Steel 7 by Stephanie Brother

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Seven bodyguards are hired to keep me safe, but I want so much more than their protection.

It’s my first world tour, and my record company is nervous. They’ve crafted my innocent image and focused on marketing my appearance ahead of my talent, so they shouldn’t be surprised at the dangers I’m facing. Girls like me are magnets for stalkers.
When Steel 7 Security is employed to safeguard my trip, I expect my bodyguards to be middle-aged ex-cops with donut-bellies.
My seven bodyguards couldn’t be more different.
Connor, Elijah, Ben, Asher, Jax, Hudson, and Mo are huge, powerful ex-military men with bodies made to protect and an impeccably rigorous attitude to my safety. They have nerves of steel, their eyes are watchful, and their attitudes are professional, but I can’t help noticing how their gazes linger on my body and I can’t help feeling the electricity between us whenever we’re together.
They’re a team of specialists, hired to protect me. They know better than to fall for someone they’re supposed to keep safe. But with every glance, every accidental touch, every word, I can feel their steely exteriors melting away.
They’re with me through the lonely days and long nights on the road. I can’t hide beneath my well-crafted veneer when they’re with me twenty-four hours a day. Slowly, they make me feel like nothing can ever touch me apart from them.
I know it’s risky. If the press discovers our secret, my image will shatter, and their careers will be over, but their magnetic pull is too strong to resist.
How can they protect me when the connection between us is the very thing that puts me in danger?

Steel 7

Luna’s Bodyguard Brigade

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜💚
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: ☺️🙁😍🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

🎧 Audiobook Review: Steel 7 by Stephanie Brother

A reverse-harem romance featuring seven ex-military bodyguards and a rising pop star navigating fame, danger, and desire.

🧍🏻‍♀️ The Heroine: Luna

Luna, a 21-year-old singer on her first world tour, is marketed more for her beauty and innocence than her undeniable talent. That spotlight comes with a dark side—unwanted attention and a stalker threat that prompts her record label to hire Steel 7 Security.

Her backstory is raw and emotionally charged: raised in a fractured home with an absent father and a mother battling addiction, Luna was cared for by her older brother Tyler while in foster care. The tragic death of her younger brother Jake created a rift between Luna and Tyler, though they’ve recently reconciled. Luna’s longing for love and stability is palpable, making her emotional journey all the more compelling.

🧍🏽 The Heroes: Connor, Elijah, Ben, Asher, Jax, Hudson, and Mo

Steel 7 is a private security firm run by seven ex-military men, each with a distinct personality and emotional depth. Despite the large cast, each character is surprisingly well-developed:

• Connor – The meticulous leader of Steel 7, scarred by a traumatic childhood. He’s the one who liaises with Luna’s record label and keeps the team grounded.
• Elijah – With messy curls and a past steeped in religion, Elijah finds purpose in protecting Luna and values the judgment-free camaraderie of his team.
• Ben – A war injury left him with a prosthetic leg, but it hasn’t slowed him down. His vulnerability lies in believing Luna wouldn’t want someone “incomplete.”
• Asher – A quiet artist with movie-star looks and a shy demeanor. He’s perceptive and emotionally attuned, often sketching scenes and people with ease.
• Jax – The joker of the group, shaped by a mix of good and bad foster homes. He’s open-minded and curious about Luna’s views on polyamory, given her brother’s relationship dynamic.
• Hudson – The tallest of the crew, haunted by the loss of his twin brother Hartley. His grief is etched into his skin with a commemorative tattoo.
• Mo – Mysterious and intense, Mo speaks English as a second language and carries the weight of hardship despite a loving upbringing.

📖 Plot Snapshot

The tour kicks off in Berlin, where Luna receives a chilling message from her stalker. While Steel 7 makes protection look effortless, the reality is far more intense—constant surveillance, crowd scanning, and hotel sweeps for hidden devices. Fame, it turns out, comes at a steep price.

As Luna overhears a conversation between Jax and Hudson about their attraction to her, she begins to reevaluate her desires. She’s drawn to the idea of being cherished and loved—something she’s never truly had. This emotional pivot sets the stage for her evolving relationship with the seven men guarding her.

👍 What Worked

• Luna’s arc began in Deep 6, where her brother Tyler was a central figure. His polyamorous relationship with Sandy and five friends makes Luna’s own romantic journey feel thematically consistent.
• The character development is impressive given the size of the cast—each man has a distinct voice and emotional texture.
• The rockstar romance trope is flipped: Luna is the star, not the men. It’s refreshing to see a female lead in the spotlight.
• Stephanie Brother delivers her signature blend of drama and steam, with just the right amount of emotional tension to keep things grounded.

👎 What Fell Short

• Luna’s complaints about fame felt grating. While her frustrations are understandable, the narrative doesn’t fully explore the nuance of her situation. Fame isn’t always a choice—it’s often a consequence of ambition and talent.
• Her decision to seduce all seven men as a way to numb her pain felt emotionally hollow. The story acknowledges the temporary nature of this coping mechanism, but it could’ve delved deeper into her emotional reckoning.

🎙️ Narration Highlights

Told through multiple POVs, the audiobook features dual narration by Aaron Shedlock and Melanie Hastings.

• Aaron Shedlock brings a sexy, age-appropriate voice to the male characters. While his vocal differentiation isn’t perfect, his natural delivery and emotional resonance make up for it.
• Melanie Hastings has a soft, youthful tone that suits Luna perfectly. Her narration captures Luna’s vulnerability and strength with finesse.

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