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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
2nd re-listen. Rating stays the same.
Truth be told I wasn't going to re-listen to this because I knew what a disappointment it was, but when I started Catch a Tiger by the Tail Calvin said something about Dex training and I thought things concerning Dex had happened that I didn't remember so I went back to remember.
Things weren't happening yet with Dex so I listened to this to go through the disappointment of Ash and Cael getting together so quickly that gives you whiplash and without any kind of epiphanies/resolution from Ash's side.
A 2nd whiplash comes also in the form of Ash's mother.... This could have been so glorious!
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Nope... nope... nope... where's the angst? This was supposed to be EPIC! But nope ><
Mindy Lynn's review says it all!
Truth be told I wasn't going to re-listen to this because I knew what a disappointment it was, but when I started Catch a Tiger by the Tail Calvin said something about Dex training and I thought things concerning Dex had happened that I didn't remember so I went back to remember.
Things weren't happening yet with Dex so I listened to this to go through the disappointment of Ash and Cael getting together so quickly that gives you whiplash and without any kind of epiphanies/resolution from Ash's side.
A 2nd whiplash comes also in the form of Ash's mother.... This could have been so glorious!
------------------
Nope... nope... nope... where's the angst? This was supposed to be EPIC! But nope ><
Mindy Lynn's review says it all!
Pretty much non-stop action. The central relationship development has sort of already happened, so that doesn't play a large part in the story.
Five books in and I’m still just as obsessed with this series as I have been since book one. Finally after four books of witnessing Ash Keeler and Cael Maddock pine after each other, we get their story.
As I mentioned in my review of [b:Rise & Fall|48667821|Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4)|Charlie Cochet|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572727399l/48667821._SY75_.jpg|42242035], I was starting to get a bit tired of all the books being in Dex & Sloane’s perspectives. I feel like mixing up the perspective the stories were told in a bit earlier could’ve avoided book four feeling like a boring filler book for me, but nevertheless, we’re finally moving forward in Against the Grain.
The Plot:
There’s two plot lines in Against the Grain: the romance between Ash & Cael and the action happening alongside this within THIRDS.
A lot of people seem disappointed with Against the Grain and don’t care for (as they put it) Ash Keeler’s “personality change” that made him all lovey-dovey with Cael Maddock. But I really don’t understand this as Ash has always, from book one, treated Cael differently than anyone else in his life. Cael has always gotten Ash’s softer side, which despite what some people seem to believe, even the biggest baddest gruffest and grumpiest guys tend to have.
While the action in [b:Rise & Fall|48667821|Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4)|Charlie Cochet|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572727399l/48667821._SY75_.jpg|42242035] was a bit lackluster to say the least, it certainly picked back up in Against the Grain as Destructive Delta returned to work as usual at THIRDS only to find themselves sent on an unsanctioned mission to collect and deliver a package that winds up putting a huge target on their team’s back. With new information being revealed, the team is forced to question everyone in their lives and where they stand with them. Not everyone is who they say they are...
Thoughts:
I enjoyed finally getting more backstory from both Cael and Ash as they struggled to take the steps needed to turn their friendship into something more. Both Ash and Cael have some past issues they work through in this book, but by the end they seem to have gotten to a point where they are both ready to be in a relationship.
Another relationship I’ve enjoyed seeing develop has nothing to do with romance but instead a friendship that has been working on building respect and understanding...and that’s the relationship between Dex and Ash who absolutely hated each other’s guts in book one. These two still bicker and get on each other's last nerves, but they’ve come to understand each other a lot more after several situations where they’ve been forced to rely on each other and work together to protect those they both care about.
Will I be continuing this series?
Absolutely. I’m excited for the next book [b:Catch a Tiger by the Tail|49254683|Catch a Tiger by the Tail (THIRDS, #6)|Charlie Cochet|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576446192l/49254683._SY75_.jpg|42242041], which will be telling the story of yet another couple on Destructive Delta, Calvin Summers and Ethan Hobbs.
As I mentioned in my review of [b:Rise & Fall|48667821|Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4)|Charlie Cochet|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572727399l/48667821._SY75_.jpg|42242035], I was starting to get a bit tired of all the books being in Dex & Sloane’s perspectives. I feel like mixing up the perspective the stories were told in a bit earlier could’ve avoided book four feeling like a boring filler book for me, but nevertheless, we’re finally moving forward in Against the Grain.
The Plot:
There’s two plot lines in Against the Grain: the romance between Ash & Cael and the action happening alongside this within THIRDS.
A lot of people seem disappointed with Against the Grain and don’t care for (as they put it) Ash Keeler’s “personality change” that made him all lovey-dovey with Cael Maddock. But I really don’t understand this as Ash has always, from book one, treated Cael differently than anyone else in his life. Cael has always gotten Ash’s softer side, which despite what some people seem to believe, even the biggest baddest gruffest and grumpiest guys tend to have.
