What do you think?
Rate this book
Everything I Am
It was the sinful attraction that never should have happened...
HAPPENED…
Kinsley wasn’t supposed to fall in love with her mother’s best friend but
she did.
So, what caused their illicit affair to end abruptly, tearing them apart and
causing Kinsley to flee to find solitude?
After seven years, Kinsley has returned as Seattle’s newest sexologist,
working at her mother’s clinic - the very one her ex-lover, Dr Justin
Walker, works at also.
All she wanted was a fresh start but that’s harder said than done when
the secrets of her past threaten to unravel the new beginning that she’s
fought so hard to create.
How will Kinsley keep her past secret as she fights her guilt for her
tempestuous affair from being discovered by her mother, all the
HAPPENED…
Kinsley wasn’t supposed to fall in love with her mother’s best friend but
she did.
So, what caused their illicit affair to end abruptly, tearing them apart and
causing Kinsley to flee to find solitude?
After seven years, Kinsley has returned as Seattle’s newest sexologist,
working at her mother’s clinic - the very one her ex-lover, Dr Justin
Walker, works at also.
All she wanted was a fresh start but that’s harder said than done when
the secrets of her past threaten to unravel the new beginning that she’s
fought so hard to create.
How will Kinsley keep her past secret as she fights her guilt for her
tempestuous affair from being discovered by her mother, all the
226 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2022
1 person is currently reading
236 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 17, 2023
Everything I Am is a pleasant surprise. Honestly, I expected less. What I found was the book is captivating and a page-turner.
.Kinsley is eighteen and having an affair with her mother's best friend, Justin. Eighteen years older. Fast forward seven years, and now they have reunited. The pain and love are still there for both of them. Except now things are much more complicated.
Everything I Am is written in a single POV in Justin and Kinsley's POV, between past and present. Brace yourself; this is not your typical age gap and forbidden romance. The book starts hot and heavy, then betrayal.
Justine is not for everyone. He is crass, rude, and has a history of being a womanizer. Kinsley is not the same young woman he once knew. I love how she pushed his buttons without even trying.
Everything I am is an easy read and captivating. I read the book in one sitting. The book ends on a cliffhanger. Personally, I can’t wait to see how the story folds. I’m very much invested.
.Kinsley is eighteen and having an affair with her mother's best friend, Justin. Eighteen years older. Fast forward seven years, and now they have reunited. The pain and love are still there for both of them. Except now things are much more complicated.
Everything I Am is written in a single POV in Justin and Kinsley's POV, between past and present. Brace yourself; this is not your typical age gap and forbidden romance. The book starts hot and heavy, then betrayal.
Justine is not for everyone. He is crass, rude, and has a history of being a womanizer. Kinsley is not the same young woman he once knew. I love how she pushed his buttons without even trying.
Everything I am is an easy read and captivating. I read the book in one sitting. The book ends on a cliffhanger. Personally, I can’t wait to see how the story folds. I’m very much invested.
March 25, 2025
1 star//
thank you to the author and Fallen Crest Crew on Instagram for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
i'm being generous. this book reads like it was written by 2012-2013 wattpad authors, and not in a good way. was it absolutely filthy? yes. i've come to the conclusion i actually do not like big age gaps in books. they throw me off every time yet i still read them and hope for a better outcome 😭. he was 36, SHE WAS 18!!!!!! might i add he is a DOCTOR????? what does a 36 year old man have in common with an 18 year old???? their relationship is defended in the book with the excuse that they have a lot in common (other than the constant sex of course) and that she's just so "mature" and "different" (🚩🚩🚩). THERE IS A PICTURE OF HIM STANDING NEXT TO HER PREGNANT MOTHER FFS!! i found the the dirty talk cringy and the whole domestic life kink just isnt my thing. i cringed every time i read the words wedding and baby (again shes EIGHTEEN). the whole workplace dynamic is also unrealistic??? it is supposed to be a clinic but we're suddenly doing clothing hauls and talking about kinsley's MOST scandalous experiences just because justin is there and we need to rile him up. lastly, throughout the entire book, there is 0 development in the conflict OR its solution and it just felt like the present chapters were filler chapters.
thank you to the author and Fallen Crest Crew on Instagram for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
i'm being generous. this book reads like it was written by 2012-2013 wattpad authors, and not in a good way. was it absolutely filthy? yes. i've come to the conclusion i actually do not like big age gaps in books. they throw me off every time yet i still read them and hope for a better outcome 😭. he was 36, SHE WAS 18!!!!!! might i add he is a DOCTOR????? what does a 36 year old man have in common with an 18 year old???? their relationship is defended in the book with the excuse that they have a lot in common (other than the constant sex of course) and that she's just so "mature" and "different" (🚩🚩🚩). THERE IS A PICTURE OF HIM STANDING NEXT TO HER PREGNANT MOTHER FFS!! i found the the dirty talk cringy and the whole domestic life kink just isnt my thing. i cringed every time i read the words wedding and baby (again shes EIGHTEEN). the whole workplace dynamic is also unrealistic??? it is supposed to be a clinic but we're suddenly doing clothing hauls and talking about kinsley's MOST scandalous experiences just because justin is there and we need to rile him up. lastly, throughout the entire book, there is 0 development in the conflict OR its solution and it just felt like the present chapters were filler chapters.
March 23, 2025
This author’s other pen name is Tori Woods and under it she writes about p3dos. Her other book that has somehow disappeared from GR was about a 3 year old getting groomed.
Someone get CPS on the line and check her hard drives bc where there’s smoke there’s fire
Someone get CPS on the line and check her hard drives bc where there’s smoke there’s fire
February 15, 2023
I recieved this book for an honest review 🖤
This book was soo amazing and addictive, I finished it in one day!! I just simply could not put it down.
The chemistry between Justin and Kinsley is explosive. The story flicks between the past and the present revealing more of the story and reasoning behind memories and triggers I loved it.
Justin is a playboy, gynaecologist/surgeon who every female gushes over & Kinsley at the time is an 18yr old girl, who in 7 years time becomes a kickass sexoligist. Justin is also her mom's (Kiki) bestfriend since college and they both co-own a clinic together. When Kinsley is 18yrs she starts a secret relationship with Justin and keeps this hidden from her mom the entire time, until she leaves for college.
