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3 The Hard Way
Royce “Turk” Atkins has always been about two
His brothersAutumn Shaw
Where people understand his loyalty to Set, Nut, and Shad, few people understand why he won’t leave Autumn alone. From his family, to his friends, to the rest of the city, no one can figure out what it is about the beauty that has had him hooked for two decades, how he convinced her to have his son, or why he refuses to seriously entertain anyone else when she’s had a serious girlfriend, Patience, for years.
Turk doesn't believe in explaining himself to anyone, though. Especially when some days, he doesn’t quite understand the hold she has on him, either. And when he starts seeing the consequences of a wild night with Autumn and Patience months prior, he’s left even more confused.
He’s spent years teasing Patience, overstepping boundaries, and fighting and bickering over his place in Autumn’s life, but when she needs help, he steps into the role of her protector without prompting. When secrets and danger begin to lurk around every corner, Turk finds himself moving for her how he previously only moved for Autumn. Lines begin to blur, and everything Turk thought he knew about love and relationships is forever changed.
His loyalty has never been tested like this before. Lies and half-truths are exposed, and Turk must choose between the family he’s created as a boy with his gang, and the one he’s creating as a man. And when Patience’s past finally catches up to her, the surprising connection between Turk and Patience that’s revealed may be their salvation, or everyone’s downfall.
His brothersAutumn Shaw
Where people understand his loyalty to Set, Nut, and Shad, few people understand why he won’t leave Autumn alone. From his family, to his friends, to the rest of the city, no one can figure out what it is about the beauty that has had him hooked for two decades, how he convinced her to have his son, or why he refuses to seriously entertain anyone else when she’s had a serious girlfriend, Patience, for years.
Turk doesn't believe in explaining himself to anyone, though. Especially when some days, he doesn’t quite understand the hold she has on him, either. And when he starts seeing the consequences of a wild night with Autumn and Patience months prior, he’s left even more confused.
He’s spent years teasing Patience, overstepping boundaries, and fighting and bickering over his place in Autumn’s life, but when she needs help, he steps into the role of her protector without prompting. When secrets and danger begin to lurk around every corner, Turk finds himself moving for her how he previously only moved for Autumn. Lines begin to blur, and everything Turk thought he knew about love and relationships is forever changed.
His loyalty has never been tested like this before. Lies and half-truths are exposed, and Turk must choose between the family he’s created as a boy with his gang, and the one he’s creating as a man. And when Patience’s past finally catches up to her, the surprising connection between Turk and Patience that’s revealed may be their salvation, or everyone’s downfall.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
46 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Jessica A.
10 books17 followersJessica is an LA girl that has been writing fiction and poetry since middle school. She holds a BA in English from Xavier University in Louisiana, and an MFA in Fiction from San Diego State University. She's a dog mommy to the infamous Dijon Mustard, and in addition to writing all the stories that play out in her head, she enjoys yapping on facetime with her homegirls and long walks on the beach.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 22, 2025
Dastardly isn't tbe word
The saying, " Oh what webs we weave, when first we learn to deceive." Is the summation of this book. We continue the series with Turk, Autumn, and Patience. The commonalities between these three are so multitudinous that it only makes sense that they find each other. I found myself cackling out loud at the banter and yelling, "This crafty heffa!" As the politics unfurled and the plot twists revealed themselves. I am fully invested in this series, and everyone will know about it.
The saying, " Oh what webs we weave, when first we learn to deceive." Is the summation of this book. We continue the series with Turk, Autumn, and Patience. The commonalities between these three are so multitudinous that it only makes sense that they find each other. I found myself cackling out loud at the banter and yelling, "This crafty heffa!" As the politics unfurled and the plot twists revealed themselves. I am fully invested in this series, and everyone will know about it.
October 28, 2025
The understanding of love, family drama and fighting through doubts and trauma that is trying to hold you back is so real in this book. Turk, Patience and Autumn are all the same side of a coin. Learning to navigate in a space where your past isn’t the leading lady anymore is extremely hard.
