A Hollywood romance. Threats arise and the heroine's bodyguard must protect her. It's an exciting book. Loved it.

Cover Story by Rachel Lacey is beautiful opposites attract, fake relationship, romance, that made my heart happy.
I enjoyed this book so much that I read it and then immediately listened to the audio. The fabulous Quinn Riley narrated the audio, and I can't tell you how much I’m enjoying the Lacey/Riley team. Riley also narrated Lacey’s Stars Collide and I hope she will narrate many more. Quinn elevated an already amazing story and made me love it even more.
Natalie Keane is a famous Hollywood actress, but the fame that comes with doing what she loves makes her pay a steep price. Eight years ago, Natalie was stalked, and when the media got hold of the story, the frenzy that followed broke her as much as the stalker. Now there’s a new threat and Nat is ready to take all the precautions necessary. She just doesn’t want the press to get wind of it.
Taylor Vaughn is a bodyguard to the stars. She is recovering from an injury that has left her stuck in the office for the past three months, so when the opportunity to work with Natalie Keane comes along, there’s no way she is going to say no. Even if part of the deal is to pose as Natalie’s girlfriend so the press is kept in the dark.
It’s the perfect cover story, that is until it all starts to feel less like a story and more like reality.
Lacey writes with such warmth and depth. She creates characters that I can’t help but love and stories that I want to read again and again. Cover Story is no different, it has Tension, chemistry, a gorgeous steamy romance, and two exquisite main characters.
One of the things I love most about this story is that even though Nat and Taylor are very different, they are both dealing with something that makes them feel vulnerable. It’s those vulnerabilities that bring them closer together, but also throw obstacles in their way.
Taylor is an open, friendly, caring, generous person. She protects with her body and heart, however, because of her past she wants the same in return. She doesn’t need her partner to protect her physically, she is more than capable of doing that herself. But she does require them to protect her heart.
Nat, oh Nat. Natalie is broken, and this has caused her to be closed off. She has built walls around herself and at times can be downright frosty. She is a very private person and can’t bear letting anyone in yet, she has a public persona that ensures she looks strong, friendly, and put together. As usual with these frosty broken characters, she won my heart from the start, and I don’t want it back.
The romance in this book is gentle but steamy. There is a beautiful tension that builds slowly as the characters get to know each other and when it snaps it is explosive. It’s clear from the start how perfect these two are for each other and I absolutely loved watching them realise it.
There is also an important message throughout about self-care and mental wellbeing. Lacey does a brilliant job at conveying the importance of therapy and the fact that a person must be ready for that journey in order for it to work.
I loved both the book and the audio, and it is one I’ll revisit, this is going to be one of those comfort reads for me. It’s got a great balance of all those things I love. Rachel Lacey is one of those authors who is an instant yes for me. I adore her writing and can’t wait to see what’s next.
5 stars from me
Arc received from the author through NetGalley

Another great Sapphic romance from one of my favs, Rachel Lacey. This book sees celeb actress, Natalie falling for her bodyguard Taylor as she hires extra security when one of her stalkers gets released from jail. Initially posing as a couple, feelings eventually turn real quickly. I loved the mental health (PTSD) and disability rep (chronic pain/back injury) in this book and loved how the two leads learned to be there for one another. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Meryl Wilsner and great on audio! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: open door

Rachel is a favorite of mine and Cover Story by Rachel Lacey is just as fun and exciting as her previous titles.
A wonderful and loving romance. I loved every second of it.
Natalie and Taylor were phenomenal. Their personalities and chemistry was just phenomenal and I loved reading their story.
I thought the writing was fantastic and very engaging. There are a lot of swoon worthy moments that certainly will have your heart skipping a beat. Throughly enjoyed this one!
Such a great story that I couldn't put down.
I’m ready for the next Rachel Lacey story! 🤗

Thank You NetGalley and Montlake for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This was a fun, light and sapphic read. It was perfect for a rainy Sunday. Thank you Netgalley for the ArC!

I am a sucker for celebrity fauxmances and this is an absolute gem.

In Cover Story, we meet Hollywood A-lister Natalie Keane and her unconventional bodyguard, Taylor Vaughn. Tasked with protecting Natalie from a resurfaced stalker, Taylor's role extends beyond traditional security measures, posing as Natalie's girlfriend to deflect media attention. The premise doesn't disappoint, unraveling into a narrative that explores the burdens of fame and the sanctuary found in unexpected connections.

