Hannah is a bodyguard whose new charge is a drop dead gorgeous movie star with a family that Hannah would love for her own. Her mother has recently died, her boyfriend has broken up with her, and her boss has some unconventional ideas about how to manage his staff! It is a bit of a duck out of water story; told with humor and heart.

2.5 / 5 stars.

After reading Katherine Center's Things You Save in A Fire, I was hoping that The Bodyguard would be a similar take on healing, strength, forgiveness and love (which I just loved in the former novel!). Instead, The Bodyguard turned out to be a classic romcom - maybe a little too "romcom" for me - bordering on silly characters and inane, farfetched storylines.

Hannah Brooks is a female bodyguard, hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from a middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker. Yup, you read that right. Hannah is recovering from a bad breakup (her lame co-worker dumped her) and the recent death of her mother; Jack is in town to spend time with his mother after her cancer diagnosis. In order to pull it off, Hannah and Jack have to pretend to be dating, which Hannah's ex says no one will believe.

Not only did the characters lack chemistry, but most of the attempts at humor come off as childish and awkward. Plus *SPOILER ALERT* the slow burn romance took SO LONG to develop, that I almost gave up on any possibility of Hannah and Jack ever getting together.

This is the third book I've read in a row about Hollywood actors dating (or pretending to date or pretending they *aren't* dating regular women) and this was probably my least favorite. There is much better material on the market for your next summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Katherine Center's books have always been a great comfort for me! Happiness for Beginners and What We Save in a Fire are my go-tos when I'm feeling down. I was so excited to get to read an advance copy of The Bodyguard!

I was mildly disappointed. Center's books have always followed a bit of a formula, but she often chooses to subvert the formula, such as when the protagonist doesn't get what she thought she wanted in Happiness for Beginners. But, The Bodyguard seemed more formulaic than usual and I felt like we never really got to understand any of the characters in real depth. The friend? We don't know her. The romantic interest? We know he likes to use garbage bins as basketball hoops when throwing away trash, and he's messy with dirty clothes, but a bunch of details like that does not make up a character.

I would recommend this as a quick, fun read, but it did not stay with me in the same way as Center's other books.

First of all, thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I can’t believe I got approved for this one and I feel so honored.

Okay, this is now the fourth Katherine Center book that I have read in less than 12 hours. I am starting to wonder if it’s possible for me to take more than a day or two to red one. All of her books feel like the same warm hug, and yet each one feels new. This was the sweet (dipping into cheesy) story that I needed to brighten a dark few weeks.

Hannah is so relatable. Is she a perfectly believable bodyguard? No, not always. Do I still love the idea of a small brunette who gets spooked by cows also being a badass protector who could do something very dangerous with a wine opener? I do. Without giving away details, the story is a bit over-the-top, but it’s what you sign up for. If you love banter and a slow burn, and don’t mind a truly non-plausible, but very heartwarming storyline with somehow believable characters, you’ll probably enjoy this book too.

I'm a big fan of Katherine Center and have read her last three releases, so when this came on my radar I immediately added it to my TBR. The title "The Bodyguard" definitely gives off kitschy romance novel vibes, but I love how Center turned the story on its head and made the female protagonist the security detail. That being said, this definitely stretched a little too far into the unbelievable category. See for yourself: Hannah Brooks looks like a kindergarten teacher but specializes in keeping some of the most important people in the world safe. If she does her job right, she never has to use force (though she could if she needed to). When movie star and "Sexiest Man Alive" Jack Stapleton hires Hannah's firm, it's the last job in the world that Hannah wants. But Jack's only in town because his mother is sick and the last thing he wants is to add more worry to his mom's plate with his security needs, so of course, Hannah has to pretend to be his girlfriend. But Jack's an incredible actor, so the lines between real and pretend start blurring pretty quickly for Hannah. What could possibly go wrong?

What I loved: The dialogue. I laughed out loud at the back-and-forth between Hannah and Jake on several occasions. His family. I always love a couple celebrating decades of marriage and still absolutely devoted to each other. And because of the professional requirements of her job, Hannah and Jake's relationship seemed to be built on more than just physical attraction. I also love how the point was explicitly made that sex does not equal love. Romance novels get that backward way too much.

