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Love at Full Tilt
In this joyful celebration of fandoms, whirlwind romance, and plus-size girls, love is the ultimate roller coaster ride.
Lia Baker has spent the last few months wishing time would stand still. Soon her friends will head off to college while she’s left behind, buried under her mom’s anxiety and working a job she doesn’t want. But life throws her for a loop when she wins a spot in the fiftieth-anniversary scavenger hunt at Fableland, a legendary theme park. The contest is a golden ticket to a world where her favorite stories come to life and a chance for her to write some new ones of her own.
Everything seems perfect, especially after she teams up with Mason, a cute rival who knows as much about Fableland as she does. Together, they’re unstoppable. But as Mason’s sweet smile starts to melt her focus, Lia realizes that she may have to choose between the future she wants to rewrite—and a love she hadn’t planned for.
Lia Baker has spent the last few months wishing time would stand still. Soon her friends will head off to college while she’s left behind, buried under her mom’s anxiety and working a job she doesn’t want. But life throws her for a loop when she wins a spot in the fiftieth-anniversary scavenger hunt at Fableland, a legendary theme park. The contest is a golden ticket to a world where her favorite stories come to life and a chance for her to write some new ones of her own.
Everything seems perfect, especially after she teams up with Mason, a cute rival who knows as much about Fableland as she does. Together, they’re unstoppable. But as Mason’s sweet smile starts to melt her focus, Lia realizes that she may have to choose between the future she wants to rewrite—and a love she hadn’t planned for.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2025
62 people are currently reading
1794 people want to read
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December 7, 2024a fairy grows wing every time a fat girls features on a cover 💛
January 4, 2025
A joyous reminder of just how magical friendship and love can be.
July 23, 2025
Oh man, do I love this book. I was immersed in this story from page one. It's so. much. fun! I don't typically read YA but Love at Full Tilt has vibes of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and with a lot of Amazing Race. It's a great story for all ages with so much heart and soul.
Lia is part of a scavenger hunt at Fableland, the theme park that she loves, even if she hasn't been there in person. Winning the cash prize will give her the freedom to explore the future on her own terms. It's also a trip of a lifetime to make memories with her two best friends before they leave her to go college. I really enjoyed this friendship; the three deal with some pretty complicated things (like sexuality, mental health, finances) individually and together. I appreciated seeing life through Lia's eyes as a plus sized person in a standard size world.
Lia teams up with Mason who is the most cinnamon roll male character. There need to be more Masons in the world. I was dreading a third act misunderstanding/break-up but it was earned and realistic.
The whole theme park and cinematic worlds that Jenny L. Howe created are absolutely immersive and magical. My ARC did not have the map at the beginning so I'm looking forward to seeing it in the finished copy on release day. Basically, I want a season pass to Fableland and to roam the park with my besties. Please can we have a adult Christmas romance set at Fableland? Asking for a friend.
Thank you Random House Children's | Delacorte Romance and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
#LoveatFullTilt #NetGalley.
Lia is part of a scavenger hunt at Fableland, the theme park that she loves, even if she hasn't been there in person. Winning the cash prize will give her the freedom to explore the future on her own terms. It's also a trip of a lifetime to make memories with her two best friends before they leave her to go college. I really enjoyed this friendship; the three deal with some pretty complicated things (like sexuality, mental health, finances) individually and together. I appreciated seeing life through Lia's eyes as a plus sized person in a standard size world.
Lia teams up with Mason who is the most cinnamon roll male character. There need to be more Masons in the world. I was dreading a third act misunderstanding/break-up but it was earned and realistic.
The whole theme park and cinematic worlds that Jenny L. Howe created are absolutely immersive and magical. My ARC did not have the map at the beginning so I'm looking forward to seeing it in the finished copy on release day. Basically, I want a season pass to Fableland and to roam the park with my besties. Please can we have a adult Christmas romance set at Fableland? Asking for a friend.
Thank you Random House Children's | Delacorte Romance and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
#LoveatFullTilt #NetGalley.
July 22, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley & Random House Children's for the E-ARC! OMG! This was so cute! Loved both characters & the setting. Also liked the plus-size rep. A great YA debut by one of my favs.
December 27, 2025
Insta love blehhhhhh.
This reminds me of when kate came out to me as Aromantic when we were at Disneyland
This reminds me of when kate came out to me as Aromantic when we were at Disneyland
July 20, 2025
Thanks so much to Delacorte romance for an advanced copy to review!
