I will always and forever read anything by Katherine Center and this was no exception. This book was funny and heartfelt. She really puts magic into her stories that keep me coming back every time! Grab it and hug it and keep it close because this one is a goodie!

Unfortunately could not get through the book. I kept trying to get back into it but its just a no from me. I had high hopes for this one so it pains me to DNF it : (
Thank you kindly to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

*3.75
Endlessly entertaining, romantic without major spice, and there's a dog!

I genuinely stayed up past my bedtime every night to read this one! I loved the unique jobs and our main characters. It read exactly like a Hallmark film and it absolutely worked! I think what held it back from a higher rating (and has received the most criticism for peers) is the body image discussion. I think the element of this topic would have been fine but goodness me, the topic was EXHAUSTED. So be ware of that if you decide to pick it up and be prepared for it to be silly and a bit "slapstick" in quality. I was happy with the self love elements and the relationship as a whole but I'm not an epilogue person so I should have left that unread lol

I absolutely love Katherine Center and she's been getting better and better with the last few most recent books, but this one did not continue that streak. It was kind of a mess. It took me a good 40% to even feel like I was interested in the characters and even then, it was so silly and far-fetched, it was hard to hold on to the end. I appreciated the fun setting and the body-positive arc, but most of the action wasn't the romance and wasn't for Katie, so it was hard to feel fully invested. I'm here for the next one, but this one wasn't it.

I love Katherine Center’s romance novels, and this one is no exception. It’s a love story on several levels including romantic love, love between siblings, and even self love. A great read!

I always jump at the chance to read + listen to @katherinecenter new novels! I love the narration and the characters she builds in THE LOVE HATERS are some of my favorites. Thank you @stmartinspress for my early reading + listening copies!

I loved the setting (Key West, hello!) and the characters- quirky, can’t remember the last time she wore a bathing suit Katie and rescue swimmer, dog saving, famous Hutch.

Katie is caught between her co-worker, Cole and a lie he’s been telling Hutch, his brother. Not to mention the fact she’s going to Key West to document Coast Guard rescue swimmers…even though she can’t swim. There are literal laugh-out-loud moments [cue the black bathing suit incident] and so many moments I just wanted to hug the characters- especially Rue + her Golden Girl vibe girlfriends!!

The narration is fantastic as always for Center’s novels- so feel safe grabbing that copy, if you are as busy as I am, and love a good book for a long run!

Read this if you love:
Rescue Swimmers
Videography
All things Coast Guard
Key West
Grumpy + Sunshine
Medling, Golden Girls-esque neighbors + friends
Pontoon Boats

Maybe steer clear if you are scared of helicopters + hurricanes. <3

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I’m officially 50/50 for Katherine Center’s romance books. 2 I’ve loved and the other two not so much. Unfortunately this falls in the latter category.

This one tried to take on too many story lines at once and in doing so lost the point of the story very quickly. That along with the uneven pacing of the story really took me out of it. I wanted to love it but I ultimately didn’t feel connected or cared enough about our characters to rate this any higher.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Love Haters
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Katherine Center
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: May 20, 2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝:
⇥ This is a mix of good and bad. The FMC struggles with major body image issues, which is a central theme throughout the book. If that’s something you’re dealing with (and honestly, who isn’t?), it could be a trigger warning. I appreciated seeing it addressed, since it's not something that comes up often in books. However, many readers felt like this overtook the plot entirely, which didn’t sit well with them.
⇥ The narrator was fantastic!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝:
⇥ I don’t remember Katherine Center being a closed-door romance author, but the romance here was practically nonexistent. It didn’t even feel like a slow burn—just nothing. Then suddenly, insta-love at the end. Very odd.
⇥ Around the 75% mark, things went off the rails, and I found myself enjoying it less.
⇥ The dialogue tags—holy crap! I listened to the audiobook, and the number of times “said” was used should be illegal. Seriously, do traditional publishers even have editors anymore? Do they just not care? It was so distracting.
⇥ Her BFF Beanie was kind of shitty and I didn’t support their friendship.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
★★★★☆
I have no idea why this book is called The Love Haters. I get her reasoning, but his felt forced—like it was only there to justify a clever title. Overall, this book was just okay. Not her best, not her worst. I DNF’ed The Rom Commers, and while this didn’t feel like classic KC, it kept me engaged enough to finish. That said, the story has been done before, the plot was weak, and Katie & Hutch were completely forgettable. I didn’t consider DNF’ing it, but I already forgot how it ended—if that tells you anything. Is it mean to say it felt like she was trying too hard?

