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Two weeks. One villa. A dangerous game of seduction and lies.

My job is get close, get the intel, get out.

Then Locke Maris walks into my op.

He’s cold. Controlled. Heir to a billion-dollar shipping fortune. And so aggressively straight he doesn’t even look at me twice...

Until he does.

Locke makes me an play his assistant by day, be his secret lover by night, at a house party where the world’s elite will gather to sip champagne, enjoy the Italian sun…and play a dangerous game called Paxis.

In this ancient variation of chess, humans are pawns and each coded move could start or stop wars. I should report this to my agency immediately. Walk away clean.

But I can’t walk away.

Because in the privacy of his suite, the moves Locke makes are just as dangerous, the words he murmurs in my ear as devastating, and the growing devotion I feel as destructive as any global war.

At the end of this, I’ll have to disappear like I always do.
I don’t get to want things that could ruin my cover—or my career.

But Locke Maris is ruthless about protecting what’s his, and as far as he’s concerned he owns me.

When everything falls apart, I’ll find out exactly how far he’ll go to keep me.

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2026

503 people are currently reading
489 people want to read

About the author

Lucy Lennox

96 books4,466 followers
I write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!

I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
1,332 reviews725 followers
March 4, 2026
Lucy, what the fuck?


Okay, hear me out. I am usually a big fan of Lucy Lennox’s books, read quite a few of them and some even became all-time favorites of mine. I don’t know if I’m just sensitive right now BUT for the first time ever Lucy made me feel uncomfortable with one of her main characters in a way I never encountered with her books before and honestly seems out of character for her.

I have no idea if she deliberately wrote Locke like that or not. Because the way Locke thought about the various women he took to bed was degrading and asshole-ish. They are easy to get, good for a fuck but otherwise basically too much work and overall annoying. There are probably a lot of straight dudes out there just like him, but that doesn’t mean, for a sprinkle of reality or whatever, I want them in my romances. That’s not what I’m here for.

When I finally woke up, the sun was high over the house, and I felt much better. Jett was long gone, thank fuck. I wasn’t interested in morning-after awkwardness, and right now, I needed caffeine more than an orgasm.


Also: can we please stop to compare being with a man vs a woman in bed in a stereotypical fashion à la oh he’s a guy I can pound him and be rough with him like I never could with a woman. What is wrong with people?


Jett was a sweetheart, tho and he was understandably irritated with Locke. Why he still fell in love with him will remain a mystery to me.


The plot of the book was good and the only reason I stayed til the end and not jump ship before I even reached the half-way mark. Please, dear author, do never bring such misogynistic shit again. Thanks.


Btw this is a next-gen series following the Marian-family once again. But I found it odd, even if it was helpful, that Jett and his brother were referring to their dads by their first names. No idea if it was the same in the previous books but it felt weird. And also, I can’t believe Aunt Tilly is still alive. *snort


***********
Made Marian Legacy Series

Book 1 - Rescuing Dr. Marian - tbr
Book 2 - Burning for Alexander
Book 3 - Owning Jett - 2.0 stars
Book 4 - Tracking Wolfe - release 09/26
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
3,099 reviews25.4k followers
February 28, 2026
Owning Jett is book three in the Made Marian Legacy series by Lucy Lennox. I adore this series but in all honesty, I wasn’t sure going in to this one if I would love it as much as the first two. I wanted that small town feel. I freely admit that I was so wrong. This was absolutely wonderful. I could not put it down. You can read this as a stand alone. You don’t have to have read the first two books. And, just so you know, Jett is the son of Maverick and Beau from Moving Maverick in the Made Marian series. You don’t need to have read that either but I will say that it is a fantastic book!!



We don’t know much about Jett Marian from the previous books. Just that he has some mysterious “consulting” job and rarely makes it home. He is twenty six years old and works for E.S.P., a global Intelligence Agency. He works undercover on whatever cases they send him on, keeping him away for months at a time. Such was the case when our story starts. Jett is working as a male dancer, trying to get intel on a particular man. But his mission is thwarted when someone else gets involved. A man who is very straight, and oh so very sexy!!

