Clean, single POV romance.

I absolutely love the ability authors have to show you from a single POV what other characters are feeling when the character whose POV you have doesn’t even realize it! And Katherine Center does this exceptionally well in The Love Haters.

There is fantastic tension throughout, making this book hard to put down!

4.5 because I guessed one plot twist.

Readers who are looking for a wholesome, clean, funny romance will likely enjoy this one! It’s an easy read with a positive message and an interesting group of characters (I want to be Rue when I grow up!). While this isn’t my favorite book that I’ve read by Center, I still very much enjoyed this one and appreciated it as a more lighthearted read. Katherine Center is a master at writing books that are so immersive that I forget about the daily stressors and can just live in her stories for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me a complimentary advanced reader copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and based off of this draft; the final publication may be different. Expected publication date is May 20, 2025.

Katherine Center’s books feel like a brightly colored cupcake. The characters find themselves in the most ridiculous situations and you’re willing to suspend your disbelief out of pure enjoyment just to see what will happen next. The Love Haters is no exception, with main characters encountering real problems and actual lives, friends, and families outside of their love interest. If you want something fun with two characters you’ll root for from the start, this should be next on your list.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

The Love Haters 🚁

Mini Review ⬇️

ARC - Pub Date May 20

Katherine Center’s books are always such fun reads. That being said this one wasn’t my fav of hers but I still enjoyed it in the end 🩷🧡🩵

I found the first half very slow but I am glad I stuck it out because the rest of the book made up for it 😊

All the things you love in KC’s books are all still here. Humour, fun characters, light drama and unique storylines. Definitely still worth the read 💝

The communication trope is never my favorite, and this book is 60% miscommunication and 40% a girl trying to figure out how to love herself. This was not my favorite Katherine Center book.. but I would read other books by her in the future.

I love Katherine Center! She is all things bright, shiny, happy! In her latest book, Katie and Hutch are each billed as “love haters,” but their story reads as anything but.

Katie, a Dallas based videographer, is willing to do anything in an attempt to keep her job off the chopping block, including swearing she can swim in order to get this next assignment. She very much cannot. Hutch, a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer estranged from his brother, Katie’s co-worker, is the subject of Katie’s latest project. Along the way, Katie and Hutch find they really enjoy each other, but things go awry when one too many untruths spoil their connection. Throw in the charming Aunt Rue and her “Gals,” a 160 pound rescue Great Dane who’s terrified of thunder, and a category 4 hurricane and you have Katherine Center’s next joyful love story!

One of the most refreshing aspects of this story is witnessing Katie grow past a history of body shame. Her courage to try one new thing at a time, to appreciate one new aspect of her body at a time, and to bravely let go of one fear at a time was so encouraging. Additionally, her inner dialog and the progression of her positive self-talk were so lovely to “witness.” Katherine Center addresses this serious subject matter with her characteristic humor AND vulnerability. She is a gem!

5 very enthusiatic stars!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC

I’m at that stage in my life where I feel like I relate more to adult characters in contemporary romance novels than teenage characters, which is odd to me. Enter The Love Haters, I related to both of these characters more than I thought I would even though they are most likely 10 years older than me. Now I realize the age of the character doesn’t really matter. Katie is probably the most relatable character to me out there, she’s passionate, she wonders why nobody ever truly loves her (she doesn’t even love herself). I loved seeing Katie’s character growth throughout the story and how she filled her black and beige world with color (literally and figuratively). I genuinely think most people will be able to relate to her. Omg and the Author’s Note! That spoke to my soul honestly and reminded me why I love Katherine Center even though I would not consider myself a rom-com reader. She writes a love story about two imperfect people with relatable flaws falling in love with not only each other but themselves. This was truly beautiful!

3.5 stars
This was my first Katherine Center book. I really enjoyed how fleshed out her characters were, I enjoyed the supporting characters like cousin Beanie, the gals, and Hutch’s Aunt Rue. I enjoyed the setting being in a beautiful and relaxing “resort” style small- town, beach area. My biggest gripe was that there was so much conflict and some of it kind of felt like it was reaching. Like it all tied together fairly well, I’ll give you that, it was just a lot. The misunderstanding trope, the “fake relationship” Katie didn’t even know she was in, the cougars boss showing up, the storm. It was SO much and then the ending was so open ended that I wish we were given more of an epilogue or something due to how much conflict we went through.
Just my opinion, of course.

