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 … 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…
more
I had my eyes set on Jules and Berk since I started ‘The Second We Met’. I already liked them in the previous books, but didn’t know them enough. My obsession really started to take fly when they interacted in TSWM and my expectations for TTBT was huuuuuge! It was one of my most anticipated books of 2020. And it didn’t disappoint! This is by far my favorite book of the Fulton U series and Berkjules are my favorite couple of the series. I don’t think they can be topped!
Let me talk about Julia Kelland and Berkely Vaughn as individuals for a moment, before I jump back to them as a couple.
↳ Jules. The baker and pole-dancing sweetheart. She’s is such a shy, genuine, warm hearted and strong human, who would put the people she cares about first, always. Jules has insecurites about her body, because she is curvy and not as thin as other girls. Her family plants seeds of doubt inside her head since a young age, about how she should look. I wanted to beat up her family a couple of times. Why are the parents, especially the mothers in New Adult romance books so damn awful?! Therefore, the majority part of TTBT deals with Jules overcoming her insecurites, accepting herself as she is and putting herself first, which was beautiful. I love character arcs where the character slowly learn to love themself!
↳ Berk. He surprised me with his story. We got some glimpses from the previous books but in those we only saw the “happy” side of Berkely Vaughn. Football player, the little brother of the group and overall a fun person to hang around with. In TTBT we see behind his cheery exterior and his backstory is heartbreaking. I wanted to jump into the book and give him a hug. I can really say now that I love Berk even more than I have before. Berk best characteristic is proabably that he’s the most loyal person to the people close to him. He would leave everything behind, if his friends need help. I was positively surprised about the depth his character had.
↳ Berk and Jules as a couple: My expectations: Jules and Berk will be the softest couple. Reality: Jules and Berk are the softest couple. Everything about them was so easy. Their friendship. Their conversation. How they didn’t feel embarrassed to be their real self with the other. It was amazing how whipped Berk was for Jules from the start, he always saw how awesome she is. There were some specific scenes where Berk and Jules were SO DAMN adorable as a couple. I’m pretty sure I’m getting diabetes with all the sweetness of this book lol.
↳ the friendships in this series are what made me fall in love with it in the first place. The brothel (Reece, Nix, Berk, LJ). I don’t think we got enough with them all the together, but the glimpses of the gang were sweet. Luckily for me, I got another friendship trio I can stan: Jules, Max and Avery. I LOVED how supportive Avery and Max were of Jules and how they invited her in their close friendship. While I haven’t read Avery and Emmett’s book yet, I’m really looking forward to it, now that I got a glimpse into their world. I really hope Max gets a book too!! She is such an interesting character!!
— It couldn’t give it 5 stars because I read TTBT after I read another amazing book that put me in a massive emotional slump that my heart wasn’t fully the first 20%. This is clearly a “it’s not you, it’s me’ kind of situation. If you loved Jules and Berk in The Second We Met, you’ll be very happy with their book!
This story is on a whole other level, unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Maya Hughes has captured the story of Jules and Berk with such emotion, I could not get enough of this book. It was a joy to watch Jules and Berk’s friendship evolve into one of such passion, easy love and forgiveness. Jules and Berk’s stories were so real, so heartbreaking but yet the way they saw each other…so clearly and without judgment, even with their pasts, was effortless. This story hit close to home for me and I must say that by the end of the book, it showed me forgiveness is truly the way to go. I highly recommend this book!
Oh how I loved watching Berk and Jules find their way together, through the good times and the bad they were made to be together.
Berk and Jules have been writing letters back and forth, hot steamy letters only Beck didn’t know the letters were from Jules because they were never signed only addressed to him so he called her The Letter Girl whenever he referred to the person that the letters came from. But Jules knew, because she is the one that had the crush and started the letters, so what was she to say when Berk asked her for help in finding out who The Letter Girl really is…..Of Course I’ll Help You!
This was my absolute FAVORITE book in the series! I have been enjoying this series but there is just something about Berk and Jules story that really got to me. I couldn’t tell you if it was because of either of their pasts, because they both had rough ones, or if it was because of their chemistry, because it was great, or if it was because of their friendship, because they were there for one another. Maybe, just maybe it was because of all of it, everything they went through before, during, and after they became a couple. They had their ups, downs, and everything in between, which made them even stronger.
OH and I have to mention for those that have read Ruthless King that Avery and Emmett as well as Max make an appearance in this book because Avery owns Bread & Butter where Jules interns because Avery is pregnant!!!!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the friends to lovers trope or secret admirer romances. This can be read as a standalone but I love the series and would recommend you reading the books in order since the characters flow through each of the books and Berk and Jules letter writing started in the second book.
