Title: The Bodyguard
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: July 19, 2022

Thank you to MacMillian Audio for offering me an audio-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

T H R E E • W O R D S

Quirky • Excessive • Adventurous

📖 S Y N O P S I S

After the death of her mom, Hannah's attempting to forge forward while ignoring her grief. To make matters worse, her co-worker/boyfriend has just dumped her. All of this has her willing and hoping to take on whatever work assignment her boss assigns, if only to escape it all. As a highly touted Executive Protection Agent (aka bodyguard), she's begging her boss to send her somewhere.

In the wake of a family tragedy, Jack, a famous celebrity and actor, disappeared completely from the public eye. When his mom gets sick, he returns to his family's Texas ranch to help out, all to the dismay of his brother. Not wanting his family to find out about a corgi-breeding stalker, his agent enlists protection. Enter Hannah, and one small problem - he doesn't want his family to find out she's a bodyguard. The solution - Hannah will be forced to pretend she's Jack's girlfriend. And the more time they spend together, the more real it begins to feel.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I have come to love Katherine Center's signature style making The Bodyguard my most anticipated 2022 release. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a let down. Still a solid read, it just wasn't everything I wanted it to be. Maybe my sky high expectations were to blame, but it felt like something was missing.

The characters are so wholesome. Hannah's drive and awkwardness paired with Jack's genuine nature came across like a match made in heaven. Jack's family seemed so caring, loving and open, something I definitely wanted to be a part of. One of the reasons I've loved Katherine's books is for the depth, and while this one had some, I wanted more. More of Jack's story, and less of the romance. I wanted to uncover the details of his relationship with his brother, Hank, and know what happened to Drew.

The setting is also fantastic! In the vain of Something Wilder the ranch setting came across as adventurous and fun. It was a bit of an off-the-beaten path vibe, which has been something I've really enjoyed recently.

And then there was the ending... which on it's own dropped this down a notch for me. The last major scene was completely unnecessary, unbelievable and more than a tad outlandish.

In sum, The Bodyguard definitely had the wit to make me laugh, but it was fairly obvious this was a pandemic book. I just didn't love the story as whole, and it required a little too much suspension of reality (especially near the end) for my liking. The audio narration is fantastic and really brought the characters to life in a different way. I am still a huge fan of Katherine Center's writing, despite this being my least favourite of her books so far, and cannot wait to read what she writes next (hopefully it's more of what I've come to love).

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Katherine Center fans
• lovers of the fake dating trope
• anyone who liked film version of The Bodyguard

⚠️ CW: car accident, stalking, death, death of parent, sibling death, cancer, grief, gun violence, domestic abuse, suicide attempt, alcoholism, drowning

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"You can't make people love you. But you can give the love you long for out to the world. You can be the love you wish you had. That's the way to be okay. Because giving love to other people is a way of giving it to yourself."

"I think just because you can’t keep something doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it. Nothing lasts forever. What matters is what we take with us."

What is there not to love about faking dating that involves a
famous person?! This was the first Katherine Center book
have read and I have been super excited to read this book.
Needless to say, I will be checking out her other books. What I
loved about this book is having a female as a body guard
because it isn't something you normally expect. I really hope
they turn it into a movie! If you don't like romance novels that
are spicy and want a cute and funny romcom this is for you!
Special thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a copy of the E.
book in exchange my pure honest review.

A great, sugary, rom-com read. The writing wasn’t my absolute favorite which is why I didn’t give it 4 stars but I did really enjoy it!

I loved everything about this book! From the female bodyguard angle through everything about this book just flaunted any gender stereotypes you could think of. While this story tackles some tough things like death of family members throughout it never felt too heavy and man that plot twist toward the end! Definitely never saw it coming. The narration was extremely well done and kept me engaged. All around one of my favorite audiobooks of the year!

This was a fun, whimsical romance that I didn’t want to end! I love a good happy ever after and this author so it did not disappoint! Katherine Center just might be one of my most favorite authors. I loved this book from start to finish!

The Bodyguard is hands down my favorite Katherine Center book to date! The main characters are *still* living rent free in my head. I love a celebrity-“normal person” romance trope, and this book did not disappoint! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job.

The Bodyguard is another hit from Katherine Center! She is one of my favorite authors and I have read everything she has ever written. The Bodyguard did not disappoint! I love a cinnamon roll love interest and Jack was just that. Also I love how Hannah is a strong, independent woman, but also vulnerable and lacks confidence at times. She is a very relatable character and I really enjoyed following their romance. Although at times I did feel like the book was predictable (there were several common romance tropes) I still really enjoyed the writing, story and the audiobook narrator.

I was generously given an ARC of The Bodyguard by NetGalley but all thoughts and reviews of the book are authentic and my own. I was not asked to review the book on Goodreads but wanted to because I love Katherine Center so much and hope everyone has the chance to read her amazing books!

Hannah wants nothing more than to throw herself back into her work as an Executive Protection Agent after the unexpected death of her mother. And then after she is dumped by her "perfect" coworker boyfriend, she needs an escape. Undercover protection of a cocky adventure star, that she secretively loves, is not what she had in mind. Hannah finds herself on a ranch in Texas in a sea of cows and on the arm of the Jack Stapleton.

As always, Katherine Center delivered a solid drama romance. She is never afraid to challenge her characters strength with trauma. Her character development of Hannah, career driven introvert, and Jack, an arrogant but tortured by the past actor, I loved. Towards the end, the story ran long but overall another good novel.

