I absolutely adored Katherine Center’s previous novels and was beyond thrilled to get the chance to read this one! The story of a lovely female bodyguard and the superstar she is hired to protect melted my heart. They were truly a ying to each other’s yang. The banter and the storyline sizzle!

Katherine Center's new novel "The Bodyguard" is being billed by its publisher as "the perfect summer read," but I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy in November, and dare I say that it's the perfect WINTER read as well? Center's books are as cozy as a cashmere sweater, as warming as a cup of tea. Any time of year is a fine time to pick up one of her novels!

Hannah Brooks is an "executive protection agent," which means that she works as a bodyguard, chiefly protecting rich businessmen in her hometown of Houston. After her boyfriend dumps her -- he's a fellow agent, which makes things messy -- she is dying to score a coveted overseas assignment, but then movie star Jack Stapleton comes to Texas to spend time with his sick mom. Jack has a stalker, and Hannah is assigned to keep him safe. But Jack doesn't want his mom to know that he could be in danger. When she begs her son to move to the family's ranch for the Thanksgiving holidays, Jack decides that Hannah will need to masquerade as his girlfriend.

Since this is a Katherine Center book, both Hannah and Jack have deep and somewhat tragic backstories. Jack has been laying low since his brother died; Hannah is a workaholic whose alcoholic mother recently passed away. (We are informed that Jack has been off the grid for a while, but also that he just appeared on the cover of People with his girlfriend; since People usually only gives stars the cover when they have a project to plug or are in the midst of a big scandal, this doesn't quite add up.) Of course, Jack's girlfriend turns out to be a vapid actress and he winds up falling for the down-to-earth Hannah, but even though their HEA seemed fated from the get-go, somehow Center has managed once again to create characters capable of melting my cynical heart. Bonus: there are a lot of interesting facts about the executive protection industry, similar to the way "Things We Save in a Fire" gave readers an inside look at firefighting.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press (via NetGalley) for the ARC!

What a great book. Hannah, short and curvy, is a bodyguard, which is a change from most of the romances I've read. Katherine Center did some research to credibly portray the character. With her awful childhood, it's believable that Hannah ended up in this kind of work. Now, she travels the globe protecting clients whom she knows intimately, never gets close to, and often dislikes. It's a cold, arms-length way of life. So when she is assigned to guard the hottest movie star on the planet (I kept seeing Chris Hemsworth as Thor), and their chemistry is instantaneous, it throws her completely. But wait, it gets better. She has to spend a month pretending to be his girlfriend on his parents' Texas ranch! Oh, yeah.

But the thing is, the two characters are truly messed up, and Center does a fine job of making them need each other. Hannah's arc is to learn to let down her guard and allow herself to believe she is lovable. Jack's is to forgive himself for his brother's death. This is a sweet, funny, heartwarming story. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for letting me read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book by Katherine Center- Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy! A little predictable, but a very enjoyable, feel good story. I always like Center’s witty writing style & I look forward to her next book! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I've read a couple of this author's books before and have never been disappointed. This book was no exception. I loved the characters and the storyline. I would highly recommend this and am going to have to look up the ones I haven't read yet.

Absolutely perfection! Another reason why Katherine Center is my go-to, favorite author!! This book was no exception. The perfectly cozy, heart-wrenching story with a fiercely independent strong female character learning who she is and what's important to her, surprising herself and staying true to who she is. I loved this book, I loved Hannah and her journey from workaholic bodyguard "shark" to contentment in her self, her life, and a new future she never would have imagined.

Katherine Center's books always give me all the feels and this one is a new favorite. I loved every page.

Let me preface this review by saying that I like Katherine Center's writing a lot. I believe I have read everything she has written and pretty much enjoyed all of it, although her first books are probably my favorites.

That being said, romance books on the whole aren't really my genre. They often come off as insipid and just silly to me, with lame dialogue. And as I started the Bodyguard and read the first handful or two of pages, I was concerned. Was I going to give a low rating to a Katherine Center book?

Fortunately, Ms Center blew past that initial fear with a fun, easy to read book that also touched on some more serious topics. I found myself reading it during the night and completed it in record time with a happy little sigh at the end.

Deep reading? No. But sometimes I get tired of scary thrillers and psychological mayhem. This book was just the right amount of feels. Katherine Center hit it just right!
4.5 Happy Stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

When you pick up a Katherine Center story you know you’re in for a treat. Her writing is infused with just the right amounts of humor and heart and this book…this one is all of that and SO MUCH more! This story is like sunshine, reaching all the dark corners and spreading joy.
The characters were fantastic: Hannah is an endearing workaholic with an unconventional job. Jack is an affable hunky movie star, the one every girl fantasizes about. From their first meeting, the banter between these characters is engaging and their chemistry comes alive.
My favorite parts of the book are the scenes set on the ranch. The vivid descriptions bring that setting to life.
I laughed until I cried (more than once!)! But it’s not all light and fluffy, sprinkled in are also thought provoking, emotional moments focused on forgiveness, family, and love that brought tears to my eyes.
A must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and to st Martins press for the opportunity to read this book it was a fast reader first time reading anything from this author it was a good read. It was a page turner

The Bodyguard was a quick, enjoyable read. Pretty much the poster child for a rom-com. Nice main characters, one super gorgeous, one “plain” but in reality wonderful and pretty in a down to earth way. A situation that throws them together. Things start to heat up but no action takes place. Then there is a crisis and…no spoilers but you know where this goes. I liked this book but, unlike many of the other books I’ve read by the author I felt this book lacked heft. It was a fine story but I felt the plot was a bit too simple. A good read for times when you need to escape your busy life.

