2.5⭐️/5

I really wanted to love this one. After The Bodyguard, I was excited for another Katherine Center rom-com, warm, wise, and a little chaotic in the best way. And The Love Haters does have so many elements I usually adore in her books: a quirky setup (coast guard in the Florida Keys with an FMC who can’t swim), a Great Dane named George Bailey, and an undercurrent to the plot about learning to be kind to yourself.

There were things I genuinely did love, Hutch’s Aunt Rue being at the top of the list. What an absolute star of a character. Her chaotic energy, her genuine love for Katie, her shenanigans? All of it felt alive and real. The chemistry and honesty in Rue and Katie’s dynamic had more depth than anything in the central romance, to be honest.

Which brings me to the hard part: I just didn’t feel anything for Katie and Hutch. Their chemistry was flat, and the romance felt forced and rushed, more insta-love than a believable connection. Meanwhile, Katie’s internal monologue is weirdly an endless loop of thirsting over his physique, melancholic eyes, and slow-motion presence like he’s starring in a fragrance commercial lol. It was too much. One kiss does not a personality make.

And while I appreciated the focus on body image and did feel for Katie and her less-than-kind thoughts about herself, the way it was handled just didn’t work for me. I saw what Center was going for, but the message felt repetitive and overly explained to the point that it lost emotional impact. Instead of moving, it felt... hollow.

The supporting characters were pretty mixed. Katie’s friend Beanie and Hutch’s brother Cole lacked depth. Beanie’s questionable support and Cole’s overall character choices felt put-on for convenience and left me frustrated. Their roles in Katie’s life could have been explored with more nuance.

I’ll still read whatever Katherine Center writes next. She’s given me some of my favorite comfort reads! But this one didn’t quite hit the mark. For all the charm in the setting, the heart of the story didn’t feel real enough for me to fall for it.

I would rate this book 3.75 stars! I love Katherine’s stories because they feel so real and emotional while still keeping in mind banter, humor, and lightheartedness. I loved the message of this story and Katie’s journey with self love. I wish I could have seen more of Hutch & Katie’s moments that happened off page. But overall, I enjoyed this read!

I read this in 2 days on a reading slump so you know it’s good. At times, I was swinging my feet, other times I was laughing, or crying. But their romance wasn’t the only romance in this book, it was also her journey to loving herself. George Bailey was a cute little bonus!

This was my first Katherine Center book, and now I can’t wait to read more of her books.

I would like to thank Net Galley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I have read a number of Katherine Center's books over the past few years. I usually enjoy them, but I did not like this one. I just couldn't care about the main characters. They all seemed flat and lifeless to me. Katie is trying to keep her job and her co worker Cole gives her a chance at a story.She goes to Key West to produce a video of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. A few problems, Katie can't swim, she has body issues due to a previous relationship, and the Coast Guard swimmer is Hutch, Cole's brother. And Cole and Hutch do not get along. Yeah, well, it just didn't make it for me. I see a lot of people do like it very much,so I guess its just not for me.

I just love how Katherine Center can write a love story where the main character not only falls in love with the perfect guy but also falls in love with herself. This was a funny and inspiring read. And there’s a big goofy dog? Can’t get much better than that.

Admittedly, it’s probably my love of The Rom-Commers that bumps this rating up to 4 stars, but I also flew right through it. There are definitely some bumpier moments, but the bulk of it is solid. In many ways, it’s the heroine’s journey, following her on an assignment that slowly makes her feel stronger and healthier after years of being uncomfortable in her body. I wish there had been a content note about the heroine’s past with body dysmorphia and disordered eating, as it was a major element. I probably would’ve DNFed quickly had I not read and loved The Rom-Commers, but this smooths out once the romance is introduced. The story leans more towards women’s fiction than romance, but the little breadcrumbs we got kept me going. Eventually, I was immersed in the story, and I loved that it played out in such an unpredictable way.

The story follows Katie, a woman who has been tasked with creating a video that highlights the heroism of a notoriously camera shy rescue swimmer. While Hutch became famous for his heroics, he has avoided the spotlight until now. It’s Katie’s job to make him shine, and that means facing some fears of her own – including the fact that she can’t swim. As the two work on the assignment together and push through Katie’s fears, she discovers a side of herself that has been buried for a long time. They may not know each other well, but soon Katie and Hutch are drawn together in a way they didn’t anticipate.

