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…
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I received a complimentary ARC – early release copy of this book in Kindle format from the author for review purposes.
This is book 3 in the series and a highly anticipated story. It stars Julia/Jules and Berk who are neighbors and share friends who are romantically involved with each other. It was really different than I imagined it would be, but it still was a really fun and wonderful story.
In past books we have gotten to know both characters and we know that Berk and Jules have a secret admirer type of relationship and one where Berk is crushing on a secret letter writer but has no clue its Jules.
Jules has a HUGE crush on him but she thinks he only likes her for her baked goods and not who she is inside and so she never plans to share that she was the letter writer. The two have formed a friendship and Jules is okay with that, until Berk starts to see her differently.
There are two main issues in this romance that threaten Berk and Jules romance and one is Alexis, an evil 20 something year old who is close to Berk. And the second is the secret admirer relationship and Jules scared to tell Berk.
The biggest surprise in this story for me was who Berk was. In previous books he comes across as a very HOT and confident guy and the reality is very different. Sorry no spoilers here, you will have to read the story to get to know the real Berk.
This story is very centered on how different we are underneath all our BS and how we have to let our walls down to let our friends and romantic partners in to see who we really are. It was an amazing story and I absolutely loved every second of the story, it just was different than I had expected.
When we first met Berk and Jules in the previous book, I had no idea how much I would just love their story. I devoured it! Just devoured it! The Third Best Thing by Maya Hughes was a bit emotional, charming and sweet read. Jules was just so likable. She was sweet and caring and on the timid side. I just wanted to give her a hug. Berk was so unexpected. He is still the fun guy, but we also see so much more of him and who he is. I loved their friendship, their chemistry and watching them fall. This was a great read and one I highly recommend!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
“She might not see it, but Jules was the sexiest woman I’d ever met. She made it so easy to fall into the dream land of breakfast at the kitchen table laughing and smiling and late nights making her scream my name”
2020 is the year of BerkJules and TTBT did not disappoint with them! This story is a beautiful friends-to-lovers secret admirer romance between the ever-lovable goofball Berk and the bubbly baking extraordinaire Jules.
“I saw a home with her in our future. The complete picture. There wasn’t anyone more perfect for me than her. And I’d spend as long as I needed to make her believe it was true”
Berk is the sweetest – he loves Jules exactly as she is. He’s had it rough in life and while his good-humored nature is partially a coping mechanism, it’s also a testament to his inner strength. This is a man who is seriously difficult to bring down. He exudes energy and positivity, and is fiercely loyal.
“But I deserved to be happy just as I was, regardless of size, and I deserved the love of someone like Berk. And I wasn’t going to let my doubts about my self-worth get in the way of that anymore”
Jules is so relatable – while she is sweet and caring and open to new people, she’s also riddled with self-doubt about her appearance. Who can’t relate with that at least a little? She has bouts of confidence, but it’s an uphill battle after years of slowly having it chipped away with biting remarks and backhanded compliments. While she struggles, she is also a tough one to really bring down – she’s a fighter and we see her actively fighting and confronting those demons and negative self-talk.
With both of them being outwardly positive people who harbor negative beliefs about their own worth, these two are the perfect match. They get where the other person is coming from and bolster each other to overcome their fears. Their love and relationship doesn’t fix it all or make it go away, but it does give them a shoulder to lean on and the support they need to keep going when their fears get to them.
The Third Best Thing is an amazingly hot, overwhelming sweet, and breathtakingly honest story of finding love in the most unconventional ways and learning to love yourself the way you love others.
Yes, yes, yes!!!! Berk and Jules were everything!! I just loved them so much and couldn’t get enough of their story. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop! Just learning the depth to both Jules & Berk as individuals was wonderful to see – especially since we only skimmed the surface of who they were in the previous two books (which if you haven’t read The Perfect First and The Second We Met – I highly recommend them!!!)
Jules is still sweet as can be, an amazing baker and secret pole dancer (yes girl!!)……but she was also harboring some insecurities because of her weight (thanks to years of being harped on), which made it difficult for her to accept love and affection from others. Which is why it was easier for her to write the secret letters to Berk, as she could be as open as she wanted to without the fear of being rejected face to face.
