Katherine Center books are very hit or miss for me. I was really looking forward to reading this book & I thought it was going to be one of my favorites of the year-yet I was sorely disappointed. I’m not sure if it’s because I disliked every single one of the characters or because the pacing of the book just in general was difficult to read. The fact that a bulk of the story is in the final chapter, which was also 18% of the book was problematic for me and then the book didn’t even wrap up until the epilogue. You had to read the epilogue to find out the ending. I know she was trying to make some good points about self love, finding yourself & body positivity, but the plot had way too many holes to ignore. This book was just a miss for me.

I enjoyed all of the stories within this one. I'd watch this if it were a movie. There were so many different relationships that all helped katie to learn to love herself and her body for all it has been through and done for her. It kind of makes you do a little self reflection.

**Book Summary & My Thoughts:**

Katherine Center’s books always bring a smile, and *The Love Haters* is no exception. The story follows Katie Vaughn, a video producer stuck in a career rut—she can either wait to be laid off or take on a big project profiling Hutch, a rugged Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The only catch? Katie can’t swim. But she pretends she can, leading to a series of awkward, funny, and heartwarming moments. As Katie gets wrapped up in swim lessons, helicopter rides, conga lines, and stolen kisses, she has to face some personal fears and learn what it really means to be brave.

I found this book so enjoyable—it was lighthearted, quick to read, and still full of emotion and growth. Katherine Center has a way of making everything feel fun while diving into real, relatable themes. It’s another winner for me, and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a charming escape!

I love Katherine Center, and this novel was so exception! I adore Katie and Rue. Katie is me, and Rue is who I hope to be one day. I felt like Hutch didn’t have enough of a fault, but the story overall was engaging and sweet and fun!

Things I love about this book: George Bailey, Rue, aviator glasses, heroes, Ace/ Boots and Saddles, Beanie, 200 shirtless pushups, Hutch, and Katie’s realization that she’s been her own worst bully!


Katherine Center has written another fabulous tale that had me laughing, crying, and wishing I could book a trip to visit these characters. Rue got me in the feels, everyone needs an aunt in their life just like her! As you get through and find out her full story, you realize she’s the hero Katie should do a “Day in the Life” about. Katie, is up and down as a character, at times I’m so mad at her, but that’s the point because she doesn’t treat herself very well and you kind of want to shake her. But she needs to shake herself to really hear how amazing and wonderful she is!
I devoured this book, it had so many twists and turns, and I just had to know what was going to happen! I highly recommend!

3.5 stars. Typically a hit or miss author for me, this book landed right in the middle. Some parts of the book I really enjoyed - the budding romance between Hutch and Katie, Rue and The Gals, the backstory between Hutch, Cole, and Rue, Hutch’s career as a rescue swimmer. I just wish the author had expanded more on these parts of the story. Instead we were left with some side stories that just seemed too over the top or unnecessary. Overall a good read, but still a far cry from some of my faves by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Rescue swimmer/ coast guard?! Say less. Katherine Centers humor in books is my absolute favorite! I loved every single character in this book so much. Hutch + Katie + George Michael forever 👩‍❤️‍👨🫶🏼🐶

Thanks NetGalley for this e-arc!

Tied into a love story only Katherine Center can write were plenty of laugh out loud moments. and while you were falling in love with Katie and Hutch you were also making sure you loved yourself! A feel good love story that was good for the soul.

Katherine Center is well-known for crafting original, heartwarming romance novels, so I was very excited to receive this ARC! "The Love Haters" is centered around Katie, a video producer who is down on her luck. Having been cheated on and dumped by her fiance and then having her job at the risk of downsizing, Katie jumps at the chance to interview and produce a video of an American hero, Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hutch. The two have sweet chemistry and become fast friends, all while trying to ignore the sparks between them. I loved the camaraderie and sweet loyalty Katie and Hutch displayed towards each other, which is why I was confused when Katie went along with Hutch's brother's lies towards the middle of the book. Thankfully that was cleared up quickly, but even the ending was quick. I would have appreciated some dialogue between Katie and Hutch towards the end (after the rescue) of the book, rather than short vignettes.

