SUCH A FUN BOOK!
This books had me laughing out loud so many times! I truly enjoyed the banter between Jack and Hannah, it made for a good time but also built their characters so well, there was no way you couldn’t love them.
Hannah as this well trained bodyguard was amazing how strong and confident she was in her career, but not personally and Jack helped her discover her worth!
Also, if you don’t fall in love with Jack, his family will make you!
This was a perfect feel good rom-com that I recommend you run to get!

8/10

I love me a good rom-com. I’ve always been a sucker for those movies. I’ve no doubt seen every Hugh Grant movie ever made - multiple times - and just about all the Matthew McConaughey catalog. Notting Hill is a cinematic classic. When Harry Met Sally? Don’t get me started.

I’ve been reading a variety of rom-com books lately. In fact, it seems there’s been an increase in the number of rom-com books being released, isn’t there? Am I deluded? (Rhetorical question)

I’m surprised I like so many rom-coms because I’m not necessarily a creature of habit yet all the best rom-coms follow a very distinct formula.

Act 1. Two people don’t like each other
Act 2. They stumble into realizing their attraction
Act 3. The plot twist causes them to not want to see each other ever again
Act 4. They realize their undying love, get back together and walk hand in hand into the sunset of eternal bliss.

Needless to say, The Bodyguard follows that exact formula. I’m not ruining anything by telling you that because as we’ve already noted above, every good rom com follows the same formula.

The bodyguard in the book turns out to be the woman and she is hired to guard Jack, a super mega movie star.

As it turns out, Jack is from Texas, has two brothers (one of them dead), is drop dead gorgeous, isn’t really part of the Hollywood establishment and his most famous photo is him in a bathing suit walking his super toned body out of the ocean.

Coincidentally or not, the description of Jack is a spot on replica of Matthew McConnaugheys real life. In fact, you will most likely picture Matthew playing this role throughout the book. And he’d be perfect at it.

The book has everything you want. It’s funny, it’s engaging, there’s sexual tension, there are surprise twists and it’s a page turner. I think I went through the entire book in 2 or 3 days.

If you like the genre, this books for you.
I know nothing about the author (Katherine Center) but I’m impressed and will be searching for her other books.

#netgalley #thebodyguard

Katherine Center writes the most charming, heartwarming books, and The Bodyguard is no exception. This time around she's gone for a more lighthearted approach than her last few books, and there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, not something you may expect from a book where one of the protagonists is a bodyguard. In all fairness, Hannah Brooks may be a badass bodyguard, but she looks like a kindergarten teacher and has a personality to match. If you need someone to jujitsu the living daylights out of someone, she's your girl; just don't ask her to go toe to hoof... with a cow. After getting hit with a double whammy, the death of her mother and a break-up with her boyfriend/co-worker, she's ready for any assignment - far, far away from Houston. Katy, Texas is not far away from Houston. And pretending to be movie star Jack Stapleton's girlfriend on his family's farm was not her ideal assignment. But Jack is kind of a wonderful person. One who's hidden himself away in North Dakota after his younger brother died, but can't stay away from home when his mom is diagnosed with cancer. With a stalker - AKA the nudie, knitting corgi lover - nearby, his team decides he needs security during his stay. Enter Hannah. But as Hannah gets to know the real Jack, it gets increasingly difficult to stay professional. Will she get the guy? Will the nudie, knitting corgi lover get the guy instead? Is the nudie, knitting corgi lover even the biggest villain in the book (hint - no!)? Is it worth reading through the whole book to find out? Absolutely. Run, don't walk, when this book comes out to get your copy. A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center has all the elements that I've grown to love in the author's novels: a strong, resilient, female lead, a sexy male main character who is way more than just his good looks, and a plot that explores what it means to love yourself, forgive yourself, and letting go of the past so you can love someone else--Center is great at writing about these themes!

Hannah Brooks, an Executive Protection Officer, otherwise known as a bodyguard has just had her world upended by the death of her mother and a break-up with her boyfriend, a co-worker who happens to be a world-class jerk: I mean he dumped her the day of her mom's funeral, so what can I say? The last thing she wants to do is sit at home and take time for herself as her boss forces her to do, so she's super excited when he finally assigns her to be the lead on a case protecting movie star Jack Stapleton. from a stalker.