While the action in [b:Rise & Fall|48667821|Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4)|Charlie Cochet|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572727399l/48667821._SY75_.jpg|42242035] was a bit lackluster to say the least, it certainly picked back up in Against the Grain as Destructive Delta returned to work as usual at THIRDS only to find themselves sent on an unsanctioned mission to collect and deliver a package that winds up putting a huge target on their team’s back. With new information being revealed, the team is forced to question everyone in their lives and where they stand with them. Not everyone is who they say they are...
Thoughts:
I enjoyed finally getting more backstory from both Cael and Ash as they struggled to take the steps needed to turn their friendship into something more. Both Ash and Cael have some past issues they work through in this book, but by the end they seem to have gotten to a point where they are both ready to be in a relationship.
Another relationship I’ve enjoyed seeing develop has nothing to do with romance but instead a friendship that has been working on building respect and understanding...and that’s the relationship between Dex and Ash who absolutely hated each other’s guts in book one. These two still bicker and get on each other's last nerves, but they’ve come to understand each other a lot more after several situations where they’ve been forced to rely on each other and work together to protect those they both care about.
Will I be continuing this series?
Absolutely. I’m excited for the next book [b:Catch a Tiger by the Tail|49254683|Catch a Tiger by the Tail (THIRDS, #6)|Charlie Cochet|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576446192l/49254683._SY75_.jpg|42242041], which will be telling the story of yet another couple on Destructive Delta, Calvin Summers and Ethan Hobbs.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I love this series so much! Crochet has created a world where relationships, work, and bringing the bad guys down is more than just a typical urban fantasy. This series is all kinds of hilarious…she has a way with words. I love the dynamic between Ash and Daley, they hate-love each other and it is so cute. Daley and Sloan are twin flames and Ash and Carl are soulmates; the team relationship is beautiful. Such a wonderful series.
4.5 Stars
Oh man, I dunno why I took such a long break with these books. Probably in part because of reviews I read for this, which didn't always favor it, and the fact that Dex and Sloane weren't the main couple of this one.
But I needn't have worried. I love this world, I love the characters, their relationships, and even though Dex and Sloane, who are still my faves in this series, aren't the main focus, they're still heavily featured of course, and that made me happy.
This is Ash and Cael's story, who were kind of already built up before this book, which made it different than the first four (and made it probably the only book these two will get focusing on them, which is okay. I really liked these two together but they don't make me as happy as Dex and Sloane).
But this book was mainly about getting these two together, and making revelations about things we didn't even know needed to be revealed. But it cleared up a lot of questions (even as it created more, which is what the rest of the series is about, I'm sure) and it made for excited reading, especially at the end.
I gave off half a star only because Ash and Cael didn't quite live up to Dex and Sloane's standards - but I think most of it is because most of their love story happened before the series started/in the first four books as side characters - because we didn't get a close look at their relationship from the beginning, them together didn't pack as much as a punch as Dex and Sloane together.
But, these two were hot together, and also incredibly sweet. I love how mushy asshole Ash is able to get around Cael, and just how adorable - but also badass - Cael is. I feel the same as Ash (and everyone else) in just wanting to protect the guy. I "aww"ed at several parts between these two, and I loved Ash calling Cael sweetheart. Their love is very strong, and it does come across throughout the book, I was just saying I didn't feel it as much as Dex and Sloane, is all.
Also, I thought this would mostly be filler, only focusing on Ash and Cael really while the team was off from work, but it did have plot, even if it wasn't as dangerous as it has been in the past four books (although, at the end, it gets pretty damn close. There's plenty of danger then) and I also understand why it focused so heavily on Ash and Cael, as this is their (one and only, I assume) book and it had to get them to that HEA place, or if they will be the focus of a later book, then HFN. But I choose to take it as a HEA, because this feels like they got their HEA and will go back to being side characters - but still important - in books after it.
I do also think that Ash kinda got to a place where he could be with Cael a tad easily. Like for half this book he's still not quite there, but then he just kind of...is. I mean, an event happens to for him to come to that conclusion, but it still didn't feel quite earned. I really wanted Ash to have been seeing a therapist, but that didn't happen. Which made the event of these getting together feel not quite right, because all of Ash's reservations from before seemed to silly then, with how easy he was able to let them go when they had been what had been stopping these two from getting together before for so long.
But I still enjoyed the events regardless, and seeing these two so happy - especially Cael, who I love - together.
Of course this also was pretty hilarious at times as the past four books have been, mainly because Dex was present (lol I love Dex so so muchhhh) and also, I loved how insatiable Dex and Sloane are for each other lol. Like, they weren't even the main focus but their inability to not fuck on the regular was emphasized in this book and it made me laugh so much (and made me giddy).
Overall, a solid 5th installment to this lovely series. Can't wait to read more :D
Oh man, I dunno why I took such a long break with these books. Probably in part because of reviews I read for this, which didn't always favor it, and the fact that Dex and Sloane weren't the main couple of this one.
