Love and Payne: THIRDS Universe Book 1, Charlie Cochet

Zach finally gets his man.  We finally learn about Austin.  Austin finally learns to accept love.  All of those things we were hoping for all along for these two men came together in a bit of a crazy ride with intrigue, hidden villains, soul bearing, and a whole lot of steam and it was mostly worth the wait.

My favorite was Zach.  I have a fondness for bear shifters, this is true, but Zach on his own is completely badA along with being kind, patient, sexy, and sweet so I have no problem saying that he carried the story for me.  I've been curious about him since day one when Dex ran off with "his" Cheesy Doodles and he did not disappoint.  His entire family was great and as they all came together to change Austin's world they solidified their place in the top five families I wish I were a part of, especially all the females.  Talk about awesome.

Austin was a bit of a struggle for me.  I can understand why he turns to his friend when he needs release, but I didn't want to read about it or have any of that intimated to be continuing while we were watching him and Zach try to get on the same page emotionally.  Not a fan.  I appreciated his vulnerability and was glad he changed so much by the end of the story though.  The ending was actually the best part for me when it comes to Austin because he finally makes a choice and stops his insensitive dithering that only hurt Zach again and again.  And how Sparks pulls one over on him is perfection.

I waited for Zach to finally get his spy and he did.  The steam was there, but I think since I wasn't completely sold on Austin it was harder to read through and I found myself skimming past the steam to get to the action parts where we learn exactly who was behind all the trouble that was featured in this story.  As mysteries go, this was pretty tame and it served as more of a vehicle to get us to the MC's making a go of romance than anything that pertains to the overall THIRDS world.  This was an adequate side story and I'm really looking forward to all the ways Dex will drive Austin crazy as we branch into the world of TIN.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Austen Payne, THIRDS Squadron Specialist Agent (SSA) for Destructive Delta and TIN operative, has seen the worst the world has to offer, faced lethal killers, and helped bring down dangerous organizations. But nothing terrifies him more than falling in love. After years of undercover work, Austen is a master at defending himself and protecting his heart… until he meets Osmond Zachary.

THIRDS Defense Agent Osmond Zachary has a huge, doting family, yet something is missing in his life. After meeting grumpy, foul-mouthed, jittery cheetah Therian Austen Payne, Zach knows exactly what that something—or someone—is. Unfortunately Austen seems determined to avoid Zach at all costs.

When Zach foils an assassination attempt, he ends up in the killer’s crosshairs, and Austen is Zach’s best chance at staying alive. Zach hopes the crisis will bring them closer, but Austen has every intention of walking away as soon as the danger is over.

Happily ever after isn’t for guys like Austen, but Zach is determined to show him it can be…