Faking it with My Bodyguard

by Hailey Barr

My brother's best friend, a smoking-hot ex-military bodyguard,unexpectedly steps in as my protector.Stephen is a man more complex than any gemstone I've ever worked with.He's here to catch my stalker, who craves the gem I bought.We pretend to be a fake couple to lure my stalker in.But his overbearing presence is another kind of threat,unsettling my carefully balanced life.He’s grumpy, bossy, and too handsome for his own good.A protector? More like a distraction I can't afford.As we dance a dangerous tango every day, his touch sets me ablaze,and his protectiveness softens my resolve.One minute, I’m the biggest fool to have fallen for him;the next, he’s showing me he wants to do more than just keep me safe.It's so wrong, but he's hitting all the right spots.Stephen has got me hooked, but I want more than just his sculpted body…I want his heart.

Genres: Romance

290 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2024

About the author

Hailey Barr is a self-starter and self-published author who creates captivating contemporary romance and thrilling tales. Her books often explore how love changes everything, blending emotional depth with suspenseful plots.
With a passion for creating captivating narratives, Hailey invites readers into worlds where romance and excitement intertwine, offering a unique and engaging escape in every novel.

Reviews

[Jamie Lea (JmeLea) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one here is a masterpiece! Just like Sophie’s designs! This was such a cute romance with a captivating storyline. Hailey’s detailed writing of Sophie’s jewels, made me want to run to “Glimmer and Glam” to see them in person 😂🤣😂! Sophie and Stephen had the best banter in the beginning and I loved watching the walls come down on both sides! The plot twists and smut (2/5) are just the right amount of shimmer on top!! Every romance reader needs to add this one to their list immediately!

[Salina. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked ✅
- Stephen is WOW
- Sophie’s spunk & dedication to her craft
- Humorous moments throughout
- Very balanced

Didn't Like ❌
- Big Bad is a prick

Thoughts 💭
Faking It With My Bodyguard is a dual POV, fast paced short read that sucked you in from the very beginning. I really enjoyed how balanced this book was with the romance and the thrill. I didn’t feel like the romance was too much, or overshadowed the mystery of Sophie’s stalker.

This novel gave me many Lucy Score vibes throughout reading it. I found the mystery and thriller aspects to the story complimented the romance writing. With the stalking element there was no room for the typical relationship breakdown, which I love when authors go against the grain. It adds another layer to the characters and the story itself.

I loved the Die Hard and Kung Fu Panda references throughout. Stephen and Sophie’s relationship was perfect and progressed very naturally with their close proximity. When push came to shove they always had each other’s back, protecting and being there for each other consistently. My only question was how did it take decently far into adulthood for Sophie to meet her brother’s best friend!?

[Maude Faubert-Turgeon (ms_reading_nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

That book was so good!

I really love the action and the tidy bit of thriller this book has. It keeps you on edge and it makes the storyline that much more interesting!

Also, the tension and the love between the MCs are just *chef kiss*

The characters are so likeable and relatable. I like that Sophie, the FMC, wasn't a meak character, even with what's happening in her life!

The romance was really cute and the steamy scenes were well written!

Only negative point for me is that sometimes the writting was jerky. I felt that the transitions between some scenes could have been smoother, but that's honestly the only thing that bothered me!

[S. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh… My…. God!! All my emotions were up in air! Goosebumps, and those steaming scenes were delicious!

Sophie who is your average girl with a passion and obsession for shiny gems, transforming them into beautiful arts of jewellery. Though she never deemed she’d fall into danger when she brought a special, one of a kind stone resulting in her brother’s best friend Stephen to become her bodyguard. Protecting from danger while finding out who is behind it, little did they know.. love was sparking between them, a love so undeniable!

This is a book to read! Action, humour & steamy sex scenes that have you fanning yourself down.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was extremely cute . Stephen and Sophie was so cute together, lol they really did hate each other in the beginning and then they always say there is a small line between hate and love and that’s exactly what happened all that sexual tension.

The plot twist thou ( more than one ) Looool I really enjoy this book it was a nice sweet and innocent read ( minus the smut…the smut was a 3/5) . You will most definitely enjoy this book and you should definitely read it . You won’t regret it at all.

I hope her brother gets a book, that’s something I would definitely love to see.

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot 🔥 Billionaire Romance ✨️
ARC Review ✨️

Hailey did it again with another steamy romance! She brings all the heat🌶🌶
I've loved every one of her books I've read, and this one was no different! Stephen and Sophie are both great characters, and this story was so easy to read! Her writing makes the characters feel like they're real!🤗🥰 This gumpy/sunshine, super spicy, fake relationship is sure to be your next favorite read!! 🖤

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Sophie and Stephan, their story is enemies to lovers in the trope and I enjoyed how their journey together went. There is bickering and some drama and some great sexual tension and teasing of each other made it a great story. I was so into their story that before I knew it I had finished my book.

