This book had about everything I loved! Romance, a Texas ranch, a movie star, and quite a few twists and turns. I absolutely love the story, the characters, their families. Loved it all!

I enjoyed The Bodyguard! It was a quick read that kept me interested. I loved Jack's character and he was as swoon-worthy as intended. The only thing I didn't enjoy were some of the corny scenes and predictable moments. But overall I felt the dialogue and characters were engaging!

I adore Katherine Center, so I was extremely excited when this book was announced. It was a highly anticipated read for me and it absolutely delivered. I loved Hannah’s character - her job was something I had never heard of and it made the book so fun. I loved the Stapleton family and Hannah’s relationship with them. This book was so sweet and even better than expected, even with my high expectations. Katherine Center is the best for sweet romance without too much steam.

I received an ARC for this book in return for an honest review. The Bodyguard was a light-hearted, feel good kind of a story. Hannah is a bodyguard who struggles with establishing deep relationships and is somewhat awkward around people. Her life is her job and she relishes her short-term assignments that take her all over the world and make it easy to not form attachments. Jack is a mega-star actor who has experienced trauma in his personal life and has retreated from the world. It's an odd combination that works! I really enjoyed these characters, and loved seeing them fall for each other. A very satisfying rom-com. 4.5 stars!

This novel was just the escape I needed. Katherine Center is a reliable go-to who constantly delivers! While this one read a little differently then her other books, I enjoyed it immensely and had fun while I read it! What I loved most about this book was what Center does best: infuse her stories with thoughtful characters who consider life's great Questions and learn the answers in creative ways. Center's books are some of my favorites I've read in the recent years. She's a brilliant writer and her characters always come to life. I appreciate an author who can write a story that is predictable yet continues to keep you guessing until the end. Already recommending it to all my friends! Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

Katherine Center fans will love this new release from the author as it has her trademark strong female character wrapped up in a love story.

Set in Texas, our MC defies gender stereotypes by working as a bodyguard for the rich and famous. Reeling after the loss of her mother and a breakup with a fellow bodyguard, Hannah takes on the assignment of guarding THE Jack Stapleton. Jack has been in hiding following an accident that led to his younger brother's death. But he has come out of his self-imposed hiding in Montana and is back in Texas to stand alongside his mom as she battles cancer. Unfortunately, as a famous and handsome movie star, he also has a stalker and easily recognizable face. In an effort to protect him and not stress the family out more, Hannah goes undercover as his girlfriend. We find that Jack is more than just a handsome face and that Hannah is quickly falling for his charm. She doesn't the fit the profile of his normal girlfriend, but maybe that's a good thing.

Fake Dating, Forced Proximity and a one-bed scenario all factor in to this charming romance.

Hannah Brooks didn't have to have a difficult childhood in order for this to work but she did. Her confidence as a romantic partner is broken and she falls for someone who not only dumps her, he tells her she was a bad kisser all along. Now that is mean. But where Hannah does have confidence is in her profession - she is an Executive Protection Agent and she is a damn good one. But after the bad kisser break-up she's thrown into a job protecting Jack Stapleton, a famous, (and of course hot), actor and lines get crossed and borders get blurry. Her rules have always been don't make it personal but is this guy acting or is he actually falling for her? This is a really enjoyable, root for Hannah - root for Jake, love his Mother kinda romp that is a good solid read. It has a very positive message and it's delivered with lightness and grace. I am definitely going to check out author Katherine Center's other books.

The Bodyguard has a fun premise! Hannah is an executive protection agent and her latest assignment puts her on Jack Stapleton (a Hollywood hottie), after a messy break up and her mom dying. Of course she gets more than she bargains for with fake dating and one bed scenarios. Hannah helps keep Jack safe from stalkers but also falls in love with his family's Texas ranch.

This one was a little far-fetched at times. It was a fun escape from reality though and I flew through the story! The epilogue wraps the story up but also includes unnecessary details that make it less unbelievable than it already was.

If you liked Center's other books you'll enjoy this one too.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“No way will I get approved, but I’m going to request it anyways…”

In case you were wondering, those were the exact words I uttered as I clicked the request button on NetGalley for Katherine Center’s upcoming novel THE BODYGUARD.

Needless to say I was absolutely ecstatic when the approval email popped up in my inbox many weeks later. I practically jumped out of my chair!

I became a fan of Center’s books when How to Walk Away was released in 2018. Over the last few years I’ve worked my way backwards
through her entire catalogue any time I needed a pick-me-up, reading from newest to oldest. Happiness for Beginners still holds true as my favorite, and honestly it will probably take a lot to change that.

THE BODYGUARD is Katherine Center at her best. She once again delivers a story that takes you on a roller coaster of emotions. You will laugh, you will most certainly cheesy smile, you will ache for the characters, and without doubt you will be reminded that even though life can really kick you in the gut sometimes - you always have the choice to turn your days into something wonderful.

Add THE BODYGUARD to you beach read list for Summer, as the book releases on July 19th!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

There is something comforting about Katherine Center's books - you don't want them to end. In The Bodyguard, Hannah Brooks may not look the part but she is a well-trained Executive Protection Agent. After a personal loss and rough breakup, she finds herself assigned to guard a famous actor, Jack Stapleton, who is dealing with a stalker as he heads home to care for his sick mother. But Jack doesn't want his family knowing about his stalker situation - so Hannah has to pretend to be his girlfriend. This kicks off a fun and hilarious ride - with many laugh-out-loud moments and heart-wrenching scenes as well. I loved that the perspective was focused on Hannah and you saw her amazing journey throughout. And Jack is certainly swoon-worthy as he lets his celebrity persona fall away and finds himself opening up to Hannah and also to his family. The Bodyguard was a highly entertaining novel that I enjoyed from start to finish (and would make a great romantic comedy movie too). Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for an e-arc of The Bodyguard in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Brooks is the top agent at the Executive Protection Agency she works at. However, after a string of unfortunate events (the death of her mother and her boyfriend breaking up with her the night of the funeral), she is benched in order to put her life in perspective. But when an A-List movie star re-emerges from his self-imposed seclusion to help care for his sick mother, he needs a bodyguard and Hannah is the only one for the job. Hannah must go undercover as Jack’s girlfriend to keep his mom from worrying and keep his stalker at bay.

I heard Fake Dating with One Bed and I was sold. This was a very fun rom-com with a few heavier themes thrown in, but I almost wish that it was just a touch more serious. I loved the gender swapped roles of the heroine being the bodyguard to our movie star hero. It was a very refreshing take on this trope. However, very few of the characters were enjoyable to read. I loved Jack and his family, but everyone else fell a little flat for me. They were childish and petty and, though there were many interactions that were funny, it was almost hard to read at times. Hannah didn’t come across as the top agent at her company. She came across as immature and a little dense. I wanted more from her.

I would be interested in reading another book from Center, as many seem to love her books. It might just have been this one that I didn’t connect with.

You know that question that you see "What is the last book that kept you up late at night reading?" THIS. THIS IS THAT BOOK.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an early read copy for review.

I have really enjoyed all of Katherine Center's books that I have previously read. This one is a little different as in it is a bit lighter. There isn't an underlying heavy topic. This book is like being on vacation with good friends. This book made me smile. This book made me laugh. This book gives my heart a glowy-feeling. It's a total fun love story that isn't too sappy (there are a few parts that make you groan). There is a chapter/plot line near the end that I thought was irrelevant to the story and not necessary, but even that didn't dock my rating. I loved all the characters, their sarcastic interactions, and Jack's loving parents are a model of family to aspire to. Yes, this book is all rainbows and roses, but it's not sickening sweet- it's totally enjoyable. This will be the great vacation read of the summer. And you'll be able to tell who read it by their satisfied little smile when it's done.

Maybe Center will consider a sequel just so we can catch up with the Stapleton family again after a few years have passed? Please Please Please?

PS- I also loved that she made the FEMALE character the bad-ass bodyguard!

This book is a ray of sunshine! This author has the ability to tell a romance story with unique characters that is jam packed with humor and heart. This book is laugh out loud funny. From the cow whose lick had intentions to the Hollywood heartthrob who moonlights as a horse trick cowboy, I giggled with delight.

Hannah is a character whose job is to literally have an impenetrable exterior and have her defended up at all times. This character is a testimony to how well this author can write a touching story about a woman’s journey to self discovery. Hannah has complexities that resonate with any reader and insecurities that made her more than just a character in a book.

This book was made to be a RomCom movie! Though this book has a fantasy premise, the characters were grounded and ordinary in the best way possible.This book is such a delightful read, full of heart and endless laughter. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC

The Bodyguard was fun and original — an easy read that kept me entertained the whole time! I loved Hannah. I loved the role-reversal of a female bodyguard. I loved the secondary family stories. Perfect summer read!

This was a feel good, easy read that delivers in all the ways that count: strong and capable female lead, a charming but complex male lead (both are easy to fall in love with as the reader), and lots of ooey gooey romantic chemistry-filled romance. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be on the edge of your seat. Don't forget this book includes some of the best troupes too: fake dating and bodyguard romance (WITH THE LADY AS THE BODYGUARD - HECK YEAH - FEMINISM).

While this book may not be hyper realistic, I don't think many are going into the romantic comedy (as that's what it felt like) or contemporary romance genre to see a normal relationship play out. She's a girl-next-door looking EXTREMELY capable bodyguard and he's a super attractive celebrity trying to shake of a stalker....it may not be full of everyday occurrences, but it is the perfect book for a feel good read.

I ADORED this book! Of the Katherine Center novels I’ve had the pleasure of reading, I’d have to declare this one my new favorite! The Bodyguard was a cute and fun read! My one critique was that it did become a bit far fetched at times. Overall, this book was a feel good rom-com that I enjoyed from start to finish!

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Bodyguard, a book I’ve been incredibly excited to read since it was announced!

I zipped through this one! A story about a Hollywood heartthrob actor and his temporary unconventional bodyguard, The Bodyguard was a captivating and really fun read!

As a queen of writing strong female protagonists, Center introduces us to Hannah, a 5 foot 6 executive protection agent (AKA: bodyguard). While she doesn’t look the part, Hannah can flip a 200+ pound, 6 foot 4 man flat on his back and won’t let anyone underestimate her. I have such an appreciation for these empowering protagonists Center creates, especially when she shows them shatter the expectations of people who think they can’t excel in their male-dominated industries. I also loved that Jack, the male protagonist, was an A-list Hollywood actor. Not only was it was just incredibly fun to read about, but it also added a unique aspect to the story as, more often than not, main characters aren’t typically movie stars. It really served as a reminder for how fabricated Hollywood frequently is! Together, with such distinct and unique character professions and backgrounds, I couldn’t get enough of Hannah and Jack.

While I gave 5 stars to The Bodyguard, there are still a few aspects I didn’t absolutely love, namely the ending. There were elements of it that I did like, but overall it felt too corny and unrealistic for my taste. However, I devoured this book and wouldn’t let that detail knock down my star rating.

To me, the “fake dating” trope isn’t super original and is often a bit cringeworthy. However, Katherine Center made it work! The story was less about the fake relationship than it was about forming real relationships of all kinds, personal growth, and dealing with trauma. The fake dating element of the story did not detract at all from these other important elements.

All in all, The Bodyguard gripped me and wouldn’t let me go. An hour went by in five minutes while I was reading. Was it cheesy? Yes. Were there elements throughout that weren’t entirely realistic? Yup. Will I recommend it to everyone because it was unputdownable I absolutely loved it? Definitely.

I’m convinced Katherine Center can do no wrong. I finished this book a few weeks ago after reading the entire thing on a plane and have thought about it every day.

I absolutely loved this book! Hannah is a bad ass female that has her soft spots. Her life seems to be in shambles until Jack comes into her life. The story was a cute and fast read.

I love Katherine Center books. How to Walk Away is my favorite, and this one did not knock it out of the top spot. I really enjoyed this book and looked forward to picking it up again to read, and it kept me up too late at night, a sign that it is a really good book. It was a fun romance book. But I did not think it was the typical style of the author. If you gave it to me and did not tell me who wrote it, I would have guessed Christina Lauren (and that is not a negative, I love their books) But I feel Katherine Center's books usually have a little more substance. The last 2 chapters felt more like her writing. Hannah was.... different. And her character was contradictory. She had the persona of a tough woman who could knock a guy on their butt, but yet got so flabbergasted, she could not speak to people. I thought that was a bit too extreme. I loved Jack's parents, especially his mom.
All that said, it was a book that truly kept me entertained and I would definitely recommend it to others!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!