Happy Reading!!!
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
I am in LOVE!!! Berk and Jules are off the charts amazing… they are so sweet, so fun. There’s this sweetness and purity to both of them. But they both come with baggage and I’m not talking about Berk’s ever present book bag. I’m talking about their emotional baggage that they carry around from childhood. I won’t get into those issues since Maya Hughes kills our hearts with these quick emotional jabs and y’all should be tortured just like I was!! I will say that I felt an insanely strong connection with Jules. I think she has some demons and struggles most women will relate too.
There were so many times I was left screaming at my Galaxy to talk… to stop lying or keeping secrets!! But these two, ugh, they are too wrapped up in their fears to acknowledge that those fears could ruin everything IF they continue to hide it. It has been a while since a story has made my heart to so many emotional flip-flops! One minute I’m all….. ohh Jules is wonderful, the next I want to assassinate her mom/sister, the next I want to twirl around in circles with Berk, only to add Alexis to the assassination list… all while stuffing my face with Jules’ treats!! So you see, I went back and forth so much that my heart was just on emotional overtime and I needed cookies or baked goods STAT!!
Maya Hughes played with my heart like one of those hacky sack players… up and down, up and town, twist and splat. I felt like an emotional mess after finishing and I loved it!! I know, I’m psycho but isn’t that why we read? Well that and for the author to take us on a mental sabbatical from our own lives. It’s always fun to play in another person’s life and know exactly what they’re doing wrong when we can’t fix our own problems! Hughes wrote an emotionally charged story that I was so endeared too. I’m not saying a cried because I feel rung out after this story but IF I did cry, I ended it feeling happy and content that like95% of it the story is wrapped up with a lovely bow!
I am now anxiously awaiting LJ and Marisa’s story! I’m not sure I’ve ever left a story feeling so anxious to know more about other couples… or yet to be determined couples! I’m really confused if I want to know more about Max and her story or more about LJ/Marisa. All I know, is I NEED more from all of them! Then, these narrators!! I mean you can NOT go wrong with Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder. I’m soo sooo happy Wilder played Jules! She was able to really get into her head and I FELT her feelings. I felt her insecurities. Her doubts. She was Jules! Then Jason Clarke as Beck…. can I just say YAAASSSS!! He’s so confident and charming but he’s a bit shy with Jules. I loved them… can I just say that on repeat? They make me want to listen to the entire series again just to be here with them again!
… ’ . . … …
I haven’t met a single FU character that I haven’t loved, and lucky for me TTBT is no exception to this streak.
I love Berk. All of him. The football player, the boy with the heart of gold, the persistent man.
And I love Jules. She’s like a treasure chest of surprising things all stacked together, giving us a kind heart and a soft baked exterior.
She really came alive in this book for me, and I was so excited to explore the many facets of her.
This was an enthralling premise, a clever storyline, and a touchdown in my books.
Bring on our next FU star!
I LOVED this book! Jules & Berk have intrigued me since The Second We Met & I’m so happy that their book lived up to my expectations!
Both Jules & Berk have their insecurities & pasts to get over, but I loved that they were both just more than happy to accept each other as they were! These two together….ohmigosh I just loved them! They’re so sweet and I just smiled when they were together!
Such an amazing read!!!
Berk!!!
I loved Berk and Jules story, both of them pulled at my heart strings and had me cheering for them all the way through. I laughed, I cried, I screamed at my kindle trying to tell them what they needed to do. This has got to be my favorite in the series so far. As a chunky girl I totally get Jules and I love how the author wrote her story and gave her the self esteem that she so desperately needed. And Berk….. I just wanted to hug him and never let him go. He’s the sweetest guy who I’m so glad got his happy ending. Wonderful book and totally a must read.
Berk!!!
I loved Berk and Jules story, both of them pulled at my heart strings and had me cheering for them all the way through. I laughed, I cried, I screamed at my kindle trying to tell them what they needed to do. This has got to be my favorite in the series so far. As a chunky girl I totally get Jules and I love how the author wrote her story and gave her the self esteem that she so desperately needed. And Berk….. I just wanted to hug him and never let him go. He’s the sweetest guy who I’m so glad got his happy ending. Wonderful book and totally a must read.
