I'm a solid fan of Katherine Center and this one filled my yearly desire to read something only she produces. I love to go in knowing sort of what I'm getting, liking the story I've read nothing about in advance, and finishing it in a few hours. She always delivers. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Went into this one kind of blind but I’ve heard great things about her other books so I wanted to give it a try.

The dialogue is so easy to read! I felt like I was zooming through this but I didn’t find myself reaching for this book as much as I thought I would be.

The backstory is weird…her ex fiance blew up on TikTok and cheated on her? Idk I don’t love that and how the impacts of fame is such an undercurrent in this book - it isn’t really the most relatable theme.

This girl was down bad and she didn’t even really know him yet! And I don’t get why he likes her besides he thinks she’s pretty? It didn’t really make a ton of sense to me but I kept reading, I wanted to see how it ended.

Thank you st martins press for the copy to read from netgalley!

I loved this book! Katherine Center knocked it out of the park. You couldn't help but love both characters. Hutch was hot and so loveable. I giggled out loud at some parts and held my breath threw the hurricane. The frog hopping out of the dogs mouth might have been one of the best parts.

Another excellent read! I LOVE her so much and the amazing stories she creates. This book was uplifting and just what I needed.

The Love Haters is a love story, but it’s more of a love story where you are learning to love yourself first. Her main characters have been through a lot but together and they work so well together. I love the interesting plot that Center develops and the characters are developed with depth and so real to life. The secondary older generation characters are a delight and seem like people you want to hug!

The MMC, Hutch is sweet, kind, and caring, not to mention so hot, and, of course I loved his dog!

Huge thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC via NetGalley!

I have a pretty standard rule with my books - if I love it and it makes me cry (in a positive way), it gets 4+ stars. So while this book had some glaring issues – like mentally illness that the FMC won't stop talking about and some outrageous plot points that make the book memorable but in a "is this realistic enough for me to believe this love story" kind of way – it did make me cry.

So it's getting a 4⭐️ review!

This Katherine Center book fell a little flat for me. While the premise was intriguing and I think had the opportunity to be engaging, the constant focus on Katie's insecurities took away from the overall story. The way her body dysmorphia was approached at times felt shallow, and the fact that it only took Hutch telling her she was beautiful and appreciated to overcome the years of hatred for herself felt off.

My favorite moments from the book surround Rue, her friends, or George Bailey. I found most of the adults to be portrayed as immature, and the constant lying and competing near the end was frustrating. Overall, a lot was going on in this book, but it didn't have the impact on me that I have come to expect from Center's books.

Was kind of bored in the beginning, but then got interested when the brother got involved Luckily it got more interesting and funny then!

How I love Katherine Center's books! I love how vibrant the characters are. How full of life and realistic, that you just wish you were their friends.

This story deals with tough subjects (death of parents/partner in a car accident/drunk driving; hurricane, cheating, eating disorder, online bullying), but everything felt... right.

Cole is infuriating, Hutch, brooding and mysterious, Katie, full of dreams. I completely fell in love with Rue and Beanie, side characters that have their full stories in the pages too.

I completely devoured this book. Couldn't put it down (like all the others books I've read from this author... but more). I giggled, laughed out loud, cried while reading the book... initiating curious looks from my partner.

It's a beautiful story of learning to love yourself, one inch at a time.

You'll love this one if you like:
- Coast guard & Key West
- Grumpy x sunshine
- He fell first

TW for hurricane, death of parents/partner (drunk driving incident), eating disorder, online bullying

Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In typical Katherine Center fashion, this book was great. The to and fro with the characters and the relationships with the whole cast was great.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

THE LOVE HATERS by Katherine Center is warm, witty, and full of heart. Katie heads to Key West on a career gamble, fakes her way through swim lessons, and finds herself surrounded by a hot rescue swimmer, a giant dog, and a quirky island crew.

It’s more than just romance—there’s family, friendship, and self-discovery. Uplifting and fun with just the right emotional depth. I alternated between reading and listening—Patti Murin’s audiobook narration is spot-on. And don’t skip the author’s note!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are entirely my own.

Okay, I’m genuinely confused why this book was getting so much flak. I absolutely loved it! I thought Katherine Center did a great job with tackling body issues in a way that was real and relatable. If it’s a sensitive subject for you, I’d recommend you tread with caution because Katie actively wrestles with her (borderline) self-loathing throughout the book, but in a way that feels incredibly reminiscent of real life.

This book gave me so much of what I value in a rom-com—humor, depth, a bit of drama, and conflict, and romantic that isn’t sugary sweet. This is my second KC book and her humor is top tier! I found at my desk hoping I wasn’t disturbing my office mates with my frequent giggling. Hutch was totally a MMC to root for—he’s totally made my book boyfriend list.

I’m totally on the KC bandwagon now! I’ll be digging into her backlist at some point soon.

