Katherine Center is one of my auto-read authors! Her unique combo of humor and heart delivered through expert storytelling and dialogue never fails to make me laugh and swoon. As soon as I sat down to read it, I didn’t want to stop. I devoured it in two sittings and I’m already considering a reread.

I adore Hannah and Jack! Hannah Brooks is great at her job but she is an absolute mess in her personal life. She probably/most definitely needs therapy (don’t we all) and through it all she is so relatable and human. Jack is every bit the heartthrob I hoped he would be when I read the blurb! His part of the story definitely has the most triggers, but I love a solid cinnamon roll hero! In a sort of reverse stereotype, Hannah has mile high barriers and avoids all things emotion. Jack wears his emotions on his sleeve and clearly is more in-tune with his thoughts, experiences, and emotions as a whole.

The side characters added the vibrancy that I expect from Center. Jack’s big, lovely family and their open-armed acceptance and love even with all the difficulties they have faced over the past few years (his brother is the exception but there is a reason for that). Hannah’s team? The big boss, Glenn, in particular had me cackling with his ways of torturing his agents. I didn’t really care for the mean-girl teammate angle. I admit it was still fun to read but I was more invested in the emotional love, self-care, and forgiveness arcs happening throughout the story.

As much as I loved The Bodyguard, I didn’t feel as though this couple had the same gut punch character development that we’ve seen in some of Center’s other work. Hannah’s healing after her mom’s death could have used some more attention to round it out the same as Jack’s trauma. On top of that, I wish there was a little more sizzle between Jack and Hannah… something to convince me that there was a burning need beyond that adoration and respect that I love. With that said though: This is absolutely ready to become a rom-com on the big screen and I need it!

Filled with hope, love and kindness, The Bodyguard gave me all the feels and swoons I was looking for! I’m a sucker for a fake relationship. Even better if is work related! I don’t seek out celebrity tropes but it worked well in this story. If you enjoyed Things You Save In a Fire (you can read my review here), then you need to bump this lovely couple up your TBR!

TW: Brief mentions of Domestic Abuse and Alcoholism, Parent Death, Sibling Death, PTSD
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for my ARC.💛💖

I really loved this book, guys. It's the first time I've read this author's work and I can say I will definitely be doing it again.
Hannah works as a Bodyguard and is tasked with protecting Jack, a well-known actor from a crazed stalker. We get fake dating, meddlesome family, the awful Ex, ass-kicking shenanigans, and laugh-out-loud scenes. Super mild angst with a happy ending that remained true to the character's nature.

A quick read romance with a memorable female character and just the right amount of love language. Very satisfying!! 👏👏👏.

Grab a copy, this book is avail to buy now.💛💖

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

This was a cool protagonist! I went in blind and didn't expect her to be a bodyguard so it was a great surprise :)

I really like all of Katherine Center's novels (have read almost all of them) and I think this is one of the better. It was some mental health issues here and I love when an author doesn't shy away from them. It's important subjects.

I loved the romance between Hannah and Jack and I think I fell in love with them both. Well done!

Review time!!
I absolutely loved this story.
Catherine center has quickly climbed my book pole and become one of my favorite authors.
The characters are always likeable and the storyline always sucks me in emotionally.
If your looking for a lighthearted rom com,that draws you in, than this is for you, or any of her books for that matter.
This book and things you save in a fire are my top 2 favorite by her.

What a fun romcom from author Katherine Center. It was a super quick read with a few laughs, a sweet, wholesome relationship and a female lead with a very cool job! Add this to your list for vacay books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a good summer romance with a kick-butt female character, you will thoroughly enjoy The Bodyguard.

Hannah, an Executive Protect Agent (or bodyguard), is assigned to superstar Jack Stapleton while he is visiting home and helping to take care of his mother after surgery. He has a stalker that is an older lady obsessed with corgis and his agent wants to make sure he stays safe. The challenge though is he doesn't want his family to know. So he and Hannah decide to pretend to be a couple around the family.

There are tons of points in the book that are laugh-out funny, insanely sweet, and even heartbreaking. As usual, Katherine Center crushes it with this fabulous story.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

One of the things I love about Katherine Center’s books is that they are fast-paced but don’t lack detail. It’s easy to keep track of what’s occurring, the characters are complete enough to care about, and the story line is enjoyable. She has done it again with “The Bodyguard” - fun concept, fast=paced, and a quick read. The quick read part comes about because the reader, or at least this reader, is comfortable having a good sit-down with the book.
Truly enjoyed The Bodyguard and the twist.

Omg I adored this book! Everything about The Bodyguard was sheer perfection! I should be surprised as I love Katherine Center’s books. But I must admit I think I have a new favorite book by Katherine. The Bodyguard is the best of all worlds, it has so much humor in it that I was literally laughing out loud and the romantic aspect had me swooning but most importably I love the character substance I have come to aspect from Katherine.

