taconaut77's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mags_louise's review against another edition
3.0
3.5☆
**I was kindly provided with an ARC by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This was a good story and an enjoyable read. That is full of angst and likable characters. But unfortunately it never really grabbed my attention or held it. As the story was quite slow paced and the relationship between Carter and Emily although sweet was very stop start. And at times the drama in Carter's life seemed to overshadow Emily's stalker. Who for me, never posed a serious threat. But did make things more interesting. Especially with all the revelations late on.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This was a good story and an enjoyable read. That is full of angst and likable characters. But unfortunately it never really grabbed my attention or held it. As the story was quite slow paced and the relationship between Carter and Emily although sweet was very stop start. And at times the drama in Carter's life seemed to overshadow Emily's stalker. Who for me, never posed a serious threat. But did make things more interesting. Especially with all the revelations late on.
jeandie_leone's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookscrazy87's review
5.0
Love the story and writing. It's a great book. CD Reiss is an amazing author. Loved reading every second. Can I have a hot bodyguard please. Must read. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
bookedandbusybookblog's review
4.0
Bodyguard is a standalone and is part of the Hollywood A-List series AND is a single dad book, which I love! I was not disappointed and really enjoyed this book!
Emily needs protection and Carter is the one assigned to her. Emily is trying to move on with her life after finally seeing her ex boyfriend for the scum he really was. Unfortunately for Emily, her ex isn’t ready to let her go just yet.
Carter is the sexy, caring alpha male trying to protect Emily and his family at the same time. Carter has his own issues from the past and is desperately trying to keep them there. As Carter and Emily start to become more than they imagined, little bits of their pasts are revealed, with Emily actually being more open and honest then Carter. As far as Carter’s secret..multiple secrets I might add..it was more than I expected and I loved it.
Bodyguard is full of suspense, action and is a beautiful love story with sweet and sexy moments. The ending was just as I expected, full of action, forgiveness and growth.
I enjoyed every moment of this book!
Emily needs protection and Carter is the one assigned to her. Emily is trying to move on with her life after finally seeing her ex boyfriend for the scum he really was. Unfortunately for Emily, her ex isn’t ready to let her go just yet.
Carter is the sexy, caring alpha male trying to protect Emily and his family at the same time. Carter has his own issues from the past and is desperately trying to keep them there. As Carter and Emily start to become more than they imagined, little bits of their pasts are revealed, with Emily actually being more open and honest then Carter. As far as Carter’s secret..multiple secrets I might add..it was more than I expected and I loved it.
Bodyguard is full of suspense, action and is a beautiful love story with sweet and sexy moments. The ending was just as I expected, full of action, forgiveness and growth.
I enjoyed every moment of this book!
ness11's review
4.0
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
4 *Tiny Dancer* Stars
Bodyguard was a mix of sweet and add to it a bit of suspenseful moments. It was lighthearted with likable characters. I thought the storyline flowed smoothly. Not too much drama. But enough to add to the story. An enjoyable read, for sure.
Emily was a character that had dreams. Her and her best friend Darlene pack up their things and move to LA to set their dreams in motion. They start small, getting small jobs here and there. Then they start singing with a band, and that's when both Emily and Darlene's lives go in different directions. Darlene's life propels to stardom. And because of a protective and jealous boyfriend, Emily's dream dies slowly. Though not in the spotlight, Emily works behind the scenes as Darlene's choreographer. Still doing what she loves doing, dancing, she's content. I absolutely adored Emily and Darlene's friendship. No matter what, they were always there for one another. Sisters for life.
Carter Kincaid, bodyguard extraordinaire. He's assigned to protect Darlene. But what he didn't know was that a certain someone by the name of Emily would catch his eye and also need his protecting. Carter was a complex character. Something happened in his past that he's still trying to cope with. Carter also leads a very private life. He doesn't like getting to close to anybody, let alone be in a relationship. But sometimes what you don't want is exactly what you need. And Carter slowly lets his walls down and let's Emily in little by little.
Carter and Emily were the freaking cutest. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter. They just worked really well together. Both needing exactly what the other was offering. They complemented each other well. They were exactly what the other person needed.
"You are my business. Your safety and . . . no, not just your safety. Your happiness, your comfort, your well-being . . . I’m taking the responsibility for those things off your plate. It’s all on me."
4 *Tiny Dancer* Stars
Bodyguard was a mix of sweet and add to it a bit of suspenseful moments. It was lighthearted with likable characters. I thought the storyline flowed smoothly. Not too much drama. But enough to add to the story. An enjoyable read, for sure.
Emily was a character that had dreams. Her and her best friend Darlene pack up their things and move to LA to set their dreams in motion. They start small, getting small jobs here and there. Then they start singing with a band, and that's when both Emily and Darlene's lives go in different directions. Darlene's life propels to stardom. And because of a protective and jealous boyfriend, Emily's dream dies slowly. Though not in the spotlight, Emily works behind the scenes as Darlene's choreographer. Still doing what she loves doing, dancing, she's content. I absolutely adored Emily and Darlene's friendship. No matter what, they were always there for one another. Sisters for life.
Carter Kincaid, bodyguard extraordinaire. He's assigned to protect Darlene. But what he didn't know was that a certain someone by the name of Emily would catch his eye and also need his protecting. Carter was a complex character. Something happened in his past that he's still trying to cope with. Carter also leads a very private life. He doesn't like getting to close to anybody, let alone be in a relationship. But sometimes what you don't want is exactly what you need. And Carter slowly lets his walls down and let's Emily in little by little.
Carter and Emily were the freaking cutest. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter. They just worked really well together. Both needing exactly what the other was offering. They complemented each other well. They were exactly what the other person needed.
"You are my business. Your safety and . . . no, not just your safety. Your happiness, your comfort, your well-being . . . I’m taking the responsibility for those things off your plate. It’s all on me."
carleneinspired's review
4.0
Find this and other reviews at Carlene Inspired.
Bodyguard is another one of those books that's been sitting on my TBR pile begging to be read. It features a classic trope, bodyguard and client/target, and a bit of suspense mixed in with the romance. Carter Kincaid is all business, no one knows his personal life and no one is going to get close enough to do so. Emily is choreographer to Darlene, a famous music star and her best friend. Emily has been through it in life, losing her chance at gymnastic stardom as a youth and losing her sense of safety after a boyfriend turned into a stalker. She desires freedom and comfort, something she thinks she'll never find while being shadowed by a bodyguard. Carter and Emily start a fragile relationship as bodyguard and target, but both find themselves giving in to an attraction neither expected or have time for.
"'Pretending you're flirting.'
'I'm not,' she said.
'Not flirting?'
'Not pretending.'"
I love how this book started out, it wasn't your run-of-the-mill beginning, with C.D. Reiss introducing us to Darlene and Emily in their youth before giving us a bit of a laugh over Emily and her ideas of self protection. Not long after we get to the meat of the story, but even the suspense over Emily's stalker and the secret Carter holds close are really what kept me interested. I loved the deeper meaning in this book the most, this idea that two people want freedom and safety and must each find ways to overcome and trust again to find it. It's a descriptive, emotional story, pulling on your heart and coming to life before your eyes. We see the tiny dancer move, we see Carter bend to emotion, and we see the flames as they flicker between them. There's a lot of talk about friends and family and finding comfort in those even when you believe you have the strength to stand alone.
"I'll take care of her as if she were you."
I admit I was skeptical about Bodyguard, Carter didn't woo me as quickly as Brad did in Bombshell. It took me time to realize he was holding onto something, something he wasn't even quite aware was still affecting him, so thank goodness Emily picked up on it as I never would have. I'm not even sure how Emily picked up on it considering she had her own stuff to deal with, but hey it worked out. I admit it was a lot for a standalone novel, but C.D. Reiss managed to answer every question and tie it up in a neat bow, thank heavens, I love a book with no plot holes.
"It was a beautiful thing and yet, troubling. I didn’t know where my place was in his kingdom, or if I wanted a place in it at all."
If you're looking for a sweet, sexy romance with just a bit of suspense, C.D. Reiss' Bodyguard will be a hit for you. It was a quick, enjoyable read for me and definitely one I recommend. It is the second book in a series, but is completely standalone.
Bodyguard is another one of those books that's been sitting on my TBR pile begging to be read. It features a classic trope, bodyguard and client/target, and a bit of suspense mixed in with the romance. Carter Kincaid is all business, no one knows his personal life and no one is going to get close enough to do so. Emily is choreographer to Darlene, a famous music star and her best friend. Emily has been through it in life, losing her chance at gymnastic stardom as a youth and losing her sense of safety after a boyfriend turned into a stalker. She desires freedom and comfort, something she thinks she'll never find while being shadowed by a bodyguard. Carter and Emily start a fragile relationship as bodyguard and target, but both find themselves giving in to an attraction neither expected or have time for.
"'Pretending you're flirting.'
'I'm not,' she said.
'Not flirting?'
'Not pretending.'"
I love how this book started out, it wasn't your run-of-the-mill beginning, with C.D. Reiss introducing us to Darlene and Emily in their youth before giving us a bit of a laugh over Emily and her ideas of self protection. Not long after we get to the meat of the story, but even the suspense over Emily's stalker and the secret Carter holds close are really what kept me interested. I loved the deeper meaning in this book the most, this idea that two people want freedom and safety and must each find ways to overcome and trust again to find it. It's a descriptive, emotional story, pulling on your heart and coming to life before your eyes. We see the tiny dancer move, we see Carter bend to emotion, and we see the flames as they flicker between them. There's a lot of talk about friends and family and finding comfort in those even when you believe you have the strength to stand alone.
"I'll take care of her as if she were you."
I admit I was skeptical about Bodyguard, Carter didn't woo me as quickly as Brad did in Bombshell. It took me time to realize he was holding onto something, something he wasn't even quite aware was still affecting him, so thank goodness Emily picked up on it as I never would have. I'm not even sure how Emily picked up on it considering she had her own stuff to deal with, but hey it worked out. I admit it was a lot for a standalone novel, but C.D. Reiss managed to answer every question and tie it up in a neat bow, thank heavens, I love a book with no plot holes.
"It was a beautiful thing and yet, troubling. I didn’t know where my place was in his kingdom, or if I wanted a place in it at all."
If you're looking for a sweet, sexy romance with just a bit of suspense, C.D. Reiss' Bodyguard will be a hit for you. It was a quick, enjoyable read for me and definitely one I recommend. It is the second book in a series, but is completely standalone.
marisacarpico's review
DNF 20% in. The guy is a douche. Jealous type with an unmistakable whiff of conservative patriarchy.