The beginning of The Love Haters was a slow build, but it quickly became apparent that this was a big part of what would make this story magical. The slow build allowed us to see our two main characters through sunset-colored light as they got to know each other and ultimately became to fall for one another. The big moment of conflict that our characters have to overcome seemed a bit ridiculous, but ended up being very necessary to move certain plot points along which I did end up enjoying!

Loved this book I ended up buying the physical copy!! I recommend this to a lot
Of people and had them order it also!

Okay, so this book had all the ingredients for a swoony, fun rom-com—forced proximity, fake dating, a grumpy but secretly soft hero, and a tropical setting that practically begs you to book a vacation. And for the most part, it was entertaining! But did I love it? Mmm… not quite.

Katie’s whole deal—lying about being able to swim to land a job—was a choice. Bold? Absolutely. Smart? Less so. Watching her fumble through swim lessons (with the ridiculously attractive, broody Hutch as her instructor, obviously) was fun at first, but after the tenth reminder that he was the most chiseled man alive, I got a little fatigued. Katie’s inner monologue was a lot, especially when it came to her body image struggles, which were a central theme of the book. While I appreciate stories that tackle self-acceptance, it started to feel repetitive, and I wish the romance had been given a little more room to breathe.

Speaking of romance—Hutch. The strong, silent type with a savior complex and a tragic past. I liked him in theory, but his insta-love-y feelings for Katie felt a little undercooked. I wanted more tension, more slow-burn, and less of him calling her a “hot fudge sundae” (???). Chemistry-wise, they were cute together, but I wasn’t exactly swooning.

On the bright side, Aunt Rue and her quirky Key West crew were a delight, and the tropical setting was pure escapism. There were moments of charm, humor, and heart, but overall, the pacing and focus of the story didn’t quite hit the sweet spot for me.

A solid, easy read, but not a new favorite.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book centers around Katie and her body image insecurities and Hutch aka Pup Daddy who's just too perfect (if that's a thing). Personally, I thought the first half of the book focused a little too much on Katie's body image to the point that it got repetitive. I really enjoyed the focus on the scenery and visualizing the setting. Rue and the girls were a hoot (think Golden Girls without the sarcasm) and Beanie was the kind of best friend everybody needs. The Coast Guard training scenes were informative and interesting. Cole and Sullivan are a whole other level of hot mess express that you'll just have to find out about for yourself. The last quarter of the book was riveting and kept me glued to the pages. While this wasn't my favorite Katherine Center book, it's still a good read and I recommend picking it up.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I’ve read and enjoyed three other books by Katherine Center, so when I got an eARC of The Love Haters, I was hyped. But that excitement crashed and burned once I actually started reading.

Let’s talk about the romance—probably the best part of the book. I didn’t love Katie, our main character, but Hutch? He was solid. Their chemistry was there, even if it wasn’t the most swoon-worthy I’ve ever read. But everything else? A mess.

The plot started off okay, but things took a nosedive around the 50% mark when Cole (Hutch’s brother and Katie’s coworker) showed up and started lying about everything, dragging Katie into his nonsense. Then came the third-act hurricane (yes, literally), putting Katie’s life at risk for no reason—it all felt unnecessary and frustrating.

And the characters? Rue and Hutch were the only decent ones. Beanie (Katie’s cousin and best friend) was supposed to be this badass put together woman giving Katie great advice, but her approach to Katie’s body image struggles felt damaging and honestly harmful. Then there’s Cole—an absolute trainwreck of a person, driven by a one-sided rivalry with his brother that was all insecurity-fueled. His only real contribution? Ruining lives.

And then there’s Katie. I wanted to root for her. I really did. But she was just… so unlikable. Normally, I don’t mind an unlikable protagonist—flawed characters can be great. But the issue here is that I think the author wanted Katie to be relatable and endearing and just missed the mark completely. Her struggles with body image, eating disorders, and online harassment could have been powerful, but the way they were handled? Yikes. It read like Katherine Center thought she was making a profound statement, but instead, it felt shallow and even harmful.

This is now my favorite Katherine Center book. I related to the main character maybe more than any other, ever. Her main characters can be quirky and I am not sure Katie is an exception but I loved her.
If you loved the anxiety representation in Yours Truly I think this book is for you! It touches this topic along with self image and loving yourself. The character development was beautiful.
This story follows Katie a video producer sent by her colleague Cole to film Hutch a rescue swimmer for the coast guard. His brother. Who has been described as a handsome hero, but also a love hater whose hobby is frowning.
While filming him everyday they learn a lot about each other. Katie falls for the Keys, his aunt, his great dane. But she gets caught up in a few lies that make things complicated throughout the book.
The banter is great. I laughed out loud several times. I cried. I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading this book.

