I really enjoy Katherine Center’s characters. I like the flaws they overcome and their banter, and I almost always love the MMC. This book was no exception. However, the third act was a bit messy and I didn’t buy one of the storylines at all. Still, an enjoyable read. CW: eating disorders, body shaming, car accident deaths.

She makes documentaries. He saves lives in the US Coast Guard. She is sent to Key West to film a promo video of him because his own brother is too chicken s#%^ to face his big brother but she can’t swim so SOMEONE needs to teach her and omigod just read it. You’ll love it.

I always look forward to Katherine Center’s books! This one is action packed. Katie, a filmmaker, is following Hutch, a coast guard rescue swimmer, around for work. Full of family drama, water rescues, famous ex boyfriends, Great Danes and toads. As always, so well done and heartwarming. This should be on everyone’s summer reading list. Even the authors note is good! Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC!

This was adorable! I’ve loved Katherine centers books and this did not disappoint. Loved learning about the coast guard and water rescue. I could have done without the brief fake dating, I don’t think it was needed, but didn’t take away too much from the book.

“All that hard stuff turned out to be good for me, in the end.”

The Love Haters was a cute, fun, and feel good story. It is just as much about learning to love yourself as it is about falling in love.

Katie winds up on a project where she needs to film a promo about the US Coast Guard. Things don’t end up being quite so simple when the Coast Guard member she’s following around is her coworker’s brother. I won’t spoil you with the rest of the details but things take some unexpected turns for Katie.

There are some pretty strong themes of issues with body image, calorie restriction, etc in this story with the main character.

If you aren’t a lover of spice in your romance books this would be a good option. Even though I do like spice in romances, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love Katherine Center's books. They make me smile. They make me want to stop and smell the roses. Say hi to that cranky Tim Horton's employee. Let that stray dog get into my car and come home with me. Let all those 40+ straight males driving Subarus and BMWS passing me on double lines and blind hills, and I won't even scream they're insane.

Nope, because reading a Katherine Center romantic comedy can heal our world.

Katie and Hutch, you both had me from the very first moment. Katie, with her body issues and learning about loving herself. I could empathize with that journey without even blinking. Then, Hutch with his story of grief and his aviator glasses, oh, I wanted more of that.

Then there is George Bailey. The cutest Great Dane that was knocking Katie over. Hell, if a dog takes you out, it's a good way to go!

Slow-burning romance. Oh yeah, baby!

When the MMC tells the FMC that she is the human equivalent of a hot fudge sundae. I mean, peeps, it doesn't get better than that.

Except it does.

Now, I don't want to post any spoilers, but the penultimate scene between Katie and Hutch( oh and George Bailey and a toad named Lucky) is just so good.

I am certainly going to bed with a smile on my face tonight. If you're looking for a little joy, check out The Love Haters.


Expected Publication Date 20/05/25
Goodreads Review Date 21/04/25

This is the first Katherine Center book I have read. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed but also found some redeemable qualities in this book. (I will try one of her others as many reviewers seem to think similarly).

Katie is forced to go to Key West to film her colleagues brother Hutch for a promo video for the coast guard. Hutch is displayed as a sad or grumpy guy, but good looking. Katie doesn’t think she is good looking as all as she has body dysmorphia. A large chunk of the book is about Katie’s body dysmorphia which took away a good portion of a love story. I do think representation is important and that this book can help people with this situation or help someone “face their fears,” but for a love story there was a lot of body hating going on.

I feel like the love relationship throughout the book doesn’t get enough attention. And while Hutch may not be the main character, he still should have had more interaction and highlight growth of his character. He seemed to remain stagnant. Katie has limited growth that builds throughout the story. Additionally, I felt the plot line was highly unrealistic. I don’t want to say much on that as I don’t want to spoil it, but the events one after the other just is not believable. They were definitely wrote in to be dramatic and I get that but it was over the top that it just wouldn’t happen like that in real life.

What did I like about this book? The book has quirky side characters that feel so central to the book. Hutch’s odd Aunt Rue is much to love in this story. She feels much like an old, hippie Florida gal based on my past experience in Florida. “The Gals” are entertaining (the group of old ladies that hand around Rue). There’s even a goofy Great Dane named George Bailey that brings charm to this story. The imagery brought to the locations was done well. Hutch’s job was quite interesting.

