Book: The Bodyguard
Author: Katherine Center
Release date: July 19, 2022
Rating: 4 ⭐️

Katherine Center is an auto buy author for me. Her books always make me smile and swoon. I was so excited and thankful to be given the opportunity to read her newest release, The Bodyguard, before it’s release this coming July that I actually squealed when I got the notification!

Hannah Brooks works for an Executive Protection Agency (aka she’s a bodyguard) Looking at her she doesn’t fit the profile but her experience says otherwise. She’s used to jetting off to protect clients all over the world, but when her mother dies and then she has a break up, Hannah is told to take a break. All she wants is to be assigned a job overseas, but her boss won’t allow it. Finally she gets the call that she has an assignment. Hopeful to be able to run away and not be near home in Texas, she shows up to find out where she’s off to. This is when she finds out her next assignment is movie star Jack Stapleton. And it’s in Texas. Hannah refuses but is told she stands no chance at the jobs she wants if she doesn’t take it. Reluctantly she accepts the job watching over the heartthrob. What she didn’t expect is that she would find herself having to pretend to be Jack’s girlfriend for his family. The more time she spends with him the more Hannah starts to open up and realize maybe her ex was right and she has always been closed off. But is Jack for real, or is he just that good of an actor? The story goes on to navigate her feelings, some drama and twists and lots of laughs in between. Will there be a happily ever after or will she end up alone again?

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and although some things seemed a little off base it was a great quick and easy read for me. Lots of smiles, swoons and even some laughter and shock. If you’re already a Katherine Center fan, you’ll love this book just as much as I did!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this early digital copy in exchange for my thoughts.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Hannah and Jack are great- completely different from what I went in thinking they would be. I loved the story, the characters, the humor, the character development, everything. One of my favorite things was that Hannah refused to get a makeover even though she would be guarding a mega movie star- she refused to change herself for anyone, even with her insecurities- this showed strength of character more than everything else (and she proved herself again and again). Will definitely be checking out this author's other books after this fabulous read.

Will be leaving reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and posting on my bookstagram.

Ok- I have a book hangover. I feel so attached to these characters and I am so sad that this story is over! I want this book to be a movie because of the fantastic dialogue! Jack Stapleton is my new book character crush.
The pretense of the book is that Hannah Brooks looks perfectly ordinary but has a particular set of skills that make her a deadly Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"). She is given the assignment to protect a very lovable and famous, Jack Stapleton. Jack's mom (who is my favorite character in the book) is sick so they are staying at the ranch with his family so he can be a doting son. Between stalkers, Hannah's ex-boyfriend, cows, horses, an angry brother and the fun cast of characters that we encounter in this story, you will read this one in one sitting and you will be left wanting more. This one will be the hit of Summer 2022. 5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This book was simply adorable! Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, there was another twist. Katherine Center left me reeling, as always, and her characters taught me a thing or two about falling in love. Tiny little Hannah shows women everywhere what it means to strong.

This was my second Katherine Center book and I am already a HUGE fan! I just love her writing style. It was so easy to stay up all night binge reading this book. It sucked me in from the very beginning! Maybe the mentioning of Toledo, the city I grew up in, helped a little. 😁

After the main character Hannah’s mother passes away, Hannah decides to book a random vacation. The random destination: Toledo, Ohio. (I will say Toledo is a great city and she was correct saying it is usually not a city you take a vacation to. Haha) Before Hannah had the chance to go on her vacation, she experiences a few unexpected events.

Hannah works for a private security firm as a bodyguard. Her newest assignment is to protect mega celebrity Jack from his stalkers while he is home visiting his sick mother. Jack not wanting to stress his sick mom out with the thought of stalkers, suggests Hannah go undercover as his pretend girlfriend. As Hannah spends more and more time with Jack, she starts having real feelings for him. She knows that part of her job is to never get attached to the principal she has to protect.

The Bodyguard was such a fun read. I found myself smiling and laughing while reading this sweet Rom-Com. It was a little predictable but I didn’t even care! I loved the story that much! There were a few plot twists that were unexpected and I didn’t see coming. If you’re a fan of good, clean, sweet romance books then this is a book for you!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and author Katherine Center for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I mean….*sigh* Katherine Center can do no wrong. Everything I have read from her is fantastic. So a story about a female bodyguard protecting a movie star? Of course I am in! This was such a creative story line. I loved Hannah from the beginning, and all of her co-workers. I initially pictured Jack as a Matthew McConaughey type, but then he morphed into something better! All of the characters were relatable and the story was adorable and believable. If you are looking for super steamy romance, you won’t find it here. Luckily I am not, so this was just the perfect amount of steam.

Loved this book about a female protection officer protecting a movie star.. This job comes on the heels of her boyfriend dumping her days after her mom's death.