Jenny Howe wrote this book for me, specifically. First of all - a moment for this incredible cover, please!? As a plus size teen girl - seeing this cover on the shelf at a bookstore would have made me cry happy tears. Knowing that this is going to be out there for all of us grown up fat girls too - brings me such joy.
There is a particular experience in this book that Lia has which could have been plucked directly from my life. My heart was in my throat because I’ve felt that horrible shame, the awful feeling. Too real.
Oh how I LOVED Mason. He was the softest sweetest boy and I just wanted to hold his hand. He saw Lia for her and he showed her what it meant to care. I felt like Lia was so relatable and I loved her drive. I also loved her self respect and confidence, as well as her understanding of what she needed to process her emotions. She dealt with a lot of heavy things and she is a very well rounded character.
Our side characters were just as good! I love that Jenny made them feel like normal teens who fight and make up and figure it out.
This was the sweetest YA romance and I ate it up with a spoon.
Thank you Jenny for this story. 🩷
Jenny Howe wrote this book for me, specifically. First of all - a moment for this incredible cover, please!? As a plus size teen girl - seeing this cover on the shelf at a bookstore would have made me cry happy tears. Knowing that this is going to be out there for all of us grown up fat girls too - brings me such joy.
There is a particular experience in this book that Lia has which could have been plucked directly from my life. My heart was in my throat because I’ve felt that horrible shame, the awful feeling. Too real.
Oh how I LOVED Mason. He was the softest sweetest boy and I just wanted to hold his hand. He saw Lia for her and he showed her what it meant to care. I felt like Lia was so relatable and I loved her drive. I also loved her self respect and confidence, as well as her understanding of what she needed to process her emotions. She dealt with a lot of heavy things and she is a very well rounded character.
Our side characters were just as good! I love that Jenny made them feel like normal teens who fight and make up and figure it out.
This was the sweetest YA romance and I ate it up with a spoon.
Thank you Jenny for this story. 🩷
June 1, 2025
3.5 Stars, rounded up just because
It was fun. It was cute. This amusement park sounds a lot more magical than anything Disney's come up with. It was unrealistic in a way that all cozy romances should be, and I liked it.
I don't know what else to say here, so I'll just say to come on by and read my full review when it goes live at Gateway Reviews on July 11, 2025. I'd love to see you there!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
It was fun. It was cute. This amusement park sounds a lot more magical than anything Disney's come up with. It was unrealistic in a way that all cozy romances should be, and I liked it.
I don't know what else to say here, so I'll just say to come on by and read my full review when it goes live at Gateway Reviews on July 11, 2025. I'd love to see you there!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
June 18, 2025
Jenny Howe’s Love at Full Tilt is the YA book I wish had existed when I was a teen. Howe always does a fantastic job of creating realistic characters who are complex and relatable, and most importantly, she creates accurate fat representation, which we need more of in literature.
The story of Lia, a plus size girl pursuing her magical dreams at Fableland is one that so many of us can relate to. She’s at a transitional point in her life, post high school graduation, friends are soon off to college, trying to be seen as the adult she is while her parents (especially her mother) still treat her as a fragile child that needs managing.
Lia figures out who she is and what she wants from life and pursues it with her whole heart, something that we as readers need to see, especially young readers who can relate even more to Lia.
I loved this book and hope to read more YA from Jenny Howe in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me early access to this book.
The story of Lia, a plus size girl pursuing her magical dreams at Fableland is one that so many of us can relate to. She’s at a transitional point in her life, post high school graduation, friends are soon off to college, trying to be seen as the adult she is while her parents (especially her mother) still treat her as a fragile child that needs managing.
Lia figures out who she is and what she wants from life and pursues it with her whole heart, something that we as readers need to see, especially young readers who can relate even more to Lia.
I loved this book and hope to read more YA from Jenny Howe in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me early access to this book.
July 16, 2025
Definitely not written for my age, but would’ve loved it in middle school :)
June 7, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
This was one of the sweetest YA reads I’ve picked up this year! Lia and Mason’s clumsy, adorable meet-cute had me smiling right away. Mason’s calm, caring nature paired so well with Lia’s vulnerability, and I loved how quickly their connection deepened. Their emotional bond felt real, and their willingness to open up to each other was such a beautiful part of their journey.
