Book Review: Beachside Kisses With My Bodyguard (Hallmark Beach Small Town Romance #1) by Kristin Canary

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 326 pages
Author: Kristin Canary
Publisher: Blue Aster Press
Release Date: October 11th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the author of the bestselling California Dreamin’ sweet romantic comedy series comes a new adventure in the small town of Hallmark Beach…

All I wanted to do was throw my brother a surprise early wedding.
As the prince of a small country, his wedding day has been eclipsed by pomp and circumstance—and he and his fiancée deserve more. So when I find myself in a charming small town on the coast of California, I decide to plan them the perfect royal wedding without all the cameras and expectations.

But as a princess, I can’t be here alone.
So my brother sends along the country’s top bodyguard—his best mate, Frederick. Who ALSO happens to be the man I’m completely mad about. Not that either of them know that.

Then, assumptions are made …
That’s right. The townspeople who are helping me plan the wedding assume that I’m the bride—and that Frederick’s the groom. But it makes the perfect cover story. They’ll never suspect it’s actually Prince Topher’s nuptials I’m planning. We can keep this royal wedding under wraps from the press.

A fake engagement is the perfect plan.
But I didn’t quite think through how it would be to pretend with him. To hug him. To share a room with him. To kiss him. In fact, it’s going to take all the mental and emotional strength I have to remember that this fake engagement to my brother’s best friend … isn’t real. No matter how brilliantly we might fit together.

Thank you to the author for an ebook!

CHARMED.

I love bodyguard romances, but rarely find any that I’m intrigued to pick up. I loved the way the trope was used here and Chloe and Frederick were insanely sweet and I couldn’t get enough of the mutual pining.

While the third act did make me a little cranky (I’m never a fan of, I’m doing this for you, without actually listening to the other person). BUT. I will say the way it was handled after made me moderately less cranky. There were some good and very needed conversations that I loved seeing.

The small town was sweet, everything you expect in a cute beachside town. I loved the fake dating and wedding planning and the late night conversations. The unrequited nature of the whole book was a vibe I was loving. This was just a charming read that put a smile on my face.

This was my first book by the author and I have plans to read more!

Overall audience notes: