This was my first ARC! So exciting!

I’ve read one of Katherine Center’s books (Things You Save in a Fire) and while it was also a four star read for me, it was VERY different. A little somber, a little sad- things The Bodyguard is not.

It has all the tropes!
Fake dating? Check.
Forced proximity? Check.
Only ONE bed? Check.

I loved the role reversal with the female bodyguard and male celebrity, and the banter was so FUN. I laughed out loud numerous times and while the plot line was a little outrageous, it worked in the context of the book. My only complaint is there was zero spice. None. Two smooches is not spice!

Other than that this was a great isolation read that I had a hard time putting down.

(review is the same as on GR)

This was my first Katherine Center novel, but definitely not my last! I loooove a fake dating trope and this one delivered! I really got to know all the characters and fell in love with them… well, all but Robby. It’s hard to review without giving to much away, but if you like a fake dating trope with a closed door romance, this is for you! This one will be an easy one to recommend.

Katherine Center does it again! I stayed up to 4am to finish this book, telling myself, "Just one more chapter..." and then started over from the beginning the next day because I missed the characters!
Katherine Center has the incredible ability to create such unique and lovable characters, woven together with witty dialogue and an intriguing plot line. Her books never fail to be engaging, charming, and heartwarming - and "The Bodyguard " is no exception!

Cute and fun! An enjoyable feel-good read. A 4 star read!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58724801

Ok....I AM OBSESSED...in the best possible way! Let me just be transparent and say this is the first Katherine Center book I've read, but she is now on my auto-buy list. I will buy anything she puts out in the future and fully plan on working my way through her backlist. This book is EASILY my favorite book I've read so far this year.

I loved the backstories of both main characters Hannah Brooks and Jack Stapleton. I fell absolutely in love with Jack's family. Ughhh, just everything. There was nothing I didn't love about this book!!

It gave me all the feels! It made me laugh out loud, shed a few tears, absolutely giddy, and the list goes on. I couldn't get through it fast enough, but also the thought of it being over made me sad so I was trying to cherish every moment. I'm already wanting to reread it & I will be buying a copy for my collection. I highlighted what felt like half the book on my Kindle, so I can't wait to tab the pages of the physical copy too.

I will say - this is not a spicy book, but if you're looking for a good romcom, look no further. I would LOVE to see this made into a movie.

Thank you SO MUCH to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Make sure to pre-order or pick this book when it comes out on 7/19/22. You won't regret it!!!

She has done it again!!! One of my favorite reading memories of all time is sitting beachside in Mexico reading Katherine Center's How to Walk Away. I am a huge fan and this book keeps her at the top of my list of favorite authors!

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent (aka Bodyguard) and is assigned to protect one of Hollywood's hottest actors while he's living temporarily in Katy, Texas during his mom's cancer treatment. She is uptight and great at her job but is an unlikely match for playing the playing the part of the girlfriend of the gorgeous Jack Stapleton so that his family doesn't find out that he could be in possible danger. I loved their banter and developing friendship as they try to also avoid the cameras of anyone who might post pics of them and alert the locals that Jack is indeed in town.

There was a point around Chapter 30 where I almost came unglued thinking the story was taking an VERY unexpected turn, but leave it to Katherine Center to make it all okay and bring the story to an end in the best possible way. I'll anxiously await her next book and cross my fingers that I'll get an advanced copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Center for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback and review.

Hannah Brooks is a bodyguard who looks dainty but can kick serious behind. When her relationship ends suddenly she finds herself assigned to a new celebrity. Jack Stapleton is a superstar who is being stalked. Hannah is assigned to protect him at all costs.

I usually enjoy the refreshing love stories from Katherine Center. This one did not hold my attention though. I felt this storyline was a little overdone. This story seems recycled to me. I love Katherine Center but this book just didn't do it for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the E-ARC of this book!

Okay I have to preface this review with the statement that I’ve been looking forward to this book since I heard about it last year. The bodyguard trope is one of my favorites and I loved the idea of the female MC as the bodyguard and BOY did it pay off here. Hannah is such a fun and real MC. I fell in love with her from the very first page. I also fell in love with Jack, a perfect love interest for Hannah. Their dynamic was hilarious and sweet and down to earth from the beginning. And from the start they just really SAW one another and the way they opened up to each other was so real.

It had all my fave tropes; fake relationship, forced proximity, misunderstandings, family dynamic feels, angst AND fluff. It really was perfect.

I also must say that I did not expect to cry but I did. The bad mom feels in this will REALLY get you if that’s a thing for you. Also, Jack’s back story was so sad but handled really beautifully.

Also shout out to the bridge phobia people. I felt really seen for the first time in my life!

All in all, one of my fave books of 2022. I can’t wait to have a copy on my book shelf.

Let me start by saying I love Katherine Center books! I have felt such book hangovers after finishing her previous books, I have loved the characters, cried and recommended her books many times. This new book, unfortunately, didn’t do it for me. I really didn’t feel the same connection I usually feel to her main characters, something just felt a little off. I think the story was also very hard to relate to, even though I do enjoy a good normal person/famous person romance, I really can’t put into words what what exactly was missing in this book, but I just didn’t love it.

