REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Love and Payne
SERIES: THIRDS
AUTHOR: Charlie Cochet
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 200 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 4, 2018
BLURB:
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….
I really don’t want this series to ever end. Every installment is as good as the ones before it, even though the storyline is evolving and going in different directions. And I thought I was a tiger Therian fan, but I believe the bears have taken the lead! Zach and his supersized family are wonderful, and who wouldn’t want to be in the middle of that big bear bunch?
Austen is the mysterious agent I’ve always wanted to know more about. He has a thing for Zach and has been keeping an eye out for him for a long time. When Zach is injured and has to go into hiding for a bit, Austen takes the lead in his protection, but he isn’t alone, because Zach’s whole family gets involved.
Austen has some pretty big issues that prevent him from giving in to Zach. He has major trust issues and feels that his job is not conducive to a relationship, nor that it could ever be. Zach’s size is an issue as well, playing into Austen’s trust issues with being in control. Zach is just so sweet though, and it is clear that even though he’s such a big guy, that he would never hurt Austen.
The other part of this story is the mystery behind Zach’s injury. The politician he and his team were protecting was the target of the shooter, or was he? Was it actually Zach? Then there is the anti-Therian aspect – those who believe humans need to take back control. It all comes to a head, and everything is on the table with Austen and Zach coming out the other end together.
Love everything about this series and can’t wait to see where it’s going next. Keep them coming, Ms. Cochet!!
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