much as i loved this book, full tilt still holds the most special place in my heart—nothing will ever quite compare to it. but together, these 2 books make a duet i’ll never forget, and i can’t recommend it enough. it’s the kind of story that will break you in the best (and most painful) way possible, and it’s a soul-crushing, gut-wrenching journey that stays with you long after the last page.

if you’re planning to pick this one up after full tilt, go in with an open heart and an open mind. it’s not an easy read, but it’s worth every ache.


pre-read
i convinced Youssra to read the first book, and now she’s convinced me to read the second 😂 i know i said i’d probably never pick this one up, and honestly, just thinking about it makes me feel a little sick, but i’m giving it a chance and going in with an open mind 😄😭

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ full tilt duet
♡.ᐟ full tilt 🪐🌌 (5 ⭐)
♡.ᐟ all in (4.5 ⭐)

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Tilt was one of the very best books I’ve read this year. It’s an unforgettable and touching read. I was anxious to find out what would happen to Kacey Dawson.

All In is an intense, powerful and beautiful conclusion to the Full Tilt Duet by Emma Scott.
A compelling, touching, moving, unforgettable and inspiring story of love, loss, hope, heartbreak, family, friendship - a story that makes your heart and soul hurt and makes you cry with sadness

but also inspires you to believe in the power of love......

I loved Full Tilt, the 1st book.... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.... I cried my heart and my eyes .......the ending just totally broke me...

How does one cope after losing someone you loved so much? Having lost my husband, someone I had loved so much last year, I could identify with Kacey's loss. The pain, the heartbreak........so hard to bear. Days just pass by without you knowing. You miss their voice, their touch, their love!!! You don't want to get out of bed in the morning. You want to scream ...you want oblivion!!! You want that person back so desperately....

All In is more than just Kacey and Theo discovering their feelings for each other ...

.....it's being there when you need them.....

.....It's about survival, accepting loss, embracing new love.

I loved Jonah and loved that he had a part in this story....memories of the man and his art, his love..... but Theo........I loved him just as much as Jonah. He was the most incredible man.....underneath, beat a heart of pure gold. He put the people he loved before himself. KInd, compassionate, protective, loyal, giving, thoughtful!! A beautiful soul.

I so wanted Kacey & Theo to be together. I felt that they had this incredible deep connection, this amazing capacity to love and heal each other. And it was a joy to see the two finding happiness and love together.

The secondary characters play a big part in this story. Their development was amazing....you really get to know them.

Emma Scott's writing is a thing of beauty. Flows skilfully and effortlessly from page to page. It emotionally pulls you in from the start until the very end.

‘There is beauty everywhere, even in the things that scare you the most…’

An unforgettable, haunting, uplifting story of life, beauty and never-ending love.

If there are books that you should read this year....it's Full Tilt & All In. Don't miss out!

I loved this quote - it has stayed with me since I first read it...and it's going to be with me for a very very long time...

[Dana Ilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the book wasn’t as earth shattering as its predecessor, it did more than hold it’s on. It stood on it’s own, a different story but just as beautiful. And while Full Tilt taught me to revel in the moments, All In reminded me where truth lies. I’m the kind of person who overthinks everything, so these words were the perfect antidote.
What an amazing discovery Emma Scott is to me. I can’t wait to read more of her books!
Just perfect. A true romance, with all of the angsty touches that keeps tugging at our hearts, a look into realistic “side” characters, and the pain and growth that comes from such personal experiences.
It was a wonderful and sad journey to take alongside these characters. Emma Scott perfectly rendered the vastly different and personal ways to cope with grief. The path to recovery. The slow healing of the souls. Because when you lose a loved one you have to live again, sometime. There is hope, light and even love at the end of the day.

It’s once more been a very emotional rollercoaster. I was overcome with grief and fear for Kacey just to hope she could find happiness with Theo and be crushed later when fate struck again. I’ve been torn apart just to be remade again. And I don’t have a single tissue anymore.

Thank you Mrs Scott, it’s been a story dear to my heart!

[Emma Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How can I ever let go when there was still so much I didn’t do?” she demanded with sudden fire. “Because I could have done more. I should have done more. I should’ve married him. Did he want that? A wedding? Or I could have had his baby. So he could know that a part of him would go on forever.”

“Kacey—”

“I could’ve done it,” she said fiercely. “How can I let go when I didn’t do enough?”

“Bullshit,” I said. “Was Jonah ever not honest with you about what he wanted? Ever?”

She sniffed and shrugged.

“He wouldn’t ask you for those things,” I said. “He wouldn’t legally bind you for the sake of a stupid ceremony. He wouldn’t ask you to have a kid and leave you to raise it on your own.”

“I know he wouldn’t, but…”

“No regrets, right? Isn’t that what you told him?”

Kacey nodded. “It is. And it’s true. Except the regret I didn’t do enough. The regret I couldn’t….”

Don’t say it, I thought.

Her eyes overflowed. “I couldn’t save him.”

Kacey’s hair fell over her face as she bent over, weeping.
I couldn’t save him, either. That regret is what I had felt every day of my life since Jonah got sick. Only I couldn’t cry it out like she could.

If I touched her, if I touched her grief with mine, I’d rage and howl and lose my fucking mind.

[Hulya Kara Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Love had no end. She was infinite. She was a universe, my universe, and I was hers.
Love had no boundaries, no rules, no favorites.
And no limits."


"Full Tilt" and "All In" books were the hardest books that I have ever read. They gave me the best but also the worst days of my life... I cried too much while I was reading them but it was so worth it..🥺 Jonah, Theo, Kacey touched my heart, touched my soul... I’ll never, ever forget this story, I'll never forget them.. ❤️



"Despite our losses, we would keep going. Never give in or give up.
Because love always wins. Always…”

[Bibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC generously provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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. I would have been tempted to get all giddy about this story if, having lost a sibling myself, the subject matter hadn't been so close to home. Following Full Tilt, I waited with baited breath to read how Emma would handle this slightly controversial plot move.

Truth be told, there really was no other way to arc this plot and by deciding to follow a steady, respectful story path, Emma displays a distinct empathy for her readers and for 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 rip one open at random. I appreciate how Emma did not disregard the need for an appropriate grieving period for Jonah. She was true to the story. 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.

And how about that Theo, huh? I simply adored him. Not many men would have navigated all those curveballs without once faltering. At a point, even I wasn't sure if Kacey truly deserved him. He was simply beautiful.
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.

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.

Playlist (mine, not ES's) on a loop while reading All In; all from iTunes

1. Gravity of Love - Enigma
2. I Want To Know What Love Is - Mariah Carey
3. Higher Love - Steve Winwood
4. Nothing's Real But Love - Rebecca Ferguson
5. Heaven - Emeli Sande
6. Company - Justin Bieber
7. Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
8. Mountains - Emeli Sande
9. Let Me Love You - DJ Snake ft Justin Bieber
10. Love Can Save It All - Andra
11. The Flower Duet - Delibes
12. Bring me to life - Evanescence

[Chelsea Humphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. I knew it. While this wasn't bad and I did enjoy it mostly, I was hoping for more than the cliche. I had read another review stating this wasn't going to be the token "girl jumps from brother to brother" romance, but it ended up being exactly that. I don't judge the author for taking this in the direction she did; it was written well and she formed a great storyline. It felt as I had become so attached to Jonah that I couldn't switch gears immediately for a new romance (especially his brother) to enter the picture so quickly. I do feel like that was a personal problem though and not one that reflected on the writing. Overall I enjoyed this, but I maybe wish I'd waited to read it and let me feelings settle a bit.

🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩

[Phuong ✯ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have that one book that you liked, but at the same time it traumatized you to the point that you will never read it again? That book is All In for me.
I discovered the Full Tilt Duet last year and have reread Full Tilt 3 times in that same year, but I could never reread All In and I was asking myself why. Here I have my answer. While I'm glad and happy that Kacey and Theo got their happy ending, but I'll never going to read this book again because of how much it hurts. I love Theo truly, but Jonah was there first and will always be Kacey's love of her life and you can't change my mind. In some alternative reality where he is not sick, they get their happily ever after. That's why I can't read Kacey and Theo falling in love again because as stupid as it sounds, I feel like on some level I would betray Jonah (I know it's dumb) and I'm afraid I would start to hate Theo and Kacey.

