I have been sooo excited for this book! I’ve loved Austin’s character for a long time, and I’ve been taken with Zach ever since he stalked Dex over thI have been sooo excited for this book! I’ve loved Austin’s character for a long time, and I’ve been taken with Zach ever since he stalked Dex over the last pack of cheesy doodles! Watching Austin fight his attraction for Zach has been hilarious. They might be my second favorite THIRDS couple, second to Dex and Sloane which is a big deal. I love Dex and Sloane.
Finally getting Love and Payne in my hands was awesome. Not only did we get the conclusion to Austin and Zach’s epic romance, it also introduced us to the huge magnificent Zachary family who I hope will be featured more in upcoming stories -Like maybe Brayden’s?- Charlie Cochet does family support pretty damn well, and Zach’s family was just as epic as Dex’s and the Hobbs family.
I also really liked getting to know Zach more. I feel like, having read so much about Sloane, we’ve gotten a good handle on what drives Austin. Zach was a bit more of an enigma. We knew he was a large, quiet, bear Therian. Early on we get the impression he was on the slower side of the intelligence meter, and it isn’t true at all. Large and quiet does not equal stupid, and I feel ashamed of myself for being tricked. Another beloved book character of mine (Ox) is treated as stupid for thinking slower, so I should know better. I’m sorry Osmond Zachary.
While I did feel like I knew Austin better, he seemed different in Love and Payne. My first thought was maybe his personality couldn’t sustain a full book, but after thinking about it I’ve realized how it was likely intentional. Zach throws Austin’s swag off. He’s always knocked Austin off kilter, so spending that much time around the man of his dreams would leave him grumpier than usual. When the situation required it, Austin was still his sassy flirty self. I loved every single time his naughtiness made Zach blush. Then, Zach’s blush made Austin’s heart flip. They were adorable.
I also thought it was clever how Ms Cochet set up the future TIN books. She made sure we, THIRDS fans, still get our favorite characters. I’m a full fledged THIRDS nerd, so I wouldn’t have quit this series, but now I’m even happier about all the incoming changes.
Thank you to Dreamspinner Press for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
I’m not sure how to start this review, because I don’t want anyone to think that I’m criticizing this series. I adore the THIRDS. My past reviews are I’m not sure how to start this review, because I don’t want anyone to think that I’m criticizing this series. I adore the THIRDS. My past reviews are a testament to how special this crew is to me. In no way does what I’m about to talk about next mean that I’m giving up or quitting this series. I love Destructive Delta.
Now, I think it’s probably good that the focus of the story is changing. I know some may say that the series is going on too long, and there’s a part of me that even agrees with them. However, what I really think it needs is a renovation. If this series is going to keep going, it definitely needs to be shaken up. The formula of the series so far has been stellar. Obviously, since Dex is an extremely charismatic lead character with a group of friends and family who are the best supporting cast. The dynamic between the group is fantastic. It’s just become a little predictable.
That’s not to say I didn’t get hooked on all the action in Tried & True, because I always do. I got choked up with Dex, and prayed the book would end on a happy note, because Dex and Sloane deserve a perfect happily ever after. I wasn’t bored at all, I just don’t think I was quite as excited as I used to be. (Also, and please don’t shoot me, I skimmed the wedding. I’m not a fan of actual real life weddings, so reading one wasn’t really good for me.) I don’t want the THIRDS world to end, but maybe it could do with a good face lift?
I’m sure I’m not the only one, but I’m excited for what’s coming next. I know we aren’t going to lose the men I love, but hopefully we get more. I’m looking forward to more about Wolf. I want to read about Taylor and Angel. I’m ready for Austin and Zach to finally be together. I loved the little glimpse we got of Dom and West. So, maybe this one wasn’t my favorite, doesn’t matter because I have a feeling there’s good coming.
Thank you to Dreamspinner Press for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Gummy Bears & Grenades was pure fun. When Charlie says it’s a THIRDS bonus story, that’s exactly what she means. This novella doesn’t have a major ploGummy Bears & Grenades was pure fun. When Charlie says it’s a THIRDS bonus story, that’s exactly what she means. This novella doesn’t have a major plot, or some deep case Destructive Delta has to solve. It’s just good ole Dexter J Daley shenanigans, and that’s exactly what I was in the mood for.
The basic premise is that it’s Dex’s bachelor party, and Sloane is worried about what trouble Dex will get in but everyone tells him that things will be fine. It was kind of funny actually. I don’t even know why Dex’s family and friends think that they could take him out for a calm party, or that they could keep Dex contained. There was no way it wasn’t going to completely insane, and it was. From the Gummy Bear costume, to Dex’s toying with Austen and Zach, everything was over the top the whole time, in the most fun way.
The very best part in this novella was Sloane’s surprise for Dex. Those two just kill me! I love how Sloane turns to putty for Dex. I can’t wait to read their actual wedding. I might just cry.
At only 100 pages, there wasn’t a lot to review. It really was a novella about a group of friends who are going out to celebrate together. It was all about the good times and the feel good. I wouldn’t recommend someone read this book alone, because there’s too much back story, but I would recommend that anyone who might be interested should read Hell & High Water, book 1. Because, if you love long serial stories, this isn’t one you’d want to pass up. It has an interesting and funny main character, and a group of charismatic friends.
Now, I’m going back to waiting until November for book 10, Tried & True.