I want to explain more, but im afraid I will spoil it, so go into this story blind. Trust me it's totally worth it 🖤🖤
I can't wait for book 2, I need this ASAP !!! I am not a very patient person and absolutely NEED to know what happens!!
This book was soo amazing and addictive, I finished it in one day!! I just simply could not put it down.
The chemistry between Justin and Kinsley is explosive. The story flicks between the past and the present revealing more of the story and reasoning behind memories and triggers I loved it.
Justin is a playboy, gynaecologist/surgeon who every female gushes over & Kinsley at the time is an 18yr old girl, who in 7 years time becomes a kickass sexoligist. Justin is also her mom's (Kiki) bestfriend since college and they both co-own a clinic together. When Kinsley is 18yrs she starts a secret relationship with Justin and keeps this hidden from her mom the entire time, until she leaves for college.
I want to explain more, but im afraid I will spoil it, so go into this story blind. Trust me it's totally worth it 🖤🖤
I can't wait for book 2, I need this ASAP !!! I am not a very patient person and absolutely NEED to know what happens!!
January 14, 2023
DNF.
Thank you to the author and Fallen Crest Crew on instagram for sending me an eArc in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I don't think I'm the target audience for this book and it just isn't for me personally. I understand the concept, but I couldn't get past the first few chapters therefore I had to DNF this book.
Thank you to the author and Fallen Crest Crew on instagram for sending me an eArc in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I don't think I'm the target audience for this book and it just isn't for me personally. I understand the concept, but I couldn't get past the first few chapters therefore I had to DNF this book.
January 8, 2023
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly I want to provide a trigger warning as this book broaches quite a few risqué and possibly emotionally triggering topics such as inappropriate age gap relationships, toxic relationships, unexpected pregnancy and miscarriage/child loss.
Unfortunately I wasn’t a fan of this book. I’m not a fan of smutty romances to begin with, but can usually enjoy it as long as it has a good overall plot and writing style… unfortunately this book had neither of those redeeming qualities.
It reads like a teenagers first Wattpad novel, and whilst I believe the themes and topics mentioned above were incorporated with the best of intentions, it comes off as the opposite, seeming like they were included for shock factor, especially as the overall arch of the novel reads more as a stand alone episode in a tv show instead of a self sufficient first instalment in a series.
The book ends on a jarring cliffhanger without resolving any of the conflicts introduced in the novel.
The love interest does seem to grow and mature which I did appreciate, whilst the other characters remain immature and stereotypical.
Unfortunately the novel is branded as being “sex positive” and “empowering females through sex” but it once again comes off as the opposite, at some times being quite sexist and going so far as to slut shame women. The sex scenes and descriptions of the female main character seem to be written to appeal towards the male gaze instead of the female gaze.
The dialogue personally seems unrealistic and at times raunchy and salacious for the sake of being so, characters are often placed into unrealistic situations just so they can be privy to personal conversations that they have no need to be a part in.
As it’s written in First person P.OV jumping back and forth between present and past for the female and male main characters the flow of the story is a little off, with lacking description in important parts and over describing in unnecessary situations. Sometimes the foreshadowing is a bit heavy handed and makes me feel like I as the reader can not be trusted to pick up on the subtle story elements.
There is a lot of telling instead of showing, the narrative structure coming across as a recount instead of narrative, often finding myself in the middle of an expo dump instead of the vital information flowing freely in the form of character dialogue or subtle character mannerisms or settings.
If you’re looking for a book with lots of sex and you have a large age gap kink, inappropriate relationship kink or a daddy issue kink, or are really just a man looking to read porn instead of watching it I would recommend this book for you as I personally don’t see its appeal to women who want to be empowered by a smut novel.
Firstly I want to provide a trigger warning as this book broaches quite a few risqué and possibly emotionally triggering topics such as inappropriate age gap relationships, toxic relationships, unexpected pregnancy and miscarriage/child loss.
Unfortunately I wasn’t a fan of this book. I’m not a fan of smutty romances to begin with, but can usually enjoy it as long as it has a good overall plot and writing style… unfortunately this book had neither of those redeeming qualities.
It reads like a teenagers first Wattpad novel, and whilst I believe the themes and topics mentioned above were incorporated with the best of intentions, it comes off as the opposite, seeming like they were included for shock factor, especially as the overall arch of the novel reads more as a stand alone episode in a tv show instead of a self sufficient first instalment in a series.
The book ends on a jarring cliffhanger without resolving any of the conflicts introduced in the novel.
The love interest does seem to grow and mature which I did appreciate, whilst the other characters remain immature and stereotypical.
Unfortunately the novel is branded as being “sex positive” and “empowering females through sex” but it once again comes off as the opposite, at some times being quite sexist and going so far as to slut shame women. The sex scenes and descriptions of the female main character seem to be written to appeal towards the male gaze instead of the female gaze.
The dialogue personally seems unrealistic and at times raunchy and salacious for the sake of being so, characters are often placed into unrealistic situations just so they can be privy to personal conversations that they have no need to be a part in.
As it’s written in First person P.OV jumping back and forth between present and past for the female and male main characters the flow of the story is a little off, with lacking description in important parts and over describing in unnecessary situations. Sometimes the foreshadowing is a bit heavy handed and makes me feel like I as the reader can not be trusted to pick up on the subtle story elements.
There is a lot of telling instead of showing, the narrative structure coming across as a recount instead of narrative, often finding myself in the middle of an expo dump instead of the vital information flowing freely in the form of character dialogue or subtle character mannerisms or settings.
If you’re looking for a book with lots of sex and you have a large age gap kink, inappropriate relationship kink or a daddy issue kink, or are really just a man looking to read porn instead of watching it I would recommend this book for you as I personally don’t see its appeal to women who want to be empowered by a smut novel.
January 30, 2023
Review of “Everything I am” by Lauren Ashley
⭐️/5
DNF at 40%. We didn’t like this book at all. We feel like we’ve been hating on books a lot, but it’s personally not our faults.
