Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for the eARC of “The Love Haters” by Katherine Center. I haven’t read a Katherine Center book I didn’t love and this one didn’t disappoint. A fun Rom Com centered around two people that have struggled in relationships in their pasts, thus the title origin of love haters. They become acquainted through a professional contact that blossoms after a time into friendship. Their community of friends and family added to the storyline so much and to their relationship as well. If you want a feel good, quick read by an amazing Rom Com author, I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC of The Love Haters.

This one is tough. I loved the Rom-Commers so much and was really looking forward to this new release, but something missed the mark, and I'm not sure what. I wished the tense was present instead of past. Because of that, it took me a bit to get into. I liked the MCs but I didn't see enough chemistry. It wasn't a terrible book by any means and I know many people will enjoy it, I was just hoping for more

Katherine Center is my go to author when I want a light, feel good rom-com to brighten my day, and the Love Haters is a new favorite.

Katie is a corporate video producer that must prove herself with her next assignment to keep her job. The next assignment? Embedding with the Coast Guard's viral hero Hutch to film a Coast Guard recruitment video. Hutch just happens to be her boss's estranged brother. To make things even more complicated, Katie can't swim, an important skill when embedding with the Coast Guard. What ensues is an adventure that brings color back into Katie's life after years of trying to fade into the background.

Once again, Katherine Center has written a rom-com with depth. This a story that reminds readers that falling back in love with ourselves can be just as wonderful as falling in love with someone else. The author's note is the cherry on top, reminding us that reading is the best escape.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC of "The Love Haters" by Katherine Center. This book was perfect for what I needed and for what it was- an adorable (spice free) romance between two people who have been hurt in the past and are now "haters" of love. Katie, who has also not treated herself as loveable in the past, learns to not only tolerate the things she dislikes about her own body but how to love and appreciate herself in a whole new light. This was a very fun and quick read which also included "George Bailey" a perfectly lovable pooch as well for any dog lovers out there.

In this story, a video producer travels to Key West to document the heroism of a rescue swimmer. Another delightfully sweet book by Katherine Center! Every year I think “oh THIS is my favorite book by her.” So here I am again saying this is my favorite Katherine Center book. I found myself laughing out loud several times, and though the plot is sometimes predictable and I usually oppose miscommunication tropes, I still found great joy reading this. I enjoyed being immersed in the lives of the characters - and that lovable dog! Best dog name ever. I love why Katherine Center writes books, and recommend this to those looking for a heartwarming read.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a miss for me. And I loved Rom-comers.

The plot was too unbelievable, even for a romance book. I found myself rolling my eyes at the next plot reveal. And I wasn't invested in the main character at all.

Katherin Center does it again. I usually devour her books through audio, but I jumped at the chance to read this early release. It was laugh-out-loud funny. I loved reading about the life of a rescue diver. This is now one of my favorites by her.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Reader's Copy.

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters tries to juggle five or six different plotlines, but instead of creating a rich, layered story, it ends up feeling disjointed and scattered. For such a short book, there’s simply too much going on, and not a single one of the subplots is compelling enough to carry the narrative. The romance—arguably the heart of the novel—takes a backseat to everything else, making it feel like an afterthought rather than the driving force of the story. While Center’s signature charm and warmth are still present, and there are moments of humor that make it enjoyable, the lack of focus keeps The Love Haters from being truly compelling.

Katherine Center delivers another captivating read with *The Love Haters,* blending humor, adventure, and swoon-worthy romance in the sun-soaked setting of Key West. Katie Vaughn is a charmingly flawed and relatable heroine, and her journey—from faking her way into a dream opportunity to discovering real courage—is both entertaining and inspiring. The dynamic between the brooding yet irresistible Hutch and his estranged brother adds tension and depth, while the quirky supporting cast (including an unforgettable Great Dane) keeps things lively. With witty banter, emotional heart, and just the right amount of slow-burn chemistry, *The Love Haters* is a feel-good escape you won’t want to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This wasn’t my favorite Katherine Center book but it was still very solid! The characters were a mixed bag, I loved some and hated others. I loved the backdrop for the book though and loved that she stayed in the Keys.

the love haters | katherine center

3.5⭐️

“I suddenly understood in a whole new, sun-breaking-through-the-clouds way that even if we do eternally need and long and want to be seen… maybe the most important eyes doing the looking are our own.”

_____

I have such conflicting feelings about this one! I found certain parts of the storyline to be completely ridiculous (in an eye rolling way, not a fun way). But when I wasn’t rolling my eyes, I was a non-stop giant giggle. It was hilarious! Like, out loud cackling at my kitchen counter.

If you’re looking for Katherine’s signature charm and humor, you’ll find it. Our main gal’s subconscious was a rolling commentary of silly, which I always love in her books. It was fast and easy to read, and I loved the chemistry in our main characters!

The supporting characters were okay- they had a voice and were likable but didn’t have me super invested…. with TWO exceptions!
1. George Bailey - a rescue Great Dane with more personality that the humans in this book, I love him forever
2. Cole - the most ridiculous grown man to ever live, I dislike him fervently

Unfortunately there were things about this book that really got my goat.
- Grown men acting like children. A brotherly disagreement is one thing, but these two were 14 year olds in adult bodies. I couldn’t.
- Lack of development in the heavier themes. As with most of Katherine’s books, this had an underlying theme of a deeper topic - self love and body positivity. Unfortunately, this one didn’t feel organic to me. There was a LOT of talk about insecurity, and the “ah-ha” moment seemed to come out of no where. Bam - issues overcome.
- The chemistry between the MC’s was GOOD….. but sadly, we missed a bunch of it. They spend a lot of time getting to know each other off page. I would’ve loved to have more of their day to day conversation and less of the inner turmoil running circles in their minds.


