Every time that I am given a chance to spend time with Katherine Center, I find myself eager to immerse myself in her fictional world. I know that she will tell a good (if slightly predictable) story and that I will forget about the real world for a bit, something that I welcome these days.

This time readers learn something about what it is like to be a bodyguard. For example, it is in the training and a person does not have to be BIG to be able to do the job. That is why Hannah has been good at her job.

As the novel opens, bodyguard Hannah is having a hard time. Her boyfriend Robbie has broken up with her and is dating Hannah’s close friend. To make things worse and sadder, Hannah’s mother has died. She was not an easy woman but this is still life changing. Usually Hannah uses work to escape, the farther away the better. However, this time her boss is not letting that happen.

Instead, and under protest, Hannah is hired to look after a heart throb movie star, Jack Stapleton who is in Texas which is where Hannah is based. Hannah will pose as Jack’s girlfriend feeling dubious about this as she is no glamour queen. Despite not wanting the position, Hannah will do her best.

From here, readers spend time with Jack as he faces a family issue. How will being the bodyguard for Jack go? Will there be mutuality in Jack and Hannah’s relationship, despite Hannah’s always wanting to be professional? Turn the pages to find out.

Readers may feel that they know what will happen and that’s okay. The fun is in watching the plot unfold and just enjoying it.

I got to do my favorite thing with this title, toggling between the book and the audio. This works so well for me. The narration was clear and easy to follow.

Whichever way, you like your Katherine Center novels or, if you are just discovering this author, give this title a look. It is a good book for those looking for a break.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.

I adored this book! This was the right book at the right time. A feel-good story to warm my heart!

Hannah is going through turmoil and recent losses in her personal life which has left her unmoored and unsure of what to do next. She works as a bodyguard, and hopes to get an overseas assignment, when she is assigned to protect the famous actor, Jack Stapleton, right in her own hometown. Jack has a stalker and is in town to visit his family. He a skeptical eye toward Hannah, doubting her ability to protect him,  but she soon sets him straight in an amusing display of her skills. 
 
His one request? Jack doesn’t want his family to know about the stalker and his need for a bodyguard, so Hannah must pose as his girlfriend.  So, OK, we’ve all seen the Hallmark movies and read the books, so we know where this is going. But, as I’ve often said, it’s more about the journey in these stories and this one was top notch!
 
I absolutely loved the witty banter, and the often-amusing thoughts of Hannah. Jack was swoon-worthy and I fell in love with his family. But not is all fluff, as there are some serious subjects to be explored. This is what I like to call a lighter read with substance, and the perfect feel-good book when you need to put a smile on your face. I love that this is a closed-door romance, written with no agendas or social messages. A straightforward story to entertain was a breath of fresh air! It was pure fun and I was sorry when it came to an end.

The narrator of the audiobook was excellent!

When I first started this book it seemed a little cliché, but as it went on I grew to love it. It starts out with a girl trying to run away from her troubles but getting stuck on a work assignment she really doesn’t want to do. That assignment gets interesting and more complicated when illness brings a family together. Then it all comes together when the assignment is done but they caught the wrong culprit. All wrapped up with an adorable little lovey-dovey ending. What girl hasn’t dreamed of having a famous person fall in love with them?!

I loved that the superstar wasn’t a pompous character like we normally see and the girl didn’t throw herself a pity party when things didn’t go her way like we also normally see. Two tough characters with difficult pasts that are able to open up and be vulnerable with each other was so refreshing. It made the storyline much more believe-able too!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for access to this one. Narration by Patti Murin was great as well.

This was so cute! I absolutely loved Jack and Hannah's banter, and loved following a movie star in his real life as well. Though it was a light, fun story, there were also some serious topics that were tackled and I really enjoyed that addition to the story. There were a lot of great side characters who added both humor and tension, and I loved getting involved with the family dynamics of Jack's family as well.

