The Brawn

Starling Key #2

by January James

Seleste – F – Spanish origin – meaning: celestial, heavenly

There’s a joke if ever I heard one. Seleste Ortiz is my idea of hell.

Feisty, cocky, and out of my league, and the new star of Starling Key.
The most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
The most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.
But there’s more to Seleste than meets the eye.
Behind that tough exterior is a frightened little girl.
When her arranged marriage is put on hold, she comes back to Starling Key.
When her flirting goes too far and I give in after just one night, we wake a beast that won’t go back to sleep.

Just six months.
Then we have to stop.
Then I have to watch her return to her drug lord fiancé.
And there’s one small problem.
I don’t want to let her go.

The Brawn is the second book in the Starling Key series. It can be read as a standalone but to get the most of the story, it's strongly recommended The Brain is read first.

Genres: Contemporary

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2022

About the author

Hi there!

I am a Brit indie romance author who writes about love worth fighting for.

I live in the rural south of England with my husband, daughter and crazy sprockapoo.

Until recently, I inhabited the fast-paced, adrenalin-fuelled workplaces I write about, as a communications professional. Now I spend my days dreaming up new characters and stories and trying not to lose my marbles as the mother of a spirited preschooler.

Stalk me here:
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Reviews

[Emma (emjbookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series by January James.
Carter is a security guard with Starling Key Resort, He is fierce, loyal and he will lay down his life for the people he cares for. Seleste is a sassy Cuban spitfire and is in a situation she does not want to be in, She has six months before she needs to go back to her drug lord fiancé. I really enjoyed the character development in this story, It has lots of steamy scenes and their were twists that popped up that I was not expecting but in a good way.

The Brawn is the second book in the Starling Key series. It can be read as a standalone but to get the most of the story, it's strongly recommended The Brain is read first.

[Bethany White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Carter. He is determined, loyal, strong willed and loveable. Despite a past where he had to become a security guard with Starling Key Resort to help someone close to him, once he laid eyes on Seleste, his whole world turned upside down. Seleste, a beautful Cuban woman who had a troublesome past as well with her father, she is now in a complicated situation, even more so after meeting Carter (read The Brain to follow how they meet).

I have always been a fan of January's books, but this one, it was very well written. The character building between these two made me feel so many emotions, more than I thought I could experience in a book. I can kindof relate to Seleste in a way, with her having a passion for dance. While I may not have done cuban cabaret dancing before, it seems fun to do, and beautiful to watch.

This is not your traditional love story. There were plot twists that were not expected, but in a good way. The spice (roomance) in this book, OMG! It was definitely hot. Not going to lie, there were a few times I had to put the book down to take a breather from the spice. Don't get me wrong, I love spicy books, but this book I was not expecting the amount of spice that was in it. If you love romatic suspense stories with spice, this book is definitely for you.

[Lynne Rainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Starling Key. This is Carter and Seleste’s story. Having let under unconventional circumstances there’s been something about Seleste that Carter has been inexplicably drawn to, perhaps it’s the fact she’s sassy and fiesty as well as intelligent and she doesn’t tolerate his macho bull! She’s his every temptation in one stunning package. Just one thing Carter believes he isn’t capable of love and has nothing to offer her. He isn’t destined for a happy ending.

Brought to US soil to marry a man she’s never met and doesn’t want her she arrived under clandestine means but from the second she stepped off that boat she has listed after Carter he’s fierce, protective and built like sin. Despite her dubious upbringing and being a pawn in other mens games she wants him.

This book really affected me. My heart broke for Seleste, she’s just so lovable. With the events of what happened with Lucy, Carter has been left a broken man with some serious self worth issues but somehow he loved and cared for Seleste so deeply. The chemistry between these two is straight up fire and undeniable.
I sobbed. Actually, ugly cried at parts it genuinely broke my heart.
Another amazing book from January. you absolutely smashed it with this one! You made me feel far too much for this pair.
Can't wait for more from this series

[Debbie Humpage-Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book in the Starling Key series!

Carter and Seleste meet each other at the end of the first book in shall we say dubious circumstances.

They are then thrown back together for six months where Carter and his boss, Connor, are tasked with keeping her in their employee for that time.

Seleste comes from Cuba and has a love for dance and she becomes a dance instructor for Community in Starling Key.

The only trouble is, with Carter as her interim boss the attraction that they had for each other six months previously is very present now.

We learn of Seleste’s back story and the effect that it has on her present, theirs some hard issues in there but once again January James writes these with such integrity and I can’t fault it.

