I just finished The Bodyguard by Katherine Center and loved it!
Hannah Brooks is petite, ordinary and prefers pantsuits. Her boyfriend breaks up with her the day after her mother's funeral. Her best friend betrays her. And she's an elite bodyguard! Wanting to bury herself in her work, she's not thrilled to be assigned to famed movie star, Jack Stapleton. But the heart-throb actor has a stalker, and it's Hannah's job to protect him. Of course, there's a further twist to this mission. Jack's ill mother (love her!) can't know he's in need of a bodyguard, so the best disguise is for Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend. A fun story of likeable characters - eh maybe one or two unlikeable ones - with guarded hearts. The Bodyguard is funny and sweet but mostly heartwarming. A great book that'll make your heart hum!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy.

THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center is a heart-wrenching, emotional and hopeful story that drew me in from the very first page and never let go. I loved several of this author’s previous books and I couldn’t wait to read this latest one. It certainly did not disappoint. As always, her characters are richly-drawn and the story is expertly-plotted and told with wit, humor and heart. Hannah Brooks is the least likely Executive Protection Agent (bodyguard) you could imagine. Petite and unassuming, she is the consummate professional, having traveled the world protecting high profile clients. Hannah’s routine life changes when she is assigned to protect famous actor, Jack Stapleton, from a middle-aged stalker. Although she has always had a secret crush on him, she vows to be professional in every way. But can she maintain her composure when he asks her to pose as his girlfriend in front of his family? The relationship that develops between Hannah and Jack is heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. Hannah’s inner dialogue and the banter between the pair is entertaining and so authentic. The story had me laughing and tearful in equal measure. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

I loved this! I loved the characters and how the develop and grow through the book. I love the banter and snark. But most of all, I loved Hannah and Jack; I loved the way their relationship developed through the book. I loved how they interacted with each other and with the other characters in the book. It was all so wholesome and real. This is a great feel-good book, perfect for a beach vacation or a rainy weekend.

I am a sucker for good romance, but ESPECIALLY good romance set in Texas and *written* by Texans.

I'm usualy 50/50 on whether or not I identify with the female romantic lead, but I found Hannah to be relatable and it was easy for me to step into her POV. At first I wanted to beef with her for being a Texan and not knowing that the Brazos runs muddy, but the deeper I got into the book the more I realized that was the point of her character - she's been so deeply entrenched in her career that she hasn't taken time to notice her surroundings.

@ Netflix, please adapt this as a romcom starring Chris Evans and Alexandra Daddario, thanks!

Thank you so much to the publisher & Negalley for the ARC. LOVED it!

OMG! One of the best Katherine Center books I’ve read to date. I devoured this book in a day and couldn’t put it down. There is so much tension between the two main characters, Jack and Hannah, between the fake dating, forced proximity, and their onion like personalities (peel away all of the layer to get to the base of them). This book is a MUST read.

why my nose was in this book:
- I love this type of romance story, where there is complexity to the characters and a deeper meaning to the story that isn't surface level and airy fairy, like some stories within this genre tend to be
- I appreciated both main character development arcs, as they grew separately, dealing with their own issues, but leaning on each other for support
- I am a sucker for small town romance stories, especially with a character who is a big time movie star (or insert big time anything) plot

When you start to read a book by Katherine Center, you can expect three things: a lot of humor, light romance, and a feel-good story. Always perfect for a beach or weekend read. Not surprising that she is known as “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” I thoroughly enjoyed “The Bodyguard.”

Hannah Brooks is assigned as an Executive Protection Agent (better known as a bodyguard) to the hunky superstar actor Jack Stapleton. Jack has been laying low the past few years. There was a tragic loss in his family, and he has a stalker. But his mother is fighting cancer and Jack wants to be at her side. Even though Hannah is tiny, she quickly proves herself more than capable to the doubting Jack. He doesn’t want his parents to know he has a stalker, so Hannah is not happy when she finds she has to pose as his girlfriend around his family. Tough job, but somebody had to do it.

I really enjoyed the bantering that went on among the characters, especially between Hannah and Jack. Hannah is smart and witty, and Jack doesn’t take himself too seriously. Hannah’s coworkers added heartbreak and humor to the story. And I adored Jack’s parents. His mother Connie certainly knew how to control her hardheaded sons. The romance portion of the story is more “how sweet” and dreamy rather than even an R-rating.

There were interesting side stories that kept the momentum going so it never became dull. The book is not all fluff, however. Hannah had recently lost her mother to Covid, and Jack is still grieving the loss of his brother Drew. The conflict within the Stapleton family is dealt with in a sensitive and realistic manner.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

The Bodyguard was an enjoyable romance book filled with a lot of tropes that I love, including fake dating & only one bed.

