A review by queerafictionado
Cover Story by Rachel Lacey

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

A fake dating celebrity/bodyguard romance written by one of my favorite authors - what’s not to love?! After reading Stars Collide, which was absolutely wonderful, I was very excited to find out Taylor the bodyguard would be getting her own spinoff. And Rachel Lacey did not disappoint with this one! I loved the organic and palpable chemistry between these two. The desire and attraction was there from the beginning, but it was far from romantic. In fact, it was a bit clumsy and awkward which made it even better! Cause seriously…imagine walking the red carpet with someone you just met and pretending to be dating. 😳 But the sapphic pining. The “should we, shouldn’t we”. The growing emotional connection. The building sexual tension. And once that fire heats up…oh damn! THE CLOSET SCENE!!! 🥵🫠 ::swoon:: IYKYK! Natalie and Taylor, along with the adorable boxers, Luna and Orion, and rescue kitty Cassie, stole my heart! And if you love grand gestures…just you wait! 

Natalie’s story was told with such care and compassion. Her trauma from being stalked and abducted by a fan and the sense of safety that experience stole from her, leaving her in a constant state of alertness, always looking over her shoulder and being overcome with fear nearly 24/7. Plus the loss of her mom at a young age and being raised by an inattentive aunt and uncle who never seemed to truly care for her, let alone love her. Failed relationships. Layers of life experiences that make it nearly impossible for her to let anyone into her world, let alone her heart. Rachel captured her journey through trauma and toward healing beautifully in these pages. I could feel her fear, her sadness. Her healing, much like the embers of desire between her and Taylor, took awhile to really ignite - but it was so worth it! And so powerful to witness.

Taylor also had her own struggles. After a fall and injury to her back she is finally ready to go back to active duty. Even though (secretly) her back isn’t quite ready yet. But between her career in the army and her career as a bodyguard, it’s all she knows. And watching her battle all this on her own was heartbreaking. I know what it’s like when so much of your identity is wrapped in your career and then you lose that part of you. It feels like losing yourself. Which is why Taylor minimizes her pain and fights through. She doesn’t know who she would be without this part of her. 

I love a good “I never felt safe until I met you” kind of story. And if you love them like I do then you will love Cover Story. This element of the story is part of why I found Nat and Taylor’s relationship to be so authentic and their connection real. Nat had top of the line security and a bodyguard already. It wasn’t just having a bodyguard that had her suddenly finding a sense of safety she never thought she would. It was Taylor’s specific kind of care, attentiveness, and protection. It was simply Taylor.

I also love how Rachel wove elements of suspense and mystery into the novel. It took the celebrity, fake dating tropes and elevated them into something new and different. It was intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! I also love Rachel’s intentionality in creating a diverse cast of characters with her books. There were so many amazing and lovable side characters - Jeremy, Ali, Tommy, Taylor’s parents! There was truly not a single character I didn’t like (well except for the stalker of course). Add to all that the astronomy pieces and aptly named pets, a backyard observatory, and stolen moments under the stars…this book contained a whole galaxy!

Basically….I love Rachel Lacey. I love this book. And I highly recommend it! Go read it and then check out her backlist titles too! 

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Lesbian MCs, Veteran MC; Gay, Chinese, Black, & Latine SCs, Disabled SC

📝Tropes/Themes: Fake Relationship, Celebrity Romance,  Star Gazing, Bodyguard/Actress, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, California, Movie Set, Trauma & Healing, Adorable Dogs/Kitten
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