I received an advance audiobook copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah is a badass bodyguard, but she’s going through a tough time. She’s just lost her semi-estranged mom, been dumped by her boyfriend, and missed out on a job she wanted. When the opportunity to provide protection for movie star Jack Stapleton arises, Hannah grudgingly takes it. What’s more, she ends up moving with him onto his parents’ ranch for four weeks, pretending to be his girlfriend so his family doesn’t know he needs a bodyguard. Will Hannah maintain her professional boundaries, or will she lose her job, or worse, her heart?

I loved this book. In my opinion Katherine Center can do no wrong. I loved the characters, the story, the SETTING. The narration was fantastic and I found myself wanting more when the book was over because I was so invested in Hannah and Jack and all the Stapletons. This book made me laugh, made me nervous, and made me sad. I couldn’t recommend it more.

The pacing/flow of the story was a bit jarring at times. I enjoyed the tropes thrown in but felt that at times it was bit preachy on the "life lessons" the reader was supposed to get from the narrator. Fun romance overall but nothing steller.

“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.”

𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖: hannah works as a bodyguard for a protective service agency that has been hired to protect famous actor jack stapleton.

𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: i’m going to start off by saying that i did like this book. i really liked how unique and special hannah’s character was. i think she’s someone that most people could relate to in terms of things that she’s struggling with internally and i also thought she was a complete badass consider her career! i also loved jack & hannah's interactions with one another. they really were so funny together & i loved that about them!

however, i personally feel there might have been too much unrealistic stuff going that it was a little too far fetched. i also think there were just so many small subplots taking place that there wasn’t enough focus on hannah and jack - it felt like their relationship got lost at times. i would have killed for Jacks POV in this one 😭

overall, i laughed a lot reading this book & it was unique. it just wasn’t a favorite for me especially after how much i loved things you save in a fire!

special thanks to netgalley, macmillan audio & katherine center for a copy of this ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 4.5
Author: @katherinecenter
Publication Date: 7/19/22

This was such an adorable read that had me feeling all of the emotions! I will be honest after reading the synopsis I was intrigued by this one but also a little nervous. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the girl was the bodyguard. There isn’t anything wrong with that except that I typically love the girl being a damsel in distress and the guy having to constantly save her. Luckily, this book had a little bit of everything! The author did such a wonderful job of writing both characters as well as the side characters. Right away I connected with the main character Hannah. She was so sure of her abilities but was constantly holding herself back due to past trauma. The narrator did a fantastic job of portraying Hannah’s emotions. There were times when I got so mad or so sad for Hannah. That's all because of how this story was written but also because of how the narrator brought it all to life. I liked Jack’s character too but I do wish he had a little more personality or maybe having chapters in his POV would have helped me connect with him more. I did love Hannah and Jack together. I love that even though Hannah was immediately smitten for him there was no insta-love. They took time to build a relationship and connected on a deeper level.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this one. I switched between the ebook and audiobook and loved both versions. This is a romance you won’t want to miss. It will make you smile, laugh, roll your eyes, and will even irritate you at times (in the best ways)! The writing was well done, the pacing was on point and will make you want to finish it in one day!

Thank you so much @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copy on #netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book scratched every romance book itch I have had! Katherine Center has never disappointed me yet. I love how sweet and cute her romances are and how real. The problems seem more real life than just plain miscommunication and she has great connection and banter between the characters. There were so many times I laughed out loud with this book. This has quickly become a favorite! I got approved for the audiobook and finished the same day, I could not put it down!
I loved The narrator. I thought her “no nonsense” voice was perfect for Hannah!
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Foremost, I would like to think NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of the audiobook.

On a side note, I don’t do book reviews any very much anymore because I just don’t have the time to read and the only way I get any “reading” done is to listen to audiobooks.

Let’s address the narration. The narration was most excellent. In fact, I think if I had been reading the book the protagonist would not have been as likable if I had not been listening to the audiobook because the narrator Patti Murin made the book for me.

Let’s move onto the book itself. I have written a blog posted with viral about How To Walk Away. I read Things You Save In A Fire and What You Wish For, and I loved these books.

