Very Katherine Center—funny, moving, and charmingly optimistic. And while I found this to lack the emotional depth of some of her other books, it was still an enjoyable read.

Be forewarned: this is primarily a work of Women’s Fiction, rather than a true Rom-Com. And yes, Katherine Center specializes in slow-burn, closed-door romantic fiction, but this story is less about Katie and Hutch, and more about Katie learning to love herself. As someone who has a complicated relationship with my body for totally different reasons (chronic health issues), I found that much of her journey resonated with me.

I do wish that there had been slightly more focus on Katie and Hutch’s relationship. I don’t have any issue with the primary focus of the book landing on other issues, but I was a little disappointed to find the romantic plotline stalled out about halfway through the book after a great initial build. And Cole was… a bit much.

Worth mentioning: One of the loveliest author’s notes I’ve ever read!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an advanced copy of this book, provided in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This was my second book by Katherine Center, and thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Love Haters as an ARC! Katie Vaughn is moving through life after her public breakup with her now famous ex, all while trying to save her job. She has a choice of risking being laid off, or going to Key West to film a day in the life of a Coast Guard member, at the request of her coworker, Cole. Katie gets herself trapped in a few lies, and comes to face obstacles that make her have to make choices to be brave.

The FMC Katie, struggled with her body image and how she portrayed herself through the entire book. It didn’t really seem to tie into the plot of the story, but I still enjoyed the storyline. The book was light on romance and humor, and I felt about 50% through was when I really enjoyed it. The epilogue was very long, but wrapped up the book well and touched on each character.

2.75/5⭐️ 0/5🌶️ 1/5😢

I found the main character’s focus on body dysmorphia, while seemingly well intentioned, to be over the top in the first half and then glazed over in the later half like it was never a big deal. The dichotomy was strange and off-putting, and considering it played such a primary role in more than half the book, I had a hard time buying into the overall story.

The rest of the book was fine, with some odd plot holes, but ultimately I found the FMC grating and the MMC to be dreary and dull (but with great abs apparently). The ending was strange at best and left me feeling “meh”.

If you’re a die-hard Katherine Center reader, I’m sure this book will check off some fun, beachy read vibes but otherwise I’d skip this one.

The Love Haters is everything I’ve come to love about a Katherine Center novel: funny, emotionally rich, and brimming with characters who feel wonderfully real. With her signature blend of wit and warmth, Center delivers a love story that’s just as much about self-discovery as it is about romance.

The premise—a clever twist on enemies-to-lovers—feels fresh and fun, but what really made this book shine for me was the depth beneath the banter. The heroine is strong yet vulnerable, navigating complex emotions and relationships with humor and grace. And the chemistry? Off the charts. I was grinning, swooning, and occasionally tearing up.

Center has a magical way of writing books that feel like comfort food and emotional therapy all in one. The Love Haters is empowering, romantic, and deeply satisfying—an absolute must-read for fans of heartfelt rom-coms with substance.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. This one’s going straight to my “reread whenever I need a boost” shelf!

I DNFed this book and I really really tried not to, but life is short. I think the Love Haters might be my least favorite Katherine Center book and I absolutely love so many of her books. The pacing felt very off and slow in this novel and it was really repetitive with the main character just constantly complaining about her body image and it just didn't progress, she was annoying. I love how Center's books in the past have dealt with difficulties and trials that the main characters go through. They have depth and wholesomness and then sprinkle int the love, but this one felt a little shallow and I just couldn't get passed how annoying the main character was and the repetitiveness of it all.

Katie is still getting over the trauma of a very public breakup with her now famous ex. She is trying to keep her job and agrees to do a profile on Hutch a coast guard rescue swimmer who went viral for saving a celebrities dog.

This book was full of extremely relatable moments and conversations that we've all had in our life, But I was kind of disappointed in the fact that this really is a very little romance. Not even like a slow burn. Slow buildup just pretty much none. And I get that that might be on me. But with the title of this book I was kind of expecting a little bit more romance.

I loved the conversations throughout this book around. Loving yourself being happy with who you are and the career that you have, and how true friendship really can be a great love. Like every Katherine Center Book the writing in this was just
beautiful. I still highly recommend it and she will always and forever be one of my all-time favorite authors

The Love Haters is more than just a romance! It's a heartfelt story about loving the parts of yourself that make you, you.

Katie is about to lose her job when she agrees to go to Key West and film Hutch, the viral rescue swimmer who saved Jennifer Aniston's dog. According to Cole, his brother and Katie's coworker, Hutch is known as the love hater, but Katie discovers there is more to Hutch than meets the eye.

Katie was such a fun character! While she is going through some tough things, she has so many moments that made me laugh out loud. Hutch is exactly what you want from a book boyfriend, and I loved him! While Katie and Hutch's romance was such a fun part of the story, Hutch's dog and "aunt" Rue (and her friends, The Gals) made the story even more fun!

If you love Katherine Center's other books, I predict you will love this one as well AND its the perfect read for summer!!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC of The Love Haters by Katherine Center.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Katherine Center does not disappoint. Everything I’ve read by her, I’ve just loved. In this book, Cole and Hutch (brothers) seem to be dealing with unspoken dispute. When Cole gets an opportunity to interview his brother for his work, he decides to use that opportunity to send a co-worker to help keep them from losing their job. This co-worker is Katie. But what’s in it for Cole. Obviously Katie has a lot to lose. She also learns quickly that Hutch is not much like what his brother says. But can Katie overcome her fear of exposure (aka being in a bathing suit), the assignment is in Key West, not to mention her in ability to swim…she will be interviewing/filming the Coast Guard. What really can go wrong? Especially when she starts learning more about what has lead to Cole and Hutch’s relationship, the dynamic of Aunt Rue which is where Cole sent Katie to stay, and even more so when Cole shows up with their boss and suddenly has big news about Cole and Katie’s relationship.

Trust that if you like rom-coms you will enjoy this one. And if you enjoyed any other books by this author you will enjoy this one as well.

I loved this book so much! This book was such an easy, quick read that is perfect for a summer day. I loved our main character and how she felt so real. She struggled with confidence and was easy to relate to as a woman struggling with her body image. Our male main character was also a gem. He was so attentive to her and although was guarded at times, opened up to her over time and was a lovely character. I also loved the side plots going on and the chaos happening. It was a great read and I love Katherine Center’s writing!

With the exception of one book, Katherine Center is always a hit for me. She has a knack for weaving a story that pulls the reader in and makes them feel like they're part of the story. I should have known better, but I was NOT prepared to fight tears as I finished the book on an airplane! I loved Rue and The Gals, they are #goals and #aspirations. The relationship between Katie and Beanie was so special and really showcased so many different types of strong female relationships. How could you not love Hutch and of course George Bailey! Katie and Hutch's story was so fun to see evolve. Fans of Katherine Center, need to add The Love Haters to their TBR asap!
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Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review,

I loved the plot and setting of this book! It felt like something unique to anything I’ve read before. That being said, I wanted more interaction between Katie and Hutch in the first half of the book to really establish that friendship.

Giving this 2 stars because I’m not sure what else to give it because I had to DNF. the first 20% of the book is quite literally only about the MC’s ED and fear of being seen in a bathing suit. As someone who has struggled with this before, this is definitely not something I’m wanting to read at the pool.

The Love Haters featured a lot of adventure, a cute dog, and a dash of romance.

I was rooting for Katie from the start, and I loved Rue and the Gals, I did not care for Cole, but found Hutch to be sweet yet not quite a leading man in the traditional sense.

This story was definitely about Katie's journey of self-discovery and acceptance and I loved her happy ending (and yes, Hutch was there, too).

RATING: ⭐️⭐️/5

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is about Katie, got her heartbroken by her cheating ex boyfriend, and Hutch who is a rescue swimmer, as she has to film him and his job for her work.

DNFed this one at 46% :/

This one just didn’t really work for me.. this entire book is about the FMC working through her body insecurities, and while that’s something I’m sympathetic towards, it has gotten to a point where it’s a little redundant in this story.

The romance is finally starting to pick up in this one, but I just couldn’t find it.. realistic? It doesn’t seem like there has been enough chemistry and tension between the characters for there to be a viable romance between them for me so far.

I loved the Key West setting. I also actually enjoyed the phone calls with the long distance bestie, as I have a long distance bestie who I talk on the phone with everyday.

Overall, I just found myself not…. really being into where the plot of this one was going so I unfortunately made the decision to DNF.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley for my gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a fun easy book to listen to! I always enjoy Katherine’s books and this was no exception. This cover might be my favorite of all her covers. It is so colorful and fun.

The narrator was way to listen to while multitasking! I enjoyed the pacing of this book. The relationship wasn’t too rushed or too much of a slow burn.

If you enjoy sweet romances this is the perfect book to get you in the mood for summer!

3.5 stars!

