This was a very cute and fun and easy read! I read it in a day so that’s a 5 from me. I do have some critiques but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I had such a good time reading it anyway. Hutch was very much a flat character to me. And also none of these people really hated love, I think the title could be improved. Insta-love with little chemistry was definitely peculiar. I feel like the real love story was Katie with her body. The hurricane scene was absolutely THRILLING! If I didn’t have so much fun reading and was more critical, this would probably get a 3-4. But I simply had a good time.

I always look forward to reading a new Katherine Center book and while this one wasn’t a favorite it did not disappoint. It’s a very sweet book about loss, friendship and learning to love yourself. I loved George Bailey, the giant goofy Great Dane. and I wish I were friends with “The Gals”. There are tons of LOL moments and a few tear jerkers.

Read if you like:
-grumpy/sunshine
- fun side characters
-romcoms with heart
-goofy dogs

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

5 STARS⭐

The Love Haters is a charming read that has it all—friends to lovers, a touch of suspense, and characters that will stay with you long after you finish. The chemistry between the Katie and Hutch is electric, making their journey both heartwarming and captivating. With its well-developed characters, each with their own complexities, the story pulls you in right from the start It's impossible not to cheer for these two. The romance is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of tension to keep you hooked. Ideal for a vacation read by the pool, The Love Haters is the kind of book you won’t want to put down!

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming story! The idyllic town setting and detailed descriptions were enchanting. As the story progressed, the characters became increasingly endearing. The narrative was filled with the author’s wonderful humor, and the romance between the MCs was lovely. Overall it was a delightful read.

I usually love Katherine Center's books, but this one felt off. I had trouble connecting with the main character, and the plot mainly focused on her body image and disordered eating. The constant complaints from Katie became repetitive, and the way Hutch swooped in to immediately make her feel beautiful felt awkward, which made me dislike their relationship. Even though this book didn’t work for me, Katherine Center is still an author I’ll continue to buy.

The Love Haters follows Katie, a girl with severe body image issues after from her childhood and ex-related past. Katie finds herself fighting for her job and winds up working on a project following the coast guard in their swim rescues. Only issue, she can’t swim. But the man she’s following, the love hater, not only doesn’t expose her secret, he takes her under his wing. The two of them work together and do their best not to fall for each other. They are love haters, after all.

I loved this story so much. Katie’s body dysmorphia and image issues were really difficult for me at first, but as it went on, I not only continued to relate to it, but I also had a new found respect for my own body. I laughed, I cried, and genuinely was hooked on this. I also loved the epilogue which is rare for me

I looooooved The Love Haters! Katie, a videographer at a floundering media company, is sent on assignment to Key West to profile Coast Guard rescue swimmer and hero extraordinaire Hutch. He's acerbic and she can't swim, so what could possibly go wrong? This had such a fun premise, and I absolutely love the way Katherine Center develops a story - her characters and plot are top notch! I usually prefer a dual POV romance, but this one was so well done, I didn't even mind not having the male POV. The Love Haters is going to be a total slam dunk summer beach read. I highly recommend this book and anything else by the author!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for gifting me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Katherine Center does it again with her newest rom com that has a lot of heart! Katie works as a video producer, and - in order to not get laid off - takes a gig in Key West profiling her coworker Cole’s brother “Hutch” as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. He’s saved Jennifer Aniston’s dog, so this is a big deal. ;)

Once she gets to Key West, Katie has to confront two big fears: her body image issues (wearing a bathing suit) and not being able to swim as she makes a documentary about a swimmer. Hutch is swoon-worthy, but will he be able to help Katie confront these fears in a way that supports her?

There’s a fun cast of peripheral characters in this novel, like Aunt Rue and Hutch’s dog George Bailey. The story is fun and light with some heart - a delightful combination. The only part I wasn’t a fan of is when Cole came to check on them, and it sent in motion the part of the novel that separated Katie and Hutch. It felt a little too forced (but yet unique) although I get that rom coms always have this separation.

I really liked the audiobook narrator Patti Murin. She was a great choice to narrate Katie. It was easy to empathize with her, and she had a perfect balance of emotion without being too over-the-top.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for an Advance Reader and Listener Copy in exchange for an honest review.

