Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Against The Grain
SERIES: THIRDS: Book 5
AUTHOR: Charlie Cochet
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 220 Pages
BLURB:
Sequel to Rise & Fall
THIRDS: Book Five
As the fiercest Defense Agent at the THIRDS, Destructive Delta’s Ash Keeler is foul-mouthed and foul-tempered. But his hard-lined approach always yields results, evident by his recent infiltration of the Coalition. Thanks to Ash’s skills and the help of his team, they finally put an end to the murdering extremist group for good, though not before Ash takes a bullet to save teammate Cael Maddock. As a result, Ash’s secrets start to surface, and he can no longer ignore what’s in his heart.
Cael Maddock is no stranger to heartache. As a Recon Agent for Destructive Delta, he has successfully maneuvered through the urban jungle that is New York City, picking up his own scars along the way. Yet nothing he’s ever faced has been more of a challenge than the heart of Ash Keeler, his supposedly straight teammate. Being in love isn’t the only danger he and Ash face as wounds reopen and new secrets emerge, forcing them to question old loyalties.
REVIEW:
OH HOLY HANNAH!!!
Damn, this book picks up right at the end of the previous book. Your remember, Maddock with Old Betsy wanting to speak to Sloane and Ash and that was sweet and yet, so touching. From there…it’s game on!!
Ash Keeler…what can I say to you that you don’t already know? You know that I HEART HIM SO DAMN MUCH and after this book…ASH IS MY MAN!!! We’ve read previously that Ash had a twin brother, Arlo who was killed during the riots and how Ash felt guilty regarding his twin’s death as he was making out with some dude. Ash is so much more than I thought he would be and yet, he was also everything that I thought he’d be. Ash has to deal with his own feelings regarding Cael and how he wants things to be. He has to face his past in order for his future to come true. I love how My Sweet Ash is really a sweet, loving man who hides so much behind his grumpiness. I love his grumpiness and his surly behavior. I just loved seeing deeper into how Ash is and where he came from.
Cael Maddock…you love him for himself, but also from being Dex’s younger brother. I admit, I wasn’t sure how I felt about him, but Cael stands on his own two feet and you really get to SEE HIM!! I really liked what I saw!! Cael has gone through his own hardships and when I read about his ex, Don Fuller…I wanted to pull an Ash and Kick His Ass!! Cael is such a nice, sweet guy and to see the shit that he had to put up with…made me like him a hell of a lot more!! Cael is not just sweet, kind, loving and so damn giving…he’s also so damn strong and determined. He was raised with Dex…you couldn’t expect less. I love how strong and how FIERCE Cael showed he could be!! What a wonderful thing to behold, Cael kicking ass and taking names.
Now, you know our band of merry men, so you know our guys and there’s not much new to tell you except…I can’t Wait for Calvin and Hobbs’ book!! Austen….plays a bigger part in this book and OH MY LANTA, I HEART this guy more and more!! LT Sparks….now I wasn’t feeling so hot about this lady and up until the very end…I wanted to beat her DOWN!!! We get to meet Cael’s ex, Don Fuller and he’s as much as an ASSHOLE as you thought he would be. Kinda sad to see someone as awesome as Cael with this total dickwad, but we all have people like that in our past. Dr Shultzan…what a complete and utter ASS!! You’ll feel the same way once you read the book and then….we’ll get a gang together and open a can of WHOOP ASS!! No Worries, I’ll be waiting!! Tony was way more cool in this book. He is a DAD in this book. Not so much boss, but to see how much this man LOVES his boys…it’s really beautiful to see..
This book…from the very first word until the very last letter…I was ENTHRALLED!! I hated the fact that work kept getting in the way of this story and I just didn’t want to stop!! The action/adventure that you normally get in a THIRDS novel is still very much present. It’s not just the growing relationship of Cael and Ash…there is some serious ISH going down and of course our Merry Gang is in the middle of it All and I wouldn’t have it any other way!!!
The only bad things I can say about this book is: 1) It’s Over. 2) It’s going to be MONTHS AND MONTHS until the next bookL I’m not ok with that…but alas, Charlie is working on it and she’s got other things going on…not just my love affair with these guys. SIGH.
SO….RUN, DON’T WALK AND GET THIS BOOK!!! You won’t regret this purchase and you’ll be like me…counting down the days until the next book comes out!!! TRUST ME!! GET THIS BOOK!!
RATING: 
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