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January James
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The Boss: A security guard romance (Starling Key Book 1) Kindle Edition

by January James (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 167 ratings
“You want me to lose control? This is it.”
My job? Protect the business. My calling? Protect the girl

I’m not just head of the security team, I’m the brain behind Starling Key, Florida’s most luxurious beach resort.
I’m obsessive, I’m meticulous, I’m a perfectionist.
If things aren’t done the way I want them to be—even if it's not on the right side of the law—someone pays.
And with a military past like mine, the cost is high.
When Tawny Graham crashes—literally—into the Key, she threatens my grand plans.
She’s a stumbling, infuriating nightmare, with a body that taunts me and eyes that haunt me.
And I can’t be distracted. Not when I’m so close to getting us all the riches we deserve.
Then I find out the real reason she’s here.
And that changes everything.

This steamy bad boy bodyguard boss romance brings the heat to the Florida Keys against a backdrop of luxury, mafia vibes and suspense.

Please note: If you are looking for squeaky clean men who stay on the right side of the track, this may not be the book for you.
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Starling Key
  2. Print length
    340 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    December 6, 2021
  5. File size
    1.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

grumpy hero romance
bodyguard romance
grumpy x sunshine
The Boss
The Brawn
The Banker
Buying Options
Buying Options
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Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars 167
4.3 out of 5 stars 17
4.6 out of 5 stars 19
Price $4.99 $4.99 $4.99
What you'll find... Grumpy hero romance Forbidden romance Age gap romance
Forced proximity romance Forced proximity romance Forced proximity romance
Ex-military romance Ex-military romance Ex-CIA romance
January James author logo

The Boss January James
Praise for The Boss

"Glorious love, a bit of nail-biting suspense and steam. A fantastic read!! Connor is unforgettable. Tawny is the exactly the kind of woman he'd fall for."

"This book is beautifully written and shows great imagination and creative thinking. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!"

"Man what a book!!!! The twists and turns the author took me on were fun and exciting. Definitely a page-turner."

  • Book 1: The Boss
  • Book 2: The Brawn
  • Book 3: The Banker

January James

RNA Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller 2022-nominated author

January James is a British author writing about love worth fighting for. She's a writer of grumpy hero, forced proximity, enemies to lovers bodyguard romance and billionaire bosses to boot. Her former career in corporate and lifestyle marketing fully equipped her to write about glorious beach resorts and workplace romances packed with sun, sea and spice. She resides in the rural south of England where she shares a house with a husband, daughter, dog, and occasional misguided grass snake.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

January James write contemporary romance about love worth fighting for. She lives in the smallest cottage in East Sussex with her husband, daughter and imaginary cockapoo (she will get one, one day!)Until recently, she inhabited the fast-paced, adrenalin-fuelled workplaces she writes about, as a communications professional. Now she spends her days dreaming up new characters and stories and trying not to lose her marbles as the mother of a spirited preschooler.Stalk January here: Join the mailing list ➜ https: //bit.ly/joinjjlistFacebook ➜ http: //www.facebook.com/januaryjamesa...Instagram ➜ https: //www.instagram.com/thejanuaryj...Website ➜ www.januaryjamesauthor.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09CH4DBKG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (December 6, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 6, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 167 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
January James

January James

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Hi readers!

I write contemporary romance about love worth fighting for. Welcome to my page!

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:

Join my mailing list ➜ https://dl.bookfunnel.com/macv5nqr3q

Facebook ➜ http://www.facebook.com/januaryjamesauthor

Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/thejanuaryjames

Website ➜ www.januaryjamesauthor.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
167 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a good read with well-developed characters. The storyline receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it has plenty of action and keeps readers engaged until the end. They appreciate the love elements in the book.

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10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a really good read, with one customer noting its beautiful writing style.

"...In the end they became lovers and overcame so many obstacles. Great read!" Read more

"...I liked the poetry chosen which brought the hero back to take a chance on love...." Read more

"...I think it has potential and could've been a really good book with a little bit more work...." Read more

"...Thank you for sharing this awesome read❤❤❤" Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book.

"I liked the tug of war between the main characters. I get emotional when one of the characters lets something get in the way of their HEA...." Read more

"...I loved all the side characters. You can feel the love, friendships and how they all become their own little Sterling family...." Read more

"...There are a cast full of characters in a resort where everyone has a back story. There are definitely some twists and turns but love wins in the end." Read more

"...Great characters and storyline. Looking forward to reading more from this author" Read more

5 customers mention "Storyline"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, with one review highlighting its action-packed content and suspenseful plot that keeps readers engaged until the end.

"...Besides a good mystery it was a great love story. So much angst and unrequited love. In the end they became lovers and overcame so many obstacles...." Read more

"Intense emotional romantic story of characters with damaged past who have made a family of friends and the community with strength, passion, and..." Read more

"...amazed at the authors ability to keep me on my toes and shock me with each turn of events...." Read more

"This book grabbed me right from the very 1st page and kept me in interested to the very last. Great characters and storyline...." Read more

4 customers mention "Love"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the romantic elements in the book, with one mentioning the unrequited love storyline.