Locke Maris is thirty four years old. He is the heir to a billion dollar shipping conglomerate. He will be next in line after his grandfather steps down, a man he loves dearly. Locke has no time for relationships but does date women, for stress relief, and for his plus one to events. The night in the strip club, though, Locke was only there to give someone a message. Little did he know that would be the night he would meet Jett, a man who takes over his dreams and fantasies, when he has never looked at any other man in that way his entire life.



Fate had her hand in with these two as they were randomly brought together a couple of times over the coming years. When it happens three years later, Locke knows he needs more from this mysterious man. So he makes him a deal he can’t refuse. Come with him to Italy, act as his assistant by day, and his lover by night. Jett is just as intrigued by Locke as Locke is with him. There is no way he can turn this down.



Jett soon finds himself among some of the most powerful men on earth. They are supposed to be having some sort of fancy chess tournament they call Paxis. But he soon realizes it is so much more. Just what it is, he has no idea. What he does know is that he is falling hard for Locke. Whatever this game is they are playing, he knows he will do whatever is necessary to make sure Locke is protected. He also finds himself in a very uncomfortable position, stay true to Locke and this secret “game?” Or do the right thing and let his boss know what is going on?



I loved this so much. Jett broke my heart at times. The things he went through on his under cover missions were so hard on him. You’d think he’d become toughened but he wasn’t at all. He was still so soft hearted. And of course, there is the big, bad Locke. Who wasn’t so big or bad after all. This had a super sweet ending. Now I can’t wait for the next book, Tracking Wolfe. Wolfe is another one we know hardly anything about and I can’t wait to learn.

Profile Image for Cadiva.
4,044 reviews448 followers
Review of advance copy
February 9, 2026
This book was so good! It pretty much had everything I love all wrapped up with Lucy's unique sense of humour and style.

The premise is simple on the surface - secret agent ends up in a situation where things are going on that have world-affecting potential all while he's hooking up with a supposedly straight man - and yet it's so much more.

It's about the willingness to risk losing your heart on something that looks like a lost cause, it's about making tough decisions that might see that potential future die, it's about rich people interfering in the world but for all the right reasons.

There's mystery, there's surprises, there's loads of cute moments, a whole bunch of sweet ones, some steamy elements which add to the narrative in very deliberate ways rather than just the XYZ-ness of a relationship pattern developing.

Two plotlines cleverly intersect and intertwine to provide all the tension the story needs from the initial meet cute through to the moment where the proverbial hits the fan in a truly explosive fashion.

I'll also say this is a book which uses the miscommunication trope in a perfect way, here it's not a case of throwing in something just for the hell of it. Instead they miscommunicate because they CANNOT tell the other one the truth because of the circumstances they find themselves in.

It's a masterful use of a trope that normally makes me want to throw my Kindle out of the window, here it's drip fed into the storyline so that each man has a moment where they're given a killer choice which would change things completely.

How they respond, well you'll have to read it for yourself to find out!

#ARC kindly received from the author via GiveMeBooks promotions, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Dani.
1,749 reviews358 followers
February 19, 2026
This wasn't what I was expecting but it was definitely a fun read!

Going into this, I did assume it would be set in Legacy for at least part of the story seeing as this is the Marian Legacy series, so it took a while to get into the story when it turned out to be a global setting.

Jett was totally different to who we've been given glimpses of, but I liked that he was so different to the other Marian's - most of them anyway. I could totally see him working with a certain group of the original Marian characters.

Locke was intriguing and it was fun to read him becoming so fixated on Jett and trying to reconcile his emotions with his responsibilities.

I have to say that Paxis definitely sounded fun, but I've never had the patience to learn chess so I'd be totally useless at it!

I am excited to get Wolfe's story next, but I'm kinda already locked in on wanting a best friends to lovers story with oblivious Gabe and possessive Hunter! I love possessive characters and idiots in love 😂😂
594 reviews2 followers
February 20, 2026
2.5/5⭐

I have mixed feelings about this. I was so excited for the next book in this series, but it left me slightly dissapointed.

