I am officially a Katherine Center Fan. I had only read Things We Save in the Fire and loved it. But, I haven’t had the chance to read any of her other books. Until I was approved for this copy of The Bodyguard. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: July 19, 2022

Even though Hannah Brooks looks like a teacher she is really a bodyguard. With years of experience, she is ready for anything. Except when her coworker and boyfriend breaks up with her. Then Hannah is thrown for a loop. Until a new assignment comes in, one that involves heart-throb movie star, Jack Stapleton.

But as their world’s collide, Hannah must do everything to keep her client safe, secure and happy even if it means fake dating.

Mixed with family secrets and trauma, The Bodyguard is a rom-com with so much depth. Something that I now expect and love in Katherine Center books.

4.5 stars!!! I loved loved loved this one!

This was my first Katherine Center book, and it was a great introduction to her books. If you’re a fan of Miss Congeniality, then you’ll like this book!

Hannah Brooks is 5’5 bodyguard. She gets a new job protecting Jack Stapleton - Hollywood’s Sexiest Man Alive. And the catch? She has to pretend to be his girlfriend so his family doesn’t suspect anything.

I had a hard time rating this one. The first half is definitely three stars for me, while the second half is 4. So I just rounded up to 4. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Hannah has lived in Houston all her life but is clueless about horses, cattle and everything about Houston. I guess she has literally never left downtown…which is weird…? All the characters are super one-dimensional. But I still really enjoyed it! The reflection of love is superb. And the romance is so sweet.

It’s an easy story to binge!

This romcom had tons of humor in it to go along with the romance. In my opinion, the romance was second to the humor. From the second Hannah meets drop dead gorgeous Jack to be his bodyguard, things are awkward and funny (at least from the outside). I knew I was in for a treat from the second Jack opened his door to her and then made her prove to him that she could actually protect him (hand him an ice pack, please).

Even before things turn the least bit romantic between them, their relationship has a sweetness to it. They are both trying to be professional, but there's a glitch when Jack has to return to his family and doesn't want to let them know that he needs a bodyguard. Hannah pretending to be his girlfriend is priceless. Again...the sweetness between them! Their communication isn't always spot on, but they are so perfect together. Hannah finds herself falling for his whole family. And Jack.

Things get really bumpy and there are some surprises along the way.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Gah. I just love Katherine Center. I’m not really one to say an author “can do no wrong” because I feel like that is setting myself up for disappointment…but this puts me pretty close to that statement.

I read it in a day and a half. Me! If you know me, then you’ll know that is practically impossible with my lifestyle. And it is better than I even expected it to me. So cute. Such a perfect little book. Every character was perfectly portrayed. Every little twist was *insert your favorite synonym for perfect here*.

I loved that Hannah was the bodyguard. I loved her spunky personality. I LOOOOOOOVED Jack. And I loved that he wasn’t a jerk that changed because of her. That’s been so overdone. He was cool and smooth and down-to-earth from the beginning. I loved their chemistry. I loved their banter. I loved how realistic her uncertainty of him was (because most of the time I find it completely ridiculous in these kinds of books but Hannah’s made sense). And I L-O-V-E-D Jack’s family and his emotional backstory. Ugh. Rip my heart out, why don’t you.

Okay, I won’t risk overusing the word loved or perfect any more. I’ll just say this:
I don't know if it's my favorite of hers.....but at the moment it is!

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent. What is that? Oh, just a professional bodyguard. When she is given the assignment of protecting movie star Jack Stapleton, it couldn't have come at a worse time. Her mother just died and then the night of her funeral, her boyfriend breaks up with her. Guarding Jack Stapleton should be an easy job, maybe just what she needs. But Jack doesn't want his family to know he needs a bodyguard, so she needs to pretend to be his girlfriend. What could go wrong?

This is a fun, quick, funny book, with plenty of action and "will they won't they" to keep you going. It's pretty clean too, so don't worry if you want to buddy read this with Grandma. Hannah is bold but still insecure and somehow it worked. Jack is obliviously handsome and loves his family. Swoon. There's of course a secret and a conflict, and it all tied together so well. Don't miss this!

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

Available July 19. 2022.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center is a fun, funny and swoon-worthy rom-com with emotional depth. A well written novel with lovable characters. A very enjoyable book

Thank you for the publisher for an advanced audio.
It was a cute and fun read.
Alot of sub-plots going on!
The heroine is a body guard and the hero a famous movie star.
Cute and fun read.

