Katherine Center's "The Bodyguard" centers around Hannah Brooks, a five-foot-five, petite, closed-off-to-letting-anyone-in, bodyguard who experiences loss upon loss and then is tasked with guarding Hollywood hotshot, Jack Stapleton. In this highly bingeable story, the reader laughs, cries, is shocked, thinks they have it all sorted out, and then BAM! they're hit with a lovely shocking twist.

I truly loved this book and found it delightful in all possible ways--so much in fact that I read it in a sitting because I simply did not want to stop, even if it was 2 am! While I've read a fair bit of Center's work before, "The Bodyguard" has undoubtedly moved its way to the top of my favorite list for her, and has secured her spot as an "auto-buy" author for me.

10/10, could not recommend more if I tried!

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎: 😱 The Bodyguard by Katherine Center - 4/5 ✰ - Katherine Center has not let me down yet! Her newest book, The Bodyguard, is so cute! The main characters were so fun and easy to like. Is it possible to have too many book boyfriends? … asking for a friend. Anyways, easy read, cute plot, all around great romance! This book publishes July 19, 2022 so make sure to grab a copy!

𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨: Hannah is a bad ass body guard who gets sent on assignment to protect famous actor Jack Stapleton. Jack has a crazy stalker and can’t afford to have her coming around while helping his sick mother. However, Jack doesn’t want his mom to know he has security so Hannah has to pretend to be his girlfriend… 👀

Katherine Center is an auto buy for me. Her books have never left me disappointed, and this was no exception. A Hollywood heartthrob and a body guard? How could that not work. From the quirky characters, to the strong female lead, and perfectly imperfect romance, this book is a rom-com lovers dream. Action packed and fast paced, I just couldn’t get enough! 5 stars!

Hannah and Jack's story is SO full of laughter and fun, I couldn't put The Bodyguard down! I had never read a Katherine Center novel before but now I need to read her whole catalogue.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center was a totally enjoyable book. It had everything I wanted in a storyline. I've read past books by author and this is one might be one of my favorite.

“The Bodyguard” by Katherine Center is one of my favorite books of 2022! I absolutely loved the plot and the main characters’ stories, especially Hannah as a bodyguard. This was a quick read for me and a great pick for the beach!

I would highly recommend “The Bodyguard” for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with great banter!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my this book. I think Jack Stapleton stole my heart. I adore Katherine Center and knew that this book would be no different. But when I finally picked this ARC up this weekend, I fell so deeply in love. Fake relationships and celebrity romance have been my JAM this summer. Bring all of them on because I need them in my life. Katherine Center writes such fun books. Her words are beautiful and her stories are addicting and emotional. If you have ready any of her books and loved them, you are going to be hooked on this as well. I loved every bit of it.

5 Stars!

This is the perfect romcom. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have found and read this book.

Hannah Brooks lost her mom and got dumped by her boyfriend in a matter of a few days. All she wants to do is escape Texas and throw herself into an exciting work trip. Oh yeah, did I mention she’s a badass bodyguard for the abysmally rich? Instead, she’s assigned to stay in Texas and protect potentially the hottest movie star walking this planet, Jack Stapleton, from a stalkerish fan. Jack doesn’t want to freak his family out, so Hannah must play the role of “girlfriend” to avoid suspicion. Soon enough, though, the line between acting and reality becomes blurry…

Okay let me preface this by saying that the famous/normal trope will always be a winner for me. However, fake dating? I normally am not a fan because most of the time the reason for it makes no sense in the book. That is not the case here. This plot was perfectly crafted.

The characters are also developed very well. There’s complex backstories and self discovery. Hannah felt so real despite being a badass bodyguard. Her relationship with Jack built up so perfectly. The banter was hilarious, the kisses were steamy, and the back and forth felt real instead of like a plot convention. Seriously *chef’s kiss*

I cannot recommend this read enough. I have never laughed more reading a romcom than I did with this book. It read similarly to Sarah Hogle, so if you love her writing you are bound to love this.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Brooks is a protection agent who is hired to provide security for a famous actor from a persistent stalker. Jack Stapleton has returned to Texas to help his family care for his sick mother and doesn’t want anyone to know about his exuberant fan, so he convinces Hannah to act as his girlfriend when they visit his parents. But the more time they spend together, the more believable the fake relationship seems.
The novel is a joy to read with likeable characters, good pacing, and a wonderful use of the fake date trope. Having the heroine be the actual bodyguard is an interesting twist that add much fun. The Bodyguard will delight fans of Katherine Center. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors. Her romances make my heart swoon and The Bodyguard was no exception. Hannah and Jack, the love interests in this novel, were adorable and had a connection that felt so real! Seriously, when I finished this book, I had to remind myself they were fictional characters. This title is my second favorite novel of Center's and I will continue to recommend her writing to anyone who will listen to me. Go read this book and then all of her others.

