The Third Best Thing

By: Maya Hughes

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Emma Wilder

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

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....

©2020 Maya Hughes (P)2020 Maya Hughes

love how friendship can become love

This book has a great plot and the performance was absolutely great. I found myself smiling and very much invested in the
story. I love the female lead she is very relatable with her insecurities and the issues that she faces with her family. I found that her being so joyful and kindhearted was heartwarming. The talent of baking was a nice touch more than once I found myself wishing I could taste some of the cookies she bakes in the book. Now when I comes to her preferred choice of exercise. Let's just say It made me wonder if maybe I should look into taking some of those classes. They seem to come in handy for her later on in the book. Trust me that was a great part of the book for me especially because of her fuller figure body.

As far as the male lead, wow let me say that he made me smile very often and I love how loyal he is to her standing by her when others are making her feel bad and what he says at the engagement party let me tell you I let out a giggle will and had to look around because of my goofy look on my face. I love him he is doing the best he can and the way he loves his sister and takes care of her is nice. I do see him grow and fine more of himself ad the book goes on I was very happy for him when he got closure even if it was not what he wanted. It's better to know than to wonder thru life wondering what happened. He had me in tears more than ounce. He has become one of my favorites I love both of them and their friends.


This is a great book I would recommend it to anyone I am looking forward to the next book.

Oh and yes it's a spicy book those scenes are great. You will love this book

Good Story

Based off of the narrators I chose this book and although parts of it were typical it was still a good story, nothing heavy but with a more real life story line and very little fluff. This one deals with self esteem, body shaming and abandonment issues between the main characters. I didn't realize when I started that it was part of a series so I may need to go back to the others although this one seems to stand on it's own.

These 2 were off the charts

I originally read the book and fell in love but listening to it brings on a whole new feeling. These narrators were great. They brought the emotions out of Jules that you just couldn't grab from the book. I've seen multiple reviews saying she needed to suck it up or put her big girl pants on. That she was too whiny. Those who've never been on the receiving end of words like these or even just having those thoughts of not being good enough will never understand the effect this takes on one's emotions. It's torture. Berk was everything a girl could ask for. He saw passed the looks of someone and saw straight through to the person. He'd been down a road of not good enough so he got it. Just in a different aspect. 5/5 ⭐️

Perfection!!

This is an absolutely delightful read! Jules and Berk's romance was everything I'd hoped it would be and more. Perfection was what it was and a pure joy to read. Characters that will totally steal your heart share a sizzling, sweet chemistry and an emotional connection so powerful, it is practically on a cellular level. The story line is made up of a compelling combination of cuteness, drama, humor, deep emotions, bone melting steam and plenty of heart. This epic romance proudly wears its heart on its sleeve while also taking the opportunity to shine a light on a couple of very important issues. This was done in an almost seamless way by the author. Nothing felt forced or intrusive. I felt that it made the characters you already loved more realistic and added a tinge of harsh reality to the book. All and all, this is a book that shouldn't be missed in a series that just keeps getting better. Dual narration which is much appreciated. The narrators have amazing voices that I felt fit the characters to a T. This made getting swept up into this book as easy as breathing.

Jules and Berk!

Jules is strong not because of her past but in spite of it. Not only was she not supported by those who should have loved her but the way they treated her is enough to break your heart. She doesn’t believe her neighbor would ever be attracted to her but that doesn’t stop the feelings she has for him. What was supposed to be one anonymous letter has snowballed as she certainly didn’t expect him to write her back and even more when she stopped writing he didn’t think he would come to her door looking for help to find the woman who wrote the letters.

Berk is the sexy football player who exudes confidence but due to a painful past that is far different from the man he truly is. When he starts receiving the letters, he is drawn to the woman who wrote them so when they stop, he feels lost. He knows that she is special and now all he needs his neighbor to help him find her, but the truth is much closer than he thinks.

The more time they spend together, the closer they become and the way that they are there for each other is magical to watch. This is sweet and sexy story with all the feels about two people who with the help of each other realize they deserve more than the hand they have been dealt and that family is about love not blood. I thought that the narrators were the perfect choice for the characters and the story.

Best one yet for Fulton U!

Berk and Jules! Swoon!!! It was great to see average Jules shine in this book and Berk is a sweet hotty who is just so lovable. It’s a long book but their story has it all...laughter, tears, WTF & LOL moments and steamy chemistry. Not sure if there is going to be another Fulton U but anything Maya Hughes writes is great. Oh, let’s not forget narration...it’s Jason Clarke...what’s not to love. Emma Wilder is becoming one of my fave female narrators.

Definitely

Definitely the best in the series so far! Not sure if it’s because you started hearing their story in the second one but definitely not just a one time listen!

So Emotional

Loved this book. Berk and Jules have a rough road and lots of tough times but they manage to find each other and be exactly what the other needs when they need it. Great performances by Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder.

Male voice is all wrong; Females too insecure!

This is a good story, but the male voice is much too old for a young college guy!! Also, these stories would be even better if the author made some of the female characters have stronger self esteems. In books 2 and 3 especially, the female leads are so insecure. I’d love to see the guys have to work a bit at proving themselves rather than constantly trying to reassure he women that they’re “good enough”!!

The Third Best Thing

The Third Best Thing was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020 and Maya Hughes delivered!

Berk and Jules were introduced earlier in the series and the set up for their story was intriguing. They start writing letters to each other, but Berk doesn't know who The Letter Girl is. Jules is hesitant to tell him it's her because she fears being rejected, but she's put in a tough spot when Berk recruits her to help him find The Letter Girl.

If the story had stuck to just that I probably still would have enjoyed it. However, we get to know these characters on a deeper level and in different situations. The letters play a huge part in the story, but by this point Jules has stopped writing Berk back. So we get to see them connecting as they spend time together vs on paper.

The narration, as with the earlier books in the series, is spot on. I loved hearing these characters brought to life.

I absolutely loved stepping back into this world and am already planning to reread The Third Best Thing and the other two books in the series.