Thank you to NetGalley for and EArc of this, I love Katherine Center and was very excited to have received this. I tried to love this but it just fell short for me. The Love Haters had a fun setup—romance, humor, and a dreamy Key West setting—but it didn’t quite land for me. The chemistry between Katie and Hutch felt underdeveloped, and while Katie started as a relatable lead, the story didn’t fully deliver on its emotional or romantic potential.

Supporting characters were hit or miss—Rue was a bright spot, but others like Beanie and Cole lacked depth. Heavier themes like body image and grief were present but often overshadowed by forced humor and a light tone.

Still, the setting was vivid, and Katie’s journey toward self-confidence had some strong moments. It’s an easy, entertaining read, but not one of Center’s best in my opinion. Looking forward to her next book!

Katherine Center made me stay up too late to finish this one!

The two main characters Katie and Hutch are brought together in an awkward yet adventurous situation, and it’s definitely not an initial love connection, since he “hates love” and she’s been burned by a past relationship. Plus she has to tell a few little lies in order to convince Hutch (a Coast Guard rescue swimmer) to agree to be filmed for a profile video… oh and she doesn’t know how to swim!

Fun side characters — Katie has a fun bestie to encourage her, and Hutch has Aunt Rue and a lovable Great Dane doggo named George Bailey.

KC’s clever storytelling style and witty banter keep this story interesting, even if there are a few parts where the reader may want to shake both of the main characters and yell at them to figure it out already.

The company Katie works for is having a massive layoff so she can't say no when her boss asks her to do a video interview of an internet hero who turns out to be his brother Hutch. He's in the coast guard and a video of him rescuing a famous actress's dog went viral.

The characters in this book are well developed, realistic, kind, and dealing with their own trials and difficult past experiences. I don't know if aunt Rue was based on a real person but I hope so because she is the most amazing woman.

Katherine Center books are always fun to read and this is my new favorite. It’s fun and romantic but also meaningful and deep. And it’s clean. The only thing I would change is some language. The audiobook is enjoyable too. 4.5 stars! Thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley.

I enjoyed this book. I know it was pretty predictable, but I like a story that follows the tropes. I loved the resolution. It was a good romance read.

Okay I loved this book so much. A tad too much reliance on the miscommunication trope for my liking, plus all the lying. I'm glad it wasn't on the MCs part, also in my opinion, the resolution made sense. I like how Center incorporated a bunch of things within Katie's character and none of them felt too glossed over. TW- EDs, disordered eating, parental loss, body shaming, among others. Some of this may be from Center's personal experience but also derived from research. Speaking of research, I think she did a lot of good research with the coastguard (MMC Hutch's profession) and Katie's career lane of working in the media as a videographer too. I learnt a lot of amazing information I didn't have any background on. Patti Murin did a fantastic job of narrating the story as usual. This is a super entertaining fun read/listen, I'm sure I'll come back for a reread soon.

Let me start by saying I am not a Katherine Center fan, as last. 2 books disappointed me.

I totally loved the setting in Key West and a boathouse as a primary résidence.

Learning about US coast guard rescue swimmers was also pretty refreshing!

I was not bothered at all with the main character’s’ body image issues as some other readers were.

I started losing interest though when all the lies happened. Then, the story turned a bit ridiculous. Totally loved however the drama surrounding the hurricane.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great story, it was funny, romantic and it even had some scary parts!! Katie goes to Key West to make a film about a survivor swimmer. It turns out that he is the brother of her boss and the last thing he wants is a woman around.. The people that Katie meets along the way help her see her life differently. And some of scenes mad me laugh so hard I almost ……. (Feel free to to fill in the blank (lol) my favorite character in the book was George Bailey! You will have to read the book to find out who he is!! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A charming, easy read—but not especially memorable

Katherine Center always delivers when it comes to sharp banter, lovable characters, and heartwarming romance, and The Love Haters is no exception. I enjoyed the book overall and the writing is clean and engaging, the storyline is easy to follow, and the chemistry between the characters kept me turning the pages.

That said, it didn’t quite stand out. While I appreciated the humor and the emotional beats, it felt like a story I’ve read before. There weren’t many surprises, and the plot followed a familiar arc without taking any risks. It was pleasant, but not particularly impactful.

Still, fans of Center’s work will enjoy the warmth and wit she’s known for, even if this one doesn't leave a lasting impression. A good read for when you're in the mood for something comforting and fun.

