REVIEW: The Third Best Thing by Maya Hughes
One of my most anticipated romance releases of 2020 is finally here! Happy release day to The Third Best Thing by Maya Hughes, book 3 in the Fulton U series.
After reading The Perfect First and The Second We Met last year, I could not wait to get my hands on the third book in the series. And let me tell you: Berk and Jules did NOT disappoint. Scroll down to read a blurb of the book along with my personal review!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Title: The Third Best Thing
Series: Fulton U #3
Author: Maya Hughes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs
Release Date: January 30, 2020
PURCHASE ON AMAZON
or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
BLURB
Dear Letter Girl, I need to see you. When can we meet?
Her response never came. My secret pen pal with a dirty mind has ghosted me. I've roped Jules, my sweet as pie next door neighbor, to help me track her down.
There's only one problem—I'm falling for her. The tortoise shell glasses, out of this world curves and delicious treats are making the search for The Letter Girl even harder.
My notes were supposed to be a one time thing. A little too much wine and naughty thoughts on a winter's night. I never thought Berk would write back. I wanted to tell him it was me, but the fear of rejection kept my lips sealed.
Now he’s enlisted my help to track down The Letter Girl and our search has him hot on my, ahem, her trail.
She's the girl next door.
He's my secret pen pal.
Truth is on a collision course with their hearts and it’s only a matter of time before one of them gets wrecked...
“That could be interpreted as a little dirty.”
“if It still needs interpretation, maybe I should be a bit clearer.”
Oh, boy. If that line doesn’t make your heart jump a little, I’m sorry to say but you may be dead. After reading books 1 and 2 in the Fulton U series by Maya Hughes, I was dying—actually DYING—to get my hands on The Third Best Thing. The little taste we get of Jules and Berk’s relationship in TSWM was just NOT enough for me. I knew this had the potential to be my favorite book in the Fulton U series, but Maya Hughes blew all of my expectations right out of the water.
If you thought Berk was hilarious in the snippets we got of him in books 1 & 2, you’re going to die reading from his POV. He’s definitely the guy you’d call up when you want to have a good time. However, Berk completely took me by surprise (in the BEST way possible) when we got to see his sensitive side and the depth of his emotions. Berkley Vaughn hasn’t had the easiest life growing up and it was refreshing to get to see that side of him and how it’s affected his life as he’s gotten older. Other things I loved about Berk: his drive and determination to carving out the best future possible for himself, his commitment to his friends and the family he’s made, how much he adores Jules’ sweet treats and his Letter Girl, and how great of a support he is for Jules from the very start of the story.
I want to be Julia “Jules” Kelland in my next life. Hence why I’m baking in these photos (maybe if I hone my baking skills, a Berk will show up at my house to eat my treats?) I found the insecurities that Jules faced about her body image totally relatable—pretty sure I wore a hoodie every single day in high school because of how much I disliked my arms lol—but I loved how determined she was to make strides to love herself and her body more, despite the negative criticism coming from the people who should’ve loved her the most. Jules is a total babe for making the first move with the letters to Berk, but also just a total babe for being brave and going after the things she wants to try: pole-dancing…a dream baking job…Berk ;)
I felt that both Berk and Jules as characters experienced a lot of necessary growth in this story that only made them stronger both individually and as a couple. While there is a good splice of drama in this story, it never felt “unnecessary” and it wrapped up in a very believable way. The Third Best Thing by Maya Hughes is hilarious and fun and sexy, but It’s also deeply emotional as it explored both Berk’s and Jules’ very different family situations, the scars their individual situations left behind, and their paths to overcoming it all. I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. It’s by far my favorite book in the Fulton U series and I hope you pick it up now that it’s out in the world (and FREE for those of you who have Kindle Unlimited!).
Comment below: cookie or brownie? I was making a sea salt chocolate truffle brownie with blackberry jam in these pics (it was delish!) And let me know if you’ve read any of the Fulton U series before!
Thank you to Maya Hughes for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Have a great day and happy reading!
Love,
Skylar Bree
GOODREADS LINK:
ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE FULTON U SERIES
And FREE to Read with Kindle Unlimited
#1 The Perfect First
#2 The Second We Met
AUTHOR BIO
Maya Hughes can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! :-) I’m a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.
I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe and traveling with my family.
AUTHOR LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayahugheswrites/
Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/authors/maya-hughes
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mayahughes
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/mayahughes
