I really enjoyed this book! The banter was hilarious and there were interesting twists with the characters and plot that I did not expect. It was a great beach read that I would recommend to anyone who wants an uplifting story. I also enjoyed the “self love” conversations that happened throughout the book!

This book was super cute. I really like the Coast Guard effect of it. I’m a native Floridian and have been to the keys numerous times. I wish there was more specific detailed places for context to tie in the location. But overall, I really enjoyed both characters, their flaws and the overall storyline and ending.

This book was like a cozy chat with a good friend—thoughtful, funny, and filled with heart. Yes, our FMC Katie struggles with body image, and I know that’s been a point of debate. But honestly? Her journey felt relatable. Most of us have wrestled with self-doubt, and Katie’s is made harder by social media trolls. Her path to self-acceptance is messy but meaningful, and I think it was handled with care.

The web of lies she gets tangled in? Not my favorite plotline, but it didn’t take away from the heart of the story—and her connection with Hutch. And George Bailey? Completely stole the show. Rue and The Gals brought so much life to the pages. Rue especially had me smiling with her fairy godmother ways of nudging Katie toward courage and confidence. Beanie and Hutch were equally endearing and supportive in helping Katie overcome her fears.

The acknowledgements at the end were genuinely moving—you can tell this story came from a place of love. It’s a reminder that every part of us is worth loving, no matter what anyone else says.

Perfect for readers who enjoy heartfelt journeys, lovable side characters, and romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Romance books are inherently about falling in love, but the main character in this story fall in love with the man but also with herself. After the public scrutiny and a very public breakup with an up-and-coming celebrity, Katie doesn’t know how to love herself, much less even like herself. The media and the online comments have destroyed her, and it’s been very detrimental to her self-esteem.

Her work as a video producer sends her to Florida to make an ad involving a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, which puts her directly in someone else’s family drama and with the very kind and attentive rescue swimmer who helps her learn how to swim.

The plot at times felt a bit contrived, but my appreciation for the love interest’s dog assuaged any frustration. Overall, a decent read about learning to love the body that works so hard to keep you alive.

AHHH I LOVE KATHRINE CENTER AND EVERYTHING SHE WRITES! This book was another amazing story that made me laugh, cry, and swoon. Just so perfect!

If you need a good pallet cleanser, I suggest picking up a Katherine Center book! The Love Haters was no different in this case and honestly, I found myself loving every minute of this story!

Our FMC Katie struggles with body image issues and she felt really relatable to me. She worked on herself through the entire book and was able to overcome those issues and I loved that for her! Our MMC, Hutch, works with the coast guard, and let me just say this man is FINE! He’s definitely swoon worthy!

I enjoyed the plot of this book although parts of it did seem a little bit unrealistic, especially the last 25% but hey it’s a book so I’ll let it slide! Overall, I just really enjoyed this story and watching Katie and Hutch navigate their feelings for each other!

Thanks so much to Katherine Center and Netgalley for an ARC for an honest review!

I usually listen to rom coms, but I got a digital ARC of this one, so I physically read it and loved it. There were a few places that had me laughing hysterically.

Th Love Haters is about Katie, a videographer and Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Katie's boss sends her to the Florida Keys to film a recruiting ad for the Coast Guard instead of himself because he has a self-imposed rivalry with his brother (the MMC). Katie and Hutch spend quite a bit of time together in close proximity, feelings develop, and eventually chaos ensues (literally). Another aspect of the story is Katie's healing journey from a previous boyfriend and her body, which also reaches a breaking point at the same time as her relationship with Hutch.

Overall, this story was hilarious at times, and I really enjoyed it. The dog had me in hysterics. There really wasn't any spice, just endless hot/cold flirting and interest. What i didn't like was that the brother rivalry felt weird. All of Cole's lies felt a little like grasping at straws and forced. Also, every time an author wants to talk about eating disorders and body image, it's always about a size 2, beautiful woman who thinks she's fat and ugly. I acknowledge that women of all sizes have body image issues, but as someone who will never be a size 2, I feel very unseen by the constant focus on already thin women having these issues.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this was really not the vibe for me. I have enjoyed this author in the past, so I expected to again- but I really could not get into this one. I wanted to DNF multiple times. I preserved, but it wasn’t worth it.

I’ll start with the positive. The setting in Key West was dreamy and well described. I liked Katie’s hate to love relationship with her body. I really liked Beanie and Rue, they were great side characters who had Katie’s best interest at heart.

