Tried & True

THIRDS #10

by Charlie Cochet

Sequel to Darkest Hour Before DawnTHIRDS Book Ten When THIRDS agent Dexter J. Daley met Team Leader Sloane Brodie, he couldn’t have imagined how slamming into his new partner—literally—would shake both their worlds. Now four years later, they’ve faced dangers, fought battles both personal and professional… and fallen deeply in love. Now their big moment is finally in sight, and they’re ready to stand up together and make it official. Unfortunately, as the countdown to their big day begins, an enemy declares war on the THIRDS….  With their family in danger, Dex and Sloane are put to the test on how far into darkness they’ll walk to save those they love. As secrets are unearthed, a deadly betrayal is revealed, and Dex and Sloane must call on their Destructive Delta family for one last hurrah to put an end to the secret organization responsible for so much devastation.  Dex and Sloane will have plenty of bullets to dodge on the way to the altar, but with happiness within their grasp, they are determined to get there come hell or high water….

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Audiobook

254 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2017

About the author

Step into a world of romance, humor, and heart-pounding action with Charlie Cochet, the international bestselling author behind the captivating THIRDS series. Embrace a fusion of Cuban flair and American charm as you dive into her stories with unforgettable characters and a dash of delightful mayhem.

Fueled by a love for classic rock and Cuban lattes, Charlie resides in Central Florida with her rascally Doxiepoo and a very opinionated German Shepherd. When she isn’t writing, she’s losing herself in a whirlwind of books and movies.

Charlie’s stories will stir your imagination and ignite your passion. So grab your favorite coffee, turn up the music, and prepare for your next adventure.



Website: http://www.charliecochet.com
Patreon: http://www.thirdshq.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charliecochet
Join Charlie's FB fan group

Reviews

[Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third re-read: 12.07.2021
It bothers me a bit how easily Dex seems to "forgive" both Wolf and Sparks. I just don't have it in me to forgive them. Wolf seems like cool character, he does, but what he did... no. Sparks just annoys the shit out of me and Tony deserves better. Overall, Dex and Sloane are made for each other and I cannot wait for TIN.

Second re-read: 11.03.2020
Still so sad to say goodbye to THIRDS. I know we'll get more of Dex and Sloane and that's the only comfort I got right now. That being said, there's still so much that bothers me with this book, but oh well. As I'm still struggling with focusing, plus migraine, I skimmed a bit.

Re-read: 13.06.2019
This was the last re-read of the series... I won't lie and say I didn't get teary, because I did. It's like a chapter is over. I'm really looking forward to TIN series because more Sloane and Dex is always wanted. It's been a nice re-read of the series, though some things do bother me, like why is Dex so much better than Sloane? I'm just asking considering Sloane has years upon years of experience while Dex is kinda new to this, even with his newfound power....

Also, you know, if I had met Wolf first (before Sloane and Dex, that is), I might have loved that guy, kissed the ground he walked on. But after what he did to Dex.... I kinda hate that they talk and shit with him like nothing has happened. I get it, he's an interesting and badass character, but I can't forgive him. I don't even ever want to read his book when it comes out. Dex and Sloane are my favorites in this series, and I don't forgive easily. Hopefully I won't have to wait long for TIN to come out. I hear it's coming out later this month? Anyways, I'm sad to say goodbye though...

⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*“Time to suit up, Daley. One last hurrah.”*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱

First read review:
Can you believe that THIRDS series is over? Sure, we'll get spin-offs, but the main series is over. It's been quite a ride. Betrayals, love, healing, fighting, discovering, mystery, friendship, family, action, blood and sweet, laughter and happiness... this series had it all. Hell, just this book had it all. The twist at the end? I hadn't seen it coming. The book centers around Dexter ‘Dex’ Justice Daley (37? 38?) Defense Agent for Destructive Delta (used to be a homicide detective; the Human Police Force) and his Team Leader Sloane Brodie (41?), who's also his jaguar Therian partner and fiancé. Both now TIN operators.

Dex turned his head so Sloane could kiss him. “I can’t believe it’ll be four years since we met. Do you remember?”
“Remember?” Sloane chuckled. “How could I forget? You left me speechless.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t one of my better moments,” Dex said with a laugh, most likely recalling the instant their lives changed forever.
“I’ll admit, when you smacked your head against mine, my first thought was that you were an idiot.”
“I kinda felt like one at the time,” Dex muttered.
“That wasn’t what left me speechless, though.”
“Oh?”
Sloane released Dex and gently turned him so they were face-to-face. Dex’s beautiful smile stole Sloane’s breath away. What could he possibly have done to be so lucky? “It was your eyes.” Sloane stroked Dex’s eyebrow with his thumb and cupped Dex’s cheek. “Four years. It seems like only yesterday, but at the same time, it’s like I’ve always known you.”

Since Dex became a hybrid Human-Therian; Sloane's DNA is in him, their live took quite a turn. Never really knowing what is going on inside Dex's body, Sloane and Dex just takes one day at the time, hoping answers will come before it'll be too late. Then there's the Makhai; all set out to destroy hybrids like Dex, the mole inside TIN, Wolf, kidnappings, oh and lets not forget that Dex and Sloane is set to marry in a short time. Now they just have to stay alive long enough to make it to the aisle. Sloane is about ready to become Sloane Daley...

