The Recommended Reading Order for the Game Maker Series
To fully experience the emotional depth, escalating tension, and narrative continuity of Kresley Cole's contemporary erotic romance series, readers should follow the order of release. While each novel focuses on a different brother and features a self-contained, resolved romantic storyline, the background events and family dynamics build upon one another.
Here is the recommended reading order for the trilogy:
- The Professional (Published in 2014)
- The Master (Published in 2015)
- The Player (Published in 2016)
A Note on "The Professional" Serial Release
When Kresley Cole first debuted the series in 2014, The Professional was initially published in three digital e-serial installments: The Professional: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. These parts were released in rapid succession before being collected into a single, complete paperback and ebook novel. Today, you do not need to hunt down the separate serials; purchasing the full-length edition of The Professional covers all three parts in their entirety.
Understanding the Game Maker Universe
Known primarily for her sprawling paranormal romance saga, Immortals After Dark, Kresley Cole took a bold detour into contemporary dark romance with the Game Maker trilogy. Set in the gritty underbelly of the Russian Bratva (mafia), corporate boardrooms, and luxurious European estates, the series explores themes of absolute control, BDSM-infused power dynamics, trust, and ultimate redemption.
The series revolves around the Sevastyan family—specifically three brothers who are deeply entrenched in the Russian Mafiya. Each book features a distinct style of power exchange and psychological tension, showcasing Cole's trademark ability to combine intense passion with pulse-pounding action and complex characters.
Deep Dive into the Books
1. The Professional (Book 1)
The trilogy kicks off with the story of Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan and Natalie Porter. Aleksandr is a ruthless, highly disciplined Mafiya enforcer and bodyguard whose loyalty to his boss is his defining trait. That loyalty is pushed to its absolute limits when he is sent to Nebraska to find and protect Natalie Porter—his boss's long-lost, ordinary college student daughter.
Natalie has no idea about her true heritage, and her sudden integration into a world of extreme wealth, danger, and luxury is overwhelming. As Aleksandr whisks her away to Russia for her own protection, a forbidden attraction erupts. Aleksandr struggles between his duty to protect his boss's daughter and his mounting, obsessive desire to claim Natalie on his own terms, introducing readers to the intense power dynamics that define the rest of the trilogy.
2. The Master (Book 2)
The second book shifts focus to Maksimilian Sevastyan, a powerful politician and billionaire boss. Maksimilian is a man used to absolute obedience in both his professional and private lives. He has specific, structured preferences—typically preferring tall, passive blondes who follow his commands without question.
His rigid control is utterly shattered when he meets Catarina Marín. Catarina is a fiercely independent woman who was once a wealthy wife, but a sudden reversal of fortune forces her into hiding. Desperate to survive, she begins working as a high-class escort in Miami. When she meets Maksimilian, her defiant attitude and refusal to submit test his legendary restraint. The two enter a volatile, high-stakes game of push-and-pull, surrounded by deadly political and criminal threats.
3. The Player (Book 3)
The trilogy concludes with The Player, featuring the youngest brother, Dmitri Sevastyan, and Victoria "Vice" Valentine. Dmitri is a reclusive billionaire with a deeply traumatic past, hiding behind a facade of detached luxury. Victoria is a clever, twenty-four-year-old grifter who comes from a long line of con artists.
Desperate to save her family from a lethal debt, Victoria targets Dmitri, orchestrating a scheme that leads to a hasty, prenup-free marriage in Las Vegas. While Victoria intends to swindle him and escape, Dmitri's unexpected tenderness and fierce protectiveness complicate her plans. As she falls genuinely in love with her husband, Victoria must navigate the guilt of her deception while uncovering the dark, psychological trauma that haunts Dmitri's past.
What to Know Before You Start
Are the Books Standalones?
Yes, each book features a distinct couple and concludes with a definitive Happy Ever After (HEA). You can read them out of order without losing track of the core plot, but doing so will spoil minor details of the preceding brothers' lives, as they make appearances and support each other throughout the series.
Tone and Content Warnings
The Game Maker series is significantly darker and steamier than standard contemporary romance. It features heavy BDSM elements, dominant and obsessive alpha heroes, dub-con/consent play, and depictions of mafia-related violence. Readers sensitive to intense power exchange dynamics or dark themes should approach with caution.
Connections to Other Kresley Cole Series
It is important to note that the Game Maker trilogy is entirely contemporary and realistic. It shares no plot connections, universe crossovers, or supernatural lore with Cole's paranormal Immortals After Dark or young adult post-apocalyptic Arcana Chronicles. It is a completely self-contained contemporary romance universe.