Thick & Thin

Thirds, Book 8

By: Charlie Cochet

Narrated by: Mark Westfield

Sequel to Smoke & Mirrors

Thirds: Book Eight

In a matter of days, Dex has been kidnapped, tortured, killed, revived, become half Therian, offered the chance to become a spy, and accepted a proposal to marry his jaguar Therian boyfriend, Sloane Brodie. It's been a lot to take in, and although Dex is still trying to wrap his head around everything that's happened, he knows he has to move forward.

After the events of Smoke & Mirrors, Dex and Sloane find themselves in one of the most frightening situations of all: revealing the truth to their Destructive Delta family. When the dust settles, nothing will ever be the same, and it's up to Dex to prove that in the face of change, the one thing that will always remain the same is family.

©2017 Charlie Cochet (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press

Another great story...

I have never been disappointed by a Thirds story. Always the right balance of action, mystery, humor and romance. I look forward to the next book.

Emotional

Love this small bit of story. This made me love Ash more and more. I understand why this story needed to be told and don’t mind the credit I spent for it. Now two more to go!!

Great Series!!

This is another one of my favorite series. I’ve read the books several times and listened to almost all of the audiobooks. I’m sure I will listen to them more than once too. I love Sloane and Dex!

Love...

It's been a minute since I listened to Smoked and Mirrors...which I had to do again so I could be in the same mind space. Of course the one thing that did not change was my admiration for Dex and Sloane...what a pair. This book just provides insight into the bond that holds this group/family together. A great in-betweenxt...

Another brilliant entry in an already great series

Original Audiobook Review October 2022:
Just like all my reviews I won't spoil anything even though this is a long ago written series, I came late to the party and I know there are many out there who have yet to experience everything Dex, Sloane, and the whole THIRDS gang so I won't touch on anything plot-wise.

Just like in my original review, I still found #7 & 8 so closely linked that just as with the reading form, the audios had to be listened to together and reviewed together.

Honestly, as much as I love the whole THIRDS gang, Dex and Sloane have always been my favorite. Is it because they were the initial introduction couple? Maybe. Is it because their chemistry is so unforgettable? Perhaps. Is it that their level of snark and cuddle is so snarky and so cuddley? Possibly. Frankly, I think it's a case of all three and so much more that I just can't find the proper words for. So what I will say is this: Mark Westfield's voice brings to life Charlie Cochet's words and characters so powerfully and spot on that I can see it happening right in front of me, I feel like I'm a fly on the wall, a window shopper on the street, if I stretched out my arm I could touch them, that's how vivid and real Westfield and Cochet make the story.

Spot on all the way around and definitely worthy of many re-listens for years to come.

Original Review October 2017:
Combined Review for Books #7 & 8
Blogger Note: For me, more than any of the series yet these two are so connected that I feel they are almost one super large novel. Though you must read the whole series in order as the characters and storylines are interwoven, its most important that #7 & #8 are read in order IMO. I had the luxury of reading them when they were not new releases so I didn't have the "waiting period" between and frankly I'm super glad for it 😉.

Dexter J Daley, lover of all things 80s & all things Sloane Brodie, is about to have his life turned upside down once again but this time he learns new facts about the past which directly effects his future as well as that of all the members of Destructive Delta and their friends. As much as Dex and Sloane are devoted to each other, will their love survive these new found truths and changes?

As followers to my blog and reviews know, I don't do spoilers and I definitely don't want to spoil any elements of mysteries so I won't touch on any specific plot points for Smoke & Mirrors or Thick & Thin but I will say this: I was blown away and thrown for a loop farther than anything one of Delta's shifters could have hit me with. "Holy Hannah Batman!" came out of my mouth more than once and considering I was reading these while enjoying the refreshing fall air under my maple tree in my front yard and trying not to scare the neighbors with my sudden outbursts, I think those three little words sums up how I felt reading these two better than anything else I could come up with here.

