Rachel Lacey's "Cover Story" is a captivating romance novel that delves into the fast-paced and intense world of magazine publishing. The story centers on a budding journalist who lands a dream job at a top fashion magazine, only to find herself entangled in a complicated romance with her enigmatic boss.

Lacey's writing is engaging and dynamic, capturing the glamorous yet cutthroat atmosphere of the publishing industry. The romance is beautifully developed, mixing professional challenges with personal growth and emotional depth. "Cover Story" offers a perfect balance of heartfelt moments and sizzling chemistry, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. The novel is a delightful exploration of ambition, love, and the choices that define us.

Rachel Lacey’s *Cover Story* is a captivating blend of Hollywood glamour, suspense, and romance that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. This steamy tale explores the intricacies of fame, security, and unexpected connections in the world of celebrities.

At the centre of the story is Natalie Keane, a renowned Hollywood actress who, despite her success, carries the scars of a traumatic stalking incident from years ago. Determined to avoid another media frenzy, Natalie reluctantly agrees to enhance her security during awards season, opting for discretion to prevent tabloid scrutiny.

Enter Taylor Vaughn, a skilled bodyguard whose temporary injury jeopardises her career. When the opportunity to protect Natalie arises, Taylor sees it as a chance to prove herself once again in the competitive field of celebrity security. Little does she know that the job involves posing as Natalie’s girlfriend—a twist that adds a layer of complexity to their professional relationship.

Lacey excels in developing the chemistry between Natalie and Taylor. Their initial arrangement as a faux couple for security purposes evolves into a genuine connection fuelled by mutual respect and attraction. The author navigates their evolving feelings with sensitivity and depth, capturing the emotional intensity of their journey from professional arrangement to personal involvement.

The Hollywood backdrop enriches the narrative, providing a glamorous yet high-stakes setting that complements the tension of the plot. Lacey’s portrayal of Natalie’s vulnerability and Taylor’s determination to protect her adds depth to their characters, making their relationship both compelling and authentic.

The novel’s exploration of themes such as trust, identity, and the impact of past trauma adds a layer of emotional depth to the romantic storyline. Natalie’s struggle with fame and the intrusive nature of celebrity culture resonates throughout the narrative, highlighting the sacrifices and challenges faced by those in the public eye.

*Cover Story* is not just a romance but also a tale of self-discovery and resilience. As Natalie and Taylor navigate the blurred lines between their professional roles and personal desires, readers are treated to a story that is as heart-warming as it is suspenseful.

This is a compelling and steamy read that combines Hollywood intrigue with heartfelt romance. With well-crafted characters, a captivating storyline, and a touch of glamour, this novel is sure to appeal to fans of contemporary romance and anyone looking for a tale of love amidst the glitz and pressures of fame.

I actually liked this book so much and it wasn't expecting it to like it so much. I feel like this book has the perfect everything that everyone is looking for

I think for me I often find something in the story that I relate to or I enjoy and can continue with most books, as long as there is something that keeps me intrigued and I keep wanting to go back to it I have no issue continuing.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me and I tried a few times. I really wanted to like it as the premise was intriguing to me, but I wasn’t looking forward to going back to it after taking a break from it at 56% and I think that was the biggest sign for me to stop. The story line wasn’t moving along and I felt like nothing was happening with either character. At this point they have been in forced proximity for over a month and the only thing that is clear internally to each character is that they are attracted to each other, but they were still not making many connections or it felt like it was only the first week of interactions.

I also had a hard time with small time jumps that could have given us opportunities to perhaps get more of those interactions or bonding.

I still look forward to reading Stars Collide by this author as it was highly recommended by a few bookfriends.

Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really gripping story right from the beginning. I enjoyed the characters and I thought the storyline was original. I am a sucker for a celebrity/Hollywood romance and this one was so good. I thought it was well-written and I really cared for the characters, which doesn’t always happen for me. I would love to read more from this author.