Jack is in town because his mom is very sick, and he needs to be by her side. He doesn't want a bodyguard, but he has no choice with a crazy stalker running around. Yet he doesn't want to worry his already stressed-out family, so the only way he'll allow Hannah to stay with him is if she agrees to pose as his girlfriend. Since it's her job to keep him protected and close, what else can Hannah do?

This was such a great book! I loved it from the get-go and especially loved Jack (I loved Hannah too but Jack has got to be my fave male MC that Center's written yet). The way the relationship built up between the two was fun to read about, and I loved the banter the two had although there were times that I wanted to smack Hannah for being a bit obtuse!

I laughed and even cried a bit reading this one and although it was a bit predictable in places, it's so sweet, funny, and just such a lovely read by Center, that didn't really matter. The Bodyguard is definitely a perfect book for summer reading, so make sure to grab a copy when it comes out on July 19th!!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

-review posted on Goodreads and Twitter on 6/14/22 and will post to Amazon and B&N on publication

"The people we love help teach us who we are. The best versions of who we are, if we're lucky,"
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Okay this was just plain cute. Cutesy cute cute with a lot of lol moments and swoony fun. This is my second Katherine Center book and I love how readable her stories have been. This was the kinda book that I could relax into after a long day at work, one I could kick up my feet and read for some light-hearted entertainment.
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The Bodyguard has a very fun protagonist in Hannah. This is a fast read, but I felt a connection with her from the very start and that always makes a book more enjoyable for me. I also enjoyed Jack and his story; the chemistry between Hannah and Jack was sweet and flew off the pages. Some of my favorite tropes are in The Bodyguard... forced proximity and fake dating :)!
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I rec for:
- Those looking for a light-hearted read
- Fans of Katherine Center
- Fans of fake dating and forced proximity
- Fans of quirky main characters

I enjoyed this book! Jack and his family stole the show. And honestly carried the whole story for me. I didn’t connect with the other characters as much.

But I still enjoyed the read: Fun banter, great one liners, I definitely laughed out loud. The reverse bodyguard situation was cute and different.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy of this book.

Great audiobook as well!

TW: Loss of a loved one. Mention of drunk driving in past.

Really cute, charming, and funny romcom with some good action and flirty banter. I love that we had a story focusing on a female bodyguard - it was such a unique premise and I loved seeing Hannah's knowledge and capabilities showcased throughout the story. The situations are over-the-top and ridiculous and that's what made this such a fun read. Combined with some of my favorite tropes - fake dating, bodyguard romance, only one bed, slow burn romance - this was a definite win for me. It was so easy to picture Hannah and Jack growing closer and catching feelings. What a perfect summer read.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

3.5 STARS

Hanna Brooks works as a bodyguard for the rich and famous traveling the world and handling all kinds of situations. She is known as an executive protection agent and despite her small stature, Hannah is highly trained to take on threats of any size. Hannah has just lost someone in her life and then is cruelly dumped by her boyfriend and has the bad luck to work with the jerk.

Jack Stapleton is a Hollywood favorite who had taken a break from his career after a family tragedy. When Jack’s mother becomes ill, he returns home to Texas where his family ranch holds many memories both good and bad. Jack is planning to go back to work so the Hollywood studio requires he have security because of a stalker issue.

Her boss decides that Hannah will pretend to be Jack’s new girlfriend even though she does not fit the glamorous mode of his previous entanglements. As Jack and Hannah spend time together on the ranch dealing with his family and far away from the glare of celebrity, they begin to develop a real relationship that Hannah resists as much as possible. The only thing she knows about love and family has been pain and disappointment so all Hannah wants is to move own to the next assignment.

Hannah and Jack both have to deal with some personal baggage to regarding their respective family’s as well as the paparazzi infused life that Jack leads which would put off most regular folks. This is an entertaining read for the most part with some darker moments, quirky characters as well as an interesting look at personal protection, and a slow burn romance.

