Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

How far would you go to keep your dream job? That’s the question Katie must confront when her boss, Cole, offers her one last chance to save her position as a videographer. The catch? The project requires swimming—something Katie absolutely cannot do.

But how bad could it really be? Soon enough, Katie finds herself whisked away to the sun-soaked shores of Key West, tasked with creating a compelling recruitment video for the U.S. Coast Guard. The centerpiece of her film is Hutch, a charismatic rescue swimmer famously dubbed “Pup Daddy” by Jennifer Aniston after he saved her dog. Though known as a “Love Hater” (a title lovingly bestowed by his brother Cole), Hutch reluctantly agrees to teach Katie about the Coast Guard—and how to swim.

As Katie navigates the depths of both the ocean and her heart, sparks fly, and the line between professional duty and personal desire blurs. Their journey is beautifully complemented by a cast of vibrant characters like Rue, the ever-loyal George Bailey 🐶, the lively Gals of the Starlite, and the charming yet complex duo of Katie and Hutch.

If you’re already a fan of Katherine Center’s previous novels, this book will sweep you off your feet with its humor, heart, and undeniable charm. Packed with laughter, love, and life lessons, it’s poised to be the must-read summer hit of 2025! Dive in—you won’t want to come up for air.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book! Katherine’s voice is fun to read.

The heroine is a documentary filmmaker. Her career interested me as I love watching docs. We sympathize with her and wonder about her. (Side note, I don’t read book blurbs and it’s always interesting to me that in at least two of Katherine’s books we don’t get character names for a long, long time. I was 12 percent into this book before I first read Katie is the heroine’s first name and 25 percent of the way in before we saw her last name.) (In a previous book—the firefighter heroine’s name came up much, much sooner than the firefighter hero’s name.) Biggest element with this heroine? Readers relate! Katherine’s writing is equal parts romance and women’s fiction. We relate, learn, and grow right along with the FMC. Also, the fact that her name was Katie and Katherine is the author—a little bit of self-revelation?

The hero has a larger-than-life occupation as a rescue swimmer for the US Coast Guard. I loved learning about this. Hutch comes across as humble, slightly broken, and very noble. He’s part of a team who rescues stranded people out of the Atlantic Ocean.

The heroine’s journey is one of discovering her value, of believing her body is valuable, just as it is. This body-positivity message is one I think readers will relate with. We don’t ever get her description. I liked that vagueness element because we can insert ourselves into the book. We don’t know if she’s an “apple,” “pear,” or if she’s obese or thin. But she’s learning to accept herself.

The author letter is golden! Don't miss that.

For my audience, I’d warn readers about language.

I received a free ebook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

OH MY GOSH! I LOVE GEORGE BAILEY! I have the biggest soft spot for Great Danes and OMG this dog in this book was everything.

Of course j loved Hutch. Gosh, who wouldn’t! Katherine Center KNOWS how to write a man that makes all them panties drop. Even in a ZERO spice book, I can see Hutch being many girls’ book boyfriend!

The entire story was funny and exciting and oh lord I did not need the stress from the end of the book but it was still just so amazing! Gonna be a summer MUST READ!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review! Chef’s Kiss!

Absolutely loved this. I’ve so enjoyed books by this author in the past and this one didn’t disappoint. I really loved the characters in this book. It was the first time I really sort of thought insta love worked! Katie and Heath, with George Bailey just all worked and I loved them as an eventual little family. Rue and the girls stole my heart. Even the absolute crap head that Cole was just worker. Excellent writing. This was the trip I needed to key west in January! Thank you so much net galley for the early release of this book! Would definitely recommend this author and her books!

I love Katherine Center so much! Her books truly make me feel so good inside and always make me laugh. The Love Haters was no exception. What a treat to get this novel early!

Katherine Center never disappoints!

The Love Haters is a great read for anyone who likes:
- Someone learning to love themselves
- Grumpy/sunshine dynamics
- Hot/cold vibes
- Sibling rivalry
- MCs who are forced to lie about things
- Found family
- Big goofy dogs
- Handsome lifesaving heroes

Thanks very much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in advance of publication.

