No surprise, Katherine Center's new book swept me away.

Katie Vaughn's life is at a crossroads - stuck in a job that's on the verge of disappearing. She takes an opportunity to profile Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The problem? She can't swim - but, she is determined to fake it until she makes it. Adding to the tension, Hutch just so happens to be the estranged brother of her coworker, Cole.

What follows is a whirlwind of swim lessons, helicopter rides, conga lines, and even a hurricane - all while Katie finds herself drawn to Hutch. But, this isn't just a love story between Katie and Hutch - it's a love story between Katie and herself. Watching her confront her fears, learn to trust herself, and finally take control over her life was just as rewarding as the romance.

The chemistry between Katie and Hutch was undeniable, and the supporting cast - especially Aunt Rue and Hutch's rescue Great Dane - made the story that much better.

It was the perfect mix of heart, humor, and heat. Please add this one to your TBR!!

ok so a lot of this book did feel like the whole plot was her body image insecurity and i found that really annoying. Aside from that, the writing and pacing was fine.

Nothing about this book is unenjoyable, and there were moments when I considered giving it a higher rating, but ultimately, my expectations were too high, and the storyline, along with the love story, just didn’t work for me. :/

This one was so cute. I loved Katie and Hutch, and they very clear theme of loving yourself. The only pain point of this story was Cole. How annoying does a character have to be to DNF? Cole almost got me there, but I was invested in Katie and Hutch's HEA that I kept on trucking. Overall, a really cute book with a great overall theme and message. I know this isn't YA, but I think all high schoolers should read this one.

This was a good summer read! Not my favourite Katherine Center book, but it had the feel-good vibes I love from her.

Katie was a bit too annoying and immature to completely enjoy her as a main character, but I loved seeing her work through her self-love issues and her hate of colours, even if her inner monologue and conversations with Beanie sometimes gave me second-hand embarrassment. The conflit was utterly ridiculous, and the insta-love came out of nowhere, but it was still an enjoyable and easy read. Definitely a story to read by the pool!

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a contemporary romance with both a deeply relatable and modern personal arc. When videographer Katie is offered the chance to do a video on the viral and hot Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutchenson, she has to accept. With her job on the line, a video with the internet sensation may be just what she needs. There's only one problem. To do follow Hutch on his work day, Katie must pass an underwater simulation. Oh, and she doesn't know how to swim. Add that to her phobia of wearing swimsuits and Katie is in for a ride. As she films Hutch and gets to know him, she finds there is more to him that what she's been told while he brings out the long lost joy in her.

This book was really cute. I'm sure it's super unrealistic in certain ways, but I didn't really care. It was a quick read with a lovable love interest. Hutch is a good guy. He isn't toxic in any way. He's just always trying to do the right thing. He cares about people. So it's understandable how Katie falls for him. I also loved Katie's arc. She has struggled with her body since a very public breakup, which results in her feeling deeply uncomfortable in bathing suits and any clothing that might draw attention to her. Any girl (any person) can relate to feeling uncomfortable in your body. She grows by being forced to grow by her cousin. and new friends, and she forces herself to do what makes her uncomfortable (learn how to swim). By the end of the book, Katie does things and wears things she never would've before.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors, so I was very excited to read this one! Unfortunately, it ended up falling short for me. I couldn’t connect with these characters and the romance felt like such a side plot. I did find some of it entertaining, but I just didn’t end up loving it as much as I wanted to. It was not horrible, but definitely not my favorite from Katherine.

After being burned in the past by love, Katie and Hutch have valid reasons to be love haters, but they can’t deny their chemistry.

When Katie accepts a job opportunity to save her job, she never expects to get entangled with the hot Coast Guard rescue swimmer that she is supposed to be profiling. She especially does not expect things to be even more complicated by Hutch’s brother and natural disasters.

Katherine Center is one of the greatest writers in modern-day ROM COMS. She creates fun storylines with honest and raw characters that leave the reader satisfied. One of my favorite aspects of The Love Haters was Katie’s development throughout the story, as she gains confidence in herself and begins to enjoy life again.

I highly recommend this to fans of Great Danes, slow burn romance, and character growth!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC for review consideration!

This book gave me all the feels! Everyone needs a best friend like Beanie to lift you up and make sure you are not letting the world dictate who you are or how you feel about yourself. The romance was on point! I loved all the interaction with Hutch and Katie and couldn't wait for another scene. And can we talk about the splinter scene! I was laughing out loud at that one. I loved that the romance was there but I didn't have to read though steamy scenes that are not necessary. I will definitely be reading more from this author for sure.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love Katherine Center, and The Love Haters did not disappoint! One of the things I love the most are the characters. I could so relate to Katie, and to see her grow was amazing. I need a Rue in my life, and don’t we all need a Hutch? This book had me laughing out loud, crying, pacing in frustration, and feeling all the feels. Katherine Center knows how to wrap so many beautiful elements into her stories, and is a master. It is definitely a story I want to reread and I highly recommend it!

Thank you Netgalley & author/publisher for allowing me to read a ARC of this book!


Katherine Center does it again! She makes a book that moves the reader and honestly makes you start questioning your life and/or yourself.

GIVE me George Bailey because he is the cutest and adorable good boy there has to be. I don't care he is bigger than I am; I will love that dog forever.

I do want to mention that there is talks about eating disorder(s) and body image issues from the main female character. For some people, this can get annoying since it is talked about in the book. For me, I think it was interesting to see inside the thought process of someone healing from body negativity trauma.

Highly recommended this book.

