Hannah is a focused, committed bodyguard that is a huge workaholic. She is assigned to protect mega movie star Jack Stapleton. Jack is headed home to his parents ranch to help out with his sick mother. He doesn’t want to be “protected “ but the studio insists that his safety is not negotiable so he reluctantly agrees as long as Hannah pretends to be his girlfriend. He doesn’t want to stress his mom out! Regardless of the may doubters that Jack Stapleton would ever date a plain, boring, ordinary girl like Hannah, Hannah trades in the pantsuit for a sundress and cowboy boots and does her own bit of acting. At some point though Hannah finds herself wondering if she is headed for heartbreak when she finds herself stepping out of her comfort zone and letting someone in.

I Loved this book. I am a huge fan of Katherine Center and I was looking forward to reading this one. It ticked all the boxes —Great story, characters, banter, sexual tension, angst and so many feelings!! Center has the ability to make her stories expel pure happiness. This was the best one yet. I wish I could read it again for the first time, but alas I cannot.
5 Stars

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! Katherine Center does it again. I loved how real Hannah and Jack's connection felt. Jack felt a little one dimensional but he was swoony enough to make up for it, I thought the time spent at the ranch and the side characters added a lot to the book.

Loved this book!! Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors. I appreciate a clean romance novel, sometimes we don't need all the details. While the ending was predictable, the journey to get there was fun. I enjoyed the dynamic between Hannah and Jack.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

4.5⭐️

There was so much to love about The Bodyguard. At first, I wasn’t sure about it—it seemed kind of slow, Hannah kept talking about her mom dying but also not talking about it, and I didn’t understand how/why there was a character named Doghouse—but then I got so wrapped up in the story.

Hannah is, as the title tells us, a body guard, and she gets hired to protect Jack Stapleton, a famous actor who has returned to his small Texas hometown when his mom is potentially terminally ill. The premise might sound silly, but it makes real sense in the context of the book.

What I loved most about this was Hannah and Jack’s dynamic. It wasn’t typical enemies-to-lovers, but with a little of that vibe. They were bickery and sweet and genuinely funny (and it takes a LOT for me to say that). It felt totally fresh. And this book actually SURPRISED me, which…has maybe never happened with romance? I love knowing the standard beats, but there was a great surprise here to complicate the typical late-stage misunderstanding between the protagonists.

The only downsides for me were a quicker wrap-up than I hoped for, but also a overly long and detailed epilogue. But I’d gladly read more by Center soon.

The Bodyguard was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The storyline has just enough surprises to keep your attention and has unique storyline qualities just like Katherine Center’s other books. If you’re looking for your next read, you won’t regret this one.

I've been hearing about Katherine Center for years, and finally picked this one up. I'm glad I did because I was hooked from the start. I was surprised at how easy it was for me to suspend reality and immerse myself in the story and the characters.

The BodyGuard
By: Katherine Center
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book release date July 19,2022

I ADORED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!

Words can't express how this book made me feel!!!💕💕💕💕😍😍
As my first read from Katherine, I can say that I will definitely read more of her books.

It was so much fun reading this book, it made m laughing out loud, made me feel super sad and in awe all at the same time.

The story comes about this petite, who looks like she can't hurt a fly, Hannah Brooks, but she is anything butt- She is a executive agent AKA bodyguard with a degree in Jujutsu, she could put you on the floor 2 second flat. Don't underestimate her like Jack did because he sure got handed from her. After her no so close mother passed away, her boss told her to take a vacation, since she wasn't fit to work. Once she ate to much food and watched to much tv she had enough. Her boss finally gave her a major assignment, To protect a world famous actor, jack Stapelton from a class orange stalker, as his girlfriend!

Yes everyone! This book just got better! Really you need to read the rest, you going to love it as much as I did!💕💕💕😘

Their chemistry is so heartwarming , the way they fit together is super sweet and how she always makes him laugh/smile is the best. There are so many cute moments that just will make you swoon! There is so much that goes on, the other characters in this book are awesome, other than The ex and the best friend.. well that's just something you got to find out cuz its juicy drama.

Overall I sure recommend this book to everyone, one of the best romcoms I read this year 💖💖💕


Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me a E-ARC of this book, Also the Author, and St. Martin Press. This is my honest review.

