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evarano's review
2.0
1.5 ⭐️
When Zac Edwards starts to receive creepy lipstick stained messages from an unknown source around his home and work, he feels worried. As a famous actor, tons of people recognize the handsome movie star. His production company decides that Zac is at risk and needs protection. Bring in Kat Parker, former member of the army, and bodyguard. Zac and Kat first meet in what seems like a coincidental run it-before Zac finds out that Kat has been hired to protect him. Zac is shocked-especially since he had his eyes on Kat from the first moment she spilled her drink on him. As Kat begins her bodyguard duties, both her and Zac quickly realize there is a lot more to their relationship than simply protection.
I would rate this book 1.5. I can't give it a 1 because I still skimmed quickly through the book to see it through. I wasn't taken from it right from the beginning, I finally gave up reading it closely around 15%. Honestly, I was super into the premise of this book, a different kind of story, but ran into so many problems. The story and characters never interested me. There wasn't enough backstory from the beginning and the secrets along the way were too drawn out and anticlimactic. I didn't like the lack of characters and the side plot with Kat's family. I thought the romance between Kat and Zac was extremely lacking. He was drawn to her right from the beginning-but why? It was just never expanded on in a way that bought me. I found Zac cheesy and unlikeable. Kat was a good character, but their relationship was awkward and the way they spoke to each other just came off as odd. The premise of the book is that Zac needs protection from the person leaving the lipstick notes-but then the story just goes off in a different direction. Sadly, this book wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
When Zac Edwards starts to receive creepy lipstick stained messages from an unknown source around his home and work, he feels worried. As a famous actor, tons of people recognize the handsome movie star. His production company decides that Zac is at risk and needs protection. Bring in Kat Parker, former member of the army, and bodyguard. Zac and Kat first meet in what seems like a coincidental run it-before Zac finds out that Kat has been hired to protect him. Zac is shocked-especially since he had his eyes on Kat from the first moment she spilled her drink on him. As Kat begins her bodyguard duties, both her and Zac quickly realize there is a lot more to their relationship than simply protection.
I would rate this book 1.5. I can't give it a 1 because I still skimmed quickly through the book to see it through. I wasn't taken from it right from the beginning, I finally gave up reading it closely around 15%. Honestly, I was super into the premise of this book, a different kind of story, but ran into so many problems. The story and characters never interested me. There wasn't enough backstory from the beginning and the secrets along the way were too drawn out and anticlimactic. I didn't like the lack of characters and the side plot with Kat's family. I thought the romance between Kat and Zac was extremely lacking. He was drawn to her right from the beginning-but why? It was just never expanded on in a way that bought me. I found Zac cheesy and unlikeable. Kat was a good character, but their relationship was awkward and the way they spoke to each other just came off as odd. The premise of the book is that Zac needs protection from the person leaving the lipstick notes-but then the story just goes off in a different direction. Sadly, this book wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
lottiereads24's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
bexdoesbooks's review
3.0
I was a little disappointed with this book. I really wanted to love it however I wasn't hooked on it and felt like I'd been reading it forever. Certainly not the worst book I've read, it was just OK.
ameserole's review
4.0
So this is my second book by this author, Kathryn Freeman, and I can gladly say that I wasn't disappointed. Especially since I got the first book, [b:The New Guy|52958009|The New Guy|Kathryn Freeman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571218491l/52958009._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73790535] as an ARC and now the third book of hers, [b:Strictly Come Dating|54841053|Strictly Come Dating|Kathryn Freeman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596788022l/54841053._SY75_.jpg|85562579], is also an ARC!
After enjoying Up Close and Personal, I'm honestly excited to dive into the next book. I mean, it didn't take long for me to fall in love with Sam and Ryan in the first book. Then after meeting Zac and Kat, it did take me a while to like them. Once they did become likable, it was hard not to see the sexual tension between them. Then it was pretty easy to ship and fall in love with them as well.
Now this isn't my first book where the gender roles are a bit reversed. Meaning, the girl is the bodyguard and the guy is the famous actor. Nor should it be the first book. I mean, anyone can be in any job position so more power to them.
Kat is pretty good at her job. She is smart and calculated and always puts her life on the line. That being said, after meeting Zac.. I don't think she quite expected to fall for him. Or develop any sort of feelings either. Or vice versa. These two were pretty adorable and you could see how genuine they felt for one another. There was just one thing getting in the way: Zac's stalker.
There were some scenes and chapters where you can see Kat getting frustrated with herself for getting easily distracted by Zac. Yet, it was bound to happen when they started to like and flirt with one another. Boundaries were crossed but she still ended up protecting him no matter what. Even if it was a close call a time or two.
Other than that, I feel like the whole stalker situation went by pretty quickly. Then there were some chapters where these two annoyed me. It's like they didn't know how to act towards one another sometimes.. and they would just be petty brats. Eventually they pulled their heads out of their own asses and started to be less annoying (for me).
In the end, I'm down to read the next book. I hope it's another good one.
