This was a classic case of I couldn't put this book down while at the same time never wanting it to end.  I simply devoured it.  Katherine Center, this book was brilliant beyond brilliant - the words just flowed like having the best conversation with your bestest friend.

She's got his back.  He's got her heart.  They've got a secret.  What could possibly go wrong?

Synopsis: Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than a bodyguard, and she gets assigned to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi breeding stalker.  Jack Stapleton is a household name and high on the paparazzi watch-list.  But due to a family tragedy, he has escaped the public eye and is living off the grid.  When Jack's mom gets sick, Jack moves back to the family home in Texas to help out.  Not wanting his family to know he has a stalker or a bodyguard, Hannah finds herself pretending to be Jack's girlfriend as a cover.  But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem.  Is she protecting Jack or her long-neglected heart?

I was immediately drawn to Hannah as a bad-ass bodyguard.  Strong female leads are so fun to read about.  Her relationship with Jack was so real and authentic.  I appreciated that he wasn't a super arrogant and annoying superstar.  He seemed so real and down to earth with Hannah and his family. 
I loved the supporting characters of Jack's family, especially his mom.  Her live-life-to-the-fullest attitude and to slow down enough to enjoy it was super impactful. Besides the delicious romance, there were so many wonderful messages in this novel.

This one HAS to become a movie, right?  Who'd you pick to play Hannah and Jack?  I'm thinking Emma Watson and Ryan Reynolds?

Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for the early e-copy.
The Bodyguard has a publication date of July 19th and you better believe I'll be the first in line for a physical copy.

I've been reading Katherine Center's books since HOW TO WALK AWAY and have really enjoyed her strong female leads so I couldn't wait to read THE BODYGUARD. I'm happy to say, it did not disappoint and might be my favorite Center book to date!

Hannah Brooks might not look like your average bodyguard, but that's what makes her really good at her job. When Jack Stapleton, world-famous movie star and the Sexiest Man Alive for two years in a row, needs protection, she's the perfect agent to step in, since he doesn't want his family to know he's in danger. Hannah pretends to be Jack's girlfriend while she lives on his family's ranch and of course, sparks start to fly between the two.

I loved the characters in this book! In my head, Jack is definitely Chris Evans. Jack's family in particular was adorable. I loved how Hannah was able to heal from some of her childhood trauma because of her relationship with them. Hannah and Jack were adorable together and I loved their witty banter - it was so fun and I couldn't help but smile while reading this!!

THE BODYGUARD was playful and entertaining but also tackled some weightier topics as the two main characters are both struggling with trauma from their past. I read it during my summer vacation and this was exactly the book I was looking for. It's the perfect rom-com for summer (it would also make an excellent Netflix rom-com, so if you're into that kind of thing, this book is for you).

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Petite, ordinary, maybe stumpy legged, Hannah Brooks works as an Executive Protection Agent. Life was hard growing up and Hannah has trust issues. She learned that no one would take care of her so she had to take care of herself. And now she makes a living taking care of others. She is obsessed with working, she always wants to be on the job. She wants no downtime, never takes vacation, and is considered boring by the guy who just dumped her. Worse yet is that he told her she is a lousy kisser. Dating two years and now he tells her!

Hannah is always fighting self esteem issues so her ex boyfriend's pronouncement and dumping doesn't help her. She needs to work, now! Her sadistic boss likes to put his employees in the most uncomfortable positions for whatever is going on in their lives. So when a full team job pops up, he assigns Hannah to be the girlfriend of a world famous hunk of an actor, Jack Stapleton, who is dealing with a stalker and personal issues. Jack doesn't want his family to worry, especially his mother, so that's why he doesn't want them to know that he has been assigned a bodyguard. But now Hannah can't wear her "work suit" outfits and sturdy shoes and instead, must wear sundresses and sandals and sleep in Jack's room.

