The Recommended Reading Order for Slye Temp
Dianna Love’s Slye Temp series (sometimes referred to as the Slye Team Black Ops series) is best read in publication order. Although each book focuses on a different romantic pairing, an overarching plot thread concerning a devastating CIA betrayal, trust-building, and corporate espionage runs throughout the entire narrative. To get the full experience and witness the characters' team dynamics evolve naturally, follow this recommended sequence:
- Last Chance to Run (Book 0 / Prequel) (Originally published in 2005; later expanded and re-released) – Features Angel Farentino and undercover DEA agent Zane Jackson.
- Nowhere Safe (Book 1) (2013) – Features Josh Carrington and Trish Jackson.
- Honeymoon to Die For (Book 2) (2013) – Features Ryder Van Dyke and FBI Agent Bianca Brady.
- Kiss the Enemy (Book 3) (2013) – Features Margaux Duke and Logan Baklanov.
- Deceptive Treasures (Book 4) (2014) – Features Tanner Bodine and Soo Jin.
- Stolen Vengeance (Book 5) (2015) – Features Dingo Paddock and Valene Eklund.
- Fatal Promise (Book 6) (2016) – Features Sabrina Slye and Gage Laughton.
Where to Start: The Prequel Dilemma
When starting the series, the most common question is whether to begin with the prequel, Last Chance to Run, or jump straight into the first official novel, Nowhere Safe. For the most satisfying narrative flow, we strongly recommend starting with the prequel.
Last Chance to Run has an interesting history. Dianna Love originally published it in 2005 as a shorter category romance. After reclaiming the rights, she significantly expanded, updated, and re-released the story. Because it introduces Zane Jackson—whose sister Trish is the heroine of the next book, Nowhere Safe—it sets up crucial character relationships and the high-stakes tone of the entire series. Reading it first ensures you won't miss any of the subtle family dynamics that carry over into the later books.
Slye Temp Book-by-Book Breakdown
Here is a closer look at each entry in the series, detailing the main characters and the high-octane missions that define their stories:
Last Chance to Run (Book 0)
This prequel introduces Angel Farentino, an elite athlete fleeing a dangerous international criminal with a stash of rare stolen coins. She stows away on a plane piloted by Zane Jackson, an undercover DEA agent who is battling his own demons. The forced proximity sparks immediate chemistry, forcing Zane to choose between his official duty and his instinct to protect a woman on the run.
Nowhere Safe (Book 1)
Josh Carrington is a deeply scarred operative haunted by the tragic loss of his previous partner. When he is assigned to protect Trish Jackson (Zane's sister) from a lethal stalker, he must confront his past. As they hunt for a mole within the DEA, the boundaries between professional protection and personal desire quickly blur in a fight for survival.
Honeymoon to Die For (Book 2)
Ryder Van Dyke is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, putting him on the run from both the law and the real culprits. FBI Agent Bianca Brady is tasked with bringing him in, but she soon realizes there is more to Ryder's story than the official file suggests. Together, they must clear Ryder's name while navigating a simulated honeymoon that becomes all too real.
Kiss the Enemy (Book 3)
Operative Margaux Duke goes rogue to seek vengeance against the international terrorist who murdered her family. Her path collides with Logan Baklanov, a highly secretive operative wrapped in layers of cover names. Forced to work together to stop a devastating attack on a major city, Margaux and Logan must learn to trust each other despite being natural adversaries.
Deceptive Treasures (Book 4)
Tanner Bodine, a rugged Slye Temp agent, leads a dangerous extraction mission in North Korea. His plans go sideways when he encounters Soo Jin, a brilliant researcher desperate to rescue her sister from a shadowy group known as the Orion Hunters. Tanner risk his team, his career, and his life to help her stop a potential chemical warfare threat.
Stolen Vengeance (Book 5)
Dingo Paddock is a former CIA agent turned mercenary who walked away from the love of his life, Valene Eklund, years ago to keep her safe. When Valene's work as a rare items recovery specialist places her directly in the crosshairs of a deadly conspiracy, Dingo is forced to step back into her life. This second-chance romance is packed with unresolved tension and lethal secrets.
Fatal Promise (Book 6)
The series culminates with the story of Sabrina Slye, the founder of the agency, and Gage Laughton. Sabrina has spent years shielding her team from the fallout of the CIA betrayal that originally destroyed her black ops unit. When a rogue CIA assassin targets her, she must team up with Gage—a man from her past—to face the ultimate threat and secure a future for Slye Temp.
Connections and Spinoffs: The HAMR Brotherhood
Fans who finish the main Slye Temp series do not have to leave the universe behind. Dianna Love has created a direct spin-off series called the HAMR Brotherhood (specifically the HAMR Brotherhood FALCA Black Ops Team). The foundation for this spin-off is laid in Kiss the Enemy, which introduces Logan Baklanov, the leader of the HAMR team. The spin-off series kicks off with the novel Wrecked (2022) and features characters crossing over from the Slye Temp agency, satisfying readers who want to see their favorite operatives back in action.
What to Know Before You Start
Dianna Love's writing style is fast-paced, blending intense, movie-like action sequences with deep, emotional romantic arcs. The overarching theme of the series is the concept of a chosen family. The operatives of Slye Temp are bound by a shared history of betrayal, making their loyalty to one another unbreakable. If you enjoy romantic suspense with complex plotting, military/espionage themes, and protective heroes, this series will fit perfectly on your bookshelf.