I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read

Another fantastic Hailey Barr book! I couldn’t wait for it to release and it exceeded my excitement! Great story! Kept me captivated and on the edge of my seat! Loved the characters! I decided not to read the blurb and just dive right in. It was full of surprises and gave me all the feels. Loved!!!!

[Alexandra Wehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous read!

This is a really great book! I highly recommend that you read this story, especially if you love the thrill of an edge of your seat mystery!!! Hailey Barr wrote a truly amazing book! Ms Barr thank you for a really great book!! ❤❤

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming in HOT to all of your Kindles. This book is so mesmerizing with ROMANCE and SEXINESS that oh my goodness do I want a nice cool shower after reading this book. Hailey can write and I mean write some of the ABSOLUTELY BEST romance books to ever be written and when she captures your heart she doesn't let go until you have finished reading her books. So, I wouldn't wait any longer to see how the characters Sophie and Stephen are wonderfully written together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was very written and i highly recommend it.
I loved the storyline, it was nice to read something on a different topic than the rest of the books that are available. i loved the characters, Sophie was a strong character. Who knew what she wanted and was very independent. So when she was having trouble at work, she didn't want a bodyguard to pretend he was her boyfriend, but her brother insisted. Stephen is her brother's best friend but also a trained bodyguard, with a military background. It was a great read with an exciting storyline, that you just had to keep reading. Stephen was a great character and a really nice guy. Stephen and Sophie got on really well when she wasn't trying to push him away. This book is definitely worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tasha's Book Journey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need me a Bodyguard!

Ah this was a sweet, sexy yet suspenseful read.

Sophie, the strong willed yet soft FMC is absolutely out of this universe passionate about her jewelery making.

However her passion has landed her the most hunted jewelry maker in New York City.

The Hunter? The most notorious criminal among the City.

Sophie's brother gets worried and hires hist beat friend, Ex-Military Bodyguard to protect his sister at all costs until the stalker can be found.

With Twists, Turns and many revelations, Will he be able to stick to his mission and protect her? Or will he fail? - I won't spoil this! Just read this masterpiece and find out🤩

Hailey you outdid yourself!

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparkling ✨️ 💖

This book really made me happy while reading it...

Hailey Barr has done great with ensuring that this is not only a beautiful lovestory but also a story that keeps u on your toes with all the twist a d turns it takes fining Sophie's real Stalker...

[Susan McWhinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story where Stephen, an ex marine turned bodyguard was asked by his best mate, Mark to protect his sister, Sophie. Mark feared for her life. Stephen agreed to the job, but also agreed to Mark's suggestion that they pretend to be boyfriend/girlfriend, so as not to alert whoever was stalking Sophie, that she had a bodyguard. Sophie was a jewellery maker and had purchased a special gem which someone else desperately wanted.
Sophie did not want or like Stephen, but having him in her space watching her work every day, soon made lines become blurred. Both Stephen and Sophie tried to deny their feelings for as long as they could, until the inevitable happens and they share a night of passion.
This does not stop Stephen continuing to fight against the danger that lurked everywhere as Sophie continued to receive threats.
A story full of angst, danger and love as Stephen ensured her safety whilst continuing to try and keep their relationship professional.
Unexpected allies cause a turning point in the story and leads Stephen to leave Sophie to protect his family. Is Sophie safe without Stephen by her side? How does her true enemy get to Sophie and can she survive his advances?
A story with many twists and turns that keep you guessing, with the underlying budding romance between them, A story low in passion but certainly high in angst and drama.

[Cassy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt like one of those old detective noirs where the PI is constantly breaking the fourth wall.

Except, not in a good way. In an over explanatory way.

It was just so awkward. Everything was so immensely over explained it was jarring. It distracted from the actual book.

I did appreciate it had a solid mystery of who was after her, but even that got a little ridiculous. It was so over the top about who knew who and who was doing what that I almost couldn’t take it seriously.

And while there was romance, it almost got forgotten. They slept together and went on a date and then I don’t hear about their relationship for AGES. Last I heard he was still hesitant to get into a relationship and the next thing I know Stephen is telling her brother how serious he is about her. But I have no idea how they got to that point.

This book really needed to just scale back a little.

[Tishana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this short, yet thrilling read!

It was my first novel by Hailey Barr and won't be my last!