If you love fake dating, forced proximity, and family dynamics I think you will love this one. It was also closed door- this is the only thing I wish was different, but if you're looking for a romance without the steam this is a great one too! And for those that prefer steamy (like me), I definitely liked everything else about it enough to make up for the lack of steam.

I really enjoyed the listening experience, as well. The narrator did an amazing job of portraying Hannah's personality, and she definitely made me both laugh and tear up once or twice.

This was my first book from this author and I can't wait to go back and read some of her backlist!

I really liked this book! It was really entertaining and funny! I would not recommend this to my students, but I would definitely recommend it to my friends!

I love the connection between Hannah and Jack! They remind me of an older couple in love! With the humming and dancing in the kitchen! I just love them!

The Bodyguard is a cute rom-com-ish dabble into the life of Hannah Brooks, a petite, female executive protection agent - or bodyguard. Hannah's life is a bit of a transition and chaos - her mother has passed away, her loser boyfriend dumps her and things at work are complicated. Enter Jack Stapleton - movie star extraordinaire, that needs a bit of protection from a stalker while he is in town. I thought the author did a great job of building character development just enough to make it a bit deeper than a complete potato chip book. There are several funny parts and the romance was light (nothing too steamy) - a great beach read. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of the audio edition in exchange for my honest opinion. The Bodyguard will be available on 7/19/22.

Executive Protection Agent Hannah Brooks was prepared for anything except the loss of her mother and her boyfriend’s betrayal. Now she needs her work to keep her busy. Her new assignment is guarding superstar Jack Stapleton. The one catch is that his family can’t know that he needs a bodyguard so Hannah has to pretend to be Jack’s girlfriend.

The Bodyguard is a romcom with a cute twist. I don’t think I’ve come across another book (or movie) where the bodyguard was a woman. The romance may be rushed a little in a “love at first sight” kind of way. The dialogue and banter was a good mixture of humorous and sweet. The author did a great job making the “bad” characters truly dislikable. Hannah’s ex is the worst!

The audiobook version is excellent! Patti Murin is the narrator and she really did a great job bringing these character's to life. I highly recommend getting the audiobook.

I really enjoyed this spin on the typical bodyguard/protector romance. Like others have said, this book could easily be adapted for film. This is the first of Katherine Center’s works that I have read but I look forward to checking out more of her books in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio.

I absolutely loved listening to The Bodyguard’s Audiobook. Written by Katherine Center and narrated by Patti Murin. The story was entertaining and there were no loose ends. Patti’s voice was really pleasant to hear too, which is an important factor to me. If I’m going to spend hours listening to an audiobook, it has to be pleasant.

The story is light and funny with unexpected twists. The characters are very likeable and well developed which makes for good entertainment.

This was my first book by Katherine Center and I would gladly read other books from her again.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to review this audiobook and for my honest opinion.

Hannah is the most unlikely bodyguard any one could imagine; she looks more like she should be a kindergarten teacher but as she shows her client, she's more 'lethal' than she looks. The client, movie star and paparazzi magnet Jack, is totally unhappy about having her as a bodyguard but the studio insisted upon it. When they first meet, he thought she was the housekeeper/maid! He's come home to be with his mother as she goes through a health scare, but he doesn't want his parents or older brother to know who she is and why she's needed, so of course, he decides on a ruse. Never mind that his estranged brother doesn't really believe that she's his girlfriend, but the parents do and are thrilled to pieces. Yes, it's inevitable that the ruse becomes real, and it's inevitable that Hannah's obnoxious boss pulls her off the case when the inevitable stalker turns her sights on Jack's 'girlfriend', but it's a totally enjoyable story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC -- made sitting in traffic a whole lot better!

