Third Time Lucky was a very enjoyable read, and it’s always fun to get to read two love stories instead of just one! The characters are complex with lots of history and pain getting in the way of finding their happily ever after.,

3.5 Stars
One Liner: An escapist read with some laughs and sweet moments

Asher Wright is ready to open his restaurant. Life is good, except in the love department. He hadn’t thought of Lucy Gray in years, not after they lost his best friend Kris (her ex-boyfriend). Now, he witnesses things go wrong at her wedding.
Lucy Gray realizes love may not be for her when it goes wrong in public with her ex-fiancé. However, life has other plans. Asher becomes a private chef for her grandmother, and their awkward interaction turns into something more if they are willing to take the chance.
The story comes in Lucy and Asher’s first-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
At the beginning, there’s a short note/ dedication where the author says you get two stories (HEAs) for the price of one. Like a typical middle-class Indian, I was excited for this one plus one offer.
We are right away introduced to the main characters and get a brief gist of their past connection. Most of this is done well. We are supposed to cringe at the primary side character, which happens easily, lol.
The FMC and MMC get two chapters each before a switch in POV. While this is helpful, it was rather hard to distinguish between their voices. They sounded very much alike – nervous, tensed, worried, and stressed.
I appreciate an MMC who looks tall, handsome, et al, and has loads of tattoos that give him a rugged and alpha 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. I would have liked it better if his voice were distinguishable from the FMCs.
The connection between the main characters is sweet. Despite all the overthinking, they can communicate well enough. However, the lack of conflict makes it a bit dull compared to the OTTness of the other couple.
Moreover, the secondary couple (the free HEA) gets almost equal space, which puts the main couple at a disadvantage. 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 a miss. 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’t hit the same way, though it has more green flags!
Mitzi is my favorite character. She is a loving, caring, assertive, lively, quirky, and adorable grandmother. The risk of having such a fab side character is that the FMC gets easily shadowed. Since the secondary female character is also more sparkly than the FMC, it causes some issues with the interest levels.
Despite having many laugh-out-loud moments, the book touches upon serious themes like death, dysfunctional families, infidelity, cheating, trust issues, etc. Still, none of these are deep. They aren’t meant to be.
The author’s note at the end is heartfelt.

To summarize, Third Time Lucky is a lighthearted read with some funny and serious moments. It’s pure escapist fiction with characters you can root for.
Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley

Lucy dated Asher’s best friend, Kris, in high school. When Kris died, Asher was the one to break the news. Now that he’s a successful chef preparing to open his new restaurant, who does he run in to on his birthday, in Vegas of all places? Lucy. Who’s there for her wedding. Now Asher has to break bad news. Again.

Months later, Lucy is living with her grandma Mitzi and she wants to hire a private chef. Fate brings them together one more time. Could this third time be lucky?

This closed door romance that i got to review from NetGalley was possibly the cutest book I’ve read all year. There is so much heart, both between the main characters, but the side couple, and in dealing with the shared trauma of Kris’s death. I spent most of my time reading with a huge smile on my face, either from the interactions between these two, or Mitzi. She’s an absolute riot. When I wasn’t smiling there were tears. I genuinely loved these characters so much, and I’m glad I found Aimee.

Second chances matter, and this book felt like it was made just for me. The slow-burning romance wasn’t rushed or overdone — it built up naturally, and that made it feel real. The chef as the main character brought something fresh and interesting to the story, not just another typical romance hero.

The way the story unfolded kept me paying attention because it felt genuine. It wasn’t about big dramatic moments, but more about how the characters connected over time. That slow build made all the difference.

I liked how it didn’t try too hard or fall into clichés. It felt honest and different. This book was exactly what I wanted — no frills, just a story that felt true.

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Inizio con il ringraziare NetGalley per avermi concesso l’ARC di questo romanzo! Non avevo mai letto nulla di Aimee Brown prima d’ora, ma ma mi ha lasciato davvero una buona prima impressione!

