Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ebook, THE LOVE HATERS by Katherine Center. With a fun setting of Key West, Florida, and the interesting tidbits of life in the Coast Guard and professional photography, I found this book enjoyable. The main character struggles with her confidence as so many of us do. It was interesting to watch her battle herself in that regard, and find self love. This book will keep you turning the pages and of course give you a laugh here and there. It is a ROM-COM after all. I recommend this book to any romance reader who is not looking for the "spice".

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC by one of my favorite authors . I always appreciate the opportunity to read a title in advance of its publication. This book didn’t quite live up to what I expect from Ms Center. I found a lot of it a little silly with a vapid storyline . Enjoyable enough but not one of her best.

Thank you to NetGalley for my first ARC!!
This is my 4th Katherine Center book that I’ve ready and I feel quite mid about it. The first 40% of the book was basically Katie going on and on about her body image insecurities and was really really annoying to me. As the story went on, I got a bit more interested in her and her relationship with Rue was so cute. Hutch on the other hand was quite boring to me for someone with a super cool job working for the Coast Guard. They barely had any chemistry with a “insta love” sort of feel, which I never vibe with. I think the issue is it was written “they saw each other every day carpooling to work and got to know each other so well” but you never actually got to read those conversations so it felt less believable. I do love that KC writes books like the FMC is just yapping to you like a girlfriend would over a glass of wine. 3 stars

🔉Thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for this arc of The Love Haters, out May 20, 2025!

📜Quick Summary: Katie Vaughn is a video producer who’s hanging on the chopping block. The owner of the company was scorned by her husband and now is on a rampage to lay off over 50% of their staff. Katie is approached to cover a story regarding the Coast Guard and a hero named Hutch. Katie thinks she can laugh and tell white lies to make her way through this project…I mean, she cannot lose her job! But when she meets the overly perfect and handsome Hutch, things start to chirp inside. After a rough break up with her now famous ex, how will Katie adjust to this quiet yet ruggedly handsome hero?

❣️Initial Feels: I just love KC’s style of writing. Her stories always drag me in and I am instantly giggling or smiling while I read her work. I am excited to see where Katie and Hutch’s story goes. Katie already seems to have a sarcastic, yet funny attitude!

👀Trigger Warnings: death of parents, body image/eating disorder

🌶️Spice Level: 🌶️

📖Read if you want: romance, banter, body positivity, Key West backdrop, Coast Guard, forced proximity

🙋🏼‍♀️Moving Character: Hutch was a complex character who needed some more screen time. The quiet, won’t talk about himself hero ended up opening up a bunch with Katie and I loved their open and honest scenes the most. I wish we could have dove farther into him, only because I ended up being enamored by him.

🗨️Thoughtful Words: “But I hadn’t thought I hated love. I’d thought I was just recovering from it.”

“Maybe the most important eyes doing the looking are our own.”

“Sometimes words aren’t quite enough.”

💡Final Sentiments: KC is an auto read for me, and I have devoured her writing since I came across her! Katie is a quirky character, to say the least, and at times I just wanted to shake her! She’s bubbly, open, honest, quick witted, but also deeply reflects on her past and what her relationships have done to not only her, but to her body image. I am sure many people can relate to her after a break up, by not eating, worrying about what you look like, etc. Although at times she felt immature, I think people can relate to the way she’s going through life…just trying to stay afloat. At one point in the middle of the book, I wish I had more of the encounters with Katie and Hutch, rather than her constantly talking about her weaknesses or her body. (I completely understand this was a huge part of this book, I just felt it took away from the chance to develop their connection at times.) I think if you are a Katherine Center fan, you will enjoy her latest novel!

🌟Overall Rating: 4 stars

This novel was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Delightful story about a woman video journalist with self esteem issues, sent on assignment to make a documentary for the Coast Guard, featuring one of their most popular rescuers on Key West.. There are a gaggle of elderly women who live in cottages not so quietly encouraging the two main characters to come together, as well as his overly energetic Great Dane.

Loved the story, the backstories and the banter.

When you get a Katherine Center book... you know it's going to be a good one. Not only does this story provide character depth and story, but also a strong message in a graceful and humorous way. It was so easy to fall for the characters, making it hard to put the book down. A feat after hitting a bit of a reading slump before. This was the perfect story to get me back into the rhythm. This has now been recommended as a have-to-read in the group chat!

