The Bodyguard by Katherine Center was a definite 5 star listen!! Loved it and did not want this one to end!!!

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent(a Bodyguard). Hannah does not look like an EPA and this works to her favor in her current assignment. Hannah is to protect Jack..a movie star who has been laying low since the death of his brother. Jack has returned to Texas because his mother is sick and she wants him home. Jack does not want his family to know that he had a stalker so he asks Hannah to pose as his girlfriend. Hannah starts to have feelings for Jack.,will those feelings be returned?? Will his stalker appear??

I received an early audio copy of this book.

I have always been a Katherine Center fan...and now I'm a huge Katherine Center fan (maybe comparable to the corgi stalker lady level of fandom). I love the romance and comedy mix in The Bodyguard. You get the swoony scenes while the book also maintains a good storyline with valid emotions and problems.

I LOVED the fact that the main character was a totally tiny, yet equally fierce bodyguard. Hannah Brooks is a bad ass! Her relationship with Jack Stapleton felt very authentic and their conversations had that wit and chemistry that I look for in a rom-com type novel.

The audio version of this book was fantastic. Patti Murin does such a great job making you feel connected to Hannah. I really recommend The Bodyguard!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for granting me a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Jack is the famous movie star she’s been assigned to protect. Actually the way it was presented to her is she’s the lead person on his security detail. That’s not the case at all when she confronts her boss. So after much persuasion she agrees to being introduced as his girlfriend, she’s prickly to say the least. But she’s been promised a great destination job if she does a good job with this one, how hard could that be?! After all, it’s just another job not an adventure. Hannah just lost her mom and she’s struggling and her boyfriend just dumped her too. These two learn about each other and they have a deep connection. The story moves quickly and I love that the seem to heal each other. It’s a good story and the audible is okay but I hate that the male voice is also done by Hannah, I find that very distracting and it takes away from the story.

Hannah just wants to slip into her work and forget that she’s supposed to be mourning her mother, that her boyfriend dumped her after the funeral, and that she has to continue to work with him. But she didn’t want to work for new client, Jack Stapleton, incredibly good-looking movie star who is being stalked by a fan. Especially since it involves fake dating Jack to keep his family from worrying about him. Hannah knows that if she nails this gig, she’s got the leg up on her ex to head up the new London location and get as far away from her problems as possible. She couldn’t possibly fall for this movie star, could she?

I absolutely loved this audiobook!! The narration was excellent, the banter was so cute, and the depth that is explored was really great. With multiple characters navigating loss and grief, you’re rooting for both the romance and each individual’s own healing.

I’m a big fan of the “big goofy movie star with a heart of gold” type (honestly, who isn’t?) and Jack fills those shoes and then some. His vulnerability with Hannah, the big laughs and the sweet moments? I’m hooked.

And the fact that Hannah found someone who wants to protect her when she spends her life protecting others and keeping herself shut away is just SO GOOD. This book is worth the read, and definitely worth the listen!

In terms of content warnings (this is your mild spoiler alert, so skip to the next paragraph to avoid any sort of reveal), this book contains mentions of domestic violence, the loss of a family member, and scenes involving stalking, guns, hostage situations, and injury. If you are vulnerable to any of these, please be kind to yourself and proceed with caution.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy in exchange for an honest review!

My first Katherine Center book was How to Walk Away, and ever since then I make a point of trying to get my hands on everything she writes. The Bodyguard was my first audiobook of hers, and it did not disappoint!

Hannah Brooks, more preschool teacher than bodyguard is assigned to protect , sexy super star Jack Stapleton when he returns home after dropping out of the public eye due to a family tragedy. After being dumped by her boyfriend because she’s just ordinary and a bad kisser, she now finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend to his family. The more time she spends with Jack and his family, the more her celebrity crush becomes real. Hilarity ensues! The narrator does a wonderful job of portraying Hannah and all her quirks. Many laugh out loud moments. Would definitely recommend the book and the narrator

A fun sexy book I have been looking forward to since I saw the cover, This takes the body guard/protectee trope and gives it a fun twist. I loved seeing Hannah and Jack grow closer to each other over time.

Katherine Center consistently publishes smart, heartfelt novels, and The Bodyguard is no exception! If you've never read her books before, I think you'll be hooked and immediately want to search up her backlist. If you've enjoyed Center's books in the past, you won't be disappointed with this new one.

