I loved Katie's self growth, that journey was so beautiful to read! I also oddly really enjoyed Hutch and Cole's brotherly relationship and how they found a resolution.

3.5 stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

I absolutely love Katherine Center's books and was so excited to get into this one. It has all of the pieces from her books that I love--relatable characters, an interesting rom-com set-up, and so many funny bits. However, parts of the plot felt disjointed and unnecessary, as if different rom-com tropes were being forced together without reason. These moments were confusing, especially when there seemed to be other ways to achieve similar results by working with plot points that were already in the main story.

The underlying theme of self love and body positivity was refreshing and I loved watching Katie come to love herself and realize she doesn't need to change herself for others. Rue and George Bailey were standout characters for me and, despite the unnecessary fake-dating scheme, I enjoyed watching everything come together.

Such a cute and unique premise for a romance. The self hatred and body image issues felt so relevant to any woman who grew up in the 90s but also felt like a bit much. Definitely could have used a trigger warning at the beginning of the book for that. I also think I would have rated it higher if the issues with the brother weren't so messy. All thay aside the setting, the action, and the dog were all so fun. A fast and entertaining summer read.

When Katherine Center is writing, I am reading. 'The Love Haters' is the 4th book of hers that I've read and yes, it is now my favorite. IT WAS SOOOO GOOD! I would truly give it 4.5 stars, but I am rounding up to 5. It's about Katie, a video producer on the verge of losing her job, and Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West who Katie is tasked with following around to film his heroic profession. As one could potentially guess, all of this close contact does bring some ~feelings~ into play. Reading this book, you're signing yourself up for a slow burn, tropical destination, and a whole lot of self-growth. Katie has severe self-esteem and body image issues, which is talked about a lot in the first half of the book (I think a tiny bit too much). It was sweet to see her grow and change her way of thinking with the help of Hutch, Katie's personal hype-woman, Rue, and her best friend, Beanie. Rue is Hutch's aunt, is sorta of Katie's landlord while she's there, and is overall just such a great character. She sees herself in Katie and is so great to kindly push Katie into new things (even if it is just clothes). Beanie is the long-distance friend who we only meet over the phone, but she's a great friend to Katie. She's the kind of friend you want- one who doesn't let you wallow in self-pity but is also always there to listen. And then there's Hutch.... Hutch is such a dream. He's hot, has a cute rescue dog named George Bailey, saves people's lives for a living, and is genuinely a good person. He does so much to help Katie grow as a person, and it's so sweet to see how Katie brings fun out of him. If I need to move to Key West to find myself a Hutch, I will do it. Mark my words. What's holding me back from giving this a 5th star, is the slightly too long of focus on Katie's body image issues at the beginning and the epilogue. The epilogue unfortunately left much to be desired for me. Why are there like 2 pages each on Rue, Cole (I'll say it- he's the world's worst brother), and George Bailey but like half a page on Katie and Hutch?! I needed more. All that to say, I still absolutely loved it and I stayed up wayyyy too late to finish it. I highly highly recommend that fans of Katherine Center and romance books read 'The Love Haters' when it comes out this summer! Side note: Katherine you better be writing something new right now because I am ready for another.... ;)

I’m a huge Katherine Center fan and The Love Haters continues my love. There is always a beautiful love story but the main storyline in this book was Katie learning to love herself and her body. So many women could benefit from reading about her panic attacks over putting on a bathing suit. Or revealing her weight. Hutch was a perfect leading man and I lived learning more about the Coast Guard and their rescue teams. This will be a great beach read but the reader will also be educated. Win-win!!

Katie’s story is so powerful I loved watched her grow throughout the book. The themes are so important. I loved this it was so sweet 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC! That being said, I think I should have DNF’d this one.