I wanted to love this so much but I just couldn't get into it. I love the concept and Katherine Center is such an incredible author. For me, this one just didn't do anything new. The movement of a book normally doesn't make an impact, but this was so slow it was hard to keep engaged.
I know so many people love it and I love that! I just wish I was one of them!

The real enemies-to-lovers story that takes place is between Janie and herself! The Love Haters shows great character growth as Janie learns to love and change the narrative she has about her own body and self-worth. This growing confidence shines and makes each interaction with Hutch (the mmc) even more wonderful and sweet. Set in West Key, Florida, Janie is sent to film Hutch, a US Coast Guard, and make a promotional video for coast guard school. As they spend more time together with swim lessons, filming, carpooling and evenings spent with Hutch's aunt, their attraction blooms and even though neither has had a good experience with love, they must choose whether to be brave or miss out on the love of their life.

(Note: there is little spice, and has closed door scenes)

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

I. Love. Katherine. Center.

I have a solid space on my bookshelf for romantasy and smut, but there is just some level of laugh out loud love and wholesome relatability to every single #KatherineCenter book that I have read. Did I squeal when #netgalley sent the approved #arc alert? I might have. But not as loud as I did when I fell for George Bailey and all of the things he loves the most. In a world riddled with heavy and sad things, do yourself a favor and jump on this train - you won't regret it!

5 stars. SO MANY THOUGHTS:

"The Love Haters" tells the story of Katie, a videographer from Dallas, Texas, who has always struggled with her body image and self-acceptance. She travels to Florida to film a promotional video highlighting the US Coast Guard's rescue work. There, she meets Hutch, a stoic and duty-bound US Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Their initial interactions are marked by awkwardness and misconceptions, especially after a rather embarrassing encounter involving a swimsuit and butt splinters. However, as they spend more time together, Katie begins to see a different side of Hutch – a kind, understanding, and surprisingly funny man. Through their growing connection, and with the support of her found family, Katie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning to embrace her body, find joy in life's simple pleasures, and open her heart to love.

Katherine Center's "The Love Haters" is a heartwarming and delightful read that will leave you smiling long after you turn the final page. I found myself smiling, laughing out loud, and even getting giddy over these two. Katie, our relatable protagonist, is on a journey many of us can understand: learning to love herself. Her struggles with body image are portrayed with honesty and sensitivity, which was necessary considering so many women navigate these issues. Her transformation from a woman trapped in everything monochrome to someone who embraces the full spectrum of life's colors PLUS her willingness to learn and be taught new things without being too proud? 5 stars. I would be her friend.

It's a journey of self-acceptance that resonated deeply with me. Kindness to ourselves is also an important love story as we see in Katie’s monologue to herself: “…I bullied you. I picked on you like the meanest mean girl in the world. I made you hate yourself. I sucked the joy out of everything—walking down the street, or eating a BLT, or just sitting in the sun. I should have taken you swimming and let you float in the water. I should have let you relax. I should have stood up for you. I should have admired you, and enjoyed you, and kept you company, and celebrated you.”

Hutch, the stoic Coast Guard hero, is a great match for her. While initially perceived as reserved and duty-bound, he gradually reveals a depth of kindness, understanding, and humor that made me want his point of view the whole time I was reading. Having the first person POV helped to solidify his stoic character and further proved how much of this story wasn’t just their love story but Katie’s journey toward loving herself.

The found family aspect of the story is another highlight. Center beautifully illustrates how love isn't confined to romantic relationships; it's found in the safety and connection found in friends and chosen family. The warmth and camaraderie among Katie's people create a sense of belonging that makes this book feel like coming home after a long time away.

I see the negative reviews. I see that you’re upset that “KaTiE nEedS a MAn tO lOvE heRSelF.” You guys are going to be ok. In fact, I challenge you and say you’re overlooking the beauty of human connection. It was when Katie came to the figurative end of herself that she had a revelation of the self-love she needed her entire life. Sure, did Hutch confirm these things when she needed to hear them? Yes. He helped understand her worth. But he wasn’t there when she truly and deeply understood it and it changed her life. This begs the more important point that we are humans and we need each other. I want to depend on the people around me. Humans thrive in community, in partnership, in collaboration. We learn the best when we work together. His recognizing her worth doesn't diminish her own self-discovery; it reflects the natural human tendency to heal and grow alongside others. "The Love Haters" beautifully portrays this dynamic of humbling ourselves to learn from one another, to hear truth from others before we cling on to it and make it our own, and to grow together.