I cannot stop talking about this book. Hannah Brooks is one of my new favorite fictional characters. The way she is unapologetically herself as she navigates a typically male-dominated field is inspiring. Just when Hannah thought she was totally giving up on happiness and love, she receives an assignment that will change her life. Jack Stapleton is not her normal client and he has set up his own set of walls to protect his heart as well. This was a "can't put it down". Katherine Center has done it again! One of my favorite authors.

The newest Katherine Center does NOT disappoint ! I'm always a huge fan of Ms. Center's books and she quickly made her way to the always pre-order list - I don't even need to know what the book is about anymore!
Hannah is a total baddie and is used to doing things her way, unfortunately - she's in a super vulnerable position - her mom dies, her crappy unworthy boyfriend does crappy unworthy boyfriend things and her bff - isn't so B (as in best, but certaily earns the B in other words...). Against her will, she's "forced" to take lead on a job for a super hot, super popular (damaged in his own way) Jack. I loved this laugh out loud book - and appreciated the slow build to a happily ever after ending. I was given a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion from Netgally.

I waited a couple days after finishing this book to write this review to let the story sink in. Because the whole time I was reading I felt like something was missing. I genuinely enjoyed this book to be sure. Hannah is a capable bodyguard without being emotionless and so funny, and Jack by all accounts is hot - he certainly gives me a lot of Texas boy, cowboy Jensen Ackles vibes.
The plot of this story is interesting and engaging from the get go, and the characters are mostly well thought out and very entertaining. From the bodyguard team that works with Hannah, to her ex boyfriend and best friend drama unfolding - it all seemed real.
I figured out this morning what I was having a problem with in this story. It's two things: The small thing is that the climax action of this book seems like it's resolved and then a hostage situation comes out of nowhere - which kinda sounds like the life of a bodyguard, but still shocked me.
The big thing that bothered me at the end of this book was weirdly the HEA. Now let me say, I love HEA's; they are what I live for in a book or movie/tv show. In this case, all their romance and the actual falling in love parts we didn't get to see. Sure they fell in love together on the ranch but they both thought it wasn't real. We never got to see the together as a couple at all before the story was over and I think that was a damn shame.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.. The Bodyguard was a fun, lighthearted romcom with a beautiful setting and funny banter. I loved the gender role twist and the use of secondary characters to support the story. The male main character had an interesting backstory and family dynamic. I had trouble connecting with the female main character and didn’t feel the chemistry between the couple, which is why I was unable to rate the book higher. Thank you at NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for generously providing this ARC.

Did I read this in one day because I couldn’t put it down? Yes. The Bodyguard is an emotional rom com reminiscent of Miss Congeniality and is everything I want in a book, from deep discussions to lighthearted banter. Hannah and Jack just fit together so well and I love how their relationship developed over the course of the book. This was a really fun one! The Bodyguard is my first Katherine Center book and I’m already planning to read her entire backlist after this! I need more! I highly recommend the audio narrated by Patti Murin - she did a fantastic job.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

I have been in a reading rut lately and The Bodyguard was just what I needed to get back into reading. I loved the characters and felt very connected to them. I enjoyed the twists that were put in the book. This was a sweet love story and I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. Katherine Center has quickly become a favorite author of mine. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review it.

A bodyguard + A Hollywood Heartthrob = A hard to put down, put-a-smile-on-my-face read!

Hannah Brooks does not look like a bodyguard. She looks like a librarian or a schoolteacher. But she works as an Executive Protection Agent. Her assignment is none other than Jack Stapleton, a Hollywood actor who is uber handsome and a nice guy to boot!

Jack is in town to visit his mother, but his team wants him protected as he has a stalker. Hannah has been assigned the job and must pose as his girlfriend to fool his family and anyone who is keeping eyes on Jack.

Going home can be hard especially when you and/or your family have secrets.

I loved this book. I was gripped in the very beginning. There are so many likeable characters in this book as well as one that is a royal jerk and one that is selfish. Boo Hiss. They both deserved each other and yet....

Katherine Center knocked it out of the ballpark with this tone. I loved the banter between Jack and Hannah. At times I shook my head thinking that for a woman who is trained to see everything, Hannah misses key things at times. But then again, it was fun watching/reading when she realized what was what.

