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That's All Me: The Beginning
We're going to go way back to where it all started for the Martelle family and friends. Join the crew as they navigate through the trials and tribulations of life and love as young adults in New Orleans during the 90's. (Please disregard the way Amazon has this series listed. The following two books that should be read after this one is That's All The Beginning 2 and That's All The Beginning 3. The other That's All Me books are connected spin offs but they are NOT in this series.)
517 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 7, 2023
My My My
My my my, I guess the best was saved for last. If the kids weren’t something, the parentsssssss. I had to create a darn family tree to keep up with all of the characters, but I’m definitely in.
My my my, I guess the best was saved for last. If the kids weren’t something, the parentsssssss. I had to create a darn family tree to keep up with all of the characters, but I’m definitely in.
August 4, 2023
I couldn’t put this one down! I loved it 🥰
February 19, 2023
Great series
I love the That’s all me series, and I’ve been so hyped up to read about the parents. I’ve been holding out on reading this portion of the series until all parts were complete. Once all parts were completed I was still procrastinating reading it. I realized I was taking my time cause I was stressing over the canary situation. I finally pushed myself to read it and I was so glad I did. I binge read all three books in one day and stayed up all night to finish the series. When I first read a book by this author she only had 3 books published. To see her growth in writing and storytelling makes me so proud! Great work and definitely in my top 5 author list!!
I love the That’s all me series, and I’ve been so hyped up to read about the parents. I’ve been holding out on reading this portion of the series until all parts were complete. Once all parts were completed I was still procrastinating reading it. I realized I was taking my time cause I was stressing over the canary situation. I finally pushed myself to read it and I was so glad I did. I binge read all three books in one day and stayed up all night to finish the series. When I first read a book by this author she only had 3 books published. To see her growth in writing and storytelling makes me so proud! Great work and definitely in my top 5 author list!!
February 25, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was exceptional I enjoyed every second of it . I laughed until my stomach hurt. I couldn’t put it down. This book was lengthy with not one piece of fluff. This author did an amazing job putting us in a time machine and taking us back. The vibe was set I enjoyed the characters and more importantly each love story told. But the unbreakable bonds of friends and brothers I loved the most. If I could give this story a million stars I would. Part 2 I’m so scared but I’m ready for you ❤️🔥🔥🔥. Congratulations on this amazing piece.
This book was exceptional I enjoyed every second of it . I laughed until my stomach hurt. I couldn’t put it down. This book was lengthy with not one piece of fluff. This author did an amazing job putting us in a time machine and taking us back. The vibe was set I enjoyed the characters and more importantly each love story told. But the unbreakable bonds of friends and brothers I loved the most. If I could give this story a million stars I would. Part 2 I’m so scared but I’m ready for you ❤️🔥🔥🔥. Congratulations on this amazing piece.
February 22, 2022
The Beginning Part 1
The beginning…it was so fun reading this part and going back to look at the visuals of who gave birth to who and with whom. Surprisingly Banga and Neffi really peak my interest the most! I can’t wait to see how they ended up bearing two children! I love that they have real feelings for each other before getting intimate. All of the girls are young but they are far from dumb and that’s so refreshing. I always wondered how Justin stole Jenesha from Zooley to the point of having 3 babies😩 Canary seems to be the sweetest of the girls but boy does she has the worst of the worst happening to her and Keemaya plays the most games which crack me up! Jamal met his match, Love love love that you took us back to the beginning of that’s all me!
The beginning…it was so fun reading this part and going back to look at the visuals of who gave birth to who and with whom. Surprisingly Banga and Neffi really peak my interest the most! I can’t wait to see how they ended up bearing two children! I love that they have real feelings for each other before getting intimate. All of the girls are young but they are far from dumb and that’s so refreshing. I always wondered how Justin stole Jenesha from Zooley to the point of having 3 babies😩 Canary seems to be the sweetest of the girls but boy does she has the worst of the worst happening to her and Keemaya plays the most games which crack me up! Jamal met his match, Love love love that you took us back to the beginning of that’s all me!