If you like Katherine Center, you will enjoy this book. If you have never read a Katherine Center book, you need to give her a try. This book was light hearted, fun, and a page-turner. A young documentary filmmaker gets the chance to do a small project in Key West. Her main film subject is a hot Coast Guard rescue swimmer. You can imagine where the story is going. However, the twists and turns were just right to keep this book interesting.

I had high hopes about this book! the synopsis sounded so good and way up my alley! but then I started reading it and the fmc really got on my nerves, it just felt like her whole personality was about her body image and insecurity and while I think that’s an important topic to be discussed it just wasn’t portrayed well in this book and didn’t need to be a huge part of the plot! the best character was the dog. i just didn’t really connect with any of the characters but def a fast paced read!

Katie has been burned by love in the past—now, she might be setting her career ablaze. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s suggestion, take a career-making opportunity profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but pretends that she can.

Katie being stuck in her head became genuinely exasperating for me. Her issues with body image felt excessive. She was obsessively ogling Hutch’s body physique, what seemed like every other page, "He happens to have abs and muscles for days; he is so HOT."

I enjoy Katherine Center's books. Unfortunately, this time, this story didn’t resonate with me; I didn't like any of the characters.
The book mixes humor, sweet romance, charm, and a wonderfully written, entertaining story with a dreamy Key West backdrop. The story promised all the feels, but I found that the execution didn’t fully live up to the premise.

Thank you for this ARC! It was a fun, lighthearted, feel good love story. The characters were the right amount of quirky and the overall plot felt believable and relevant. If you enjoy romance, I fully recommend this book!

Katherine Center has continued to impress. Her skill of giving us the romance without the spice, but still allowing the reader to feel the heat in the air is unmatched. I look forward to every release knowing I'll be in for another relatable love story with characters who are real (even if they have out of the ordinary jobs), and who are completely relatable.

In The Love Haters, Center continues to provide those relatable characters who feel as real as Katie's body issues and fears. Every main character had a backstory that is portrayed in such a way as to allow the reader to understand each individual, and not feel bogged down by a detour from the story in order to get the lay of the land.

With Katie and Hutch, the attraction is quick to occur on the page, but it feels right. Their story flows naturally through the beautifully painted environment and it was a fun one to follow. Katie's and Hutch's actions at the end, were the perfect conclusion to a truly fun love story with all the right plot twists.

Katie has been done dirty by love in the past. She gets an on a business trip to Key West in order to save her jobs she’s there to film a video of Hutch who is a member of the US Coast Guard in the older brother of her coworker, Cole. Hutch who comes off as a grumpy man and is defined as a hero from multiple angles agrees to the video. Katie struggles with body image and accepting her natural beauty as is. While Hutch just needs the right person to love him and his gentle giant, George Bailey! Katie and Hutch have so much personal character growth throughout the story, overcoming their personal struggles. But they also blossom into this beautiful couple. It does get difficult at some points but waves can be over come! Their relationship does come out on top to start a love story for the two of them.

I really enjoyed the whole aspect of this book. The setting, the characters, and everything was so well written.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc!

I was thoroughly disappointed by The Love Haters. Katie Vaughn, the protagonist, is incredibly annoying—her indecisiveness and constant body image issues made it nearly impossible to connect with her. I couldn’t believe there were literally so many paragraphs dedicated to describing her ankles and earlobes as the only parts of her body she liked. It felt self-indulgent and off-putting.

The entire storyline was forced; every twist and turn seemed contrived rather than organically unfolding. From fake swim lessons to overdone romantic clichés, nothing felt genuine or engaging. Despite the promising setup of Key West adventures and dramatic relationships, the narrative never captured the spark it aimed for.

Having read three of Katherine Center’s books, I was really hoping this one would be different. Unfortunately, her writing style in The Love Haters just isn’t for me—it's a heavy-handed, awkward attempt at humor and romance that falls flat. I cannot recommend this book if you’re looking for a well-crafted story that resonates emotionally. One star.

5 Stars! Katherine Center hit another homerun with this story. Center's characters always have you rooting for them. There may be some tears, because she writes so well that it feels like you're feeling what the character is in the moment. I highly recommend picking up this lovely romcom as a happily ever after is guaranteed!

I've previously stated that Katherine Center could send me her grocery list and I would read it with voracity .... I stand by this statement.