Why did I love them? Because they were rich in details about the characters. Their past was relatable. You had enough information about the protagonist that it made you cry when you read their painful memories. It helped with the character development.

The problem with The Bodyguard is it’s lacking that. I’m not saying that the book isn’t good. It’s lacking the rich details that were in Katherine Center’s previous books that made you feel something. You don’t know enough about Hannah and Jack. You’ve got some details here and there, but it was just wasn’t enough. The reveal for Jack’s most painful memory that we needed to know was too late in the book.

I teared up at maybe two points, and that was it. Katherine Center books usually have me sobbing and weeping to where I’m going through tissues like crazy and this did not happen with The Bodyguard. I just didn’t feel for the character. It entertained me for sure, but I was not feeling for the character.

Despite lacking rich details, the story was fun, and it flowed quickly. It was too much of a romance book for my liking. It’s almost as if they envisioned this being adapted into a movie already and wanted it to be like the perfect romantic comedy.

Long story short, this flows like a Hallmark movie. There’s honestly nothing funny in this book. I think that’s the problem with it. If there was some comic relief, it would’ve balanced things out a bit more. Instead, you get this character that’s been through all this trauma and instead of feeling sorry for her and feeling like you could empathize with her, you can’t. Because you don’t know enough about Hannah to feel invested in Hannah.

And Jack you do not really know enough about him until it’s too late in the book and by then you’re not that invested in his character.

It pains me to leave this review because honestly Katherine Center’s previous books made me cry. I could totally relate to those characters. Honestly, I found the previous books to be entertaining, and I couldn’t put them down and when I did, I went to pick them back up again as soon as possible. I actually went two or three days at one point where I didn’t listen to The Bodyguard audiobook, and that just says a lot.

I give this book four out of five stars solely because it is entertaining in the narration was very good. Once again, if I was reading an actual hard copy of the book, I might not have nicer things to say. The narrator made the book. She made Hannah better.

I have noticed that with some books that the audiobook version is leaps and bounds better than the actual book because the narrator makes an ok book great, and I think this is one of those cases.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧I just finished this audiobook read by @pattimurin and it was perfectly enjoyable. It’s the story of a professional protection agent, Hannah, who loves and lives to work. Following the death of her mother and being dumped by her boyfriend, her company gets hired to protect major film star Jack Stapleton from his stalkers. And that’s where it gets juicy. It’s like the Whitney Houston/Kevin Costner “Bodyguard”, but so much less dramatic and just a fun rom-com.

“The Bodyguard” is a completely likeable and listenable (is that a word?) and thoroughly enjoyable.

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this ARC of the audiobook (publish date is July 19th).

#netgalley
#macmillanaudio
#readmorebooks
#mybookishlife
#audiobook
#romcombooks

Female bodyguard tasked with protecting a heartthrob actor? Forced proximity on his family's ranch? Fake dating?? SIGN. ME. UP.

Hannah and Jack's story was such a fun escape and summer read, delivering deliciously on all its promises of tension and tension (with a side-helping of tension). But it also had humor and heart, and a really wonderful sense of the landscape it was set in. Did its protagonist cry a little more than is my preference for leading ladies? Yes. Was the ex-boyfriend a caricature of a bad person? Also yes. But those nitpicks aside, I couldn't stop listening, and appreciated the friendship flourishes and the ratcheted-up stakes.