Congratulations to Katherine Center on this new novel set to release July 19, 2022.

I am already a fan of this author and was excited when I was provided a free E-ARC from NetGalley and St.Martin’s Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. I knew I would be reading a sweet and delicious novel and this book did not disappoint.

Hannah Brooks is a bit down on life - her mother died, her boyfriend dumped her and it appears her coworker is sleeping with said ex (who is also a coworker) and lands an assignment as the principal bodyguard for a Hollywood A-lister who has his own recent list of regrets.

This book is everything you want in a RomCom - a slow building friendship, a kiss that will make you flip through your own memory reel, some family issues that need to be ironed out and so many laugh out loud moments that will not disappoint! This is also one of these girl meets boy stories where you see the lovers save each other and if is beautiful.

Looking for something as sweet and wholesome as carrot cake? This one Is for you.

New to Katherine Center? My favourite book is Things You Save in a Fire but I have yet to be disappointed!

The BodyGuard, by Katherine Center, is the delightful story of professional bodyguard Hannah Brooks and an incredible few months. As the primary agent for Executive Protection. In the days following her mother’s untimely death, the breakup of her relationship, and the betrayal of her best friend, Hannah is assigned as the principal in the detail to protect renowned actor, Jack Stapleton. Jack is in Houston, Executive Protection headquarters, for the life saving surgery needed by his mother, retired principal Connie Stapleton.

Although the Stapletons have a large ranch outside of Houston, Jack has leased a house in the city. Although the threat level seems low, the movie studio is protecting their asset in that there has been low level stalking threats. Without Hannah’s input, it has been decided she will be undercover posing as Jack’s girlfriend, especially important when Connie requests that her kids come stay on the ranch, Hannah, too.

Jack has a tenuous position in his family after an accident he was in that ended up taking his younger brother, Drew’s, life. His older brother, Hank, will never forgive him, and neither will Jack, but his parents have and want him near as Connie heals. In putting forth this charade, Jack just may be opening himself to both his family and Hannah.

This is a surprising story with twists and turns that will take the reader on a lovely ride. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center follows Hannah, a bodyguard and Jack, a famous actor. Hannah is assigned to protect Jack when he returns to his hometown to spend time with his mother after she has a surgery. Jack convinces Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend while they are around his family. This novel has a lot of my favorite romance tropes: fake dating and forced proximity. I really love the whole famous actor dating someone who isn't famous thing too. This book was funny! I laughed out loud several times throughout this one. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It was a fun time. There was a moment toward the end where Katherine Center actually fooled me! I was ready to be furious about how this book ended, but then, of course, she pulled everything together and pretty much gave me the ending that I wanted. I do think everything was maybe tied up a little too nicely at the end, but this is a rom com so really how else would it be? This is a great summer read! It was a really fun time.

Katherine Center writes unique love stories focused on the emotional journeys of her characters. Hannah is looking to recover from a break up by focusing on a new personal security assignment. She isn't what one would expect to see when looking at a bodyguard but she is more than capable in her role. Jack is a movie star with a stalker on the loose and a family issue arising. Hannah ends up posing as Jack's new girlfriend to keep his family in the dark and his safety in tact. Of course, love develops along the way.

My favorite aspect of this story was how Hannah's self-confidence grew over time and how that allowed her to open herself up to real love. She is an unforgettable character. The resolution of the stalker storyline was surprising and added an interesting element to the plot. I always enjoy Center's books and this is another winner for me. I'm sure most other readers will agree.

Thanks to Katherine Center, St. Martin Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This is my 3rd Katherine Center book and I couldn't be happier with it! Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah, the least suspecting person you would ever meet, is a bodyguard for the rich and famous. And recently, she got assigned to Jack Stapleton, a famous and need I say attractive, movie star. She needs to keep him safe from an eccentric stalker while he "hides out" at his childhood ranch, spending time with his mom who's going through an illness. One fake dating trope later, a little hidden past drama/trauma and you've got yourself a recipe for a rom com.

This was a quick and enjoyable read for me. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters. I love the character growth between brothers. I didn't necessarily feel the character back stories were all that great, and Robby (ex boyfriend) seemed...over the top for me. But, even with those points against it, this is just about everything you could want in a summer read.

It publishes July 19th, so be sure to save this post to help you remember to get it!

