All We Were (Ex-Factor Duet Book 1)

All We Were by Elisabeth Grace & Michelle Lynn is the first book in their brand new Ex-Factor Duet. An emotional twisted up read about two best friends who came from nothing and nightmares only to make it Hollywood. He's an actor, she's a model. In a perfect world they could have everything - but that's the crux of a good story isn't it - you CAN'T have everything. James has worked hard and done whatever it takes to get where he is. Along the way, Lilah has struggled. With drugs, with alcohol, with her feelings in general. She is on a downward spiral and he may not be able to stop it this time. This book is a roller coaster filled with damaged characters and flawed people all trying to do what's right, sometimes failing sometimes succeeding. Grab the tissues and strap in and prepare for a wicked cliffhanger. Book two, All We Are releases April 25, 2019.

It felt a little bit flat for me in the first half of the book.It picked up a bit in the second half. This book has a lot going for it. It has the past and present of the main characters. It had steam, drama, sex, drugs, alcohol, abuse. It is a cliffhanger, just when you need a HEA, it stops and no good ending this book. If you like that, then of course read it for yourself! #24 Boohoatders Challenge - Two female authors or more

I have read several books by Michelle Lynn but I can say, this is the first time I didn't enjoy the book. The main heroine has no redeeming qualities. She's just a junkie who blames her past for all of the bad decisions she makes as a adult. And the hero of the story is every bit as much of an addict for destructive behavior within this relationship. This is basically a story of an co dependent couple who are still living in the past. Will not be continuing with the series.

I have read and loved Michelle Lynn's books. But this is my first read by Elisabeth Grace. And they nailed this book together...….. This book was a RAW gritty angsty emotional read. And will leave you emotionally drained at the very end. You will get to know the charters. You will love and hate the characters. And then you will be left screaming at Lynn and Grace for leaving you having the way that they did. But thankfully we didn't have to wait long. All We Are has been released and I can't wait to see how it all ends.

This was a tough book to read. Don't get me wrong! The writing is terrific. The characters are flawed. And so much pain. They've been there for each other for ever! And the betrayals that take place in this book. Wow. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book after that cliff hanger!

This is the angst I like. My only problem was Jimmy at the end. I still can't wait to read the next one.

Heartbreaking, Passionate, Addictive & It Blew My Mind.

Spoilers - skim The story is depressing and the h is beyond redemption. It’s a soap opera on steroids. And it’s a cliffhanger to boot. Not for me.

A good story about believable and likeable characters. I have enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more.

Started out way to slow and boring. I couldn't get but halfway through. It was the same thing over and over again. Lilah is an addiction and an addict. So both are addicts just to different things.

All We Were by Elisabeth Grace & Michelle Lynn is the first book in their brand new Ex-Factor Duet. An emotional twisted up read about two best friends who came from nothing and nightmares only to make it Hollywood. He's an actor, she's a model. In a perfect world they could have everything - but that's the crux of a good story isn't it - you CAN'T have everything. James has worked hard and done whatever it takes to get where he is. Along the way, Lilah has struggled. With drugs, with alcohol, with her feelings in general. She is on a downward spiral and he may not be able to stop it this time. This book is a roller coaster filled with damaged characters and flawed people all trying to do what's right, sometimes failing sometimes succeeding. Grab the tissues and strap in and prepare for a wicked cliffhanger. Book two, All We Are releases April 25, 2019.

It felt a little bit flat for me in the first half of the book.It picked up a bit in the second half. This book has a lot going for it. It has the past and present of the main characters. It had steam, drama, sex, drugs, alcohol, abuse. It is a cliffhanger, just when you need a HEA, it stops and no good ending this book. If you like that, then of course read it for yourself! #24 Boohoatders Challenge - Two female authors or more

I have read several books by Michelle Lynn but I can say, this is the first time I didn't enjoy the book. The main heroine has no redeeming qualities. She's just a junkie who blames her past for all of the bad decisions she makes as a adult. And the hero of the story is every bit as much of an addict for destructive behavior within this relationship. This is basically a story of an co dependent couple who are still living in the past. Will not be continuing with the series.

I have read and loved Michelle Lynn's books. But this is my first read by Elisabeth Grace. And they nailed this book together...….. This book was a RAW gritty angsty emotional read. And will leave you emotionally drained at the very end. You will get to know the charters. You will love and hate the characters. And then you will be left screaming at Lynn and Grace for leaving you having the way that they did. But thankfully we didn't have to wait long. All We Are has been released and I can't wait to see how it all ends.