The Love Haters by K atherine Center was an adorable romcom that I finished before I even realized how quickly I was reading through it because it was so good. This was the kind of romance that had me deeply invested quickly and made me really love the characters from the first pages.

Katie is quirky, awkward and completely oblivious. I loved her immensely because she was instantly such a relatable character and kept the story flowing with tons of comedy. She is the kind of character that is impossible not to love and root for, with the kind of insecurities it’s easy to understand as a woman living in a culture with impossible beauty standards. Hutch is the strong, silent type that somehow completely defies this persona when he is around Katie and I loved seeing the two of them bond and become close despite the circumstances. As much as Hutch tries to resist Katie’s charms when he finds out she is crashing into his life to film a recruitment video for his job – a film he wanted his own brother to do, thus creating resentment – he proves immune to her quirkiness and opens up so heartwarmingly to her.

The best part is that it isn’t just the main characters that are so irresistibly loveable. From Beanie, Katie’s cousin and best friend who is constantly vying for her to gain confidence and take a hold of her life via video calls, to Rue who is the most wholesome landlord from the moment she appears on the scene, and the Gals who inundate everyone with love upon first meeting. The whole cast of characters was fantastic and I loved every moment of so many of them.

It's not just the characters that shine however. There is not only the main story following the daily job of the coast guard, but there is so much backstory to the characters, including Katie that is so relevant to the story as a whole and made it impossible not to want to keep reading. Katie’s backstory involves overcoming insecurities she has developed as a result and seeing her grow and try to move past her deeply rooted fears makes the story that much more interesting to read.

The Love Haters was such a wonderful read, and exactly the book I didn’t know I needed. I was almost sad for it to come to an end because I got so caught up in the story and the characters. It’s a very fast read and the story never lags which makes it hard to stop reading because it’s so easy to get immersed in the story. I can’t wait for more books from Katherine Center because she has become a solid favourite with her adorable romances.

Love Haters by Katherine Center was a fun, romantic read. I love that she touches on more serious subjects but reflects them in a way that are positive and hopeful for the reader. I enjoyed reading about the coast guard and Hutch’s job as a rescue swimmer. I am ready to move to Key west to live with Rue and the gang. Lovely book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Katherine Center does it again! She's created a wonderful story with excellent characters that sucks you in from the very first moment and you cannot put down until you discover what happened to them. This is a great love story that is not only just between the 2 main characters, Katie and Hutch, but it's also between Katie and herself. It is inspiring and thought-provoking. I could not put it down and I'm going to recommend to everyone I meet that they read it.

4.5 ⭐

this was amazing, Katherine Center never disappoints! love love loved, it was so funny yet so relatable and sweet. Hutch might be my new fav KC love interest <3

The Love Haters is a charming, fun read. It felt refreshing to read a spice free romance. I didn't love the "romance conflict", but it was thankfully short lived & got cleared up pretty quickly. I loved that this novel focused on friendship & finding love for yourself.

I love all of her books and this one is no exception, the story was a fun one to read. I am beyond grateful to get to read this book.

Katherine Center's storytelling is both touching and humorous, taking readers on a journey that is equally entertaining and transformative. The narrative explores themes of self-acceptance, bravery, and the intricacies of love, all within the lively setting of Key West. The chemistry between Katie and Hutch is undeniable, and their exchanges are rich with clever banter and authentic connection.
Supporting characters, such as Hutch's vibrant Aunt Rue and his sweet rescue Great Dane, enhance the narrative by creating a rich tapestry of relationships and personal growth. The plot captivates, featuring moments that will elicit laughter, evoke tears, and ultimately leave you feeling warm and fulfilled.
"The "Love Haters" isn’t just another rom-com; it's a delightful adventure of self-love, bravery, and fresh starts, all wrapped in a wonderfully crafted romance filled with laughter. This book truly showcases why Center is a cherished choice for those who seek a romance story brimming with depth, humor, and a sprinkle of magic.
In summary, "The Love Haters" is a must-read that will captivate your heart and remind you of the beauty of embracing life's unexpected adventures. I truly cherished the beautiful moments that celebrate self-acceptance and the importance of embracing our bodies with love.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this early copy to read! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and her as an author.