This book is super sweet, with plenty of emotional and inspiring punches to be impacted by! I really enjoyed the voice of Katie. She read like many of Center's heroines - with her quirkiness and humour - though, her insecurities made her stand out to me. Her particular trauma with her body felt so real and relatable. I felt so much for her as she explained her experience with her body, her struggle with loving herself, and her belief in her beauty. I saw so much of myself in her there, so I really commend Center for this exploration of trauma with weight and appearance. I think she handled this beautifully and organically, and didn't rely on the trope of a man convincing a woman she's beautiful and bam! she believes it.

I will say, the romance definitely took a back seat in this book. There aren't too many opportunities where I was given the chance to actually feel the chemistry grow between Katie and Hutch. I felt like they were learning about themselves and their struggles in this book, but not necessarily growing together. There is a reason for this, but I won't say because of spoilers. So yeah, I didn't feel much chemistry between them. There's also a lot of family drama that occurs, making me feel like this was sometimes Hutch's book more than Katie's. Perhaps a dual pov could have benefitted in this case.

Overall, this was a sweet story, fast-paced as usual with Center's books, and with a beautiful message at its heart.

Thank you so much St. Martins Press for an advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Love Haters is like a beach day for your soul. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Key West, it features a cast of characters as colorful as a Florida sunset.

Katherine Center delivers not only a heartwarming story about how love is worth fighting for, but also a meaningful reminder that it’s okay to face your deepest fears and insecurities. You might just be surprised by what you discover when you do.

So, if you’re ready for a journey filled with laughter, love, and a few life lessons along the way, dive into this love story, you won’t regret it.

The Love Haters releases May 20th.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Another unputdownable book by Katherine Center! Full of chemistry, humor, banter and heart I loved all of it. The characters were loveable and I am always a sucker for elderly characters and Rue made for an excellent side character. I loved the relationship that formed between her and Katie. The writing was and plot were spot on and I was hooked from start to finish. This is a must read!

As always with Katherine Center books, I am left raw and satisfied by this story. I loved Hutch and Katie's relationship! they are a grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract duo who are so drawn to each other they just can't help but fall in love. there is so much tenderness, love, care, and affection in this story between these two, and the perfect pup! I loved the way both of them brought the other out of their comfort zone just enough to see the possibilities beyond their bubble. capped off with a suspenseful, hilarious, tear-jerking rescue mission, this story had everything you could want in a romance book!

Katherine Center brings us a tale of overcoming obstacles, finding joy, and falling in love in her latest novel, The Love Haters.

Katie Vaughn finds herself in Key West, Florida, sent to shadow a rescue swimmer and put together a video about the Coast Guard. Her company is in the middle of layoffs, and the success of this assignment may be the deciding factor over whether she stays or goes.

The biggest problem: Katie doesn’t know how to swim.

Couple that with her subject, who is essentially perfect other than his tendency to frown a lot, expecting someone else to be there instead of Katie and not being happy about the switcheroo at all, and the likelihood of Katie keeping her job isn’t looking too pretty.

While this is a story about romantic love, it’s also a story about opening yourself up to possibility, love (in all forms), and self-acceptance.

Rue and George Bailey were two big highlights for me. Truly, they are treasures. Both brimming with personality, I loved how they each sense that Katie belongs in their lives. And, although I’m an introvert, I have a feeling I would adore joining Rue and her friends for nightly dinner and the occasional conga line. What a fantastic family they have created for themselves!

***Spoilers below***

As a romantic, I would have preferred to have seen more of Katie and Hutch falling in love on page. This story feels like an instalove situation, even if neither of them acknowledges that for a while.

Katie has body dysmorphia issues that are discussed pretty heavily, especially early on in the book. While I appreciate how both her friend Beanie and Rue contribute to change Katie’s attitude towards herself and her body over the course of the book, the repetitive negativity in this area was difficult to read.

I didn’t love any of the situations with Cole. I understand that his feelings towards his brother were the impetus behind sending Katie to Key West, but some of the later conflicts he causes feel unnecessary (and contrived).

I’m not sure that we needed all of the tragedies, emotional and physical, in the book. I expected there to be more to the story with her ex, especially when his latest song takes off, and felt like the health situation with one of the beloved characters was a bit of a bait and switch. (I felt this way about The Rom-Commers, too.) I know as romance readers we’re looking for that HEA, but, personally, I don’t like to see health scenarios used like this. While I’m sure this is not the intention, it feels trivializing to what many experience in the real world.

All of that said, though, I do feel like this will be a hit with fans of Katherine Center’s romcom books and will be read on many a beach blanket this summer.

3.5⭐️

I received an advance copy of the ebook from St. Martin’s Press. All review opinions are my own.