I feel that Katherine Center has a way of pulling on my heart strings which puts her a class above many authors for me. I believe in her characters and plots because she makes them feel real to me. The Bodyguard added some silly rom com elements that had me laughing while along for the ride. Regardless of the laugh out loud moments I appreciated the elements of grief, family, and feminism.

I loved that the main character was a bodyguard and could majorly kick butt. I think that sometimes authors will take a strong female character and make them almost machine like. Center was able to fully flesh out Hannah's character and make her vulnerable yet capable. She is told by other characters in the story that she has no emotions but she feels so much and is able to compartmentalize in order to function.
I thought that grief was handled very well in the book. Readers are able to witness and journey with characters as they attempt to cope with their different losses. It was interesting to me to see how unique each was and how the family functioned in the aftermath.

I have only one criticism regarding the story. I'm not sure how I felt about the "villain". The twist regarding that aspect of the book seemed a bit out of left field. It took me out of the story and then I felt that the ending was a bit rushed after the fact.
If you are interested in reading a light hearted yet emotionally grounded story then you should definitely pick up The Bodyguard.

Hannah Brooks has a unique job that most people would never suspect. She is an executive protection agent aka elite bodyguard. So, she wasn't surprised when she was assigned to protect a famous actor, Jack Stapleton from a stalker while he is in Texas visiting his family. She soon finds herself pretending to be his girlfriend to avoid worrying his mother who is receiving treatment for cancer. What could possibly go wrong when you are pretending to date someone? This is an enjoyable, fun read for those who enjoy romantic comedies.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for sending this book for review
consideration. All opinions are my own.

OMG! All the emotions and i mean that in the best way possible. I loved this story and it continued to pull at my heartstrings long after reading. I love Katherine Center's writing. She knows exactly how to pull you in and not let ago..

Katherine Center does it again! I enjoyed this book so much!
The characters are unique and I enjoyed the plot a lot. The drama was believable and very realistic. Overall a great quick read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book!

Katherine Center does it again! Her closed door romances are so sweet and this was no exception. I highly recommend any of her books but especially this one! The plot is so unique and her characters feel so real.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love Katherine Center, and have been a habitual reader for years. She never disappoints and this book is no different. An enjoyable read, and if you read Center, you won't be disappointed.

Hannah, is an executive protection agent- aka bodyguard. Her current assignment: to help protect Jack Stapleton. a famous and in-demand actor. They both have their fair share of personal drama going on behind the scenes. Hannah’s boyfriend dumped her on the day of her mother’s funeral. Jack is in town to support his mother during cancer treatments but doesn't want a ton of attention. Given their proximity to one another, their cover story is that Hannah will pose as Jack's girlfriend so as not to worry his family.

I love that this was set in Texas as it's where I was born and raised. Hannah is a bada$$ and I could feel the chemistry between her and Jack......speaking of Jack, swoon!

This is my favorite Katherine Center book so far, it's one I could see myself re-reading. I look forward to reading her backlist and upcoming novels as well. 4+ stars. Loved reading and discussing this one with my #readspinrepeatbookclub

This book reads like a Hallmark movie where the female lead is whisked away to the family home of the actor she’s providing service protection for. I liked getting to know his family and seeing how they interacted. I didn’t like the female lead’s interactions with her ex. I don’t think any women would tolerate that in the real world.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with the Catherine center book. I’ve never read a book by Catherine that I didn’t absolutely love! And this one was no different. Love the characters. Love the storyline easy read.

Genre: Romantic Comedy
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded up to 5 on GR)
Current GR rating: 4.00
Format: Audiobook via @libby.app 🎧
Spice meter: 0/5 🌶 (not spicey)!
TW: death of parent

Nominee for Best Romance in 2022 on @goodreads 👏🏼

READ IF YOU LIKE:
💛Fake dating
🛏One bed
👩🏼‍🤝‍👨🏻Forced proximity
💵Rich/famous MMC falling for your “average” girl
🚪Closed door romance
🌟Hollywood
🐴Texas ranch setting

✨ Jack Stapleton is a Hollywood superstar… with a stalker. Jack travels home due to familial circumstances, but doesn’t want this stalker to become a problem; he decides to get a bodyguard, who shockingly enough, is a super cute FEMALE. As a cover-up for his family, they pretend they’re in a relationship. 🙊

