This was so different from Katherine Center’s normal books, but still so good! Since I myself am a Katie with hazel eyes (really hazel haha) and sectoral heterochromia who loves to wear dark colors, this one hit home! I loved Katie (FMC); she’s so very chaotic and relatable. I struggled to connect with Hutch (MMC) a lot because of how little he talks in the story. We heard a lot ABOUT him, and we get his crucial backstory from him, but it was a lot of internal content from Katie so I felt like we missed on a lot of the connection between the two.

Still, I think the secondary storyline about Katie learning to love herself was so important, especially in today’s world, and I do see why that meant that sometimes Hutch took a backseat.

I totally enjoyed it though and would definitely recommend it!

I loved the premise of this one and the setting was very vivid. I was immediately pulled in and super super excited to read this one; however, I felt like a lot of the romantic relationship was off page. I didn’t feel like I actually got to know the main couple as a couple. It felt very rushed and not a lot of buildup or tension. I did absolutely love the side characters especially the dog overall it was a nice quick and fun beach read but this is not my favorite Katherine Center novel. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Chefs kiss.

I have loved Katherine Center books for quite some time now comma so when I saw her next book was featuring the US Coast Guard rescue swimmer I was immediately biased by my husband’s own affiliation and was too excited to read this book.

Per usual, I was immediately drawn into the book by the deep character building she’s able to do through her narrators. Katie was so likable and relatable, we all have body issues. We all have insecurities, and if my ex became a famous singer from TikTok and the world scrutinized me, hell I’d be insecure too. I laughed out loud several times and found Hutch so very endearing and George Bailey one of the best dogs described in writing. She captured the goofiness of a great Dane and I felt like I really got to know these characters. There’s a strong chance Hutch entered my top 5 book boyfriends.

The ending was one of the most drawn out scenes that I’ve ever read by her, and I felt myself immediately rushing to get through it because it was not only written so well, but I was in such suspense for it to be over that I had to go back and reread the ending the next day

I can’t wait for this book to come out and for my other friends to read it, I will be buying a hardcopy book myself, and loaning it out to everyone I know, including every Coast Guard spouse who loves to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. The book is set to publish on May 20, 2025.

so good!!! Katherine Center is the QUEEN of romcoms and i will die on that hill. this book was cute, funny, quirky, and so much fun to read. Katherine knows just how to capture my attention and i could not put this book down.

This will be the perfect summer read, I will def be reading again by the pool! Thank you netgalley!

Katherine Center hits it out of the park again with this one! I’ll admit to not loving it as much as The Rom Commers but I did love it.

Katie is our heroine. She’s desperately trying to hang onto her job during downsizing. She’s tasked with filming a Coast Guard recruitment video but tells a little lie: she can’t swim.

Hutch, famous for saving a pup that fell down a cliff, wants nothing to do with this project, or Katie. He agrees to the project but isn’t happy about it. Did I mention he’s ridiculously hot?

And then there’s Rue, Hutch’s aunt and possibly the best character in the book.

Katie’s insecurities were so real. I can’t imagine there are many women who won’t relate in some way.

I’ll admit that the ending is a little unrealistic, but in the way that you don’t mind because it’s so sweet.

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this books as an arc
I went into this with no expectations and ended up loving and devouring it in one sitting
This had the romance but still some deep topics and a plotline
I really enjoyed this authors writting and can't wait to pick up some of the other novels she has put out already

Katherine Center is quickly becoming a must read author for me. Her characters are well thought out and their stories just so easy to get invested in. The only reason this isn’t a five star read for me is Coles whole storyline. I feel like the brother rivalry and fake dating lie took away from Hutch and Katie’s relationship in a way that killed any momentum they had and it didn’t have enough time at the end of the book to make up for it.

I really liked this book. A solid 4 star read. The characters were fun, relatable and funny. There were some points where the FMC talked a bit too much about something and it got slow at times but all in all I liked it.