And Berk – what a wonderful surprise he was! Yes, he was still that fun-loving, goofy guy that we have come to love throughout the first two books in the series. But the thoughts he had about himself and his self worth absolutely broke my heart, and all I wanted to do was to give him a huge hug.
So, of course, seeing these two slightly damaged characters move out of the friend zone and come together as something more than friends was amazing!! They were beyond perfect for each other, even though Berk still didn’t know she was his letter girl. They both liked each other for who they were, not what they had and could offer the other. Each of them saw the other’s true soul, even if they couldn’t see that about themselves. (Seriously, that one scene where Berk takes her hand and walks her over to her house for that private dance – hot AF!).
I loved, loved, loved the connection once again to The Kings of Rittenhouse series (Avery and Emmett!!!), getting another nerf gun war (I love those scenes!!), as well as seeing the true connection, bond, and family that those from the Brothel had become. No matter the distance that was between them, they would always be a family. The way they all showed up to support Berk when he needed it most was so beautiful and brought tears to my eyes.
And now the wait to get Marisa and LJ’s story is going to be slightly torturous, because after that bomb that was dropped at the end…….I am going to need that story ASAP!!
Release Date: January 30 2020
Spoken In: Dual POV
Rating: 5 Stars
The Third Best Thing is the third novel in Maya Hughes Fulton U series. Although it can be read as a complete standalone and follows different couples I would recommend reading these books in order as you get some more insight into their story from the other books.
I am so in love with Berkley and Jules. They were so cute together and had the most amazing relationship even before it blurred into more than friendship. Their interactions, all the cutesy sweet moments and all the sexy times. They both captured my heart. They both had so many insecurities that got me in the feels but they worked through them together with a few ups and downs along the way.
Loved seeing all the characters from the previous books in the series and was so beyond giddy to get those cameos from some of my favourites from Maya’s Kings Of Rittenhouse series (If you haven’t read that series yet you NEED to).
Loved it and I cant wait to get my hands on Marissa and Lj’s story after the ending of this book. HOT DAMN they are the ones I’m looking forward to the most!
ARC kindly provided for an honest review
Oh my (fans self), this book was hot with the chemistry between Jules and Berk. I devoured this book like Berks devours Jules salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies! Jules has been through somethings and trying to be who she wants to be. Berk is determined to make it to the NFL, but he has things in his past that could impact his future. These two are connected by notes that neither realizes it, but the connection continues to grow the more time they spend trying to find The Letter Girl. Oh my, I loved this book and could not get enough of Jules and Berk. Read this book! You will not be able to put it down!
The Third Best Thing by Maya Hughes is book Three in the Fulton U Series. This is the story of Jules and Berk. I haven’t yet read the previous books, so for me this was a standalone book. Jules has body issue that she gain mostly from her family. But she is a sweet women who would do anything for anyone. Jules loves to bake and of course Berk loves to eat. Berk was sweet too and more so with Jules. When he went looking for the writer of a letter he has of course Jules was there but more than that she was the letter writer which Berk didn’t know. While looking for the writer who touched his heart he fully started turning it over to Jules before he even knew who she really was to him.
Loved their story and hope to go back to read the additional books since I loved this one so much.
I adore Maya Hughes. I am a wife and mother and would really love to enroll at Fulton U – zero f*cks given. This place is magical.
Jules is my spirit animal. She’s majestic af and just a girl I want to be BFF with. Berk? He’s sweet and hot and endearingly clueless about certain things. Together, they are FIRE.
Watching them figure their mess out was so entertaining and I loved it even when I wanted to scream and toss my kindle. I’ll read the hell out of some FU, for as long as they are being written!
I am not a YA reader but occasionally one slips by and it’s difficult to pass it up and that’s the case with this book it is sweet as I excepted but also realistic and intense in a way that surprised me so much so I think I’m going to go back and read the king series because if it is anything like this one then I have doubt I’ll thoroughly enjoy them
I was super excited to start this book. I mean how could I not be?? I was dying to see what happens with TLG and Berk. I was rooting so hard for Jules to have her HEA with Berk. A lot stood in their way (most self-confidence on her part) and I loved that when things seemed like they were going down hill, both finally opened their eyes to see what and who was Infront of them all along.