In just a few days, both characters grew in meaningful ways—not just individually, but through their evolving friendship (and maybe something more!). I also appreciated how Lia’s friendships shifted and deepened, giving this story even more emotional weight.
Though some family elements were heavy and tough to read, they added authenticity and heart to the story. This book is full of growth, connection, and hope—perfect for fans of heartfelt, emotionally rich YA romance.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Jenny L. Howe for the arc💖. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was one of the sweetest YA reads I’ve picked up this year! Lia and Mason’s clumsy, adorable meet-cute had me smiling right away. Mason’s calm, caring nature paired so well with Lia’s vulnerability, and I loved how quickly their connection deepened. Their emotional bond felt real, and their willingness to open up to each other was such a beautiful part of their journey.
In just a few days, both characters grew in meaningful ways—not just individually, but through their evolving friendship (and maybe something more!). I also appreciated how Lia’s friendships shifted and deepened, giving this story even more emotional weight.
Though some family elements were heavy and tough to read, they added authenticity and heart to the story. This book is full of growth, connection, and hope—perfect for fans of heartfelt, emotionally rich YA romance.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Jenny L. Howe for the arc💖. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 28, 2025
This book is an enjoyable, easy read. I liked the characters but also felt like they were a bit disjointed, mainly because at times I felt the author was trying to make a point about weight/sexuality to the point it interfered in the plot or didn't seem to fit with the rest of the character development.
The plot was fun, but much of the conflict could have been solved with a conversation. The scavenger hunt/theme park aspect of the book was great along with the theme of how things seem to be versus how they are (trying not to give too much away).
I liked the author's style and would read another book by her.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book.
The plot was fun, but much of the conflict could have been solved with a conversation. The scavenger hunt/theme park aspect of the book was great along with the theme of how things seem to be versus how they are (trying not to give too much away).
I liked the author's style and would read another book by her.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book.
eligible-in-2025
November 5, 2024Recommended by Rachael (Do Good with Books).
https://dogoodwithbooks.substack.com/...
https://dogoodwithbooks.substack.com/...
January 27, 2025
BEAUTIFUL MAGICAL PERFECTION
August 24, 2025
Love at Full Tilt by Jenny L. Howe (2025)
v+373-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-368
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Featuring: Map, Fake Walt Disney World - Movies, Theme Park; Email, Dates and Locations, Scavenger Hunt, 18-Year-Old MC, Summer After Senior Year, Contest Trope, Anxious Mom, Puzzles, Boston, Massachusetts; Orlando, Florida; Unaccompanied Teens, Girlfriends, Texts, Epigraphs, Movie Quotes, Team Effort, Plus-Sized MC, Family Business, June, Amazing Race, Grumpy Sunshine Trope, Texts, Social Media, Sex - Off-Camera, Sizeism, Rides, Food, Odd Girl Out, Bi-curious, Self-Actualization
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: Taylor Swift
Books and Authors mentioned: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Hammer of God by Arthur C. Clarke, Hansel and Gretel by The Brothers Grimm, Little Red Riding Hood by The Brothers Grimm, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz aka The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum (Lyman Frank Baum) - Oz #1, The Klone and I by Danielle Steel
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎫🎟🎠🎢🎡🌭🍩
My thoughts: 🔖Page 133 of 373 Chapter 12 June 20 Vale of Villainy, Fableland Orlando, FL - This is way better than I expected. If you have ever seen an Orlando Amazing Race or Disney Amazing Race on YouTube, this is that expanded over a week with a budding romance between high school graduates. I love it when reading feels like you're on vacation. My only issue is, what does a nonbinary person look like, because the last I knew they have to tell you they're nonbinary, but Lia points one out like there's a dress code or name tag.
🔖266 Chapter 23 June 22 Starshatter Hotel, Fableland Orlando, FL - This was starting to veer into the 4-star zone but Mason kept it in the 5🌟 zone. I wasn't expecting that emotional revelation.
The story wasn't quite 5 5-star but it was close enough so I gave it the full 5 stars. I love the atmosphere I could have done without some of the movie descriptions as they did not sound good to me but I get it and appreciate them. The fake Walt Disney character did not seem very interesting to me but it made for a good story. I would love to read more like this one as far as the plot goes and I've definitely added like 5 books by this author to my TBR.
Recommend to others: Yes this was a great story, but I wouldn't give it to a 12 year-old as the publisher suggests it's definitely a teen (15+) story as tame as it is, but would be a PG-13 movie as is.