This was a tough book to read. Don't get me wrong! The writing is terrific. The characters are flawed. And so much pain. They've been there for each other for ever! And the betrayals that take place in this book. Wow. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book after that cliff hanger!

This is the angst I like. My only problem was Jimmy at the end. I still can't wait to read the next one.

Heartbreaking, Passionate, Addictive & It Blew My Mind.

Spoilers - skim The story is depressing and the h is beyond redemption. It’s a soap opera on steroids. And it’s a cliffhanger to boot. Not for me.

A good story about believable and likeable characters. I have enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more.

Started out way to slow and boring. I couldn't get but halfway through. It was the same thing over and over again. Lilah is an addiction and an addict. So both are addicts just to different things.

Holy mother of an ending!! I need book two right now..... All We Were by Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn is about an imperfect world filled with damaged people. It shows how hard Life can be and how it can effect us differently. It's about the past dictating the future... Hollywood's on again off again, not so it couple, Jimmy Crawford & Lilah Robbie were far from perfect. They were real, raw and complicated. Their love story was NOT a fairytale.... Far from it!Sometimes love can not conquer all. Their issues upon issues made this book a page turner. An angst lovers dream.... At every turn I waited for disaster! Two people who grew up together, dirt poor with abusive fathers. All they had was each other and dreams of making it big.... They did what the needed to do to make it to Hollywood. Both turned out to be survivors. Except one was able to leave the past in the past and triumph, while the other struggled and faltered. I had such a love/hate relationship with Lilah as well as Jimmy. There were times, I wanted to shake them! Jimmy was too good, while Lilah was too self destructive. Their tremulous relationship frustrated me. I found Lilah undeserving of Jimmy's unwavering love. As their story started to unfold and more of their past came to light, my opinion began to change drastically. I saw just how damaged and broken Lilah was... and why. I began to feel their exceptional bond and love. I went from being annoyed to totally empathetic. By the end of the book, I was rooting for them, my heart ALL IN and in shambles.

Though I have previously read Elisabeth Grace before, I have never read anything by this writing duo and let them tell you, I have been missing out. All We Were by Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn blew me away. It was emotional, full of angst, and completely captivating. Lilah and Jimmy were a train wreck and I could not stop reading. Jimmy and Lilah have been there for each other for as long as either of them can remember. They both had heartbreaking childhoods and have helped each other through it. As soon as they were able, they left, wanting to start a new life in Hollywood. But in the end, could the baggage they carry truly allow them to start over? Jimmy seemed to find a way to move forward and find success. Lilah on the other hand, seems to struggle more each day and finds herself spiraling out of control. As Jimmy soars, Lilah drowns. Jimmy wants to be there for her, but in the end, she could be his ruin. Even so, his feelings for her run deep. Could he ever truly walk away? Yet all Lilah seems to do is make one bad choice after another. Can Jimmy save her before it’s too late or will he walk away? All We Were by Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn was emotional and heartbreaking. I loved Jimmy, his strength and determination were admirable. Lilah was not always very likeable, but as the story moves forward, we learn so much about her and the choices she makes. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book and see where it all leads! Read and reviewed for Reviews From The Heart. Happy reading!

OMG!!!! I can see this as a Lifetime movie. I have been waiting forever for another Michelle Lynn book. Her and Elisabeth Grace write together under a pen name but haven’t gotten a chance to check them out. After reading this I can kick myself for not reading them. Jimmy didn’t have an easy childhood. His father was abusive and his mom left the first chance she got and never looked back. The best thing in his life is his best friend Lilah. He wanted a better life for them both. First chance he got they packed up and drove to Hollywood. Jimmy swore they’d have a better life. Jimmy has made a name in Hollywood. He’s getting ready to start filming his next movie. This movie is promising to be a blockbuster hit and make him a household name. There’s only one problem and that’s Lilah. She’s a hot mess. His best friend, agent and everybody keeps telling him to finally cut the umbilical cord that connects them. But, Jimmy can’t do that. He’s not sure where he ends and she begins. He’ll continue cleaning up her messes no matter how bad they are. Jimmy just wishes their relationship will go from just benefits to forever. Lilah couldn’t wait to move away from the mountains. Unfortunately, the mountains never left her. Lilah has demons that it doesn’t matter how far away she moves they’ll always be right there. In order to cope with her past Lilah will take whatever she can get her hands on in order to numb the pain. Lilah knows who and what she is. No matter how many times Jimmy asks and begs her to be his she can’t say yes. She’ll never love anybody the way she loves him. No matter what she does he’s always there to help clean up her mess. No questions asked. Until he had enough and she was on her own. When she tried letting him go he was back to help her. Lilah finally realized there was more to life than partying, boozing and everything else. She wanted her modeling career and more importantly she wanted a life with Jimmy. Until their past comes knocking on their door. Lilah is asking herself a question. Does she think/save of only herself first and loose Jimmy for good or do the right thing and Jimmy loose everything. OMG I couldn’t put this down once I started it!!! I wanted to hug/smack/shake both Jimmy and Lilah throughout the whole book!!! These two were so close and cared so much about each other that they couldn’t survive without the other. Even if walking away might’ve been what was best for them. They couldn’t do it. For them the universe refused to align up perfect for them to have their own HEA. After the ending my fingers are crossed they get it. Bc, if anybody deserves it it’s Lilah and Jimmy. And, screw all the haters!!