Unfortunately this was a miss for me. The story really felt all over the place and when it finally hooked me around 50%, it wasn't long before it took a big left turn and threw me completely for a loop. The nature of a romance novel is typically in some ways unrealistic but this really pushed that boundary by a tone. I don't want to spoil hence the cryptic nature of this review, but all in all this doesn't live up the other two Katherine Center books I've read - The Rom-Commers and The Bodyguard. Bummer! 1.5 rounded up.

Katherine Center never misses for me, and I truly enjoyed this book with the exception of a couple things. Katie is a video producer who agrees to a job profiling Hutch, a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer, in Florida. In order to do the profile she needs to be able to swim, which could be a problem, and manage her feelings for Hutch. It is no surprise that Hutch is dreamy and heroic and all the things one can imagine in a heroic leading man. While this story does focus on Katie and Hutch and their relationship as friends, it is also a story about facing one's fears. As with all of Katherine Center's books, there is an abundance of humor, romance, friendship, bravery, and laughs. Rue, Hutch's "aunt" was a delightful and quirky character. The parts that I struggled with the most were the body image issues that Katie faces. There were so many negative comments she had about herself that it felt too much, and I struggled with those parts of the book. The setting was beautifully described and made me want to hop on a plane to Key West right away.
Overall, it was a fun and quick read and one I would read again. Katherine Center is still a must buy for me with her new releases.

I usually adore Katherine Center’s books, but The Love Haters didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While the setup was promising—a fun premise, a vibrant setting, and Center’s signature humor—the romance and emotional depth felt underdeveloped, leaving me a bit underwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong, this was still a fun rom-com, but it didn’t quite meet expectations.

The biggest issue was the love story itself. Katie and Hutch’s relationship never felt fully realized, and their chemistry seemed more like something we were told existed rather than something that naturally unfolded on the page. Their interactions lacked the kind of tension and buildup that make a romance truly compelling, making it hard to feel invested in their connection.

Beyond that, the book tried to tackle weightier themes like body image and grief, but these elements often felt like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the story. While I appreciate Center’s willingness to weave deeper issues into her rom-coms, the execution here felt uneven—almost as if the book couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be lighthearted or emotionally resonant. As a result, the humor sometimes felt forced, and the more serious moments didn’t land as powerfully as they could have.

There were still bright spots—Hutch’s eccentric Aunt Rue added some much-needed charm, and the Key West setting was beautifully described—but overall, the story felt a little flat. Katie’s personal growth had its moments, but without a stronger emotional foundation, it didn’t have the impact I was hoping for.

In the end, The Love Haters is a solid, easy read with flashes of Katherine Center’s usual magic, but it lacked the depth and romantic spark that make her best books so memorable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the complementary advanced digital copy - please note all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Job cuts are coming to video producer Katie Vaughn’s company, so in a desperate attempt to keep her job, she agrees to a job assignment with the Coast Guard. The only problems are that she doesn’t know how to swim and the rescue swimmer she’s assigned to profile is her boss’ brother. Spoiler alerts: someone learns to swim and someone falls in love.

This was not my favorite Katherine Center book. The negative body image issues were a drag and handled half-heartedly. Bad boy behavior was too easily dismissed, and tropes were plentiful. I suggest readers new to Center start with an older title.

She's done it again! Love how Katherine center promotes common issues many young women are encountering

What a delightful breath of fresh air! I couldn’t put this down- it somehow managed to be both relatable and outlandish in a perfect rom-com way.

Though the writing style initially took some getting used to, I laughed out loud more times than I could count.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for a relatable, enjoyable, well-written and easy-to-read rom-com!

KATHERINE CENTER YOU MAKE ME FALL IN LOVE (with my husband) OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Okay I’m done shouting. Every book KC writes always has a both a love story and love of a different kind. It always makes me reflect on my own love story. This book was about falling in love while also learning to love yourself. Katie didn’t wait to love herself before she fell in love it happened together and THAT is real life. It’s not always waiting until you’re perfect to find love, it’s meeting in the mess and growing together.