Katie feels like her entire life is on the chopping block. Her job just announced downsizing. Her pop-star ex won't stop talking about her in the news. She can't look in a mirror or get on a scale. It hasn't been her day, week, month or even her year ...... That is until she gets the opportunity for a new project down in the Florida Keys. What an opportunity, right? Except for allllllllllllll the details that make this opportunity more of a long shot than anything! Hutch is trying to live a quiet life. He enjoys his dog, his job, and his aunt Rue and her gal pals. Although he's the most heroic person anyone has probably ever met, the spotlight is not for him. Until his brother tricks him into a marketing video for his job. He jumps at the opportunity for some bro time, until he arrives on shoot day and his brother isn't there. Is an easy found friendship exactly what both Katie and Hutch need to break out of their monotonous routines or are they both too set in their ways to allow happiness and love in?

I enjoyed The Love Haters! The banter was great, the characters all did their parts - even when their parts were AWFUL. I loved the greater message, highlighted at the end in the author's note. I loved the family theme that was woven in and the unlikely way that the family members came together. I can't wait to see what Katherine Center has in store for us next!

I thoroughly enjoyed the character development Katherine sprinkles throughout her books without making it feel forced. Katie is a complicated, funny, intelligent woman that is finding herself. She is challenged in her thoughts and learns so much about herself when she is assigned a work project away from home. The MMC Hutch has been through a lot in life but shows up for his people and is a constant in their lives. They both learn a lot from each other’s strengths and teach each other through their trials. Highly recommend this book for those that enjoy romance that is thought provoking!

The Love Haters by Katherine Center was my first 5 star romance of the year, full of summery vibes and silly, fun characters.
Hutch and Katie had excellent chemistry. Hutch was perfectly grumpy. I absolutely love when the FMC slowly begins to realize what a sweetheart the MMC is under their gruff exterior. I also quite enjoyed Hutch’s character arc; watching him bloom in the face of Katie’s optimism and help Katie get past her crappy ex was so fun.
All of the side characters were complex and fleshed out perfectly. Cole’s ridiculous antics were slightly unbelievable, but in a romcom way that I was able to overlook. Cole and Hutch’s sibling dynamic was relatable.
The peril the FMC faced at the end was a bit dramatic, but not in a way that I found completely unbelievable. Overall, definitely a fun time and worth picking up.

🌴 A moment for the glory that is @katherinecenter books 🌴

Thank you @stmartinspress for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. [Pub Date: May 20, 2025]

Pop on your sunnies and throw on your favorite two-piece because I've got your book of the summer right here baby.

Yes, I have a thing for military romances now, but this is a romance about loving yourself deeply & fully.

Of course, we have our deliciously sweet story between Katie and Hutch with a cute dog and a tropical paradise, but you can't beat loving yourself for who you are. That's the kind of relationship I love reading about. Overcoming fears and gaining confidence is so beautiful I could read about it all day.

I seriously could have lived inside this book forever. I could literally feel the Key West rays hitting my skin from how much happiness "The Love Haters" brought me.

True life, I think this is the book that spawned my new obsession with military romances. I thought that it was so interesting to see behind the scenes of what our soldiers got through for training. Let me tell you a few scenes KC wrote had my heart racing from anxiety.

This book will need a spot in your beach bag this summer. It's the perfect sunny companion. Trust me, you won't just melt from the heat in the air... it's probably reading about Hutch. (Side note the amount of times he notices her eyes... I can't *swooning forever*)

🌴 Grumpy Sunshine
🚁 Workplace Romance
🐓 A lil bit of family drama
🌺 Key West
⛵️ Body Postitivity
🌴 Emotional
🚁 Forced Proximity
🐓 Military

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5
I absolutely loved this book. This was my first book from Katherine Center, and for sure will NOT be my last! I related to Katie so much as we all have our insecurities and are hard on ourselves. This was really beautifully written and kept me engaged the whole time. I didn’t want to put it down. Loved the instant connection from Katie and Hutch from the beginning! Rue and the Gals omg!! I loved them, especially Rue! She was such a sweet soul. This was so much more than just a rom com! I laughed, cried and literally had ALL the feels! Can’t wait to pick up another one of her books!

Quotes I loved:
💓“Huh” I said. “I thought you just really loved Pennie’s.” “Naw”, hitch said. “I just really loved my mom.” 🥹🥹
💓”You weren’t the reason she died, you were here last wish.” 🥺


Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of The Love Haters in exchange for my honest review.

Katie is a videographer in danger of losing her job due to layoffs. She is given the opportunity to film a promo for the US Coast Guard featuring her coworker’s brother Hutch, who is known by many as the hero who saved Jennifer Anniston’s dog. This amazing opportunity is supposed to save her career but it turns into a whirlwind of lies and Katie has to find a way to convince Hutch to do the very thing he refuses.

I absolutely loved this story. This is so incredibly well done, great writing, kept you on the edge of your seat, rooting for the couple, heartwarming, and even changed my mindset on a few things.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anybody, but especially those who enjoys a heartwarming romance, and/or could use a bit of a pep-talk in self love and acceptance.