Someone wants Vikramaditya Seth Jr. dead. He refuses the Z+ security option offered by the government. With too many variables trust is hard to come by…
Esha Sinha prepares for her first assignment outside of active army service, oblivious to the fact that she has to baby-sit a man who has no respect for rules or protocol—a man who is headstrong, workaholic and a tenacious flirt. As the attraction between Vikram and Esha simmers and sizzles, another attempt is made on his life.
The killer is resourceful and determined. The motive is unclear and perplexing.
Will they be able to nab the assassin before he gets to Vikram?
Author of the bestselling romantic thriller ‘The Bodyguard’, Ruchi Singh is an IT professional and novelist writing under Romance and Suspense genre. She is a bilingual author and writes in both Hindi and English. Her other notable published novels are ‘Jugnu (Firefly)’ and ‘Guardian Angel’.
Winner of the Times Of India WriteIndia Season 1, she began her writing career writing short stories and articles, which have been published on various forums. She has been a contributing author to a number of anthologies and has published many short stories under various genres. She has also won the Indireads Story Competition, in ‘crime’ genre.
A voracious reader, she loves everything—from classics to memoirs to editorials to chick-lit, but her favourite genre is 'romantic thriller'.
3.5. stars rounded up because the HEROINE is the HERO's bodyguard. As it should be.
Esha, an ex-Army officer, helps thwart an assassination attempt against Vikram, a dashing business tycoon. His security team ups his protection and recruits the reluctant Esha to masquerade as his personal assistant while she is, in fact, acting as his bodyguard.
The Bodyguard is billed as a romantic suspense, and the suspense is the more prominent element. There is an attraction, and there is tension, and Esha and Vikram think of each other and often. But the focus remains on ascertaining the identity of Vikram's would-be assassin while also navigating corporate intrigue and family drama. As a result, I didn't get the type of relationship development that I wanted, but your mileage may vary. Reviewer's note: A few reviews mention a triangle, and as a reader who hates love triangles with a burning passion, I don't want other like-minded readers to be deterred! Yes, there are individuals who express interest in our leads, but none of them have a chance. Esha, much to her dismay, only has eyes for Vikram, and Vikram finds Esha a compelling breath of fresh air.
The story was thrilling, if a bit busy at times. Certain plot threads were left dangling, and the ending felt rushed, but the fast-paced nature was an overall appropriate counter to the more subdued romance.
I enjoyed this, and I would read more stories by Ruchi Singh - especially a follow-up book in which those aforementioned plot threads get addressed!
Read for SBTB Best Picture Quarterly Challenge: A contemporary romance set outside of the U.S.
One of the latest book by Ruchi Singh: The Bodyguard. I loved the cover. The On-alert lithe Woman Bodyguard and a brash, I-dont-care attitude multimillionaire. The blurb will make you start solving the mystery from various angels.
Pulsating, adrenaline rush and constant mystery. Not a single dull moment in this 250+ page novel. A long novel I have read after ages I feel.
The pace of the story is fast and consistent. You cant put down the book easily.
The language is simple and good. The research gone into security protocols, army life, detective skills, cult following, psyche of a madman seeking revenge, life of multi millionaires, family name etc was thorough. I learnt a few things, I can say from all this.
The characters are so well fleshed out. One moment you are irritated with Vikram's smoking habit then you adore Nikhil for the name Xena and hitting on Esha, feel disgusted while reading about Jindal or Koel or Negi and then you try to imagine Sara's life.
The description of places, situation, people is very well worded. I was constantly mentally on guard like Esha while reading. Always waiting for something to happen that will unravel this mystery further.
Met my expectation well but killing of Negi and Daiji could have been more dramatic and reasonable. Thank you Ruchi Singh for such a wonderful story. :-)
Just loved the book. It has a perfect combination of romance and suspense. Vikramaditya is a gorgeous hero while Esha makes him a perfect partner. The mystery has been woven superbly well into the story and makes the book unputdownable. Congratulations Ruchi Singh on your latest venture.
An ex-army Major and a suave businessman, Esha and Vikram will win your hearts without much ado. I loved how Ruchi has portrayed the two characters and how the story takes off with a pace that makes you glued to your seat and at times biting off your nails. The romance is swoon-worthy and you root for the characters hoping for a happily ever after. But is that easy? Read this page-turner to find out more.
Esha Sinha is a professional who takes the assignment of guarding VikramAditya Seth with her life. Turbulent past in terms of experience and life has made her vary of people and relationships.
VikramAditya Jr the scion to Seth Industries had a colorful past and bad experience in relationships. Both sailing in the same boat. Things spice up between them as they are attracted to each other yet don’t want to confess.
