How to Read the Takeover Series
The Takeover series by Anna Zabo is a highly acclaimed contemporary M/M erotic romance series set against the fast-paced backdrop of the Pittsburgh tech industry. Blending corporate ambition, workplace power dynamics, and emotional vulnerability, the series is renowned for its respectful, authentic portrayal of kink and BDSM. While each book centers on a different main couple and can be enjoyed as a standalone, reading them in order is highly recommended to appreciate the overlapping character paths, changing executive roles, and overarching timeline.
For the optimal reading experience, you should follow the publication order, which closely mirrors the chronological progression of the tech company's internal politics and the lives of its staff.
- Takeover (Book 1) – Published in 2014. Follows software engineer Michael Sebastian and CEO Sam Anderson.
- A Private Merger (Book 1.5) – A vignette of approximately 8,500 words that acts as an epilogue to Takeover. It is available on the author's website and included as a bonus in later editions.
- Just Business (Book 2) – Published in 2015. Follows CFO Eli Ovadia and administrative assistant Justin White.
- Due Diligence (Book 3) – Published in 2016. Follows auditor Fazil Kurt and his old flame Todd Douglas during a high-pressure business trip to Seattle.
- Daily Grind (Book 4) – Published in 2017. Follows coffee shop owner Brian Keppler and British tech executive Robert "Rob" Ancroft.
- Birthday in July (Book 2.5) – A short story focusing on Eli and Justin. Note that while numbered as 2.5, it takes place chronologically after the events of Daily Grind.
Chronological Timeline and Character Overlaps
Although the romances are self-contained, the characters inhabit the exact same corporate ecosystem around SR Anderson Consulting and its neighboring businesses. Reading out of order will spoil minor details of previous couples' happily-ever-afters and the shifting power structures inside the corporate headquarters.
The connections between the books are tightly woven:
- In Takeover, Michael and Sam establish their relationship, which changes the leadership structure of the firm.
- In Just Business, CFO Eli Ovadia struggles to maintain boundaries with his assistant Justin White, who is a close friend of Michael Sebastian.
- In Due Diligence, auditor Fazil Kurt works closely with the corporate leadership team, connecting the financial auditing process to the ongoing business operations.
- In Daily Grind, coffee shop owner Brian Keppler runs Ground N'At, which is located directly beneath the SR Anderson Consulting offices. Brian's stress level spikes because his favorite barista, Justin White, has left the shop after finding his partner Eli.
- In Birthday in July, we see a snapshot of Eli and Justin's married life, which occurs after the events of Daily Grind.
What to Know Before You Start
Anna Zabo, a non-binary author based in Pittsburgh, holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Zabo draws from personal experience in corporate settings to create a believable, fast-paced environment where the business stakes feel as real as the romantic ones. The books are explicitly steamy and feature themes of power exchange, BDSM, and personal discovery, treating these elements with respect and emotional depth.
In 2021, the entire Takeover series was re-released. These updated versions feature refreshed cover art by designer Cate Ashwood and light editorial revisions to polish the text, making the newer editions the best choice for new readers starting the series today.
Detailed Book Breakdown
Takeover (Book 1)
The book that started the series introduces Sam Anderson, a closeted tech executive, and Michael Sebastian, an openly gay software engineer. After a passionate, BDSM-tinged one-night stand at a hotel bar in Curaçao, Sam is shocked to discover that Michael is an employee at the struggling tech firm he has just been hired to save. The story balances executive boardroom drama with the personal vulnerability of surrendering control in the bedroom.
Just Business (Book 2)
Focusing on CFO Eli Ovadia and his assistant Justin White, this novel explores the intense power dynamic of control and trust. Both characters must navigate strict workplace ethics, personal boundaries, and the realization that their compatibility extends far beyond their daily professional responsibilities.
Due Diligence (Book 3)
This second-chance romance follows Fazil Kurt, an auditor tasked with examining the company's financial books, and Todd Douglas, his former flame. Set during a high-stakes business trip to Seattle, the two are forced to confront their past relationship while navigating professional obligations.
Daily Grind (Book 4)
Unlike the previous books, Daily Grind steps slightly outside the direct corporate offices to Ground N'At, the coffee shop located downstairs. Brian Keppler is an overworked, closeted bisexual business owner who finds himself drawn to Robert "Rob" Ancroft, a charismatic, openly gay British tech CEO. The book focuses on Brian's journey of self-discovery, coming out, and finding work-life balance.
Practical Reading Advice
If you are short on time, you can read any of the main novels as a standalone romance. However, for the best emotional payoff, start with Book 1, Takeover, and read the first three books consecutively. Daily Grind acts as a cozy, low-angst companion novel to the trilogy, and the short story Birthday in July serves as a perfect final check-in for the characters from Book 2.