I was surprised with the amount of depth in this book - mainly in regard to the portrayal of Natalie's vulnerability and Taylor's steadfastness, weaving a narrative that's as much about finding safety as it is about romance. Lacey crafts a world where the lines between professional and personal blur, leading to a slow-burn romance that's satisfyingly complex.

A great novel and I can't wait to read Stars Collide.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this celebrity, fake dating romance from Rachel Lacey. This takes place in the same world as her previous novel Stars Collide (May 2023), but can easily be read on its own. Natalie Keane is 40, and a celebrated Hollywood actress. Eight years ago she was stalked, kidnapped and held for most of a day. The perpetrator is being paroled and she wants to increase her personal security. In order to keep it quiet it is suggested that her extra guard pose as a girlfriend and live with her for the next few months. Enter Taylor Vaughn who is 37. She has been working in personal security since leaving the Army. She worked security for the MC in the previous book. She is recovering from back surgery but is fit to work with Natalie.

Natalie still has residual fear and trauma from her past experience. She can work, but all but shuts herself off behind the secure walls of her home most of the time. It is an adjustment even allowing Taylor to stay in her home. I like their easy friendship growing slowly. Throw in a couple of dogs and a kitten and I’m smitten. I connected to Natalie’s fears and Taylor’s careful reassurances. I like that the fake dating was for a real purpose and not for some silly plot point. I can’t think of another romance that I’ve read that included the Met Gala as part of the story. And Natalie’s passion for astronomy was a fun side interest that allows for a spectacular surprise gesture on a date.

There is really so much to love in this story. And while I liked and gave four stars to the first book in the series, I enjoyed this story and characters even more. Is it too much to hope that fellow actress Noelle Dara may get her own story. Fingers crossed. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (4.5 Stars)

Another brilliant sapphic romance from Lacey - I loved it just as much as I loved Stars! There’s even a brief mention of crossover characters, which was fantastic (it’s fully a standalone but the mention of a character meeting previously was neat… I read Stars Collide last year and only vaguely recall that, so now I need to re-read it).

This is such a beautiful story where a famous Hollywood actress has a terrible incident in her past - she had a stalker who had actually broken in and kidnapped her and was certain that having her in his presence would turn her straight and make her love him… he’s about to be released from prison and she’s terrified. Her security company decides to step things up by having a female security guard posted by her side at all times, posing as her new girlfriend. Sounds like a perfect solution… until the fake relationship and forced proximity starts to get to them both. Natalie and Taylor have the perfect fake relationship, until it isn’t (and then it is perfectly steamy).

I loved every moment of this one, especially being my favourite fake dating trope - add in Lacey’s incredible writing and the sapphic romance aspect and it’s just so darn perfect! A definite recommendation from me, to all! If you haven’t dipped your toes into sapphic romance novels yet and are wanting to but not sure how or where to start, this is a perfect one to go with!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Montlake, and this is my honest feedback.

I love a celebrity romance, and while I'm typically not a fan of the bodyguard trope, it did work really well for me in a sapphic book. I enjoyed this for the most part, but I had two problems that affected my enjoyment. Firstly, there were too many suspenseful scenes in the book, which came on suddenly and felt anxiety-inducing. I read romance for cosy vibes and to relax, so this took me out of the story. Secondly, I wish the characters had just fucking TALKED to each other about the nature of their relationship sooner. It took sooo long for them to actually have that conversation, and I prefer to spend a little time with the couple after they've established themselves as such.

I'll say it, this book was so lovely! The fake dating premise had me swooning. A SAPPHIC BODYGUARD ROMANCE!

Natalie and Taylor are so cute! Self empowering and cute moments!!!!! I just want to live with these two!!!!

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I grabbed Cover Story up so fast because I’m trying to read more sapphic reads. This one for the bill. I was sold on the fake dating storyline too. Unfortunately, there was something missing for me. I can’t quite put my finger on it. This was a fast and easy read besides that.
I felt bad for Natalie because she wasn’t really able to love her life after what happened to her. I think she needed some more help to deal with it and wasn’t getting that support.
Taylor was a good character and I liked how caring she was for Natalie. Maybe what bugged me was the characters were one dimensional. Like there wasn’t much too them for me. And the insta love totally happened and it didn’t bother me too much but it was super quick. And there were sex sciences but they weren’t that spicy. I am glad that they got a happy ending.
I would recommend this book to those starting out in sapphic reads.

Thank you to Montlake and Netgalley for the complimentary copy.