Even though Dex is at the heart of these two installments, don't think Charlie Cochet has forgotten the rest of the team, their friends, family, and co-workers but we also discover a new enemy who may or may not be what Delta is led to believe. Yeah, I know I'm being cryptic but its the closest thing you're going to get out of me concerning the plot 😉.

As I said when I reviewed Hell & High Water #1 a few weeks ago, I had this series on my TBR list for a few years but now that I've read it I can't begin to guess what took so long. Brilliance from beginning to end and I can't wait to see where the author takes these characters in the future but I do know that I will be among the first in line to read any new adventures and they won't be lingering-in-waiting on my TBR list any more.

Audible version too expensive

I love the story. Have all except the last one and became addicted to listening instead of reading while I work. Unfortunately the price all of the sudden tripled. What the heck people. I also miss being able to by the kindle book and the audible together and have them synced. What am I missing here.

This series just keeps getting better.

Any additional comments?

I love Mark Westfield’s narration for this series! I have yet to be disappointed by his narration of one of the THIRDS books. It’s got great character voices and good pacing…I just pop in my ear buds and then sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Taking place immediately following the events of Smoke & Mirrors, this story follows Dex and Sloane telling the team about the changes in Dex and, ultimately, about the changes to come to Destructive Delta.

**~~**
“I know we’re the ones pushing this change, but we’re in this together. We always have been, and we always will be. Whatever happens, whatever you need, Sloane and I will be there for you.”
**~~**

This series just keeps getting better. I had quite a few questions at the end of Smoke & Mirrors, particularly regarding Dex’s motives and was really happy they are looked at more in depth in this short, but action packed, installment.

It’s a short novella, but it’s got a lot packed in it, and it’s all done with cohesion, setting up the series for what’s still to come.

**~~**
Their future might be uncertain, but one thing wasn’t— no matter what happened or what they faced, they had a family to come back to, one that grew stronger with every passing day. Destructive Delta wasn’t just a team. It wasn’t a badge or a patch on their sleeve. It was home.
**~~**

I look forward to more THIRDS action – especially on audio!

Note: For the sticklers be warned – Westfield doesn’t give Hudson an English accent for some reason and his voice for Cael seemed different to me than in the rest of the series. He also has audible intakes of breath before speaking – often.

Westfield nails it...again

Sometimes you come across a series where the audiobook is just as good as reading the actual ebook. That is the case with the THIRDS, and maybe even more so with this story. This novella is the bridge to the upcoming new side series based on our boys (and girls) becoming TIN agents, and so it was even more important for me to listen carefully, the second go round, so that I didn’t miss anything and was properly prepped for the future.

More importantly, Mark Westfield still does a stellar job with his performance and with keeping our characters voices distinct so that we always know who is speaking. His Dex and Ash impersonations are the best. I especially loved those two in this book. They have so much to come to terms with, and it was key to keeping them easily recognizable for the listener…and Mark kills it.

This is definitely a series that gets better and better, and what a great way to recapture the magic of a beloved book than to go back and listen to it in audio. Mark Westfield nails it again.

A lot in a little story

What made the experience of listening to Thick & Thin the most enjoyable?

The narration. I love the little extras Mark Westfield puts into his performance.

Have you listened to any of Mark Westfield’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Books 1-7 of the Thirds series and its jut as good as the first 7.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Its a toss up between the talk with Dex and Kael and the same talk with Ash and Sloan. I think the one with Ash and Sloan came out just a bit ahead because it was sweet to see that side of Ash.

Any additional comments?

I absolutely love this series. There is a lot going on in this sort story. It ties up a few loose ens, segs into the next story. I cant say a lot about this without giving away whats happened previously and spoil it for those who haven't read yet. So all I will say is this is a great series. You do need to read in order.I love all of the characters and how Charlie Cochet has a list in the front of them all. The little index is helpful and grows with each book.
If you love special ops, paranormal stories, intriguing shifters, a touch of humor and hot man on man sex you will love it too!

Thick & Thin

Omg this audio book was positively amazing. i would highly recommend this audio book.