THIRDS: Book Four After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he’s done. But Dex’s plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition’s crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn’t taking any chances. … isn’t taking any chances. Dex’s team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta Destructive, no matter the cost.
With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies–however well-intentioned–begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who’s pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it’s up to Sloane to show him what’s at stake, and finally put a name to what’s in his heart.
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After the amazing way book 3 finished I was so wary to discover what’s next, that I couldn’t but read this 4th book (Chapter?) in one sitting. I didn’t want to spoil it for you, but….WOW. The complexity of the relationships, the way all found their place… the action, danger, intrigue… and of course, how Dex and Sloane, strengthen their love for each other after everything they suffered… I cannot tell you what is my favorite part of the book, but that last scene between Maddock, Sloane, Ash and Old Betsy… priceless!!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Gummy bears, grenades & family
When tragedy strikes, love is always the answer. The hunt for Hogan continues and the action is non-stop with lots of team shenanigans thrown in. “My family’s in danger.” Dex is on a warpath, which is fantastic but vexing. He makes a good renegade alpha. Although I find it hilarious how he and Sloane think they can keep secrets from each other and everyone on their team, I dislike when he and Dex don’t communicate with each other. You’d especially think Dex would know better by now. I’m glad Lou is a good friend and doesn’t shy away from sharing hard truths.
I love how this family takes care of each other and how they become even closer when faced with adversity. A new dimension to this series that I’ve been patiently waiting for is we see lots of vulnerability in this book, from Ash, Hobbs, Dex, Sloane; they all touched me. That being said I want to hug Ash and Hobbs all the time, even when they’re being stubborn gits. Seeing Dex individually bond with his teammates, in particular Ash and Hobbs, made me giddy with happiness.
“Someone needs to save you from yourself, and I’m the only one qualified.” It breaks my heart to see Dex and Sloane hurting but it also brings about some needed changes in their relationship. Sloane is forced to confront and acknowledge the depth and strength of his feelings for Dex; whereas, Dex is forced to acknowledge how damaging his actions can be. I bet Sloane looks divine in black leather, and I adore their banter. Oh the emotions this book brought up, heart pounding thrills, mushy feels, and sexy possessiveness. Mmm, the way Dex “nursed” Sloane back to health. I wish there was a video. BTW, grumpy Sloane is cute.
On a different side, Sloane and Ash’s heart-to-heart brought me many happy, happy sighs. Their friendship really is once in a lifetime. I love, love all the puns (Cheetos and cheetahs). Plus, can I say hot, hot, hot when Dex gets an unexpected show. I really enjoy the felid fights, their behaviors and their actions, but my favorite scene in this book involves Dex and Cael’s dad, Pocahontas and baseball, bahahaha.
I sooo need the rest of the guys’ stories! Cael and Ash and Calvin and Hobbs are going to smoke up their pages. Seb’s will be intense, and I hope Austen gets one of his own. Action, suspense, danger and so much laughter, you’ll fall in love with this world and never want to leave it.
Rise & Fall by Charlie Cochet is the fourth book in the THIRDS series. Is is a thrilling and amazing paranormal novel that feature a sweet and steamy m/m romance, sexy as hell shifters, and have-you-laughing-out-loud(leterally) humor. It also delivers a good amount of action, mystery, suspense and emotion.
Sloane and Dex and the guys are back with another suspenseful and dangerous situation. Danger is ahead a d theyhave to maneuver around some blockages in order to keep thriving. I am obsessed with this series, the books just keep getting better.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the series and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Just when I think I cannot be surprised, this series throws me for a loop!
I love how the plot continues between the books. I love the characters and how meticulous their development is without overshadowing the plot! Awesome!
