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bexdoesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I was a little disappointed with this book. I really wanted to love it however I wasn't hooked on it and felt like I'd been reading it forever. Certainly not the worst book I've read, it was just OK.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
So this is my second book by this author, Kathryn Freeman, and I can gladly say that I wasn't disappointed. Especially since I got the first book, [b:The New Guy|52958009|The New Guy|Kathryn Freeman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571218491l/52958009._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73790535] as an ARC and now the third book of hers, [b:Strictly Come Dating|54841053|Strictly Come Dating|Kathryn Freeman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596788022l/54841053._SY75_.jpg|85562579], is also an ARC!
After enjoying Up Close and Personal, I'm honestly excited to dive into the next book. I mean, it didn't take long for me to fall in love with Sam and Ryan in the first book. Then after meeting Zac and Kat, it did take me a while to like them. Once they did become likable, it was hard not to see the sexual tension between them. Then it was pretty easy to ship and fall in love with them as well.
Now this isn't my first book where the gender roles are a bit reversed. Meaning, the girl is the bodyguard and the guy is the famous actor. Nor should it be the first book. I mean, anyone can be in any job position so more power to them.
Kat is pretty good at her job. She is smart and calculated and always puts her life on the line. That being said, after meeting Zac.. I don't think she quite expected to fall for him. Or develop any sort of feelings either. Or vice versa. These two were pretty adorable and you could see how genuine they felt for one another. There was just one thing getting in the way: Zac's stalker.
There were some scenes and chapters where you can see Kat getting frustrated with herself for getting easily distracted by Zac. Yet, it was bound to happen when they started to like and flirt with one another. Boundaries were crossed but she still ended up protecting him no matter what. Even if it was a close call a time or two.
Other than that, I feel like the whole stalker situation went by pretty quickly. Then there were some chapters where these two annoyed me. It's like they didn't know how to act towards one another sometimes.. and they would just be petty brats. Eventually they pulled their heads out of their own asses and started to be less annoying (for me).
In the end, I'm down to read the next book. I hope it's another good one.
After enjoying Up Close and Personal, I'm honestly excited to dive into the next book. I mean, it didn't take long for me to fall in love with Sam and Ryan in the first book. Then after meeting Zac and Kat, it did take me a while to like them. Once they did become likable, it was hard not to see the sexual tension between them. Then it was pretty easy to ship and fall in love with them as well.
Now this isn't my first book where the gender roles are a bit reversed. Meaning, the girl is the bodyguard and the guy is the famous actor. Nor should it be the first book. I mean, anyone can be in any job position so more power to them.
Kat is pretty good at her job. She is smart and calculated and always puts her life on the line. That being said, after meeting Zac.. I don't think she quite expected to fall for him. Or develop any sort of feelings either. Or vice versa. These two were pretty adorable and you could see how genuine they felt for one another. There was just one thing getting in the way: Zac's stalker.
There were some scenes and chapters where you can see Kat getting frustrated with herself for getting easily distracted by Zac. Yet, it was bound to happen when they started to like and flirt with one another. Boundaries were crossed but she still ended up protecting him no matter what. Even if it was a close call a time or two.
Other than that, I feel like the whole stalker situation went by pretty quickly. Then there were some chapters where these two annoyed me. It's like they didn't know how to act towards one another sometimes.. and they would just be petty brats. Eventually they pulled their heads out of their own asses and started to be less annoying (for me).
In the end, I'm down to read the next book. I hope it's another good one.
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Kathryn Freeman’s Up Close and Personal is a refreshing twist on the bodyguard trope, and is more layered than you’d expect.
When former soldier Kat Parker is assigned to be heartthrob actor Zac Edwards’s bodyguard, she never expected to be so taken with him. But he has a stalker, and she needs to protect him, so falling for him isn’t in the cards. Zac Edwards may be an actor, but he thrives on keeping his private life private. Being assigned a bodyguard isn’t really his cup of tea, even though this particular bodyguard is absolutely captivating.
I love a good slow burn, and this story definitely delivers on that front. I also enjoyed the fact that Zac and Kat have more to them than meets the eye. You think you know where the story is going, but there are a few interesting twists along the way. I also like how the author inverted the bodyguard trope, as well as how the hero and heroine function in the novel to give her story a fresh take on an old classic.
An ARC was generously provided by NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for my honest review.
Kathryn Freeman’s Up Close and Personal is a refreshing twist on the bodyguard trope, and is more layered than you’d expect.
When former soldier Kat Parker is assigned to be heartthrob actor Zac Edwards’s bodyguard, she never expected to be so taken with him. But he has a stalker, and she needs to protect him, so falling for him isn’t in the cards. Zac Edwards may be an actor, but he thrives on keeping his private life private. Being assigned a bodyguard isn’t really his cup of tea, even though this particular bodyguard is absolutely captivating.
I love a good slow burn, and this story definitely delivers on that front. I also enjoyed the fact that Zac and Kat have more to them than meets the eye. You think you know where the story is going, but there are a few interesting twists along the way. I also like how the author inverted the bodyguard trope, as well as how the hero and heroine function in the novel to give her story a fresh take on an old classic.