*Review by Michelle
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
If you read the previous books in this series you probably know who they are and how their story begins, basically Jules starts sending Berk dirty notes and Berk starts replying not knowing who’s behind the letters, latter on she stops sending the notes and Berk ask her for help to find who the letter girl is.
Guys, seriously, I knew this book was going to be perfect, but I don’t think I was prepared for how everything turned out here, the plot and pacing were so good, I swear I couldn’t stop reading because it’s really addictive.
Jules is probably my favorite girl, she’s really going through a lot with her family and I love how strong she is, she’s not really confident in herself, which made me sad a lot of times, but learning to accept herself was a big part of this book and I think Maya handled it really well
NOW BERK I’M IN SHOCK, okay, I knew that his personality and how outgoing he acts was probably a facade to hide an ugly truth, but I wasn’t ready for him and how his story is, he’s really so strong and for all the things he experienced made him so mature at such a young age.
Connecting with these characters was probably the easiest thing I’ve done, Maya really wrote two amazing characters with real problems in which whoever reads this book is going to find a little or a big part of themselves in them.
Seeing both Berk and Jules is struggling with self-love and underestimating who they are because they don’t think happiness can last for them made me shed more than a few tears.
I was a little scared about the miscommunication trope in this book, but don’t worry, I love how the problems get solved and how they always show that they trust each other.
Putting this in fewer words, the book was everything I was waiting for and more and seeing them grow and realize their worth was the best thing ever.
Wow… just wow!
I absolutely loved this book. I was so fortunate so as to receive an ARC copy and it was everything I hoped for and more!
Berk and Jules were perfect! Not only perfect together, but perfect as individual characters. They were incredibly well developed and you could easily follow and relate to the emotions of both characters. I would even go so far as to say The Third Best Thing is my favourite Fulton U book yet!
I personally really connected to Jules and her struggles with self confidence and being comfortable in/with her own body. I’m not a tiny girl and am myself working on having a better self image. Jules’ efforts to build a more positive outlook on her own body makes her one of the most inspiring “curvy girl” characters I have ever read about. She also now has me interested in looking into pole dancing lessons… If only I could find myself my own “Berk” too!
All in all, this book has set the bar very high for Fulton U, book 4. I have absolutely no doubt Maya will be able to do it again though! I can’t wait to read LJ and Marisa’s story next!
It feels like I’ve been waiting forever for Jules and Berk’s story. I’ve desperately wanted and needed more of them after those breadcrumbs we’ve gotten of them in the previous books. And I can say that it was definitely worth the wait the and icing on the cake. *wink*
The Third Best Thing picks up a year after The Letter Girl (Jules) has stopped writing Berk back. Berk has made it his mission to find out who TLG is and has asked Jules to help him. But Jules wants nothing more than for that not to happen since she doesn’t want Berk to know she’s TLG. What will happen when and if the truth is revealed?
Jules and Berk have undoubtedly stolen my heart. I wanted to wrap them both up and never let them go. They’re both dealing with insecurities and struggles that have been present at a young age. But together they learn and lean on one another—they are each other’s safe place. I just loved Jules and Berk’s easy and sweet friendship. Jules’ love of baking hit home and the way that Berk couldn’t get enough of it had me smiling. There was no doubt that the love between these two would blossom, and watching it unfold was beautiful.
The Third Best Thing hit me with all the feels. I didn’t expect to be hit with the emotional punch. And not going to lie, but there were a few times I got choked up. But even with the emotional aspect, this story had me laughing. I loved all the banter and was left smiling so big and swooning all over the place. I loved Jules and Berk so much, and it’s no surprise that they’re my favorite. Ms. Hughes did a phenomenal job with this installment in the Fulton U series and I can’t wait for what’s next in this series and what she has up her sleeve.
Love Jules and Berk’s story. Their story takes you on an emotional roller coaster of feeling and will leave your heart smiling at the end. Love the letters at the end of the book.
What to say about Berk and Jules… they we so freaking cute and sexy all at the same time. Berk has a semi crush on Jules and Jules has fallen mostly for Berk. They are best friends kind of since Berk spends most of his time across the street at Jules house eating all her baked goods( no euphemism). Jules loves having him there and hangs out with him just because. There is something that she been hiding though. All the sexy letters Berk has gotten? Yep that’s Jules. No spoiler here since we’ve known this since last book.
