Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Hannah Brooks is a bodyguard working to protect famous actor Jack Stapleton from a stalker. Hannah pretends to be his GF.

Sweet romcom with some self discovery by the characters. Hannah is a workaholic who gets dumped by her BF. He says some mean things that get under her skin. Jack seems too perfect but he is fighting some demons. Quick read and very enjoyable.

I love Katherine Center's books, and could not wait to read this one. It did not disappoint! This story is sweet, funny, and engaging, and I was enchanted. The pages flew by and I was sad when I realized that it was over. The protagonists, Hannah and Jack, are interesting, complex, and slightly quirky. As the reader gets to know them--and they get to know each other--it is obvious that deep down they are not quite what people expect. Both are fully satisfied with their lives, in many ways, but it is clear that something is missing for both of them--until they meet each other. The circumstances (and result) of that first meeting are unexpected and charming. Their personal relationship develops along an odd trajectory, given their unusual professional relationship, but love wins in the end, and you'll be glad that you were there to witness it. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Hannah Brooks is a no nonsense protection agent very much like Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality. Jack Stapleton is the mysterious Hollywood heartthrob with a crazed Corgi breeding stalker. Forced back to Houston to take care of his sick mom the studio insists on a bodyguard. Which is where Hannah come in, in order to keep Jack's mom from worrying Hannah must play the role of Jack's girlfriend. Will Hannah be able to protect Jack while also guarding her heart? Only time will tell.

This book is a good solid romance read. It does feel though like the book could've ended in several different parts of the story so towards the end it did drag just a little bit. Overall would recommend to readers who like Sonali Dev, or Alisha Rai!

I really enjoyed this book. Yes, it's light and predictable but sometimes that's what you want in a story, the characters were likable and the bodyguard angle added an extra element to the book that was outside the norm. If you like romance and fun reads I would definitely recommend this, perfect for a relaxing weekend or vacation read.

This was such a fun, and sweet contemporary romance. Hannah Brooks comes in to the story with her mother passing away, her douche of a boyfriend breaking up with her and being put on vacation. For a workaholic she is not pleased. Her next assignment is to guard the swoon worthy actor Jack Stapleton but the catch is she is supposed to pretend to be his girlfriend.

The story spirals through their fake relationship on his family's ranch. Hannah and Jack fight the feelings that they both believe are pretend until Hannah is taken off the assignment due to death threats. Hannah does what she does best, saves Jack and falls in love.

This was my first book from Katherine Center and I will be choosing some more.

Loved the humor, the heart, and the characters in this book! They captured my attention from the beginning, especially the charming Jack and focused Hannah. (Jack's parents are also adorable!) I felt transported to the wide open spaces on the ranch, loved those scenes, and the relationship that develops between the two leads is tender and genuine. Great writing and had me entertained the whole time!

Katherine Center does it again with a charming, romantic and fun look into a bodyguard and movie star's relationship with real Notting Hill vibes.

Hannah Brooks could kill you with a pencil... respect lady. I really enjoyed Hannah. She's strong and has mad skills and doesn't look like your typical huge brawny bodyguard, and she isn't supposed to. She accesses risk, plans ahead and is incredibly good at her job. She's smart and capable and I really enjoyed her work ethic and her intelligence.

Jack reminds me of the handsome action star you would want to meet and fall in love with both on screen and off. It's easy that he's charming but I like seeing being the curtain on his own insecurities and family drama. He is like Top Gun Tom Cruise before he was all jumping on the couches.

I am sad that the supporting characters were a little thin. Hannah's best friend Taylor (! what? did not like that!) is more mean girl and only serves to push Hannah's storyline forward without the emotional impact I wish was there. Her ex boyfriend (I'm going to call him jerk face but his name was Robby) is more obnoxious alpha male stalker and it's really hard to see why Hannah would have dated him in the first place, he's totally icky. That said I did love Glenn (their boss) and Kelly (reminding me of Mindy Kahling in all of her awesomeness).

The chemistry is very natural. It's easy to see how they both like each other and sure, Hannah has to pretend to be Jack's girlfriend while they're with his family (!!!) but the trope doesn't bother me and it makes Jack and Hannah let their guards down and finally get to know each other.
There is some tension and danger stalker stuff, but it's kept to a minimum and only at the end is there an actual event that I was afraid for the characters. That's not bad, but if you're looking for more action, it's not this book. That said, there isn't any real steamy romance sexy time in the book either. As their relationship is mostly during their professional time together, Hannah keeps it very light and PG. But that doesn't bother me because both of the characters are obviously so into each other, it was a nice slow burn romance that connected me to the characters.

