The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center is a delightful romantic comedy that combines humor, heart, and a touch of suspense. Described by bestselling author Emily Henry as “my perfect 10 of a book,” it captures the charm of classic nineties rom-com while delivering Center’s signature depth and emotional resonance.
Book Summary Contents
- 1 The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Book Details
- 2 The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Quotes
- 3 The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Table Of Contents
- 4 The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Book Summary
- 5 About the Author: Katherine Center
- 6 Get Your Copy Of The Book: The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center
The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Book Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher | St. Martin’s Press (July 19, 2022) |
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1250219396 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1250219398 |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Quotes
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It’s so much harder to love someone who’s difficult than to love someone who’s easy.
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You can’t make people love you. But you can give the love you long for out to the world. You can be the love you wish you had. That’s the way to be okay. Because giving love to other people is a way of giving it to yourself
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I think just because you can’t keep something doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it. Nothing lasts forever. What matters is what we take with us.
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And loving other people really does turn out, in the end, to be a genuine way of loving yourself.
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And I guess there really is something profoundly healing about letting somebody love you.
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The people we love help teach us who we are. The best versions of who we are, if we’re lucky.
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I didn’t like her, but I loved her. And he’d underestimated me, as well. Because it’s so much harder to love someone who’s difficult than to love someone who’s easy.
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Every now and then, something really, genuinely true cuts through all the chaos of life and just gets your full attention.
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I think just because you can’t keep something doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it. Nothing lasts forever. What matters is what we take with us.
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And here, right here, is the trouble with being close to other people. The better they know you, the better they can hurt you.
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It’s not all that often that people who’ve wronged you actually apologize. Usually, in my experience, they go on and on maintaining their innocence. Insisting that they weren’t so bad, or they had their reasons, or you were somehow partly to blame.
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Love is something you do. Love is something you generate. And loving other people really does turn out, in the end, to be a genuine way of loving yourself.
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Usually, when you see people for the last time, you don’t know it’s the last time.
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There’s nothing like the mutuality of a hug—the way you’re giving comfort but you’re getting it, too.
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Was I lovable? I mean, are any of us really lovable if you overthink it?
The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Table Of Contents
- Title Page
- Copyright Notice
- Dedication
Chapters:
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Epilogue
- Acknowledgments
- Author’s Note
- Also Katherine Center
- About the Author
The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Book Summary
In The Bodyguard, Katherine Center introduces readers to Hannah Brooks, an Executive Protection Agent who defies expectations with her unassuming appearance. With her gentle demeanor and a look reminiscent of a kindergarten teacher, Hannah is anything but typical in her line of work.
Tasked with protecting the famous actor Jack Stapleton from an unexpected stalker, she quickly finds herself entangled in the glitz and complexities of celebrity life while navigating the challenges of personal connection.
The Setup: A Unique Assignment
Hannah’s life revolves around her job as a bodyguard, where she is used to facing danger head-on and keeping high-profile clients safe. However, her latest assignment proves to be both thrilling and daunting. Jack Stapleton, a household name known for his striking looks and captivating presence, has recently retreated from the public eye following a family tragedy.
Once adored by fans and captured by paparazzi on beaches across the globe, Jack is now seeking refuge at his family’s ranch in Texas. His decision to withdraw is influenced by grief and a desire for privacy, but his new reality comes with unexpected complications.
A Complex Relationship
As Hannah assumes the role of Jack’s girlfriend, she grapples with her own emotions. At first, the pretense feels awkward and unrealistic, especially since her ex had previously made a pointed remark about her lack of romantic appeal. However, as she spends more time with Jack, the lines between act and reality begin to blur.
Jack’s charisma and vulnerability resonate with Hannah, awakening feelings she thought she had buried deep. The chemistry between them grows as they navigate their unique circumstances, creating moments that are both tender and humorous.
Themes of Vulnerability and Healing
The Bodyguard explores the themes of vulnerability and healing, highlighting the emotional walls that both characters have built around themselves. Hannah has her own scars; her past relationships have left her wary of love, and she often doubts her worthiness. As she protects Jack, she finds herself confronting her insecurities while discovering the strength that comes from allowing herself to be seen.
The Conflict: Protecting Hearts
As Hannah and Jack’s relationship deepens, they face a central conflict: the need to protect their hearts. The premise of their relationship is rooted in deception, and Hannah grapples with the fear of falling for Jack, knowing that their circumstances are not typical. The stakes are high, and the risk of heartbreak looms over them as they navigate their feelings.
Hannah’s internal struggle is palpable as she battles between her professional duties and her desires. She is a protector by nature, but in doing so, she risks losing the very connection she has come to cherish. The conflict escalates when outside threats and personal revelations force Hannah to make difficult choices about her future and her relationship with Jack.
The Climax: A Turning Point
The turning point in the novel occurs when the truth about their relationship comes to light. The pressure of maintaining the charade weighs heavily on Hannah, and when their deception is exposed, both characters must confront the reality of their situation. This moment catalyzes growth as they navigate the fallout and reevaluate their feelings for one another.
Hannah learns that while she may have been tasked with protecting Jack physically, it is her own heart that needs guarding. As she grapples with her emotions, she realizes that true vulnerability is not about avoiding pain but about embracing love despite the risks. Similarly, Jack must confront his past and the reasons he withdrew from the public eye, finding the courage to be authentic and vulnerable.
Conclusion: Embracing Love
In the conclusion of The Bodyguard, Katherine Center beautifully ties together the themes of love, vulnerability, and personal growth. Hannah and Jack emerge from their trials stronger and more aware of their feelings for each other. They realize that love is worth the risks and that sometimes, the heart’s desires are worth fighting for.
The novel ends on a hopeful note, showcasing the importance of embracing both joy and heartbreak in the journey of love. Hannah’s character arc comes full circle as she learns to trust herself and her worthiness of love, while Jack finds healing in allowing someone to stand by him.
Katherine Center masterfully crafts a narrative that combines humor and heart, creating a compelling read that resonates with anyone who has faced the complexities of love and the courage it takes to be vulnerable.
About the Author: Katherine Center
Katherine Center has been hailed by BookPage as “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She is a New York Times bestselling author with ten novels to her name, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, The Bodyguard, and her latest release, Hello Stranger. Known for her laugh-and-cry storytelling, Katherine explores the challenges of life and the resilience it takes to rise again after being knocked down.
Her writing has drawn comparisons to literary greats such as Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, with the Dallas Morning News describing her stories as “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” The film adaptation of her novel The Lost Husband, featuring Josh Duhamel, topped the Netflix charts, while her book Happiness for Beginners, starring Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes, is set to premiere on Netflix on July 27.
Katherine’s summer 2022 release, The Bodyguard, quickly became a New York Times bestseller, was featured as a People Best New Books pick, and was nominated for Book of the Year by Book of the Month Club. Bestselling author Emily Henry referred to The Bodyguard as “a shot of pure joy,” while Helen Hoang called it “a perfect feel-good rom-com.”
Currently, Katherine resides in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two children, and their fluffy but fierce dog.
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