November 8, 2022
This is a REALLY good story!!! It’s a prequel to the That’s All Me series. So in the series we meet the youngins and their parents but those stories are more so about the youngins. THIS book gave us the backstory on how their parents met and I was here for every single second of it because in the youngin’s book we are given information about the parents but there were still questions I had - like how exactly did Justin Sr die?, why was Keemaya and Jamal so toxic yet stayed together all these years. Wtf did Benji nem dad do to where he had to leave the country? Where did Canary go and what did she do after the gang rape and she’d decided to keep the baby (who we now know as Camillia)? So yeah this book answered some of my questions and I guess the others are getting answered in part 2! The only thing is I wished I had read the beginning first as opposed to reading the series by order of publication. I bet it would have flowed better and the next time I read this series I’m going to start with the parents. This author one of the GOATS for being able to go back and give me a backstory and it’s just as good as the other books in the series. So great read!!!
That's All Me Series:
Camilla & Jakeem (2017)
Benji and Juri (2018)
Jigga and Daisie (2018)
That's All Me:Julian & Felisha (2020)
That's All Me: Julian & Felisha 2 (2020)
Johan & Keiko (2021)
The Beginning (2022)
Camilla & Ja'Keem 2 (2022)
That's All Me: The Beginning 2 (2022)
Total Book Experience 10/10
Plot/Storyline (structure)10/10
Writing (Errors) 10/10
Characters 10/10
Again-able 10/10
Emotion 10/10
Book Cover 10/10
Visual/ Illustratable 10/10
Addictiveness 10/10
Threshold quality 10/10
Unique 10/10
That's All Me Series:
Camilla & Jakeem (2017)
Benji and Juri (2018)
Jigga and Daisie (2018)
That's All Me:Julian & Felisha (2020)
That's All Me: Julian & Felisha 2 (2020)
Johan & Keiko (2021)
The Beginning (2022)
Camilla & Ja'Keem 2 (2022)
That's All Me: The Beginning 2 (2022)
Total Book Experience 10/10
Plot/Storyline (structure)10/10
Writing (Errors) 10/10
Characters 10/10
Again-able 10/10
Emotion 10/10
Book Cover 10/10
Visual/ Illustratable 10/10
Addictiveness 10/10
Threshold quality 10/10
Unique 10/10
January 23, 2025
THE PARENTS 🐸☕️
Yall thought the kids was something else. These parents was off the chain ⛓️⛓️💥 and I was so here for it.
Couples Rating (Faves in Order):
Jamal + Keemaya
Blaire (Banga) + Neffie
Justin + Jenesha
Jordan + Canary
POV: 3rd Person
Yall thought the kids was something else. These parents was off the chain ⛓️⛓️💥 and I was so here for it.
Couples Rating (Faves in Order):
Jamal + Keemaya
Blaire (Banga) + Neffie
Justin + Jenesha
Jordan + Canary
POV: 3rd Person
September 12, 2024
Nostalgia from the Latchkey to Millennial Generaltion🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Girl you workin' with some ass, yeah, you bad, yeah
Make a nigga spend his cash, yeah, his last, yeah
Hoes frown when you pass, yeah, they mad, yeah
You gon' ride in the Jag, yeah, with that head
You could smoke or buy a bag, yeah, of grass, yeah
————————-
So I'm just going to say this: Read this series. It's so good, you will not be disappointed. If you grew up in the 90s, you'd understand. Everything is so real, and raw that I'm just proud to be a sistah, I appreciate the hood and am not ashamed of where I come from and the things that I've experienced good and bad. This novel is raw, realistic and will be a classic. The music that's referenced, the clothes worn and described (Im singing “can we talk” right now while working on this review) I'm a millennial born in 87. But that's not important this review is long sorry😩
generationally speaking the book will leave you in a state of melancholy… because you will remember days that are long gone, and it'll leave you wistful and nostalgic at the same time your going to feellll melancholiness deep down in your belly… “your going to cry” because the 90s was the best era to grow up in. When reading this series, I think of the latchkey generation raising millennials. I'm singing "Back in the day when I was young I'm not a kid anymore but some days I sit and wish I was a kid again." I loved Justin and Jensha pretty much alllll the characters went together perfectly. But to me Justin was the underdog in a love triangle that ended up with the girl by default. we all can remember our first love, 106 and Park, death, murder, where we were when Katrina hit New Orleans, and a whole lot of gang gang stuff. This series has it all. Where were you when you heard that one song that never gets old, that one time you fought that girl, or that time the party you and your people went to that ended in bloodshed? Yeah, you remember! Buckle up and grab your tissues, and let's go “back down memory lane”. Thank you so much for this beautiful work of art, Cion Lee. Happiest Reading ❤️🔥❤️🔥