I was so excited to read another Katherine Center novel after how much I loved The Bodyguard. However, this one felt like it was written by an entirely different author. There was more of a YA/juvenile writing style that rarely dove beneath the surface. The story itself alternated between almost-fun banter, unnecessarily drawn-out conversations, confusing time skips, and a romance that was overall difficult to believe. Unfortunately, I found the FMC and MMC were quite boring on their own, and somehow even more uninspired together. They each had approximately one character trait worth mentioning (the FMC is insecure, the MMC is broody), and their connection was insta-lovey (minus the… love). This book also suffered from my most hated writing blunder, which is telling more than showing; it read more like “we talked about deep things and laughed and fell in love” without actually making me feel like they had any reason to fall in love in the first place. The MMC’s brother was quite literally the most awful and implausible part of the entire book, with his manufactured drama and farfetched shenanigans. All that being said, there were a handful of cute and heartwarming chapters, most involving a dog, and one with the classic only-one-bed trope. I cannot recommend this book in good faith but I would be interested to see what KC does next.

4.25 stars. The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a cute rom-com set in Key West. It’s colorful and fun, like Key West. Katie is a videographer from Dallas sent to document Hutch “Pup Daddy” as he serves in the coast guard as a rescue swimmer. Problem: Katie doesn’t swim. Enter Rue, Hutch’s Aunt. She suits Katie up and sets up swim lessons with Hutch.

There’s more to the Hutch and Rue relationship that comes to light as Hutch and Katie get to know each other. Rue is a great character and she has a group of widow friends that were delightful.

And on top of the coast guard film making storyline, Hutch has a Great Dane, George Bailey, who stole every scene he’s in.

I truly enjoyed this book. Katherine Center is comfort reading, it’s like having an old friend over when you open one of her books. I think The Love Haters is one of the best books she’s written in the past few years

Thank you to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the advanced e-copy of #thelovehaters. This book publishes May 20, 2025.

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters is a delightful and heartfelt novel that masterfully blends humor, romance, and emotional depth. Set in a world where love and relationships are as complicated as they are charming, Center explores the complexities of love and the art of navigating both personal growth and emotional vulnerability. With her signature wit and warmth, Center pulls readers into a story that is both tender and entertaining.

The plot revolves around two characters who, despite initially clashing and seemingly having nothing in common, find themselves drawn to each other in unexpected ways. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and their evolution from enemies (or "love haters") to something more is handled with genuine emotional nuance. Center’s ability to capture the messy and transformative nature of relationships, both romantic and personal, is one of the book’s strongest features.

The characters themselves are well-crafted, each with their own flaws, insecurities, and motivations. The protagonist, in particular, is relatable and endearing, and readers will easily become invested in her journey of self-discovery and emotional healing. The romance, while central to the plot, is balanced by the exploration of personal growth, family dynamics, and the importance of finding one's own voice.

The pacing of the novel is mostly steady, though at times the middle section feels a bit predictable. Some readers might find certain plot points familiar, but Center’s writing keeps things fresh with her engaging style and the depth she brings to her characters’ emotional arcs. The humor is clever and often lighthearted, but the book also doesn't shy away from more serious, tender moments that add weight to the story.

While The Love Haters may not break new ground in terms of plot, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read with a great deal of heart. Katherine Center has once again delivered a story that is both emotionally fulfilling and full of charm, making it a perfect choice for fans of contemporary romance with substance. It’s a book that leaves you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the arc! Loved so much! The banter was perfect & the romance was so swoon-worthy. Another amazing romance by this author.

Oh boy! I adored this book! the quotes abounded! I loved the characters and most especially, Hutch! What a beautiful story of trying to find out who you are and being loved for who you are. Doesn't mean you just stop moving forward and being better - but stop finding fault with what you do have! I really loved the Aunt and her sweet friends! This was a fave!