Okay maybe we’re too young to like this book, but we have a lot of problems with this:
1. The past timeline was only spice🌶️
2. The age gap was fmc-17 and the mmc- 35 💀
3. The Mom was really annoying 🙄
4. The 18 yr old got pregnant 😃☝🏽
5. Over 10 pages of spice 🔥
There’s many more, but we just didn’t really enjoy this book. But that’s just our preference, and we will not be reading the 2nd book.
⭐️/5
DNF at 40%. We didn’t like this book at all. We feel like we’ve been hating on books a lot, but it’s personally not our faults.
Okay maybe we’re too young to like this book, but we have a lot of problems with this:
1. The past timeline was only spice🌶️
2. The age gap was fmc-17 and the mmc- 35 💀
3. The Mom was really annoying 🙄
4. The 18 yr old got pregnant 😃☝🏽
5. Over 10 pages of spice 🔥
There’s many more, but we just didn’t really enjoy this book. But that’s just our preference, and we will not be reading the 2nd book.
October 26, 2022
Everything I Am is a Age Gap/Forbidden romance. It flits between past and present. At 18 Kinsley began a secret relationship with her mothers best friend and co worker Justin. They fall hard and fast with lots of smutty sex. Kinsley then catches Justin in a precarious position. Unable to stick around she moves away to nurse her broken heart.
7 years later Kinsley is ready to come home, now a qualified sexologist and confidence to match she’s not the young girl anymore.
I loved that K came back a badass bitch, like she took no shit from anyone and was just really secure in her own self compared to how she was at 18, I thought it showed real character progression. I didn’t really feel a connection to Justin, I found him quite immature in his thoughts and actions and it was off putting for me, because of his age and profession I just wished he was more mature. Kinsley definitely felt like the adult in the relationship!
7 years later Kinsley is ready to come home, now a qualified sexologist and confidence to match she’s not the young girl anymore.
I loved that K came back a badass bitch, like she took no shit from anyone and was just really secure in her own self compared to how she was at 18, I thought it showed real character progression. I didn’t really feel a connection to Justin, I found him quite immature in his thoughts and actions and it was off putting for me, because of his age and profession I just wished he was more mature. Kinsley definitely felt like the adult in the relationship!
March 29, 2023
I wanted to like this book, but I had a really hard time getting into it. I will admit that the sex scenes were hot, but the storyline left something to be desired. However, if you're looking for a book just for hot steamy sex, then this one is for you. There are a few triggers. The first is the death of a child. The second is an age difference between the 2 main characters.
Thank you to Lauren Ashley for the opportunity to read this book.
Thank you to Lauren Ashley for the opportunity to read this book.
June 27, 2023
I didn't expect this but wow , what you could possibly want more age gap , moms best friend , same workplace it made my meow clench literally just cherry on top i finished this in one sitting. Some events were pretty sad and the end shocked me🥺
Definitely recommend this one
Definitely recommend this one
January 26, 2023
ARC Copy, thanks to Fallen Crest Crew.
At first, I did not know if I was going to finish this book, because it kept going backand forth how both main characters were hurt but never said how. But just like that, it kept bringing me back in! The spice was DEFINITELY in there, especially during Justin and Kinsley's past. The book does keep you on the edge of what happened to a relationship that seemed so perfect seven years ago.
Kinsley and Justin never meant to fall for each other with a 17-year age gap, and her mother being his best friend (oh and business colleague)
I don't want to give away spoilers, but the ending broke my heart. I plan to read all of them because now I have to know! Also I am Team Justin and Kinsley.
At first, I did not know if I was going to finish this book, because it kept going backand forth how both main characters were hurt but never said how. But just like that, it kept bringing me back in! The spice was DEFINITELY in there, especially during Justin and Kinsley's past. The book does keep you on the edge of what happened to a relationship that seemed so perfect seven years ago.
Kinsley and Justin never meant to fall for each other with a 17-year age gap, and her mother being his best friend (oh and business colleague)
I don't want to give away spoilers, but the ending broke my heart. I plan to read all of them because now I have to know! Also I am Team Justin and Kinsley.
October 25, 2022
Full review to come soon!! But for now - GET YOUR COPY!!
January 11, 2023
Everything I Am- Lauren Ashley
1.5/5⭐️
TW: grooming, child loss, miscarriage
Kinsley, a newly 18 year old, begins to secretly see her mother’s 36 year old best friend, Justin until she catches him in the worst betrayal. Kinsley runs away to California to get away from him and stays away for 7 years until she returns home to work in her mothers clinic as a sexologist. Justin decides to return as well and is now Kinsley’s boss. We get a dual POV of both the past and present and watch the rise and fall of their relationship and them navigating their secrets in present day.
My thoughts: I’ll be the first to admit that age gap is not my favorite trope but I’ve read them a lot because it can be done well, unfortunately, this novel was not the case of that. The nearly 40 year old MMC begins having sex with and takes the virginity of the FMC the night of her 18th birthday. Is it legal? Yes. Is it ethical? Absolutely not. Not to mention, this FMC is still in high school. There are so many mentions of her being in high school and the MMC being preoccupied with the fact he’s having sex with a “school girl” and having her wear her uniform around him, him talking about how young she is, how hairless she is, how he wants to take all her firsts. It reads as extremely predatory and that he wants a child, not an adult. The big romantic gesture of this book is literally the MMC making an after prom scene at his apartment because his girlfriend was at her literal senior prom. Because she’s a child in high school. They try to make it seem like she’s the mature on in the relationship and that other celebs have this age gap so it’s okay but let’s bffr, it’s not. They also try to play up the things they have in common which is, 1) they both like photography 2) they both like Mariah Carey 3) they both like sex.
The MMC was also just awful. He’s horrible to the FMC outside of the grooming of it all. He yells at her, insults her, is just rude to her because she didn’t let him explain why he was naked in bed with a couple women? As if that’s reasonable and not to mention she’s 18 and acts like an 18 year old but no, that can’t be expected and she deserves to be treated horribly. He’s also SO misogynistic. The way he talks about women, especially the women he’s with, is just downright sexist and disgusting. Honestly there isn’t a single redeemable quality to this man.