This was my first audio of Katherine Center's books and it did not disappoint. Not only are Center's books amazing anyway, but the narrator was also perfect. She brought the humor and heart alive to The Bodyguard and had me laughing out loud. Fantastic listen.

What a FUN book with an excellent narrator! Her voice perfectly fit the protagonist Hannah's voice, and I thought this was overall a really enjoyable audio! Thank you for allowing me to read and review this. I posted it on my IG today.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to listen to the ARC audiobook of this story and I absolutely loved it. I don’t normally go for closed door romances but I was drawn in by the description. I was not disappointed!

Have you seen the movie “The Proposal?” This kept reminding me of it in the best of ways. With a twist, of course. Hannah is a bodyguard stuck on a unique assignment- protecting former celebrity A-Lister, Jack, from his crazy corgi-obsessed stalker. To make matters worse? He’s somehow roped her into pretending she’s his girlfriend. Idk about you but I love a good ole fake dating trope!

This was so funny and I really enjoyed Hannah and Jack together. Their chemistry made this a quick and easy read to get lost in! Jack’s family was also a major part of the story and seeing the growth between him and his brother over the course of the book was just *chef’s kiss*🤌

I loved it so much I had to get a physical copy when it came out as a BOTM pick (I like buying books I enjoyed digitally so I can display them on my shelves like little trophies☠️) For my audiobook lovers I would still pick to listen to this over physical bc the narrator was great and conveys Hannah’s emotions well!

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!

Fantastic audiobook and reading combo. This story followed Hannah who's a workaholic bodyguard. Her mother just died suddenly from health problems. Her long time coworker boyfriend Robby dumped her right after her mom died. Hannah wanted an assignment far out of the country to get away from it all but her boss Glenn thought she should take time off to mourn the loss of her mom. Later her boss assigned her to give protection to a celebrity. She didn't want to do it because she has a crush on this celebrity but her boss is one person no employee can say no to. And so she started her new assignment with nerves. I enjoyed the audiobook. The story has well liked characters with an interesting storyline reminding me of The Float Plan series. Hannah has sass and is good natured. She didn't throw a tantrum when her ex said one of the reasons he fell out of love with her was of her bad kissing skills. She was upset yes but she didn't do anything to harm him or embarrass him. This is one contemporary romance without much romance in it. Still an enjoyable read nonetheless. I enjoyed the humor and the good loving family story story. I liked Glenn and his no romance at work attitude.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read, listen, and review!

I absolutely adored this audiobook. The narration was wonderful and it helped me fly through reading the ebook when I didn't have a moment to sit down with the physical copy I could pick up where I left off in the audiobook. The emotion and the narration were spot on, and added enhancements to the story. I loved the characters, Hannah and Jack were too cute, and Robby can go to hell. Also, I loved Doghouse, he wasn't mentioned much, but when he was, I smiled. Will be checking out more of Center's work as I couldn't devour this one quick enough.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Listened to it twice.

The story is cute and the narrator brough out the cute, sassy, and flawed personality of Hannah, the main female character. The main male character, Jack, has his own issues that are understandable in relation to the situations he is faced with. The side characters (many) are funny, loving, supportive, annoying, or cantankerous. It flowed well and the connection between the main characters was believable in the forced proximity situation they are forced into. A great fun romance.

I really loved listening to an audio arc of this!!! Katherine Center always hits all the right things and never fails to make my heart happy.

The Bodyguard is an enjoyable sweet romance, with grumpy/sunshine, fake dating and body guard tropes. There are interesting characters and witty banter. Although I normally like a little more spice in my romances, the outstanding writing makes The Bodyguard definitely worth a read

This was pitched to me as a While You Were Sleeping retelling, and that was really all I needed to know! I really enjoyed the low key drama here re: interpreting a beloved movie in a new way. I’ve long been a fan of Patti Murin’s, but this was my first audiobook by her (but will not be the last!). Really enjoyed overall.

I enjoyed this book and the narrator. I found something predictable but overall, it was a fun story. Hannah just found out that her boyfriend who is another bodyguard for the same company has checked on her after been sent on a mission that she was supposed to be on. Hannah then get set to protect Jack Stapleton who is a well know actor who has been a recules for a while because of a car accident that killed his young brother. He is back in Texas because of his mother is sick and wanted her whole family there. They is tension because of the accident where his other brother thinks that it is his fault that the youngest brother is dead. Jack has a stacker and that is why the studio hired Hannah to keep him safe so that he would do their next movie eventhough he didn't want to. Hannah get the task of playing his girlfriend so she can stay close when they move into the family home for a time. Overall I enjoyed the story it had humor and serious moments.

Actor Jack needs a bodyguard while he goes home to visit his family but doesn’t want them to know he’s in danger, so bodyguard Hannah steps in and pretends to be his girlfriend. What could go wrong?
I loved this book. Katherine Center is one of my favorite romance books. She knows how to build great relationships that feel true but don’t rely on steamy scenes, and deal with some deeper issues along the way. This book was no exception. I love a fake dating trope, and having the female be the bodyguard was a fun way to switch around dynamics. 4.75⭐️

Thanks to the NetGalley for an Advance Readers Copy

This book was such a fun book to listen to, I could not stop listening to it. It had a little bit of everything. You want action and awesome fight scenes? You want to quirky characters that will have you laughing out loud? You want heartwarming romance with plenty of steamy scenes? This book has all of that and so much more. I also loved the bodyguard was a woman and that this story was not just the typical romance of the strong man saving the poor helpless damsel in distress. I highly recommend this book to all readers, especially fans of strong female leads and romance.