ank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Love Haters in exchange for an honest review.

I’m really struggling with how to explain how I feel about this book without sounding cold or judgmental. I think the main issue here was that I did not vibe with characters at all. Our FMC, Katie, is recovering from a recent break up and has some serious body issues because of the impact of her last relationship. However, Katie’s body issues became such a central theme that it honestly became a turn off. While I understand that confidence does not come easy, characters that constantly self sabotage can get old and in many ways, that was Katie, so it was hard to root for her.

Cole’s character was also a complete tool and frustrated me to no end. Everything that came out of his mouth was a lie and I almost DNF at 65% when he showed up and just threw a wrench in the entire storyline. Ugh his character made me so mad!

I just needed something to keep bringing me back to the story, and that was a struggle for me. The relationship between Hutch and Katie was so fraught with issues and misunderstanding that there was no real build up there. Everything is very PG, so if you are not into spicy material, this may be for you in the long run.

While this one was unfortunately a miss for me, I’m always a Katherine Center fan and I will always keep reading her books!

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and the author for an advanced copy of both the book and audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
💕 Contemporary Romance
⛈️/☀️ Grumpy Sunshine
🤏 Forced Proximity
👱‍♀️ Body image struggles

1️⃣ POV
📍Key West, FL

“But I hadn't thought I hated love. I'd thought I was just recovering from it.”

Katie works for a marketing firm and her boss has initiated a round of layoffs. Katie wants to keep her job so, when Cole asks her to produce a recruitment video for the coast guard with Hutch, a coastguard rescue swimmer stationed in Key West, she jumps at the chance. The problem is, she’s completely unqualified for this gig, she can’t swim but pretends she can. So she goes to Key West, works with grumpy Hutch, meets Aunt Rue and “the gals”, and she tries to keep all the lies straight but everything comes to a head when Cole and their boss show up to see Katie’s video.

Like all Katherine Center books that I’ve read (this is my fifth), by the end of the book my heart was happy and I felt like the book just gave me a big hug. Katie was not my favorite FMC but I loved Hutch and the star of the book was Aunt Rue and the geriatric “gals” that live in the same condo complex. One of the things I love about KC books is that her FMCs have to deal with real issues and this one is no exception. Katie struggles with body image issues (so take care and check the specific content warnings if you need) and while I don’t have severe issues myself, this book was a good reminder to love your body because it’s yours and it does amazing things.

Katherine Center brings her signature charm and warmth to The Love Haters, a rom-com that dives into lies, love, and second chances—set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Key West.

Katie Vaughn is at a crossroads: her job as a video producer is on the brink, and her only shot at saving her career is profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a swoony Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The twist? She can’t swim—a fact she conveniently omits—and Hutch is the estranged brother of her coworker, Cole. What could possibly go wrong?

This book is pure Katherine Center: whip-smart banter, heartfelt emotional growth, and a quirky, lovable cast that includes a vibrant aunt and a rescue Great Dane. While Katie’s tangled web of lies creates plenty of chaos (and comedy), what grounds the story is her slow but genuine journey toward honesty, courage, and vulnerability.

That said, The Love Haters isn’t quite my favorite of Center’s novels. The setup felt a bit more rom-com cliché than some of her deeper, more resonant previous works. Still, it’s a feel-good, sunshine-filled escape that delivers on the laughs, swoons, and lessons in bravery.

If you’re already a fan of Katherine Center, this book is a solid addition to your shelf—just not her absolute best. But if you love forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers energy, and a conga line or two, you’ll have a blast.

Another charming, heart-warming romance from Katherine Center. This time the story centers around a young women, Katie, who is desperately trying to not get fired from her job. She finds herself agreeing to do a job that requires her to be around and in the water—the problem is she can’t swim but decides it is best if she leaves that small detail out. She is going to be working with a handsome, seemingly standoffish Coast Guard, Hutch in the Florida Keys. She finds herself in way over her head as she has to untangle the lies, complete the job, not drown all while denying her attraction to him.

Center’s books always guarantee a great romance that leaves your heart happy. They are fun, happy and optimistic. This one had a little more serious under current as Katie struggles with her self esteem. Still a good read but not my favorite. There are some really cute parts and I loved Aunt Rue and the Great Dane!! The ending was a little over the top but overall a sold story, perfect for summer.