This book would have had such an impact and been so good if the story revolved around the FMC not hooking up with or meeting the MMC until the age she is presently (25). They could have still kept it a secret from the mom and had the same age gap but it would have been appropriate.
Other than that, the writing style was just not believable or enjoyable for me. The dialogue seemed forced and made me cringe often. There is a preoccupation with boobs for some reason? Obviously this is a romance novel but the way it’s all described is very immature and often times just strange.
I am BEGGING authors to write age gap romances where the FMC isn’t a literal teenager. The same effect can be had with an FMC who is 20+ I PROMISE.
This is an ARC and I hate when I don’t like an ARC but this one was not for me.
1.5/5⭐️
TW: grooming, child loss, miscarriage
Kinsley, a newly 18 year old, begins to secretly see her mother’s 36 year old best friend, Justin until she catches him in the worst betrayal. Kinsley runs away to California to get away from him and stays away for 7 years until she returns home to work in her mothers clinic as a sexologist. Justin decides to return as well and is now Kinsley’s boss. We get a dual POV of both the past and present and watch the rise and fall of their relationship and them navigating their secrets in present day.
My thoughts: I’ll be the first to admit that age gap is not my favorite trope but I’ve read them a lot because it can be done well, unfortunately, this novel was not the case of that. The nearly 40 year old MMC begins having sex with and takes the virginity of the FMC the night of her 18th birthday. Is it legal? Yes. Is it ethical? Absolutely not. Not to mention, this FMC is still in high school. There are so many mentions of her being in high school and the MMC being preoccupied with the fact he’s having sex with a “school girl” and having her wear her uniform around him, him talking about how young she is, how hairless she is, how he wants to take all her firsts. It reads as extremely predatory and that he wants a child, not an adult. The big romantic gesture of this book is literally the MMC making an after prom scene at his apartment because his girlfriend was at her literal senior prom. Because she’s a child in high school. They try to make it seem like she’s the mature on in the relationship and that other celebs have this age gap so it’s okay but let’s bffr, it’s not. They also try to play up the things they have in common which is, 1) they both like photography 2) they both like Mariah Carey 3) they both like sex.
The MMC was also just awful. He’s horrible to the FMC outside of the grooming of it all. He yells at her, insults her, is just rude to her because she didn’t let him explain why he was naked in bed with a couple women? As if that’s reasonable and not to mention she’s 18 and acts like an 18 year old but no, that can’t be expected and she deserves to be treated horribly. He’s also SO misogynistic. The way he talks about women, especially the women he’s with, is just downright sexist and disgusting. Honestly there isn’t a single redeemable quality to this man.
This book would have had such an impact and been so good if the story revolved around the FMC not hooking up with or meeting the MMC until the age she is presently (25). They could have still kept it a secret from the mom and had the same age gap but it would have been appropriate.
Other than that, the writing style was just not believable or enjoyable for me. The dialogue seemed forced and made me cringe often. There is a preoccupation with boobs for some reason? Obviously this is a romance novel but the way it’s all described is very immature and often times just strange.
I am BEGGING authors to write age gap romances where the FMC isn’t a literal teenager. The same effect can be had with an FMC who is 20+ I PROMISE.
This is an ARC and I hate when I don’t like an ARC but this one was not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2022
“I not only owned my sexuality, but I was empowered by it, allowing me to take full control over my needs and wants, without getting my heart broken.”
Look, let’s get right to the point. This book is filthy 😉 it gets right into the smut, and the language used is crude and direct. No beating around the bush (pun intended) here. So while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, I do feel it needs to be said because it isn’t going to be everybody’s cup of tea.
Past Kinsley is having dirty hot sex with her mums best friend. Her mum doesn’t know, and Dr Walker is happy (for now) to keep it that way. Present Kinsley is finally back 7 years after she left town when their illicit affair turned sour. She was ready for a fresh start, but Dr Walker is back too, with his girlfriend in tow.
Jumping back and forth between timelines worked here because without it, we wouldn’t have had the sexy scenes. Present Kinsley is clearly holding on to some emotional baggage, and both parties are trying to hold on to their resentment of each other.
Heads up, this one ends on a cliffhanger. But if you’re savvy, the clues are there - I picked up where this story was going pretty early on. Again, that’s not a bad thing. It means the foreshadowing worked and the climax (again, pun intended) doesn’t come out of nowhere. Book 2 is due early-mid next year and believe me, you will want to know how the rest of this story plays out.
Final note: this one is definitely recommended for 18+ mature audiences who are fine with crude language and many, many sex scenes. If books like The Love Hypothesis or The Spanish Love Deception are smutty for you, this is not a book for you to try (yet 😉).
——
Thank you Lauren Ashley and Shawline for the review copy of this book.
Look, let’s get right to the point. This book is filthy 😉 it gets right into the smut, and the language used is crude and direct. No beating around the bush (pun intended) here. So while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, I do feel it needs to be said because it isn’t going to be everybody’s cup of tea.
Past Kinsley is having dirty hot sex with her mums best friend. Her mum doesn’t know, and Dr Walker is happy (for now) to keep it that way. Present Kinsley is finally back 7 years after she left town when their illicit affair turned sour. She was ready for a fresh start, but Dr Walker is back too, with his girlfriend in tow.
Jumping back and forth between timelines worked here because without it, we wouldn’t have had the sexy scenes. Present Kinsley is clearly holding on to some emotional baggage, and both parties are trying to hold on to their resentment of each other.
Heads up, this one ends on a cliffhanger. But if you’re savvy, the clues are there - I picked up where this story was going pretty early on. Again, that’s not a bad thing. It means the foreshadowing worked and the climax (again, pun intended) doesn’t come out of nowhere. Book 2 is due early-mid next year and believe me, you will want to know how the rest of this story plays out.
Final note: this one is definitely recommended for 18+ mature audiences who are fine with crude language and many, many sex scenes. If books like The Love Hypothesis or The Spanish Love Deception are smutty for you, this is not a book for you to try (yet 😉).
——
Thank you Lauren Ashley and Shawline for the review copy of this book.
December 12, 2022
I am so glad I took a chance on this book, and boy has it completely floored me. Written with an overwhelming emotional rawness seldom seen in romance stories - I can promise you Everything I Am will chew you up and spit you out, and leave you in a whole pile of broken, with only a mere hint of hopefulness peeking between the cracks.
