Delightful! I actually laughed out loud then looked around to see if anyone heard me. Then I laughed again! The thought processes and the shenanigans of the main character are quirky and funny.

I think this is better than the last three books. As always, there is a strong theme in the book- this one is about body image. I got a little exasperated with the main character, but that fit because so did her best friend.

I think the ONE thing that didn’t ring true was the event at the end as well as our hero’s reaction. I’ve actually searched the web several times today trying to figure out if it was plausible. Even if the event is plausible, his reaction was very puzzling. But, this is ONE thing out of the entire book.

I give this 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5 stars. Loved it!

I am so thankful to Netgalley for the chance to read this early. Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors because she has this way of bringing her characters to life through her words. Katie and Hutch meet when she is sent to film him and the Coast Guard. One thing I love about what Katherine is how she can create these special moments between the two characters. I know many probably won't like the conflict with Cole arriving with his web of lies, but I felt that helped show how much Hutch was enamored by Katie with how protective he was. Even though it is written in Katie's perspective, I could how much Hutch was hurting throughout the book (with the little tidbits sprinkled in). I fell in love with their story from their meet cute to the daring rescue (and swoon worthy kiss). I cannot wait for this book to come out in print so I can add it to my collection. I know this is a book that I will want to go back and reread time and time again!

📚 ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Love Haters By Katherine Center
Publication Date: May 20, 2025
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this #gifted e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

So, do you always feel this beautifully uplifted, like your heart is busting with happiness, after reading a Katherine Center book?! If the answer is yes, I'm clearing all other reads from my TBR in favor of more Katherine Center!

The Love Haters was my first book from this author, and it is now, without a doubt, one of my favorite rom-coms I've ever read!

First off, the title is adorable; let's be honest, we've probably all had moments in our lives when we've been haters of love too. This is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers love story about Katie and Hutch, who experience some laugh-out-loud adventures along the way. This is also an enemy-to-lover story about Katie's relationship with her self -- and her self-image. This is also a second act kind-of story (my favorite!) featuring The Gals, a group of older women who all permanently rent rooms in the Starlite Motel in Key West. It's a story about the complex relationships between siblings, friends, and family... And about the ways we can heal those complexities if we give ourselves permission to see things from a different perspective.

I genuinely loved every single storyline in this book! I was astonished at the depth of the plotlines and the richly warm ways in which Center wrote about these characters. There was humor, cuteness, emotion, tension, healing, empowerment, and so much joy in the pages.

And let me tell you, don't even think for one minute about skipping the author's notes at the end! This was like a TED Talk from Katherine Center that made me cry happy tears while I simultaneously gave a standing ovation in celebration. I swear, those pages of author's notes encapsulated perfectly what it was about the book that made me love it -- and made me somehow love it even more.

Whether you're already a fan of Katherine Center or are new to her books like I was, The Love Haters is an adorably sweet happily-ever-after rom-com that is the perfect read for Valentine's Week. Or the week after. Or next month. Summer, autumn, winter. It doesn't matter. I can't rave about this book enough -- if you're a fan of a feel-good rom-com, be sure this one gets on your TBR as soon as possible. I know I'll be buying a copy for my bookshelf as soon as it's published in May!!

#TheLoveHaters #KatherineCenter # #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #romcomreads #romcoms #booklover #bookaddict #fivestarreads #bookreviews #bookrecs

This book gave me all the feels - happy, sad, nervous, and relieved. I adored the romance that blossomed between Katie and Hutch. I love how Katherine Center novels are full of delight but she's also not afraid to touch on heavier topics. This book focused a lot on body image and how the FMC struggled with some trauma from her past. It had such a good message about loving yourself and learning to ignore hateful comments on social media. There was also some family trauma from the MMC's past and I appreciated how he finally learned to let someone in. They both were quick to forgive. Overall it was one of my favorites from this author!

Katherine Center has a great way of drawing you in. Loved the main character’s changing relationship with her body. Loved Rue and the Gals and George Bailey. There was good chemistry with Hutch, but didn’t feel like it needed the shenanigans with Cole. I also typically haven’t the titles of Center’s recent books, and this was the same.

3.5🌟 This book was typical Katherine Center: a rom-com that touches on serious topics.