Patience, despite having been gone from her family and friends for 16 years still held on to all the hurt and pain that caused her to leave. She still cared and wanted to do the right thing in some ways even though it would only be more hurt for herself. She refused to tell Grimey’s secret even though it could be the thing that set her free. Her obligation and seeking of love and validation from her father was the driving force to her putting herself last. In the end I love how she grew and was able to fight for herself and even let don her guard and open up to the people truly wanting to love her and make space for her.
Autumn, this poor angel came in the world to bullshit and chased love and validation from the people who should give it freely, your family. Her parents were true trash and I do hope in this series at some point they get taught a lesson. She held on to burdens that should have never been hers but allowed it to keep her from the greatest love she’d even known for years because she was not prepared to forgive herself some the sins and words of others. She took what her mother said to her and made it her driving for to never deserve or want more from love. Her heart is so beautiful and pure that it was only right my girl ends with the greats love story!!!
Turkey!! My Turkey!!! This was a man of if I ever knew one. The amount of patience and care he gave to Patience despite how she continued to push him and bait him into an argument was amazing. Even when it came to his brother he was never overly aggressive but simply just not allowing him to take what Turk felt was his. I could say so much more but. I won’t I love Turk and he got everything he deserved in the end and I love that for him.
Miss Jessica A., you doing the damn thing with this series and I’m hooked. The amount of emotions you are pulling from me is unreal and imma thug lol u ain’t gone keep making me cry lol.
Patience, despite having been gone from her family and friends for 16 years still held on to all the hurt and pain that caused her to leave. She still cared and wanted to do the right thing in some ways even though it would only be more hurt for herself. She refused to tell Grimey’s secret even though it could be the thing that set her free. Her obligation and seeking of love and validation from her father was the driving force to her putting herself last. In the end I love how she grew and was able to fight for herself and even let don her guard and open up to the people truly wanting to love her and make space for her.
Autumn, this poor angel came in the world to bullshit and chased love and validation from the people who should give it freely, your family. Her parents were true trash and I do hope in this series at some point they get taught a lesson. She held on to burdens that should have never been hers but allowed it to keep her from the greatest love she’d even known for years because she was not prepared to forgive herself some the sins and words of others. She took what her mother said to her and made it her driving for to never deserve or want more from love. Her heart is so beautiful and pure that it was only right my girl ends with the greats love story!!!
Turkey!! My Turkey!!! This was a man of if I ever knew one. The amount of patience and care he gave to Patience despite how she continued to push him and bait him into an argument was amazing. Even when it came to his brother he was never overly aggressive but simply just not allowing him to take what Turk felt was his. I could say so much more but. I won’t I love Turk and he got everything he deserved in the end and I love that for him.
Miss Jessica A., you doing the damn thing with this series and I’m hooked. The amount of emotions you are pulling from me is unreal and imma thug lol u ain’t gone keep making me cry lol.
April 2, 2025
This book was good.
We got more into the background of Autumn, Turk, and Miss Patience Fox.
What I liked: seeing how Turk navigated his feelings for both Autumn and Pay. Him and Autumn were already locked in since 8, she is his first BM and though their love is chaotic, it is real. Him and Pay were polar opposites but I enjoyed reading about how they began to feel about each other.
Turk is really a protector, provider, and rider. Autumn is too. Pay’s life was so interesting but I won’t spoil it lol.
This book was super hilarious too, and the spice was on point, though our throuple didn’t really interact much until towards the end.
Things I’m still questioning: What happened to Autumn that Ty, Reem, and Rico had to handle? Like the book kept dancing around it, and it was making me mad 🤣😭 cuz just say it!
