Katherine Center does it again! I was feeling a little "book slumpy" when it comes to reading books on my Kindle, and this was just the kind of book I needed. First off, my favorite thing was the banter. The banter between the lead and the love interest was like cat nip for me. I also really loved the gender role reversal of a female bodyguard, and enjoyed all of the background talking about her job. I read a lot of romances, so it was refreshing to have a female lead with a unique job and not just... a bakery shop owner (no shade to books with that trope!).
This was a book that had that "just one more chapter" propulsion for me, and I stayed up late reading this on more than one occasion.
At the time of writing this review, the book doesn't come out for another 6 months (sorry!), but if you find yourself reading this review with time to wait - go back and pick up Things You Save in a Fire or How to Walk Away in the mean time :)

*Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an early copy in exchange for my honest review*

I love Katherine Center and grabbed The Bodyguard synopsis unread. In my mind, she always delivers a 5 star read and I know I’ll walk away in love with the characters and mourning the end of the book. As expected, Bodyguard hit the ball out of the park. I read it in one sitting and stayed up half of the night to see how the story would end. Something in her writing style and character development draws me into the characters. I feel every emotion. This is a unlikely story of a disconnected executive protection agent and her famous actor charge. While the story seems predictable, one chapter will have your jaw on the floor and the story will plummet from 5 stars to 1 star and back up to 5 again. The roller coaster of emotion is like no other. This is an absolute must read.

I give out 5 star reviews sparingly so I am delighted to whip one out for this absolute darling of a book. Hannah works for a private security company as a bodyguard and is assigned to protect beloved movie star Jack Stapleton. She is forced to play the role of his fake girlfriend while living with him at the family ranch in Texas. There, they develop a friendship and soon realize they have more in common than either of them had expected. I loved Center's "Things You Save in a Fire," and this new story shares the same magic. The author strikes the perfect balance between drama and humor, believability and the fantasy unique to romance novels. The protagonists are complex and such a joy to spend time with. I flew through this in two days, and will be recommending it to everyone looking for a sweet and gentle book to get them through these hard times.

I love Katherine Center’s writing and this was no exception! Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Hannah Brooks looks like a sweet, petite kindergarten teacher- but she is actually a competent bodyguard who could kill you with a wine bottle opener or a dinner napkin, if she had to.

And, she never gets attached to her assignments.

So, nobody would be better at protecting mega movie star Jack Stapleton from his stalker, when he needs a bodyguard who could pass as his girlfriend when he returns home to see his mom through Cancer treatments.

Until, Jack and his family start to fall in love with Hannah-and she starts to feel something she has never felt too. But, how could that be? And, what’s a girl to do now!

If you have enjoyed Katherine Center’s books in the past, you will adore this one too!

You will recognize the cadence of her characters voices, their love of the term “Fair Enough” and of course, there is always joyful dancing 💃🏻 dancing 🕺🏻!

But, despite these givens, this is a “breath of fresh air”story, that will have you smiling, laughing and maybe even tearing up, a time or two!

There IS chemistry between our leads, but the door remains closed, after the clothes get shed, so it’s pretty PG-but I enjoyed their witty banter, and watching their relationship evolve, and I think you will too!

It’s not available until JULY 19th-but when offered the opportunity to read this one, I just couldn’t wait any longer! Mark your calendars so this one will be in your beach bag this SUMMER!!

Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the early gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

I literally want to MARRY this book. I read the entire thing in one sitting and now I don't know what I will do without Jack, Hannah and even "Bobby" in my life anymore. This love story will go down in history as one of my favorites ever! Highly, highly recommend preordering this one!

Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC!

Review posted to blog:books-are-a-girls-best-friend.com

Swoon-worthy Jack Stapleton, Where art thou? If you existed, I’d trade places with Hannah Brooks in a Heartbeat!

But then, I think I’ve said that about ALMOST every single one of Katherine Center’s leading men. I guess that means she’s got my number! Ha. (Truth be told, Jake, from Happiness for Beginner’s holds the #1 spot in my heart on the Katherine Center’s leading male character list - he is the definition of swoon-worthy!)

A Christmas Buddy Read with Kaceey that was the perfect read for both of us!

Hannah Brooks is a Bodyguard. Yep, you’ve heard me. A highly sought after, 5 foot 5-inch bodyguard who works for a private corporation, hired to work for a gorgeous male actor who has recently taken some time off to care for his ailing mother. So why does Jack Stapleton need a bodyguard? He’s got a crazy stalker who is threatening his life. The problem is that his family is uber traditional and won’t take kindly to having bodyguards around so Hannah is going to “pretend” to be Jack’s girlfriend.