Tropes:
- Second chance romance
- Friends to lovers
- Small town romance
- Chef hero
- Grumpy meets sunshine
- Found family
- Healing after loss

Lucy Gray pensava di aver trovato il suo per sempre, ma quando scopre il tradimento del fidanzato proprio durante i preparativi del matrimonio, la sua vita prende una svolta inaspettata. Dopo aver letteralmente mandato al tappeto lo sposo infedele davanti a tutti gli invitati, Lucy decide di prendersi una pausa dagli uomini e si rifugia dalla sua adorabile nonna Mitzi.
I suoi piani vanno all’aria quando Asher, uno chef di talento in procinto di aprire il ristorante dei suoi sogni, viene assunto proprio come cuoco personale di Mitzi. Il problema? Lui e Lucy condividono un passato doloroso: la morte tragica di Kris, che era il migliore amico di Asher e il primo amore di Lucy quando erano adolescenti.
Costretti a convivere sotto lo stesso tetto, i due dovranno affrontare non solo i fantasmi del passato, ma anche l’attrazione che cresce giorno dopo giorno. Riusciranno a superare il dolore e a darsi una terza possibilità di essere felici? Questo libro vi terrà incollati alle pagine fino all’ultimo respiro!

Lucy è un personaggio che mi ha fatto innamorare sin dalle prime pagine. È una donna forte che ha attraversato momenti davvero difficili, ma non si è mai lasciata abbattere completamente. Dopo la tragedia adolescenziale e il recente tradimento, potrebbe sembrare fragile, ma in realtà dimostra una resilienza incredibile. Mi è piaciuto molto il suo percorso di guarigione e come impara pian piano a fidarsi di nuovo dell’amore. Non è perfetta, ha le sue insicurezze e i suoi momenti di vulnerabilità, ma è proprio questo che la rende così autentica e umana.

Asher è paziente, premuroso, e ha quella gentilezza genuina che ti fa sciogliere il cuore. Come chef è appassionato e determinato a realizzare i suoi sogni, ma non dimentica mai l’importanza delle persone che ama. Il suo senso di colpa per il passato e il modo in cui cerca di proteggere Lucy, anche quando questo significa tenere le distanze, lo rendono un personaggio incredibilmente tridimensionale.

Quello tra Lucy e Asher non è il classico colpo di fulmine, ma qualcosa che si sviluppa lentamente, con rispetto e comprensione reciproca. Il loro passato condiviso aggiunge una profondità emotiva alla relazione che va ben oltre l’attrazione fisica. Mi è piaciuto molto come l’autrice ha gestito il tema del lutto e di come due persone possano aiutarsi a vicenda a guarire. I loro dialoghi sono pieni di battute divertenti e momenti teneri che ti fanno sorridere e commuovere allo stesso tempo.

Il vero punto di forza di questo libro sono i personaggi secondari, in particolare la nonna Mitzi che è un vero spettacolo! È vivace, imprevedibile e assolutamente esilarante.

Se amate le seconde possibilità e gli small town romance dovreste proprio considerare di leggere questo libro.

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I’ll start by thanking NetGalley for granting me the ARC of this novel! I had never read anything by Aimee Brown before, but she really made a great first impression on me!

Tropes:
• Second chance romance
• Friends to lovers
• Small town romance
• Chef hero
• Grumpy meets sunshine
• Found family
• Healing after loss

Lucy Gray thought she had found her forever, but when she discovers her fiancé’s betrayal right during the wedding preparations, her life takes an unexpected turn. After literally knocking down the cheating groom in front of all the guests, Lucy decides to take a break from men and seek refuge with her adorable grandmother, Mitzi.

Her plans go awry when Asher, a talented chef about to open his dream restaurant, is hired as Mitzi’s personal cook. The problem? He and Lucy share a painful past: the tragic death of Kris, who was Asher’s best friend and Lucy’s first love when they were teenagers.

Forced to live under the same roof, the two must face not only the ghosts of their past but also the attraction that grows day by day. Will they be able to overcome their grief and give themselves a third chance at happiness? This book will keep you glued to the pages until the very last breath!

Lucy is a character who made me fall in love from the very first pages. She’s a strong woman who has gone through really difficult times but never let herself be completely defeated. After the teenage tragedy and recent betrayal, she might seem fragile, but she actually shows incredible resilience. I really loved her healing journey and how she slowly learns to trust love again. She’s not perfect—she has her insecurities and vulnerable moments—but that’s exactly what makes her so authentic and human.

Asher is patient, caring, and has that genuine kindness that melts your heart. As a chef, he’s passionate and determined to achieve his dreams but never forgets the importance of the people he loves. His guilt about the past and the way he tries to protect Lucy, even when it means keeping his distance, make him an incredibly three-dimensional character.