Some fun things you’ll find in this read:
🕶️ US Coast guard rescue swimmer hero
👙 relatable female main character
🕶️ kick-your-feet and swoon-worthy story
👙 she doesn’t know how to swim, he teaches her
🕶️ swimsuit mishap
👙 butt splinter removal upon second interaction
🕶️ a man who looks great in sunglasses
👙 found family
🕶️ importance of friends who tell you the truth and hold you accountable

"The Love Haters" is a 5-star read that proves that true love can be both for ourselves and others.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press who provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expect this book on shelves when it’s published on May 20, 2025!

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

This was a pretty quick read and probably her best out of the last few new releases, but her older books are better in my opinion. I liked the characters, but there was not enough romance for me. I liked the storyline but wished we got an even more from Rue and maybe Beanie in person.

Would recommend.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for this review copy.
Katherine Center has really taken a dive off the deep end into wonderfully written romance books. I have LOVED all of her most recent works and whoever designs the covers? Slay.

For me, this was just okay. This is my least favorite from KC, but still enjoyable. It had very good moments but I found it was slow overall

2.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had some good moments but was overall underwhelming. The opening scene was ridiculous and way too long. There was a lot of telling and not showing. It was too short to really develop the characters, so I didn’t feel a connection between the fmc and mmc. Not a favorite.

Unfortunately this was my least favorite Katherine Center book I've read. However, it's still pleasant and would make a great beach read.

3⭐️

Not sure why this book was called “The Love Haters” honestly as there wasn’t really that much love hating going on. This book was such a roller coaster for me: Not in the “exhilarating alternating moments of fear and pure excitement” kind of way, but in the “this part isn’t half bad, but the next chapter is garbage” kind of way. At times it was a cute little romance novel between a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and a documentary videographer . At other times it felt like a 16 year old’s fan fic between a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and the “gorgeous but doesn’t know it” ex of Justin Bieber. Somethings were just totally unrealistic and implausible.

There were some deep topics in the MMC Hutch’s background that were totally glazed over due to the tone of this book and the fact that they were overshadowed by the FMC Katie’s constant insecurities. Katie has a multitude of phobias and body issues that occupy at least 30% of this book and that she should’ve probably sought professional help for instead of the daily phone calls with her cousin. While important topics, they were just the parts of the novel I liked the least.

If you exclusively read clean romances, you’ll probably enjoy this one more than I did. High School Me would’ve probably loved this.

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

I have been in a reading slump for the past month and this book helped me get out of it. I devoured this book in 5 hours. I loved the relationship between Hutch and Katie. And George Bailey, what a great touch. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

Katherine Center is one of my auto-buy authors, so I knew I was in for a good time with The Love Haters. For some foolish reason, I still started it later than I should have, figuring I'd read for a few hours and go to bed. Mistakes were made - there was no sleep until I got to the end!

One of the things I've always loved about KC is her ability to infuse so much humor into how the characters handle their emotional wounds. Katie's (very relatable) battle with her swimsuit is also laugh-out-loud (and get judged by the sleeping cat) hilarious. And while we're told to expect Hutch to be zero fun, he has a sly sense of humor that peeks through even in the middle of disaster. And who doesn't love a hot rescue swimmer with a giant dog who insists on keeping a little extra "padding" to enhance snuggle time?

At times delightfully chaotic, The Love Haters is full of laughs, ruminations on family & what exactly it means to love yourself, and how your views on yourself spill over into your relationships with others. I also really enjoyed the different families, found & blood, and the inclusion of older characters living their absolute best lives (The Gals would be an absolute blast to sip sangria with!)

I absolutely loved this book! The story follows Katie, a video producer, who meets a fellow “love hater” while working. The two bond over their skepticism about love, but as they get to know each other, their journey toward self-love and healing begins. The story strikes the perfect balance between humor and heart, making it an easy and enjoyable read from start to finish.

The setting in Florida is the cherry on top - its sunny, laid back vibe creates the ideal backdrop for a feel-good romance, making it a perfect for summer read!