katherine center – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Katherine Center
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: July 19th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s got his back.
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindgerten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka “bodyguard”), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.

He’s got her heart.
Jack Stapleton’s a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.

They’ve got a secret.
When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it.

What could possibly go wrong???
Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

LOVED THIS.

I love this author!! Another fantastic romance filled with heart, growth, and swoon heroes. I always look forward to Center’s books and this was no different. I adored the unique plot set-up and all that unfolded. A bodyguard and an actor?! Yes please.

I found myself laughing out loud so much. There’s something to the perfect dose of snark Hannah provides at key moments in her journey. She’s grappling with a lot and the touches of humor fit in well. I liked that alongside the laughter were deep conversations too. Handling the loss of a family member, substance abuse and more. This keeps the romance in the spotlight, but tackles other things life may hold too.

Hannah and Jack were SO SWEET. This was a slow burn romance with just a dash of forbidden. I loved the build and hope these two had. A beautiful friendship blossomed before deeper feelings were acknowledged and I loved all of the quiet moments between them!!!

A few of the small side plots seemed a bit random? Like the ex-boyfriend drama. It felt necessary for Hannah’s story originally, yet when it started popping up in other places I thought it was superfluous.

Besides that tiny tidbit, GREAT READ. Loved it. Can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: a little
Romance: make-outs
Violence: mild
Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, gun violence, mother with cancer, loss of a mom due to substance abuse, car wreck, substance abuse (specifically alcohol), suicide ideation (and near attempt), physical altercations

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Book Review: How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

May 13, 2022July 7, 2021 GoodeyReads

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 302 pages
Author: Katherine Center
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: May 15th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Margaret Jacobsen has a bright future ahead of her: a fiancé she adores, her dream job, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in one tumultuous moment.

In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Margaret must figure out how to move forward on her own terms while facing long-held family secrets, devastating heartbreak, and the idea that love might find her in the last place she would ever expect.

LOVED THIS.

Definitely my new top favorite of Center’s books.

I had held off of this one for a long time because I wasn’t sure about the romance. I was worried the patient/provider romance would feel icky. How pleasantly surprised I was that I didn’t feel much that way at all. I thought it was approached well and worked into the relationship conflict like it should have. Of course there were going to be questions and hard conversations an that’s exactly what I got.

Maggie was the epitome of resilient strength. I can’t even begin to imagine those who go through similar situations. I like the depth of despair and grief depicted, but also the light and the hope. It was a study in contrasts of a non-linear movement towards a new and accepted normal.

“It’s the trying that heals you. That’s all you have to do. Just try.”

The writing is contagious and I was hooked from the first chapter. I didn’t think I was going to fly through it so quickly but the audio was amazing and I desperately wanted to continue listening anytime I had to put the book down. It’s a emotional and beautiful plot with many nuanced story lines that all play into each other so well.

“When you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for someone else.”

I enjoyed the romance and the grand gesture at the end. It was sweet and those final tender conversations were very sweet. There’s an uplifting message within all of the turmoil and Center brought such beauty to this story.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: a little
Romance: kisses / make-outs
Trigger/Content Warnings: plane crash (fully described), medical trauma, ableism, infidelity, suicidal thoughts

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Book Review

ARC Book Review: What You Wish For by Katherine Center

July 8, 2020May 27, 2020 GoodeyReads

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Katherine Center
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: July 14th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Samantha Casey loves everything about her job as an elementary school librarian on the sunny, historic island of Galveston, Texas—the goofy kids, the stately Victorian building, the butterfly garden. But when the school suddenly loses its beloved principal, it turns out his replacement will be none other than Duncan Carpenter—a former, unrequited crush of Sam’s from many years before.

When Duncan shows up as her new boss, though, he’s nothing like the sweet teacher she once swooned over. He’s become stiff, and humorless, and obsessed with school safety. Now, with Duncan determined to destroy everything Sam loves about her school in the name of security—and turn it into nothing short of a prison—Sam has to stand up for everyone she cares about before the school that’s become her home is gone for good.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own!

HEART-WARMING.

Wow. This book was a lot different than I was expecting. I know Center tends to write some heavy subject matter into her contemporaries and this was the case here as well. I’ll mention it now (and again in my content warnings) that this book is heavily influence by school shootings.

While still discussing such heavy subject matter, Center was able to also infuse light, love and bravery too. The main character, Samantha, was such a joy and I loved her ridiculous antics and fashion choices. Sam’s deep love for her school and the kids she watches over (she’s a librarian!) was evident and was the much needed positive light. Her contrast to Duncan, the ever-brooding, tough-nut-to-crack, new principal was great.

I was impressed with their push and pull, but also thought the slow burn, took way too long to catch any fire. It was over halfway through the book before anything really started to maybe happen. I think if there was a bit more romance I would have adored it even more. I looove that they knew each other prior (at a previous school) and how that played into both of their emotions. It was cute and relatable. And I really appreciated reading the quiet, strong moments between them as discussions of their past came about.

This was an overall enjoyable and touching read. I felt connected to the story and the trauma’s that were discussed. These characters kept me wanting to read to see the full scope of what this novel had to tell. There’s a couple nods to Happiness for Beginners characters (that’s where we first meet Duncan!). I definitely recommend reading that book too, and potentially even first if you want because that book is also a gem.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: little
Romance: kisses, heavy make-outs
Trigger/Content warnings: loss of a loved one (start of the book), epilepsy (that causes a car crash), PTSD from a school shooting, heavy grief

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Monthly Wrap-Up

Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: May 2020

May 31, 2020May 30, 2020 GoodeyReads

Longest month ever with the shortest amount of books read. Wow May was tough on me. I at least read some good books and enjoyed what I picked up!

I focused a lot on ARCs to keep on top of those. Added in a bunch of Kasie West books for their quickness and cuteness. All in all, I’m amazed I made it through 9 books with how I spent my month.

My favorite this month was easily Aurora Burning. That book was AMAZING. My least favorite was By Your Side. It was the first Kasie West book I just really didn’t jive with.