The story follows Hannah Brooks who is bodyguard. She is hired to work for super famous beau Jack Stapleton due to a crazy stalker. When Jacks mom gets sick, Hannah travels with Jack to his parents house where Jack requests Hannah act like his girlfriend as to not worry his parents, and not have to explain why he has a bodyguard. The longer they pretend to date the more real it seems to Hannah.

This book was such a treat. I couldn’t put it down and loved every minute of it. There were so many unique things about this book and it felt completely different from all of the other romcoms I’ve read. I love how the fourth wall was broken, I think this might be the first novel I experienced that in, and I absolutely loved it. Center does a beautiful job at making you cry one page and laughing the next! I have no doubts that this book will end up being one of my favorites of 2022.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was amazing. She conveyed the emotions so well and her narrating was so lively and fun.

Laugh out loud funny. So glad I chose the audio book versus the print. What a delicious treat. Absolutely recommend this to everyone.

I received this audiobook free from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

All I can say is “Wow.” I absolutely loved this book. I’m pretty stingy with my 5⭐️ ratings, and I knew early on that this was going to be a winner.

I love every bit of this slow burn, the long awaited kiss was perfection.

I can’t wait to go get a physical copy because there were some amazing lines in there that really hit me right in the feels.

THE BANTER!! I loved this rom com so much! One of the best I’ve read in AWHILE specifically because of the banter! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fabulous job portraying these characters! Was it a bit predictable? Yeah. But was it totally predictable? Not at all! I was still completely enraptured and was definitely still surprised a few times! I really appreciated how the author handled grief in this story and I’m a sucker for a strong female MC in a male dominated position, kicking butt!

This book was sent to me by.Netgalley for review…audio copy…I read the book and preferred that…fantastic talented and gifted author…this is a cannot put down book. Likable characters…I would give it higher than a five…one of the best authors…I also reviewed the written copy…

I absolutely adored this book! This is the first title I have read by Katherine Center, and now I am ready to pick up her others. This book had such fun, sweet characters that sucked me in from the beginning. I highly recommend it!

*I also listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration.

Very pleasantly surprised by The Bodyguard. The premise is interesting and a nice twist on the status quo. Hannah is tasked with protecting an ultra famous movie star named Jack. Their chemistry is evident from the very beginning. Honestly, their interactions may be one of my Top Five favorites. This book is a great romantic book, especially for those who aren’t a hug fan of the genre (like myself) or those who are not interested in reading something that is extra spicy in the romance department.

A little romance, a little Hollywood, a little stalking - this book has it all. Full of twists and surprising, the story kept me on my toes and wanting more to the very end.

This was the first Katherine Center book I have read and chose this as an audiobook arc. Thanks to Macmillian Audio. While I enjoyed the dynamics between the mc and love interest, some of the relationships with side characters seemed a bit forced. I loved Jack's family, but the tension between Jack and his brother seemed overly harsh compared to the relationship between Jack and his parents. Aside from this, it was a pleasant read and I am looking forward to trying another. There is a (soft) suspense aspect to the story that appealed to my mystery-loving side, but was easy enough to follow that I didn't worry about missing any threads.

Overall, a pleasant read.

🤗 If you are looking for a warm hug of a book that makes you believe in all the good in the world this is the one you need. I am ashamed to say I never read this author before but after this one, I can’t wait to read allll her backlist. 

This book had everything: 

👩 Tough but sweet MC who can fully take care of herself 

🥰 Fun banter and flirting

👎 The worst ex-boyfriend ever (who was fun to hate)

✍️ Most excellently written

🎙 Narration was perfection 

💕 This is perfect for people that aren’t typically into rom coms because this one is different. Sure, it has the fake dating trope but this book just felt so much more special than the masses, because it had more depth, showing vulnerability and growth of the characters, both personally and towards each other. Overall just an extremely well-done story.

I really enjoyed this read! It’s perfect for summertime reading, light, fun and entertaining.
Hannah is basically a bodyguard assigned as the lead to protect Jack Stapleton, Hollywood star that has been in hiding for a few years. He is going home to Texas to see his Mom and has a stalker in the area. The shenanigans begin from there. The side characters are interesting, the supporting team of bodyguards. Lots of action and even some romance.
If you’ve enjoyed Katherine’s other works you will enjoy this one as well, she’s a great storyteller! The narrator was perfection!!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, a charming fake-dating gender-swap novel. After hearing lots of early excitement about this title, I was grateful that Macmillan Audio shared an advanced listening copy of the audiobook expertly narrated by Patti Murin.

Plot summary: Petite Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent (a bodyguard) who's assigned to protect Jack Stapleton, a famous actor who stars in big-budget action movies. While his mom is undergoing cancer treatments, Jack comes home to the family ranch in Texas with Hannah and her team in tow. Jack doesn't want his parents to worry that he needs protection from a stalker, so Hannah agrees to be his fake girlfriend so she can be near him without raising suspicion. Hannah is the ultimate professional ... until she grows close to Jack and his family. Will her emotions jeopardize the career goals she's worked so hard to achieve?

Thoughts: I thought this novel was a great combination of humor, romance, and action. This was my first Katherine Center novel (I know!) - now I'm very eager to read her backlist titles that have been patiently waiting on my TBR shelves.

