When your steamy romance novel about a prime minister becomes a bestseller and suddenly everyone thinks you’re actually having an affair with your boss’s husband, what do you do? For Andi Zeigler in Amy Lea’s latest contemporary romance, The Bodyguard Affair, the answer involves fake dating the hot bodyguard who ghosted her three years ago. If that premise sounds deliciously chaotic, that’s because it is.
When Secret Identities Collide with Second Chances
Amy Lea has built her reputation on crafting contemporary romances that blend humor with heart, and “The Bodyguard Affair” continues that tradition while exploring fresh territory. The novel opens three years before the main timeline, introducing us to Andi through a hilariously awkward bathroom encounter with Nolan Crosby that evolves into an unexpected night of connection. Lea’s decision to begin with their first meeting proves strategic, allowing readers to understand the weight of their reunion when Nolan reappears as the prime minister’s new close protection officer.
The dual identity premise drives the plot with precision. Andi lives two lives: by day, she’s the buttoned-up, cardigan-wearing personal assistant to Canada’s First Lady; by night, she transforms into A. A. Zed, a romance author whose latest book about a prime minister and his assistant has become an unexpected phenomenon. When photos of Andi dining with Prime Minister Eric Nichols leak to the press, the media connects her to the steamy novel, and speculation about a real-life affair explodes. The solution? Andi and Nolan enter a fake relationship to redirect the scandal narrative and protect Eric and Gretchen’s marriage.
What elevates this setup beyond standard fake dating fare is Lea’s careful attention to the political atmosphere and media scrutiny that would realistically surround such a scandal. The pressure on Andi feels authentic, from the staff kitchen whispers to the aggressive paparazzi presence. However, the resolution of the scandal itself feels somewhat rushed in the final act, with the media storm dissipating more easily than the buildup would suggest.
Characters Grounded in Genuine Struggle
Andi Zeigler emerges as one of Lea’s most relatable heroines. She’s not the bold, outgoing type common in contemporary romance. Instead, she’s introspective, socially awkward, and prone to overthinking, yet fiercely dedicated to her writing and her job. Her journey toward claiming her author identity publicly resonates because Lea doesn’t shy away from the real fears writers face: judgment, imposter syndrome, and the vulnerability of putting creative work into the world. The scenes where Andi grapples with potentially sacrificing her political career for her writing passion carry genuine emotional weight.
Nolan Crosby balances the brooding protector archetype with surprising emotional depth. A former military operative turned close protection officer, he’s returned to Ottawa temporarily to care for his mother who has early-onset Alzheimer’s. Lea handles this storyline with sensitivity and authenticity, showing both the daily challenges and the complicated emotions that arise when adult children become caregivers. The Alzheimer’s arc never feels exploitative; instead, it adds layers to Nolan’s character and explains his reluctance to commit to relationships when his life has always been defined by leaving.
The supporting cast enhances rather than overshadows. Emma, Nolan’s sister, brings warmth and wisdom about family forgiveness. Amanda, Andi’s younger sister, provides comic relief while surprising readers with her genuine support when Andi finally reveals her writing career. Even Eric and Gretchen Nichols feel like real people navigating marriage struggles under public scrutiny, not just plot devices.
Where Hearts Heal and Futures Take Shape
The dual caretaking theme runs throughout the novel in unexpected ways. Both Andi and Nolan are caretakers: she tends to Gretchen’s needs and appearance, maintaining the perfect political façade; he manages his mother’s daily care while grieving the relationship they never had. Their romance becomes a space where they can finally be cared for in return. Lea explores this reciprocity without making it saccharine, showing how vulnerability strengthens rather than weakens connections.
The found family element resonates particularly well. Nolan’s journey toward forgiveness with his mother refuses easy answers. Their conversations about her abandonment during his childhood and her subsequent sobriety don’t erase the past but acknowledge it honestly. Similarly, Andi’s complicated relationship with her own mother and her evolving friendship with Amanda demonstrate that family bonds require ongoing work and grace.
Perhaps most compellingly, Lea tackles the question many creative people face: can you build a sustainable life around your passion? Andi’s internal debate about leaving her stable political career for the uncertain world of publishing feels authentic. The book deal and film option she receives might strain believability slightly, but Lea balances this by showing Andi’s awareness that success isn’t guaranteed and privilege plays a role in these opportunities.
Pacing That Rushes When It Should Breathe
Lea’s prose maintains her signature breezy, accessible style. She excels at witty banter and physical comedy, particularly in scenes where Andi’s social awkwardness manifests in delightfully cringe-worthy ways. The grocery store sequence from their first night together showcases Lea’s talent for building romantic tension through mundane activities. The dialogue sparkles with authenticity, capturing how people actually flirt, deflect, and gradually lower their emotional guards.
However, the pacing occasionally suffers under the weight of multiple plot threads. The first act builds tension effectively, but the middle section meanders as Lea juggles the fake relationship, Nolan’s family drama, Andi’s writing career developments, and the ongoing media scandal. Some scenes, particularly repetitive work events and football game outings, could have been condensed to maintain momentum.
The final act rushes through resolutions that deserved more space. Nolan’s decision about Denmark and his career feels somewhat abrupt given how much his identity as a protection officer has defined him. Similarly, the media backing off from Andi and the book scandal resolves too neatly. A more gradual resolution showing the sustained work of reputation management would have felt more realistic.
Steam Meets Substance
The romance balances physical attraction with emotional connection effectively. Lea doesn’t shy away from detailed intimate scenes—this is her steamiest book yet—but she grounds them in the characters’ emotional journeys. The progression from fake relationship to genuine feelings unfolds naturally, with both characters fighting their attraction for realistic reasons: Nolan’s impending departure, Andi’s career concerns, and their shared fear of vulnerability.
The Ottawa setting provides distinctive flavor without overwhelming the story. References to Canadian politics, winter weather, and local landmarks add authenticity, though international readers won’t feel lost. Lea’s portrayal of political life behind the scenes rings true, from the exhausting schedule demands to the constant media monitoring.
What Works Less Effectively
Areas where The Bodyguard Affair stumbles include:
Conflict resolution: The external scandal and obstacles dissipate too easily, reducing narrative tension in the final act
Career stakes: Andi’s eventual decision about her PA position lacks the difficult consequences it would realistically entail
Secondary romance: Eric and Gretchen’s marriage reconciliation happens largely off-page, missing an opportunity for parallel relationship development
Denmark dilemma: Nolan’s career change feels rushed and could have benefited from more internal conflict
For Readers Seeking Similar Stories
If “The Bodyguard Affair” captured your heart, consider these recommendations:
“Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston – Political romance with similar media scrutiny and dual identity themes, featuring the First Son and a British prince
“The Ex Talk” by Rachel Lynn Solomon – Workplace romance involving secret relationships and public personas in the radio industry
“The Catch” by Amy Lea – Another gem from Lea featuring a fish-out-of-water story with small-town charm and social media complications
“Beach Read” by Emily Henry – Explores writers finding love while navigating creative blocks and career transitions
“Funny You Should Ask” by Elissa Sussman – Celebrity romance examining the gap between public perception and private reality
Final Thoughts: Romance That Reaches Beyond the Pages
“The Bodyguard Affair” succeeds as a warm, emotionally engaging romance that tackles meaningful themes beneath its playful premise. Amy Lea demonstrates growth as a writer, particularly in handling sensitive topics like Alzheimer’s and family reconciliation with nuance. While the plot occasionally buckles under its own ambition and some resolutions feel hasty, the core relationship between Andi and Nolan carries enough authenticity and chemistry to sustain reader investment.
This novel will particularly resonate with readers who love dual identity storylines, caregiver representation, and romances where characters must choose between security and passion. It’s a story about claiming your truth, even when terrifying, and finding someone who sees you completely—both the polished professional and the messy, creative soul underneath. In an era where we increasingly curate separate online and offline identities, Andi’s journey toward integration feels timelessly relevant.
Amy Lea continues establishing herself as a reliable voice in contemporary romance, crafting stories that entertain while exploring what it means to build authentic lives and relationships in a world that constantly demands performance. “The Bodyguard Affair” may not be perfect, but it’s genuinely affecting—and sometimes, that matters more.