I loved this book! It's a feel good story, a quick read, a delightful distraction, and it came at the perfect time for me.

Hannah Brooks is an executive protection agent (AKA bodyguard) for a company who supports clients all over the world. Her mother has just died as the book opens. Though her mom had personal issues which prevented them from being able to enjoy a close relationship, still, your mom is your mom, and when she dies, it hurts - alot. Especially when she is the only family you have. Hannah's plan is to go right back to work, the work she loves and excels at, the work that distracts her from examining her life too closely. Her childhood and dating history have taught her that she doesn't do well with relationships, they never work out well for her and unfailingly add to her already low self-esteem. Her job is well suited for her - its required personal distancing from clients helps her avoid personal entanglements. This lets her hold people at bay, and when the assignment is over, move on to the next. Hannah is most comfortable alone. She doesn't like to have to deal with feelings. Feelings hurt.

The agency is thrilled to land their newest client, Jack Stapleton, a famous, superstar actor. Jack has a stalker who has proven quite determined. He hasn't worried about it too much before, but now his mother is ill and wants him to come back to the family ranch to spend time with her. He doesn't want to put his family in danger so has agreed to get protection. There's a caveat to his hiring the firm though, his family can't know that he has a bodyguard, it would worry them and he doesn't want the added stress for his mother. The solution? Hannah will accompany Jack to the ranch posing as his girlfriend, with other teams located nearby.

I really enjoyed the fullness and depth of the characters in the book. I also enjoyed the author's use of humor and watching the dynamics between Jack and Hannah. Neither of them live in the "real" world when we first meet them; Hannah because of her avoidance tendencies, and Jack because his fame has him constantly questioning people's motives. He also continues to be deeply troubled by a family tragedy that haunts him.

Watching these two interact and grow is interesting, entertaining, funny, heartwarming, and poignant. After all, there's an end to every job. Right?

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for permitting me to read an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given. The book is scheduled for publication on 7/19/22

I will admit to being a fickle contemporary romance reader. My heart and brain can join forces rather quickly to rob me of the joy that can be reading this terrific genre. But my heart and head were powerless against Katherine Center's The Bodyguard. This book had me at fake dating!

Enter Hannah, an executive protection agent, her latest assigment unlike any she has had before: pretend to be the girflriend of the person she is assigned to protect.

Does it hurt that that person just so happens to be a reculsive movie star? It does not.

And when Hannah meets Jack, she quickly realizes that there is an average guy beneath the glamour and fame. A man whose fear for his mother after her cancer diagnosis has him facing his on past tragic demons and stilted family relationships. Forced together for the sake of faking a relationship to keep Jack safe, Hannah and Jack quickly find common ground and solace in one another.

There were wonderful laugh out moments in this book, a plot that kept me intrigued until the very end and characters I could not help but root for. And I believe the topic of grief was handled in such a delicate way.

I would without a question read another Katherine Center novel and am keeping my fingers crossed that The Bodyguard is the first in a series. We need Kelly and (hopefully) Doghouse's story!!!!!

I think the only thing that I might have wished for more of (because the POV was first person and from Hannah), I would have loved to have an earlier hint/glimpse that Jack was falling for her too and not just the great actor he was professed to be. We do got a few second hand observation/account, but I would have loved (even more) to have had an action by Jack that gave the readers more of a hint as to his feelings.

It was really tricky for me to pick a favourite quote so I went with two:

"Usually, when you see people for the last time, you don't know it's the last time. I wasn't sure if this was better or worse."

"Was I lovable? I mean, are any of us really lovable if you overthink it?"

This book was cute and made me laugh out loud a few times. But then the almost ending was weird and dragged on too long.

I love how Katherine Center can take a story line with some heavy social issues and keep it upbeat. Jack and Hannah have great banter and chemistry while also dealing with society’s standards of what a man or woman should be.

Please tell me this is a series?! Please tell me I get another story involving Kelly and Doghouse or Hank or I’ll even take Taylor.
I loved it! Hannah and Jack were just awesome! An epic rom com where Hannah is a bodyguard protecting Jack, a famous movie star. I loved how this story got deep without dragging you down. It tackled dying and grief and self-worth so well. And just for good measure Katherine Center threw in my favorite trope, fake dating!
Here is my favorite quote:
“When you’re not around even for a little while I feel like I have to find you. I just feel this pull to be near you. I wanna know what you’re thinking and what you’re up to and how you feel. I want to take you to places and show you things. I wanna mesmerize you - to learn you like a song… I feel like I’ve been lost all my life until now and somehow with you I’m just found.”