Having it Both Ways

The Lust Diaries #3

by Tasha L. Harrison

Yves Santiago has always prided herself on knowing how to be alone, but in the wake of her break up with Elijah Weinstein she seems to have forgotten everything she ever learned. Boys and booze don't seem to fill that emptiness as easily as it had before and as depression threatens to take her under she turns to the one thing that has always buoyed her: writing. Alarmed by her depressive blog posts and concerned about her mental well being, Yves's family and friends rally around her along with the one person she least expected to reenter her life, Julian Webster. His sweetness and caring turns out to be exactly the thing she needs to rebuild her confidence in herself and her talent. Yves works her way back to some semblance of normalcy but as her book moves toward publication she knows that she will have to face Elijah. Will the confidence she worked so hard to rebuild crumble in his presence?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Erotica

446 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2016

About the author

#Author of dirty talking, nasty, where-do-you-want-me-to-put-it, cinnamon roll heroes | creator of #20kin5Days | host of #Wordmakers Community


tashalharrison.com
@tashalharrison on Twitter and Instagram.

Reviews

[Wobilba · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
It took everything in me not to DNF this and only because I needed to know how it ends. All of these characters need extensive therapy because….whew!

[Kayti Raet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally binge read this. Moar!

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 3rd installment of The Lust Diaries was by far my fave. Tasha has a way of juggling the two men in Yves' life so well that when the story focuses on one, you forget the other exists. There were some twists and turns that made me scream out a few times. No spoilers but the ending was perfect. Loved this series!

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars This trilogy was really good. The second book was my favorite. This final book had me pulled in, but things were just resolved too easily after all of the build-up.

[Coffee&Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

So listen... on the short list of authors who could write some words on a paper bag and I'd read it, you'll find Tasha L. Harrison. I'm not just blowing smoke up her behind when I say, this chick can write! I always enjoy her style, her vivid imagery, the way the story implants itself in my mind with it's realism and drama, to the point where I'm often thinking about a scene long after I read it. As always, Harrison is skilled at turning the mirror around on the reader (and especially the writer) to ask if you're living your life this boldly, if you're writing your characters this gritty, this real? Whew.

Having It Both Ways represents, to me, a tearing down and a building back up. I think Yves and Elijah met and fulfilled a need for each other, so many books ago. But I also think that relationships reach a place where you have to grow... either together or apart, but it has to [i/go somewhere[/i]. The split was heartbreaking to read about, but I also think it was necessary for the two of them to explore away from each other to realize what they truly meant to each other. Unfortunately this discovery happened at the expense of the love and adoration of other people, but as that quippy saying goes, the heart wants what it wants.

I love when I read a book and the longing between the two characters is palpable. Though Yves and Elijah barely speak throughout most of the book, their thoughts are always on one another. Even when Yves spends months in Jamaica with Julian; even when Elijah is contemplating uprooting his entire life for Shoshanna, there's an invisible thread that still ties Yves and Elijah together and like any romance, the reader has fingers crossed that they'll wake up and realize that they're meant to be together. They love each other-- they're [i]in love with each other[\i] and any attempt at recreating what they're supposed to have would never be fulfilling.

I feel that it's necessary to mention that one should read the other books in the series, but especially Book 1- In Her Closet: .

It lays the foundation for Yves, it shows her beginnings, where she came from and her transformation from sex blogger to memoirist and the role that Elijah plays in this transformation. The entire series is good, gripping, sexy (filthy, I think is the word Tasha uses) reading. Enjoy!

[dandelion · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suppose this 'dark erotica' genre just isn't meant for me. Though what actually upsets me most is how Eli talked about Julian, calling him a boy and then 'Jamaican fucker'. No thanks.

[Lakecia Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have gotten 5 stars but the grammar mistakes and errors were so damn irritating! EVERY PAGE! I am sorry but it seems no proofreading was done at all! I absolutely despise reading a book and being confused by a sentence and having to correct it in my mind as I read so the damn thing makes sense! There was repeated first person going to third person in the same sentences and paragraphs! Like wtf!? WOOOOSAHHHHH....now that I vented and got all of that out....

I liked Yves in the first two books but in this book, I wanted to fight her! I knew she would eventually get back with Elijah because that is where her heart was home at. But the way she easily forgave him after he broke her heart! Then to add insult to injury, he sexually assaulted her in the middle of consensual love making and she seemed okay with it! And poor Julian. He is a true King but she broke his heart trying to use him to get over Eli. I know hurt people hurt people, but he didn't deserve that. With her bed escapades, she could have used a one stand suitor, who was okay with just sex, to keep her mind busy during her heartbreak. Julian did not deserve her lack of respect and selfishness!

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well Yves is back as the dumbest self medicating train wreck ever and still NOT in therapy. And still making bad decisions with her fellow bird friend Ava. 😒😩She is annoying and refusing to grow and evolve as a character. Yves enjoys being miserable and she and Elijah are co dependent and at this point who cares what happens is they like being this messy?? Yves is just stuck and there’s no point or arc with her. She’s like a hamster running on those wheels but hamster are smarter. She still blogging and it’s basic and flat. Elijah misses her badly and is really struggling but he’s also in therapy which is great. Yves is messy and whiny so far. Julian is back with that awful offensive Jamaican accent. She treated Julian like shit when Yves breaks up with him and hurts him again he’s cool with it??? She leaving one man for another but had sex with the one she’s leaving as a goodbye?? Isn’t that cheating??? Then Elijah and the 3 of them ride to the airport like all is well with this hot mess…it’s SO unhinged and stupid. She even had a “goodbye make out session” with Julian when they arrive. WTAF??? Wrapping it up in a neat batshit bow like that was unreal.
Yves used Julian like and indecisive asshole and dumped his ass for Elijah.
Like the last books, the voice narration for the women is fine albeit whiny but its weird and not distinct enough for the men.

[Hannah Bote · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew from the first book in this series that Elijah was endgame, but I hate that he didn't have to do anything to get her back after breaking her heart, ignoring her for months and pushing her into a relationship with Julian. As soon as he said he wanted her, he got her. I know she loves him, but I wanted to see grovelling and work winning her back on his part, wine and dine stuff.

I also need some closure on Julian. I never believed she'd end up with him but I got attached and I want to see his happy ever after.

[Aaliyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually a really good book! I truly didn’t want it to end. I am happy that I got to read them in order and a part of me wished there was a part 4 where Julian comes back and they can just be in a poly relationship because it seems like they were starting to actually get along towards the end. But I mean, we can’t always get what we want 😂😂 It definitely ended on a high which is always nice.

[Rovonne Staten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting!

I hadn't read anything like this before and felt a little conflicted on which way to go with Yves decisions. I loved the outcome.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars

[dainisecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. The story and narration 5 star. I'm team Julian.