The book starts with eighteen year-old Kinsley Cooper embarking on a torrid love affair with her mother’s best friend Dr Justin Walker, who is seventeen-years her senior. Their chemistry is immediate and undeniable, but what starts as a forbidden fling, soon morphs into something much more meaningful. Until Justin makes an unforgivable transgression, and Kinsley flees, taking her broken heart with her.
The story oscillates seamlessly between the present and the past, with half of the book dedicated to their lives seven years later, when both Kinsley, now a Sexologist and Dr Justin, return from their separate, self-imposed exiles, and have to face the tricky task of negotiating a working relationship with each other. It’s clear the pair have never recovered from their once-in-a-lifetime love affair, but Justin’s past indiscretion seem too painful an obstacle for Kinsley to overcome.
Now, let’s talk about that bombshell of an ending! Everything I Am delivers an emotionally cataclysmic confession, that honestly left me reeling. I’m so intensely invested in how this story plays out, I can’t wait get my grubby little hands on part 2.
The book starts with eighteen year-old Kinsley Cooper embarking on a torrid love affair with her mother’s best friend Dr Justin Walker, who is seventeen-years her senior. Their chemistry is immediate and undeniable, but what starts as a forbidden fling, soon morphs into something much more meaningful. Until Justin makes an unforgivable transgression, and Kinsley flees, taking her broken heart with her.
The story oscillates seamlessly between the present and the past, with half of the book dedicated to their lives seven years later, when both Kinsley, now a Sexologist and Dr Justin, return from their separate, self-imposed exiles, and have to face the tricky task of negotiating a working relationship with each other. It’s clear the pair have never recovered from their once-in-a-lifetime love affair, but Justin’s past indiscretion seem too painful an obstacle for Kinsley to overcome.
Now, let’s talk about that bombshell of an ending! Everything I Am delivers an emotionally cataclysmic confession, that honestly left me reeling. I’m so intensely invested in how this story plays out, I can’t wait get my grubby little hands on part 2.
March 14, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay so at first I thought, this is a lot….. The sex scenes are next level 🌶️ and I thought to myself, what is the story line here? But then the story line started to emerge, then it started to grab me, then it latched onto my ankles, and now it’s pulled me so far down and right into it that I’m literally desperate for the second book! I was literally gasping at certain plot developments that were placed throughout, that were so unexpected.
The story follows Kinsley Cooper a sexologist who has returned to Seattle after 7 years in LA. She is excited to be home and be reunited with her mum, but she is anxious and terrified to encounter her ex, Dr Justin Walker. What makes this encounter so terrifying? Well it could be for a number of reasons, such as a terrible break up, deep secrets, betrayal, or even the awkwardness of not simply seeing, but working alongside your ex…… but no, it’s more than all of that, it’s the fact that Justin, is also her mums best friend, who has known her mother since before Kinsley was born, and her mum has no idea about their past, she doesn’t even know that they have met.
Honestly, as I said, at first I just thought the book was too much sex (hot as that was), but believe me, commit to the book, commit to the characters and you’ll literally be GAGGING for more.
Thanks Lauren and team for sending me a copy of this book and I am already so desperate to read and review the second one!
Okay so at first I thought, this is a lot….. The sex scenes are next level 🌶️ and I thought to myself, what is the story line here? But then the story line started to emerge, then it started to grab me, then it latched onto my ankles, and now it’s pulled me so far down and right into it that I’m literally desperate for the second book! I was literally gasping at certain plot developments that were placed throughout, that were so unexpected.
The story follows Kinsley Cooper a sexologist who has returned to Seattle after 7 years in LA. She is excited to be home and be reunited with her mum, but she is anxious and terrified to encounter her ex, Dr Justin Walker. What makes this encounter so terrifying? Well it could be for a number of reasons, such as a terrible break up, deep secrets, betrayal, or even the awkwardness of not simply seeing, but working alongside your ex…… but no, it’s more than all of that, it’s the fact that Justin, is also her mums best friend, who has known her mother since before Kinsley was born, and her mum has no idea about their past, she doesn’t even know that they have met.
Honestly, as I said, at first I just thought the book was too much sex (hot as that was), but believe me, commit to the book, commit to the characters and you’ll literally be GAGGING for more.
Thanks Lauren and team for sending me a copy of this book and I am already so desperate to read and review the second one!
November 7, 2022
Sometimes there’s books that stay with you and that is this book for me. I was recommended to read this book and take a chance on a new author and I am so freaking glad I did. Tropes I love and that are ticked in Everything I Am: age-gap, check, secret relationship, check, hints of a love-triangle, check, boss romance, check, best friend's daughter, check, enemies to lovers, check. It was hot, it was dirty, and it was flawsome as in the MC have flaws but they are awesome – especially Kinsley and how much of a boss she is for coming back. Let’s face it, Justin probably should have known better entering into a relationship with his best friend’s daughter, but then it wouldn’t be romantic fiction than would it? I thought I would hate Justin, but I actually felt for him. Kinsley leaving was immature and wrong, but then what do you expect from an 18-year-old? The fact that she’s now 25 and still refuses to take accountability for how they ended up where they are irritates me, but in another way I understand how vulnerable she is from everything she went through. Overall, I loved this book and will be anxiously waiting for the second one. I really need to know if they’ll get their happy ending. I am rooting for Kinsley and Justin and I am needing more of those steamy scenes that make me check twice whether or not someone is looking at me!
January 7, 2023
Thank you so much to the author for sharing a copy of this book with me!!!
“He was the perfect man. There was only one problem - he was also my mom’s, - Kiarnie Cooper’s - best friend, which made him completely forbidden but also my biggest temptation.”
Oh my goodness !!! I need to read book two !!! NOW !!!!
Wow !!! This book was like nothing I had expected!! A forbidden romance story between a girl and her mother 18 years older best friend, turned into a painful break up that led them both sever years away from home.
I loved the tension you could feel in this book and the comparisons between the present and past made from both characters’ perspectives were absolutely amazing !!! The spice was immaculate and the tropes were so good !!! Forbidden romance, age gap and forced proximity … this book was made for people like me !!!
