Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for an ARC audiobook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Like:
- The main character definitely has girl boss energy and stands up for herself
- The family and their ranch- a wonderful loving beautiful place for a story to be set

Love:
- Fun, lighthearted, romantic, feel good type of book that makes me smile
- The circumstances for the romance to occur- probably only works in a book but it’s done so well
- Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.


Wish that:
- Some of the situations or logic weren’t so improbable, but if I just went with it then the book didn’t lose any of its charm or enjoyment due to this


Dislike:
- Nothing, except when the 2 main characters were sad and grieving. I really felt for them.


Overall, a fun, lighthearted romance that made me want to stay up late into the night to keep reading The Bodyguard. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a fun summer read that makes you feel good. A good way to escape from all of the current world problems for a few hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio copy of The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. In exchange I offer my unbiased review.

This was the summer rom-com audiobook I didn’t know I needed!
While the story is overly predictable, I was gripped and invested from the first word until the last. Pure delight!

Hannah is career obsessed; her life revolves around her job as an Executive Protection Agent (fancy name for bodyguard/ personal security) a role that requires her to be mostly invisible. Now her newest client is Jack Stapleton, a megawatt superstar actor. Soon Hannah is out of her element, as she’s catapulted from behind the scenes to front page news as her undercover role becomes the very public appearance as Jack Stapleton’s girlfriend. Of course chaos and romance ensues!!!
Audio narration by Patti Murin was fantastic. I highly recommend this book in either print or audio for a quick summer escape.
I already see this playing on the big screen🤩Hello, Hemsworth Brothers!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Katherine Center for the advanced listening copy via Netgalley. Review contains my own thoughts and opinions.

Jack Stapleton, Hollywood actor, has a stalker. And despite his objections, his studio hired a protection agency.

Hannah Brooks - Executive Protection Agent, has just been dumped, her Mom died, and she’s been removed from an assignment. As a result, she is assigned as the lead on his protection.

This is not your average assignment- Jack’s mom is sick and needs him on the family ranch - and he needs to bring Hannah along, as his pretend girlfriend.

The Bodyguard has SO much heart and I am in love with Hannah, Jack, and his whole family (even grumpy brother Hank). There will parts that amused me so greatly (the circus horse!) and others that really made me tear up. It’s 100% through Hannah’s POV, but Jack’s personality and POV also shines through.

Such a lovely, beautiful read - or listen, since I read via audiobook. The narrator, Patti Murin, did a wonderful job and really added to my enjoyment of the story.

I had some trouble accessing the audio for awhile, but that aside, I absolutely loved reading this. Katherine Center has been hit or miss for me, and I was a little nervous about the premise for this one, but it is the perfect summer read!

I co-read this book by also listening to the audiobook. Overall, it was really enjoyable! Both main characters were unique and had their own voice, and while Hannah was a liiiitle too Not Like The Other Girls for my taste, the story was still largely enjoyable. Robbie and Kennedy were a little too much like comic book villains, but I think the portrayal of all the other side characters was lovely. About 70% of the way through the book, I almost stopped reading, feeling like nothing was really happening in the book. pushed on, and the last 30% more than made up for the lack of actions in the middle.

Now, the narrator- I really feel this is what can make or break a good book, and this narrator really made it. She had a way of reading Hannah's lines that was so on-the-nose for what the character would be like in my mind, and her comedic timing with some of the lines in the book was spot-on. She is the reason that this book gets an extra star rating for me!

A solid 3.5 star read, great for your readers who are looking for something a little lighter, a good summer romance, or a great beach read.

Pros: I requested this book as soon as I heard Anne Bogel’s description of it in her Summer Reading Guide. The set up sounded like (and was!) so much fun—a female executive protection officer is hired to protect Hollywood’s biggest star, and they end up in a fake relationship. I think this premise would translate well to film as a great rom com. One of my favorite things about this book is its Houston setting! It seems so many books are set in LA or NYC, and it’s fun to get to mentally travel to other locations.

I alternated between audiobook and ebook when reading this book and thought it was great in both formats. Patti Murin was a fantastic narrator, and I appreciate that she didn’t attempt what people assume is a Texas accent.