This is a unique and page turning story that is full of angst. It kept me glued to my kindle and I forgot everything else I was supposed to do today...oops. Laundry and food shopping can wait until tomorrow, dinner will just be take out and there are still clean clothes in the house. Lilah and Jimmy, gah and ugh and I need the next book...and stat. They have been friends since they were children and always had each other. He tries to protect her from the world and then herself...until he couldn’t. One click or borrow this book through KU and enjoy the ride!

“His heartbeat is music. His smell is home. His warmth is safety.” Have a hankering for a TANTALIZINGLY toxic love story about two childhood sweethearts who reach for the stars only to have all their hopes and dreams come crashing down around them? Then ALL WE WERE (the Ex-Factor duet book 1) by Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn is guaranteed to ROCK YOUR WORLD! THE PREMISE: Childhood soulmates James Crawford and Lilah Robbie grew up together in a dirt-poor rural mountain town in VA under the iron hand of their cruel, abusive fathers. They were inseparable, always there for each other through thick and thin, dreaming of the day that they could leave everything behind in search of a better life. And that's just what they did when they escaped to the bright lights of Tinsel Town, both promising never to speak of the circumstances that led to their abrupt departure. Though their relationship was no fairytale, this on and off couple were on the cusp of making all their dreams come true. Jimmy found smashing success as an up and coming Hollywood heartthrob and Lilah forged a path as a model. But while Jimmy's career rose to meteoric heights, Lilah’s struggled mightily, eventually succumbing to some terrible vices that shook their once rock-solid foundation of lifelong friendship to the core. And as these tempestuous lovers find themselves careening wildly out of control, on a fiery path of self-destruction, will they wind up incinerating each other in the end? MY MUSINGS: ALL WE WERE slayed me in the best possible way! The gut-wrenching that Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn took us on gave me heart palpitations, made my pulse race, brought a huge lump to my throat and ultimately left me SPEECHESS! I love me a brutally beautiful, gloriously chaotic love story with ALL THE FEELS….and this novel is HIGH OCTANE from start to finish! It’s so gritty and raw, devastatingly heartbreaking, rapturously sexy, and oh so electrifying. The authors duo did a bang-up job of depicting the darker side of fame and fortune in this book, and for this gorgeous young couple, the price is incredibly high. It was a refreshing twist to have the heroine be the one who finds herself swept up the hypnotic allure of the Hollywood party scene, which taps into some wicked cravings inside of her that eventually escalate terribly out of control. But Lilah’s not the only one with a vice. James might not have a substance abuse problem, but the heroine is his affliction of choice. And as he tries valiantly to pull his beautiful broken girl back from the brink, it just might not be enough to salvage the future they’d both toiled so hard for. I absolutely RELISHED the soul connection between Jimmy and Lilah...and their chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS! It’s fiery and passionate, achingly tender, wildly volatile, scorching hot and explosively emotional. They have both had a very difficult life and the pain of their shared pasts tethers them together in powerful and profound ways. Their two hearts have always beat as one and they have always been each other’s safe harbor, but yikes that doesn’t mean that their love will conquer all. In fact, they are the poster kids for how co-dependency can derail a relationship. But even in the worst of times they refuse to quit each other. Even when perhaps they should. As far as deliciously dreamy book boyfriends go, omg did Jimmy make me swoon like a googly-eyed groupie! “Hollywood’s Golden Boy” is just the TOTAL PACKAGE-- magnetically handsome, chivalrous to the core, radiating charm and charisma and smoldering sex appeal! Sighh…and his most attractive quality? How sweet and devoted, ferociously protective and fiercely loyal he is to his girl. Is he far too gullible for his own good? HECK YEAH! But his love for Lilah is unwavering and there is absolutely nothing he wouldn’t sacrifice for her. However, every relationship has its breaking point and he just might have reached his when lie after lie begins to erode the unbreakable bond he and Lilah once shared. Holy moly! My feelings for Lilah were as complicated as the girl herself. I loved her and pitied her sometimes in the same breath. This stunningly beautiful model had a grandiose future ahead of her, but she is haunted by her messed up childhood and will do ANYTHING to numb the pain. And as she finds herself teetering precariously on the edge, with nary a lifeline in sight despite Jimmy’s desperate, one-man crusade to save her, my frustration with her continued to fester. You know how you can want to hug someone and have the urge to shake them at the same time? Well, that’s kind of what I felt throughout the course of the story for this woefully damaged girl who was plagued with so much guilt and self-hatred and was dragging her one true love down into the bottomless black hole with her. But alas sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to appreciate what’s truly important. But will she and her beloved Jimmy survive the catastrophic fallout? My lips are sealed on that front, but it goes without saying that this book really puts us through the emotional wringer, with euphoric highs and soul crushing lows, finally culminating in a scream-worthy cliffy that’s guaranteed to DRIVE YOU BONKERS! BOTTOM LINE: ALL WE WERE is an emotionally riveting page turner that stole my breath, stomped on my heart and had me binge reading late into the night! Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn are a match made in romance writing heaven and I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us in ALL WE ARE!