📖 Book Review 📖 Maybe the world has always been classified by love lovers and love haters…Katie has been burned in the past and has a lot of trauma to work through (totally get that!) but she can’t sit around anymore without asserting some control into her life. Enter the opportunity to take on a new challenge in the Keys, it may come with a bit of truths stretched but she is determined to rise to the occasion. Meeting the beyond handsome Hutch, a renowned love hater really tests this theory…and pushes some boundaries in the best way possible! Splash in a Great Dane and an eccentric Aunt Rue and readers are in for a real treat with Katherine Center’s The Love Haters.

3.5 ⭐ rounded down for goodreads.

Katherine Center writes closed door, chaste romance that is so effortless to read and her characters always make me smile. This is not a BAD book, at all. I actually loved it, but not all of it. 🫣

First, the good. Hutch is 🌶️💥🔥. I loved his character and I absolutely loved Katie and Hutch. Rue was ❤️. Amazing.

The bad: Cole sucked. 😝 His character seemed like it was an easy twist and I think he could have been more impactful in a different way than we saw.

I adore Katherine Center and as usual I was grinning from deep in my chest while I read. She just does something to the characters that give me 90's romcom vibes and they are FUN to read. Need an escape from the dumpster fire that is the news? Grab this feel good read!

Want something complex with deep self love topics and friendship and love in all forms? This could also be for you! It's a wonderful book just a little cheesier than her usual and while I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite book from her. Definitely worth a read and would make a great beach read!

Thank you to netgalley for an ARC to enjoy!

Katherine Center's books are a reliable vacation from more serious books. The Key West setting and the relationships there range true. I felt like I knew the characters at the vintage motor court and wanted to hang out with them. Now of course the moment Hutch appeared, I knew love would ensue, and it did. Maybe it was a bit too much of a stretch, but it was still fun to follow the journey. I thought the struggle with body image made the main character more relatable and I enjoyed her friend and life coach who taught her to love herself part by part. Overall a good beach read from an author who never disappoints.

The Love Haters was a perfect light hearted book to read between darker novels. Katie made some frustrating decisions and the fallout between her and Hutch was based on miscommunication which was difficult to read but overall I enjoyed their relationship and the resolution.

Katie agrees to travel to Key West and make a documentary of sorts for rescue swimmers with the Coast Guard to save her job. She soon realizes quite a bit of information was omitted by her superior, some being lies that stemmed from long-seated anger and resentment. She soon finds herself intrigued by and attracted to Tom "Hutch" Hutchison who turns out to be her co-worker's brother. Katie has to face her fears and deal with the animosity she's held toward her body for years while trying to do her job and not fall for her subject.

It is a wonderful story about self-love, facing the tough parts of yourself and life, the importance of supportive people in your life, and the joy and anxiety of falling in love. I raced through this story in two days and felt like I was really in Katie's shoes - flying in a helicopter, being skewered online by strangers, the stomach-dropping fear of losing someone you love and also being afraid the end of your life is near. Katherine Center is a master storyteller.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a delightful contemporary romance that is both touching and relatable. The author has a unique way of crafting stories that are easy to read and touch on universal human experiences.

The story centers around Katie Vaugn, a charming protagonist surrounded by mostly likable characters, including our male lead, Hutch, and his delightful Aunt Rue. Stealing the show is a rescue Great Dane named George Bailey, who is simply lovable.

While the story is often funny and romantic, it also tackles serious issues such as body image. My one quip with the narrative is that instead of relying on an armchair therapist friend, Beanie, I wish a professional therapist had been employed. This would have made Katie's healing journey feel more authentic, as at times it seemed like she was just along for the ride in her own life.

The ending is very satisfying, and I adored the setting—a vintage motor court in the Florida Keys. I would love to spend time with Rue and The Gals there. Overall, The Love Haters is a quick, lovely story, and I am eagerly looking forward to Katherine Center's next book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

This was such a fun book! I loved the plot with the brothers and Rue-the backstory really added depth. I like that flawed characters were the center of the rom com!