3.5 ⭐️

This is the kind of book that gets you thinking; thinking about how you feel about yourself.
The author’s note at the end says it all. She discusses the power of stories and the profound impact that a love story (and stories, in general) can have. This one, in particular, has not only an impact with regards to a relationship with another person, but with one’s own body. Throughout the book, I found that I could relate to Katie. While I do not hate my body, over the years I have become increasingly uncomfortable in my own skin. Katherine had me reflecting on the good stuff too and thinking about the journey needed to overcome my own self consciousness. I found several of the plot elements rather ridiculous and highly unlikely, but the overall message of the story was relatable and quite good. It is hard to be body positive, but we can grow into it.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story about growth and being comfortable in one’s own skin, while also wanting to laugh and get that dose of romance in there too.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a digital advanced readers copy of the book. The opinions expressed are given freely and are honest and my own.

Thank you for to the publisher for the free eARC!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Katie takes an assignment making a recruitment video for the Coast Guard to save her job—despite the fact she can’t even swim. But things turn unexpected when she starts to fall for her subject, rescue swimmer Hutch.

I’ll start by saying I really love Katherine Center’s books. They are warm and cozy, and there is a humor and heart to her writing style that I always appreciate. Her romances are super sweet and almost always have some adorable swoony moments in them, and this one was no different. I really loved Hutch, and I also adored Rue, The Gals, and of course George Bailey.

Unfortunately, there were also a lot of things that did not land for me, among them the FMC and…the plot itself. I was constantly annoyed by her decisionmaking and really thrown by some plot developments about two-thirds of the way through. I also wanted a lot more from the ending, which I hoped might make up for the negatives…but no such luck.

Overall, bummed that this was not my fave Katherine Center book at all, but she’s still an author I love and highly recommend!

CW: Eating disorder/body shaming; death of parents/car accident; mentions of animal cruelty (off-page)

This was a fun vacation book but I wanted more from it. I never enjoy when characters have serious mental health issues like the FMC’s body image problem but never address it. Overall I wanted more romance and found the extraneous story line involving her boss kind of annoying. It was still entertaining and an interesting concept, and more of the characters (aunt Rue and her gals!!) but I could’ve done with less self hatred. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eArc of The Love Haters. I have never read a Katherine Center book before this one and I was hooked, I mean hooked by the end of the first chapter. The witty dialogue, the tough topics, the FMCs personal growth. All of it, just wonderful. I will think about this book for a long time.

I absolutely loved this book! It brought me back to the feelings I had when I read “The bodyguard” and couldn’t put the book down! So much love and longing and beautifully communicated through everything. Chefs kiss! Definitely recommend!!

I found this book to be the perfect escape! Between the fun characters, including a clumsy Great Dane named George Bailey and the unconventional and wise Aunt Rue, and the dreamy tropical backdrop of Key West, I found myself fully immersed in this story.
I enjoyed the ride getting to know our FMC, Katie who is funny and quirky, and our MMC, Hutch who is a little more serious, but really great. I wound up loving both of them.
This was a fun one for me!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Just over here still swooning from such a delightful read. WE LOVE A GOOD ONLY ONE BED TROPE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF SAID TROPE! Can't believe this was my first Katherine Center book, but it certainly won't be my last!

Oh Katherine Center! What a swoon worthy location to bring this newest book to life.

George Bailey and Hutch I mean how much can your heart take. I love the witty banter and how easily you fall in love with these characters.

A story with all the feels and I mean with Patti Murin bringing this story to life what else can you ask for.

I love all the love, joy, and happiness that KC brings to the world.

Thank you so very much for allowing me to review this ebook!

This was my first Katherine Center book and I’ll definitely be going back for more. I loved Katie’s journey and self growth, maybe even more than the romance. I really liked that it happened independently of her romance with Hutch too, it was definitely supported by it, but a lot of her lightbulb moments happened all by themselves.

Hutch and Katie were so cute together throughout and I really liked how everything seemed to grow organically. There wasn’t instalove, they didn’t hop immediately into a romance, it just grew and hit some snags. Freaking Cole! I also really liked how the story ended with them, it was realistic, but still gave me warm fuzzies.

Overall, I loved it and I’d say it’s a great summer read. It made me laugh out loud, it made kick my feet, and grip the book anxiously. It gave me all the feels and I didn’t want it to end. I finished it really quickly and I’ll definitely pick up more Katherine Center book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

LOVE Katherine Center books. This one fell just a tad short than the others for me. It was a cute, fun story, with some cringe points added in there. I didn't enjoy the body shaming the main character Katie dealt with. I don't mind that on a lowkey scale but this was very much a part of the storyline. I did enjoy the characters with the exception of Cole lol, not my fave guy! I loved the addition of Rue and her gal pals that were there for every moment of Katie's transition.

