This was a really cute story. I always enjoy Katherine Center novels! I give this 4.5 stars. The audio did sound very robotic, but I think it was the app and not based on the actual narration.

4.5 Very entertaining. The narrator was great for this book. Good pace, lots of hilarious moments, no spice and overall a very fun story... all things which make this a perfect option for audio. Not to mentions, the narrator did an excellent job and I really believe her voice, as the main character Hannah.

Imagine you are a petite woman bodyguard for high profile clients, you get dumped by you boyfriend (who is also your coworker) and you happen to be assigned protect a leading actor, but instead of protect, you have to pretend to be his girlfriend. Falls within the fake dating to lovers troupe, but written in a very cheeky way. The whole premise was pretty far fetched, but thats okay, I don't read fiction for every story to feel believable, but entertained and The Bodyguard delivered. This book had me laughing out loud at so many parts, which I always consider a big positive. I could VERY easily see this adapted into a Netflix movie, one that I would happily watch.

Romance, not my thing; yet, this book had me engrossed from the beginning. I was provided an advance copy in audio format. I really enjoyed the narrator and think this was a significant reason I enjoyed the book as much as I did. She is very talented and entertaining with the dialogue. The story itself is charming and the characters are very lovable. If you enjoy romance, you defnitely need to read this. If you don't, I encourage you to give this one a try. It funny, sweet and just make your smile. The storyline is not as cliche as most rom-coms which is also a reason to like this book.

Katherine Center is an auto-read author for me. She has a way of writing characters that are so real and authentic. The reader can’t help but root for them, even side characters. I am emotionally attached to her stories the same way I am with CoHo books.

Hannah is hired to be Jack’s bodyguard. When she signs up for the job, she doesn’t know she will end up having to move in with his family on their Texas ranch. Center blends a romance storyline with personal growth (for both our MCs) so well. Hannah and Jack are both fighting against their public personas.

Audiobook narration: fantastic!


Recommended if you like:
-fake dating
-bodyguard trope (duh!) but gender-norm flipped
-Texas ranch setting
-forced proximity
-one bed
-closed-door romance
-slow burn/tension to the max
-badass FMC
-banter
-family healing


TW: car accident, drowning, alcohol abuse, family death, grief, cancer, family estrangement

I finally got The Bodyguard and I didn’t realize the bottom of the cover is filled with flowers until I went to make my #bookstagram picture. Gave me all the summer romance vibes.

The book itself is just straight fun with some serious girl boss moments throughout. I love how Katherine Center decided to swap the gender stereotypes, in fact I would say stereotype flipping is kind of a theme throughout The Bodyguard. In the end, especially, the gender norms were toppled beautifully.

The only thing I would change is the “villain, the ex-boyfriend. He was just too bad. Like, not a single redeeming quality to be found in this man. I need a little nuance in characters, but I love to hate him.

Conclusion
I devoured The Bodyguard as will all romcom lovers. Another feminist Romcom this year and I’m loving this trend.

SO GOOD. This book is so happy and warmed my heart. Katherine Center was already a favorite romance writer of mine, and this just solidified her place as my favorite.

You'll laugh and want to cry happy tears. I flew through it. Read it when you feel like you need a hug.

This was such a fun book. The narrator was enjoyable, the story line was cute and the main characters were so funny. This would be great for a book group or beach read.

Such an amazing book! Katherine Center is an auto buy author for me and this book was just what I needed! It made me laugh out loud so much, it made me swoon and it made me cry. She is so talented at establishing balance between heavy moments to light moments.

"Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener."
^ That right there is what makes this book amazing. I love when you meet Hannah and EVERYONE thinks she's a girl there's no way she can be a body guard. Or kick major ass. But all throughout this book she proves over and over why you don't mess with her.

Ya she's not the most approachable bad at having friends bad at dating but she's REALLY good at her job. When her job takes her to working with a celebrity to protect it turns into a lot more than she's planed on. What turns into a easy job from a stalker turns into fake dating and more. It had humor, Romance, Action. This book hooked me from the start and I love everything about this read. 4.5 Big Stars!!


I received a audio arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I read an e-ARC of this book months ago, but listening to it again made me love the book I already adored even more.

My thoughts on the writing, story, and characters are the same as before (I gave it 5 stars previously too) This time, I appreciated the well executed POV even more. Listening to this feels less like a bland narration and more like a friend telling you her story.

Speaking of the narrator, she has a pleasant and clear voice. I really enjoyed listening to her expression of the auditory elements in the book.

I received an ALC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are completely mine.

‘She’s got his back.

Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindgerten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.

He’s got her heart.

Jack Stapleton’s a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.

They’ve got a secret.

When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it.

What could possibly go wrong???

Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.’
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3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

The Bodyguard is a contemporary romance by Katherine Center. Focusing on our main character Hannah, who is one of the best protection agents (bodyguards) in the field, catering to the rich and famous. A no-nonsense workaholic that was really channeling Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality (Hannah looks exactly like Gracie in that movie and no one can convince me otherwise).

This the first book I’ve read by Katherine Center and I don’t usually read chick-lit, but the blurb and cover caught my attention so I decided to give it a try. Both characters were likable and I enjoyed Hannah’s cynical humor and awkward tendencies. I thought the narrator read Hannah perfectly.

A huge portion of the book was the two main characters getting to know each other and in the background Jack was developing feelings for Hannah, but there wasn’t much in the way of tension between them. It largely felt like more that it was the story of them learning to be friends than a budding romance between them. It just didn’t feel like there was much chemistry between them, but they did have a great rapport and I enjoyed their interactions. My favorite moment between them was the judo flip and confusing her for the cleaning lady.