It's been a minute since I read a sapphic book, and Cover Story hit the spot. Cover Story follows Natalie, an actress who is in search of extra protection as her stalker is being released from prison, and she's still grappling with PTSD from being kidnapped, and Taylor, who agrees to be her bodyguard. But, because Natalie doesn't want to draw any extra attention, and in fact wants to keep attention away from any stories about her stalker, she devises a fake dating scheme with Taylor to explain her presence. Seems foolproof!

This certainly isn't a light read by any means. Natalie's trauma impacts her daily life -- she's skittish and nervous and doesn't sleep well. But with Taylor, she starts to be able to feel comfortable. And it's not a linear journey. There are a few one step forward two steps back moments, but at each step, Taylor is there with her. Taylor, who is a bad-ass bodyguard, which we love to see.

What I also loved about this book was that there were a lot of side characters, and they were all good. They all wanted good things for Natalie. I feel like it's really common to have villains in Hollywood-style books who are fueled by jealousy or something similar. But in Cover Story, the other actors, as well as Natalie's friends, are genuinely happy for Natalie when good things happen and genuinely concerned for her when things are tough. There also isn't really a third act break-up (it's more of an I need some space moment). While Natalie and Taylor's communication isn't perfect, it's something that they talk about needing to work on. Taylor gently pushes Natalie to share more of her feelings, and sometimes it results in resistance, and other times it results in Natalie actually sharing how she's feeling (or getting out some cries and screams), but Taylor is always there for Natalie.

One more thing I loved -- Lune and Orion the dogs, and Cassie the kitten. I'm a sucker for a heartwarming rescue story.

Cover Story exists in the same universe as Stars Collide, which has been on my TBR for a while now, but I'm definitely bumping it up the list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with an eARC of Cover Story in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for access to the eARC!

Quick stats:
Rating: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 2/5 🌶️
Tropes: bodyguard romance, fake relationship, slow burn, sapphic romance, PTSD representation, chronic pain representation

I absolutely lovvvvved this slow burn sapphic bodyguard romance. I was absolutely on edge throughout the whole book waiting for something bad to happen. The author was really great at portraying how Natalie was feeling from her PTSD of being kidnapped 8 years ago by a stalker. I constantly felt Natalie’s anxiety every time she left her house (literally, even when she’s in her yard, you will be anxious for her). I really appreciated the well fleshed out backgrounds and perspectives of both Natalie and Taylor so we can understand how they’re feeling. Taylor’s chronic back pain and how that threatened her job was really well written.

There was such a slow burn but in the absolute best way. Natalie and Taylor’s relationship is built up so well, with such apprehension from both sides in the beginning, even when they find the other attractive! The slow build of trust and safety between Natalie and Taylor and continuously showing how Taylor has Natalie’s back and is protecting her was just ugh, chefs kiss.

While I was on edge for 98% of this book I absolutely ate it up and couldn’t put it down. I loved both characters and their relationship as well as the slow burn. I feel like we got such good relationship development between these two in this book that it was really something special. I read at least a book a day so I feel like I know what I’m talking about when I say this was a good one.

A fake dating celebrity/bodyguard romance written by one of my favorite authors - what’s not to love?! After reading Stars Collide, which was absolutely wonderful, I was very excited to find out Taylor the bodyguard would be getting her own spinoff. And Rachel Lacey did not disappoint with this one! I loved the organic and palpable chemistry between these two. The desire and attraction was there from the beginning, but it was far from romantic. In fact, it was a bit clumsy and awkward which made it even better! Cause seriously…imagine walking the red carpet with someone you just met and pretending to be dating. 😳 But the sapphic pining. The “should we, shouldn’t we”. The growing emotional connection. The building sexual tension. And once that fire heats up…oh damn! THE CLOSET SCENE!!! 🥵🫠 ::swoon:: IYKYK! Natalie and Taylor, along with the adorable boxers, Luna and Orion, and rescue kitty Cassie, stole my heart! And if you love grand gestures…just you wait!

Natalie’s story was told with such care and compassion. Her trauma from being stalked and abducted by a fan and the sense of safety that experience stole from her, leaving her in a constant state of alertness, always looking over her shoulder and being overcome with fear nearly 24/7. Plus the loss of her mom at a young age and being raised by an inattentive aunt and uncle who never seemed to truly care for her, let alone love her. Failed relationships. Layers of life experiences that make it nearly impossible for her to let anyone into her world, let alone her heart. Rachel captured her journey through trauma and toward healing beautifully in these pages. I could feel her fear, her sadness. Her healing, much like the embers of desire between her and Taylor, took awhile to really ignite - but it was so worth it! And so powerful to witness.

Taylor also had her own struggles. After a fall and injury to her back she is finally ready to go back to active duty. Even though (secretly) her back isn’t quite ready yet. But between her career in the army and her career as a bodyguard, it’s all she knows. And watching her battle all this on her own was heartbreaking. I know what it’s like when so much of your identity is wrapped in your career and then you lose that part of you. It feels like losing yourself. Which is why Taylor minimizes her pain and fights through. She doesn’t know who she would be without this part of her.

I love a good “I never felt safe until I met you” kind of story. And if you love them like I do then you will love Cover Story. This element of the story is part of why I found Nat and Taylor’s relationship to be so authentic and their connection real. Nat had top of the line security and a bodyguard already. It wasn’t just having a bodyguard that had her suddenly finding a sense of safety she never thought she would. It was Taylor’s specific kind of care, attentiveness, and protection. It was simply Taylor.

I also love how Rachel wove elements of suspense and mystery into the novel. It took the celebrity, fake dating tropes and elevated them into something new and different. It was intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! I also love Rachel’s intentionality in creating a diverse cast of characters with her books. There were so many amazing and lovable side characters - Jeremy, Ali, Tommy! There was truly not a single character I didn’t like (well except for the stalker of course). Add to all that the astronomy pieces and aptly named pets, backyard observatory, and stolen moments under the stars…this book contained a whole galaxy!

Basically….I love Rachel Lacey. I love this book. And I highly recommend it! Go read it and then check out her backlist titles too!

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Lesbian MCs, Veteran, Chinese, Black, & Latine SCs

📝Tropes/Themes: Fake Relationship, Celebrity Romance, Star Gazing, Bodyguard/Actress, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, California, Movie Set, Trauma & Healing, Adorable Dogs/Kitten

⚠️TW/CW: explicit sexual content, PTSD, minor assault, injury, mentions of abduction, stalking, plane crash, parental death

This was my first Rachel Lacey book and it was a banger way to start off. This book has everything you could ask for in a story. Cute dogs and kitten, professional u-hauling and SO.MUCH sexual tension. Basically it is the lesbian trifecta.

This book is about healing from trauma and personal growth. The story follows Natalie Keane and Taylor Vaughn. Natalie is an actress who paid the ultimate price of being in the spotlight and was stalked by a crazed “fan”. Eight years after the incident, he is getting out of prison and Natalie is concerned for her safety and how the paparazzi will respond - which up until this point has been pretty messed up. So Natalie and her team devise a plan for Natalie to have extra security and hire a female body guard to pose as her girlfriend until things pass. Taylor is bored of being off active duty after a back injury and jumps at the opportunity to get back out there. TL;DR...this is a steamy celebrity/bodyguard fake dating romance.

When I’m reading a book and I’m drawn in from the first page, I know it’s going to be a good book and it truly was such a good book. The sapphic tension, the swooning, the emotional and sexual chemistry between Nat and Taylor…it was so freaking good. It was spilling off the pages and I was invested from the beginning. Although I’m gushing about Nat and Taylor, I also really enjoyed the plot overall. It made sense and the thing’s that were frustrating were also so consistent with the characters personalities - which was amazing synchronicity, it just worked. Nowhere during the plot did I feel things were rushed or too slow, Rachel really nailed the plot, the consistency, the chemistry, the spiciness, the wholesomeness and the cuteness overload. Yes I’m mentioning the dogs and kitten again. Luna and Orion were Natalies boxers and I loved them so much. I also loved the kitten that quite literally chose Taylor and all her sassy cat qualities. I also thoroughly enjoyed the different characters personalities and the rep amongst side characters. I especially loved Ali. I enjoyed the banter between Tommy and Taylor.

Side note: This is a spin off from Stars Collide, but also works as a stand alone.

When Hollywood A-lister Natalie Keene learns her stalker and kidnapper is getting out of prison, she insists on hiring a bodyguard despite her team's urgings that she's safe. Trying to save face and belie her team, she hires a female bodyguard to go undercover as her girlfriend. Enter Taylor, who would be exactly Natalie's type IRL. But Taylor is hiding a back injury that would keep her away from field work, and she needs to focus on keeping Natalie safe--not on romance. But the two have such an undeniable attraction and connection that becomes impossible to ignore.

