Love and Payne (THIRDS Universe, #1) [Austen & Zach] by Charlie Cochet

Outstanding. I couldn't have asked for more. The THIRDS had something going for it, I don't know if I've experienced before, every single book is 5 stars for me. I LOVE Charlie's writing and the world she build for her beautiful characters and as I've loved reading of Sloane and Dex, I SO enjoyed getting FINALLY Austen Payne's story. He has been a constant even if in the background and he deserved to get his story told. Not only that he deserved to not only find his HEA with Zach but get his own family in the process. A HUGE family of bears. Perfect.

Austen Payne have been a TIN operative since he was 14 years old. It all started when he foolishly tried stealing Sloane Brodie's wallet.. Sloane took him in and in no time he has found his calling, and more importantly for him, he learned how to defend himself in a way NO ONE can be a treat. Austen is very good at what he does. He takes pride with everything he is, all he has accomplished, yet there is something he knows he can't handle and that's the big, strong yet tendered hearted Bear Therian Zach.. They couldn't have met in a more annoying and moreover humiliating situation for Austen - at his weakest, after getting hurt on the job Sloane appoints Zach as his champion, and what a champion he is..

Tried & True (THIRDS #10) [Dex & Sloane] by Charlie Cochet

As usual, a great read. I would have been crashed if this was actually the last I heard of Dex and Sloane but lucky for us, their story will continue in the new spin off series - TIN. CAN'T WAIT! There is something so terribly beautiful about this series, it combines action, with huge beasts (our Therians or usually called - shape-shifters) but also high-tech and fire arms with a larger than life romance you swoon over. It's no wonder THIRDS is my absolute favorite PNR/UF series. It simply has EVERYTHING I could wish for. 

Gummy Bears & Grenades (THIRDS #9.5) [Dex & Sloane] by Charlie Cochet

It's always nice to come back to the THIRDS world, get my fix of my favorite PNR characters and get a taste for how much I want to read MORE about them. Dex manages to try and hitch 3 (!) couples together and I can't wait to get all of their stories! As usual Dex gets into trouble and almost breaks Sloane's heart with how close he brushes with danger even in the most casual day. 

Darkest Hour Before Dawn (THIRDS #9) [Sebastian & Hudson] by Charlie Cochet

What can I say, I simply LOVE this series. Seb and Hudson's story was beautiful but it was mostly heart breaking. We've known about these two for a while now, and getting to hear Hudson's side of things made me feel so sorry for both of them. 7 years being apart yet never truly being able to put their feelings aside. That's what it means to be marked. 

Thick & Thin (THIRDS #8) [Dex & Sloane] by Charlie Cochet

What can I say, anything and everything about this series is simply perfection. Even if this time around we only got a short novella of "what's to expect next". Though it was short we DID get not only the romance but the action as well only in a small dose. 

I"m not going to say a lot because I don't want to spoiler. I WILL say both Dex and Sloane have a LOT to say to their family and teammates. Dex's "physical situation", Sloane's marriage proposal and of course, their decision to become TIN operatives. All of these things happened near the ending of the previous book but weren't addressed properly with anyone besides themselves. The most important part in this (for the team) is what's going to happen now, will Dex and Sloane leave the team / THIRDS? will they stay together in a different capacity? Let's just say I loved the changes that were made. Especially since the series as it is, is nearing the end (two more books before the spin off). It all just made perfect sense. 

Smoke & Mirrors (THIRDS #7) [Dex & Sloane] by Charlie Cochet

~sigh~ this book.. I really don't know where to start.. I think it's my favorite though it's really hard to choose (and yeah ALL the other ones in the series also got 5 stars rating). I LOVE Dex and Sloane, I really enjoyed getting Ash and Cael and Calvin and Ethan's stories but Sloane and Dex are epic in their own right. This book shows us exactly that while revealing A LOT of secrets from the past, as well as what's been going on behind their backs with TIN (a sort of CIA agency with Therian agents) and a little about the villains running the show from back when Ash and Sloane were kids, before they even turned. This book was not only action packed it was also SO DAMN EMOTIONAL, because of the consequences of the action, but also because Sloane and Dex have to deal with their inner demons and it's not easily done. 