**FULL REVIEW POST & LINK TO COME CLOSER TO PUB DATE**

Well...anytime I see a Katherine Center book I'm anxious to read it because she is one of those authors that never disappoints. She doesn't follow that same formula for each novel and you find yourself addicted to the story as soon as it starts.
So when I saw The Bodygurad on NetGalley I had to try to get my hands on that ARC and THANKFULLY I did and I'm here to tell you GO GRAB THIS BOOK! It will be the perfect book to tag along on a car ride, vacation, beach day or just about anywhere!
You will love Hannah & Jack! Jack is a famous actor who needs to come out of hiding to visit his sick mother. Hannah is his bodyguard...OR is she something else? I love the flip on the bodyguard role and of course there were some shocks and surprises.
If you're looking for a feel good summer read, don't miss this one! Its pub day is July 19th!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah is a focused, committed bodyguard that is a huge workaholic. She is assigned to protect mega movie star Jack Stapleton. Jack is headed home to his parents ranch to help out with his sick mother. He doesn’t want to be “protected “ but the studio insists that his safety is not negotiable so he reluctantly agrees as long as Hannah pretends to be his girlfriend. He doesn’t want to stress his mom out! Regardless of the may doubters that Jack Stapleton would ever date a plain, boring, ordinary girl like Hannah, Hannah trades in the pantsuit for a sundress and cowboy boots and does her own bit of acting.

I Loved this book. I am a huge fan of Katherine Center and I was looking forward to reading this one. It ticked all the boxes —Great story, characters, banter, sexual tension, angst and so many feelings!! Center has the ability to make her stories expel pure happiness. This was the best one yet. I wish I could read it again for the first time, but alas I cannot. The narrator was excellent!!
5 Stars

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 AMAZING STARS!!
I started this book and finished it in ONE DAY! It’s like every girl’s dream— meet a famous man, fall in love, tada!

But this defies the cliche and kept me guessing! Totally a Netflix movie in the making!

Literally laughed out loud, couldn’t stop, had to know what happens, every single minute.

I’m in love with Jack and Hannah, totally appreciated the side characters and supporting cast, and the setting of this book!

Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Loved this book!! While the ending was predictable, the journey to get there was fun. I enjoyed the dynamic between Hannah and Jack.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the main character. I liked that the plot moved along quickly because seeing her in different situations helped me come around. And I certainly did come around.

I love me a story where a woman discovers her worth. I love seeing characters who are jerks get what they deserve. I love the forced proximity trope. This book had all of it!

The relationship between the two main characters developed organically — from friendship to more — in a way that was believable. Two people who were lonely and needed the opportunity to connect with others… love.

Also, I really enjoyed hearing the main character’s inner monologue. Especially when she translated looks and physical expressions? Both amusing and relatable.

I really liked that this was felt like a romcom but also had depth - trauma, grief, and loss are some of the things the characters navigate.

A solid 4 star read that I would definitely recommend!

This was my fourth Katherine Center book and she has yet to dissapoint. I absolutely loved this story and the narrator did a fabulous job. This was a light and fun read with one of my favorite tropes: fake dating. We just KNOW whats going to go down and we are rooting for it the entire time. I also loved how the MC Hannah was telling the audience this story of what went down and her thoughts through out. It was a bit more breaking the fourth wall approach of a first person narrative. I also love Jack Stapleton. Because obviously and the chemistry they had together was absolutely believable. Please continue to write these gems Ms. Center.

This one had another trope I love, the fake dating romance. Even better when it’s between a famous actor and a bodyguard.

I appreciate the messages this author writes in her books. In this one you see both main characters trying to deal with their grief from their separate losses and to learn to love themselves.

I enjoyed the storyline of this one a lot. I just felt like something was missing, I think part of the connection between the main characters was not fully developed. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly it was. It was still a very enjoyable read and Jack was such a sweetie. Hannah was a bit hit and miss.

I’ve read two other books from this author and they were both five stars and I highly recommend them to anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book is the perfect way to kick off "Summer Reading"! I really enjoyed this cute "Rom-Com" that follows Hannah and Jack on their Miss Conginieality feel love story meets The Proposal (Hey both are Sandra B!)

Hannah, a body gaurd-ha, has to protect Jack a movie star for 4 weeks. (Here is where we lose that 1 pesky star--) because a crazy lady is stalking Jack. It was a silly concept to need "protection" I guess the mystery side of this book was pretty lame/boring. What shined was the blossoming romance between Hannah and Jack. They have some really cute banter and Jack's character is lovable.
Yes there are some common tropes I am sure people hate because they are so predictable....you know the Formula for any hallmark movie
-Don't like each other
-Forced to spend time together
-Start to like each other
-Fall madly in love
-Something happens, break up
-Last minute fall back in love
You know its coming, but week after week you know you watch the Hallmark Christmas movies.....