When Jimmy Crawford and Lilah Robbie were young, all they had were each other…all they had was the pain and the heartache of their respective circumstances…all they had were their dreams of making it big and never looking back at the darkened shadows that consumed their lives growing up. They made promises to each other and to themselves, and as soon as I started delving into the pages of All Were Were, it was obvious that as much as they wanted to be each other’s strength…to stand by one another no matter what, it wasn’t as simple as they thought it would be and the inconsistent contact, care, and comfort took their toil on both of them, proving that their volatile on/off relationship may be more than they can handle, even if they thought they’d be together forever. What most intrigues about Jimmy and Lilah is what they became because of and despite of their upbringing and their circumstances. It’s easy to say that people are the products of their environment, but I don’t buy into this idea completely because two people who experience the exact same abuse…the exact same scars have a choice as to what path to take, and while that decision can be manipulated based the toxic nature of things, it doesn’t mean that have to fall into the same kind of destructive and manipulative behaviors that surrounded them as kids. The way Michelle Lynn and Elisabeth Grace craft Jimmy and Lilah’s story, moving between the past and the present as well as slowly uncovering the reasons behind Lilah’s self-destructive behavior and Jimmy’s ‘good guy’ demeanor make readers’ emotional connection to them a maelstrom of feelings. My emotions felt all over the place as I was reading, not only because their story is angsty as all heck but also because my opinion of the hero and heroine continually fluctuated, making me, at times, sympathetic and emphatic, and at others times, frustrated and angry. But that’s what makes a story a good read, isn’t it? The fact that readers feel a bevy of emotions as they witness the characters’ ups and downs as well as their highs and lows, and let me tell you the damage Jimmy and Lilah did to themselves and each other, Lilah more than Jimmy, is enough to make any sane reader question how these two always keep coming back to one another when they seem a toxic mess of self-sabotage and enabling. I cannot wait to see where Lynn and Grace take Jimmy and Lilah in book two; I hope these two can find their way back to each other for all the right reasons and not just because they have a history together, but for any of that to happen, I feel like Lilah needs to help herself and realize exactly who she’s become before there’s any hope that they can become all that they are meant to be. 4 Poison Apples

Annoying, because I want to know more about this couple and good right from the start. It didn’t have to grow on me like my last few reads. Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn did a great job with these characters, drawing you right in. "Lilah is the perfect mix of innocence and debauchery. Her entire being is a juxtaposition in and of itself." And he loves her. Has since he was fourteen years old. Will do anything to protect his girl. If only she felt the same way. I wasn't a fan of Lilah and her "woe is me" attitude at first. I didn't like the way she treated Jimmy but started getting into her head more as the book went on. "I'm broken. And if we're together, really together...I'll break you too." That is what I'm talking about folks. She reels him in and then throws him back, “poor me, you really don’t want me.” It's sad and admirable all at the same time. I admire how strong his love is for her and sad that she can't reciprocate it after all this time together. "Sometimes I think I hate you as much as I love you." I wanted him to walk away. Leave her alone. She doesn't deserve him. And to ramp up the angst in the story, there is someone that does deserve him. However, he's been blinded for so long, he doesn't see her. I wanted to smack everybody around by this point. "Will she ever understand and accept the depth of my feelings for her?" The million-dollar question. A question that doesn’t get answered by the end of the book. Irritating. All We Were is well written and a nice set up for the second book. So nice, I am dying to see how it is all going to play out. Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.

