Love and Let Spy

Masters & Mercenaries: New Recruits #6

by Lexi Blake

Canadian operative Ben Parker met the woman of his dreams while working undercover in Australia. That operation, to take down Emmanuel Huisman, was the singular focus of his life until he met Maggie. Now the hunt for his former childhood friend turned international terrorist often feels like what he does in between chasing the magenta-haired American spy he can’t stop thinking about. She’s the woman of his dreams, when she isn’t being the stuff of his nightmares. Sometimes she is sweet and deliciously responsive to him, and other times she pushes him out of a plane without a parachute.

Kenzie Taggart knew Ben Parker was the one for her the minute she saw him. Unfortunately, he didn’t meet her first. He met her twin sister, Kala, and they had to keep the secret. No one outside of their team knows they’re twins. Everyone believes the operative known as Miss Magenta is one person. Kenzie can’t tell the man she’s falling in love with who she really is, but she also can’t afford to lose him.

When faced with certain death on a joint operation in Nepal, Kenzie reveals the truth about “Maggie” and they spend their last minutes alive in each other’s arms. It was perfect, and then a miraculous rescue leaves them in a difficult situation. Kenzie couldn’t be happier that Ben knows the truth, but so does Huisman. He’s determined to burn down the world, but not before he ruins his old friend and his newfound beloved. As Ben and Kenzie cross the globe in their quest to stop the madman, they might have to choose between saving the world and saving each other.

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.

In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.

In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.

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For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He made a decision in that moment. A decision to leave the spy out of this space. To be what he’d promised her. Her lover. Her protector. Her Dom.”

Kenzie and Ben have been a long time coming! These two have been circling each other for a while now and their coming together was just what I expected, explosive!

I loved how this story started with past missions and how Kenzie and Ben had interacted from the start before picking up from where the last mission ended. Getting Ben’s perspective was fun. I also always enjoy a trip to the Garden in London!

This was a great end to the new generation of Taggarts all getting heir happily ever afters!

🔥: “No, Kenzie. This is going to be my way. All the way.”

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of suspense, steam and drama that you expect from the Taggart clan and author. The majority of this book is about Kenzie and Ben and their past interactions leading up to the present and their current mission. We see how untrusting Ben is and how multidimensional Kenzie is and how Ms Magenta persona Kenzie and Kala had to maintain caused so much problems in their relationship.

Kenzie is such a fun character. I have loved her since the beginning of this series. She is known as the carefree, Disney princess, dramatic one and that can't be further from the truth. We see a new side of her that Ben brings out. And poor Ben. He really did not see how much trauma he truly carries.

I like how this series continued with the same villain and how everyone and everything is so tied together. Even the CIA team and family.

Really loved the ending of this book. I felt like the character development really showed in this book.

Favorite Quote:
"And just because I let you live doesn't mean I like you,"

Tropes:
-spies
-BDSM
-Found family
-Romantic suspense

ARC READ. Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for an e-arc of this book for my honest review.

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second generation is literally killing it! Not only am I truly enjoying it…Ian couldn’t be more proud…his children are as deadly as he is. This is Kenzie‘s story. She is one of Ian’s twins…his butt kicking spy twins. Kenzie meets Ben and it’s love at first sight. But of course Ben is also a spy and we get into a who can we truly trust situation. Which of course, turns into a…there is danger at every corner situations. This is a heck of a page turner with layers and layers of secrets, lies and everything in between. As Kenzie and Ben figure out what they truly are to each other…they have the best back up you can ever ask for…the Taggart/McKay team of course. With this we have laugh out loud humor and butt kicking action. I really enjoyed this book and the story being told. These two definitely belong together. They had sassy banter and hotter than hot chemistry. As this cycle ends I’m soo excited to see what is coming our way next. Because this author and these characters never disappoint…bring on the next batch of spy’s!!

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was excellently done. Kenzie proves just who she is, how smart she truly is, and breaks my heart by knowing just how she’s seen by those who should love her. And the person who sees her just as clearly will somewhat surprise you.

We also have Ian in all his glory. He’s inappropriate, grossed out by the very same things he himself has tormented family and friends with, unafraid to tackle the hard conversations, and also works diligently to let the next generation save the day.