A lady bodyguard, who loves her job and takes it very seriously. An elite businessman, whose life is in danger but doesn’t take the threats seriously. Hot sizzling chemistry and an unputdownable game of Tom and Jerry chase. Fast paced story and amazing writing keeps you hooked till the end.
A story that keeps u at the edge of seat. Crisp narration and easy language make this an interesting read with all the characters well etched.
Wow!!! Splendid!!! Mind Blowing!!! Unputdownable!!!
Since I had read ‘Jugnu’, author Ruchi’s debut novel, which was an out and out romantic story with a little bit of suspense. I was expecting The Bodyguard to be on similar lines. But I was really astonished.
The Bodyguard is one masterpiece which one must definitely read. It’s a fast-paced, flawless storyline, well-etched characters, full-fledged action and suspense with romance and a little dose of comedy makes this book an awesome read. Impressive storytelling skill by the author, lovely book cover design, well-developed characters, error-free writing, all these make The Bodyguard a good read.
A tale of suspense with a twinge of romance, ‘The Bodyguard’ is an example of fine writing, one that has the ability to not only keep the reader hooked but also get involved in trying to sort a mystery, an identity. Cleverly crafted, this is one book you may want to read again after a few days.
Fast paced, the book makes you fall in love with the character of the bodyguard Major Esha Singh a woman of grit and determination who though a lonely soul herself tries to resist the charm of her boss a tenacious flirt.
Written in simple, lucid and crisp language, the story does throw up some surprises in the form of unusual twists. However isn’t that what good thrillers are all about, catching their reader unaware?
Overall a truly enjoyable read with the power to keep you on the edge of your seat, ‘The Bodyguard’ does justice to both the plot and the characters.
WARNING!
Don’t pick it up to read at night. No there’s nothing in there that will scare you out of your wits. It’s just that once you pick it up you may not want to keep it down till you read the last word. Now this could translate into a read deep into the night and being caught sleeping in your work place or over the kitchen counter the next day. 😉 I’m sure you don’t want that. 🙂
The Bodyguard by Ruchi Singh is a hell of an entertainer! Once I started reading it, simply couldn't put it down till the very end and am still yearning for more, such is the characterization, suspense and the story telling!
The three main protagonists are all marvelously fleshed out. Major Esha is a no-nonsense fiesty lady who has quit the commando unit of the army to take up a job in the private sector. Seth Jr. is the scion of a big business house. He is flirtatious yet extremely hardworking. His friend, Nikhil, is also is security incharge who inducts Esha into the inner circle to provide a discrete layer of security to Seth Jr.
There is crackling chemistry between the three of them and I fell in love with each one of them.
I know it is a romance and true to its genre, will end with the 'happily ever after' theme. Yet the triangle and the ominously lurking threat to Seth's provides an riveting plot with its own twists and turns, alternating between romance and suspense. The story moves at a brisk pace keeping you glued to the book until the very end.
The Bodyguard is a must read for lovers of romance who are looking for more than the proliferating and age old 'girl meet boy', 'some meetings' and then 'happily ever after'!
Ruchi is an entertaining story teller and this book lives up to its expectation that the author had set with her previous novels - Take2 and Jugnu.
The blurb for me intrigued, it had a breath of fresh air where the roles are reversed and we have the strong female character and the hero is the one who needs rescuing 😊 but it kind of felt unsatisfactory there .. rest, Ruchi has a great plot and some really good writing there and we have a really enjoyable story.. one can pick this up for a cosy read..
I loved the amount of research the author has put in regarding the security protocols for the rich and important and the profession itself. The plot does not lose focus anywhere and kept me glued to what would come next. But Nikhil's character was the one caught my fancy the most. Loved him so much and cried over his end.
I have read everything by this author - and I mean everything - from her full length romance novels to her short story collections, to her contributions in anthologies, and she hasn't disappointed me once. From well fleshed out characters to an interesting, well thought-out plot to an engaging narrative voice - her stories and books have it all.
So of-course when she ventured into the genre of romantic suspense, I was interested in checking out her newest offering. And like I expected, The Bodyguard had all of the elements that make me enjoy Ruchi Singh's books - well fleshed out and memorable characters, an intriguing plot, and fast paced narration that kept me turning pages.
This book leans more on the suspense aspect over the romance, and I personally would have liked to see a little more romance in the mix, especially in the climax, where I usually prefer full blown emo sequences before the HEA, but like I said that's just personal preference, and everyone's different.
Having said that, it's the mystery that makes this book a total page turner, because it's pretty fast paced, and intriguing, and wraps up with a realistic and acceptable conclusion. So I'd recommend it for that alone, and one can consider the romance an added bonus.