You'd think wealthy, famous, Jack would be a jerk, narcissist, someone with no time for the regular people of the world. But instead, he's friendly, silly, funny, maybe even a bit dorky, and Hannah has to fight to remember he's acting, he's an actor, he's pretending to like her, this is not real. Hannah adores Jack's family, they are the family she always wished she had, especially Jack's mother, who obviously thinks Hannah is good for her son. She is falling fast and hard for something that isn't real but Hannah is loving her time with Jack and his family, on the family ranch.

I adore this story, Jack, and his family. Hannah is pretty internally neurotic for a bodyguard but what do I know, really, I've never met a bodyguard. She sees that there is a possibility for life outside of her armor of her constant work but this life and man that she is falling for will be gone once this job it over. The Bodyguard is a fun story of people who enjoy being around each other and with side helpings of dysfunctional co-workers. Hannah fits right in with her dysfunctional co-workers but sees that isn't where she really wants to be, anymore.

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

A reverse bodyguard, fake dating and celebrity romance rolled into one, can you just imagine how much fun that would bring? Entertaining as it is comforting and definitely not bad for my first Katherine Center.

Told from Hannah's POV with her dry humor as she recounts her time as Jack's security detail and pretend-girlfriend, from their painfully hilarious meet-cute to how their relationship developed into something real. Hannah, with all her badassery is not without her flaws and insecurities and I loved reading her inner monologues as she questions herself. Jack, Sexiest Man Alive that he is, is surprisingly human as well who carries this grief on his shoulders. Together, it's clear that they make for a great relationship.

There are some aspects in this book that I found too far-fetched despite my suspension of disbelief, the handling of the stalker situation for one. Thus, my reason for not giving this the full five-stars.

So, if you're ever feeling blue and in need of a good laugh, will not mind some heavy themes of grief and self-doubt, and you like found families and any of the above mentioned tropes, pick this one up.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for my early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book- it was so fun and easy to read, especially because the characters were just awesome. I am in love with Jack, of course and Hannah’s personal struggles really resonated with me- plus she’s super cool. Katherine Center is also hilarious- there was a scene where I could not stop laughing. Once again, the characters are just so darn loveable! Ugh I love this story for its comedy, romance, and messages. I knocked a star off only because I was expecting there to be steamy scenes and more sexual tension, so I was disappointed by that. Other than that, I highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of The Bodyguard. I wasn’t sure what to expect but this book is just delightful. It’s summertime and I do not want to read heavy, dark books. And this one was just perfect. I had no idea that there were things like executive protection agents. Very interesting job. This is just the perfect summer afternoon book. Thnaks!

Adorable love connection. I love the female power as a bodyguard. Well written and kept me wanting to read more until the very end

Katherine Center does it again with this fun story about a female bodyguard and her famous charge. I laughed, I cried, I loved every minute of it.

The Bodyguard follows Hannah Brooks, who serves as an executive protection agent (aka a bodyguard) who is going through a rough patch in her life and is hoping to get out of Texas. Instead, she is assigned to protect a celebrity Jack Stapleton from his stalker while he is staying in, you guessed it, Texas. I liked how the typical bodyguard trope was flipped in this book and having Hannah take on that role. Instead of having everyone know that she's his bodyguard, Hannah has to pretend to be Jack's girlfriend, and then lines begin to blur. This was a fun, easy read! Hannah was such a well-written multifaceted character. Most side characters (with the ex-boyfriend as the main exception) were exciting and fun. Hannah and Jack's relationship made sense to me, and I feel they balanced each other well. Check this one out when it comes out on July 19th!

Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Supper entertaining and good for a few laughs. The writing brought me into the story as if i was watching it unfold so I this this would make a great movie.

I loved this book so much! It was so unique and fun. I wanted to scream at the ex boyfriend. I loved how the FMC was the bodyguard. It was such a fun twist that you don’t see often.

Hannah is a bodyguard and her new assignment is to play the “girlfriend” of the “sexiest man alive” the movie star Jake Stapleton. Hannah’s world is falling apart, she lost her mother, best friend, and her boyfriend. Will Hannah’s new assignment bring her joy after all this loss?
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When I saw Katherine Center had a new book coming out, of course I had to request an arc of it 😍 I love this author and her books are always amazing! Things You Save in a Fire is my favorite book of all time! This book was nothing short of amazing and had such a unique plot that kept me interested! I loved the characters and I’ve never read or knew anyone who was a bodyguard, such a cool and different job.
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Thank you @netgalley & @stmartinspress for my advanced reader copy of this one! Be sure to get your hands on this fun rom out July 19th!

