Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of The Bodyguard by Katherine Center in exchanged for an honest review. It publishes July 19, 2022.
How can you pass up a book with a female bodyguard to a famous hunky actor? This rom-com was cute with enough drama to keep you entertained. Hannah was a strong lead female character who excelled in her field but also used it as a way to escape her life. When you are a workaholic who is constantly on the move it doesn't leave you much room for personal growth. When Hannah is forced into protecting a celebrity and finally slowing down she fights it. Oh and did I mention their fake relationship? I loved her feisty attitude and interactions with celebrity in hiding Jack Stapleton. The family interactions were great and added heart to the story. The best parts were watching Hannah"s personal growth, becoming aware of what real love looks like, and learning to love herself.

Thank you St Martin’s Press for sending me the widget of this book and Katherine Center for writing it.
Katherine Center does not disappoint, I have read all her books and loved them all.
This novel was pure pleasure to read. Loved the characters, their banter, the romance.
I did not want it to end.
Highly recommend
5 Stars

This was my first book by Katherine Center and I absolutely loved it!

I seriously devoured this in 2 days and stayed up way too late reading. The characters were written so well and I absolutely loved Hannah and Jack's relationship. Fake dating is one of my favorites and I think this was done so well.

I am also a sucker for amazing side characters and I think I liked all of them in this book. Even the characters that the reader is not supposed to like (Robby) because they brought a bit of humor to the story.

Overall this book was a perfect mix of romance, family love and action...I loved that there was some action! I highly recommend!

The Bodyguard (𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂) — 4 ⭐️

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Tuesday, July 19th, 2022

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: After her mother passes away and her boyfriend breaks up with her, Hannah Brooks’ boss gives her a local assignment to be a bodyguard for the famous, Jack Stapleton. Everyone in the office is jealous of her job with the movie-star client, and unlike Hannah’s prior clients, she has to work undercover as Jack’s girlfriend to hide from his family the fact that he needs protection from a stalker. So what happens when the two are forced into proximity at Jack’s family’s ranch for several weeks? Well, you’ll have to read and see!

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: I really enjoyed the writing style of this book, and I thought Hannah’s first POV was relatable. The emotional journey of each of the main characters was well written. Readers should note that this is not completely a feel-good story. A lot of the story is about the characters attempting to overcome tough family situations along with a break-up, but at the same time, I would consider this a fun read!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 —
😂 Plenty of LOL Moments
💼 Workplace Romance
🔒 Forced Proximity
✊ Overcoming Tough Situations
🏡 Small Town Setting
👩‍🏫 Ambitious MC
🎥 Hollywood Romance

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐟 —
🤺 You know how to defend yourself
🕶 You have a celebrity crush
👢 You own a pair of cowboy boots
📊 You take pride in your work
🍜 Korean noodles is your favorite dish

𝐓𝐖: cancer, illness, family death, car accident, stalking, gun violence, suicide

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent, also known as a bodyguard, even though she’s a petite 5’4” and looks as sweet as they come. Jack Stapleton, her newest primary, is a famous actor and needs protection from a middle aged corgi breeder. Hannah must pose as his girlfriend and stay at his family’s ranch until the situation us resolved. Getting to know Jack and his family turns into much more than Hannah anticipated.

The Bodyguard is a sweet and clean romance, full of heart. The beautiful flow of the writing almost had me finishing the book in one reading. Jack is the perfect boyfriend, funny, patient, caring and attentive. I’m in love with Jack Stapleton after reading this book, so Hannah should be, too! Easy to read, uplifting and entertaining, this should be in your beach bag this summer.

The world of executive protection, blockbuster actors and small town life mash up together in this absolutely lovely opposites-attract romance from Katherine Center. I just loved this story,Hannah, Jack and everyone in the executive protection group. What a terrific reading experience this was!

Hannah is facing some very serious and debilitating situations at the start of the story. She's just lost her mother, her job isn't going great, her boyfriend has dumped her and worse. And in order to get a much-coveted assignment in London, she'll have to be the bodyguard for the hottest Hollywood actor, who just happens to have disappeared from the acting scene.

Definitely not a girly-girl, Hannah likes her pantsuits and everything just-so. Then she meets Jack. In order to blend in, she pretends to be his girlfriend. She has to give up her pantsuits for summer dresses and sandals. I absolutely related to Hannah in so many ways -- I just loved her so much.

Jack is the heartthrob everyone wants, but he's very aware of the pitfalls of fame. He's also nursing a Texas-sized ache in his heart for his recently deceased brother who died in a car accident they were both involved in. He's estranged from his brother and his mother is in a serious medical situation. He's asked to come home, and like the good man he is, he returns home. With fake-girlfriend/bodyguard at this side, he returns to the family ranch to be with his mom. It's here on the ranch that both Hannah and Jack find friendship, healing and love as they deal with everyday things.

The writing here is so easy and just flows. I fell right into the story by the third page and couldn't put it down until I finished it. I just wanted to spend time with these characters. And the ending is just perfect -- there's a twist that provides some action, but I just can't say enough about how it's the friendship between Hannah and Jack that made this story for me. There's humor and understanding, patience and progress in how both these characters experience life and the world. I just can't say enough about this story.