Katie is about to get laid off from her job as a video producer, so she agrees to take a job to create a video promoting rescue swimmers from the coast guard. If only she knew how to swim... She's not worn a swimsuit since her step mom told her to suck her stomach in and has dealt with body image problems ever since. Her co worker, Cole, insists she's the perfect person to do it, as he doesn't want to

She ends up in Key West to make the promo video and meets Hutch, Cole's brother and Rue, their aunt. It all goes swimmingly! This is another great book by Katherine Center! Read it.

Title: The Love Haters
Author: Katherine Center
Length: 320 pages
Format: ebook arc
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
Genre: Romance
Rating Out of 5: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice Level: closed door
Summary:
Burned by love and facing a layoff, video producer Katie Vaughn takes a career gamble: profiling rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson in Key West. There's just one problem: she can't swim. And Hutch is her coworker's estranged brother. As Katie navigates her lies, her attraction to Hutch, and the chaos of Key West (think hurricanes, conga lines, and stolen kisses), she'll have to face her fears to find love and maybe even herself.

Thoughts:
Initial thoughts- I could not put it down!!! Katherine Center always delivers the best mixture of romance, comedy, drama, and (dare I say) a little bit of danger?! She is the queen of making you fall in love while reading her stories, and this one is no exception. I feel like I can always relate to her FMCs, but this one in particular really struck a chord since she struggled a lot with body image. With the setting being in Key West, this book was like a little vacay in and of itself! If you love: FMC videographer, MMC Coast Guard rescue swimmer, found family, facing your fears, self acceptance, body positivity, a goofy Great Dane, and some lovable gal pals then you are IN FOR A TREAT. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Special thanks to the @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars
This is the fourth (or fifth) KC book I’ve read over the last year or so. To me, it started a bit slow, but once the story got going, I thoroughly enjoyed it, crying twice ... okay, three times, because I re-read a passage aloud to my husband so he would understand my tears - his response was that it was well written and that KC has a way with words that even he felt the emotion behind them. I’m also now endeared to a fictional large dog by the name of george bailey that reminds me of one of my sweet rescue pups.

“Joy is a kind of magic.” Katherine Center has (once again) created magic with this lovely, joyful story.

I am a huge believer that Katherine Center can do no wrong. Her books have a Texas tie-in that always makes her writing feel like home. In this book, Katie is a videographer based in Dallas, TX with a serious case of Chromophobia or fear of colors (I cannot relate). In the midst of layoffs at her firm, her boss, Cole, sends her to the Florida Keys to film an ad for the US Coast Guard— specifically following the member the media dubbed Pup Daddy when he rescued Jennifer Aniston's dog. The catch? Pup Daddy (AKA Hutch) is Cole's brother, and is expecting him. Not her. Oh, and one more little issue... Katie can't swim. Can Katie save her job, mend a family rift, avoid drowning, and get serious Hutch to lighten up? You'll have to read it to find out!

Katherine Center’s novels are the epitome of everything I love about the romance genre, and I honestly don’t know how she manages to make us readers feel so seen with every book she writes! There’s a scene in this book where the FMC talks about having to announce her weight to a group full of people that had me in a full-blown second-hand panic attack (if that’s a thing), because that’s what’s different about romance novels - readers are not just casual observers. We’re going through this experience with the characters. And sure, KC’s books deal with a lot of hard subjects, but she manages to take you through them in the gentlest way possible. They’re basically like free therapy 🩷.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a sun-soaked, laugh-out-loud rom-com that proves love—and life—are all about taking the plunge.

Katie Vaughn’s career is on the brink, and her only shot at saving it is an assignment she’s wildly unqualified for: filming a documentary on Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a ridiculously good-looking (and possibly love-hating) Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The problem? She can’t swim—and Hutch happens to be her coworker’s estranged brother.

What starts as a career move quickly spirals into a whirlwind of white lies, stolen kisses, and unexpected feelings. With an eccentric aunt, a scene-stealing Great Dane, and a hurricane threatening to upend everything, Katie finds herself facing not just the ocean, but her deepest fears.

Packed with Katherine Center’s signature charm, The Love Haters is a story about second chances, daring leaps, and discovering that love is worth the risk—even if it means getting in over your head.