Katherine Center has done it again. Reading her books is like meeting up with old friends. The Love Haters is no exception. I loved everything about this book - the characters, the setting, the dog! Katie is a relatable heroine. Her growth throughout the novel was realistic. Were parts of the storyline a little far fetched? Maybe a little, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve become a relatively new fan of Katherine Centers books. However, The Love Haters is probably my least favorite of them all.

Katie Vaughn is a video producer whose job is on the line. She’s given the opportunity to save it by creating video content for an internet famous Coast Guard. The catch is, she can’t swim, and since she will be spending the next several weeks in or near water she’s has to find a teacher, and fast.

In comes Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, an all around nice guy who regularly runs a swim class for his elderly aunt and her friends. Him and Katie are often thrown together in damsel-in-distress like situations where we get to see just how much of a good guy Hutch is and how absolutely useless Katie is. Trust me when I say I know we need some suspended reality when it comes to romance books but how many times can one woman need saving? But Tom has his own issues he’s working through and who better to help him out than Katie, right?

This book comes with a slew of characters and none of the relationships with those characters feel like anything more than surface chatter. Maybe it’s because Katie is so self-absorbed with her own issues that we aren’t given a chance to get anything deeper. Who knows?

And don’t even get me started on the whole Cole-Katie-Sullivan situation, because that was just eye-rollingly bad.

I suppose my two biggest beefs with this book is how Katie’s job is shown, and how her “body dysmorphia” is handled.

To start with—the whole premise of this story is hingeing on how badly Katie wants to secure her position at work as a video producer. She does her own little side project which is supposed to show the softer side of people, a “day in the life” type of thing. But for all the passion Katie claims to have we are shown almost none of it. Besides a few instances of her saying she recorded some content (with much ogling of Hutch) we really don’t get anything more than that. There are a lot of ways to show passion in ones work if it’s important to the story but we did not get any example of it throughout the book.

Lastly, and most importantly to me, Katie’s body image issues of herself was such an insult to those that truly suffer (like myself) with body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Body dysmorphia and/or anorexia is NOT something that is cured by wearing a cute dress, or by people giving compliments, or by continuously being rescued from awkward situations where your body is exposed. It is a constant hum in your mind of going over every nagging thing that you see in yourself and are constantly aware of those things. It is crippling, it is exhausting. It is NOT solved in stages of acceptance by oneself in just a matter of weeks, or in this case a few chapters, just because you have a random epiphany that maybe you’re not so bad looking after all because some hot Coast Guard dude said so. When authors are bringing in subjects of mental health conditions it needs to be done sensitively and with thorough research into the true process of healing.

Overall as much as I wanted to like this book, I absolutely hated it.

Two stars because George Bailey earned it.

A big thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC and giving me the opportunity to read and review this!

I love Katherine Center so I was so happy getting this ARC. The cover alone made me sign up for it so quickly. The Love Haters is a fun rom-com book, very much Katherine Center style, about Katie and Hutch and their adventures at the Key West. Tropes of this book includes grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, coast guard MMC, celebrity (a little bit) romance. This book explores love in all the different ways (friends, family, community, pet, romantic love and most importantly, self-love). This makes the book multi-dimensional because we get all these aspects and perspectives from our main characters. This book made me giddy and there were some scenes where I laughed out loud. However, it was also incredibly insightful which makes a lot of Katherine Center books great. It isn't just romance and love, it makes you think and ponder. Katie was a great FMC, vulnerable yet she was slowly developing confidence and learning to accept and love herself (something I relate to a lot), and Hutch was a swoony green flag MMC. They were perfect for each other and had me cheering for their happily ever after. Overall, this is a fantastic read especially for Katherine fans who love this type of no spice, funny, and super entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and St Martins Press for my advance copy in exchange for my thoughts!

Another delightful rom-com from Katherine Center! I truly enjoyed the development of Katie and Hutch’s relationship, but also Katie’s relationship with herself. Although the plot was a bit far-fetched at times, It was a wonderful escape from current reality.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

This book was very up and down for me. On one hand I found Katie to be a very likable FMC but the “lying by omission” portion of story felt false to me. I know it was added for drama but I feel like if Center had left that situation out of the book there was still enough romantic drama to keep the story interesting. I also felt that the “famous ex” and “horrible stepmother” plot lines were not necessary. It made the ending message feel like it was written more for teenagers than adult women.