"...So much angst and unrequited love. In the end they became lovers and overcame so many obstacles. Great read!" Read more

"...I loved all the side characters. You can feel the love, friendships and how they all become their own little Sterling family...." Read more

"...who have made a family of friends and the community with strength, passion, and understanding. Thank you for sharing this awesome read❤❤❤" Read more

"This book has a lot. Hot men, beaches, a fancy resort and love. Connor is a perfectionist trying to avoid his past trauma...." Read more

♥️Connor and Tawny♥️
4 out of 5 stars
♥️Connor and Tawny♥️
This is my sixth book by January James and she has done it again. She draws you into these worlds, and you get lost in her stories. In The Brain, we meet Connor and Tawny. Connor is an ex-Marine who is head of security for Starling Key Resort. Tawny moves to the Keys to find a new beginning after spending years taking care of her mom. From their first meeting until the end of the book, I was hooked. If you're a fan of a slow-burn, Enemies to lovers, and moody alpha, this book is for you. I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next in the series.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This story snagged you from page one. Besides a good mystery it was a great love story. So much angst and unrequited love. In the end they became lovers and overcame so many obstacles. Great read!
    Helpful
     Report
  • valeen
    4.0 out of 5 stars can't say enough good about this story
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Tawny's not sure why Connor seems to dislike the very sight of her, but no matter, she'll deal with her attraction to the brooding grumpypants and stay out of his way. Will the spark that clearly exists between them ignite? Or are they doomed to flame out without ever truly catching fire?

    Connor has good reason for trying to keep Tawny at a distance, very good reason. But if he wants to ever heal and find the happiness he's sure he doesn't deserve, he'll need to step up and take responsibility for his circumstances, and do something about it. So that she doesn't become the one who got away, the one he pushed away.

    I really can't say enough good about this story. Though Connor was hard to like at first, he grew so much by the end that I was rooting for him to finally be happy, to let himself be happy. Tawny was the sunshine to his cloudy presence, and actually was the reason I kept reading. Though she had had such a hard life, she kept a positive outlook, making everyone around her smile and fall in love with her, including me. I loved these two, and can only hope the author writes more about them.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Marie Limesand
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love on the brain
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the tug of war between the main characters. I get emotional when one of the characters lets something get in the way of their HEA. I liked the poetry chosen which brought the hero back to take a chance on love. I felt for the heroine when she made a hard decision about the relationship.

    I liked this book and I would recommend it to everyone. January James is a favorite author, and I can't wait to read the next instalment. That is why I gave this book five stars.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • LadyJane
    3.0 out of 5 stars Hmm ...
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is a hard book to review. So I gave it a neutral rating. Because it's not the best, but it's not the worst either.
    I think it has potential and could've been a really good book with a little bit more work.
    So the island seems to attract those who have something to hide or runaway from and that is the character base.
    I could appreciate that idea...ex Military, abuse victims, witness protection, etc. But the fact that they are now in bed with the Mob, and think just because they only run guns and not people or animals that it makes it okay? That's just plain stupid! And they think they're safe from the Mob wanting more...what a joke! Basically the Mob now owns them. This part wasn't very well thought out. And the main reason for the 3 star rating.
    Also, the title doesn't really fit.
    Helpful
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  • Rachel
    4.0 out of 5 stars Surprising
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed it a lot. Connor is all alpha male, with some PTSD going on and Tawny didnt have the easiest life. She lost both parents and took care of her mother with dementia until she died. They are both dealing with a lot. I must say, I was totally surprised by what Connor and his guys did behind the owners back. That's the reason for 4 stars, it's a little hard to believe that Mr. Sterling would just give Connor all that control and money without being a hands on owner/boss. I was also very surprised by Tawny's full story, I sure didn't see that coming. I loved all the side characters. You can feel the love, friendships and how they all become their own little Sterling family. I will read the next book.
    Helpful
     Report
  • shirley Klohrricci
    5.0 out of 5 stars Forever is a long time
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Intense emotional romantic story of characters with damaged past who have made a family of friends and the community with strength, passion, and understanding. Thank you for sharing this awesome read❤❤❤
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Going into this book I had no idea what to expect. I didn't even read the blurb because I wanted to go in blind and be surprised. I was amazed at the authors ability to keep me on my toes and shock me with each turn of events. This book is beautifully written and shows great imagination and creative thinking. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Book.Girl49
    4.0 out of 5 stars A lot going on
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book has a lot. Hot men, beaches, a fancy resort and love. Connor is a perfectionist trying to avoid his past trauma. Tawney is a young girl who's dealt with a lot and trying to find where she fits. There are a cast full of characters in a resort where everyone has a back story. There are definitely some twists and turns but love wins in the end.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • A recent fan, definitely hooked!
    5.0 out of 5 stars great start to this series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I have realised January James is a very good author, and this is the fourth book of hers I am reading. this series is great for the setting - the Florida Keys are evocatively created and it felt like I was there in the action. I really like Connor - I felt he was a properly rounded male character, unlike some in romance novels. Looking forward to reading the next one.
    Report
  • Word Diva
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
    Reviewed in Canada on May 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    🔥🔥🔥This is my first book by this author. It had glorious love, a bit of nail-biting suspense and more steamy 💘. A fantastic read!! Connor is unforgettable. Tawny is the exactly the kind of woman he'd fall for. Looking forward to the next one! 🔥🔥🔥
    Report
  • Tania
    4.0 out of 5 stars A pacy read
    Reviewed in India on May 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I never thought a 336 page novel would get over so fast. It's a pacy read. The story was nice and the romance was taut.
    Report

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