Hell & High Water

I never thought I would read a book about shape shifters, but the reviews are so good that I had to see what all the fuss was about. O.M.G. This book is so spectacular! I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

4.5 Stars ~ Yes people, I am coming out of the closet. I realize this is going to come as quite a shock to all of you, but I truly can't hold my shame in. It's true. I am, very possibly, the last person to begin reading this series by Charlie Cochet. I imagine she thinks I'm a bit insane since the last two times I've met her, I've apologized. Profusely. Needless to say, I'm jumping into book one with high expectations that I fully anticipate being met.
'Hell & High Water' is book one in Charlie Cochet's urban fantasy series, 'THIRDS'. Set in a New York City where shifters, called Therians, now exist, due to an unforeseen consequence of a vaccine created to cure a deadly virus back in the late 1960s. I think it goes without saying that Humans have had a difficult time adjusting, and Therians an equally tough time assimilating. Hence the creation of THIRDS, an agency comprised of Humans and Therians with the goal of providing equal justice to all.
To say that Dex, a homicide detective with Human Police Force (HPF), is having some bad luck recently is a mild way to phrase it. Dex testified against his partner who shot an innocent Therians kid in the back, and let's just say that this might be awesome world building from the author (and it is!) but the boys in blue will always be all about their brotherhood. After being beaten up twice, HPF graciously gives Dex a promotion to THIRDS. He's happy to be working with his adopted dad and brother, Tony and Cael, but he knows this is going to be a challenge, since he's filling a dead man's shoes.
I was crazy about Dex from the moment I met him. He's a solid, loyal guy, who believes in justice and right and wrong. However, he also has a wickedly snarky, sarcastic sense of humor and the attitude to go with it. A review I read quite a while ago likened him to the Energizer bunny, and yes, I could definitely see that. Sloane hit every single button I've got, and some I didn't even know about. Big, tough, a jaguar with an attitude, sexy as sin, and a troubled past. Oh yeah. Thanks, Charlie, I'm dibsing him.
\"Sloane stepped out from under the showerhead and grabbed his shower gel, catching Dex’s eyes on him as Dex said, “Not staring, appreciating,” before turning his attention back to Ash, “and who doesn’t partake in a good gander every so often? If you’re gonna stand there and tell me you ain’t never sneaked a peek at another dude’s love truncheon, I’m calling bull-poopie.”
If it was as simple as two guys falling into lust and then possibly into more, this book would be good, but not great. However, this author wasn't about to make Sloane and Dex's partnership, much less anything else, even remotely easy. Sloane lost someone he loved not too long ago, so now he can't help but be guilty for feeling anything toward Dex. Plus, Sloane's got more baggage than a Boeing 757. Not to mention that it's completely against the rules of THIRDS to have any type of intimate relationship with a coworker. So? See what I mean? Not easy.
I loved everything about this story. The mystery plot line was wonderful, although I do apologize Charlie as I guessed who did it long before the end - but it was still very exciting. The main characters are amazing, but the author has added some fantastic secondary characters, also - Tony, Cael, Rosa, Letty, Ash, Calvin and Hobbs. I'm so glad I can jump straight into book two now. *grins*

