Katharine Center is a master of the romantic comedy. She can be counted on for interesting characters, funny and often unique situations, romantic tensions, sweet romance, and entertaining settings. The Love Haters is set in Key West and centers on Hutch Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, and Katie, a video producer who is set to film the diver for a promotional spot to create interest in Coast Guard careers. Katie needs to do a great job to impress her boss and save her job. Of course Hutch turns out to be a total hunk as well as a really REALLY nice guy, so how can Katie help being interested? But throw in Hutch’s charming aunt and her group of lovely older ladies with a Key West vibe, and then mix in a co-worker who happens to be Hutch’s estranged brother, a man-hungry boss, a huge dog with a sad story, Katie’s inability to swim even though it is required for the job, and of course, a hurricane, and the tension and entertainment flow. It was really almost too much for one book. But it is fun and a fast read.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

I liked this book as a whole, but it is not my favorite of Katherine Center's books. This book features body image issues (fat phobia, swimsuit phobia). While that isn't a topic I really enjoy reading about, this is probably the best book I've read dealing with rhetoric around that difficulty, and I loved how the FMC's journey towards self acceptance is front and center.

I laughed *so much* reading this book. I loved the overly friendly Great Dane who thinks he's a puppy and all the hilarious mishaps his shenanigans instigated. I loved the super supportive cousin who helped the FMC overcome her body related thought distortions. And I REALLY loved the Golden Girls style friend group. They were absolute gems.

The main characters both learn and grow together, and it's so beautiful.

Content: language, body image distortion, grief, lying and manipulation, fake dating, parental de*ths caused by drunk husband that resulted in de*th of person in another vehicle as well, marooned on a houseboat out to sea during a Category Two hurricane, dog paw injured during the storm

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

This is my 4th Katherine Center book that I have read and I am becoming a huge fan! This book was the perfect rom-com!! I loved the main characters, Katie and Hutch, and how the author brought them together. The way that Katie learned to love herself and gain so much self worth throughout the book was something we all can learn from.
Thank you Katherine, Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC!!

I am always a sucker for a Katherine Center novel, and this was no exception. I loved all of the main characters, the side characters, the setting. As always things seem to work out just a little *too* perfectly in the end, but that’s why I read them! ;)

I absolutely adored this book! I have nothing negative to say about it! It was an enjoyable and fast-paced read! If you're looking for a delightful romance novel, this is the perfect choice! You could easily complete it in just one day!

Well I pretty much loved everything about this book. The storyline took me a little while to get into but once I did I couldn’t put it down. I loved the relationships in the book, the displays of love, everything. Highly recommend if you like clean love stories with a little bit of tension, body positivity, tropical themes, and good pacing! Another great book by Katherine Center!

Wow wow wow another 5 star read for me by my favorite author I’m so grateful for you guys letting me read all her books before they come out each year. This story has me speechless I’m so buying this book when it comes out.

Ok where do I start… first I didn’t not like the book I just didn’t like it and I think there are a lot of problems with this book that is preventing it from reaching its full potential.

In the beginning of the book I was really confused. I think I might be stupid but I just never fully understood why she was staying there for so long… it just didn’t make sense to me

The main issue of the book for me was how the author wanted to make this a journey of self love for the fmc but that fell flat. This book is marketed as a romance and I wish it leaned more women’s fiction than it did.

She starts off my talking about the fmc’s insecurities with her body, but as the book progressed it was overshadowed by the “romance” aspect of the novel. The epilogue wrapped up this point of the book and while I did enjoy the epilogue, I wish we got to see more of how she overcame her insecurities instead of them almost magically disappearing.

The romance wasn’t particularly special either. It wasn’t strong and the connection between the characters didn’t grow beyond the 50% mark. In the end we just learned about his trauma and the relationship didn’t develop fully.

And Cole. Oh my god I am so embarrassed by this man, and the two grown men fighting? You cannot be serious I need to scrub my eyes of this.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This is my fourth Katherine Center book, and unfortunately, it wasn’t for me. This is a 3.5-star review.

Katie is healing after her now-famous ex cheated on her and broke up with her very publicly. As if that weren’t enough, she’s also at risk of losing her job due to a major layoff at work. But Cole, her manager, sees potential in her and sends her off to Key West to film a short commercial documentary about an almost-perfect lifeguard—who also happens to be his brother.

