Incredible and maybe the best contempary romance I've read. The characters were sweet ad incredible, but at the same time just so deeply complex. I feel that the lead female Main character was just heartbreakingly realistic while the male main character just was so incredibly sweet. I think after reading this, romance needs more sweet male leads and more hardened female leads. I will absolutely purchase when this releases! Thank you so so much to NetGalley and the publisher :)

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of the novel. While they did give the book to me for review, these are my honest thoughts.
I think the issue might just be me on this one. While I don't love chick-lit, I don't hate it. It's just kind of okay to me, and regardless of what I read in the genre I still find it just fine. Like, I read this book over spring break and it was an enjoyable, time waster but I did skim through sections and rolled my eyes at other sections.
The Bodyguard is about still grieving Hannah Brooks, who has recently been dumped and has also tragically lost her mother. Hannah essentially works as a bodyguard, protecting high-level clientele from certain doom. Hannah had a complicated relationship with her mother, and so she throws herself into her work against he ex-boyfriend, all in an attempt to get a promotion to Paris and out of Texas and all of her bad memories and her mother's passing. Enter movie star Jack Stapleton. Hannah needs to protect him to seal the deal on the Paris promotion. However, Hannah needs to pretend to be Jack's girlfriend for the gig and emotions get messy fairly quickly.
I liked parts of the banter and how Jack was a nice, non-toxic dude. Some parts were generally funny, and some parts were even a tiny bit swoony. But it was like watching a PG-13 romantic comedy on the tv. I felt like there was little substance to the story, and I won't ever reach for it again. To me, while it was a decent romance read it did not feel very compelling or truly romantic to me. It was just... alright.
However, if chick lit is your thing, and you like movie stars, you might just absolutely gobble this thing down. Regardless, not a bad, quick vacation read.

Oh my actual adorable-ness. In a crowd of cheesy, poorly-written, trope-filled rom-com beach reads, "The Bodyguard" stands head and shoulders above the rest of its genre neighbors. Does it have tropes?? Honey, it does! This is "Win A Date With Tad Hamilton" meets "The Wedding Date" meets "Miss Congeniality", but Katherine Center manages to make it all work, and in such a charming, artfully-done way that I didn't even realize it was happening until I was tearing up over the final pages. This book hits all the good notes, with humor, sincerity and just enough suspense. THIS is your beach read for 2022!

Hannah Brooks' life is at a crisis point: her boyfriend has dumped her, she's a mess, and her boss has consigned her to desk work instead doing what she loves--field work as a bodyguard. The saving grace is that she has a chance at the ideal assignment...if she takes a less-than-attractive job to prove herself worthy. All she has to do is to lead the team protecting Jack Stapleton (Hollywood hero and golden boy) from a middle-aged stalker. But complications ensue when Hannah has to pose as Jack's girlfriend to keep his family from worrying about his safety, and she actually ends up liking him.

Not only did I love the story, but I loved how the writing matched the speed of the protagonist's personality and intensity. And I loved how Jack was a feel-good, too-good-to-be-true kind of guy who helps save a girl (who's a complete mess)...and how she saves him in return. It has all the good feels and no open-door romance. It was just what my cynical heart needed and I absolutely recommend it.

Trigger alert: abuse, drowning

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and the publisher

Katherine center does it again! I literally could not put this down! Somehow she made “plain and ordinary” to be a good thing. Really enjoyed this book from
Start to satisfyingly detailed finish

Katherine Center does it again - and delivers a “right book at the right time” for me. After reading a very heavy and important non fiction work, I was desperately craving a counterbalance and jumped ahead in hopes that The Bodyguard might do the trick. Mission Accomplished! Not since Center’s portrayal of Cassie in Things You Save in a Fire, have I been so enamored with a strong, fun female protagonist.

Hannah Brooks is the bodyguard (Executive Protection Agent) and has been hired to protect famous actor Jack Stapleton. Once again, this author has a wonderful cadence to revealing the backstory while moving the plot forward and I was hooked from the first chapter. The agency itself adds a great sub plot, with some of the best one-liners delivered by the man in charge Glenn Schultz.
Out July 19th, I highly encourage those in need of an entertaining, feel-good read to add it to their summer list!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an ARC of this book! I’ve willingly read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

I have to admit, I’ve avoided Katherine Center’s books because, even though I’ve heard nothing but great things, I wasn’t sure I was up to the heavy topics she writes. However, when I read the synopsis for THE BODYGUARD, I was convinced that this would be the perfect starting point for Center’s work and it absolutely was.

If I had to sum up this book in a few words it would be this: THE BODYGUARD is the romantic comedy storyline Sandra Bullock’s FBI agent and Miss Congeniality title winner, Gracie Hart, deserved.