First of all, I did not expect it's going to have a completely different setting compared to the previous books, so that kind of threw me off. And after finishing it, I think that the setting was part of the charm for me. Without it, it just didn't have the same atmosphere.

My biggest problem was with the characters and their chemistry. I just couldn't really connect to them on a deeper level and by the end of the book I didn't really care what happens to them. I didn't like how Locke acted especially. Basically his whole personality was based on not being straight and being attracted only to Jett. They had some sexual chemistry, but I didn't feel any emotional chemistry between them. I needed more romance and yearning. We only get a glimpse of that towards in the end, but by that point I just couldn't care less about them. It got a little repetitive, since every time they saw each other they fell into a sexual encounter. I just wanted to see and feel more.

The plot was very unhinged, unrealistic and all over the place. The first 20-ish percent there' s a few time skips and at first I was intrigued about the set up, but it quickly got old, since their interactions were pretty much the same. The agent angle was interesting, but Jett didn't really make a great agent. The potential was there, but the execution was lacking.

We barely had any supporting characters and if we had they were even less developed than our main characters. I was glad Aunt Tilly didn't make a big appearance in this one, but I did like the character set up we had in Legacy. And I missed that in this book.

Overall this book just wasn't for me and I hope in the next one we'll be back in Legacy, because that's where the magic of this series is for me.
Profile Image for Mir.
1,151 reviews69 followers
Read
March 2, 2026
DNF 46%

It’s 2026 and fascism is on the rise across the world. Aren’t we done with misogynistic rich CEO alpha-holes in books? I would be devastated to read Jett and Locke ending up in a relationship together so I give up. Jett deserves so, so much better.

Lucy Lennox used to be such a good time but I’ve had a terrible time with her last few books and I’m so sad.
Profile Image for Bianca.
432 reviews
February 19, 2026
2.5 stars ⭐️

I think it’s time to retire this family. This book had so much potential but there’s just so much going on? Like what do you mean this character is from this small town, works as an intelligence agent, then on one of his missions he meets another wealthy, highly influential man who “mistakes” him as a go-go boy making him his bisexual awakening and couldn’t keep him out of his head for 4 years, met again, asked him to accompany him to this super secret tournament filled with highly influential people, as his paid whore mind you, all the while they’re keeping secrets from each other? I was actually exhausted reading all this by the end 😂🙄 Not to mention the whole paxis thing took up a lot more plot and pages than I was expecting 😭 This was a chore to read, the premise had so much potential but the whole thing was a mess. I mean romance books have always had that fairy tale quality but this just took it way too far 😂
1,296 reviews
February 24, 2026
There's a lot to like in here, but I hated the way Locke talked about all the previous women he'd been around / in relationships with etc - he seemed to really dislike all of them. Maybe he should have a think about why so many didn't appear to enjoy having sex with him, no?
Profile Image for Caitlin.
177 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2026
Fo the first 25% of the book, every other page is a mention from Locke or Jett about how they’re hooking up with other people. Its constant. And then when it gets to ‘present’ day and it’s the two of them, Locke is so mean I actually couldn’t get past it. Lots of hooking up, yes. Romance…not for me
Profile Image for Seraphina Reads.
536 reviews27 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 12, 2026
Owning Jett
Made Marian Legacy Book 3
Lucy Lennox

Jett and Locke

Billionaire romance
Second chance
Secrets
“Who hurt you?”
Bi-awakening
Accidental rent boy


Wow, the whole Marianverse is superb, but these legacy boys are something else. This was so good.

I loved this

Lots of tension and missing, some longing too. Jett just wanted to be loved. Both men were protecting themselves.

These two had secrets and were both trying to protect the other. No secret ever stays hidden though.

Over years these two have run into each other in many ways, now they have 2 weeks together and all that pent-up longing and tension is fitting to blow.

Jett was so snarky I loved it. Locke was such a low-key Dom lol. They were perfect for each other.

This was a slow burn with their relationship. This was also plot heavy I’d say. Two storylines in a sense, one in Locke's world and one with Jetts, both eventually colliding. Throughout all this they are trying not to fall for each other, while also building trust and intimacy with each other.

These two had so many sweet tender moments. I think Jett softened Locke… well only for Jett lol.