The things I didn’t like were really character based. I really did not like Cole. He was so manipulative and seemed mean to Katie even when claiming to help her. All he did was lie and have one sided beef with his brother! And even after it was explained his behavior was still gross and he didn’t apologize well enough for me.

I didn’t really like the love interest, Hutch, either. He seemed to have almost no personality. And I’m sorry- but the rescue at the end should have been way more romantic! He wanted to leave her stranded in a raft and didn’t even say hi or anything to her lol.

As for Katie, despite liking her journey with her body, she was so dumb when it came to Cole and going along with his lies. She let herself seem like a terrible person because Cole thought their boss would fire her? I’m sorry it was not justified in my mind.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I recently read The Love Haters by Katherine Center, and it was an absolute delight from start to finish. The banter between Katie and Hutch was sharp and engaging, adding a lively dynamic to their evolving relationship. Hutch's Great Dane, George Bailey, was a standout character—his gentle nature and bond with Katie added warmth and charm to the story. Aunt Rue, with her vibrant personality, brought a touch of whimsy and wisdom that enriched the narrative.

What particularly stood out was the insight into the Coast Guard rescue operations. Learning about the rigorous training and dedication of rescue swimmers added depth to Hutch's character and provided an intriguing backdrop to the romance.

While the story had its moments of predictability, the engaging characters and heartfelt moments made it an enjoyable read. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my very first Katherine Center novel, and now I completely understand why so many readers rave about her books! After hearing great things about The Rom-Commers and The Bodyguard, I was excited to dive into The Love Haters—and I’m so glad I did.

One of the first things that drew me in was the setting. The story takes place in Key West, which holds a special place in my heart. I’ve visited before, and reading about the beaches, the sunshine, and the laid-back island lifestyle brought back so many happy memories.

In this story, we meet Hutch—a tall, handsome, and muscular U.S. Coast Guard Swimmer. I was fascinated by all the details about the Coast Guard, from their intense training to their day-to-day responsibilities and even their terminology. It’s clear the author did her research. But The Love Haters is more than just a typical rom-com. It touches on deeper themes like self-love, grief, found family, and facing fears. Watching Katie grow throughout the book was inspiring, and Hutch is patient, caring, and heroic in every way.

Overall, this book is heartfelt, fun, and the perfect summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Center for an arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is FANTASTIC!!! Such a fun and cute romcom perfect for the summer with a well rounded cast of characters and a captivating will they, won't they relationship between our 2 main characters.

The story in this book is great, but the characters are truly what made this book so fun and an easy 5 stars for me. Katie is an excellent protagonist and is so full of genuine emotion, it makes it easy to root for her throughout the story. Her previous trauma gives such a depth to her journey and her growth, and made the stakes on everything so much higher, which, in turn, made her that much more endearing.

And Hutch?!? SWOON!! My heart belongs to this sweet, teddy bear of a man. He has so many layers and every chapter revealed something new to love about him.

I don't want to say too much else because I don't want to spoil anything, but if you love an entertaining and hilarious summer romance, this is the book for you. This book has it all - romance, drama, betrayal, comedy, and a depth of emotion. I am so excited for everyone to read this book and get to know Katie and Hutch.

I loved this book. It was more emotional than I thought. It really touched on body issues. Just raw. I was really invested in all the characters. Loved it. Couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read The Love Haters in exchange for my honest review. I’m endlessly grateful to receive another ARC from one of my all-time favorite authors, Katherine Center.

This was the toughest Katherine Center book for me to read — and I suspect it will be for many other readers, too — because it touches on such raw, real parts of being human. It explores deep insecurities, the pain caused by people we love, and the heartbreaking pressure to shrink ourselves to fit into safer, more “acceptable” boxes. It’s about learning how to stop apologizing for who we are, and instead, learning how to see ourselves — truly — with gentleness and pride.

As always, Center’s stories are layered, emotionally rich, and full of hope. She never writes fluff; she writes real people with real pain and joy and resilience. I love how all the small moments in the first half of the book, even ones that seem light or unrelated, come back with full emotional weight later — that’s something she does so well.

Two quotes that will stay with me forever:

“We can train our own eyes to look with kindness, and pay attention to what’s beautiful, and focus on what’s right instead of what’s wrong. That’s how you fall in love — and stay in love — with anyone, including yourself.”

And:

“Then she would insist, very gently, that I wasn’t stuck inside of my body. It wasn’t some prison my soul was caged in. The two things were — and only ever had been — one thing. I was it, and it was me. We were the same.”

This book will break your heart open in the best way. It’s about love, self-acceptance, courage, and choosing joy — even when it’s hard. I can’t wait to recommend The Love Haters to my family and friends. An easy 5 out of 5.

Katherine Center has done it again! "The Rom-Commers" is a delightful and hilarious story about a woman who finds herself in over her head (literally!) when she pretends to be a swimmer to profile a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The humor is spot-on, with laugh-out-loud moments involving swim lessons, helicopter rides, and even a conga line! But beneath the comedy, Center weaves a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, facing your fears, and the unexpected places where love can be found. If you're looking for a feel-good read that will leave you smiling long after you turn the final page, "The Rom-Commers" is a must-read!

I have a feeling The Love Haters by Katherine Center is going to be the book you see everywhere this summer. It’s the perfect pick for poolside lounging or a beach day—light, fun, and full of charm. The banter is top-tier, the main characters (Katie and Hutch) are easy to root for, and while it has its emotional moments, it stays delightfully cute overall. If you’re looking for a feel-good romcom to toss in your beach bag, this one’s a definite recommend.

This was a great book. Katherine Center doesn't disappoint. The story was well written and kept my attention. I loved the interaction between Katie and Hutch, but my favorite character was Rue, she was just an all around awesome lady.
I did want to smack Cole upside the head a few times.
In all it was an excellent story. A great beach/summer read.

I have loved Katherine Center’s books in the past, and this one felt like a stark departure from her previous works. The plot is flimsy and convoluted and really not based on any type of realistic scenario. I think it would have been stronger without any type of deception but perhaps the shenanigans is what was supposed to make the book feel more on the comedy side of the rom-com genre. As much as the book was supposed to take place in Key West, I never felt “transported” into a different place or feel connected to the location. Hutch is an interesting character and I appreciated his connection to his family both with Rue and with his loyalty to his brother. Cole was beyond confusing and the entire side quest with Sullivan was just odd and off-putting. I hate to say this simply wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

4.5 stars, another great read from Katherine Center!

The story was a bit slow to start but at about 40-50% I was fully hooked. Hutch in my mind is Dylan Efron and you can’t convince me otherwise. Katie’s insecurities were all too real for women nowadays, and I loved her moments of forgiveness and love for herself and her body, and her vow to stop being a chromophobe (also guilty of this at times)! Her treatment of George Bailey during the hurricane was everything to me as a dog mom to a gentle giant who’s also a big baby during storms. My heart was racing! The ending of the book felt just a little rushed and I would’ve loved some more Hutch and Katie time in the epilogue. Still, this book left me smiling and ready for summer!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC!

It’s no secret that I love Katherine Center. KC and her books make me want to put on a bright floral dress and head out in the sunshine. Per usual, her newest novel THE LOVE HATERS is a feel good story set in tropical Key West.

Katie travels to Key West for a work trip to film a documentary centering around the coast guard, in particular coast guard rescuer Hutch. Katie has been jilted by her ex who cheated on her when he became famous. And Hutch is trying to live a quiet life and doesn’t seem to have plans to include love.

The banter between the main characters was cute. I really liked Katie despite a poor choice she made, but Hutch was obviously a better person. While I loved the main characters, George Bailey and Rue stole the show for me.

Thanks to @stmartinspress for the eARC so I could read when I couldn’t listen! This book will be available 5.20.25!

It’s taken me a little while to write this review because honestly, I wasn’t sure how I felt. I love Katherine Center and always enjoy her stories, but I had mixed feelings about this one.

The Love Haters follows Katie, who ends up in Key West, Florida for a job assignment she’s not exactly qualified for—partly because she lied. Once she gets there, she meets Rue, who owns The Starlite motel, a group of local ladies (Rue’s friends) called the Gals, Hutch (who is definitely swoon-worthy), and George Bailey, a Great Dane with a big personality.

After a pretty humbling moment early on, Katie realizes she’s going to have to actually learn to swim if she wants to move forward with her job—especially since it involves underwater simulations with the Coast Guard. Hutch steps in to give her swim lessons, and things go from there.

One thing that stood out was how much the story focused on body image and body positivity. I don’t usually see it as such a major theme, and while it didn’t bother me that it was part of the story, I struggled a little with how hard Katie was on herself. I never got the sense that she was anything other than average-sized, so some of her self-talk felt heavier than I expected.

I also had a hard time with how much lying and deceit there was. A lot of situations could have been handled with some honesty, but at the same time, I get that it added some extra drama to the plot.

Overall, even though this wasn’t my favorite Katherine Center book, I’m still glad I read it and enjoyed parts of the story, especially the setting and the character relationships.

Would you risk a little white lie for a dream job, or would you bail the moment you realized you weren’t qualified?