After losing and burying her mother, getting dumped by her boyfriend for her best friend, AND her boss forcing her to take bereavement leave, all in a matter of days, Hannah, an executive protection agent, is tasked with guarding two-time Sexiest Man Alive/A-list actor Jack Stapleton from a corgi-breeding, Jack’s-face-on-sweater-knitting, nude-sending, wannabe mother of his children stalker while he’s home to be with his family as his mother undergoes cancer treatment.

THE BODYGUARD, within pages, had me not only giggling and totally swooning for Jack Stapleton, but also falling completely in love with these outrageously entertaining characters. I loved this book. It was hilarious, heartwarming AND heartbreaking, and the steady growth of affection between Hannah and Jack was so absolutely perfect that I immediately want to reread just to experience it all again.

This was such an enjoyable read! It was refreshing to have an atypical lead - an "ordinary" looking woman, who happens to be a bodyguard and have her be the love interest for an attractive, super famous, A-list movie star. Hannah and Jack's relationship was fun and sweet, but more importantly, healthy. I appreciated how they brought out the best in each other and together overcame their personal challenges and moved outside of their comfort zones. The supporting characters were also well developed and rounded out the story. This was my first time reading one of Katherine Center's books and I will definitely check out more in the future. Her writing is breezy and she brings a lot of humor. Overall, highly recommend this for fans of rom-coms and the opposites attract trope.

A wonderfully entertaining story.

This book was so much fun. I loved the chemistry between Hannah and Jack. Some parts of this book really made me laugh. There were also many serious moments too. These combined made this a memorable story; one that I had a hard time putting down. Hannah and Jack felt like real people to me too. They had issues like everyone else even though Jack was a famous movie star and Hannah was hired to protect him. I kept rooting for them to get together and when they finally did, it couldn’t have been better. The only problem I had with this book is it wasn’t longer. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them just yet.

This book was just swoon, I was smiling the whole time while I read this book. The banter between Jack and Hannah is unmatched and it was so sweet it almost hurt my teeth. I loved the concept and the family dynamics, definitely a perfect summer and beach read book. I can't wait to re-read it.

Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's for the ARC.

I have yet to come across a book from Katherine Center, and not love it. The Bodyguard was no exception.

The story of Hannah Brooks, the unassuming, tiny bodyguard placed to protect the reclusive Hollywood Star, Jack Stapleton. "And that starts with a new goddamned wardrobe so you're not standing next to the Sexiest Man Alive looking like a sad temp who needs a shower."

There were so many great lines throughout the book, I would love to share, but don't want to spoil anyone. I throughly enjoyed the tragedies and hardships the Jack and Hannah work to overcome throughout the book in a realistic and believable way. In addition, the Stapletons, Glenn (Hannah's boss), and the rest of the bodyguard team were so well developed and leaped off the page.

I've been waiting for this book for some time, and it met all my expectations and then some.

I absolutely adored this book! I lost count of how many times I laughed out-loud and smiled to myself. The pacing of the story was wonderful and I found myself not wanting to put it down. I've read another book by the author and I really liked that one as well. This was definitely more of a rom-com and I could easily picture it be translated to the screen (Please Netflix!!!). The characters were loveable and came with some deep and meaningful background stories. Also, if you're a fan of tropes this one has several. Forced proximity and fake dating... two of my absolute favourites! I also felt my heart drop when we were thrown a curveball right near the end, I totally did not see that one coming. Overall, a great read! I would absolutely recommend to others.

I loved this book! And it's been a long time since I've said that about a Contemporary Romance, or a Romance in general! This book was just fun. I enjoyed the characters, the plot was not too far-fetched, and the dialogue didn't make me roll my eyes. This was like the great rom-com movies they used to make.
Hannah is an Executive Protection Agent--bodyguard--and is coming off a very bad breakup with a co-worker, when her boss gives her a new assignment: incredibly hunky actor Jack Stapleton. Hannah has seen most of his movies but is determined to not let his good-looks or dazzling persona distract her from doing her job. Problems arrive however when Jack tells Hannah she's going to have to pose as his girlfriend to keep his sick mother's stress-level down. Hannah will have quite the job to do, protecting her client AND protecting her heart.
I just really enjoyed reading this book. It hit all of the rom-com notes without being cheesy or annoying. No one got on my nerves, everyone (maybe except Hank) felt real, and the actions and decisions of the characters felt organic. I was rooting for Hannah and Jack from the very beginning and their relationship was sweet and mature, never falling into trite or unbelievable territory.
If you are looking for a well-written movie-script worthy romance, definitely check this book out!!

The Bodyguard was sweet, funny, a bit predictable but enjoyable all the same. I appreciated the witty dialogue of the characters. Katherine Center truly got me invested in the story. The main characters aren't portrayed as one having flaws with the other being flawless which is something I appreciate. The Bodyguard deals with past trauma, growth, and the love of a family. I loved reading this ARC and diving into the story of Hannah and Jack.