I'm still glad I read it, but once is enough. Now let me get to my fourth reread of Full Tilt...

4 - "Heart-Healing and Closure" - Stars
Goodreads didn't want to save my review and thought it would be fun to delete it. So now my motivation to write everything again is non-existent.

"A semicolon is where a writer can choose to end the sentence," she said, tucking a lock of brown hair behind her ear. "But they don't. The story goes on. It's a symbol of hope. To keep going." She smiled tremulously. "Sometimes I need that reminder."

Maybe when I'm in the mood I will write a detailed review, but for now I just want to say that I love Jonah, Kacey and Theo. At the end of Full Tilt I was so heartbroken and devastated and All In gave me some closure. My heart has not fully healed from the tragedy that is Full Tilt, but at least I don't have to cry my eyes out every time I see the name 'Jonah' in the book.

"Live in the stars, baby. Okay?" My voice cracked but didn't break, and I smiled through my tears. "You're free. You made me free."

[Youssra (back to work-semi ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS ARE NOT ENOUGH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Infinite stars for this heartbreakingly beautiful book. 💔💔💔💔

I don't even know how to review this book, especially without spoilers, but here is my garbled stream of consciousness attempt:

I didn't know it was possible, but I loved this more than book 1. I felt every emotion under the sun with this book.

Going into this after the end of book 1 knowing what we know, I can see how some readers would be apprehensive and maybe not like it or even attempt to read it. However, I went in with an open mind as I always do when reading, and guys... THIS WAS NOTHING SHORT OF BEAUTIFUL.

The journey of grief and loss, of finding love again, of family struggles.. gosh it was all so emotional, raw and absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

Theo is a saint. An actual literal saint of a man. Kacey and Theo, in my eyes, truly do belong together and you can't convince me otherwise😭

I cried 10 times, 10 TIMES, throughout this book. Sad tears, angry tears and so many happy tears too. (disclaimer: I am the biggest cry baby so maybe the amount of times I cried would be less for a normal person😭 )

Without a doubt, this duet is one of my top favs of the year🤧

[Pearl Angeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!

“Love had no boundaries, no rules, no favorites. And no limits.”

I really needed a warm hug after finishing this book. The heartbreaking yet heart-warming journey was as good as can be expected.



All In was a perfect follow-up to Full Tilt. It's a powerful story of starting over and emotional healing. I don't want to give too much away by describing the plot but all I have to say is, the book effortlessly took my breath away, moved me in so many levels, and made me feel happy in a major way.

Emma Scott's writing managed to surprise me yet again. The book was perfectly executed. The characters' dialogues made me cry tears of sadness and joy. I loved how emotionally well-balanced this book was and how the story progressed in a beautiful way. There were parts when I found myself taking a break in the middle of some chapters because I just wanted the scenes and the words to linger on my mind for minutes.

The romance in this book was undeniably amazing, sincere, and life changing. I have to thank the author for giving Kacey the second chance for love that she deserves.

“Whenever I feel I'm coming apart, you always hold me together.”

Everyone who loves a good cry and fancies emotional books should never miss this book and this duology. I would recommend this over and over again because the emotional punch it gave me was truly worth it. It's now officially my new favorite!

“I know what I feel now. I know my heart. It's been forever altered, but it's not broken anymore.”

[Warda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nah, fuck you.
This was actually too much to handle.

Book One had already destroyed me and whilst I still felt fragile, I attempted to read the sequel right away.
At first, I couldn’t. But I missed the world. And a week later I started reading it again and it clicked. And it more or less detonated me.

These characters, their story, my god. I felt too much. I cried more in this book than I did in book 1 and I don’t even know how that is possible. But something about this cut me deeper than I expected.

Now, this might be controversial. And I didn’t expect to feel this way because I was loyal to Jonah in a different way. But as much as Jonah was right for Kacey, she was meant for Teddy.
I was sceptical that Emma Scott wasn’t going to pull this off, but she absolutely did.
Theo deserved the world and beyond. They both did.

This duet encapsulated pain and love and hope and art and what it means to belong and it all resonated with me. I love the found family that was built here.

And those epilogues, fuckin’ hell. Uncalled for. 😭🤧

*Trigger warnings for alcohol addiction, deep-rooted grief, loss of a child, and I don’t know how to phrase this any better than the presence of absolute useless parents .*

[Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels = All the stars in the universe. Again.

Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books




Hello epic book hangover. That's it. I'm done.
This series has captured my heart and wrecked it, yet I can't help and want to start at the beginning right now. I'm in love with the whole lot of main and secondary cast and I just missed them ten minutes after closing the book. I'm trying to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible but if you haven't read Full Tilt yet...what are you waiting for?

Theo is angry at the world for having his brother taken away. Despite it all, he shoulders the tasks of taking care of his frail mother, going back to school for a business degree and dealing with his father's displeasure about his choice of career. Six months ago he made his brother Jonah a promise. Two weeks later this promise slipped away and he hasn't been able to locate Kacey since, the feeling that he has failed Jonah always present. Until a well-meaning bartender tracks him down and asks him to take care of his late brother's girlfriend.

Kacey's escape from the place with too many memories was silent. She drove all the way down to New Orleans only to play her songs about Jonah at bars. Booze back on the menu she drinks herself into oblivion. Day after day, night after night, not being able to function without being numb. She sees the gaping abyss in front of her but can't pull away. When she sees Theo again after six months the reunion isn't joyful. She is full of shame, guilt and regret but Theo gives her a reality check and she knows she has to get her life back on track.

Teddy finds solace and comfort in his brother's legacy at the exhibit so he ventures there to talk to his brother whenever he feels unsettled. He is the kind of person who tries to carry the weight of everybody's problems, being the rock everybody leans on to.

Theo wasn't only there for Jonah during the worst moments of his life. He was there for a lot of other people, too. Taking their pain, listening to it, deconstructing it. Turning it around and giving it back to them as a piece of art. Uniquely their own, just as pain is unique to the person who bears it.

Where Jonah was light and love, Teddy is something else entirely. He is fierce and passion and not as open. He has walls in place but when they crumble he is magnificent.

Kacey is such an endearing heroine. I adore her. She is sweet, soft, strong and her love for her friends and adopted family beams from the pages. The way she pulls herself out of the black hole with Teddy's help had my emotions all over the place and I admired her so much for it.

"Live in the stars, baby. Okay?" My voice cracked but didn't break, and I smiled through my tears. "You're free. You made me free."

The development of their relationship is stunning, heart-wrenching and devastatingly beautiful. It's a deliciously slow burn and you can't help but root for them. Their dance and their first time together are one of the most erotic scenes I've read.
While you may think at the beginning that their love is unthinkable at some point you will see that these two are perfect for each other. That there was never another choice than for them being together, the love for the person they both lost the common denominator. With their friendship comes acceptance, with their love healing. I know I said Jonah was perfect in my review for Full Tilt. But Teddy? Glorious. Best book boyfriend EVER.

On and on we danced and in the back of my delirium, I knew I'd been right about Theo: if you had him, you had all of him. His kiss was the purest essence of himself: intense, fiery, devoted, entirely in the moment. This close, he was my entire world, with no place for anything else. His body pressed to mine, his hands on my body, his sweat, his mouth...

I think Emma Scott upped the ante with this one. Full Tilt was already amazing but damn. This book did Jonah's story justice if that makes any sense. He was present in every word and thought. His love was shining through the loves of his life and while I thought Jonah's and Kacey's love can't be topped, this author did just that without diminishing it. Kacey and Theo? Utter bliss.

...I love you and that's it. I love you. I love you however you are. No strings or conditions. I love you, and that's it.