This was a beautiful story. Two opposite men, finding a way to love each other despite all the odds.

I loved this. The ending was perfect. Wonderful book.

I can’t wait to read more front his world

So thankful for this arc
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,911 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2026
Oh, I love stories that extend over several years.

Jett is twenty-three, and after a few bad relationships he’s done with love, just sex, that’s enough.
He’s a highly trained intelligence officer who works a lot undercover. This time he’s a dancer.

Locke Maris is thirty-one, the heir to the Maris shipping fortune. Getting a lap dance from a dancer.
Locke is straight. The dancer is fucking attractive. But Locke plays it cool.
Locke can’t get Jett out of his head, feels the need to protect, but the guy continues to slip out of his hands.

They run into each other again after some time, and again after quite some time.
Locke proposed a deal to Jett. Come with him to his villa, play as his assistant by day, and be his secret lover by night, for the next few weeks.
During the day the rich of the world will play a game. Not just a game!

What follows is just indescribable and genius. The author did an amazing job!

There are many lies. In between this, Jett and Locke are getting closer. They are not dumb, they know when one keeps secrets. Did I mention the lies?
It was a superb story, with strong characters, romantic, and a mind-blowing storyline!
I was completely mesmerized by this story! Love always wins!
ALL the stars!
Profile Image for Tammy Moldovan.
2,022 reviews27 followers
February 10, 2026
Love, lies, and forever

This heartwarming love story had the perfect balance of humor, heartwarming love, real life issues, a smidge of danger, intrigue, and spicy spice. Plus - the feels in this book - oh boy - laughing, crying, swooning, cringing, teeth gritting, and cheering. I was definitely low key yelling and rolling my eyes at both Jett and Locke throughout parts of the story because of their choices and their absurd internal lying while I waited for their tangled webs to be discovered and unraveled. Jett works for ESP, a clandestine secret agency. He is from a large, over involved, nosy family none of whom know what he really does for work. Locke is a billionaire workaholic and the heir to a worldwide shipping corporation who also is part of a secret group of powerful people. They initially met when Jett was undercover as a go-go dancer. Their paths cross twice more over the course of four years before Locke hires Jett to be his assistant by day and his secret lover by night at a private chess type tournament in his Italian villa. So everyone agrees just a two week physical only secret relationship. Easy. Except for the secrets they are both keeping about parts of their lives. And except for the feelings that get harder to ignore. So not so easy or uncomplicated especially once the strings start winding them together. Jett and Locke’s relationship is inevitable to everyone but them as it is built moment by moment, interaction by interaction with all the soul bearing, baggage unpacking, and trust building until it’s real and deep and forever. They definitely embodied the belief that you can love who a person is at their core without knowing all the minutiae of their day to day lives. As always with this author’s books, this heartwarming and healing story was well written and included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and a captivating storyline. I am looking forward to reading more in the series since my romance loving heart loves the Marian HEAs.
Profile Image for ᐯEᖇOᑎIᑕᗩ.
332 reviews26 followers
February 18, 2026
5⭐️
I devoured this in one sitting. I started reading and just…never stopped. Total page-turner for me. The whole premise of this secret, global network of powerful people quietly doing good behind the scenes had me hooked from the start, it gave the story such an intriguing, high-stakes edge without ever losing focus on the romance. And Jett and Locke? I loved watching their relationship develop. Miscommunication usually isn’t my favorite trope, but in this case it made complete sense considering how secretive both of their lives and jobs are. It added tension in a way that felt believable rather than frustrating.
Profile Image for Sindu.
471 reviews22 followers
February 18, 2026
Fun and emotional undercover romance!

"I was afraid I’d started to forget who Jett Marian even was or what he wanted… Until Locke Maris had helped me remember."

Owning Jett is such a wild ride. We get secret societies, undercover missions, exotic locales, international intrigue and a swoony secret relationship to top it all off. It's fun, intense, emotional and oh so romantic!

"I suddenly wanted to be Locke’s “baby” more than just about anything."