The book follows Carter and Seleste’s love story and how, if at all, they can possibly have a happily ever after.

This book can be read as a standalone but I do recommend you read the first book in the series.

I was given this book as an arc copy for an honest and fair review 😊

[Shannon Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

January James has done it again. Every book continues to be better than the one before it. "The Brawn" is the second installment in the Sterling Key series. It can be read standalone but personally I think reading "The Brain" first makes it better. I loved this story and it is great to see the characters evolve from the first book. This book has it all, sexual tension, romance, hot and steamy sex and suspense. The chemistry between Carter and Celeste is off the charts. These two could cause combustion by being in each others presence. There are many beautiful moments and some twists and turns you do not see coming. I can not wait for the next book in this series, "The Banker".

[Tasha_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason this book really affected me. My heart broke for Seleste. She is bright, intelligent, sassy, feisty even though she had a dubious upbringing. She is just so lovable.
For some reason Carter felt as though he didn't deserve a happy ending. What a broken man. But loved and cared for her so deeply. The chemistry between these 2 is undeniable.
I sobbed. Actually, ugly cried. You'll know the part when you get there.
Another amazing book from January, you absolutely smashed it with this one! You have a way of making me feel far too much for the strong women you write about!

[Mrs Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love January James books, they never fail to disappoint 😍
Keep you gripped from page one till the end, and this book is no different 😁

Carter is a loyal, loveable and strong security guard at Sterling Key Resort who would do anything to protect the people he loves 💙

Seleste is a feisty Cuban woman that is wanting to get out of a situation that's she's in because of her father but behind all that sass is a scared girl 😥

This book is the second book in the series, read Brain to see where it all began, you will not be disappointed 🤩
Ready and waiting for book three 😁

[Vicki Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real erotica escapism! Thoroughly enjoyed The Brawn, the second book in the Starking Key series. Carter is the tough guy heading up security along with Connor the main protagonist in The Brain. Carter is incredibly likeable, clearly has respect for women especially as his wages go back to his Mum each month. And he has a lot of respect for Seleste, the beautiful dancer who captures his eye and heart. Seleste has a sad backstory as does Carter which probably unites them as a strong couple. There are a few twists and turns towards the end but it's another great story from the imagination of January James! Am looking forward to the next instalment.

[Felicia's Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Its the second book in the Starling Key series but can be a standalone. Carter and Seleste's story was rollercoaster of emotion. Seleste is feisty and wanting more on life. And Carter is her security guard. Wow the chemistry is off the chart. The end makes me excited for book three.

[Sarah Whittaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter will do anything for his woman!
Falling for feisty Seleste when she belongs to mob is risky.
A forbidden love that brings danger to all involved.
This put a lump in my throat x

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have waited for carters story and January didn’t disappoint. Life has been hard for carter and things are not going to get easy for him but he’s so loyal and won’t go down without a fight.

[Katja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe more like 4.5 stars. review will come a bit later.




An ARC was provided in exhange for an honest review.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold on tight because you’re in for a ride! This book has so many unexpected (but thrilling) turns. It’s not your every day love story, but you won’t be disappointed.

[Shakira Tifloen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter F... Lewis is in the building! As always January James has delivered. Expect a little bit of everything, romance, lots of hotness and action. I cannot wait for the next and next.. Thank you J

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Seleste and Carter get together it’s like a furnace , the heat is excessive!

Seleste, is in a complicated situation: a pending marriage, plus a lover who she knows she wants, but is it even possible!

Carter, who is in security, is making sure Seleste is secure at all times wherever that is .

A beautiful woman who has a passion for dance ….

Carter is extremely passionate, kind, and totally lovable, strong in body and in mind.

This is a beautiful love story with great plot twists that kept me guessing all the way through the book.

[Barbara Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This story has a lot of danger,suspense ,action,and a little romance thrown in keeps you turning the pages and keeps you hanging on the edge until the very end looking forward to reading more books from this author

[Lindy Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brawn

Thoroughly enjoyed the book, not as funny as the first one but more intense. People smuggling, trying to force them into a life nobody should have to endure, then freedom and a life of their own making.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, and I have to say, January, you have done it again! :)

I absolutely love Carter. He is determined, loyal, strong willed and loveable. Despite a past where he had to become a security guard with Starling Key Resort to help someone close to him, once he laid eyes on Seleste, his whole world turned upside down. Seleste, a beautiful Cuban woman who had a troublesome past as well with her father, she is now in a complicated situation, even more so after meeting Carter (read The Brain to follow how they met).