Dex swallowed hard and blinked back his tears. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“You can,” Winters assured him. He sounded so confident. Like if Dex just agreed with him, it would be so. “You’re strong, Dex. What’s more, you have a brother who looks up to you, depends on you. What would happen to Cael without you? What if the worst comes to pass, and he no longer has his father? What will he do if he doesn’t have you to turn to?”
“No. I know. You’re right. I’m just… tired. To be honest with you, Doc, right now, I’m exhausted. My head is a mess, but my heart is, like, ‘don’t you fucking dare.’”
“Then it’s clear you need to listen to your heart.”
Dex nodded his agreement, and Winters sat back in his chair. “You’re not as restless as you once were. It’s good to see Sloane’s influence helping you through such a difficult period.”
Dex couldn’t help his smile at the thought of Sloane. “There’s something about him that makes me… breathe. Just having him close by makes me feel calm, and if I start not to be calm, he touches me, and it’s like everything’s going to be fine. He grounds me.”

Overall, it was a good ending for the series, though much is still left unanswered such as Dex's DNA. I like the sense of family and love. I loved seeing that even though the whole gang has been through hell, they are only getting stronger and closer as a family. A chapter is now finished for the family, a new one is about to start. From what I gathered, this is the last book in the THIRDS series, though we'll be getting spin-offs and and a TIN series (centering around Dex and Sloane (?); thank god! I apparently can't get enough of those two). Oh and Hobbs reaction when the truth came out? Kill me! I got so teary! I hope I don't have to wait long for the next chapter...

“Have you told him?”
“Told him what? There’s nothing to tell. He flirts, I flirt back, and that’s it. Besides, it wouldn’t be appropriate. I’m going to be his Team Leader.”
Dex arched an eyebrow at him, and Dom laughed.
“Fuck, I forgot.”
“You forgot Sloane was my Team Leader?”
“Yeah. I guess because when I see you two together, I just see the unit, you know. Like two halves of a whole. On his own, I see Team Leader Sloane Brodie, but when you’re there, I don’t know. I’m not making any sense.”
“You’re such a romantic underneath all the muscles and curses.”
“You’re weird.”
Dex threw his head back and laughed. “And you’re awesome.” Dex’s chips arrived, and he threw his arm around Dom. “Come on. Let’s go see what these troublemakers are up to.” They might be an incestuous little family, but Dex wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Other Characters:
→ Isaac Pearce, a Homicide Detective. His brother, Gabe, who had been a THIRDS agent and died a year ago; had been killed by a Therian informant. Though that proved to be a lie; Isaac had killed his own brother. Gabe used to be Sloane human partner. Sloane and Gabe were sleeping together. A year before Gabe died, it had gotten pretty serious. They’d been together four years. Got killed in book two.
→ Anthony ‘Tony’ ‘Sarge’ ‘Sergeant’ ‘Sir’ Maddock, Dex's adoptive father and a sergeant at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron (Destructive Delta) otherwise known as the THIRDS.
→ THIRDS Destructive Delta Agent Tech Expert, Cael Maddock (27?), Dex's adoptive little brother and a cheetah Therian. Rosa Santiago, his human partner and Destructive Delta's crisis negotiator and medic. Both Recon agents.
→ Ash Keeler, a lion Therian and Destructive Delta's entry tactics and CQC expert, and his human partner, Julietta ‘Letty’ Guerrera, their weapons expert. Ash's also Sloane's best friend. Ash and Cael finally got together in book five.
Ethan Hobbs (36), a Therian Tiger and Destructive Delta's sniper and his human partner and lover, Calvin ‘Cal’ Summers, their demolitions expert. Hobbs suffers from Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety.
→ Rafe (the oldest brother), Team Leader for Alpha Ambush and Tiger Therian and Sebastian ‘Seb’ (middle brother), Agent for Theta Destructive newly promoted to Team Leader for Theta Destructive. Was once on Destructive Delta but was transferred after his relationship to Hudson ended in a breach of protocol and civilian loss. Is a Tiger Therian. Both Hobbs’s big brothers. We learned in book six that Rafe has gotten the Therian Acheron Syndrome as their father.
→ Dr. Nina Bishop, THIRDS Destructive Delta’s medical examiner and a human. Rafe and Nina are together.
→ Dr. Hudson Colbourn, THIRDS chief medical examiner, and a Canis Lupus (wolf) Therian. Mated (marked) and married to Seb. Seb and Hudson have been sworn in and were officially TIN.
→ Lieutenant Sonya Sparks, for THIRDS Unit Alpha and a Cougar Therian. Partner to human Tony. Sparks is part of TIN—Therian Intelligence Network; as an undercover operative . Sort of the Therian version of the CIA. They exist, but technically they don’t. Austen, the SSAs works for them. Is dating Tony (on a break).
→ Louis ‘Lou’ Huerta, Dex's ex-boyfriend of four years.
→ THIRDS Agent Ellis Taylor, Team Leader of Beta Ambush, and leopard Therian.
→ THIRDS Agent Levi Stone, Team Leader of Beta Pride, and white tiger Therian. Got arrested for being a mole inside the THIRDS and part of the Ikelos Coalition in book three.
→ Osmond Zachary ‘Zach’, Agent for Alpha Sleuth in Unit Beta and brown bear Therian. Has six brothers working for the THIRDS.
→ Bradley Darcy, bartender and owner of Bar Dekatria and Jaguar Therian. Is dating Lou.
→ Austen Payne (23? 24?), Squadron Specialist Agent (SSA) for Destructive Delta and a Cheetah Therian. Is a undercover freelance operative for TIN (Therian Intelligence Network).
→ Angel Reyes, Member of the Order. Former member of the gang Westward Creed.
→ Dr. Abraham Shultzon, was the head doctor during the First Gen Recruitment Program who was personally responsible for the wellbeing of the THIRDS’ First Gen Recruits. He was also responsible for the tests that were run on the Therian children. He was recently (book five) apprehended by TIN for creating an unsanctioned Therian mind control drug, and for kidnapping THIRDS Therian agents for unsanctioned project. Dead.
→ Arlo Keeler, Ash’s twin brother killed during the riots in the 1980s.
→ Beck Hogan, a Tiger Therian and leader of The Coalition. Dead: Fell to death.
→ Drew Collins, a Cougar Therian and a part of The Coalition; Hogan's new second-in-command. Dead: Ash snapped his neck.
→ Felipe Bautista, was Drew Collins’s boyfriend of ten years and a wolf Therian.
→ John Daley, Dexter J. Daley’s biological father. Anthony Maddock’s best friend, and partner at the HPF. Killed during a shootout in a movie theater during the riots. Human.
→ Gina Daley, Dexter J. Daley’s biological mother. Worked for the CDC in NYC. First to volunteer to work with Therians. Killed along with her husband during a shootout in a movie theater during the riots. Human. We later found out that both Gina and John were murdered by the Makhai.
→ Darla Summers, Calvin Summer’s mother. Human.
→ Thomas Hobbs (65), Ethan, Sebastian, and Rafe Hobbs’s father. Suffers from Therian Acheron Syndrome. Tiger Therian.
→ Julia Hobbs, Thomas Hobbs’s wife, and mother to Ethan, Sebastian, and Rafe Hobbs. Human.
→ Benedict Winters, THIRDS appointed psychologist. Turns out Winters is the Chairman; leader of the Makhai.
→ Admiral Abbott Moros, Chief of Therian Defense. Tiger Therian. Dead.
→ Alfie, Hudson's brother who died. He had only been a year older than Hudson.
→ Mr. ‘Wolf’ aka ‘Fang’ ‘Reaper’, a wolf Therian who called himself Mr. Wolf, but that’s just one of many aliases. He’s a freelance professional. One of the best. Former TIN operative turned rogue. Wolf became a freelance agent for hire after feeling he was betrayed by TIN, the organization that caused the death of his partner. Turns out Wolf is Hudson's not so dead brother, Alfie.
→ Milena Stanek, Antiques acquisitions. Rosa’s girlfriend. Leopard Therian.
→ James Kirk, firefighter. Letty’s boyfriend. White tiger Therian.
→ Dominic ‘Dom’ Palladino, Defense agent. Close Quarter Combat expert for Theta Destructive and Seb's human partner.
→ Angel Herrera, Defense agent. Pilot and BearCat driver for Theta Destructive. Human.
→ West Delray was a king cheetah Therian who worked Recon for Theta Destructive. Not only was he a very rare classification of Therian, he was stunning.