As I've come to expect from KC, her new book comes with a simple yet intriguing premise, backed up by strong characterization and a plot that keeps it moving but is rarely cliche. In this book's case, the story follows a petite female security specialist named Hannah Brooks assigned to protect one the most famous (and attractive) movie stars in the world named Jack Stapleton. Hannah is at a personal low point after the death of her mother and the end of a relationship.

It's not a spoiler to say that this book has some romance in it, particularly my personal least favorite trope - fake dating. But it speaks to Center's strong storytelling skills that it didn't even bother me in the context of this book. I think it's because the ruse was somewhat limited and not overly belabored for laughs or lust. Instead, the engine of this book is much more Hannah's journey toward finding happiness and growing personally. She's truly committed to her job and the plum foreign assignment she wants to earn through doing whatever it takes to protect Jack while he's home in Texas visiting his sick mother.

I love the way that Center brings readers into the story through the protagonist's internal monologue. It truly feels like you are in Hannah's mind as she analyzes situations and makes decisions. But Hannah's thoughts are delightfully devoid of pretense or ego. She's a reliable and earnest narrator. The reader trusts Hannah completely and is rooting for her to succeed and be respected by the people in her life.

The audio performance was great - fast-paced and pitch perfect for the characters' personalities.

I'm excited for this book to be released out into the wider world. I think it will be a fulfilling and heartwarming read for many book lovers!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Katherine Center for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This novel about a woman bodyguard and her celebrity client is fun, even thrilling at times, and a total page-turner. Hannah is a guarded woman and Jack is a celebrity, meaning he seems like someone everyone knows, but really isn't. This book could easily be scripted into a Netflix rom-com series or film.

For the audiobook, the narration was amazing! There are some unique sound moments that were so great and authentic and kept the story going without taking me out of the narrative.

I imagine reading the hard copy would also be enjoyable, but I definitely also recommend the audiobook!

✨Audiobook Review✨

The Bodyguard
Author: Katherine Center
Narrator: Pattis Murin
Pub Date: July 19, 2022

❤️Synopsis:
Hannah is a 5’5, unassuming Executive Protection Agent. She is tasked with the job of protecting famous movie star, Jack Stapleton. Jack needs protecting from his sweater making, corgi loving, stalker. When Jack’s mom gets sick, he needs to travel back to Texas to be at her bedside. He doesn’t want to worry her about his stalker, so he tells her Hannah is his girlfriend. What could possibly go wrong?

💭 Thoughts:
This was a really fun, endearing book to listen to! I was sucked in immediately. I finished the book in two days. A Perfect vacation read! Jack and Hannah are both such likable characters. Plus, the pace of the storyline is perfect. This book also covers all the romance troupes! If you have a favorite, it’s probably represented in this book!

I really enjoyed the funny, quirkiness of the ending. I liked getting insight into how all of the characters were doing in the epilogue. Birdhouses! (IYKYK)

The story does touch on some heavy topics, including cancer, death of a Jack’s brother Drew, and Hannah’s mother.

Read if you like:
🌺 Grumpy/Sunshine
🌺 Fake Dating
🌺 Forced Proximity
🌺 Closed Door Romance
🌺 Movie Stars and celebrity references
🌺 Funny, lighthearted reads

I will definitely be digging into Katherine Center’s backlist after this book!

Thank you @netgalley, @stmartinspress, and @katherinecenter for the audiobook to review!

Katherine Center is an auto buy for me. Her books have never left me disappointed, and this was no exception. A Hollywood heartthrob and a body guard? How could that not work. From the quirky characters, to the strong female lead, and perfectly imperfect romance, this book is a rom-com lovers dream. Action packed and fast paced, I just couldn’t get enough! 5 stars!

A romcom with a thrilling twist.

The Bodyguard, by Katherine Center, (Publication Date: 07/19/22) was a quick and adorable read. I liked that it wasn't just another romance novel.

Hannah is a quirky bodyguard put in charge of looking out for Jack, a heartthrob actor. However, Hannah ends up pretending to be Jack girlfriend causing work life and personal life to overlap.

The banter between Hannah and Jack was hysterical! I was actually laughing out loud at certain points. I loved how Center wrote the two main characters because they do not need eachother to complete themselves. Additionally, toward the end, The Bodyguard, pulls in the genre of thriller while staying true to the lightness of the genre romance. I love thrillers so this was right up my ally and sense the book is a romance I was okay with the suspense only being at the end.