Leave it to Katherine Center to write a romantic comedy that makes you walk away thinking and feeling deeper feelings than you anticipated. It’s the reason I keep coming back to her books time after time, and I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of “The Bodyguard” from NetGalley to review. This book is about Hannah, a bodyguard who is assigned to protect a heartthrob Hollywood actor, Jack. For reasons best discovered in the book they keep Hannah’s role as Jack’s security protection a secret when they visit Jack’s family, and the charming and hilarious situations that ensue are what pulled me in. Hannah and Jack are both working through tragedy and heartbreak from their own pasts, and they start opening up to each other, and that’s when I couldn’t put the book down. Their vulnerability with each other, combined with quick and funny banter, established a connection between them that gave me butterflies. This story is about many things, but ultimately what resonated with me were the topics of love, loss, and being able to move forward only when you can love yourself despite your shortcomings, imperfections, and past. The story took some detours that initially felt unnecessary to me, but overall, Center was able to bring it all together in a satisfying way. I recommend this book to readers looking for a quick, easy romantic comedy. It will leave you feeling entertained, uplifted, and charmed!

I loved this super cute story of a bodyguard who tried very hard but just couldn’t resist her attraction . Secret relationship and not so secret attraction while getting to know and accept the real person they are instead what everyone sees and gets. Perfectly written.

Hannah is an Executive Protection Agent (aka bodyguard) and her new assignment is to protect high-profile celebrity, Jack Stapleton, from a stalker while he is home visiting his family and caring for his sick mother. Not wanting to stress out his mom by the presence of a security team, Hannah goes undercover as Jack's girlfriend to keep a close eye on him. The professional lines blur when Hannah starts to crush on Jack. Even more so when Hannah thinks Jack may like her back.

Fake dating isn't generally my thing and I felt pretty lukewarm about the concept of this story however, I have read enough Katherine Center to know that I can trust her for a great, uplifting read.

Hannah was a pretty kick ass character and I enjoyed the insight into protection services. I felt that, by the end of the book, Hannah had been on quite the journey of self-discovery and I appreciated that her love didn't just grow for Jake, but for herself as well.

Jack was written to be pretty much perfect so I dare any reader not to love him. Who I was really obsessed with though, were Jack's parents. I want their yard and their party throwing abilities.

I love when a story is more than just romantic and this book had it all... a little humour, a little suspense and a lot of love.

First of all, i’d like to thank netgalley and st martin’s press for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange of an honest review.

Ok so this was the first book I read by this author and i have to say i really liked her writing, i’m definately gonna read more books by her. It was so smooth and funny and i had so much fun reading it, reminded me of a rom-com made by netflix, i could picture it while i was reading and that just made things better.

About the characters, this was the first time I read a book that the lead female was a bodyguard who can do a lot of things people expect only men to do and i loved it, Hannah is such a badass and i also liked her development throughout the book, it was really nice to see it. and jack!!!! omg i absolutely loved him, he’s so freaking cute and adorable and amazing. By the end of the book I wanted to hug them both 🥺

So with that being said, I strongly recommend this one. If you want a fun reading this book is the perfect choice for you and I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.

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

I loved this book and it was extremely hard to put down. Hannah was a strong female character who did whatever it took to get her job done. Even if that means fake dating a celebrity to protect him. Hannah faces multiple challenges with a friend who went behind her back and a recently ex boyfriend who does nothing but put her down. Then here comes Jack changing her views on everything and makes his way into her heart!
This story is a sweet HEA and a amazing read

"And in the end do you ever truly know if you're lovable? What a question. You don't. You can't. Of course not. Life never hands out the answers like that. But maybe that'd not even the right question. maybe love isn't a judgment you render- but a chance you take. Maybe it's something you choose to do-over and over. For yourself and everyone else. Because love isn't like fame. It's not something other people bestow on you. It's not something that comes from the outside. Love is something you do. Love is something you generate. And loving other people really does turn out, in the end, to be a genuine way of loving yourself."

This book was a super cute, pg-13, rom-com. I laughed out loud countless times during this book. I loved the fake dating trope. The drama, the romance, character growth, forgiveness, the family problems, the tension and chemistry, AMAZING.

A big thank you to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is getting released on July 19, 2022 and I definitely reccomend that you get it.

I really enjoyed this book. There were some laugh out loud moments, sweet moments and just all around fun. The pacing of the book was perfect, I felt like I got to know some of the characters. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

I love Katherine Center's books, and this one was no exception. The Bodyguard was a fun, romantic read. Thoroughly enjoyable! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

*Received copy for review.*.
This book has a lot of the things I love: slow burn, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and woman with an unexpected job.
Hannah is very good at her job but not so much at life. She tends to half ass life and run far away when things go poorly.
Jack is a really hot actor who ran away from Hollywood after his brother died in a car accident.
They are thrown together when a movie studio hires Hannah’s firm to guard Jack while he is home for his moms cancer treatment.
Although I enjoyed the book overall, there are some things that didn’t work for me.
First, there are some important things that occur off page and are told to the readers later or not at all. I much prefer to see things myself.
Second, it is closed door. The slow burn is well done but, for me, the lack of that scene was a bummer.
Third, it’s single POV. I don’t feel like I really know Jack as fully as I do Hannah. The author dies a great job of showing you sides of Jack but without his own voice, it just felt a bit flat.
I know that these are all personal preferences. A lot of people prefer the things that didn’t work for me.
I will continue to read this authors work and will recommend this book to others.

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