There is so much to this rom com from Katherine Center. Yes, there is a love story that was well done and a read it in one day. Has all the things we love… the slow burn, banter, amazing first kiss, and the best side character (a Great Dane named George Bailey). There is also the FMC relationship with herself and her issues with her body image. This story is also about her journey of learning to love herself. Our MMC journey also includes healing relations between him and his younger brother.
It was enjoyable and worth the read!

4.5⭐️
Katherine Center is one of my favorite romance writers. I enjoyed Katie, albeit a little cringy at moments in regard to her lack of body confidence. I mean Hutch sounds like a dream and her ex is famous, she can’t be that bad looking. But I think this story did a great job encapsulating the battle of body dysmorphia, even for someone who is considered “conventionally” attractive. In the end I was proud of Katie and appreciated her self love journey. “It’s healing to read stories about healing.”
I loved Hutch and Katie, I couldn’t put their story down. Even with an outrageous end of surviving a hurricane adrift at sea on a houseboat and being rescued by Hutch himself.. I read fiction for a reason so I still devoured it.
Don’t skip the authors note!!

I don’t like romance novels. I find them boring, and repetitive, and predictable. Perhaps you’d call me a love hater ( see what I did there?). Despite the fact that I have given myself this title, Katherine Center has me coming back for more with every romance she releases. She has the capability of making her stories feel so real, like I am actually sitting on a chair next to the Starlite pool, sandwiched between Rue and Katie, chatting while the Gals conga line the night away. Her characters always seem to reflect such real qualities that I tend to see in myself, and she offers a brand new perspective on them. Whether you are like Beanie, a hopeful optimist( with one to many self-help books on your shelf), or like Katie, who doesn’t always love herself the way she deserves, or like Hutch who is “ Mr. Perfect”, The Love Haters tells the story of how glorious it can be to notice for ourselves what really matters, and decide what it means. KC, your writing is fun, thrilling, and unmatched. Maybe I’m not such a love hater after all…

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Unfortunately, The Love Haters was my least favorite Katherine Center book to date. While I typically love her signature blend of romance and heartfelt character development, this story left me feeling disconnected. The biggest issue was the overwhelming amount of telling rather than showing. Nearly halfway through the book, we had barely seen any real interactions between Katie and Hutch—just Katie recounting their time together rather than letting us experience their chemistry firsthand. This made their supposed connection feel abrupt and unearned, especially when we were suddenly told that Hutch had feelings for Katie without any meaningful buildup.

Additionally, the pacing felt rushed in all the wrong ways. Key moments, like Katie’s swimming lessons, were simply glossed over instead of shown, making it hard to feel invested in her journey. Hutch, as the male lead, also lacked depth beyond the generic “hero” archetype, making it difficult to connect with him. That said, I did appreciate Katie's journey toward body positivity and self-love, which added an important layer to her character. Still, without the emotional depth and relationship development I’ve come to expect from Center’s books, this one ultimately fell flat for me.

There is a reason I love Katherine center. From page one I am so hooked that I can’t put it down. I love every book from her and this one is no exception! I loved the characters, her writing and ending.

This may be Center's best book! I always love her books, but this one takes the cake. I laughed out loud dozens of times, but I highlighted so many things that resonated with me, there's a message in this book....not just for those looking for love with another, but those looking for ways to love themselves. This book will SPEAK to you! I fell in the love with the characters, got swept away in their story, but also learned a bit about myself along the way. So, so good!

One of my favorite Katherine Center books yet! It hits the same, funny (like the whole thing) and deep, so much personal growth, but the relationship between Katie and Hutch only takes second pace.
There are times I can finish a book and not remember a single thing about it (#nothoughtsjustvibes), but this book will be with me for a long, long time! For starters it was absolutely hilarious. I made 137 highlights and 44 notes in this book and the majority of them are me cackling at what was happening. Second, as is a the case with every Katherine Center book, it was filled with the perfect balance of struggles and triumphs, the just right amount of sadness and joy, and a life lesson that will resonate with everyone. Katie learns so much about herself, and I think the authors note summed it up perfectly, "...love stories are the best kind of therapy. They aren't shallow. They're deep. Start looking, and you'll see it too. Love stories make us better at love. In all directions and getting better at love, of course, means getting better at life." She is masterful at writing books, with characters who are flawed and face challenges and handle them in the most relatable way. She writes novels that make you forget you’re reading because they’ve drawn you in so much. Thank you Katherine, for having your main character fall in love with herself!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This wasn’t my favorite Katherine Center book. It was a quick, entertaining read, but the story felt a little all over the place—like a bunch of random ideas were thrown together and made into a plot.