This is a little different from a lot of Lucy's books. There's no small town and the meddling family members are at a minimum. But it still had the heart and softness that I usually associate with a Lucy Lennox book. Jett gets put through the wringer in this one. Extreme missions and keeping secrets from the Marians mean he's isolated a lot. But over and over again, he runs into Locke Maris, who gives him exactly what he needs at that moment.

"I gave in to the urge to hold him, pulling him fully into my arms, where I was starting to believe he might belong."

Though their relationship may have started on a lie, I loved that they couldn't hide from each other for very long. With every interaction, bits of truth would trickle in. At first glance, they seem like total opposites, but they're similar in the ways that matter. Their love for their families, their kind natures, their need to take on the world's problems as their own. Jett and Locke are constantly trying to help others at a detriment to themselves, so it was really beautiful to see them reach for each other when they needed a safe place to land.

"Feeding him was satisfying. Making him happy was addictive."

Their whole relationship is built on trust. And I know how that sounds when they were lying about some major things. But their trust that the other would take care of them when their walls were down, even when they barely knew each other, was one of my favorite parts. It made this story so sweet even with all the danger around them.

"Why did I feel better simply because he was here with me? Having him within arm’s reach was an immediate balm to the tension that had been riding me all day."

Of course, this book wouldn't be complete without some Marian shenanigans. The Marian appearances in this one are more emotional than hilarious. The Beau and Maverick clan had me shedding tears. They're so lovable and supportive and I just loved that scene we got with them and Jett. And that grand gesture in the end? It was so perfect for Jett and Locke. I'm so happy they get to live a life in the open after spending so much time in hiding. I can't wait to come back to this family with Wolfe next! Also if you liked this one, I'd definitely recommend checking out King Me. It's got similar vibes of missions, secret agents and a cat-and-mouse pairing!
Profile Image for Samantha Tucker.
278 reviews12 followers
February 18, 2026
What a great book!

Wow. What can I say except I loved it! Jett and Locke were perfect. I enjoyed the undercover mystery aspect. This was hot and sweet. The sweet sass from Jett contrasted nicely to the buttoned up rigidity from Locke. I had a hard time putting this book down because there was so much action. I also cried because these two men just want to be loved. I also loved the scene at the end. Three words: Aunt Tilly's Bachelorette. Its always a great time to get more of the Marian family too.
Profile Image for Elle.
311 reviews5 followers
February 20, 2026
in the words of alysa liu, that’s what i’m fucking talking about.
Profile Image for Samantha H.
81 reviews
March 12, 2026
I’m so hazy on what needs to be marked as “spoiler” but…

Frankly, Locke was an asshole who needed a comeuppance and a redemption arc to feel like an HEA was earned… and he never got it. He needed to be called out on so much. His hot/cold behavior should have had negative consequences. His brand of misogyny needed to be fucking challenged (I absolute cannot with a moment where he basically told Jett “you’re being a real girlfriend right now” and Jett just immediately backed off instead of being like “what the actual fuck, dude.”)

**2.5 rounded up to 3 because there was a great concept buried in here… I kinda wish it had either gone full Pretty Woman (keep the mistaken identity as a sex worker or don’t) or full spy. The weird blend didn’t work for me. The chase across the country would be great too if it felt earned. Jett should have left because Locke was a dick, and Locke should have had a deal “dark night of the soul” where he realized the error of his ways.

I think the parting emotion this book left me was frustration, which is a shame because I enjoyed the first book of the series and really liked the second. Maybe the fourth will course-correct.

I’m usually really generous with my stars, y’all, and I just couldn’t here.
Profile Image for Christy Roberts.
1,560 reviews49 followers
March 5, 2026
This book has become my favorite one by Lucy of all the series and stand alones that are out right now. I love me a book that has one MMC undercover and in a way this had both them since neither knew what the other did for good.

The majority of this is in present day, but we do get flashback four years from the end of Burning Alexander on how Locke and Jett meet which was awesome.

Jett works for the good guys and the work he loves. No one actually knows and he has keep that way. His family doesn't even know he goes undercover for his job which how he first met Locke who is at a place that Jett was trying to find out if a different person was doing bad things. The Teo of them flirted but it was a while before they saw each other again.

