I have truly loved all of Katherine Center’s books. I truly enjoyed a lot of this book. The relationship between Katie and Rue was so sweet! And Hutch and Katie’s banter was so fun. I had a really hard time with the motivation and storyline behind Cole and his intentions. It just didn’t make sense but I still enjoyed this book

This one is difficult to review because there were things I really liked about it and aspects that turned me off. I really liked Hutch, Rue and the dog George. I liked the character growth of the main character but the miscommunication and body identity issues were annoying. I think the main issue I had with this one was the immaturity of most of the characters.
Even though it was predictable, I did like the ending and the author's note. There were little nuggets of wisdom and thoughtful quotes throughout which I appreciated. For those who like their romcoms without language, there are a few instances but it is not overwhelming.
Unfortunately this was just an ok read for me though it had a highly interesting premise. A girl takes a job that requires her to do things she is highly unqualified for?? What could go wrong?!

This might be my new favorite Katherine Center book. I flew through this one, I finished it in almost one sitting. This book is a perfect summer read, set in Key West, Florida. There's swimming pools, boat houses, sexy men in uniforms (wet suits?).

Katie is a film maker going to Florida to film a promotion video for the Coast Guard, fun twist she can't swim and the subject of film is a very hot and very closed off Hutch.

I really enjoyed Katie's story, it was not easy to read about her body image struggles but it felt so relatable at the same time. I really loved Hutch, he's my favorite KC book boyfriend. The side characters were very fun to read, although there is one over the top character you hate which I have also found a theme in her books. This book has romance, laugh out loud and some anxiety inducing moments. I would definitely recommend,

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

4 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC!!

I've let it sit for a day, and yep, I love this. I don't think I've been able to stop thinking about Hutch and I don't think I'd be mad if I never did. The banter, the slow burn, the plot twists....immaculate. I've wanted to read Katherine Center's books for a very long time, but I never expected the first one to be an ARC. I don't think I'll ever be able to put into words how much I adored this, but I can say I rarely start and finish a book in the span of 24 hours.

Super excited for this one to come out!!

I’m a big fan of Katherine Center so I was excited to read an advance copy of her newest novel The Love Haters. This was a solid 3 out of 5 star read for me. The romance part of the story was sweet but a little too simple. I would’ve enjoyed more lead up to the characters — readers are just kind of dropped into the story and we only get a snapshot with not much backstory or character development. There's a big plot line around the main character and body image insecurity stuff which was fine, but, at times felt like it was trying too hard. Overall, enjoyable enough story with a few laugh out loud moments. I learned some things about the U.S, coast guard and I loved aunt Rue. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Love Haters
by Katherine Center
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I dropped everything to read the newest book from Katherine Center and boy was it worth it!
Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.
I loved the characters and this book brought joy to my life!
Center is humorous and writes her stories with passion and depth. This story is a perfect example of that!

The Love Haters is an interesting change of pace story for this author. Yes, it’s a love story, but it’s more of a love story where you are learning to love yourself first. Her main characters have been through a lot but together they are magic. Beautifully matched between strength, resilience, and dedication, they work so well together.

Cute. Cute. Cute.

This is a swoon-worthy romance that makes you fall in love with the main characters and their love story.

In addition to the love story that develops between Hutch and Katie, I loved the love story that developed between Katie and herself.

I found myself lost in the story and couldn’t stop turning pages, and had to force myself to put it down to sleep. Katherine Center’s books do this to me every time.

This is an absolute gem and perfect book to kick off your summer TBR list.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a 5 star read! I was hooked from the very first scene. There were so many laugh out loud moments. I enjoyed the refreshing storyline and the charm of every single character. This book about self-healing, self-love, and acceptance was so much fun. Must read!

There's some "I've been spending all of my time with Hutch" but, why aren't we seeing and reading about those times spent together? And when they are "together" it doesn't really feel like it, we're reading more about her body insecurities, clothing and swimming lessons. I just never felt any type of connection. The beginning is a bit funny with the fourth wall breaking parts, but other than that I didn't feel much of anything. Maybe I had too high of expectations.

