How to Catch a Bodyguard

Chester Falls, Book 3

By: Ana Ashley

Narrated by: Nick Hudson

Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

When your life is in danger, the last thing you should do is fall in love...especially with your bodyguard.

Connor hasn’t just had a bad day or bad week. More like a bad year. Things have been going downhill since he dumped his girlfriend and to top it all off, his house has been ransacked.

Ever since James returned to Chester Falls a year ago, his past has come to haunt him. Especially in the image of his childhood best friend who ran out on him after a moment of weakness.

Two best friends reunited.

A bisexual awakening.

An escape artist pet turtle.

James’s first and only instinct is to protect Connor from whoever is trying to harm him. But will being his secret crush’s bodyguard end up putting his heart in harm’s way?

Welcome to Chester Falls, where you can expect to meet sweet men, sexy situations, interfering friends, lots of feels, and a happy ever after.

Book Three in the Chester Falls series. How To Catch a Bodyguard is a sweet and steamy MM romance novel with no cliffhanger, and a guaranteed HEA.

©2020 Ana Ashley (P)2020 Ana Ashley

Beautiful Second Chance

A wonderful story of a second chance at love. James and Connor were best friends in school but haven’t seen one another in years. Now someone is after Connor and James will do anything to keep him safe. I love watching these two wade through their feelings and see them not only rebuild their friendship but become so much more. A beautiful story portrayed by a great narrator who does a great job with the story and the characters. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

The narration takes it to another level

How to Catch a Bodyguard is the third book in the Chester Falls series. The series consists of interconnected standalones; you can read them in any order - this one was the first one in the series I had read - but you will definitely have better context if you read them in order (and it's slightly spoilery if you read them out of order, but not enough to really hamper your reading or enjoyment of the book). This story focuses on Connor and James, teenage BFFs who were separated when James’ mother unexpectedly picked up and moved away with James, without giving James a chance to explain or say goodbye to Connor. Of course, this coincided with an ill-timed kiss that sent Connor running away in sexual confusion, and then the two never had a chance to clear the air in the intervening years.

In this book, Connor and James are reunited - although apparently there was a prior meeting a year before which took place in Book 1, and did not go so well. James is a bodyguard, and although detailed as head of security for Prince Kris, who is engaged to Connor’s brother, he ends up protecting Connor when a stalker threatens Connor’s life. There’s angst, drama, suspense, action, steamy scenes, hurt/comfort, bisexual awakening, and some great family dynamics, all rolled up in a neat package with two really hot (and very tall!) MCs who are so obviously in love, but need some help finding their way back to each other. Honestly, the best part of the story is Connor’s absolutely adorable pet turtle-with-an-attitude.

When listening to an audiobook, you’re most of the way there with a great story - which this is - so the narration can literally make it or break it. A great story can be transformed into something amazing by a talented narrator, or made unbearable if the narration is poor. Happily, here we have the fantastic Nick Hudson on duty with the vocals and wow does he do a great job.

This is the first time I’ve listened to Mr. Hudson’s narration and I was admittedly thrown at first by his unusual cadence. He has this stop/start quality to his narration - think of a car at a stop light, flooring it when the light turns green and then stopping again seconds later at the next red light and pausing until the light turns green. That’s not the way I talk and that’s not the typical narrator cadence, at least not with the pool of narrators that I’ve listened to. All of this is to say, you may experience an adjustment period, acclimating to his style. I actually listened to it on 1.1x speed because it smoothed it out a bit and made the pauses less pronounced.

It is absolutely worth it to adjust to his style (if you even need to) because his intonations and delivery are so spot-on. He is one of the best I have heard at exclamations, and he is very authentic in conveying the feeling behind the words. Nothing is flat; nothing seems fake. He takes these characters right off the page so you feel like you are looking at and hearing them IRL. I highly recommend the story, but definitely read it and listen because Mr. Hudson elevates the story beyond what you'd expect.

Charming Chester Falls Second Chance Romance

Bodyguard James reconnects with childhood best friend and first crush/kiss Connor years after moving away from Chester Falls. Their second chance romance has a slow-burn feel to it as they get to know each other as adults, confront past hurts and unrequited feelings, and Connor questions and explores his bisexuality for the first time.