Locke thinks that Jett is one thing amd because of Jett's job he can't correct him. He has to stay undercover until near end the book which I found fun and kept on the edge of my seat waiting for that moment when all was revealed.

Then we find out about Locke's other agenda which is for the good and safety of the world. That I didn't see coming and boy oh boy did I love that and was once again anticipating the moment when all got revealed. When it does Lucy didn't hold back on the explosive way it is done. Which made this love it more.

Jett is supposed to he using a different name, Jethro, but he forgot the night first met but I was swooning when Locke said might be Jett but you my Jethro. Plus some other really romantic things. I was happy seeing the Marians near the end and how Locke showed up continued from how book 2 ended. Lucy has out done herself this time. Romance, spice, and the high stakes of the extra storyline going on with what they both do to protect the world was brilliant.
932 reviews6 followers
March 12, 2026
When I started this book I loved Jett but did not care for Locke and it took awhile before I warmed up to him. Learning about Jett's job and his mysterious absences explained a lot about him. I knew that Locke was a good guy because he had been at the club to go after the man who was harassing his female employees but his interactions with Jett were exasperating. The trip to Italy was odd and I admit that I didn't understand the Paxis group or the chess games at first. The bombing death was shocking but in their world understandable. I loved how Jett went to New York for Locke and that he went to Rabbit Island. Locke's declaration of love at the bachelor party was funny and the chess game at the Montana ranch was hysterical. What a crazy family! Really waiting for Wolfe's story.
Profile Image for Lady Macbeth.
1,143 reviews30 followers
February 17, 2026
4.5 stars
Third book in the Made Marian Legacy and we finally get to know Jett! He intrigued me since his appearance in the previous book, when he tried to escape during Tilly's bachelor party.

Jett is Beau and Maveric Marian's son and he has two siblings. No one in the family knows about his real work as a secret agent, a work he enjoys very much and he's very committed to.
During an undercover job he meets Locke, a straight millionaire who seems not so immune to Jett's charm.
They will meet by chance a few times over the years and during every encounter they'll be more drawn to each other, but their jobs are very demanding and they're forced to leave every time, even if it was heartbreaking.
Moreover, neither of them really thought to have a chance to find real love and this, added to the secrecy, made things a lot harder for them.
I usually don't like the miscommunication trope, but I think that here it was very necessary to the story, because their secrets were impossible to be divulged and too many people were also involved in them.
But despite all of that, they really trusted each other and they could see the real person behind the facade and the public persona. My favourite parts where their moments of intimacy that, even if brief, showed how much they care and cherish to be so close and vulnerable together.

I adored Locke's grand gesture and his possessiveness and Jett's surrender when they finally found one another again.

What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
While the suspense and the mystery parts are very well written, it felt to me that the romantic part was a little too much moved to the background.

Next book will be (finally!) Wolfe's story and I literally cannot wait to read it!

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for SaintDelicate _Edits.
237 reviews9 followers
Want to read
February 11, 2026
I should not have read that sample preview.
Now I NEED this book today, and it's all my fault for not leaving well enough alone.
Guess I won't be sleeping until the 17th....why do I do this to myself.
Profile Image for Liza Broadaway.
1,035 reviews18 followers
March 5, 2026
So grateful for Lucy’s writing! This book is first in the past 5 or 6 I did not have to skim the ending. I love this 2nd generation Marion series! Jett was adorable and I loved seeing him get his HEA! The little bit of mystery and intrigue always works for me so I loved that in this one! Also loved the end where we still get the whole Marian clan!
Profile Image for Aki.
1,053 reviews
February 27, 2026
Das Buch liest sich super schnell, es ist witzig und behandelt doch auch ernste Themen, aber irgendwie war mir das Setting des Paxis Spiels so fremd. Kann ich mir vorstellen, dass es genau so abläuft? Nein, also das Treffen schon, aber das es für reinen Altruismus eingesetzt wird, nein. Aber vielleicht ist das auch einfach meine Sicht auf die Reichen. Für mich also nicht das beste Buch der Serie, aber es war dennoch nett zu lesen.
Profile Image for Suzy.
954 reviews7 followers
February 17, 2026
Owning Jett is such a fun ride, I was so excited for this book! Who doesn’t love secret agents, undercover missions and bi-awakening slow burn romance.