A funny book about a female protection officer and the movie star she's hired to protect. I adored this book!

Wow! Way better than I expected! I loved this so so much! I think bodyguard romances are my new favorite thing! I loved the mcs and the character development they endured! Highly recommend

This was a charming read, the protagonist was SO funny and sharp and just really engaging! I loved the romance and I thought it was truly so satisfying. A fun, enjoyable read!

I loved this book! The fake dating was perfect, and the characters were loveable! I liked how the bodyguard was female in this scenario. Hannah was portrayed as tough but still very sweet! It is always nice to see celebrities portrayed as normal people, too!

Thank you Netgalley for this advance copy.

Katherine Center is an automatic read for me. She has yet to disappoint, this book included. In fact, this one may be my new favorite. Katherine Centers writing is so well done. She tells a compelling romance while also including heavier topics tactfully.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved Hannah's character and the balance of strength and femininity she possessed. The connection between her and Jack was electric and I loved all of their scenes together. The part with the cows had me rolling and laughing out loud.

Katherine Center is an author I love - she writes romance but her characters and story are not solely focused on romance, mental health and previous trauma are topics she usually takes on as well. I love that her books have strong female protagonists, incorporate some life inspiration, and include healthy adult romantic relationships. This book was no exception both Hannah and Jake come with there backstory that has left them with scars.

Katherine Center crafts these characters and helps them find a way forward while delivering a feel-good romance filled with humor and hope.

The Bodyguard uses the fake dating between an unlikely pair trope – a movie star and his female bodyguard which is not usually one of my favorite tropes but Katherine Center knows her craft and I enjoyed my reading.

Katherine Center is able to strike a perfect balance between humor, comfort, and a bit of depth.

I deeply appreciate that the story was not solely focused on the romance - the character’s relationship is so much more realistic and enjoyable this way.
Is it fully realistic ? No, you’ll have to suspend disbelief, it is romcom after all but it is highly enjoyable and will leave you with a smile.

funny and sweet, the bodyguard was a hilarious romantic-comedy with heart.

told through the perspective of hannah — a workaholic bodyguard who recently lost her mother, was dumped by her boyfriend, and eventually finds out her best friend and boyfriend have gotten together behind her back - who takes on an assignment in order to get one step closer to her dream position within her expanding company. the assignment: guarding famous actor jack stapleton while in his hometown to spend time with his ailing mother.

the story has such sweet, warm moments between hannah and jack, but doesn't lack in the development in character's relationships with jack's family and hannah's work colleagues. hannah grows to understand that she closes herself off from others, learning that she tends to keep all at arm's length. along the way of her own self-discovery, hannah helps jack confront secrets of his past that's derailed both his family and himself from healing from their own shared tragedy.

despite how dark that sounds, i really enjoyed how lighthearted the story felt. yes, there were serious topics touched on, but it was balanced by comedic moments and warmth that continued to weave itself through the entirety of the story. this was a closed-door romance that culminated in an epic kiss and happier ending for all.

Aside from a few things I didn't like (personal preference stuff) it was a good book with a nice romance and a good storyline. Hannah and Jack are a cute couple. I absolutely love the name Jack and he's an actor and such a cinnamon roll hero. Hannah is a body guard who is hired to protect Jack from a stalker. The have to form a fake relationship to hide why she's hanging around with his family. But along the way fall in love.

This was a VERY fun love story. I loved that it switched the character roles to break out of the norms for jobs that women can have vs. men. Center writes romantic comedy so well and makes you fall in love with her characters.

Katherine Center knows exactly how to hook me in and fall in love with her books and characters. The Bodyguard is her newest book and I loved the fake dating with a side of suspense.

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent that buries her estranged mother and gets dumped by her co-worker boyfriend with in days of each other. She becomes a tad erratic in the office causing her boss to reassign her. Instead of going to Madrid to protect a fancy dignitary, she’s grounded to Texas…and “forced” to protect a Hollywood Playboy when he returns home. Hannah is adamantly against the fake dating arrangement, but her boss refuses to let her quit…and that is where the lines start to blur.

I love the emotional discovery that Hannah works through as she learns to love herself and open herself up to the possibility of being loved in return. This book made me laugh and love. It is about forgiveness and a twist at the end I was not expecting.

I also had the luxury of listening along with reading the egalley. Thanks to @macmillionaudio for granting me the audiobook.

4.5 stars – Rounding to 5 for Goodreads.

This book was so fun! Parts of it were laugh out loud funny. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters. It was a perfect summer read.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley for the purpose of review.