I'ts a quick romance that I will recommend. I give it 3.5*.

Thank you to Katherine Center, Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this e-arc version in exchange for my opinion.

A great read. Katie meets Hutch when she is working on a promotional video for the coast guard where he works. Set up by his brother, who has his own agenda, will she sink or swim in this assignment. Some fun side characters, especially the ladies where Katie is staying.

Book Review: The Love Haters by Katherine Center
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Short Summary:
Katie Vaughn is facing a tough decision. She can either wait to be laid off from her job as a video producer or take a last-minute opportunity to film a feature on Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer based in Key West. The only catch is that she doesn’t know how to swim, though she pretends she does, and Hutch happens to be the brother of her coworker, with whom he doesn’t exactly get along. What starts as a career move quickly turns into something much more complicated, filled with secrets, unexpected connections, and the possibility of real love.

My Thoughts:
I truly thought this book was amazing. From start to finish, I was completely drawn in by the story, the characters, and the energy that Katherine Center brings to every page. She has such a special way of writing stories that feel fun and light while also digging into real emotions and personal growth. I’ve loved every book she’s written, and this one easily became another favorite.

I really saw myself in Katie. She’s vulnerable, funny, a little bit messy, and completely relatable, which made following her journey feel personal and meaningful. Her interactions with Hutch had the kind of chemistry that felt both natural and exciting, and I loved watching their relationship unfold. Hutch wasn’t just a romantic lead; he had his own depth and story, and that added so much to their dynamic.

What I appreciated most was how the book balanced humor and heart. There were moments that made me laugh out loud and others that made me pause and reflect. The setting added a lot of charm, and the side characters, especially Aunt Rue and the rescue Great Dane, brought extra warmth and personality to the story. Every detail felt intentional and made the experience of reading it even better.

If you enjoy contemporary romances that are emotionally satisfying, character-driven, and full of heart, I cannot recommend The Love Haters enough. This was an easy five-star read for me, and I already know I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time.

Thank you, Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press, for providing this amazing copy in exchange for a review!

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a fun and charming contemporary romance. It has a summer and beach read vibe.

This story follows Katie, who is a videographer, as she travels to Key West to film a special project. This special project features Hutch, a hero in the Coast Guard.

Katie and Hutch get to know each other as Katie fakes her way through swimming lessons and involves herself in her coworker’s family dynamics.
My expectations were very high going into this book. I loved the setup, the humor, and the setting.

Katie and Hutch’s chemistry was there at the start, but never really seemed to develop. It felt like more was told than shown. Usually, the humor in Katherine Center’s books is a big hit for me, but in this book, it felt like they missed their mark.

If you are in the mood for a quick and easy read with a summer vibe, this book is for you!

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Katherine Center is the queen of heartwarming romances even if this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The FMC’s struggles with body image didn’t fit as cohesively with the romance as I would have liked, and overall I just didn’t fully click with the FMC or MMC very much. I loved Rue and the other ladies, as well as the dog, the most. I also appreciated that this ended with a high drama scene just like my favorite KC book, The Bodyguard!

If you’re looking for a read that’s equal parts charming, funny, and heartwarming, Love Haters by Katherine Center is an absolute gem. From start to finish, this book is an emotional rollercoaster—full of banter, chemistry, and that signature Katherine Center magic.

The story follows witty and resilient main characters who find themselves caught in a delightful enemies-to-lovers dynamic, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and heart-tugging scenes. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, and the chemistry leaps off the page. Katherine Center expertly weaves humor and romance with tender insights about vulnerability, courage, and what it really means to let love in.

Everything about this book you will love. The characters feel real, the pacing is perfect, and the writing sparkles. Katherine Center does not disappoint—Love Haters is an instant favorite. If you’re looking for a feel-good, swoon-worthy story that also packs an emotional punch, buy it now! You won’t regret it.

I have loved both Katherine Center books that I’ve read, but this one was a DNF for me. I was hesitant after the first chapter (FMC lying about knowing to swim/description of the MMC). And it only went downhill for me from there. The way the FMC narrated annoyed me; and the clear comic book lengths of description about the MMC just didn’t work for me - and I knew the book/romance wasn’t going to be believable for me.