What develops between Lucy and Asher isn’t the classic love at first sight, but something that grows slowly, with mutual respect and understanding. Their shared past adds emotional depth to the relationship that goes far beyond physical attraction. I really loved how the author handled the theme of grief and how two people can help each other heal. Their conversations are full of funny exchanges and tender moments that make you smile and feel moved at the same time.

The real strength of this book lies in the secondary characters, particularly grandmother Mitzi, who is a real showstopper! She’s lively, unpredictable, and absolutely hilarious.

If you love second chances and small town romance, you should definitely consider reading this book.

“Third Time Lucky” is s romance book (second chance) by Aimee Brown. This book had a lot of potential - a couple who knew each other from high school, a rekindling of friendship that leads to more, and throw in some cooking - sounds great! However, the two main characters, Asher and Lucy, basically admit their attraction pretty early on - and the relationship plays out. There’s no tension (which was nice) but at times the story felt rather flat, though maybe the fact that it felt more like an unfolding of a relationship was good? The grandmother, Mitzi, is a riot, but Aaron (Asher’s brother) and Madi (Lucy’s BFF) hooking up didn’t always work for me - Aaron was annoying most of the time. This was a feel good story, but often it felt rather surface-level opposed to emotional depth. For me this was an okay read - though I would try another book by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

It's probably not a good thing when you like and can picture the side characters more than the main characters. I felt Lucy and Asher had no spark and no personality, they were just kind of....there. I didn't particularly like that Aaron was portrayed as a cartoonish "player" but I really liked Madi (and her support of Lucy) and of course Mitzi, who was so funny. Great potential for this story that in my mind didn't really deliver. I enjoy this author and haven't given any of her books fewer than 4 stars; unfortunately, I can't recommend this one or give it higher than a 3.

Should you take it as a sign when life keeps throwing the same person at you at some of the worst times?

Lucy and Asher find themselves in each other life at some of the worst times. Now the third time life brings them together Asher is hired to be her grandma's personal chef. Lucy is in a self imposed man ban but with Asher around she can't help but feel something. Together they have to navigate how to move forward from past event and see if they even can..

And while this book isn't a true slow burn, there was a slow build up that was perfect and fit them so well The banter between Lucy and Asher was so good too!

This book also has the best side characters! Madi and Aaron need their own book. Mitzi is just perfection.


Huge thank you for the opportunity to give my opinion on this wonderful book!

I want to say thank you from the bottom of heart to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book I really appreciate it.

This was an okay book for me. The characters were enjoyable, however I adore Mitzi the most! She was perfect in every way, I'd love to have a grandma like her! You can also feel the authors love for the locations and the city that mean the world to her through her descriptions they're beautiful.

This story is so much more than a romance though. It's about doing the right thing, giving into your heart and not letting the what ifs bring you down. It's also unexpectedly a story about moving on through the loss of a loved one and the grief that comes with it, and trying to live each day with their memories beside you instead of them holding you back from making them.

My biggest issues with this book however are also ones I was surprised to find in this book and they stand out and not in the best ways. The amount of product name drops, pop culture references, and slang thrown around in the book is a lot. They stand out and draw way too much attention away from the book, they don't flow right. Apart from that what threw me the most though, is that well this book has very good flirtatious banter, and no spice (which is not an issue for me at all), it's frequent use of the word f-boy (the actual word) regarding Asher's brother is a lot. It's used frequently to describe him and his tendencies, at least 20 times. For something that is so tame, and has a big premise of doing the right thing, and being a knight in shining armour, that's a let down. Aaron is brought down with that word and more, way more than Brandon who is truly horrible is brought down. Brandon ironically enough is treated better than Aaron is. Well I get his tendencies were probably suppose to be comedic relief, it doesn't come across that way, and it became exhausting. But looking past those the book was very enjoyable.

Thank you again from the bottom of heart to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book! I really appreciate it!

swear, Aimee Brown can do no wrong!!! This was such a sweet, closed door romance that will give you all the feels and make you want to hire your own 'hot chef' lol Put aside a day to read this, as once you start you won't want to stop!!

Third Time Lucky is a lighthearted and enjoyable read, with a bit of humour and some great moments - especially when the delightful grandmother Mitzi is around.