Natalie and Taylor are an adorable couple. The angst of Natalie's past and how it affects their current relationship is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Taylor is protective without being a prick and allows Natalie to grow within their relationship. I loved that this was an LGTBQIA+ version of a classic trope! It's fun, sweet, and a great read.

I loved this book! The woman/woman body guard trope was done perfectly, This book will have you rooting for Taylor and Natalie through out just waiting for someone to make their move through dual POV. The journey for these 2 characters is fun, flirty, and but also got and cold. We see how anxiety affects the day to days actions of Natalie and the changes the Taylor’s presence has on those anxieties.

I absolutely adored this book, both caracters were amazing and I adored getting to know them. I always love the fake dating trope and it was done perfectly. The development was really good, the way it handled the anxiety of Nathalie and the way it handled her stalker.

I enjoyed this book. I thought both of the characters were very likable and their relationship was very sweet. the storyline was alright for me, but i did like the bodyguard part and the set-up for that. this story was overall fine! i enjoyed it but there was nothing that really stood out for me to be like omg love this book

This was a good sapphic romance! Many of the characters in the book identified as LGBTQ and that was really nice to see. Some were open, some were closeted, and that was also a refreshing perspective. The unfolding of the love story between the two female leads was slow, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a slow burn. Things did really heat up, and it felt like natural timing. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

Loved this book! Couldn't put it down and want to read more about the characters. I'm sad it's over! 5 stars!!

In Rachel Lacey's latest novel, Hollywood star Natalie Keane desperately needs protection from a relentless stalker. Faced with the impossibility of remaining incognito due to her fame, Natalie opts for a creative solution—a bodyguard posing as her girlfriend. Enter Taylor, a seasoned protector sidelined by a recent injury, eager to return to action and jump at this unique opportunity.

Natalie's plight is deeply moving; trapped in a luxurious but isolating existence, her life is more akin to a prisoner's than a celebrated actress's. The introduction of Taylor into her household marks the beginning of a challenging but transformative journey. As Taylor breaks down Natalie's walls, their arrangement takes on new dimensions.

The pretense of their romantic relationship provides both comic relief and palpable tension. Their initial interactions are delightfully clumsy as Taylor struggles to shed her professional demeanor. However, the undeniable attraction between them quickly heats up, leading to intense, passionate encounters that are both tender and fiery.

Lacey excels in conveying a spectrum of emotions, making her characters' experiences resonate with authenticity. Natalie's gradual resurgence of safety and trust under Taylor's vigilant care is as compelling as it is touching. Meanwhile, Taylor grapples with her own vulnerabilities—questioning the possibility of love between a celebrity and a bodyguard is no small feat.

Surrounding the central romance are a host of well-crafted secondary characters and charming pets, each adding depth and warmth to the story. Lacey's blend of sharp dialogue, humor, and engaging backstories enriches the narrative, making it a romance and a heartfelt exploration of facing one's fears and embracing love.

Thank you to the publisher eARC!

What a wonderful read! Steamy, great characters and a brilliant story. Would that we all had a body guard like Taylor!!!

I am so sorry. I read this long ago, before my divorce trauma, so I do not remember it. I do not have access to the book any longer and really do not remember anything about

Cover Story is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of the fashion world. Leigh's descriptive writing brings the glitz and glamour of the industry to life, while her multi-dimensional characters add depth and complexity to the narrative. With its twists and turns, it keeps readers on the edge of their seats, making it a must-read for fans of romantic suspense. Leigh's skillful storytelling and engaging plot make this novel a captivating journey from beginning to end.

This was an excellent sapphic celebrity romance. The characters were well crafted and PTSD was handled especially well.

More detail covered on the Queerly Recommended podcast.

This book was such a cute read, it gave me all the feels and I honestly flew through it. The characters just made me so happy, they worked so well and I needed to know more! This story deals with some pretty strong storylines, but I felt they were dealt with so well. I couldn't help but root for these two from very early on!

Cover Story was such a cute, suspenseful and angsty sapphic bodyguard romance and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! I’m always appreciate queer representation, specifically sapphic novels! This was such a fun book to read. Very readable. Fantastic characters who work well together. The narrative provided a good deal of insight into the regrettably important justifications for celebrities' security.
Definitely worth reading.! Swoonworthy romance!

