Super fun book! I loved the setting and it’s gonna be a great summer read! The characters were so fun! The story about body acceptance was beautiful and as someone who has struggled with that I felt a bit triggered but i appreciated the awareness of it. This was definitely more than a romance and I had a good time,

I had a really hard time finishing this book. The tropes sounds like everything I wanted in a romance novel but sadly the over emphasis on body image and insecurity was too much for me. I really appreciate this topic being written about and brought up but this was too much for me to enjoy. I felt like I need my boyfriend to remind me I’m pretty midway thru this book and I definitely felt guilty eating will reading. The cute romance and overall message of self-healing probably saves this book for most people just not me.

Title: The Love Haters   
Author: Katherine Center         
Genre: Romance    
Rating: 5 out of 5

It’s a thin line between love and love-hating.

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.

Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

I loved this read! Katie was 100% relatable, from her body image issues and feelings of inferiority, to her mishaps and adventures. Her friendship with Beanie was great and I enjoyed their meandering conversations. Rue and the ladies in Florida were very entertaining and I loved their antics. Hutch was a bit hard to get a read on, but I ended up liking him—it was probably the way he took care of the dog.

Katherine Center is a bestselling author. The Love Haters is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 5/17).

This is the kind of book you can sit down and read in one sitting! It would be perfect for the beach, an airplane, or just before bed reading. I loved the interesting main character occupations. Hutch, the leading man is a member of the coast guard. Katie is a video producer and documentary filmmaker. It had all the typical romance book tropes, in the best way! The only negative was this weird body image storyline of Katie's, it just was a little weird to me. I wouldn't go crazy recommending this to people, but it was certainly enjoyable!

Thanks to Netgally for the advanced copy to read and review.

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

In The Love Haters, Katie is tasked with profiling a semi-famous Coast Guard rescue swimmer (previously known for rescuing Jennifer Aniston's dog), Tom 'Hutch' Hutcheson, in order to prove her worth and save her job when her company starts down-sizing. Hutch and Katie quickly become friends but Katie's previous relationship has made her want to hide her body and herself. As Katie works to overcome this she's able to be more vulnerable with Hutch and the two grow closer only for Cole, Hutch's brother and Katie's supervisor, to show up and spring a series of elaborate lies on Katie. Katie has to decide if she should be truthful with Hutch even if it might further damage his already rocky relationship with his brother Cole.

I've never read Katherine Center before but I've always meant to so it was a pleasant surprise to receive an ARC of her latest book from NetGalley. Overall, I would give this book 3.5/5 stars. I enjoyed the premise and the characters but I was a bit thrown off by the fact that The Love Haters wasn't actually as romance-forward as I was expecting. I actually liked the parts of the book that didn't centre on romance but unfortunately it felt like the time spent on that aspect of the book took away from the development of the characters' romantic relationship. I'm not sure if this is typical of a Katherine Centre book (and perhaps if it is and I had gone in knowing what to expect I would have enjoyed the book more) or if this book is a slight departure for her. I think that romance readers can appreciate this book but it would help to know going in that there is a lot of focus on the main character's personal development at the expense of some time spent on the actual romance.

<spoiler>

That being said, I think that Katie's journey in this book is really important and likely very relatable for many readers. It's truly heartbreaking to read about the way that she sees herself after her previous relationship. Unfortunately, I think this is something that many readers will have experienced themselves in some shape or form. Although the time spent on Katie's personal development was surprising to me (as noted above) I do think that it was very important to give Katie space to accept and love her body and herself on her own, without needing affirmation or reassurance from Hutch. I rarely say this about romance books lately, but The Love Haters might have benefitted from being a bit longer so that we could have had more space for the romance that I would expect in a contemporary romance novel without losing any of Katie's personal development.

As for Hutch, there's certainly nothing wrong with a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who also has an endearingly goofy giant dog (Great Dane). Because of the focus on Katie though, I don't feel like we got to know Hutch very well. He certainly is caring and has a sense of humour. I liked learning about him in contrast to his brother Cole's original assessment of Hutch as this perfect brother who doesn't seem to enjoy much outside of his job. The reader gets to uncover other sides of Hutch along with Katie as he becomes a fully formed character over the course of the book. That being said, he doesn't really stand out to me as a particularly memorable romance MMC.

I did love the side characters in the book. Everyone -- from Beanie helping Katie through her personal issues to goofy George Bailey (Hutch's dog) to kind and welcoming Rue (Hutch's aunt) -- was really endearing. I would happily read another book with this cast of characters because I'd love to visit them again. The exception might be Cole who I think took lies and shenanigans a step too far. It was kind of funny, although ridiculous, up until the point he offered Katie up to be kissed as a literal prize in a bar competition. That made me mad on Katie's behalf and there was really no coming back from that for Cole.

Overall, I did enjoy this book although I was a bit thrown when it wasn't in keeping with my expectations for a classic contemporary romance. I did like the book though, especially Katie's personal journey, and I would definitely read more Katherine Center in the future.

