Where to Start with Masters and Mercenaries
For readers diving into the high-stakes, steamy world of the Masters and Mercenaries series, the sheer number of books can feel overwhelming. The definitive and recommended starting point is the very first novel, The Dom Who Loved Me (2011). This book introduces Sean Taggart and Grace Hawthorne, establishes the Dallas-based private security firm McKay-Taggart, and sets the tone of high-octane romantic suspense blended with consensual BDSM dynamics.
While Lexi Blake writes each romance with a self-contained happy resolution, the overarching espionage plots, character relationships, and agency dynamics build continuously. Reading out of order is possible, but you will miss the rich, found-family progression and face major spoilers regarding who marries whom and who survives the dangerous missions.
Masters and Mercenaries Main Series in Publication Order
Following the publication order is the easiest way to experience the growth of McKay-Taggart. Below is the main series lineup:
- The Dom Who Loved Me (2011)
- The Men with the Golden Cuffs (2012)
- A Dom Is Forever (2012)
- On Her Master's Secret Service (2013)
- Sanctum (2013)
- Love and Let Die (2013)
- Unconditional (2014)
- Dungeon Royale (2014)
- Dungeon Games (2014)
- A View to a Thrill (2014)
- Cherished (2014)
- You Only Love Twice (2015)
- Adored (2015)
- Master No (2015)
- From Sanctum with Love (2016)
- Devoted (2016)
- Dominance Never Dies (2016)
- Submission Is Not Enough (2016)
- For His Eyes Only (2017)
- Arranged (2017)
- Love Another Day (2017)
- Nobody Does It Better (2018)
- Close Cover (2018)
- Protected (2018)
- Enchanted (2019)
- Charmed (2020)
- Treasured (2021)
- Delighted (2022)
- Tempted (2023)
Navigating the Subseries and Spin-Offs
Lexi Blake has expanded the Masters and Mercenaries universe (known as the "Lexiverse") with several dedicated subseries that run parallel to the main storyline. Understanding these subseries helps you see how characters drift between books.
Masters and Mercenaries: Topped
This series centers around the employees of Top, a high-end Dallas restaurant closely tied to the BDSM community. It offers a slightly lighter, contemporary romance tone while keeping the signature steam of the main books:
- Luscious (2015)
- Just One Taste (2015)
- Perfectly Paired (2016)
- At Your Service (2017)
Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten
Focusing on a group of ex-soldiers who survived a secret military experiment, this subseries carries a darker, high-stakes suspense tone. It directly interacts with the main McKay-Taggart crew as they uncover global conspiracies:
- Lost Hearts (also published as Memento Mori) (2018)
- Lost and Found (2019)
- Lost in You (2019)
- Long Lost (2020)
- No Love Lost (2020)
Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded
The Reloaded series serves as a transition to a new generation of McKay Taggart, following younger operatives and newer agents taking on dangerous global missions:
- Submission Impossible (2021)
- The Dom Identity (2021)
- The Man from Sanctum (2022)
- No Time to Lie (2022)
- The Dom Who Came in from the Cold (2023)
Masters and Mercenaries: New Recruits
Continuing the legacy, New Recruits targets younger operatives, next-generation characters (such as TJ Taggart), and fresh dynamics in the agency. These blend the original spy-thriller elements with modern romance tropes:
- Love the Way You Spy (2023)
- Live, Love, Spy (2024)
- The Bodyguard and the Bombshell (2024)
- Sweet Little Spies (2024)
- Spy With Me (2025)
- Love and Let Spy (2026)
What to Know Before You Start
Before jumping into the series, readers should prepare for a mix of high-stakes suspense and explicit romance. The series heavily incorporates BDSM themes, focusing on trust, communication, and emotional healing. While the main setting is Dallas, Texas, the missions frequently take characters to international locations like London, private islands, and security safe houses.
Additionally, Lexi Blake also writes under the pen name Sophie Oak. Her Nights in Bliss series features massive crossover elements with the Masters and Mercenaries universe, meaning that fans who want the complete picture often read the Bliss books alongside the main Taggart timeline.