Thanks to NetGalley for this story, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

Katie is our FMC and she has insecurities, due, in part. to being hammered on social media because of her famous ex-fiance.. During the course of the story, she learns to accept herself for who she is. Shouldn't we all show love to ourselves? Katie also meets Hutch while doing a video for recruiting for the Coast Guard. Hutch is a co-worker's brother and he is internet known for saving a famous actress's dog. A lot of family stuff going on in this story. As always, a great read from Katherine Center. 4 1/2 stars

Katherine Center does it again! I have almost read her entire collection and have not been disappointed yet. The Rom-Commer has as been the front-runner for me, but this one is a tie for that spot now. Katie is relatable, I think most women will find a bit of themselves in her. Katherine never fully describes Katie's shape or size and that makes it so easy for the reader to fill in the details in their own imagination. I often heard my voice in Katie. Laugh-out-loud moments mixed in with tear-jerking moments is my favorite kind of book! This was full of those moments. I don't know anything about Coast Guard training or filmmaking making so I can't speak on the authenticity of that but I can say it didn't matter to me, I believed it all to be accurate. George Bailey is the BEST third character. Give me a book with an animal as one of the main characters any time!
I have already pre-ordered a copy of this and I cannot wait to hold it in my hands! I will always recommend KC books to anyone who wants a sweet read that will tug at your heartstrings without fully breaking them. I love knowing her books always have a happy ending, as it helps get through the tough parts.
Another 5-star rated book for Katherine Center!!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this lovely book. Thank you, Katherine Center, for your wonderful characters and stories!

4 / 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Katherine Center has quickly become one of my absolute favorite contemporary romance authors over the last few years. I’ve read each of her new releases since ‘The Bodyguard’ in 2022 and loved each one, ‘The Rom-Commers’ being my personal favorite. Needless to say, I was anxiously awaiting the release of The Love Haters until I was approved for an ARC-thank you Net Galley, the publisher & Katherine Center!!!

This one has the Katherine Center charm you’re used to set in the beautifully tropical Florida Keys. Though I’ve never been, after this one I’d say I want to add it to my list—as long as I can stay in one of Rue’s cabins. The love story of the novel centers around two “love haters” who have been burned in some way prior. Katie, a producer with her job on the line, is sent to do a promo video for The Coast Guard featuring a begrudging hero, Hutch. We watch their love story unfold beautifully despite half-truths, scars from the past and even natural disasters.

While the novel may have been about Katie and Hutch’s love story, the secondary stars of the book were “The Gals” as they are so lovingly referred to as. I adore when books have an amazing cast of characters alongside of the mains. Another thing I loved was the body positivity theme throughout the book. It’s such an important message and one that many people struggle with so I really appreciated how it was handled. Can we also talk about George Bailey??? As a dog lover myself I just wanted to give that sweet (albeit huge) puppy a hug. You can tell a lot about a person by how dogs treat them so I knew Katie was a genuine soul the moment he love tackled her-LOL!

The Love Haters is a the definition of a perfect beach read so make sure you pre order it today-out 5/20!! It’s sweet, charming, funny and everything you love about a contemporary romance bundled up into a desirably beachy setting ☀️🌊👙🏖️

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5

Katie works for a smaller production company and her bitch of a boss Sullivan is going through a nasty divorce thanks to her cheating husband, so she’s firing people left and right in her path of fury. Katie is up next in the chopping block. Her coworker Cole offers a quid pro quo assignment—she can interview Hutch who is a hero coast guard rescue swimmer, who is also his brother and he wants to avoid some family drama. Problem is, Katie 1) doesn’t know how to swim, 2) has body image issues and owns no swimsuits and hasn’t stepped foot on a scale in years, and 3) the assignment involves swimming and wearing a swimsuit. Did I mention her body image issues because that is DRAWN out! The story follows Katie, Hutch & his massive rescue dog, his quirky aunt Rue who is also his surrogate mom, and lots of drama from Cole as she gets the footage needed for her work assignment (coast guard recruiting video) and also her personal project a Day In The Life