Memorable Quotes: The winner of the Superfan Scavenger Hunt will win a cash prize of $50,000 and a golden ticket to Fableland Resort (free access to the park for you and a guest for life, with no blackout days or fees).
I don’t understand the things that stress her out, but she can’t help it. My grandmother says she burst from the womb anxious. Mom tightens our hug. “Look out for each other, okay? And check in all the time.” I nod against her shoulder. “No boys,” Dad growls. I salute him. “You got it.” It’s an easy promise to make. My two best friends and I aren’t heading to Fableland—the best amusement park in the world—for some vacation fling. I have a contest to win and a huge cash prize to secure.
I survey the crowd, trying to identify who might be my biggest competition. The nonbinary person with the Percivel Night tattoo on their shoulder?
Tess shakes her head. “It’s not even ten-thirty. We’re not scheduled to eat until”—she swipes open her itinerary on her phone—“one-forty-five.” Carter brushes his sweep of bangs out of his eyes. “All the good combos will be sold out by then.” “We’re not scheduled for hot dogs until Thursday anyway.” Carter clearly gives out smiles like they’re as free as oxygen. He basically hasn’t stopped grinning since we met him. But at Tess’s remark, his already wide smile manages to grow larger. “Do you have your bathroom breaks scheduled, too?”
Issy’s eyes are wide, an amused grin on her face. “This statue is like three steps away from being a cover for one of those NSFW monster romances.”
v+373-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-368
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Featuring: Map, Fake Walt Disney World - Movies, Theme Park; Email, Dates and Locations, Scavenger Hunt, 18-Year-Old MC, Summer After Senior Year, Contest Trope, Anxious Mom, Puzzles, Boston, Massachusetts; Orlando, Florida; Unaccompanied Teens, Girlfriends, Texts, Epigraphs, Movie Quotes, Team Effort, Plus-Sized MC, Family Business, June, Amazing Race, Grumpy Sunshine Trope, Texts, Social Media, Sex - Off-Camera, Sizeism, Rides, Food, Odd Girl Out, Bi-curious, Self-Actualization
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: Taylor Swift
Books and Authors mentioned: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Hammer of God by Arthur C. Clarke, Hansel and Gretel by The Brothers Grimm, Little Red Riding Hood by The Brothers Grimm, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz aka The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum (Lyman Frank Baum) - Oz #1, The Klone and I by Danielle Steel
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎫🎟🎠🎢🎡🌭🍩
My thoughts: 🔖Page 133 of 373 Chapter 12 June 20 Vale of Villainy, Fableland Orlando, FL - This is way better than I expected. If you have ever seen an Orlando Amazing Race or Disney Amazing Race on YouTube, this is that expanded over a week with a budding romance between high school graduates. I love it when reading feels like you're on vacation. My only issue is, what does a nonbinary person look like, because the last I knew they have to tell you they're nonbinary, but Lia points one out like there's a dress code or name tag.
🔖266 Chapter 23 June 22 Starshatter Hotel, Fableland Orlando, FL - This was starting to veer into the 4-star zone but Mason kept it in the 5🌟 zone. I wasn't expecting that emotional revelation.
The story wasn't quite 5 5-star but it was close enough so I gave it the full 5 stars. I love the atmosphere I could have done without some of the movie descriptions as they did not sound good to me but I get it and appreciate them. The fake Walt Disney character did not seem very interesting to me but it made for a good story. I would love to read more like this one as far as the plot goes and I've definitely added like 5 books by this author to my TBR.
Recommend to others: Yes this was a great story, but I wouldn't give it to a 12 year-old as the publisher suggests it's definitely a teen (15+) story as tame as it is, but would be a PG-13 movie as is.
Memorable Quotes: The winner of the Superfan Scavenger Hunt will win a cash prize of $50,000 and a golden ticket to Fableland Resort (free access to the park for you and a guest for life, with no blackout days or fees).
I don’t understand the things that stress her out, but she can’t help it. My grandmother says she burst from the womb anxious. Mom tightens our hug. “Look out for each other, okay? And check in all the time.” I nod against her shoulder. “No boys,” Dad growls. I salute him. “You got it.” It’s an easy promise to make. My two best friends and I aren’t heading to Fableland—the best amusement park in the world—for some vacation fling. I have a contest to win and a huge cash prize to secure.