I loved the plot and the way the author has blended suspense and romance together. Both the elements are well balanced and the story just flows. The characters including secondary characters are well etched. The descriptions of the scenes are detailed. I loved the relationship between Nikhil and Vikram and that between Esha and Nikhil, I loved the way he calls her Xena.
The date, time and place of the scenes are mentioned at the beginning of the chapter and the reader keeps getting more and more involved with ‘What Happens Next?’ The point of view of even the negative character has been given, in italics.
I went into the book with an open mind as after reading the blurb I had a strong inkling of how the story will progress. Although the storyline was quite predictable the treatment of the story was not. Read in my review further...
PROS: Gripping Suspense: I liked how the story started. It was gripping and full of thrill. The actions the characters get involved in immediately after the story starts, made the reader within me curious. The anticipation all around in the first page motivated me to flip pages further. Ruchi has kept this feeling of suspense intact until the end, which keeps the story running on the edge.
Pace: There was a steady momentum throughout. The twists and turns in the story were appropriate and adjusted brilliantly within the flow of the story. There was never a feeling of over-the-top actions. Ruchi kept a tight rein on the pace of the story which didn’t allow the feeling of disconnect seep into me as a reader.
Focus: I was really impressed by the writing skills of Ruchi as she didn’t lose the focal point of the story at all. There were no loose ends. She didn’t pile up the story with innumerable characters. There were no background stories of each and every side character we came across in the book. It was welcoming for me as I could focus on the story rather getting entangled with every character in there. Moreover, the narration of the story from different point of views gave a wholesome idea of the plot
Characters: This was the highlight of the whole story, as far as I am concerned. The characters development, for me, is ‘Bang-On’. Ruchi Singh has done an impeccable job while sketching the characters. They felt very realistic to me.
The character of business tycoon Vikram is of a practical man who takes things as they come. His calm demeanour in spite of the danger lurking around him; he playing different roles in his life and enjoying life as it is- is quite believable. People do have such lives where there are a lot of things happening around them but in spite of that they keep living on; behave normally; celebrate life. Don’t they?
Esha is a smart and sensible lady who is in total control of her head and heart. I love her character the most not because she was an ex-major and is tough as a nut but because she has the capability to rein in her emotions. When the sparks fly between Vikram and Esha, she keeps her head on her shoulders rather than giving in without assessing the situation. She thinks over and over before coming to a conclusion of where Vikram and her relationship stands. Till then, though her heart flutters with the attraction, she keeps control over her not to show any emotions. I liked that kind of strength in Esha.
(I have read books having female protagonists who are pretty badass but when it comes to romance they become all girly and giggly irrespective of the age and that is something which I cannot digest)
CONS: I was a bit disappointed with the climax of 'The Bodyguard'. It was very abrupt. The unbalance was unexpected and as a reader, I couldn’t come to terms with it.
Conclusion: ‘The Bodyguard’ by Ruchi Singh is here to tantalise your thriller instincts with a fast-paced, intriguing storyline with well-developed characters and lots of suspense.
I love Ruchi Singh's books and she has truly grown as a writer. I absolutely adored her previous romance, Jugnu that became one of my favourite books of all time with its spellbinding world building and a memorable love story that though a little predictable was narrated so flawlessly that everytime I re-read it, the tightness, the angst of forbidden love and the yearning to have it all is still the same.
With The Bodyguard, Ruchi Singh has gone a step further and brought a book that had goosebumps erupt on my body while I followed the adrenaline thumping action and stayed at the edge of my seat while praying for the safety of my favourite characters from a deranged villain who was insanely obsessed with harming the protagonist in the book.
Vikramaditya Seth Jr. is a workaholic and a successful businessman whose life is in danger from an unknown villain. Esha Sinha, ex-military, is appointed as his bodyguard and it is her duty to keep him safe from known and unknown danger.
Two characters who are poles apart in their temperament, Vikram and Esha start an explosive acquaintance and it was so much fun watching their banter and head-butting. Both are headstrong and attracted to each other. The romance slowly simmers and then gains a scorching intensity that is beautifully developed with realistic emotional play.
I also connected with Vikram's friend, Nikhil who is also his security chief. An intriguing man, he is loyal, devoted to Vikram and a man who likes to stay in the background but has an enigmatic persona that made me eager to know more about him. I would so love to read his own story.
The suspense and the twists and turns are well planned and introduced at just the right moment in the story.
I empathized and was also repulsed by the villain which is rare and it shows the author's writing prowess that she was able to sketch a character that will have you feeling sorry for him as well as hating him all at the same time.