This book starts exactly where the last one ended. Sloane is fighting for his life after an explosion meant for Ash, Dex and Delta team are distraught, and Ash and Cael are out of sorts. Through it all Dex has to hide his feelings from his dad and his team mates. While Sloane recuperates, Dex decides to take matters into his own hands. I liked what he has achieved without the help of Themis with old-fashioned detective work. And I am glad that he involved the entire team. It was easy since they were ready to help after being told to step aside. Here we are introduced to a new agent Austen Payne who will play an important role in the series.
This book also focused more on both Dex and Sloane’s feelings about each other and about their future. There were so many tender and beautiful moments, but with Dex as always there were moments that had me in stitches. After making a decision to commit to each other in an irrevocable way, Dex and Sloane turn a new leaf and tell each other every little secret and lie they uttered. With Sloane, Seb and their entire team on board they contrive a clever plan to capture the leader of Coalition and his henchmen. But every good plan can go astray, and of course this one does. But THIRDS agents are nobody’s fools and they manage to save their team mate and put an end to the game of terror. Sloane and Dex are deliriously happy, Cael and Ash have ways to go, but hopefully they will make it. Steamy, funny, intense and heart-felt story that I highly recommend!
I DO enjoy the Thirds series a great deal, but…there’s a few “but”s. It gets old that EVERYONE is gay. It gets very old hearing big, growly, alpha men refer to their lover as “sweetheart”, gay or straight. Men in real life rarely use this particular term of endearment, and when everyone is saying it, even Ash, the growliest of the growly, it just becomes nails on a chalkboard, so to speak.
Another “but” is that alot of the drama would be resolved with a simple, honest conversation. Same is true for alot of romance books though. For example, Dex is SUPPOSED to be taking care of Sloane after his release from the hospital, it was SUPPOSED to be such a big step in their relationship, BUT Dex is so busy playing secret agent that Sloane is more alone staying in Dex’s apartment than he would’ve been in his own. A tad of honesty goes a long way. And the whole, “Do I love him? Does he love me?” is beyond contrived, because it’s been well-established that, yes they love each other. Dex and Sloane. And Sloane also loved Gabe, and their live-in relationship being somewhat downplayed was insulting to readers remembering the first two books in this series quite well. Ash and Cael being in love was obvious since about book 2 as well.
Speaking of the “starring” couple (overshadowed as always by Dex and Sloane), Ash became a wuss instead of a roaring lion and Cael became uncharacteristically sexually bold instead of sweet and rather shy and reserved. Disappointing because characters undergoing a 180-degree personality change when they get “their own” book is a sore spot for me. It just felt like reading about characters other than the established Ash and Cael for me.
The overall story was good, and the big reveal of certain things was a bit disappointing, and I still don’t trust a certain character that I’ve suspected of being a baddie since book one. I DO like seeing more of Austen, and I know he will get “his own” book in the series soon, and I hope he doesn’t become almost unrecognizable as well. We saw more of Calvin and Hobbes and their scene was one of the best in the book! I don’t wanna spoil it, but I actually LOL’d, and that’s a rarity for me. I adore Ash, but really didn’t like him becoming so wishy-washy, especially outwardly, which he’d never do, IMO, even if he was mush on the inside. And Cael will always be a slight, “chirpy” twink, so him trying to be the bold sexual instigator with Ash, knowing Ash was a gay-sex virgin, the way he did was odd. Seeing Ash accept his gayness fully was something I looked forward to since at first he was supposedly straight, has had sex with women, and learning more “gayness” was in his backstory detracted rather than added to his storyline I think, and provided extremely unnecessary drama IMO. I was hoping for a gay-for-you storyline I guess. Not saying Cael can’t be sexual, but in HIS way, not like some seasoned player on Tinder or Grinder. Especially considering Cael’s rather sad backstory in this book. The Cael I knew would have taken things slower and far more sensually with Ash when attempting to seduce him for the first time, and it wouldn’t have happened when and where it did. Not when it isn’t unusual for them to spend platonic nights in each other’s apartments as best friends.