What I didn't love: It was a little too unrelatable and unbelievable for me. "How to Walk Away" was about a businesswoman and a PT, "Things You Save in a Fire" was about a fireman and firewoman, "What You Wish For" was about a librarian and a principal, but.... a bodyguard and famous actor? Feels fake. Hannah even makes that point multiple times which really highlights the fantasy of it all. The other novels felt more weighty and like they had a greater point than the romance. This one was a feather in comparison.

Rating: 3.5/5

I am a self-proclaimed Katherine Center mega-fan and I was thrilled to finally get a chance to read this ARC.
Sometimes it's hard to fairly judge a book without comparing it to an author's full catalog, especially when you have emotional attachments to a few of them in particular.
So here we have Hannah and Jack and what I would like to call "The Ranch." Center adores her grandparent's ranch and this book is a bit of a love story to the ranch she grew up visiting. Hannah and Jack are pushed together from strangers to fake-dating scenario and, as expected, everyone can see the sparks fly between them, even our heroine, but Jack's an actor and in this scenario she cannot trust her instincts. Plus, what Hannah has in surveillance and protective instinct she equally lacks in love and relationship instinct.
Jack is naturally gregarious and affectionate which is the opposite of what you would expect of a star who has withdrawn to wilds of Wyoming. For me, these two disparities are a set up for confusion. I couldn't see why he was always laughing at Hannah or how he might be attracted to her when she is consistently described as plain and emotionally detached by her friends and ex-boyfriend.
I hoped for more of that witty banter and truer-to-life swoon that Center usually delivers. She still finds those funny antics and silly moments that I appreciate and her setting is lovely, though I could have used less of it and more character development. I am still a KC super fan, but this one isn't the top of the list for me.
Great for patrons/readers who might enjoy a cross between Ms. Congeniality and The Proposal (Can you tell my fan cast for the two are Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds?).
Thank you so much for the ARC!! .

The Bodyguard is not only Katherine Center’s best and newest book, it’s the best romantic fiction book that I have ever read! Like many Katherine Center novels, the story begins with the heroine getting dumped by her make significant other. Hannah Brooks, uber-bodyguard, is dumped by her boyfriend/colleague, Robby. Her boss, Glenn, is aggravated with both Hannah and Robby for having a personal relationship at all. The team of Executive Protection Specialists normally protect wealthy businessmen and oil executives all around the world. However they are hired by a movie studio to protect Jack Stapleton, a Ryan Gosling-type. So Glenn assigns Hannah as the primary agent for Stapleton.

Hannah is average in both size and looks, but she is extremely professionally competent. She quickly impresses drop-dead handsome Jack with her skills. Jack has a girlfriend, Kennedy Monroe, but it’s unclear if the relationship is real or a publicity stunt by their publicists. Unfortunately Jack has a persistent stalker, which is why Glenn’s agency has been hired. After Jack is recognized at a Houston hospital, he and Hannah are forced to stay at his parents’ remote ranch. There Hannah fights her unprofessional attraction to Jack.

The Bodyguard is full of humorous scenes. Jack’s family and Hannah’s colleagues add color to the story; Glenn particularly says hilarious things. While the story is ultimately a romance, it’s a character-development of Hannah. The characters are engaging and have realistic dialogue; the story is well-paced with several conflicts to be resolved; and there’s a satisfying ending. Center’s books do not contain descriptions to sex, and there is no profanity, except for a single F-bomb near the end of the book, spoken by a very upset Jack.

If I could award The Bodyguard more than 5 stars, I would. It is absolutely a must-read for Fiction readers.

4.5 stars 🌟

I loved the role reversal in this one. Hannah is a bodyguard who is hired to protect the handsome movie star Jack. In order to fulfill her assignment Hannah is forced to pretend to be Jack's girlfriend and move in with him on his family's ranch. I couldn't help, but adore their fake relationship and his family. I was rooting for these two to fall for each other. This rom com was the perfectly sweet, light read I was in the mood for. The witty banter throughout had me laughing out loud several times.