To be completely and utterly honest, I’m not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, that was a big part of this plot. But the author developed it without making it bothersome.
That ending though … this woman knows how to write a cliffhanger !!!! I need the sequel !!!! As fast as possible considering how invested I became in Kins and Justin’s story !!!
“You’ve been a naughty, naughty girl, baby.”
“Do you feel that? Your heart beats for me, baby, just like mine does for you.”
“He was the perfect man. There was only one problem - he was also my mom’s, - Kiarnie Cooper’s - best friend, which made him completely forbidden but also my biggest temptation.”
Oh my goodness !!! I need to read book two !!! NOW !!!!
Wow !!! This book was like nothing I had expected!! A forbidden romance story between a girl and her mother 18 years older best friend, turned into a painful break up that led them both sever years away from home.
I loved the tension you could feel in this book and the comparisons between the present and past made from both characters’ perspectives were absolutely amazing !!! The spice was immaculate and the tropes were so good !!! Forbidden romance, age gap and forced proximity … this book was made for people like me !!!
To be completely and utterly honest, I’m not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, that was a big part of this plot. But the author developed it without making it bothersome.
That ending though … this woman knows how to write a cliffhanger !!!! I need the sequel !!!! As fast as possible considering how invested I became in Kins and Justin’s story !!!
“You’ve been a naughty, naughty girl, baby.”
“Do you feel that? Your heart beats for me, baby, just like mine does for you.”
February 9, 2023
Everything I am - Part One - Broken
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
This is a new author for us. Lauren came to us through our instagram page and asked if we’d like to read her new book and obviously we said yes.
It’s a age gap romance with twists and turns along the way.
Justin Walker is her mums best friend since college so there’s no way she should be going near him 🤦🏼♀️ but the heart wants what it’s wants.
At some points not going to lie he was so immature and we wanted to punch him 😂 especially in one part. We was so mad at him 🤬
He was the one that should have taken control. We hope in book 2 he does.
Kinsley is a mature young women who’s smart and beautiful but what happens when you have to hide your secret from the people you love the most?.
She goes through so much and at the end your heart breaks for her.
Justin’s doesn’t make it easy for her. We really hope he steps up and does the right thing in book 2.
The book is set in past and present so does keep flicking back and it’s in dual POV which we always love.
It kept us hooked from the start and we wanted to know what happened with their relationship.
What an ending 😳
Now give us book 2 🙈
Happy reading
💕 Age Gap
👩❤️💋👨 First Love
🚫 Forbidden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
This is a new author for us. Lauren came to us through our instagram page and asked if we’d like to read her new book and obviously we said yes.
It’s a age gap romance with twists and turns along the way.
Justin Walker is her mums best friend since college so there’s no way she should be going near him 🤦🏼♀️ but the heart wants what it’s wants.
At some points not going to lie he was so immature and we wanted to punch him 😂 especially in one part. We was so mad at him 🤬
He was the one that should have taken control. We hope in book 2 he does.
Kinsley is a mature young women who’s smart and beautiful but what happens when you have to hide your secret from the people you love the most?.
She goes through so much and at the end your heart breaks for her.
Justin’s doesn’t make it easy for her. We really hope he steps up and does the right thing in book 2.
The book is set in past and present so does keep flicking back and it’s in dual POV which we always love.
It kept us hooked from the start and we wanted to know what happened with their relationship.
What an ending 😳
Now give us book 2 🙈
Happy reading
💕 Age Gap
👩❤️💋👨 First Love
🚫 Forbidden
February 20, 2023
Arc Review - Everything I am Part One: Broken
Doctor Justin Walker, a Steamy Gynecologist in his peak finds himself in an adventurous and risky affair with his best friend’s daughter. What starts as a forbidden and secret relationship becomes something else. There are feelings (of course, with a sweet girl like Kinsley and a protective alpha such as Justin)… However, Kinsley finds Justin in an inconvenient situation and runs away… Dear miscommunication 😱…
📚Seven years after the incident, Kinsley comes back to Seattle to work at her mother’s joint practice with Justin, she feels confident as Justin has been living in London for 7 years, yet, when he hears Kinsley is back in Seattle he decides to also come back… FOR REVENGE! Justin is relentless in his revenge, he’s mean and he doesn’t care about Kins… there are parts I wanted to just slap him 🤣😂🤣…
🌟I really enjoyed Justin and Kinsley’s story, it has two timelines, the first being when they meet and start their hot, forbidden affair and the second one being the present or when they both come back to Seattle. This steamy, revenge book ends with a cliffhanger and Part Two: Crossroads will be out in March 25th.
💜Thank you to the author Lauren Ashley and her team for providing this ARC.
📚Everything I Am Part One - Broken: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Doctor Justin Walker, a Steamy Gynecologist in his peak finds himself in an adventurous and risky affair with his best friend’s daughter. What starts as a forbidden and secret relationship becomes something else. There are feelings (of course, with a sweet girl like Kinsley and a protective alpha such as Justin)… However, Kinsley finds Justin in an inconvenient situation and runs away… Dear miscommunication 😱…
📚Seven years after the incident, Kinsley comes back to Seattle to work at her mother’s joint practice with Justin, she feels confident as Justin has been living in London for 7 years, yet, when he hears Kinsley is back in Seattle he decides to also come back… FOR REVENGE! Justin is relentless in his revenge, he’s mean and he doesn’t care about Kins… there are parts I wanted to just slap him 🤣😂🤣…
🌟I really enjoyed Justin and Kinsley’s story, it has two timelines, the first being when they meet and start their hot, forbidden affair and the second one being the present or when they both come back to Seattle. This steamy, revenge book ends with a cliffhanger and Part Two: Crossroads will be out in March 25th.
💜Thank you to the author Lauren Ashley and her team for providing this ARC.
📚Everything I Am Part One - Broken: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
January 8, 2023
I am not usually one for an age gap romance, but if it features Dr. Justin Walker um yeah I’m all in. 🥵 So let’s talk about it!
