I would love to give this book 4 stars because I love Katherine Center. I find her fmcs so relatable and easy to read. HOWEVER this book needs som serious trigger warnings. If this book was not an ARC, I would not have finished it and I only did so out of obligation. This information was not disclosed as part of the book description. Trigger Warnings for eating disorders, depression, anxiety, emotional abuse, and fatphobia. The plot was decent but I could not focus on the story over the triggers.

Katherine Center just knocks it out of the park every time.

I go into most books pretty unaware of the plot and anything to do with the book. I read this at the MOST perfect time in the most perfect setting. It’s a reading experience I feel like that will never be topped.

Gosh, I adore Katherine Center. Thank YOU for writing such an important story and spreading such a wonderful message of self-love.

Katherine Center's The Love Haters follows Katie Vaughn, a video producer facing the threat of being fired. To save her job, she accepts an assignment to film a promotional video for the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Florida, profiling rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutcherson. There's just one problem: Katie can't swim. Desperate, she asks Hutch to give her lessons, but Hutch is her boss’s estranged brother, complicating their interactions. Katie struggles with body image and swimsuits, and when she arrives in Key West, she’s welcomed by Hutch’s quirky aunt, Rue, who takes her under her wing. As Hutch and Katie's chemistry grows, they are forced to confront their differences, emotions, and secrets.

This book should come with a trigger warning for disordered eating and body image issues. I was only a few pages in when I felt the need to skip parts. The detail on Katie's struggles with food and her body image felt overwhelming and took up too much of the plot. While this topic may resonate with some readers, including myself, it overshadowed other aspects of the story. More focus on character development would have balanced the narrative better.

That said, I enjoyed the setting and found George Bailey and Aunt Rue to be great additions to the storyline. While some parts of the plot felt rushed or underdeveloped, I still found the book to be a quick and enjoyable read. It’s a fun beach read, and I’d recommend it for anyone looking for light-hearted romance.

Oh my goodness I LOVED this! My favorite Katherine Center book yet! She just has such a way with words that you’ll be dying of laughter on one page and then swooning or maybe even tearing up on the next.
I cackled so much while reading this, but this book also hit me very hard because the main character struggles with body image. You follow her journey of learning to love and accept herself while also finding love with an at-first grumpy rescue swimmer (who also teaches her how to swim, I might add). This book also contains a Great Dane I would literally die for.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me access to an eARC of this book in exchange for my review. Go out and get this book on release day! You won’t regret it!!!!!

*ARC courtesy of NetGalley*

This book was an absolute delight! However, if you’re struggling with body image or eating disorders, I recommend checking the trigger warnings before reading. The story of Katie and Hutch was like a movie come to life! It had all the classic elements of a rom-com, making it a truly enjoyable read. I particularly appreciated how Katie’s self-love journey unfolded throughout the book. The presence of a dog as a character added a touch of charm and heartwarming moments. Additionally, learning about rescue swimmers was an interesting aspect of the story. Overall, it was a fantastic read that I highly recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy for review! I have been reading Katherine Center since How To Walk Away and her books just keep going with the heart and great character stories that made me fall in love with that book. This one is no different and in it we are following Katie who is may have given a small lie in order to keep her job in a downsizing company. The lis is that she can swin and the jb is to make recruitment video for the Coast Guard and follow Hutch, who also happens to be her supervisors brother. Not only was the story between these two great but so was the cast of side characters including Hutch's Aunt who gives off Golden Girl vibes. Plus the setting in Key West just added to this story. I can not recommend Katherine's books enough and this one is now top of the list.

4 ⭐️

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press through Netgalley for my honest review, and I thank them so much for it!

I’ve read 3 Katherine Center books now, and I can confidently say that her books have some type of magic in them. While I’m reading them, it’s almost like I’m reading with rose-colored glasses, entranced by the story, just enjoying it. As I look back on the book, I say, why was that special? It wasn’t perfect.

But it’s unique. There’s always a deeper meaning. The characters are different and relatable. And the feel of the book, the joy you feel as you flip each page, is unlike any other book. So I’ll keep my rose-colored glasses and enjoy it.

This book specifically was unlike anything I’ve ever read. I loved how relatable the fmc was and I loved that we saw the coast guard in this story, seeing as that’s not a super common thing in books. I loved Rue. She was the sweetest old lady and the author really used her character to help the reader understand what a blessing every day on this earth is, which is really special.

The lessons in this book are so important, but they aren’t forced on you. It’s like you learn with the characters as you go, which makes the experience so much more fun.

I genuinely think that this book is worth the read for anyone, for the lessons and the joy that it brings. It is also completely clean and spice-free, making it available to more readers. Definitely give this one a try because Ms. Center has done it again!

It pains me to rate a Katherine Center book this low, but I just did not love this one. The main character Katie is not very likable and her body issues and insecurities get old. The love story between her and Hutch feels underdeveloped - the chemistry and connection does not come across!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc!