I should mention that the cover (and title) does not fit with the vibe of the story AT ALL. Sure, it takes place in Florida, but the tone is much heavier and more emotional than the vibrant colors would indicate. There is the occasional humorous moment, and I would’ve loved more lighthearted scenes with Katie and Hutch. I really enjoyed them together, and I think their relationship had a lot of potential. I still want to know a lot more about Hutch, but I loved the parts we got to know. It’s very much Katie’s story overall, and her journey was interesting. Center is so talented at writing stories that straddle the line between women’s fiction and romance, so there were some great moments mixed in. I binged this in a single day and stayed engaged throughout, so I have to call it a win overall.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to give Katherine Center a try with this ARC. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me. The storyline was fine, but I could not make myself care too much about the characters. I didn't feel the chemistry and couldn't buy into the ridiculous situations. There were a few positives - Hutch's dog, Rue & the gals, and body positivity - but overall a miss for me.

I usually count on Katherine Center for layered, heartfelt rom-coms with a strong emotional payoff. The Love Haters missed the mark. Billed as a romantic comedy, it’s neither: the romance is thin and the comedy nearly nonexistent. According to the author’s note, this is a story about a woman learning to love her body—which is a worthy theme, but here it completely overshadows the romantic arc.

Katie is stuck in her head, spiraling about earlobes and swimsuits in ways that are too serious to laugh off but too breezy to feel respectfully handled. Hutch, the so-called “love hater,” is flawless, supportive, kind, emotionally available, universally adored, and conveniently obsessed with Katie for reasons never quite made clear. There’s no spice—not even closed door—just a vague suggestion that attraction exists because we’re told it does. Their chemistry? Questionable. The romantic payoff? Nonexistent. Even the grand crisis moment at the end is fundamentally unrealistic and disappointingly fails to support the assertion that Hutch is madly in love.

That said, readers who enjoy gentle fiction with perfect male leads, zero spice, and a loveable dog might find less to hate here than I did. Me? I needed more tension, more authentic emotion, and an actual romance.

Katie finds herself worried about losing her job when her company begins a major restructuring. Amid the uncertainty, her supervisor, Cole, assigns her a seemingly straightforward task: interview a local hero known as Hutch. She soon learns that Hutch is actually Cole’s older brother, Tom Hutcheson, which sheds light on Cole’s ongoing struggle to measure up to his brother. Cole has compared himself to Hutch since their parents’ tragic car accident.

Instead of the larger-than-life figure Cole had painted, Hutch turns out to be refreshingly genuine, handsome, and kind-of perfect. As they spend time together, Katie develops a crush on Hutch, but soon becomes entangled in the complications arising from Cole’s string of lies.

Throughout the story, Katie’s journey becomes one of self-discovery. As she navigates complex family dynamics and budding feelings for Hutch, she also learns to confront her past and embrace self-love. The romance unfolds with subtle humor and moments of awkward charm that gradually tie the characters together. However, the development of Katie and Hutch’s relationship feels a bit rushed toward the end, leaving a desire for more depth in their romantic journey.

Overall, the novel offers personal growth, understated romance, and family drama, making it a satisfying read despite a slightly underdeveloped conclusion to the love story.

3.75 - I enjoyed this one, but also felt like there was a bit too much happening.

The story follows Janie who travels to Key West to interview/film a clip of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer - Hutch. This man happens to be her coworker’s brother.

Through the course of the her time in Key West. Janie has to confront her feelings about herself. She has dealt with a history of body shaming and questioning her self.

Janie learns more about Hutch including his relationship with his brother and his history. They also catch some feelings of course.

There was a lot more that occurred in this book - including Hutch and his brother confronting their feelings about each other, Janie floating out to sea after a hurricane, and Janie dealing with her ex writing a song about her (he’s a singer).

I think there was a bit too much thrown in and it didn’t all need to happen. It just wasn’t integrated well enough.

I still enjoyed it and did find myself laughing at some scenes. But overall it just wasn’t my favorite of hers.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listeners copy.