Katherine Center fans and those who enjoy romance will enjoy this book. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Highly recommend.


Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

❄️Book Review❄️
Did I tempt fate and dive straight into another romcom (my least favorite genre) immedietly after finishing the amazing Book Lovers? Yes, yes I did. Do I regret it? Surprisingly no!

I have read most of Katherine Centers books over the years and have loved them all but I was a little hesitant going into this one.

I LOVED IT! Brief summary: Hannah is a body guard for important clients all over the world. After some devastating news in her personal life she is forced against her will to take a vip assignment closer to home for none other than mega movie star Jake Stapleton.

The fake dating trope in this book was amazing and I’ve learned it’s a trope I quite enjoy in the romcom genre. This book had such real and well developed characters and I think it’s the funniest book I have read all year. I had a big smile the whole time I was reading it. I really hope this book makes it on the big screen it was basically two of my favorite Sandra Bullock movies rolled into one Mrs. Congeniality meets The Proposal.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ five glorious stars from Mrs. Frost and I see this book being in my top 5 of the year.

Thank you @stmartinspress @katherinecenter and @netgalley for my e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Publication date: July 19, 2022

The Bodyguard gave me strong Miss Congeniality vibes! It’s the latest from @katherinecenter, and like her other books, draws you in right away and you don’t want to stop until you finish! Her writing is fantastic as always, and the story is really well balanced between getting to know Jack and Hannah and the plot moving forward. I wanted to smack Robby countless times with how he treated and spoke to Hannah, but that’s of course the point.

I’d definitely recommend adding this to your summer reading lists if you want an engaging romance with a dash of suspense!

This story is loosely based on JFK Jr. and the what ifs of life. I loved it all: her writing, the characters, NYC, the story and how you know something will happen but didn’t see it coming. Meant to Be is out on 5/31 and you don’t want to miss it.

Great story! Very While You Were Sleeping vibes. I really enjoyed the characters and most of the plot. I felt like the book dragged a bit at the end. The author seemed intent on giving the reader a Moment™ coupled with a life lesson, but didn't fully seem to understand that they already had. The "big finale" as it were felt somewhat out of place and unnecessary.

All in all though, a very enjoyable read

3.5 stars rounded up.
The Bodyguard is what I’m considering typical Katherine Center. Fun, quirky female character. Rugged, good looking male character. Drama ensues, romance ensues. And you get a happy ending.

Hannah is The Bodyguard. Or rather, Hannah, is an Executive Protection Agent. She has just lost her mom. Her boyfriend has dumped her for her best friend. She is pulled off her assignment in Madrid. She is reassigned to protect movie star, Jack Stapleton. A “two-time, back-to-back Sexiest Man Alive.” And the assignment is located on Jack’s family ranch in Texas. There she meets Jack’s mom, dad and brother,Hank. Hannah is introduced as Jack’s girlfriend, so that the family remains unaware that Jack needs protection.

I really enjoyed Jack and Hannah on the ranch. I loved Jack’s parents and how they help Hannah heal after her mom’s death. I loved the scenes with Hannah sleeping on the ground in Jack’s bedroom. I wish the scenes with Hank were more developed. I loved Hank and wished for so much more than what I got when Hank was around. The ending came up way too fast for me because I felt like there was so much more story that was possible, but I didn’t get. The lead up to the ranch was too long and didn’t leave time for us to stay on the ranch.

Thank you to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the advanced e-copy of #thebodyguard.

Katherine Center first came to my attention when I read her book "How to Walk Away" after noticing it on the Goodreads Choice Awards best fiction for 2018. I highly recommend that book if you haven't read it yet. I was so excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley and St. Martins Press in exchange for my honest review. With "The Bodyguard," she has written another fantastic book that I could not put down.
Hannah Brooks is a short petite woman who is also an ex FBI agent. She is currently employed as an Executive Protection Agent. She has just lost her mother, and her shmuck of a boyfriend dumped her the next day. She knows the way for her to overcome these difficulties is to throw herself into her work. Her boss assigns her to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton. While she feels that this will be an uneventful assignment, she couldn't be further from the truth.
This book has a great storyline with wonderful characters that will have you cheering for the underdog. While you are waiting for the release of this book, you might want to check out some other books on her backlist. I will read anything this woman puts out. You cannot go wrong, and it will always be a good read.