Another win from Katherine Center. I loved this book and breezed through it! The characters, the setting, the story… you felt like you were there, but it also felt like a movie with a Hollywood ending. This is a fast paced chicklit book with no unnecessary fluff (something I especially like about the author’s books). Relatable main character, laugh out loud. Everyone needs a Rue in their life.

I really enjoyed this book!!!! I thought the romance was sweet, and loved the characters (especially Rue!) Some of the body image talk got a little frustrating to me, but I understand that is how some people feel all the time. Overall I thought it was well thought out, and didn’t follow the flow of a typical romance story!!

Katherine's newest release is so uniquely her! If you're a longtime reader, you will be able to hop right into the story and appreciate each detail of Katie's narrative. If you're a first-time reader, you can appreciate the brilliant mix of romance and women's fiction displayed here. More than any other book I've read by Center, I do believe The Love Haters read more of the latter. I thought the plot of a professional rescue swimmer and a filmmaker falling in love was super unique and well done! If I have any complaints, it is that some of the love confessions felt rushed through. I wish Hatch and Katie had had more "on-screen" time together, more dialogue moments, and more intimate conversations before Hatch confessed that he wanted to be around her more. Brilliant! 4/5 stars!

Katherine Center has done it again! I adored this book. I went through all the emotions; love, passion, drama, laughing, and tears. I identified with the FMC's body image issues and color-phobia. I fell in love with both MC's and I wish I could have a sequel. I need more George Bailey (MMC's pet dog)!

Thank you SO MUCH to Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoy Katherine Center as an author, and I typically enjoy her character development and stories, however this one was tough for me. The main character struggles with body image and it seemed to come up quite often, overdoing the point for me. I had a hard time really falling for the love story between Katie and Hutch and at times I was annoyed with the two of them for each thinking "they werent good enough for someone to love them".

I enjoyed the setting in Key West, the things I learned about the Coast Guard and there is a supporting character I really loved -- Rue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.

To preface - I LOVE KATHERINE CENTER. Truly, her books are go-tos whenever I want to feel happy or need a read I know I'll enjoy. I've read almost everything she has written, so I jumped at the chance to read an arc of The Love Haters (thank you Netgalley!).
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There are many parts of this book that I really enjoyed. The playful banter, the dreamy Key West setting, the idea that loving yourself is the most important thing you can do, etc. 10/10 on those fronts!
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However, the plot seemed to be a little all over the place and also quite contrived. The motivations of the characters felt lackluster, and it wasn't super evident what the main rise of the plot was - it just felt really scattered when it probably didn't need to be.
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This wasn't my favorite Center, but if you're a fan, I still think you can find some enjoyment in this little story.

First thank you so much NetGalley for a copy of this book. I really enjoy this one a lot. You're able to build such connection to the main character so quickly and follow her journey through love and self-love. The quotes in this book are amazing and honestly so relatable. Definitely recommend as a fun summer read for sure!

“The kind of video calls where you chat driving to work with your phone in the cupholder, and then home again with your phone on the passenger seat. Then, at home, you set it in the basket while you do laundry, and balance it on a bunch of bananas in the fruit bowl while you make dinner, and prop it on the sink ledge while you take a shower. the kind of video calls you do with genuine loved ones, where no one’s even trying to look good—and you’re mostly seeing the ceiling fan, or the inside of a pocket, or part of a nostril"

Overall I would rate this a 3.75/5

I've read so many of Katherine Center's books, that any time I see she has a new one coming it is an automatic 'add' to my TBR. And The Love Haters was no exception! Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The main character in this book has a personality that I think a lot of women will see themselves in - second guessing her decisions, having to work extra hard to make it at work while the men above her slide by, and not loving her body. She's also sarcastic and funny, not to mention resourceful. My favorite characters in this book though, were Rue (the effervescent auntie / airbnb host) and George Bailey (the giant but scaredy cat dog). They were both key secondary characters that really made the story come alive.

There were a few things in this book that weren't my taste - primarily the need to suspend reality for some of the events that occurred, and the lying and deceit, but I might be an outlier there. I also wanted there to be more romance. Overall, I think this will be an enjoyable summer read for many - especially those reading poolside in Florida!

