3 stars!

I so desperately wanted to enjoy this, and I JUMPED on this book immediately after getting approved, but I'm sad to report that my high expectations were not met. By no means is this a bad story, it has everything I LOVE for a five star read, and yet...the execution fell short.

Let's be real, the bodyguard trope is FOREVER a guilty pleasure of mine, but I've not read too many books where the bodyguard is the female, so you bet I was on board with Kat/Zac's story...but outside of the swoon worthy cover, I didn't find anything about the story to be swoonworthy/worthy of feels.

I will admit I'm not a huge fan of books told in third person, but some authors like Julie James, make it work. Perhaps this is because with 3rd person I find that there is a bit of distance between me and the main character, but the best 3rd person books are ones where the lead still has a strong voice and I can feel their personality through the pages...with Kat and Zac, I felt that they were both a bit bland and as a result, I was unable to connect with either of them, and as a result, I didn't really CARE how the story turned out because I wasn't vested in the character or their happily-ever after. Perhaps it's a me thing, perhaps not. Others seem to be enjoying this one so definitely still consider this book if you want a quick romcom that takes a spin on the bodyguard trope.

Up Close and Personal was a fun, distracting read. Zac is a movie star with a stalker and a secret past. Kat is his unexpected bodyguard, who also has secrets of her own. With a blend of mystery, suspense and romance, as well as likable characters, this was an enjoyable read, although at times I felt like the romantic scenes built and fizzled a bit just before reaching an apex.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Up Close and Personal, Kathryn Freeman

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance

I've enjoy novels from this author before, and this genre is one of my favourites but...I wasn't bowled over by this.
Zac was lovely but he didn't feel like “the latest heart throb” - I'd gave expected security to be every day for him if that was so. Kat is brought in because he has a stalker but again, I'd have though a team, not just Kat and her boss stepping in every now and then.
Kat was good, it was clear she knew her job and was tough enough to do it, and there are times a woman is an asset in security, the unexpected gives an advantage.
It seems they were both holding back though, and that affected both the job, and their relationship. I'm all for secrets but sometimes its wrong, and Zac was stupid ( IMO) for keeping his. Still, that made the story flow so was for the best ;-)
Its an easy read, pleasant and well paced but lacked the magic for me. I didn't find the stalker part tense enough, and just wasn't convinced by the romance. I did like the twist to the stalker – I didn't see that coming, but hands up, I felt some parts a bit dull so skim read them and may have missed a clue!

Stars: 3, an easy to read story, but lacked the connections and drama I needed for higher rating.

Arc via Netgalley

Up Close and Personal by Kathryn Freeman is a fun and easy read that sweeps you up into the world of Hollywood, movie sets and celebrity life.

The female bodyguard and the male actor is a refreshing take on a plot device used many times before. The story is bursting with romance, intrigue and quite a bit of angst which makes it the perfect page turner to sit and read in one sitting as you become so absorbed in the story.

I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would actually! At first I thought it just seemed like a gender swap of The Bodyguard but then I changed my mind and thought it was actually just a light fluffy read.

I was happy to be proven wrong on both counts as I felt both characters struggling with secrets of their past and with their feelings for each other.
Throw in the sinister twist and it makes for a bloody good read.

I think I need my own Zac Edwards!

"Up Close and Personal" has a surprising new premise: a famous actor and his female bodyguard. Along the way, this hardened, hurting bodyguard begins to succumb to his advances. I enjoyed the fresh new storyline, but I couldn't connect to any of the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Wow. This one blew me away. Zac Edwards is a movie star who has a stalker. Kat is an ex-army bodyguard with a past trauma whose job it is to keep him safe. In order to do that she needs to keep him at arm's length but the sizzling attraction between them is making it difficult. But there are other aspects that will challenge them both. It's funny, sexy and has elements of danger and mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat. I devoured this in one sitting, not only engaged with the attraction between the main characters but trying to figure out what was really happening and whether Kat would manage to figure it out and keep them both safe. I also really enjoyed the refreshing twist on the traditional bodyguard trope - with her being the kick-ass bodyguard and Zac feeling frustrated and inactive. However, she was portrayed to be very capable but still vulnerable which made her relatable and it was great to see Zac suffered from insecurity.. Sadly, it ended all too soon for me and I felt a little bereft when I got to the final page.

Freeman's "Up close and personal" is another Switzerland, a solid three stars read for me; some parts are enjoyable and some made me somewhat lose my interest.
Overall a soft, easy, heartwarming read with some angsty, heavy on drama parts, ideal if one wants to take a break from mind-numbing thriller of everyday life.