Third Time Lucky by Aimee Brown - Book Review - Blog Tour
Publication Date: 22nd July2025
Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/ThirdTimeLuckySocial
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221981291-third-time-lucky
Genre: Contemporary Romance
3.5 Stars
One Liner: An escapist readwith some laughs and sweet moments
Book Blurb: Could a blast fromthe past be the secret ingredient to their future?
Asher Wright has spent hiscareer creating and concocting the perfect dishes and is about to open his veryown restaurant. Life is good. His love life, however, is far from cooking! Hehasn’t thought about Lucy Gray in years – not since they both graduated,reeling from the shocking loss of her then-boyfriend and his best friend Kris,who tragically died at 18. So when he witnesses the breakdown of her wedding inall its humiliating glory - old wounds and long-buried emotions resurface.
As Lucy lands a right hook onher soon-to-be ex-fiancée in front of their entire wedding party, she has amoment of realization... Love is not on the menu for her! Fate, however, hasother plans... A chance twist of events lands Asher as the private chef forLucy’s spirited grandmother, Mitzi, and what begins as awkward encounters inMitzi’s Portland mansion soon evolves into a simmering connection she neverexpected.
As Asher and Lucy work throughtheir past, they discover a bond that feels both familiar and excitingly new.
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My Thoughts:The story comes in Lucy andAsher’s first-person POVs.
At the beginning, there’s ashort note/ dedication where the author says you get two stories (HEAs) for theprice of one. Like a typical middle-class Indian, I was excited for this oneplus one offer.
We are right away introducedto the main characters and get a brief gist of their past connection. Most ofthis is done well. We are supposed to cringe at the primary side character,which happens easily, lol.
The FMC and MMC get twochapters each before a switch in POV. While this is helpful, it was rather hardto distinguish between their voices. They sounded very much alike – nervous,tensed, worried, and stressed.
I appreciate an MMC who lookstall, handsome, et al, and has loads of tattoos that give him a rugged andalpha vibe, but is actually a softie, nervous wreck with an overthinking brain.He is the opposite of cocky. It’s quite refreshing to read such a character. Iwould have liked it better if his voice were distinguishable from the FMCs.
The connection between themain characters is sweet. Despite all the overthinking, they can communicatewell enough. However, the lack of conflict makes it a bit dull compared to theOTTness of the other couple.
Moreover, the secondary couple(the free HEA) gets almost equal space, which puts the main couple at adisadvantage. Though you can clearly see that the MCs have a healthier dynamic,the drama in the secondary track takes over the stage. This can be a hit or amiss. I like how it contrasted their love stories. From a writer’s perspective,I can see why readers love drama and angst. Easy and sweet romance just doesn’thit the same way, though it has more green flags!
Mitzi is my favoritecharacter. She is a loving, caring, assertive, lively, quirky, and adorablegrandmother. The risk of having such a fab side character is that the FMC getseasily shadowed. Since the secondary female character is also more sparkly thanthe FMC, it causes some issues with the interest levels.
Despite having manylaugh-out-loud moments, the book touches upon serious themes like death,dysfunctional families, infidelity, cheating, trust issues, etc. Still, none ofthese are deep. They aren’t meant to be.
The author’s note at the endis heartfelt.
To summarize, Third Time Luckyis a lighthearted read with some funny and serious moments. It’s pure escapistfiction with characters you can root for.
Thank you, Rachel’s RandomResources and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and containsmy honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
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About the Author –Aimee Brown
Aimee Brown is a writer ofromantic comedies set in Portland, Oregon. She writes closed-door romance (NOsex scenes, light kissing) with humor and crude language. She spends much ofher time writing, raising three kids (who are all nearly grown now),binge-watching shows on Netflix, and obsessively cleaning and redecorating herhouse. She's fluent in sarcasm and has been known to utter profanities likeshe's competing for a medal.
Aimee grew up in Oregon but isnow a transplant living in cold Montana with her husband of twenty+ years, twoof three children, and far too many pets. She is a lot older than she looks,and yes, that is a tattoo across her chest.
Follow the Author:
Facebook: @authoraimeebrown
Instagram: @authoraimeeb
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AimeeBrownNews
Bookbub Profile: @AimeeBrown
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This has been a stop on the#ThirdTimeLucky blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).Thanks for stopping by!