I feel that this was a slow-burn romance with a big highlight on body dysmorphia, grief, and tragedies. I think that others will enjoy this book but it fell a bit short for me. I also personally had a lot of disconnect with the FMC.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

Katherine Center's spring/summer book release has been a highlight of my year for the past several years. The bulk of this review is based on my first read-through of The Love Haters, in e-book form. [January 1–4] When I finished, my Notes to Self included “Can't wait to read it again with my ears.” My second reading—this time, the audio ARC, narrated by superstar Patti Murin—was every bit as satisfying. [March 24–26]

Early readers are asked not to share quotes from ARCs until they are compared to the final published version. This, of course, isn't generally possible, as the whole point is to create early buzz. Even if I could, I wouldn't know where to start—there are just too many nuggets from which to choose. As I was going through my notes, I decided that I'll order one signed and personalized hardcover and one unadorned hardcover to use as my reading/sticky flagging copy. Who am I kidding? I'll probably buy the audio as well. If you are a KC fan, too, be quick like a bunny to get yourself on the library hold list and/or to Center's website to preorder the book from one of the independent bookstores that have signed books (with bonus swag) available for preorder.

This is what I can tell you: I laughed; I learned; I cried (at least once); I sobbed (at least twice); I might have stopped breathing a few times.

As is typical of KC's recent catalog, deep relationships between a varied cast of characters are featured in the story, including Katie's cousin/best friend Beanie; Katie's jerky coworker Cole; Cole's brother Hutch; Hutch and Cole's Aunt Rue (and The Gals—her besties); and Hutch's rescue Great Dane George Bailey. The fact that Aunt Rue and The Gals reminded me of my Granny and The Girls played no small part in my immersion in the book.

The book is slow-burn hot and sexy, but not smutty—which is my personal preference. The first kiss doesn't happen until Chapter Twelve (almost halfway through). If that's not your favorite, still come for the humor, action, all types of love, and emotional nourishment.

While I have a fairly full pipeline right now, I have no doubt that a third reading is in my not-too-distant future. When life is tough, books like The Love Haters offer restorative positive energy.

Wow another fantastic read by Katherine Center! Captivating from start to finish. Great setting and characters that kept me flipping pages long past my bedtime. Lots of heartfelt messages throughout. Totally enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley, Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a nice story. Thought it was well written. Wasn’t my favorite book but I was able to finish it.

The Love Haters is full of charm, humor, wit, fun characters, and plenty of swoony moments. Beyond that it hits the deeper themes of learning to love yourself, selflessness, and the beauty that can come from found family.

Hutch will melt even the hardest of hearts (along with George Bailey).
Katie will win you over and have you rooting for her by the end.
Everyone needs someone like Beanie in their life.
Cole needed the swift kick in the pants that he got.
And Rue...Rue is an absolute gem of a character!

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook after reading this book and it did not disappoint. The narrator truly breathed life into these characters and upped my emotional investment in the story. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook if you are able.

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC and to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“You should definitely almost drown,” Beanie said. “But not all the way. Just enough so he has to give you CPR.”

4.5 stars

You know what? I’m so glad I didn’t DNF this.

That’s not a great way to start a review but it’s true lmao I was going to because I just didn’t like the language/tone but I pushed past that and realized that I did in fact like the tone of the book and how the FMC thought and I ended up loving it. How about that? lmao

“Relaxing is hard,” I kept saying. “I don’t know what to do.”

This was another fun rom-com from Kathrine Center! She’s really great at writing relatable characters, Katie’s insecurities and struggles were hard to read but so real and it was great. Hutch was also great, super grumpy and owned a dog named George Bailey, so top notch.

"“See how easy it is? Plus it helps that you’re a woman.” Good god. I guess he’d noticed."

lmao her internal thoughts had me rolling. The comedy in this was *chef’s kiss*

“I collect pennies from 1965. Only pennies. Only 1965. The year my mom was born.”
“Are they valuable?”
“They are to me.”
“How many do you have?”
Hutch shrugged. “A jar full or so. I haven’t counted in a while. I just like finding them, you know? It’s like my mom’s saying hi.”
“Huh,” I said. “I thought you just really loved pennies.”
“Naw,” Hutch said. “I just really loved my mom.”

The whole parents and Rue storyline had me literally crying, so that was fun.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, the author, and Netgalley for this ARC!

I won’t say that one kiss fixed every broken thing in my life. But I will say this: having someone stand up for you and then kiss you senseless by the water at sunset is a hell of a thing.