I went in blind. And with this one it was full of good surprises!! This is my first book by Kathrine Center. I laughed, I swooned, and I rooted for Hannah. Her ex bf was awful to her. Listening to him dump her, I was down right outraged, but I knew better was coming. But still, Hannah character really drew me in. She’s all about work. The rules. The “handbook” Jack, the big movie star won’t read. This book was so heartwarming. It was funny and uplifting, with some heavy parts. I loved the fake dating, forced proximity, and friends to lovers. I loved it. I cannot wait to have the physical copy to hug.

3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for the audio ARC.

The Bodyguard is very unputdownable, the banter between Hannah the Executive Protection Agent and movie star Jack Stapleton is just so darn cute. Read if you like clean romances, people who are working through grief to become better, and Texas ranching with a little bit of suspense. Also read if you like your romances with some self-help and life coaching, family hijinks, and rom-coms leaning heavy into the comedy part. There were definitely moments when I laughed out loud and had a giant smile on my face (the part where Hannah one-ups Jack's dad was my fave), and there were also moments where I shook my head because Jack was just too darn perfect to be real. The plot is a bit preposterous, as are the characters, but The Bodyguard was a heady, summery dose of escapism with a tiny bit of seriousness that had me engaged for most of it. Narration was strong and characters were clearly delineable from the voices, and the narrator had a folksy manner that worked well with the tone of the story. If you've read other Katherine Center books and liked them, you won't be disappointed.

Center’s books are perfect for a fun and fluffy summer read that I look forward to each summer, and The Bodyguard was such a delightful escape from the real world.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

I really just loved how sweet and fun this story was. It had humor, mystery, romance, and a bit of adventure that kept me turning the pages. I also enjoyed the deeper parts about believing in yourself, allowing yourself to love and be loved, and appreciating what you have to offer to the world

Now, I’m going to ask you to bear with me on this next part as I try to explain why I enjoy Center’s books…If you are going to pick up one of her stories you have to know that reality is suspended and things can seem far-fetched at times, but this is what I really enjoy about each of her books the most. They are just so fun and as a reader, at times, I love diving into a fictional world and leaving reality behind. I mean, isn’t that why we read fiction!?!

How was the audio?

I alternated between the audio and reading. Getting to listen to Patti Murin bring these characters and story to life during my morning walks was a delight and was a wonderful way to kick off my day.

How was the romance?

As you all know my new favorite troupe is fake dating so of course I was fully into the romance and all the feel-good moments that came with it.

Steam level: Closed door/PG-13

How was the pace?

This book had a steady pace with some fast-paced moments.

Do you recommend this book?

This story was a ray of sunshine and I just enjoyed kicking off my summer with another fun and sweet story from Katherine Center!

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, and SMP Romance for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

Such a delightful story and even though you knew the ending, it was such fun to get to it. Following the escapades of Hannah, with her gutsy and fun comments and Jack Stapleton, the gorgeous movie star hunk that Hannah has been assigned to shadow and keep watch over, we escape for awhile into a story that has just fun with no agenda and no pounding one over the head with its PC themes.

This totally enjoyable book has gotten me through some rough times experienced lately and brought a bit of joy into my life as I listened to the Patti Nurin narrate the tale. If you are looking for a light summer fun in the sun read, this might just be the one for you.

Many thanks to Katherine Center who always provides that wonderful ability to get to the heart of her characters, Macmillan audio, and NetGalley for sending this gem to me.

I honestly did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It sounded like a fun, easy, light read, and it totally was. But it was also hilarious, adorable, and a GREAT time. Sure, the plot was pretty unrealistic, but aren’t all rom-coms kind of unrealistic? That’s part of what makes them so much fun. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a relatively clean, funny read.

This was my first book by Katherine Center and now I need them all. This was such a fantastic listen that I finished in one sitting. I have literally never done that with an audio book before, unless I was listening on a road trip. I started this on an hour drive and then switched to my headphones because I did not want to put it down.

I also jumped online as soon as it was done to preorder a hardcover copy for my shelf.

Hannah was the exact bad-a** I want to be when I grow up… even if she’s younger then me. Like Hannah, I don’t do emotions but I loved that she could open up to Jack.