One of the other things I struggled with was that there really wasn’t an explanation for why Hutch was a “love hater”. Yes, there is trauma in his background but it isn’t really used to explain his disdain for love.

Im giving this book a solid 3 stars. It is squeaky clean so definitely one that everyone can enjoy just know that it alternates between being a ROM Com and something more dramatic with no warning and it can feel a tad disjointed

Another cute story by Katherine Center! I felt like the build-up of a relationship between the 2 lead characters was rushed and wished it had felt a little more natural, but overall I enjoyed their connection, the banter, and the way it all played out.

Another winner from Katherine Center! This book kept me smiling as well as laughing throughout the entire book.

After a failed relationship and very public breakup, Katie Vaughn is struggling to get her life back together. She ends up taking a documentary filming job in Key West involving a semi famous rescue swimmer, "Hutch" Hutchinson which she is more than under qualified for. While muddling her way through she experiences some bumps along the road but none the less, comes out stronger on the other side.

Such a wonderful, sweet story about love, friendship, honesty and loving ones self. This book was just what I needed right now.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This wasn't my favorite Katherine Center book. Not to say this one was bad, it's just the bar has been set so high that my expectations are probably unrealistic (it's not you, it's me!). There was fun, angst, drama, laughter...all of the things I usually love, but there was just something that didn't click for me. Katie's relationship with her body was a little off putting, but after reading the author's note I could better understand the reasoning for portraying it like she did. I would still recommend this book because overall it was a good, quick read.

I am still a KC super fan and will continue to read anything she writes!!

PS - I would love to see that promo video!! :)

**Thanks St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange of my honest opinion.

The Love Haters follows Katie, a videographer as she gets assigned to Key West, Florida to create a promotional video for the US Coast Guards - specifically following her co-worker's brother Hutch. Along the way, Katie discovers a whole cast of characters in Key West that help her grapple with her insecurities, outlook on life, and understanding of love.

Overall, the book was a fun and fast read with some central discussions on topics such as body image/eating disorders. Ultimately, while the book has a romantic plot between two people, there was a big focus on Katie loving herself and her own body. Katherine Center has such a way of writing books that transport me into a different universe - but there were moments that required me to suspend disbelief and parts of the story/dialogue that I found a little cringey. I still enjoyed the read and its musings on self love and I really appreciated that Katie came to love herself without needing validation from anyone else but herself (i.e. I appreciated that Hutch wasn't the reason that she eventually learned to love herself).

I think one challenge I might have is that I really liked how Katie's weight was left ambiguous, allowing readers to interpret her appearance for themselves. But the cover art shows what looks like Katie, and it kind of takes away that open interpretation by giving a specific visual of her - though I suppose as a reader, you can choose to ignore the cover art's interpretation.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC Copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This is a great story and exactly what I've come to expect from Katherine Center! Katie and Hutch are each in interesting jobs - I loved learning about video storytellers and Coast Guard rescue swimmers! And as always, some great characters to enjoy - I think my favorite might be George Bailey (the dog:)). Center's books are always a nice to way for a feel-good reading retreat!

I have come to look forward to the new Katherine Center book every year and "The Love Haters" was no exception. It was light hearted and fun but dealt with some serious emotional issues including body perception, anxiety and grief. The chemistry between Hutch and Katie was immediate and heart warming. The side characters were perfect and made the book feel whole-- I am not sure who I loved more, Rue or George Bailey.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Surprisingly enough, this was my very first Katherine Center book! I really enjoyed "The Love Haters", it was an entertaining rom-com that was a quick and easy read. I loved the banter, the characters were interesting, and I don't know what took me so long to read one of her novels! A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads for release.

Cute and clumsy!!!

Katie, a video producer, has been burned by love in the past. The relationship with her former fiance, now music superstar, and all the publicity that goes along with it, left her with some serious self hate and body insecurity.

Hutch, the sexy Coast Guard rescue diver, is very reserved impossible to read. What is he thinking? Is he attracted to her, or does he find her off putting?? He will always do the "right" thing.