Definitely recommended. Romance readers-- this is what it's all about! Get this one and enjoy!

This book is absolutely adorable. While you may find it predictable at times, you can't help but fall in love with the characters. Hannah is a little different of a character as she has the 'protector' spot in the character line up while the male in the story, Jack, needs the protection and the emotional support. A great role reversal! This was a perfect vacation read for me to pick up and sink into.

I reallllly enjoyed this book. It was charming and laugh-out-loud funny and had a cool premise that I had only ever read before in fanfiction, even though it is a well-loved trope (BODYGUARD! But SHE is the bodyguard! Gasp!).

Hannah Brooks can kill you with a wine opener. She's an Executive Protection Agent which is a fancy word for a bodyguard. Hannah has had a rough time lately and is desperate to disappear into a long-term work assignment. Preferably as far away from Houston, Texas as she can get. Unfortunately for Hannah, she is assigned to watch a very special client, Very Fancy actor Jack Stapleton who has disappeared from Hollywood Life after a family tragedy.

I bet you can guess what happens next. Hannah and Jake have a really fantastic rapport and my favorite parts of this book were them getting to know each other. The bodyguard trope seamlessly moves into fake dating territory and that's where the book shines.

I found the writing to be just kind of fine. The dialogue is the best part and other than the two main characters I found that everyone else in the novel is just sort of a two-dimensional version of what could have been great characters. A lot of the secondary people in the book felt like caricatures to me and overall the book lacked a depth that separates the 5-star romances for me. (Also I get it...Hannah is "plain"?) There were also some logical inconsistencies that ruffled my feathers BUT

Overall this (closed door) romance was so much fun and I definitely recommend it, especially for a fun romance with some heart and some truly funny moments.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for letting me read an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s PUB Day for this beautiful book!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed Katherine’s latest book!! Everything about it was fantastic! There was family drama, a love story, and adventures on a Texas farm! 👏🏼 I found myself LOL multiple times while reading because she has a way of making you feel like you’re living in the book right along with these characters. 🥰 I have loved all of her books, but this one was just such a GOOD story!! Loved it!! 😍 Definitely recommend!!

“Maybe love isn’t a judgement you render—but a chance you take. Maybe it’s something you choose to do—over and over.”
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙙𝙮𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙, Katherine Center

Let me preface this by saying I read this book in one sitting. Not an uncommon feat for me, but I absolutely could NOT put it down. It’s THAT good.

I’m obsessed with everything about this story, from Hannah’s anxieties about being stuck in one place, to Jack’s complete and utter normalcy underneath his calm, cool, and collected famous actor exterior. The FAKE DATING. The side characters, and the trauma these characters suffered in their past. All of it was 🤌🏼

I’ll admit, I didn’t read the synopsis past “she’s got his back.” I LOVE turning a classic trope like protector/protected and flipping it so SHE’S the bodyguard. It was such a fresh take on a well-loved storyline. The secrets, the drama, the sweet, quiet moments between Jack and Hannah, the sheer love these characters all have for each other.

Everything about this book from start to finish was an absolute masterpiece, and it’s officially my favorite Katherine Center novel.

This is a fake dating Romance. I loved this book from the first page, and I really loved the characters in this book. This book was cute and funny, and I found the romance to be sweet. The ending was so great, and I loved it so much. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (St. Martin's Press) or author (Katherine Center) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

My favorite Katherine Center book yet! First, how perfect is the name Jack Stapleton for a movie star, and the personalityt to go with it? Yes, please! And how completely kick butt is Hannah Brooks? She may be my new fictional hero! Instantly, I wanted these two to be more than a fake relationship! I couldn't put this one down and loved every turn of the page. A story with characters you'll love, a storyline that keeps you engaged and emotions that make you feel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Review of The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yes! A book I want to hug. Finally. Not a thriller either. Try to hide the shock. I loved this book. I loved the characters. I loved the story. There isn’t much else to say other than it was heartwarming and entertaining. It was funny and serious too. I’m a huge fan of this author and this one may be my fave.

Quick synopsis: Hannah is a bodyguard. She loves her job. But she is going through a tough time when first she loses her mother and then her boyfriend (and coworker) turns into an extremely insensitive and selfish jerk who unceremoniously dumps her right after her mother’s death. And then her boss reassigns her at work which crushes her. Then she finds out her new assignment. It is to guard a famous and handsome actor named Jack who has a stalker. But his mom is sick with cancer and she soon finds out she must go to his family’s ranch and pose as his girlfriend to keep the cover and guard them.

I loved the audio on this one. Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress for the audio snd ecopy of this one.

Hannah Brooks is the bodyguard you never ever expect. The story opens with Hannah dealing with her own life in chaos and the reader just instantly starts rooting for things to go her way! Her new client is a famous movie star and he comes in and has his own issues. The pages kept flipping and I was so invested in the story. Before I knew it I had read the last page and am left with a book hangover. Wishing I could just move right in and live in this book!!!!