Stephen was asked to protect his best friend Mark's sister Sophie. While it started with them not caring to be in the same space as each other, and hating each other's guts, the sexual tension between them 2 was high and those "boundary lines" blurred fast! It was full of twists, lots of sassiness, spice, and tension and made for a great read overall. I loved both Sophie and Stephen as main characters. While they were different from each other, they were alike in other senses and like they say, opposites attract HIGHLY to one another. I can't wait to read more of Hailey's novels! :)

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie is a jewelry designer, and she has a very unique gem that everyone wants. Someone wants it bad enough that they are threatening her. Her brother asks his friend Stephen to help keep his sister safe. So, Stephen gets members of his team to help out because he learns that she is being followed. Its not long before things heat up between them. When troubles come for them, it has them separating in order to keep others safe from the threat. Will they be able to take down the threat? Will they get their happy ending?

This is a great story that will draw you in from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine has a stalker who is after a high priced gem she bought, so our hero steps in to act as a bodyguard. Of course, there are multiple problems with that including him being her brother's best friend. That makes the growing attraction an even bigger problem.

This is a romance with a enemies to lovers thing, as well as a bit of the taboo. The story is well written and easy to read with a well developed cast. I loved watching our heroine struggle with the growing attraction. Of course, the steam that went along with it was a lot of fun as well. Overall, it was quite enjoyable and I look forward to more from this author.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristina Brownell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to be mean. But no. This book had a choppy flow and was not enjoyable. It was a perfect example of telling everything and not allowing discovery or thought or feeling. I had expected a fun little romp of a story, but found myself more irritated than anything. At 74% finished I started skimming in hopes that a great ending could bring this up to 3 or 4 stars. No such luck. Also….2 sex scenes that were the worst I’ve ever read. Worst in the fact that I felt like I was reading a poorly written book for elementary kids and then BAM!—oral sex! It came out of no where. Nasty. Just no. I don’t remember who recommended this to me, but no. Won’t be reading anything else by this author.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is her brother's best friend and now her bodyguard. They start off not liking each other but that line between love and hate is quickly removed and a combustive relationship begins between them. When Sophie gets a stalker after a gem, she has acquired Stephen steps in as her protector. The banter between them kept me glued to the pages along with the intriguing twists and turns that the story takes as it unfolds.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ljamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie is a jewelry designer who has a stalker. She has been getting letters, and flowers with red paint on them. Her brother is very concerned about her and calls an old friend to watch over her. Stephen grew up with Sophie’s brother and Sophie is very fond of Stephen. Sophie doesn’t believe she needs a bodyguard and she doesn’t want to be in close proximity to Stephen. These two argue and spar it was quite entertaining. Then to find her stalker they need to pretend to be involved until suddenly it wasn’t pretend anymore. Very interesting book a very quick, easy read.

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enemies to lovers romance between Sophie and her bodyguard, Stephen, who also happens to be her brother's best friend. These two flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an enjoyable read. What starts out as a fake relationship turns into something more. It is a love story with drama and steam, danger and mystery, sexual tension and chemistry, twists and turns, and engaging secondary characters. Seriously entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chelle D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ 4🌶
Meet Sophia, a jeweler who purchases the fabled Twilight Starstone. After her purchase of the stone, she begins to receive threats, in steps her big brother to bring Stephen to protect her. Now the question is how to keep her safe and not tip off the bad guys? Well, fake dating, of course! The question is, does it stay fake dating? Can Stephen protect Sophia and keep the gemstone safe? Pick this up to find out.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie is currently being stalked and threatened by an unknown person. Her brother Mark hires his best friend, Stephen, to act as Sophie's bodyguard to protect her. The plan is to use Stephen as a fake boyfriend to draw out the stalker. This story has plenty of danger, action, romance, and steam, ending in a HEA. Very highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dangerous stalker prompts the victim's brother to enlist his friend for protection. Pretending love evolves into a gripping tale of suspense and an unexpected love story. The combination of suspenseful elements and the evolving romance creates a captivating narrative that kept me engaged throughout.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the threats on her life become more direct, her brother knows that the needs help keeping her safe. Stephen is the man for the job, however the pretend relationship turns to a real one real quick.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paige Pangrazio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book! I couldn't put it down. I was glued from beginning to end. The relationship between Stephen and Sophie is beautiful. Their love is amazing. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome

I loved this story and the characters in it. The characters were so interesting. The story had a number of twists that always kept me on the edge of my seat. I read it straight through. I highly recommend this book. It was a fun read.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice little romance. It was easy to like the characters and it kept my interest to want to finish. I can see this being a series and would definitely read if it was. This is my first book from this author.

[Will Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the characters were good and the plot flowed, the action scenes really lost me. There was no reality or depth to them. Overall, I found the story shallow and I ended up skimming a lot near the end. It just didn't work for me.