**May contain spoilers**
This book starts out with 18 year old Kinsley who is hot and heavy with her mom’s best friend, Dr. Justin Walker. Justin is 18 years older than Kins and is a prestigious gyno and surgeon. Justin and Kinsleys forbidden relationship grows into something so much more. That is until Justin screws it all up and looses Kinsley forever.. Or at least for the next 7 years until they are forced into the same work space.
Okay so this book was HOT. And also pulled on my heart strings. 🥲 I am usually not one for this big of an age gap, but Lauren wrote this SO well and half the time I was forgetting there was even an age gap at all! I could feel Kinsley’s heart break during this book and it made me so damn sad. I wasn’t expecting to cry today. Especially with the ending. This book does feature a pregnancy loss so it hurt my momma heart so much. 💔 This does leave off on a cliff hanger which makes me so frustrated because I HAVE to know what happens!! Can’t wait for the next book to come out. 🥰
Plot: 4⭐️
Spice: 3🌶️
Overall: 4⭐️
**May contain spoilers**
This book starts out with 18 year old Kinsley who is hot and heavy with her mom’s best friend, Dr. Justin Walker. Justin is 18 years older than Kins and is a prestigious gyno and surgeon. Justin and Kinsleys forbidden relationship grows into something so much more. That is until Justin screws it all up and looses Kinsley forever.. Or at least for the next 7 years until they are forced into the same work space.
Okay so this book was HOT. And also pulled on my heart strings. 🥲 I am usually not one for this big of an age gap, but Lauren wrote this SO well and half the time I was forgetting there was even an age gap at all! I could feel Kinsley’s heart break during this book and it made me so damn sad. I wasn’t expecting to cry today. Especially with the ending. This book does feature a pregnancy loss so it hurt my momma heart so much. 💔 This does leave off on a cliff hanger which makes me so frustrated because I HAVE to know what happens!! Can’t wait for the next book to come out. 🥰
Plot: 4⭐️
Spice: 3🌶️
Overall: 4⭐️
February 8, 2023
Thanks to the Hype Girls PA Services for the free book for an honest review.
I honestly almost didn’t finish this book. I was ready to quit by chapter 3. I’d also like to state that I love smut. Check my read books it’s mostly smut. That being said, I skipped over most of the sex scenes. 1) they came off like they were written like a virgin dreaming about what sex would be like. 2) they were just cringey. All the “babys” and the dirty talk just wasn’t it. I usually like age gaps but this one was just full of red flags and felt more like grooming. He took her home one night when she was drunk supposedly never really being around her before and ended up sleeping with her? Seriously? “Oh look my best friends drunk 18yo daughter, I think I’ll screw her.” No it’d be more believable if the mom started bring him around once she turned 18 and then they started to develop feelings and HE TRIED TO FIGHT IT! But no he comes off as a man who likes little girls. His only redeeming factor is he is still in love with her now that she’s an adult. I honestly don’t know if I’ll read book two. For no other reason than I want to see her moms reaction when she finds out.
I honestly almost didn’t finish this book. I was ready to quit by chapter 3. I’d also like to state that I love smut. Check my read books it’s mostly smut. That being said, I skipped over most of the sex scenes. 1) they came off like they were written like a virgin dreaming about what sex would be like. 2) they were just cringey. All the “babys” and the dirty talk just wasn’t it. I usually like age gaps but this one was just full of red flags and felt more like grooming. He took her home one night when she was drunk supposedly never really being around her before and ended up sleeping with her? Seriously? “Oh look my best friends drunk 18yo daughter, I think I’ll screw her.” No it’d be more believable if the mom started bring him around once she turned 18 and then they started to develop feelings and HE TRIED TO FIGHT IT! But no he comes off as a man who likes little girls. His only redeeming factor is he is still in love with her now that she’s an adult. I honestly don’t know if I’ll read book two. For no other reason than I want to see her moms reaction when she finds out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2022
✍️Kinsley had a secret and sinful relationship with her mom's best friend Dr Justin Walker who was 17 years her senior when she was 18 years old. She didn't mean to fall in love with him. When she found him cheating on her she fled. Now seven years later she's back and working as a Sexologist in the same clinic as her mom and Justin. How will Kinsley keep the past a secret from her mother.
Without any exaggeration this book was STEAMY from the word go! I RELISHED it. I was riveted from start to finish and finished it all in one sitting.
The writing was very well written and I enjoyed the past and present narration as told by Kinsley and Justin. Not only did the story portray sensuality but it was also filled with romance and drama that made it a perfect fit for the storyline. The characters were cleverly developed with resilient and dynamic traits in their personalities.
There was a plethora of flustering and racy moments that had me cringing in a good way. I loved the way the end finished as it's kept me in suspense now for part two.
Highly recommend!
Without any exaggeration this book was STEAMY from the word go! I RELISHED it. I was riveted from start to finish and finished it all in one sitting.
The writing was very well written and I enjoyed the past and present narration as told by Kinsley and Justin. Not only did the story portray sensuality but it was also filled with romance and drama that made it a perfect fit for the storyline. The characters were cleverly developed with resilient and dynamic traits in their personalities.
There was a plethora of flustering and racy moments that had me cringing in a good way. I loved the way the end finished as it's kept me in suspense now for part two.
Highly recommend!
March 19, 2023
ARC Review
I was not ready, and I don’t think I would have ever been ready for this book. I had no idea what I was getting myself into after reading the prologue. The only thing I didn’t expect was for this book to break me. I am usually not a second chance romance reader, but my god- this book was written perfectly. The ending made my heart wrench.
Kinsley- I felt for her in this book. She was broken and trying to build herself back up and start new. She was so strong in this book. I love her confidence and attitude. She also made me think to change my career path lol.
Justin- at the beginning I didn’t like him, but omg did that change. He was so sweet and utterly heart broken. I loved his acceptance of the situation and his want to work for forgiveness. He made me love him near the end.
I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would actually. I am really looking forward to the next which is being released on March 25th. If you love a second chance romance definitely read this book.
I was not ready, and I don’t think I would have ever been ready for this book. I had no idea what I was getting myself into after reading the prologue. The only thing I didn’t expect was for this book to break me. I am usually not a second chance romance reader, but my god- this book was written perfectly. The ending made my heart wrench.