“The people we love help teach us who we are.” In true fashion Katherine Center never disappoints. Have you ever not been looking for anything and found exactly what you thought you didn’t need? Have you ever needed to be saved from yourself and didn’t realize you weren’t fine? This book is an absolute page turner about loss, love, and unexpected self discovery that ends in loving someone who teaches you it’s okay to love yourself too even if you’re ordinary or famously hiding your pain.

Fun, easy read. Loved the banter between Jack and Hannah. Not really sure how realistic it could be, but that’s not the point. All in all, a super fun book that I’d read again

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center:

*4.5
Let me just start off by saying this book is like ingesting straight sugar- incredibly sweet, addictive, and it will keep you up all night long! This book is *chef’s kiss*!

Synopsis:
Hannah is someone you wouldn’t expect to be a Protective Agent, aka a Bodyguard, but she is, and she is damn good at it too. In the aftermath of her mom’s death, a breakup, and being forced not to work, Hannah needs a win. When the possibility of a promotion in a new country comes knocking at the door, Hannah will do whatever she can to escape TX and all the bad memories… Including protecting Jack, a world-famous actor who has been reclusive in the past years. Not excited about this new job still in TX, Hannah’s willing to do whatever it takes to have a chance at the London promotion, including being VERY close to this handsome superstar. As professional lines start to blur, Hannah must determine if this is real or if they both deserve Oscars, and what future does she feel worthy of.

Thoughts:
At first glance, this might seem like another fluffy rom-com, but the story explores themes of grief, forgiveness, toxic relationships, and the complexities of ever-changing family dynamics. This is a story of learning to cope with unwanted events and learning to reclaim both your worth and your future.

I picked this one up last night and I could not set it down, I was utterly entranced!! It is definitely a great one to pick up in a reading slump or if you need a feel-good read. I laughed out loud throughout this entire book, my cheeks hurt from smiling, especially the part about the cows! Brimming with lovable characters and funny banter, this book with charm your socks off and leave them on the bathroom floor!

Personally, I thought it was really refreshing to see a plot that is not driven by miscommunication. There was a certain maturity from the love interests that I feel is lacking in a lot of popular romcoms hyped right now. Hannah is perhaps one of my favorite characters I’ve read in a rom-com because I related to a lot of her choices and responses- I honestly cannot wait to reread this story!!

If the above hasn’t fully convinced you, pick this up if you enjoy these tropes: fake-dating, forced proximity, one-bed.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins Press, and Katherine Center for this copy in exchange for my review :)

Hannah Brooks is well equipped to save, not only her life, but other peoples as well. Even if she would have to use a napkin to do it. She is a executive protection agent aka a bodyguard. She gets hired for a job protecting one of the hottest celebs around with the most dreamiest face and body, but does that really matter, no maybe not but it sure is a bonus, am I right? Jack the dreamy star’s mom is sick and wants to be with her through this time. Hannah is here for the job to help keep him protected while he is with her.

Overall the internal dialogue of what Hannah goes through is something I think most women can relate to. Finding self worth after growing up in a dysfunctional society can have that effect on people. When we finally get someone who loves us for who we are it is difficult to think that it could be real or true. I feel this book breaks down those thoughts and feelings.

As for the quickness of the love, I’m not totally here for, meaning, I think it was head over heels love a little too fast for me.

So if you like when a woman has self doubts about love and the willingness to try to understand it, even if it happens a little quickly, (hello insta love) then this book is for you.

Shout out to NetGally for a copy for an honest review.

Katherine Center is on of my favorite authors and I was so excited to get to read her new book The Bodyguard! It is the story of a personal protection officer, Hannah, who is assigned a job protecting Jack, an A-list movie star. Center is such a skillful author who manages to write characters that jump of the page. She is not afraid to write about real people who are not perfect. I really appreciated how she showed how actors are real people behind the celebrity façade. I highly recommend this book!

Another great novel from Katherine Center! Was absolutely fantastic! ! !
I hope this gera adapted to turn into the big screen 😊
4.5☆

I flew through this one! I felt like it was a little insta lovey, but I enjoyed it none the less. Katherine knows how to write intriguing storylines that make you feel like you’re the character! The setting and problems in this book were super engaging!

I freaking LOVED this book! I loved Hannah and I loved Jack! Hated Bobby, I mean Robby. I loved the dynamic of the female bodyguard protecting a movie star. And of course LOVE fake dating. Their time on the ranch was just so sweet. I'm seriously obsessed with this book.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for giving me an arc of the bodyguard. This book was a cute light read with several loveable characters. The bodyguard is a female who protects and actor from his fans while on vacation at his parents home. This book was good I think it was to much of a rom com. I love Katherine Center and I hope to read more of her books.

Oh my goodness. This book.

Katherine Center is one of my auto-buy authors -- and for good reason. She writes stories that make you laugh, but also cry. She hits on tough topics without making them being talked about light hearted.
This book put me in all of my feels. I could not put it down. The banter between Hannah and Jack was so well written that I could see people acting this way and saying these things to each other.
I love how this book is written with the WOMAN being the bodyguard for the man instead of it being the other way around like it typically is. It identifies that woman can be bad assess and save your life, no matter how small they are. Although she is always referred to at small at 5’5 and which is more average. She takes her job seriously while making the right decisions for herself and for her client. She doesn’t just abandon her job for a man which is how a lot of these types of stories are told. Hannah reminded me a lot of myself and the way that I view myself.

Jack was also actually a really likeable character. He was a little bit of an ass while also being just a big old teddy. His character showed how celebrity status can make or break you, but even when you are a big name -- family always come first. No matter what you are going through with your own family members, you are always there for your family when they need you. Jack also showed that men have feelings too, they take things to heart and they hold onto secrets like women do.

SPOILER
The only part that I did not love, was when Hannah goes back Jack’s after he blew off the date due to Wilbur. It felt unnecessary to the story besides it bringing them together after he got shot. I think if the stalker came back and she was holding him hostage, that would have been such a good twist -- but this isn’t my story to tell. It wasn’t enough to hold me back in my rating, but it was a part of the story I was a little confused about.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center is just what you expect from her novels, a fantastic story with empathetic and evolving characters. This novel tells the story of Hannah Brooks, an executive protection agent, who has just experienced the death of her mother and a bad break-up. If this wasn't enough to deal with, she has also just been assigned to Jack Stapleton, a wildly famous and incredibly attractive actor. Their relationship develops and evolves as Jack has come back to his hometown to deal with a family matter.

The story contains everything a great novel should and you feel so many emotions: sorrow, anger, joy, pain, and happiness. Center writes beautifully and shows us flawed characters who learn about each other and themselves as their relationship grows and changes. Despite their fantastical occupations, both Hannah and Jack are very relatable and empathetic characters. You especially feel and relate to what Hannah goes through. Even though she is a strong, capable woman who can take down a man twice her size, she also eventually finds the strength to be vulnerable and it is so wonderful to read about.

The side characters from Hannah's work family and Jack's real family are great and add a richness to the story without ever overshadowing the main plot or characters. This book is so immersive and you get really invested in Hannah's story because she is so well written and so real that you really care about what happens to her. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially readers of women's fiction, general fiction, and romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read this book. The premise of a female bodyguard was so intriguing. However, it did not live up the expectation i had set for it.
Hannah works as a bodyguard/security Intel. She is charged with protecting Jack, the hottest actor ever on the planet(or so we are told multiple times).
The plot moved along really well and Hannah and Jack story's is said well.
The romance was somehow lacking. There is a lot of tell which could have easily translated to show especially between Hannah and Jack. The humor was done decently.
Some way of resolving her grief about her mother who she just loses would have made a lot of sense. She seems to forget about her.
Pet peeves:
Fair enough came up 17 times, I kid you not. And hilarious came up 8 times. It definitely felt like the words were repeated a lot more and everyone had similar personalities.
Will definitely look out for the author and hope that the next book resolves some of the minor irritants.

Thank you for this Arc #netgalley. #thebodyguard