All We Were is a twisty, emotional angst filled journey of unknown proportions. I say that because just when I felt I had a handle on where we were heading, something new would come up and send me in another direction, curious to know more, trying to understand and figure out what was coming next. I'm not going to go into specifics - because this is spoiler free, so what I will say is that our two main characters, James (Jimmy) and Lilah have been through a lot together and have been each others other half in one way or another for just about forever. As our story starts out, they are struggling with each other, wanting to understand the other in some ways, while also knowing that they aren't in the same places in their life, but there's still an undeniable bond. These two share quite the history, but they made it out together, and while James seems to be coping well and making a good life for himself, a great career that is only expanding as a movie star and is in a fairly steady place. Lilah, not so much, she's still fighting her demons in more ways than one, she's not in a good place overall. There's a certain degree of toxicity between these two, but there's also quite a bit of caring there too. All We Were hits out at a different level, because it's real and raw and at times pisses you off but then you can't turn away because you want to see what's next and if things can get better. Both of these characters will suck you in, leave you grappling for understanding and a need to see things improve all while hitting you deep in the feels. I'm in intense anticipation of book two because I need to know more, I need to be all up in my feels again and I need to complete this journey with Lilah and James.

5 Stars from Tiffany! Annoyingly Good. Annoying, because I want to know more about this couple and good right from the start. It didn’t have to grow on me like my last few reads. Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn did a great job with these characters, drawing you right in. "Lilah is the perfect mix of innocence and debauchery. Her entire being is a juxtaposition in and of itself." And he loves her. Has since he was fourteen years old. Will do anything to protect his girl. If only she felt the same way. I wasn't a fan of Lilah and her "woe is me" attitude at first. I didn't like the way she treated Jimmy but started getting into her head more as the book went on. "I'm broken. And if we're together, really together...I'll break you too." That is what I'm talking about folks. She reels him in and then throws him back, “poor me, you really don’t want me.” It's sad and admirable all at the same time. I admire how strong his love is for her and am sad that she can't reciprocate it after all this time together. "Sometimes I think I hate you as much as I love you." I wanted him to walk away. Leave her alone. She doesn't deserve him. And to ramp up the angst in the story, there is someone that does deserve him. However, he's been blinded for so long, he doesn't see her. I wanted to smack everybody around by this point. "Will she ever understand and accept the depth of my feelings for her?" The million-dollar question. A question that doesn’t get answered by the end of the book. Irritating. All We Were is well written and a nice set up for the second book. So nice, I am dying to see how it is all going to play out.

WTF did I just read is my first reaction I had after reading this story. Then my next reaction is this is one of those books you love to hate but like a train wreck you have to keep reading to see what is going to happen next and when you do your like HOLY EFF what the hell did I just read because man what a train wreck our main character is. I know this is a duet but man that cliff hanger has me thinking it is going to be more bullshiz from the main character. James is a big time movie star who has raised himself up from nothing to something and he is living the high life. He has it all and including a gorgeous model girlfriend who he has grown up with. James girlfriend has a problem and when I say a problem is it huge she is a drug addict and drunk. James is always there for her and helps her through it all. He does everything but put her where her arse needs to be which is in rehab. I mean she does some outrageous things and her behavior affects James but he doesn't let it show. She has sex with other men for drugs and does some other disrespectful things for drugs and James just takes it all in. It has me thinking that James needs a back bone because if I were him I would have kicked her arse to the curb with her first stunt. I am looking forward to book two in this duet because I need to see what happens with James and Lilah. If Lilah does the same shiz and doesn't get her arse in gear I will be so pissed because James deserves better.

I have to say that this book has left me a little bit shell shocked. Completely engrossing, this is a beautiful, if heart-wrenching, story of childhood friends and lovers. The circumstances which led to their current situation is teased out throughout this volume; an integral strand to the story arc that plays out. It is, I think, impossible not to make a connection to these characters. Their feelings are so very raw and so alive on the pages that they are almost a tangible thing. And, despite the gritty nature of the tale, it is a wonderfully heartfelt read. The cover completely does justice to the restrained longing of this couple. That ending though. Sheesh. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