“I’m sorry, but are you saying the psychopath who tortured you, and was going to kill you, shows up to help you out because he likes you?”
“Yeah, and to protect Hudson.”
Tony narrowed his eyes. “Son, you hang out with some fucked-up individuals.”

Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance (M/M).
Series: - Series, Book Ten.
Love triangle? - No.
Cheating? - No.
HEA? - Yes, for this chapter.
Favorite character? - Dexter ‘Dex’ ‘Rookie’ J. Daley.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Yes, Sloane and Dex is awesome.
Will I read this again in the future? - Who knows.
Rating - 3.5/3 stars.

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every single book in this series which is quite the feat, since there are 10 already !! As far as I am concerned, I could do with 10 more ;)

I have gotten to know all the characters in this series so well... they feel like family to me now !! A family, that I have come to love a whole lot !!



Now Sloane and Dex...they will always have a spot in on my "All Time Favorite Couples" list. They earned it fair and square !! They have been through so much together and they are still standing strong !! And we have finally gotten to the point of their wedding !!



Of course this is Dex ...and these are the "Thirds" ... so not everything will go as planned, and they will all have a major fight on their hands !!!

I spend half this book sitting on the edge of my seat ... biting my nails off !



But this is the "Thirds" we are talking about. They are a family, they stick together no matter what, and do what they should, when trouble arrives. I love them all so much !



This book really had everything I look for in a book...there was plenty of love, steam, action and fun.... I mean Dex is in it...of course there was FUN !!!

I am very curious to see what Charlie Cochet has in store for us next.... I just hope there will be much much more about these great characters I have come to love <3



I highly recommend this series to everyone...just make sure you start with book 1 in the  "Third Series" , because these books can not be read as stand alone's ;)

My reviews are posted on DirtyBooksObsession

[Bhavya Marya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally just binged all ten books in like three days, so that should be a big indicator of how much I love this series.



I loved the wedding and I may have cried a tiny bit also.
Dex and Sloane's story is amazing and I think everyone who hasn't read this series should definitely give it a try.

Also I'm gonna have an epic book hangover after this. I still can't believe I read it so fast.

