3.5 stars

Parts of this book made me laugh out loud and parts of it made me really sad. This was my first book by Katherine Center and I'd definitely read another one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, St. Martin's Press!

Bridget Jones’ Diary meets Miss Congeniality in this absolutely hilarious and mesmerizing romcom! Could NOT put it down!

This is the third Katherine Center book I’ve read, and I have loved every one of them. She’s a master at developing characters and relationships that are enjoyable and believable without being cheesy. If you enjoy a good rom-com (and actually even if you don’t), I think you’ll love this book too!

Thank you netgalley & St. Martin's Press for allowing me a preview of this book! The Bodyguard was a nearly flawless novel with just the right amount of suspense, surprise, and feel good moments. The story follows Hannah, a 5'5" kick butt executive protection agent (bodyguard). With big change happening in her personal life, Hannah gets tasked with her toughest assignment yet: Hollywood star Jack Stapleton. While it begins as an annoyingly close to home job, Hannah soon discovers that Jack & the complications that come with him will test her physically, mentally, and emotionally. Katherine Center pens a fast read, filled with moments of both light heartedness and intense emotional strain. She beautifully illustrates the emotional roller coaster we all go through as we reach checkpoints in our lives, while still maintaining a fun narrative. I loved this book and can't wait to read another by Center!

Hannah Brooks might not see herself as a workaholic or even devoted to her job but after 8 years at the company and constantly dodging any and all personal obligations - Hannah is a workaholic, sticking to the one thing she knows well, protecting the rich, affluent, popular, and famous people of the world. At 5’4 you’d never expect Hannah to take down a 300-pound man with a wine opener but that’s the advantage that the Executive Protection Agency is looking for. Hannah’s been all across the world on several missions serving multiple affluent clients. When the unexpected death of her mother grounds her in Houston Hannah finds that she can’t escape her problems forever. To make matters worse, the day after the funeral her co-worker and boyfriend, Robby, dumps her and take off on an assignment with her co-worker and best friend, I think you can see where this is going to go.

Everyone knows movie star and heartthrob Jack Stapleton - including his fair share of stalkers and avid fans. Even after escaping the spotlight for the last few years after a family tragedy Jack is still a household name. So when he returns from his self-imposed seclusion to help his sick mom and stay at their family ranch his team thinks it’s best to hire someone to watch over Jack. The only problem, Jack doesn’t want to worry his mom about the potential threats. So he comes up with a plan - fake date his bodyguard.

Now spending weeks together at Jack's family ranch Hannah finds herself having a hard time distinguishing between real-life Jack and America's heartthrob Jack Stapleton. Protecting him is the easy part but finally admitting her feelings while protecting her heart is a whole other story.

While the overall story was a bit predictable and sometimes downright unrealistic there were parts where I found myself crying for the trauma both Hannah and Jack have gone through all while rooting for them. This book felt very much like Miss Congeniality but in a way that you still were left wondering will they, won't they in the end.

Overall I'd give this book 3.5 stars while I loved the concept and plot of the book but the style of writing the author used was almost like a friend writing you a letter to tell you about what they've been up to which felt a little distant at times and made it hard to connect with the narrative.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was just what the doctor ordered for me. I love Katherine Center's work and the movie The Bodyguard so expectations were high. I'm happy to report the story did not disappoint!

If you're familiar with Center's other work you know she writes well-developed, flawed, loveable characters. I enjoyed getting to know Hannah and Jack over the course of the book, as well as the secondary characters. I also often feel like the setting is another character in her books - there's a real sense of place in the Bodyguard. I'm ready to go spend some time along the Brazos River!

Compared to her others, this book felt a bit lighter and maybe a bit more divorced from reality. Exactly what I needed coming off of two years of a pandemic!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of The Bodyguard by Katherine Center in exchanged for an honest review.

When famous actor Jack Stapleton's mom get sick, he comes out of hiding to stay at the family ranch while she is recovering. However, what his family does not know, is that he has a minor stalker situation. Which means a very reluctant Hannah Brooks becomes Jacks personal bodyguard. There's one catch though... he doesn't want his family to know about the stalker or needing a bodyguard... So against Hannah's better judgment she must pretend to be Jack's girlfriend and stay on the Stapleton ranch for an entire month! The more time they spend together, the more the lines begin to blur. Is Jack really that good of an actor? Or is Hannah losing her touch when it comes to reading people?

I loved Hannah's inner voice. She talked like a regular human-being with regular insecurities. It didn't matter that she was protecting the Jack Stapleton. She was strong, yet vulnerable. Spoke her mind, but also held her tongue. Then there's Jack. Even though he's famous, he's just this regular down-to-Earth quirky guy! Is his handsomeness exhausting? Absolutely. But he can't help it! ;)

I could totally picture this novel becoming a smash hit rom-com. Jack is adorable. Hannah is a bad ass and the two together? Swoon-worthy!

Yes, the plot is a little bit exaggerated, but that's what makes it so good! It was highly entertaining and a huge roller coaster ride at the 85% - 90% point because I became so invested in these characters! This is my second novel by Katherine Center and I can guarantee, it won't be my last! 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5!