What a huge heartbreak! When I started this book, I thought Lilah was a druggie who used her wiles to manipulate James and was bringing him down. James is an up and coming Hollywood actor, on the way to become an A-lister. Lilah is a model, addicted to booze, pills and coke. Her method of survival is to hide from reality and use her body to have a good time and hide from her pain. As I read further into the book, compassion set in. I realized they were lifelong friends and they shared the worst kind of childhood, dirt poor and abusive. While James plans and tries to make their dreams come true, Lilah is spiraling down a black hole, full of self-hate and auto-destruction. She doesn’t have James’ drive and determination. James is hugely protective of Lilah, loves her with a fierce determination to make her whole, but as long as she despises herself, it’s a losing proposition . We read the story from both POV’s, mostly Lilah’s, and feel her pain and guilt over the damage she’s doing to James’ career and to herself. I saw her helplessness, the desire to do better but failing, watching the disappointment in James’ eyes each time she falls down the hole of drugs. This book is volcanic on feelings, with a tragic loop of love, hope and disillusionment. As I read the ups and downs of this couple, my heart was in my throat because I just knew tragedy awaited. The story ends in a cliffhanger and heartbreak, but their love is so huge that I have a lot of hope for them.

Incredible story, full of angst! I absolutely loved this book and now I'm in a book hangover... cant stop thinking about Lilah and Jimmy, because I am so consumed by their story! I hated Lilah. I truly did. Then sometime in the book, I started to love, appreciate and sheer for her. This is not usual for me, to dislike a character and love her in the end, but the authors did such a wonderful turnaround that you cant possibly not like Lilah after everything she went through. Jimmy is just wonderful! Like, I-want-that-man-to-be-my-man wonderful! Both with a hard past, they came from a little town to LA for a better future. Friends since very young, they know everything about one another, as well as a secret that will make or break them apart. This emotional heartbreaking story is a MUST read and I need book #2 like I need oxygen to breathe! *Read and reviewed for The Bookery Review*

This is so not what I was expecting when I decided to read this new book by the co-authors behind Piper Rayne. It’s soo different to what they write as that duo, it’s like chalk and cheese. Jimmy Crawford and Lilah Robbie were the off/on Hollywood couple who were as far from perfect as it was possible to get. These two have known each other since they were little kids and lived a he!!ish past. They escaped and made it to Hollywood and became stars. There world should have been filled with happiness but only one of them had managed to cast off the suffocating blanket of their tormented upbringing. Does love conquer all? So all the great love stories suggest but for Lilah and Jimmy it’d more of I love you/ I hate you kind of thing. But these are two damaged people trying to survive. Can they do it? More importantly, can the do it together or will the final nail be hammered into the coffin of their mostly destructive relationship. Only time will tell. Well, that and getting my hands of All We Are. Sooner rather than later. This could be described as a romance on the rails of a train wreck, or the biggest love story since... well Love Story, I guess. It will gut you as hard as that iconic story, leave your heart tattered and torn by the roadside, but in the end??? Well, that remains to be seen in part two of this duet.

4.5 glorious stars! What to say about this book...OMG I'm gutted. This emotional roller-coaster is completely captivating, soul wrenching, and written so beautifully. There's something so special about two people that are ingrained in each others' souls that no matter what, they can't let go. Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn (aka Piper Rayne) has a glorious writing style that captures every moment, either heartbreaking, romantic, or the happiest day of your life with a flawless energy. Each scene is packed with meaning to tell a bigger story. James and Lilah are stunning, imperfect characters. Intertwined together, they will forever be a part of their past, present, and future. For better or for worse, we experience both in this first part of the duet. Never have I rooted for a flawed character to overcome their demons like I did for Lilah...her love for James is spellbinding and crippling. He will forever be her crutch and her lifeline, her inner struggle drew me in from the first chapter. I couldn't wait to see what this book held for me. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this dynamic writing duo. I love their rom coms, but I'm not a huge ansgty reader. My mind was blown in the first 15%, I couldn't wait to DEVOUR the rest of the story. I'm amazed how much I loved this journey. I highly recommend James and Lilah's story!

