I loved this book! Such a cute story and loved the adventure elements that were sprinkled without. I did think the mid story twist was really out of left field but also added some to depth of the story itself.

I love a good romcom with witty banter and this one DID NOT DISSAPOINT! Katherine is the queen of writing a book that has humor, heart and creating characters that I want to be besties with.

This is a hard one for me to review. I'll start by saying, I tend to rate/review/enjoy books based on vibes and how I feel when I read. And if I go solely on that, I absolutely loved this one. I adore Katherine Center's writing style. There's something about the way she develops her characters that pulls me in and doesn't let me go. In this book, I felt like Katie was such a relatable character. She was a little quirky, had a lot of phobias and was struggling with a lot. And she wiggled into my heart right away. And Hutch? He was perfect. Watching their love story build over several weeks made me smile so much.

But then, about 60ish% in, something happened where Hutch's brother told a big lie...and Katie went along with it. And it made me so mad. And then something very un-realistic happened during a hurricane and I feel like that also should have made me mad. But it really didn't because I have no problem suspending reality when it comes to romance novels.

However, something else I didn't love was that, as I reflected back on the book, I started feeling like a lot of the relationships were very surface level. The conversations weren't very deep, the ending felt rushed, and I just wanted...more. And so for that, my rating dropped to 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 4 for vibes, for the descriptions of life as a Coast Guard swimmer, and for Rue and the other older gals.

Short summary: Katie has to spend a few weeks in Key West filming Coast Guard swimmers, specifically Hutch. Katie stays at a pseudo-retirement village owned by Rue, Hutch's Aunt. Katie and Hutch develop feelings, but because Katie's job is on the line, and Hutch's brother is a liar, they can't get to a point where they're free to be happy together.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the e-arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my review. I was EXCITED to get this one! I have adored @katherinecenter for years now and she never lets me down! This was a fun , quick read that left a smile on my face. This was very heavy on body confidence, mainly Katie not having any. I will say, this got to be a bit overkill, but I know there are probably many who can relate to this, and it also played an important part in the story. I absolutely loved The Gals and wish I had gotten a bit more of them, they just made me smile! While this was a rom com, this was very much a story of found family (which i LOVE) and of friendship. This also takes place in Key West so lends AMAZINGLY to a beach/poolside read! Fingers crossed tomorrow I obtain a ticket to see her when she comes to Providence!!

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc. I was very excited to get to read this as I love the author. This one just didn’t hit for me. I liked the premise of the story and thought it had potential I just couldn’t connect with the characters or really seem to care what happened. It was a quick read just not my favorite.

Dnf at 71%

The mmc had some potential and I adored some of the side characters (aka the gals) but the plot got a little too chaotic for me and I wasn’t a huge fan of the fmc.

I need to try some of the authors earlier books, mainly The Bodyguard and Things You Save in a Fire, because I’ve heard such great things! Just haven’t been able to connect with her newer books.

Katie really doesn't want to be cut in her company's downsizing, so much so that even though she cannot swim, she's taking a job filming a coast guard promo video in Key West. Hutch, a Coat Guard rescue swimmer and real life hero gone viral, doesn't really want the attention, he just wants to reconnect with Cole, Katie's colleague and his brother. Katie has been burned by love and Hutch is described as a love hater; this should be fine, right?

I enjoyed this rom com set in the Florida keys. Katie is working not just on keeping her job, but learning to love herself after being scrutinized in a public light and struggling with body image. Grateful that miscommunication was not a trope used here! The Love Haters has heft to the story, even as a romance.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book was published on 5/20/25. I'll be posting to Instagram closer to publication

The Love Haters covered a lot of topics which included to body negativity, cheating ex, job in peril and facing your fears. We have Katie that goes to the Keys to do a special video on Hutch who is special coast guard. Hutch also happens to be her co-worker's estranged brother.

There a lot that I enjoyed this book:
- George Bailey, the Great Dane rescue dog
- Rue, Hutch and Cole's grandmother
- Katie facing her fears
- the complex relationship between Rue and Hutch and Cole

There were a few things I felt distracted me from loving the story:
- Cole, he seemed so self centered and his relationship with Katie seemed distant and odd
- there was a lot of stuff with coast guard that felt a bit too much
- I didn't buy the romance, I wanted Hutch's POV. At times, he was too closed off.

Patti Murin did a great job with the narration. I could feel the tense moments when Katie was weathering the storm with George Bailey.

Thank you @smpromance @macmillan.audio for a copy of this.