Thank you @netgalley @macmillanaudio @stmartinspress for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a big fan of Katherine Center's work but this one missed the mark for me. The protagonist's struggle with her self image took over the entire plot, and while it's a subject worth discussing in a romance novel, it felt a bit heavy handed. And it lent itself to the tired notion that a woman needs a man to tell her she's beautiful before she can believe it. And the man - Hutch - had some mildly surprising depth to him, but that could just be because the reader is initially set up to expect a literal Ken doll. Plus, the trademark Catherine Center chaos was not nearly as chaotic as anticipated, which was a bummer. Overall, I think the idea was to poke and prod at humanity's idea of "perfect" and how it's internalized - but by taking two people with completely opposite ideas of self worth/image and make them fall in love to essentially "fix" each other kind of ruined it. I still had fun though.

3⭐️

**big big thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!!**

Let me preface this by saying I enjoy Katherine Center's writing and 'The Bodyguard' is one of my faves.

I was so excited to get my hands on the ARC of this book, and there were some parts that I liked, but mostly, I was a bit bored.

I didn't feel the chemistry between Kate and Hutch, and the romance wasn't as prominent as I would have liked.

I did appreciate the way the author wrote about Kate's relationship with her body and the growth she made with this. I did find it hard, though, to read the negative self-talk and about her relationship with food.

I think this is a sweet rom-com with summer vibes. Wasn't totally for me, but I would still recommend giving it a go.

If you are a fan of rom-com books, then you are probably already a fan of Katherine Center. Her newest book, The Love Haters, didn't disappoint. It is a heartwarming and witty story. As usual, her characters are relatable, and you can't help cheering them on as they navigate their love life.

About The Love Haters:

This is a rom-com about falling in love with someone else. The real story, though, is about Katie Vaughn learning to love herself first. Her negative self-image has affected her life in many ways.

Most recently, on a job to video a promotional commercial for the US Coast Guard, Katie struggles. She worries about not knowing how to swim. She also worries about how she will look in her bathing suit. How can she do her job when it involves wearing a bathing suit? In her eyes, Hutch, a member of the Coast Guard, is an anatomical god. He is not only the main character in her promotional video, but he is the estranged brother of her boss, Cole.

Can Katie prove her worth and keep her job? Can she also learn to love herself enough to fall in love with someone else? Read The Love Haters to find out.

My Thoughts On The Love Haters:

If you have ever struggled with your own body image, you will relate to this book. As others see Katie as beautiful, she hides behind her jeans and black t-shirts. I loved this part of the book. It made her character very relatable for so many women.

I haven't discussed my two favorite characters yet, though. Of course, George Bailey, the Great Dane, is one of the characters I fell in love with throughout the story. I could relate to owning a pet that is terrified of thunder and lightening. That part isn't fun. However, George Bailey is also extremely lovable, and is owned by Hutch. The other character is Hutch and Cole's Aunt Rue. Her colorful clothes and personality truly stand out in the story. I know I would have wanted her in my life also. She and her friends showed that friendship in your older years is an important part of life.

If you're looking for a charming and relatable rom-com with surprising depth, The Love Haters is a must-read. I learned a lot about the Coast Guard from this book. I tend to remember books more when I learn something from them. It was fun to read a romance book that dealt with an occupation that I don't know much about.

I gave this book four out of five stars. It was a fun read, and I'm glad I saved it to read on vacation. It just put a smile on my face. I looked forward to getting back to the characters when I read at night.

What is your favorite rom-com book?

This is the second book by Katherine Center that I have read and I think I am hooked. I really enjoy her style of character development and relationship development. Katie's growth with body image and self-doubt were relatable. I loved the dynamic between her and Hutch. Hutch was my favorite part of the story. Seeing how fast he fell and how clueless Katie was to his developing feelings hooked me. Solid read. Will keep thinking of the characters including Rue and George Bailey for the foreseeable future.

Katie is one year post - break up with a very famous pop star who cheated on her. The Internet comments on her appearance feed into her deep body issues and she is still struggling with this when they send her to do an interview with a super hot, super famous Coast Guard Rescuer. She is warned that he is a love-hater and while she feels intimidated by this man, she is also curious because he is nothing like they described him. I really wanted to LOVE this book but I was 14% into the book before we met Hutch and too much time was spent on Katie's insecurities and past eating disorder.

It kills me to not have a glowing review of The Love Haters because so far I have fallen in loved with every single book Katherine Center has written, and especially her portrayal of women MC’s but she missed the mark here. I didn’t like the way body negativity was addressed or how Katie’s friend approached it, making her focus on her ankles, fingers, etc to love herself. It felt very forced to me and almost like the topic wasn’t being taken seriously.

A small pet peeve was how the military was portrayed but, I bc would’ve overlooked this if I liked the plot and Katie more. That being said, I DID love Hutch and his rescue - those two carried the story as much as they could. Between those two, and my love for Katherine Center in the past I stuck with the book and made it to the end, which made the read worth it in a lot of ways but, for what I have come to expect from
Katherine Center, this wasn’t it.