I survey the crowd, trying to identify who might be my biggest competition. The nonbinary person with the Percivel Night tattoo on their shoulder?
Tess shakes her head. “It’s not even ten-thirty. We’re not scheduled to eat until”—she swipes open her itinerary on her phone—“one-forty-five.” Carter brushes his sweep of bangs out of his eyes. “All the good combos will be sold out by then.” “We’re not scheduled for hot dogs until Thursday anyway.” Carter clearly gives out smiles like they’re as free as oxygen. He basically hasn’t stopped grinning since we met him. But at Tess’s remark, his already wide smile manages to grow larger. “Do you have your bathroom breaks scheduled, too?”
Issy’s eyes are wide, an amused grin on her face. “This statue is like three steps away from being a cover for one of those NSFW monster romances.”
July 26, 2025
Ahhhhh I’m obsessed. If you know me you know how much I adore Jenny Howe, both as a person and as an author, which just makes me so happy to report this this book is an absolute masterpiece!!! Love at Full Tilt is a joy of a book, wrapped in all the best things about being in a fandom. Minor spoilers ahead!
In Howe’s YA debut, 18-year-old Lia and her two best friends head from Massachusetts to Florida for the scavenger hunt of a lifetime at Fableland, a theme park created to celebrate the Fable Industry films. (Think Disney but everything’s new with new lore!) While on the scavenger hunt, Lea meets Mason, another contestant in the contest and a local to the area. As Mason and Lia team up and get closer, she confronts her own path in life versus her parent’s path for her, her fears about her friends leaving for college, and her own feelings for Mason.
Oh how I loved this book. Howe was able to write so many compelling factors into one book that kept my attention and kept me asking, “how will Lia solve this problem?” The answer: with communication and growing maturity. I really love a YA book that’s set between the end of high school and the beginning of college (this is the second one I’ve read this year) because who’s get to see the friendships your characters have be tested by possible distance and growth apart. Lia and her great friends Tess and Issy seem like they could grow apart as they leave for college and Lia stays at home, but the girls confront this fear head on. Howe also shows Lia communicating with her parents about her own wants and needs, which the reader will root for as the book progresses. I appreciate how Lia’s always grounded in the fact that her parents love and care for her, but also questions their actions.
I also thought the plus size representation in this book was so refreshing in the YA space. We need more fat romance! In YA AND adult!!! Lia was honest and real about her own body, and I love how Mason is aware of this and still assures her that he thinks she’s beautiful when two men jeer and grab at her (because fat people ARE beautiful and no one should let them think otherwise). Also from that we get this quote which melted my heart: “You know you’re beautiful, right? … When I saw you at the welcome party, it was like staring into the sun.” SWOON! He’s so freaking kind and honest, ahhhhhh. The realities of what fat people can struggle with at a theme park were also well done. I appreciated how Jenny Howe showed us that Lia’s friends didn’t fully understand her experience being fat, and allowed them to grow as friends in this respect later on. This allowed Lia’s friendships with them to mature and helped them understand her better.
Now let me just dedicate a paragraph to Lia and Mason because I love them together so much. Power duo! Mason is such a sweetie pie. He’s a hard worker with a dream to become a teacher and he has two adorable dogs and is kind and kind of quiet? I love him so much. I want to grab Mason and Lia in a hug and never let go. Their romance was so kindred and heartfelt and watching them fall for each other felt like an absolute treat. They get each other!!!!!!! Even when they don’t agree on the magic vs actuality of Fableland. Lia’s positivity about Fableland and winning the contest made me love her even more. Like yes!!! I want you to win, too! Make your dreams come true! And this quote: “This is the magic of Mason. No one else has ever made me feel so at home in my own skin.” So sweet, I’ll cry! I just love how Mason and Lia are so willing to hear each other and be there for one another over the course of the contest (and beyond). This is such a great romance to model for teens built on mutual understanding, respect, and total honesty.
Okay this review’s getting long so I’m gonna wrap it up. But I also must mention how well planned the actual scavenger hunt is and once again how much I love Lia. If you’re in the mood for a solid YA romance, pick this one up!!!
In Howe’s YA debut, 18-year-old Lia and her two best friends head from Massachusetts to Florida for the scavenger hunt of a lifetime at Fableland, a theme park created to celebrate the Fable Industry films. (Think Disney but everything’s new with new lore!) While on the scavenger hunt, Lea meets Mason, another contestant in the contest and a local to the area. As Mason and Lia team up and get closer, she confronts her own path in life versus her parent’s path for her, her fears about her friends leaving for college, and her own feelings for Mason.