Published on Instagram and goodreads.
xoxo

I don’t even know where to start. This book touched my heart in so many ways. Every character within it grabbed my attention, and felt so real that I feel as if I’ve met every single one of them. They’re all so lovable and heartfelt that I couldn’t help falling for them. (Okay, well, maybe not Robby. But everyone else.) To give everyone a sense of just HOW much I loved this book, I started it at 6:30 pm on a Saturday, and finished it at 3:30 pm on the Sunday less than 24 hours later, including the packing, dining, and other events of my days. This book was over 800 pages on my e-reader (WITH small font) and I read it THAT quickly. My only regret or complaint? THERE WASN’T MORE OF IT! I have never read a Katherine Center book before, but every other she’s written has just shot to the top of my to head read list. This book simultaneously reminded me of every single one of my favorite books, from childhood through my early adult years, and was nothing like anything I had ever read before. Center will grab your attention with less than a chapter and not relinquish it until you have finished the book. She had my mind and heart grabbed with both Hannah and Jack from the very beginning, and I honestly don’t know what I’ll do with myself now that I’ve finished this book. Probably just think about it forever and ever. Not that this needs to be specified, but five stars. Hands down. Easily. Thank you to both Netgalley for allowing me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! A perfect summer read by Katherine Center whose other books I've read and loved. Katherine Center has a real talent for storytelling and creates wonderfully dynamic characters that hook me on the very first page.

I alway enjoy reading books with a strong female lead and this one did not disappoint. Hannah Brooks, a petite bodyguard is assigned to protect superstar leading man Jack Stapleton and must pose as his girlfriend. She is not amused and having just had her heart broken, not at all interested in being anyones pretend lover. Jack is equal parts handsome, charming and tortured by the recent loss of his brother. He vehemently denies needing a bodyguard and right away insists that she's not big enough or strong enough to protect him anyway. She easily throws him to the ground and this book and romance are off to the races.

The Bodyguard comes together as a wonderful package of really great writing and easy reading, romance and some laugh out loud scenarios, and the healing of some very intense emotional wounds of the main characters.

I highly recommend! Many thanks to NetGally and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Hannah and Jack are an unlikely match in The Bodyguard. The Bodyguard is an easy, enjoyable, beach read. I found all the characters engaging and the pages filled with humor and love. I did find myself wondering if Jack is too good to be true and then I met his family and understood him much more. The banter is off the charts and the romance is sweet.

Katherine Center delivers another winner with The Bodyguard.

Well bc written but more literary than her last book. Well developed characters. A good read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher

A great beach or vacation read for the summer

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles. I really not the opportunity!

I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

This was a dnf for me. I prefer her regular titles like Things We Save in a Fire and How to Walk Away. I didn’t realize this was more of a rom-com.

Another fun summer read from Katherine Center! I can always count on her to bring a great story while tackling a tough topic. In this case, it was grief, and she told beautiful stories about different versions. I loved Jack’s family, especially Connie, and their journey back together. Hannah is definitely a character I enjoyed meeting and would love to see more main characters like her. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy!

The Bodyguard is a heartfelt and fun RomCom that will have you awww-ing and laughing from page to page.

Hannah, an Executive Protection Agent, or Bodyguard, scored a job working with the Jack Stapleton, an actor who stepped back from public view for mysterious reasons. The job: protect Jack while spending time with his family at their ranch in Texas. The twist: Jack insists that Hannah pretend to be his girlfriend while on the job. What could possibly go wrong?

I couldn’t put The Bodyguard down, and was so disappointed when it was over. In addition to the funny situations and sweet romance, the author spins a tale with believable characters and great, detailed descriptions of her family’s real-life ranch in Texas.

Thank you to Netgalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Readers Copy.


#netgalley #katherinecenter #stmartinspress #thebodyguard #romcom #bookstagram @katherinecenter @stmartinspress #texasauthor

This was finally the rom-com I needed and was looking to read. Hannah is smart, sassy and sarcastic like me and so easy to identify with as a main character. And swoon-worthy Jack? O-M-G! I think any woman with heartbeat reading this will totally crush on Jack, I sure did. Sure he's famous, but he is just a normal guy with a musical talent.

There is so much to love about this book, and Katherine Center has totally redeemed herself as an author to me with her latest book. I really did not like her last book and hesitated with this one but enjoyed it from start to finish.

Highly recommended. I also totally buying a copy of this after publication day!

Katherine Center, please write more books like this!!

Thanks to Netgalley, Katherine Center and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 7/19/22

The Bodyguard was my first read by Katherine Center and it definitely hooked me to purchase a few of her previous writes. I enjoyed the writing style, the characters, and the cheesiest of cheesy 'rom-com' moments.