Hannah is an Executive Protection Agent assigned to protect Jack Stapleton, a move star, while he comes home to Houston, TX to be with his family in this adorable novel by Katherine Center. I loved this book SO much! I thought the plot might be predictable but there were definitely a few parts that had me on the edge of my seat. My favorite part of reading The Bodyguard was the chemistry between Jack and Hannah. It was so much fun to watch them get to know each other. I didn't want it to end!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC! I absolutely love Katherine Center's writing style and books! She makes it so easy to fall in love with her main characters (which I did). The inner dialogue (so descriptive) Hannah had throughout the story is what made Hannah seem so real. .
Hannah was given the job to protect Jack Stapleton while he was in town. Hannah and her coworkers all thought this should have been an easy task but once Jack's parents met Hannah and learned that Hannah was Jack's girlfriend they wanted Jack and Hannah to spend time out at the ranch with them. There everything starts to unfold between Hannah, Jack, the family and Hannah's coworkers. Great love story but the question is will they be able to overcome everything that seems to be standing in their way?
Solid 5 stars! I would give it 10 if it was an option.
Pick up this book (and read) and most will not regret it. Prepare for a fun and quirky read in the lives' of Hannah and Jack.

Katherine Center’s characters always ending up feeling like friends. Like I would love to sit down and have a coffee and chat with them and Jack and Hannah are not an exception. They feel like real tangible people that I am rooting for.

The Bodyguard was just pure joy to read. I laughed, I cried, I gasped. I felt all the things. There is so much wit to Center’s writing and the story feels so immersive. I know this is a story that will stay with me just as other works of hers have. I am beyond thankful to have received an ARC. Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Center!

What a fun read!! So grateful to have gotten an ARC from NetGalley. Jack and Hannah are some of the most lovable and vivacious characters I’ve ever met. Katherine Center’s writing is so authentic, you forget you’re reading a fictional story. Hannah is a badass, sassy, confident (if somewhat emotionally-detached) bodyguard (read: executive protection agent). She ends up working for Jack, who is a world-famous actor and just an absolute delight of a human being. “You’re hired with great fanfare!” was one of my favorite lines of the book. Center created so many funny one-liners, banter that made me grin obnoxiously at my phone, and extremely insightful reflections about life and grief and love. She naturally incorporates some classic romance tropes while also creating a story that is entirely unique.

I absolutely adored this book. I adored this book with great fanfare.

Can’t wait for a physical copy to gaze at adoringly and highlight all over and share with everyone I know.

TW : Description of Domestic Abuse, Addiction (Drinking), Violence, Death, Car Accident, Cheating, Drowning

2.5/5 stars

I received a Free E-Arc in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley. Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley.

I have very mixed opinions on this book, I read it super fast and couldn’t put it down but at the same time it wasn’t what I was hoping for as a book that was described as a romcom. This book got relatively dark at some points which I was seriously not expecting and the romance didn’t feel like a main plot point in a way. The fake dating was cute but it really felt one sided from our main character. The humor never got me even though the love interest found everything hilarious, it just never landed for me. The romance was very slow to burn up until about the 85% mark which is fine but it didn’t fit the book, and the stalker storyline didn’t feel substantial until almost 50% into the book.

The main character felt underdeveloped as all she did was work, had one “friend,” and no hobbies, and even when we were given insight to her backstory it didn’t really feel like it brought substance to her. She is also constantly described as ordinary in mean ways from multiple other characters and in her head she agrees but then also thinks she's not like other girls in the YA genre sense. Most of the book felt young even though the characters are adults and have life experience it didn’t feel like they had lived and experienced the real world. The dialogue at times felt very young which didn't help the character feel like adults.

If you like fake dating, I would give this book a chance as it might work well for you but if you are going in for a cute fake dating but very clear “I really like you but this is just fake and won’t last” this is not it.

Im a huge fan of all Katherine Centers books and this was no exception. This is the story of Hannah, a body guard, and jack an actor. Hannah is hired as jacks body guard while he is home taking care of his sick mother. He has a pretty intense stalker situation going on, and thats why Hannah is brought on bored. Jacks pretends Hannah is his girlfriend in order to bring her around his family without worrying them. Jacks family immediately takes a liking to Hannah, and his mom requested they move into the family ranch until Thanksgiving. Hannah agrees, and that when her and Jack start to fall for eachother.

I loved that Hannahs job was in a male dominated field. Her and Jacks relationship was definitely a slow burn. I could have used a little more time with the book after them getting together instead of them getting together just before the book ended. I loved the setting of jacks parents house. Jacks parents seemed lovely, and learning about the family made you really fall for Jack. This was a quick easy read and will be great for summer!

Thank you netgalley for this ARC!