Meet our main characters: Hannah, executive protection agent (bodyguard), and Jack, a super famous actor who also won sexiest man alive. When Jack needs to go home to help take care of his sick mom, but he also has a stalker, he hires Hannah as his bodyguard. The catch? Jack doesn’t want his parents to know he has a stalker so the solution is to pretend that Hannah is his girlfriend.

I LOVE the fake dating trope so when I read the description for The Bodyguard I knew I needed to read it. Needless to say, the fake dating was really well written. I loved how Jack and Hannah got to know and care about each other while there still being so many laugh out loud moments. There’s also the only one bed trope which I LIVE for, so that was a major bonus. I liked both of the main characters and I thought their relationship was adorable. Jack really brings out the best in Hannah, and Hannah helps Jack work through some issues from his past. The development of their romance was really well paced and I enjoyed it so much. Another aspect of this book that I really liked was the take on the girl being the bodyguard, it was really refreshing and fun to read.

The setting on Jack’s family ranch seemed so relaxing and I wish I could go there for vacation. Jacks family is the sweetest and I thought it was cute how they made Hannah a part of their family. There were also a few aspects of the plot that I didn’t see coming but I thought added some good suspense to the story. I enjoyed the story of this book, but some of the writing threw me off a bit because at some points of the book Hannah is talking directly to the reader. The Bodyguard has a good mix of romance, sweet moments, action, and laugh out loud moments. Overall, I enjoyed this book but it wasn't my absolute favorite.

You would like this book if you like:
✨Fake dating
✨Only one bed
✨Bodyguard falls for person they are protecting
✨Famous guy falls for ordinary girl

Spice: 0

I absolutely loved this book! It was one of my favorite reads of the year and I think everyone should read it. It has fake dating, forced proximity, a famous actor, a bodyguard romance (where the female is the bodyguard!), and laugh out loud moments. I could not put this book down.

This book had such a good storyline and the characters had a depth to them that can only be understood by reading the book. You will grow to love the characters as if you actually knew them and as you read you start to understand them on a deeper level and why they each do certain things and act in specific ways.

There was so much character development in this story and both of the characters truly discovered their worth and that they deserve to be loved and happy. The epilogue was amazing and theres even a plot twist thrown in the book as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. After this book I will definitely be reading more books by Katherine Center.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC! Go buy this book when it comes out July 19, 2022!

Although Hannah looks more like a kindergarten teacher she is actually an Executive Protection Agent a.k.a a Bodyguard. Hannah really wants to be anywhere then Texas but to get the international job she wants she has to impress her boss with her next job which just happens to be protecting Hollywood hottie Jack Stapleton from his Corgi Breeding stalker. When Jack needs to visit home to and doesn’t want his parents to know he has a Bodyguard the only solution he sees is pretending Hannah is his girlfriend. Hannah is more comfortable as a Bodyguard then a girlfriend but how hard can it be to fake?

I love a good fake dating troupe and this book does this troupe so well. The relationship between Jack and Hannah was developed so well and had really cute moments. I loved the Main Characters and I was rooting so hard for Hannah through this whole book as she has a lot going on with her life and ex drama.

I also really enjoyed Jack’s family and the mystery of the tragedy within his family keep me wanting to read more.

If you love fake dating with a bit of a family mystery thrown in and really great characters definitely pick this one up.

Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress for providing me with a copy of this book for review.

Let me start with first saying the premise of this book is a bit far-fetched. Is this real-life, short answer no. And that has nothing to do with a female bodyguard but just the whole set up. However, the book is fun and cute and has so many real elements to it that it doesn't matter. We are reading fiction so it doesn't always have to make full, real-world, sense. However, if that is something you need to enjoy a book then go into this one with eyes wide open.

The characters were frustrating and flawed. They had egos and baggage and all the real things people have in life. By the end though I appreciated their arc, I appreciated the side-characters, especially Jack's mom. I also love some good banter and this book delivered on that front.

I definitely recommend picking this one up to anyone looking for an enjoyable romance read.

A man on his knees begging his bodyguard to be his fake girlfriend? I’m into it. This book was so funny and heartwarming. Jack had a way of seeing past Hannah’s hard exterior and really saw to the heart of who she was. Fake dating is one of my favorite troupes and this one did not disappoint! As Katherine always does, she really develops the characters through the story and you can’t help but live them.

The Bodyguard, Catherine Center

This is just the cutest book about Hannah and Jack. Jack is a super famous celebrity who returns to his hometown of Houston to care for his sick mother. Hannah is hired to be his bodyguard. Yes…the roles are reversed here!
Jack doesn’t think a bodyguard is necessary and Hannah doesn’t want this particular job. The romance between them is prevalent throughout the entire book, and as the reader, you’re just dying to see them get together!!
This book comes out tomorrow! I hope you pick it up because I really think you will enjoy this rom com!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center is a heartwarming romantic comedy about an Executive Protection Agent who falls for her client. Hannah Brooks is hired to protect Hollywood actor Jack Stapleton from his obsessive stalker. In order to keep up the charade, they pretend to be in a relationship. As they spend more time together, their fake relationship becomes more real.

The perfect summer read! The Bodyguard is a delight from beginning to end. Katherine Center has crafted a fun and charming story with lovable characters. While romance is the main focus, there is also a nice subplot about family and friends. If you're looking for a feel-good read, then be sure to check out The Bodyguard.

Here’s the setup: Hannah is really good at her job. Like top of the class, most sought after, could go anywhere in the world good at her job. What she’s not great at is relationships. Her new client has her reevaluating everything. The story is quirky, plot driven, and sweet. I had feelings for the family and am currently looking at 500 acre ranches in Texas. This is a perfect summer/fall book!

THE BODYGUARD • Katherine Center • Pub Date: July 19, 2022 • ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 {rounded up}

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Abridged Goodreads Synopsis: Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard") that is hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker. What makes this assignment a little unusual (besides her client's superstar status) is that Jack needs protection while he's living back home with his parents. He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker or the bodyguard thing though, so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. What could go wrong?

This is a cute rom com that tries its best to leave an impact. Was it cheesy? Absolutely. Were there some troupes thrown in her that I could have done with out? Yup. Overall though, it is a great book to enjoy by the pool (and could easily be read in one sitting).

As a side note, this was somehow the first book I've read by the author. After having read this one, I am definitely motivated to go read through her backlist!

I really loved Katherine Center’s previous book Things We Save In The Fire and i was so excited to know she was coming out with a new book!

Thank you to Netgalley, SMP Romance and Katherine Center for an e-ARC of this book which comes out 7/19/22!

Hannah is not your typical bodyguard, but she is hired by a high profile celebrity Jack Stapleton for protection from a stalker. When Jack is called home by her sick mother, he is reluctant to let his family know about his stalker. So he suggests that Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend so she can keep a close eye on him while keeping it a secret from his family.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/5. If there is one thing I love about Katherine Center, it is that she comes up with the coolest female MCs who breaks male dominant social roles and occupations. This book contained my favorite tropes too: Grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, forced proximity, single bed and dating a celebrity. I completely fell in love with the strong female lead Hannah, as well as a new found fictional boyfriend Jack Stapleton😍 He was such a goof, and a man with a good sense of humor is my number one requirement in a man! I actually didn’t wish for it to end so soon and felt i needed more of them as a couple. If you’re looking for a wholesome rom-com with some depth, look no further. This one will definitely give you the feels🥰

I had never read anything by this author, but I LOVED this book! I wasn’t sure when I started it, but as I became involved with the characters and the story, I finished it in one day. The fast-paced writing, the engaging, yet flawed characters were so well blended into the story. Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent, a bodyguard. She is small, but mighty and proves that to her newest client at their first meeting. Her client, Jack Stapleton is a Hollywood movie star and has been receiving threats. He is heading to his family’s ranch for his mother’s surgery and Hannah will go along, unwillingly, as his girlfriend. She has never known a close knit and loving family, and although there are issues in their past, Jack’s family will come together, for his mom. How will the described “epitome of ordinary”, aka Hannah, fit in with Jack’s high-profile life? When the threat is eliminated, is he finally safe? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

I really enjoyed this book! I honestly went into with the mindset of just another rom-com, feel good, ha-ha book but was pleasantly surprised at the depth of the characters as well as a bad-ass female lead. I love me a good fake-couple trope and Jack is swoon worthy! I am also a fan of the slow burn, although I know others may not be but it absolutely worked with this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

If you’re a fan of Katherine Center’s emotional, yet light-hearted romances her latest, The Bodyguard, is for you! This one follows Hannah, an Executive Protection Agent, who is assigned to be the personal bodyguard of Hollywood hottie Jack. The only thing is she has to pretend to be his girlfriend and do it convincingly around his whole family. All while she deals with her own family/life issues and Jack has to deal with his.

I love a good fake-dating setup, found Hannah to be really funny, and the banter between the two was super cute.
One thing that didn’t work so much was that both the love interest and Hannah’s ex refer to her as “ordinary” multiple times and basically say she’s nothing special to look at. Like she doesn’t need to be a supermodel or anything, but this just seemed weird…? Jack also nicknamed her “Stumpy” because she’s short, but she’s def taller than me and that just doesn’t seem very nice. And it’s clear that when Hannah hears these words she’s not in on the joke. Other than that Jack is a total sweetheart so I don’t get what the point of these moments was supposed to be.

Overall, if you’re looking for a super quick, 95% adorable romance that doesn’t skimp on the witty banter or the family drama you might want to pick this one up.