I loved this book so much – I just couldn’t put it down!

I am such a fan of Kathryn Freeman books, having already read The New Guy and loved it, I knew I was going to love this book. And I was right! They story follows the 2 main characters – film star Zac Edwards and his bodyguard Kat Parker. Kat is assigned as Zac’s bodyguard when it seems a stalker is watching his every single move. At first, Zac finds it quite amusing that he has a female bodyguard, but Kat proves herself to be more than capable for the job.

As the story progresses, so does the chemistry between Zac and Kat. As the reader, you are just willing them to get together. What I really loved is just when you think the story is going to be all ‘happy ever after’, a massive twist happens and the storyline takes a more serious turn.

I absolutely loved the way the story ended and seeing what happened to both Zac and Kat. Up Close and Personal is full of fun, laughs, chemistry by the bucket full, but also takes on a more serious and darker side. Perfect for a few hours of pure escapism and an afternoon of reading in the garden in this beautiful sunshine.

Gender swapped the Bodyguard? Yes please! I loved Up Close and Personal. It was an enjoyable, easy read.
There are well-rounded characters, and some twists and turns in the mix. Really great book!

As with all the Kathryn Freeman books which I have read, this novel sizzles with chemistry and I always love how you get to look inside both the central characters' minds. You move from one to the other in a seamless fashion which adds to the story as you get to see both reactions. I totally bought into the story and enjoyed it immensely.

Kat is an interesting character who has her lonely, sad moments as well as her brave, sparky side. I liked how she loved her family above all else but had an independent streak and was unquestionably brave. Zac is not your stereotypical Hollywood lead actor. There is much more to him than that and I appreciated how his side of the story unfolded slowly. This is an enjoyable and entertaining read which keeps you engaged from the start.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book

This book was so sweet!
I was swooning really bad!
The storyline was excellent and the relationships even better!
Highly recommend this!

This was a fun and quick read with a surprising amount of depth. I personally really liked the protagonists and think they felt really natural and not to over the top.
I mean yes it follows the standard tropes of romance but they were executed great! It had depth and talked also about heavy topics and they were handled appropriate. S this is not your typical gender-swap book, but a really good one!
I will definitely continue reading this author

This book was engaging, entertaining and warm with two very likeable characters and great sexual tension between them. I loved how the story took the bodyguard angle and turned the trope on the head by making the bodyguard female and the movie star she is trying to protect male, rather than the other way around such as in The Bodyguard film and the cracking TV drama with Richard Madden and Kelley Hawes in it.

Despite the subject matter - with a celebrity stalker and later something much more sinister - this still felt realistic and I was rooting for Zac Edwards to get the girl. There was an enchanting vulnerability to sexy Zac I really enjoyed, and which made a perfect foil for spiky, tough (but ultimately soft hearted) Kat. I have to say that one of the best things about this book was Kat, her ex-army background and her professional competence as a bodyguard, a usually male dominated profession. She’s very different to most other heroines I’ve read in romances, and consequently was like a breath of fresh air. I’d love to read more books with main characters who defy genre expectations. I also look forward to reading more books by Kathryn Freeman.

Thank you to Kathryn, Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Kat is ex-army, aunt, parent in residence while her sister is in rehab, and a bodyguard working with her former CO on a new assignment. Some ‘threatening’ letters have arrived for the up and coming star at the local movie production company, and they want him assigned protection until the culprit is caught.

Of course, the attraction between the two is off the charts, but the roadblocks of past hangups, professional assignment and the secrets both are holding become a major sticking point and nearly lead to fatalities.

These two were frustratingly insecure, too guarded by half with each other and in their own lives, and far more riddled with guilt and stuck in the past than made sense. And the situations, aside from the final ‘show down’, were rather ‘samey’ and not particularly compelling. Most of the intrigue for me came from the very real interactions and connections between Kat and her niece Debs, Zac’s quirks, and his very solid good-guy-ness. A non-challenging read that foreshadows the ending almost from the start, the story is a great beach read – perfect for a diversion.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aKi /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This story is all about Kat Parker and Zac Edwards, these two couldn't be more different. Zac is an Actor while Kat is a bodyguard assigned to protect him. Over the course of the 37 Chapters (+Epilogue) you will fall in love with these characters as well as their story. With Chemistry that is clear from the moment these two meet, it makes for an interesting read.
The chemistry that exists between Kat and Zac is simply sizzling, and it is clear to see from the start. The story is so interesting that it is easy for the reader to get sucked into and leave them wanting more. It is also interesting to see this side the entertainment business.
However this book should come with a warning as the reader is apt to get their feelings involved in this book. It had this particular reader laughing and crying along with the characters, due to how invested you will be in their story.
Overall this book was a joy to read and cemented in my mind what a good Author Kathryn Freeman is. This book really just makes me want to have more from the author in my collection.