I adored this couple. I also wanted to hug them both hard. They have vastly different backgrounds but have found each other anyway. Neither of them has had the love that they deserve from family but both of them have a huge capacity to love. Berk was such a surprise to me. He broke my heart several times through the book but still continues on. Jules is the same. Her family life is not what I expected especially how Jules is. Her sweetness out shines her baked goods. (Maya Hughes… I had to take several cookies breaks. Thanks so much.) I was super surprised at their sexy times. Holy Hotness!!! I may never look at a donut the same way again. Just comparing the donut hole size might make me spontaneously combust.
Berk and Jules are the sweetest thing I’ve ever read! Their friendship, their passion, their love and loyalty all of it was above and beyond what I expected and this book was definitely worth every second of wait! 5 yummy donuts for this sweet as sin story!
Jules is one of the fiercest heroines I have read, now if only she’d see her own strength! Her pain runs deep but her love for life runs deeper and keeps her going! She had some kick butt friends and seeing her grow has been amazing! I am so inspired by her take charge attitude and her amazing strength!
Berk! Oh sweet, clueless Berk! He is the sweetest, most caring guy, but he lacks the ability to see things clearly all the time! Even though he’s been dealt a tough hand in life he still has the ability to see the best in those around him! It’s one of his redeeming qualities but it also makes me want to shake him (it definitely went against him at times poor guy)! What really draws me to Berk is his loyalty to those he loves! He’s not afraid to fight for them he just needs to learn to trust that not everyone is going to leave him! He over-compensates when all he has to do is open up!
Together these two bring the best out in one another! They challenge each other and they want to see one another accomplish their full potential! Maya did such an amazing job at creating characters you could really relate to! And the message of loving yourself no matter what others say, because come on screw them, is definitely a message we can all agree on! ….Max though seriously love her (read the book to know what I’m talking about because seriously she’s my spirit animal)
4.5*
“Don’t ever let anyone else make you feel like you’re not awesome.”
Jules & Berk have absolutely stolen my heart. Both of these characters are so damn precious that you just want to wrap them up with all of the hugs. Between their sweet friendship, Jules love of baking and Berk’s obsession with eating it (her baking), and the sprouts of love blooming between them, this book is everything. This story picks up a year after The Letter Girl (Jules) has stopped writing back to Berk. He’s on a mission to find her, and Jules is on a mission to not let that happen, while still being around the guy she’s become so close with. The friend-zone sucks, but it’s also better than nothing.
Berk and Jules both are dealing with insecurities and struggles that have been ingrained in them from a young age. What they find in each other is a love and safety that neither one has had in a long time. These two falling in love isn’t simple of course, because there are so many obstacles in their way. Those obstacles come in both mental and physical forms. People who are toxic in their lives and hang ups that are toxic in their minds. I don’t want to say too much, because you just need to read their story. Ms. Hughes did a fantastic job with TTBT infusing it with a rollercoaster of emotions without making it too heavy of a read. You will feel it in your feels, but you’ll also end this story with a smile on your face.
Can’t wait to read what’s to come next at Fulton U!
A seemingly unlikely match that turns out to be absolutely perfect! I was swept up in this story and watching a friendship evolve into a beautiful romance. I loved Berk and Jules!!!
Berk is hoping to get drafted. He’s a senior just trying to finish up strong his final year. He’s been obsessing about The Letter Girl. He has no idea who she is. She just put sexy letters in his mailbox. But it became more of a relationship between two people that could share their secrets. Then one day she wrote her final letter and disappeared. He’s not ready to let her go.
Jules is the girl across the street with baking skills that could win over anyone. She’s sweet and kind. She’s also fighting a battle with inner demons that constantly try to convince her that she’s not good enough. She’s working on feeling worthy and putting herself out there to take what she wants. She wants Berk but isn’t sure he’ll ever see her as more than his sweets supplier.
They started out as friends. He began coming over more. He’s always seen Jules, but wanted to keep things friendly. However, the more time they spend together, he no longer wants to hold back. He doesn’t want The Letter Girl, he wants the sweet baker who’s got a naughty side he’s only just discovering.
Jules is on her own journey of self-discovery. She may have some secrets, but she wants to grow and live. She wants to be happy and get the guy of her dreams. However, she’s not willing to settle. She deserves someone who will always choose her. Berk is fighting his past. He doesn’t know what it’s like to rely on other people. He’s the one they rely on. Having someone love him just because and want what’s best for him is a new experience. He struggles with moving on and letting go.
A story of friendship and love. A love that heals and nourishes. Forgiveness because you can’t have true love without it. And passion for dreams and an amazing future. Jules and Berk had their obstacles, but loving one another wasn’t one of them.