I couldn’t put this down. I stayed up until 2 am to finish it. I fell in love with Hannah and Jack and Jack’s entire family. This is not typically the type of book I go for but I’m so glad I did. Without a doubt 5/5 for me.

This was an entertaining read that kept me hopping, awaiting next steps from the characters! It was paced well, had great dialogue and enjoyable characters. Check this one out, y’all - you’ll be glad you did!
Thanks for the ARC opportunity.

What a fun read!! I've always loved Center's style of writing and The Bodyguard did not disappoint. I laughed, I cried and the bit of suspense made it quite the page-turner. Will definitely be recommending to all my friends to satisfying their summer reading needs.

✨Book Review - The Bodyguard by Katherine Center✨

Hannah Brooks might not look like your standard bodyguard, but that’s exactly what she’s trained to do, and she has been hired to protect Hollywood heartthrob, Jack Stapleton, from a stalker. But, Jack doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker or bodyguard when he has to go home to help his mom when she’s sick. So, Hannah has to pretend to be his girlfriend as a cover. She’s not thrilled, her ex isn’t thrilled, but as she spends more and more time with Jack, she starts to feel like it’s real. But is it?

This was cute and rom-comy but some of it just fell flat for me. I liked that Hannah had a career that you don’t tend to see woman portrayed in. One in which the woman has to protect the man. It was a change for light hearted books like this but there was a particular scene that I didn’t think was necessary. The banter was fun and I did root for Hannah and Jack, however, the ending was just ok. It was otherwise a quick read and enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book will be available July 19, 2022 if you want to add to your TBR list!

⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS

Thank you NetGallery for the Arc!! I loved this one it was so cute and funny and there were some deep moments as well!! Can’t wait for it to get released!!

I really loved this! Great characters, premise, and execution. Really enjoyed a female bodyguard story, not something that I knew I needed in my life but LOVED. I also really appreciated how competent Hannah was at her job, and how confident she was with her skills. The relationship between the main characters and how they complimented each other and could read each other so well was lovely. The only piece slightly missing was the Hank/Jack/Drew storyline- I think Hank's part in the events could have been more connected to the main plot, maybe with more interactions between him and Hannah to help the readers understand him a little better before the big reveal. It seemed like Hank was determined to drive Hannah away from the family, and then that never really happened.

Overall, really enjoyed!

If you’re looking for a sweet, romantic read with depth and humor, The Bodyguard is the perfect book.

Hannah Brooks doesn’t look like your typical brawny bodyguard but don’t underestimate her skills. Able to blend into the background for people who don’t want anyone to know they have protection, Hannah’s understated appearance is usually ideal. But now she’s been assigned to protect the handsome Hollywood star Jack Stapleton from his stalker and must pose, against her will, as his girlfriend. When Jack and Hannah arrive at his parent’s Texas ranch, the true acting begins. In order to prevent Jack’s parents from worrying, they must convince the family that they are a couple.

This was my first book by this author and I was really impressed with her writing. The characters are believable, likeable and written with depth making this book more than a typical rom-com. The humor, action and pacing make it a quick read while the lead character’s journey of self discovery adds a female empowerment aspect.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a definite 5-star winner! It is a bit lighter in tone than the past few of her books, which were also fantastic, which makes it perfect for a summer beach read! I appreciate the strong female lead in a non-traditional female career, and Hannah is feisty but has a sensitive side that eventually starts emerging as the story unfolds, Jack is a down-to-earth celebrity trying to put himself back together after his brother’s death, and comes home at his mother’s request while she is undergoing treatment for cancer.

The interactions between them had me laughing in a few cases, tearing up in others, and I loved the way their friendship and attraction developed. I also loved the surprising end for a tertiary character in the Epilogue (I don’t want to say much and ruin it)!

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great romcom. I enjoyed the characters and the plot moved along. I didn’t see that ending coming but it added depth. I’d read it again. Delightful!.

Yep, this nailed the coffin shut; I am a glutton for romcom banter! The body guard was just what I needed! Couple of teary-eyed “awhh’s” and “is this seriously happening??” moments, with enough witty banter to keep my cheek muscles at work, this book stole my heart from the beginning.

You can’t help but fall for Hannah Brooks and Jack Stapleton! Both of their stories are heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Add Stapleton’s family into the mix, and you can just FEEL yourself on the family ranch.

A big five stars from me, I look forward to grabbing this in paperback form when available…and hope to see it in movie or show adaptation one day.

Content: one of two f-bombs, NO SEX!

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another romance novel with no sex?!? No way!! One of the things I loved about this book is the theme of self love. It's huge and so, so important. And we get to watch an insecure, traumatized woman heal to the point that she learns how to love herself.

Some of the dialog was a little weird. Long speeches that seemed like the character was talking to the reader rather than another character.