This was a story focused on healing from past trauma and learning to feel safe in a world where nothing is guaranteed.
Natalie Keane, a popular actress lived with nightmares from a traumatic experience with a stalker, John Becker.
Becker was going to be released on bail and fears were increasing for Natalie. She already had Tommy, a full time bodyguard, but now they wanted to add a female protector who would live in her home, posing as her girlfriend. Taylor was the candidate chosen to be her fake girlfriend. She was Army-trained and very attractive.

The story was a cute and sweet romcom, but what increased my pleasure was the slow-burn attraction and watching the beautiful romance unfold. The chemistry between them was immediate. Even though they grew into a relationship, things were complicated by past experiences they both had endured that raised caution flags for each of them. The book contained scary moments, fun times and, of course, some steamy romantic scenes.

I really enjoyed the book even though, overall, it felt rather generic and wasn’t anything that really knocked my socks off. For that, I’m giving it a 3.75.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Rachel Lacey has done it again! I’ve read nearly all her books and loved them, and this was no exception. The exploration of overcoming past trauma added another layer to the fake dating storyline, and I was rooting for Natalie & Taylor to make it!

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Cover Story" by Rachel Lacey is a captivating and steamy romance novel set in the glittering world of Hollywood. The story follows Natalie Keane, a renowned actress, and Taylor Vaughn, a dedicated bodyguard, as they embark on a ruse of pretending to be girlfriends – a plan designed to offer Natalie protection from a new threat while keeping the media at bay. Lacey weaves a tale of intrigue, passion, and the blurred lines between pretense and reality that captivates from the outset.

The character development is a standout feature of this novel. Natalie, haunted by a past stalking incident and the relentless scrutiny of the public eye, is a complex character whose vulnerability and strength are skillfully portrayed. Taylor, recovering from an injury and eager to return to the job she loves, is equally compelling. Her dedication and protectiveness make her an ideal counterpoint to Natalie’s glamorous but insulated life.

The chemistry between Natalie and Taylor is palpable and masterfully developed. Lacey excels in building their relationship organically, with a tension that sizzles throughout the narrative. The premise of a bodyguard posing as a girlfriend is both intriguing and ripe with potential, and Lacey exploits this to its fullest, creating moments of intimacy, conflict, and genuine connection that keep the reader engaged.

Set against the backdrop of Hollywood's high stakes and high glamour, the novel offers an insider's look into the pressures of celebrity life. The depiction of the entertainment industry adds an authentic layer to the story, enriching the romance with a sense of realism.

However, readers seeking a deeply nuanced exploration of the complexities of celebrity life might find the novel leans more towards the romance and the immediate plot rather than a profound commentary on fame. Additionally, the predictability of certain plot points may not satisfy those looking for unexpected twists.

Content warnings for themes of stalking and personal security are appropriate, and the book will appeal most to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a unique twist and a setting that offers a glimpse into the glamorous world of Hollywood.

In conclusion, "Cover Story" by Rachel Lacey is a delightful, steamy romance that deftly combines the thrill of a protective romance with the allure of Hollywood. Its engaging characters, compelling narrative, and the tantalizing faux-relationship trope make it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance novels.

This is my first book by Rachel Lacey, and I would be interested in checking out more of her titles. This wasn't my favorite book, but it was a quick and easy read for me. The one thing I found a bit difficult was that their names were repeated over and over again, which became redundant. The build-up was a slow burn for me, but I enjoyed their story once it started to take off.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book, pre-release.

