Whhhhhyyy is it over?!? I finished The Bodyguard last night and today I am missing the characters and the story. Seriously, all I want is to head back to Texas to be with them. I LOVED every moment reading it. Katherine Center consistently writes characters I love reading and stories that immerse me in the characters' lives. I will be recommending this book to people left and right, young and old. It was funny and charming with a few serious notes and just the right amount of romance (closed door romance, y'all!). I've read some of Katherine Center's backlist but I'm missing a few. I'll rectify that asap!

The Bodyguard releases July 19 and trust me, you need it!!!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for my e-arc. Katherine Center, thank you for writing one of my favorite stories of the year!

I ADORED this book. Rom coms aren't usually my number one selection (tho I do enjoy them), but The Bodyguard was SO good!

The writing was beautiful, which is to be expected from Katherine Center, and the characters were so fun and likable, not always something you get in a rom com. All of the feels and emotions came out when reading this book. I laughed, I was on the edge of my seat, I was curious, scared, excited, sad, happy, surprised, I could keep going!

The story of Hannah and Jack held my interest, and while I had my suspicions on how it would end, it still kept me guessing until the very end!

Fun read, you will fly through this since it's so captivating.

SWOON- I need a motion picture made from this...STAT!

This book has my heart- I've read most by K. Center and while they've always been OK to me, they haven't wormed their way into my heart like The Bodyguard (or Jack Stapleton) did.

There are so many fun tropes in RomCom now, and I don't typically gravitate to the fake-dating ones because I've never been given anything that is remotely as quirky, witty and clever as a flipping EXECUTIVE PROTECTION AGENT AND A MOVIE STAR? WHAAAAT?!!
I laughed, I gasped, I cried and I FELL COMPLETELY IN LOVE WITH JACK and his sweet little fam. The dialogue was hilarious- cows, corgis and everything in between was just perfection. I enjoyed that while there was a lot of light and fluffy parts, there were also some SERRRIOUSSS themes (TW: death, threats (obv), cancer).

I soooo will not forget this babe of a book anytime soon, I can't stop raving about all the feels!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and K. Center for taking me out of my reading slump with this DRC!

I fell in love with both Jack and Hannah and felt invested in their story the entire way through. I enjoyed the twist at the end as well. I will highly recommend this book in my store and handsell to customers.

Katherine Center is an author I can always count on to make me smile. Usually, her books can also make me cry or take me on a deep emotional dive. However, The Bodyguard is much more uplifting, while still leaving room for both main characters to grow. Katherine said that she wrote this book during the pandemic and wanted to keep it a little more upbeat and I felt that while reading this book. Hannah is an Executive Protection Agent assigned to protect Hollywood hunk Jack Stapleton. Hannah ends up getting convinced (aka assigned) to be his fake girlfriend. Hello, fake dating written by Katherine Center...I knew it would be good! This book is fun, especially when Hannah talks about her past jobs or pulls some boss lady moves to prove she can handle the job. Jack is a total sweetheart! And the setting, a Texas ranch, was perfect for dreaming about a space away from the business of life. I loved this book and read most of it in one day. I read this as a buddy read and was so excited that we got to chat with Katherine Center over Zoom. She was pouring out so much wisdom and making us laugh. I highly recommend this book, especially as an introduction to Katherine Center.
CW: death of a family member, drowning
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for a free digital ARC.

Hannah Brooks leads a professional life....she is a bodyguard in common terms but an executive protection agent on her resume. Her job is her life, Everything revolves around it, and her personal relationships and lack of understanding how to have a vacation prove that. Following the death of her mother, Hannah is at loose ends as her boss forces her into time off. When she gets an assignment to be priority agent for a well-known movie star, Hannah does everything she can to get out of it because she feels it is not her type of assignment. The boss prevails and Hannah is reluctantly sucked into a family dynamic that ultimately teaches her what true family is like. An ex-boyfriend and ex-best girlfriend, as well as other members of her team, help the reader to see some of Hannah's emotional hang-ups. The interactions between Hannah and Jack Stapleton make for a fun, easy and quick read as we watch their fake relationship become much more than that. Jack and family help Hannah learn to trust, to love openly and, most importantly, to love herself. Thank you to NetGalley andSt. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #TheBodyguard #NetGalley.

💫 The Bodyguard 💫
By Katherine Center
Publisher: St Martins Press (July 19.2022)

“You can’t make people love you. But you can give out all the love you want for yourself. You can be the love you wish you had”.

Feel good. Fake dating. Celebrity meets bodyguard.
Was it weird that I was picturing the tv series “Yellowstone” the whole time?! Nope, ok good.

My first Katherine Center book but now I’m going to need to dig deep into her past books. I so enjoyed this one. It was light, easy and a total book cleanser of “loving yourself” positivity.