Oh how I loved this book. Howe was able to write so many compelling factors into one book that kept my attention and kept me asking, “how will Lia solve this problem?” The answer: with communication and growing maturity. I really love a YA book that’s set between the end of high school and the beginning of college (this is the second one I’ve read this year) because who’s get to see the friendships your characters have be tested by possible distance and growth apart. Lia and her great friends Tess and Issy seem like they could grow apart as they leave for college and Lia stays at home, but the girls confront this fear head on. Howe also shows Lia communicating with her parents about her own wants and needs, which the reader will root for as the book progresses. I appreciate how Lia’s always grounded in the fact that her parents love and care for her, but also questions their actions.
I also thought the plus size representation in this book was so refreshing in the YA space. We need more fat romance! In YA AND adult!!! Lia was honest and real about her own body, and I love how Mason is aware of this and still assures her that he thinks she’s beautiful when two men jeer and grab at her (because fat people ARE beautiful and no one should let them think otherwise). Also from that we get this quote which melted my heart: “You know you’re beautiful, right? … When I saw you at the welcome party, it was like staring into the sun.” SWOON! He’s so freaking kind and honest, ahhhhhh. The realities of what fat people can struggle with at a theme park were also well done. I appreciated how Jenny Howe showed us that Lia’s friends didn’t fully understand her experience being fat, and allowed them to grow as friends in this respect later on. This allowed Lia’s friendships with them to mature and helped them understand her better.
Now let me just dedicate a paragraph to Lia and Mason because I love them together so much. Power duo! Mason is such a sweetie pie. He’s a hard worker with a dream to become a teacher and he has two adorable dogs and is kind and kind of quiet? I love him so much. I want to grab Mason and Lia in a hug and never let go. Their romance was so kindred and heartfelt and watching them fall for each other felt like an absolute treat. They get each other!!!!!!! Even when they don’t agree on the magic vs actuality of Fableland. Lia’s positivity about Fableland and winning the contest made me love her even more. Like yes!!! I want you to win, too! Make your dreams come true! And this quote: “This is the magic of Mason. No one else has ever made me feel so at home in my own skin.” So sweet, I’ll cry! I just love how Mason and Lia are so willing to hear each other and be there for one another over the course of the contest (and beyond). This is such a great romance to model for teens built on mutual understanding, respect, and total honesty.
Okay this review’s getting long so I’m gonna wrap it up. But I also must mention how well planned the actual scavenger hunt is and once again how much I love Lia. If you’re in the mood for a solid YA romance, pick this one up!!!
December 7, 2025
For a YA book, I really enjoyed this story. Mason treated Lia so sweetly and I loved reading about the Disney-like amusement park (but far better) they got to adventure in together with their friends. I thought it was very helpful for teens that this book focused on difficult YA topics like moving away from friends for college, feeling trapped at home with difficult parents, finding your voice, falling in love, and being assertive about what you want to do in life. I thought the focus on body inclusivity was great and I loved how strong of a female lead Lia was. I also enjoyed the fact that even though this was a romance, the author made it clear to the YA audience that even without Mason, Lia would be ok in life with the goals she had. I also thought it was good that the author had Lia not win the contest to show teens that they won’t always get their dreams on the first chance and it’s important to find another plan to achieve their dreams. This book did a great job at displaying real emotions to difficult situations surrounding the upheaval of moving on with after high school into adulthood. The world that was created was magical, the friendships were strong, and the love was adorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2025
Thank you to Delacorte Romance and Netgalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Love at Full Tilt is Jenny L Howe’s remarkable debut into Young Adult romance.
Lia proves to be one of the most genuine characters I’ve read in a very long time. I often felt myself (or at least the self I was when I was 18) reflected in Lia. Her desire for independence mixed with the natural naïvety all new adults have, was not only nostalgic but also a stark reminder of how far we come from when we were all 18.
Mason, our male love interest, was the kind-hearted, gentle soul we can all hope to have one day. Plus who can’t resist a man with adorable dogs?! His attentiveness and honesty towards Lia was adorable and genuinely gives you the warm and fuzzies.
I enjoyed their banter and budding relationship and mixed with the thrill of a competition, we were given an incredibly fast paced and engaging storyline.