There's an added layer of emotion and mystery as Connor's life is in danger, which heightens the overall low-angst and James's feelings of protectiveness. I'd also be remiss not to mention Connor's mischievous pet turtle Bubbles, which is a hoot.

I'd suggest first reading/listening to Book 1, where James is introduced as Prince Kristof's security detail and Connor as Charlie's brother, for some background on secondary character connections.

Narrator Nick Hudson has done done a wonderful job of creating unique voices for the many characters in Chester Falls throughout this series, and gives another solid and enjoyable performance here.

Just right

Just the right amount of steam, just the right amount of suspense, just the right amount of first time. Loved this book and can’t wait to listen to the next.

Another Great One

I’ve been waiting for this story since I finished book one and I was not disappointed. Great characters, awesome plot and superb narration.

love just love

I love this book because in so many ways everyone had that simple Crush but for gay people like myself and maybe for the person that might be reading this next I hope that you will find out that it kind of makes you wonder if that Crush would have given you the second chance or the chance to be with them who knows but this book is one of my favorites because it's book of honestly hope and wonder but also Redemption I think you will enjoy this book a lot because of all of the quirkiness and fun of a certain something in this book that I think you will enjoy so please give this chance this whole series a chance I can't wait for the third for the fourth book so I hope hope you enjoy this and please give this whole series a chance

Bodyguard

I love all the books in this series so far! This one is also amazing! The narrator does a splendid job bringing these characters to life. It brought even more to the story with the emotions the narrator put into their words. There was a misunderstanding and a lot of meddling friends to get these guys together but it was all worth it and such a joy to listen to! I can’t wait to see what else the author and narrator combo have for us!

And the bodyguard was caught in prince’s hands

This is a classic romance story between a prince and his bodyguard. And I think they are very sweet together.

Kris is the prince of Lidovia and James is his very capable and faithful bodyguard. There’s something going on between them but nobody wants to acknowledge it. When they visit Chester Falls, something happened and James decided its time to take charge of this unruly prince. What’s awaiting them in Chester falls?

Sweet, sexy and a little bit of mystery. It is a good combination. This is a story totally focused on romance and relationship development rather than the mystery aspect but it is a good one. I’m glad that James Ans Kris were able to resolve the misunderstanding between them and got their HEA. Overall, an enjoyable listen.


4 And the bodyguard was caught in prince’s hands stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




Audio rating

Story - 3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Narration - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Might be my favorite couple yet!

I admit I was really looking forward to this visit to Chester falls because book 2 so dramatically sets this book up. Plus, there are hints through both the first two books that James and Connor have an important history together.

In this story, someone is stalking Connor, and James uses his bodyguard expertise to protect his former best friend. All this close proximity allows them to confront the truth what had happened between them when they were teenagers, the hurts that came about since then, and how they deal with it all now. It's a lovely book with a great narrator. You can feel the tender emotions between the two leads.

The only thing I didn't like, and it's a minor quibble, is these men suddenly calling each other "baby" when they were being sexy or tender. It sounds out of place to my ears. That's a personal preference, though. It may not bother anyone else, but it stuck out to me, especially with this narrator.

And the narrator is really quite good. He does a variety of voices and accents. He does them well, and in some ways, he's a fearless performer. It can't be easy to perform some of the intimate scenes.

If you like the tropes and enjoy the samples, definitely get this one. I'm enjoying the world of Chester Falls and will definitely be back for more.

Loved it

This narrator is dynamite. I will for sure be following him. This book was fantastic when I read it. Man Nick brought a whole new level to the book for me. I felt like I was in town sitting on the bench and watching all things and turtles go by. The charters were wonderful. I love a good second chance romance as long as it is done right and man Ana knew how to do it.I can't wait for more.

Great romance series

Bubbles!!!

Throughly enjoyed this friends to lovers book.
Loved James, the big (and he really was) bodyguard to the Prince in book 1. He had a surprise back story that I wasn't expecting.
I really felt for Connor with the situation he was in but he dealt with falling for his friend (and his attraction to a man for the first time) in a mature way.
Great to catch up with all the other couples.
And excellent narration.

enjoyable

A fun easy listen story. I've been waiting for this pairing since the first book when Connor intrigued me and it didn't disappoint. I didn't really care for the stalker storyline part.

