Up close and personal is a romance where for once, the bodyguard is not a man but a woman. Our male hero isn't the big bad alpha type knowing how to protect himself and others and I found that refreshing. I loved seeing those roles swapped up.

In it, you'll meet Zac and Kat. One is a bit of a control-freak while the other is more relaxed and doesn't mind if there's a mess in the room or if they're late at a meeting. One encounter involving Champagnes and a shirt left them wanting more but unfortunately, a stalker is on the loose and Kat will soon be Zac's bodyguard.

Overall, I liked this book but I don't think I fell in love with these characters. They annoyed me too much (especially Zac) and I felt like the "no we can't, it's my job" thing was repetitive after a while. However, this book still provided an entertaining story I enjoyed reading.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

What a fun read! I know others have said this, but I was definitely getting a gender reversed The Bodyguard. I love that this first chapter just garbs you and the book does not let you go! The pacing is good, the characters are witty and I enjoyed the love story!

It was such a pleasant change to read about the female bodyguard story. I loved this twist to the trope. Zac and Kat get thrown together because Zac is receiving weird, threatening notes signed with a kiss and Kat is assigned to be his bodyguard. Even though initially Zac is wary of Kat, he soon starts respecting and slowly falling for Kat. Their sex scenes were really hot and love story really sweet. The part I didn't like was when things got tough, the way Kat treated Zac. It was heartbreaking to see him treated like that but him still loving Kat through it. I would have definitely liked to see Kat grovel a little more to Zac for what she made him go through. At the end of it, it was a delicious romance that pulled me into the story and had me extremely invested in the outcome. The mystery stalker part of the book also didn't disappoint. I would recommend this book for a weekend read.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Its the classic story of the movie star and the bodyguard...but the roles are reversed in this one with the male star and female bodyguard working to thwart the stalker coming for Zac Edwards. This one is racy and you will love it!

I really enjoyed this book. The reversal of roles from the traditional one of man protecting woman was very well done. And the romantic aspect was lovely. This was a great funny and good book to read. Couldn’t put it down once I started to read it. I loved this modern twist on The Body Guard- it was fun, sexy and easy to read complete with the obligatory HEA, totally up my street, can't wait to read more from this author.

3.5☆ A Witty, Fun, Pacy, Entertaining and Compelling Contemporary Romance.


Kat Parker accidentally spilled champagne all over Celebrity Actor Zac.
Now flirting with her, she knows she's wading into dangerous waters, as her hormones are on overdrive, he is incredibly handsome, and the spark between them is electric.

Unbeknown to Zac, he is Kat's latest client.
Kat is Zac's celebrity bodyguard.
After Zac had acquired some unwanted attention from a possible stalker.
She is tasked with protecting him and trying to assist in figuring out who his stalker is.

The sizzling connection between Zac and Kat is exciting to watch unfold.
He comes across as a gent, definitely likes his own way, but also seems to undermine Kat's job, like he clearly has a problem with Kat being a woman and protecting him.
She comes across as a lil prickly, Strong, and has more to prove, but the their undeniable connection shines through.

If you have ever seen the film the bodyguard and loved it, well then you will enjoy Up Close and Personal.
What I really liked was the role reversal, having a kick ass, confident female bodyguard, made a refreshing and much welcomed change.
There are a few twists and turns along the way which are plotted well.

Up Close and Personal is a witty, fun, pacy, entertaining and compelling Contemporary Romance, with lots of chemistry and drama.


Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I loved this book! I loved the plot of a male movie star and a female bodyguard falling for each other. I loved the ways Kat and Zac bridged their class divides. I loved how much Kat rambled and how emotionally open Zac was. I stayed up all night to read it!

What a charming read! Such a cute story! I loved this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love Kathryn Freeman’s books and this is no exception. Kat and Zak were great characters and I couldn’t put this down! I can’t wait to read what Kathryn puts out next.

A sizzling read with echoes of The Bodyguard film and TV series - I loved it!

Witty and quick to read you immediately warm to Kat and Zac and are routing for them from their first clumsy meet cute. The balance of romance comedy, mystery/thriller, and drama were really nicely balanced, and the plot threads concluded in a very satisfying way.

This is a story that plays with strength in different ways as we see each character battle to face their fears and communicate honestly with one another- touching upon family history, addiction, fame and gender bias to name but a few angles.

Will definitely be recommending this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Harper Collins UK One More Chapter team for my copy.

A really fun rom-com. I loved their chemistry and the switching of the typical story plot. Thank you to Netgalley for being able to read before release June 12th. A weird thing that bothered me is the cover. She is brunette isn't she? Why is the girl on the cover blonde? Another thing that affected my rating was that Kat was your stereotypical military tomboy. One who didn't like to dress up, likes racing, drinks and kinda shuns femininity. I wish she had switched that role. It would have been cool to see a ex-military badass girl who liked to do girly things even if she talked and acted like one of the guys. There's nothing wrong with girly things.

This was such a fun, sweet, delightful book! I LOVED the fun take on The Bodyguard (the female is the bodyguard, which is so great!) and the chemistry between the characters was so great!! I read this in one sitting because it was just so entertaining and cute! Definitely the perfect book if you just want to escape for awhile.