I’m addicted to this series and I know this book just came out but I’m more then ready for book 4.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
I am a big fan of Maya Hughes’ sports romances, they always come with a healthy dose of humor, a lovely amount of sugar and sweetness and a smidge of angst… They are like a recipe for cupcakes…perfect for me and I immensely enjoy them.
Ironically, the heroine in this story loves to bake sweets, which seems really fitting and also made me extremely hungry while reading this one 😉
I loved Jules, she was as sweet as her baked goods…all she needed was a bit more confidence.
Jules has been having a secret crush on her neighbor Berk for a long time, even going as far as writing him anonymously and confessing her “lust” to him. Being too self-conscious to face him, and thinking he would never go for a girl like her, it seemed like her only chance at the time to express herself.
Berk falls head over heels for this anonymous “letter” girl and her “lusty” way of confessing her feelings. So he writes her back and back and forth they go… Until the letter girl stops writing. This really upsets Berk and so he asks his sweet, cute and friendly “neighbor turned friend”, Jules, to help him find this girl…
Yeah…that sure as hell backfired…
Since Jules is helping him out, he decided to also help her out by accompanying her to her sister’s engagement celebration weekend. A sister who is about to marry Jules’ ex-boyfriend.
It was clear as day to see where Jules’ low self-esteem came from… Who needs enemies when you have a family like that??!!
I loved seeing Jules and Berk getting closer and closer, he was perfect for bringing her out of her shell.
And even though there were definitely some tears while reading this one… I closed it with a huge smile on my face.
Highley recommended!
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an ARC copy of this book.
The Third Best Thing (Fulton U, #3) is fantastic! You get a good glimpse of Berk and Jules in The Second We Met (Fulton U #2). I could not wait until their story was told. Holy crap nothing could have prepared me for this. Let me tell you it was so much better than I expected. Maya Hughes has once again delivered such a heartfelt, tearful and memorable story. Ms. Hughes writes hit after hit after hit. I am having a hard time reviewing The Third Best Thing because I have so much to say, but I do not want to give anything away. You truly must experience Berk and Jules story on your own without spoilers. The character development was once again perfection. The storyline was positively wonderful. I really loved that not only the characters from Fulton U Book 1 and 2 appear in this book, but the Rittenhouse Kings characters also have an appearance. The Third Best Thing (Fulton U, #3) was epic! It is my favorite book of the year and my new go to book. Please do not miss out on reading and experiencing Berk and Jules. Thank you Maya Hughes for a truly beautiful and fantastic book. You have never disappointed me. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us next.
Crazy good five star read. Great characters. Lots of drama and suspense. Tons of chemistry. Kept my interest throughout. Loved every page!!
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
I know it’s only January but this is my favorite book of the year without any doubt and if i could give it more than 5 stars i totally would, this deserves all of the stars.
I loved everything about the book, the story, the characters, everything. Maya Hughes has written some of my favorite books and The Third Best Thing was not the exception, the way she portrayed Jules and Berk was just beautiful, their flaws, their imperfections, their struggles, it was so real, she definitely created two of my favorite characters.
I loved Jules and Berk’s relationship, the way they went from friendship to more, the way that Berk treated Jules and the way Jules treated Berk. They saw each other past their struggles and insecurities, the connection and the chemistry they have is truly unique. If I already loved Berk and Jules as individuals I loved them even more as a couple, they were supportive of each other, of their dreams and aspirations
Other thing that i really enjoyed was the connection as a reader that you have with the characters, is indescribable, or at least for me. Throughout the whole book i was feeling what they were feeling,their emotions were so pure that you could feel it. I think that all the problems were handled very well, like when Berk discovers Jules is the letter girl, they were handled with communication, which is something I really appreciate in a book because is more common that those kind of plots are use for miscommunication and more unnecessary drama and that’s something I don’t really like.
And about all the side characters, they were just as amazing as Berk and Jules, i also loved the addition of Avery and Max to the story. And of course after the ending I can’t wait to read Marisa and LJ story
I totally recommend this if you’re looking for a sweet and emotional romance.
The Third Best Thing (Fulton U #3) is a new adult romance that will steal your heart.
A secret pen pal, what could go wrong!!!