I especially appreciated the ending, although it wasn't particularly realistic. I'd love to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Stapleton ranch, complete with a shot of moonshine!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

This has been one of my most anticipated reads this year. I was very intrigued by the idea of a female bodyguard as a subversion of the classic Bodyguard Trope. I will definitely be checking out Center’s other books. The writing flowed so well and aspects were well-researched.

I loved how this book portrayed sexism in Hannah’s workplace and on Jack’s family's farm. The smile that grew on my face when she showed off her rifle skills after acting dim-witted. I wish we got more badass action moments to show off her skills. (Great final act, though! One of the best third-act dramas I've read.)

Hannah and Jack were great characters with a lot of depth and interesting backstories. Jack was a little shit at the start but I liked his banter with Hannah. They had a great relationship and I was rooting for them as they developed more. I loved the domestic farm moments and how they got to know each other better while still being snarky to one another.

“People who want to be famous think it’s the same thing as being loved. But it’s not. Strangers can only ever love a version of you. People loving you for your best qualities is not the same as people loving you despite your worst.” 💕

Hannah Brooks may look like a kindergarten teacher, but she can kill you with a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. The truth is she’s a bodyguard, and she’s just been hired to protect A-list actor Jack Stapleton. But Jack is dealing with some family issues and he doesn’t want them knowing he has a stalker…or a bodyguard. So Hannah finds herself pretending to be his girlfriend against her better judgement. What could possibly go wrong??

I am always skeptical when bookstagram overwhelmingly adores a book. It’s so much pressure and so much expectation. But this one did not disappoint!

Despite the premise being a little far fetched, this book was just so 𝒇𝒖𝒏! I loved the banter with Hannah and Jack and the ridiculousness of the corgi breeding stalker. Not a pit bull breeder? Doberman? Shepherd?? Nope. Corgi! And that says about all you need to know about this story. Fun!

The audio was fantastic and I am so glad I chose to listen to this one. I laughed out loud multiple times! This is a lighthearted, easy read/listen and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Usually enjoy Katherine Center's book, and this one is solid. It's a little more romancy/fluffy than some of her previous books, but it's fun and light. Excellent summer read/listen as it's not too complicated. Enjoyed this audiobook production.

Audiobook ARC via Goodreads, but the opinions are my own.

This was cute and light and overall, I enjoyed the listening experience. My only struggle was the characters. Their relationship wasn't believable. I just didn't believe they were falling in love as they had almost zero chemistry.

another lovely read from katherine center. this gave an interesting spin on the standard bodyguard perspective that we are used to hearing about. it was fun to hear the ins and outs of this profession and dispel the common myths surrounding.

Despite Hannah's petite stature, she's an Executive Protection Agent (aka boduguard). She has just been hired to protect Jack, a super-star actor who has a stalker. Her mother just passed away, so the assignement and distraction is welcome. Jack's mother got sick and he has to go home to help and support her, but he doesn't want anyone to know he heas a stalker, so he proposes to introduce Hannah as his girlfriend. She accpets despite always trying to keep a distance from her clients. What could go wrong?
This is a lighthearted and fun read, with a fake-dating trop (which I'm not a fan of, but this was well done). Obviously, it is predictable, but I enjoyed the journey with all the witty banter.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was my first Katherine Center book and let me tell you I’m HOOKED!

I found this book sweet, funny, and very entertaining. When I first saw the cover I wasn’t interested but then I read the synopsis. I absolutely adore the fact that SHE is the bodyguard and not him! Jack is a cinnamon roll if there ever was one. He’s adorable. But Hannah is hilarious and so relatable. She has so many You Go Girl! moments. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and this one was just superb!

I only have 2 complaints: **SPOILERS**

I love a “there’s only one bed” trope and it was set up so perfectly I almost squealed! And then… ONLY ONE OF THEM SLEPT IN THE BED! How dare you Katherine!
Y’all know by now I like things spicy but I don’t necessarily mind a closed door romance… but there was still nothing physical until the last 20%. It was definitely a slow burn and practically a no burn since the only thing that happens on page is ONE ACTUAL KISS! I cannot. When I’m reading a romance and realize it’s already 80% in and nothings happened…😐 👏🏻GIVE 👏🏻US 👏🏻SOME SPICE! PLZ.

Okay that was dramatic and honestly I still loved the book. Read this if you want a funny, feminist, slow burn, closed door romance!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (5 Stars)
Steam 0/5 closed door romance, some kissing

Narration: I really enjoyed the narrator for this audiobook! They did an excellent job keeping me interested and distinguishing between characters!

No spoiler review 👇🏻

I absolutely loved this book! Im surprised how much I did. It was just such a fun romance read. This is a closed door romance! I know a lot of people like this and I usually read open door so this is an awesome rec!

This book follows Taylor, she is an elite executive protection agent. She usually protects large oil executives. This time she gets put on a case to protect Jack, one of the biggest celebrities. As he visits his mom with cancer. Taylor is a fan of Jack and their interactions are cute and hilarious.

In order to keep her cover and not worry Jacks family, Taylor must pretend to be his girlfriend and live with him/his family. (I just love fake dating!) It’s so cute, funny, romantic and such a entertaining read. Plus Taylor is such a strong female MC. I loved reading her point of view.

This is a perfect summer romance read! I highly recommend this one! It’s so worth the hype it’s been getting on bookstagram.

CW: death of parent, cancer, alcoholism, stalking

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.