Cons: None really. I previously read one of the author’s other books and didn’t love it, so I hadn’t read any more from her. I’m glad I gave this one a chance and hope to go back and read from her backlist.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this book.

Katherine Center is an American hero when it comes to writing badass women characters in romances! She perpetually follows heartbreak with a beautiful, picture perfect finding of one's love of their life.

Hannah is an executive protection agent, a fancy term for bodyguard. She's on the heels of her mother's loss and the loss of the man she thought she loved. Looking for a case to take her mind of everything and get her far, far away from Houston for a bit she lands a gig being primary on the protection of Jack Stapleton, a world famous actor.

This cinematic story of two people who really don't want to be protected or protecting have all the underpinnings of a great Katherine Center penning, a style that has made her an immediate author to read. The humor, wit, and hairy situations make this a quick and enjoyable read.

Hannah is a "plain and ordinary" girl who is an Executive Protection Agent and is hired to protect Jack Stapleton, a huge actor, when they find out he has a stalked. He is back home visiting his mom who is sick and needs protection. They do not want his mom to know that Hannah is an EPA, so she pretends to be his girlfriend. Hannah spends a lot of time with Jack and his family and grows to love them as her own after not having the best family as a child. The ends has an interesting twist that I was yelling at my phone for, but it all worked out in the end. Overall, a super cute and easy read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy!

This was my first read by Katherine Center and it was a gd delight! It was so refreshing to read a romance that does not follow the same outline as every other romance out there.

Hannah Brooks, our main, was a badass while also having real feelings and WORKS THROUGH THEM. I appreciated that she was the best in her business and it wasn't questioned, and that she doesn't second guess anything she does. She is strong from beginning to end, and there is not enough of that in the romcom romance world.

I can totally see this being made into a cheesy movie, and if so, they better do the book justice.

Katherine Center, I am now pumped to pick up more of your books!

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Katherine Center for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I requested this one because I have loved every Katherine Center novel I have read and this one did not disappoint! Her books always seem to include love, friendship, and a pertinent lesson all wrapped up in one package. The Bodyguard had me smiling and laughing at Hannahs quirkiness but also appreciating all she had to offer and teach us as a character. The supporting characters in the book all added their own charm to the story as well. I love the fake dating trope in stories too so that was an added plus for me. Some may think its a bit too predictable but I felt like it wasnt due to the different turns the plot took. This one is available on July 19th and definitely deserves a spot on your bookshelf.

FANTASTIC! This book was fantastic and I cannot recommend it enough. This book is about a female body guard put on an unusual assignment of protecting a celebrity. And the celebrity happens to be one of the hottest men in Hollywood not to mention one of our main character's favorite actors.

What I love about this book is that even though our main character is a strong tough female body guard they still show a tender side of her. They definitely do a great job of throwing out a typical gender roles without making anything feel forced. The tension and banter between the love interests is top notch and I loved rooting for them. Even though the typical romance has a third act break up or big misunderstanding but this author did a great job adding drama and keeping it fresh.

Pacing in the book is great and I found myself wishing I could have more of the story just because I found the characters likable. Definitely a slow burn but the banter and tension will keep you wanting more.

✨While You Were Guarding My Body✨

I’m not sure if this book is being promoted as such, but this is totally While You Were Sleeping meets Miss Congeniality. There are clear differences, but there are pretty direct quotes form While You Were Sleeping and his name is literally Jack. Once I started picking up on the references, I was jazzed. A real standout was really just Hannah. She was a bad bitch and I love her energy.

I liked the main relationship and enjoyed the way we saw Hannah fall for Jack’s family too. I’ve been burned a bit by the celebrity trope recently, but I liked it a lot here! The man wears glasses so a girl’s gonna eat. I’m torn between wanting Jack’s POV and wanting the writing to just more heavily lean into the sexual tension. I wanted a little more subtle acts of his developing feelings.

I really enjoyed watching them get to know each other, but it just lasted the entire book with not much else chemistry/tension wise. It was like friends to lovers where the majority of the book is just them being chill friends. (It’s not completely friends to lovers but it had that vibe.) It worked as a whole—creating an enjoyable read—I just wanted more.

✨

There wasn’t much depth to the romance…setting aside the absolutely closed door aspect, they were just never in hot/flirty situations that made me feel hot and/or flirty. Nothing about the writing was really suggestive, so the closed door makes a whole lot of sense (where explicit sex would be weird here). (But I’m not saying I like the fact that there was nothing suggestive lol.) A few things obviously happened, but there were no straining erections or dirty dreams in the only one bed situation. (One tangled limbs scenario but again, more cute than suggestive.)

Her ex boyfriend and ex best friend were wildly horrible but I liked how the main characters handled it all and wasn’t disappointed. (I was expecting her to accept meager apologies but she knew her worth!) Someone needed to clock that thanksgiving actress bitch though she was a real piece of work. (I think she was given way too long of a leash at that dinner.)

✨

Overall this was a good read and I can definitely see it as a movie…and I think the movie would make it more of a romcom. Reviews said this was hilarious, but for me it was just moderately light and clever? The writing was good and it was fun, but it wasn’t the easiest breeziest book I’ve ever read. There were some sad/jarring elements I didn’t quite expect, but it was overall pretty a fun time.

As for the audiobook, I liked the narrator a lot and it was a great performance! I listened to it in a day and was never bored. All in all, I think this was a positive experience for me and I’m happy I requested it! I think I would read more from the author if given the chance, but will more likely read books with more steam. The writing was easy to dive into and I really liked Hannah’s inner monologue. I also like her name. You go Glen Coco.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶*/5

*Absolutely nothing was given to us. I think I’d have felt more from the relationship with intimate scenes. I think the steam level worked for me here only because nothing sexual was really ever teased (I get angry when promises aren’t fulfilled). Their one night together was summarized in a sentence.


Other notes:

I also wanted the conversation with the brother to happen on page. I feel like the author just didn’t want to tackle it, but the book started to go down that emotional road so I think it needed to fully commit. The brother’s character in general had a lot of potential that wasn’t fully mined. I would've liked more scenes between Hannah and him.

Hannah is a tiny little spitfire of a personal protection officer who always keeps her distance. From everyone. Jack is one of the most famous actors in the world, with a mysterious past. Hannah is NOT PLEASED when she is stuck with Jack’s boring case, and doubly NOT PLEASED when he suggests they pretend to date to avoid worrying his sickly mother. Things are only made more complicated when she has to spend weeks at his parents ranch pretending to be his girlfriend.

This book was just fun. Jack is incredibly charming. Both Hannah and Jack’s jobs are fascinating. There’s enough mystery and heart to keep you invested, but it never feels heavy or depressing. This won’t be a book I’m thinking about for long, but it was fun while it lasted! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC to review!

Hannah is the quintessential workaholic. When her mom dies, her boyfriend (who she also works with) dumps her, and her boss puts her on desk duty, she doesn't know how to survive. When her next assignment comes in, and it's not what she wants, she tries to quit, but her boss wont let her. Her new assignment is being a bodyguard to Hollywood recluse and mega star Jack, who has some stalkers trying to get to him. Things don't get off to a great start, but when she finds out he wants her to pretend to be his girlfriend so his family doesn't find out the threats about him, she reluctantly agrees. Hannah gets a first hand look at how hard acting is and soon she can't decipher between Jack's acting and his true feelings. Not only that, but she see's what a true family unit is like, unlike hers who was fatherless, and had an alcoholic mother. Feelings are not supposed to be a part of the job, but could they save Jack when he needs it most? Or is his acting going to fool her over?