I absolutely loved Jules and Berk together. Their personalities meshed well together. Loveable characters, fun banter with supporting character’s. Two sweet genuine people who deserve it all. I love how their romance began as a friendship.
A sprinkle of humorous moments swirling through the pages.
Forlorn moments brought tears to my eyes.
The plot was intriguing and from page one till the end I couldn’t put the book down.
This novel exceeded my expectations.
The ending is the icing on the cake.
Forget about the cookies, the cupcakes and the brownies, the cavity inducing sweetness comes from Berk and Jules. I love these two! Their vulnerability gets to you as a reader since the characters are really hard on themselves due to what they have experienced. Many people in real life struggle with self esteem at all ages so the story is an eye opener. But these two have so much love to give, and work so hard to show each other how special they are, that you will feel your heart healing along with theirs through the pages. I haven’t read a male character THAT understanding and forgiving in a long time. Or a female character THAT caring and nurturing. I loved this book because the author managed to give me depth but still made it fun and uplifting. And I can’t forget Sexy!!
I laughed, I cried, I cringed and I got angry until the HEA…Jules & Berk deserved it and more
I have been waiting for this book for so long. Jules reminds me so much of my younger self, her insecurities about herself, her weight…everything. The opening is hilarious and there are so many perfectly placed one-liners in here that will put you in stitches. You see, Jules is the infamous and anonymous TLG (The Letter Girl) who has been sending Berk sexually provocative and suggestive notes. Berk is on the hunt to find this girl and he has enlisted the help of Jules! Yes, you read that right!!
Berk has secrets too. He was orphaned, put in foster care and that experience did a number on his psyche. He finds it hard to believe any girl would want him. The sad thing is that they both have so much to offer. Berk is too aware of his background and lack of money and status to believe anyone could love him. Jules is overly self-conscious of her size after being reminded daily of it by her snooty mother.
This book was WONDERFUL. It is well-written, sweet, steamy, funny and a beautifully told story of two people who find their “one” in each other. There are angsty moments and a fist-pump moment when a certain person gets her come-uppance. Actually, as I think back there are many great moments when things get said that needed saying by many people. Bonus: at the end are the “letters” that TLG sent to Berk. Talk about steam…sizzle…pssss.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book and it comes highly recommended if the reader likes sweet with their steam. So many hints about who could come next. Could it be LJ and Marisa, Max and “Jacket guy” or Johannsen and Willa. I want a story for each! Please…
Maya Hughes has become a one -click author, her stories are my cup of tea, Berk and Jules story is one I loved, I mean the whole series is a must read but this story was amazing, they can be read as stand alone but I suggest you read them all. I hope they get an audiobook soon, I want to hear the story again with swoony voices. Absolutely amazing 5 star read!
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.
The newest addition to the Fulton U series is AMAZING!!! Filled with every emotion that came leaking out of my eyes numerous times, this book contains it all. Maya Hughes really out did herself with The Third Best Thing.
Berk Vaughn is not only a book boyfriend that I want to steal, lock away, and never let anyone else have, but he is a football player with vulnerability, sassy charm, and always gives of himself 110%. His upbringing in a foster system could have shaped him into a man that would have made him cold and callus, but instead he views the world precious and holds onto what he has today knowing that he may not have it for very long. This vulnerable side of Berk is a complete tear jerker and was a wonderful way to read a normally big, gruff football player.
Jules or Julia as her family refers to her, comes from old money, but once her father passed away her home has been anything but loving. Jules doesn’t live up to her mother’s expectations and constant criticisms and when you add on that the one boyfriend Jules had left her for her sister Jules’ self esteem is pretty low. However, her one shining light lives across the street and his name is Berk. Their relationship began through letters and he didn’t even know it was her penning them, but then they actually became friends and things become complicated, but in a good way, that is until those self esteem doubts creep back in. It’s hard to let them go when you’ve been told your entire life you aren’t good enough.
Berk and Jules are so very similar and yet also very different. I love how Maya was able to heighten their worlds, bring me in, really tug at my heartstrings, make my eyes leak like crazy, and ride that crazy emotional train page after page. I won’t give it away for her fans, but there is a fabulous treat for those who read her books that you are going to love!!!
I’d give this book ten stars!!