The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Narrated by Patti Murin

Standalone Clean Romance.

I picked up The Bodyguard by Katherine Center because I saw it was on a lot of people’s Best of 2022 lists, and she is a totally new author to me. I’m really glad I picked this one up!

“I feel like I’ve been lost all my life until now- and somehow with you I’m just… found.”

There is more to The Bodyguard than the blurb and cover let on. It sounds like a typical trope with a gender reversal, but it just felt like more. Hannah is an Executive Protection Agent. In other words, she’s a well-trained bodyguard who works with high-end clients who don’t want to look like they have a bodyguard.

Hannah was not the warmest of heroines. She is tough, obsessed with work, and not the most feminine, fashionable woman. When her mom dies and her douchebag boyfriend dumps her for her best friend within a few days, she is sent on a mission close to home that won’t require as much precision.

She will be guarding Hollywood superstar Jack Stapleton from a stalker while he is home in TX caring for his sick mother. But Hannah will be posing as his girlfriend so as not to worry his mother. With her self-esteem completely shot, she doesn’t think she can pull it off, but Jack was the positive burst of sunshine she needed.

This reverse grumpy/sunshine romance was a lot of fun, but there were definitely some deep and serious themes throughout, and I did tear up several times. Jack and his family were so wonderful, I loved how their positivity brought out the best in Hannah.

Likes:

I love the gender reversal.
It’s rare that SHE is they grump and HE is the sunshine.
A little suspense.
Unique and pretty memorable.
Great banter.
Hannah’s inner dialogue.
I liked the side characters.

Dislikes:

Robbie was too much of an obvious douche. Why did she ever date him?
There is no excuse for a bodyguard to not have a hidden gun.

The Narration:

I think Patti Murin is a new narrator to me, and I absolutely loved her. She brought this story to life and I highly recommend the audible version of this book.

The Down & Dirty:

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center is on a lot of people’s Best of 22 lists for good reason. Despite having some heavy moments, the overall book had me smiling and enjoying it the entire time. I loved the reversals: SHE is the bodyguard and the grump, and HE is the ray of sunshine. This is a great clean romcom you can read at Grandma’s because there is no sex at all, though you still felt the chemistry.