It publishes May 20, 2025.

I was so happy to receive an early copy of this book from Net Galley. I love Katherine Center! The bodyguard is one of my favorite romantic comedy reads. I was disappointed by The Rom-Commers and was happy this book was more similar to the bodyguard.

Now to the book at hand… It was a quick read and very engaging. I loved both the main characters and their story. The only thing I kept wishing is that the characters had more development. I feel like I wanted more and wanted all the major chapters to be longer. The characters were great but I felt like their story was missing. All that to say it was a good book and cannot wait to read it again.

I am a romcom lover. I am also a fan of Katherine Center books. Overall, I really liked Hutch and the depth that he brought to the story. The main character, Katie, was likable; however, frustrating at times. I loved her self love discovery—- but it became too much of the story. I do think the ending could’ve included more of the love story between the characters, as it felt like an abrupt end. It was a fun read with some heavier topics throughout.

A sweet and flirty book set in Key West sounds like exactly what I need to warm up this never ending Midwest winter.

We quickly learn Katie Vaughn’s struggling a little- in her love life, with regards to her famous ex and in her job. Dangerously close to being fired, her colleague suggests a Hail Mary type of a gig- profiling his rescue diver brother Hutch.

Of course Hutch is the Love-hater this book is named for- he plays the adorable grump perfectly. I love Rue, George Bailey, and The Gals; I truly would love to spend a week swimming and dining with them.

Much like Center’s other books, i enjoyed this story quite a bit and smiled through most of it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Katie’s career is in shambles and it’s somehow getting worse. She’s a video producer and has a new project from her coworker Cole: film a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who recently went viral for rescuing a celebrity’s dog. Hutch (the rescue swimmer) and Cole have a past. They’re estranged brothers. Will Katie and Hutch’s project sink or swim? (Ps Katie can’t swim)

Katherine Center has a funny way of making me laugh out loud with her humor. It happens in every book of hers! Read this if you love grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, and of course, dogs.

Thanks to St Martin’s Press, Net Galley, and Katherine Center for the ARC! Pub date 5/20/25

Katherine Center has done it again—The Love Haters might just be my new favorite of hers! This book had everything I love: heart, humor, personal growth, and a swoon-worthy romance that left me grinning from ear to ear.

First off, I loved that the hero, Hutch, is in the Coast Guard! I don’t think I’ve ever read a romance with a Coast Guard main character, and now I need more! It added such a unique and exciting element to the story. Plus, grumpy-sunshine romance? Sign me up! Hutch is officially a top-tier book boyfriend, and I have a serious crush. My new “puppy love!”

The heroine was incredibly relatable, especially in the way she worked through her struggles with body image. Katherine Center handled this with such care, making her journey feel personal and inspiring. It was the best kind of therapy—one of those books that makes you better at love and life while also making you laugh along the way.

This book gave me all the feels, and I genuinely wish I could go back and read it for the first time again. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply satisfying romance, The Love Haters needs to be on your list. Don’t miss it when it releases on May 20th!

I love Katherine Center and her ability to write such amazing storylines that make you forget they are closed door romances. This one has so much heart and I knew after just a few chapters that this would be my favorite I've read by her yet.

I had a hard time walking away from this one, or the willingness to take breaks. I LOVED it so much that I read it in basically one sitting. When I had to go to dinner with the family I didn't put it down even while eating.

Katie was such a winning FMC with all her authentic struggles, and need for a confidence boost after her failed relationship. Also some of the moments she had to overcome with water and her inability to swim and trying to move past those fears, learning to swim, sharks in the water (my BIGGEST fear) and all her body positivity...she was just so amazing!

All the characters in this one stole my heart and just the way George Bailey (a fun loving great dane rescue) who whenever he say Katie attacked her in the most entertaining ways. He really was the glue that kept her and Hutch together. These two were magic. And then add the brother and the added storyline to the mix and I just had so much fun with this storyline.

Katherine you are the best warm fuzzy writer that just kept me so engaged and I adored this book! Thank you for writing these beautiful stories with some hidden messages that are profound and beautiful.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of The Love Haters, this one was fantastic!

I liked this! Almost more women’s fic than a romance as it seemed more about Katie and her learning to love herself than her relationship with Hutch. A few coast guard related things felt unrealistic but I still enjoyed it.

I felt like I related to Katie a lot with her insecurities and I loved how she learned to overcome it with the help of her best friend Beanie, who I loved!

Hutch was a great MMC and i really felt for his story and his complicated relationship with his brother.

And Rue! My fave.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-book ARC of “The Love Haters”. This book reminded me of corny hallmark movie. It was very easy to digest but also very cheesy. I am more of a spicy romance girl so this book was very adolescent to me. I rolled my eyes a lot during this especially at many things the FMC said.

As a devoted fan of Katherine Center, I eagerly dove into The Love Haters without knowing much about it, expecting her signature blend of heartfelt romance, humor, and emotional depth. While her signature witty banter was still present, this book didn’t quite deliver the love story I was hoping for.

The majority of the novel focuses on the main character’s struggles with body image, which, while an important and relatable topic, took center stage over the romance. I found myself missing the sweeping, emotional love story that usually defines Center’s books. The side characters were enjoyable, and there were moments of charm, but overall, the romance felt like an afterthought.

That said, the absolute standout of this book was the author’s note. Katherine Center always excels in providing thoughtful, heartfelt reflections, and this one was no exception. It added depth and meaning to the novel in a way that made me appreciate her intent, even if the execution didn’t fully resonate with me.

I’m torn writing this review because I admire Center’s writing so much, and I know this story will speak to many readers. While it wasn’t my favorite of hers, I still appreciate her ability to craft compelling characters and meaningful themes. If you go into this one expecting more of a self-discovery journey than a traditional romance, you may enjoy it more than I did.

Rating: 3.5/5

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

'The Love Haters' is the pinnacle treasure of the 'found family' trope. I don't know if I've ever wanted to join a circle of friends more than the ones found at the Starlite Cottages. I mean, when the group includes four spry retirees that love nothing more than a good romance, a *HOT* Coast Guard rescue diver, and the lovable Great Dane, George Bailey, what more do you need?

When Katie Vaughn finds herself at the mercy of The Gals (permanent residents of Starlite) after agreeing to take a last-minute assignment from a coworker, she finds herself pushed beyond her limits by the seemingly harmless retirees of the cottages. The assignment begins as a disaster of epic proportions; Katie is in Key West to shoot a recruitment video for the Coast Guard, without prior knowledge of the military, helicopter rescue, or even being able to swim. Add in lost luggage, insta-love from a Great Dane that renders her helpless every time they cross paths, and the fact that she has to lie to Tom 'Hutch' Hutchinson about her reasons for being in Key West prior to the start of shooting the recruitment video, and Katie has a mess on her hands of epic proportions. Sometimes being pushed out of your comfort zone, whether by necessity or well-intentioned meddling from The Gals, helps bring about the change that you need in your life.

The character growth and arc of the main character Katie was so, so rewarding to read. By the end of the novel I was out loud cheering for this woman and the growth she experienced while in the care of Aunt Rue. Fans of slow burn romance will love the will-or-won't they uncertainty as Katie learns about loving herself alongside falling for the subject of her video. Every moment between Hutch and Katie had such delicious tension that I was sitting on the edge of my seat almost begging them to finally make a move towards each other. George Bailey deserves an award as a most lovable Good Boy, even when he's being a stinker and I loved every scene that had him in it.

I will issue a trigger warning: this book deals with sensitive subjects such as body dysmorphia, anorexia, and online body shaming. While these subjects are included with sensitivity and care, and they are essential to the storyline, those who find such subjects upsetting should be aware that they are an essential part of the storyline.

The Love Haters is one of my new favorite rom com novels, and one that I will be revisiting on my shelf again.

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

I am overwhelmed with emotions after reading this story! This author did a fantastic job of bringing this story full circle and providing us with a much deeper message. I highly recommend picking up this book!

this was cute! i loved the little town setting and descriptions. It was charming, and the characters grew on me. There were tons of laugh out loud moments, but the main character was very negative at times which got tiring to listen to.