Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - A Guarda-Costas

This book has a very interesting premise that is executed well: A workaholic bodyguard finds herself against her will in a fake dating work assignment that soon begins to blur the emotional lines of faking, meanwhile there is a threat constantly in the background waiting to emerge and her personal life going through a turmoil that makes the situation even messier. This is a sweet romance read with touches on heavier topics of grief and self-doubt stirring the pot.

Content Warnings

lawoodworth's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

marinajonesreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

You know when you start reading a book and it gives what it needed to give and it gave what you expected so there’s a satisfying feeling of joy at the end? That’s what this book was. A few pages in and you know what happens and what it’s about but that doesn’t take away from you wanting to read the journey. It’s sweet, cheesy at times, but still a fun, quick read. It’s perfect for an airport or just lounging.

Content Warnings

meenakshisathish's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

It would have been such a good read because the main characters do have enough chemistry and the conflict is believable. But there’s just too many tropes trying to out-do each other: dead mom, cancer-ailing mom, dead brother, toxic ex boyfriend, betraying best friend, funny side characters to give it a Brooklyn 99 feel. It feels more like a book written to do well in TikTok’s algorithm.

Perhaps I’m being a little hard because the heart of the story is really sweet. But the writing and the composition of the story is the real downfall of this book. But I think the nail on the coffin was the unmissable pick-me vibes saturated throughout the whole narrative. There are only three female characters that are redeemable: the main character Hannah, the ailing mother of Jack Stapleton, and the quirky side character Kelly who is really there only to be a comic relief from time to time. The rest of the women in the story are shallow, selfish, and often just outright dumb. The last time I read a romance novel that invested in the patriarchal bargain was in middle school when I read fan fiction stories on Wattpad.

Content Warnings

lomesia's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

melissaslibraryy's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cute little rom com I finally picked up after seeing the hype lol. I’m glad the fmc didn’t allow those toxic people back into her life and was able to find the family she always wanted during a time of healing.

Content Warnings

More...