This book would be GREAT sitting beside a pool with a frosty beverage in hand. Happy Summer 2022!
Also I would like to say this was my first Katherine Center book, I have already added all her books to my TBR after reading this.

Thank you Netgally and Katherine Center for this advanced copy. I was not paid or influenced for this honest review.

Hannah and Jack are an unlikely match in The Bodyguard. The Bodyguard is an easy, enjoyable, beach read. I found all the characters engaging and the pages filled with humor and love. I did find myself wondering if Jack is too good to be true and then I met his family and understood him much more. The banter is off the charts and the romance is sweet.

Katherine Center delivers another winner with The Bodyguard.

This book felt less Katherine Center to me than her others. It was more romance and less adult fiction for women, if that makes sense. The change wasn’t my favorite because the characters felt really flat and the plot predictable and boring. All that said, I did enjoy the ride for the most part. I just wasn’t dazzled like I usually am by KC. This was pretty forgettable. I loved the bodyguard premise but wish more had been done with the MC using her skills and stopping bad things from happening on the daily. I’ll still read the next KC. She wrote this as an indulgent book to get her through the pandemic and that detail makes this story make a little more sense for me. Things to Save in a Fire is my number one absolutely lovely amazing book. Hope my review doesn’t put you off too much about KC though. This one just wasn’t my jam, but I’ll still be back for her next book.

Most bodyguard romances capitalize on the big burly male lead being the person doing the guarding, but Katherine Center proves in The Bodyguard that the female lead can do that job just as well. Pair this female lead with a world famous, country-boy actor hiding out in Houston and you somehow have my mix of a perfectly campy romance novel that is absolutely absurd but leans into this in the best way possible.

There’s something incredibly charming about Hannah, the titular female bodyguard that wants nothing to do with Jack Stapelton and an assignment that gets her stuck on his parent’s ranch pretending to be his girlfriend. This book delivers both the bodyguard trope and fake dating, and combines it with a relationship between the two leads that has actual chemistry. And more than that, banter - banter in a way that is not written as someone that is trying their hardest to be funny, but dynamic conversation between two very different people that grudgingly fall in love.

My biggest gripe with this book comes in the form of what isn’t exactly a romantic rival, but instead a female celebrity that Hannah immediately dislikes for being 1. Beautiful and 2. Jack’s (ex)(fake) girlfriend. She’s annoying, undoubtedly, but only because she’s written as vapid and cartoonishly spiteful with her biggest flaw being her plastic-surgery enhanced good looks and shallowness. I think there could have been a much better way for Jack to showcase his “I choose you over any other woman” shtick to Hannah at Thanksgiving dinner. And it resulted in a very The Hating Game-esque “and then everyone clapped” scene that had me wanting to press pause on my audiobook and take a silent moment to cringe.

All those trope-y antics aside, this romance delivered on a refreshingly no-nonsense female lead that managed to be both competent and insecure when her character demanded it. This book is fun, has a well-balanced mix of banter, and action, and heart-to-heart conversations that are completely separate from the romantic entanglements of any of the characters. A breezy, easy to digest beach read - I see this easily finishing out the year as one of my favorite romance releases of 2022.

Thank you to the publisher Macmillan Audio for providing an audiobook ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

⚜My Summary

📚My first read by Katherine Center and I loved it! This book was flirty, funny, venerable and oh so hard to put down narrator @pattimurin really helped bring this book to life with her colorful life. The love story of Jack and Hannah but this book was so much more than a love story. Hannah an unsuspecting body guard on duty of Celeb actor Jack Stapleton are immediately attracted to each other. But their own personal issues/insecurities hinder them until... Be sure to check this book out. Definitley worth the read!

⚜Likes
📚 I liked the story and character development.

📚Dislikes-None

⚜Can everyone read this book?
📚Absolutely!

⚜Would I recommend?
📚Without a doubt

Just Read Stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