Hannah, like most women in the world, finds Jack extremely attractive and being in close contact only makes that attraction grow but living in close quarters also helps her see the man behind the star qualities. Living with his family, it also becomes readily apparent that there’s a secret that has kept this family apart, with the two brothers at odds. Hannah’s own childhood wasn’t great and the idyllic farm setting and love between Jack’s parents gives her a look inside a happy marriage and makes it hard for her to keep her feelings separate from the job she needs to do and the man she needs to protect.

It’s not often I say this about a contemporary romance, but in my eyes this novel was absolutely perfect. Hannah and Jack developed a great friendship and their interactions had moments of laugh out loud humor and tenderness. Hannah may have been starstruck by Jack’s good looks, but I was gobsmacked by their connection. I have read many books by this author and for me, this is her best book yet. There were depths to these characters that connected with the reader making me root for them both. Each of them were going through personal turmoil and leaned on each other while working through those feelings. This novel is a multi-faceted gem.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

4.5 stars

I absolutely loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. It is equal parts hilarious and swoony.

The typical men are bodyguards stereotype gets flipped on its head when Hannah Brook’s agency is hired to protect famous actor, Jack Stapleton. As the primary bodyguard for Jack, Hannah will spending a lot of time with him, and it gets a little more dicey when he has her pretend to be his fake girlfriend, while at Jack’s family’s ranch. I mean, what can possibly go wrong with that plan?

But the more time they spend together, outside and within the constraints of protector and protectee, things start to get more personal… things get shared and a more sounding relationship starts to form.

You will definitely have to one-click this to see how it turns out. Like I said, I couldn’t put this book down.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Hannah is a personal bodyguard. Her company has been hired by Jack Stapleton’s studio to protect their famous star. Jack is not happy about this at all. He is coming home to an intense situation with his family and he just doesn’t need the attention this will attract. But, there is just not much he can do about it except pretend that his bodyguard, Hannah, is his girlfriend.

I have loved Katherine Center since I read How To Walk Away So, I jumped at the chance to read this book. And, once again, this author reeled me in with her fantastic characters.

I adored Jack and Hannah. Hannah is a bit nerdy, introverted and just not into looks…but she is a bada$$. Jack is a huge movie star. So, it is so unlikely that these two will hit it off. But, in the usual romance genre way, these two do hit it off and on and off again and I loved every minute of it.

Now, this is a romance and not a genre I usually give 5 stars to. Why? you ask…no idea. But, this book had me so glued to the pages and laughing in all the right spots! I love when a book takes me away…and this one definitely did that!

Patti Murin is fabulous as the narrator! She hit all the right notes!

Need a book which will have you loving every minute of it…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

OK - so yes, this is pretty much chick-lit, rom-com but so what - - I really enjoyed it!! I like Katherine Center's writing, I loved these characters, and the plot - though predictable, was fun. What woman doesn't fantasize occasionally about having a movie star fall in love with them - no matter how unlikely. Hannah is someone most woman can identify with (well - except for flipping people over) and makes it possible to put themselves in her shoes and think - yes, it's possible for a gorgeous movie start to fall in love with an 'ordinary' woman. Best of all, was the slow awakening in Hannah of her worth.

There's action in this book as well as plenty of humor - and also just a look at a warm, down-to-earth family. It's a breath of fresh air of a read and I recommend it.

This book has been described as pure sunshine, and I’ve got to agree. This is an easy-to-read romcom with lovable leads. I really loved these two together and I would have kept reading their story for as long as it was written.

Thanks #NetGalley @StMartinsPress for a complimentary e ARC of #TheBodyguard upon my request. All opinions are my own.

She’s got his back…

Hannah is a petite Executive Protection Agent (bodyguard) hired to protect movie star Jack Stapleton from a stalker.

He’s got her heart…

Jack needs a bodyguard but must be with his ailing mom at the family ranch. Because he doesn’t want to alarm his family about the stalker and doesn’t want to tell them about his bodyguard, he decides that Hannah will pretend to be his girlfriend/fiance. Hannah has reservations about this “cover,” but goes along with it. She can protect him, but can she protect her heart? What could possibly go wrong?

The Bodyguard is a delightful and engaging spin on tge popular fake dating trope. Fast-paced and filled with witty banter and fun, The Bodyguard is an entertaining beach read!

Of course, in the rom/com, contemporary romance genre there might be some eye rolling and over-the-top moments and predictability, but that’s to be expected. Mostly, we’re looking for light entertainment when we pick up the genre. Amirite?

What I loved:

* The witty banter is not excessive
* This story has just enough wit and substance to satisfy my reading tastes
* Likable characters
* Katherine Center is an author I trust (which creates a relaxing reading experience)
* Sweet closed-door, slow-burn romance
* No excessive profanity
* Page-turning plot

I’m adding my voice to the many other positive reviews for The Bodyguard and enthusiastically recommend it for your next beach/pool/weekend read. Perfect for fans of light, contemporary, women’s fiction, for those who love rom/com, and for readers who love Katherine Center. This would be an excellent summer “chick-lit” selection for book club.

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.