Synopsis: Katie Vaughn is done with heartbreak and stands poised at a pivotal crossroads that could propel her career to new heights. Should she wait around for the inevitable layoff from her uninspiring job as a video producer, or should she seize the opportunity to embark on a transformative project—profiling the intriguing Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer thriving in the sun-drenched paradise of Key West? One small catch: Katie can’t swim but is ready to fake it until she makes it.

Adding to the pressure, Hutch happens to be Cole’s brother—an intriguing detail amplifying the stakes between two siblings who have never seen eye to eye. As Katie dives into this vibrant world, she quickly discovers that paradise is a complex web of emotions.

For Hutch, the most strikingly handsome man she’s ever encountered (if only he weren’t so jaded), Katie finds herself swept up in a whirlwind of colourful characters, including Hutch's eccentric aunt Rue and his endearingly clumsy rescue Great Dane. However, her deception looms large, and before she knows it, she’s neck-deep in a tangled mix of lies.

Amid swim lessons, thrilling helicopter rides, infectious conga lines, wild drinking contests, looming hurricanes, and stolen kisses, Katie is presented with the chance to confront the truths she’s been dodging. She’ll find the courage to face her fears in this chaotic paradise and ultimately discover what true bravery means. This journey is packed with unexpected twists and heartfelt moments that are bound to change her life for the better. I was utterly captivated by the intricately developed characters whose lives resonated with my own. From the very first chapter, the unique premise pulled me in, presenting a romance that had profound depth. The themes of body image, self-worth, and confidence struck a personal chord, reminding me of my teenage struggles.

As I immersed myself in the narrative, I appreciated how it seamlessly blended a journey of self-discovery with sharp humour and witty banter between the characters. Hutch’s hilarious and quirky aunt Rue, alongside his charmingly clumsy rescue Great Dane, added richness to the story. The charm of cozy cottage life set against the sun-drenched paradise of Key West vividly came to life. The lush landscapes and tranquil beaches made me feel as though I were right there with the characters, breathing in the salty sea air.

While I admired the story immensely, I did wish for a more conclusive ending for the couple. The narrative threads could have been beautifully tied together with a few extra chapters. The epilogue felt rushed and left me longing for a more profound sense of closure.

As a side note, I dove into this book over the long weekend during a series of back-to-back snowstorms in Toronto, making it the perfect escape to the sunny shores of Key West, Florida.

I wholeheartedly recommend this charming story, especially to those who haven’t yet explored the enchanting world of Katerine Center’s writing. You won't be disappointed! Expected Publication Date: May 20, 2025

I’m grateful to St. Martin's Press for providing this e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

3.5 stars rounded up. I am a huge fan of Katherine Centers books, but this one fell a little bit flat for me.

Katie is a video producer who is being sent to Key West to film a video for the Coast Guard featuring rescue swimmer, Hutch. Katie has to undergo certain testing to be able to go up in the helicopter to film, such as being submerged, buckled, upside down in the water- and did I mention that she can’t swim? Hutch and Katie form a pretty instant attraction, but things get complicated when her coworker, Cole (Hutch’s younger brother), shows up and forces her into lying.

Katies ex is a celebrity and through her photos being shared online she has been torn apart by cyber bullying through comments. This causes her to have body image issues that she struggles to work through throughout the entire book.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, but found it simultaneously too slow and too fast at times somehow and didn’t feel like I was super connected to the characters in this one.

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

This is my favorite Katherine Center has released so far. The FMC’s struggle with body image and confidence was so relatable and I’m sure will speak to a lot of women. Most of the supporting characters were endearing and did a lot to enrich the story. The pacing was perfect and the story came to a satisfying conclusion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

From the very beginning, this book was fast paced and fun! It was easy to follow in love with Hutch and his big goofy dog! I wish I knew why George Bailey kept leaping on Katie. It might have been mentioned in book but missed it, if so. I appreciate there not being so much inner dialogue that I have read lately but liked how conversation kept going and there was action.

Katie having to deal with body image issues was nice and not overdrawn out. Her cousin/sister helped her the most and thought it was funny how Katie would think of the odd body parts to love first and then finally herself! It would have been fun to see Hutch's POV but that would be changing the whole book. So, never mind... I enjoyed this book!!

Made me mad how Hutch's brother treated him and made me think of a narcissist!!

Thank you for allowing me to read an advanced copy!! it was fun!! Also, thank you for the no spice and slow burn! it's hard to find good romance books without all the explicit bedroom scenes!!

I gave a review on Fable with 4.5 stars and Goodreads with 4 stars.

I am typing on a computer as I use my phone for the other two.

⭐️⭐️½ (2.5/5)

Katherine Center is usually an auto-buy author for me, so I was surprised to find The Love Haters missing the spark I’ve come to expect from her books. While the premise was promising—an out-of-her-depth videographer assigned to cover a Coast Guard hero in dreamy Key West—the execution left me disappointed and really wanting more.

What you can expect:
-Work drama
-Coastal setting
-Military guy and civilian woman
-Her POV
-A lovable dog
-0/5 spice
-TW: disordered eating, death (both off page)

The positives: the setup had so much potential. A woman who can’t swim documenting a Coast Guard hero to save her career is the perfect setup for a hilarious love story. The setting was gorgeous, and Hutch sounded so wildly dreamy. But beyond that, the story fell flat.