4.5 Stars ~ Reviewed by Emma-Louise on behalf of KFF What did I just read? A romance or a train wreck, because this book could be described as both. It’s been quite some time since I read a book with two such highly relatable characters as Lilah and Jimmy. Friends since they were in diapers. Both raised by evil fathers. They were all each other had throughout their childhood. They did everything they could to make their dreams come true, eventually heading to Hollywood to pursue their respective careers. They both left their pasts behind, only one of them could never really leave it behind and carried it around like a weight on their shoulders. Considering what they had survived, I really can understand why they went down the rabbit hole the way they did. The darker side of Hollywood is showcased during this book; alcoholism, drug addiction and prostitution. Some people will do anything to get what they crave and I witnessed these very lengths. Wolves nipping at the heels of the innocent just trying to survive through the day in the City of Angels, there are no angels in this book though, only monsters and demons linger. Lilah and Jimmy are as perfect for each other as they are imperfect. She has relied on him to be her safe haven for many years that I always worried that she would cease to function if he were ever not to be in her life. As for Jimmy, he has sacrificed so very much for Lilah and their relationship. A relationship that is far past friendship but not nearly enough for him, even though he can’t walk away from Lilah. Walking away would be akin to tearing his heart out. He even says that he doesn’t know where he ends and she begins. ‘I sense the day coming, the day when I’ll have no choice but to dislodge the anchor or me and let him move on with his life. I owe him that much at least. But I can’t bear to think of how hollow my life will be without the one good thing I have left in it. One day I’ll find the nerve.’ They have enough fuel and a spark large enough to engulf the world and this is exactly what they do when the bottom of their world falls out and they spiral into a place neither can follow. These authors who may I add had an air of familiarity in their writing, turn out to have another pen name that I have read and adored. You ladies are super sneaky and I love you for it. This book is not like their other pen names books, and I can understand why they would change names because of this. And oh yeah, the ending was enough to make me scream. Nice work ladies, April 4th cannot come soon enough. Argh.

5 Stars All We Are by Elisabeth Grace and Michelle Lynn is the first book in the Ex-Factor Duet and omgggg it was so good! I was seriously glued to the story, unable to put it down. Jimmy and Lilah’s journey was super emotional and it was full of angst and heartache and so much love. This extremely talented writing duo tackled a subject with class and truth. The life of an addict was portrayed in such a real way and I couldn’t help but feel for both of the main characters. The highs and the lows were written in a way that you didn’t know if you wanted to cry or scream or both. Jimmy and Lilah have known each other forever. They are both trapped by their pasts with wanting so badly to have the future they dreamed of. But when addiction takes over one of their lives, that future is nowhere to be seen. I loved this story so damn much! Seriously every single thing was perfection-from the characters to the writing to the storyline. I cannot wait to see where it goes! Looking forward to reading the conclusion

This one took a while for me to fully appreciate. I won't lie, I was really close to putting it down. But it finally grabbed me, and then it was like look out! In the beginning I had a really hard time sympathizing with Lilah. To be completely honest she just kept making me madder and madder. She was so selfish, and she treated Jimmy like her doormat. I was heated! And I felt like Jimmy was the enabler for Lilah's life choices. But as I kept reading, and the more things progressed, my opinions were changed. I am so happy I stuck with it! I started really rooting for Jimmy and Lilah to get their much deserved happily ever after! These two deserved to have the fairytale. I was actually koolaid smiling, and then the last 5% of the book happened! Hello! That ending has me needing the next book now! I knew it was a duet going in, so I expected a cliff(much to the detriment of my blood pressure), but I didn't expect that! I'm on pins and needles now, waiting for book 2!

What?!?! No!! I need the second book like now!!! This book took all of my emotions, put them into a blender and then pulverized them. There was literally nothing in this whole book that didn’t have me anxiously waiting for the fallout. Both of these characters are broken in the most significant ways but somehow them being together is toxic yet healing. This new up and coming Hollywood couple has been on and off for years. They suffered together as children and have been raised to only count on each other. Neither have worked through the teams of their pasts but they are trying to move on. They face ups and downs the size of mountains but it seems to always work out, until one final straw breaks the bonds they have managed to hold onto. This story of Jimmy and Lilah will leave you raw and exposed, especially with the crazy cliffhanger at the end, but it is a definitely must read. I seriously can not wait for the next book!

really liked this book and I’m so glad Book two is coming soon! I can’t wait to get my hands on it. This story grabbed my attention right from the start. I’m an angst lover so this was right up my ally!! What really grabbed my attention is Jimmy and Lilah are best friends. Oh how I love me some best friends to lovers!! Add some angst in there and I’m All over it. Lilah and Jimmy have been friends since they were kids. They had a rough life and dreamed of getting away and creating a new life. Now they are all grown and did just that. Jimmy is a well known actor and Lilah is a model. It looks good to the outside world but Lilah is facing many temptations and is not over the past. She makes bad decisions because she don’t know how to let go of her bad childhood. Jimmy suffers watching Lilah be this way. I felt a deep connection between these two and I could feel their pain. I’m ready to see what is in store for Jimmy and Lilah in All we Are.