This is an easy read rom-com with some underlying life messages that we learn about along the way. I enjoyed the characters Rue and George Bailey the most. It made for an enjoyable, effortless read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced listening copy of The Love Haters by Katherine Center. This book comes out on May 20th, 2025.

🥰Enjoyment: I am of two minds on this one. As a writer, KC has a voice that really draws me in. However this book focused heavily on a theme of body image and negative self talk that really was a lot. I wouldn’t call it a trigger for me but literally the entire plot is repeatedly touched by our FMCs self image concerns and it just weighed down the story for me. Additionally the “conflict” that existed in the back half of the book didn’t feel high stakes enough to drive the plot in the way it did. There were a few other nitpicky things that I won’t dive into but I just wanted more. More depth and less negative self talk. This won’t stop me from picking up the next KC book, but this wasn’t my favorite one.

A splash of charm, but missing the depth

The Love Haters was one of my most anticipated 2025 reads, but it didn’t quite land for me. There are glimpses of Katherine Center’s usual charm—witty banter, a swoony hero, and a fun setting—but overall, it felt more surface-level than heartfelt.
Katie, our FMC, gets caught in her boss’s lies, risking both her career and her chance at happiness. While her backstory is developed, it didn’t feel particularly compelling. Hutch is a solid romantic lead, but the chemistry and emotional depth weren’t as strong as I’d hoped. The side characters felt flat, and the story relied too much on telling rather than showing.

It’s an easy, entertaining read with conga lines, hurricanes, and stolen kisses—but it missed the emotional punch I expect from Center.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for a complimentary eArc in exchange for my honest review. Honestly, if you're starting with Katherine Center books, start with The Rom-Commers, Beautiful Stranger or How to Walk Away.

This was a sweet read! I really enjoyed all of Katherine Center's books. Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Read this book if you are into these tropes:
- Found Family
- Witty Banter
- Forced Proximity
- Body Image/Insecurities

This book made me laugh, smile, and I was definitely giddy! However, the miscommunication trope is NOT for me. I have a hard time when characters do not communicate effectively. This book does cover the topic of eating disorder which. may need some trigger warnings for some people.

I really enjoyed watching the FMC grow confidence in her body and the growing bond between her and Hutch! Overall, I would say this is a solid 3/5.

I had both the audio and ebook of this, so yes you are getting this review twice.

DNF at 10% on Chapter 4. WHY IS THERE NO DISCLAIMER FOR ANOREXIA OR EATING DISORDERS. I am anorexic and trying become a recovering anorexic and this book has made me spiraled. I read the Rom-Commers by this author and absolutely loved it, so of course I wanted to read the next book by this author, but since there’s no disclaimers for sensitive topics I didn’t know this would be a problem. I was going to try to push past it, maybe reading a book about something I struggle with every day of my life will help me begin my healing journey, but I fear it’s going to set me back. Do better.

Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. The FMC's body image and self-confidence issues were such a major focus that is was a bit overkill in my opinion and started to really drag on and feel redundant. I also did not buy in to the romance, either. It felt like we were just told they fell in love but did not have much evidence of such happening. This is on I felt I should DNF at around 30% but kept going hoping it would get getter or hook me in and sadly that just didn't happen.

I did think Hutch seemed sweet, especially how he cared for his rescue dog!

3⭐️
I loved the first half of this book! Katie, the main character, was hard to like with her self-hatred but that was part of the charm, knowing that she was going to learn and grow through the book. I love a self-love character arch. I really liked Hutch, the US Guard swim rescuer. But the plot shift at the middle of the book where Cole, Katie’s boss AND Hutch’s brother, arrives on scene lost me. It wasn’t a miscommunication troupe but it sure felt like it.

I love Catherine Center books and will continue reading her books. This one just was a miss for me.

My favourite romcom of the year by far! I had so much fun reading this book. It had very few of the annoying tropes I dislike in a romance book and most of the ones I love!

It's about a filmmaker who goes to shoot a promo about the Coast Guard (btw I still find it so weird that the coast guard is military in the US). But anyways there was lots of cute found family vibes, self love, a cute dog, and lots of nice descriptions of the Florida Keys. What's not to love? The romance was cute and believable and the conflict was annoying but acceptable. The climax of the story was also unexpectedly exciting!

I'll definitely be recommending this one! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.