An ARC was generously provided by NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for my honest review.
ellsromreads's review against another edition
5.0
I actually loved this book so much! Kind of gave me action vibes as well as romance
adeleashley's review against another edition
4.0
This was ridiculously cute, even though it’s a pretty predictable story. Kat Parker is a bodyguard who is assigned to Zac Edwards, the latest heartthrob actor to hit the big screen. Zac is charming, hot, talented and determined to woo Kat, however, Kat’s main focus is keeping Zac safe from his stalker, while also juggling her family obligations.
It’s a quick will they/ won’t they romance, with a touch of intrigue and angst, making it the perfect page turner to read in one sitting.
It’s a quick will they/ won’t they romance, with a touch of intrigue and angst, making it the perfect page turner to read in one sitting.
aprilalwayswithabook's review against another edition
3.0
Fun and easy and light. Some of the small details didn't make a lot of sense to me, like Mark having a thing for her, but overall it was easy and cute.
jenarnold's review against another edition
2.0
Up Close and Personal features Kat as a bodyguard to ultra-hot and charming Zac Edwards.
While I liked Kat and Zac separately, I felt nothing for their relationship. It felt forced, and they were constantly second guessing what the other person felt based on various statements from the other person. It was really frustrating. I wanted to see more build to their relationship. I didn’t even enjoy their meet cute because it felt as though Zac just assumed Kat would like him because he was a movie star.
Also, this book felt too long. It just kept going and going after both Zac and Kat’s secrets were revealed.
I was disappointed as I was really excited to get this book after I read Freeman’s The New Guy.
While I liked Kat and Zac separately, I felt nothing for their relationship. It felt forced, and they were constantly second guessing what the other person felt based on various statements from the other person. It was really frustrating. I wanted to see more build to their relationship. I didn’t even enjoy their meet cute because it felt as though Zac just assumed Kat would like him because he was a movie star.
Also, this book felt too long. It just kept going and going after both Zac and Kat’s secrets were revealed.
I was disappointed as I was really excited to get this book after I read Freeman’s The New Guy.
belellcollins's review against another edition
3.0
Up Close and Personal is the gender-swapped version of The Bodyguard you never knew you needed. Kat Parker is a former army sniper and she's been tasked with the hardest job of all: protect Zac Edwards, the hottest movie star she's ever seen. If only he would stop flirting with her.
One thing that was so nice to see in this movie was that the attraction went both ways and they both admitted it. It was irritating when both characters were so overcome with their insecurities that they convinced themselves the other person hated them, but that is mighty realistic. What I found difficult to put my head around was the constant come one from Zac. He wasn't a sleazy character, but Kat made it clear nothing could happen with them while she was protecting him, but he NEVER stopped and it got really irritating.
Overall, I liked the story and the flip from the normal version of this. Zac still never really accepted Kat's expertise and never stopped trying to take her out of the line of fire, but ultimately they worked well together, and I think they were a good fit.
I got this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
One thing that was so nice to see in this movie was that the attraction went both ways and they both admitted it. It was irritating when both characters were so overcome with their insecurities that they convinced themselves the other person hated them, but that is mighty realistic. What I found difficult to put my head around was the constant come one from Zac. He wasn't a sleazy character, but Kat made it clear nothing could happen with them while she was protecting him, but he NEVER stopped and it got really irritating.
Overall, I liked the story and the flip from the normal version of this. Zac still never really accepted Kat's expertise and never stopped trying to take her out of the line of fire, but ultimately they worked well together, and I think they were a good fit.
I got this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
totallybookeduk's review against another edition
5.0
Zac Edwards is an actor on the rise, so much so that he has managed to get himself a stalker. Not that he is taking it all that serious, probably just a female fan who has taken things a little too far.
Kat Parker is to be Zac's bodyguard, not that Zac knows this when she bumps (quite literally) into him at a function spilling champaign down him. Not that she seems to mind as he finds himself drawn to her immediately. Kat knows who he is that that she cannot return his flirting - but she really wants to.
The following day formal introductions are made and Zac isn't too sure about the need for a bodyguard or a bodyguard that is Kat. However, he agrees to it and soon they are spending a lot of time together. Something Zac is very happy about although the sexual tension is killing him.
A twist on the traditional bodyguard stories with a gender role reversal. Lots of laugh out loud moments, coupled with heartbreaking past tragedies.
Kat Parker is to be Zac's bodyguard, not that Zac knows this when she bumps (quite literally) into him at a function spilling champaign down him. Not that she seems to mind as he finds himself drawn to her immediately. Kat knows who he is that that she cannot return his flirting - but she really wants to.
The following day formal introductions are made and Zac isn't too sure about the need for a bodyguard or a bodyguard that is Kat. However, he agrees to it and soon they are spending a lot of time together. Something Zac is very happy about although the sexual tension is killing him.
A twist on the traditional bodyguard stories with a gender role reversal. Lots of laugh out loud moments, coupled with heartbreaking past tragedies.