Overall, I think Jenny’s introduction into the world of YA was an absolute success and I will continue to look forward to any books Jenny publishes.
Love at Full Tilt is scheduled to publish on July 22nd, 2025.
Love at Full Tilt is Jenny L Howe’s remarkable debut into Young Adult romance.
Lia proves to be one of the most genuine characters I’ve read in a very long time. I often felt myself (or at least the self I was when I was 18) reflected in Lia. Her desire for independence mixed with the natural naïvety all new adults have, was not only nostalgic but also a stark reminder of how far we come from when we were all 18.
Mason, our male love interest, was the kind-hearted, gentle soul we can all hope to have one day. Plus who can’t resist a man with adorable dogs?! His attentiveness and honesty towards Lia was adorable and genuinely gives you the warm and fuzzies.
I enjoyed their banter and budding relationship and mixed with the thrill of a competition, we were given an incredibly fast paced and engaging storyline.
Overall, I think Jenny’s introduction into the world of YA was an absolute success and I will continue to look forward to any books Jenny publishes.
Love at Full Tilt is scheduled to publish on July 22nd, 2025.
April 26, 2025
I don’t know how that happened, but I ended up reading two YA contemporaries about fandoms back to back. This one was set in a Disney World inspired theme park (it’s even set in Orlando!) so Disney fans would definitely enjoy the depictions of the different attractions in the park. I liked following Lia through the park and I also enjoyed the contest aspects of it. Lia and her two best friends, Tess and Issy are also in a major time of transition so they are dealing with that. I liked the friendship between the three of them but I also found it frustrating because Lia kind of used them? Like they were supposed to always be there for her and somehow know when she needed them and she would be mad at them when they weren’t there at the moment she needed them to be. The idea of friendship after high school is an interesting theme to explore, especially since two of the girls are going away to college and one is not. The romance was cute enough. Overall it was a fine read.
November 6, 2025
This isn’t bad, and I can imagine 18 year old me crying her eyes out if she read this, but as someone that’s a little older it’s hard not to judge all the over the top drama these hormone ridden children are expressing. With that said the author made the characters endearing and gave them realistic challenges that reflect some of the struggles in my own life so I would recommend this to teens in my life that like to read contemporary romance.
🎙️: Single narration, the girl that voiced it was a great storyteller that added an immersive feeling to the book. She was definitely acting instead of reading.
YA Contemporary Romance
Coming of Age (Summer before College)
Disney Land type setting (theme park)
Rivals to Lovers
Plus Size Romance
Found Family
Mental Health Battles
🔥: 1 steamy scene that wasn’t explicit and was just heavy petting if we’re being honest.
🎙️: Single narration, the girl that voiced it was a great storyteller that added an immersive feeling to the book. She was definitely acting instead of reading.
YA Contemporary Romance
Coming of Age (Summer before College)
Disney Land type setting (theme park)
Rivals to Lovers
Plus Size Romance
Found Family
Mental Health Battles
🔥: 1 steamy scene that wasn’t explicit and was just heavy petting if we’re being honest.
August 11, 2025
3.5 Stars
Lia & her two best friends take part in a scavenger hunt at Fableland (think Disney) to win a cash prize & lifetime tickets. This trip is a last hoorah before they go their separate ways, Lia to start working full time at her parents' furniture store and her two besties leave for college. Lia's mother suffers from extreme anxiety and has a very hard time letting Liz do anything, especially this trip, making Lia check in constantly and causing her to lash out and finally break free. Each girl is dealing with their own issue on the trip and they eventually work through it together and support each other. Lia meets and begins a romantic relationship with another contestant Mason, he is sweet and an all around nice guy.
I would consider this a clean older YA romance, there is kissing, a shirt comes off, and past experience is mentioned, but nothing is descriptive.
Lia & her two best friends take part in a scavenger hunt at Fableland (think Disney) to win a cash prize & lifetime tickets. This trip is a last hoorah before they go their separate ways, Lia to start working full time at her parents' furniture store and her two besties leave for college. Lia's mother suffers from extreme anxiety and has a very hard time letting Liz do anything, especially this trip, making Lia check in constantly and causing her to lash out and finally break free. Each girl is dealing with their own issue on the trip and they eventually work through it together and support each other. Lia meets and begins a romantic relationship with another contestant Mason, he is sweet and an all around nice guy.
