Many many thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies of this book.

As to date, I have enjoyed the Center books I have read... a lot. I have pondered this book for days now, since reading the last page and my rating continues to decline. The more I think about this story, the more I dislike it.

The Love Haters is all about Katie and Hutch. Katie is trying to save her job as a video producer by heading to Key West where she will profile the Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hutch. There are a few bumps in this road as Katie cannot swim, so she's not exactly qualified. But alas, the hunky Hutch will change all that.

On the surface, this is a cute rom-com filled with laugh out loud moments, fantastic banter, and just a hint of attraction. So let's talk about the good stuff....

*George Bailey (Hutch's Great Dane) and the most lovable pup ever
*Katie's cousin Beanie who loves her for who she is and sets fire to her scale (we all need a Beanie)
*Rue - Cole & Hutch's mom who was just wonderful from head to toe
*A glimpse inside the Coast Guard

But Katie is dealing with some heavy stuff....body dysmorphia. This takes center stage throughout the book as she continues to run herself down and feel non worthy in all aspects of her life. And that is where this story goes sideways for me. As someone who struggles with extreme body image issues, this did not sit well with me.

It was the ending of the book, that did it in for me. So let's talk about that....

*Katie could not swim, though she apparently learned with 48 hours and was able to stay afloat in the water, during a hurricaine. Uhm.....
*But most importantly, while floating in the sea during a hurricaine, Hutch descends from the heavens to rescue her and chooses to take his dog, George Bailey first. Telling Katie that she will be fine, they are out of fuel, and he will TRY to come back after her??

What?!?!? In what world is this okay? She is already struggling with self doubt and the man she loves chooses to save his dog?! I don't know any one who would be okay with this let alone go on to live a happily ever after with this man. He leaves her alone in the ocean, with blood filled water, and tells her he will try to save her later. I can't get past this and it ruined the entire book for me.

While I loved George Bailey as his own character, I just didn't understand the purpose of saving him and not her. Did he come back for her? Of course he did, but by then the damage was done. I don't see how this would ever help build her self esteem.

This one just really really missed the mark for me.

3.5 rounded up stars.

I feel really sad that I didn’t love this more. I feel like it had so much potential!!! After reading the rom commers late last year (easily one of my top 2024 reads), I had such high hopes for another top read but this missed the mark a but for me.

First of all, the focus on her body just hurt me physically to read. To be fair, I’m glad I read the acknowledgements where the author talked about the enemies to lovers trope with her body, which helped me dislike it a bit less. But the fact that she could only see the value in her body because of a man and also a hurricane that almost killed her seems so extreme.

I would have liked to see more love growing between Hutch and Katie and it just felt a bit under developed. He just all of a sudden loved her but was like a stone wall to her. I wanted the tension and the banter. Like when he kissed her she still thought he hated her?? The dog had more tension with her than Hutch did lol.

Overall it’s a cute book, but not one I’d pick up again. I would highly recommend the love haters and the bodyguard from Katherine Centre where we got lots of tension and banter and swoony love.

Thanks so much to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In an effort to save her job amid company-wide layoffs, Katie takes an assignment to create a promotional video for the US Coast Guard's rescue swimmers. She's in no way qualified for this job (she can't even swim!) and she lands in Key West to find that her point of contact, rescue swimmer Hutch, is the handsome, estranged brother of her work supervisor. It's a recipe for disaster! Luckily, some charming side characters like Hutch's quirky and fabulous Aunt Rue, are there to help Katie navigate this adventure.

Katherine Center is an auto buy author for me, so I often read her books without bothering to check the synopsis. Her writing style, like the physical book you hold in your hand, is bright, cheerful, quirky, and fun. The main characters are flawed but lovable, and the side characters are always a hoot and add more depth to the story. Katie and Hutch both have niche careers and I enjoyed learning more about the US Coast Guard and Katie's creativity behind the camera. Katie suffers from some body image issues that lead to an uncomfortable focus on body size, weight, self confidence, and diet culture that went on just a smidge longer than I felt was necessary. Otherwise, The Love Haters was a strong addition to Center's body of work and I rated it a solid 4.25 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book prior to its publication in exchange for this honest review!

I love Katherine Center so very much. This is why it is destroying me to say anything bad about her book. My biggest issue was the main characters body issues and the cover (where she is super skinny) doesn’t match up. I get everyone has body issues, no matter size, but this was too much. My favorite part was honestly the dog, George Bailey. He was hilarious and my favorite!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 20, 2025
“The Love Haters” is the newest novel by bestselling romance novelist, Katherine Center. Normally, I don’t read romance novels, but I was first introduced to Katherine Center when I read, “Things We Lost in the Fire” and I must say, she convinced me. Now I still don’t read romance novels, unless they’re written by Center.
Katie is on her way to the Florida Keys in a last-ditch attempt to save her job. As a documentary filmmaker and film producer, she is tasked with making a promotional video for the U.S Coast Guard featuring Coast Guard swimmer, Tom “Hutch” Hutcherson. Katie is determined to make this the best video she has ever done but there are two problems; one- Katie doesn’t know how to swim, which is mandatory for the role and, “Hutch”, is incredibly handsome, incredibly perfect and the brother of her boss. Swim lessons, a giant dog, upside-down helicopters and a hurricane all stand in the way of Katie saving her job, and finding romance.
“Haters” is a cute, adventure-filled romance novel, with a body-conscious young woman as the protagonist and a literally perfect hero as the love interest. Throughout the novel, Katie learns to love her body, and all of its parts, as she starts to fall in love with Hutch, which is definitely something that most readers can relate to.
Center’s novel provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at the U.S Coast Guard, and their training, which I found extremely interesting. They are definitely heroes, although often their jobs are overshadowed by other first responders, such as fireman and paramedics, even in books, and I found this angle to be creative as well as fascinating.
Katie was a kind, self-conscious yet determined protagonist, who was likable and relatable. Hutch was completely and utterly unflawed, as in no flaws whatsoever, so there was little choice but to like him, as unbelievable as his character was. But that’s the beauty of romance stories (or so I’m told), the regular, everyday main character finding her own Prince Charming, and “The Love Haters” definitely had all of that and more.
Center’s novels have more depth to them than most romance novels, which is what caught my interest in the first place, and “Haters” was a delightfully enjoyable read with its themes of body-image, self-love and accepting who you are. Center is the romance author for non-romance readers, and I’m grateful that she pulled me, albeit very reluctantly, into her genre.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"You have to do the thing you're afraid of."


The Love Haters was such a cute book. Though, it didn't start off that way.

In this, you will meet Katie. She is slowly but surely finding ways to deal with the trauma in her past. Whether it's her now-famous ex who broke up with her in a very public way or how her stepmother treated her when she was younger. She needs to heal and start to love herself before she starts to love anyone else. In a way, she's a love hater.

On top of all that healing, she is also trying to keep her job. Now this job just pays the bills. It doesn't bring her joy. Unexpectedly, she is handling this production job that will end up changing her life (in a very good way).

Enter Hutch, her new subject. He's a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who ended up going viral after saving Jennifer Aniston's puppy. He is also the brother of her boss (Cole)... which she finds out eventually. She goes down to Key West to create a video all about the Coast Guard. On top of that, she is supposed to film a "Day in the Life" video about him (if he agrees to it).

Now that short little video is what makes her happy. It's her side job because she started this YouTube channel creating these videos about everyday heroes. She might not have a huge following but that doesn't matter to her. These little videos are a passion project of hers. So, it's not fun when her boss dangles it above her to his boss in order to save her job. It definitely puts more pressure on her and this job.

While in the Keys, she meets Rue, who is the sort of aunt of Hutch and Cole. Now Rue is completely adorable and I loved her instantly. She is living her best life with her friends, The Gals, and just wants the best for Katie, Hutch, and Cole. Maybe even George Bailey, the beloved great dane that Hutch rescued.

Out of all the characters, I absolutely loved George Bailey. Sure, Katie, Hutch, and Rue were all tied for second place. It's just how could you not love an adorable dog? He saved toads! He thought he was a little lapdog. And somehow his favorite thing was tackling the shit out of Katie. He was an angel.

As for Katie and Hutch. I really liked the romance between them. Hutch and Rue really helped Katie heal. She was so focused on body image, because of her past, that I just wanted her to love herself. Eventually she did and I'm so happy for her. Then the drama came in the shape of Cole. My goodness, so much drama that needed to be talked about.

Hurricane Cole came and went. It was messy but in the end everyone now knows the truth and can move on with their lives. Then an actual hurricane came and went. Lots of funny moments and really sweet romantic ones. I definitely enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one Katherine writes.

I always open a Katherine Center book and know I will fall in love with the characters. The Love Haters didn't disappoint. Her characters ( Katie, Hutch, Cole and Rue) all seemed to touch me in a different and profound way, Friends I would dearly love to have in the real world. I love books like this that make me feel big emotions and make me wish that the story would never end. Oh I forgot that I also fell in love with the furry character ( George Bailey) who made me laugh more than once. Bravo! It was a wonderful heartwarming story.#TheLoveHaters #Katherine Center #StMartinsPress

I love the balance Katherine Center has in writing stories about love with humor and depth. Love Haters had a sweet love story between Katie and Hutch, but also a lot about Katie loving herself. You could tell it was written from a personal place and in doing so, it deepened the story. I also loved reading a book set in Key West since I grew up in South Florida. Overall, really enjoyable read!

I love a good Katherine Center romance, so I was thrilled to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of her newest book- The Love Haters. The book follows Katie, a woman who needs to save her career and get her mind off her ex. When her coworker Cole suggests flying to Key West to film a profile on his brother Hutch, a seemingly perfect Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Katie jumps at the chance. What she finds in Key West is love. Love for a new, found family, romantic love, and most importantly, self-love. I enjoyed following Katie’s journey - especially the second half of the book. The supporting characters were amazing - Rue, her Gals, and of course the dog George Bailey. This book had me laugh out loud (her haunch scene), audibly gasp (the boat scene), and swoon over a rescue swimmer (Hutch is everything). Get your hands on this book when it is published May 20th. Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

Katherine Center does it again! I loved thos book. Katie and Hutch have great chemistry and the banter is great. I love the way Katherine writes her characters and how love blossoms between them all.

Katherine Center is a go to for comfort and laugh out loud moments, It just makes me happy every time I get to pick up her new book. The Love Haters while it felt like it is not completely a KC book, I still very much enjoyed it, per usual it has lot of humor, sweetest moments and of course characters that are forced to face their traumas so they can come out on the other side completely healed. The love haters is about tackling grief, healing, self love-ugly parts and all and a lot of self discovery.

Katie is jilted in love after her now famous ex-fiancé make a huge scene and leaves her traumatized, the events from her past takes a toll on her in several ways that she deals with body dysmorphia. When she gets an opportunity to profile a famous coast guard rescue swimmer, she reluctantly takes the job so to keep her video production job and travels to Florida Keys. Enter Hutch, the sweetest, greenest green forest and his show stealing fur baby, George Bailey. Although Hutch reluctantly agrees to the whole promotional video charade to try to get along with his brother Cole with whom he had a falling apart.Hutch's hard exterior slowly chips away as he and Katie forms an easy friendship. They both help each other tremendously to heal deeper wounds that were caused by people in their lives, the meddling ladies in Hutch's life were so funny that brought constant comic relief when things got heavier. Once again George Bailey felt like warm hugs along with everything else that made my heart all soft and gooey.

The ending was tad dramatic and sometimes Katie'e inner turmoil felt a little redundant which is why it wasn't a 5 star for me but nonetheless this is yet another KC's book that left me with a huge smile on my face towards the end

Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of The Love Haters to read and review. The Love Haters releases May 20, 2025.

Not to be negative, but I might have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this book. (Kidding. Kinda.) Katie is a corporate video producer who’s been assigned to film a recruiting video for the US Coast Guard. The catch? She wasn’t supposed to get assigned to the job AND she can’t swim. She’s on the verge of getting laid off due to downsizing and feels that she has no other choice.

Hutch is the subject of Katie’s assignment. He’s stereotypically the hottest guy ever, a rescue swimmer with the USCG, and a proclaimed “love hater” by his brother. Hutch’s brother works with Katie and was originally supposed to take the assignment. Hutch is unsurprisingly frustrated when Katie is sent in his brother’s place.

Katie heads to Key West, where she’s assigned to film the promo on base. But when Katie meets Hutch, she’s not sure why he’s got such a chip on his shoulder, and she tries her best to get closer to him to find out….

Overall, this was fine. I enjoyed it well enough. The pacing of this one felt off. It was slow to start, then it picked up too quickly. Everything was a bit too convenient. I didn’t feel real chemistry between Katie and Hutch. It was a bit of forced proximity due to the nature of the work, but there was no *spark*. There were parts where I really thought Hutch didn’t care about Katie at all.

Katie’s bestie, Beanie, was a super encouraging character and I appreciated the body positive lessons between the two of them. This book was fun, and a little sad, but it wasn’t very romantic. It’s a love story, don’t get me wrong, but the relationship part didn’t do it for me.

Also, I kept picturing Hutch as Ashton Kutcher in The Guardian 🤣.

OK, I'll confess. I love Katherine Center books. Both the female and male characters are so loveable. I'll also confess that this is only my second favorite of her books. (The first is How to Walk Away and I still think about Ian). But Hutch in this book is a really close second. His parents are gone and his brother is self-estranged. He's avoided relationships. But he gets sucked into doing a documentary on his work as a rescue swimmer with the US Coast Guard.

Katie wears black or charcoal all the time. She isn't in love with anything about herself, except maybe her work talents. She had been engaged to a local singer, but he'd hit the big time, had an affair, and their relationship was over. There was no way that a hunky rescue swimmer might ever be interested in her.

There are some sections of this book that maybe were too coincidental. But I finished the book, full of happiness, love, and contentment. It was exactly what I expected. I recommend reading the author's notes and her acknowledgements. They are a perfect complement to the story.

The characters only share a kiss or two so its suitable for almost any reader. There is drunkenness and mentions other people having love affairs.

I have both the e-book and the audio book. The narrator is just perfect for this story and its characters.

“Every time you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time. That’s what life is for.”

In a last ditch effort to save her job, Katie Vaughn takes on an assignment in Key West. She is highly unqualified for the project, but is determined to make it work. Along the way she meets Hutch and bonds with his aunt and dog. Katie must somehow come clean about her motivation all while encountering various mishaps.

I’ve been a huge Katherine Center fan for a while, so I was excited for this new release. I will say that I was hesitant after seeing mixed reviews. The book did get off to a slow start, but overall I did enjoy the story. Center’s trademark humor came into play and the FMC was a bit of a loveable mess. I had a love/hate relationship with the MMC though and that along with a few annoying plot points brought the rating down for me.

Thank you to @netgalley @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress for gifted advanced copies (audiobook and ebook) of this title.

First time reading a work from this author. The first few pages and chapters were catchy, but overall lost interest. It has some fun parts, but there was a lot going on. And the focus on body image/self doubting throughout the entire book was a no for me despite trying for self acceptance. Will still check out the other books by this author.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I laughed, I cried, and I said WTF a few times.

I am honestly so conflicted on how to rate this book because it elicited so many emotional responses. I think first and foremost if the portrayal of body dysmorphia is a trigger for you, I would not recommend this book. I don't think I can speak about the way in which Katherine Center handled Katie's body dysmorphia and the "healing" or approach. I do know that other reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction with how the topic was handled.

I liked Katie and Hutch as characters. I loved the side characters, in particular Hutch's dog and Aunt Rue (and her friends). The side characters and interactions provided humor and comedy helping to lighten a book that's plot was focused on grief and self deprecation.

If you watched the movie about Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers in Kodiak, Alaska and thought I would really love to read a sunshine and colorful version I think you might really enjoy this book. Katie's a videographer who basically get conned into following around rescue swimmer Hutch who's defining characteristics can be summarized as "perfect". The mishaps and physical comedy kept me engaged. There were at least two major moments in this book that took me by surprise (hence WTF) and I have to give Center credit for that accomplishment. I read so many romance books each year it takes a bit to surprise me and she definitely did.

I thought the dialogue and relationship development between the full cast of characters was reminiscent of Gilmore Girls and my favorite part. Katherine Center's author note at the end of the book was worth reading.

Thank You to St. Martin's Press for a e-arc via NetGalley!

The story was.. cute, but there were almost too many little twists and clumbsy/rescue opportunities. More so than a love story (PG btw) it’s a story about loving yourself. Which is FINE but soooo much of this was her overcoming her body image issues that the plot was almost filler.

4.5 ⭐️🧡
As someone who has struggled with body image and insecurity all my life, this one hit me hard. I really felt connected with Katie and her inner thoughts, even when they felt silly or crazy. I didn't love the whole "web of lies" subplot, but I liked Hutch and Katie and Rue and the girls so much that it didn't bother me. As someone whose husband was in the military, I liked all the Coast Guard info also.

Katherine Center is my romcom queen. While I didn't personally enjoy one of her more recent novels, this one flet like an old friend. I will eagerly read anything she puts out there. 🧡

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Overall give this book 3.5 stars. This is my first Katherine center book. I have many others in my bookshelf that I can’t wait to read now. I inspire to be like the group of gals when I get older. Enjoying life for what it is while cat calling and heckling cute men. I also want a wild dog with wild personality.

3.75 rounded up

What I find dependable about a Katherine Center book (especially her more recent ones) is that 1) they are just lighthearted and fun, and 2) you can count on the FMC to learn something important about themselves. In this realm, The Love Haters did not disappoint. I felt so connected to Katie and her body image struggles, and I loved watching her fall in love with her own body. It was so akin to my own struggles with how I look and being my harshest critic, and it was so important to me that Katie found love for her body because of her change in mindset not because of what a guy told her. While I know body image topics can be a touchy subject, I think it is important to note that--like so many other issues--everyone can present a little differently. Not all anxiety looks the same and not all body issues present the same either. For my part, I thought Katherine did an excellent job talking about it in this book.

That being said, the actual romance in the book was a bit lacking for me. It felt a bit shallow, and while Katie, the narrator, tells us that she and Hutch spend all day every day together for weeks, we don't actually get to see much of those interactions, which left the story feeling a bit insta-lovey for me. I loved Hutch--and his dog--and I did like him and Katie together. I just wish I could have seen more of their actual fall. And while I certainly don't mind a miscommunication trope if done well, I didn't like this one very much. It felt as though the characters chose miscommunication rather than it just happening unintentionally, and then even when that was resolved, it just stacked and had me screaming, "didn't you learn your lesson!"

I DID however love the dramatics of the end of the book. I like a little excitement in my romances, and that definitely bumped up my rating, even if it was a tad outlandish. Hutch's job as a rescue swimmer is such a bada** career, and I loved reading about it.

Overall, it was a cute Katherine Center story.