Again, the writing is gorgeous, the secondary cast fantastic. At the end there were tears, yes, but they were a mix of a bit sad and a big junk of happiness, enough humor to help you through the sad parts. My emotions are still clogging up my throat. Rarely have I read a story that made me feel so much like the Full Tilt duet, it is hands down one of my top 10 favorites.

Dear Emma Scott, please consider writing novellas about these two. I hate to leave Kacey, Theo and Jonah. They are so deep under my skin and hold a special place in my heart.

"He was right about everything," she said. "We have so much love in us. No end to it."

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: All In
Series: Full Tilt #2
Author: Emma Scott
Release date: October 11, 2016
Cliffhanger: No
HEAYes



You can prepare all you want for someday. Nothing prepares you for the day of.

Emma Scott has created something so special with these characters in the Full Tilt Duet. I wish I had the proper words to express how much they have affected me. Let me put it this way, there are some books that you read, enjoy, and you feel satisfied over the few brief hours that you sat and immersed yourself inside the pages. But then there are ones like these that will never stop touching you, enriching you for having read them.

If you've read Full Tilt, you know that Kacey is dealing with the kind of crippling pain that encompasses her entire life. After the loss that she suffered, she's unable to function, unable to breathe with the memories that she is left with. Removing herself from her new friends and falling back into her old habits has sent her in a dangerous downward spiral all over again. This was probably some of the hardest pieces of the books to read. Her pain was expressed so vividly, so honestly. It wasn't brutally sad like the last book, just more of a throbbing ache. I got teary eyed, but I had complete faith that with Theo's support, she would come out the other side of her grief and be stronger for it.



My fears that Theo wouldn't be able to meet the towering expectations that have been built were not realized. He was simply amazing in his own way, I loved him for his loyalty, his giving heart, and his strength. He is the rock that everyone leans on, but asks for no recognition or thanks in return. Easily taken for granted and underappreciated by some and that really made me empathize with him. Not only is he suffering the loss just as strongly as Kacey, but he's shouldering everyone's burden without complaint. He has to hold up those he loves, even though inside he's breaking apart.

Realizing Theo wasn’t only there for Jonah during the worst moments of his life. He was there for a lot of other people too. Taking their pain, listening to it, deconstructing it. Turning it around and giving it back to them as a piece of art. Uniquely their own, just as pain is unique to the person who bears it.

I'm not going to give much more away about the plot. This book was about triumphing over grief, healing, and acceptance of what we can't change. It's also about grasping happiness in life wherever you may find it, and cherishing the gifts that we've been given.

Kacey and Theo didn't have a traditional path to love. It was twisted and filled with heartache, guilt, and fear over whether or not they were doing the right thing. Theo made a promise, and fulfilling that promise left him conflicted, very much torn. I think that their emotional struggle was very realistically done. And by the end, I got what I've been waiting for all these months after reading Full Tilt. Closure and hope.

There were a lot of tears shed. At times in the previous book I felt like their grief was too heavy to stand. But turning the last pages of All In, I knew I wouldn't take back reading these for anything. These characters didn't fade one bit in my mind since I read the previous book and I'm pretty sure they never will. Kacey, Jonah, and Theo will forever be old friends of mine, ready to be revisited many times to come.

FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****FIVE++++++++ STARS*****

So happy I finally had the chance to read this amazing duet!!
Just BEAUTIFUL!!
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[Chantal ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++ HEART-HEALING STARS

"We stood up together, emerged from the barren space together, bonded not in shared grief, but in shared love. Theo and I, a treasure out of the ruin."

This is it for me guys!
I am calling It MY BEST READ of 2016!
This is the book duet that makes all others look like failed fairy tale wannabe!
This is NOT a "traditional feel good" book with everything coming easy and everything black and white. It's all about the gray area and the struggle. And in this book the struggle felt real!
The love felt right!
HELL THE WHOLE BOOK FELT RIGHT!

I can't thank Goodreads enough for allowing me to see a review on this book.
Honestly, I would NEVER (and I mean never ever) have read this book had it not been for this!

So to those reviewers I say:



This story takes off from book 1 Full tilt. And as we all know Jonah is dead so Kacey and Theo are left to pick up the pieces of their broken lives. I don't want to give the story away just give you a few teaser.
So predictably Kacey goes back to her old habit of "coping" using booze. She is devastated and can't deal with the reality of life without her love.



She must love again she promised Jonah that she would!
But how does she move on?
It's Jonah brother Theo (Teddy) that comes charging to her rescue when she was at her lowest. As he had heard through a friend that she was in bad shape.
She wasn't expecting this, but she desperately needed him and there he was.
Those scene was so powerful,
"I’d screamed at Teddy. He had run from the monster with me, catching me when I stumbled, and helping me keep my feet. I fell down a hundred times, but without him, I don’t know that I would’ve gotten back up again." She thinks.
SO MANY FEELINGS!




Meanwhile, poor Theo is in the WORST possible situation a brother/guy could ever be in. He has been in love with his brother's Girlfriend since he first heard her sing during a camping trip!
"Something shifted in me that night. Some cataclysmic alteration of who I was as a man. It was that night that she ruined me. Or saved me. I didn’t know which."
He was with a girl at the time but the minute he realized his feelings, he breaks it off with this other girl.
He tries to hide his feelings but his brother knows. Jonah even asks Theo to take care and love Kacey!



"How do you console a woman over the loss of her man when you wished—with every particle of your body—she’d someday feel that deeply about you?" His thoughts.

How can they do this when they have so many obstacles in their way? Not the least of which is their own guilty conscience, friends, and family.

I have never felt so many conflicting emotions while reading a book. It was intense and engaging. So worth a READ AND REREAD!

MUSIC, HEA, and KICKASS EPILOGUE WITH BABIES!
WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?

I really hope you try these duet books. I don't make many recommendations but this one I recommend to anyone! It is everything good writing should be!
I will be back reading all books by this author.
I have never FELT SO MUCH EMOTIONS!
BRAVO EMMA SCOTT!
You have a new fangirl!



On a personal note My favorite scene is when they dance at the wedding and their lives change.
"The DJ played Bryan Adams’ “Everything I Do.” I got to my feet and held out my hand. “Dance with me.” And that was the first time they touched and allowed themselves to feel!!
OMG THAT SCENE!
That song was my wedding song (as it was a popular choice at this time). It was so fitting and right here because the words fit their story at this point.

I really wished authors would include more popular songs in their books. It sets the mood for me as a reader and enhances my reading experience!
PLEASE!!!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - Instead of feeling bad that it ended... I'm just happy it happened. Stars!

Emma Scott, comes full circle with the second part of the Full Tilt duology, with All In, this is probably one of the books I have anticipated the most this year, and if you have read Full Tilt I am certain you would understand why. If you haven’t the below review does contain spoilers, and to be blunt, you need to read it first, to understand just how awesome-sauce this book actually is.



ITs LIVE!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2c34yWy
Amazon Universal: myBook.to/EmmaScottAllIn

I think it takes a brave author to stick to a story arc that may not necessarily promise lots of sexy-times and the traditional elements that we as readers of romance have come to expect. All In although still a love story, focuses on a lot more than just that. Grief, and understanding how it affects you, coming to terms with the fact that you will never stop loving someone, but accepting that it is okay to love again, as well as learning to embrace all of these elements that make you up, and being able to accept, adapt and acknowledge them in ways that work for you and those around you, in your day-to-day life.

"It was easy to feel like I suffered the most. To believe the bulk of the pain was mine to choke down - an enormous mouthful, while everyone else only had to chew little bites. But everyone who’d known Jonah had a plate of pain to swallow…"

We pick up briefly in Jonah’s hospital room at the beginning of the book, and Emma had me in tears from the off-set, I had to put my Kindle down for a few minute to pull myself back together again, as it just bought back all of the emotions I felt at the end of the first book. But it was a good nod to a pivotal character, someone although who has now passed, plays a massive role in this story.

"You hurt as much as I do."

