This book was absolutely, delightfully chaotic. Parts are so emotional (watching the FMC deal with deep-seated self-consciousness and a lot of image-related trauma) but it’s mixed with so much adorable banter and whimsical moments (The Gals are a true delight) that it all balances well. The characters are supportive and the love story is swoony and even our villain keeps me interested. I expect Katherine Center to write bangers, and she delivered.

5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Romance)

Synopsis: Katie Vaughn is still recovering from her viral break-up with her now famous ex. When her boss, Cole, asks her to go to the Florida Keys to work on a video project for the coast guard, she jumps at the chance if it will save her job. The problem is, Katie doesn’t know how to swim. The other problem, is her subject, “Hutch” is Cole’s estranged brother. As Katie completes her assignment, she starts falling for her subject, who is adamantly a love hater. Will she be able to change his mind?

My Thoughts: I was hoping to love this. As I have all of Katherine Center’s most recent books, but it wasn’t my favorite. The FMC had a lot of body dysmorphia and it was mentioned constantly. The reason she was in the Keys was not that interesting, and she was just getting in the middle of family drama that she should not have been put in the middle of. There were also some really sad parts of the backstory between the brothers that I wasn’t really looking for in a romance. I really liked the side characters in this one. I would have loved to see more of Rue in the story. This was a like, not a love.

If you liked Katherine Center’s other books, you’ll like this.

I am honestly so very angry with how this book is being marketed by the author and publisher. Trigger Warnings: disordered eating and body dysmorphia that is handled in such a harmful and non-serious way.

DNF at 17% with a search of key words completed and a skim through to the end to see if sensitive topics were addressed and handled with care. Results? They are not.

From a quick search, the words starve, starvation, diet, weight and skinny appear 22 times from Chapter 3 to Chapter 25.

The words disorder, disease, dysmorphia and therapy appear 0. Unless you count the 7 times her friend jokes with her that she has a “bikini phobia” and she “just needs exposure therapy”.

The absolutely flippant way the main character and everyone around her address/or fails to address her clear ED only gets worse for me with the author’s note.

KC’s Author Note provides absolutely no mention of ED’s, treatment, recovery or supports. Instead, KC decided to note that she feels this is a love story between the MC and her body - following the enemies-to-lovers trope. I wish I was kidding.

To conclude, publishers, authors and fellow reviewers: please, please, please include content warnings for those who need them/are still fighting the battle. This isn’t a light subject. This isn’t a punchline. And it sure as hell isn’t a trope. I am beyond disappointed.

Opportunity provided to read an advanced electronic copy by direct email invitation from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley.

I absolutely loved this book. The FMC, Katie, was so relatable and had me laughing within the first chapter. There is a theme of body image insecurity through the book, which resonates with me as I’m sure it will for many women. And Katherine Center handles that issue so gently and encourages readers through Katie and her cousin, Beanie. I have yet to read a Katherine Center book that I didn’t like, but this is my favorite of hers so far.

If you like dogs, friends to lovers, and relatable imperfect characters, this book is for you.

I adore Katherine Center. The Love Haters is another laugh-out-loud funny tear-jerker. I never fail to fall in love with her characters.

Thank you NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC!

Katherine Center has once again delivered a warm, wise, and winning story in The Love Haters, a novel that dances between laughter and heartbreak, cynicism and hope, but ultimately lands—like all of Center’s best work—on love. Not the sappy, unrealistic kind, but the love that lives in small moments of courage, healing, and authenticity.

At the heart of the novel is a heroine who’s had enough of romance, or at least, that’s what she tells herself. As the title suggests, The Love Haters plays with irony: this is not a book about avoiding love, but about learning to believe in it again, on one’s own terms. When the narrator says of the male lead, “He was a person it was okay to feel safe with,” it feels like the novel’s thesis: love, if it’s going to work, has to begin with safety, trust, and mutual respect. Center never underestimates the power of that foundation, and her characters earn their way toward it, scars and all.

There’s an emotional rawness here that makes this story hit deeper than the typical romantic comedy. There’s a defiant joy in stumbling upon self-acceptance in the unlikeliest of ways in a world that too often tells women to shrink. The line, “But I just love all of my…everything…because it’s mine,” reads like a quiet rebellion. It’s not just about falling in love with someone else—it’s about falling back in love with your own life and yourself.

And that’s where Center’s writing shines brightest: in its full-hearted embrace of feeling. As one passage puts it, “We’re here to be alive. To feel the sun on our skin. To breathe deep in the wind. We’re here to feel it all. To love and cry and love some more. We’re here to rescue ourselves—and everybody else—in every way that we can.” That quote alone captures the mission of this novel. It’s about resilience, compassion, and the courage to show up for life, even after it’s broken your heart.

The Love Haters is funny, big-hearted, and achingly sincere. For readers who love their romantic fiction with a strong dose of empowerment and soul, this one is not to be missed. Katherine Center has penned another irresistible reminder that sometimes the most radical thing you can do is believe in love—especially when it starts with yourself.