Girl you workin' with some ass, yeah, you bad, yeah
Make a nigga spend his cash, yeah, his last, yeah
Hoes frown when you pass, yeah, they mad, yeah
You gon' ride in the Jag, yeah, with that head
You could smoke or buy a bag, yeah, of grass, yeah
————————-
So I'm just going to say this: Read this series. It's so good, you will not be disappointed. If you grew up in the 90s, you'd understand. Everything is so real, and raw that I'm just proud to be a sistah, I appreciate the hood and am not ashamed of where I come from and the things that I've experienced good and bad. This novel is raw, realistic and will be a classic. The music that's referenced, the clothes worn and described (Im singing “can we talk” right now while working on this review) I'm a millennial born in 87. But that's not important this review is long sorry😩
generationally speaking the book will leave you in a state of melancholy… because you will remember days that are long gone, and it'll leave you wistful and nostalgic at the same time your going to feellll melancholiness deep down in your belly… “your going to cry” because the 90s was the best era to grow up in. When reading this series, I think of the latchkey generation raising millennials. I'm singing "Back in the day when I was young I'm not a kid anymore but some days I sit and wish I was a kid again." I loved Justin and Jensha pretty much alllll the characters went together perfectly. But to me Justin was the underdog in a love triangle that ended up with the girl by default. we all can remember our first love, 106 and Park, death, murder, where we were when Katrina hit New Orleans, and a whole lot of gang gang stuff. This series has it all. Where were you when you heard that one song that never gets old, that one time you fought that girl, or that time the party you and your people went to that ended in bloodshed? Yeah, you remember! Buckle up and grab your tissues, and let's go “back down memory lane”. Thank you so much for this beautiful work of art, Cion Lee. Happiest Reading ❤️🔥❤️🔥
August 7, 2026
The Drama
This book had a whole lot going on ! Kids were having kids. Cheaters were cheating. Parents were dropping the ball with their parenting.
I was rooting for jenesha and zooley. Justin only wanted jenesha when he find out zooley already had her. I didn’t respect how he tried to come in between their relationship nor the fact that jenesha violated in the worst way. Zooley wasn’t perfect but jenesha was trifling.
Keemaya and Jamal were a time! I loved Keemaya so much. I’m so glad she always got her get back. Jamal was a fool who never thought before he did things. He also didn’t deserve maya but I do like them together. They were hilarious.
Canary and Jordan was so good together. He may have had his faults but he was wayyyyy better than his brothers. I loved how he loved on nary. My heart hurts for canary though. She truly did not deserve none of what happened to her. I just knew kaysha was trouble man.
Blair and neffie were everything. I loved them together even though Blaire had my girl messed up a few times. I’m scared to see what happened next with them.
This book was so good it’s impossible to put down.
This book had a whole lot going on ! Kids were having kids. Cheaters were cheating. Parents were dropping the ball with their parenting.
I was rooting for jenesha and zooley. Justin only wanted jenesha when he find out zooley already had her. I didn’t respect how he tried to come in between their relationship nor the fact that jenesha violated in the worst way. Zooley wasn’t perfect but jenesha was trifling.
Keemaya and Jamal were a time! I loved Keemaya so much. I’m so glad she always got her get back. Jamal was a fool who never thought before he did things. He also didn’t deserve maya but I do like them together. They were hilarious.
Canary and Jordan was so good together. He may have had his faults but he was wayyyyy better than his brothers. I loved how he loved on nary. My heart hurts for canary though. She truly did not deserve none of what happened to her. I just knew kaysha was trouble man.
Blair and neffie were everything. I loved them together even though Blaire had my girl messed up a few times. I’m scared to see what happened next with them.
This book was so good it’s impossible to put down.
February 28, 2022
Drama, Romance, Action ‘til the bitter end!!!