I really enjoyed all the side characters, and I appreciated the focus on bravery and positive body image. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I have always been a fan of Katherine Center and this was another 5 star read! I loved Katie and Hutch and all their back and forth banter. I laughed out loud multiple times but I also found myself tearing up at times. George Bailey was fun and I want to be Aunt Rue when I grow up. This book was just what I needed! I give this book 5⭐️. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange of my honest review.

This is my first book by this author, and I was thrilled to receive this ARC. I was quickly pulled into the story as it covers many topics that typically interest me when I pick up a book—friendship, love, family, conquering fears, gaining confidence, and learning self-love.

This book made me laugh, feel sad, and experience joy. It also made me shake my head in disbelief at some of the situations involving Katie and what Hutch was going through. I loved every single character in this book. Cousin Beanie and Aunt Rue were two of my favorites.

Katie’s personal growth was heartwarming, and I found myself cheering for her throughout the story. The moments of self-love and the support surrounding her were beautiful. While Katie did make me shake my head a few times with some of the things she said, the story ultimately gave me exactly what I was hoping for.

Also, this book features a rescued Great Dane named George Bailey—and I absolutely love big dogs!

This won’t be my last read from this author. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review

3.75/5 ⭐️

In the tough job market, Katie is a corporate filmmaker on the brink of being laid off when her producer, Cole, gives her a lifeline opportunity to prove she's indispensable to their boss, Sullivan, the owner of the company. The project is to create a recruitment video for the US Coast Guard and documenting "Hutch," who's gone viral previously saving a celebrity's dog. And Katie knows a little something about going viral after her ex-fiancee had a song go viral on TikTok, changing their lives forever (for better or worse).

The tough part of the job? Hutch is Cole's older brother, and Cole is the one who was supposed to be doing the video. And to make matters worse, Katie doesn't know how to swim and definitely doesn't wear bathing suits. Through the project, Katie learns more than she probably ever thought she would about Coast Guard divers, but also about friendship, love, lies, and herself.

I've been lucky to receive a few of Katherine Center's ARCs in the past and have always enjoyed them. The Love Haters was no different. The story was cute and easy to get lost in. If you're looking for a lot of spice, this one isn't for you, but if you're looking for a story of survival and self-acceptance on multiple fronts, I'd definitely pick this one up.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press for a free advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Katherine Center hits it out of the ballpark again! Katie is an awesome documentary filmmaker, Hutch is a Coast Guard dreamboat, his dog is the hugest sweet boy, and Aunt Rue is the type of person everyone needs in their life. This book absorbed me from beginning to end and had some unique twists for sure! This is the perfect read to kick-off your summer; preorder it so you’ve got it as soon as it comes out. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a hardback to read all again!

The only reason I did not absolutely love this book is I read the Rom-Commers before I read this one. It is hard to read an amazing romantic comedy novel shortly after what I consider to be the best one I have ever read. I think my true rating for this book is a 4.5, but I hate when reviewers round down. One of the best parts of this book is there are characters other than the main characters who are super fun to read about. I loved everything about both Rue, George Bailey, and Beanie. Katharine Center also writes novels with little messages about how to live well that I appreciate.

Wow, just wow. I absolutely love Katherine Centers writing her characters, her story telling, everything. But this book was so much more. This is not just a love story about a woman falling in love with a man - although that does happen - this is a love story of a woman learning to love herself. After years of broken hateful thinking of herself and hiding away in fear of rejection, Katherine Center makes us feel for this character and fall in love with her as she falls in love with herself and learns to be herself no matter what others may think. Again I cannot express enough how much I fell in love with these characters and this story! I definitely recommend this book and will still be buying it when it comes out!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins Press, and Katherine Center for sending me the advanced reader copy of this book!