Ruchi Singh shows that no one is perfect and it is our life experiences as well as our ability to cope and move forward that have the power to either make us heroes or villains.
All in all, I love everything about this crisply written, fast-paced, action romantic suspense and give The Bodyguard by Ruchi Singh 4.5 super shiny stars out of 5 and Njkinny recommends it to all romantic suspense lovers. This book entertained me throughout and then left me wanting more. I eagerly await the future books in the Undercover series and strongly recommend Ruchi Singh to everyone.
The Bodyguard is a modern-day fairy tale which has a good blend of suspense and romance. The plot though not very unusual is that of a rich and handsome guy falling for a not-so-rich and strong girl. What adds to this simple plot is the suspense that starts building right from the beginning. Former army personnel Esha Sinha is appointed as bodyguard to the millionaire Vikramaditya Seth Jr. They are both young and attracted to each other so no brownies for guessing the sizzling chemistry between the two. Seth Jr. needs security to as there is/are assassin(s) putting their soul and heart to kill him. Why? That’s the suspense and you definitely need to swipe the pages on Kindle book to know that. While the romance element, nothing unusual could be interesting to read, the suspense and thrill that ropes all the characters under scanner. The plot has been nicely craved by the author Ruchi Singh and she successfully builds up each character as much as the suspense. Overall, The Bodyguard is an interesting read as it captures your interest with a good mix of plot, characters and the flow of the story. Last but not the least, the cover image of the e-book is quite interesting, it screams for attention, won’t you agree?
ACTION! SUSPENSE! ROMANCE! From the moment you start reading this novel, it is hard to put down. Set in India, the author offers picturesque descriptions of Mumbai. Esha Sinha is a female bodyguard dedicated to her role as a loyal protector. She never expected to fall in love with her assignment. Full of danger and heart-pounding action this book is a must read!
Enjoyed it thoroughly - didn't want to put it down, but had to because sleep beckoned; picked it up again in the morning and finished it just now.
The Major is tough as bullets - loved her.
The suspense is well built into the story and the plot is plausible - I am impressed with the way Ruchi Singh has handled the genre. I think she may have found her niche!
Once again Ruchi Singh has not disappointed. A very enjoyable book with a great mixture of romance and suspense which made it very hard to put down. A definite must read.
I would say the author has done a great job crafting this 'Romantic Thriller', a story which progresses keeping the secret well guarded and maintaining the curiosity till the end. It is for all those book lovers out there who wants to taste the story with a jibe of romance and suspense. I have read Ruchi Singh's book for the first time and I am truly impressed with her writing skills, expressions and framing of the story line. One after the other each character is introduced with apt choice of words. The Scenes in the story just sways as it is happening just in front of our eyes. The chapters are labelled intelligently mentioning the location, date and the timing of the event taking place.
An excellent effort by the author! Ooh...I loved reading it! A nice mix of romance and mystery. The characters are well-etched out and the story goes at a good pace. The language is smooth and keeps you engaged with the twists and turns.
Esha Sinha has been hired as a bodyguard to Vikramaditya Seth Jr. When I read this, I was intrigued. I looked forward to a book where the roles were reversed and a woman had a strong role. I must say I was disappointed. Instead of finding a strong, capable woman, I found a bungler, someone who doesn’t pay attention to where she is going and who doesn’t really do anything to protect the man she is hired to protect. I was disappointed, all the more because I have read Ruchi Singh’s “Jugnu” and loved it. However, Ruchi manages to hold the story together and I enjoyed her style of writing.
She was at the right time right place, for her interview but little did she know it was an assassination situation! She saved him and went home after sharing her insights about the situation to his hot security expert, Nikhil. Esha was an ex-army major, now in the assignment to guard the CEO, who doesn't want security amidsts his assassination attempts. Did I mention she is his new secretary? oh yeah, that's her assignment now. Will she be able to control her 'attraction on first sight' in order to save him, even amidst all the chaos since he became her boss?
He saw her during his business meeting and it's pure attraction until she saved him from the assassination, so, now its more than that. Possession should be the word to explain? Its pure struggle when she maintains the professional front and to see her flirt with his security expert and other guys. Wait, Did you know, He is already spoken for someone? but not officially. Vikramaditya Seth is the Playboy CEO for the world and workaholic boss in his office, and will he take the next steps to woo his, now, sexy secretary, even though his life is in line? With unraveling mysteries of his past, their bond grows to more than attraction, and racy events keeps us occupied.
Special Mention: Just made me eager with the cover, and then with Esha's sass and shocker on Nikhil's role when it had a good development. Now, Left curious about his story!