3.5 stars - rounded down.

Thank you Net Galley and St Martins press for an ARC of this book.

Unfortunately this book was a DNF for me, around 60%. I was not connecting with the characters or story lines at all. There were some cute and funny moments but it mostly just felt like a series of weird and awkward scenes.

This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This review may contain spoilers

This was a 4.25 star read for me!!

I devour anything that Katherine Centers writes. I am not sure what kind of magic she puts in her books, but I am here for it. The deeper meaning in all of her books is truly inspiring and I always feel like she is speaking right to me. We all need to love ourselves more and learn to show ourselves some compassion. In the author's note, Katherine Center says, " Trust me, and trust yourself: Love stories are the best kind of therapy. They aren't shallow, they're deep. Start looking, and you'll see it too". I could not agree with this more; the magic that is in her books really makes me stop and reflect inwardly. I always feel so uplifted after reading one of her stories. Her storytelling is exceptional and I will read anything and everything she publishes!

Katie and Hutch's story had me swooning and giggling and falling in love. I loved reading about the coast guard and the rescue swimmers and what a stand-up swoony hero Hutch is. Add in a sprinkle of some hilariously awkward moments, some white lies gone wrong, George Bailey, and a natural disaster, and you have a story that I devoured in less than 24 hours. I could not put this down!

The side characters in this book were the absolute best, I want to be adopted by The Gals!

I strongly recommend this to anyone who is struggling with body insecurity and self-love. Add in found family, slow burn romance, forced proximity, and one of the best book boyfriends I have ever read, you are definitely going to want to read this!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. #thelovehaters #NetGalley.

Every time I read a Katherine Center book I say this is my favorite book but then somehow she writes a new book and it tops the last book. The Love Haters is officially my new favorite book! It is such a cute, funny and engaging story. I didn’t want to put it down! I absolutely love Katherine Center’s writing style. The characters in this book were so easy to love! This is a must read!!

TikTok review coming March 31

I absolutely loved this book! I had every emotion for these characters and literally laughed out loud.

Soft dnf at 17%.

The main character struggles with body dysmorphia to the point that she's terrified of a swim suit. I deal with body dysmporphia enough in my own life that I don't want to read a book where the FMC spends a couple of pages talking about eating less than 1,000 calories.

The writing was great. It had that Katherine Center vibe to it that I love. Unfortunately, the FMC's internal struggles just hit a little too close for comfort.

Thank you Macmillan for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I devoured this book in one day - luckily I was on vacation and could shirk all responsibilities. I adored both Katie and Hutch.

Katie was going through it and had the best hype crew including Beanie, Rue and The Gals, and of course George Bailey - the most lovable dog written!

Then comes Hutch the epitome of WHOLESOME - could there BE a sweeter more perfect book boyfriend? I highly doubt it.

The side characters were so endearing and lovable and elevated this story 10 fold.

I laughed and cried.

I’ll be thinking about these two for a good long time.

Also, while I love a spicy read, and this book contained kissing only, I didn’t even miss it , and bonus - I can recommend this book to anyone - including my mom! :)

Thanks to NetGalley & At.Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I have never read anything bad by Katherine Center! She is an auto buy author for me and I fly through anything she writes. The Love Haters was a great mix of romance and women’s fiction. I personally enjoyed the personal growth storyline of the FMC over the actual romance. The romance was sweet and enjoyable but wasn’t what kept me reading the book. There is also a scene at the end that kept me on the edge of my seat. There are definitely a few trigger warnings as well. There is mention of eating disorders, body image, alcoholism, and family death. I love that there was so much real life and relatable moments in this story even if the romance wasn’t my favorite.

Katherine Center has done it again, folks! The Love Haters is the kind of book that makes you grin like an idiot, swoon uncontrollably, and consider quitting your job just to read it uninterrupted. (I didn’t, but I thought about it.)
Her storytelling is pure magic—equal parts heart, humor, and those perfectly awkward-yet-adorable moments that make you scream, "JUST KISS ALREADY!" The banter? Chef’s kiss. The romance? Swoon-worthy. The emotional depth? Had me in my feelings like a 2000s rom-com montage.
Katherine Center writes love stories that feel like warm hugs, and The Love Haters is no exception.

The Love Haters is one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and I was lucky enough to snag an early copy of it for review. In case you're wondering why you might want to be an arc reader...that's it. That's the whole reason. (Except now I have a longer wait until her next release unless I, by some miracle, get the next one as an arc as well).

Now - before I get into the nitty gritty - this is not my favorite Katherine Center book I've read. In fact, I was a little annoyed with the main character for awhile. But when I tell you that by the end I was inside her body, living her experience, completely immersed...I mean I was in the water with her.

Five. Whole. Stars. All. Day. Long.

Katie is a videographer on the brink of getting fired. The company is in crisis, and she needs a miracle to survive the layoffs. Then her colleague hands her one: filming a promo doc for his brother, who is in the coast guard. The only problem is...she can't swim. Also, he only agreed because he thought his brother was coming to shoot it. Let's just say the foot they get off on has wobbly sea legs.

Katie and I got off on a bad start.

She begins the book by lying her ass off in order to get a job. Sure, it's standard practice in her industry, but she's going to be filming with the US Coast Guard, rescuing people who have no other escape. And she can't swim. She also has a paralyzing case of body insecurity that has her terrified of bathing suits and the fact that she'll have to announce her weight to the helicopter pilots before she can get on one.

Whyyy.

Let's just say it was a lot to overcome for Katie and I to get back to a proper understanding. Lol.

However.

The themes in this book are incredibly impactful, and all of this plays into the plot, too. So does the great Katherine Center get away with starting her book with a character we love to hate (okay, it's not that serious but it was too good a play on words with the title here)? Ugh. Yes. Yes, she does.

Actually, if you are someone who struggles with body insecurity, I really think you should read this. The conclusions Katie comes to by the end about her body are very powerful and might just help your own perspective and your own journey to self-love.

This book is also about honesty, and family, and found family, and trust. It's also about frigging heroic rescue divers who risk their lives every day to save others. It's kind of epic.

Katie and Hutch weren't supposed to fall in love. In fact, his brother said he was a love hater. Katie was, too, after a bad break-up that continues to haunt her even now. But even when you're set against it, you never know when you'll find someone that fits you. Their road is not a straight-shot highway. It's a winding road with unexpected road closures and mudslides and wildlife throwing kinks into the journey, but it's a ride you won't want to miss anyway.

As always, Katherine Center has achieved a book that is relatable, sweet, swoony, and will even make you chuckle. It will also make you clench your fists and threaten to throw your book across the room at some points, but that's what five-star books do. They make you feel real feelings. You get invested.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I wanted to like this book but I had a difficult time connecting but I did like it . I struggled with the plot and the FMC. I love Katherine Center and her other books. This one was just not for me. Thank you.

Katie Vaughn as she navigates career uncertainty and an unexpected romance. Sent to profile Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, Katie finds herself caught in a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and the surprising ways love can unfold. I am a huge fan of Katherine Center’s vivid writing, well-developed characters, and perfect blend of humor which makes this novel both an engaging escape and a touching reminder of the courage it takes to embrace change.

Solid 4 stars. I read this book in 24 hrs because I was HOOKED. To be honest the self hate of the main character was hard to read. But the writing style made it easier thankfully. It’s hard reading about someone who thinks so little of themselves. But Rue and Hutch saved the day for this book. I LOVED Rues character so much. The circumstances that brought her and the boys together was so tragic but she is such a ball of light. I wish there was more of her in the book because her personality was top tier. And HUTCH?! Yes please. Loved him. Loved his dog. Loved his house boat. The whole thing. Plus getting lost at sea put a spin on things for sure. I could’ve done without the side random plot from her famous ex because it felt a bit irrelevant, but I still enjoyed the book a lot. It’s a great summer read.




Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martins press for their ARC in exchange for a honest review.