☁️THOUGHTS
This was an amazing rom-com audiobook, oh my goodness!!!! I didn’t quiteeee get that solid 5 star feeling, but I can’t pinpoint why- I loved everything about this book & finished it in less than 24 hours. I absolutely adored both of our MCs, & loved the fun spin with our FEMALE main character being the bodyguard. I tend to go into my books blindly (w/out reading synopses) & have to admit that I 100% assumed the male was the bodyguard. Such a pleasant surprise- we love a strong female lead!!! 🙌🏼

I laughed, smiled (ear to ear!!!), teared up; just adored it! I read a previous Center novel (this is my 2nd), & liked it- solid 4 star; but this one was another level. The banter, quirkiness, & the amazing supportive characters. 🥹 The ending was predictable, but what else would you hope to happen in a rom-com?! 🤣💗 Love love love! Cannot wait to get to the rest of her backlist.

This was JUST the book of pure JOY that I was craving. 🫶🏼

“You can’t make people love you. But you can give the love you long for out to the world. You can be the love you wish you had. That’s the way to be okay. Because giving love to other people is a way of giving it to yourself.”
“When you’re not around, even for a little while, I feel like I have to go find you. I just feel this pull to be near you… I feel like I’ve been lost all my life until now – and somehow with you, I’m just found.” 🥹💗

So highly recommend!

Hannah has experienced loss to a degree that she feels completely alone. Her mother died. Then betrayal came next. This eliminated her boyfriend and best friend. Hannah’s profession as executive security takes her all over the world. Her next assignment is for the very handsome actor Jack Stapleton. Hannah doubts her ability to be loved and intentions of those around her. I adored this novel. The Bodyguard was a breath of fresh air. The narrators were perfect selection.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martins Press, NetGalley and Katherine Center for this ARC.

Cute, easy read. Picked it up as a palate cleanser and it definitely kept me interested. No spice, but that didn't take away from the story for me. Overall, this was the feel good, fun, cheesy romcom I didn't know I needed!

such a fresh take on the bodyguard trope. i truly enjoyed seeing a woman in what isa heavily male dominated career both on and off page. the was a wonderful read and i could see myself picking it up again in the future

I’m a big fan of Katherine Center’s writing. Each time I think this is the best book so far and then the next is somehow even better.

I love the sweet, romantic plots that are entirely realistic. Her writing is perfection, not over the top with silliness or romantic situations. Each of her books has had me grinning at different points out of secondhand embarrassment and also laughter. I never see the twist coming, I’m always too caught up on the rest of the story. I love that part the most, keeps me on my toes.

Absolutely loved this cute romcom! The perfect combo of silly, love, suspense, and finding yourself. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend if you love a good romcom!

Very fun read!! I loved the female bodyguard - turning the trope over and enjoyed the dynamic very much. The final showdown is fantastic.

Just wrapped up "The Bodyguard" by Katherine Center, and let me spill the tea – Jack and Hannah's chemistry is next-level amazing. It's this slow-burn magic, but I couldn't help but wish for a bit more romance. A tiny bit more spice, and it would've been perfection.

The story is all about Hannah, this kickass bodyguard, pretending to be Jack's girlfriend to shake off his stalker. The drama is real, and I was totally sucked in. But, here's the thing – the ending felt a bit hurried, including the epilogue. I wanted a touch more closure, you know? Nevertheless, "The Bodyguard" is a wild ride with an epic plot, and the connection between the characters is downright addictive.

Katherine Center never disappoints and THE BODYGUARD is no exception! She has become an auto-buy/read author for me and I can hardly wait for her next novel

Loved the dry sense of humor and banter so so much.

This is the first of Katherine Centers books that I’ve read and I really enjoyed her writing style! I have a hard time with books that are just one long paragraph after the next and having the short paragraph/fragmented thought style of writing. That’s how my thoughts usually are and the way my brain works so this was great for me.

The storyline was very cute and I love the reversal of your typical ‘the bodyguard’ scenario.

Overall I give this 4.5 stars.

I love Katherine Center’s books, and this one did not disappoint. It was fun and witty and such a great time! I love the strong FMC!