I also wish we would’ve gotten a bit more detail about this boyfriend of Autumn’s that Turk ….. well read the book to find out lol
Speaking of — Who the hell ARE Ty, Rico, and Reem? They just got plopped into the story lol. And WHO IS THAT DAMN BABY’S mama? 😭
All in all, Jessica A’s books have been very enjoyable to read, and it’s looking like Shad is up next 👀 and I’m ready, because we all wanna know wassup with him and Wynter!
We got more into the background of Autumn, Turk, and Miss Patience Fox.
What I liked: seeing how Turk navigated his feelings for both Autumn and Pay. Him and Autumn were already locked in since 8, she is his first BM and though their love is chaotic, it is real. Him and Pay were polar opposites but I enjoyed reading about how they began to feel about each other.
Turk is really a protector, provider, and rider. Autumn is too. Pay’s life was so interesting but I won’t spoil it lol.
This book was super hilarious too, and the spice was on point, though our throuple didn’t really interact much until towards the end.
Things I’m still questioning: What happened to Autumn that Ty, Reem, and Rico had to handle? Like the book kept dancing around it, and it was making me mad 🤣😭 cuz just say it!
I also wish we would’ve gotten a bit more detail about this boyfriend of Autumn’s that Turk ….. well read the book to find out lol
Speaking of — Who the hell ARE Ty, Rico, and Reem? They just got plopped into the story lol. And WHO IS THAT DAMN BABY’S mama? 😭
All in all, Jessica A’s books have been very enjoyable to read, and it’s looking like Shad is up next 👀 and I’m ready, because we all wanna know wassup with him and Wynter!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2025
Again, I read this long book lol to the end and I enjoyed it. Autumn, Turks and Patience were the most unconventional relationships I've ever read. But somehow Jessica normalised it.
The story focused on Turks and Patience interaction and we watched them build a connection. But Autumn was happy and pleased about all three of them becoming a blended family.
Honestly, I didn't care for Patience's backstory which took up most of the book. I couldn't empathise with her reason for leaving. It reminded me of Sabrina's story when she left her home to start a new life....I didn't care for her storyline either.
The plot twist with us discovering Turk's real identity was okay... again, I didn't care for his background but we didn't get as much about him. This book revolved around Patience.
But learning about Autumn's trauma because of her decision to not save her sister's life was heartbreaking... Again, we only got a chance to see a glimpse of Autumn's past in this book.
But the ending though? I thought Sabrina killed Sincere? How is he still alive? now that I think about it...did they confirm he was dead? They were more distracted with Sabrina being able to protect herself...🤣
I love how Jessica gets us so invested in these characters lives lol I could imagine this being a TV series.
The story focused on Turks and Patience interaction and we watched them build a connection. But Autumn was happy and pleased about all three of them becoming a blended family.
Honestly, I didn't care for Patience's backstory which took up most of the book. I couldn't empathise with her reason for leaving. It reminded me of Sabrina's story when she left her home to start a new life....I didn't care for her storyline either.
The plot twist with us discovering Turk's real identity was okay... again, I didn't care for his background but we didn't get as much about him. This book revolved around Patience.
But learning about Autumn's trauma because of her decision to not save her sister's life was heartbreaking... Again, we only got a chance to see a glimpse of Autumn's past in this book.
But the ending though? I thought Sabrina killed Sincere? How is he still alive? now that I think about it...did they confirm he was dead? They were more distracted with Sabrina being able to protect herself...🤣
I love how Jessica gets us so invested in these characters lives lol I could imagine this being a TV series.
November 23, 2025
Review
⭐ 4/5
🌶️ 4/5 (the spice was SPICY-SPICY 😭🔥)
Book Review:
This third book didn’t grasp me the way the first two did, but it still kept me intrigued enough to push through — mainly because of my love for Turk and Autumn. Those two? Their chemistry, their history, their pull… yeah, they kept me locked in.
Now Pay…I liked her, but I never crossed over into loving her, and the more I think about it, it’s because so much about her felt surface-level. I couldn’t settle into her character emotionally, and the dynamic between Pay + Turk without Autumn? Yeahhh, that just didn’t sit well with me.