An enjoyable read - a good take on The Bodyguard. At first I felt as though there was a little too much information at the beginning, and it made it harder to focus on the characters, but then the book picked up and I really enjoyed the story. Looking forward to more from this author.

Here’s the thing: on a superficial level, Up Close and Personal is a sweet, entertaining, gender-swapped version of “The Bodyguard”. The plot is interesting enough even if predictable, and the characters are charming.

What made me request this book is obviously the non-traditional distribution of roles. I’ve read my fair share of bodyguard romances and never once was the bodyguard female and the client male. YAY! The initial chapters were fun to read; Zac and Kat immediately started the playful banter and teasing, promising the world for their future relationship. Unfortunately, the following chapters did not make good on said promise.


While I liked them both as individual characters, and I thought they were a decent match, their relationship simply didn’t do it for me. As I said, I enjoyed the beginning and the apparent physical attraction they had for each other. However, as things further developed, the relationship felt superficial, and the emotional depth I had hoped for wasn’t there. The emotions weren’t enough for me to back up their intense physical relationship, even if the corresponding reactions were there. For me, the balance of physical and emotional is crucial in romance novels, and to me, it simply felt like the scale was clearly tipped in one direction.

Whereas Kat’s background was decently developed and is quite intriguing, Zacs history felt a bit underdeveloped to me. The repercussions of his past are nicely weaved into this character; still, the story behind said circumstances, which are eventually relevant to the plot, could have been more detailed. Then there’s the conclusion of the overall storyline, which happened far too quickly for my taste, felt rushed and incomplete, and lacked a bit of drama and mystery. I knew exactly what was going to happen, how it would play out, and what would come afterward.

All in all, it was a nice, and quick read, but it’s not something I’d re-read or necessarily recommend to someone looking for passionate romance. Additional minus points for the cover because the people on there look nothing like the characters. WTF?! If the female bodyguard storyline sounds interesting to you, though, give it a try. Maybe it works better for you than it did for me.

!Spoiler-alert for Richard Madden’s and Keely Howes’ the Bodyguard!

I really liked this one. Such a fun and easy read, I will definitely recommend this book to some of my friends.

So disappointing, I was looking forward to this book, but sadly I could not get past chapter 5.
I feel like this book needs some major editing. It reads like teen romance - girl meets famous boy - la de da.
I could not connect with the characters. I found the dialogue and conversation highly unrealistic. I just think this needed to be edited heavily, as the plot itself was actually interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

When Kat is contracted to be a bodyguard for British celeb Zac Edwards, she only wants to prove she can do the job. Neither of them expect sparks to fly. As she keeps him safe, the sparks begin to smolder, but can they fight the attraction? And if they fall, will the secrets they both hold tear them apart?

I found this to be a delightful summer read. It's cute without being frothy, sweet without being saccharine, and an easy read without being brainless. Sometimes you just need a fun, light read, and this fits the bill!

The formatting of the eBook was super wonky on my kindle, so it was difficult to read. Unfortunately, I DNF, which is rare for me; the opening chapter was "meh" and didn't really inspire me to keep going. If I had loved the first chapter, I would have kept going in spite of the weird formatting.

Vulnerable, exciting and romantic! Loved this book. Such a interesting storyline. I loved the female heroine. The mystery and romantic thrill made this very interesting.

This is an alternative take on The Bodyguard with a distinctive twist of its own! In this case the person in need of the bodyguard is actor Zac Edwards after an unknown stalker is getting too close for comfort, so the studio he is filming in hires a bodyguard to protect him! That bodyguard is Kat Parker, an attractive ex-army young lady who he is immediately attracted to, despite her spilling champagne over him. However, she’s determined to be professional and endeavours to resist the temptation he presents and to keep him safe.

