Maya Hughes The Fourth Time Charm Review!

The Fourth Time Charm

By: Maya Hughes

Release Date: January 7, 2021

Publisher: Maya Hughes

Author Website: https://www.mayahughes.com/

5 Stars

Maya Hughes captures all the small nuances that make a friendship special over time and translate into romance as it matures in The Fourth Time Charm!

LJ and Marisa were best friends, there for each other in the best and worst of times, they did not take each for granted but went to the opposite extreme of being overly protective of each other and their friendship. LJ was a fixer and caregiver always putting himself out for Marissa, both openly and in secret. Marisa desperately wanted to be loved and tried to minimize the abuses she suffered and the pain she felt so as not to be a burden. Experiencing all the comforts and ease of being in a long term close friendship this pair struggled with admitting the transition of their feelings from the love of a friend to romantic love. This author evolved this couple in a believable and thoughtful manner even while going to hard places. With no shortage of problems and growing pains LJ and Marisa's interactions covered the spectrum going from playful to serious, always conveyed with well written exchanges. While there was definitely the simmer of an unconsummated attraction the strength of this couples friendship was what stood out and was intoxicating to watch playout.

Maya Hughes does a wonderful job of expressing the experience of young love and navigating the responsibilities that come with being in a committed relationship. Her stories cover feelings as divergent as angst and joy in an accessible way to her audience. It doesn't get much better than walking away at the end of a story feeling like the journey was worth it and The Fourth Time Charm managed to do just that!

*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*