The Love Haters has all the charm and warmth I expect from Katherine Center. This one has an endearing romance, a strong sense of community, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Katie, a woman struggling with body image and self-worth, is sent to Key West to film a documentary on Hutch, a rugged Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Throw in a quirky aunt, a lively group of older women, and an irresistible Great Dane named George Bailey, and you’ve got the right recipe of characters to be a win in my book.

The story balances humor and heart well, though some plot points felt a bit over-the-top, especially a dramatic accident scene. Katie’s self-doubt was relatable, but at times, her inner monologue about body image issues felt repetitive (and I wish there would have been true mental health assistance instead of just her cousin but I guess that isn't necessarily real life for all). Still, the themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and adventure made this an engaging read. While not my favorite of Center’s books, it’s a feel-good romance perfect for fans of charming small-town stories.

I loved this book so much! It was as much a story about self discovery and loving yourself as it was a love story between the main characters. I love the build up and the tension for the characters. I hated the lying aspect and took off a star for that but the ending was chefs kiss! Will definitely recommend!!!

When video producer Katie’s job is in jeopardy, she knows she needs to head up the next big project. The one profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a coast guard rescue swimmer and described by his brother as a “love hater.” One big problem, Katie can’t swim. But I mean, fake it till you make it, right?

I am a big fan of many of Katherine Center’s novels. They are just plain fun to me! Sweet brain candy in the best way.

Unfortunately this story lost me at many points. First off, I think I would describe this more as a contemporary novel rather than a romance. The story is much more about Katie and her journey of self and the romance is a side plot.

There is a lot (and I mean A LOT) of body talk, body shaming, eating disorder, negative body image talk. And while I think this is such an important topic to discuss that many people (myself included) struggle with, there was so much of it, it took me out of the story a lot.

Even with all that, I was having fun reading until around the last third of the book where Cole and Hutch reunite (iykyk.) The story went into such over the top drama/grown adults acting like they’re thirteen/zero communication and a literal natural disaster. The story completely lost me. Any emotional depth that had been gained up until that point was lost and it felt a bit ridiculous.

Katie’s self acceptance journey was sweet and Aunt Rue was the shining star. But if I pick up a romance, I want the story to be mostly about the two main characters and their ROMANCE. I don’t want to be told that they’re bonding. I want to read the moments of bonding!

2.5 stars.

Katherine Center delivers again with this rom com that is both hilarious, heartwarming, and insightful! I loved the characters and it was a fast, fun read.

4.5 stars rounded up!

Thank you so much for to Macmillan Audio the ALC and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. These are my honest thoughts!

Katherine Center stories fill my soul, and this one was no different. I absolutely loved going on this journey with Katie and Hutch (and Rue and Cole). Katherine's writing has all of these complex layers of storytelling that is rare, and I'm sucked in every time.

Katie has body image issues. Cole's avoiding home. Hutch hates love. Rue's love is overbearing. And all of these pieces fit together like a perfect little puzzle, told in a story that will capture the attention of readers across the globe.

Katie gets an assignment to make a promo video for the coast guard, and her star pupil is Hutch. Hutch's brother, Cole, is Katie's... manager? And sends her in his place. Katie and Hutch meet twice before Hutch finds out that he's going to be working with Katie, and Katie's in crisis about being in the Florida Keys without her luggage, in clothes that make her too visible, which makes her uncomfortable.

There seems to be a push and pull from Hutch when it comes to Katie, and we don't find out why until Cole randomly shows up and history reveals itself, but when they're on, Katie and Hutch's chemistry is... amazing. Hutch seems to see Katie in a way that no one has cared to before... with the exception of her closest friend and cousin.

Add in the adventures of filming a promo for the coast guard, being required to pass a coast guard swim test thingy (very official name mentioned in the book, but I've forgotten lol) DESPITE NOT BEING ABLE TO SWIM, so.... Hutch gives you swim lessons (swoon), Rue and her shenanigans, a Great Dane named George Bailey that for some reason loves you and likes to knock you into things/people/off the dock/boat, and then evacuating the Florida Keys due a hurricane.... this book is full to brimming with everything I love about Center's storytelling. It's an adventure. It's a lesson to be kind to yourself. It's a story about family. And most of all, it's about communication.

And the AUDIO IS AMAZING. I just love Patti Murin specifically telling Katherine Center stories. Her voice is like a warm hug and she does an amazing job of playing all the parts. Fantastic via audio if that's your preferred reading method!

I recieved an early copy of The Love Haters from NetGalley, Katherine, & her publisher. I truly enjoyed this book! I love the story between Katie & her love interest. I also liked Katie's battle within herself & how that came out positive at the end! & I loved the fact it was a romance novel without all the smut. I applaud Katherine for that!