THINGS TO LOVE:
+ working together
+ videographer + a rescue swimmer
+ easy chemistry
+ forced proximity
+ key west
+ an aggressively loving fur baby
+ hurt/comfort
+ self love
+ a quirky aunt
+ body positivity

_____

{a gigantic thank you to Katherine, St Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy!! Out 5/20/25}

I love reading Katherine Center books and this was no exception! Loved seeing the relationship between the main characters develop and really loved the setting. I will say that the ending felt a little farfetched but it didn't detract from my overall opinion of the book.

Wow this slow burn was everything I needed! The character development with the FMC was incredible. I will say I wish there was a little more in the epilogue about their love story but other than that this book was a solid 4 stars ⭐️

Every year I look forward to reading the newest book by Katherine Center, it’s one of my favorite times of the year. She never fails to deliver a story that touches my heart, makes me laugh, and makes me fall in love.

Katie has experienced her share of heartbreak. She has also had to face her issues with herself and her body (I hear you, Katie). Now, she is facing the potential of being laid off from her job as a video producer. When a coworker suggests that she does a promotional video on Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard, this is the way that she could prove her worth and keep her job. It also puts Katie in a bit of a predicament, though, because one of the prerequisites of this gig is that she knows how to swim, and she does not. So, what’s a girl to do? She lies.

Hutch is not keen on doing a video. He loves his job. He thrives at it, actually. Saving people is what Hutch does best, but even though his job is heroic, Hutch does not want publicity or fame, he just wants to do his job to the best of his ability. Yeah, Hutch was a pretty great character. Sigh. But following Hutch around, filming him at his job, and spending so much time with him could make someone catch feelings.

Katie’s arrival in Key West was not all smooth sailing. Sure, she was staying at a colorful cottage community, her landlady and her group of friends were kind and welcoming, and her introduction to the subject of her video was not exactly what I would call a meet-cute, but I would certainly call it funny and memorable. What ensued was a great deal of witty banter, hijinks, chemistry, and emotions galore.

I adored the characters in The Love Haters. From the lead characters to the supporting characters, once again, Katherine Center has created characters that I would like to have as friends. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hang out with the Gals! Oh, and it was absolutely impossible not to fall head over heels with the big guy, George Bailey.

The Love Haters was a well-rounded romance that gave me just what I was looking for and expecting from Katherine Center. With a good message of body positivity, a wonderful love story, and plenty of witty banter, this novel just added some much-needed sunshine in my life.

*5 Stars

This wasn’t my favorite book by Katherine Center (The Bodyguard or Things You Save in a Fire). However, I did enjoy reading this one. The MMC was great! I found it hard to get behind the FMC at the start, but she did grow on me as the story developed. This was a good, not great.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Katherine Center and have read all her books and loved them. This one is no exception. The story had parts that were thrilling and also outrageous. I loved the character development of the main character. Definitely recommend this book to anyone! Thanks to NetGalley, Katherine Center and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review..

Katherine Center does it again! I loved this one as much as The Bodyguard. Very character driven with an interesting plot that didn't feel like it was already done to death but other authors. I absolutely couldn't put it down and finished it in a day.

I liked that body image was brought up as it's any issue that many people struggle with, but it was a tad heavy-handed. While the amount of time spent on it likely does correlate with the amount of space it can take up in some of our heads, from a reader perspective it was a little much which can almost make it a little off-putting/forced.

4.5, rounded up to 5

the FMC? 5 stars
the MMC? 5 stars
the setting? 5 stars
the romance? 5 stars
the obstacle preventing the romance? questionable.
the title? also questionable.

the love haters follows katie, a videographer working at a company undergoing some serious downsizing. when her superior, cole, suggests she travel to florida to film a recruitment video for the coast guard (mainly so he doesn't have to do it because his estranged brother would be the subject of said video) katie agrees, despite not knowing how to swim. katie has a great journey of self acceptance that truly serves as the heart of this book, and her romance with hutch (the aforementioned estranged brother) is super sweet - he's a very lovable character. the only thing that took me out of this story is hutch and cole's conflict. the trauma they share that the conflict truly stems from is well done, but there was a Big Event that drove the brothers apart a year before the story takes place that just felt like cheap, unrealistic writing. also, cole sucks. he just truly sucks and even after he opens up about his reasoning he just...continues to suck. oh well. the rest of the story was very cute and fun, definitely recommend reading this by the pool either when you're looking for something light OR when you're being really harsh on yourself for how you look in your bikini. 4 ⭐️

*** i received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is such a sweet story about learning time love yourself, heal from past trauma and found family. I love that the romance is a slow build up and built on friendship. I love how the mmc and mfc help each other heal past trauma and find their way to each. I really enjoyed it .

4.5 stars 🌟

The Love Haters was a much anticipated release for me, but it didn’t quite deliver. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two main characters, and I did not enjoy the miscommunication between them. I did like Katie’s character development, I think her journey with how she felt about her body will be relatable for many women. I also felt like this book was very readable, I was able to fly through it. There was even a bit of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat.