Member Reviews
I love this author, so I was very excited to read this book! It did not disappoint! I loved the whole premise of having a female bodyguard, I sort of wish we could’ve seen more cool scenes from her showing her skills off.
I loved the characters so much, and the setting. I thought the stalkers were hilarious, which is a sentence I never thought I would write! And of course, I loved the epilogue.
This book!! I don't have enough good things to say. I walked into reading this book thinking that it would be like any other bodyguard / celebrity romance book and I was absolutely blown away. It was nothing like what I imagined it would be because it ended up being far better.
Hannah Brooks is an unassuming woman who has an interesting job, being a bodyguard. She is the perfect bodyguard because she's able to blend in which helps her to no end when protecting her clients. When her company is contracted to protect movie star Jack Stapleton, she's unprepared for what's about to happen.
Hannah and Jack are both broken from past trauma. They find a friend in each other and the friendship and love that builds throughout this book is beautiful. I rated the book so high because of the author's writing and for Hannah and Jack, but I can definitely say that there are some plot holes throughout the book that don't feel tied up by the end of the book. This does not deter from the book at all and if one is focusing solely on Hannah and Jack and their evolution, it's not difficult to ignore some of the issues with the book.
I cannot recommend this to enough people. It's such a different take on the typical bodyguard / celebrity romance book especially with it being set in Texas as opposed to Los Angeles and the celebrity not being caught in the spotlight at all times. The reader (and Hannah) is actually able to enjoy getting to know the real person instead of the facade.
I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
Oh, how I loved this book! Ever since I finished it yesterday, I've been thinking about why it is so freaking great. And I've decided that what is truly fantastic about THE BODYGUARD is that it defies your expectations at every turn...in the BEST way possible.
Hannah is a badass bodyguard/security specialist. She is very petite, but could kill you with a corkscrew. She can take down a tall, muscly guy (and does). Expectation defied.
Hannah is also repeatedly described as plain, average looking, a dull dresser. At one point the story sets you up for the impending makeover in order to pass as a movie star's girlfriend. And then...she refuses. She never gets a makeover. Never waxes her eyebrows or embraces make-up. Expectation defied.
This freaking sexy movie star and his badass security guard evolve and grow in this book, but never change to suit the other. They stay themselves, but fit together. He stays a messy slob. She stays make-up free and "plain". Expectation defied.
Even the final chapters and a scene of conflict turn out to be both funny and meaningful and flawed and hopeful and just...perfect. Expectation defied.
I loved this book even though I wanted to rip the door off of this closed-door romance and revel in a pages-long, steamy, sex scene. But, I loved this book, closed-door and all. Expectation defied.
THE BODYGUARD is refreshing and funny and sweet and truthful and real and I freaking loved it.
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated PG / Kissing and awareness that characters sleep together. Closed Door.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: cancer, past death of family member, death of parent, cheating ex, past drunk driving
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.
I’ve always been a big Katherine Center fan, and have read all her books so when a new one is released it immediately gets onto my TBR list.
I did not know anything about this book when I started it and it caught my attention right as I started reading it. The main character was unique - a petite bodyguard to the rich and famous (or not famous, depending on her assignment). I liked right away that she was a badass and I wasn’t surprised that she had a tough exterior and a workaholic.
The story followed her and her latest assignment and all it’s challenges. This newest book from KC did not disappoint and I enjoyed it as a quick (for me) read!
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.
I greatly enjoy Katherine Center's works. In her latest novel, Hannah is forced to pretend to be a movie star's girlfriend when in reality, she is his executive protection agent, working with a team to keep him safe from a stalker while he finally visits his family in Texas due to his mother's health issues. As always, this is not your typical romance with Center, both Hannah and Jack have family issues to deal with.
TW: child abuse, alcoholism, cancer, death
This was the best book I've read in a while and exactly what I needed right now. It was laugh out loud funny and adorably sweet. Just pure happiness in book form.
I fell in love right along with Hannah and Jack. There were so many swoon worthy moments that I couldn't get enough of.
Katherine Center's writing is heartfelt and amazing. I loved it so much!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
At first glance this might seem like it will be too trope-y to be any real fun, but this was a great romance. Yes, Hannah Brooks is thrown together with a low-profile keeping a-list star with a mystery in his recent past. And yes she falls for said a-lister. But what makes this romance so great (and unique) is Hannah's kick-ass profession and personality. It was very refreshing to read about a woman comfortable in her own skin, who is not only great at her job but loves it. When she has self doubt it is believable and makes her feel more like a real person. Also the growth of the relationship between Hannah and Jack felt believable and not rushed or out of character. The side characters were fleshed out just enough to add to the story and help the main characters along. All in all a great read.
I didn't have high expectations of this one after reading and very much not liking Center's most recent book prior to this one, however, I really enjoyed this book!
I thought the plot was something different than what I've read before in a romcom and enjoyed the difference in characters.
It was a quick and engaging read
Sweet Home Alabama meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Hannah Brooks has a problem. She can't deal with problems, she runs from problems. That's not her only problem. Katherine Center spins an engaging, funny, romance with a strong female lead. Watch Hannah grow and self-actualize in this sometimes cheesy, frisson-filled rom-com read. Easy read that can be picked up and put down quickly without losing your train of thought. Though, trust me...you won't want to put down this title.
I loved the premise of this book, but the plot didn’t do it for me. I expected her to be this badass bodyguard who took no shit and prisoners or however the saying goes. Instead, I found her to be naive and clueless. The characters were very immature and the plot felt a bit blah. I couldn’t connect to the characters, and the romance felt forced. I also felt the grief trope was being pushed, but it didn’t hit the way it was supposed to. It felt like a plot device and not a compelling part of the story that added depth. Overall, this was just an okay read for me.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eArc.
I love Katherine Center, and this book is no exception. What a fun premise that had be smiling and laughing as I turned the pages. I will absolutely be looking out for Center's next release! Her books are always charming, full of laughs, and completely heartfelt.
Hannah has a job working as a bodyguard, or rather an executive protective agent. She gets assigned to Jack, a famous movie star. Jack is home to see his mother who has been ill. He doesn’t want her to know he’s in danger, so he wants Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend. Soon Hannah is in the middle of way more than she expected as she takes on her assignment. I have always enjoyed the way the characters and their relationships are portrayed in Katherine Center’s books, and this new release did not disappoint me. There was humor and emotions throughout.
The BODYGUARD
By Katherine Center
I am a huge fan of Katherine Center because of her wonderful representation of women in atypical roles, and The Bodyguard is one that I enjoyed thoroughly. Center never disappoints and her stories just keep getting better and better. This was a slow burn romance with a fun fake girlfriend and close proximity trope. Hannah Brooks is the Executive protective Agent aka bodyguard for the sexiest man alive, Jack Stapleton. What may be a cutesy romance actually delves with deep themes of loss and family, and this one is so good, it is impossible to put down.
Get ready to swoon and fall in love, we all need this.
Katherine Center is special. Simply put. Just when I think she can’t outdo herself, SHE DOES! The Bodyguard is everything I want in a romcom. And more. I smiled, I squealed, I swooned. Perfect 5 stars for The Bodyguard!
3.5 ⭐️ Cute bodyguard, fake-dating romance
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ strong, capable bodyguard FMC
✨ hunky, sweet movie-star MMC
✨ fake-dating
✨ city girl ends up on a ranch
✨ client to friends to lovers
✨ one-bed trope
✨ emotional baggage
✨ crazy stalker drama
✨ fun banter
✨ zero spice
I liked the story. It was fun, sweet, and had some exciting moments near the end.
While there were some heavy topics (death of a family member, past childhood trauma/parental alcoholism), they didn’t weigh down the story, and it remained light-hearted for the most part.
I enjoyed seeing the character growth of both Jack and Hannah. They had a lot of big things to work through and did that on their own and together. I love how they were there for each other as friends, and it was sweet watching them blossom into something more.
Jack’s mom, Connie, is my absolute favorite! I wish we got even more scenes with her!
Jack and Hannah were cute, but I wasn’t 100% convinced of their chemistry. He mentions how ordinary and plain she is to his brother, but then when she confronts him about it, he’s like, “yeah, and I like that about you.” But that’s not really a compliment. We want the love interest to find the MC attractive in some capacity, but he never says anything to that degree. It’s also brought up 3 different times (by her ex, Jack, and Jack’s fake celebrity girlfriend) that she’s nothing special, which rubbed me the wrong way. Idk I would have liked for them to have some sort of obvious physical chemistry or at least have it mentioned a little.
But the best part about these two was Jack’s teasing and their banter! It was so stinking cute and made me smile. ☺️
The pacing was sometimes off for me. It was hard to get into at the beginning because one bad thing after another kept happening to Hannah, and she was constantly complaining about her work assignments. But once she got to the ranch, things picked up for me. So around 25% of the book. And I know some people said the ending came out of nowhere, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nothing like a little conflict during the last 10%!
Overall, this is a cute romance I’d recommend if you want something fun and quick to read.
Katherine Center has quickly become an autobuy author for me. I love the way she writes romance. It's more than just the relationship of the characters, but discussions of real life topics and issues is key as well. I didn't think I would like this gender-swap trope of female bodyguard with male client, but it worked! And was an enjoyable read for sure! Can't wait to see what Center writes next!
Loved the premise behind this charming rom-com and it's a great vacation read. Fans of Emily Henry and Jasmine Guillory will love this one! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
Sweet closed door romance that is very fun to read! This book made me laugh so much! It made me so happy.
Hannah is a bodyguard for the rich and famous, based in Houston, Texas. Not the big and burly type, but rather the informed and trained type, she usually excels at her job and maintains the proper protocols. When her boyfriend dumps her the night after her mother's funeral, all Hannah wants to do is escape and work. Her boss has other plans and assigns her to a local movie star named Jack Stapleton. She must pretend to be his girlfriend while protecting him from a stalker since his mother is unwell and getting treatment for cancer. The only thing Hannah does not expect is to enjoy her time with Jack and his family. With ever changing circumstances bringing them together, Hannah has a decision to make between maintaining her professional distance or finally finding enduring love.
I enjoyed this book so much, especially the humor and the encouraging quotes about life and love. The plot was relatively fast-paced and never lacked interest or suspense. The characters seemed so realistic and it was easy for me to root for Hannah as she faced the cruelty of her ex and her grief for the loss of her mother. The quotes about having confidence in yourself in spite of the way other people treat you really spoke to me, as well as the focus of living each day by making the most of your opportunities and relationships. I didn't care for the profanity and thought the narrative would've been much better without it. Other than that and some innuendos, I highly recommend this book for its heart and humor. I would love to see a follow-up story with the same characters!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
This was a fun, whimsical romance that I didn’t want to end! I love a good happy ever after and this author so it did not disappoint! Katherine Center just might be one of my most favorite authors. I loved this book from start to finish!