The pacing felt off, with Hutch confessing his feelings barely halfway through, leaving little room for build-up. While this was positioned as a grumpy/sunshine romance, Hutch wasn’t really grumpy—just selectively broody, opening up to Katie almost immediately. That instant warmth took away the slow-burn tension I was hoping for.

The biggest miss for me, though, was the tone. The narration felt overly casual, packed with rhetorical questions, placeholder phrases like "Here's the thing" and a buddy-buddy storytelling style that didn’t click. One of the benefits of first-person POV is the ability to really understand and be immersed in the character's emotions, but this book read like it was constantly summarizing them instead of really letting me experience them. This was especially frustrating in key romantic moments where I craved more show instead of tell.

Another sticking point was the handling of the heavier themes. The novel explores grief, loss, body image, and disordered eating, but these heavier topics felt mismatched with the light, often forced humor. As someone who has personally struggled with an eating disorder and body dysmorphia, I appreciated the representation, but Katie’s experience with disordered eating was disappointingly surface-level. She essentially starves herself for a year, then… just stops? And that happens off the page. Her fixation on weight never truly evolves and she is so heavily reliant on others' perception of her throughout the entire book, making the resolution feel hollow.

Beyond Katie and Hutch, the supporting cast didn’t add much depth. Beanie, a major side character, existed mostly to dispense advice. A past relationship plays an outsized role in Katie's issues with her body but it's not explored beyond a few silly mentions. The emotionally loaded history between Hutch and Rue had so much potential but never quite translated into something truly affecting. There is an element of the plot that is so out of left field and preposterous that I almost DNF’d at 70%.

At its core, The Love Haters leans hard into the woman who doesn’t see her own worth character type. It’s got that “you’re so beautiful, but you don’t know it” energy, and I just couldn’t get behind it.

I’ll still pick up Katherine Center’s next book, but this one didn’t deliver the depth, chemistry, or emotional payoff I was hoping for.

I really loved a lot about this book but something felt missing all along which I still can't pinpoint what it was. On the one hand, the character development felt right and good but then at times characters like Beanie and Cole felt like they were lacking. I am not sure if this was even the thing that felt off for me or not.

The Love Haters is a lighthearted rom-com with hints of self-discovery and empowerment. I personally loved the way Katie learned to love all of herself after years of hating a lot about herself. There were several little gems around this that I wrote down because they made me a pause a moment to think.

"If you don't reject the harsh things people say to you, then I guess, at some point, that means you accept them."

"The thing you are afraid of is never the thing you should be."

I know some people won't love the self-image/body positivity stuff but I enjoyed the way it was written into this book.

I also really enjoyed reading about the coast guard and getting to know a new profession through the reading of a fun rom-com! I know a lot of research was put into this book to make this an accurate depiction and can appreciate what went into it.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. It's a quick, enjoyable and easy rom-com read!

Thank you to net-galley for this ARC. It was a magical ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read! I laughed, I cried, and George Bailey was just perfection. I didn’t want the story to end.

This book is about Katie, a producer, who is caught between two brothers, trying to keep her job, and growing through facing her biggest insecurities. I adored all the characters and really felt like I got to know all of them. I did feel some hate towards a certain character, but that's the goal! For a book to elicit emotions takes a lot for me, but this did it! I felt like I was inside the setting and could picture everything going on. I personally was able to see my younger self in the insecurities Katie faced and loved seeing the transformation she went through. If I could critique one thing, it's that the dialogue surrounding her body insecurity seemed a bit overkill in the first half. I think that it could have been touched on a bit less and still gotten the point clearly across. However this still had me laughing out loud and swooning at the romance while being relatable but also the right amount of outlandish and a touch of suspense! I ate it up!!! I love Kathrine Center (dare I say this might be my fave of hers yet) and the way she writes the perfect romance that is CLEAN/CLOSED DOOR!!! I will forever be a fan! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this incredible book!

This book was so cute!! It was a romance, but not spicy and covered real life topics… body image, facing fears, changing perspective.
I feel in love with the characters immediately.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC of this adorable new book from @katherinecenter 💖🚁📙🎥🐶 This has been the perfect vacation read and my fiance can confirm I laughed out loud at many scenes 😊

I really enjoyed this book, as I do all Katherine Center books. Katie's self-consciousness and body dysmorphia hit really close to home and made me reflect on how I see myself and fixate on things that shouldn't take so much of my time. I loved that the book was a love story, but also a story of self-acceptance, self-love and personal growth. Overall really enjoyable!

Loved it! I loved Katie’s journey and Hutch was one of my fav book male leads. There were goofy parts, sad parts, happy parts, and nerve-wracking parts to this story!! So many things to experience in one book. I think it’s funny/interesting that Katherine Center always has one character in her stories that is just utterly ridiculous (i.e the sister from Hello Stranger) and in this one it’s Cole 😅 So, prepare for that & the frustration you will definitely feel alongside his choices! lol.

Katherine Center stories have my heart! 🥹

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC ✨