Review: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Published by St. Martin's Press on July 2022
Genres: Adult Fiction
Pages: 287
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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She’s got his back.
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindgerten 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.

Katherine Center does it again with a charming, romantic and fun look into a bodyguard and movie star’s relationship with real Notting Hill vibes.

Hannah Brooks could kill you with a pencil… respect lady. I really enjoyed Hannah. She’s strong and has mad skills and doesn’t look like your typical huge brawny bodyguard, and she isn’t supposed to. She accesses risk, plans ahead and is incredibly good at her job. She’s smart and capable and I really enjoyed her work ethic and her intelligence.

Jack reminds me of the handsome action star you would want to meet and fall in love with both on screen and off. It’s easy that he’s charming but I like seeing being the curtain on his own insecurities and family drama. He is like Top Gun Tom Cruise before he was all jumping on the couches.

I am sad that the supporting characters were a little thin. Hannah’s best friend Taylor (! what? did not like that!) is more mean girl and only serves to push Hannah’s storyline forward without the emotional impact I wish was there. Her ex boyfriend (I’m going to call him jerk face but his name was Robby) is more obnoxious alpha male stalker and it’s really hard to see why Hannah would have dated him in the first place, he’s totally icky. That said I did love Glenn (their boss) and Kelly (reminding me of Mindy Kahling in all of her awesomeness).

The chemistry is very natural. It’s easy to see how they both like each other and sure, Hannah has to pretend to be Jack’s girlfriend while they’re with his family (!!!) but the trope doesn’t bother me and it makes Jack and Hannah let their guards down and finally get to know each other.
There is some tension and danger stalker stuff, but it’s kept to a minimum and only at the end is there an actual event that I was afraid for the characters. That’s not bad, but if you’re looking for more action, it’s not this book. That said, there isn’t any real steamy romance sexy time in the book either. As their relationship is mostly during their professional time together, Hannah keeps it very light and PG. But that doesn’t bother me because both of the characters are obviously so into each other, it was a nice slow burn romance that connected me to the characters.

Overall, I think Then Bodyguard is my second favorite book of hers and well worth the read. It’s enjoyable and I couldn’t put it down!