Rating: 4.5
Author: @katherinecenter
Publication Date: 7/19/22

This was such an adorable read that had me feeling all of the emotions! I will be honest after reading the synopsis I was intrigued by this one but also a little nervous. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the girl was the bodyguard. There isn’t anything wrong with that except that I typically love the girl being a damsel in distress and the guy having to constantly save her. Luckily, this book had a little bit of everything! The author did such a wonderful job of writing both characters as well as the side characters. Right away I connected with the main character Hannah. She was so sure of her abilities but was constantly holding herself back due to past trauma. The narrator did a fantastic job of portraying Hannah’s emotions. There were times when I got so mad or so sad for Hannah. That's all because of how this story was written but also because of how the narrator brought it all to life. I liked Jack’s character too but I do wish he had a little more personality or maybe having chapters in his POV would have helped me connect with him more. I did love Hannah and Jack together. I love that even though Hannah was immediately smitten for him there was no insta-love. They took time to build a relationship and connected on a deeper level.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this one. I switched between the ebook and audiobook and loved both versions. This is a romance you won’t want to miss. It will make you smile, laugh, roll your eyes, and will even irritate you at times (in the best ways)! The writing was well done, the pacing was on point and will make you want to finish it in one day!

Thank you so much @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copy on #netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Absolutely charming! The characters were a joy and the family dynamics were a delight. Such a nice twist on the girl getting a makeover for the Hollywood star to fall for her. They truly did develop as friends and it is a slow burn romance for sure. I would rank it pretty low on the steam scale, but the story and the wit are just too charming to put down. I loved every moment of this book.

I absolutely loved this book! It is a funny, touching rom-com and I wish it could go on forever. I will have a good time recommending this, just like Katherine Centers’ other books. 💛

The other titles/books I have read by Katherine Center had more of a message to them. This one was too much like a Hallmark movie. I did like how the author focused on self love in order to love others but we had to wait until almost the end of the book to read that message.
The book was enjoyable but it was good not great!

THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center is a feel good romance in the best possible way. Centering around a female bodyguard and a male movie star, this love story is one you're rooting for, one you want to succeed, and one you are so happy that you are along for the ride. 100% have this one on your summer reading list.

When Jack Stapleton’s mom gets sick he heads straight to their Texas ranch to be by her side. Jack is a world famous movie star in every sense of the word, he is literally a household name. Hannah Brooks gets assigned to a task force to protect Jack. She shows up at his house to go over the details and Jack is not a happy camper. Laughing at Hannah’s freckled girl-next-door school teacher appearance and the idea that she is going to save his life seems like a joke to him at first. Hannah quickly demonstrates her capabilities which are deceivingly hidden in her petite stature. Forced by his manager Jack has no choice but to accept Hannah’s help. The twist is she must pretend to be his girlfriend so his parents don’t panic. Being a bodyguard is all Hannah knows. She is a complete professional and very likable so naturally fits right in at the ranch. Away from the cameras and screaming fans, Jack turns out to be a pretty normal, kind and funny guy who just happens to be extraordinarily handsome. Dealing with a stalker situation that could escalate at any moment, a brother Jack is completely at odds with and her own recent breakup, Hannah must juggle a lot of emotional energy all at once. This extremely fast paced romantic comedy is another adorable must read by Katherine Center. The perfect laugh out loud beach getaway.

This books was so enjoyable! I loved the dialogue style like the character was talking directly to me and telling her story, it made me connect with her immediately.
I was honestly hooked from the begging, the story had a natural pace for the events and the romance. It was a slow burn but not the type that tires you out but the type that makes you cheer when they finally get together 😅
The side characters were very well written, they had personality and supported the development of the story in a way that you can’t really see it happening without them. LOVED Jack’s family, HATED Robbie. And wished something more conclusive came from Hannah’s relationship with Taylor but I mean, that’s fine.
The MCs had chemistry and even though they were very few scenes they actually kissed, you feel them growing closer from the very first chapters. There were no spicy scenes which is refreshing because you can still enjoy romance and connection without having to read explicit narrative. Total chickflix which is OK with me.

A workaholic bodyguard falls for the hunky actor she’s paid to protect in Center’s swoony new read about finding love and mending fences. Hannah Brooks may look like a kindergarten teacher, but that’s just one reason she’s a sought after executive protection agent. Reclusive but adored actor Jack Stapleton doesn’t want a bodyguard at all, and he definitely doesn’t want his ailing mother to know he needs protection from a stalker. But his manager insists. When he meets Hannah—and when she lays him flat on his back with her badass bodyguard skills—not only does he want to hire her, he wants her to pose as his girlfriend so no one will suspect a thing. Complications ensue. Happiness for Beginners remains my favorite, but with its endearing protagonists, adorable banter, winning sense of humor, and fun industry details for both leads, this one is piles of breezy fun. Closed door.