This book had sun, storms, boats, dogs, family drama, health scares and a look inside the coast guard (which was cool as someone who grew up in a coast guard area). Pre-order this ASAP, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for this ARC.

the love haters (arc)

slowly chipping away at my unread arcs one book at a time.

katherine center is an author i always have mixed feelings about. every time i finish one of her books, i’m left unsure of how to sum up my experience. there are always parts i really enjoy—moments that hit just right—but then there are others that just… don’t. and this one wasn’t much different.

the setting and premise were a definite highlight. the florida keys backdrop made for a dreamy summer escape, and conceptually, i liked where the story was going. but a few things kept me from fully loving it.

first, the fmc. she was, for lack of a better word, kind of annoying. she brings up her body insecurities throughout the book, which didn’t personally bother me, but i can see why it grated on some readers. my bigger issue was that she just didn’t seem very… sharp? she made some choices that felt so absurd they completely took me out of the story.

also, a few of the plotlines at the end felt downright ridiculous. like… wdym the fmc gets stranded on a houseboat during a hurricane, and out of all the coast guard rescue teams, the mmc just happens to be the one to save her? the dramatics are OFF THE CHART.

then there’s the romance—or lack thereof. i know katherine center’s books lean more toward women’s fiction with a romantic subplot, but this one felt particularly underwhelming. the romance felt a bit all over the place and the fmc’s personal arc didn’t have enough weight to make up for it.

overall, i’m glad i read it (my netgalley ratio thanks me), and i had a decent enough time. i wasn’t dragging myself through it, but i wasn’t rushing to pick it back up either.

3 stars

This book was not my favorite from Katherine Center, unfortunately. I love the way she writes and as someone who is picky about romance, her books usually are still enjoyable for me, but this one was an outlier in that sense. I just wasn't terribly invested in the story, and I didn't like how the issues within it were handled. I think that the idea was great, but the execution fell flat for me personally. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this arc!

Katherine Center does it again!! This is one to put in your beach bag and enjoy by this summer!

HUGE shout out to Katherine &. St. Martins Press for the absolute honor of the eARC! It was delightful to read!

What to Expect:
⭐ A Great Beach Read!
⭐ Workplace Romance
⭐ Forced Proximity
⭐ Key West Location
⭐ Fake Dating
⭐ 3rd Act Breakup
⭐ Lost at Sea
⭐ Body Positivity

TW: Discussions of body image struggles, body image insecurity, death of a parent, hurricanes & severe weather.

My Thoughts:
This is 100% classic Katherine Center! I struggle with my rating on this one though. Not necessarily because I didn't like it I really loved the story, but more of the over all plot. There were just some things I didn't love about it. The secondary characters weren't my absolute favorite. Cole gave me the ick from the start but the explosive way he comes in the second act just really made me dislike him more. His over the top and at times absolutely GROSS behavior really turned me off for that section of the book. I'm one of six kids so I 100% relate and understand the competitiveness between siblings. This just felt like dang.... therapy please. I absolute LOVED Rue and she was an absolute LIGHT for this book. I know there are mixed reviews on her friend Beanie, but I honestly loved her. She was tough on Katie in the most supportive way. The kind of friend you need in the mess of life! Thats true friendship.

This story and the underlying of it is hard hitting. The loss that occurs, the way that the family is melded, left me crying. Absolutely HEARTBREAKING. The story though of Hutch + Katie and the connection they have, the trust they build ooooo the tension! LOVED! It's the one thing I love about Katherines writing. The deep cutting tension without it being the main focus. I love a good story with plot, strong secondary characters and great locations. The journey you take with Katherine is always the same. Also the love of Key West for sure pours out of these pages.

And Katherine to answer your authors note... I did stay up ALL night reading this! lol

Synopsis:
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.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.

Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that it was set in the Keys, such a great background! I loved Rue so much too. She was a strong female character! The only thing I had a problem with was Katie's body image issues. Why does every woman have to have a problem with herself? Yes, we learned some great lessons from cousin/sister Beanie, but was it necessary? I don't know that Katie's body image issues added anything at all to the plot. Please give us strong females. It's 2025, time to write like it is.