All In by Emma Scott Series: Full Tilt #2
Published by Trillian on October 11th 2016
Pages: 296
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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.
Part II of the two-part Full Tilt duet. PLEASE NOTE, this novel is NOT a standalone. It is highly recommended one read Full Tilt first to get the entire arc of the story and to avoid spoilers.
Oh the feels! I’ve lost the ability to even with this book. Full Tilt left me wrecked in the most wonderful way and set the bar very high for All In which is the second book in the Full Tilt duet. If Emma Scott was aiming to destroy my emotions once again, target achieved.
Theo is harsh towards Kacey through much of the previous book. Here we get a better understanding of his behavior. This story shows the kindhearted, sensitive man he really is beneath his tough façade. It’s simultaneously wonderful and sad to see the extent to which he goes to support his loved ones—even to his own detriment at times.
Kacey is drowning in a sea of inconsolable despair, and my heart couldn’t ache for her more. Theo tries to help Kacey cope with her grief, all the while suppressing his own emotions. I couldn’t help but love him desperately. Jonah is still very much present—but not in a paranormal sense—and the way in which he is integrated into the story is quite impactful.
I really appreciated how Kacey and Theo develop a friendship based on mutual understanding as well as Theo’s devotion. It makes the resulting slow burn all the more realistic, emotional, and gratifying.
All In is utterly captivating and moving. Emma Scott has written a stunning conclusion to an amazing duet—definitely among my top reads of 2016.
NOTE: All In is not a standalone.
Recommended for fans of:
Second chance romance
Angst
Damsels in distress
Tattoos
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
About Emma Scott
Emma Scott writes romances with flawed characters, characters with artistic hearts: builders, poets, and writers of various makes and models. Emma loves to write book lovers; those who have found refuge, companionship, and escape in books, much as we all do in real life. She digs realism, honesty, authenticity in storytelling. She also loves to write about enduring love, soul-deep love, in as real a setting as possible, but with big smooshy HEAs. Emma believes in diversity, open-mindedness, and inclusion. She adores sweetness mixed with steam, love conquering all, and above all, hope. Love always wins.
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