Whew. This book was a lot. Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors and this story had her signature warmth, wit, and slow-burn romance. 💖 I adored the setting (hello, Key West 🏖️), and the characters were beautifully developed—yes, even the dog stole my heart. 🐾
That said, there’s a strong focus on body image and self-love that caught me off guard. As someone who's struggled with body acceptance, some parts hit a little too close—and I do think a content warning would’ve helped. 💭
Still, this is a heartfelt, brave romance about learning to tell the truth, face your fears, and open your heart again. Don’t let critical reviews scare you off—just go in prepared. 💌
💕 Katherine Center remains a queen of romance for me.

Katherine Center hits another one out of the park with this story! Katie and Hutch are one of the best romance duos I have ever come across. I can’t get over how well written their story is, and how deeply I got immersed in their characters. I felt every emotion right along with Katie, I smiled with her highs and gasped and worried with her through her lows. These were definitely two characters I rooted for every step of the way, they were such good people you had to believe it would work out! I really enjoyed all of the interesting characters sprinkled in, especially Rue who tied all of their story lines together. 10 out of 10 loved this one!

Katherine Center is a gem of an author. So it’s no surprise that I liked this one. It felt very summer fun with enough going on to keep it not too carefree of a read too. Can’t wait for her next one!!

Thank you @macmillanaudio for the gifted audiobook! Thank you SMP for the eARC! The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a perfect summer read! Katherine Center's writing is always so engaging. Her characters are emotional and realized. I feel that I've been more connected with the character of Katie and her journey than any other of Katherine Center's protagonists.
Body image is something l've always struggled with and to see it represented and handled realistically (and with great care) was particularly important and resonated with me.
The cast of characters in this book is excellent. I loved Katie, her best friend Beanie, Hutch 9, & of course Rue was a gem.
Although as a big dog lover, George Bailey may be my favorite. This book is full of heart and laughs, but also handled dealt with grief and pain. I thoroughly enjoyed the love story between Katie and Hutch, it's so clear that they're a good fit and I enjoyed their relationship so much. I had a hard time putting this one down as I enjoyed it so thoroughly! A perfect beach read, a very cute summer romance and my favorite of Katherine Center's works so far. Highly recommend!

Katherine Center is my absolute favorite rom-com writer lately and this book was no different! I loved the premise and the little lie that the whole plot hung on. I loved the protagonist’s body image issues and her timid mess. I loved the concept of a love hater and the way she had to challenge her own impressions and beliefs. Just such a good one!

Katherine Center is a favorite of mine, and this one did not disappoint! With poignant themes about everyday struggles, whimsical adventures, past trauma, current hardships, mixed with love, color, drama, a dash of danger, and a lovable animal… this is the perfect recipe! Definitely recommend!!

“So welcome to another installment in my infinite series on why love stories can save the world.” - author’s note

I will continue to be a big fan of Katherine Center’s happy, feel-good, love story novels, with gorgeous covers, but unfortunately The Love Haters did not work for me.

There was sooo much focus Katie’s appearance, the way she dressed, and her weight. I appreciated the author’s note on this, and I understand what she was trying to do, but unfortunately it was mentioned way too often and it took me out of the story. The fake dating also felt completely unnecessary.

Again, I will read what Katherine Center writes in the future, this one just needed a bit more polishing.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

I wanted to love this one a lot more than I had! It definitely felt different from our usual Katherine Center feel, there is a heavy emphasis on eating disorders right from the beginning and it was hard to navigate that from the funny moments too.

I absolutely adored this book! The characters, both human and animal, are genuine and delightful (well, except for one, but I’ll keep that a secret!).

This story masterfully weaves together humor and heartfelt moments. I found myself completely immersed, wishing it would never end. I would love to be neighbors of Katie, Hutch, George Bailey, Rue, and the Gals.

Pick up The Love Haters for a wonderful exploration of love in all its forms and a reminder that being vulnerable and taking risks can lead to unexpected rewards.

Katherine Center books are usually a hit or miss for me. However I am pleasantly surprised by Love Haters! I enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it.

I am grateful to NetGalley, the Author, and the Publisher for the ARC. Thank you!

I loved this book! Katherine Center is an auto buy for me and this book did not disappoint! Katherine Center knows how to grip you from the very first page.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center. Pub Date: May 20, 2025. Rating: 4 stars. First off, I absolutely adore Katherine Center's novels and this one was no exception. Set in Key West, the reader is taken on a journey with a young female who gets sent there to profile a Coast Guard swimmer who happens to be her co-worker's brother. She ultimately ends of lying about not being able to swim to be able to get the scoop on this handsome man. What unravels is a tale not only of fun, but also tough themes of body image. Katherine's novels are usually lighthearted and fun and great fast reads. I enjoyed this novel. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.