📖 The Bodyguard
✍️ Katherine Center
💞 Romance
#️⃣ 320 pages

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

Thank you to NetGalley + St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent (better known as a bodyguard) who has just been assigned her newest client: actor and heartthrob, Jack Stapleton. Jack, who just recently moved back home to look after his sick mom, doesn't want his parents to know about his stalker, or that he needs a bodyguard. The solution? He pretends Hannah is his girlfriend. What starts as a harmless fib turns into actual feelings and soon Hannah is protecting both Jack and her own heart.

"Sometimes enthusiasm is its own reward."

This story was so cute and sweet and wholesome! Maybe a little too wholesome. 😅 It's very light on the physical romance between our MCs (#wompwomp), but Center makes up for it with fun banter and a genuine feel-good connection between the two. I will say that she went a little heavy-handed on the jerks in this story - there are a couple very one-dimensional assholes here. 🤪 I also wish we had a chapter or two from Jack's POV. This was my first Katherine Center and it for sure won't be my last. I ended up doing the audio for most of the story and I loved it!

🐴 Closed door romance
🐴 Single POV
🐴 Lifestyles of the rich + famous
🐴 Fake dating
🐴 Only one bed
🐴 Forced proximity
🐴 Explores family dynamics, loss and grief
🐴 Epilogue
🐴 Great on audio

#caitsquietplace #caitsquietplacereviews #cqpromance #netgally #stmartinspress #thebodyguard

The Bodyguard is a hilarious romantic comedy that put such a smile on my face. From the moment, Hannah and Jack meet, there are Sparks. There is also a slight complication - Jack is a famous actor and Hannah is the bodyguard who has been hired to protect him. It is the first time Jack has been back in his hometown since his younger brothers death. He doesn't particularly want to be there but he is there to support his mother during her cancer scare. Hannah is hired as his bodyguard to protect him from a stalker fan and help him keep a low profile. Jack doesn't want to worry his family so he asks Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend.

Hannah is immediately against the idea but is instructed to do so by her superior. She is given a new wardrobe and quickly has to fall into the role of faithful girlfriend. The faithful part is relatively easy but at first it is not easy to get along with Jack. Both characters are strong willed and do not easily give in. The more time they spend together, they develop a sense of admiration for each other. They have a sweet chemistry and I loved the bantering dynamic between them.

Jack's family immediately embraces Hannah and easily believes her to be his girlfriend. With the death of Jack's younger brother, the family is a little broken. His mother wants to bring them back together and having Hannah there is helping bridge the gap. Being around a family is bridging a gap for Hannah too. She recently buried her mother but, they did not have the best relationship. Growing closer with Jack's family helps heal the wound of lacking family support. She tries to resist but they like Jack seem to have this pull to them where she finds it difficult. I really enjoyed the bonding scenes, in particularly the one with rifle.

Prior to the assignment of being Jack's bodyguard, Hannah is unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend, Robby. This now ex boyfriend is also a co-worker; and his a piece of work. He is constantly putting her down and questioning her abilities as Jack's bodyguard. All of this opens Hannah's eyes to what a douche canoe he really is. I loved watching her grow and prove him wrong. I really empathized with Hannah's character and fell easily for Jack's rough exterior but, sweet heart.

The Bodyguard really puts me in right from the beginning. The faux-dating is well done and so is the bodyguard premise. The characters are defined and have the right amount of quirkiness. This was my first experience with Katherine Center but I plan on adding them to my TBR list.

What an awesome read! I love Katherine Center’s writing, but this story really is my favorite I think! I loved the characters so much. I felt like I was a part of their story and felt the love. Will definitely recommend to others!

Katherine Center has become one of my go-to authors. Her books are immersive and utterly addictive, brimming with charm, humor and emotion and this latest, was no different. I fell in love with the story, the characters and the intimacy and vulnerability imparted.

I was really excited to read a romance about a heroine being the bodyguard for the hero, and I really enjoyed the fake dating aspect as well. There were some really beautiful moments and quotes about what it means to be lovable and sending love out into the world. I also appreciated the family aspect of this.

I liked Jake and Hannah’s romance, but didn’t love it. I wanted to see more of them together as a couple after they confessed their feelings for each other. I felt like we were told a lot of things at the end instead of Centers showing us their HEA.

