It seems like every other book review I do is from Katherine Center, but hey, when you find an author you like, you read everything they’ve written. I received The Bodyguard as my Book of the Month pick earlier this summer. Katherine Center did not disappoint! Here is the book’s description:
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.
What I Liked About the Book
Although Hannah is not my favorite main character out of Katherine Center’s other books, she did remind me a little bit of firefighter Cassie in Things You Save in a Fire. Like Cassie, Hannah is the best at her job and totally focused on her career and not much else. I also enjoyed Hannah’s Miss Congeniality moments where she is expected to look like the girlfriend of Jack Stapleton for her protection assignment, and everyone at her job basically tells her she looks ugly. Of course, she’s not ugly if America’s sweetheart Jack Stapleton likes her.
I really enjoyed Jack’s character and background story, too. He seemed like the most down to earth person a celebrity could turn out to be. I found Hannah and Jack’s banter adorable, as always. Katherine Center does such a good job creating dialog between love interests that is easy, relatable, and realistic. Sometimes, dialog can feel forced in books, but that is not the case in Katherine Center’s writing.
My Critiques
Although I enjoyed the book, this one was slightly less believable to me with the celebrity stalker aspect. Jack’s stalker apparently is a crazed lunatic with Corgi puppies who knits him sweaters but also sends him nudes and stalks his whereabouts. But it was also funny.
My Verdict: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center is a Must Read
I gave this book 4.5 stars. It’s the perfect balance of a funny, heartwarming romance and drama. There was a twist towards the end that kept me reading! I highly recommend this one if you love romantic comedies. I could totally see this book becoming a Hallmark movie (and I mean that as a compliment since I love Hallmark movies).
Books Similar to The Bodyguard
Barnes and Noble recommends Happy Place by Emily Henry and Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Of course, you can always check out Katherine Center’s other books. I loved all of them, but I recommend Things You Save in a Fire as most similar to The Bodyguard.
The Traveling Bookworm 