We then pick up roughly six months on, and its glaringly apparent that those who loved and cared for Jonah are still struggling massively to deal with his loss in their lives, and hearts. Theo and Kacey go through so much in this story, and I think again, that as a reader you could get a sense at the end of Full Tilt as to where this book would go, but prepare yourself, this is one of those stories that just grabs on and doesn’t let go.

"I can wait..."

I finished it a few days ago, and I still find myself drifting off for moments here and there thinking about it. And I think that’s one of the great things about this authors writing, she’s not traditional in her story telling, but she’s refreshing, exceptional and unabashed in making sure that she gives her readers a full HD, no-holds-barred reading experience, and it is just that, an experience.



I am not going to touch on the plot with this review, because I feel that the book is something everyone needs to read fresh, so that you take away your own things from the experience, I think if you have read anything by this author previously, you know that you aren’t going to be disappointed, some things that happened were expected, some weren’t. There were great highs, and lows, all of which felt pertinent to the story, that’s another thing Emma does so well, you feel the story being told if as it should be, not overly embellished or dragged out, but for all that everything is still fully explored and tied up.

"I had Jonah. For a few short moments that beautiful man was mine and I was his… I’ll never have anything that real or good again, will I? Who gets a second chance like that."

I love this authors work, I always feel a great sense of privilege when I get the opportunity to crack open and read something she has written, All In carries on that feeling for me, because once again, I just feel that I have had the opportunity to be a part of something that is just so special, when you read as much as I do, that is a feeling you really treasure, because it doesn’t come along with any great frequency.

"Live in the stars, baby. Okay? … You’re free. You made me free."

ARC generously provided by the author, and it was my great pleasure to provide the above honest review.

[Jeannine Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Major spoilers from Full Tilt are present in this review*

This will, without a doubt, be the longest review I've ever written. But we all love reading, so it's not super obnoxious, right?! ... Right?!?? Well I hope not, but I have a lot of freaking feelings about this amazing novel (and duet, really). So I'm going to write this long ass review and hope people will take the time to read it ;)

I am so incredibly glad that I discovered Emma Scott at the beginning of the year. How to Save a Life was my first novel by her, and I've fallen in love with every word I've read from her since. Her writing is amazing, but more than that her characters are some of my absolute favorite. They are heartbreakingly real and even when they're being assholes-*cough* Noah *cough*-I'm still completely in love with them. Theo, Kacey, and Jonah from book one, were no different. This is not a standalone. I mean, you could obviously try, I think you'd be able to figure everything out, but I don't know if it would have the same effect.

-Theo-

This. Man. Sweet Christ, this man. He was perfection. Theo is by far my favorite book boyfriend EVER. And if you know me at all, that is a bold statement. I'm extremely indecisive and have a hard time picking a favorite anything, but he without a doubt has ruined me for all other men.

Theo is reeling from the death of Jonah, and for more reason than one. He had to contend with the loss of his brother, the fact that he's in love with Kacey, and he thinks he needs to stay strong for everyone around him.

"Jonah was the glue in our family. Without him, we were going to fall apart. It was only a matter of time."

And sure enough, they did...

"We'd all drifted apart after Jonah. He was the center of our goddamn universe and without him, we were starting to lose whatever pull it was that kept us in the same orbit."

But Theo tried, he tried so damn hard. And every time he compared himself to Jonah, thinking he wasn't enough, my heart ached. He constantly felt like everyone looked at him and wished Jonah was there instead.

"I picture everyone thinking, Jonah should be up there."

"He should’ve been here. To give the toast, to dance with our mother, with Dena, and especially with Kacey. It would’ve broken my damn heart, but I would have given anything in the world to look over and see Kacey wrapped in Jonah's arms. Instead, she was in mine, my body absorbing her peace like a sponge soaked up water. Part of me felt like a fraud. Like a con man. A consolation prize."

He just wanted to fix his family. He wanted his father to accept him, his mother to move on, and Kacey to be happy again.



But even though he was afraid of not being enough, he was never bitter. He just kept going, taking care of his mother and fighting for Kacey. He dropped everything for the two of them. If either one needed him, he was there. And he never asked Kacey to forget about Jonah. Or for her to love him more than his deceased brother. He just wanted her love.

"This is what I want. To live in her space, my razor sharing the same shelf as her toothbrush. Our clothes tangling in the bedroom. Making breakfast together, then letting the food burn as I took her on the kitchen floor… Tell me what you want, I thought, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. Because I want everything."

"I'll take care of her.. I'll love her enough. I'll love her enough she'll never want for it. I'll spend my entire life loving her and making her happy. And she will be happy."

There were times when he was awkward, when he didn't know what to say, and when he felt like he would never be able to give her all the romance he felt she deserved. But what Theo didn't understand was that his power was in his simplicity. For example, when a drunk guy pawed at Kacey and the idiot said to Theo, "Sorry, man. Didn’t realize she was yours," Theo's response was, "Don't apologize to me. Apologize to her."

This was technically a small thing, but it was HUGE to me. And that's pretty much who Theo was, he was a guy who did little things without realizing the giant impact they had on others. His respect, love, and devotion were unparalleled to anything I've read. He wasn't smooth one-lines, or long, poetic speeches, but he was perfect all the same. This line got Theo absolutely correct...

"If Jonah was the glue that held us together, you're the rock we set our backs to."

-Kacey-

It is never good when a recovering alcoholic loses someone, that much change and grief is a surefire way to fall off the wagon. She's drowning in pain and alcohol, becoming an artist in New Orleans...

"La Fille Submergée, they called me. The Drowned Girl.

I loved this. It was hard to read about her struggles, but it was amazing to watch her pull herself out from under it. She didn't always trust her strength...

"You remember the depth and blackness of the hole you were in and not the strength it took to pull yourself out."

But she slowly grew, and realized that she had the power to make her life better. She could say no to what would lead her down that self-destructive path again, and yes to what she needed in her life. And she needed Theo.

"It’s been almost impossible to imagine loving someone else. But when I let myself have that kind of hopeful vision, the only person I see is Teddy."

"One minute I’m torn apart by guilt. Next minute I'm angry about being guilty. And in between all that, I want you to kiss me again too."

It was a difficult situation between the two, but what I loved was that she never compared them, and I don't think she ever really felt guilty for loving Theo; she just thought that that's what she should feel. And you know what else I loved? It wasn't ever a decision of whether or not they loved each other... they knew they did. It was just other people and logistics that made them pause.



I know at a glance some people won't like the sound of this duet; it's different from the typical romance and not quite normal, but that's what real life is sometimes. It sucks, but sometimes it's raw and painful. And these books explore that.

I need books that'll make me laugh, make me giddy, and make my heart-pound. I often need ones that take me out of reality, but sometimes I need ones to suck me right into and remind that it is to be human. To love, to screw-up, to forgive, and most importantly, to not know what the fuck you're doing.

So even though it's difficult sometimes, I need books like this. Books that show reality a little too well, that show that even reality can have all the things we love about the romance books that help us escape. This book is perfect because it's real. Because it's flawed and full of pain and heartache, but in the end there's love and hope.



I hate that Jonah died. I absolutely loved him and between this two books, my heart broke for him countless times. But death is a part of life, and what I loved about this duet was that it essentially gave everyone a happy ending, or the only happy ending reality really allows... to fall in love deeply and completely. All three got that. Jonah and Kacey had a brilliant, short-lived love, proving that it's not the length of time but the depth of feelings, that make love real. Then Kacey and Theo fell in love, showing that the loss of one great love doesn't mean never loving again.

I think Jonah prepared Kacey for Theo. He taught her to love in a way Theo never could have; and not because Theo didn't love her or wasn't completely awesome (I think I've demonstrated that I'm head over heels for him), but because he was too shut down and awkward with his own feelings. I know some would just like for Theo and Kacey to have an epic love story without all the complications of a "dead ex" (it feels crass to say it that way because Jonah was so much more than that), but the reality is, their love wouldn't have existed without Jonah and his love for Kacey. I think when Theo tells Kacey he loves her for the first time, it proves it:

"I love you. It was so simple it almost went straight past me.
I love you."

