Katherine Center’s newest release, The Bodyguard, is set to hit shelves on July 19. This rom-com introduces readers to Hannah Gates, an executive protection agent, and Jack Stapleton, a Hollywood actor. Jack’s people have hired Hannah’s company to protect him while home visiting family as he has a stalker nearby. A mistake in identity leads to hilarious circumstances, and a chance meeting with family changes the relationship. In the end, who is protecting who?
I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Bodyguard. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
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 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 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.
Positives
One of the things I liked most about this book was the character growth of Hannah and Jack. Both start as relatively shallow people, more interested in the end goal than the game itself. As the story progresses and you learn more about each character, you understand where they are coming from and see them grow and change.
Negatives
If I have to choose one negative, it is the epilogue. In all honesty, it did not need to be there. Some parts tie into the story nicely and help add the bow on top. But other parts didn’t need to be there.
My Opinions
The Bodyguard is a pretty easy read, perfect for the summer! This rom-com offers some fake dating with a grumpy-sunshine twist. I’ll let you figure out which one is which!
For a romance, there is little to no steam on or off the page. There are a couple of kissing scenes, but those are in the last third of the book. I’m okay with steam on the page, but it is also nice to read a book without it.
Is it wrong of me to want to see this book adapted? I want to see Hannah and Jack interact in real life, I want to see her get upset when he calls her ordinary, and I want to see him laugh when she screams at the cow.
Are you looking for a fun book that is super easy to read? A book that you can take on vacation? Or one to curl up with on a rainy day? Do you enjoy smiling and laughing while reading romances? Then I think you should check out The Bodyguard.
Looking for some more books to read? Check out my other book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.
This sounds cute. I do love it when both characters in a rom-com have character growth like this, rather than just one of them!
I’m so looking forward to reading this one! I loved her two previous books. 🙂