Though the book was full of the typical romance clichés, I didn't mind it. I enjoyed the swap of the usual gender roles we see in 'rom-coms', the manly man saving the damsel in distress; Hannah Brooks, the small but mighty Executive Protection Agent protecting Jack Stapleton, the world-famous movie star from stalkers, assassination attempts, and all things an actor might worry about coming in between them and their perfect lifestyle.

This book includes, swooning, heartfelt romance, and lines that made me giggle -a Jack Stapleton type of giggle- so if you enjoy witty comments, sarcasm, and hysterical banter this book might be the one for you. If you like to read Hollywood romances, this book is for you. If you enjoy the "proximity trope" this book is made for you. If you like characters that have a dark past, secrets, and heart-wrenching back stories similar to Colleen Hoover and Emily Henry's characters, this book is for you!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a copy of The Bodyguard by Katherine Center in exchange for my honest review! The Bodyguard is available for preorder and will be out July 2022.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review!

A good bodyguard rom-com that lost me at times. But I liked the story’s theme of realizing your self-worth, loving yourself, and taking chances.

Hannah is an Executive Protection Agent, the best of the best. This quirky workaholic with an endearing personality often desires escape when things become too much. Sometimes it was hard to grasp who Hannah was and what she really wanted or feared, lots of back and forth. But it’s clear she’s closed off her heart to love or close relationships given the few she has/had. I like her character though and hated seeing her doubt herself or her worth.

Jack is an uber famous actor who has lived isolated and emotionally distant from everyone and everything due to survivor’s guilt after his younger brother’s death. I liked getting to know the real Jack. Not the Jack Stapleton, renowned, beloved, charming actor extraordinaire that everyone thinks they know. But Jack, a simple, ordinary man who loves his family.

Some of the best moments of the story were during the humorous interactions between Hannah and Jack, especially knowing how much of a hardcore fan Hannah is of Jack’s film career. I liked how as they got to know each other better it put their pasts into perspective enough to reconcile and move forward. Because Jack is so widely famous and liked it’s hard for him to relax or be the real Jack. Hannah makes him laugh, happy, and relaxed. Hannah in turn slowly learns that it’s okay to take a break and enjoy life (something we should all remember to do, especially when it comes to work).

To me, there was more telling than showing as a whole. I didn’t like that there wasn’t much guessing or inferencing for the reader to do as it was continuously indicated when something bad or adverse was about to happen. Lots of “and that’s how this” or “I was going to do this” or “I was doing this when blank happened” or “ when blank entered the room” type of language. You learn pretty much far too early on what happened to Jack’s younger brother, Drew, because it’s very obviously said.

I also didn’t like the last 15% of the story. I’m not sure if we needed that last section of tension and pain, especially for Hannah. Didn’t add much value to the story given the state of Hannah and Jack’s relationship at that point. The story could’ve easily ended there. I will say, there was one line in particular that was too real in a good but heartbreaking way. Otherwise, I wasn't a fan of this section of the book.

All of Hannah’s coworkers (except for one) I adored. Glenn Schultz is the best, grumpy boss ever. Kelly is a hoot. I also adored Connie, Jack’s mom. Despite being diagnosed with cancer, she still shines so bright with such unwavering strength.

So this was a good, maybe okay read. I had some issues with how it was told. But there were enough lighthearted, enjoyable moments that carried me through to the end.

CW: cancer, survivor’s guilt, gaslighting

4.5*

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced readers copy!

Hannah is a bodyguard but you would never guess that based on looks alone. She is great at her job and dedicated to getting a promotion that will take her to London. Unfortunately, she has to compete for the job with her terrible ex boyfriend who dumped her right after her mom's funeral and then slept with her now ex best friend.

Jack is a famous movie star who has a stalker problem. Hannah is assigned to protect Jack but he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend to not worry his family. After spending time together on the family ranch, truths are revealed and feelings grow.

This book has such a great feel to it. It's the first one I've read in a while that feels like a chat over coffee. Hannah feels like a great friend by the end! Hannah and Jack are so great together. Their banter is fabulous! While the premise is pretty unbelievable, I didn't have to try too hard to root for them! Very enjoyable read!

Just the read I needed! This is a feel-good, happy story. I laughed out loud. A LOT! Such a treat and now one of my favorite Katherine Center books.