I also felt like the main characters’ relationship wasn’t developed enough for their instant attraction to feel believable. It caught me off guard and felt rushed.

Overall, it was fun, but not one I’d call a favorite.

Katherine Center's 'The Love Haters' is a delightful escape. Katie is a captivating blend of humor and vulnerability. Her self-deprecating inner monologue is hilariously relatable, and I found myself laughing out loud – something that doesn't happen often! George Bailey, Hutch's giant Great Dane, deserves a special mention for providing countless comedic moments.

The book itself feels as vibrant and refreshing as the cover suggests. It's the perfect beach read, a warm hug in literary form. While there were a few frustrating plot points (particularly anything involving Cole), the overall experience was incredibly enjoyable.

'The Love Haters' is more than just a romantic comedy. It's a story about self-discovery and the power of love in all its forms – romantic, familial, and most importantly, self-love. And if you're a fan of love stories (like me!), don't miss the author's note. It's a heartfelt tribute to the power of these narratives and will likely move you to tears.

There is no way anyone could hate this book. Katherine Center is like sunshine walking into a room. I always think that her books can not possibly get better, but they do! This is a charming thoroughly entertaining book. The Love Haters takes you on a vacation to Key West. Center's secondary characters are engaging, lovely and all things charming. They really bring the story together. If you ever get the opportunity to do an author visit with her, you will not be disappointed. I have had the opportunity to see her twice and she just gets more adorable.

I liked the personal growth aspects of the FMC and the negative self-talk she slowly overcame, but the romance was a bit lackluster and controlled entirely by miscommunication. I had hope beyond hope that Katherine was not the kind of author who would write that Katie would agree to be fake-engaged to Hutch’s brother…but she did. That felt like an annoying ploy to lengthen the book. And also…let’s be honest….the coast guard wouldn’t have taken a dog up to the helicopter before a human. I get we are supposed to be obsessed with dogs in all things and all times and all places, but that was too much. Kinda hated Hutch after that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
(And thanks, Katherine, for writing it!)

I loved this one so much that I want to pack up my life and move to a darling renovated cottage in Key West (and I don't really enjoy Key West!) This book was like a vacation between the pages and it was wonderful. Despite the hurricane. And the public dumping. And so much bathing suit angst. But really, those things are what give the book so much heart. You will love Katie, the main character, and the people she meets along the way to finding herself and finding love. There was so much to like about all of the characters and I loved spending time with them.

Definitely read! Will be perfect for vacation, or a cozy weekend. Enjoy! (And read THE ROM-COMMERS if you have not already.)

3.5 ⭐️(rounded up)

I have loved Katherine Center’s past books sooo much but this one, while still good, didn’t hit that obsessive mark for me. Did I sit down and finish it in one sitting? Yes. Did I wish it had been longer. Also yes. I felt like the love story was too rushed. I didn’t feel connected to Hutch or really “feel” their love. I needed more ✨tension✨.

I did appreciate Katie’s journey with her body image issues. Especially her declaration to her body at the end, “I bullied you. I picked on you like the meanest girl in the world. I made you hate yourself. I sucked the joy out of everything…I should have stood up for you. I should have admired you, and enjoyed you, and kept you company, and celebrated you.”♥️💔

Did I stay up until 1 a.m. finishing this? Yes. Did I have a good time? Also yes. Was it Katherine Center’s best? Sadly, no.

The strengths of this book lie in its pacing, lovable characters, and the journey of self-love. The pacing was great—though it started a little slow, it quickly picked up. It was easy to read, and I never really wanted to put it down. Hutch is a standout character reserved yet incredibly kind and thoughtful. Katie’s journey of self-love, following the heartbreak of being jilted by her fiancé, was compelling, though her struggles with body image were heart-wrenching at times. Watching her try to rediscover how to love herself added depth to the story.

