Ever since I read my first Katherine Center book, she became a must-read, drop everything author for me. So when The Bodyguard made its way into my hands eight months before publication, naturally, I dropped everything. As with all the other KC books I have read, The Bodyguard was everything I hoped for and more. All the feels in the all the right places, emotional where I needed it to be, heartwarming where appropriate and of course, the charm I've come to love from each and every one of Center's novels.

Katherine Center has done it again. She always finds a fresh way to write romance! I flew through this book and loved every page. It was the perfect read while traveling or lounging!

I always enjoy Katherine Center books and this was no exception. The main characters growth seemed a little rushed but it was still an enjoyable romance I would recommend!! I read it in just over 24 hours I enjoyed it so much!

Katherine Center's The Bodyguard was an enjoyable novel. It had everything...suspense, drama, comedy, passion, you really can't ask for more! Hannah is a funny, self deprecating character who doesn't quite fit the picture of a bodyguard, but could basically kill you with a tissue. Her mission is to protect a very handsome movie star who doesn't feel that he needs protecting. But of course, they each need to protect their hearts the most.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Once again, Katherine Center does not disappoint! The Bodyguard is a breath of fresh air that delivers romance, comedy, hurt and healing all at once. Hannah Brooks is a highly skilled executive protection agent (a.k.a. bodyguard) who spends her days protecting high profile targets all around the world. At first glance, she may not look intimidating, but Hannah herself says that if she is doing her job right, there will never be a need for her to use those "unique" skills. Hannah's life has turned upside down in the matter of days only to get worse by finding out her next job will be for Jack Stapleton, a famous actor with a crazy stalker, who upon meeting, mistook Hannah as his maid. After all confusion is cleared up, Hannah is able to proceed with her job of protecting Jack from his stalker but under one condition. his family cannot know. This complication leads Hannah to playing the role of Jack's pretend girlfriend. but something like that is easier said than done. With each turn of the page, the line between pretend and real becomes blurred and pretty soon, there is no pretend.

Katherine Center has a gift for writing charming and fun love stories with depth. The main characters in this one are the kick-butt female bodyguard and the handsome movie star she is guarding. But wait- his family can’t know he needs a bodyguard, so she pretends to be his girlfriend. Yes, we all saw this familiar trope coming, but it’s well done. Fans of Center’s other books will not be disappointed.

I’ve been a fan of Katherine Center’s since I read and fell in love with her novel “How to Walk Away.” That book set the bar high, as there was so much to love about it. I was eagerly anticipating her new book, and the “female bodyguard protecting the hot male Hollywood actor” premise seemed exciting and intriguing. Unfortunately, it didn’t deliver as much romance, suspense, and entertainment as I had hoped for. I didn’t care for the first-person point of view. The entire story felt unrealistic to me. Robby the ex is outrageously awful, and Hannah’s personality just didn’t come across as a tough-as-nails protector. I pictured Matthew McConaughey as Jack’s character, especially in the Texas ranch setting, which made the novel more enjoyable for me. I’m still a fan of Center’s work, but this one was just a bit too predictable, uninspiring, and Hallmark movie-ish for me. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

It is fun to read a book about a woman with an interesting career -- Hannah is a private protection/security agent who works for a prestigious security firm. She is assigned to protect a famous actor, but part of the deal is that she has to pretend to be his girlfriend. The end result is pretty predictable, but that is okay -- readers will get so much satisfaction from this romantic story.

I laughed, I gasped, I got mad, I was surprised and I cried. I can’t believe the emotion this book brought out in me. I loved it so much and I related to Hannah in a way I never connected to a character in a book. I felt like I was her experiencing the things she did. I felt like I knew each character because the author made them real people to me. The story was unique and well written. I have loved every book written by Katherine Center. Add this to your book shelf you won’t be disappointed.

"I feel like I've been lost all my life until now- and somehow with you I'm just...found."


Katherine Center just does something to me. She has a way with words and what she writes just...works. With other authors it could seem cheesy, but she is perfect.

My all time favorite trope is celebrity/regular person - and I also love fake dating tropes so this book was meant for me. Add in the fact that I grew up in Texas and had a farm, and I was HOOKED.

I think this is such a creative spin on both of those tropes, though. A female bodyguard!! Yes, please.

I loved Hannah and her fear of being unlovable. I swooned over Jack Stapleton and his crooked glasses and broken heart. And together they were just wonderful. Like being home. It was such a privilege to see Hannah fall in love with his family and let her guard down.

This book was adorable.




Thank you to St. Martins for an advance copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

This new novel by Katherine Center is a fantastic romantic read with depth and heart. I loved reading Hannah and Jack's story. As movie star, Jack is threatens by a stalker and Hannah is assigned his case and must present herself to his family as his girlfriend. Hannah is an expert bodyguard, with a broken heart and a desire to figure out what love for herself and others truly is. Taking on the challenge of guarding a movie star, Hannah finds out that people aren't always as they seem and how important connection with other can be. I'm a huge fan of Center and she is a must read author for me. This new book took all the things I love about her books and added a little more rom-com vibes than ever before, but also held true to her serious, introspective moments for the reader. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This author does not disappoint. I was so so excited when I saw that I was able to read an advanced copy of this book. Wow! I absolutely loved it. I have recommended it to all of my friends. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Fun, romantic story. Typical Katherine Center although I felt this was slightly more cheesy. My favorites by her are Things You Save In A Fire and Walk Away.

Hannah Brooks is one of the best Executive Protection Agents (aka Bodyguards) around. She's dedicated to her job and loves the company she works for. But after the sudden death of her mother, instead of taking time off, Hannah wants to jump right back into the grind. Doubly so as a potential promotion is hanging in the air between Hannah and a fellow agent. Hannah's latest assignment has her guarding superstar Jack Stapleton.

Jack Stapleton left fame behind a few years ago after a family tragedy. Now, he's back in Texas after his mother falls ill. With the studios betting on a comeback, they're still quite invested in Jack, and due to some over-zealous stalkers in his past, they can't be too careful. Enter Hannah as Jack's bodyguard. Trying to keep his stalker, and need for a bodyguard, a secret, Jack asks Hannah to pose as his girlfriend.

What starts out as a simple job, ends up helping both Jack and Hannah heal in ways they didn't know they needed.

I'm not typically one to read an arc so far in advance, but I'll always jump to read what Katherine Center puts out.

From the onset, I felt like The Bodyguard was going to be different than what I've previously read from Katherine Center. In a way it is, I felt like it was a lot more comedic. You almost feel like with a title like The Bodyguard you're going to get something in the realm of superhero. At least that's how I initially felt when I read the title. And if I'm being honest, Hannah is very superhero-like. One of the elements that can always be counted on from a Katherine Center book is a strong central heroine. Whether trying to make it in a man's profession, pushing themselves past physical trauma, or standing up for and fighting for what they believe, they're all strong women. From her job, we know Hannah is strong. In this instance, it's the vulnerability that she needs to work on. Knowing that it's ok to grieve or not know how to grieve. Accepting that she doesn't have to be perfect always.

I loved the bonding that happens between Jack and Hannah. It's slight animosity at first, but they just naturally click with one another. Neither of them lets the other get away with their hand ups which, in Jack's case, is especially refreshing as he's typically surrounded by people who are only around to do what he wants. In that way, Hannah ends up helping Jack heal and helping his family heal as sometimes only a person coming into a situation with a different perspective can.

Seeing Jack and Hannah slowly work their way towards each other is near magical. I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to revisiting it closer to publication. Katherine Center is an auto-read for me on a normal day, if you've new to her as an author, hurry now and pick up everything she's ever written.

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center is a "must read" author for me, and I was delighted to grab an early copy of The Bodyguard. Center does not disappoint with a book that I know is going to be on beach blankets and in book clubs this summer.

I loved the way Center swapped archaic gender norms by making petite Hannah Brooks the bodyguard and uber-famous Jack Stapleton the one needing protection = proving that looks can be deceiving and that biases should be challenged.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Movie star Jack Stapleton needs protection from a stalker when he comes home to be with his mom after her surgery. Enter Hannah Brooks, an unlikely bodyguard. To keep Jack's family safe, they pretend Hannah is his girlfriend. The fake dating trope but with a good looking movie star who may or may not be acting when he's with Hannah.

Too many staccato-like sentences, but an enjoyable read.

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

Adored this book!!! It was funny, heartbreaking, silly and sweet! Jack was such an incredible hero that there wasn’t a single thing that I disliked about him! Hannah was so much more than she let people see. Her line of work forced her to be closed off and guarded, but when those walls came down and she allowed herself to feel, her character was incredible! The two together was so hilarious and heart warming. They truly saw each other for who they were, not the roles they played.

The storyline around Jack’s brother Drew absolutely broke my heart!!!! It packed a gut punch right up until the end of the book!

I sped through this read because it was JUST THAT GOOD! I love that Center’s books are emotionally gripping and you barely even notice the lack of romantic / bedroom scenes! The chemistry between the characters was a slow burn and on another level of tension! So much angst!

I also liked the unique way the author told the story at times, almost as a reflection of past events from Hannah’s POV. The ending was incredible and wrapped up this adventure so nicely!

I have read and loved all of Katherine Center's books, so when I saw the premise of her newest book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The main character, Hannah, is a female bodyguard, and I loved the behind-the-scenes details about her job. The story was a little predictable, so this is a perfect comfort read with a great mix of humor and romance. It's a must-read for fans of Katherine Center.

4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“ Love is something you do. Love is something you generate.”

I so needed this book in my life! I don’t think I have laughed out loud so much while loving everything about this book.

Jack and Hannah have so much chemistry that it oozes off the pages. Both characters are interesting alone but together is a dynamic that isn’t seen often. All the feels, all the laughter, love, and warmth we have come to expect from this author and she definitely does not disappoint!

This is a must read!! I am so glad I did and you won’t want to miss this book!

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s press for the opportunity to read this amazing book. My review and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars
Ahhh, I want to rave on and on about this book and point out every moment I loved, but if I do that we're going to be here forever, so let me try to sum up the vibe of this book. This book has every trope I love (famous love interest, guy falls first, bodyguard romance, grumpy sunshine, nice/sweet heroes, nightmares, one bed, fake dating), it's also a really good friends to lovers slow burn, and there are a ton of adorable moments between the main characters, but that's not even what makes the book so great. What makes this book so damn enjoyable is simply the author's writing style. Yes, I loved all the tropes in this book, and am shocked the author managed to include so many I love, but it never felt like the were forced into the story. They were simply extra positive elements that were casually incorporated into the story, whereas the characters and their connection was the highlight. Even when they were just first meeting and everything was platonic, the main characters had such a great dynamic, it really built the foundation for their relationship (as should be the case for any good romance). My only complaint was the pacing. I wish the characters met a bit sooner so we had a bit more time to see the relationship develop, but the non romantic plot moved at a very natural pace so still overall it was really good. Despite the character's sad histories, this is a super upbeat romance with enough popular tropes and such loveable main characters, I can't see it not becoming popular. I definitely recommend picking it up when it comes out. I'll probably buy it just so I can own a physical copy (yes, it was that good).
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.