I love Katherine Center, and The Love Haters did not disappoint! One of the things I love the most are the characters. I could so relate to Katie, and to see her grow was amazing. I need a Rue in my life, and don’t we all need a Hutch? This book had me laughing out loud, crying, pacing in frustration, and feeling all the feels. Katherine Center knows how to wrap so many beautiful elements into her stories, and is a master. It is definitely a story I want to reread and I highly recommend it!

Thank you Netgalley & author/publisher for allowing me to read a ARC of this book!


Katherine Center does it again! She makes a book that moves the reader and honestly makes you start questioning your life and/or yourself.

GIVE me George Bailey because he is the cutest and adorable good boy there has to be. I don't care he is bigger than I am; I will love that dog forever.

I do want to mention that there is talks about eating disorder(s) and body image issues from the main female character. For some people, this can get annoying since it is talked about in the book. For me, I think it was interesting to see inside the thought process of someone healing from body negativity trauma.

Highly recommended this book.

I devoured every message in this book. It's truly a feel good romcom with great depth. At times Katie annoyed me and I wanted to scream at her, but her relationship with herself is so relatable so it put that into perspective for me. I think I read this at a perfect time in my life and it's exactly what I needed so thank you Katherine! I loved how each character elevated this story in their own way. Though this is a lighthearted, funny, romantic comedy that may or may not be a little farfetched, the message in the story is so important. I recommend every woman to read this!

I will also add that the Authors Note is perfection. LOVED it..

"Stories have a unique kind of magic. They aren't real life - but they're kind of the next best thing

Ok I want to start by saying Katherine Center is one of my favorite writers. She creates characters that are wonderful, layered and full of life. Her stories are full of depth and emotional growth. I’ve given so many 5 stars and they’re always on my recommended list. That’s why I’m heartbroken that I honestly did not love this one.

I think it just hit too many triggers for me. I don’t know but it makes me so sad that this book really missed the mark for me. I’m going to go re-read Rom-commers, the Bodyguard or Happiness for Beginners and hide under a blanket for a while.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy. Pub date 5/20/25.

Thank you SMP for the review copy!

The Love Haters is a perfect summer read and has Center's signature slow burn chemistry filled story, charmingly flawed main characters to cheer on as individuals and as a couple, and in this book also a delightful and insightful ode stories and storytelling, the power of telling stories and hearing/sharing them. There is a lot to enjoy in this read and I know it will be a win for fans of the author but I also hope this one reaches new audiences as perfect poolside, beach bag summer book. A win!

Not as engaging as I hoped.
It felt like a drag.
Could not connect with characters.
Katherine’s novels are usually more engaging. Was annoyed with the brothers. Could not believe brother would not believe the other brother.

This book is pure perfection. Katie grows infinitely throughout the story conquering her body image issues as well as her social fears. The side characters are relatable and Rue is the ultimate lovable “aunt”. Angsty, slow burn, grumpy sunshine, this one has it all and is set in beautiful Key West.

Overall, 3.5 stars....rounded up to 4...

After giving “How to Walk Away” and “Happiness for Beginners” 5 stars, Katherine Center is an author that I follow. I eagerly anticipate each new book she writes. My 13 y.o. daughter also loves Ms. Center’s books. I was thrilled to get an ARC of her newest book Love Haters and immediately read it out loud with my daughter.

Best described as a romantic-comedy (no spice), I was immediately drawn into the story and enjoyed the female main character, Katie. Ms. Center explores body image issues, how social media/celebrity culture can impact this, facing fear, and how our past can show up in our present—impacting our view of ourself and how we function in relationship. I loved hearing about the Florida Keys and what being a rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard is all about.

I enjoyed both the male (Hutch) and female main characters and appreciated Aunt Rue and her older female friends. I strongly disliked Katie’s coworker, Cole, who is also Hutch’s brother, and felt like the conflict/ drama when he showed up in the Keys did not match what we had learned about him early on in the story. I also felt that how Katie’s character had been written so far in the story and how she chose to handle Cole’s immaturity did not align. She didn’t seem like someone who would go along with deceit and being used by a man for his own agenda, especially if she knew it would hurt someone she cared a lot for, regardless of the excuses or justification given by Cole.

What I did not like: The reunion between Katie and Hutch towards the end of the book was a bit far-fetched. I also would have liked to hear more about their relationship. How the Cole-conflict arch is handled and resolved in the book felt unrealistic.

Not my favorite Katherine Center book but still really enjoyed it!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC

This story a fun and lighthearted romance with plenty of charm. Hutch and Katie’s relationship is filled with witty banter, playful tension, and some seriously swoon-worthy moments. Their dynamic keeps things interesting, and I loved seeing their connection grow throughout the story. Hutch, in particular, is such a great character—thoughtful, charming, and impossible not to love.

The book has that signature warmth and humor that makes Center’s stories so enjoyable. It’s an easy, feel-good read that delivers plenty of heart and romance. I found myself smiling at so many moments between Hutch and Katie.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet, engaging love story with a couple you’ll root for, The Love Haters is worth picking up!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this arc read!

There's nothing like a Katherine Center book to make me shed a tear at the beauty of being alive.....and of course become totally invested in an adorable romance. I loved the way Center used an iconic Gottman principle that the FMC turned inwards to develop a culture of love towards herself and her body. Addressing body image in fiction can be difficult. I appreciated that Center never used actual weight numbers in the story. I feel like when that happens it just derails the journey and reinforces what society already thinks about women's bodies. Hutch was so lovable but Ruth might have stolen the show for me. She made me miss my grandma and think of the bright house dresses she used to wear. This book was lovely -- Unbelievable enough to make me smile and believable enough to make me tear up.