4.5 Stars!

This was actually so cute, I’m a south Florida girl so reading this ARC was so cool as I grew up going to Key West and dealing with hurricanes.
0 spice but so much chemistry and tension, and a HEA. Loved it!!

Read Completed 4/6/25 | 3 stars | Book #48 of 2025
Love Hater, thy name is me. This was a pretty blah read for me, but the story was still readable. I do like Katherine Center's writing style and tone, but the romance, plot, AND characters weren't for me. I'm sure others will still love it, but none of it really hit for me. 3 stars isn't a bad rating and this wasn't a bad book, but I simply didn't connect and it didn't stir many feelings up.

At 33%, I was actively irritated by it. I didn't connect to Katie and I was mad that she and (selfish) co-worker Cole were trying to push his brother, Hutch, into essentially becoming internet famous when he didn't want to. There's more to that story, and I knew there was, but I still wasn't thrilled with how it all came around.

I had didn't love Katie's body issues and how they were handled. I felt like some of it was a little too quickly brushed by and aside from just talking about how she didn't want to know her weight, there really wasn't much detail about her new relationship with food (which would be a BIG deal) except some mentions here and there and of course, her self-perception. It wasn't handled *poorly* but it just didn't quite feel right. Those are some really deeply seeded issues and I kind of felt like once Hutch told her she was pretty and he liked the way she looked that it like, magically cured it for her for the most part? I don't know. I don't have anything against including this topic in this book, but I was also not at the right time to want to read about it, so I just had a hard time with it overall too.

Hutch was kind of .... BORING? Firstly he really wasn't a "love hater" so that was kind of annoying. I wanted him to be grumpy, but he was just kind of blah. When he had personality, it was a little too nice and too sweet. He could have used a lot more character development. Katie was okay. Rue was too typical sassy grandma/older female relative that's used so often in books. I liked her but she needed more personality too. The brother sucked. WHAT WAS WITH THE DRINKING CONTEST and why was that a thing and why was the prize kissing Katie!?! That was so stupid.

The ending was just FINE, nothing I really cared about by that point. All of the coast guard action wasn't really engaging for me. The best friend should have been on the page at some point too.

This is a very forgettable read and I felt little to no passion or chemistry between the two leads. Center is usually a closed-door romance author so I don't mind there really only being kissing, but I still want to feel that tension, yearning, butterflies.... this just didn't do it for me.

I loved this! It was fun and flirty with a strong, believable female character with such a great personality! The other characters were quirky and realistic too. The plot was cute and the writing was solid. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I really hope someone makes this into a movie!

I have read two more of Center's books since reading this...really love her humor, characters, and writing voice.

Packed with quirky characters, tropical chaos, and just the right dose of emotional depth, this story balances hilarity with heartache as Katie navigates not only hurricane season, but also her own fears and feelings. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Christina Lauren, it’s a feel-good, slow-burn romance about finding courage in the most unexpected places—even the ocean.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
Katherine Center is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The Love Haters was such an enjoyable read—I found myself genuinely excited to come back to it each time.

I loved following Katie’s journey. Knowing her backstory made me root even harder for her growth, and I really appreciated how she came to accept and love all parts of herself. That kind of personal evolution is a powerful process—and honestly, a trope of its own that so many of us can relate to.

Katie and Hutch’s romance was heartwarming, full of charm and sincerity. And the author’s note at the end? Just beautiful. It was the perfect closing touch.

I was excited for this one as someone who hasn't read Katherine Center yet, but sadly I ended up DNFing. By 18% I felt like I wasn't vibing with the FMC whose whole personality seems to be her paralyzing body image issues. I could already tell this theme was going to get beaten to death over my head for the next 80% of the book and I wasn't looking forward to it. Katie just isn't my type of romance book heroine.

That being said, I would still recommend this book to people who enjoy Center's other books. While I didn't connect with the characters, I found the writing engaging, quick and easy to read.

Set against the breezy charm of Key West, The Love Haters is equal parts heart, humor, and chaos. Katie Vaughn is still reeling from a public breakup with her now-famous ex when she’s sent to profile Coast Guard heartthrob Hutch—a man who recently went viral rescuing Jennifer Aniston’s dog. The catch? She can’t swim, that’s just the first of many lies she gets caught up in.

In true Katherine Center fashion, the book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, layered emotions, and banter of the wittiest variety. Hutch is dreamy but almost suspiciously perfect, and the real scene-stealers are George Bailey, his lumbering rescue Great Dane, and Aunt Rue, the vibrantly dressed island auntie who reads your soul like a tide chart and won’t let you leave without confronting at least one hard truth.

Yes, it’s a love story—but it’s also about choosing honesty, showing up for yourself, and maybe fibbing just a little to stay employed. The self-love journey resonates, though I do wish Katie’s struggles with body image and disordered eating were explored more deeply rather than wrapped up quite so neatly.

Bonus points for Patty Murin’s narration, which is chef’s kiss. Her voice brings the story to life—I’d happily listen to her read a grocery list.

While The Love Haters isn’t my all-time favorite from Katherine Center, I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to anyone who loves rom-coms with depth, dogs with personality, and a setting that makes you want to book a flight immediately.

And yes, I was so excited for a new Katherine Center that I requested both the eARC and the audiobook. Because obviously one format wasn’t enough. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for feeding my obsession with early access to both! All opinions are my own.

This was super cute. Not as good as the Rom-Commers, which was INCREDIBLE, but I very much enjoyed this. I wasn't exactly sold on the romance when it initially started, but once I bought in, everything else was great. The POV is a little distant so it's a bit harder to connect personally with the emotion, but I enjoyed how it felt like a friend gossiping about her romantic life. Also I had expected some twists and they ended up going in a totally different direction which was fun!

Slow to start, but then I was hooked. I enjoyed how it was both a love story between the FMC and MMC, but also a love story for oneself. Katie's journey towards self-love was beautifully written! Would consider this an easy summer read - other than the body image portion, it was more of a feel good read and the plot moved along as you'd expect. I will say there were plenty of cute moments that had me smiling!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I have had this book on my shelf FOREVER and I patiently waited until closer to the publication date to read it but I couldn't wait any longer. I love Katherine Center books. She has a way of portraying her characters that just makes me fall in love with them.
I loved the idea of a book that takes place on Key West because tropical backgrounds always make me happy. I loved the little cottages of Starlight and I loved Rue and The Gals that take Katie in. I even really liked Hutch and I loved their meet cute where the dogs clobbers her and he has to pick splinters out of her butt!
I do not like miscommunication or lying and this book seemed to have a lot that - yes it was mostly by Cole but Katie went along with it. Rue didn't tell Hutch she was sick. They were all lying to each other. I am never a fan of that as a vehicle for the main problem of the book.
I just wanted Katie to stand up and tell Hutch what was going on.
My biggest pet peeve about this book is Katie spent all this time over coming her body image issues, and her fear of color and learning to love herself but the stupid ex boyfriend that was still in love with her that caused so many issues for her just kinda was left hanging. Like did he ever get in touch with her? I mean he wrote an epic love ballad about her - what happened there. I kept waiting for him to come to Key West.
The ending with the hurricane seemed a little weird, little contrived but kinda romantic with him rescuing her.
Overall while this wasn't my favorite Katherine Center I still love her quirky side character, her fun and imaginative writing style and an overall cute story.

One word: Hutch…

He’s officially my new book boyfriend. Rescue swimmer (gorgeous, killer body but not conceited) who loves his rescue dog, elderly aunt and nature documentaries *swoon* I think I need to read more Coast Guard romance novels…

I loved the characters (I wish Hutch was my BF and Rue was my aunt) and the setting (I want to visit the Keys now). Body image was a HUGE topic in the book (almost too much at times) and a couple parts were a little over-the-top, but I don’t care. It was 100% entertaining and I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t stop thinking about the part where she’s upset about the article/comments and Hutch follows her. Ugh, loved it!

Somehow this was my first Katherine Center book, but it won’t be my last! Time to start reading her backlist!

Reading Katherine Center’s books is like having a conversation with your best friend. Warm, inviting, always hysterical, and much needed. The Love Haters definitely falls into all these categories as well. Her dialogue is just so witty and real. Nothing is ever over done or fake. The story is beautiful and the characters are unique. The twist at the end was so good and the epilogue has my heart. She got every single detail right as always. This is a phenomenal deep rom com. I loved every page!

I love Katherine Center but this was not my favorite. I can usually finish one of her books in a day and this took me almost two months. I just didn’t want to pick it back up.

I appreciated the storyline and the overall all message (especially after reading her author’s note which I loved more than the book) but it felt like there was way too much going on, between the love hating and color and body image and swimming and natural disasters and lies and familial loss and disease, I couldn’t keep up. It needed one less storyline and/or message and it would’ve come together a little better for me.

you can truly never go wrong with a Katherine Center book (at least only once I've been deterred by her book). This one was no different love story that she excels at writing. Hutch, Katie, Cole, and Rue you'll find yourself gravitating towards. *mainly Rue, Katie, and Hutch; Cole didn't quite warm my heart*

I laughed out loud, teared up a bit, and found myself cringing at the events that played out throughout the story. There are a bit unrealistic parts that left me *ehhh* but not enough to where it takes away from the story.

also I love the books that end with a nice wrapped bow helping to put everything together with no loose ends

HIGHLY recommend this one for a cute beach read or even weekend book to getaway into

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an advanced reader copy of The Love Haters by @katherinecenter ❤️. The Love Haters publishes on May 20, 2025.

I’m relatively new to Katherine Center’s books, but I now have the urge to read her entire backlist. This book was perfection. Katie and Hutch (and George Bailey) were nuanced characters, and Katie’s journey towards self love was so incredibly relatable. The story was heartfelt and funny, and I tore through this book in about a day 😂. If you love romance with emotional depth, please please pick up The Love Haters!

#netgalley #thelovehaters #romancereads #bookworm