Rachel Lacey's "Cover Story" takes readers on a thrilling journey through the lives of Natalie Keane, a Hollywood star haunted by a dark past, and Taylor Vaughn, a talented bodyguard seeking to prove herself in a cutthroat industry. With a captivating blend of suspense, romance, and the complexities of personal identity, Lacey delivers a compelling narrative that keeps readers engrossed from start to finish. Natalie Keane, a successful actress, has paid a hefty price for her fame. Once a victim of a harrowing stalking incident that nearly shattered her, Natalie is determined to protect her privacy and shield herself from the relentless media scrutiny. When a new threat emerges, she reluctantly agrees to additional security measures but prefers to keep them discreet. The last thing she desires is another media spectacle, especially during the high-pressure awards season. Enter Taylor Vaughn, a seasoned bodyguard whose recent injury has put her career in jeopardy. Eager to prove herself, Taylor seizes the opportunity to work for Natalie Keane, accepting the assignment without knowing the full details. Little do they know, their lives are about to intertwine in unexpected ways. As Natalie and Taylor meet, a plan takes shape: Taylor will pose as Natalie's girlfriend, providing the perfect cover story to ward off any potential threats. However, as their professional relationship develops, the boundaries between their fabricated romance and their true feelings start to blur. Lacey skillfully explores the complexities of their connection, adding layers of emotional depth to the story. Lacey's writing flawlessly captures the tension and vulnerability experienced by both Natalie and Taylor. Readers are given a glimpse into the emotional aftermath of trauma, as Natalie grapples with her past while navigating the present. Taylor, on the other hand, confronts her own insecurities and the challenges of a male-dominated industry. Their individual growth is beautifully intertwined, creating a narrative that is both empowering and heartfelt. The author's ability to balance suspense and romance is commendable. The underlying threat that looms throughout the novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the truth and witness the resolution. Simultaneously, the blossoming connection between Natalie and Taylor offers a tender and heartwarming love story, sprinkled with moments of passion and vulnerability. "Cover Story" showcases Rachel Lacey's talent for crafting well-rounded characters that resonate with readers. Both Natalie and Taylor are relatable and authentic, with distinct personalities and motivations that drive the plot forward. Supporting characters add depth to the story, each bringing their own unique contributions that enhance the narrative. In conclusion, "Cover Story" is a captivating and well-paced novel that seamlessly blends elements of suspense, romance, and personal growth. Rachel Lacey's expert storytelling keeps readers engaged until the very last page, as they cheer for the triumph of love and self-discovery amidst a backdrop of danger and fame. A must-read for fans of thrilling romance and strong female protagonists, "Cover Story" will leave readers eagerly awaiting Lacey's next literary endeavor.

When I saw the cover and blurb for Cover Story I was excited. Queer fake dating and a bodyguard trope? Sign me right up.

Cover Story is about actress Natalie Keane who, a few years ago, was stalked by a man obsessed with her and who broke into her house while she was sleeping. He gets an early from prison due to good behaviour so she starts looking for a female bodyguard who will pose as her girlfriend. Enter Taylor Vaughn who is about to come back after being out for several months due to an injury. Natalie chooses her as her new bodyguard and things progress from there.

While the premise sounded amazing, the execution ultimately fell flat to me. It caused me to DNF the book at around 40%. Both Natalie and Taylor came across as cardboard cutouts. Their defining characteristics were "actress with PTSD" and "bodyguard is scared for injury to resurface". Otherwise they didn't have any aspects that really set them apart from each other.

Additionally there was zero chemistry between the characters for me. Due to her PTSD Natalie is very guarded which makes sense but ultimately stopped any real connection happening in the writing between her and Taylor. Lacey tells us that they are growing more comfortable with and have the hots for each other but that's not reflected in the words. No sizzle, no heat, no spark.

This is just my opinion. If the blurb sparks your interest, definitely check it out and see for yourself if it works for you.

A perfectly fine book, but it just didn't work for me and I can't put my finger on why. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

I read 51% of this book before DNFing it. I really wanted to like it as I enjoyed the concept parts of the plot, however I had a few problems with it. I felt an immense lack of chemistry between the two main characters. The plot moved at a very slow pace and while I enjoyed the suspense around what would happen with the former stalker, I found myself caring less as I read more. The pacing of both the relationship and stalker situation felt incredibly dragged out and some of the mini side plots felt unnecessary to me.

Rachel Lacey has truly cemented herself as a go-to author whenever I want to read a good, compelling sapphic love story. Cover Story is a delicious mix of a little bit of suspense, an intense emotional plot at times and it’s a journey of healing from the past trauma. I loved this!

3.5/5⭐️
This is the first book that I have read by Rachel Lacey and I really enjoyed their writing! The story felt a little slow at times but overall a solid read.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book.

After reading two books from Rachel Lacey, I knew I had to give this one a go, and it did not disappoint.
It was a very cute lovely story.
I loved reading about Natalie and what she has been through as an actress. It was heart-wrenching and make you think a lot about the artists (singers, actors,..) and what they are going through because they are popular.

Taylor was also the sweetest, I loved her and how dedicated she was to Natalie and her protection.

I would 100% recommend it.

Cover Story is a charming read. Overall, I liked the characters and the story line. I have a soft spot for a famous person paired with a non-famous person in romance.

I did like that both Taylor and Natalie are both incredibly capable at what they do. The story takes time to show the emotional state of each our leads, how it affects their lives and their relationships. I also liked how they slowly opened up to one another and how they are there for each other. There is a bit of miscommunication that happens but that is always quickly resolved.

I do feel like almost every named character knows about or figures out that Natalie and Taylor are fake dating. Or they are just told. Personally, I feel like the fake dating should have added tension or conflict between our leads and the outside world. Especially since the author makes a very valid point of fans overstepping into a famous person's lives and treating the famous person like an object to be stared and photographed at.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A solid romance novel. Cover Story follows Natalie, an actor with a traumatic past and Taylor, a bodyguard who also has a traumatic past. The story manages to stay lighthearted while navigating through the issues both of them face. Part of their histories felt like heavy metaphors for how they dealt with their current problems and while their past traumas were handled carefully, there wasn't a lot of depth. I enjoyed both characters who managed not to feel entirely one-dimensional and bought into their love story.

I had a great time reading this.
Loved Taylor so much!! The characters are relatable and well written. Great character growth. Fantastic plot.
Please can we have a Noelle prequel? I want to know more about her.
This will be a hit, would not be surprised if Cover story becomes the next popular sapphic romance. Great job

Rachel Lacey is an authour I buy from automatically so I was so happy to be able to read Cover Story!
The celebrity bodyguard concept of this is one of my favourite set ups so with this and the authour I knew we were set up for success.
The chemistry between the two characters was amazing and this sapphic version of the bodyguard was the perfect book to get hooked into.
The deeper themes, like the trauma Natalie experienced, was also handled well and shown in a realistic light.
Overall I was not disappointed and this is a must read which I cannot wait to start recommending.

Thank you NetGalley and Rachel Lacey for this ARC!

I enjoyed reading Nat and Taylor’s slow burn love story. The characters worked great together! Such a good storyline.

3.5 In 'Cover Story,' Natalie, an A-list actress, navigates a challenging experience with a fan-turned-stalker, accompanied by a sapphic romance and a female bodyguard. While I enjoyed this book, nothing special really stood out for me. Enjoyed both characters, storyline with the stalker was meh. The romance was a slow-burn and sweet. Once introduced to Noelle, I couldn’t help thinking the rest of the story, “I WANT NOELLE’S STORY!”. Hopefully there is a book for her, fingers crossed! I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really intrigued by the story especially the suspense aspect! Overall I thought it was a good book!

A lot of books usually either have a super good beginning or an amazing end. It's pretty rare for me to find one that has both but this defiantly had such a great beginning and all the way through pace that kept me wanting to keep reading like crazy and it also had an unforgettable ending.

Nat and Taylor’s slow burn romance was easy to read, and enjoyable to experience. Both characters are thoroughly developed, as well as their supporting cast. I would love to know more about future characters in these story lines.