Kinsley- I felt for her in this book. She was broken and trying to build herself back up and start new. She was so strong in this book. I love her confidence and attitude. She also made me think to change my career path lol.
Justin- at the beginning I didn’t like him, but omg did that change. He was so sweet and utterly heart broken. I loved his acceptance of the situation and his want to work for forgiveness. He made me love him near the end.
I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would actually. I am really looking forward to the next which is being released on March 25th. If you love a second chance romance definitely read this book.
November 10, 2022
Lauren Ashley's debut novel rivals some of the best-selling authors in the romance genre, from Christina Lauren, Sarah Cate, TL Swan, Sloane Howell, and Alex Wolfe. Everything I Am has angst, heartbreak, heartache, steam that fog up every window in your house, a plot so thick with drama, not even the biggest knife could cut through it, and it has loveable characters that are deeply flawed which makes them feel so real. The story is so different to what I've read. At times I squealed through some of the scenes and the fact that the relationship between K&J is sooooo forbidden. There are so many romance novels out there today but only some are worth the read. Lauren's was very much well worth the read. Her writing is excellent and captivated me from the beginning. Well done Ms Ashley, I am a fan and forever a faithful follower if you continue to deliver spellbinding books like this. Bring on Part TWO
February 27, 2023
Kinsley and Justin's relationship broke apart in the worst of ways in the midst of massive misunderstandings. Fast forward 7 years and they meet again.
Their past and present meld so well as their story unfolds. Justin and Kinsley are so complex, both as individuals and as a couple. Admirably in the gap, she comes back stronger and is so amazing and her tenacity really makes this story what it is.
This is spicy to it's core and it works with the emotion that comes at every turn. The writer impeccable captures love, loss and relationships in such a humane way. Their friends and family compliment their dynamic perfectly and I love each character. My main frustration is Justin is so immature at times, and as the one who is 18 years older, I had to remind myself of that.
If you love a book that will take you on a wild, emotional ride, with steam, an age gap, and a forbidden Romance (and you read all of the content warnings) you may enjoy this book.
Their past and present meld so well as their story unfolds. Justin and Kinsley are so complex, both as individuals and as a couple. Admirably in the gap, she comes back stronger and is so amazing and her tenacity really makes this story what it is.
This is spicy to it's core and it works with the emotion that comes at every turn. The writer impeccable captures love, loss and relationships in such a humane way. Their friends and family compliment their dynamic perfectly and I love each character. My main frustration is Justin is so immature at times, and as the one who is 18 years older, I had to remind myself of that.
If you love a book that will take you on a wild, emotional ride, with steam, an age gap, and a forbidden Romance (and you read all of the content warnings) you may enjoy this book.
November 7, 2022
This is the first book I’ve read by Lauren Ashley and I’m upset I couldn’t read her stuff sooner. Why, oh why did she wait so long to publish? Her writing is fantastic. She flicks between past and present and the different MFC AND MMC POV (and just secretly I love when she writes from the MMC). Long story short, Kinsley and Justin embark on an illicit affair, it’s illicit because he’s her mum’s best friend and like 20 years older than her. She finds him in a compromising position. She runs away. While she’s away something devastating happens to her. She comes back after seven years to work at her Mum’s clinic, the same one her ex aka Dr Justin Walker works at, and boom all hell breaks loose. Kinsley as a teenager is so vastly different to how she is as an adult, it was really nice to have that juxtaposition. I am hanging for the second book, can it be 2023 already!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2023
Omg that ending! 😱. I’m screaming at the moment. What a cliff hanger 🙈🙈
This is an absolute beautiful story! With 18 years between Kinsley and Justin, and him being her mothers best friend, this is a forbidden romance from the start but it becomes SO much more.
I loved this from the beginning! Besides the being slapped in the face with some amazing filth by page 5 ( I knew from this moment I was going to love this book) 🥵😍🥰 you get a multiple POV from Kinsley and Justin, from both the past and present. It has a great story line, it’s well written and Lauren makes you feel everything as you are reading it. I felt like my heart was being broken at times and other times I was so excited and had butterflies 😂. Which to me, is always a bonus. * chefs kiss *
Thank you to for this book and I can’t wait for the second. I’ll be patiently waiting 🥰😘
This is an absolute beautiful story! With 18 years between Kinsley and Justin, and him being her mothers best friend, this is a forbidden romance from the start but it becomes SO much more.
I loved this from the beginning! Besides the being slapped in the face with some amazing filth by page 5 ( I knew from this moment I was going to love this book) 🥵😍🥰 you get a multiple POV from Kinsley and Justin, from both the past and present. It has a great story line, it’s well written and Lauren makes you feel everything as you are reading it. I felt like my heart was being broken at times and other times I was so excited and had butterflies 😂. Which to me, is always a bonus. * chefs kiss *
Thank you to for this book and I can’t wait for the second. I’ll be patiently waiting 🥰😘
February 6, 2023
I want to start by saying - Thank you Ashley, I now want to be a sexologist!! 😂
Age doesn't matter when love is a factor.
Justin and Kinsley, though there's 18 years between them, are each others true love.
But in the process of trying to make sure that Kinsley's mom doesn't find out about how her best friend and her daughter are in a relationship, Justin does something that ruins everything they had built together.
This is a spicy, beautiful story of moving forward after life gets ripped out from under you. When working with your ex, and one true love is your new norm. And trying to find out if your life is worth it without him and if maybe his secrets can be forgiven, and the past can stay in the past.
I loved this book! It was such a real, heartfelt and very spicy. It kept me hooked and I couldn't put it down!!
Age doesn't matter when love is a factor.
Justin and Kinsley, though there's 18 years between them, are each others true love.
But in the process of trying to make sure that Kinsley's mom doesn't find out about how her best friend and her daughter are in a relationship, Justin does something that ruins everything they had built together.
This is a spicy, beautiful story of moving forward after life gets ripped out from under you. When working with your ex, and one true love is your new norm. And trying to find out if your life is worth it without him and if maybe his secrets can be forgiven, and the past can stay in the past.
I loved this book! It was such a real, heartfelt and very spicy. It kept me hooked and I couldn't put it down!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews