With Her Own Two Hands

Small Town Romance #3

by Tasha L. Harrison

Julian Webster needs a muse.
After leaving Philadelphia to escape a woman who couldn’t love him the way he needed, he’s beginning to wonder if he left every creative cell in his body back there too.
Agostina Malone knows that too much heartbreak can make you bitter.
She loves the idea of love but knows she's just not built for it. Instead, she has carved out her life with her own two hands. Good sex, recognition from those she loves and respects, close relationships with friends and family — those were the things she craved. But romantic love? No. Romantic love can drain you. Steal your light. Leave you empty and depressed.

When big, broody Julian keeps invading her sacred spaces, Agostina offers her spiritual practices to help him snap out of it. But even a fistful of crystals and all the mojo bags in the world can't seem to put this man right. Maybe a mojo bag isn't what he needs...

Maybe they both need something only love can cure.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Mental Illness, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

First published November 2, 2021

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 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I didn’t enjoy this as much as the previous books. Julian and this toxic ex and her boyfriend from the list diaries ruined it for me. Maybe if I hadn’t read that series and did know the detailed toxicity of that relationship i would’ve enjoyed this more.

Also there was so much going on here from mental illness to sexuality to sibling and parental drama it was hard to keep track off.

Overall it was just an okay read

[Kameel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot going on in this story and really too much to unpack with mental illness, bi-sexuality, family drama, unreciprocated feelings, just too much. The narration for this audiobook was just o.k.

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and these sisters
and even though this is not my favorite I still recommend this book and series

3,5⭐

[Virginia Rounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Tasha Harrison did it again with this one.
--
This was a really well done story about complicated people dealing with complicated shit. Aggie is bipolar and it’s important to her to keep a level head/heart. Julian is still pining for his ex girlfriend…who btw also loves him back. She is polyamorous, though, and Julian doesn’t want that. So thorny issues all around.
.
Though it’s dual POV, we are in Aggie’s head a lot more than Julian. I imagine some readers wouldn’t want so much about her struggles with her mental illness, but it was such a part of her journey to happiness that I just adored it.
.
I would like to see more of rebuilding her relationship with her mother (in a future book maybe?) Realistically, that stuff doesn’t happen overnight and so it seemed right for this story that a
Aggie prepped the ground but didn’t yet plant the seed, so to speak.
.
Also, I have to say that Tasha Harrison’s leading men walk the very fine line of assertive-and-into-it, but not pushy. Respect and consent accompany lust all the way. It’s GREAT. I love them!
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This is the third of a sister-trilogy; I’ve read # 1 (loved it!) but not # 2 (yet!), so you can dive in wherever seems good. Read the CWs if you have triggers related to mental illness or depression.

[Victoria Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow heart-wrenching and soothing at the same time. A gorgeous romance.

[BlackSpec Circuit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best Romance books I've read in a long time. I am grateful for the author,for her ability to bring these characters to life and their stories. I love the gentleness,compassion that exist in this story between black lovers. I loved how mental health was addressed, family history, culture, men who are survivors of statutory rape, therapy in the black community, black joy. This book is steamy, sexy, funny. I will pass this book down to people I love. I feel privileged to have been able to read it. Highly recommend

[Kelleen (booms.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about healing and new beginnings. And it’s absolutely stunning.

It’s a beautiful, raw, emotional story about two Black artists in a small town finding each other and themselves. Aggie has bipolar disorder and is learning how to trust herself and her mind in her sexual/romantic relationships, and Julian is getting over a hard and devastating breakup and has lost his artistic voice.

Aggie is a conjure woman and an empath, and the exploration of self through her work is breathtakingly intimate. As an intensely feeling person, reading this book was overwhelmingly immersive. The writing is so deeply empathetic and compassionate and the love story between these two is intensely emotional and vulnerable.

This is the third in a fantastic series about the Malone sisters, and each and every one of them is powerfully, spiritually stirring in their exploration of human connection. They’re about family and sisterhood, partnership and self-care, and also really profoundly moving sexy times.

Read indie, read Black romance, read this book.

CW: mental illness, self harm, institutionalization, grooming.

[Brandece · Rating 3 out of 5]

With Her Own Two Hands was the book in the series that I was most excited for and sadly it was my least favorite. I liked so much about this book, but in the end there was A LOT going on (mostly on the MMC's end). I loved and appreciated the conversations on mental health, but there were times I was irritated with Julian due to him not really listening to Aggie. At times it felt very much like "my love will heal you" and I didn't care for that. I loved Aggie as the FMC, she is a character that I have loved since the first book. I wanted to love Julian and there were things I did really like about him, but he was a no for me as a whole. Honestly he had too much going on. I did love being back in the world the author created, and I was excited to see Aggie finally get her HEA. I will say like the other ones it was instalovey, and I wish there was more of an epilogue, but I'm hoping for more in the small town. As a whole I have been recommending this series and I will continue to recommend it.

[Donnela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll start by saying that I read this through audio, and i wish I read it as an ebook. The male narrator did nothing for this book. He was so monotonous I think it robbed me off of some parts of the book.