Theo is simple and his love would have gone straight past Kacey. She needed Jonah to show her how to love, and she needed Theo afterwards to show her how to heal.

Kacey says something toward the end that I think encompasses the entire duet (and life):

"It's crazy, right? Or…maybe not?" I gnawed my lip, trying to read his face. "Maybe it's…really wonderful?"

Things can be crazy or weird or unexplainable, but that doesn't mean they're not wonderful. This book was wonderful. Life, for how much it sucks sometimes, is wonderful. The sucky (like death) things don't negate that.

There are some books that simply can't be explained (although I certainly tried), they can only be experienced. This is one of them. I'm amazed by what Emma Scott has done here. As breathtaking as all her novels, as unforgettable as all the characters she writes, and as thought-provoking as her words are, this duet is on another level.



It's obviously a must read if you read Full Tilt, and even though I know this will frighten some who use novels to escape, but I suggest you keep it in the back of your mind. It's a must-read, change-your-life type duet :)

*I will say that a lot kind of happened toward the end, it might seem rushed to some. I'm not particularly picky with that sort of thing, but I know others are, so just a little heads up! :)

And before I end this, like I haven't said enough... here are a couple other quotes from this book that left me speechless...

"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."

"The feeling you have in that moment right as you wake up, before your brain mucks it all up with thoughts and words? That very first feeling is where the truth lives."

"Because love always wins. Always."

Safety: There's the obvious case of Jonah. But other than that there's no one else. I believe in book one, Theo was described as a manwhore, but it's pretty clear in this one that it was mainly a front. And both Theo and Kacey go on other dates one time. But it's clear to both of them that they feel nothing on these dates. They're constantly thinking about the other.

Closure: A HEA! Finally :) We get two epilogues. One a few months after the final chapter. And the second three years later, where they are married with one daughter and another child on the way :)

"He told me to love again, and I do. So much."
"He told me to love you. But I already did. So much."

*ARC generously provided by author*

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Rating ~ 5 Stars!
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars!
Heroine Rating~ 5 Stars!
Romance Rating ~ 5 Stars!
Heat Rating ~ 3.5 Stars!
Ending ~ 5 Stars!
Overall Rating ~ 5 Stars!

This review contains NO spoilers, NO gifs, NO photos! What it does contain is my heart and soul feelings.

I’ve been dying for this book ever since I read the last words in Full Tilt book one of this two book series. Book one left me in emotional shambles. As I started reading All In all the emotions I felt at the end of Full Tilt came crashing down on me once again. This book held SO MANY FEELINGS and EMOTIONS!! This was a story of hope and loss about losing control and taking it back again. About wanting something so bad and about going after it when the time is right but most importantly about never giving up on love! I CAN NOT recommend this series highly enough for those of you who LOVE reading books that flat out grab you full on emotionally and take you on a journey about love that you wish would never end. This was an AMAZING read, one of the best series I’ve ever read and I know it will stay within my heart for a long, long time to come.

THANK YOU EMMA SCOTT!! You totally captured my heart and soul <33

Warning! You MUST read Full Tilt before All In otherwise, you will be lost. Both ebooks are offered up at Amazon for an amazing price of $2.99 each.

One more warning! Have plenty of tissue at hand especially for those of you with soft hearts like mine.

[Dee Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinite Stars**********

(ARC kindly provided by Author in exchange for an honest review)

This story was beautiful and heartbreaking. Is a book that starts with a lot of pain, and ends with even more hope. You'll feel, and live each word as if they were your own, making this duet simply magnificent...




I'm going to be honest here, I'm struggling trying to find the right words to review this book, because I don't want to give too much away for the sake of your enjoyment. If you read Full Tilt you know this second book is going to be heart-rending and stunning, but also so much more than you ever thought possible.

Theo and Kacey are struggling to cope with the loss that its eating away their hearts. One of them succumbs to the easy way out by hiding away in numbness, the other one ignores all feelings and personal needs and wants, putting everyone else's first.

Every character in this book is dealing with the heartbreak in a different way, even you as a reader feel pain and confusion by the possibilities of moving on. There is a beautiful quote in the book by Rumi that goes: “Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.” The meaning behind this beautiful quote is the heart of this book. I allowed the words, the pain, the hope, and the love to envelope me and take me on the beautiful journey that was the story of Theo and Kacey. And is my hope that everyone who reads this books can feel the same.




All In was magnificent, and I would recommend it to everyone. Don't be afraid; read it, enjoy it, and let yourself feel the love and the music deep inside you heart.

[Dilek VT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning:

This review contains spoilers about Book 1 Full Tilt as this second book All in is the continuation of Book 1. I strongly advise you to read Book 1 before this one.

Although Book 1 was 3 stars for me, this second one was epic! 5 stars from the bottom of my heart...

*********************************************

In Book 1, our heroine Kacey falls in love with Jonah, who has a serious heart disease and then, at the end of the book, he dies.

This second book in the duet is about Kacey and how she falls in love with Jonah’s brother Theo.



If you are uncomfortable about a woman being with two brothers, here’s your warning.

So, if you are OK with the concept, then you are going to read an EPIC love story because in Book 2, what Theo and Kacey have is one of a kind.

I know it is hard to accept all the things above but the writer presents this process in the most acceptable way.

This second book deals with the concept of grief first – grief you try to deal with after the death of a loved one - and it is full of pain and suffering that lasts for a long time. But then, there is a love story that warms your heart and it is then worth all the pain you have suffered...

*********************************************

In Book 1, Jonah asks Kacey to love “again” before he dies…

“Promise me,” Jonah said. His voice was weak and soft, but a desperate intensity wreathed his gaze.
“What, baby…?”
“Love again.”
I stared a moment, then shook my head. He fought to get a breath in.
“There’s more to you than us, Kace. Please…don’t hold yourself back. You have too much to give. So much love, Kacey…So much.”
My chest tightened. “I can’t even think about it right now, Jonah…”
“In time,” he said. “Promise me. If you find someone…”
“Never.”
His fingers wove with mine.
“No. You will. Love him. Love him with everything. Like you loved me. Love him more.” His eyes closed. “I’m so happy, Kace. Never like this in my life. It’s…a gift. You know?”
I ran the backs of my fingers along his face. “I know.”
His eyes opened slowly. “Make someone else…feel like I do right now. Okay? Promise.”



As you see, Jonah was a rare kind of man.

*********************************************

And we learn in Book 2 that Jonah also asked his brother to “love Kacey” before he died. Actually, he had already realized that his brother had feelings for Kacey.

“Now,” Jonah said, his gaze intent. “The favor…I want from you… Remember?”
I sat forward in the chair. “Name it.”
“Kacey…”
My voice stuck in my throat. I coughed it free. “What about her?”
“You love her.”
The words were weak and soft, yet each one struck my chest like a hammer. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, could hardly blink. I was on fire, a million different emotions boiling in my guts, stealing my air, choking my words. Despite keeping everything buried, deep down where it could never see the light of day and betray my brother… He saw everything. He always had. He smiled at my paralyzed expression.
“I’m glad, T. I’m so… relieved …it’s you.”
I almost found my voice to tell him it wasn’t me. I wasn’t anything. What the hell did I know about love? Not a damn thing. And he was wrong anyway. She’ll never love me because she loves only you. Which is how it should be.
Jonah’s gaze bored into mine with all the strength his failing body lacked. “Take care of Kacey. Please. She’ll need you. She’s strong. But if she falls, help her… Love her, Theo. This life is…short. Don’t hold back. Okay?”
I nodded. Only because he needed me to. Not because I had any fucking clue how to do what he was asking of me.

Yeah… I cried lots… So f*cking sad!

*********************************************

Of course, things don’t go as Jonah wanted because all of them are in great pain.