Then there is Cole, who is Katie's coworker and Hutch's brother, (with all the brotherly drama that develops over the years). When Hutch saves Jennifer Anniston's dog and their company wants to do a piece on him, Hutch only wants Cole to produce the shoot. Cole wants nothing to do with this and sends Katie instead. The problem is he does not tell Hutch, and she cannot swim! Over the course of the book, Cole's lies reek havoc on everyone's lives.

Overall, this was a very fun book, a nice beach read.

***possible spoiler below, not too significant***
There were a few cringy parts I did not like. I didn't agree with Katie going along with Cole and not telling Hutch that she and Cole were not really dating. Also, Katie should have left the bar when Cole offered her up to the crowed to kiss.


I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Get you copy on May 20, 2025!

#thelovehaters, #katherinecenter, #stmartinspress #netgalley

The Love Haters is a captivating story of growth and self-discovery, both personally and romantically. Katie and Hutch find themselves entangled in a business relationship, but as lies and secrets pile up, their connection deepens in unexpected ways. Katie's character arc is especially compelling—her journey of healing and transformation allows her to confront past traumas and finally embrace self-love. Hutch, as her partner in this journey, adds layers of emotional complexity to the narrative.

One of the standout characters is Hutch's brother, Cole, whose behavior is so infuriating that you’ll want to reach through the pages to shake some sense into him. However, as the story unfolds, you begin to understand the motivations behind his actions making him more likable, but still annoying.

Then there is Rue, the aunt we all wish we had—supportive, loving, and brimming with wisdom. She adds a delightful warmth to the story, grounding the characters when they need it most.

Overall, The Love Haters is a beautifully written tale that explores love, healing, and the complexities of human relationships with heart and depth. A must-read for fans of character-driven romance!

Profiler Kate Vaughn has an impossible task on hand - to film the fame averse internet hero, Tom Hutchinson to save her job.
But add in to the mix an eccentric aunt, fake relationships and a hazard of a dog, life in Key West at a coast guard Air Station isn't for the weak of heart, especially, not with the rumoured 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 around.

~

I live for Center's books knowing that each profession portrayed will be well researched and unconventional. This book was no exception.

The majority of the plot was a tactical sequence of comedic errors which made for a highly entertaining read.

However, the theme of this one had a little less romance and was more self love heavy. Which is not an issue but the synopsis is slightly misleading.

Regardless, it is quite a humorous book, Aunt Rue is a sweetheart and George Bailey (the dog) is a force to be reckoned with (truly). Every interaction between Hutch and Kate felt like a mini date and their chemistry was on fire.

~

3.94 / 5 ★

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Katherine Center writes deep rom coms that you can't help but love. This book dives into difficult topics in a way that leaves me feeling uplifted. Center wove the theme of body positivity and loving yourself into this story alongside the romance between the FMC and MMC. The setting of this book was one of my favorite parts and while some characters were very unlikeable, Cole, I enjoyed it. This is the perfect summer beach read.

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy.

The Love Haters is full of the aspects that readers love about Katherine Center: romance and a dynamic cast of characters. With a fun vibrant setting and a mix of interesting characters, this is an easy beach read. While the setting is light, the personal growth of the characters propels the plot while showcasing what it means to offer compassion and empathy to yourself. While some of the plot points are outlandish and wildly unbelievable, I enjoyed that aspect as it offers adventure and an emotional pull to the resolution.



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

Thank you for the arc! All opinions are my own.

Katherine Center continues to blow me away. I went into this book blindly, and man did it hit on all millennial heartstrings. As someone who has constantly been told to act small and to suck it in, Katie really resonated with me. I saw myself on the page as she went through her journey, and I love “that scene” when the metaphorical mirror is turned back on her.

This is a good example of good people do bad things with false information, and I think she handled writing that out where you still wanted to punch the guy but teared up when you understood why.

And Hutch. Total swoon.

And George Bailey? Goodest boy.

I really liked reading about Hutch and Katie's journey together! I wanted more of their story when the book was over and how things kept going for them! Overall, a very good book that I could not put down!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sharing an ARC of this book!

This was my first Katherine Center book and it was such a cute read. Definitely a few things that I didn't expect. The banter in this book is adorable and the growth of the FMC was so special to see. I was a little nervous because of some of the subject matter of the book, but it was handled SO well. I absolutely loved this book and I am eager to check out more of Katherine Center's work.