Katherine Center kills me with every book. One minute I am just bopping along, reading a sweet and fun romance, and then BOOM I am sobbing because I've been smacked in the face with a beautiful and much-needed life lesson. How does she do it every time!??? Reading a KC books is like having the best, soul-filling conversation with your dearest friend.

Special should out to Hannah and Connie, two of the best KC characters ever.

Side note for the editor, there were about 500 too many uses of the expression "Fair enough," but I am sure you caught that already. ;)

This was a fun, easy read. I love this author, and while this isn’t my favorite book of hers, I loved the characters. I found hannah to be so relatable (minus being able to kill someone with a ball point pen, haha). But her self doubt and complicated relationship with her mom made her seem real and I loved her development. While it was semi-predictable, there were some twists and turns I didn’t see coming and made it a great read.

Thank you netgalley and st martins press for this arc and in return i am writing this unbiased review on goodreads and net galley.

Hannah feels like her world is falling apart. She just lost her mother, her boyfriend, and her best friend. She is an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard") and was just assigned to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton.
Jack, is "the sexiest man alive." After the death of his brother, he went into hiding and has been out of the public eye, but that doesn't stop people from stalking him. In order for Hannah to protect Jack, they have to pretend that she is his girlfriend.

The characters are fun, witty, and have heart. They have great chemistry and I enjoyed their banter. I always like a book that can make me laugh. It is a light fun read, and I enjoyed it.

"People we love help teach us who we are."

Thanks, NetGalley for the advance read copy.

I feel like I’ve read this type of story before but usually in reverse. So I absolutely appreciate the person here that’s being protected is the man that the female. Everything that it’s very standard romance story that doesn’t mean that I didn’t route for both characters to get together. I would absolutely recommend this book.

I love Katherine Center! I cannot decide if this is my new favorite story, along with her others How to Walk Away or Things to Save in a Fire.
I just started the book yesterday and read it in one day. I did not know anything about the storyline, so was happily surprised. The Bodyguard storyline went beyond my wildest expectations, it has such a humanly element, and the characters and wit was just incredibly done. All of the heroines in Center’s books have amazing tough jobs in a dominant male field, but the women are not feminists at all, but the most down to earth, strong and most vulnerable, lovable characters which makes it so unique and easy to relate to. The author has such a way with words in describing a scene or even being able to evoke emotion in the reader, as if watching a film. The book makes you feel good about people, such compassion and warmth in the hero and heroine relationship. I have not read such a great novel in such a long time and want to cherish the story, as it was just incredible.

Just to summarize the story s about the main character Hannah who is a top notch bodyguard assigned to the most hottest actor Jack Stapleton. I found it hilarious how the story kept referring him as the Jack Stapleton and would emphasize his handsome status. Despite this being a fiction story it felt so down to earth and real and the story was very engaging and thought provoking makes me want to re read it to digest the deeper things in the story.
This will definitely be added to my collection of books to buy.

Hannah is a an "Executive Protection Agent" and has been given a very atypical assignment. She must pretend to be the girlfriend of the "Sexiest Man Alive", movie star Jack Stapleton. This comes on the heels of her mother's death and a nasty break up, throwing her off her game and forcing her to look deeply at herself.

The Bodyguard is a quick, cutesy and very sweet romance. Katherine Center writes amazing stories and if you're in the mood for love this is a great option.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Bodyguard!

3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

Katherine Center has done it again!


Hannah works for an agency that provides security and protection to clients. She is now tasked with protecting Jack Stapleton from a corgi loving stalker. She has to pretend to be his girlfriend.</p>

I loved the Bodyguard! Hannah is a badass. She is fun and witty. She is stubborn. Jack Stapleton sounds like Hollywood's number one man. I loved their back and forth banter, and they had such chemistry. This book made me laugh and it had heart. The supporting characters are great too. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press.

Another great Katherine Center romance. I finished it in one delightful sitting. Bodyguard Hannah loses her mother and her boyfriend, one right after another. Her next assignment after unimaginable heartbreak is guarding reclusive Hollywood heartthrob Jack Stapleton from a minor stalker. To avoid worrying his family, Hannah pretends to be Jack’s girlfriend. You can see where this is going.
Romance novels have a formula, and this one does not stray. However, the loveably real characters elevated the story beyond the formula. If you’ve enjoyed Center’s other work, this one is for you.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center is a enjoyable contemporary romance that is another great addition to by one of my favorite authors.

I have enjoyed several books by Ms. Center in the past, and this is a nice addition to her portfolio.

We have Hannah Brooks (the bodyguard) and Jack Stapleton (the client) that come together as part of a business proposition/pretend relationship. Both have their respective hang ups, negative past experiences, and are questioning where they are in life at this moment. However, this business partner turn friends turn romance, is a positive and uplifting transition. Sometimes these concepts work, and sometimes they don’t…and I feel that this one definitely does.

I enjoyed the changes within the main characters, and the blossoming romance with some of the obstacles, twists, and turns, made for an enjoyable read.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/19/22.