LGBT Monday: Smoke & Mirrors

Author: Charlie Cochet

Series: THIRDS, #7

Released: July 8th 2016

Publisher: Dreamspinner

Length: 230 pages

Source: Publisher for review

Buy: Dreamspinner Press

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Life for Dexter J. Daley has never been easy, but he’s always found a way to pick himself back up with a smile on his face. Taken from his home, and the arms of his boyfriend and THIRDS partner, Sloane Brodie, Dex finds himself in a situation as mysterious and lethal as the Therian interrogating him. Dex learns what he’s secretly believed all along: his parents’ death wasn’t an accident.

Discovering the whole truth about John and Gina Daley’s homicide sets off a series of events that will change Dex and Sloane’s lives forever. As buried secrets rise to the surface and new truths are revealed, Dex and Sloane’s love for each other is put to the test, with more than their relationship on the line. If traversing the waters of murder and secret government agencies wasn’t enough, something inexplicable has been happening to Dex—and nothing will ever be the same.

After two books focused on other members of Destructive Delta (Ash and Cael followed by Calvin and Hobbs), we’re finally back with Dex and Sloane. As much as I enjoyed seeing the other couples finally get together, I was desperate to rejoin my favorite blond, blue-eyed, gummy bear devourer. Unfortunately, Smoke & Mirrors starts out with both of our heroes in deep trouble so it takes a while for us to reach a part where we can laugh alongside them.

It’s quite obvious that Sloane and Dex’s main story arc is slowly coming to an end. At this point, we finally have more answers than questions and both Dex and Sloane understand their pasts more clearly. When they finally come, the answers are unexpected and hurtful and they put a strain on this usually solid relationship. It was so difficult to watch our boys go through so much once again, especially when they had to do it apart, but it was also useful to see that they’re still human and fallible. They seemed just a bit too perfect for a while.

As far as Dex’s and Sloane’s relationship goes, I was surprised by some of their choices in this book and maybe a tiny bit disappointed. I expect more from them, especially Sloane, and I wanted to see him keeping his word in every situation. However, the two of them keep learning about each other and accepting each other for who they truly are, which is the most important thing.

Dex undergoes some major changes in this story and while they were surprising and the novelty was awesome, I must confess I wasn’t too comfortable with the direction. With seven books behind us, I understand we need major twists to keep things alive, but it’s difficult for us readers to adjust to such profound changes. At the same time, what happened to him seemed to me like an easy way out, a cop out of sorts and a magical fix for most of their problems, which I did not like. I wish Charlie had found another way to make things work and keep Dex alive.

Aside from that, though, Smoke and Mirrors is an emotional, excellent book that will give the fans precisely what they want and need – more THIRDS awesomeness, more action, more humor and more deliciously hot romances. What’s not to like?

A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.