This was the read ❤️!!! It is better than the kids’ books (Julian, Jigga, Benji). The parents were GANGSTA’ asf🔥🔥!!! Best Origins story and worth the wait for part 2. Cion keeps getting better at this writing gig!
My heart breaks for Canary! I am dreading Justin’s story in part 2 and Jordan must be suffering tremendously. I just want Keemaya and Jamal’s relationship to get right. They are made for one another but just keep making mistakes. I’m scared to find out what happened to Neffie and Blaire’s situation. That ending made me want to crawl through the book and beat the daylights out of those little punks!
This was the read ❤️!!! It is better than the kids’ books (Julian, Jigga, Benji). The parents were GANGSTA’ asf🔥🔥!!! Best Origins story and worth the wait for part 2. Cion keeps getting better at this writing gig!
My heart breaks for Canary! I am dreading Justin’s story in part 2 and Jordan must be suffering tremendously. I just want Keemaya and Jamal’s relationship to get right. They are made for one another but just keep making mistakes. I’m scared to find out what happened to Neffie and Blaire’s situation. That ending made me want to crawl through the book and beat the daylights out of those little punks!
April 12, 2022
Enjoyed reading about the parents
I probably shouldn't have jumped in like this because I've only read 2 books by this author previously, but I can't find a catalog to know the order of books. I really enjoyed reading about a young Keemaya and Jamal. They're really my faves. I was so sad reading again what happened to Canary. She really had a rough life and it's no wonder she was the way she was. Very good character development for all the characters. Now let me do some research and see if I can get some order to this reading. Although, the storylines are pretty thorough, I feel like I met some characters in this book that I should already know.
I probably shouldn't have jumped in like this because I've only read 2 books by this author previously, but I can't find a catalog to know the order of books. I really enjoyed reading about a young Keemaya and Jamal. They're really my faves. I was so sad reading again what happened to Canary. She really had a rough life and it's no wonder she was the way she was. Very good character development for all the characters. Now let me do some research and see if I can get some order to this reading. Although, the storylines are pretty thorough, I feel like I met some characters in this book that I should already know.
February 28, 2022
Wow
So I’ve read all of this authors books. So although this is a new book, none of these characters are new to me. It’s so cool to see how it all began BEFORE the children had their own drama. I’m kinda bummed though because although I cannot wait for part 2, I know what happens to them in the future. Jigga as well as Ja’Keen, Benji and Zooley ALL live up to their daddy’s lol. Jeneisha and Keemaya been raising ruckus do not change. Definitely looking forward to the rest. Nice work Ms. Lee you’ve not disappointed yet.
So I’ve read all of this authors books. So although this is a new book, none of these characters are new to me. It’s so cool to see how it all began BEFORE the children had their own drama. I’m kinda bummed though because although I cannot wait for part 2, I know what happens to them in the future. Jigga as well as Ja’Keen, Benji and Zooley ALL live up to their daddy’s lol. Jeneisha and Keemaya been raising ruckus do not change. Definitely looking forward to the rest. Nice work Ms. Lee you’ve not disappointed yet.
March 3, 2022
perfect 10
Cion let me tell you,, you never disappoint me. From the dates to what they was wearing how they was wearing it to the emotional roller coaster you had me on from start to finish now help me understand so much now in the kids life and why they was the way they was with them. I’m not finna give away my age but imma just say I relived my childhood reading this visiting New Orleans when I was a kid around the early 90’s was everything you wrote and more. I definitely can’t wait for part two. You are a gifted young lady with a pen.
Cion let me tell you,, you never disappoint me. From the dates to what they was wearing how they was wearing it to the emotional roller coaster you had me on from start to finish now help me understand so much now in the kids life and why they was the way they was with them. I’m not finna give away my age but imma just say I relived my childhood reading this visiting New Orleans when I was a kid around the early 90’s was everything you wrote and more. I definitely can’t wait for part two. You are a gifted young lady with a pen.