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters is a fun, charming read with plenty of humor and heart, but it didn’t fully hit the mark for me. The story follows Katie Vaughn, a video producer assigned to profile Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutchinson in the Florida Keys. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is solid, and the whole setup makes for an easy, engaging read.
Center’s writing is always a highlight—she knows how to craft witty dialogue and create characters you want to spend time with. The romance is sweet, and the setting adds a nice, escapist feel. That said, some parts felt a little predictable, and I wished for more depth in certain moments. A few emotional beats wrapped up too neatly, and I wanted more from the side characters, who had a lot of potential but didn’t get as much development.
Still, if you’re looking for a feel-good romance with humor, warmth, and a bit of adventure, The Love Haters is worth picking up. It's an enjoyable, breezy read—perfect for when you want something light but still well-written.

What a great book with an even better message. Stop body shaming yourself! Buy the bathing suit, buy the bright color dress, go shopping, go to the pool or the beach. Stop listening to others or negative thoughts. Enjoy life!

Katie the heart of the story. She’s a hard worker, the self conscious, quiet, sweet friend.
Beanie- the best friend everyone wants and needs
Rue- the special one. The carefree, happy, relaxed, go with the flow aunt.
Hutch- the Coast guard rescue swimmer that everyone wants to be rescued by. The tough guy but underneath it all he is a big softie, or is he.

Highly enjoyed this book.

The Love Haters is a sweet story that has an overwhelming theme of self healing and found family love. I could have read it in one sitting as it was easy to get lost inside the story. It was nice change to see two people, who are kind to each other from the start as opposed to the common enemies to lovers. Don't get me wrong, I love those stories too, but the all the characters in this story were good people all dealing with their own past traumas, in a light, humorous and sweet love story.

The Love Haters was fast paced and fun, but lacked some of the depth I’ve come to appreciate from Katherine Center. While I love a book that moves quickly, I felt like the speed of this story cost it the ability to dive deeper into the characters and come to true a resolution that the reader can buy into. That being said, it was still funny, and enticing, and the tension was perfectly delivered. I definitely recommend this to fans of simple, low-risk rom coms, but leave you with a trigger warning for eating disorder/body dysmorphia-esc topics.

This was enjoyable and cute, but ultimately a bit forgettable to me. A cotton candy book, sweet, and kinda just ... melts away.

Again, Katherine Center delivered. This was cute and kept me engaged throughout the entire book. I loved the tropical vibes and it made me want to be there and soaking up the sun.

Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to honestly review.

AAAAAAAHHHH this book was SO GREAT! I love Katherine Center but can absolutely say I would not give this a five-star review if it did not absolutely deserve it. One of my favorite things about Katherine Center that was really highlighted in The Love Haters is her way of avoiding overdone tropes. Every time I was assuming what would happen next, the plot would turn away from what I expected. Fans of romance and Happily Ever Afters need to read this book!

There's so much to love about this one. From the premise to the banter to the theme of self-love and acceptance, this is easily one of my favorite Katherine Center books.

I’ve read all but one of Katherine Center’s books and I have to say this is my absolute favorite! I appreciate that she writes closed door romm-comms. It’s rare to find a solid closed door heartfelt funny romance novel.

I feel like Center’s writing has really evolved. The Love Haters tackles multiple serious issues as her previous novels while still keeping true to her humor and lightheartedness and of course pulling at your heartstrings.

This particular story focused on self love which, seriously, we can all use more of. The FMC, Katie, is so critical of her body she struggles with naming a body part she loves or even finds beautiful. She is “scared” of wearing swimsuits and covers her body as much as she can. Her wardrobe consists of black clothing to draw the attention away from herself and hide. She meets a woman named Rue who is a free spirit, showers Katie with colorful clothing and shows her how to enjoy life. There is also a male love interest, Hutch, who appreciates Katie and helps her with her self discovery.

Katie is such a relatable character with the dark wardrobe and the constant struggle of loving and accepting herself which is difficult due to the criticism woman experience on their figures daily. Center seamlessly weaves the combination of self discovery and humor. I love that the story wasn’t focused on Katie changing her body but rather loving it.

4.5 stars!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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

I think I've come to the conclusion that Katherine Center is a hit or miss author for me. I loved The Bodyguard but everything I've read since has not been at the same level. The Love Haters in particular had me struggling to connect with the main character and her personal issues.

Unfortunately, I wanted to love this one more than I actually did. I think the author tried to do too much. We spent more time focusing on self-growth, which usually doesn't bother me, however it took a lot away from the actual romance. Because there wasn't enough page time to develop both, the romance took a hit. We spent a lot of time being told that things had happened instead of seeing them play out on the page. I never developed a strong connection with the MMC. I think this book would have worked better if it was a general fiction book. I wish we would have spent more time focusing on the FMC development through her ED, and then just a had a very minor subplot of romance.