Katie was left by her fiancé after a video of him singing and playing guitar went viral, leaving Katie with some serious self doubt and body image issues. At work, her boss is firing people left and right when her coworker, Cole, throws her a lifeline to keep her at the company by offering her a project in Key West to film a recruiting video for the US Coast Guard. Little does she know, she’ll end up falling for the star of the video project, Hutch. From there it follows the typical rom com story arc with some twists and turns I didn’t see coming.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and there were certain parts that definitely surprised me. The setting and descriptions throughout were great and really transported me into the story. Not my favorite Katherine Center but I enjoyed it!

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me this book in exchange for a review.

I have read every book that Katherine Center has published. Her books are like a warm blanket–they make you feel cozy and comfortable. The Love Haters is no exception.

We follow Katie to the Florida Keys where she meets a cast of delightful characters including Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, and his colorful aunt. You can guess where this rom-com might be headed, but you'll probably be pleasantly surprised about how the author handles the journey Katie takes personally as she learns to accept herself and her body.

I read this book in two days, and it was an absolute delight. This will be a fantastic summer beach or poolside read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an advanced copy of this book.

This book was as much adorable as it was meaningful. I was totally invested from the cover!!!
I really enjoyed the romance and the character connection. Katherine Center is a pro with leaving me thinking about the books for a long time after! These characters will hold a special place in my heart. This was one of my favorites!!!

I have read and loved almost everything Katherine Center has ever written, so I am very sad to say that this novel was a miss for me. I just couldn't get invested in the characters and the story felt forced, especially the twist that came around two-thirds of the way in. It could just be me, but this one didn't have the same magic that Center's other books do.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this E-ARC.

I love Katherine Center. I will read anything and everything she writes. The way she writes books both lifts me up and then also kills me. I read another of her books at work and was sobbing!!! The part I was sobbing about wasn’t even the main plot of the book. Yet I was uncomfortably crying.
It’s just such a beautiful way of writing about love.

How is it possible for someone to be both the greatest writer of happiness and silly, fun times and then turn around and have me absolutely sobbing.

Katie is a video producer. But not for long. She might get fired. Unless she takes this job to go film a video about the coast guard. Which she can totally do. Except she can’t swim. But if she doesn’t go she might lose her job. Sooooo, what does she do? She goes to key west to film a video about Tom Hutcheson. She can fib her way through swimming right? Unless she has to pass a test showing that she can get herself out of the helicopter if it crashes and goes upside down in the water. Everything will be fine. And it is. Until she meets “Hutch”. Promised to be a grumpy, frumpy, no personality, all business rescue swimmer. What she didn’t know was that he’s also beautiful. Yet with Katie, Hutch doesn’t seem to be anything but amazing.

It’s your classic love story of Will they won’t they. Do yourself a favor and read it.

Also not me examining my ankles to see if they could cut glass, work for the CIA or drink champagne in Paris?

the love haters
The Love Haters was an easy to read romcom following Katie and Hutch as they are brought together when Katie goes to Key West to film a commercial about the Coast Guard - and Hutch is the handsome Coast Guard rescue swimmer the video is focusing on.
I feel like I learned a lot about the Coast Guard and how rescues work. I appreciated both these characters a lot, as well as others like Rue and Beanie who really added on to the story in fun and thoughtful ways. One thing I didn’t love was the issues that arose with Katie’s ex. It felt a little forced and unnecessary in terms of guiding her to loving her body and self. I also hated Cole’s character. He was annoying and uncharming and added nothing positive really to the story.
Overall, this was an extremely well written romcom that deals with tough topics in a lovely way. While I wasn’t obsessed with the sappiness in the epilogue, the last 35% of the book I sped through. I loved the relationship between Katie and Hutch and all the little events that carried the reader through the story. Four stars - possibly a 3.5 rounded up - and definitely recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me review this book!

As always, Katherine Center and The Love Haters had me giggling, smiling, and crying. Just like her other works, this is the perfect rom-com with the perfect ratio of humor to deep, real world topics. The main characters struggle with her body image made the story relatable and emotional while still having that cutesy, Katherine Center flair. The setting of Key West, with the swimmer male main character makes this the perfect summer time read. So excited for others to get the chance to read this book!

I do think that a few trigger warnings should be placed in this book since it does deal with some deeper topics.

4 stars.

Katherine Center is becoming one of my favorite authors, and The Love Haters might just be one of my favorites from her yet! From the very first page, I was completely hooked. Katie and Hutch were such lovable, well-developed characters, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their journey—full of heart, humor, and depth—made this book impossible to put down.