3.75 stars, rounded to 4.
Katherine Center is one of my favourite authors. The Love Haters is a fun romance!
Katie is a video producer who needs the opportunity to make a professional impact to avoid a layoff. Her boss suggests she travel to Key West to produce a segment profiling a famous Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Hutch is a very handsome, stoic “hero” who doesn’t really want to be in the limelight.
When Katie lies to get the segment by saying she can swim, she realizes her predicament and has to crash course swimming lessons when she arrives in Florida. The story kicks off when her instructor ends up being none other than Hutch.
The details about the Coast Guard and rescue swimming that Center incorporates into the story adds a level of interest and intrigue. The verbal sparring between Katie and Hutch is entertaining. Some of the.latter plot points become a little difficult to digest, but I chose to give the author a wide berth for her creativity.
Another fun book to add to your stack for summer vacation.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the electronic advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Katie Vaughn, a sunshiny non-swimmer who is potentially only temporarily in possession of her job, accepts an assignment to make a video profile of grumpy guy Hutch while he does Heroic Coast Guard Stuff. Does Katie have what it take to finesse Hutch into a heart-wrenching profile of his puppy-saving ways? Is Hutch willing to warm up his notorious heart of stone for the right camera-toting gal? Will Katie put on a swimsuit knowing she might be perceived by another human being?

Katherine Center is a very, very funny writer. This book has multiple laugh out loud moments while also writing a poignant love letter to women about our relationship with ourselves and our bodies. There's no spice, so lovers of closed door romances will enjoy this chaste little jaunt. Even if you tend towards the spicier romance, this one is worth a read for the laughs and the way Center tackles how many women are at war with their own bodies.

Oh my goodness! I love this book!! I loved Hutch and Katie’s connection and their connection with George Bailey. The side characters were great and you can’t help but love Rue. But oh that Cole…I could have smacked him a few times to quit being a bonehead. While I loved the romance, I really enjoyed Katie’s journey with learning to love herself again after going through a lot! I was hooked with anticipation towards the end, it was so gripping but such a great add to the story! Such great visuals and a great ending. Rue the day(if you know you know 😉.

Wow! I loved this book so much. I laughed out loud so many times, people thought I was crazy. I think Katherine Center is the best romance storyteller ever. There's always characters that are experiencing things in their lives that are very relatable. This story was amazing. I loved everything about it. I couldn't put it down. Perfection!!

4 stars!

I absolutely love anything Katherine Center writes. I really enjoyed this summer romcom! The FMC Katie is on a mission to save her career by convincing a really stubborn but selfless Coast Guard Hero, Hutch! I thoroughly enjoyed each of the characters, the banter between Katie and Hutch, and their love story. I appreciate how Center incorporated the importance of loving yourself and your body in this novel.

I think "The Love Haters" is a MUST read this summer, especially if you like:
- a Coast Guard Hero
- grumpy x sunshine
- forced proximity
- Great Danes - George Bailey
- fun secondary characters
- Key West setting


Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

~Thanks to NetGalley and Katherine Center/team for the ARC!~

There are so many love stories in this book…and I’m obsessed with every single one…

Quick summary: She makes documentaries and he is a swimmer for the US Coast Guard. When Katie gets a job to make a promo video featuring Hutch with the USCG, there’s just one small problem. She lied to get the job. She doesn’t know how to swim and is about to follow along on high stakes drills over the ocean.

I may or may not be in love with Hutch. But I think the story line of Katie learning how to love herself is the most beautiful. So many incredible side characters (and a few very annoying ones). The book is romantic, stressful, hilarious, full of fabulous older ladies, and genuinely heart breaking. We have romance, action, and a Lot of drama. I couldn’t put the book down and constantly found myself picking it up to read even if I only had a few minutes to spare. Highly recommend it. One of Katherine Center’s best!

This was the sweetest of books. I will always pick up a Katherine Center book. I plan to read again and again.

This was a slow read for me, but once I got further into it, it was another cute read from Katherine Center.

Katie and Hutch happen to have been single for a year, but does that make them love haters? When a work assignement takes Katie out of her comfort zone and as she works through her past ex and body image issues, the characters grows. A cute read overall.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity of this advanced copy

Has the same cutesy, overly quirky writing style as The Bodyguard, with a somewhat unique premise built around the classic grump/sunshine trope. I liked the lighthearted setup and the introduction to the characters. It’s goofy, fun, and easy to read, while still trying to explore some deeper personal themes. That said, the shifts between silly and serious felt a bit jarring to me and, when not balanced well, can end up cheapening both. I didn’t feel deeply connected to the main character, so the emotional beats didn’t fully land, but I wasn’t bothered by how the story honored the characters’ truths either.

Katie is a fun and quirky character who has her own insecurities. Hutch is a rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard.
Katie and Hutch have to work together. Then there is aunt Rue, brother Cole and so many great characters that make up such a great story/book.
I enjoyed the banter, the inner monologue, it was just perfect.
Love Katherine Center and her books always come at the right time.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another great read by Katherine Center! Anytime a dog is involved, I’m all in!

I enjoyed the storyline, but there were moments where Hutch was a little too “love hater”. His aunt took such good care of Katie. It was fun to read about all of the ladies in their floral clothes! Easy to picture.

This book is great for anyone wanting a fun summery read! I do recommend it, as I do with all of her books that I have read!

It took me a while to get into this book, however in the end the story won out and I liked it. It is the second book by this author that I have read and while good it did not measure up to the first one. As the book went along I got into the story more and liked it more. There were some scenes that did make me laugh out loud and the story was good. There were characters I really liked that were fun and interesting and some that I did not like as they were shallow and predictable. All in all it was a good quick read.