Book Review

Title: The Bodyguard
Author: Katherine Center
Pub Date: July 19, 2022

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Katherine Center is an auto-buy author for me. When I found out she had a new book coming out, I immediately requested it on Netgalley and hoped that I would receive it! I was lucky enough to receive the audiobook as well. I was so happy that I was able to pair the 2 as I was reading.

What I loved:
* Center did an amazing job making Hannah relatable. After the sadness she experienced, I wanted her to be successful. I wanted her to go to London. I wanted her to find someone who cared about her.
* I loved the banter between Jack and Hannah.
* The sub-characters were just as well developed as the main characters in the story.
* This was the perfect rom-com, feel good book.

I finished this book in 24 hours! I loved it soo much. It might even be my favorite read this year. This book reminded me of a Sandra Bullock rom-com from back in the day.

I have been looking forward to this book for awhile and I am glad I had a early ARC copy of it to read for review. I really enjoyed this story and it flowed so well with the writing. At first I was kinda iffy on it and was annoyed with a few of the characters but then eventually the story got a lot better and I really enjoyed the relationship between Jack and Hannah. They made me laugh when they were together and I like that Jack didn't care what Hannah was like and liked her for who she was. Definitely a great story, it made me happy and made me laugh and I like a story that can do that.

I have to say, it’s very rare for a rom-com to be a five star for me. Even though I love them, five stars are usually reserved for books a little deeper. Books that make me feel a certain way. But this book was so incredibly cute! I caught myself giggling or randomly smiling while reading it. This was my first book by Katherine Center, but now I feel like I have to go buy all of her books! Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center may have just topped my favorites of books that I have read by her!

Synopsis:
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.

Jack Stapleton’s a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.

When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it.

This book was so much fun! If you are in the mood for a light, fluffy romance with some deeper themes of loving yourself even when you feel unloved then this book is perfect for you!

I love that Katherine Center writes books with harder topics but keeps an overall light tone. This book was very easy to read quickly and was enjoyable all the way through!

I give this book 4 stars and will continue to read what Katherine Center writes!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this digital arc with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Bodyguard
by Katherine Center
4 stars
Hannah is an executive protection agent and her new assessment is none other than the famous and hunky Jack Stapleton.
Jack has been hiding for a while and decides to come back to his hometown while his mom goes through surgery and treatment.
Hannah isn't ready to face the famous after having her mother die and getting dumped by her ex-boyfriend/coworker Robby aka bobby. She doesn't want to stay in town anymore she wants to escape.
As Hannah and Jack spend time together, Hannah has to keep reminding herself it's all fake this is all acting.

I love this story till the end then it became way too much, just felt more fumbled.
I love Hannah she is an ultimate badass and no one believes she can do anything cause she is short and doesn't seem capable but damn is she talented. I love the whole thought of a female bodyguard and them being in the background and not right next to you. I mean I thought bodyguard meant big beefy so this changed my perspective.
Jack sounds very hunky and all but like every celebrity better in fantasy except he is sweet and kind. I just didn't like how he kept calling Hannah ordinary I know he didn't mean it in a bad way but just got under my skin him saying that. The drama with his family was a nice touch and how Hannah helped the family out more than she thought they would. I enjoyed it just would have taken out the fumbling at the end. The whole wrapping up everyone's life wasn't for me I like a little cliffhanger, or just telling me how Hannah and Jack ended I don't need the rest. Oh and Robby I'm happy they showed what a true a-hole looks like, thank goodness Hanna didn't take him back at all. I defiantly want to check out more books by Katherine, they kind of snuggle you with a warm blanket.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martins Press for the eARC for an honest review.

✨ Five Star Review ✨ ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Oh my my! I adored The Bodyguard and have decided it’s finally time to do a deep dive into Katerina Center’s backlist! ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Hannah, an executive protection agent- aka bodyguard, is hired to help protect reclusive actor Jack. Both are dealing with a lot of personal drama; Hannah’s boyfriend dumped her on the day of her mother’s funeral and Jack is mourning his beloved baby brother and in Austin to support his mother during cancer treatments. Not wanting to worry his family, Jack asks Hannah to pose as his girlfriend… of course- sparks fly!⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Is the plot a little far fetched and ridiculous? Yes! Do I care?! NO! ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣This book was precious and fun. Jack and Hannah were both adorable characters and I loved getting to know them. This would make the world’s cutest romantic comedy on the big screen! ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Five stars! I recommend this one when you’re needing something silly and sunny! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC or The Bodyguard. This one is out July 19!

I was SO EXCITED to read this book, especially when it was announced as Julys BOTM! But.. I think it just wasn’t what I was wanting.

It kept jumping between first person and talking to the reader.. whoa. Not loving that. Then let’s just do second pov because we are already going crazy!

I am not loving the story. So much insta love. How do you fall in love with someone before meeting them!?

Usually romcoms are my favorite, but I don’t think I’ll be recommending this one.

