Where to Start Reading The Mavericks
For the best reading experience, you should start The Mavericks series with the first book, Kerrick. The series is structured so that each novel features a standalone romance between a specific black ops team member and a strong heroine, wrapping up their main love story by the final page. However, the overarching story, the development of their secret base of operations, and the team's internal relationships evolve sequentially across the books. Starting at the beginning lets you watch the team's dynamics grow naturally as new operatives are introduced and integrated into the unit.
The Mavericks: Full Publication Order
Dale Mayer released the first eleven books of the series in 2020 alone, keeping readers hooked with rapid-fire releases. Below is the complete publication order of the series, which also functions as the recommended reading sequence:
- Kerrick (2020): The series opener introduces ex-Navy SEAL Kerrick, who leads a desperate mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist, Amanda Berg, uncovering a deep conspiracy.
- Griffin (2020): Griffin Thomas teams up with Jax on a high-stakes mission in Thailand to rescue eleven-year-old Amelia Rose from dangerous kidnappers.
- Jax (2020): Jax takes center stage, balancing his duty to the team with an intense personal protective mission that tests his operational limits.
- Beau (2020): Operative Beau faces an assignment where personal feelings and professional duties collide, forcing him to rely on his lethal skills to keep his target safe.
- Asher (2020): Asher navigates a tangled web of lies and deadly threats to protect a woman who holds the key to his team's security.
- Ryker (2020): Ryker Landers plunges into the Colombian jungle to rescue a geologist named Manila and her team from ruthless captors.
- Miles (2020): Miles goes on the hunt for a serial kidnapper in England, finding himself protecting a fierce heroine named Vanessa as sparks fly.
- Nico (2020): Nico must use his unique tactical skills on a rescue mission that tests his loyalty and exposes him to a dangerous new romance.
- Keane (2020): Keane tackles a high-risk extraction in which the lines between allies and enemies blur, demanding absolute focus.
- Lennox (2020): Lennox is pushed to his limits when a routine surveillance assignment turns into a full-scale battle for survival.
- Gavin (2020): Gavin's mission leads him into hostile territory where he must protect a key asset while managing a complicated attraction.
- Shane (2021): Shane takes on a rescue mission in an unforgiving landscape, putting his life on the line to bring a target home safely.
- Diesel (2021): Diesel steps into the fray when an operative's family is threatened, executing a high-stakes rescue that tests the team's unity.
- Jerricho (2021): Jerricho leads a critical operation to dismantle a human trafficking ring, finding love in the middle of chaos.
- Killian (2021): Killian's dark past catches up with him, forcing him to rely on the Mavericks to protect the woman he loves.
- Hatch (2022): Hatch takes on an international assignment where the team must coordinate across borders to prevent a global threat.
- Corbin (2022): Corbin is deployed to secure sensitive intelligence, only to find himself guarding a brilliant analyst who refuses to be left behind.
- Aiden (2022): Aiden leads a high-stakes defensive operation that wraps up the current chapter of the Mavericks' missions with action and romance.
Chronological Reading Order and Continuity
The chronological order of The Mavericks matches its publication order exactly. Because Dale Mayer writes these books as a continuous sequence of missions, events from previous books are frequently referenced. Reading them out of order will not leave you entirely lost, as the romance plots are self-contained, but you will encounter major spoilers regarding which operatives have settled down, who was injured in prior missions, and how the team's command structure has changed. To preserve the mystery and tension, stick to the numerical order starting with Kerrick.
Connecting to the Broader Dale Mayer Universe
Dale Mayer is famous for creating expansive, interconnected worlds. The Mavericks is no exception and exists in the same universe as several of her other popular military romance series. The most notable crossover occurs with the Shadow Recon series, which takes place in the icy Arctic permafrost. In books like Whalen, characters from The Mavericks are called in to assist with missing persons cases and high-stakes investigations due to their autonomy and covert nature. Additionally, characters from the classic SEALs of Honor series—particularly Lieutenant Commander Mason Callister—serve as recurring links between the teams, creating a highly satisfying shared universe for long-time readers.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive into The Mavericks, keep in mind that this series blends intense, fast-paced action plots with emotional contemporary romance. The protagonists are alpha-male former Navy SEALs who joined a black ops unit to bypass military red tape and rescue those who have fallen through the cracks. The heroines are written as capable, intelligent equals who actively participate in their own rescues and survival. While the focus is heavily on action and suspense, Mayer ensures a satisfying Happily Ever After (HEA) in every book, making it a perfect match for fans of military romantic suspense authors like Susan Stoker and Elle James.