Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio as well as the author and narrator for these fun ARCs. All opinions are my own
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Title: The Love-Haters
Author: Katherine Center
Formats: eBook/audiobook
Narrator: Patti Muran
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: May 20, 2025
Themes: Family, romance, self care, self love, grief, U.S. Coast Guard water safety, Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers
Trigger Warnings: Water rescue, Danger in water, water rescue, terminal illness, fatal car accident, loss of parents, loss of spouse, animal cruelty discussed, animal in danger

I’m not usually a fan of romances, but I do like Katherine Center’s books as they tend to be about much more than a love story. This one is about Katie Vuagh, who has been asked to take a project from a colleague that he doesn’t want. Their employer is downsizing the company and Katie hopes that this is the project that will prevent her from being terminated. The project is a profile piece of her colleague’s brother and his heroic actions. Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson is a rescue swimmer with the United States Coast Guard who also saved the dog of a celebrity. The project takes place in the paradise of Key West. Katie moves into a small cottage owned by Hutch’s aunt, who immediately takes Katie under her lively and vibrant wing. When Katie meets Hutch, in embarrassing situation upon embarrassing situation, she’s struck by his good looks and even better heart. Katie finds herself enjoying Hutch’s company as well as learning about his role as a resume swimmer. However, circumstances and Hutch’s jealous brother seem determined to keep them apart. When Katie finds herself trapped on Hutch’s houseboat with his rescued Great Dane during a storm, she’s forced to face her feelings for both herself and for Hutch.

The best part of this book was the setting. I’ve always wanted to go to Key West and this novel set me that much closer to the island itself. The author describes the beautiful paradise very well and I enjoyed “seeing” the sights and staying in Katie’s quaint cottage. On the other hand, because of the same talent for imagery, I found the houseboat terrifying, even before the storm.

The second best part of this book was the narrator of the audiobook. I was lucky enough to both read the eBook and listen to the audiobook. I enjoyed the audiobook just a little more as the narrator had a pleasing voice and I enjoyed the fresh perspective she provided through her interpretation of the characters.

I did feel like some of the side characters could have used some more fleshing out. Beanie could have offered a lot more to Katie’s character if we’d learned a little more about her. I felt that Sully was a character I would have liked to learn more about. These two people were so influential to Katie that I feel that establishing them a little more would have made Katie a more rounded character.

All in all, this wasn’t my very favorite of Ms. Centers books but I still recommend it to her fans as well as fans of romance novels. I can’t wait for the next one.

I haven't read a Katherine Center book that I didn't like and this one was like the rest. Katie is a filmmaker and wants to save her job so someone at work makes her go to Florida to profile a rescue swimmer, Hutch. He just so happens to be her coworker's brother. The coworker tells her Hutch doesn't want attention for his rescues and seems to hate love. She goes to Florida which becomes the opposite of her life, colorful clothes, doing things she never would do and starts to embrace her new sense of self. She meets Hutch who she seems to be very good looking she notices. Since she can't swim she decides to take lessons and who is her teacher?...Hutch. Her new found friends encourage her to live her best life which includes falling for Hutch. Katie has never felt comfortable with herself and when Hutch starts to say sweet things to her it dumbfounds her. When a hurricane threatens this budding romance will they get through it together?

This was a sweet story about two people who really needed each to discover what they were missing in their lives. Didn't need any spice and it kept my attention. A little corny about the hurricane towards the end but that's ok! Would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to review this ARC!!

Another cute summer book from Katherine Center. Not my favorite, as I found the main character annoying. I wasn’t eager to keep picking this book up until it was done.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley, for a copy of this e-arc and audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several of Katherine Center's books in the past and enjoyed most of them. This one was a hit. This is a perfect beach read. It was laugh-out-loud hilarious. I mainly listened to an audiobook and loved it. The narrator, Patti Murin, did a great job. I found myself wanting to continue listening while doing chores or in the car. The female main character, Katie, was likeable and relatable, and Hutch, the male main character, was grumpy but hilarious. The star of the book was George Bailey, Hutch's great dane. Such a fun read.

While I really enjoy Katherine Center's stories, this one was kind of a miss for me. I liked the characters and the storyline, but I felt there was too much internal dialogue. I wanted more glimpses into the interactions with Katie and Hutch. I love the growth of Katie and the positive self talk, but I wanted more romance.

Maybe I’m a love hater…
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and… I’m so disappointed. I knew 20 pages in that I wasn’t going to vibe with this book because the FMC was so annoying. I was literally gaslighting myself into thinking it would get better. BOY WAS I WRONG.