March 11, 2022
DECENT
This was my first time reading this author’s work. This book was decent. These girls was FAST AS HELL. Young and into all kinds of stuff but it’s our REALITY. Jenesha and Zooley I liked together so it took some getting use to her being with Justin. Now Zooley had a point when he said his baby didn’t make the cut but she kept Justin baby. I agree she was 15 and not in the best predicament but at 18 her predicament wasn’t much better. Babies having babies but let’s see how the rest flows. I hope to hear more about canary as well.
This was my first time reading this author’s work. This book was decent. These girls was FAST AS HELL. Young and into all kinds of stuff but it’s our REALITY. Jenesha and Zooley I liked together so it took some getting use to her being with Justin. Now Zooley had a point when he said his baby didn’t make the cut but she kept Justin baby. I agree she was 15 and not in the best predicament but at 18 her predicament wasn’t much better. Babies having babies but let’s see how the rest flows. I hope to hear more about canary as well.
May 4, 2022
I'm at a lost for words!!!
I loved this book!!! I loved the sister \friend dynamic in this book reminds me of my best friends. I hate what happened to Canary I wish she was strong enough to confide on her friends and let them be there for her even from a distance, But I could totally understand her needing to be away from it ALL!!! Can't wait for what's next.. I'm definitely intrigued this was my first read from you! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I loved this book!!! I loved the sister \friend dynamic in this book reminds me of my best friends. I hate what happened to Canary I wish she was strong enough to confide on her friends and let them be there for her even from a distance, But I could totally understand her needing to be away from it ALL!!! Can't wait for what's next.. I'm definitely intrigued this was my first read from you! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
February 21, 2023
damn
This book had me in a chokehold after the first chapter. I’m praying canary makes a turnaround. However this book makes it hard to feel bad for people when they constantly put themselves in certain situations. Also the character development was out of this world and as much as I had a love hate relationship with certain ones I wouldn’t change the outcome. I loved it and I can’t wait to read the rest of the installments.
This book had me in a chokehold after the first chapter. I’m praying canary makes a turnaround. However this book makes it hard to feel bad for people when they constantly put themselves in certain situations. Also the character development was out of this world and as much as I had a love hate relationship with certain ones I wouldn’t change the outcome. I loved it and I can’t wait to read the rest of the installments.
December 17, 2023
All In Together
This was a great read . I loved reminiscing about the 90's . I loved the brothers and their loyalty to one another and the girl's tightness. Blaire and Neffe were my favorite characters and I would love to read more about them exclusively. Talk about an author writing so you can experience every pain , every victory and all the drama . Cion Lee did that . My first book by her but definitely not my last.
This was a great read . I loved reminiscing about the 90's . I loved the brothers and their loyalty to one another and the girl's tightness. Blaire and Neffe were my favorite characters and I would love to read more about them exclusively. Talk about an author writing so you can experience every pain , every victory and all the drama . Cion Lee did that . My first book by her but definitely not my last.
February 21, 2022
Cion did it again
I love getting to know the parents and to see certain things from their POV!. If this is your first book by her you will not be disappointed!!!
Cion is an amazing writing you can feel the love & hurt through each character. Neffie and Banga is definitely my favorite!! Banga is my new book bae!. I can’t wait for part 2.
I love getting to know the parents and to see certain things from their POV!. If this is your first book by her you will not be disappointed!!!
Cion is an amazing writing you can feel the love & hurt through each character. Neffie and Banga is definitely my favorite!! Banga is my new book bae!. I can’t wait for part 2.
February 22, 2022
yes!
This book is part one of two so expect a cliffhanger. One thing I love that Cion did was place a trigger warning in the text. If you’re familiar with the series, you know what happened to Canary (Camilla’s mom) so I loved that a warning was placed for that scene so I didn’t have to guess
This book is part one of two so expect a cliffhanger. One thing I love that Cion did was place a trigger warning in the text. If you’re familiar with the series, you know what happened to Canary (Camilla’s mom) so I loved that a warning was placed for that scene so I didn’t have to guess
March 13, 2022
Old Generation
I really enjoyed the back story of the parents of the young kids that captured my heart. I can say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. No wonder those kids were giving them a run they got it from them.lol I love it and want more of the Mart else's and the women who love them.
I really enjoyed the back story of the parents of the young kids that captured my heart. I can say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. No wonder those kids were giving them a run they got it from them.lol I love it and want more of the Mart else's and the women who love them.
