The Perfect Blend of Heat and Heart
Lexi Blake's Topped series serves up a passionate contemporary romance experience set in the bustling kitchen of Top, a high-end restaurant in Dallas, Texas. Operating as a spicy spin-off from Blake's massive and beloved Masters and Mercenaries universe, this subseries focuses on healing, trust, and intense BDSM dynamics. If you love workplace romance, military veterans finding second chances, and culinary details, this is a series you will want to savor from start to finish.
While each book is centered on a different couple, the characters are deeply connected. They work together, support one another, and build a tight-knit family within the restaurant's walls. To get the most out of their emotional journeys and appreciate the character growth, reading the books in a specific sequence is highly recommended.
Topped Series: The Standalone Reading Order
If you are looking to read the Topped books as a self-contained romance series without diving into the dozens of novels in the main Masters and Mercenaries saga, this is the most direct path. This order follows the characters as they join the Top restaurant family and find healing in and out of the kitchen:
- Luscious (Book 1): Published in 2015, this book introduces pastry chef and wounded veteran Macon Miles, who finds unexpected love and healing with Allyson as she searches for answers regarding her brother's death.
- Just One Taste (Book 2): Also published in 2015, this installment follows the electric workplace flirtation and eventual romance between Eric and Deena.
- Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Book 2.5): A fun companion novella and cookbook co-authored with Suzanne M. Johnson, which highlights the women of the series during a wild night out, complete with real recipes.
- Perfectly Paired (Book 3): Released in 2016, this story centers on Sebastian, a sommelier and amputee, and Tiffany, a vibrant artist, exploring trust and vulnerability through their relationship.
- At Your Service (Book 4): Published in 2017, this final main novel features Juliana, a military veteran adjusting to life with a prosthetic, and Javier, a playboy seeking redemption.
- Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped: A companion collection containing short stories, character catch-ups, and recipes that rounds out the restaurant experience.
The Chronological Lexiverse Path
For readers who are already fans of the broader Masters and Mercenaries universe, or those who want to avoid minor spoilers regarding character relationships, the Topped books are officially integrated into Lexi Blake's chronological "Lexiverse" reading list. The characters from McKay-Taggart and the Sanctum club frequently make cameos or cross paths with the staff at Top. Here is where the Topped novels sit in the main sequence:
- You Only Love Twice (Masters and Mercenaries #8)
- Luscious (Masters and Mercenaries #8.2 / Topped #1)
- Adored (Masters and Mercenaries #8.5)
- Master No (Masters and Mercenaries #9)
- Just One Taste (Masters and Mercenaries #9.5 / Topped #2)
- Submission is Not Enough (Masters and Mercenaries #12)
- Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Features catch-ups that fit best after book 12)
- Perfectly Paired (Masters and Mercenaries #12.5 / Topped #3)
- Love Another Day (Masters and Mercenaries #14)
- At Your Service (Masters and Mercenaries #14.1 / Topped #4)
- Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Best read after At Your Service to align with the girls' timelines)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, there are a few important elements to keep in mind about Lexi Blake's writing and the world of Top:
The BDSM Element
Like the parent series Masters and Mercenaries, Topped features prominent BDSM themes. However, these elements are treated as tools for deep communication, healing, and mutual trust rather than just simple physical spice. The characters use these dynamics to navigate their past traumas and find emotional security.
Wounded Heroes and Representation
One of the most praised aspects of the Topped series is its representation of characters with physical and psychological wounds. From Macon's struggles as a veteran to Sebastian and Juliana adjusting to life with prosthetics, Blake handles these themes with sensitivity and emotional depth. The stories focus on how these characters find strength in vulnerability.
A Culinary Theme with Real Recipes
Because the series is set in a high-end Dallas restaurant, food plays a central role. To capitalize on this, Lexi Blake teamed up with Southern food expert Suzanne M. Johnson to write the companion cookbooks. These contain actual recipes alongside stories, allowing readers to literally taste the dishes described in the books.