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cheye13's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was lovely, cute, and charming, if a little unremarkable. The relationship was sweet with the right level of push and pull, the characters had substance, and the plot was engaging. The writing was both skillful and easy to read. And even the heat level (or lack of one) was perfect for my tastes.
What I mainly felt was missing was more of a deep-dive into the leads' careers. I'm not one to say one's career fully defines one's personality, but both of these characters seemed so defined by their unique careers that it would've been fun to push a little further into that. Particularly Hannah – we never leave her POV, she has such a unique career, and she definitively, on-page, defines herself by her excellence in that career. Instead we get a lot of moping about her ex and best friend. And while that's completely warranted and doesn't detract from her as a character, it would be nice if she'd been a little more fleshed out, especially as our first-person narrator.
What I mainly felt was missing was more of a deep-dive into the leads' careers. I'm not one to say one's career fully defines one's personality, but both of these characters seemed so defined by their unique careers that it would've been fun to push a little further into that. Particularly Hannah – we never leave her POV, she has such a unique career, and she definitively, on-page, defines herself by her excellence in that career. Instead we get a lot of moping about her ex and best friend. And while that's completely warranted and doesn't detract from her as a character, it would be nice if she'd been a little more fleshed out, especially as our first-person narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Stalking, and Alcoholism
Minor: Gun violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
also note: detailed descriptions and phobia of drowningmadsmcw_reads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Alcoholism, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Alcohol
decklededgess's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rigger warnings: cancer, emotional abuse, alcoholism, alcohol, death, car accident, physical injury, gun violence, stalking, death threats, suicide mention, drowning
What a weird ass book in the best way possible. I expected to enjoy this book what with it being fake dating AND forced proximity but the added benefit of an incredible narrator’s voice and amazing comedic timing really hit the ball out of the park with this book.
I enjoyed the narration and first person pov so much! It made for an incredibly engrossing reading experience, it felt like someone catching me up on their life after years apart.
I loved Hannah and Jack. Their goofy chemistry really hooked me. The yearning and slow burn of it all was so gratifying and the payoff at the end was supreme.
I also loved Hannah’s character growth from self loathing and escapism to acceptance and love.
I felt like the epilogue really went on for too long mainly because it was a lot of telling and no showing but it was fun all the same.
What a weird ass book in the best way possible. I expected to enjoy this book what with it being fake dating AND forced proximity but the added benefit of an incredible narrator’s voice and amazing comedic timing really hit the ball out of the park with this book.
I enjoyed the narration and first person pov so much! It made for an incredibly engrossing reading experience, it felt like someone catching me up on their life after years apart.
I loved Hannah and Jack. Their goofy chemistry really hooked me. The yearning and slow burn of it all was so gratifying and the payoff at the end was supreme.
I also loved Hannah’s character growth from self loathing and escapism to acceptance and love.
I felt like the epilogue really went on for too long mainly because it was a lot of telling and no showing but it was fun all the same.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Blood, Cancer, Death, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Vomit, Car accident, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts
alisonreadsitall's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was my first book by Katherine Center, and it certainly did not disappoint!! I can't wait to start reading her other books.
Hannah Brooks is not your average bodyguard - she's what's known as an executive protection agent. After her mother's sudden death, she tries to throw herself back into work, but her boss forces her to take some time off, and her jerk of a boyfriend (who also happens to be her coworker) dumps her the day after her mother's funeral. She desperately needs an escape to a far-off country with work to keep her mind off her of personal life imploding, but along comes Jack Stapleton.
Jack Stapleton has moved back to Houston, TX to visit his sick mother, and Hannah is assigned to be his lead protection. Jack doesn't want to stress his mother out about his little stalker problem, so he convinces Hannah, against her better judgement, to be his fake girlfriend for a few weeks. What could possibly go wrong??
The Bodyguard is the definition of a swoon worthy romantic comedy, but does deal with some difficult topics in between all the adorableness. I absolutely loved this book - I laughed, smiled and even shed a few tears. The Narrator, Patti Murin, was fantastic! I think she added so much to the flow of the story, and the character voices were great. I highly recommend this one as an audiobook, and would love to see it turned into a movie!!
Tropes: Fake Relationship
CW: death of a sibling, death of a parent, stalking, gun violence, toxic relationships
Thank you to Katherine Center, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
The book comes out July 19, 2022, so make sure to get your pre-order in now!
Hannah Brooks is not your average bodyguard - she's what's known as an executive protection agent. After her mother's sudden death, she tries to throw herself back into work, but her boss forces her to take some time off, and her jerk of a boyfriend (who also happens to be her coworker) dumps her the day after her mother's funeral. She desperately needs an escape to a far-off country with work to keep her mind off her of personal life imploding, but along comes Jack Stapleton.
Jack Stapleton has moved back to Houston, TX to visit his sick mother, and Hannah is assigned to be his lead protection. Jack doesn't want to stress his mother out about his little stalker problem, so he convinces Hannah, against her better judgement, to be his fake girlfriend for a few weeks. What could possibly go wrong??