Predictable, but not in a way that's problematic. In fact, this book marks the first time a novel has made me laugh out loud, more than once, in a long time. I pin my enjoyment entirely on the intelligent and irreverent writing style.

I've adored every Katherine Center book I've ever read, and The Bodyguard is no different! This book was fun and flirty while carefully hitting some tough subjects. I think many people will be able to relate to Hannah and Jack's battles of worthiness and self-forgiveness, and Katherine Center always does a great job writing stories of inner strength,

Hannah is an unsuspecting but all-business Executive Protection Agent, aka bodyguard, hired to protect Jack, an A-list celebrity who's been a recluse after losing his younger brother. I loved Hannah's inner dialogue and watching her become more personable and open throughout the story. Jack's loyalty, kindness, and of course, charm, made him so lovable! These two worked really well together, and the ridiculous Corgi Stalker that brought them together was a delightful treat (I probably shouldn't use the word stalker as a treat...). I always wish MCs would just communicate and share their feelings openly the first time, but hey, that would lead to a very boring book.

All in all, The Bodyguard was an incredibly enjoyable read that I can't wait to recommend!

*Also,I can't write a review that doesn't mention that Robby/Bobby is just one of the worst exes I've ever read about. Just, ugh! I was so glad to see him sent away!

When I was approved for an arc of this book, Iw as thrilled. I love reading all of this authors books. She always has bada$$ heroines and this one was no different. A female bodyguard? Come on! Yes please. The only thing that didn’t quite work for me was then ending, it was border line cheesy., but overall enjoyed.

Oh how I adore this author, Every time a new book comes out by Katherine Center I think it’s her best one yet, but this time I truly think she has outdone herself. I just love her writing, her warm and uplifting style and of course the story itself, I have close to a thousand books on my kindle but The Bodyguard is the only one that I actually highlighted some passages as they are just incredibly meaningful. A wonderful read and I’m just sad that now the wait begins for her next. Well done! Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

I loved this book so much! Hannah & Jake were such a fun couple and I really enjoyed seeing them come together and overcome their obstacles to find their Happily Ever After

Excellent plot with a very strong woman at the core of it, however we all know, that surface appearances are not truly the makeup of an entire person. Katherine Center creates characters life-like and that includes good qualities, flaws and baggage. I have read several of her books and I love her wonderful, memorable characters.
The story is filled with humor as well as serious issues. The author has an excellent balance in her writing to make the story believable and enjoyable.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Most people wouldn’t expect a woman to be a bodyguard and that’s exactly why Hannah Brooks is one. The art of blending in is what she does best and she is the best bodyguard at her agency. Life was going great until is wasn’t.

Hannah’s mom dies and suddenly everyone is treating her like she is fragile. It’s not like she had a good relationship with her mom, she doesn’t need to mourn her. The best way to move on is to be working, at least that’s what she thought until her boyfriend of a year breaks up with her and she has to see his face everyday at work.

Lies, cheating and broken hearts lead Hannah to her most difficult assignment of all, guarding America’s favorite reclusive star, Jack Stapleton. This is going to be one of the biggest challenges Hannah has ever faced because Jack doesn’t think he needs a bodyguard and definitely isn’t going to take a female bodyguard seriously.

The plan is simple, Hannah is going to be the fake girlfriend of Hollywood heartthrob Jack Stapleton. What could possibly go wrong.

Follow Hannah as she protects Jack from all things crazy and as tensions rise so do unexplained feelings ;).

This book was adorable. I read it in a day and do not regret it AT ALL! You definitely need to add this to your preorder list!

This was a really cute rom-com that I was able to tear through in half a day. The main characters were really easy to fall for - I liked that the female lead was the badass one with the elite job and wasn’t someone who was classically beautiful. And while the male lead doesn’t quite qualify as a himbo, he definitely has major golden retriever energy. Plus, I love a sunshine/grump trope where *she’s* the grump and *he’s* the sunshine.

By the way, this is a ‘clean’ romance - not a single smut to be seen. I’m someone who typically needs my romance novels to be at least a *little* smutty, but I found that I didn’t mind that the love in this story was completely wholesome.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the novel. I am rating this book with my own opinion and have not received anything in return. Super cute and fun read!

I read this in one day. It was adorable. And cheesy. And everything a fun romcom should be. I don’t know who I turn into when I read KC but I eat up her novels like a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. This was definitely her most fun and action packed yet. Full of tropes and cliches but you know what? I didn’t care. I loved it.

I absolutely love when books take on society issues and putting a female character in what is known as a male dominated field had me pumped. Unfortunately overall the book fell flat. I didn’t like the main characters at all. She was whiny and he was just annoying. Unfortunately this one is a big fat thumbs down for me

It was my first Katherine Center and won't be my last. I was hooked from page one! We have

💜Fake dating
💜 A Quirky leading lady
💜 Romance with a dash of suspense
💜 The leading lady as the Bodyguard rather than the male which was refreshing
💜LOL moments

Overall I really enjoyed The Bodyguard, it would make such a great movie

I recieved an e arc for an honest review: The Bodyguard releases July 2022

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.