By: Katherine Center
It was not until I sat down to write this post that I realized two things about myself. One, I am a sucker for a romance novel featuring a male movie star falling in love (see reviews of Donut Fall in Love, Birds of California, Funny You Should Ask and Nora Goes Off Script) and two, my god, will I buy a book LITERALLY FOR ITS COVER. I actually need to purchase a new bookshelf so that I can display these books in all of their glory.
This is my first Katherine Center book and it was a sneak, sneaky attack surprise for me. WHICH I WILL CLARIFY IS A GOOD THING. I bought it because I genuinely loved the cover and I could snag a signed copy. (A THIRD note about myself. Ahem.) While the main characters have experienced dark trauma or tragedy in their past, this is detailed solely through expository conversation between characters. The rest of the plot follows a 1980-90s romantic comedy storyline and frankly, I was here for it.
Jack Stapleton is a recluse movie actor and a former People’s Sexiest Man Alive. After his younger brother’s untimely death two years ago, he dropped out of the public eye and moved to rural North Dakota. While he declared he retired from acting, he is still under studio contract for an action movie sequel. When his mother is diagnosed with cancer, he returns to his family’s Texas ranch to spend time with her. Unfortunately, a downside to Jack’s fame is his corgi-loving, middle aged Houston-based stalker. To protect their asset, the studio hires a protection service company to look after Jack during his visit. Jack wants to minimize his family’s stress, so he somehow convinces the protection service agency to camouflage his bodyguard by telling his family she is his girlfriend instead.
Hannah Brooks prefers to live life always on the move. Suffering from unresolved trust issues due to a turbulent childhood, work is her life and she keeps most people at arm’s length. As a trained, elite bodyguard for the very rich, she travels the world fading into the background of someone else’s life. Her boyfriend and her best friend are also her coworkers and it is clear that Hannah’s personal life is non-existent. Although no longer close, when Hannah’s mother dies, it throws her into a personal crisis, especially after her boyfriend unexpectedly dumps her for her best friend. Then, her over-demanding and boundary-crossing boss pressures Hannah to pretend to be Jack’s girlfriend for the duration of this job. Things become further complicated when Jack’s ill mother requests Jack and Hannah move to the family ranch for several weeks.
I most appreciated that the dialogue between Jack and Hannah fueled the plot, but also seemed realistic and true to their characters. It allowed the reader to better understand the characters as people and how their relationship would work long term. They showed that they trusted and respected each other by sharing private pain and joy, but also had a similar sense of humor and outlook on life. I enjoyed that they learned a lot from each other; one character didn’t just SAVE the other.
Some of the book was unnecessarily formulaic. While Jack and Hannah were fully formed characters, several of the minor players were almost cartoonishly bad or good. (I am looking at you Robbie and Kennedy Monroe.) All loose ends are perfectly tied up. I mean, even the deranged kidnapper gets a happy ending! But, this only slightly damped my enjoyment. It was a light, charming read. The banter between the two main characters was I sped through the novel and found myself reading a page here or there when I had planned to be folding laundry or starting dinner. I absolutely recommend this book and plan on adding some other Katherine Center books to my very long TBR pile!
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bodyguard-katherine-center/1139985495?ean=9781250219398
Or at an independent bookshop. I purchased this SIGNED copy for my nonexistent bookshelf at Blue Willow Bookshop. It included a charming friendship pin from the author! https://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/book/9781250219398