SO what happens when things start to get personal between Hannah and Jack. Sparks FLY! And let me just say that I had a front-row seat!

The Bodyguard had ALL the Feels! This book dug deep and examined the painful parts of its characters’ lives and was all about accepting people for who they are. Kudos to Katherine Center for going there! The Bodyguard also had lots of witty banter, and many laugh-out-loud moments as well.

This is yet another winner from Katherine Center and it was the perfect holiday buddy read with Kaceey that made us laugh and smile.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the arc.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.

An entertaining afternoon read to curl up to and escape for the day. Thanks for the opporuntity to read in advance

The Bodyguard was the most addictive book I have read in a long time. I could not put it down. I wanted to stay up late to keep reading it and ditch all of my plans until I had finished it.

Hannah Brooks is an executive protection agent who has just been dumped the day after her mother's funeral. A workaholic of sorts, she receives a new assignment: to protect Jack Stapleton. Jack Stapleton is a sexy, A-list Hollywood star. She and Jack get awfully close once they are forced to move into his family's remote ranch home. But are they acting? Or are they really falling for each other?

I loved Hannah. I loved Jack. My husband caught me smiling while reading this and I even laughed out loud. The book did get a little deeper and pull at my heart strings as Jack revealed a big family secret. I haven't had this much fun reading a book in a LONG time. It was perfect!

A fun rom com kind of read with really sweet moments

I really enjoyed this whole book, loved the little bit of mystery that was in the book and the couple of different twist that happened within the story. Hannah's character was relatable in many different ways, and how sweet Jake was in the book made it. I loved the growth that happens with both characters and really would love to see the older brother get a book too.

I really enjoyed this book - the characters were fun, witty, and likable. The plot twist at the end was also good, if maybe a little rushed. This was a good, fast paced read that I would recommend to friends.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

This was great, I really enjoyed it.

How fun to read this lively, fast paced romantic comedy and the gender flip of a female bodyguard and a male clients sexy movie star. Katherine Center has created engaging characters, funny dialogue and a fresh West Texas setting. Our main characters, Hannah and Jack, are both working through some stuff and that healing provides a grounding for the book so the more fantastical aspects of the plot can fly. A quick, enjoyable read. 4 stars for romance.

One of my favorite romance books of the year – a heart-warming, page-turning, feel-good story that is a bit different from Katherine Center’s earlier offerings. What sets The Bodyguard apart is the banter and good humor between and Hannah (a bodyguard to the rich) and Jack (a film star). There’s so much that could go wrong with this plot – but Center keeps the story on the rails as it zips from zinger to zinger, with undercurrents of issues that matter that are treated with sensitivity and thought.

Hannah uses work to escape from life, so instead of taking time to grieve after her mother’s funeral, she books a random flight to Toledo (fulfilling the promise she’d made to her mother to take a vacation), then heads in to work the day after the funeral, only to learn that she’s been taken off the upcoming assignment in Madrid with her boyfriend and co-worker, Robby, and that her best friend, Taylor, is going in her stead. Fast forward and Robby dumps Hannah for Taylor, and Hannah is forced to accept what she believes to be The Assignment from Hell: to stay in Houston and protect actor Jack Stapleton, winner of two back-to-back Sexiest Man alive titles.

I loved Hannah’s profession: a security detail who uses her smarts to assess and diffuse threats while remaining unnoticed (a plus for women in the field). She’s also tough as nails; as she says, “I could kill you with a wine bottle opener, by the way. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But I’m not going to.” One of the early hilarious scenes is when Jack doesn’t believe she’s capable of physically guarding him and charging her at a full run, dares Hannah to take him down. She does.

Jack doesn’t want a bodyguard, but a stalker fan makes it necessary. He’s returning to Texas to be with his mother, who is being treated for cancer, but there are Family Issues. A number of years ago, there was an accident and Jack survived while his younger brother died. His older brother and parents believe that Jack was at fault. Fast forward to the present, and Jack doesn’t want his family to know about the threats to him, so Hannah poses as his girlfriend. More hilarity ensues. And surprisingly, Center pulls off the normal-person/super-star love story in a way that’s both believable and charming, along with some stalker tension and lots of laughs along the way. A book to re-read – it’s that good.

Favorite bits: 
Hannah on her mother (an alcoholic): “Despite everything, I loved her. I didn’t like her, but I loved her.... it’s so much harder to love someone who’s difficult than to love someone who’s easy.”

I loved this book. There were quite a few laugh-out-loud moments, and the dialogue was witty and highly possible. I have to wonder who Center was imagining in the role of Jack because the longing in the slow burn was very realistic :P The casting off of an old boyfriend was very satisfying, and Center took the trope of fake dating to another level, along with the one bed setting.

I think I've read all of Center's books so far, and I very much appreciate her well-developed characters, excellent writing, and humor. She manages to be very emotive with her word choices. Also much appreciated are her fade-to-black scenes and clean language. She proves beyond doubt that a great book doesn't need either to be enjoyed.

A tad predictable but didn’t take away from my enjoyment one little bit!

Hannah Brooks works for a private security firm as an Executive Protection Agent. More commonly referred to as a bodyguard. No, she’s not your typical, hulking figure at six feet plus. Far from it, Hannah is an inch or two over five feet. Rather cute, completely unsuspecting. But make no mistake…looks are deceiving. She is an expert in martial arts and will gladly leave you broken in a puddle of mud if need be.

After the death of her mother and break up with her boyfriend (who just happens to also work for the firm), Hanna is re-focusing her energy hoping to get back to work and find some peace of mind. Her latest assignment might be the perfect ticket.

Jack Stapleton is a Hollywood A-lister here in Houston for a family obligation. Hannah is assigned to his case as the primary agent and must keep Jack in sight at all times. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s drop-dead gorgeous.🤩

But quickly Hannah finds herself so tangled up in it all, she isn’t sure what’s real and what’s an act.

I loved Hannah’s inner voice. Strong yet vulnerable. She was relentlessly stepped on by a lot of the other characters – maybe a bit too much at times. But through it all, always held her head up proudly no matter what and showed an inner strength we all want and need.

I adore Katherine Center’s books. Always guaranteed a fun rom-com that will demonstrate strength. Combined with equal amounts of love and laughter to keep me smiling along the way

A buddy read with Susanne.

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press

I have now completed every Katherine Center book in the universe. MUHAHA This one is on my top two (The first one, Happiness for Beginners was excellent.) Not to mention I binged the HELL out of it. I felt compelled to do it and you will too, trust me.

The best thing that I can comment on about her books, is that the men are real! They are flawed and they have their own issues, but not anything that can't be dealt with in real life if they really wanted to deal with them. The character of Hannah was very rigid to begin with but she's like a noodle... the longer she stays the more she softens up and I just adored her by the ending.

Jack is very Jack in all his candor. I adored him as well. The back and forth dialogue between the two coupled with interior thoughts of Hannah made the reading even better!

If this isn't made into a movie on Netflix, ... color me unimpressed! This is the best feel good book of 2022. run to the library to request it or sprint to your nearest bookseller. This one is going to be BIG!

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book early!

While this story might be a smidgeon unrealistic, with a 5'5" woman being the bodyguard for a 6'0"+ hunk of a movie star....who cares? This book was FUN! I immediately was able to picture this being a movie, with Ginnifer Goodwin (Something Borrowed) as our leading lady, Hannah, and the Hemsworth brothers (obviously) as our movie star stud, Jack Stapleton, and brother.

I didn't care one iota about this storyline being complete and obvious fiction, I was totally absorbed in the relationship and banter between the characters. I couldn't get enough of their interactions and the slow-burn relationship that built through the entirety of the book. I love a love story between unlikely partners!

Katherine Center has been called the Queen of Comfort Reads and I couldn't agree more. Her books are like a warm hug. It's easy to get lost in her stories for a whole day or two of binge-reading (I wish they lasted longer, honestly)! There's always a moral in the story that leaves me feeling warm and tingly inside, wishing to see the world in a more positive light. This story was simply a delight to read and I highly recommend putting it on your summer to-read list!

I stumbled upon a Katherine Center book awhile back and I was hooked! This is NOT my first choice of genre, but my goodness. She gets me every single time. This book was SO good!!!

This was a really fun and unique contemporary story. I love bodyguard romances, and the inclusion of the fake-dating aspect was great! This didn't have quite as much emotional impact as I was expecting from a Katherine Center book, but I really enjoyed the high stakes at the end and the resolution.