Having read every book by this author I am impressed with how she continually manages to surprise me with a completely original story every time. I have had mixed feelings about those books, with some that were just ok which is probably because there is a high bar to judge them against the other books of hers I’ve really loved. This book is really good and in many ways more fun than her usual books but be warned it might look like a fun rom-com summer read but it’s deceptively heavy as well. Katie has a lot of baggage that frankly I wish had been played more for laughs than the very serious subject it was. I usually mock the modern content warnings on books but this could be a lot for someone not expecting such serious body image and eating disorder material. I wanted the fun story myself so it’s a lot more than I was expecting. It really is not much of a romance. The author is really working on a finding yourself and self love thing which is not what I’d frankly choose but I still found myself engrossed in the story and it moves well. This author always manages to find a way to make even what looks like a light read gripping and emotional so be warned.

I will never get enough of reading Katherine Center. Her stories are unique and heartwarming. The Love Haters is no exception. Katie and Hutch are a dream. I laughed out loud too many times to count. And don’t get me started on the ladies! Oh, my word would I love to hang with them. All the laughs, love and found family we all need and deserve. Run don’t walk. The Love Haters is a must read.

Loved how cute this was and I always enjoy a good rom com by Katherine Center! This was such a powerful and emotional read for me and I absolutely adored it! I love me a good slow burn and this gave me all the vibes of building that up!

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for his ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I thought this was a really cute romance. The writing was excellent, and the story kept me hooked until the end.

This story is the most relatable and the most non relatable I’ve ever read in my life!! I know sounds confusing but it’s not I swear! This was enjoyable to read and so therapeutic in a way.

Katie struggles with self love, body image, and acceptance of herself in general. She takes a job hoping to be amazing and not get fired from the looming downsizing of the production company she works for. She ends up in the Florida Keys spending all her time filming with a real life US coast guard hero of a man with a giant lovable dog and a group of women who bring the party to every situation their in. So here’s the relatable part, I swear Katie’s inner monologue I have said to myself multiple times and I hate that. I hate that we as women have a picture in our head of what we should look like or should be and if we fall short we berate ourselves. Here’s the non relatable part, I’ve never met a hot coast guard that’s an amazing man and loves dogs….unfortunately 😂

This drops next month and if you want a summer read with a side of therapy and a hot, wounded coast guard MMC this one’s for you❤️‍🔥

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was SO cute. Katherine Center did such a fabulous job developing her characters. Katie was a character that I think many women would relate to (even if you haven't dated a famous singer)- not necessarily unhappy but definitely feeling a bit lost and insecure. Cole: while he seemed decent at first, he ended up being such an irritating character. Rue: how could you not absolutely adore her? And finally, Hutch: dreamboat in every way.

I loved the plot and how it unfolded, but what I loved most of all was the strong underlying message: stay true to yourself, do what you love, live the life that makes you feel true joy.

5/5.

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.

The Love Haters didn’t fully live up to my expectations. The story revolves around Lucy and Cole, two people who believe love is overrated, yet find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other despite their reservations. Lucy, dealing with past heartbreak, crosses paths with Cole, who has his own emotional baggage.
While the concept was promising, the execution didn’t quite hit the right notes. The chemistry between the characters felt forced, and the plot didn’t offer much in terms of unexpected twists. The back and forth dynamic wasn’t enough to keep me hooked. It’s a quick read, but if you're hoping for something deeper than the typical romantic storyline, this might not be the one.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher for the chance to read this book in preview in exchange for my honest opinion.

OH MY GOSH!! Could I love this book more?! Katie was such a great MC and I loved her point of view. And Hutch... was he perfect or what? I loved them together and enjoyed their banter so much. I think my absolute favorite character, however, was Rue. She was sweet, and loving and she provided the voice of reason throughout (as did Beanie). Cole and his relationship with Hutch irked me and he was my least favorite and the last part of the book seemed a bit far fetched, but it totally worked in the end. Overall, I loved this book and Katherine Center can do no wrong! I devour everything she writes!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

The Love Haters starts with a fun setup—fake swim lessons, family drama, and a swoony Key West setting—but it didn’t fully live up to its promise for me. Katie is a relatable, spirited lead, but her romance with Hutch felt more told than shown, lacking the spark I was hoping for. Some side characters, like Rue, added charm, while others felt underdeveloped or frustrating.

The book touches on meaningful themes like grief and body image, but they often got lost in the mix of humor and over-the-top moments. Still, I enjoyed the tropical setting, adventurous touches, and Katie’s journey toward self-worth.

I'm excited to read more from Katherine Center!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the early read opportunity!