Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
The Bodyguard is a cute contemporary romance about Hannah, a bodyguard, who is assigned to protect Jack. Hannah has just experienced tragedy and all she can think of is getting a new assignment at work to help her escape her reality. When she gets assigned to protect Jack, it isn’t quite what she wanted but she reluctantly agrees to the job as a means to an end. The story is cute albeit slightly predictable. Held my interest until the end and was a fairly quick read. Solid 4 stars, would recommend if you like Center’s other works or the genre in general.

Wow! Another incredible book by Katherine Center! I devoured this book in two days! Must read! Thank you!!

Katherine Center is an author I recommend to nearly everyone. I recommend Katherine Center novels to nearly everyone, because they’re dependable. I can always count on her books to make me laugh, and I always find myself highlighting lines I love. Her books are heartwarming, because her characters are always written as flawed, yet real. The Bodyguard from Katherine Center offered up two flawed characters in Hannah and Jack, and, similar to other Katherine Center novels, these characters are extremely lovable. I enjoyed Hannah’s role as a bodyguard, and Jack’s role as an emotionally guarded actor. It also helped that I love the celebrity-real person trope.
Even though this was a quick read, Hannah & Jack’s flaws and family relationships helped to load the plot with a depth I always appreciate in Center’s novels. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

I've really enjoyed Katherine Center's previous books, but this one did not meet my expectations. "The Bodyguard" contains similar elements to some of her other novels: humor, romance, a tough but vulnerable protagonist with an interesting job. The narrator Hannah works in security, and is assigned to protect Jack, a reclusive movie star, and stay with his family on their Texas ranch. Hannah and Jack slowly develop feelings for each other, while Hannah also struggles with her work and personal/professional rivalries. My main issue with the book is that it feels all over the place. Hannah's serious backstory with her mother and Jack's private grief doesn't go with the slapstick humor elements. The action towards the end of the book felt over the top and out of place as well. I always like Katherine Center's writing and characters, and there is a good love story here. It's a quick page-turner and still entertaining, but this is one of her weaker books.

Katherine Center’s books are like sitting beside the lake on a summer morning drinking iced tea with not a sound in the air. Just you, her book and an imaginary world to escape to for the day. I enjoy her characters and the ease of storytelling I have come accustomed to with her books. If you do not like romantic comedies then this will probably not be the book for you.

I will read anything Katherine Center writes. I find her work compulsively readable. If you can suspend reality a bit and remember this is fiction, it will hit a sweet spot. I found it engaging, emotional, and unputdownable. It wasn't light-light, but it wasn't heavy either.

WHAT WORKED:
- Celebrity (him)/Bodyguard (her)
- Fake dating/more + one bed
- Jack: easy to fall for
- Hannah: took a bit to warm up to but I rooted for her all the same
- Texas ranch setting with a supporting family
- A jerk ex-boyfriend that's easy to hate.
- A tad predictable but I loved how that made me feel
- A tad surprising which I also loved
- Women's Fiction

If I had a criticism it would be the few moments of disconnect with Hannah's character. She was supposed to be this elite hard core protection agent yet there were a couple convenient instances when she was dumbed down to serve the plot.

While some things were predictable (it is a romance afterall), there were many things that were unpredictable giving it a fresh voice to my romance story landscape. It was told in first POV (which is not my favorite), but Hannah was such a witty and strong yet vulnerable character, I enjoyed following the story development via her point of view. And Jack, while ‘silent’ doesn’t disappoint either. Low on the steam, interesting plot, great humor. I am definitely loading this author’s other books onto my reader!

Thank you so much to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I needed this rom com. It has kept me sane while stuck with my family. lol This book made me smile and laugh.

I love Katherine Center. In fact, I chose her "The Things You Save in a Fire" for our latest library book group read. Her characters are real and likeable and her stories are easy to follow and entertaining. This book fit that pattern and I really enjoyed it. Hannah is a bodyguard with an elite firm and is hired to protect Jack, a famous celebrity who is being stalked by a crazy lady. They end up with a pretend relationship that develops into more. It is a predictable story but the twists and turns it takes are fun and interesting. I highly recommend this book.

I have been loving Katherine Center's books and The Bodyguard was yet another great book from her!

I really loved getting to know Hannah and found her so delightful and engaging. Same with Jack. Their story was fun to follow along with and the plot was also engaging.

If you are looking for a book that you will tear through quickly and a MC that is unique The Bodyguard is the perfect book for you! HIGHLY recommend for it to be taken along on trips!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Love this new novel by Katherine Center! A few things happened that I didn't expect. Like when that happens. I highly recommend this book. I'll be ordering it for the library. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #TheBodyguard

DNF at 13%. What am I actually reading? This is embarrassing. Yikes. No. When will we retire this version of a female MC? I am so tired of the zany, unreliable, overly emotional, crass, inept woman. What about women who are responsible and good and kind and just generally capable? I'm. So. Bored. This is like Miss Congeniality but 20 years too late and in book form. I've seen this movie before...not worth the time so I am moving on. The writing was staccato. The office characters were so cheesy. Robby was outrageously rude and written poorly right off the top. And the exchanges between Hannah and her boss were so over the top it just felt like a complete waste of space. And finally, the language was abhorrent...get some class. At 13% I should not be reading *multiple uses* of g*ddammit. Good heavens, major eyeroll over here!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

My respect for Katherine Center as an author climbed up a couple notches with this one. I remember really liking her earlier books and I was glad to see that enjoyment continue with this latest one.

I think what I like most about Center's writing is that she doesn't waste time. She is able to keep the story moving without getting mired in details but still provides a good amount of detail to the settings and characters to allow them to form completely in your mind. I liked both Hannah and Jack in this story and found them to be likeable and compelling. I was rooting for both of them through the entire novel and was excited to return to reading.

Well done and I'll be back for more.

It is almost as if Katherine Center knew exactly what I needed to read right now…
A perfect rom com. Something slightly predictable, happy, entertaining, funny, and light during a heavy time in our world. I loved every second of this book. Jack is such a heartthrob, I loved his character from the moment that we met him. The fake-couple trope was perfectly executed. Hannah was a tad frustrating at times, but I fell in love with her about half way through and was rooting for her happiness. Although the plot was slightly unbelievable (and extremely predictable) at points, the story kept my attention and I truly couldn’t put this book down. Another amazing read from this author!

Thank you to St. Martins Publishing Group for the Advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley, St? Martins Press and Katherine Center for this ARC. As soon as I saw a new Katherine Center book on Netgalley, I knew I had to have it ! Ive been a fan for so long now, and all my reads by her have been 5 stars. First off, I love the character Hannah and her profession as a Executive Protection Agent. Aka Bodyguard. I can relate to her being a short of statue person, who takes names and kicks ass later.. Don’t underestimate her.. .Jack is a great guy, not your average egotistical movie-star. The storyline was great and the characters interacted well..
But because I loved the last 6 books I read by this author and were all 5 stars in my book, this one I did really like, it was only a 4 1/2 stars but still a great book .

Not my favorite Katherine Center book. She usually avoids cheesy cliches, but this book had them all. Way too many plot points, too many side characters to manage, and the story resolution was weak. Loved her other books and I will definitely keep reading them.

Fans read novels by Katherine Center with certain expectations—she writes about gutsy women, though flawed, which is why they’re so lovable. While the protagonist has some adversity to overcome (as well as some laugh out loud moments), there is always time for romance.

Workaholic Hannah fits the bill in “The Bodyguard.” Like the novel’s title, she is a body guard—executive protection agent--who is hired to protect hunky actor, Jack. Hannah is mourning the loss of her mother (and the end of a long term relationship with a former work colleague) so protecting others is all she has left. Jack is returning to his hometown (Austin) to care for his mom but is being stalked. Naturally, he doesn’t want his family knowing Hannah is guarding him, so she pretends to be his girlfriend. Hannah’s career is to protect others but she clearly not as skilled at protecting her heart and she falls for Jack. But can she protect him and love him at the same time?

Yes, parts of this novel could write itself, and by a less talented writer, I might have felt the plot line trite. Yet, Katherine Center continues to create vibrant characters, so while parts of the novel are predictable, you don’t mind being along for the ride, especially if you’re looking for a story full of not just romance, but comedy and perhaps a lesson learned or two thrown in for good measure. Like “The Lost Husband,” I could easily see “The Bodyguard” become the latest Netflix chick flick.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press for an opportunity to review this novel.

4.5 romcom/bottle opener stars

When I read this one, I was reminded that I really like the way Katherine Center writes and the characters she creates. Was it a bit predictable and sappy? Yes, and I loved it! This one made me laugh out loud and it was just the book I needed to read right now.

First character – Hannah Brooks – she might not look the part, but she’s a protection agent, aka bodyguard. Hired by the wealthy, she’s an expert at keeping her clients safe. The company is based in Texas, but she travels all over the world doing this work.

Next up – Jack Stapleton – a handsome Hollywood star, he’s been hiding out for the last few years and of course he has a few stalkers.

The setup – Jack is headed back to Texas for a family issue and needs protection. Enter Hannah, who Jack first mistakes as a cleaning lady!

Hannah and Jack are an unlikely couple, but I loved watching them have pretend feelings that deepened into the real thing. How could it ever last though and what does Jack’s Hollywood girlfriend have to say about all this?

This was a fun enjoyable read for me and I’ve got a few new ideas about stocking the kitchen with extra bottle openers now. I think this one will be coming soon to a theater near you.

I was very lucky to receive an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and feedback. Anytime Katherine Center releases a new book, it's a cancel all plans and clear the calendar as I'm stopping everything to read! I absolutely loved The Bodyguard - it did not disappoint! She continues to knock each release out of the park! STOP everything and go outside and let the sun shine on your face and enjoy this book!

Full review of The Bodyguard will be up on pop-culturalist closer to release week. Hannah and Jack have this incredible sexual tension that also makes it fun to read.