There’s also a scene towards the end involving a hostage situation and gun violence that was just…weird to me? It felt kind of out of place from the rest of the book. It was nice that something beautiful came out of a horrible situation, but still…it was odd.

**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

Overall it was super cute and enjoyable. Very quick and easy read. I loved the building of the relationship between the characters, the personal growth made the story more meaningful.

Hannah Brooks is probably the last person you would expect to be a bodyguard. But that of course is the point when celebrities and owner's of oil empires want to be protected but not stick out like a sore thumb. With all of her training, she is one of the best at the company. When her boyfriend breaks up with her the day after her Mother's funeral, she feels lost and all she wants to do it absorb her sorrows in work. Unfortunately, her boss is forcing her to take a break and do some proper mourning. When she returns, she is forced into babysitting one of the most popular actors on Earth. Jack Stapleton is on everyone's radar as basically the sexiest man alive and anyone would jump at the chance to be around him. Hannah on the other hand doesn't feel the same way. Yes she loves him in movies and thinks that he's hot but she's afraid that her feelings might rollover into the job and that cannot happen. Then she finds out that his Mother is sick and she is being forced to act as his girlfriend for the next four weeks while they relocate to his family's ranch to be with her. The more time she spends with Jack, the more she feels as if she's falling for him. But he's an actor. So this all must be an act, right?

I loved this book and could not put it down! This is my first read by Katherine Center and she has sure made a fan out of me. I can't wait to start reading some of her past novels. There was so much more to the story than just the romantic plot. Everything was described in such great detail that I felt like I was right there as everything was happening. I also laughed out loud multiple times throughout the book. That is a huge thumbs up for me. Thank you so much Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this one! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

What a cute idea for a rom-com!

Hannah's a professional bodyguard who gets assigned to protect this high-profile, rich, kind, and might I add smoking hot celebrity when her life is at its lowest point. Her mom died, her boyfriend broke up with her, and she's grounded from being able to travel for work. So when she gets tasked with watching Jack Stapleton, and part of the job is to pretend to be his girlfriend, so she blends in, things get...complicated. Over the course of their fake relationship, they're forced to spend time with each other. They learn a lot about one another but grow to know themselves better in the process. Yep, what could possibly go wrong?

What an enjoyable romance read this was! Did the ending seem completely predictable after just the first few chapters? Of course! Was it a delightful, super fun read to get there? Absolutely! 
This was such a sweet and interesting romance. I flew through this book and enjoyed seeing how these characters would come together. I think a few of the characters lacked depth and seemed a bit hokey, but overall I just didn't care, as the story itself was just too fun. Quick, fluffy, brain candy, and would make a great beach-read!

What a fun story about a tiny woman as a bodyguard for a 6’ dashing movie star!

I always enjoy Katherine Center’s books. Her protagonists are smart, strong females. The conquer the issues straight on with competence and creativity. This book in no different. It could even be argued that this is her best novel yet.

It is full of humor while still dealing with real world problems such as cancer, crazed fans, family misunderstandings and loyalty. The narrator was perfect and made a great story even better. Since I received both the eBook and audiobook, I switched back and forth between the two. The audiobook was my preferred reading method.


I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and an audiobook from MacMillan Audio. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

The Bodyguard is the type of book you read and immediately think "Ya, this should be a movie". The banter between Hannah and Jack is perfection. Hannah totally reminds me of Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality in the best way. I absolutely love that movie so I knew I was going to love this book as soon as it started. Jack is the swoony movie star who of course is more than meets the eye. The cast of side characters adds to this book to create the perfect summer rom-com.

Easy 5 Stars!!!
“Maybe love isn’t a judgment you render—but a chance you take. Maybe it’s something you choose to do—over & over. For yourself. And everyone else.”

This book. Just wow! It was the best mix of funny, flirty, deep + meaningful! The good stuff. Hannah is a complex MC that you are rooting for from the very first page! & Jack Stapleton’s endearing personality is a warm hug!!

I loved the dynamic story & all the little discoveries you make along the way! I also so appreciated that Hannah & Jack are both grieving but in different ways—such a good representation for how we all experience & express hard emotions in our own way & that’s okay!!

bookish things:
• a bodyguard + a movie star
• strong (& yes, a little grumpy) female lead
• SWEET male lead
• fake dating trope + forced proximity
• complex + precious family dynamics
• grief rep
• all. the. things.