Then we have Ben. He will infuriate you. But he’ll also crack a piece of your heart. He does take the advice of a much smarter man in the end and realizes that talking things out could truly help. He messes up, horridly. More than once. But he also grovels wonderfully and finds his way to admitting how he really feels. And isn’t that sort of what this is all about? Finding yourself, your people, your happiness, and holding onto it with both hands.

[Brittany Hawkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this series, you have the opportunity to explore fresh viewpoints, encounter new people, and reconnect with familiar faces. The interconnections are intriguing, prompting moments where you’ll exclaim, “Oh! I remember them!”

You’ll find yourself revisiting the past several times, which adds an element of fun. Delving into the adventures of the Taggart family is always an exhilarating experience, ensuring that boredom is never an option.

The premise of this story takes a slightly different approach from the rest of the series, creating moments where you become deeply invested and eager for immediate answers. When will the main couple finally unite? And most importantly, when will Kenzie reveal to Ben that she has a sister—her twin, the one he met First? And will they finally beat huIsman once and for All?

As this series concludes, it sets the stage for the next installment, leaving you pondering what comes next. An epilogue filled with suspense and romance awaits!

[H S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of suspense, stream, and drama that keeps you intrigued and reading. Another Lexi Blake hit! Kenzie and Ben have crossed paths many times during the work as spies and are attracted to each other each time. It’s keeping that attraction strong while doing their jobs that is the biggest challenge, especially when a former childhood friend of Ben’s is after them and their teams and trying to undermine everything. Kenzie is full of love and happiness and she wants to be all in with him but Ben is having a harder time letting himself be happy and in love knowing that there’s someone always trying to take him down. Will he be able to make it right with Kenzie and show her how much he loves her before it costs them everything?? So many twists and turns from various characters that keep you guessing and trying to figure out the puzzle!

[Whispers From · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenzie Taggart is one half of the CIA’s best kept secret. Her and her twin sister Kala are Ms. Magenta. They are on a mission to take down Manny Huismann when they meet Canadian Ben Parker. Kenzie is in love at first sight but he meets Kala first. Ms. Magenta or Maggie as Ben calls her, runs hot and cold. When Ben discovers they are twins he feels betrayed. They are still after Ben’s former childhood friend Manny and Ben has to put aside his misgivings and work with Kenzie to stop him. When Kenzie goes in as Kala to get one of their teammates back, Ben must look deep into his heart and find the love for Kenzie and save her before it’s too late.

Excellent story but of course this is one of Lexi Blake’s and you never go wrong with her. Steamy. BDSM. Second chances. Lies. Secrets. Happily ever after. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for the author.

[K. Smock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenzo is half of the best kept secret in her organization. Her other half, Kala, is now married to the forever love. Thisnis what Kenzie wants. She thinks it could be found in Ben Parker and agent the the CSIS in Canada. Ben thinks there is something too though he doesn't know she is half of a whole and his encounters with Kala have not been all that pleasant. When things come to a head over Huisman, who will Ben choose. This was a good read and keeps your attention with all the twists and turns. Will Kenzie get her happily ever after or will it all fall apart?

I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is said the path to true love never runs smooth and that is certainly the case for Kenzie and Ben, what a journey they go on. Kenzie has always loved Ben but Manny Huissmann has been a constant irritant and stumbling block. They so clearly belong to one another but the twin factor started the problem and almost ended it. The twists and turns in this story also bring in new characters not all of whom are honest. All the younger generation as well as Ian, Charlotte and several other ‘old uns’ make an appearance and go on the ops. Then there is the epilogue, which wraps everything up and leaves the reader with a sense of completeness as well as a teaser for the new gang.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally we get to Kenzie and Ben. Secrets on secrets and more layers than an onion! We finally get a deeper look inside Kenzie’s thoughts and Ben’s insecurities. Their tale is dark and filled with spice, chemistry and lots of mayhem as they yet again are trying to put an end to Ben’s white whale, Manny Huisman. Only time will tell if they’re successful this time or if he manages to escape one more time.
I absolutely love the world this author continues to give us and can’t wait for the next.

[Sharon]

Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.