It’s great for readers who want a feel-good story with quirky supporting roles. However, if you're seeking something with emotional depth, or more intricate character development, or even great dialogue, this one may feel a bit surface-level. It’s entertaining, but not groundbreaking. I would also have liked to see more about cooking/food - this could have been a great segue to steamy kitchen moments, or just a hot chef cooking.

I would love a book with Mitzi as the main character!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick, light-hearted read. Although it was a sweet read, it didn’t keep my attention and I found myself skimming at times. I think it lacked a bit of emotion and excitement. However, The grandmother, Mitzi, was a really fun secondary character. I enjoyed the happy ending. It would be a good beach read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun romance novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

4 Stars

Reviewer’s note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Third Time Lucky is a charming, emotionally rich romance about second chances, unexpected reunions, and finding love when you least expect it.

Asher Wright is a rising star in the culinary world, about to open his dream restaurant. Lucy Gray is fresh off a wedding disaster that ended with a right hook and a runaway groom. Neither of them expected to cross paths again after their shared past—marked by the death of Asher’s best friend and Lucy’s first love—but fate has other plans. Asher becomes the private chef for Lucy’s grandmother, and the slow, simmering reconnection between him and Lucy begins.

Aimee Brown does a great job balancing humor, heart, and emotional depth. The grief both characters still carry is treated with sensitivity, and their bond grows with believable tension and warmth. Mitzi, Lucy’s grandmother, is a total highlight—feisty, unpredictable, and the perfect catalyst to nudge everyone toward healing and growth.

I found a few pacing moments a touch rushed in the final act, but the payoff is sincere and heartwarming.

Perfect for fans of cozy, character-driven love stories with real emotional stakes and a dash of culinary charm.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Third Time Lucky is a cute romance with engaging characters (especially the supporting cast). I was drawn in by the premise, with Lucy meeting up with Asher, a high school friend in Vegas, Asher quickly finding out her fiance was messing around - and having to tell her. The rest of the book is lovely, exploring Asher’s guilt over Kris (Lucy’s high school ex and his best friend) and his death. Lucy meanwhile also struggles with her growing feelings for Asher despite reflecting on Kris and her man ban following her near miss wedding. This situation was a little clunky to read and I think unnecessary, but the rest of the book was a feel good romance with plenty of humor and light from Grandma Mitzi, Lucy’s friend Madi, and Asher’s brother Aaron. I was happy to get lost in this.

This is a 2.5, rounded up to 3 stars for me. A point for a happy ending, a point for an easy read and a point for a lovable background character (grandma Mitzi). I felt like the background characters had more personality than the main characters. The main characters lacked description and personality - I could picture how Madi (the female main characters friend) looked more than I could picture what the female main character looked like). I also feel like the last chapter was way too heavily focused on background characters. Overall, it’s not a bad book but also not one I would be reaching for again.

Thank you net galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was cute. Childhood friends reconnect via unplanned simultaneous trips to Vegas (her for her own wedding) and an in house catering gig (he’s a chef).

The supporting characters are fun- her grandma and best friend along with his brother. I would’ve liked more time devoted to the brothers opening their restaurant because it sounded awesome.

Absolutely cannot believe Lucy would’ve burned her 10k wedding dress and all that accompanied it. Auction that off or donate it!

PG rating- no spicy bedroom. Scenes here,

This was such a fun, easy read with a great balance of humor, heart, and romance. I loved the second-chance element, and the characters had a believable, messy history that made their journey back to each other really satisfying. There were plenty of funny, awkward moments that kept things light, but also enough emotional depth to keep me invested.

The pacing dragged a little in places, and I wanted a bit more from the ending, but overall it was a really enjoyable story with characters I rooted for. Definitely a solid choice if you love second chances, small-town vibes, and a mix of laughs and feels

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a very light and fluffy book with little drama and a HEA. Great for a beach read!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: July 22, 2025

Book dedications have really been hitting the mark lately…and it was a great escape from everything else happening in the world.

This is a fluffy and cute hug of a book (despite the messiness of their reconnection). It’s a closed door second chance romance with a golden retriever of a male MC. I struggled a bit with the insta-like…she says he’s hot and suddenly he’s smitten with her? Then she’s smitten because he likes her? Hmm.

Nothing bad to say but also didn’t get any tension or spark on the romance side. They’re cute, it’s cute, there are HEAs, and the grandma is a riot!