By: Katherine Center
ISBN: 978-1250219398
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 07/19/2022
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Patti Murin
Macmillan Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center's The Bodyguard is unabashedly romantic, laugh-out-loud funny, and the perfect summer listen.
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 (a.k.a. "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.
Praise
"Utterly charming... Center's latest might be her most winning yet. It's not only a must-read for her fans, but it will likely garner her new devotees as well."
--Booklist (starred review)
One of PopSugar's 87 Romance Novels That Will Give You All the Feelings
"Center brings her signature warmth and wit to this movie-ready premise, blending a heartwarming romance with quirky side characters and even a little bit of action. Hannah is an endearing and vulnerable lead underneath her serious, tough-girl exterior. Center delivers another satisfying, romantic read with a swoonworthy hero and a delightful main character."
--Kirkus
"This fun new novel by Katherine Center feels like a summertime blockbuster. On the surface, it's a light-hearted romance, but it packs a bit of an emotional punch (along with some actual punches!)."
--Country Living
"Center’s confection satisfies on its own terms."
--Publishers Weekly
One of PopSugar's 87 Romance Novels That Will Give You All the Feelings
“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
“Great rollicking fun! Prepare to laugh and swoon and grin your pants off.”
―Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart Principle
"I sit down with a Katherine Center novel the way many do in front of a favorite holiday meal: with salivating, wide-eyed anticipation. As always, Center’s writing wallops readers with wisdom, wit, and a deep understanding of her dimensional characters. And The Bodyguard is pure, unvarnished delight. It sparkles bright with flirtation, banter, and the all-encompassing thrill of falling in love over a thousand tiny moments of connection. I closed this book with the biggest smile and the deepest, satisfied sigh."
―Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate Equation
"An irresistible, delightful, perfect read. Clear the calendar, settle in your favorite chair and enjoy every amazing word. Then tell your boss you're going to need the next day off, because you're going to want to read it again!!
―Susan Mallery, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Getaway
"The Bodyguard is absolutely, unequivocally delightful!"
―Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here
“The Bodyguard was such a delight from the first page to the last. It was the experience from a book I’m always looking for and very rarely find.”
―Julie Buxbaum, New York Times bestselling author of Year on Fire
My Review
Bestselling Author Katherine Center returns with her winning signature style in THE BODYGUARD—a witty, charming, heartwarming romance perfect for a summer beach escape.
Hannah is a trained Executive Protection Agent (Bodyguard). She travels the world on assignments and has just been hired to protect a famous movie star. She always competes with her former boyfriend at work, who does not appreciate her.
Jack Stapleton is a real looker and receives stalking threats from a woman.
Jack's mom is sick, so they must go to a Texas ranch for the holidays where his family lives while staying with them. Hannah is supposed to be his girlfriend (or pretending for their parent's sake). Fake dating which may turn into something more.
Even though on stage, he dates someone who is all glam, and Hannah is just a regular girl, genuine, with lots of heart and smarts —without all the fake.
They do not want the parents to worry about the stalker. However, Jack's family, especially the mom, falls for Hannah, and their stay gets extended.
The unlikely pair develop some sparks with a bit of romance, fun, quirks, and witty banter. When danger arises, Hannah is there to do what she does best - thinking fast and on her feet.
DELIGHTFUL! A mix of romcom, humor, action, romance. Soulful, heartwarming, and full of wisdom and life-lessons.
The author always pulls out all the stops with her endearing characters and delightful vivid settings. Hannah is a gem under her rough exterior and a relatable strong female protagonist with a cast of supporting fun characters.
I listened to the audiobook, and Patti Murin, the narrator, delivered an entertaining performance which I thoroughly enjoyed. A perfect listen for the beach, your summer vacation, a cozy porch read, or a hammock.
You cannot go wrong with any KC book! Made for the small or big screen.
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for an ARC to listen to, enjoy, and review.
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: 07/19/2022
About the Author
Photo Credit: Skylar Reeves Photography
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. WEBSITE