The supporting characters were just as memorable, adding charm and depth to an already engaging story. The plot moved quickly, keeping me turning pages late into the night, and I loved how it balanced humor, romance, and emotional depth. I also really connected with Katie and her body hang-ups—her struggles felt so real and relatable, making her all the more endearing.

By the time I reached the last page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I truly hope there’s a sequel because I’d love to spend more time with these characters! Katherine Center continues to be at the top of my list of favorite authors, and I always look forward to her new books.
5+ stars

Thanks NetGalley for the preview.

I thought this book was really cute and I enjoyed it! I loved the tropical setting and I think it would have been a great summer read. In terms of the romance, the drama and tension was so good. I did find the beginning to be a little slow, and the ending was slightly underwhelming with concluding the love story but wrapped up the other parts of the story as well. The storyline with her body image was relatable and I liked the aspect of her becoming comfortable with herself. Cute, wholesome, and quick read :)

Oh no... one of my favorite authors does one of my least favorite tropes. The dreaded "miscommunication" or in this case straight up lying?


Thank you to Net Gallley for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for reading and reviewing.

I received the ARC and could not wait to dive in. Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors. I can always count on her to make me laugh and smile while keeping things lighthearted. The Love Hater did not disappoint. If you hare looking for a sweet and easy romcom, this is your book. The characters were so fun to follow throughout the story and I couldn't put it down. Thank you for allowing me to read this early, it will definitely be added to my physical bookshelf once published!

3.5 ⭐️

Katherine Center's books are filled with an unexpected journey that will make you smile. The Love Haters is no different.

Katie knows a lay off is looming and needs something to save her job. Cole, her boss, offers her an opportunity that could save both of them from a layoff. What Katie doesn't know is the reasoning behind Cole giving her the job.

Hutch doesn't want a camera in his face. He was just trying to save Jennifer Aniston's dog in peace. Now Hutch will unknowingly have to deal with Katie for a week and show off his job.

I loved George Bailey who Hutch saved from a terrible life at a puppy mill.

Rue and The Gals were a great addition. I loved the little family they built in Starlite.

I did enjoy the story. There were some body image issues that I don't think Katie fully worked through. I do want to know if Lucas ever reached out to Katie after his song went viral. I think the part with Cole and all the lies could have been skipped... It created unnecessary drama. I also would have loved for more Coast Guard tests for Katie and Hutch to work through.

Overall, I enjoyed the story I was given and I did keep reaching for the book. There were parts that made me giggle.

**thank you to NetGalley and St.Martens Press for the copy in exchange for my own thoughts and opinions**

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reading copy.

This was another home run for Katherine Center.

This book had very engaging characters and plot. Beanie and Rue were winning characters from their first supporting appearances.

Katie is trying not to lose her job and is tasked with a promotional video for the Coast Guard by her supervisor Cole. What Katie doesn't realize is he was supposed to be the videographer at his brother's request. Hutch is a Coast Guard ASTC who is trying to get Cole back in communication with his family on an important anniversary. There are a lot of untruths and lies throughout the book that create moments of drama between various characters. There are so many moments of comedy intertwined into the plot that made the characters so much more real.

The best character of the book is George Bailey with his lips flapping and his ears undulating as he comes barreling in to Katie the first time he meets her. He is a giant sweetie of a rescue Great Dane and added another wonderful layer of levity and love to the book.

There are so many different themes of love in this book as Katherine points out in her author's notes. I appreciated Katie's journey of self-love as she is pushed by her cousin and soul sister Beanie.

I look forward to the next book

I adored this book! It gave me all the feels, made me laugh and grabbed hold of my heart and would not let it go. Katherine Center writes good books that are immersive and immensely readable and this one is no different. Katie was a likable main character and was easy to identify with. The situations that Katie found herself in, especially when George Bailey was involved, were over the top and yet I could picture it happening. I especially liked watching Katie change and confront her fears and become more herself. Hutch was everything I want in a male main character, attractive, interesting job with depths of kindness and his own anxieties and challenges. The community in Key West with Aunt Rue was so much fun and an important part of the story. At its center this is a story about facing your fears, finding your path, and embracing love. in all of its forms

Thank you netgalley & stmartinspress for an eARC! Katherine Center always pulls me in and makes me love her characters; always an auto-read (auto netgalley request!) for me. Hutch was dreamy and Katie drove me crazy with all her insecurities but in the end loved the relatability of her. I want to live with Rue and The Gals and made me wish for the bright colors of summer.