I have so much I dislike about this book.

It moves so quickly through each problem, there could have been fewer problems and each one is dealt with slowly, but no. Off the top of my head, here are the problems they encounter: MMC has a stalker, stalker has been caught but there might be a separate person trying to kill MMC and nobody believes FMC when she says so, someone is trying to kill MMC, FMC's niece is kidnapped in exchange for MMC, MMC is shot, MMC and FMC might be angry at each other or blames each other. Anyway, all that to say, there were so many unnecessary plot points. It could have been simpler and had more time dedicated to developing characters or relationships.

The MC's trauma felt so plotted. When I read [b:The Thief|34414113|The Thief (Queen's Thief series, Book 1)|Megan Whalen Turner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496152697l/34414113._SX50_.jpg|1069505] I got to the end of the book and went Whoa, that's what was going on?? That makes sense, but I didn't see it. And it turns out, what I (and most of the readers) thought was a huge plot twist, the author thought everyone knew and would see it coming, and so the narrator is a kind of unreliable narrator, but written very naturally. Things that someone would actually mention, nothing unnecessarily vague. BUT Up Close and Personal felt like Kathryn Freeman planned the trauma and then the plot and then wrote all conversations to avoid spoiling the big trauma reveal. And I hate that so much. It makes all the conversations feel so stilted.

Why were there so many flat or very briefly mentioned characters?? Like, couldn't some of them have been consolidated?? Did there need to be twins in the MMC's family? Couldn't he just have one lousy sibling? Did the FMC's sister need to feature into it? She could have been dead, or in a longer term rehab and never come into it. Like, it just felt like too many unnecessary characters.

And now my least favorite thing in this book. The MMC is creepy. I mean, in the very very first scene, a woman he doesn't know spills her champagne on him and is like Oh no, let me help you out, blah blah blah. And then. He starts flirting and immediately starts making sexual comments. And she's like nah and turns him down, and he DOESN'T STOP. And he keeps flirting, he doesn't stop, even when she's his bodyguard or when she says no. The only time he stops is when he's mad at her. Like, if he had turned out to be a crazy creep that actually set up all this stuff to make her his bodyguard and then kidnap her or something, not only would I not have been very surprised, I would have enjoyed the book more. ( )

I know it's a little sexist, but most automatically think MAN when it comes to the bodyguard profession, but, like they imply with the double entendre in the story, it's not about the size, but what you do with it. *wink wink* Kat is a wonderful character. Kind and compassionate, can get all dolled up or dressed way down and still hold her own personal swagger, all while keeping the surrounding situation in check. She's a strong woman in a man's world, and that's just the way she likes it. She has her priorities straight, and a great work ethic, which was totally iron clad until a certain sexy celebrity became her client. She took the job, heck she WANTED the job, but it wasn't to become starstruck. Kat wanted to help this person out of a bad situation. She wanted to see justice brought to the wronged, and consequences catch up to those doing the wronging...and yes, she's a professional, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Zac Parker, on the other hand, is not your typical celebrity. He accepts his fame, but his past is definitely hiding something. The what is a long time coming in this one, so don't expect to get to it any time soon, but trust me...the reveals are worth the wait. Now, speaking of worth the wait...the chemistry between Kat and Zac is off the charts, but it's mostly charm, a lot of wit, and definitely longing. Lines are blurred, but the crossing...well, if he had his way there'd be no lines, and truth be told so would she, but again PROFESSIONALISM demands decorum, and lives do truly depend on her having a clear head to uncover the culprit while protecting the mark. Just how she'll truly protect her heart is another story altogether.

In the end, I loved the concept, adored the characters, and while I could have done with a bit faster pace, everything turned out all right in the end.


*ebook received for review; opinions are my own ( )

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Up Close and Personal is a lovely slow-burn romance with an edge of danger by Kathryn Freeman. Heartthrob Actor Zac Edwards has a stalker, and his new bodyguard, former soldier Kat Parker seems to be the one woman who isn’t about to fall at his feet. When the stalker ups the ante, Kat decides the best place to keep Zac safe is her home, and their relationship grows into a friendship, but they both have secrets that are going to have to be dealt with if they want a happy ever after. I enjoyed this book very much and do recommend it. Publishing Date: June 12, 2020. Medium Steam. #UpCloseAndPersonal #KathrynFreeman #NetGalley #OneMoreChapter #HarperCollinsUK #RomanticThriller #ContemporaryRomance #BodyGuardRomance #bookstagram ( )

A romance ARC. This one flips the gender roles in the 'Bodyguard' plot. As it was set in the UK, I was a bit thrown by the implied strength of the film industry - but may well just be reflecting my own ignorance here! I don't like romances that chuck in a 'serious threat' plotline. However, given the meet cute of the characters, this seemed more in tune with the storyline than usual when I come across this. ( )