I love all these characters in this series. This story has friendship, romance, drama, sexy times, some pole dancing and a whole lot of love! I am left wanting more of this series because there are a few other characters who need to tell their own story’s!
I’m never going to look at a doughnut the same way ever again! This book had so many surprises, and I couldn’t get enough of the characters.
Jules is a sweetheart. She is fun, shy to an extent, and loves baking. She also has a different side that she doesn’t show very often. That is the part that is the most intriguing.
Berk was a total surprise. I thought that he was going to be this fun loving jokester, but he was so much more. He has a past that has molded him, and he bases all his decisions on that. He is loyal, honest, and tries to mask the pain. His qualities made me love him so much more.
Watching these two skirt around each other and deny their feelings had me flipping pages as fast as I could. I wanted them to get their act together, spill the secrets, and stop all the second guessing, but it all played out perfectly. I was so sad to see it end.
Now that ending… I knew it was coming, but now that the actions have played out, I am that much more exciting. Maya … bring on book number 4!
– An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
This is one of my highly anticipated reads for the year and Maya Hughes did not disappoint! From where The Second We Met left off, Berk was very determined to find out who The Letter Girl is and has enlisted help from Jules, completely oblivious that she’s TLG herself.
I found that Berk and Jules are characters you easily fall inlove with individually and together. Their relationship is just the purest thing. Even at the start just as friends, up to watching their relationship unfold. You can just tell their feelings are truly genuine. I love that they helped each other overcome the struggles they’re dealing with.
In The Perfect First and The Second We Met, we got to see Berk as someone who is very outgoing – he also described himself as the little brother in their friend group. Jules is the resident baker, pole dancer, and The Letter Girl herself. She’s also really selfless and is the absolute sweetest.
What I love is that they both have issues they deal with on their own which make it easier to connect with them. Jules is struggling with her self-confidence. The way her family treated her all those years broke my heart so much. I loved seeing her overcome those struggles, learn to love herself, and put herself first.
Berk struggles with his past – what he went through and how it still affects him now. My heart just goes out to him. Reading his POV and finding out why he acts the way he does had my heartbreaking too.
I’m just so glad now they both have these amazing people in their life who loves them and wants the best for them – something they didn’t get a lot of (but definitely deserved) while growing up.
It was also a plus to see Avery, Max, and Emmett (from Kings of Rittenhouse) again! I especially loved what Emmett said to Berk, that deserves a special mention. And that tease at the end – I can’t wait for Marisa & LJ’s book!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Jules has been crushing on Berk forever now. Leaving him anonymous letters filled with the naughtiest of things is normal right? And now Berk is determined to find his Letter Girl. Except who has he enlisted to help him on his mission, but his friend Jules. Yep…
These two! So cute together, fell so seamlessly into each other’s lives. They were it for each other even before they realized it. I certainly didn’t expect Berk’s heartbreaking backstory, and combined with Jules’ own insecurities made for a bumpy trip for them, but they managed it, even if there was lots of pain before they made it to their happy ever after. New Adult fiction and myself have an up and down relationship, but I can safely say that The Third Best Thing is one of the best New Adult/college romances I’ve read in a long, long time.
Romantic love is far from dead, I assure you. This story features an athlete falling in love through letters he writes to an anonymous woman. What can be more romantic than that?
Do not fret, the letters are hot, too Part of this novel’s success is the author’s style which comes up with witty and fun ways to express ideas through lively comparisons.
One of the things that make this hot athlete so adorable is that he didn’t have a loving environment when he was growing up, so he finds a special kind of warmth in being significant enough to someone to warrant food and care just for him. And Jules is endearing too when she fights her inhibitions regarding her full figure and her baking skills. Everything to do with her delicious treats and her infinite source of creative energy was great and uplifting to me.
They are so tentative in their attraction to each other that it makes the growing pains of their relationship both enticing and sweet. Poor Jules is humiliated right and left whereas Beck is almost innocent in his attitude towards her. Except when he has to defend her or just plain desire her. Then he is a hero!
All the fun loveliness turns into gut-wrenching drama when feelings start exploding about abandonment, self-worth, trust and love. It’s as real as it can get, and quite moving. I couldn’t stop the mist from inundating my eyes. Jules is that woman who is learning to accept her body shape and all the ugliness from people about it. And Beck is dealing with his origins and his meaning in a very frosty world.
There’s also stress on the kind of bonds we have with people that can be toxic, and how we can cut them out or rebuild them. Expect open-hearted scenes, a love that is won in fire, and a family made of friends. Truly lifeworthy.