[Simone - on indefinite hiatus - · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook: ***2.5 Stars***
Story: ***4.5 Stars***

I might have shed a tear (code for: I bawled my eyes out) over my babies finally getting hitched. 😌

[Meags · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This was everything I wanted and have come to expect from a THIRDS story.

I laughed and I cried (an embarrassing amount). I was on the edge of my seat for most of this read, because this one, my friends, was action-packed to the gills and full of high stakes drama – more so than in any of the stories that have come before in this epic series.

All the action and intensity was brilliantly balanced out with countless touching moments of love, sex, friendship and family. In my humble opinion, no series has a greater book family than the THIRDS. Here, every meaningful relationship that has been formed over the course of the series was highlighted, from showcasing the epic bonds of brotherhood between Sloane and Ash, to exhibiting emotional displays of unfaltering friendship between Dex and Hobbs; with the loving scenes shared between father and son, to the passionate and consuming way Dex and Sloane demonstrate their love for one another, over and over again. All these moments were perfectly precious, many leading to tears of happiness and contentment on my part.

As a dedicated THIRDS fan, I couldn’t be happier with this installment. I can't wait for more, and I’m now more than ready to follow some of these beloved characters in their upcoming adventures with TIN.

[Barbara➰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I'm going to admit right now...I cried a few times reading this book. Sometimes it was happy tears..OMG the wedding! And sometimes it was sad tears...Poor Dex missing his parents. But it definitely rung the emotions out of me.

This was great ending to this series. I hope we will get to see more of Dex and Sloane in the spin-off series because, I mean, DEX. I freaking love him. He's one of my favorite mc's of all-time.

And can I just say, I NEED Wolf's book now! I can't wait to see who that man is paired with and how that's going to all go down.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!

Yep. I’m a broken record.

Cochet continues to make this creation into something that I know I’ll rub my hands together gleefully when I hear a new book is on the horizon. There really isn’t a series out there that can cause me to go from bursting out into laughter, to making me swoon, to shedding a tear or a hundred, all in one scene. This latest installment was no different, strongly emphasizing the importance of family, to rely on those you hold dear and trust them to be by your side and have your back, and that true love is an absolutely amazing thing.

So hold onto your hats because there’s no shortage on the shenanigans, action, life and death situations, all peppered with plenty of violence and hot smex. This has easily evolved into one of my top 3 favorite series - ranging from the absurd to gleeful fun with the smackdown of emotions all wound up into one wild ride. This ties up many strings, making it the perfect send off regarding the THIRDS series as it transitions into its spinoff. We will surely say farewell to some but know we will welcome some newbies into this awesome family of crazy nutsos! The more the merrier, right? Right!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to end a series! I've loved the journey of Dex and Sloan getting to their happy and meeting so many fabulous characters along the way.

I'm going to miss this bunch of blokes 💞

4.5 stars

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dex and Sloane.





These two are a couple for the ages.



They've been through hell and back again with each other. They fought and fought for their love over and over, and never let the other give up, and they continued that in this novel.



We're finally here, guys. We finally got to the book about their wedding. And in true THIRDS fashion, it wasn't all sunshine and daises leading up to the big event.

Nah, first Dex and Sloane and friends had to deal with a little more shit being rained down on them. When Dex's father, Tony Maddock, gets taken by the baddies we've been dealing with for several books, Dex is, of course, devastated, and Cael as well. But whenever someone is hurt or threatened that Dex loves, he goes into badass mode, and there is nothing that will stop our Dex from saving his father.

But he doesn't let himself fall into a hole as he did when Sloane got hurt. Dex has grown and he has learned over these ten books. He leaned on Sloane, he let Sloane take care of him, he leaned on others for help. In fact, against these people, his father wasn't going to be saved if he'd gone in all lone wolf.

But these two were there for each other, no matter what. Even when Dex was scared that the methods he was resorting to to find his dad made him a bad person, Sloane was there to remind him how very wrong he was.

And aside from the tense, edge-of-your-seat "oh my fucking god" moments that had me gasping out loud - even after ten books, miss Cochet still has managed to make my eyes widen and my jaw drop - we got to have the moments that make this series so special:

- Dex and Sloane being as in love as ever - they dance in their home in the beginning and it is the sweetest, most adorable thing. Their love is always, always there, no matter what shit is thrown their way. The way these two care for each other, the way they lean on each other, the cute, adorable and outright hilarious moments. It all makes up what makes this couple so amazing.
- Getting to see our THIRDS family as we know and love them. Ash being Ash and still looking to tease Dex when he can, Rosa and Letty being awesome, Hobbs being his quiet but adorable, sweet self, Calvin being steady and badass, Cael being the best little brother to Dex, and Maddox. These nine are a family, hell, the whole THIRDS is a family, but these ones especially. They all make each other's lives better.
- Funny, laugh-out-loud moments almost always provided by our fave Dexter J. Daley ;)
- Sexy, sweet, hot, passionate love scenes between Dex and Sloane. They way these two go at each other is always, always enjoyable to read *wiggles eyesbrows*
- Heartwarming, "aww" type moments where this family shows how much they love each other and then trying not to blubber all over each other by saying the sweetest, most loving things. Even Ash sheds a happy tear or two in this.

So the question is, what goes wrong to derail and possibly stop Dex and Sloane from getting married? These two guys we've been following throughout ten wonderful books. Does it all end here?