In the midst of a major life upheaval, bodyguard Hannah Brooks wants an assignment--any assignment--that will take her far away from Texas, but when her employer is contracted to protect actor and two-time Sexiest Man Alive Jack Stapleton while he is back in Houston caring for his sick mother, it's all hands on deck with Hannah as the primary. To compound Hannah's frustration and discomfort, the two begin fake dating, so as not to worry Jack's mother with his need for added protection.

City slicker Hannah ends up on the family ranch with Jack, sharing walks, conversation, and Jack's bedroom. As their time together continues, Hannah begins to decipher celebrity Jack from real life Jack and is left wondering how much of their relationship is truly fake.

I adored this one. You get heavy moments and lighthearted ones, sorrow and hope, moments on edge, tugs on your heartstrings, comfort and steam, and giddy grins.

At a glance:
- Bodyguard + Celebrity
- Forced Proximity
- Fake Dating
- Only One Bed
- Single POV
- Closed Door

Content warnings: cancer, death of a loved one, death of a parent, grief, abuse, alcoholism, ADD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, nightmares, guilt, suicidal thoughts, violence

I received an advance copy from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley. Review opinions are my own.

Hannah works for a private security firm. Jack is an elusive Hollywood actor that needs protection from an over-enthusiastic stalker. Humor begins at the start of Hannah meeting Jack when Jack questions whether Hannah can be capable of protecting him. This is a sweet story with lots of laughs. I read the first 70% in one sitting.

Well that took over my day. I could not put this little gem down. I go in blind. I’m not disappointed. This is a new author for me and I’m over here trying to decide which of her other books I should purchase. I laughed through the entire book.

Hannah & Jack. The newest hottest couple. The bodyguard and the actor. Fake relationship. One bed. Corgi breeding stalker. Throw in A corkscrew for protection and what can go right.

This audio version is superb. The narrator perfection. Felt almost like she was sitting down to tell me a story. The references in the book to the actor made me feel like I was chatting with a friend the whole book.

5 stars for the romance, but knocking off a star for the pervasive negative self talk.

I loved this book, which flips the gender preconceptions - a female bodyguard for a reluctant - and gorgeous!- male movie star? Love it, sign me up.

The chemistry between Hannah and Jack leaps off the page. I love that his laughter was one of the signs that he was falling for her - it signified that he felt comfortable with her and was able to be more at ease and open. While the premise is a little out there, it still worked - and I definitely had my moments of laughing out loud, right alongside Jack. The stalker storyline that explains his need for personal protection is so absurd, and brings a lightness to the story. I also really loved Jack's parents, especially his mom, and how the family dynamic was a critical element to the plot.

Where I struggled was with Hannah's pervasive negative self-talk and low self-image. I get it; she doesn't think it's possible that Jack could ever fall for her. And we do see her previous boyfriend being a complete jerk to her, so it is understandable, but I wish it didn't pop up as a plot point so often. At times it got hard to read, and I just wished Hannah could be kinder to herself.

I'll also say that the Robby/Taylor storyline really bothered me, especially the dynamic with Hannah and Taylor. I understand that Hannah felt betrayed, and rightfully so, but her coldness when Taylor also found herself dumped by the jerk didn't sit well with me. They do seem to be working toward reconciliation by the end of the book, but it wasn't the best depiction of female friendship.

Hannah's life changes when she's hired as a bodyguard for famous actor Jack. Just because he's her biggest Hollywood crush doesn't mean she can't be a professional, right? But what happens when "Jack's fake girlfriend" is added to her list of responsibilities? Will she be able to keep her crush hidden?

From the moment Hannah and Jack first meet and he mistakes her for a house cleaner instead of a bodyguard, I was very much entertained by their relationship and banter. Parts of this rom-com had me laughing out loud and one scene made me tear me up.

Location: Texas

I received an advance Audiobook copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This one is no doubt going to be a summer blockbuster. A small but fierce main female character protecting a Hollywood hunk who's more at home at his family's ranch? Um, every girl is going to love Jack and his non-assuming and relaxed ways!

This was a quick, fun, light-hearted read. There was a tad of sadness woven through with Hannah's less than stellar mom and a death in Jack's family. But the story had lots of light humor to even out the light and dark parts. I really enjoyed these characters, even though I found some of the situations to be unrealistic and forced. (The Wilbur scene, the cow situation and the one dream solving the nightmare problem). Even saying that, this book was pure fun. It is the perfect beach read.

Katherine Center has a knack for creating characters you root for - and this book is no different. The relationship and banter between Hannah and Jack was great. I kinda wanted more about his brother, Hank. (Maybe that can be another book?) I loved Jack's family and being from the South, I felt right at home around them. I hated Hannah's ex and also Jack's fake girlfriend - and I love when I hate a character!!!

I don't even think a synopsis is needed by me - just pick this one up and enjoy!! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy to read and review. Pub date: 6.19.22