I would consider this a clean older YA romance, there is kissing, a shirt comes off, and past experience is mentioned, but nothing is descriptive.
August 19, 2025
3.5 honestly i wanted to skip past the romance to get to the scavenger hunt bc i was so stressed for Lia, only to get to the end and have it all be such a letdown- stupid Erica cheating, the park not caring a single bit, her being over it so fast and then a short two page text exchange as an epilogue that wraps up the entirety of all the angst and conflicts i the book? disappointing
I really loved all the fatphobic stuff because it was all extremely accurate, but was also frustrated at the cover then for depicting Lia in a crop top and short shorts when she is sexually assaulted and verbally abused over not covering up enough and makes the case that she does cover up a lot more than other people- that stuck out to me significantly…
I really loved all the fatphobic stuff because it was all extremely accurate, but was also frustrated at the cover then for depicting Lia in a crop top and short shorts when she is sexually assaulted and verbally abused over not covering up enough and makes the case that she does cover up a lot more than other people- that stuck out to me significantly…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
4.5
I think this is Jenny L. Howe's best book yet. I hope they write more YA, because it clearly suits their writing. I really appreciated how much time and attention went towards Lia's other relationships outside of the romance like her friendships, her family, and herself. I thought the romance was also very well done and felt convincing even with the short timeline. I kind of wish the movies that are referenced as part of Fableland were real, they sounded fun.
The audiobook narrator was very passionate and put a lot of life into the text, but their male voices could use some work.
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent
I think this is Jenny L. Howe's best book yet. I hope they write more YA, because it clearly suits their writing. I really appreciated how much time and attention went towards Lia's other relationships outside of the romance like her friendships, her family, and herself. I thought the romance was also very well done and felt convincing even with the short timeline. I kind of wish the movies that are referenced as part of Fableland were real, they sounded fun.
The audiobook narrator was very passionate and put a lot of life into the text, but their male voices could use some work.
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent
April 7, 2025
I adored this sweet YA romance. It felt like taking a trip to the most magical place on earth, and reminded me of being that age when anything felt possible.
This book was a sugary (complimentary) combo of coming of age, scavenger hunt adventure, and young love. I devoured it like amusement park cotton candy.
Loved the fat positivity and representation. It inspires both empathy and self-acceptance, which I feel like we could all use a little more of!
Overall, it’s a yes from me. And I can’t wait to read more from Jenny L. Howe!
Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Children's | Delacorte Romance for access to the ARC!
#LoveatFullTilt #NetGalley
This book was a sugary (complimentary) combo of coming of age, scavenger hunt adventure, and young love. I devoured it like amusement park cotton candy.
Loved the fat positivity and representation. It inspires both empathy and self-acceptance, which I feel like we could all use a little more of!
Overall, it’s a yes from me. And I can’t wait to read more from Jenny L. Howe!
Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Children's | Delacorte Romance for access to the ARC!
#LoveatFullTilt #NetGalley
March 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for the advanced copy!
I just know 16 year old emily would have absolutely adored and loved this. I love YA and this was just the sweetest books ever. I can see so many teens seeing themselves in these characters and just having this book to lean on. It tackled so many issues that teens experience in such a gentle way. I am also a HUGE disney lover so the setting was so perfect. I really enjoyed this one and it’s such a great coming of age YA novel!
Thanks again to NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for the advanced copy!!
I just know 16 year old emily would have absolutely adored and loved this. I love YA and this was just the sweetest books ever. I can see so many teens seeing themselves in these characters and just having this book to lean on. It tackled so many issues that teens experience in such a gentle way. I am also a HUGE disney lover so the setting was so perfect. I really enjoyed this one and it’s such a great coming of age YA novel!
Thanks again to NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for the advanced copy!!
July 30, 2025
A magical book from a magical author. Jenny L. Howe grabbed my hand and pulled me right into Fableland. The twists and turns of the scavenger hunt and romance was a rollercoaster all on its own!!! What a lovely, warm read.
August 1, 2025
Review coming soon!
August 2, 2025
4.5⭐️ this book was a TOUGH read but so so worth it and gosh how i wish fableland was real!!!
August 10, 2025
4.25🌟
dnf
August 17, 2025Gave up at 20%— this book has an adorable premise but my brain was glossing over with all the references to the imaginary Disney-like world
August 25, 2025
3.5 stars. Cute.
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