Katherine Center is the queen of helping women learn how to feel good about themselves. I love bright colors and I’ve always wanted to go to the Florida Keys so I fully immersed myself in this book. The progression between Hutch & Katie felt very natural. All that being said, George Bailey was my favorite character.

Katherine’s books always bring me joy and a good laugh and I usually read them within a day or two however… this one took me over a week to read. I get putting it down feeling uninterested and not being to connect to the main characters. I really want to love it but it did not feel like a Katherine Center book to me.
The overall plot was interesting, but the connection between the two main characters feels forced. They don’t really get much “screen time” . There was probably maybe like two scenes in the whole book where they actually have a conversation on page that’s meaningful. The rest is just mentioned in passing so it doesn’t feel like we actually get to experience the connection except for a couple scenes.
I felt more like I was reading a fiction book with a love subplot than an actual romance book.

I did really enjoy the last 10% of the book where she is on the boat with the dog while waiting to be rescued but again I was holding onto a little more of a dramatic rescue.

This goes to say that I am not against reading anymore of her books. I generally really enjoy her writing. This just wasn’t it for me.

I love Katherine Center’s novels but this one was not my favorite . As usual there were fun and quirky characters and funny moments but there was something lacking. Still enjoyable though.

Five glorious starts. Sweet, funny, thought-provoking, and a story you fall in love with. Imperfect characters learning along the way. My favorite Katherine Center book!

This was my first Katherine Center book and I was so excited to dive right in. However, I quickly realized that these characters were not speaking to me and neither was the setup. The introduction chapters felt disjointed and unbelievable. When I finally did figure out the layout, characters and general plot idea, I was still not interested in how the story was written. I got about 25% through before realizing that I wasn’t able to keep pushing on. It doesn’t feel right giving this book 1 star because I didn’t feel connected to the characters. I think this will have its audience, it just wasn’t me.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center was so fun and I am glad I got the opportunity to read an early copy of the book. I flew through the book and found both main characters enjoyable with very believable emotional journeys.

This story centers around Katie, a video producer,, and Hutch, a Coast Guard Rescue swimmer, as she films a promotional video in the Florida Keys. While on location Katie stays in a senior community run by Hutch’s Aunt Rue, who becomes a fairy godmother of sorts to Katie.

While this story was not a deep as come of Center’s past books, but does still touch on serious issues (such as Katie’s body image issues). These aspects were handled with care and read as very genuine. Amidst all of this there are very lighthearted and comedic moments - especially from Rue and her crew. (If there is criticism it is that I wanted more of Rue!). The only things that prevented this book from being a true 5 star read were the unnecessary drama near the end and the misnomer of a title. Overall, this is a highly enjoyable read and I would recommend this book

Katherine Center is someone I love to read when the world is ending (perfect timing, Katherine).

The Love Haters is fun, cozy, a little unbelievable (in a good way), and makes me laugh out loud. It delivered just what I needed in this feel-good, light rom com.

I loved Katie and her layered backstory. I kept rooting for Cole because I'm a softie. I had the nerdy hots for Hutch (damn Katherine and her closed-door romances!) And Rue and George Bailey were two of my all-time favorite side characters.

I don't mind when books are predictable, but this one rolled me at least twice. The Love Haters kept me on my toes, and I even gasped a couple of times. Just when I think I have something (or someone) figured out, I discover Katherine has a few more aha moments to deliver.

This one was a finish-at-2 a.m. book because I didn't want to put it down (just in case the world did end).

To recap, The Love Haters delivers:
-laughter that could be snorts
-tears (fair warning)
-slow-burn romance
-a sudden desire to drop everything and move to Key West
-a self-diagnosis of chromophobia (hello, that's me)

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || THE LOVE HATERS [thank you to St. Martin’s Press and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: The Love Haters
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
Katie Vaughn’s love life is a disaster, and her career isn’t far behind. With a layoff looming, she takes a last-ditch assignment: profiling Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson in Key West. The problem? She can’t swim—a fact she may have conveniently left out.

Complicating things further, Hutch is her coworker Cole’s estranged brother, and their family drama is just as choppy as the waters Katie’s pretending to navigate. Between swim lessons, hurricanes, and a few stolen kisses, Katie’s biggest challenge isn’t just keeping up the lie—it’s figuring out if she’s brave enough to risk her heart again.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
Okay, now, I’m giving it three stars but with these caveats: I still read it in about a day & I was still cackling and highlighting passages I loved. It may not have been my favorite book, but it was still an enjoyable read!

Center rarely misses, after all.

In my opinion, this romance happens very quickly and mostly off the page. You get summaries and recaps of time they’ve spent together and things they’ve discussed, but you don’t actually get to see most of their bonding (just some swooning and flirting). And I’m very much a show me when it comes to romance novels.

If anything, this is a love story between Katie and herself. Throughout the novel she is forced to think about parts of herself that she loves and to accept her body and her personality as is - rather than wishing it was something she could change. And I think we could all use reminders in that area from time to time.

READ THE AUTHOR’S NOTE. It’s another winner from Center on the importance of romance novels - and it might be my favorite part of the book.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Found Family
Meddlesome Senior Citizens
Fake Dating?
A lot of heart & humor
Giant Dogs

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 4.06 ⭐️
# of Pages: 320
Pub Date: May 20, 2025

Such a great story, between the grumpy, misunderstood MMC, the Loving adopted aunt who loves colorful clothing, the found family, to the girl who just learns to love herself and see herself through different (pie colored) eyes. I love a grumpy mmc, but the love story between the fmc and herself was a beautiful addition to this story. So much truth between these pages. Love stories truly can heal the world.

Cute, funny, easy read! Katie kind of annoyed me for part of the book (shut up and just wear the bathing suit!) but then I got over it. I loved the characters (dog included) and setting. I feel like I need a trip to the keys now!