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 !!

ARC Review:
A great summer read! The FMC has deep emotional learning about herself while trying to save her job. She gets to go on a scary work trip that turns into an exciting vacation with swim lessons from a hot Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. Add in a Great Dane who thinks he’s a puppy, and a non-grandma who is hilarious, supportive, generous, loving, and full of life. There is an underlying element throughout the entire book of being body self-conscious and learning how to love yourself and LOVE itself. Our FMC keeps dialogue going consistently by repeating back what she hears- which is funny and keeps the dialogue flowing, but can be repetitive. I also wish the conflict in the relationship was more torturous! I felt like this conflict could be fixed pretty easily.

Details: Pennies, dog, swim lessons, filming, Coast Guard, conga dancing, body negativity vs positivity

*Life is too short to not be nice to yourself!!!

I fear this was not for me! I think a lot of others would enjoy it though. I don’t really have anything positive to say about this other than cool that it was on an island lol

**Thank you to @netgalley , @katherinecenter , @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for a free ebook and audio ARC copies in exchange for my unbiased review.

Loved this feel good story, the tie ins with the It's a Wonderful Life and "Heart and Soul" references. Any reference to my all time favorite Christmas movie is just chefs kiss. The last little bit of this story was honestly my favorite. The character are easily lovable. I'm also a sucker for a main character pet with personality.

If you like grumpy vs sunshine, forced proximity, and comical main character pets then this is for you! I highly recommend the audio version, I often love my romances in audio version ^_^

Katherine Center is a fantastic story teller and this book just adds to her list of amazing stories. In this book, Katie is assigned to do a promo on the Coast Guard rescue swimmers. She profiles Hutch, who is not so excited about this. There are swim lessons, kisses, an adorable dog, and fun characters involved along the way in this story!

What I loved most about this book is the struggles that Katie had with herself. Katie doesn't like herself. This has been going on for a long time. This book really dives into that and I appreciate that Katherine went there because that is so relatable for so many people.

If you have never read a Katherine Center book, I would start with this one. It is amazing!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Katherine Center is always a 5 star read. You laugh, you cry, you relate. This author can do no wrong. The only thing that’s sad, is finishing the book.

Katherine outdoes herself every time! I loved this book. I liked Katie's inner/outer dialogue about her body and body positivity. Her struggle with her body image felt really relatable. Her connection with Beanie and their conversations around the topic felt real. Some days it's hard to find a part of your body you like! Now don't even get me started on Hutch. I loved him so much! The addition of George Bailey had me laughing out loud.

I truly enjoy Katherine's writing style. The way she writes rom-coms that make you laugh and aren't solely focused on the romance.

Thank you to Katherine and her team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love everything Katherine Center writes, and The Love Haters was no exception. I loved Katie and Beanie's friendship, and I adored how Hutch's stoicism contrasted with Rue's incluence on Katie. There's a lot about Katie's body image struggles whichbthe author addresses in her acknowledgements... maybe a little over the top. I also didn't particularly appreciate Cole veiled blackmail/threats/disingenuous-ness or Katie's lying by omission so I dropped it from 5☆ to 4☆ One thing is clear though - Katherine Center knows how to write a sweet an emotional rom-com. Thanks to ##netgalley for the opportunity to preview #thelovehaters because I loved it!

In The Love Haters, Center spins a refreshing tale of romance laced with witty observations about modern dating. The characters are quirky and memorable, and I loved the playful, if slightly cynical, take on what it means to chase—or avoid—love in today’s world. It’s light, smart, and at times, surprisingly touching.

If you’re in the mood for a rom-com that isn’t afraid to laugh at itself while still celebrating the messy joys of love, this one’s a winner.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the early digital copy of this book. This was a solid 3.5 ⭐️ for me. Not my favorite Katherine Center book by a long shot, but it was still a fun read. And I feel like I know I’ll always enjoy Katherine’s books and recommend them. As someone currently battling some body issues, the self love central topic was a bit much for me. The concept and message were great. It did feel a little over talked about and also at the same time, a little too easily dismissed and “worked through.” But that portion aside, I loved the characters and setting and circumstances. I wanted more of “The Gals” for sure! And I really want to live at The Starlite 😂❤️ overall another fun read and journey! Also, kudos to Patti Murin on the audiobook—she is one of my faves to listen to!!

The Love Haters is Katherine Centers newest release. I was lucky enough to have an early copy and absolutely breezed through it. I mean at this point I will read her grocery list if she published it.

I remember hearing about Katherine’s research for this book with the Coast Guard rescue and even seeing some pictures on Instagram so I really couldn’t wait to see how it translated to page. Which I have to say, was pretty good!

As with most of her books, Katherine had me loving all the side characters; from Rue, sweet Rue and The Gals at the Starlite Cottages to George Bailey the Great Dane rescue. They added the perfect amount of comedic relief to the story.

I do think there was really two love stories going on throughout this novel. Hutch and Katie and then also Katie and herself. I really loved the second, underlining message of body image, self worth and how what we tell ourselves carries weight in our mind. It was definitely a message that so many (including me) could relate too.

Katherine summed it up perfectly in the authors note: “What I'm saying is, we can train our own eyes to look with kindness, and pay attention to what's beautiful, and focus on what's right instead of what's wrong. That's how you fall in love-and stay in love-with anyone, including yourself: see the best in that person and enjoy the hell out of it as often as you can.”

Thank you St Martin’s Press for this early copy, The Love Haters is out now!

The Love Haters is Katherine Centers newest release. I was lucky enough to have an early copy and absolutely breezed through it. I mean at this point I will read her grocery list if she published it.

I remember hearing about Katherine’s research for this book with the Coast Guard rescue and even seeing some pictures on Instagram so I really couldn’t wait to see how it translated to page. Which I have to say, was pretty good!

As with most of her books, Katherine had me loving all the side characters; from Rue, sweet Rue and The Gals at the Starlite Cottages to George Bailey the Great Dane rescue. They added the perfect amount of comedic relief to the story.

I do think there was really two love stories going on throughout this novel. Hutch and Katie and then also Katie and herself. I really loved the second, underlining message of body image, self worth and how what we tell ourselves carries weight in our mind. It was definitely a message that so many (including me) could relate too.

Katherine summed it up perfectly in the authors note: “What I'm saying is, we can train our own eyes to look with kindness, and pay attention to what's beautiful, and focus on what's right instead of what's wrong. That's how you fall in love-and stay in love-with anyone, including yourself: see the best in that person and enjoy the hell out of it as often as you can.”

Thank you St Martin’s Press for this early copy, The Love Haters is out now!

Katherine Center always entertains, and always creates joy. I adore her writing style and always get lost in the fun of it all. This one was no different. I loved the adventure and what is considered a last chance turning into the beginning of everything. I loved getting to know Katie, watching her flourish, and become the best version of herself while doing things she never imagined she could.

This was such a heartfelt book and as someone who has a hard time with body image issues, I loved how relatable Katie is, and the journey she goes through to love herself again. While also falling for the hot Coast Guard guy, Hutch!

If you’re looking for a great Summer RomCom then this book is for you!

A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest review!

Fun Key West romance that I binged in a weekend. Katherine Center does it again. She can always be counted on for a good romance and this book is no different.