In this book we get so see many facets of Jett, a fresh new agent who is going to get through the a few undercover missions and keeping his job as a secrets from his family, we get to see how he sometimes struggles and just miss dad’s. over the years he runs a few time into Locke Maris a the heir of a shipping company and a billionaire, who is straight, cold and controlling until he gets his hands on Jett.

I like how they tended to bump into echo other and when Jett needs Locke, their journey isn’t easy because of Jett work and because Locke doesn’t really do relationships and but there’s something about Jett that he is unable to forget about him, he is charm and attract to him. Jett is willing put into a hard place when he agrees to “work” for him as his assistant, he can forget his training but also is very difficult for him to betray Locke, he cares about him and is determined to help him if the time comes.

I love how things change as they spend time together and their relationship develops, Locke isn’t a easy guy but Jett is the person he needs to really loosen up and enjoy his life.

And of course this book wouldn't be complete without some Marian’s shenanigans, I love how all he Marian’s can tease each other and have fun, I love how Locke get to meet them, and make his announcement to the family.
I can’t wait for more of this serie!!
Profile Image for Amanda.
34 reviews
February 21, 2026
Another great installment of Lennox’s Legacy series. OG fans will enjoy references to her library of characters but mostly this is about Jett and Locke. With a taste of international intrigue and international travel, I definitely thought of her book King Me as well. These two characters dance around the truth of one another over the span of several years. Some revelations leave the characters stunned, while others are accepted with a shrug- it left me guessing at every turn about which truth would be catastrophic to their tenuous relationship /situationship. There is a power imbalance that I thought would be a problem when it was removed because a character was into it enough that I thought its absence would extinguish his attraction to the idea of the other MC but it only got better as things were unfurled. Trying to be Vaughn so there aren’t spoilers.
This is not a John Grissom novel so you can still expect some plot points that will suspend your disbelief, or coincidences that don’t fully add up, some international spy goofs that are made in the name of love or crushing. Overall it was a great romp with an added dose of yearning I didn’t expect.
Profile Image for Kat.
669 reviews5 followers
February 17, 2026
Ms. Lennox created an amazing thriller and romance novel that was impossible to put down. This author's versatility continues to astound me.

Jett Marian is an intelligence agent for an Interpol office. He has been placed in some really terrifying situations to aid others, and during the course of one of his missions, he meets a commanding businessman named Locke Maris. Over the course of four years, their paths kept crossing. Locke thinks Jett is an escort, which, in all fairness, is what the undercover agent wanted him to believe. 

Jett has to maintain his created persona in front of Locke, and the men connect under unconventional conditions. They slowly let down their walls, the dynamics change, and before long, it's evident to see that the man in charge is Jett

During a trip to Italy, where Locke is hosting a complicated and unique chess game called Paxis, Jett comes along as his assistant. Paxis is much more than a game, and I don't want to give too much away. Suffice it to say, the rules of this chess tournament are life-altering.

Locke does not know Jett's real identity, but the heart is a fickle organ and wants what it wants. The book builds to an explosive encounter, and Locke is faced with the real truth of his feelings.

This is an amazing story that will keep you riveted until the last page. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Happy reading.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement*
Profile Image for aidni.
341 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2026
Round up at end:

Did I expect SPY INTRIGUE from this series? No no I did not. I cannot tell you how much the first half of the book was perfect for me. It had EVERYTHING I wanted.

I’ll read Lucy Lennox all day haha. I love a hurt comfort where one doesn’t know the full story. The dashing plot, the intrigue. Honestly I wanted more but this was so fun.

Notes: the first half of this is high angst. I loved all the mission stuff, the end end did wrap up with a pretty bow and I would have liked the Jett we met at the beginning to have been the one we ended up with vs a SPOILER basically housewife to a rich guy. Jett really was kind of bad at his job.

Spice: 4/5
Angst: medium/high
Favorite side character: the horny son
Least favorite: honest none stuck out
Would I read more: yes!
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