The good:
✨ I loved the vibes between Katie and Hutch. Cole describes his brother as all exterior with no interior, a constant frown on his face, a love hater, but he is anything but this when he’s around Katie. I loved the witty banter and vibes and was rooting for them
✨ exciting job—vibes from The Guardian with Ashton Kutcher
✨ tropes: workplace romance, forced proximity, insta-love, only one bed, third act drama, meddling family.
✨the side characters are well developed, the Gals, Aunt Rue, her bestie Beanie, and my favorite, the rescue Great Dane George Bailey

🌶️: 0 on the spicy scale; mostly just longing and a few brief kissing scenes

The bad:
- the body image issues just went on and on and on…. We get it! I enjoyed her journey of overcoming her fears and mental blocks but the body image was overdone
- Cole is such a man child and Katherine Center does such a good job making you loathe this character
- Katie’s name is mentioned so infrequently that I honestly forgot her name as I was reading, like it was a surprise every time, very weird for the FMC

Overall, this was a quick and easy to read lighthearted rom-com that I read over an evening (actually kept me up past my bedtime!), which explores self empowerment and overcoming negative body image feelings. It’s not my favorite Katherine Center book but still one I enjoyed. The body image internal monologue was painful to get through but may resonate more with other readers with similar experiences.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher St Martin’s Press, and author Katherine Center for this arc in exchange for my honest thoughts
Release date May 20, 2025

Overall Rating: 3⭐️
Spice: None
Language: !!
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Reader Age: Adult
Content Considerations: Mental health rep, description of past disordered eating, body image struggles, infidelity, past death of parents and spouse, animal abuse (off page)

Did I read this book all in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down? Yes. Did I find lots of this book super funny? Yes. Did several parts of this book make me vastly uncomfortable? Also yes.

Be aware there are some mild spoilers below.

The entirety of chapter 2 made me vastly uncomfortable. This book is in desperate need of content warnings. I am all for mental health representation in books; however, including content warnings is essential when it comes to preparing readers before they dive into a sensitive topic. I felt vastly uncomfortable by several things the character experience in her past because they were super similar to my own past. I love that she gave her character a very real struggle that so many females deal with but there needed to be a warning.

Several plot points in this book also feel so disjointed from the rest of the story line including her ex releasing a song about her (but never trying to contact her), the way the name of the book was incorporated into the storyline, and the whole fake dating Cole bit.

Despite me struggling with a lot of this book, Rue kept me going. Rue is who I aspire to become in my old age: She is endlessly sneaky and always scheming with her friends but loves so loudly.

I love Katherine Center and will read all the books she writes. The Love Haters just fell short for me. It took way too long to get into.

I absolutely loved this book! I had so many emotions while reading. I could even feel all of the characters emotions too. Love Haters had me laughing, crying and annoyed. I did feel like the story was predictable and the ending felt a tad rushed, but I devoured it until the end.

I loved Rue and her take on life. She was so spunky, lively and the aunt everyone wants. She helped Katie through so much. I couldn’t stand Cole but that was to be expected- we had a love/hate relationship. Hutch was obviously the catch and I loved how his image was portrayed but he was so down to earth. Katie was very likable most times but then there were times she annoyed me and I wanted to be like get over yourself!

Katherine Center did great incorporating body image and self discovery both very relatable subjects for many females.

Love Haters was such a quick and easy read with such great characters. This was my first Katherine Center book but now my TBR is full of them! I can’t wait to get my hands on another one!

I liked the premise and the plot of this book—I REALLY loved that it took place in my fav vacay spot, Key West. I had trouble with the main character’s narrative and voice, but as I get older, I get a little pickier about this. Fans of Center’s work will love this!

Katherine Center always delivers with a rom com and “The Lovers Haters” is a winner. Katie goes to Key West to film a short documentary about a coast guard swimming, Hutch, and is quickly taken under the wing of his adoptive aunt Rue. Rue’s self made retirement village with her friends is what dreams are made of! A quick and delightful light read.