Overall, I think Then Bodyguard is my second favorite book of hers and well worth the read. It's enjoyable and I couldn't put it down!

PREDICTION: This is going to be on everyone’s top 10 list for 2022!

Oh how I enjoyed this book immensely!! I knew from the moment I howled with laughter in chapter 14 that it was going to be a BIG BRIGHT FIVE STAR rating from me…. a 10 star if possible…

Katherine Center just knows how to write a brilliant book. It’s got charm, wit, laughter, love, and heart & soul. Female bodyguard matched with a super-famous movie star… what could go wrong? …or right? I highly recommend this book 100 times over again! It’s a yes from me!!

Hannah Brooks is an executive protection agent, hired by Hollywood hearthrob, Jack Singleton's producers against his protests. He needs to be guarded from a stalker, but who's going to protect his heart from Hannah? Laugh-out-loud funny, thesis a great beach read for everyone. Recommended. #TheBodyguard #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center confirms that romance novels still do it for me.

Hannah Brooks is not having a good week. The next day of her mother's funeral, her boyfriend dumps her and he cites 3 reasons. The last one is like a knife to the chest.

"You’re a bad kisser".

For Hannah, the only way to deal with all of it is to immerse herself in her work. She is an Executive Protection Agent, a bodyguard. She begs her boss for a new assignment but the boss tells her she has to grieve and grounds her.

After a month, she is finally about to go back to work. She’s excited to leave Texas behind and go anywhere else. The joke is on her when her boss Glenn tells her, she is staying and she is going to be the lead bodyguard for Jack Stapleton, a famous actor.

Jack and Hannah's first encounter is not a perfect one. He confused her with the cleaning lady and by the end of the interview, she has left him on the floor after he told her to prove to him she could take him. Things get more complicated when Jake doesn't want his mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer, to know his life might be in danger and he wants Hannah to fake being his girlfriend. Hannah doesn't want to do it but she is competing for a new position and she will do it to keep her job and win the post.

After days of spending time together, Hannah realizes she has developed feelings for Jack and Jack seem to be reciprocating them. But is it for real or is Jake acting instead?

I loved both characters. They were both dealing with things from their past and carrying the guilt with them. It was nice to see how they complemented each other and helped the other one heal. Their banter was outstanding and the way their relationship develops felt real and believable. Best was the amazing epilogue which answers everything I wanted to know.

The Bodyguard proves once again why I love Katherine Center's writing so much.

Cliffhanger: No

4.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center does it again!! I love her books, her characters….everything!

The Bodyguard is about Hannah Brooks who is…you guessed it, a bodyguard. Hannah’s life is a mess. Her mother just died. Her boyfriend broke up with her. And worst of all, now she’s in a competition with her ex for her dream job.

In walks Jack Stapleton, a handsome movie star that needs protection while he is in town visiting his sick mother. Hannah has to pretend to be his girlfriend so his family won’t find out that there is even a small amount if danger in Jack coming to visit.

Hannah has to put away her pantsuits and pretend that she is in love with America’s heartthrob.

Secrets are revealed, family drama ensues, maybe a little romance and action to round out a great story.

I was provided this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

How can readers not fall in love with EVERY SINGLE ONE of Katherine Center’s books??? The Bodyguard is touted as “a warm hug,” which is beyond an apt description.

Hannah Brooks, Executive Protection Agent—you read that right, SHE is the bodyguard (Yay for girl power!)—will have you laughing and cringing with all her missteps embarrassing moments. She’s so endearing you will quickly become her biggest cheerleader. Hannah’s also a bada$$ who can take down a full-grown man before he knows what hit him.

Jack Stapleton—household name and swoon-worthy movie star—certainly didn’t see her coming. Troubled by his own demons and tragic past, he ditches the spotlight to focus on righting past wrongs and concentrating on what’s truly important in life. There’s also that tiny niggling detail of the stalker he’s trying to keep secret. But, minor detail, right?

By the end of the book, Center’s characters inevitably turn into people we wish we were friends with in real life—one of the biggest compliments you can give an author.

Another fabulous, funny, touching, and unputdownable read by one of my absolute favorites.

Name something that is easy to love… I’ll go first: Katherine Center books! I just could not get enough of her latest book… I’ve read it twice already and it doesn’t get released until July 19th! And yes… I’ll be rereading it again!

I adored the role reversal of the bodyguard and client! Hannah’s first meeting with Jack is so hilarious. Their back and forth banter is so quick and fiery I love it! It’s such a delicious slow burn… it has heat and sizzle! I just love them so much!

I love when characters are written so well it takes all of your strength not to dive into a book and punch them… once you’ve read this book you’ll understand that Robby is just punchable… I’m not normally a violent person either!

This is a book where all of the elements have been written perfectly perfect and once you are done it makes you want to reenact Maria spinning around in the Sound of Music… such is your joy!

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be in a pretend relationship with a movie star? Hannah Brooks certainly didn't see herself as being a believable girlfriend to THE Jack Stapleton, but it's part of the job as a secret service agent. So, when asked to go undercover for Jack and protect him, how could she say no? You will have a hard time not falling in love with the characters. The dialogue is delightful and humorous. Katherine Center has a way of writing that is both witty and uplifting. I feel the best kind of story can make you laugh, cry, and get angry. The Bodyguard had me laughing in moments and crying in others. I didn't want the story to end. I must also add, on a personal note, that I loved that one of the little towns that I am near was a vacation destination in this book.

This is my 9th Katherine Center novel and I am still her biggest fan!

Center's latest book focuses on Hannah, an Executive Protection Agent, aka bodyguard. At a little over 5 feet, she's not your average bodyguard but that's what makes the story more interesting. Hannah's new client is Jack, a handsome movie star who is being pursued by a stalker.

As the story progresses, Hannah must go undercover as Jack's girlfriend in order to stay near him. Hannah and Jack grow closer but both are dealing with insecurity and past heartbreaks. How will they fare? I highly recommend you pick up a copy to see how the story unfolds. Center is adept at weaving interesting storylines, multi-dimensional characters, and laugh-out-loud humor. But she elevates the story even further by going deeper with the storyline and the characters.

I loved every minute of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

I'm not big on romance novels, but Katherine Center always gets the right mix of romance and comedy that has me coming back for more. I also love that all of her female protagonists are so independent that really, that guy is a bonus, not a necessity.

4.5 Rounded up to Five!
This book was everything I love in women’s fiction and romance. I really appreciated Hannah’s story. She learned to stand up for what she deserved in a relationship and in life. Also, she didn’t go fully the opposite way of “men are trash” and I loved that balance.

Jack carried a lot of grief and guilt with him. In a different way then Hannah, he discovered what he deserved to have out of life. Together they were amazing and every so swoony.

I loved the ranch atmosphere and Jack’s mom and dad were the best! The bodyguard plot was also fantastic and had me addicted.

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What a fantastic read!
This is my first book by Katherine Center and this one blew me away. Centers writing and storytelling has this ability to draw me in and her books become instant favorites for me. After reading this, my heart was so full and I couldn’t stop smiling.
I love a good romance more than most, but sometimes it’s nice to read a book that has other elements as well.
Overall this was such a wonderful read for me and I can’t recommend it enough!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Hannah Brooks is in the protection business. She is tough and capable, yet she is also small and is often underestimated. She is also a work-aholic, and she doesn’t know how to slow down. She gets an adrenaline rush from her job and from being ‘on’ all the time. When her mother dies, Hannah isn’t quite sure how to behave, because all she knows is work. Her boss gives her a local assignment this time, and her assignment is Jack Stapleton-- a famous actor. Unfortunately, he has a stalker; additionally, his mom is fighting cancer, so he decides to go to Houston to be with her as she goes through the surgery and recovery. An additional complication is that his brother is very angry at him, because their other brother drowned while in Jack’s car after it crashed through a bridge. The deceased brother united the family. Now that he is gone, everyone is trying to figure out how to be together again.

This is a sold story, and one that is enjoyable to read. Jack is especially likeable as a character and is noble as well. He is grounded, and unafraid to be courageous. Hannah is a mess at the start of this book! She is incapable of relaxing and ends up sleeping curled up on the floor of her closet most nights. She can’t remember her last vacation and gets much of her identity from her job. She may be more difficult to relate to for normal people who maintain a healthy work/play balance in their lives. Nevertheless, she finally figures out what is important, and she is able to step back enough from her own feelings when it is necessary to be able to make some tough decisions, in spite of the danger.

This author has written some poignantly beautiful books. This one was enjoyable, but not quite in the same category as her more recent books, “What You Wish For,” and “Things You Save in a Fire.” Nevertheless, Ms. Center always leaves readers thinking about her characters, and about the story long after they are finished reading.

Katherine Center crafted a sweet, witty, fun romance novel. I was delighted and found myself finishing this book in one night.