I devoured every message in this book. It's truly a feel good romcom with great depth. At times Katie annoyed me and I wanted to scream at her, but her relationship with herself is so relatable so it put that into perspective for me. I think I read this at a perfect time in my life and it's exactly what I needed so thank you Katherine! I loved how each character elevated this story in their own way. Though this is a lighthearted, funny, romantic comedy that may or may not be a little farfetched, the message in the story is so important. I recommend every woman to read this!

I will also add that the Authors Note is perfection. LOVED it..

"Stories have a unique kind of magic. They aren't real life - but they're kind of the next best thing

Ok I want to start by saying Katherine Center is one of my favorite writers. She creates characters that are wonderful, layered and full of life. Her stories are full of depth and emotional growth. I’ve given so many 5 stars and they’re always on my recommended list. That’s why I’m heartbroken that I honestly did not love this one.

I think it just hit too many triggers for me. I don’t know but it makes me so sad that this book really missed the mark for me. I’m going to go re-read Rom-commers, the Bodyguard or Happiness for Beginners and hide under a blanket for a while.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy. Pub date 5/20/25.

Thank you SMP for the review copy!

The Love Haters is a perfect summer read and has Center's signature slow burn chemistry filled story, charmingly flawed main characters to cheer on as individuals and as a couple, and in this book also a delightful and insightful ode stories and storytelling, the power of telling stories and hearing/sharing them. There is a lot to enjoy in this read and I know it will be a win for fans of the author but I also hope this one reaches new audiences as perfect poolside, beach bag summer book. A win!

Not as engaging as I hoped.
It felt like a drag.
Could not connect with characters.
Katherine’s novels are usually more engaging. Was annoyed with the brothers. Could not believe brother would not believe the other brother.

This book is pure perfection. Katie grows infinitely throughout the story conquering her body image issues as well as her social fears. The side characters are relatable and Rue is the ultimate lovable “aunt”. Angsty, slow burn, grumpy sunshine, this one has it all and is set in beautiful Key West.

Overall, 3.5 stars....rounded up to 4...

After giving “How to Walk Away” and “Happiness for Beginners” 5 stars, Katherine Center is an author that I follow. I eagerly anticipate each new book she writes. My 13 y.o. daughter also loves Ms. Center’s books. I was thrilled to get an ARC of her newest book Love Haters and immediately read it out loud with my daughter.

Best described as a romantic-comedy (no spice), I was immediately drawn into the story and enjoyed the female main character, Katie. Ms. Center explores body image issues, how social media/celebrity culture can impact this, facing fear, and how our past can show up in our present—impacting our view of ourself and how we function in relationship. I loved hearing about the Florida Keys and what being a rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard is all about.

I enjoyed both the male (Hutch) and female main characters and appreciated Aunt Rue and her older female friends. I strongly disliked Katie’s coworker, Cole, who is also Hutch’s brother, and felt like the conflict/ drama when he showed up in the Keys did not match what we had learned about him early on in the story. I also felt that how Katie’s character had been written so far in the story and how she chose to handle Cole’s immaturity did not align. She didn’t seem like someone who would go along with deceit and being used by a man for his own agenda, especially if she knew it would hurt someone she cared a lot for, regardless of the excuses or justification given by Cole.

What I did not like: The reunion between Katie and Hutch towards the end of the book was a bit far-fetched. I also would have liked to hear more about their relationship. How the Cole-conflict arch is handled and resolved in the book felt unrealistic.

Not my favorite Katherine Center book but still really enjoyed it!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC

This story a fun and lighthearted romance with plenty of charm. Hutch and Katie’s relationship is filled with witty banter, playful tension, and some seriously swoon-worthy moments. Their dynamic keeps things interesting, and I loved seeing their connection grow throughout the story. Hutch, in particular, is such a great character—thoughtful, charming, and impossible not to love.

The book has that signature warmth and humor that makes Center’s stories so enjoyable. It’s an easy, feel-good read that delivers plenty of heart and romance. I found myself smiling at so many moments between Hutch and Katie.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet, engaging love story with a couple you’ll root for, The Love Haters is worth picking up!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this arc read!

There's nothing like a Katherine Center book to make me shed a tear at the beauty of being alive.....and of course become totally invested in an adorable romance. I loved the way Center used an iconic Gottman principle that the FMC turned inwards to develop a culture of love towards herself and her body. Addressing body image in fiction can be difficult. I appreciated that Center never used actual weight numbers in the story. I feel like when that happens it just derails the journey and reinforces what society already thinks about women's bodies. Hutch was so lovable but Ruth might have stolen the show for me. She made me miss my grandma and think of the bright house dresses she used to wear. This book was lovely -- Unbelievable enough to make me smile and believable enough to make me tear up.

Katherine Center is the queen of helping women learn how to feel good about themselves. I love bright colors and I’ve always wanted to go to the Florida Keys so I fully immersed myself in this book. The progression between Hutch & Katie felt very natural. All that being said, George Bailey was my favorite character.

Katherine’s books always bring me joy and a good laugh and I usually read them within a day or two however… this one took me over a week to read. I get putting it down feeling uninterested and not being to connect to the main characters. I really want to love it but it did not feel like a Katherine Center book to me.
The overall plot was interesting, but the connection between the two main characters feels forced. They don’t really get much “screen time” . There was probably maybe like two scenes in the whole book where they actually have a conversation on page that’s meaningful. The rest is just mentioned in passing so it doesn’t feel like we actually get to experience the connection except for a couple scenes.
I felt more like I was reading a fiction book with a love subplot than an actual romance book.

I did really enjoy the last 10% of the book where she is on the boat with the dog while waiting to be rescued but again I was holding onto a little more of a dramatic rescue.

This goes to say that I am not against reading anymore of her books. I generally really enjoy her writing. This just wasn’t it for me.