And listen, I’ll admit it:
I’m a selfish ole thang 😭
So maybe the poly just wasn’t my vibe for THIS book🤷🏽♀️
There was a lot of independence, sneaking around, and unspoken secrets. I get why some of it was happening, but other parts felt like they could’ve been resolved WAY faster if Turk, Pay, or even Autumn had just opened their mouths and TALKED. Communication was on life support for half the book.
BUT BABY…
What WASN’T lacking?
➡️ THE SPICE.
🦃🦊🍎Final Vibes:
I just wish we’d seen more of the throuple functioning as true life partners, because at times it felt lopsided. Still worth the read and it kept me intrigued!
⭐ 4/5
🌶️ 4/5 (the spice was SPICY-SPICY 😭🔥)
Book Review:
This third book didn’t grasp me the way the first two did, but it still kept me intrigued enough to push through — mainly because of my love for Turk and Autumn. Those two? Their chemistry, their history, their pull… yeah, they kept me locked in.
Now Pay…I liked her, but I never crossed over into loving her, and the more I think about it, it’s because so much about her felt surface-level. I couldn’t settle into her character emotionally, and the dynamic between Pay + Turk without Autumn? Yeahhh, that just didn’t sit well with me.
And listen, I’ll admit it:
I’m a selfish ole thang 😭
So maybe the poly just wasn’t my vibe for THIS book🤷🏽♀️
There was a lot of independence, sneaking around, and unspoken secrets. I get why some of it was happening, but other parts felt like they could’ve been resolved WAY faster if Turk, Pay, or even Autumn had just opened their mouths and TALKED. Communication was on life support for half the book.
BUT BABY…
What WASN’T lacking?
➡️ THE SPICE.
🦃🦊🍎Final Vibes:
I just wish we’d seen more of the throuple functioning as true life partners, because at times it felt lopsided. Still worth the read and it kept me intrigued!
April 1, 2025
2.5 The Hard Way…
I just completed the series and it’s a solid start for a new author. In this book we have Patience, Autumn, and Turk as the leading characters in what will later be a polyamorous relationship. Sadly, we don’t see them interact all together until about 90% in, which is risky for the author because she’ll attract customers based on the name alone and some people may feel a way about that.
We get to see each character’s backgrounds somewhat individually and learn more about how their experiences have shaped who they’ve become. Patience wasn’t my favorite character just because in the previous books you root for Autumn and Turk to find find their HEA and in this book the author shows more of the relationship between Patience and Turk and if you’re loyal like me you’re giving Turk a serious side eye because what about Autumn?! Even in the final few scenes I still hold a little resentment towards Patience.
The author sets up the next book nicely and hopefully we’ll see more of Autumn, Turk, and Patience in the next one.
I just completed the series and it’s a solid start for a new author. In this book we have Patience, Autumn, and Turk as the leading characters in what will later be a polyamorous relationship. Sadly, we don’t see them interact all together until about 90% in, which is risky for the author because she’ll attract customers based on the name alone and some people may feel a way about that.
We get to see each character’s backgrounds somewhat individually and learn more about how their experiences have shaped who they’ve become. Patience wasn’t my favorite character just because in the previous books you root for Autumn and Turk to find find their HEA and in this book the author shows more of the relationship between Patience and Turk and if you’re loyal like me you’re giving Turk a serious side eye because what about Autumn?! Even in the final few scenes I still hold a little resentment towards Patience.
The author sets up the next book nicely and hopefully we’ll see more of Autumn, Turk, and Patience in the next one.
April 2, 2025
another great book!
This author has quickly made their way to my immediately read list. The storytelling is top tier. I usually dont enjoy books with a lot of flashbacks but the way its woven into the plot is effortless. So much revealed in this book while still giving space for the relationship between autumn, pay and turk to be front and center. Good balance of action, suspense and romance. Im ready for the stories of all the other dub members now!!! Im most interested in Reem….whose baby is that? Anyway read the book. But definitely read the others on the series first.