Special guest stars - TOM! and Bubbles

Great narration.

Finally Connor's Story!

I loved Connor's Story and feel this was a wonderful second chance romance.

I was intrigued by Connor and James from book one and loved their journey to finding each other and realising their connection! I love that Ana doesn't mess about! These characters are meant to be together and Ana weaves a wonderful tale to make it happen without any silly (and unnecessary) second guessing or miscommunication.
I loved the little bit of danger within this story and James' protectiveness.
As even Nick has done a fantastic job and continues to excel with these two and keeping the voices and accents seamless from book to book!

Excellent!

This piece has a lot of the elements you enjoy in a great M/M story. Listeners don't need to listen to the first two in order to enjoy this installment in the series, but encourage y'all to because they are equally as enjoyable love stories.

The Characters have impeccable chemistry and a connection on an emotional level that is beautiful. The plot is interesting and fun, keeps you wanting more throughout.

The narration was excellent as well, Hudson brought life to this awesome story in a way I wouldn't have been able to get just reading. The reading was crisp and clear and full of dramatic flare and interesting changes in tone that keep to the mood of the story.

Over all great piece.

A fun series

I am truly enjoying my time in Chester Falls. Several couples are already together, and now it’s Connor and James’ turn. I was introduced to the characters in the first book and it was clear there was something more than friendship, although neither was willing to admit it. James is tasked with protecting Kris, the prince of Lidovia. He takes his job seriously, but while visiting Chester Falls, something bad happens to Connor and James is right there to step in.

And take over.

Which Connor truly doesn’t appreciate. Them living in close quarters while the mystery is solved? Not Connor’s idea of fun. But it does mean he gets to spend more time with his brother Charlie who is Kris’ partner. They spend a good time in Lidovia but manage to come back to Chester Falls as the town will always be part of their hearts.

The mystery is a decent one, to be sure, but it is the development of the relationship between Connor and James that really drew me in. Once school boy friends, Connor kissed James and literally the next day James disappeared. Connor has spent the intervening years believing he was somehow the reason for all this, but it turns out there was another explanation. Once all is revealed, it makes more sense.

These men are meant to be together and, happily, they wound up that way.

I have said this before, but Nick Hudson is perfect for this series. He differentiates the characters well and maintains those voices even though there are now a whole pile of men. The next audio is already out so I’m heading that way next.

New favorite in the series

Ana Ashley out did herself with the series and this book. Chester Falls sound like an amazing place and one to revisit. NIck Hudson was amazing, he gave the characters that something extra.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Another amazing book of this series...

I was waiting anxiously the story of Connor and James and as always Ms Ashley didn't dissapoint. The story is interesting, full of funny and romantic moments and hot scenes, in between some angst and danger. Even if the story can be read as standalone I strongly recommend to read first, books 1 and 2 in the series to fully enjoy all the situations in this one. Of course a great story needed an outstanding voice acting and Mr Hudson was up to the challenge. His wonderful performance and smooth voice caught me since the beginning until the very end closing with the nice letter from the author. Simply amazing!

Another winner in the series

I had pet turtles as a child, so how could I not read this story just for Bubbles if nothing else. Fortunately, this entry in the series is just as good as Ana Ashley's How to Catch a Prince was and Nick Hudson's narration is equally good. Ashley's stories always have characters that are believable and never over the top. Their problems are angsty, but they don't wrench your heart out for the entire book. Characters behave like adults, talk to each other, resolve their issues and get their HEA. In this book there is also the added element of suspense as Connor and James try to stay alive and find out who has targeted Connor. The mix of suspense, action and romance is well handled. As with others in the series, Nick Hudson's performance is wonderful. Characters are clearly delineated, emotions are genuine and he just seems to be having a great time performing the book.

Brill

This is a brilliant and heartwarming story showing out of touch friends reconnect into more as they sort out their misconceptions.

Great

Been waiting for Connor and James’ story since the end of book 1, it was worth the wait. Connor has been struggling for the past year and James comes back into his life at just the right time. They dance around each other for a while but when they finally get together sparks certainly fly. Two very likeable characters and a great slow burn romance.