This is a story where secrets are being kept, danger is all around and Kat and her niece are in for some surprises as the story progresses. It is a real page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a delightful change to have the leading lady as the protector of the man, I was so glad it wasn’t the archetypical bodyguard story with a weak woman protected by a strong, dominant man! Both main characters have their own back story which adds to the plot, there is plenty of character development through the story, too. It was also great to have a film star being portrayed not as a god but as a human with their own worries, fears and anxieties which they strive to keep hidden behind their acting talent. I liked how Zac tried to woo Kat, despite her attitude. He was also fantastic with her niece, kind, caring and understanding. I enjoyed to suspenseful nature of the story as it progressed but was surprised by how everything was finally resolved and the threat eliminated, though I was definitely happy it was sorted. This is a fun romantic suspense with great characters, plenty of twists and a lovely story to escape into so I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys this genre!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and enjoying doing so.

Heartthrob Zac Edwards has a stalker and the film studio has decided he needs a bodyguard. Enter Kat Parker, the gorgeous woman, who had literally stumbled into Zac the night before at a studio party.

There is chemistry between the two, right from the start. But, of course, they can’t be together – the reasons why (he’s a job and she seems unqualified for it; she’s an ugly duckling and he’s gorgeous; they are both from the wrong side of the tracks, yada yada) made me strain my eyes rolling, and Zac’s backstory was also eyerollingly underdeveloped. Individually both main characters were good, but when they were together they were acting like angsty teenagers.

The idea behind this book was good, the execution of, though, could have benefited from less exaggerated drama and insta-love.

Kathryn Freeman is back with Up Close and Personal, a fun and feel-good romantic comedy readers will devour in a single sitting.

British actor Zac Edwards counts himself lucky to be able to make a successful living out of something he is passionate about. Losing himself in another character and taking on somebody else’s identity in front of the cameras is something Zac has had quite a lot of practice in – and he is loving every minute of being a working actor. The only problem is the inevitable notoriety that comes with being in the public eye. Since his big break, Zac has had to grow used to having his picture taken and being recognised even when he just wants to be left alone. But his fame has attracted not just fans who appreciate his work, but somebody who knows where he lives and has been leaving sinister messages on his front door. Zac initially shrugged it off and thought it was a prank, but lately the messages have him worried that there might be something sinister going on. Still, Zac is used to looking after himself and he does not need anyone to protect him – and he certainly does not need to have Kat Parker as his bodyguard!

Being a woman in a man’s world has meant that Kat has had to grow a very thick skin. Having had every cliché thrown at her throughout the course of her career, Kat knows that she should not listen to her detractors and that her priority is to do her job to the very best of her ability. Doing her job is not something Kat has struggled with before – until now. Her latest assignment sees her getting up close and personal with a man she simply cannot stop herself from flirting with – or from wishing that theirs was not merely a professional relationship! Still, Kat is a professional and she will not let her feelings get in the way of this assignment – not even when she finds herself giving into temptation and succumbing to Zac’s irresistible kisses…

Kat soon realizes that she is in danger of losing her heart to Zac Evans. But will it be a Hollywood ending for the two of them? Or are they just setting themselves up for heartache and disappointment?

Kathryn Freeman has got another winner on her hands with Up Close and Personal. A book that will have you giggling from the very first page, Up Close and Personal is a superb romantic comedy that ticks all the right boxes.

With a witty heroine, a gorgeous hero, wicked banter, delicious humour and a touching romance, Kathryn Freeman is sure to brighten up your summer this year with Up Close and Personal.

The moment I knew I had to request this book: British actor. I have always had a weird obsession with all things British. Add in a "The Bodyguard" like story and I was hooked. This book had one of the best beginnings ever. The banter and chemistry between the two leads was exactly what I was expecting from this. I did find that the book slowed down in the middle and the ending. I felt like I was missing something.

Really nice story about Zac and Kat. I was expecting a Whitney Houston, Kevin Costner role reversal story, but I was wrong.

I liked the authors writing style and enjoyed reading this. The ending was a slight let down, but otherwise an enjoyable light read.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book 📚