Now the book, this was so cute. Hopeless romantics falling in love with each other. Coming together inspite of all the things happening in their personal lives.
The two MCs are both trying to overcome something. For one of them their biggest hurdle is coming into terms with living with BPD. I think this topic was well handled. You know as someone living with a Mentall illness, sometimes I just want to check myself into an institution because living with this thing that will probably never leave, is hard and it’s difficult to deal.

The elements of spirituality that were intricately woven into the story was soo interesting. Especially as a reader who’s always been interested in tarot. This was such a hoot!

The only thing I’d say, is that them ending up together seemed a little bit too rushed. But once they were in, it’s easy to over look it.

Again, please read the ebook.

[Brandis Pruitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this 3.5 ⭐️if I could. The Malone sisters warmed my heart from the first book in this series. Aggie is a sister who is discovering herself, family dynamics, healing, creativity and eventually love. Julian is a sad artist who is lost but soon finds his own pace and space. He also wants to find love although he can’t have it with the person he truly wants. These two eventually set out to really get two know each other but ultimately learn the most about themselves.

I totally appreciate this author’s insight on and reference to mental illness. It was tastefully explored. I loved this series, although this one was my least favorite. It moved slower for me and I struggled not to walk away. And who knows? Perhaps the author wanted the reader to experience the heaviness, slow movement, high moments, and other aspects mental Illness often presents. Overall, I would recommend this series.

[Alysses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think I was going to like this book. The more I read the more I found it to be perfect. There is so much to unpack and I don't think I will be able to do this book justice.

This book is not for everyone nor do I think all that takes place can be understood fully. There were so many instances where my heart broke. From not understanding that you could be loved and what that love could feel like because part of your disorder heightens every experience to not being able to fully immerse yourself in your spirituality because that could be a product of disorder. Not being able to recognize your spirituality as part of the healing process because of your disorder or more so because your therapist might not see it that way.

There were so many layers to this read and again, I did not expect to like it as much as I did because I didn't think the author would go this route or maybe even be able to pull it off.

I want to say so much more but not everything needs to be said.

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series, Birdie and Saxon were my favorite- followed closely behind by this couple (Aggie and Julian). While there were some serious things addressed, the focus on healing was handled so beautifully. Reading this was like staring at a work of literal art/ painting; everything meant something. Rather it was a reading of the cards or the focus on shadow work. It all circled back to something significant for the characters. Which made the ending perfect!

I wish we could’ve had more of the Malone sisters. This was so good!!

[AnnieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I liked the dynamics of the family. Agostina and Julian are both artists struggling with mental illness and the author does a good job of exploring both the romance, determination, passion, and family in a well-thought-out way. Especially as the characters are African American. Agonstina's magical family, (read her parents), don't acknowledge her mental health as anything more than the magic in her veins.

[Andrea Fluence · Rating 3 out of 5]

insightful

Mental illness in the Black community is a taboo topic and in recent years has become the topic of conversation. It was revealing to read about the ups and downs and learning about the doubts that one has about really seeing things as they are. I gave the book 3 stars because at first it moved incredibly slow for me, but the overall content was enlightening.

[Nikkiplans99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a love story. It’s about loving yourself as much as you love someone else. It’s about family love and accepting what other people can provide. But don’t get it twisted. This book was written by Tasha L Harrison so it’s also sexy with lots of sexy times. Check content warnings a major focus is on mental health.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt the angsting went on a little long (and for me also the specifics of crystals/Tarot), but I liked the approach to mental illness and past trauma, especially the inclusion of family dynamics and how they needed to change as Agostina was changing her own self-care. Really liked the characters and wanted to see them succeed.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story!

It was a lot heavier than I expected but a good read nonetheless. I’m glad I read Agostina and Julian’s story, mental health issues are so complex and takes a lot of work.

[Rovonne Staten · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

I love Tasha's stories. This one was tied to the Lust Diaries, which I
hadn't read in a while. It has made me want to, because that's when I feel in love with Tasha's writing.
I also learned a lot from this book. It was therapeutic.

[Littlebookterror · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some idea of what this novel would be about but I was still taken off guard by the way the story frames mental illness (and mental health in general) and that is influenced by their upbringing.
This has some really powerful imagery.

full review to come.

[Techlady · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried really really hard to finish. I kept on coming back here to read the reviews to give me a reason to continue. But I finally gave up on it. I loved books 1 and 2. But oh dear, definitely NOT book 3. :(

[Davina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a little slow for me but the ending was impactful. I think it’s touched on a few very relatable topics that many can identify with. So not as big of a page turner like the 2 books that proceed it but carried the heaviest message, if that makes sense.

[K. Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved

I’ve never been so sad for a book to end.. o absolutely loveddd these characters. Each sister was special in these series but Aggie was by far my favorite.. Definitely a great read with a beautiful message.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My feelings like this book are complicated but that doesn’t take away from the greatness

[Laura Forner · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really enjoyed the rep in this book, but overall it wasn’t anything earth shattering or life changing

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

:) a blissful ending to a trio of books. :)

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Self-harm
Psychiatric hospitalisation

[Selina Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it was a lot to deal with and wrap your head around in this book. The book was kind of all over the place and not long enough.

[Candice Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 I had high hopes, but I was mostly bored listening to this.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. I devoured it in a day. I want to read everything the author has ever written.