Unfortunately, the romance didn’t fully work for me. While I loved the dynamic between Katie and Hutch and there was definitely some chemistry, I found myself wanting more. The climactic scene had so much potential it started strong and had me hooked but the resolution felt anticlimactic and left me unsatisfied.

I also feel this book would have greatly benefited from a dual POV. As a reader, I really wanted to get inside Hutch’s head. Without that, it felt like something was missing, and the story ultimately fell flat in the end.

I adore Katherine Center and will continue to read everything she writes. I just hope her next book recaptures the magic we saw in The Bodyguard.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

This book was delightful. I loved Katie’s journey and the multiple love stories woven throughout the book. I couldn’t put this one down! And I am obsessed with George Bailey 🐶

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to St Martin’s press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital reader’s copy of The Love Haters. I was so excited to receive an early copy of one of my most anticipated reads for 2025!

I have to start this review stating that I read this book in one sitting, up until 2 AM because I couldn't put it down!

What a beautiful and well written story!

Katherine has the ability to weave a story that is rich in love and empathy while diving into some very real fears for people, especially woman.

Our main FMC and MMC have great chemistry! I loved the build of their relationship, the twists and turns, the trust they built in each other. As well as, the communication in that they spent all their time together because of the project. It helps relay that they have grown to really know each over the time, instead of being superficial.

These, mostly wonderful, side characters (one is a real piece of work!) adds a wonderful found family feeling that pumps up the theme of love in all its different forms. Not just romantic love, but friendship and family love.

And the part that I found the most relatable. Self-love. What a wonderful story reflecting on how we see our selves, especially as a woman, to really appreciate what our bodies do for us. I just really found this story so humbling.

What kept me hooked? This couple. They build so beautifully together and so real. While the ending is movie worthy, I just love myself a hero. And Hutch is a hero 🖤

Plus who doesn't love a Great Dane sidekick 🫶🏼

I put this in the "library" book, but not "purchase" book category. I have enjoyed Katerine Center's books in the past, but this one fell flat to me.
The premise fell in an awkward place between 'realistic' and 'suspend disbelief'.
I enjoyed the Key West location and the coast guard was an angle not typically seen in novels.

I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley.

3.5 stars but rounding up to 4 because I really related to the main character, Katie.

In The Love Haters, Katie travels to the Florida Keys to film a promotional video for the US Coast Guard featuring one of their rescue swimmers, Hutch. Hutch happens to be the brother of Katie’s colleague Cole who sent her on this assignment (when he didn’t want to take it himself due to a longstanding resentment of his brother).

The setup of the book has all of the right qualities - plenty of humor and opportunities for adventure. Also a predictable but enjoyable foreshadowing of the romance between Katie and Hutch who are oddly referred to as “Love Haters”. I wasn’t a huge fan of the title as it feels like a misnomer and didn’t help to describe the book or set the right tone in my opinion.

Regardless, Katie and Hutch spend a great deal of time together as Katie films the promo. The romance aspect gave me all the right warm fuzzy feelings but it did feel underdeveloped at times and the miscommunications were more frustrating than entertaining or helpful for the plot.

I loved the side characters Rue (Hutch and Cole’s lovable and vibrant aunt), Beanie (Katie’s cousin who encouraged her to embrace self-love along the way), and of course Hutch’s Great Dane George Bailey. Cole’s presence in the story was important but I found him obnoxious throughout.

Overall a fun Katherine Center read and worth adding to your TBR list this spring!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Another fantastic story by Katherine Center! It's such a gift to read a book with kind and compassionate characters, and filled with reminders for empathy, self-reflection, and joy. This one shines a light on self-kindness and the importance of friendship. It's written with language that creates fantastic visuals and made me cheer for the protagonists throughout. George Bailey (the dog) is icing on the cake. Thanks to Katherine Center, NetGalley, and the publisher for the early copy and the opportunity to share my thoughts.

This was such a lovely story, not only with the romance, but also with personal growth from Katie (our fmc). It definitely hit and felt close to home. Katherine Center did a beautiful job at writing how body image issues can affect us, and how comments sometimes do get to us, but in the end, self love is so important. The characters were great, absolutely loved Rue and her quirks, and although I do it think the ending was just a tad bit rushed, it was still a happy one. It was a fun read and it’s going to be perfect for the summer.