Kacey leaves town and runs away from Jonah’s family, not bearing to see anything or anyone who reminds her of Jonah. She drowns herself in alcohol for 6 months while members of his family each try to deal with their grief in their own way. They also worry about Kacey and miss her but they don’t know where she is.



One day, a friend of Kacey, who is worried about her, brings the pieces of the puzzle together and finds Theo. He tells Kacey needs help and Theo flies half the country to help her, relieved that he has finally found the traces of her.



First, he helps her to quit alcohol and pick up her life. Meanwhile, a good friendship is formed between them. Everything happens so very slowly.

*********************************************

Theo is so patient with Kacey. He loves her but he still doesn’t feel it is right. He also doesn’t want to be the consolation prize.





Kacey and Theo form a very strong bond over their grief and they find comfort in each other. This comfort brings them closer to one another. And the more Kacey gets over her depression, the more she starts to feel alive again. She is more devoted to her work, she spares time for her loved ones. She goes to visit Jonah’s parents and friends to apologize for running away.

During all this process, nothing is rushed. Everything happens so very slowly.

*********************************************

The book makes you FEEL. It makes you feel so much.. too much. All the pain, the grief, the longing… everything. Then all the love, the passion, the attraction, the guilt and finally making peace with it all…

THEO is now one of my favorite book boyfriends. He is one of a kind. He is a hero to die for!!!!



KACEY is even more likable in this book. I remember disliking her at the beginning of Book 1 while she was going to bed with roadies every night and selling herself short. Later, I understood how much she needed love and affection. The way her parents treated her made her hungry for love and she tried to find it in the arms of men but they were all casual and worthless people. When she met Jonah, his love taught her she was worth the love of a good man.

I loved Kacey after I understood her reasons for the wild life she led. I loved her so much that I wanted to be friends with her, I wanted to hug her, love her… She was so full of love and she deserved the love of every good person around her.




*********************************************

Theo and Kacey’s love story is not easy. It is rough. And at first, Theo’s friends and even his family seem to be against it but Theo and Kacey finally give in to their feelings and when accused for it, they defend what they feel for each other. Finally, people see that what they have is real and deep so they respect their love.



*********************************************

The book has a trope I hate unplanned pregnancy, followed by the loss of the baby during pregnancy. I prefer pregnancy news to be in the Epilogue, not in the middle of my romance book but well, I had to make my peace with it as I loved the book so much.

*********************************************

All things considered, this book is worth reading despite everything but I know it is not for everyone.

*********************************************

Safety:

When Theo understands he feels something for Kacey, he breaks up with the girl he was seeing (in Book 1). She was dating Jonah then. And until he sleeps with Kacey in Book 2, he was with no one during all this time. One long year of celibacy because he didn’t want to touch any other woman!



Kacey doesn’t sleep with anyone else after Jonah’s death, either.



After Kacey is out of her depression, she tries dating once and she sees that she doesn’t feel anything towards other men but only Theo. That makes her see that she needs Theo in her life, no one else will do. When Theo learns she is going on a date, he invites her colleague for dinner, knowing she had a thing for him but despite the fact that she is an awesome person, he doesn’t feel anything. And they start to talk about his feelings for Kacey and this girl even helps him, telling what to do about Kacey.

So after one unsuccessful try, they see that it is meaningless to date other people while they want each other so much and after that, they confess their feelings to each other.

*********************************************

Writing

The book is told in dual point of view. The writing is very successful. It makes you feel everything as if it is happening to you or your loved ones. I cried lots!

*********************************************

Here are some QUOTES from this beautiful book.

I was trying to cope with my grief but my true feelings for Kacey kept getting in the way.

How do you console a woman over the loss of her man when you wished—with every particle of your body—she’d someday feel that deeply about you?

The fact that her man had been my brother made the tangle of fucked up-emotions snarl into something I didn’t need or want.

***

Day Two nearly killed her. And it nearly broke me, too. By afternoon, I wanted to call it quits. Resign and take her to a professional.

“No, Teddy,” she begged. Her face was blotchy red from crying, her clothes drenched in sweat, her voice hoarse from screaming at me. “Don’t give me to strangers. Please…I can do this. I can. I will.”

What could I say? If she could, I could. I held her close until she pushed away to pace more, to vomit the water I’d managed to get her to drink into the kitchen sink.

***

He should’ve been here. To give the toast, to dance with our mother, with Dena, and especially with Kacey. It would’ve broken my damn heart, but I would have given anything in the world to look over and see Kacey wrapped in Jonah’s arms.

Instead, she was in mine, my body absorbing her peace like a sponge soaked up water. Part of me felt like a fraud. Like a con man. A consolation prize. The other part of me felt like I was home.



***

“All the bullshit that comes with dating. I can’t do it. Not after Jonah. What we had was beyond special. What comes next needs to be special too. Going on one date already feels like a betrayal. It would be a million times worse if I did it over and over again, one stranger after another.”

***

I wasn’t a fan of violence, but some strange, primal urge in me almost hoped the guy had pushed Theo back, just so I could watch Theo defend me again. Protect me because I was his to protect.

(Oh my God, get a grip. You’re setting the feminist movement back fifty years.)

***

In the dark, in the silence, we were alone in the world. No prying eyes, no judgment, no words to break the spell, no names spoken. We had the wrong names, he and I. I was wrong for being here and he was the wrong brother. But not tonight.

We fell back against the wall, writhing, grasping, and yanking at clothes. Desperate to expose more skin, to touch more, to kiss harder, to finally take what we wanted.

We kissed until kissing wasn’t enough.

***

“I love you too,” I whispered. “I love you, Teddy. I do. I’m in love with you.”

His face crumbled even more, and he struggled to take in a breath. “God, I wanted to hear that for so long,” he said, pulling my forehead to his. “I’ve loved you for so long.”

“I’ll tell you every day of our lives,” I said against his mouth. “I’ll say it a million times. I love you. I’m so in love…”



* Special thanks to Funda, my dear, for insisting that I should read this book because she knew I would love it in the end despite everything... I love you, girl ❤❤❤

*********************************************

You can follow my Instagram page from here

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 "You're my forever!!!" stars***

All in (n) (poker): when a player has moved all of their chips into the pot; an all-or-nothing bet.



“WHERE THERE IS RUIN, THERE IS HOPE FOR TREASURE.” -Rumi

This book was bittersweet for me...
I freakin' loved it as much as i did the first book, but i couldn't shake away my sadness for Jonah's absence...

Unfortunately, I'm from those kind of girls that i can't get over things very soon, even in fictionary world... Jonah's loss cost me a big part of my heart and i can't get over it!!!!

"He was right about everything," she said. "We have so much love in us. No end to it."

To be honest with you, i was afraid to start this book... I thought that i couldn't handle the things moving forward without Jonah, but i have to admit that Mrs Scott did a great job...

She let the heroes to grieve and to take the time that they will needed it to get over the heartbreaking and i love her for that!!!
She let me grieve with them and to accept that life can continue even with a big ache inside your heart!!!

Thank you for that, Emma Scott!!!

"Despite our losses, we would keep going. Never give in or give up.
Because love always wins. Always."

This was Kacey and Theo's story...

They were both lost and heartbroken... They were grieving a big loss from their lives and each one of them was copying with that in a different way...
Theo was the rock for everyone, he tried to do his best for him and the rest of his family, even though that his heart was broken in tiny pieces...

Kacey run away from the memories and drown herself in a sea of booze and tears...
She couldn't forget and get over the love of her life....

Both of them had given a promise to Jonah, but it was impossible for them to keep it!!!

"Theo wasn't only there for Jonah during the worst moments of his life. He was there for a lot of other people, too. Taking their pain, listening to it, deconstructing it. Turning it around and giving it back to them as a piece of art. Uniquely their own, just as pain is unique to the person who bears it."

“I had Jonah. For a few, short moments that beautiful man was mine and I was his. I’ll never have anything that real or good again, will I? Who gets a second chance like that?”

Theo lost his brother and with him he lost the love of his life... He wanted to keep his promise, but he didn't know how to do it since Kacey had disappeared...
And then, she found her and he stand beside her to save her from herself....

