The Exit Strategy Series: Deadly Lover / Lover Calling / Vengeful Lover / Final Lover

Exit Strategy

by Jocelynn Drake

***Note that this bundle includes books already available as single titles***

Can two assassins find love and achieve their happily ever after when Gabriel’s family wants to see him dead?

The odds are against Justin Mallory and Gabriel Prescott, but they’re used to the world wanting them dead.

Start with Deadly Lover:

Justin Mallory has years of bad decisions to make up for, starting with agreeing to join the CIA after being recruited out of the Marines. Now he chooses the jobs and he works alone. It’s safer that way, and he can make sure the good guy always wins.

But this job…he can’t do alone. Two pharmaceutical researchers are dead and a dangerous drug is on the cusp of winning FDA approval if he doesn’t track down the culprit behind the lies and murders.

Gabriel Prescott is a well-trained, efficient, and cold-blooded killer. After a brutal betrayal left his lover dead, Gabriel is out only for himself. But when this lucrative contract lands in his lap, he can’t pass it up. Even if it means working with the unpredictable and insane Justin Mallory.

Dodging bullets and secret meetings find them depending on each other. And one hot, frantic night together leads to a hidden sweetness…and questions of whether they could possibly have something more.  

Read the complete series in this bundle!

Deadly Lover

Lover Calling (a novella)

Vengeful Lover

Final Lover

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Gay

719 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2019

About the author

New York Times Bestselling author Jocelynn Drake loves a good story, whether she is reading it or writing one of her own. Over the years, her stories have allowed her to explore space, talk to dragons, dodge bullets with assassins, hang with vampires, and fall in love again and again.

This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.

When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be
walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.

She is the author of the urban fantasy books: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. For gay romance, she has completed The Exit Strategy and Shadow Elite series, and is now working on a spin-off of her MM paranormal series, Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliot the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, the Weavers Circle. In addition, she has co-authored with AJ Sherwood the following series: Scales 'N' Spell and Wings 'N' Wands. She can be found at JocelynnDrake.com.

Reviews

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deadly lover (book 1)

4 stars. Nice start to a new series. I liked both characters, they worked well together. G has issues to work out, Justin is mostly happy go lucky but haunted as well. It’s a little bittersweet, contract killings and a little bit of mystery. Will be interesting to see how they get out of the business.


Lover calling (book 1.5)

3 stars. A short extra. From the title and the cover I thought it would be phone sex. The booty call was funny, mostly sex, sweet little moments and hints of G’s problems. I’m not sure what it is, but this series feels more dramatic.


Vengeful lover (book 2)

4 stars. I wasn’t surprised that G needed bailing out but was happy how quick it was and that they weren’t separated for long. Likely the worst meet the family scenario ever. I think the only thing that was surprising in this book was Alexei, the kid was adorable. I liked how solid Justin and G have become with nothing getting in their way. The loyalty was sexy. The ending made me laugh a little. G trying to do the right thing and Justin choosing another. Enjoyed it more than the first.


Final lover (book 3)

3.5 stars. Nice rounded ending. I liked how sweet G and Justin are. The pets were adorable. Felt like there was a lot of sex. I did start to lose interest in the main couple at the appearance of Kai and Relic. Favourite part was the end wedding.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Lover, Exit Strategy book 1 (r Oct 16/21)
Ah. A solid mystery-suspense story, with two jaded guys, who not only solve the mystery, but also fall in love. Narrated by the late, great Kenneth Obi. Happy listener, happy indeed.

Lover Calling, Exit Strategy book 1.5 (r Oct 16/21)
A booty call in London between our two guys.

Vengeful Lover, Exit Strategy book 2
We finally learn more (all?) of Gabriel’s secrets. I have to say that I really enjoyed Kenneth Obi’s slightly Russian accent for Gabriel.

Final Lover, Exit Strategy book 3
We get to see Justin and Gabriel happy, and with a tricky case to solve/manage. We also meet the two guys who will feature in the next book - Devlin and Kai.

KU + whisper sync

[LauraSt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read - and as amazing as always!
For individual book reviews just check out my reviews.

[Chancey "Does not give out 5's like candy" Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are interesting easy to read stories, and I unabashedly love bundles. I bought this one by accident. I already had each of these individual books plus the ones after this bundle. I did enjoy rereading them. This bundle includes the series books featuring "G-Love and Special Sauce" as m/c's.

This couple was compelling, and I really liked them. I appreciated how they often realized - that the things the other did that they didn't like - they would have probably done the same if the roles were reversed. The m/c's were very distinct from each other and grew as the stories progressed. Both the lust then love between them was palpable on the page.

At times, the pacing was a little off for me. I originally had expected a little more action and faster pacing. They were interesting stories, but not overly exciting or as fast paced, especially in comparison to other books of a similar type that I've read.

For those who don't like a lot of over the top antics, this didn't have quite the same amount of craziness those aforementioned "similar type books" also often had. It didn't require a super ton of the suspension of belief like a James Bond does etc...

This was definitely more about them as people - coming to a crossroads in their lives, than about them taking down the bad guys. It was good, if not super exciting. Nice escapist read but still not a lot of high tension or constant action typical of this genre. Of course, with this ending up as a reread, I had adjusted my expectations and just enjoyed the couple.

One complaint I had was on Justin's background info; it definitely shouldn't have been so brief. I wanted to know why he was in Foster Care as a child, what happened to his biological parents, if he even knew, etc... In fact we learn very little about his background especially in comparison.

I did love their HEA and how we get to see everyone come together to celebrate them in the end!

[Adri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these two MCs. Jocelynn Drake made me believe these two individuals were made for each other and consistently bring the best out of each other.

- Two distinct personalities are presented in the MCs, and it makes them both all the more lovable.
- Their chemistry is outstanding. They present what in my mind an ideal relationship is, where there is open and honest communication. Sure, there's plenty of secrets to uncover, but they're mercenaries!
- You really feel for these characters. Despite their career choices, they each have a moral compass as well as true wants and the desire to see them through. It's nice seeing them evolve and accomplish their goals, separately and together.
- I really enjoyed seeing the plot line evolve and Gabriel's history be addressed and resolved. It brought a real sense of closure.
- Some MC thoughts seemed repetitive (it was mentioned many times how their relationship came to be), but it didn't detract from the story too much, I just feel other things could have been filled in vs repeating the same sentiment.

Thanks Jocelynn for a great read!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished all five books in this series and really enjoyed these tales of reluctant assassins falling in love while dealing with unique job/home life conflicts, including the delicious falling for the target trope.

[100sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a phenomenal series. I adored Justin and Gabriel! Their personalities were perfect for each other. The story was great and I loved the bundle. The narrator was fantastic and did and excellent job with the voices.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars


Loved the audio version!!! Can't wait for the next two books!

[Marsha L Respess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read the first 3 books in the Exit Strategy series after reading Westin's Prince and loved them even more the second time. I need to read the other books in the series next.

[emily curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable story that is well written with likeable characters and good world building. The narration is very good as well.

[Dani Elle Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into these series but i loved it when i got into it.
wonderful characters and great storytelling as always by author jocelynn drake.

[CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this series! The first 3 novels and 1 short out now (available in this set) feature the same 2 MC's (Justin and Gabriel). The 4th book features Devlin & Kai, and the 5th is Alexei & Soren.

I just loved all of these books, each one was fun, entertaining, intriguing and very sexy.

There will be a spin-off series "Shadow Elite" that I am very excited about as well :-)

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book1, 1.5, 2 & 3 - The Exit Strategy Series - 4 stars - 1/17/23
Book 4 -Forbidden Lover - 3 stars - 3/18/23