Thank you to Dreamspinner Press for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Before I get to my review I need to say that THIRDS, on a whole, is so special. It’s one of those series that you start, not realizing that you’re aboBefore I get to my review I need to say that THIRDS, on a whole, is so special. It’s one of those series that you start, not realizing that you’re about to be sucked into this whole massive universe that includes not only the world inside the pages, it also includes the fandom and the fan groups, and the Therian Thursday’s. It’s a series that you can’t help but completely immerse yourself in, because it just keeps growing and growing. (I also want to mention that, so far at least, the fandom is one of the nicest that I’ve ever joined.) I’m not sure how Charlie Cochet does it, but really delving into every aspect gives you almost a sense of family, more than any other book fandom I’ve ever been part of… I love it.
Now, on to Smoke & Mirrors!
Even though it’s only been a few months I’ve even been reading THIRDS, I can still say that my small wait for Smoke & Mirrors was torture. It was torture to a lesser degree than other fans, but I was still sitting on pins and needles until it was in my hands. First of all, as much as I did love reading about Cael and Ash, or Calvin and Hobbs, there is nothing I like more than reading Dex. That could literally be Dex and anyone. Yes, I prefer Dex and Sloane, but I also love any moments I get with Dex and Hobbs, or Dex and Calvin. I love reading about Dex’s antics with Ash, or the family moments with Tony, Dex and Cael. I adore Dex. That alone made me hunger for Smoke & Mirrors. In addition, Catch a Tiger by the Tail ended on a huge cliffhanger, and that precipice was steep.
Luckily, Smoke & Mirrors was everything I expected. Times they are a changing, but what hasn’t changed despite how hard the bad guys have tried, is that resilience inside Dex to overcome almost anything, or his ability to maintain his heart and loyalty. All this new change, I hope, won’t mean that we’re going to lose that connection between the crew of Destructive Delta. I fully anticipate that this new change will broaden the world, and bring us the opportunity to sink inside deeper. And it will make Dexter J Daley more badass, and who would say no to that.
As far as the plot goes, I’m going to keep my lips zipped. There’s too much important stuff that happens, and I’d hate to ruin the story for any other fans. Just know that it’s a game changer.
Thank you to Charlie Cochet and Dreamspinner Press for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I guess a lot of people had an issue with this one? I actually didn't. It wasn't as good as the first three, but the only reason for that was because I guess a lot of people had an issue with this one? I actually didn't. It wasn't as good as the first three, but the only reason for that was because it wasn't about Dex and Sloane and basically they're the shit.
Other than that, I thought it was sweet and Ash was still Ash and Cael was still Cael. They acted exactly the way the did in the previous books. Cael was the sweet little blushing Chirpy with claws and Ash was as grumpy as always. They were just amazing together, finally.
I don't know, I guess I didn't see it the way others did. I actually understood what drove Dex and didn't think he was oh so stupThe best one so far!
I don't know, I guess I didn't see it the way others did. I actually understood what drove Dex and didn't think he was oh so stupid. I personally think he acted a lot more carelessly in previous books.
Regardless, I adore Sloane and Dex. I know everyone was super stoked for Cael and Ash, but I'm sad because I'd rather have more Dex and Sloane.
That, I think was the best one so far. I loved seeing Sloane's progression with Dex, and Dex's unwavering loyalty. (I think Cael should find some of tThat, I think was the best one so far. I loved seeing Sloane's progression with Dex, and Dex's unwavering loyalty. (I think Cael should find some of that, perhaps.)
There's a cliffhanger, and it's making it very hard to not just move right on. I'm not. I'm forcing myself to take a break. Just for a book or two.
PsyCop by Jordan Castillo Price is one of my favorite ongoing ‘romantic’ series. I think that’s because, while the romance is top notch, the story is PsyCop by Jordan Castillo Price is one of my favorite ongoing ‘romantic’ series. I think that’s because, while the romance is top notch, the story is actually more of an Urban Fantasy. What the two main characters are doing with their lives is just as important as what develops between them.
Keeping that in mind, when I first bought Hell & High Water I was pretty excited to read it; it’s got some pretty good reviews. Even though I was excited, and I kept looking at it on my Kindle, not quite able to forget that it was waiting for me, I hesitated picking it up. That could have potentially been because I was afraid that it would be too sweet. While I read a lot of UF M/F pairings, PsyCop is the only one I read that’s M/M, and it holds a pretty high standard.
Happily the first THIRDS book was about more than just sex and Insta-love. It wasn’t actually Insta-love at all. It’s about a relationship that will take time to develop, as it should. Sloane has way too much baggage to just jump right into love with someone new. Apparently some readers had a problem with how the romance in the story wasn’t wrapped up in this first book, but for someone like me it felt perfect. I think I would have been more bothered if it had packaged up all neat and tidy. I’m not generally a fan of a love story that starts with one, or both, of the characters having been in a ‘soul mate’ type of previous relationship. When it is done, it needs to be tasteful, and in my opinion that comes with time, so in that regard Hell & High Water was perfect.
The icing on this very delicious cake, though, was Dex. Yeah yeah, so sometimes he could be impulsive and I can see how some may find that annoying. I found it refreshing. He kind of reminded me of Rhage, which is the biggest compliment I can give, IMO. He was funny, sweet, kind… and he used his humor and quirkiness to bust people out of their shell’s or boxes. He’s clever, and charming. Hilarious.
If Sloane plays his cards right, he’s going to be a very lucky man.
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