I loved Jack’s down to earth-ness while still having the movie star feel. He owned who he was but was still trying to stay grounded and it came across well. At one point he shifts into the movie star character and it even spun my head for a moment.

I cannot wait to add this book to my shelf and check out all of Katherine’s previous titles.

That long-awaited kissing scene was SPECTACULAR!!!

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If I really loved reading the actual book, I will jump at the chance to listen to the audio version when it comes out. I was not disappointed: the narration by Patti Murin was top notch and Center's tongue in cheek, let's-laugh-at-life's-inevitable-foibles style translates beautifully to the spoken (i.e., audible) word!

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The final chapter tied everything up beautifully in Center's uniquely quirky way, which never fails to leave a crooked smile on my face. I love this author's "realistic positivity" - if these two elements can truly co-exist!
My thanks, once again, to the fabulous author (one of my top ten Go-To authors), Katherine Center, her publisher, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. (NB: I had to tag this on to my existing GR review, because that's how GR rolls....!)

Received an ARC/ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review (thank you NetGalley). If you're looking for a romance book with spice, this won't be for you. But if you're looking for a light fluffy contemporary romance, this will totally be up your alley. In a trope twist, "The Bodyguard" is the FMC who is protecting her client, the MMC, who is some Hollywood A-Lister.

I'm not a fan for the lack of female friendships and the cattiness that is involved with the females that are involved here. This is just an in general thing that is just not my jam in books. The whole "my best friend slept with my boyfriend" thing. Amongst other things (think catty female starlets) - no thanks. I'm a girl's girl and love my female friendships so seeing anything not supportive and empowering also rubs me the wrong way.

TROPES. This book has them. There's the "bodyguard" trope. The "forced proximity" trope. The "fake dating" trope. The "one bed" trope. The "bad dream/nightmare" trope where the FMC has to comfort the MMC. Amongst others that I won't spoil anything for.

Check your triggers. Including PTSD, death of a sibling, and DV, self-harm, and gun violence to name a few.

I think this is a perfect book that can be used if you're in-between genres or know you're about transition into something more in depth. I started this needing to decompress from work and would play it in the car or while I was inputting entry items in appropriate documents. You will also probably enjoy this if you're into contemporary romance in general. I also think this would be good to have in a YA section/middle school libraries/high school libraries. I will also note, that if you're looking for diversity and representation, there isn't any here.

Thank you to Macmillan for this ALC! The narration is fantastic for this fun, summery read!
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"The people we love help teach us who we are. The best versions of who we are, if we're lucky,"
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Okay this was just plain cute. Cutesy cute cute with a lot of lol moments and swoony fun. This is my second Katherine Center book and I love how readable her stories have been. This was the kinda book that I could relax into after a long day at work, one I could kick up my feet and read for some light-hearted entertainment.
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The Bodyguard has a very fun protagonist in Hannah. This is a fast read, but I felt a connection with her from the very start and that always makes a book more enjoyable for me. I also enjoyed Jack and his story; the chemistry between Hannah and Jack was sweet and flew off the pages. Some of my favorite tropes are in The Bodyguard... forced proximity and fake dating :)!
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I rec for:
- Those looking for a light-hearted read
- Fans of Katherine Center
- Fans of fake dating and forced proximity
- Fans of quirky main characters

This story was exactly what I needed! A plot with a strong female character who has a great sense of humor and continues to push through when life gives her lemons. The chemistry and banter between the main characters was great. Overall, a great audio production as well. Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy! My favorite by Katherine Center so far!

Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed this book! Jack and his family stole the show. And honestly carried the whole story for me. I didn’t connect with the other characters as much.

But I still enjoyed the read: Fun banter, great one liners, I definitely laughed out loud. The reverse bodyguard situation was cute and different.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy of this book.

Great audiobook as well!

TW: Loss of a loved one. Mention of drunk driving in past.