4 out of 5 stars for Up Close and Personal by Kathryn Freeman. Thank you to the author and publisher for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this different take on falling in love with your bodyguard. It was refreshing to have the female be the protector. I absolutely adored Zac. He was super down to earth for being an actor and I loved his little quirks and I thought his history was quite different from what you normally find. I liked Kat as well, she was strong, but still vulnerable. It was a good combo. Her love for her sister and niece really shined.

The stalker plot was pretty low key throughout the book, though some things ramp up at the end. I was in it for the romance so this didn't bother me in the least.

Feeling life is out to get you?
Getting a little unwanted attention from that "special" someone?
If you're the current BIG THING of Hollywood, then you might just need a bodyguard to help protect you and yours. Meet Kat Parker! Just the WOMAN for you...

I know it's a little sexist, but most automatically think MAN when it comes to the bodyguard profession, but, like they imply with the double entendre in the story, it's not about the size, but what you do with it. *wink wink* Kat is a wonderful character. Kind and compassionate, can get all dolled up or dressed way down and still hold her own personal swagger, all while keeping the surrounding situation in check. She's a strong woman in a man's world, and that's just the way she likes it. She has her priorities straight, and a great work ethic, which was totally iron clad until a certain sexy celebrity became her client. She took the job, heck she WANTED the job, but it wasn't to become starstruck. Kat wanted to help this person out of a bad situation. She wanted to see justice brought to the wronged, and consequences catch up to those doing the wronging...and yes, she's a professional, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Zac Parker, on the other hand, is not your typical celebrity. He accepts his fame, but his past is definitely hiding something. The what is a long time coming in this one, so don't expect to get to it any time soon, but trust me...the reveals are worth the wait. Now, speaking of worth the wait...the chemistry between Kat and Zac is off the charts, but it's mostly charm, a lot of wit, and definitely longing. Lines are blurred, but the crossing...well, if he had his way there'd be no lines, and truth be told so would she, but again PROFESSIONALISM demands decorum, and lives do truly depend on her having a clear head to uncover the culprit while protecting the mark. Just how she'll truly protect her heart is another story altogether.

In the end, I loved the concept, adored the characters, and while I could have done with a bit faster pace, everything turned out all right in the end. So if you're looking for a little taste of Hollywood with all the drama you can handle in oh so many lovable and laughable forms, add this Rom Com to your must read list today!

This was a cute little read that had me hooked from the first page. Zac Edwards is a hunky and charming movie star who has a small issue of a stalker to contend with. Enter Kat Parker, bodyguard extraordinaire who can’t seem to keep her eyes (or hands!) off her new client...and not just in the ways her job title naturally allows!⁣
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I love that this was a fresh new take on the usual bodyguard scenario, with the gender role reversal of the female bodyguard and male client. Zac, while physically imposing, definitely knows when to let Kat’s petite but killer instincts take over when faced with danger. ⁣
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I loved both characters and the slow game of cat and mouse they danced. Kat tries her best to put up a professional air, while Zac does his very best to break them down. It did however feel a lot like Insta-love, practically from the first page...this didn’t bother me that much though (umm hello movie star 🤩).⁣ I liked that Zac was more introspective and thoughtful, not painted in the usual way a movie star would be.
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As they get closer, it’s apparent that Kat and Zac have both had difficult pasts that may be catching up with them in more ways than one. What they learn is that they have to trust and open up to one another, physically but also mentally. ⁣
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Overall, I really enjoyed the first half, but I thought some elements towards the end made the story seem more and more unbelievable, which made me lose interest a little. This was also a completely ‘closed door’ romance, but I didn’t feel this hindered the story in any way. It was so refreshing to see an almost trope free contemporary romance (well if this is a trope it’s a first for me!). A cute fresh take on The Bodyguard!

Movie star Zac Edwards has a stalker. His allocated body guard is Kat, ex army and tough as nails.

Kat is good at her job, when she isnt being distracted, and unfortunately Zac is a distraction.

The story line is funny, fiesty and mysterious. With likeable characters, an enjoyable love story and a a few good twists.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I must admit I did not finish this book. I had started and got about 30 percent, and then started some other books and realized I wasn't invested in the characters or the plot.

Thanks Net Galley for the preview!

I loved the opening of this book and it hooked me right away! I fell for the poshness of Zac and the brusque nature of of Kat. Debs was an awesome character and I was so scared when she was taken. The back story of Zac's family and his father was surprising and his siblings were jerks. I'm happy Kat and Zac got their happily ever after!

After reading the blurb I expected just more from the book. I like books about bodyguards. Plus, I already read ”The new guy” by this author and I liked quite a lot the writing and main characters in that book. They felt real. However, the main characters in this book were so full of contradictions that I had a hard time thinking about them as whole persons and not as a bunch of mixed personalities forced into one body, trying to overpower each other as well as to escape these bodies. And a trained bodyguard who wanted to risk her own family?! It is not just unprofessional, it is dumb.
Would I try more books by this author? Yes. This one unfortunately was not for me.
Thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for the kindly provided ARC, all opinions are mine.

This book is about a movie star, Zac Edwards who has a stalker and his bodyguard that he hires, Kat Parker. A role reversal to the movie the Bodyguard. There was a bit of instalove between them, but the characters were very likeable. I actually really liked the storyline idea as well but the middle/end came up a bit flat.