“You can’t control the world - or other people. You can’t make them love you, either. They will or they won’t, and that’s the truth. But what you can do is decide who you want to be in the face of it all. Do you want to be a person who helps - or hurts? Do you want to be a person who burns with anger - or shines with compassion? Do you want to be hopeful or helpless? Give up or keep going? Live or die?”

Looking for an end-of-year teacher gift? Birthday present for a family member or friend? This book is perfect.

Hannah Brooks, an “executive protection agent,” has been assigned to guard Jack Stapleton, a Hollywood heartthrob. When he suggests Hannah play the role of his fake girlfriend during a visit to his family’s ranch, she gets welcomed into his life and family, making her uncomfortable.

Why uncomfortable? Well, first of all, there’s the client relationship to consider, but more importantly, she’s just experienced more heartache than anyone should endure in such a short time span. Add these two things to her rocky past and it’s understandable why she feels the way she does. As she comes to the end of her assignment, Hannah discovers that in protecting everyone else, she’s left herself vulnerable.

This bright sunny cover with Center’s signature floral artwork by Katie Smith brought a smile to my face. I knew I was in for an uplifting read but I wasn’t prepared for the profoundly nourishing effect it had on my soul. Center’s book is proof that “you can never have too much to look forward to!” I absolutely loved hanging out with Hannah and Jack; they’re my new favourite book couple. Their teasing and bantering brought a smile to my face and the way they took care of each other warmed my heart.

Before you read this five-star book, check out Center’s website for photos of the setting. It takes place on the author’s grandparent’s ranch in Texas and seeing the photos really helped me visualize the character’s surroundings.

I was gifted this advance copy by Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

“I feel like I’ve been lost all my life until now and somehow with you I’m just found.”✨

*thank you to NetGalley and @stmartinspress for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first Katherine Center book, but it definitely won’t be my last! The plot line of this was so fun & unique. It has the bodyguard trope, but with a little twist - Hannah, the female MC, is the bodyguard… talk about bada** 💁🏼‍♀️ also, Jack, the male MC, was definitely the sunshine in the grumpy sunshine trope!

I loved all the ups and downs in this book - there was a great emotional journey and lots of character growth 👏🏼 Such a great book that got me out of a reading slump!!!

p.s. the book could be turned into a perfect Hallmark movie - lots of laughs, smiles, hardships, and love 💫

Read if you like:
- bodyguard trope (with a fun twist) ✨
- fake dating 🫂
- forced proximity 🛏
- grumpy sunshine ⛅️
- swoon worthy moments 💓

Rating: ☀️☀️☀️☀️💫/5

I absolutely loved the premise of this book! (see synopsis below)

Hannah Brooks is 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. 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.
Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.

Jack is one of my new favorite book love interests. He is such a sweet and caring man towards Hannah and towards his family. There were so many laugh out loud moments in this book as well that just made me extremely happy. The only negatives are that the writing was slightly choppy. I have never read a Katherine Center book before so I'm not sure if that is just her writing style, but it pulled me out of the story a couple of times. I would have appreciated more background on the stalker situation and Jack's reasoning for leaving the public eye. It is kind of clear why he does but at the same time there is not much dialogue about it.

Even though it wasn't perfect, the laugh out loud moments, sweet premise, and adorable love interest make up for all of my negatives. I highly recommend you read this when it comes out in July!

This was my first book by Katherine Center, and she is now one of my favorite authors. This story was well-researched, engaging, believable and very well written. I couldn’t put the book down, and even woke up the next day still thinking about the nuances of the characters and the plot! (This book would be great for book clubs!). Hannah is a workaholic executive bodyguard. Her difficult mother has just died, her coworker boyfriend turned out to be a jerk, she has to compete with him for a desirable foreign assignment and her boss isn’t letting her bury herself in work. Jack is a reclusive movie star whose team hires security to protect him from a stalker and other possible threats before the next installment of his movie series starts filming. He has returned to Texas to help his mother as she fights a cancer diagnosis. The characters slowly and honestly start to get to know each other, and their relationship develops at a good pace. The book had a surprising amount of depth with touches of humor, vulnerability and suspense. Both characters have issues to overcome, as they start to open themselves up to a genuine relationship. The suspense isn’t over-the-top, and the other characters added a lot to the story too. I loved the HEA. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s books now. Very highly recommended!