When betrayals are revealed and Dex and Sloane's lives are put in danger, it becomes a race against the clock to somehow save their own lives.

This was as action packed as we've all come to expect from these wonderful books, and even as I was like "I know everyone will be all right and it'll all turn out fine, these two will get married haha it'll be FINE" I was still worried, because Charlie Cochet still manages to write these books in a way that has me on the edge of my seat. I'm always guessing, wondering what is going to happen, and I love how unpredictable these books still are, even when you'd think they would have lost some of their oomph by the tenth book.

That was not the case - for me at least. I still became as engrossed in this as I was while reading the very first book.

Man, how far this series has come since that first book. And I have a feeling this series will continue on for quite some time. There are still other couples' stories to tell, still more of Dex and Sloane's to tell. (I feel like these two are the touchstone of this series. The books will always come back to them, even when we get books on other couples. Gah, I love these two <3).

So! What craziness happens? How does it all work out? What happens at the end?

Well, to see what happens, you'll just have to read and find out for yourself ;)

***ARC generously provided by the The Alpha Book Club***

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

​Tried & True is the last novel in the THIRDS series before it spins off into the new TIN series. That makes things a touch bittersweet, for me, since I'm still not sure about sending Destructive Delta to TIN. TIN strikes me as an organization that's more "the ends justify the means", to me, and well...I hate to see this very beloved team get sent down that road. But we'll see how it goes. I fully intend to give the new series a chance.

In Tried & True, Sloane and Dex are finally getting ready for their wedding and, of course the honeymoon that follows, ​but their enemies don't take breaks. Our guys don't even have time to take a breath because they are working against the clock to bring their enemy down and ​keep ​their loved ones ​safe. I so enjoy watching Sloane and Dex get their Alpha on.​ I'm also rather enjoying seeing the changes in Dex. I really want to know how much further that plotline goes.​

The story, while still mostly THIRDS in feel, is transitioning in tone. It's getting a little more ruthless, a little less 'by the book'. Destructive Delta has been unleashed and their previous limits are becoming a bit more flexible.

But we still get humor and silliness from the usual suspects. We still get plenty of emotion expressed -- they're not hardened TIN agents just yet. We get hot and tender smexy--times. And ​Dex & Sloane get their hard earned happy! Amazingly enough. However, this is THIRDS, so you know things...​don't always go to plan.

​I enjoyed Tried & True, quite a lot. I've loved this series and their adventures and the silly OTT Dexter Daley style and I think their send off to the new series was done well! If you're a THIRDS Nerd, I think you'll enjoy Tried & True.

------------------------------
ARC of Tried & True was generously provided, by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

As much as I want to say this was a solid 5 star read, I had a few niggles with it. I really, and I mean really, struggled. The beginning and very end dragged, and dare I say, too much fluff. Plus the name dumping drove me nuts. I didn’t t remember who half the people mentioned were, but I guess it was necessary to gear up to the main event. There was still plenty of action, and a few unexpected reveals that caught me by surprise.

I am a little sad to say to goodbye to this series, even though I know there will be a spinoff, I just hope we still get to see the entire gang, and of course, more of Dex’s antics

[BWT · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Wow! What an incredible roller coaster of emotions!

Do not for even one second doubt that Tried & True is absolutely a love letter from Charlie Cochet to her THIRDS fans family.

The countdown to Sloane and Dex's lavish Long Island wedding is on...they just have to get through some pretty hairy life threatening situations first. The action is this is thick and there are some definitely gasp!worthy moments.

It's not all action though. Told from both Sloane and Dex's points of view there are some very passionate encounters between Sloan and Dex, as well as some very sweet one-on-one moments between the two affirming just how perfect they are for each other.

“When I’m with you, it’s like the world slows down and I can just… be. You ground me, Sloane. I’d be lost without you.”

I loved that the team was able to work together again, even as the reason for it broke my heart.



I loved the ways Dex was able to include John and Gina in his wedding day.

I loved how everything played out with Tony, Sonya, and even a certain assassin we all love to hate and hate to love.

Fans of the series have been waiting a long time to see a lot of the ongoing threads tied off, and the answers are sometimes blindsiding.

I loved how there was also plenty of page time for reader's favorite supporting characters to help Sloane and Dex with battles and saves.

It struck him then how none of them were related to him by blood, not even his dad and brother, and yet the bond they all shared could never be broken. They’d been through it all together. Laughed, cried, bled, mourned, and loved. Whatever the future held, they were the one constant in his life. His home.

Tried & True, follows the series platform of lots of humor, hot sexy times, plenty of action, and fantastic characters all combining to make this a page-turning thrilling conclusion while leaving enough breadcrumbs for stories to happen.

I'm really hoping this isn't the last time we'll see everyone together.




Advanced Review Galley copy of Tried & True (THIRDS #10) provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.

This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to an amazing series. I wish there had been an epilogue into their future though. I know there’s going to be a spin-off series (I believe), so maybe we’ll see more of these two.

I so adore this group of friends that have become a family. They are all so loyal and true to each other. If one is in trouble, they’re all in trouble. This is a series I could definitely see myself rereading in the future.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, as I faced the final curtain everything was there. Love, blood, bullets and more love. A very fitting final book although it does seem that this could also be a very fitting start to a new type of adventure. If there is one word that did grate on me through the series it was the word adorable, it seemed everyone was bloody adorable. However, as a final tribute the wedding and grooms were just that - adorable. I shall miss you guys.