Here are a few content considerations: body image issues, mentions of disordered eating and childhood weight shaming, moderate language, casual use of “God,” allusion to sexual activity

I am so lucky. I have been given the opportunity to read and listen to advance copies of Katherine Centers’ newest books. The most recent one being The Love Haters.
I love this book 💗. Just like her others, this book brought me such joy and the opportunity to escape into the world of the amazing characters. Katherine Center continually writes books that make me laugh, cry, swoon and think.
You can read the blurb and even Katherine’s own review lol 😄. What I want to talk about is the sense of power this book evokes. In these questionable times I believe it is more important than ever that we all feel we have a voice. Whether it be a group of senior citizens or a young woman who doubts herself and her body. When Katie realizes her own power to overcome obstacles and feel thankful for her strong, beautiful, body, I could not help but be moved. I wish this is something everyone can achieve.
Katherine Center writes with such grace and charm and we are fortunate she lets us into the worlds she creates.
I cannot thank her
@katherinecenter @stmartinspress, and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and listen to these wonderful books 💗
Please put it on your to be read list and listen to the audiobook too! You always get the treat of hearing Katherine share the background story of the book 📕
#thelovehaters #katherinecenter #romancereads #arcreader #newbook #bookstagram #audiobookstagram

Katie Vaughn, a video producer on the brink of losing her job, takes an assignment profiling Coast Guard rescue swimmer Hutch in Key West, despite not knowing how to swim. Further complicating matters, Hutch is her coworker Cole’s estranged brother, and Katie quickly finds herself caught in a web of lies and family drama. Amid swim lessons, a hurricane, and stolen moments, Katie must confront her fears and decide what bravery really means in the face of love.

Overall, the story felt unbalanced, with too much focus on Katie, especially her body insecurity, which left Hutch underdeveloped in my mind. I loved Rue and the Gals, and would hang out with them any day, but the Key West setting felt underused, with few of the iconic locations visited. Some characters, like Hutch’s dog George Bailey and Cole, swung between over-the-top and flat, which made it hard to stay invested.

I adore everything Katherine Center has ever written and find absolutely no fault in them — or her — whatsoever.

BUT

One thing I’m beginning to appreciate more and more about Katherine Center’s books is how much there is to learn in them. It’s little details so seamlessly embedded into the story that they don’t feel overwhelming or unnecessary or like you’re reading a textbook.

And, of course, the guaranteed HEA.

Does it get a little far-fetched at times? Yes
Does it get cheesy? Obviously.
Do I still love it and wish it would be turned into a movie? No doubt.

4.5 stars

The Love Haters is another charming novel from one of the current queens of romance, Katherine Center. This time we follow Katie Vaughn as she is assigned to video a promotional video for the Coast Guard. The only catch is she can't swim, hates wearing a bathing suit and her outlook on love and happiness in general is at an all time low. Fun times are ready for her in Key West, FL.

Katherine Center's books are full of heart and courageous characters. This novel is no different and fans of Center's works will not be disappointed. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this novel.

3.5 stars! Katherine is one of those authors that if she's writing it, I'm reading it. Her books have a comfort level quality to them, regardless of the subject matter. If you're a rom-com lover, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this one. Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review - it's out now!

Thank you @stmartinspress @bookswithnopictures @just_reading_to_my_shelf for the opportunity to read the traveling ARC! If you get the chance to read one, you should take it! It’s so fun to see everyone’s comments and doodles. This is also one of my favorite covers for summer reading!

Katherine Center’s books are always so fun to read- a mix of romance and women’s fiction with a lot of heart. The Love Haters was another good example! I really enjoyed learning so much about Hutch’s job on the Coast Guard Rescue team.

Katie gets a job filming a coast guard rescue swimmer in Key West, but there’s one small issue- she can’t swim! It also turns out that her subject is the brother of her boss and they don’t get along. Hutch is grumpy after first, but soon begins to warm up. This is a very slow burn, but worth the wait. Hutch has an adorable Great Dane named Georgetown Bailey who is the best character in my opinion. I also loved Hutch’s Aunt Rue. The story takes place in Key West; one of my favorite places in the world.

I will say that there were parts of the FMC issues with body image I didn’t love, but it was easy to push past that. I have my own personal hang ups in that area which is probably the reason I didn’t love.

I love Katherine Center. Period. She knows how to write a book with a good plot, good characters, and a real sense of emotion. She is an author I can always count on to uplift my spirit and simultaneously allow me to gaze outside a window and get deep into my thoughts. All of this and it's a rom-com! Truly a special author. A perfect summer read that takes place in Key West with Hutch, a hot lifeguard! Dreamy as ever.

4.5 Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I really loved the setting in Key West, the primary characters and the secondary characters as well. This story was so atmospheric that I am now planning a trip to Key West but no rides in helicopters please. I met the author at a book signing event today and she is absolutely lovely. Her enthusiasm for her story and her generosity in sharing a few details and background information further enhanced this experience. Thank you @katherinecenter !!