With headphones, I listened to it at work and on my commute and it was a nice change that day from my usual podcasts or music. I enjoyed the story although, I did find it a bit predictable at times, with several characters being cookie-cutters from numerous other plotlines like this. But the predictability does make this the perfect audiobook to listen to in the background while doing something else. It’s an easy read and a clean read. I would read another book by this author.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for sharing with me the audiobook of The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, narrated by Patti Murin. This is my honest review.

What a cute romcom of a female bodyguard protecting a male movie star. The bodyguard has come upon some bad luck with losing her mom, feeling I loved and having a terrible boyfriend when she’s placed on assignment to protect a popular movie star that has his share of problems too.

This absolutely what I needed it to read now. It was so so good. Let me tell this, I am NOT a romance reader. I rarely read them, I have to admit the few I have read include all of Katherine. The audiobook was so good that I just couldn’t stop listening, love the banter between Hannah and Jack. By far my favorite of her novels!

Guys. Seriously. If you are looking for something FUN to read this weekend, this is the one for you!

The Bodyguard is laugh out loud funny, with a main character you will love, AND a sexy love interest you're sure to fall in love with! I actually had a digital ARC of The Bodyguard by @katherinecenter and I loved to so much that I added it to my @bookofthemonth subscription. I love the good old "fake dating" troupe, and this one was extra fun. It reminded me of all of my favorite rom-coms from the 90s - and I couldn't put it down.

Read The Bodyguard and then come back and tell me who you would cast a Jack Stapleton in the movie version - maybe I'll even tell you my pick - it might surprise you! 😉

#bookstagram #thebodyguard #netgalley #arc #botm #bookofthemonth #bookrecommendations #romcombooks #katherinecenter #booksthatshouldbemadeintomovies #summerreads #beachreads

Overall, I enjoyed this book! From the start, I was impressed by the out-of-the-ordinary bodyguard about whom this book is focused. Don't just a book by its cover, right? I liked Hannah's attitude and her no-nonsense approach to most things. And her comments about different ways to kill a person were hilarious. Jack was surprising and I really liked them together. Jack's character is a bit "meh" to me as far as strength of character but overall I found this story very enjoyable! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an audio copy of The Bodyguard in exchange for an honest review! :)

I really enjoyed this newest book by Katherine Center! It was one of those books where I stayed up way too late to finish it and suffered a well-deserved book hangover the next day. I thought the characters were well-fleshed out and crafted, especially the way Center revealed snippets at a time. I loved Hannah's inner dialogue. I was very thankful for the HEA ending, as I think that helped Hannah come full circle with love and acceptance. I was very moved by her peach moonshine monologue at Thanksgiving. Patti Murin did a fabulous job with the narration. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to review this book.

I walked into this book thinking it was just another fake dating trope book, but The Bodyguard offers more. You get the bonus of a strong but damaged female protagonist who faces her demons and truly grows. It showcases a strong woman who is broken but puts herself back together for her own sake, not for a man. Yes, it has its rom-com moments, but this one is plot-driven. I liked the family involvement and depth of emotion presented. If you're looking for graphic sex scenes, this isn't the book for you, but if you want to see the building of a real connection give this one a try!

The narrator was warm and caring and the voice acting showcases different characters was both convincing and amusing. I liked the dead pan delivery of the inner monologue, which really was how I would imagine our hero to sound. The perfect snarky inner voice!

The bodyguard by Katherine Center…
Center has become one of my favorite authors for her ability to combine heart touching feels with humor. A perfect beach rate, Babe, a wonderful summer or romcom. Hannah Brooks is a female bodyguard who gets assigned to Jack Stapleton, a big movie star. This book plays out with the predictability that you would expect however, there are so many unexpected tidbits that I found it thoroughly enjoyable! I loved the character of Hannah and you'll all fall in love with Jack's mom. I can absolutely see this book as a movie, I can even picture who would play some of the roles 😉

Adored this book!!! It was funny, heartbreaking, silly and sweet! Jack was such an incredible hero that there wasn’t a single thing that I disliked about him! Hannah was so much more than she let people see. Her line of work forced her to be closed off and guarded, but when those walls came down and she allowed herself to feel, her character was incredible! The two together was so hilarious and heart warming. They truly saw each other for who they were, not the roles they played.

The storyline around Jack’s brother Drew absolutely broke my heart!!!! It packed a gut punch right up until the end of the book!

I sped through this read because it was JUST THAT GOOD! I love that Center’s books are emotionally gripping and you barely even notice the lack of romantic / bedroom scenes! The chemistry between the characters was a slow burn and on another level of tension! So much angst!

I also liked the unique way the author told the story at times, almost as a reflection of past events from Hannah’s POV. The ending was incredible and wrapped up this adventure so nicely!

Patti Murin did an outstanding job narrating this novel!!!

Oh how I love Katherine Center! She is a must read with every new book she releases. This time around I listened to the Audiobook, and it was fantastic! Part romance, part contemporary fiction, with a dash of thriller, The Bodyguard was a warm-hearted make you feel all the emotions listen. Character development was a big part of this story line, but it was less like the character developing as he goes, and more allowing himself to be who he really is.
I usually listen to audiobooks in the car and with this book, it made me want to keep driving, just to finish the story!

I always look forward to the next new release from Katherine Center!

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listen copy of The Bodyguard.

Reviews to Amazon and Barnes & Noble being posted now, awaiting approval.
Review to Bookstagram being posted this week (8.15-8.22)

Thank you again!