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75***** stars


And it all ended with a big bang - BANG! This whole series was just freaking amazing and therefore highly recommend.

And wow, what a ride this last one was. At one point all teams on sight together for a united mission. How exciting!! Obviously the bad guys opted for making it the hardest for Dex and Sloane to make it to their wedding day in one piece.

But finally, seeing Dex & Sloane saying YES to one another and in front of everyone they love - it was the bestest. *heart eyes ♡


************

I’m very happy that, although this series ends here, it’s not the end. There is a new series right ahead, also a spin-off for the adventures of beloved side-characters and even two volumes of short stories fans and readers made Charlie Cochet write for certain events that were not shown in the books.


side note for the audio:
I’m pretty sad to say goodbye to narrator Mark Westfield at this point. And even if he did not become a favorite I really liked his performance and interpretation for the THIRDS series and I gotten really used to hearing his voice for the characters after so many books. So yeah, I will miss him when these characters’s story continues in the new TIN series with another narrator.




************
All my reviews for the THIRDS series:

Book #1 - Hell & High Water - 4.25 stars
Book #2 - Blood & Thunder - 4.5 stars
Book #3 - Rack & Ruin - 4.5 stars
Book #4 - Rise & Fall - 4.5 stars
Book #5 - Against the Grain - 4 stars
Book #6 - Catch a Tiger by the Tail - 4.25 stars
Book #7 - Smoke & Mirrors 4.75 stars
Book #8 - Thick & Thin (novella) - 4.25 stars
Book #9 - Darkest Hour Before Dawn - 4.5 stars
Book #9.5 - Gummy Bears & Grenades (novella) - 4.5 stars
Book #10 - Tried & True - 4.75 stars

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really overall loved this series, but this final book was a bit anticlimactic. Some parts kind of dragged, or just felt very similar to all the other books. Found myself skimming a bit. It was still such a good series though and I would definitely still recommend it, I am also excited to read the spinoffs.

[Bitchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent end to this particular arc of this series, and I think, for me, it's probably the end of the series altogether.

I loved how this series began. The action, the world building, all the alpha males and testosterone in the air, the sheer fun that was Dexter J Daley. I loved it. But alas, all good things come to an end, or at least for me, personally, they just slowly peter out. As the series continued, and Dex and Sloane got together, things started to change for me. Too many sappy "I love you so much" moments, and not enough focus on the action started to wear on me. I wasn't totally satisfied by any of the other coupling's own books, because the focus was still on Dex and his changing DNA. It's all just dropped off for me, starting with Ash and Cael's book, then Calvin and Hobbs, and Seb and Hudson, and I was starting to get weary of everything revolving around Dex. Very sad, because I love the character so much, but when the author loved him so much she couldn't even let him take a backseat to her other pairings, it started to sour for me.

Which brings us to this book. For me, it was very slow to get going. Sure, we have lots of sweet Dex and Sloane moments, and some fun family/team time. Too much, really, because no real action happened until nearly a third of the way in, and that's a lot, in a book this length. And even once the action started, there was a lot of just waiting around for intel, instead of out stomping ground. A lot of "you can do it, I believe in you" kum ba yaya moments.

And then, in the end, I wasn't even surprised by who the newest "big bad" was, I called it as soon as the guys were sent in to see him.

We were introduced to some more people, (who of course, all worship at the ground that is Dex), I guess to draw us into continuing the series, but I think I might be done.

Sad, because this series started off so well for me. I know, I might be in the minority here, but I'd rather just let things go now, before we get into Ty & Zane territory of bad.

[Vanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!! Phew! I'm finally done with the series!! 👍 This book was a long one but a page turner. From the very beginning it had nail-biting suspense and action. It delivered quite fabulously a deserving end to the THIRDS series with an HEA for the main MCs, HFN for the supporting characters and a hint at a new beginning for everyone.
It is hard to review this book without giving away major spoilers, therefore I won't review the story per se, but this book had it all.. action, humor, sizzling romance, teary-emotion, heart-stopping suspense, unexpected villain and ending twist. Through-out the book there wasn't a single dull moment, there were constant highs & lows and the MCs held strong. I liked that despite everything they were going through, they never once lost trust in each other and constantly had each others backs. It really showed how far they had grown in their relationship and the next venture is the right step for them.
The other supporting team members/friends, some who's stories was covered in the series and some who remained in the background, they too got some closure in their relationships.
Some of the loose ends were tied too conveniently and some weird coincidences are also hard to explain and that's why I have given it 4 stars instead of 4.5 or 5. It is for the entire series I suppose. I will have to read a few more paranormal books/series before I can compare and judge whether the issues that I had are specific to the genre.

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the ultimate bad guy was a bit telegraphed, I still absolutely loved this final book in what has been a quite outstanding series.

I completely adore every single one of the Destructive Delta crew and all their support teams. I know Charlie's written Austen's story, but I really hope we're not finished with the whole THIRDS/TIN worlds.

[M.I.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, what a ride. *sniffling* The wedding just did me in, so happy. I LOVE Sloane and Dex. <3
There were so many moments I was unsure about Sloane. When I doubted their love. When I didn't even believe Sloane deserved Dex. How wrong I was, these two just no words .