She would state the most obvious things like “the water is wet” level obvious, and it felt like I was being spoon-fed every emotion or thought. Like okay, thank you Captain Obvious?? And don’t even get me started on how dumb she came across. She reminded me of a middle schooler trying way too hard to impress her crush.

Most of the book focused on body dysmorphia and image issues, which could have been powerful… but the way it was done just irritated me. It wasn’t like a “she found herself and grew into her confidence” moment, it was “a hot man told me I’m pretty so now I love myself.” Women don’t need a man to feel worthy. It felt outdated and lowkey frustrating.

Also? There was zero chemistry between the main characters. Like she talks about his body every single chapter but somehow they still have the flattest connection I’ve ever read. I was just confused the whole time.

I do appreciate the attempt at body image representation, but it came off forced and surface-level. Combine that with the plot holes, the lies, the chaotic pacing, and the fact that the most interesting character was the rescue Great Dane… yeah, this was a miss for me.

Katherine Center books are usually a hit or miss with me. This one was both hit and miss all in one. I like the overall premise of Love Haters. The setting, the characters, and the overall plot. But the body issues felt like they took up too much of the book and were a bit of overkill.

I did a mix of ebook and audio. I loved the narrator. I feel like she added to the story in the best way!

•Grump vs sunshine
•Tropical setting
•Coworker's brother
•Forced Proximity
•Video producer x Coast Guard rescuer
•HEA
•There's a dog!

3.5 stars

Thank you to St Martins Press & NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. It’s a feel good love story that made me laugh out loud. It is a heartwarming, humorous exploration of love, self-discovery, and the power of friendship.. I would definitely recommend reading this one.

Anything that Katherine center writes, I WILL READ. Every year I look forward to her new releases and this one did not disappoint. Thank you for the ARC!

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my ALC of this book; all opinions are my own!

I would like to note that I am a Katherine Center STAN so this one pains me, but I fully believe this is a case of “it’s not the book, it’s me.”

I thought the overall message of self love and acceptance in this book was really great. I loved the way Katie went through several different phases of learning what that looks like, and how she ultimately decided, with the help of her best friend and Hutch, that it was up to her and her alone to love herself. Everyone needs a best friend who will relentlessly love and support them.

Unfortunately I just wasn’t invested in the details of the story. I think it might’ve been that Hutch was military (personal ptsd) or that he never really seemed all that invested in Katie. I know his whole thing was that he was a goner from the very start, but it came across as indifference almost the entire time and I just wanted him to show more. I got it, he’s military and a recluse, but it just didn’t work personally for me.

Overall, as with any book, I think you should give it a try to see if it’s for you, this one is just not for me.

Katherine Center hits it out of the park again! The perfect blend of humor and tenderness with characters that worm their way into your heart. The Love Haters is everything a romance novel should be!

I am team Katie, team Hutch, team Aunt Rue, and team George Bailey - for life!

Enjoy this author's books. This one is not the top of my list.

The main character's horrible view of her body and the way she talked about herself was not great. Her coworker was horrible and I hated him.

I did liked Hutch, the Gals and of course George Bailey.

3.75 rounded up

Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio and SMP for advance copies.

I absolutely devoured this book!! I love the way Katherine writes her stories. They are easy to follow, they have hints of humor and she ties in her research. These two had insta chemistry despite trying to deny it. But over all another great books

I love Katherine Center and The Love Haters was such a fun Summer read. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. This review is a bit late but it doesn't change the fact that Katherine Center still writes a good book. This was so funny and I enjoyed reading about Katie's journey. I have read 5 of Katherine's books and they all have been great and I am excited to see what she has next. Thanks St. Martin's Press and Katherine Center.

I'm in a mood for a good time and Katherine Center delivers. I love the FMC Katie and the fact she was put into so many situations that helped her character arc; I really related to Katie and her fears on trying new things. Also, Hutch is a dreamy Coast Guard rescue swimmer and one of the best book boyfriends. TW: disordered eating.

Well, I loved this with all my heart and soul (iykyk). It was absolutely delightful and meaningful and funny and endearing and deserves as many heart eyes as I can possibly give it.

I have loved the last few releases by Katherine Center and was really looking forward to this one, but it ultimately ended up missing the mark for me. I ultimately had to DNF this one at 25%. I never took to the characters, the obsession with body image was tiring, and I just didn't care for it. This just wasn't the book for me.

Love this new Katherine Center Book. It was exactly what I need after reading several fantasy books. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center- 3.5⭐️

Katie, a filmmaker, travels to Key West to shoot a promotional video for the Coast Guard and gets assigned to follow Hutch, a proclaimed love hater.

This book had promising themes of romance, grief, and body dysmorphia. I just wanted them to be developed a bit more.