Aaaaaah I loved this book so much. It was such an entertaining read. This was my first book of Katherine Center's and I'll definitely be going back to some of her other books. I also love Patti Murin and was so excited to see she was narrating this one! I loved the role reversal of a female body guard and a male "damsel in distress." You'll be on an emotional rollercoaster of will they/wont they and all the twists and turns are just *chef's kiss*

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the audio ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 7/19

I would consider this book 4 stars, but Patti Murin’s narration kicks it up a notch. It’s another slow-burn, hardly-graphic romantic dramady that we’ve come to expect from Center. The characters are flawed, have their own trauma, and exist in the midst of rich, supportive background characters. (Although the agency where Hannah and her other protective agents work sounds pretty vague, with their backgrounds practically nonexistent. Only her taskmaster, Glenn, has any fleshed-out personality.) There WAS a scene that made me tear up. Another scene/event towards the end of the book kinda booted me off-track, with implausible consequences that mistakenly made light of it all. But if you’ve loved Center’s other books, you’ll love this one.

Hannah is a workaholic. She doesn't have time to get close to people. Just ask her ex boyfriend and co-worker. She thought she knew what love was, but after losing her mom, her boyfriend and her best friend all in the span of a few days, she is rethinking things. She is a "bodyguard" and is one of the best in her field, so when she is up for a promotion and competing with her ex for it, she knows she has to win. Hannah is great at running and this promotion will take her to London.
Jack is a movie star. He's got a movie star girlfriend, but he also has a crazy stalker. So when he goes home to be with his mother when she falls sick, he needs to have protection. He can't let his mom know that he has a stalker, he doesn't want to worry her, so he just pretends that Hannah is his girlfriend. This should be fine, right?
Well, Hannah isn't an actor, she doesn't know what's real and what Jack is just doing for when his family is watching, but her feelings definitely aren't fake. His don't feel fake either but what would a movie star want with someone... ordinary?
This book was beautiful and made me smile so much and also tugged on my heart because Hannah opening up was a sight to behold. She had been so closed off for so many years and the people in her life telling her hard truths about herself made my heart hurt, but also she needed that dose of reality. Jack was just the perfect man. It was great to see the real person behind the fame.
Thanks to Macmillian, Netgalley and Katherine Center for an early audio copy.

Katherine Center has a way of writing that pulls the reader in like a good friend and the only bummer is that there is a final page. I was giving ARC's of the e-book and the audiobook and would highly recommend either version. I pre-ordered a hardcopy of the book as well. Patti Murin does a nice job with the audiobook narration. But the star of the book is Katherine Center's writing. This book checks so many boxes for me: likable characters, binge-able pace, laugh out-loud moments, moments that tugged at my heart, and a fantastic storyline. So far this makes my top 5 Summer '22 Reads list.

Thanks MacMillan audio and #NetGalley for the ARC of the audiobook.

“Just sneeze inside your shirt.” And bow! ~ Jack Stapleton 😂

I love Katherine Center!! She can make you laugh, swoon, and get teary eyed. Read the Bodyguard! You won’t be disappointed.

TW: cancer

Who doesn't love a Katherine Center book! Her characters are always so sweet and lovable and I liked the switch of the plot in this one where the bodyguard was the female character. This was fun, sweet and exactly what I needed during these not-so-fun times. Thank you for always knowing what's needed Katherine Center.

with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴅʏɢᴜᴀʀᴅ 𝑏𝑦 𝐾𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟

🗣 I loved this book!!!

➡️ Swipe for synopsis.

💭 Thoughts:
These two both had trauma in their past for vastly different reasons. I loved how they came into each other’s lives right when they needed that love and support.

A bit of a grumpy/sunshine situation or perhaps silly and serious. But the banter brought on by their personalities and quirks was funny,ridiculous, & lovely.

Watching the relationship of this unlikely pair come together just felt so good. Sweet and swoony.

Read if you’re here for:
•Fake dating
•Grumpy/Sunshine
•Actor/Bodyguard
•Forced proximity
•Imposter Syndrome
•Circus horse
•Green-tongued cow
•Closed door
•Ranch life

TWs:
•Loss of loved ones
•Alcoholism
•Attempted Suicide
•Stalker

If you are interested in the gorgeous-famous-actor-falls-in-love-with-normal-person scenario, read All The Feels by Olivia Dade. I love it!! It’s definitely spicier than this one, but both give the feels regardless.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/5

Thanks @netgalley for the ARC! Pub Date: July 18

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