THIRDS surprised me at every turn.
I didn't expect to fall in love with so many characters.
Dex, Sloane, Tony, Cael, Ash, Hobbs, Cal, Seb, Rafe, Hudson, Sparks (yes, even her ), Alfie (even him), Austen, Taylor, Zach, Letty, Rosa, Lou, Bradley, Dom ...
I mean seriously, that's a lot of freaking characters and I REMEMBER all of their names! Let me say this is not the norm, I rarely, if ever remember secondary character's names. And that's the thing, even though Dex and Sloane take precedence nobody got left in the background. Each of them had so much depth and left their mark even when they didn't get their own books.
This book held my attention.
It was exciting, entertaining, heartbreaking, hilarious, trilling, suspenseful, intense, unpredictable, fun, romantic...

Dex walked into THIRDS and became the catalyst to so much healing, also mayhem but that's to be expected. This made family came to life. Vibrant and beautiful. Each of them resonated with me so strongly.

"Men, women, Therians, all of whom he loved and considered his family. It struck him then how none of them were related to him by blood, not even his dad and brother, and yet the bond they all shared could never be broken. They’d been through it all together. They’d laughed, cried, bled, mourned, and loved. Whatever the future held, they were the one constant in his life. His home."

"They’d faced and survived bullets, explosions, kidnapping, torture, and ghosts from their pasts. They might have stumbled along the way, but they always picked each other up and their relationship was all the stronger for it"

Gosh, I am so grateful that Charlie Cochet isn't done with them, I plan to religiously read the TIN series as they began their new adventure. <3
For now, this has been one hell of a ride and BOOK 10 was utter perfection!
Fabulous series!!!!
Definitely NOT a standalone series

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Sinfully.

4.5 stars

Not much can be said about the story without spoiling it. Tried & True is the last official novel in the THIRDS series and paves the way for the new TIN books. It felt more like a transition than an ending, which is a good thing. With just days before Dex and Sloane are going to tie the knot, there is plenty that can go wrong, and go wrong it does. Come on, Dex is a trouble magnet so it should be no surprise to anyone that the wedding and everyone’s lives are threatened.

It’s been four years since Dex and Sloane first met and they’ve been through a lot of changes. They’ve also solidified their relationship and built a family out of the members of Destructive Delta and others they’ve worked with. Now that everything is about to change again, a wedding is the perfect way to bring everyone together for one last party. A wedding is also a perfect time for emotions to run high and there are some lovely and tear-jerking moments as Dex remembers the parents he lost and the man who saved him and became a father to him.

Just as I was getting lulled into a happy, fun, pre-wedding haze, Charlie Cochet shattered it with some action that came out of nowhere and had me shouting expletives at my Kindle. This is where the story ramped up and didn’t let go, leading to some long-building storylines to reach their climax. There is a betrayal revealed that hits all the members of Destructive Delta as the mole is finally ferreted out and long-held secrets come out that explain some characters’ prior actions and change some relationships. Kidnappings, explosions, car crashes and torture – not the sort of pre-wedding excitement any of the team wanted, but THIRDS pulls together to support Destructive Delta.

I loved how all of the team had their moments here. As much as it’s all about Dex and Sloane, there is no Dex and Sloane, without the rest of the characters we have come to know and love and yes, I’m even including Wolf in that group (I can’t be the only one who loves the guy!). In keeping with the rest of the series there is plenty of humor, shenanigans, Dex and Sloane sexy and tender times and fun with the guys in their Therian forms. And yes, there is even a wedding that somehow manages to merge tradition and Dex.

I’m thrilled that this world will continue on with Dex and Sloane’s adventures with TIN and look forward to having some new characters’ stories told and keeping up with the old. I don’t think I need to convince any THIRDS fan that this is a book you need to read now. Yes, it’s an ending, but more so a beginning as the team moves on to their new positions with TIN. There is no cliffhanger here, but there is a direction set for future books and I’m all in for the rest of the ride.

[Anne Boleyn's Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Thank you for all your patience, for your smile, for taking a chance on a guy who thought he was too broken to ever know what real happiness looked like.”
"And now you know what it looks like?"
Sloane smiled. "Yeah. Looks like you."

The final installment of the THIRDS series opens with a bang, so to speak, in the form of smoking hot shower sex. Dex and Sloane are hotter than ever here. Really and truly. And while it was delicious in its own right, it also balanced the sugary sweetness. Although my personal favorite installments of the THIRDS series are angstier entries such as Rise & Fall and Smoke & Mirrors, I couldn’t find much fault with the sugary sweetness. Because that sweetness was well-deserved. Hard-fought. Improbable and even impossible at times. The culmination of blood, sweat, tears, and gummy bears.

As happy as I was to see them so happy, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. This series is known for packing a punch, after all. And when that shoe dropped, it crushed my toes. We didn’t get much of a “ready” and “set” before the action. Was it predictable at times? Sure. And a little too convenient? Yes. But Cochet delivers the thrills and chills.

The THIRDS gang is accounted for and adorable. Even the characters I cared little for (ahem, Sparks) have grown on me – to the point where I found myself...gasp...rooting for them. Like I was hoping against hope that they will find a cure for not only Papa Hobbs but Rafe! Sorry to say, though, that West sucks. He repeatedly leaves his scent on Dom to "keep other Therians away" and lay claim then proceeds to hook up with other men RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM?! It’s clear as day that Dom cares, and his little speech about "not judging" or whatever rang hollow. Unless West is undercover and this hypocritical selfish behavior is some kind of ruse, I will be skipping their story.