Katherine Center has pulled every single one of my heartstrings with her lovely, tender and thoughtful romance. It was easy to fall in love with not just Katie and Hutch, but with Aunt Rue, the Gals and even Cole. I’ve never wanted to live in Florida, but I just want to move into the Starlite and join this found family. I love the slow burn relationship of Katie and Hutch — the tension keeps me turning the pages with great anticipation. The Rom Commers was one of my favorite books of 2024 and I know The Love Haters will be at the top of my list for 2025. Katherine Center, please keep writing such fantastic books!

Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the ARC. The opinions are all mine.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced reader’s copy.

Outstanding book by Katherine Center! 👏

Katie is trying to save her job. She says yes to flying to the Florida Keys to do a piece about a Coastal Guard rescuer, who happens to be her producer’s brother. And oh by the way, she can’t swim.

The first scene that made me laugh out loud was when the exuberant Great Dane barrels into Katie with his lips flapping and ears undulating. That was a great scene! Hysterical! And many more followed.

One of the strengths of this book were the well-written, fully fleshed out supporting characters. Rue, Beanie, and George Bailey were my favorites and added so much to the story telling and character development of both Katie and Hutch.

“She loved all of her everything because it was hers.” Such a great commentary on self acceptance and self love.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I have always loved Katherine Center. Her books always have me laughing and smiling the entire time. This book did as well. I loved the complexity of these characters. The overall theme of forgiveness. The only reason I didn’t give it a five is because the ending scene was a little far fetched for me.

Okay, first you need to know that I LOVE KATHERINE CENTER, her books just speak to me.
You also need to know that I am so tired, because I stayed up all night reading this book. …it was a lot of, okay, just one more chapter.
I started reading her books in 2015 and it was Happiness for Beginners. This has been my favorite KC book for that last 10 years, enter The Love Haters.
I.LOVED.THIS.BOOK. Five stars. All the feels. and the one liners are on POINT! I love Katie, Hutch, I love Rue and The Gals, I love George Bailey, Cole is a twat, and we all need a Beanie!
I already want to reread it.

I am telling you, once you finish this book be prepared to head to her backlist.

What I Loved Wednesday

“I’m also not declaring that kisses are magic. Though maybe the right ones at the right time with the right people are—who knows.”

Katherine continues to be one of my favorite rom-com writers.  She just has a way of making the characters feel so real and the reader feel so seen and of course the romance so swoon-worthy!

Katie is sent to Key West to film a promo video for the Coast Guard.  Her main subject is rescue simmer and love hater, Hutch.  But there are a couple of slight catches.  First,  Hutch is expecting his brother and Katie’s coworker Cole, so he isn’t really happy to see Katie for this project.  Second, Katie can’t swim, which is a problem for this particular assignment.  Will these two allow themselves to be brave and face past hurts or will they be swept away in hurricane force wents?

I liked watching Katie working through her insecurities and learn to love herself, with the help of her best friend Beanie, and Hutch’s aunt Rue and of course Hutch too.  I loved that Hutch knew he wasn’t perfect, he was just trying to perfect for those around him.  I enjoyed hearing and learning about the Coast Guard…and really wish I could see Katie’s “A Day in the Life of Hutch” video.  And I loved all of the amazing support cast!  Beanie and her self-help persona, trying to help Katie find the good in herself.  Aunt Rue who was truly living her life to the fullest, despite things not always being at their best and then helping Katie find the ‘color’ in her own life again.  The Gals were the perfect example of little old ladies meddling a little and just enjoying themselves (hope I have a group of ladies like this when I get to be their age).  And George Bailey, while coming from horrible beginnings, found humans to love and be loved by, and who I think could sense the potential of love around him😉  And no surprise, Katherine include another writer’s note, just as lovely as her story.  This book was everything!

“Because every time I’m around you—and today was the worst of all—I want…I just want…everything.”
 
Thank you so much Katherine Center, St Martins Press, and NetGalley for this delightful digital ARC to enjoy…and boy did I enjoy it!

The Love Haters publishes May 20, 2025…mark those calendars, because you won’t want to miss this one!