This book isn't just about romantic love but also self-love, love of family, and love of chosen family. The characters are delightful and dynamic, and surprise me in way that are true to them. I can tell that Katherine Center dedicated hours of research into making this beautiful book of a film creator, a US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer, and the setting of Key West. This book has all of the feels!

The only part of this book that gave me "the ick" was the bar scene. But maybe that's just me.

I enjoyed this! I really like the way that Katherine Center writes and I was so excited to receive and read this arc! I read the bodyguard a couple of years ago and really loved it so it was awesome to receive this! 3.5!

Leave it to Katherine Center to always write a great rom-com! Katie is the perfect character--a mix of quirky and lovable, without realizing how great of a person she truly is. And Hutch--the broody and quiet, yet kind, soul is perfect for this love story. And while it's light and fluffy in moments, and filled with laughter, there is a deeper meaning in so much of this book. It's a lesson in self-confidence and body acceptance, in finding your inner strength to love who you are. While I didn't like it as much as some of her others (Hello The Rom-Commers!), this was a fun heart-filled read. Thanks to #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

Now that I have dodged all the tomatoes you have thrown at me for not rating this 5 stars, can I please explain? Don't get me wrong, I love a good happy, fluffy rom com, but this was either extremely childish or Katherine Center was humming Puff The Magic Dragon the whole time she penned this book. Right down to the fact there were literally "butt" scenes . I thought butt jokes ended in middle school....?
Hey speaking of questions, there were a comical amount of questions posed by the main character. Rhetorical question after rhetorical question.
73
43
52
53
76
17
77
44
45
58
57
15
67
45
62
19
87
66
27
16
44
41
89
52
25
=1250 (my eyes got crosseyed)
Yes THAT is the breakdown of the number of question marks per chapter in this book, for a total of over 1000 quesetions......(no pun intended) But are you for real?
Can you see why I was so annoyed? --What has she done to me, I am now asking questions.
Moving on....
This is suppose to be a love story, but there was so much "In Katie's Brain" I can barely recall the times her and Hutch actually interacted-except the juvineille Butt scenes. I understand Insta-Love in books, but I mean at least there are several scenes of the couple interacting and the author shows us their chemistry, for this...nope. Silch. Nothing. The scenes the two are together are dominated by the flippin dog.....and now for my BIGGEST rant.
Let's set the scene:
Category 4 Hurricaine, Katie is driving off the island to safety, she receives a call Hutch's dog is stranded in the boat house. What does our girl do? She turns around to go get the dog....Putting HER life at risk AND those who have to rescue her. I am sorry I cannot deal with dumb actions like that. Yeah I know send PETA on me, but that was utterly dumb.

Then there is the whole "conflict" between the brothers: Cole and Hutch. Cole was just not a believable character, he was the definition of slime. I had to reread the big blow up between the brothers which I still do not understand. If you can explain...?? When Cole shows up with Sullivan and how that all played out, just had me thinking I was reading an Adam Sandler movie....
I blew through the last 15% of the book because it became an urge to get it over with....

The side characters were batting 50%. Rue, I absolutely adored, i could use more of her, in fact I think she would have been a better "voice" and person help Katie discover who she was than the totally shallow and one dimensional Beanie. The conversations Beanie and Katie had were truly painful, I hated to whole body imagine bashing. Yes there is a space for it, but this went on for pages and pages. I know Katherine Center tackles some tough issues in her light hearted books, but this felt too much like a self help book squeezed into a fiction book.
I am dissapointed and hope Katherine Center reigns it back in, not that she needs to go all serious on me, but at least write characters who have maturity levels that are not still wearing Hannah Montana T shirts......

Her authors notes of course are always lovely, and speak to what a marvelous person she is. So I bumped it up a star!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this advanced copy of The Love Haters. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for my thoughts.

I thought this book was so good. The writing was great and I feel like it took me to Key West! I really loved the FMC journey and her discovering self love and self worth. The way it was written made it super relatable, as that’s something many people go through.

I also really enjoyed the romance and everything that happens between them. We see awimming lessons, Congo dancing, beach vibes, and romantic attraction. I ate it up.