Third Time Lucky

by Alexandra Caluen

Neither Troy Nakamura nor Laszlo Jovanovic expect anything after their one-night stand. Troy is bound for college and Laszlo is heading to graduate school on the other side of the continent.

They don’t see each other again for five years, when Troy’s former competition dance partner invites him to her wedding, where he can’t resist another encounter with Laszlo. Then he says more than he should. While Laszlo lets him down easy, the fact is Troy’s still in law school and the other man’s work is taking him to Europe. Their first parting wasn’t easy, but this one really hurts.

As Laszlo winds up his final European contract seven years later, a traumatic incident disrupts his intention to stay with his parents for a while. Troy, now living near their families again, offers a place to live while Laszlo sorts himself out.

Both of them had always thought what if. With privacy, peace, and the opportunity to learn just how they’ve both changed since that first momentous night, is the time finally right for love?

125 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2024

About the author

Alexandra Y. Caluen lives in a purple house with her husband, a bottle of Laphroaig, a lot of books, and nine pairs of ballroom shoes. She works in patent law and has enough hair for three people.

Find out more at www.thelastories.com or on Facebook!

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I really loved this gorgeous tale, the writing style was intriguing and the thought processes were both cute and funny, at first anyway, as the story progressed they took on a more poignant vibe. These two young men repeatedly collide together then bounce away, the years in between made me a little sad for them but the whole story was worth it.

[Melita Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third Time Lucky is about a very long-term connection between Troy and Laszlo. They meet when Troy is 18 and the ballroom dance partner of Laszlo's sister, Natalia. Laszlo is starting grad school soon. They have a fabulous night together, but part. They meet several years later at Natalia's wedding where both are single, have another fabulous night, and again part as Laszlo is working in Europe and is unwilling to try a long-distance relationship. Again several years pass and Troy is in a good spot with a job he hopes will be long-term and meanwhile, Laszlo plans to return to the US. Will this be the lucky third time?

Caluen's characters tend to be 'adults' in the best sense of the word--willing to go to therapy, willing to talk things out, to be reasonable and understanding which I enjoy a heck of a lot. They also tend to be smart, focused, and creative personalities which are so attractive to me. Everything I've read by Caluen has been at least 4 stars and most have been 5 stars.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely, romantic story spans ten years, from Troy and Laszlo's first meeting as young men, through the incidents and life experience that shapes them over the following decade.

I loved the connection between these two. The acknowledgement after a night together that the other is special, but simply being at the wrong stage of life to act on this.

Their occasional meetings over the years are poignant and hot, with an inevitable pull that eventually, they will find a way to be together. And I adored the dancing backdrop!