***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center's The Bodyguard is unabashedly romantic, laugh-out-loud funny, and the perfect summer read.
“Great rollicking fun! Prepare to laugh and swoon and grin your pants off.”—Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart Principle
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 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.
More Praise for The Bodyguard: “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
"The Bodyguard is absolutely, unequivocally delightful!"—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center was one of my most anticipated books of 2022 and it did not disappoint. The book is fun and fast-paced, and I couldn’t put this one down until I finished it.
Hannah Brooks has been in the Executive Protection Agent game for a while now. Although petite, she knows how to pack a punch if needed, and more importantly, she knows how to prevent an altercation before it starts and that is why she is one of the top agents at her agency.
Jack Stapleton is a famous movie star who suddenly stopped making movies after the tragic death of his brother. He’s now a recluse who lives in the mountains of North Dakota (who knew ND has mountains!) and has not had a press interview in years and lives off-grid.
When Jack has to return to Houston to be with his mother who has health issues, Hannah’s agency is hired to protect him. Hannah wants no part in protecting a movie star but is convinced to do the job anyway. But, Jack insists she pretends to be his girlfriend so his mother won’t know that he needs protection. And their time together eventually becomes more than a fake relationship.
When I read the blurb for this book I was not very interested in the story. I tend to avoid stories with movie stars as main characters, but this is written by Katherine Center, so I thought I would take a chance and I’m so glad I did. Jack is a megastar, but he’s been damaged and in hiding, so he’s more down to earth than I would think a megastar would be. However, he still has his issues, and Hannah is not afraid of calling him out! I just loved their relationship, as she was never star-struck, and he wasn’t narcissistic. There is a little bit of mystery in the book too as Jack has a stalker, and that helped move the book along as I couldn’t wait to find out who was after Jack.
Did I mention that this book is funny? It’s hilarious and joyful. What I love about this author is how she can write an emotional book and make it fun too.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good rom-com. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Katherine Center
BookPage calls Katherine Center “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 her newest, What You Wish For. Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” Her books have made countless Best-Of lists, including RealSimple’s Best Books of 2020, Amazon’s Top 100 Books of 2019, Goodreads’ Best Books of the Year, and many more. Bestselling author Emily Henry calls her summer 2022 book, The Bodyguard, “a shot of pure joy.” The movie adaptation of Katherine’s novel The Lost Husband (starring Josh Duhamel) hit #1 on Netflix, and her novel Happiness for Beginners is in production now as a Netflix original starring Ellie Kemper. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.
I’m so happy to see you enjoyed this one as much as I did! I had the same thoughts: I’m not big on movie star romances, either. But it’s Katherine Center, and I trust her completely. Haha!
As you know I loved this one, too! And I feel the same about books with a movie star as the love interest, but being that it was Katherine Center I trusted I’d love it. Great review, Wendy!
I’m the same as you as I tend to avoid the movie star books. Not sure why, I seem to have my own crushes on real movie stars, lol. This was my first Katherine Center book, are her others rom-coms or women’s fiction? They looked like women’s fiction so I didn’t try them. Great review!
The mountains in North Dakota are more like hills, lol. I feel like that’s true everywhere in the US except western states. The funny thing is countries in Europe and Asia are probably like, “Rocky Mountains? More like Rocky hills.” LOL. It’s all a matter of perspective, I guess.
As far as the book, I’m so glad you loved it. I’ve been wanting to read this one too and I’m sure I’ll love it too. 😀
I’m so glad this book surprised you by having characters you thought you wouldn’t like but loved. That’s a good author. I loved this one myself. I hope she writes more like it.
I enjoyed this one as well (except the language) and didn’t feel like the stalker situation was handled realistically…plus a few parts in the epilogue. Glad you love it!! It was really funny and different from other books.
I have the audio version (gifted as part of a virtual event) but I might also have to get the ebook. I’ve been so curious about this one and your review sold me!
I’m so happy to see you enjoyed this one as much as I did! I had the same thoughts: I’m not big on movie star romances, either. But it’s Katherine Center, and I trust her completely. Haha!
I really need to read this one! Great review!
You’ve convinced me. This one is on hold at the library as well.
Humour and emotion sounds a great combination. Lovely review Wendy and so glad you enjoyed this so much better than you’d expected
As you know I loved this one, too! And I feel the same about books with a movie star as the love interest, but being that it was Katherine Center I trusted I’d love it. Great review, Wendy!
I’m the same as you as I tend to avoid the movie star books. Not sure why, I seem to have my own crushes on real movie stars, lol. This was my first Katherine Center book, are her others rom-coms or women’s fiction? They looked like women’s fiction so I didn’t try them. Great review!
They are a bit of both. She has a great sense of humor, but it’s not overpowering like some romcoms. I’ve liked every book she’s written
I’ve seen lots of positive reviews for this author, I think it’s time I read one of hers. This sounds good!
She’s consistently good, and I’ve read everything she’s written.
This one sounds so fun and I’ve been really wanting to read this author. This sounds like a good one to start with!
She’s one of my favorite authors. They are all good IMO. Hope you enjoy it.
Good review, Wendy. It sounds funny.
Thank you, Linda
The mountains in North Dakota are more like hills, lol. I feel like that’s true everywhere in the US except western states. The funny thing is countries in Europe and Asia are probably like, “Rocky Mountains? More like Rocky hills.” LOL. It’s all a matter of perspective, I guess.
As far as the book, I’m so glad you loved it. I’ve been wanting to read this one too and I’m sure I’ll love it too. 😀
I agree. I guess the people of North Dakota believe they are mountains!
I’m glad you enjoyed the book as much as I did Wendy! Great review!
It sure was a good one.
Sounds fun.
Thank you, Rosie
I love books that make you laugh lots but still have a great storyline, great review 💕
Thank you, Jenny!
Excellent review! I enjoyed this also, fake relationship is a favorite trope for me.
Me too! Fake relationships is so much fun.
I’m so glad this one didn’t disappoint. I’m really looking forward to reading it; I just need my library hold to come in. 😀
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I’m so glad this book surprised you by having characters you thought you wouldn’t like but loved. That’s a good author. I loved this one myself. I hope she writes more like it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it as well!
I’ve been looking forward to your thoughts on this. Lovely review Wendy!
Thank you, Rae!
I enjoyed this one as well (except the language) and didn’t feel like the stalker situation was handled realistically…plus a few parts in the epilogue. Glad you love it!! It was really funny and different from other books.
It was fun overall. I can understand your issues with the book.
I have the audio version (gifted as part of a virtual event) but I might also have to get the ebook. I’ve been so curious about this one and your review sold me!
I think you’ll enjoy it Tessa!
I’m the same way – I rarely read books that feature movie stars as characters. Glad this one was an exception, Wendy. Looks like you enjoyed it!
Thank you, Teri. This turned out to be a good exception!
Wonderful review Wendy. I have got to move this one up! I can’t wait to read it!🤗📚💕
It’s really a good one, Susan. I hope you enjoy it!