HIGHLY recommend ❤️

This book was so good!!! I loved the fake dating trope and just overall I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the story. I thought the pacing was great and super likable characters. I definitely recommend this book!

This book was a refreshing change to the "fake-dating" trope. A woman bodyguard who has to protect a famous actor while he stays with his family and out of the spotlight. I found the characters very likeable and this was a fast read. Hannah and Jake had great witty banter that had me laughing out loud. This was my first read by Katherine and I would definitely be reading more!

Thank you for the ARC NetGalley and Katherine Center!

This was my first Katherine Center book and it did not disappoint. I loved the main woman character, and found the story to be original, witty, and super cute. I really enjoyed this book, and will definitely pick up more Of this author’s books in the future.

Katherine Center is one of my auto-read authors! Her unique combo of humor and heart delivered through expert storytelling and dialogue never fails to make me laugh and swoon. As soon as I sat down to read it, I didn’t want to stop. I devoured it in two sittings and I’m already considering a reread.

I adore Hannah and Jack! Hannah Brooks is great at her job but she is an absolute mess in her personal life. She probably/most definitely needs therapy (don’t we all) and through it all she is so relatable and human. Jack is every bit the heartthrob I hoped he would be when I read the blurb! His part of the story definitely has the most triggers, but I love a solid cinnamon roll hero! In a sort of reverse stereotype, Hannah has mile high barriers and avoids all things emotion. Jack wears his emotions on his sleeve and clearly is more in-tune with his thoughts, experiences, and emotions as a whole.

The side characters added the vibrancy that I expect from Center. Jack’s big, lovely family and their open-armed acceptance and love even with all the difficulties they have faced over the past few years (his brother is the exception but there is a reason for that). Hannah’s team? The big boss, Glenn, in particular had me cackling with his ways of torturing his agents. I didn’t really care for the mean-girl teammate angle. I admit it was still fun to read but I was more invested in the emotional love, self-care, and forgiveness arcs happening throughout the story.

As much as I loved The Bodyguard, I didn’t feel as though this couple had the same gut punch character development that we’ve seen in some of Center’s other work. Hannah’s healing after her mom’s death could have used some more attention to round it out the same as Jack’s trauma. On top of that, I wish there was a little more sizzle between Jack and Hannah… something to convince me that there was a burning need beyond that adoration and respect that I love. With that said though: This is absolutely ready to become a rom-com on the big screen and I need it!

Filled with hope, love and kindness, The Bodyguard gave me all the feels and swoons I was looking for! I’m a sucker for a fake relationship. Even better if is work related! I don’t seek out celebrity tropes but it worked well in this story. If you enjoyed Things You Save In a Fire (you can read my review here), then you need to bump this lovely couple up your TBR!

TW: Brief mentions of Domestic Abuse and Alcoholism, Parent Death, Sibling Death, PTSD
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for my ARC.💛💖

I really loved this book, guys. It's the first time I've read this author's work and I can say I will definitely be doing it again.
Hannah works as a Bodyguard and is tasked with protecting Jack, a well-known actor from a crazed stalker. We get fake dating, meddlesome family, the awful Ex, ass-kicking shenanigans, and laugh-out-loud scenes. Super mild angst with a happy ending that remained true to the character's nature.

A quick read romance with a memorable female character and just the right amount of love language. Very satisfying!! 👏👏👏.

Grab a copy, this book is avail to buy now.💛💖

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

This was a cool protagonist! I went in blind and didn't expect her to be a bodyguard so it was a great surprise :)

I really like all of Katherine Center's novels (have read almost all of them) and I think this is one of the better. It was some mental health issues here and I love when an author doesn't shy away from them. It's important subjects.

I loved the romance between Hannah and Jack and I think I fell in love with them both. Well done!

Review time!!
I absolutely loved this story.
Catherine center has quickly climbed my book pole and become one of my favorite authors.
The characters are always likeable and the storyline always sucks me in emotionally.
If your looking for a lighthearted rom com,that draws you in, than this is for you, or any of her books for that matter.
This book and things you save in a fire are my top 2 favorite by her.

What a fun romcom from author Katherine Center. It was a super quick read with a few laughs, a sweet, wholesome relationship and a female lead with a very cool job! Add this to your list for vacay books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.