The Bodyguard

A Novel

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Pub Date Jul 19 2022 | Archive Date Mar 18 2024

Description

Katherine Center's The Bodyguard is “My perfect 10 of a book. As funny and sweet as all the very best nineties rom-coms, but with Center’s signature heart-tugging depth. I wish I could erase it from my mind just to read it again for the first time. A shot of pure joy.”—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers

She’s got his back.
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten 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 goes 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, 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.

“Great rollicking fun! Prepare to laugh and swoon and grin your pants off.”—Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart Principle

"Absolutely, unequivocally delightful!"—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here

Katherine Center's The Bodyguard is “My perfect 10 of a book. As funny and sweet as all the very best nineties rom-coms, but with Center’s signature heart-tugging depth. I wish I could erase it from...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781250219398
PRICE $29.00 (USD)
PAGES 320

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)
Send to Kindle (EPUB)

Average rating from 2678 members


Featured Reviews

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 by Katherine Center

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"). She is petite and plain, her mother has just died and her boyfriend just dumped her. Her life continues to fall apart when her best friend sleeps with her ex-boyfriend. Hannah's sadistic boss thinks its a great idea for her to be assigned to Jack Stapleton, Hollywood's reclusive heart throb.

To hide her cover, Hannah pretends to be Jack's girlfriend. With loads of family drama, Hannah and Jack are stuck on the family ranch with not much to do except spend time together. Are lines crossed? Does Hannah protect Jack or does she blur the lines of professional/personal?

What I loved about this book was the aspect of Hannah's emotional self-discovery. Hannah learns to love herself as she is. There was humor, sadness, forgiveness and an unexpected twist that threw me for a serious loop!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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What an incredible read! I love Katherine Center’s writing, but this story really hit the mark! I felt so much for the characters. I felt their pain, their laughter, and love. Will definitely recommend to others!

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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. It publishes July 19, 2022.
Once again, Katherine Center hits it out of the park! Although, we aren't really surprised by that, are we? Let's face it, K.C. can write! As always, our characters are hilarious and relatable with a side of tragic back story that actually touches your heart.
I thought the premise of this one was so interesting, with the female bodyguard as a main character. I love how K.C. has strong female leads with jobs you wouldn't think of to begin with, and makes it totally believable and inspiring!
I loved the character development, the setting, the dialogue. Seriously, just read it!

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Katherine Center does it again. Another 5 star read for me. Her characters always feel like people you know and want to root for. This one was a little different than her usuals, and a fun story with some deeper topics. You'll love this if you are a fan of Center's other romances. Already recommended to all my friends.

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Katherine Center always does an amazing job and The Bodyguard did not disappoint. The chemistry was amazing and the plot line was engaging and fun. There were also some serious elements throughout. Loved!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

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I squealed what I saw this ARC in my inbox!!! @katherinecenter is one of my favorite authors!! I read this one in a day (thank you COVID). It gave me vibes from the movie The Proposal and I am here for it!!
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Hannah works for an agency that protects people of importance. Her next assignment is for Jack Stapleton, People’s Sexiest Man Alive and a famous actor. So when she tells Jack she’s going to be following him, he has one problem. His mom was recently diagnosed with cancer and having a bodyguard would make her nervous. So…he has a compromise. She pose as his girlfriend!
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I loved this book so so much!! Jack and Hannah’s relationship was very much a slow burn. And I was rooting for them the entire time! *Grab this one on July 19! Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC in exchange for my review. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

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I always love Katherine Centers books and The Bodyguard is no exception. The characters are always so well-developed and believable. In The Bodyguard, Hannah Brooks is a trained bodyguard that is tasked with protecting famous actor Jack Stapleton from his crazy stalker. It's the 'pretend girlfriend/boyfriend that moves into something more' trope and I absolutely love it. There are so many outside forces that will try to get in the way of these two being honest and sharing feelings that you don't really know which way it will turn out. This is an excellent, fast read and if you've loved Katherine Centers other books you will absolutely love this one too.

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Katherine Center just gets better and better. The romance is perfect, the banter is hilarious, and Jack's parents are adorable. P.S. Did anyone else keep picturing Hannah's boss as J.K. Simmons?

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Wow! Another incredible book by Katherine Center! I devoured this book in two days! Must read! Thank you!!

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This book settles in your heart like moonshine does in your stomach, leaving both all nice and toasty warm. I did need to take a few breaks in-between to wait for my face to cool down but my sister can attest that this book left me blushy and smiley.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC which I received in return for an honest review.

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It is almost as if Katherine Center knew exactly what I needed to read right now…
A perfect rom com. Something slightly predictable, happy, entertaining, funny, and light during a heavy time in our world. I loved every second of this book. Jack is such a heartthrob, I loved his character from the moment that we met him. The fake-couple trope was perfectly executed. Hannah was a tad frustrating at times, but I fell in love with her about half way through and was rooting for her happiness. Although the plot was slightly unbelievable (and extremely predictable) at points, the story kept my attention and I truly couldn’t put this book down. Another amazing read from this author!

Thank you to St. Martins Publishing Group for the Advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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The Bodyguard
by Katherine Center
Pub Date: July 19, 2022
St. Martin's Press
Thanks to Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Katherine Center is “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She's the New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, and What You Wish For. Her summer 2022 book is The Bodyguard. The movie adaptation of her novel The Lost Husband (starring Josh Duhamel) hit #1 on Netflix, and her novel Happiness for Beginners is in production as a Netflix original movie (starring Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes) right now. I have read all her books and find them to be very enjoyable!
This book is like a ray of sunshine. I can't tell you how many times I laughed or smiled. I love the role reversal with the female character being the bodyguard.
Great book!
5 stars

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Katherine Center does it again👏👏👏! Her books are always so well written and her characters are exceptionally developed. The Bodyguard certainly delivered and was a refreshing break from the thrillers I typically read. I found the main characters of this book, Hannah and Jack both likable and relatable. I’m not usually a fan of the ‘fake relationship’ trope but this time around I was sucked right in. This book was a breath of fresh air with its laugh out loud moments, and entertaining plot. There were serious moments as well, yet everything flowed together perfectly in The Bodyguard. Katherine Center’s writing is flawless. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

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This book is the exact reason why I love Katherine Center and her writing. Fun, heartwarming, romantic, sweet, and everything a novel needs to be great! I loved the fact that the lead character was a strong capable, and respected female. I loved how much this book made me laugh. Thank you netgalley for another opportunity to read and review a fantastic book. I can’t wait for her next one!

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Yes! This could possibly be my most favorite Katharine Center book of all time.
For every woman that has been dumped and has questioned their self worth- thank you.

Hannah Brooks is an executive protector. Don’t confuse this with a bodyguard. Her petite size will fool you. She can flip you over your shoulder and pin you down in mere seconds …and that’s exactly what she does to movie star Jack Stapleton at their first meet.

Hannah is fresh off her mothers death, losing her boyfriend and in competition for the job location of her life in London. Being assigned to this hunk was not in the cards.

But his family are so down to earth, friendly and just what she needs to heal.

I couldn’t get enough of this work assignment turned love story- the kind that hits everyone right when they least expect it. Melts my heart.

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I absolutely LOVED this book! Hannah and Jack are great- completely different from what I went in thinking they would be. I loved the story, the characters, the humor, the character development, everything. One of my favorite things was that Hannah refused to get a makeover even though she would be guarding a mega movie star- she refused to change herself for anyone, even with her insecurities- this showed strength of character more than everything else (and she proved herself again and again). Will definitely be checking out this author's other books after this fabulous read.

Will be leaving reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and posting on my bookstagram.

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