This author has quickly made their way to my immediately read list. The storytelling is top tier. I usually dont enjoy books with a lot of flashbacks but the way its woven into the plot is effortless. So much revealed in this book while still giving space for the relationship between autumn, pay and turk to be front and center. Good balance of action, suspense and romance. Im ready for the stories of all the other dub members now!!! Im most interested in Reem….whose baby is that? Anyway read the book. But definitely read the others on the series first.
June 3, 2025
I’m Hooked!
JESSICA… girl! I think you’ve made it to my favorites. I love this series down. The Magic Hour is what hooked me as a first read, and I already loved their story before I actually know who and what was what. I can’t even decide who my favorite is. Now on to see what’s coming for my Shotta.
JESSICA… girl! I think you’ve made it to my favorites. I love this series down. The Magic Hour is what hooked me as a first read, and I already loved their story before I actually know who and what was what. I can’t even decide who my favorite is. Now on to see what’s coming for my Shotta.
September 4, 2025
Foe over everything!!
Read the series! I feel in love with all these characters.
Brian, Set, Nutty, Dallas, Turk, Autumn, Shad went through the unimaginable but the bond they have with each other was unbreakable.
None of them had it easy but made it out together.
I truly enjoyed this series and can’t wait for more.
Read the series! I feel in love with all these characters.
Brian, Set, Nutty, Dallas, Turk, Autumn, Shad went through the unimaginable but the bond they have with each other was unbreakable.
None of them had it easy but made it out together.
I truly enjoyed this series and can’t wait for more.
April 1, 2025
Big turk
I really loved this story line its definitely outside the box , however patience got on my nerves soo bad , I also felt like they love wasn't given to my girl autumn equally but I love them as a thruple , turkey is definitely that guy and he don't play i loved it!!
I really loved this story line its definitely outside the box , however patience got on my nerves soo bad , I also felt like they love wasn't given to my girl autumn equally but I love them as a thruple , turkey is definitely that guy and he don't play i loved it!!
April 19, 2025
yasss
So far out of all the books. I think this was my favorite one. Patience really pissed me off for along time. But once I got back over that I was good again. The plot twist was twisting. I need more.
So far out of all the books. I think this was my favorite one. Patience really pissed me off for along time. But once I got back over that I was good again. The plot twist was twisting. I need more.
May 25, 2025
Uhhh
So many twists and turns. And just a lot of it was so good. Where did that baby come from that Reem has? I better get an answer in the next book. There’s so much going on. Also does nobody use condoms in this county with the random babies and daddies?
So many twists and turns. And just a lot of it was so good. Where did that baby come from that Reem has? I better get an answer in the next book. There’s so much going on. Also does nobody use condoms in this county with the random babies and daddies?
April 2, 2025
5/5
I loved every moment of this book this is actually my fav and I’m actually mad that it’s over I wish it was longer that’s my only complaint I wanted more good moments.
I loved every moment of this book this is actually my fav and I’m actually mad that it’s over I wish it was longer that’s my only complaint I wanted more good moments.
August 1, 2025
I need more
I need more of this throple. I loved Auth and them together. Pay had to grow on me. Turk is always with the $4!ts especially about he fruit
I need more of this throple. I loved Auth and them together. Pay had to grow on me. Turk is always with the $4!ts especially about he fruit
December 16, 2025
This was a really good pickup from the last book in the series. I loved the way the relationship built naturally throughout the story. Each lead had some heavy things to work through, but facing that trauma together ultimately made them stronger as individuals and as a unit. I really enjoyed the overall vibe of this book, it felt balanced, emotional, and satisfying. The spice was definitely there and well done, adding to the connection rather than overpowering the story. Most importantly, the throuple earned their happy ending, which made the journey completely worth it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews