Katie was recently told that she might be laid off. When one of her coworkers said that she could save her job if she produced a video for Coast Guard rescue swimmers featuring local hero, Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson, it might save her job. The only problem is...she doesn't know how to swim. There is only one thing you can do in the scenario.... fake it.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. However, I was not invested in the plot until about 60% in. I am glad that I continued to read because the last half made up for the first part. I would recommend if you like family drama, a little fake dating, and want some summer vibes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin's Press for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is Katherine Center's best novel so far! The characters are relateable, the story is funny but with substance and there is plenty of romantic tension.. One falls in love with Rue the loveable aunt too. The setting in Key West was captured in the story and makes me want to visit again.

This is what romantic comedy should be. I love that is addresses body image issues and internet bullying within the story. It makes one realize that we are people looking for our place and our acceptance. The ending was perfect. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book. I read it in one sitting!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the Arc!!

Anyway this book was everything! I can not remember the last time a romance book has made me feel this way!! I cried, I laughed, I kicked my feet, I clapped, I rolled my eyes. I did every emotion while reading this books and I loved it!

Every facet of this book was brilliant! Let’s begin with that:

Katie… She is a deeply relatable character. While I haven’t struggled with the extent of body issues that she did I felt for her and with her throughout it all. She is so strong and beautiful and seeing herself as such was a journey. One in which she had to love herself more than anyone else could ever love her, which is what I am currently battling. And Katherine did such a good job showing the multifaceted difficulty through such care!

Hutch… oh my gosh. What a man. The only man any woman should ever expect. He sees her in every situation. He feels for her in everything. He connects with her on a deeper level. He does everything in his power to care about those he loves. Not just with Katie but with his brother and Rue. A family man through and through. And the way he is with his dog. I can’t!! I just can’t! George Bailey was everything I needed in this book. He was the comic relief but also the ultimate wingman and you can’t convince me otherwise! I want my own Hutch!

Rue… I loved her! Her and her spunky friends were another comedic relief and total group of wingwomen!! They were the best. Friendship is explored in this friend group like none other and the found family of everyone in this story was absolutely beautiful!

While this was such a great romance there are also undertones of grief, military life, learning to love self, and family bonds. It was a beautiful tale that had me flipping the pages as quickly so I could know what was going to happen!! It was the perfect right time when I read this book and it was the perfect romance!!

Katherine Center made a piece of art with this one and I won’t forget it!!

5/5⭐️❤️

Ugh hate to have DNF’d this but I realllly struggled to connect with the FMC and found it difficult to buy in to the story due to it. As well it felt like there wasn’t any true connection with the characters, felt forced and wasn’t fully developed before moving on to the next step. I wish I could have loved this but sadly I couldn’t finish past 30% and wouldn’t recommend for anyone who hasn’t reallllly enjoyed this authors stuff before.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for an advanced digital copy.

This wasn’t my favourite from Katherine. A few reasons to note:

We are hearing the story through the FMC lens- and she’s a proven unreliable narrator early on. I didn’t enjoy the MMC through her lens because of this- he fell flat. I actually think this story would’ve been better for me with dual narration.

I’m a sucker for some strong, loveable side characters. I didn’t feel that from this crew- I either didn’t like them or wasn’t interested in them.

Throughout the book it felt like something was missing from what we were being told about their developing connection. I didn’t feel like I was actually seeing it or experiencing it.

What I did like:

How it all wrapped up in the end.

The dog (except I never did understand the jumping on her bit that was ongoing? Then just ends?)

The coast guard element

Katherine remains an auto read for me, this one just didn’t hit.

One of the Best Books I've Read in 2025

I picked up The Love Haters at a time when no book could hold my attention. I was stuck in a spiral of DNFs. But this one broke the curse. I’ve loved Katherine Center’s The Love Commers and The Bodyguard, so I wasn’t surprised she delivered another knockout.

This story follows Katie, a woman quietly battling her inner demons. She’s sent to Key West on a work trip to interview a decorated Coast Guard rescue swimmer Hutch, the guy famous for saving Jennifer Aniston’s dog (yes, really!). But this story is about how Katie rescues herself. Through her time in Key West, she rediscovers different forms of love: for life, for another person, and most importantly, for herself.

What I adored most? Katie’s journey with body image. The writing is so smart. Center never tells us if Katie is thin, curvy, or anything in between. Instead, we see her the way she sees herself, which makes her evolution feel raw and real.

This isn’t a sugar-coated romance. It’s heartfelt, grounded, and refreshingly honest. It reminds us that kissing the hero doesn’t magically solve everything but choosing yourself just might.

5 STARS!!

I love Katherine Center's book, and while this one isn't my favorite of hers, it's still a wonderful beach read! Add this to your summer TBR -- you won't be disappointed!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Previously, Hello Stranger was my favorite KC book but I think this one might have just taken that title? I absolutely devoured this book in a single day. Hutch + Katie just had that palpable tension that had me absolutely giddy. As always, it's clear that KC does a lot of research for her books. I loved every single minute of this book (except a brief moment towards the end where I cried but I don't want to spoil it and tell you why:) ) It's funny and swoony and Katie's struggle with her body is something I think a lot of women can relate to and I'm glad to see that representation here.

This is the perfect summer read and I HIGHLY recommend it!!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this sweet, happily ever after romance! It was funny, clever, and hit me in all my feels! It was fairly predictable in the best way. I finished the book with a smile on my face which is exactly what you want out of a vacation read romance. I would recommend for a light summer read if romance is your thing!

⭐⭐⭐⭐= 4.5/5 stars!

I love Katherine Center books! I go in always knowing it will be low spice but a fun read; and The Love Haters did not disappoint! I l love this author’s writing! Her characters don’t just come alive on the page, I feel like I am in the story or I am actually the main character. This story is about Katie, a video journalist working for a company that’s in the middle of massive layoffs. Her coworker, Cole, offers her a job to travel to Key West and film a recruiting video for the Coast Guard and the main subject to be his estranged brother, Hutch, a rescue swimmer. While Katie works through some personal issues, she gets to know the colorful characters of the Keys (Hutch, his dog, Rue, and the Gals). Katie was a hilarious main character and I loved seeing the story unfold between Cole, Katie and Hutch. Katie’s body image issues were a little too much at times. All completely valid and I loved the body image representation, but I felt like it was so prominent that it took away from the story at times. Especially with the conversations with Beanie. She felt like such a flat character and could have had a bit more dimension. This might not have been my favorite Katherine Center book but I loved it nonetheless. The Author’s Note was exceptionally great in this book. It’s definitely not a part I would recommend skipping.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eArc in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately The Love Haters did not live up to The Rom-Commers to me (the only other Katherine Center book I've read and can base on). I really wanted to like this one but I really found myself not caring about really any of the characters except maybe Rue. I didn't really feel any chemistry between Katie and Hutch. I did like the overall story and did have some moments I enjoyed. But I wish it had just a little more.

I very much enjoyed this book! I do wish there was a trigger warning for body dysmorphia because that was kind of heavy throughout but all in all it was fun and quirky and what I have come to expect from K.C.

Center has a knack for writing romantic comedies that feel cozy with the right amount of drama. The Love Haters is no exception! The quirky main character is relatable with her own form of self-loathing that she works to overcome. And the main male? As intriguing and perfect as it gets. Hutch had a habit of annoying me with his moodiness throughout the story, but it tied together nicely to at least explain the reason behind his actions. Katie, on the other hand, had traumas that she overcame and her discovery of self-worth was believable - a journey we would all like to take. The novel began a little slow, but it had a wonderful conclusion that left things unrealistically tidy, yet provided a happy ending. As always, Center has another successful summer beach read!

I love Katherine Center! When I'm in the mood for a clean romance without all the spice but with all the slow-burn tension and emotional appeal, I turn to Center. Her newest edition follows her normal pattern, so fans will be pleased. This was was just short of 5-stars for me because the main male character seemed almost too good to be true. Yes, he "hated" love, but really, he was pretty perfect. The main female character's obsession with her body was taken a bit too far and bit too repetitive. Center has said that this was an enemies to lovers with the FMC's self. She had to learn to love herself and her body again. Still, it was a little heavy-handed at times. I also hated the (spoiler) fake dating trope near the end. It seemed unnecessary and more of a plot decision rather than a choice the characters would actually make. I didn't believe it for a second - nor did I believe that anyone else believed it. It was a way to keep the FMC and MMC apart for a few more chapters, I suppose. I did love EVERYTHING else. The chemistry between the characters was great. The details about the MMC's job were also well-done. I enjoyed the side characters in the "retirement" community. They were amazing and I want to be them when I grow up. As usual, Center handles some pretty heavy topics with grace and emotion that doesn't feel overly exploitative.
Overall, another hit for Center!

In order to survive the next round of lay offs as a video producer Katie Vaughn accepts a new assignment. She is going to Key West to shoot a promotional video for the US Coast Guard. It will feature Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson who already has a following after a video went viral of him rescuing a celebrity’s dog. Of course Katie never shares that she doesn’t know how to swim which could get her kicked off the assignment. And Hutch turns out to be the most handsome person she has ever met.

The set up sounds great and there is typical Katherine Center humor. But there are heavier topics too, especially Katie’s body image thoughts that come up frequently. Stand out side characters are auntie Rue and George Bailey, an enormous great dane. I’m not sure if I am supposed to like Hutch’s brother Cole who works with Katie. He tells so many lies and never seems to suffer the consequences of them. This is a nice summer read and almost as light as the cover suggests. (3.5 Stars)

Katie, a video producer who, despite being unable to swim, takes on a career-saving gig profiling a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson. As Katie fakes her way through the assignment, she confronts her insecurities and unexpectedly falls for Hutch.

I thought this was heartwarming read about self-discovery, self-acceptance and finding love. I loved Katie’s character; she was relatable especially in regards to her insecurities, and I thought her inner thoughts were hilarious. Hutch was just the sweetest and his dog, George Bailey, stole the show! Every scene the dog was in put a smile on my face. I really enjoyed it – it was the perfect blend of humor and heart.

4⭐️

“no one’s born fearless. you have to earn it. every time you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time. that’s what life is for.”

this was my first katherine center book ( I know that’s criminal ) and i was super excited to get to see what her writing style was like!

i will say that i was a little bit skeptical and confused with how this book started, but by the end it made complete sense to me why it was set up that way. if you’re questioning some of the early stuff, just keep reading and trust the process, okay?

the one shining star of this book is hutch — i sincerely wish that we could have gotten his pov, but i always feel that way in single pov books. he was like, the perfect mmc. a mix of golden retriever and black cat at the same time. i actually think his dog ( a great dane ) is the most comparable — credentials: my parents have a great dane that i lived with for years. this made the story just a touch more endearing for me.

i do feel like hutch got a much more complex character arc than our mfc katie— it really seemed like she had this one singular struggle that defined her. i’ve seen some people in reviews critique this aspect of her character as well, but like i said, if you trust the process and make it to the very end, it does make sense. i just wish she had a little bit MORE to her. this relationship did feel right and there was definitely chemistry and banter, but it didn’t feel like a total soul connection the way a 5⭐️ romance would be.

i don’t really want to give anything away, but this story took a turn i certainly was not expecting but really enjoyed and kept me entertained.

if you’re looking for a quick, easy beach read— look no further!

The Love Haters is a delightful and emotionally resonant rom-com that marks a standout entry in Katherine Center's impressive oeuvre. Katie Vaughn, a video producer reeling from a public breakup, is sent to Key West to profile Hutch Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The catch? Katie can't swim, and Hutch is the last person she expects to fall for. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their journey is both heartwarming and humorous.
Center's writing is sharp, witty, and full of heart. The supporting characters, especially Hutch's Aunt Rue and the lovable Great Dane George Bailey, add depth and charm to the story. The setting of Key West is vividly depicted, creating a perfect backdrop for this romantic adventure.
While the book is a joyful and uplifting read, it also delves into deeper themes of self-worth and healing. Katie's struggles with body image and disordered eating are portrayed with sensitivity, though some readers may feel that these issues are resolved a bit too quickly. Nonetheless, the novel's overall message of self-love and resilience is powerful and inspiring.
The Love Haters is a captivating and emotionally satisfying read that will resonate with fans of romantic comedies and contemporary fiction alike.

More of like a 3.5 I think. I've read all of centers books and this one was very average for me. Not bad at all but not great. I think if it's someone's first book from her they will really like it. I felt like this one was a little less focused on the love story and a little cozier than usual more like Mary Kay Andrews style who h I don't mind authors exploring style a bit. The characters and the setting were well developed I definitely wish I was in key West right now!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.


I think my situation might be slightly different from the vast majority of reviews I saw having "issues" with the body image content of this book - as a therapist who works with individuals struggling with body image and disordered eating, as well as working 10 years in eating disorder hospital programs...it made sense to me. All of Katie's internal and external dialogue and comments, I didn't even blink at, and I was WAITING for something to get annoyed at/with (LOL). I was more frustrated with her best friend's dismissive comments - and then, even that makes sense for someone who does not struggle in the same realm. I can also acknowledge for any reader who is outside of the ED-related bubble, it might not hit well.

Everything about Katie and George Bailey made me the most emotional. And I enjoyed Hutch too, the real MMC, although I wanted a bit more from their chemistry (especially the big scene at the end).