⭐2.5 ⭐
I sincerely adore your work Katherine Center. Your work has pulled on so many of my heartstrings over the years and got me out a of a reading slump in the drudges of motherhood. I love her unique voice she gives in her stories and the quirkiness of her characters.
Ugh I don't what to to this, but what happened? I going to speak personally here and say that as a curvy girl who has continually struggled with weight, weight shame, and the scaring effects of weight loss culture of the 2000s this is an on going struggle. I can relate to Katie's dark thoughts about herself and the constant criticism she received from her stepmother and others. What I don't understand is how she is magically cured and free of this body shaming in a span of two weeks. Katie doesn't go to therapy, she talks to her cousin and quotes mantras and daily affirmations, but that's it. She has some very deep wounds that have been years in the making. I wish Center had placed a disclaimer about it before the book started or shared some resources for those struggling with their self image at the end of the story. Maybe because I received an ARC this was omitted on purpose and will be there in the final print, but fingers crossed.
Also I did not like the role of Cole and his choices and resolutions at the end. It was glossed over the constant lying and deceit he did to his family and coworker. it wasn't even funny, just slimy.
Some things that were fun in the story was Aunt Rue and her girl gang. They were a hoot! Also take me shopping at her boutique.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was CUTE! Not overwhelmingly my favorite of her books, but definitely worth reading.

Hutch is insufferably perfect, but actually incredibly endearing and lovable. Katie was funny and relatable and quite frankly entirely too real in her feelings that made me cry. A lot. And how do you not love a Great Dane named George Bailey?!

I could have done without Cole, frankly, I get the need for the antagonism for the plot, but honestly he ruined the relationship for me in a lot of ways. It could have been so real and raw and honest and then it got too...campy? Unrealistic? Something that really turned me off.

All in all, a solid Katherine Center book!

If Katherine Center has no fans, I'm dead. I love everything she writes. And this was no exception. The Love Haters was funny, romantic, emotional, and so hot. I mean, basically top gun in the keys? Yes please and thank you. Katherine writes characters in such a real way that I eat up every time. This one was brilliant.

✨ARC Review✨
The Love Haters by @katherinecenter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Katie is a journalist whose next assignment is filming an ad for the Coast Guard. It will feature Hutch, who is internet famous for rescuing a dog in distress. For someone who has suffered from body image problems throughout her adult life, showing up in a bathing suit everyday is her worst nightmare, but Hutch shows her not just how to escape a sinking helicopter, but also how to love herself.
~~
I was thrilled to be able to read this book as an ARC! This book was fantastic. It's a little different than most rom-coms, and definitely had more of a focus of Katie learning to love herself. Her journey with loving her body was so relatable, and watching Hutch reassure her at every turn was heart warming. I think the true love story here was between Katie and Hutch’s dog, George Bailey. They are obviously each other’s true love! In all seriousness, I loved the relationship that these two so naturally fall into, and I was happy to see katie find such a supportive group. The ending left me a blubbering mess for so many reason, and is 100% worth the read and the tears.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7462611945
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIeQgxFgA10/?igsh=MW96YWczNGd4aWI5eg==

Katherine Center did it again. I loved this book. Katie is beautifully written and I've definitely felt the same doubts about the way I look. Hutch is nearly perfect and the conflict between him and Cole was interesting and realistic. Rue and The Gals are aspirational - I hope to have awesome lady friends in my retirement years. I don't know what else to say, I just loved this book beginning to end.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first time reading a book by Katherine Center, and I really enjoyed it. The story follows Katie, a video producer on the verge of losing her job, who travels to Key West to film Hutch, a Coast Guard hero and her co-worker’s brother.

While there, she confronts her fears—like swimming—and forms an unexpected connection with Hutch in this lighthearted, fast-paced rom-com.

Read this book if you like:
- forced proximity
- closed door romance
- fake dating
- cinnamon roll MMC

Pub date: May 20th.

Thank you Katherine Center, NetGalley, and Publisher for the eARC.

This book was just ok - honestly, it sort of felt like a different author wrote it compared to the Rom-Commers which I absolutely adored and gave 5-stars. I liked that the book focused on body positivity and didn't find it to be too overwhelming to the premise of the story. However, around the 60% mark, something happened that I felt didn't need to be included in the story and kind of gave me the ick. It also felt like there was ZERO chemistry between Katie and Hutch. Hutch was kind of insufferable and never really showed his true emotions when talking with Katie. I feel like if the readers saw more of their day to day interactions, maybe their romance would've been more believable. It also felt like the storyline of Katie's ex-fiancé, Lucas, wasn't really needed.

Overall, this was probably my least favorite book so far by Katherine Center. It could be a fun read during the summertime while you're on the beach but it's nothing to completely rave about.

Thanks to the publisher for an E-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. This one hits bookstores on 5/20!

Katherine Center is such a master at characters. Both of the central love story characters are well-developed and have such detailed backstories, and all of her secondary characters just pop off the page. (I'm especially fond of Aunt Rue and George Bailey the Great Dane). And Center's author's note brings home what I love most about all of her books--that we are all going through something, that we all have pain we carry around with us, and that we find connection, anyway.

You never know what you're going to get with Katherine Center.

Overall: 3
Spice: 1 - kissing only

Katie is sent by her boss Cole to produce a video on a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in key West named Hutch even though Katie can't swim. Cole sets her up to live in his aunt's vacation rental and it turns out Hutch is Cole's estranged brother. Chaos ensues.

I loved The Bodyguard and enjoyed The Rom-commers, but What You Wish For was so-so and Hello Stranger was just bad (in my opinion). I would put this one in the so-so category. The first part of the book is all about Katie's struggle with body image which is a hot topic, but I'm 48 and it felt like a message better suited to YA. I did like the conversation she ended up having with her body at the end, but I was turned off by that point. The romance was light in this one, I felt I didn't get that they liked each other, would have been good to have a couple more scenes to demonstrate their chemistry. I did enjoy learning about the Coast Guard, but there is forced drama at the end. Cole's involvement in the story is convoluted and an HR nightmare. The epilogue felt like a bunch of random thoughts with no cohesive order. I'm committed to read Happiness for Beginners this month, but I think I'll be avoiding Center's books going forward unless the reviews a few months out are strong.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75/5)

To save her job, Katie agrees, somewhat reluctantly, to film a commercial for the Coast Guard in sunny Key West. The opportunity comes courtesy of her co-worker Cole, who has a personal stake in the project: his brother, Hutch, is the star rescue swimmer they'll be filming. There's just one problem, Katie can't swim. But that's a dilemma for future Katie.

Once in Key West, Katie is forced to confront more than her fear of water. She also faces lingering issues around self-worth and acceptance, making this more than just a romantic beachside escape.

The Love Haters dives into some weighty topics, including eating disorders and grief. While the tone remains heartfelt, this is definitely one of Katherine Center’s more emotionally intense novels. It reminded me of her earlier works, less polished than The Bodyguard or Hello Stranger, but still packed with heart.

I rated this book 3.75 stars. While I enjoyed the central romance between Katie and Hutch (especially with a nod to classic George Bailey charm!), I struggled with some pacing issues. Key interactions between characters were often told in retrospect rather than shown, which made the story feel a bit disjointed. There were also several subplots, like the unresolved drama with Katie’s ex-fiancé and the ongoing deception from Cole, that felt underdeveloped or abandoned.

Still, fans of Center’s brand of emotional, resilient heroines will find plenty to love here. I’m already looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Love Haters.

Katherine Center can do absolutely no wrong when it comes to writing a great romance, and this one is easily now one of my favorites of hers. The characters and their emotions feel so very real, the main character's connection is undeniable, and their storyline felt fresh and original. I loved these characters and this book! In fact, I finished it several months ago, and yet I continue to think about these two and hope all is well with them, as if they are actually real people. Ha. If you are looking for your first/next summer beach-read, you must read this one THIS summer! Highly recommend.

This is another great story from Katherine Center. I loved Katie and Hutch and especially George Bailey. Though honestly this could have used some trigger warnings. There is some kind of traumatic weather related stuff near the end (those there is a HEA) and ALOT of body image and diet culture talk.

Katherine Center's latest romcom takes two people burned by love and forces them into proximity for a tension-filled screwball comedy.

Katie is a year out of a bad breakup that led to some deep trauma when her co-worker pushes an assignment on her to save her job. So she heads to Key West to profile Hutch, a beautiful hero of the US Coast Guard.

The catch? Numerous lies and preconceptions surround the visit.

Katie is struggling in her job, in her life, and in her self-esteem. As we meet her, she's coming out of an apparent eating disorder and severe depression-- but she's still just going through the motions of living. Her best friend pushes her to use this assignment as an catalyst to change things and boost her confidence. Katie is reluctant.

Meeting Hutch and the cast of characters surrounding him in this world help Katie find herself, but is it the push she needs to really change herself?

Center's characters are as delightful as ever, each hiding deep emotional issues with sarcasm or avoidance until something forces them to confront the issues.

The 3rd act becomes more screwball comedy as lies come to light, hurricanes hit town and a huge dog plays a huge role.

Some of the storylines reach some conclusions that don't seem earned, but overall the big storyline is good enough that it overshadows some of those plotholes.

Katherine Center is my absolute favorite author, and I just LOVED The Love Haters! It was funny but also real and reflective. The main characters, Hutch and Katie are lovely and you just want good things for them. I loved The Gals and Rue, they were perfect at moving things along with Katie and Hutch (and Cole). I would've read another 500 pages of these characters, and Katie's growth and journey make me hopeful that people reading this book can relate too and grow from as well!