I had read and loved Lacey's Stars Collide, so I was super excited to see another celebrity romance from her. Female body guards are one of my favorite tropes (The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, Drama King by Penny Reid...) so it was fun to see a sapphic spin on it. I was obsessed with Natalie and Taylor together and really enjoyed seeing the innerworkings of Hollywood. I can't wait to see what else Lacey has in store!

Thanks to the author for my copy of the book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

Hollywood starlet Natalie Keane hasn’t felt safe in 8 years, not since a stalker broke into her home and abducted her for 12 hours. She has built her home and life into a fortress, but when her stalker gets released from prison the little peace she’s gained is threatened. To create a distraction with the press she can control, and more importantly keep her safe, Natalie agrees to hire and fake a relationship with her bodyguard. Taylor Vaughn.

You may remember Taylor from Stars Collide, she was Eden’s Head of Security. Having recently been taken off active duty for a back injury she is itching to get back in the field. So even though fake a relationship and moving in with her protectee is a little unusual she is more than up to the task. If she is immediately attracted to Natalie, so what? She’s a professional, it is only three months.

Even though Natalie is an award winning actress her world is viewed through a very small lens. She goes to work, comes home, mostly avoids going out in public, and never invites anyone into her home. Even though the romantic tension between Taylor and Natalie is front and center in the story, the slow healing of Natalie’s trauma and the safety she feels with Taylor’s presence makes the connection feel real.

I really enjoyed this book. FYI: it is a lot less thriller than you may guess from the first few chapters.

SIDE NOTE: I NEED NOELLE’S SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE STORY PLEASE, THANKS!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Cover Story is a companion novel of sorts to Rachel Lacey’s prior release, Stars Collide. It can be read as a standalone, although Taylor, who was a supporting role in that book, is now one of the leads, and it’s fun to get to know her better.
I really liked both her and Natalie, and they had such a fun dynamic. Taylor was already established as a bodyguard, although she’s been on leave due to an injury, and is itching to get back into the field. And Natalie’s story is recognizable from many celebrity oriented romcoms, and the danger she’s in as a high-profile actress, including having to deal with stalkers, is well-rendered.
The relationship dynamics were a lot of fun, especially with it being a spin on fake dating, using it as a ruse to obscure the fact that Taylor was Natalie’s bodyguard. The two tropes blended together beautifully, and I loved seeing how hard it was for Taylor especially to let go of some of her “bodyguard” behaviors to keep the ruse going. This close proximity between them, along with their chemistry, made for a believable, steamy romance that I rooted for.
This was another great read from Rachel Lacey, and I’d recommend it to readers interested in sapphic romance, especially if you like the fake dating and bodyguard tropes.

The moment I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read this book. “Cover Story” is a fun, heartfelt and swoony sapphic romance that I loved from beginning to end.

Natalie Keane is a famous movie star and on the outside, she appears to have it all. But underneath is a woman who is scared after her traumatic kidnapping years ago. It’s award season and her team comes up with a way to help protect her. Hire a bodyguard and have her pose as her girlfriend when out in public. Taylor Vaughn is coming back from an injury and this is her first assignment. The two have a connection and agree to three months of a fake relationship while Taylor is her bodyguard. But as the two get to know each other, a trust and bond is formed.

I loved Natalie and Taylor so much. They were individually great and even better together. Natalie’s past and her current fear broke my heart. Her fear was keeping her back and I couldn’t blame her at all. Taylor came into her life at the right time and was slowly able to help her work on some of those fears. Her protective and caring nature shined through and she made me swoon for her more than once while reading. These two went through so many emotions together and had to work some through things to be able to form a relationship. Natalie and Taylor had a true connection and I loved the slow burn of their love story. The foundation for them was solid and only got stronger as the story went on. There is so much to this story and Rachel Lacey did a wonderful job crafting this all sapphic romance. The ending was perfect for Natalie and Taylor and left me with a happy smile on my face.

I love the movie The Bodyguard, so when I read the plot of this book, I knew I had to read it.

Natalie Keane is a super star that needs more security because she has a stalker, and that's where Taylor enters, a celebrity bodyguard with years of experience, they have fake to be girlfriends in order to protect Natalie. It's such a slow burn... but I really enjoyed it, I loved all the Hollywood, celebrity culture and award season references.

Usually, I don't like fake dating in contemporary romances because in most of them the reason is absurd, however, the only exception for me is celebrity romances, in those, I do see faking it SUPER justified, obviously. lol
Like other books by this author, I loved it, and it is one of those books that when I started it, I couldn't put it down (even though i had stop sometimes because #adulting).


Thanks to the author and NetGallye for the eArc