Behind the Smile – volume three

Maya – Illusion

Book Three in the Series
ISBN: 9781068353871

Every illusion begins with a truth—and every truth can be shattered.

Maya – Illusion is the powerful third volume in the Behind the Smile series, following the turbulent life of Lek, a young woman from rural Thailand who finds herself entangled in the stark contrasts between village tradition and the unforgiving realities of city life. At 112,000 words, this full-length novel dives deeper into Lek’s transformation as she confronts the cost of survival and the meaning of identity, love, and loyalty.

This is not a story about a victim. Nor is it a fairytale. It is about a woman navigating the blurred lines between choice and necessity, hope and illusion. Lek’s story continues to echo the real lives of thousands of women who walk the same path every day—often unnoticed and rarely understood.

As the title suggests, Maya—the Sanskrit word for “illusion”—frames the central theme: how the world presents itself versus how it truly is. Lek finds herself questioning everything—her relationships, her past, and even her dreams. What is real? And who gets to decide?

A Global Read

Thanks to dedicated readers around the world, Maya – Illusion is available not only in English, but also in Spanish and Russian. Its universal themes of disillusionment, resilience, and cultural conflict resonate across borders and languages.

Continuing the Journey

If you’ve read Daddy’s Hobby and An Exciting Future, this book delivers the next gripping chapter in Lek’s story. If you’re just discovering the series, this is a powerful entry point that stands strong on its own—but be warned, you may find yourself going back to the beginning.

Available Now

Maya – Illusion is available in paperback, audiobook and ebook from major retailers. Support your local bookshop, or order online from The Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, or direct from your preferred distributor.

Read the book. Look behind the smile. See the truth.

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Read more about the Behind the Smile series