I have always been a fan of January's books, but this one, it was very well written. The character development between these two made me feel so many emotions, more than I thought I could experience in a book. I can kind of relate to Seleste in a way, with her having a passion for dance. While I may not have done Cuban Cabaret dancing before, it seems fun to do, and beautiful to watch.

This is not your traditional love story. There were plot twists that were not expected, but in a good way. The spice (romance) in this book, OMG! It was definitely hot. Not going to lie, there were a few times I had to put the book down to take a breather from the spice. Don't get me wrong, I love spicy books, but this book, I was not expecting the amount of spice that was in it. If you love romantic suspense stories with romance (spice), this book is definitely for you

[whatjtreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment in the Starling Key series, and focuses on Seleste and Carter. Carter works for the resort in security, and in this book, he is also in charge of dancer Seleste.

Seleste has a difficult background, and she met Carter when she came over on a small boat from Cuba. She was forced to leave her country because of her father's involvement with the mob and to protect her mother. She's had a rough life, and all she wants to do is save what's left of her family. Carter is just the same, and all the money he's had is spent on his sickly mother. They both have really difficult backgrounds, and while Seleste is being forced to marry someone else, Carter is the one she chooses for herself. Now they have to figure out a way to be together.

This was another interesting addition to the series. I love that Seleste and Carter had difficult backgrounds that made them appreciate the other, and made their desire to form a family even more important, and their HEA even more rewarding when they finally reach it.

[Yvette89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a trip back to Starling Key with Seleste and Carter leading the way. Seleste is a sassy Cuban with a complicated past. Carter is a works security. He is a strong, dependable stand up guy. Together they have plenty of chemistry.
This story had me feeling all my emotions. It was a good read with plenty of romance and drama and spice.

[Synne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This couple had so much fire in their relationship and I loved it. I loved how they always got on each others nerve, and their disagreement came forward in the bedroom

[demi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I found that I liked this one a lot better than the first book. I loved Carter, he felt like he was this big gruff guy but was actually quite awkward and blushed and didn’t think all that highly of himself and I just wanted to give him a hug. Seleste was also a great character, I loved her banter, her attitude. The suspense drama that came with this book didn’t feel completely random unlike the first one. It made sense and didn’t come out of the left field. So I liked that. A large chunk of the book is set over 6 months, and each chapter there are little time jumps to move the story along. It was done well but it does also mean that we don’t see everything between Carter and Seleste and how they developed deeper, we are more so told that they have developed and are emotionally further in their relationship. This is kind of an insta love vibe, but also not really. They are initially attracted to one another but don’t instantly start hooking up but it also doesn’t take very long for them to give in. Either way though, it was written well and even if their relationship was quick and rushed, it didn’t feel rushed to me whilst reading. I did really like this pairing and the forbidden aspect of their relationship and enjoyed reading their book.

[Cheryl Drury · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last thing Seleste Ortiz wanted was to marry Antonio Rodriguez, but that was much better than the alternative. She’d already watched Mario Bianchi kill her father, she’d be damned if she was letting him do the same to her mother. The fact that Rodriguez had zero interest in her either made her situation even more infuriating. So when she is given 6 months freedom in the shape of dancing at Starling Key resort she can’t help feeling like a weight has been lifted, even for a short time. The fact that she might even see the hot security guy who she’d made an instant connection with back when her boat rolled in to his shore was a massive bonus, even if he was off limits, window shopping couldn’t hurt, could it?

Two months after last seeing Seleste Ortiz, Carter had had her constantly in his mind. The connection between them had been like a bolt of lightening and her sass had driven him wild. Now she was returning to Starling key and he was in charge of her dance classes. But will a buzz between them and her being completely off limits for fear of death, it was going to be a very difficult 6 months!

I’ve read quite a few of January’s books now and each book has been so good. This book was a little different with mob connections and plenty of action, in more ways than one. I love the story and the connection between Seleste and Carter. They are immediately drawn to each other even in crazy circumstances when they’d first met (check out the Brain: starling key book 1) and it seems they were destined to be in each other’s orbit. It’s a great story that I’ve really enjoyed.

[Elke Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very fun and includes some truly satisfying spice. The hero is hot with a soft heart. I definitely recommend this book to anyone. This guy is certainly dreamy, the plot is exciting, and the heroine is strong. It has all the elements that make a great story.

Read this book! You won’t be sorry.