But I needn't have worried. I love this world, I love the characters, their relationships, and even though Dex and Sloane, who are still my faves in this series, aren't the main focus, they're still heavily featured of course, and that made me happy.
This is Ash and Cael's story, who were kind of already built up before this book, which made it different than the first four (and made it probably the only book these two will get focusing on them, which is okay. I really liked these two together but they don't make me as happy as Dex and Sloane).
But this book was mainly about getting these two together, and making revelations about things we didn't even know needed to be revealed. But it cleared up a lot of questions (even as it created more, which is what the rest of the series is about, I'm sure) and it made for excited reading, especially at the end.
I gave off half a star only because Ash and Cael didn't quite live up to Dex and Sloane's standards - but I think most of it is because most of their love story happened before the series started/in the first four books as side characters - because we didn't get a close look at their relationship from the beginning, them together didn't pack as much as a punch as Dex and Sloane together.
But, these two were hot together, and also incredibly sweet. I love how mushy asshole Ash is able to get around Cael, and just how adorable - but also badass - Cael is. I feel the same as Ash (and everyone else) in just wanting to protect the guy. I "aww"ed at several parts between these two, and I loved Ash calling Cael sweetheart. Their love is very strong, and it does come across throughout the book, I was just saying I didn't feel it as much as Dex and Sloane, is all.
Also, I thought this would mostly be filler, only focusing on Ash and Cael really while the team was off from work, but it did have plot, even if it wasn't as dangerous as it has been in the past four books (although, at the end, it gets pretty damn close. There's plenty of danger then) and I also understand why it focused so heavily on Ash and Cael, as this is their (one and only, I assume) book and it had to get them to that HEA place, or if they will be the focus of a later book, then HFN. But I choose to take it as a HEA, because this feels like they got their HEA and will go back to being side characters - but still important - in books after it.
I do also think that Ash kinda got to a place where he could be with Cael a tad easily. Like for half this book he's still not quite there, but then he just kind of...is. I mean, an event happens to for him to come to that conclusion, but it still didn't feel quite earned. I really wanted Ash to have been seeing a therapist, but that didn't happen. Which made the event of these getting together feel not quite right, because all of Ash's reservations from before seemed to silly then, with how easy he was able to let them go when they had been what had been stopping these two from getting together before for so long.
But I still enjoyed the events regardless, and seeing these two so happy - especially Cael, who I love - together.
Of course this also was pretty hilarious at times as the past four books have been, mainly because Dex was present (lol I love Dex so so muchhhh) and also, I loved how insatiable Dex and Sloane are for each other lol. Like, they weren't even the main focus but their inability to not fuck on the regular was emphasized in this book and it made me laugh so much (and made me giddy).
Overall, a solid 5th installment to this lovely series. Can't wait to read more :D
Really sweet, like I expected it would be. But it felt short.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3,25/5
I was very excited to finally come to Ash and Cael’s relationship. Unfortunately, I don’t think it reached its full potential.
I was very excited to finally come to Ash and Cael’s relationship. Unfortunately, I don’t think it reached its full potential.
Isn't it strange that I chose to review the one book in this series that i gave less than a 4 star rating to? Let it be said that Ash-hole is my favourite character (alongside Princess Cheesy Doodles) but I felt that his 'voice' was not as well done as I anticipated in this book. The Ash I have come to known was still there but he seemed to have lost some of the Ashness and I don't mean that in a typical character undergoes change way. I also felt like the ending was too neatly wrapped up (trust me i have nothing against happy endings, i do love them). Another problem I found was the lack of action. I've grown accustom to Charlie giving us fast paced action in the previous 4 books so i found this one to be a little slow. However, I will be anticipating the other releases in this series with great patience.
3.49 stars .
Unfortunately, this installment was pretty frustrating and hit a little close to home, so it wasn't really my favorite.
However, that doesn't mean I didn't like it. Because I indeed loved to get to know Cael's background, just as Ash's.
When they were together, they were actually pretty cute, but Ash's actions still frustrated me a LOT.
The story overall was okay I guess, but it just focused so much on never-ending drama instead of the action and lore and some sort of rebellion which I would love to read about. I mean, of course I enjoy the cute and sexy times with our beloved men, but not when it's like 95% of the book. So, I'll just have to be patient and hope for the best in the future.
Next up is Calvins and Hobbs story. Prediction: I'm probably going to be frustrated.
Unfortunately, this installment was pretty frustrating and hit a little close to home, so it wasn't really my favorite.
However, that doesn't mean I didn't like it. Because I indeed loved to get to know Cael's background, just as Ash's.
When they were together, they were actually pretty cute, but Ash's actions still frustrated me a LOT.
The story overall was okay I guess, but it just focused so much on never-ending drama instead of the action and lore and some sort of rebellion which I would love to read about. I mean, of course I enjoy the cute and sexy times with our beloved men, but not when it's like 95% of the book. So, I'll just have to be patient and hope for the best in the future.
Next up is Calvins and Hobbs story. Prediction: I'm probably going to be frustrated.