What does Rachel Lacey’s new novel Cover Story have in common with the second-highest grossing film of 1992, The Bodyguard? A lot. Or nothing at all. If you’ve seen The Bodyguard, Cover Story will definitely feel familiar. There really are only so many ways that a celebrity/bodyguard romance can go, after all.

Unlike Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, who were both nominated for Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Acting, Natalie Keane is going into awards season with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress for her performance in A Case for Love. She should be happy, but all she can think about is that the man who kidnapped her years earlier is about to be released from prison. Wanting to increase her security but not give the press a story in the process, Natalie and her team hatch the Romance Novel Plan of Plans: a fake relationship in which the fake girlfriend is a real bodyguard.

Bodyguard Taylor Vaughn, newly cleared for duty after aggressively rehabbing Chekhov’s back injury, is more than happy to take on this unconventional job. Actually, hold on for just a second. In our world, the whole “celebrity falls in love with her bodyguard” would be seen as “unconventional.” In Lacey’s world(s), or in any world where romance novel plots are real, though, a love story where sparks fly that we know the ending of all too well wouldn’t be unconventional at all, would it?

Really, think about it. One of my favorite reads of 2023 was Stars Collide, which features Taylor in the role of bodyguard to Eden Sands (who also shows up in Cover Story). As romance readers, we’ve grown accustomed to this kind of serendipity. Or kismet. Call it what you want, but think about how many things in our world would have to go just right in order for our wildest dreams to come true. As I continue to become more familiar with the genre, I’m still trying to figure out if the escapism of the romance novel is helpful or not. What I’m noticing, I think, is that the escapism of the genre pairs very well with explorations of trauma. Fortunately, that is exactly what Lacey has to offer in Cover Story.

I love author’s notes/acknowledgments that add to the novel in some meaningful way. In the Acknowledgements section for Cover Story, Lacey talks about the process of shifting the original direction of the novel to one that focuses more on safety and healing from trauma. If you’re not familiar, the 80s and most of the 90s were an interesting time for romance in films. Yes, there were plenty of romcoms, but there were also lots of romantic dramas/thrillers. The Bodyguard is, of course, one of those romantic drama/thrillers. (I had occasion to rewatch The Bodyguard not too long ago; considering that it was written in 1975 and filmed in the early 90s, the fact that it holds up at all is impressive.) It’s true that suspense can heighten a romance plot, but as a Sandra Bullock character once said, “Relationships that start under intense circumstances, they never last.”

That is certainly not the case, however, in a romance world of kismet and HEAs. Who needs reality when you have serendipity? I love The Shop Around the Corner (1940), and I have warm feelings toward both of its remakes, In the Good Old Summertime (1949) and You’ve Got Mail (1998). Maybe I’ve always had a thing for the enemies-to-lovers trope. Who doesn’t love not being able to tell the difference between bickering and banter? (If done correctly, they’re the same thing.) What makes Read Between the Lines (2021), Lacey’s updated version of this story, so rewarding, though, is how—eventually—Rosie and Jane are able to help each other overcome deeply personal obstacles. You can also see Lacey trending in this direction in her earlier Midnight in Manhattan series.

Picking up Cover Story, I knew that I was going to find a story about two people who learned to treat each other with care. That’s what Lacey does so well, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed with her newest story. (I do find myself questioning why I’m especially drawn to plots that involve celebrities like Natalie Keane and Eden Sands, but that particular exploration is best kept for another day.) One thing I do find disappointing—Lacey’s fictional movies are just that: fictional.

I’m guessing that most people know The Bodyguard for the song that Dolly Parton gave to Whitney Houston. You know…the song. What I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to listen to the A-side of the The Bodyguard soundtrack while reading Cover Story, but I certainly recommend it. You can also listen to Lacey’s own playlist for the novel. Either way, if this is your first Rachel Lacey novel, be prepared for the adorable pets.