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A review by amym84
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
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