The Bodyguard is the definition of a swoon worthy romantic comedy, but does deal with some difficult topics in between all the adorableness. I absolutely loved this book - I laughed, smiled and even shed a few tears. The Narrator, Patti Murin, was fantastic! I think she added so much to the flow of the story, and the character voices were great. I highly recommend this one as an audiobook, and would love to see it turned into a movie!!
Tropes: Fake Relationship
CW: death of a sibling, death of a parent, stalking, gun violence, toxic relationships
Thank you to Katherine Center, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
The book comes out July 19, 2022, so make sure to get your pre-order in now!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Death, and Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
emileereadsbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the gifted book!
Well Katherine Center does it again. How she manages to write these endearing sweet love stories with just enough of real life peppered in is beyond me. I am not a big romance reader but I cannot get enough of her books. They are low steam, but the kisses are enough to have you fanning yourself. In this one I kept being delightfully surprised at the twists and turns of the plot. And the main characters were *chef's kiss* perfection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Stalking
Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, and Cancer
amym84's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Hannah Brooks is one of the best Executive Protection Agents (aka Bodyguards) around. She's dedicated to her job and loves the company she works for. But after the sudden death of her mother, instead of taking time off, Hannah wants to jump right back into the grind. Doubly so as a potential promotion is hanging in the air between Hannah and a fellow agent. Hannah's latest assignment has her guarding superstar Jack Stapleton.
Jack Stapleton left fame behind a few years ago after a family tragedy. Now, he's back in Texas after his mother falls ill. With the studios betting on a comeback, they're still quite invested in Jack, and due to some over-zealous stalkers in his past, they can't be too careful. Enter Hannah as Jack's bodyguard. Trying to keep his stalker, and need for a bodyguard, a secret, Jack asks Hannah to pose as his girlfriend.
What starts out as a simple job, ends up helping both Jack and Hannah heal in ways they didn't know they needed.
I'm not typically one to read an arc so far in advance, but I'll always jump to read what Katherine Center puts out.
From the onset, I felt like The Bodyguard was going to be different than what I've previously read from Katherine Center. In a way it is, I felt like it was a lot more comedic. You almost feel like with a title like The Bodyguard you're going to get something in the realm of superhero. At least that's how I initially felt when I read the title. And if I'm being honest, Hannah is very superhero-like. One of the elements that can always be counted on from a Katherine Center book is a strong central heroine. Whether trying to make it in a man's profession, pushing themselves past physical trauma, or standing up for and fighting for what they believe, they're all strong women. From her job, we know Hannah is strong. In this instance, it's the vulnerability that she needs to work on. Knowing that it's ok to grieve or not know how to grieve. Accepting that she doesn't have to be perfect always.
I loved the bonding that happens between Jack and Hannah. It's slight animosity at first, but they just naturally click with one another. Neither of them lets the other get away with their hand ups which, in Jack's case, is especially refreshing as he's typically surrounded by people who are only around to do what he wants. In that way, Hannah ends up helping Jack heal and helping his family heal as sometimes only a person coming into a situation with a different perspective can.
Seeing Jack and Hannah slowly work their way towards each other is near magical. I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to revisiting it closer to publication. Katherine Center is an auto-read for me on a normal day, if you've new to her as an author, hurry now and pick up everything she's ever written.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Jack Stapleton left fame behind a few years ago after a family tragedy. Now, he's back in Texas after his mother falls ill. With the studios betting on a comeback, they're still quite invested in Jack, and due to some over-zealous stalkers in his past, they can't be too careful. Enter Hannah as Jack's bodyguard. Trying to keep his stalker, and need for a bodyguard, a secret, Jack asks Hannah to pose as his girlfriend.
What starts out as a simple job, ends up helping both Jack and Hannah heal in ways they didn't know they needed.
I'm not typically one to read an arc so far in advance, but I'll always jump to read what Katherine Center puts out.
From the onset, I felt like The Bodyguard was going to be different than what I've previously read from Katherine Center. In a way it is, I felt like it was a lot more comedic. You almost feel like with a title like The Bodyguard you're going to get something in the realm of superhero. At least that's how I initially felt when I read the title. And if I'm being honest, Hannah is very superhero-like. One of the elements that can always be counted on from a Katherine Center book is a strong central heroine. Whether trying to make it in a man's profession, pushing themselves past physical trauma, or standing up for and fighting for what they believe, they're all strong women. From her job, we know Hannah is strong. In this instance, it's the vulnerability that she needs to work on. Knowing that it's ok to grieve or not know how to grieve. Accepting that she doesn't have to be perfect always.
I loved the bonding that happens between Jack and Hannah. It's slight animosity at first, but they just naturally click with one another. Neither of them lets the other get away with their hand ups which, in Jack's case, is especially refreshing as he's typically surrounded by people who are only around to do what he wants. In that way, Hannah ends up helping Jack heal and helping his family heal as sometimes only a person coming into a situation with a different perspective can.
Seeing Jack and Hannah slowly work their way towards each other is near magical. I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to revisiting it closer to publication. Katherine Center is an auto-read for me on a normal day, if you've new to her as an author, hurry now and pick up everything she's ever written.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Death
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