After enjoying Up Close and Personal, I'm honestly excited to dive into the next book. I mean, it didn't take long for me to fall in love with Sam and Ryan in the first book. Then after meeting Zac and Kat, it did take me a while to like them. Once they did become likable, it was hard not to see the sexual tension between them. Then it was pretty easy to ship and fall in love with them as well.
Now this isn't my first book where the gender roles are a bit reversed. Meaning, the girl is the bodyguard and the guy is the famous actor. Nor should it be the first book. I mean, anyone can be in any job position so more power to them.
Kat is pretty good at her job. She is smart and calculated and always puts her life on the line. That being said, after meeting Zac.. I don't think she quite expected to fall for him. Or develop any sort of feelings either. Or vice versa. These two were pretty adorable and you could see how genuine they felt for one another. There was just one thing getting in the way: Zac's stalker.
There were some scenes and chapters where you can see Kat getting frustrated with herself for getting easily distracted by Zac. Yet, it was bound to happen when they started to like and flirt with one another. Boundaries were crossed but she still ended up protecting him no matter what. Even if it was a close call a time or two.
Other than that, I feel like the whole stalker situation went by pretty quickly. Then there were some chapters where these two annoyed me. It's like they didn't know how to act towards one another sometimes.. and they would just be petty brats. Eventually they pulled their heads out of their own asses and started to be less annoying (for me).
In the end, I'm down to read the next book. I hope it's another good one.
lauren_soderberg's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Kathryn Freeman’s Up Close and Personal is a refreshing twist on the bodyguard trope, and is more layered than you’d expect.
When former soldier Kat Parker is assigned to be heartthrob actor Zac Edwards’s bodyguard, she never expected to be so taken with him. But he has a stalker, and she needs to protect him, so falling for him isn’t in the cards. Zac Edwards may be an actor, but he thrives on keeping his private life private. Being assigned a bodyguard isn’t really his cup of tea, even though this particular bodyguard is absolutely captivating.
I love a good slow burn, and this story definitely delivers on that front. I also enjoyed the fact that Zac and Kat have more to them than meets the eye. You think you know where the story is going, but there are a few interesting twists along the way. I also like how the author inverted the bodyguard trope, as well as how the hero and heroine function in the novel to give her story a fresh take on an old classic.
An ARC was generously provided by NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for my honest review.
Kathryn Freeman’s Up Close and Personal is a refreshing twist on the bodyguard trope, and is more layered than you’d expect.
When former soldier Kat Parker is assigned to be heartthrob actor Zac Edwards’s bodyguard, she never expected to be so taken with him. But he has a stalker, and she needs to protect him, so falling for him isn’t in the cards. Zac Edwards may be an actor, but he thrives on keeping his private life private. Being assigned a bodyguard isn’t really his cup of tea, even though this particular bodyguard is absolutely captivating.
I love a good slow burn, and this story definitely delivers on that front. I also enjoyed the fact that Zac and Kat have more to them than meets the eye. You think you know where the story is going, but there are a few interesting twists along the way. I also like how the author inverted the bodyguard trope, as well as how the hero and heroine function in the novel to give her story a fresh take on an old classic.
An ARC was generously provided by NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for my honest review.
ellsromreads's review
5.0
I actually loved this book so much! Kind of gave me action vibes as well as romance
adeleashley's review
4.0
This was ridiculously cute, even though it’s a pretty predictable story. Kat Parker is a bodyguard who is assigned to Zac Edwards, the latest heartthrob actor to hit the big screen. Zac is charming, hot, talented and determined to woo Kat, however, Kat’s main focus is keeping Zac safe from his stalker, while also juggling her family obligations.
It’s a quick will they/ won’t they romance, with a touch of intrigue and angst, making it the perfect page turner to read in one sitting.
It’s a quick will they/ won’t they romance, with a touch of intrigue and angst, making it the perfect page turner to read in one sitting.
aprilalwayswithabook's review
3.0
Fun and easy and light. Some of the small details didn't make a lot of sense to me, like Mark having a thing for her, but overall it was easy and cute.
jenarnold's review
2.0
Up Close and Personal features Kat as a bodyguard to ultra-hot and charming Zac Edwards.
While I liked Kat and Zac separately, I felt nothing for their relationship. It felt forced, and they were constantly second guessing what the other person felt based on various statements from the other person. It was really frustrating. I wanted to see more build to their relationship. I didn’t even enjoy their meet cute because it felt as though Zac just assumed Kat would like him because he was a movie star.
Also, this book felt too long. It just kept going and going after both Zac and Kat’s secrets were revealed.
I was disappointed as I was really excited to get this book after I read Freeman’s The New Guy.
While I liked Kat and Zac separately, I felt nothing for their relationship. It felt forced, and they were constantly second guessing what the other person felt based on various statements from the other person. It was really frustrating. I wanted to see more build to their relationship. I didn’t even enjoy their meet cute because it felt as though Zac just assumed Kat would like him because he was a movie star.
Also, this book felt too long. It just kept going and going after both Zac and Kat’s secrets were revealed.
I was disappointed as I was really excited to get this book after I read Freeman’s The New Guy.