So, 3 stars for the humor, especially with Calvin and Hobbes, the new background info on Ash and Carl, and seeing Austen be all super-spy ninja-type, but sadly this was my least favorite book so far in the Thirds, and it’s painful to say so because Ash was my favorite guy since book 1. I was also a little surprised that the groundwork for the forthcoming TIN spin-off series is started with this book already. Considering all of the overall development, Ash and Cael’s FINALLY hooking up felt like just another storyline, not the main one. I will be reading on, but the ending here was the least cliffhanger-y of all the books in the series so far, and waiting awhile before diving into the next book doesn’t bother me at all.
“Rise & Fall” was wonderful, full of action and heartstopping moments, and with a distinctive darker vibe than the previous books.
Dex, after nearly losing Sloane, has to deal with his desire for revenge and justice and this allowed a different side of him to shine, a darker, obsessive one, that I really appreciated. I adore joker Dex, with his sunny façade and childish behavior, but seeing him struggling with himself was both painful and something I needed to love him even more. He and Sloane share some really sweet moments, especially since Sloane has finally stopped denying that what he has with his partner is something real and permanent. I also really really loved Ash this time around, and I’m so excited to read his story. Cael and Maddock too, are adorable, and that ending had me in tears of laughter.
Another 5 stars – this series just keeps getting better and better. There is a lot more of Dex and Sloane’s relationship as they continue to explore their feelings for each other and work to get on the same page. And we finally get to see another side to Dex. The one that pushed Lou away and who he was when he was working for the human police force. All of the team had further character development … except for Rosa and Letty. They have remained pretty one dimensional. I’m hoping that’s because they’ll get their time in future books.
The plot remains the weak point, but it was still good and entertaining, and I am left wondering where the overarching plot is headed.
The banter in this book continues to be amazing. I was practically crying from laughter at different parts. And then the way the book ends? Perfect.
The next book is focused on Ash and Cael and I screamed a little when I saw it. I can’t wait to learn more about them individually and better understand their relationship. I’m hoping for lots of schmoopy sweetness because even though Cael can hold his own, Ash is a big old teddy bear around him.
I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this series. It’s so much fun!
This book gave us more character development of Dex and Sloane who both have to deal with the aftermath of Sloane’s injuries. There were times when I was yelling at the characters, but in the end it all worked out. This book still had humor and tenderness that I love in this series, but it also dealt with a lot of deeper emotions between the characters.
The narrator was fabulous and really delivered a five star performance bringing to life the action scenes but also the tender, emotional scenes.
Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars. This wasn’t my favorite out of the THIRDS series, but it was still wonderful. I love the action, drama, and romance of the book, and I’m in love with all the characters.
OMG!!! Rise and Fall continues where Rack and Ruin finished. With both Sloane and Ash injured, and the team in the crosshairs, Sparks takes them off the case. Of course, Dex is none too pleased with that, especially as it was Sloane who got injured. So, he decides that he can’t sit back and do nothing, and goes maverick. Now, with the team being more than just a team, it doesn’t quite work out the way he thought it would. Also, Sloane is no slouch in the old brain department and figures out what Dex is doing. With more crossing over than Dex realises, Ash is looking out for him and telling Sloane, Austen is reporting both to Seb and Sloane, whilst giving out information to Dex. You get the idea. There is so much going on in this book, and yet there is still time for the relationships. Cael and Ash, Calvin and Hobbs, and now Bradley and Lou too.
What I love about these books is that the overall story arc continues, with plenty of action, twists and turns, and yet there is still ‘time’ for the couples. We learn more about Ash and Cael, Calvin, Hobbs, and ZZ Top (still laughing about that), and don’t forget my favourite couple of all – Sloane and Dex. I really can’t say how much I am loving this series, with plenty of moments to make me laugh out loud. I will drop two hints for those who know – white nurse’s uniform and Tony and Old Betsy, not forgetting when Tony calls Dex ‘Pocahontas’!!!
Can’t wait for the next book, and highly recommend this one!
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!