January 1, 2023
It was good but..
I loved this book i couldn't put it down but I didn't like how Canary's life took a horrible turn like it did and that she wanted to keep a baby that wasn't from love. That pissed me off through the rest of the book and I didn't like that but t
That's why I couldn't give it 5 stars.
I loved this book i couldn't put it down but I didn't like how Canary's life took a horrible turn like it did and that she wanted to keep a baby that wasn't from love. That pissed me off through the rest of the book and I didn't like that but t
That's why I couldn't give it 5 stars.
February 26, 2023
HUH!!!!
This is my first time reading anything from this author. The reviews were great but I am not sure I want to continue this series. The first half of the book was rather irritating and drawn out. Maybe a teenager would of enjoyed it. Towards the end it got better and then took a weird turn. Whew it was a struggle
This is my first time reading anything from this author. The reviews were great but I am not sure I want to continue this series. The first half of the book was rather irritating and drawn out. Maybe a teenager would of enjoyed it. Towards the end it got better and then took a weird turn. Whew it was a struggle
June 14, 2023
Great can't wait to read the rest.
This was my first time reading a book from this author. The book was good introduction to the author. I loved the New Orleans settings and the characters. The only thing I didn't like was the few typos but the storyline let me overlook it. I will be reading the
This was my first time reading a book from this author. The book was good introduction to the author. I loved the New Orleans settings and the characters. The only thing I didn't like was the few typos but the storyline let me overlook it. I will be reading the
December 15, 2024
I started this way back probably didn’t get past page one and put it down for some reason. Picked it back up on Dec 13 and was quite entertained. Had no idea about Jenesha and Zooley, that was the biggest surprise.
These couples are wild. And the men are as bad as their sons or worst. Looking forward to diving into book two
These couples are wild. And the men are as bad as their sons or worst. Looking forward to diving into book two
February 24, 2022
amazing!
I love all Cion’s work, she never disappoints! I fell in love with the parents from reading the other books, but actually getting the stories from their points of view is wayyy better!! Now you see where their kids get it from. Can’t wait for part 2.
I love all Cion’s work, she never disappoints! I fell in love with the parents from reading the other books, but actually getting the stories from their points of view is wayyy better!! Now you see where their kids get it from. Can’t wait for part 2.
February 26, 2022
omg!
Loved every minute of this book! I’m so proud of cion and how much her writing has progressed over the years. I know part 2 will be well worth the wait because she never disappoints
Loved every minute of this book! I’m so proud of cion and how much her writing has progressed over the years. I know part 2 will be well worth the wait because she never disappoints
February 27, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the previous That's All Me Books, I always knew the parents were on another level. This book proved it. These characters was nothing nice in the 90s! Cion's writing had me feeling like I was right there with them. Can't wait for part 2! #TeamZooley
From the previous That's All Me Books, I always knew the parents were on another level. This book proved it. These characters was nothing nice in the 90s! Cion's writing had me feeling like I was right there with them. Can't wait for part 2! #TeamZooley
March 21, 2022
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I cannot wait because Banga is going go to crazy…. I feel really bad for Carnary but understand you have to go somewhere where you feel like you are a crutch. Hopefully she comes back stronger. I just cannot wait on Part 2.
I cannot wait because Banga is going go to crazy…. I feel really bad for Carnary but understand you have to go somewhere where you feel like you are a crutch. Hopefully she comes back stronger. I just cannot wait on Part 2.
March 23, 2022
Completely Mesmerizing
OMG!!!! There's so much that I can say about this book. I couldn't put it down. I cried and felt so much of myself in this story. I can't wait to read the next one.
OMG!!!! There's so much that I can say about this book. I couldn't put it down. I cried and felt so much of myself in this story. I can't wait to read the next one.
May 13, 2022
Good Read.
Really enjoyed this story, well written and contained real life drama and humor. I had hoped read more about this group, but it appears that the other books are about the babies born and not yet born in this book; believe I will pass and read Cion Lee other books.
Really enjoyed this story, well written and contained real life drama and humor. I had hoped read more about this group, but it appears that the other books are about the babies born and not yet born in this book; believe I will pass and read Cion Lee other books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews