Love the sweet simmer of this book. The characters are so loveable and funny. I could have used a little bit more drama and excitement but I love the deeper meaning to KC’s books. This was about someone learning to love themself. I love all of her books and will always read them/gobble them up. You made me smile and my heart was happy when I finished.

*Review will be published July 14th on my blog/Instagram/Goodreads etc.*

*4.5 stars*

LOVED THIS.

I love this author!! Another fantastic romance filled with heart, growth, and swoon heroes. I always look forward to Center’s books and this was no different. I adored the unique plot set-up and all that unfolded. A bodyguard and an actor?! Yes please.

I found myself laughing out loud so much. There’s something to the perfect dose of snark Hannah provides at key moments in her journey. She’s grappling with a lot and the touches of humor fit in well. I liked that alongside the laughter were deep conversations too. Handling the loss of a family member, substance abuse and more. This keeps the romance in the spotlight, but tackles other things life may hold too.

Hannah and Jack were SO SWEET. This was a slow burn romance with just a dash of forbidden. I loved the build and hope these two had. A beautiful friendship blossomed before deeper feelings were acknowledged and I loved all of the quiet moments between them!!!

A few of the small side plots seemed a bit random? Like the ex-boyfriend drama. It felt necessary for Hannah’s story originally, yet when it started popping up in other places I thought it was superfluous.

Besides that tiny tidbit, GREAT READ. Loved it. Can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: mild
- Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, gun violence, mother with cancer, loss of a mom due to substance abuse, car wreck, substance abuse (specifically alcohol), suicide ideation (and near attempt), physical altercations

I absolutely loved the characters in this story and was so invested in their relationship / lives. This is not my typical kind of read, but Katherine Center is an auto buy author for me so I’m super glad I picked this up when I did because I adored this book.

TW: family death

Hannah Brooks is a mess. Her estranged mother has just died, her boyfriend (a work romance that was risky anyway) dumps her on the night of her mother’s funeral (and is now in direction competition with her for a promotion), and her boss is grounding her from her beloved job that let’s her usually escape overseas to exotic locales so she can grieve (but she’s resisting that). What is Hannah’s job? She’s an Executive Protection Agent, a 21st century Kevin Costner bodyguard. She doesn’t glamorize her job at all (it’s really a lot of spreadsheets) but she does get to be famous-adjacent (a place she’d rather not be in order to stay professional).

Hannah is finally allowed to get back into the field, but it’s a hometown Houston assignment — a superstar Hollywood actor, Jack Stapleton, with an ill mother, his own dark secrets, an estranged brother, and a deranged stalker — a middle aged Corgi breeder who sends him nudes, demands he impregnate her and knits Christmas sweaters with his face on them (this alone is reason to read this!). The story is what you probably expect: Jack and Hannah get close, then not close, then there’s a run of real danger. But even knowing that does not prepare you for how likable both Hannah and Jack are and, well, will this be the fake relationship that survives? I was surprised how engrossed I got in the story and I loved how well-developed and delightful the characters were. 4 stars!


Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Best friend (then not so best friend) Taylor has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The Texas garden is well represented by flowering plants for that region

I have a new favorite Katherine Center book! This one was fantastic. I laughed out loud, I teared up - all the things! I found the characters so lovable - even the supporting characters. Deeper than a “typical” rom com, this storyline involved depth - healing from family trauma, learning to love yourself. Center brilliantly weaves it all in. Don’t miss this book!

Katherine Center novels are like a favorite restaurant. Just like I am sure to be satisfied at my favorite Tex-Mex place (queso...🥰), I know I’m going to get a satisfying read from Katherine Center. It will have depth and richness, it will make my heart happy, and I will not be able to put it down. Yep. That’s it. Katherine Center is my queso! 🤩
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I hope as a fellow Texan, KC will feel the affection behind that comparison.
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The Bodyguard is one of her best! The setup of an executive protection agent and a famous actor was a unique insider peek at a whole new world to me. But it’s the characters she writes. She’s just a master at drawing me into the story of an imperfect person navigating this life with all its pains and relational pitfalls, and just getting back up. I loved Hannah, I rooted for Hannah, and I could not stop turning the pages. Loved this book from beginning to end and devoured it in a day.
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Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for an advance reader copy. You guys are going to want this on your summer reading list! Pub date: July 19, 2022.
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#thebodyguard #katherinecenter

Hannah doesn't have a typical profession. She's a bodyguard hidden in the shadows. After her mother passes and her boyfriend who is also her co-worker breaks up with her she's given a low key assignment locally. What she doesn't expect is for famous actor Jack Stapleton to be the assignment!

I was a big fan of Hannah and Jack's first meeting. It had an essence of sweet, funny and girl power! I liked the story of pretending to date so Jack's family wouldn't know about the threat level and also some of the ways Jack and Hannah spent time together.

What I did not like was the constant back and forth about taking the job. It was talked about in multiple occasions and just got a little old.

The timeline was a little confusing as well because some is present tense and other parts talks about the events occuring the past.

Overall I think it's a good read for a lot of people but just didn't hit all the marks with me.

I love anything that Katherine Center writes. Her characters are well developed and the storylines are interesting that they keep me invested in the story. When I first saw the title of this book I thought it would be a retelling of the Whitney Houston movie, but it's not. It's so much more. I enjoyed the fact that the main character Hannah was the "bodyguard" and that Jack was the one who needed some protection. It was sweet and funny and I kinda hope they make this one into a movie too.

This book was one of my most anticipated books for 2022, and let me tell you it was glorious. Katherine Center has been a favorite of mine for the past several years, her characters are relatable and they feel deep and real. The banter is unmatched and makes me literally laugh out loud while reading.

Hannah Brooks is a badass super professional executive protective agent, or a bodyguard. Soon after the death of her mother she lands a gig protecting swoon worthy Hollywood move star. Jason Stapleton is mega star that has been out of the spotlight for some time. When he comes back home to visit his sick mother his studios sets him up with a bodyguard. But instead of telling his family the truth, he convinces Hannah to go along with a fake dating scheme to explain her presence. They form an amazing friendship turn second chance romance for each of them. Their story is so healing and offers both characters so much grace.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Executive Protective Agent, or bodyguard, Hannah Brooks, is assigned to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton when he returns home to be with his sick mother in Texas. Jack doesn’t want his family to know he needs protection and convinces her to pose as his girlfriend. Will they be able to pull it off? And what will Hannah do when she inevitably starts falling for Jack?

I read this book in one day and could not put it down. I’ll admit it started out a bit slow until Jack was introduced, but once he enters the picture - you will seriously be hooked. Jack and Hannah have an adorably cute and funny relationship right from the start. I couldn’t help but picture Miss Congeniality when Hannah shows up to meet Jack in a pants suit.

This Contemporary Romance, is a bit heavier than I was expecting. Hannah and Jack each come with family history that makes them that much more endearing - to the reader and each other. This book will make you laugh, cry and just want to give it a big hug at the end. It will be the perfect beach read when it debuts on July 19th!

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for gifting me this advanced readers copy - I seriously loved it!

4.5 stars - rounded up to 5!

This book was soooo cute! Katherine Center is an auto-buy author for me, so when I saw this book on Netgalley, I jumped on the request! I was beyond thrilled when I received the email that my request was accepted to read and review this book early. What an honor!

I loved the premise of this book! A celebrity hunk, (I pictured Channing Tatum while reading this book... your welcome!) a body guard (not your average body guard), a fun plot, great characters (but I will say, I hated Robby, despised him!).

So here's the storyline in a nutshell. Hannah Brooks is a body guard, but not your typical big beefcake of a guy. She's small, stumpy (LOL) and sweet, but can also throw you down in a pinch. She's an Executive Protection Agent, if we're being fancy. She gets hired to protect superstar Jack Stapleton. Their first encounter was hilarious! Next, we have a stalker, as most celebrities do! She visits his family ranch, undercover as his girlfriend because Jack doesn't want his family to know about "the stalker". She gets to know his family, some family secrets, and things start to get more "real". I loved the chemistry between Jack & Hannah from the get go! Their back and forth banter had me laughing out loud! And Connie, Jack's mom, has my heart. I loved her so much. Definitely add this one to your TBR.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a funny, sweet romance that had me laughing and tearing up throughout the book! Hannah is a personal protection officer assigned to protect famous Hollywood actor, Jake Stapleton. The book starts with Hannah in the midst of grief and a personal crisis--her mother has just passed away and her boyfriend breaks up with her right after. She reluctantly takes on the job to protect Jake only to find out that he's more than what she expected. Jake is funny, sweet, kind and a total dream!!
This is a closed-door romance (no explicit sex scenes) but I didn't miss the steam. I loved the way Hannah and Jake's relationship evolved from professional to friends, to...more. This one gets 4.5 stars because it made me laugh and cry.

Huge thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an ARC of this book!!

Katherine Center's latest novel The Bodyguard is a delightful twist on the bodyguard trope set on a Texas ranch. Like with any book by Katherine, I laughed and swooned and inevitably cried.

Jack Stapleton is a movie star who starred in several hit films before suddenly dropping off the grid and out of the public eye. He looks like a chiseled marble statue with the stony personality to match.

Hannah Brooks may be short and unassuming, but she takes her role as an Executive Protection Agent (bodyguard) very seriously. She could kill you with that pen, but she won't let it get to that point.

When Jack's mother gets sick, her one request is that Jack comes home. Due to a likely harmless stalker, he hires Hannah to protect him while he is visiting his family. But since his mom doesn't need any more stress, he adds a stipulation that his family can't know about the stalker or that Hannah is a bodyguard. So, logically, he decides he will introduce Hannah as his girlfriend.

I LOVE the fake dating trope and this book also has the forbidden love/bodyguard trope. It was destined to be a winner for me, and it was an absolutely delightful ride.

Katherine Center's characters are always my favorite. Hannah and Jack felt so well fleshed out, and the conflict felt very realistic. I loved the slow burn relationship build, and this will be a book I re-read without a doubt.

The setting was so fun, and I enjoyed the scenes on various parts of Jack's family's ranch. The side plots with Hannah's coworkers and Jack's brother were also as enjoyable as the main story.

This was an absolute win for me, and I'm so excited that I got a chance to read an early copy. Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.

4.5 stars // Jack Stapleton is a Hollywood heartthrob with a bit of a crazy stalker. Hannah is an executive protection agent, aka a bodyguard, who does not let her personal life mix with her professional job & is assigned to protect Jack. When her “easy” assignment turns into four weeks on a ranch with Jack’s family pretending to be his girlfriend, the professional lines start to blur.

In true Katherine Center fashion, this book hooked me from page one. I laughed, swooned and loved this slow burn book. The interactions between Hannah & Jack had me turning the pages quickly so I could see what happened next. Fans of Katherine Center won’t be disappointed & if you haven’t checked her out yet, this would be an awesome book to read as well!

tw/cw: grief & loss, death of family members

Even though I have two other Center books, this is the first I’ve read of hers. And it was a breath of fresh air.
Hannah is essentially a bodyguard and is hired to protect Jack, a famous person, for the first time. And, to her surprise, has to be his pretend girlfriend. While what feels like a lighthearted romance at first, Center packs some slightly heavy topics involving family deaths into this. Which the characters deal with outside of their relationship with each other. I loved the characters, their development, and how invested I felt in their story. And, especially loved Hannah’s relationship with Connie, Jack’s mom. This would make the perfect Netflix movie or even a mini series.

Ok, this story was adorable! Hannah is a bodyguard who has been assigned to the famous actor, Jack. When his mom tells them both they need to come stay on the ranch with her for a few weeks, Hannah’s role is flipped from bodyguard to pretend girlfriend. I really enjoyed reading this book! It was light, easy and leaves you with a smile on your face. Thanks for the arc Netgalley!

This book had all the feels in all the right spots! This is my first book by the author- and now I am on a hunt for the rest. Such a great read! The writing the characters… all of it! Just perfect!

Loveddddd this! I always love that in all of the books I’ve read by Center, the main character is always such a badass! You’re always rooting for her, I love Hannah and her character development! Starting this read, you already knew it was going to be cute one! It was a little predictable but in all the great ways. I giggled, I cried, I deeply hated some characters. Center’s writing is so well done that I didn’t want to put it down, the book just flowed in a way that made it go by quick and leaving you blissfully happy.

⚠️ abuse, drowning, cancer, death of a parent, cheating.

I was bestowed the honor of my first full-length ARC of a book, and it was this ADORABLE novel by @katherinecenter called The Bodyguard!

After her mother’s death and the difficult grief that comes with losing a woman she loved but also had so many negative memories about, Hannah really wants to get back to work. The last thing she wants to do is sit around and mope. As a professional bodyguard (more like secret agent, investigator, and badass), she is hired to protect high profile businessmen, socialites, and Important People. After her attempt to return to work, she’s forced back home for another few weeks, and is dumped by her boyfriend/coworker the night after her mother’s funeral. When she gets back to work, she finds out she isn’t traveling abroad for a case, but is staying right in Texas to guard A-List movie star (and Hannah’s secret celeb crush) Jack Stapleton.

Jack Stapleton was the biggest name in film until an accident two years ago made him go into isolation and hiding. He’s back to help with his mother’s cancer treatment, and his managers want him to be protected from a (relatively harmless) stalker. When he meets Hannah Brooks, she’s unassuming and tiny, but can flip him over her shoulder in a snap. Asked to stay at his parents ranch for a month, Hannah goes with Jack for the month under the guise of being his girlfriend, and everyone seems to believe it. Even Hannah. How do you know where the acting stops and the truth begins?

This was CUTE!!! 😭😭😭 There we’re a few cringe moments with a couple of modern pop-cutlery phrases early on, but after about 25% of the way I couldn’t help myself. This was adorable. It was like a warm mug of tea. It was emotional, intense, but not too heavy. Families make up, truths are told, and of course, we get our happy ending. Don’t you worry, there is plenty of excitement peppered throughout! I also think I’m in love with Jack Stapleton. You all will be, too.

This book is pretty clean, with some kissing and that’s about it, but the EMOTIONS!!!🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

I look forward to getting the final copy when it comes out on July 19! It’ll be the perfect summer read.

Sexy Bitch Approved!! ✅✅

This is my second Katherine Center book in a week or so and let me just say, she has a fan for life.

The way that she writes lovable (and hateable) characters, multi-layered plot lines, laugh out loud funny jokes and heartfelt moments that make me tear up is unmatched by any other author of this genre.

What genre would I call this? Comfort reading? A big hug in book form? Romance? Comedy?

Make sure to add this one to your pre-orders! This would be the perfect summer beach read and will be available July 19th.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press for a chance to read and review this prior to release.