Catch a Tiger by the Tail (THIRDS #6) [Calvin & Ethan] by Charlie Cochet

Clearly, Charlie can do no wrong. This was another excellent installment in the series, focusing on the long awaited love story of Calvin and Ethan. A little bit like Ash and Cael - they just needed a little shove before they could finally form a romantic relationship. Everything changed for Calvin a while ago when he realized he wanted more from Ethan but he only made the first move after the Youth Center exploded with Ethan inside. That's when they shared their first kiss. Yet though Ethan returned the kiss, for him, making a change in their relationship is the most scary thing he can think of. Calvin is the most important person in his life. If things doesn't work out, what would happen to their friendship? That's something he doesn't want to risk and yet when it's obvious Calvin wants more and is constantly hurt by Ethan for not wanting him back he is forced to consider and re-consider his decisions. 

Against the Grain (THIRDS #5) [Cael & Ash] by Charlie Cochet

I LOVED this one SO MUCH. Really enjoyed getting Cael and Ash's love story. It was different in pace than Dex and Sloane's relationship because they both already loved and wanted each other, it was just waiting for Ash to accept the fact he is gay, he loves Cael and is willing to put his past aside so he could be with him. I think it was mostly about getting "hit on the head" figuratively speaking so he could make the final step towards Cael.

When I've heard this is Cael and Ash's book I thought it would somehow be more about THEM, but actually it was very similar to the other books in the series, Dex and Sloane have a huge part in it as well, not only because Ash and Sloane are best friends and Dex and Cael are brothers.. The book is mostly told from their POVs with a little bit of Austen thrown in the mix. He's starting to have a bigger role in the series which I really like! He's such an interesting character!

Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4) [Dex & Sloane] by Charlie Cochet

This series is turning out to be my absolute favorite PNR / UF series. From the first till now, each book is a solid 5 star review. These books have it all, they are humorous! I find myself Laughing Out Loud A LOT and yet they are also emotional and heart warming (at times heart breaking), besides that there is also action and a beautiful world containing humans and shifters. Each one I started I simply couldn't put down. I read most of these, including this one, in two days. One sitting couldn't be less than a few hours. This one I finished on 3 AM! was dead tired but couldn't for the life of me go to sleep without getting the whole story. 

The previous book ended in a sort of cliffhanger which I generally dislike but I couldn't fault Charlie, it was obvious that though Sloane was badly hurt he will survive (there are at least 3 more books planned for him and Dex not to mention another spin off series centered about these two). This book was suppose to be all about Dex taking care of Sloane in his vulnerable state, and yet we got something different, Dex almost avoiding Sloane (even though he is living in his house recovering!) so he could catch the guy who hurt Sloane and is threatening the other members of Destructive Delta who are basically his family (asides from Cael who is ACTUALLY his brother..). 

Rack & Ruin (THIRDS #3) [Dex & Sloane] by Charlie Cochet

Another great installment! I'm loving this series SO MUCH! I read this one literally in one day, even one sitting. Can't get enough of the Destructive Delta team! Like the other books in the series, this book was fluid, funny, emotional, full of action, it simply has it all! 

Dex and Sloane are a couple there is no doubt about it, yet Sloane IS somehow sill holding back which is why when Dex accidentally says the "L" word it makes Sloane take a hike. The one is there for both of them, telling them to have faith in one another is no other than Ash! 

Blood & Thunder (THIRDS #2) [Sloane & Dex] by Charlie Cochet

Great novel! Really enjoyed it! One of those books you are reluctant to put down. I really enjoyed the previous one, and this one was just as good. I loved getting to know the MC as well as the rest of the Destructive Delta team even better and now it's even more than just wanting Dex and Sloane to find their HEA, there are more I want to see getting there. This had more action in my mind but the real resolve only comes in the last few chapters in which we understand the global threat to THIRDS as well as a MAJOR reveal of Sloane's secrets. 

Hell & High Water (THIRDS #1) [Dex & Sloane] by Charlie Cochet

This book was SO AWESOME! It's been really a while since I read something resembling this series, or maybe I simply haven't and that's why I'm so excited! In a way it reminds me of "Cut & Run" by Abigail Roux because being a part of the THIRDS organization could resemble being apart of the FBI, being partners "against their will", both having the kind of sense of humor it's just FUN to read and see how the inuendoes affect the relationship and make it grow and yet that's where the resemblance ends.. First because HELLO this is a Paranormal Romance series, there are Therians, which is another word for "shifter". THIRDS means Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron, a special agency combining Therians and humans as partners dealing with the kind of crime the "regular" police simply can't handle.