And then, he became her rock, her best friend, even if his heart was longing much more...

“Only a simple truth: I needed her. Maybe more than she needed me.”

Kacey for once again was in bad shape... She couldn't accept Jonah's absence... She couldn't copy with the pain that was reeling inside of her... She couldn't live with clarity in a world that he wasn't living in...

She wanted him to come back, but her wish never came true...
She knew that she had to let go of him and keep her promise to him, but it was so damn difficult...
And then Theo became her rock and she started to live again....


"Every night, I called one final thought into the deep darkness: Come back to me.
And just before the dark consumed me, a whisper returned: My angel, let me go…"

“For one short second, his hand rested on my shoulder. I wanted to take it and hold on all night, but the dark kept me limp and motionless. Still, I knew Theo was there. I wasn’t alone anymore. And that was enough. That was everything.”

A great pain bounded them together and a new love guided their lives....
Theo and Kacey were right together...

They were having big chemistry and they manage to heal each other... They got out the best of each other and it was inevitable to end up together....
I really loved the way the things turned out, but a big why is still lingering inside of me... Not because they forgot, but because of what Jonah could have and lose...


"He told me to love again, and I do. So much."
"He told me to love you. But I already did. So much."

"We stood up together, emerged from the barren space together, bonded not in shared grief, but in shared love.
Theo and I, a treasure out of the ruin."

For once again, i loved this story and i loved the way the things were moving...
I adored the scene with Theo's father at the end... It was about time to pull his a$$ out of his head and he did it with a magnificent way...

I also hated Kacey's father... He was from those kind of persons that they shouldn't have childrens...
For once again, i loved Dena, Oscar and Beverly... I could understand their hesistations... I was having them too!!!


"It was easy to feel like I suffered the most. To believe the bulk of the pain was mine to choke down - an enormous mouthful, while everyone else only had to chew little bites. But everyone who’d known Jonah had a plate of pain to swallow…"

I loved, loved, loved this series...

They wrecked me, but they healed me...
They made me smile and they made me cry, but i will holding them forever close to my heart!!!
I loved Jonah, Theo and Kacey... With their goods and their bads, with their ups and their downs...


"Live in the stars, baby. Okay?" My voice cracked but didn't break, and I smiled through my tears. "You're free. You made me free."

***ARC generously provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***

[NMmomof4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

**This review has BIG SPOILERS for those that haven't read the first book, Full Tilt, please do not read the following review if you haven't read that book first**



Overall Opinion: I really liked this one! I rated the first book 5 stars, so while I really liked this one -- I didn't quite love it as much as that one. Why? Well, I guess all I can say is that I wanted more time with them actually together as an official couple. I wanted to experience some more of them making their dreams come true! We deserved it after all we went through with these two, dang it!! If you follow my reviews, you know that 4.5 stars is still a really high rating for me -- so please understand that I still really liked it! I'm just a greedy, greedy reader and I wanted more! I was uber excited about the idea of Theo getting his HEA and I got it. His experience with his Dad at the end I think is what made me cry the most (and yes, I did cry in this one too). He was so hard and protective in the first book, that I loved to see his super sweet (and sexy) interior here.

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Kacey and Theo's story. This takes place 6 months after the funeral and Kacey has disappeared from Las Vegas. Theo is taking care of his mom and feeling immense guilt over losing track of Kacey making him break his promise to Jonah. He eventually finds her, but she is in a bad place drowning in alcohol. He helps her get on her feet, and over time and distance they become really close. Their friendship grows to more, and they fall in love. There is a lot of grief and guilt to deal with, some family issues, some hot sexy times...but they do get a HEA ending.

POV: This alternated between Kacey and Theo's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.

Instalove: No. The H starts pretty much in love with the h already. The h loves him as a friend, but the feelings take a while to develop into something romantic.

H rating: 5 stars. Theo. I loved him! He was so sweet, loyal, protective, and hot!

h rating: 5 stars. Kacey. She was a damaged girl, but she loved fiercely and I appreciated that.

Sadness level: High. I did cry and need tissues, but it wasn't quite as bad as the first book.

Push/Pull: Yes Both of them are hesitant because of the h's past relationship with the H's brother and push away at times, and they both pursue the relationship at times as well.

Heat level: Moderate. They have really hot chemistry and scenes. It doesn't happen until later in the book, and it isn't so much it takes away from the storyline.

Descriptive sex: Yes

Safe sex: Yes Mentions of condom use and birth control, but I don't remember any mention of std statuses or previous practices.

OW/OM drama:No Except feelings of guilt about Jonah.

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: Yes They aren't technically together when they separate, but they are apart for ~6 months. Neither of them have other partners during this time.

Possible Triggers: Yes Loss of a loved one, alcoholism, unexpected pregnancy, and ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.

Closure: This had good closure with a jump ahead epilogue and a HEA ending.

How I got it: It was part of my kindle unlimited subscription.

Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception

- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does have both the H and h pushing away
- Does have a ~6 month separation between the h and H
- Does Not have abuse
- Does have OTT sad parts (from last book)
- Does have a HEA ending

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Book 2 of 2 from Full Tilt series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:


Warning: This review contains spoilers from Book 1, Full Tilt
I don't want to write spoiler review but it's impossible to express my thoughts without mentioning things/names from previous book. And I don't like to repress my feelings (lol!) so please don't read this review unless you've read book 1. No spoiler for Book 2.



Months after her loss, Kasey Dawson ran away to start a new life in a new city. But demons from the past re-emerged amidst her grief threatening to drown her already flailing soul.

Theo Fletcher had his own grieve to deal with. Yet all around him, he saw people crumbling away and can't help but want to fix it, choosing to ignore his own heart's call for help. But when two broken hearts reconnect, it has the ability patch back the shattered pieces as long as they are willing to take the risks.



I'm not going to lie, I was not happy when I found out who are the pairing for this book. I love Theo but I didn't know if I could accept the "betrayal". I'm glad the author managed to convince me to accept them as a couple.

I’d already lost Kacey. One broken promise. I couldn’t take another fucking failure.

Theo was my favorite since book 1 because I understand his position. He made a promise that's close to his heart yet, it's also a burden considering the situation. I also feel sorry for him with how he had to deal with unsupportive people around him.

She needed to do what was best for her, to heal and move on.

Kasey was back into her self-destruction path. She was struggling to stay afloat but lucky to be surrounded by people who cared about her well being.



I love how their relationship progressed organically. It was developed at a believable pace, which helped convince readers that the relationship was real.

You can prepare all you want for someday. Nothing prepares you for the day of.

I do wish there were bigger issues for them to deal with though. But then again, that's just me because I love when characters suffered lol! Also I would be happy with just Epilogue 1 - another personal preference :p

All In is a story of two individuals bound by shared grief and how they overcome their personal fears. It provides closure for the characters without taking away what happened in the past.

Books in the series:



♠ ᛞ ♠ . . . (F)BR With CryBaby Loyda . . . ♠ ᛞ ♠




For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all that Full Tilt shattered me, All In put me back together again and there is absolutely no question that these books are two of my favourite all-time reads.



Simply put, Emma Scott has created a wonderful, and again poignant, story of love, loss and hope. To take the story down the path she does was a bold move and to do it with such flawless perfection displays real talent, and whilst my emotions weren't quite so extreme this time around, they were roused so many times.

"The heart wants what it wants."

These books will stay with me forever. The characters and their journey will stay with me forever. And as long as Emma Scott continues to write heart-achingly beautiful stories with characters who consume me, then she'll have a reader in me, forever.

[KAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

*5+ Unforgettable, Mouth Watering Stars*

AND ....... EXHALE. It has been 82 days since reading the gut-wrenching first book of this duet "Full Tilt". My heart pure ached for Jonah and Kacey, but I also knew Theo was waiting in the wings to put all the broken pieces back together. I just could not fathom how Emma Scott was going satisfy her readers, who like me, were lying prostate in the fetal position and basically looking like Humpty Dumpty. Not only did All The King's Horses and All The King's Men arrive to put me back together again, but Emma and her brilliance in writing this most extraordinarily epic sequel, relieved, revived and renewed my soul. It is breathtaking! It is beautiful! It is bewitching! And Theo, gracious sakes, Theo! He will make you drool like a fool ;)

While tears were trickling down my cheeks by the third page of the prologue, I just kept telling myself Theo will somehow find a way to become the glue his family and most importantly, Kacey, was going to need to get through the horrific days, weeks and months ahead, as Jonah, everyone's everything, loses his battle with life. Jonah asks one favor of his only brother, as he is lying on his deathbed, "Take care of Kacey and love her, Theo." But Kacey runs and hides, so devastated by his death, she drinks herself into oblivion everyday, everynight, 24/7.

When Theo finally finds Kacey 1500 miles from home, and is unquestionably committed to being there to help her heal, no matter how long it takes, I felt the yoke of deep sadness, which had filled my heart, begin to lift and dissipate. Yes, my heart sang because Theo was ALL IN. A magical rebirth was weaving Theo and Kacey lives together. Against all odds, they forged a beautiful, inseparable bond. It was a glorious union of two emotionally wrecked and lost souls healing each other.

What I am trying to say is ........ this is one gorgeously written and captivating love story. And FYI ..... Un! Put! Down! Able!

"Acceptance child, that is the key. Accept that which has ended and let go so you can move on. So you may grow. So you may thrive. The light in your eyes - in your heart - has dimmed, but it is not put out. Let it roar once again."

IT GREW! IT THRIVED! IT ROARED! Oh how both their hearts and mine roared once again!!!

Thank you Emma Scott for a magnificent and stunning duet I will never forget!

*I received this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*

[Jenny••Steamy Reads Blog•• · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Choose your card, sweetheart."

There was no fortune card choosing for me in this story. I think the deck was already fully laid out. When I read Full Tilt, I was shattered, completely and utterly shattered. Starting All In, I read the love, the passion, I could literally sense the dedication, the commitment that Theo had in making Kacey his in every way. Not going to lie, I was ready to pull my hair out at the lack of communication between Theo & Kacey when it came to their feelings but once the lines of communication were opened, game on. And oh my how well the game played out. I love this series, it's such a story of healing, yet a story of absolute pure love. These two books, two different loves, completely different outcomes, definitely a series you can not pass by. It's beautiful, it's so engaging it literally holds you captive till the end of the second book. Hands down one of the best series this year❤️❤️

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 blue butterfly stars.

ARC kindly offered by the publisher through Netgalley

PROBABLY SPOILERISH.

DEFINITELY SPOILERISH IF YOU HAVEN'T READ FULL TILT.

LAST WARNING. IT'S GOING TO BE QUOTE-Y

Before starting this book, I was suspicious. Everyone who'd read it kept saying it would make it all better, it'd make the hurt go away. That it would HELP. Still, after being destroyed by Full Tilt, I couldn't imagine how it could ever be better.

Then, the bomb: Theo was going to be Kacey's new love interest.

Now, I hadn't given much thoughts to Theo in the first book. I'd loved his protectiveness towards his brother, but from that to becoming the hero...

His dark hair slicked back, his hands clasped in front of him where cufflinks glinted in the sun. His expression was flat with boredom, until he caught sight of me. His mouth fell open a little and his eyes widened. I smiled at him, tried a little wave behind my small bouquet of white roses. Theo didn't respond but stared at me in that way he had, like he couldn't believe I was real. I thought he was playing around but as I neared my place on the platform, his stare hardened and then he suddenly looked away.

And yet the biggest surprise for me was him. Theo is an amazing man and the perfect match for Kacey. First of all, because they share the same grief. He understands her loss and he'd never want her to forget Jonah or deny their past together. Also, he's the rock everyone is hanging on to. He's the man who's there for you no matter the sacrifice. This characteristic of his personality was what really endeared him to me.

What surprised me was instead that Theo had been in love with Kacey for a while, even from before Jonah's passing. It made sense, but it also created a lot of guilt in him. How could he dare substitute his brother?

Indeed, Jonah and Kacey were EPIC. They were meant to be. The frantic desperation of their relationship was something unique and unrreplaceble. I understood his feeling bereft at the thought of filling his brother's shoes and how he berated himself over his feelings. The promise Jonah made him swear on his death bed, for how heartbreaking, for me was incredible. It made me cry like a baby, but it reassured me, too. Because it told me that everything was going to be fine in the end.

The installation was perfect. Flawless. Like Jonah had been in my mind's eyes -- the idol big brother who could do no wrong to his little brother who'd worshipped the ground he'd walked on.

The first part of the book was painful, I won't lie. There were so many moments in which Jonah was present in thoughts, memories, actions. Every time his name was even hinted at, my heart squeezed and my breath hitched. It. Hurt. That moment, at the BBQ, when Theo is thinking about Jonah's place, Jonah's chair next to Kacey... wow, that was a bad moment. Not to talk about Oscar and Dena's wedding.

I miss you, Jonah. We all miss you.
It was easy to feel like I suffered the most. To believe the bulk of the pain was mine to choke down -- an enormous mouthful, while everyone else only had to chew little bites. But everyone who'd known Jonah had a place of pain to swallow.

Then, with Theo helping Kacey resurface back to life and the two of them getting closer, the pain dissipated. The sadness was still there, but it was... dull. They clicked together effortlessly and yet not so gracefully. Of course, they're both plagued by doubts and guilt. They both wonder how it's possible to fall for each other after losing Jonah. They start as friends, chatting over the phone since they live in different states now, and the slow burn was beautifully made. You could feel the tension simmer then undeniable pull they felt.

Also the family doesn't seem to understand it, which was something I hadn't expected, yet it made sense given Theo's past occasional relationships and hookups. Yet, when you read it, you can feel the utter adoration Theo has for Kacey. It made me love him even more, how he fought against his feelings not to upset his family and Kacey herself.

I had to go. I made a promise. I went to her now, and I'll go to her again if I have to. I'll fail a hundred classes and be fired from a hundred jobs before I let anything happen to her again.

Kacey too went through a transformation. She has to let go of Jonah, and Theo will help her both physically and emotionally to overcome her damaging coping mechanisms and starting a new life.

My favorite scene of all, though, was the moment Theo and his father shared at the end of the novel. It had the emotional punch of a mack track straight to the stomach and it was the perfect closure for the arc of their relationship, especially given the confrontation between Kacey and her own parents. Those were twists that I hadn't anticipated occurring, but I was happy they did because they showed how serious Theo was about Kacey, how protective.

I have this image of you holding a baby, tucked in the crook of your arm like a football while snagging a diaper of another toddler right before he tips over and clock himself of the edge of a table. And you do it with zero stress. Don't even bling an eye."

(Yeah, my ovaries didn't survive this unscathed. I dare yours to.)

"I love you." (Theo)
"I love you too, but--"
"No, I mean I love you and that's it. I love you. I love you however you are. No strings or conditions. I love you and that's it. Okay?"
I bit back a smile. "Okay."

Theo's not a chatty caty. He's the silent, strong type who admittedly doesn't always have to words to express how he feels. Especially at the beginning, when they're still friends, I was almost angry at him for not telling Kacey how he felt, but I admit that it was too soon.

"And I don't dance."
"Yeah, right," I laughed. "You'll have to beat the single ladies off you with a stick. Maybe the married ones, too."
"That's not happening."
"You sure about that?" I said, grinning. "Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. You're going to look amazing in a tux, Teddy."
"Yeah, right."


In the end, it was the perfect ending, the perfect closure to a story that is raw, real, moving and emotional. It's life in all its complexity. And even though it wasn't devoid of grief, old and new, It left me satisfied, almost at peace.

Love had no end. She was infinite. She was a universe, my universe, and I was hers. Love had no boundaries, no rules, no favorites. And not limits.