One cheetah whose story I DO want to read? Austen. We get some Austen time, but not much. And, sadly, we don’t get Austen/Zach time. I can only hope it’s coming with the redirected focus on TIN.

The jury is still out on Wolf. I get the appeal of the anti-hero, and I think that a redemption of sorts is possible. Perhaps, as my fellow buddy-reader Meags suggested, if his partner comes back from the dead? I’d read the crap out of that story. That being said, I don’t know if I will ever be comfortable with him being “one of the gang”. I still get the heebie-jeebies when he interacts with Dex.

The ending lines were pretty much perfect. I’m sad to see this chapter come to a close, but I’m excited for the next.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun series with great world building. I enjoyed the different POV along the way. I did find this instalment dragged and I was a bit over it all, I skimmed a fair bit. Their shenanigans became a bit cheesy and the action scenes felt repetitive but hey it’s been 10 books so I’m not complaining. I’m happy to leave Dex and Sloane here but Austen and Wolf are both interesting and I hope they have good books in the spin offs.

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute. My babies finally getting married. Loved the sappy moments.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

my review of the audio edition is here
I didn’t expect to be so moved reading a THIRDS novel, but Charlie Cochet really pulls out all the stops in Tried & True. Talk about the highs and lows, just a heads’ up: she delivers a doozy in this tenth release in the series and a follow up to Darkest Hour Before Dawn. Read them in order, please!

Saying goodbye to Destructive Delta is as hard as you’d think for Dex and Sloane. As fate would have it they’ve got one last mission, and the whole team bands together to bring down the Makhai. Nothing goes as planned but thankfully Dex has a few surprises up his sleeve and, as always, his sense of humor helps them through the tough times.

Reflecting back over the past four years it’s amazing to see how much has happened to the crew of the THIRDS. There’s a lot of reminiscing going on throughout this story as each of the guys get their chance to shine.

Despite a few melancholy moments, Tried & True is still full of all the action, banter, and crazy hot sex we expect from this series. It’s a hopeful look toward the future as well as a heartwarming look back to the past.

For me, this is the most intense book in the THIRDS series. It is emotionally draining, the battles are fierce and action packed, and there’s a gruesomely explicit torture scenario. I’m amazed at how Charlie Cochet can write such graphic and exciting scenes, and then turn around and write the smushiest, most romantic dialogue.

Tried & True is not for the faint of heart, but fans of the THIRDS know we have to take some pain with our pleasure.

The characters in the THIRDS have come a long way, they’ve been through the worst together and come out on top. In the end, it all comes down to family and these guys have created a great one together. I’m looking forward to future stories, both about Destructive Delta’s training mission and the team members who are moving on to TIN. But I know, wherever Charlie Cochet takes these guys, it’s going to be one wild ride!

[Gerbera_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, I am feeling sentimental now. This is the last time I am writing about Dex and Sloane. They've come so far both personally and professionally. The series has spun the period of four years where every character turned from surly and angry into better and happier versions of themselves. The book ended exactly how I expected and wanted it to. There was a curious balance of romantic mushiness (Ash was a bit scary in the happy nice mode) and fierce fighting for their lives. But it's all or nothing with Destructive Delta and all who stand behind them.

With the wedding almost here, Dex and Sloane are preparing for their honeymoon and getting settled into their new work obligations. Everything is perfect, and that means everything is about to go belly up. And it sure does. The Makhai finally make their move, secrets come to life and more than one relationship stand on the line. Dex forgets his pride and seeks help from unexpected sources. He finally sees how far he will go to protect his family and friends - very far. The mastermind behind the Makhai is just so unexpected, it's brilliant and makes so much sense. The betrayal and anger run deep, but the THIRDS and TIN agents are the ultimate force to bring all the culprits to justice despite any feelings they have.

I loved every moment of this book - the humor, the tenderness, the passion and the support they all gave each other. The fighting was out of this world good. When Sloane and Dex married, all I felt was happiness. It's good when everything is as it should be. It might be the end of the series for us but it's just a beginning for them. And I wish them all the love in the world. Thank you, Ms Cochet for bringing Sloane, Dex and the THIRDS to life!

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5th re-read April 2025

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars but I'm rounding up because this was a pretty perfect ending to the series.

[Jazer (catching up on TBRs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[BevS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice way to finish off the series...I particularly love the way Wolf and Hudson bitch at each other, and their British accents were spot on this time. I do think Mark has a fairly monotonous voice for his storytelling though, and I'm positive that Cael's 'voice' was different this time around but my rating will stay the same.

***Book Review***





4.5 stars from me. Laughter and tears for this one...plenty of laughter it has to be said, Charlie certainly outdid herself but I have deducted 1/2 a star for making it fairly obvious [to me anyhoo] who the 'mole' was waay before the end....

The wedding was...well, just as OTT as you would expect, but I applaud the colour schemes chosen by the grooms 🤗, and the choice of words engraved on their wedding rings - Faithfully by Journey, big sigh 🩷. I've no doubt we'll be seeing more of Wolf and everyone else in the new TIN series that follows on from this one, but it's definitely not an ending, just a new beginning....