I would definitely reccomend reading this one! I read it as an audiobook and the narrator was easy to listen too at any speed.

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillian.audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley #macmillianaudio #thebodyguard #katherinecenter #romance #romcom #thrillingtwist

The Bodyguard is the first book I have read by Katherine Center. Thanks to Netgalley, I received an audio ARC of this book. It was a cute, beach read book that made me think of the movie the Proposal. The narrator was fabulous!

She does it again! Katherine Center has written yet another beautiful book full of heart and witty banter and the perfect mix of drama + romcom. The protagonist here is a damn joy!

This book started off exciting and kept it going thru out the whole story. It was fun and interesting. It had so many twists and turns. I was entertained all throughout the book. This book was a page turner and fast paced. Basically, Jack - sexy famous actor has a stalker and needs to visit his sick mom. Hannah is his bodyguard posing as his girlfriend. This book is at times lighthearted and makes you smile and laugh. It deals with family and how relationships are never cut and dry. There is tons of action and drama both with Hannah and Jack’s supporting friends, family. I love the interaction with family and friends which makes this book even better. They make a good couple and have a great connection. I liked it. I did like the audio narrators and will keep an eye out for other books they narrate. It is an easy flowing read I would recommend this book because this author is keeps you entertained with this enjoyable book. I look forward to her other books.

**I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

I thought I would enjoy this book, but I didn’t know I’d love it! Female bodyguard protecting a male celebrity. Let’s just start with how fabulous that premise is! Throw in a fake dating trope, some absolutely lovable characters, and you’ve got a recipe for perfection. This book has stuck with me. I finished it over a week ago and I still think about it from time to time.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors. Her romances make my heart swoon and The Bodyguard was no exception. Hannah and Jack, the love interests in this novel, were adorable and had a connection that felt so real! Seriously, when I finished this book, I had to remind myself they were fictional characters. This title is my second favorite novel of Center's and I will continue to recommend her writing to anyone who will listen to me. Go read this book and then all of her others.

The BodyGuard, by Katherine Center, is the delightful story of professional bodyguard Hannah Brooks and an incredible few months. As the primary agent for Executive Protection. In the days following her mother’s untimely death, the breakup of her relationship, and the betrayal of her best friend, Hannah is assigned as the principal in the detail to protect renowned actor, Jack Stapleton. Jack is in Houston, Executive Protection headquarters, for the life saving surgery needed by his mother, retired principal Connie Stapleton.

Although the Stapletons have a large ranch outside of Houston, Jack has leased a house in the city. Although the threat level seems low, the movie studio is protecting their asset in that there has been low level stalking threats. Without Hannah’s input, it has been decided she will be undercover posing as Jack’s girlfriend, especially important when Connie requests that her kids come stay on the ranch, Hannah, too.

Jack has a tenuous position in his family after an accident he was in that ended up taking his younger brother, Drew’s, life. His older brother, Hank, will never forgive him, and neither will Jack, but his parents have and want him near as Connie heals. In putting forth this charade, Jack just may be opening himself to both his family and Hannah.

This is a surprising story with twists and turns that will take the reader on a lovely ride. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

This is my first Katherine Center book, and while I did really enjoy her writing style I had a hard time buying into the premise. Mostly because the narrator sounded very similar to Ellie Kemper, so it made it more difficult for me to picture the main character, Hannah, as a bodyguard.

Reading the book instead of listening to the audiobook might have lessened that issue some, but I still don’t think Hannah acted much like the badass/workaholic she was initially portrayed to be.

Overall, a decent read, but I couldn’t get totally past those issues to really enjoy the story.

If you are a fan of Katherine Center’s previous books, I have no doubt you will also love this one! I listened to the audiobook thanks to #NetGalley and #stmartinspress. The narrator did a great job of bringing the main character to life. Hannah is an unsuspecting 5’6” bodyguard who is assigned to protect Jack, a handsome movie star, from a stalker. They have to pretend to be dating in order to keep Hannah’s job a secret. This book was fun and sweet while also dealing with some sad and serious topics. I highly recommend this for a great summer read!

Another 5 star read from Katherine Center! She has such a way with her writing. She makes you feel all the feels. This was such a fun story that made me laugh as I listened to it. I am already looking forward to her next book! I would definitely recommend this book to everyone! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.