• Everything You Ever Wanted

  • A Memoir
  • By: Jillian Lauren
  • Narrated by: Jillian Lauren
  • Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (69 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Everything You Ever Wanted  By  cover art

Everything You Ever Wanted

By: Jillian Lauren
Narrated by: Jillian Lauren
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.61

Buy for $14.61

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In her younger years, Jillian Lauren was a college dropout, a drug addict, and an international concubine in the Prince of Brunei's harem, an experience she immortalized in her best-selling memoir, Some Girls. In her 30s, Jillian's most radical act is learning the steadying power of love when she and her rock star husband adopt an Ethiopian child with special needs. After Jillian loses a close friend to drugs, she herself is saved by her fierce, bold love for her son as she fights to make him - and herself - feel safe and at home in the world.

Exploring complex ideas of identity and reinvention, Everything You Ever Wanted is a must-listen for everyone, especially every mother, who has ever hoped for a second act in life.

©2015 Jillian Lauren (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Lauren's writing is brave and honest, and she calls out hypocrisy wherever she sees it and shines a light on the challenges faced during the adoption process." ( Kirkus)

More from the same

What listeners say about Everything You Ever Wanted

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    55
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    48
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I was humbled by reading this book.

What did you like best about this story?

I was not expecting to be so educated and humbled by reading this book, but that is exactly what I was. I admire this woman and her story. Her courage and persistence. When they say never judge a book by its cover, never judge a child by their behavior, there is ALWAYS so much more to their story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome author

I've read all her books so far and love listening to her voice it is very soothing. She is an amazing writer

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Authentic

I set out to find a book on adoption that was authentic. I listened to sample after sample of audible books and this one stopped me short because the voice was so authentic. Hate her or love her, roll your eyes, tear up. Whatever your feelings you will have them for this book because Jillian is incredibly authentic. Excellent.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great for adoptive families

As an adoptive mama it’s so great to find a book that makes you feel you’re not alone. Raw & honest. Also great application for others struggling with adoption trauma.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant.

This is the best book I've read (heard) all year. Jillian, adopted herself, tells her family's story in a refreshingly honest way. From what it's like to struggle to conceive, to the agonizing wait for her son, to the struggles they faced as he started to express himself--you will find yourself rooting for Tariku and his parents. I am an adopted kid, she gets this right on every level.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Unexpected and so appreciated

I can’t say enough about this book so I won’t even try. As a foster mom, I’m about to recommend this book to just about everyone I know.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!