4.5 Stars ~ Yes people, I am coming out of the closet. I realize this is going to come as quite a shock to all of you, but I truly can't hold my shame in. It's true. I am, very possibly, the last person to begin reading this series by Charlie Cochet. I imagine she thinks I'm a bit insane since the last two times I've met her, I've apologized. Profusely. Needless to say, I'm jumping into book one with high expectations that I fully anticipate being met.
'Hell & High Water' is book one in Charlie Cochet's urban fantasy series, 'THIRDS'. Set in a New York City where shifters, called Therians, now exist, due to an unforeseen consequence of a vaccine created to cure a deadly virus back in the late 1960s. I think it goes without saying that Humans have had a difficult time adjusting, and Therians an equally tough time assimilating. Hence the creation of THIRDS, an agency comprised of Humans and Therians with the goal of providing equal justice to all.
To say that Dex, a homicide detective with Human Police Force (HPF), is having some bad luck recently is a mild way to phrase it. Dex testified against his partner who shot an innocent Therians kid in the back, and let's just say that this might be awesome world building from the author (and it is!) but the boys in blue will always be all about their brotherhood. After being beaten up twice, HPF graciously gives Dex a promotion to THIRDS. He's happy to be working with his adopted dad and brother, Tony and Cael, but he knows this is going to be a challenge, since he's filling a dead man's shoes.
I was crazy about Dex from the moment I met him. He's a solid, loyal guy, who believes in justice and right and wrong. However, he also has a wickedly snarky, sarcastic sense of humor and the attitude to go with it. A review I read quite a while ago likened him to the Energizer bunny, and yes, I could definitely see that. Sloane hit every single button I've got, and some I didn't even know about. Big, tough, a jaguar with an attitude, sexy as sin, and a troubled past. Oh yeah. Thanks, Charlie, I'm dibsing him.
\"Sloane stepped out from under the showerhead and grabbed his shower gel, catching Dex’s eyes on him as Dex said, “Not staring, appreciating,” before turning his attention back to Ash, “and who doesn’t partake in a good gander every so often? If you’re gonna stand there and tell me you ain’t never sneaked a peek at another dude’s love truncheon, I’m calling bull-poopie.”
If it was as simple as two guys falling into lust and then possibly into more, this book would be good, but not great. However, this author wasn't about to make Sloane and Dex's partnership, much less anything else, even remotely easy. Sloane lost someone he loved not too long ago, so now he can't help but be guilty for feeling anything toward Dex. Plus, Sloane's got more baggage than a Boeing 757. Not to mention that it's completely against the rules of THIRDS to have any type of intimate relationship with a coworker. So? See what I mean? Not easy.
I loved everything about this story. The mystery plot line was wonderful, although I do apologize Charlie as I guessed who did it long before the end - but it was still very exciting. The main characters are amazing, but the author has added some fantastic secondary characters, also - Tony, Cael, Rosa, Letty, Ash, Calvin and Hobbs. I'm so glad I can jump straight into book two now. *grins*

From the moment I started reading this book, I fell in love with Dex. Even though he did the right thing, people still hated him for it, he never let that take the smile from his face. Oh and let’s not forget his love for cheesy doodles that almost got his head snapped off. When he joined the THIRDS team Destructive Delta’s (awesome name) he didn’t let the unwanted vibes put him off from making the team whole again.
When Sloane came into play, I knew that it was going to be a fun ride for him and Dex because Dex wouldn’t let him push him away. I felt the emotions come off of the page for Sloane’s deceased’s partner and understood why he acted the way he did.
Fighting their attraction for each other, they fought to find the person killing innocent people. Mix in Dex’s smart wit and easy comeback with Sloane’s brooding image, you get one epic relationship.
The book was well written, all of the characters flowed well together and I couldn’t put the book down until I was done with it. Can’t wait to read the next one.
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Homicide detective Dexter J. Daley was having a bad day. Who was he kidding? He'd been having a bad year, and that's what he thought before he met his new partner, Sloane Brodie.
All Dexter \"Dex\" Daley ever wanted was to be the best homicide detective on the force. Unfortunately, being the best meant being honest, and honesty came with a high price. When his partner committed an unforgivable crime, Dex chose to testify against him, making Dex the most hated detective in town. Being transferred to the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron (THIRDS) elite crime-fighting division wasn't Dex's ideal job, but he decided to embrace the position, and its opportunities, for what it was. A second chance to keep doing the job he loves, solving crime.
Sloane Brodie hasn't quite gotten over the death of his partner and lover, Gabe Pearce. Given an ultimatum by his superiors to get along with his new partner or end up being replaced himself, Sloane is determined to make the best of an awkward situation. That is, until he meets the smart-mouthed and distractingly handsome Dex. He quickly realizes that there is no way he's going to be able to ignore the man assigned to have his back. When Dex shows an intelligence that Sloane never would have suspected, based on his first impression, and the sexual chemistry between the two men begins to sizzle, the new partnership quickly becomes hotter than either man anticipated!
HELL & HIGH WATER is an exceptionally well written and fast paced adventure that kicks off CHARLIE COCHET'S newest series, Thirds, in high Alpha Male style. Her characters are an irresistible group of strong, sexy, sarcastic and fearless warriors. An enticing mix of men and women, shifters and humans, all with mad fighting skills, and a group chemistry that pops. HELL & HIGH WATER was one story I just couldn't put down!
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for The Romance Reviews