This was my first Catherine Center book and boy let me tell you she made me a fan. Hannahs world is falling upside down. She loses her Mother best friend and boyfriend all at the same time. Her boss makes her have leave of absence to have time to mourn. When she returns she learns that she will be the bodyguard to actor Jack. Jack has been hiding and goes back home to look after sick sick mother. Hannah arrives and Jack worries that Hannah will not be able of being a good bodyguard due to her size but Hannah knocks him down without when trying. This well written romance book was such a breath of fresh air truly enjoyed.

The bodyguard is one of those books you can't help but fall in love with the main character. Hannah Brooks is the last person you would think is a bodyguard, teacher yes but can flip you in a matter of seconds. It isn't until she's faced with an unusual situation that protecting Jake Stapleton becomes a different job entirely.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this digital arc. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book I have read by the author and it was a great first book for me.

Hannah's life is crashing around her. She loses her mom, her boyfriend and her best friend all at once. Her boss won't let her work until she has had time to grieve. When she finally gets an assignment it's not what she expected.

Jack is an actor who has been hiding since his brother's death, which he was blamed for. He goes back home to be with his family after finding out his mom is sick and his team decided he needs protection from stalkers.

Hannah is a likable character and I liked that she was the bodyguard. There is a great set of characters in the story. From the coworkers to the family each was loveable (except a certain boyfriend) and added to the story. I kept picturing a certain coworker as Kelly from the office.

There were a few parts that were predictable, but overall I enjoyed this story.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I don't actually give out 5 Star ratings like candy and have not for many years but I do love to find them. This was one of them, it had moments of hilarity, touching romance and a few depressing/mortifying scenes but it was very "real" which in my case means that I could actually hear her narrating the story in my head. That is one of the ways I know a great book and you also wonder what is happening or going to happen when real life makes you put your book down. Our heroine is a schoolteacher sized bodyguard and our hero is a world-famous actor who take a bit of getting use to each other and the trip was extremely entertaining. You can read the synopsis to get more details if you wish but at the end you kind of wished it could go on but it is wrapped up exceptionally well and you can close the last page with a satisfied smile on your face. 5 Easy stars

How good was this?!!! Soooo good!! Fake dating with a little one bed action?! Sign me up!! I absolutely loved the characters!! And the “villian” in this one! Oh boy!! Couldn’t stand them!! Such a fantastically sweet love story and definitely recommend grabbing it!!

Hi, hello this book was so dang adorable. I love a bodyguard trope like nobody’s business, and even better that our FMC was the bodyguard.

Hannah and Jake’s relationship develops so well throughout the book. It is such a slow burn, which I love to build the tension. The book is set in Houston and on Jake’s parents ranch, and boy if I didn’t want to move to a Texas ranch while I was reading (not really, I’m a northeast girl through and through, but it got me pretty close).

This book was everything it could ever be. It was a perfectly written rom-com full of every perfect thing you could want. Fake dating, Strong female role, and a totally different storyline than your average romance book. I sucked this book and its fabulous writing down in less than 24 hours and already want to read it again.

First and foremost, thank you to Netgalley for the arc of The Bodyguard!
This has been such an anticipated book for me, I've been awaiting it's release and was in fact approved for an advanced reader's copy of it. I have never read a Katherine Center book before, and I am more than grateful that this was my first. With small, "dainty," Hannah being Jack Stapleton's Bodyguard, this book SO much promise. I smiled and giggled through the entirety of it. Jack picks on Hannah because he truly believes Hannah is incapable of being a bodyguard due to her size, but she knocks him down without even trying. Just to prove a pount. There is so much light banter, and the character development is superb. I wish I could read it for the first time again just to feel all of the emotions all over again.