Why…. why…. Why?!?! Why did I do this to myself?! I know better. I really really do. I know myself better than this. I mean if there is anything I have learned about myself - since I started reviewing books over 6 years ago - it’s this: I CAN NOT HANDLE CLIFF HANGERS WHEN THE NEXT BOOK IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE TO ME! Therefore, if you are like myself and can not handle being left on the edge of your seat as you will not be able to know what happens immediately - you need to wait for the conclusion of this duet, All We Are to be released at the end of April before diving in my friend. Because that is exactly what happens at the end of All We Were. You are left on the edge of your m*ther f***ing seat. That being said. I know All We Are will be completely worth the wait because I was totally blown away reading All We Were. As someone who has had family members suffer from alcoholism and drug addiction I thought this story started out beautifully. And because this story is a duel point-of-view, I was (admittedly) a little worried that some of the dynamics from addition might not get portrayed as well. But I truly thought that both sides (being the one suffering from addiction and being the loved one of the person suffering from addiction) were both very true to form and realistically told. Lilah (our heroine) and Jimmy (our hero) grew up together, both enduring very traumatic childhoods, and then later moved out to Hollywood to make names for themselves while trying to bury their demons from the past. Only Lilah buries her past and problems with drugs and alcohol. The story starts up where Lilah is in depths of her addiction and we go on the journey of Jimmy continually trying to save her from herself. And as I said - this story really portrayed addiction and the way it can affect not only the person in addiction but those who love them absolutely brilliantly!! Hands down a top pick for 2019 already!

I’ve read these two authors separately and really enjoyed their books, so I figured this one was a no-brainer since they co-wrote it. It was definitely not what I was expecting. It’s quite awesome when a book surprises you and this one did. I have to admit I had a hard time getting through parts of this book, yes it’s got some disturbing content, but that wasn’t the reason. I just absolutely hated the heroine. I couldn’t connect with her, she was selfish and manipulative. Frankly, she just wasn’t good enough for Jimmy. As I read on, I began to understand her motives, but I still didn’t like her. By the end of the book, she had won me over and had my sympathy. Let me warn you, this ones a pretty big cliffy. Yikes! I’m so ready for book two. Bring it, ladies.

Lilah and Jimmy were so toxic that at times I wanted them together and other times I wanted them far away from each other. But when you read about their upbringing and how Jimmy has always been there for Lilah and the things that happened to her then you’ll understand why Jimmy is her savior. But at times Lilah comes across as selfish and Jimmy as an idiot for not cutting ties but they understand each other. That’s the way they love each other. They both have left behind the small town life for Hollywood but it seems like Lilah can’t get her act together and Jimmy just can’t stop saving her. But then Lilah does a 360 and becomes likable. I’m happy mostly for Jimmy with the new and improved Lilah. Things were going great until their past seems to be interfering with their present and future and my heart breaks for Lilah. Jimmy overreacts but that was expected based on everything he’s gone thru with her in the past. But the ending is just wow and I Hope Lilah hasn’t stoop low again and that this time she’ll be able to get back to being the person Jimmy deserves.

I don't think angst is even the right words for the relationship between Jimmy and Lilah. That being said, I couldn't stop reading, I needed to know what happened to these characters. The past that they share is the glue that holds them together through all of their ups and downs. The book portrays very well the struggles that Hollywood's actors and models come across. Will their glue be strong enough to hold them together. Lilah is struggling with her place in this life they have made for themselves. Will she be able to pull herself together? Or will she risk loosing the only person who has been her safety and feeling of home. That ending... my jaw is still hanging open. I know this is a duet and there has to be a lead into the next book.... but I never. I need the next book now.

Jimmy and Lilah..where to start.....ok, let's see, they've known each since they've been kids and Jimmy has ALWAYS been there for Lilah. Helping her, getting her out of trouble, loving her since way back when. He thought there was nothing that could break them, it turned out that he was wrong. Lilah, oh Lilah how I called you some VERY bad names in my head. Plus you were so selfish, ugh...SO selfish and I just wanted to throat punch you. (Yes that's a pretty violent reaction but hey, you were making me pretty blood thirsty in parts. lol) The ending of this book...ugh.....really?....I need the second book now!!!! I can't put what I want because hello that would be such a spoiler and don't even get me started on people putting spoilers in a review. lol

Wow this book as blown me away, the authors haven’t pulled any punches. The story is about Jimmy a rising Film star and Lilah a model with a drug and alcohol addiction and how it affects their lives. When you have a loved one as an addict, it not just the addict that’s effected. This is a no holes bared book as we follow their lives and love. Is Love always enough? This is a dual point of view, so we follow both sides and helps to feel invested in the characters. The is read into night book as I couldn’t put it down. This is a duet so we finish on a cliffhanger