Although this wasn’t my favorite read, there’s one thing I loved about this book: Katie’s relationship with her cousin. We all need someone who helps us see through our insecurities in a positive and realistic way. This character did that for Katie in such a kind and supportive manner, which I really appreciated reading.

I also enjoyed seeing Katie learn how to talk to herself and appreciated how open the narrative was about the struggles we have with ourselves—how toxic we can be to ourselves. It’s not something that every romance book chooses to explore on such a deep level.

One thing I felt was missing from this book was a deeper dive into the romance. The author chose to simply state that the characters did certain things or that their relationship evolved, but I missed seeing those moments unfold. I wanted to read more about the small, everyday interactions that made their romance come alive. I think including those details would have made the romance feel more vivid.

That said, it was still an enjoyable read, and I absolutely loved the Rue, the Gals and George Bailey! They added so much fun to the narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to review this one!

This is easily my favorite book by Katherine Center. At times I forgot I was reading within the romance genre thanks to the interesting details about the Coast Guard—I need to find myself a documentary. The themes of body positivity and recovery from disordered eating are thoughtfully woven into the story without feeling overwhelming. With plenty of tension and a few stolen kisses (but no spice), this book is a nice balance of depth and charm.

Thanks to NetGalley and Katherine Center for this ARC e-read in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun read and I wasn't sure where it was going with the filmmaker heading to Key West for an assignment. I loved the interaction with tge aunt and her friends. Not too crazy about the younger brother and his lies that continued to mess with the plot.
Overall, it wasn't a bad storyline, but I'm too sure I would recommend it to a friend or not.

This book was so lighthearted and heartwarming — very much par for the course with my expectations for Katherine Center’s books. I adore that they not only have elements of both romance and comedy, but have an underlying lesson woven throughout and this one was about facing your fears and loving yourself as the unique human you are.

I have to admit that I wasn’t sure about the book after the first handful of chapters since there was a lot of groundwork laid to explain the situation, Katie’s assignment, and paint the picture of Hutch. As I got to know the characters though, it all started to meld and come together. I fell in love with Rue, “the girls” and George Bailey the most — and despised Cole with a vengeance.

My realist personality didn’t love the houseboat situation - and I felt that it was a bit too lighthearted for how insane the situation was, which turned me off slightly.

All-in-all it was adorable and fun but I wouldn’t say it was my favorite of Center’s books.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Romance
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a huge Katherine Center fan! Her books always have me laughing and swooning. I was so excited when @stmartin had digital copies for their early readers! As always these characters were absolutely wonderful.

Katie is a video producer who is questioning whether she is going to have a job or not. They have started laying off in the office. When her coworker Cole comes to her with an opportunity to interview Tom Hutcheson, Coast Guard rescue swimmer, she says yes even though she can’t even swim. Katie learns that Tom is Cole’s brother, the love hater.
When Katie travels down to the beautiful beach to start her training with the coast guard, she’s surrounded by color! Katie’s life has been trying to hide from color after she was previously hurt. When she meets Aunt Rue, she starts opening her back up to the colorful world around her. She starts falling in love with her surroundings. And when she meets the handsome Tom “Hutch” she’s wondering what person Cole is talking about. Tom is sweet and hanging out with wonderful old grandmas. Katie starts to open up, face fears and learn more about herself.
This book was such a joy! I didn’t even get to the Great Dane George Bailey 😍 The characters were all so real and friendly. I wanted to join the girls for cocktails by the pool! Hutch is the most perfect book boyfriend. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good rom-com!

The Love Haters - Katherine Center
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

✨Book Review✨

Video producer Katie takes on a project from her coworker Cole that might help her save her job. The catch? It’s a video profile on a coast guard rescue swimmer who happens to be Coles brother Hutch.A handsome grumpy man who hates love. While they both hate love they find out they may hate love.. together.

I feel this book is a perfect beachy palette cleanser. It is a feel good & lighthearted pick!If your looking for a quirky romance comedy that’s relatable you’ll like this one!

This book is classic Katherine Center Style, romance with a dash of comedy and that touches upon deeper issues in a gentle and understandable way. I love the quirky supporting characters and the key west setting. Katie’s self esteem issues were so relatable and I love how the author approached it and how we worked through it with her character. Hutch was the ultimate grumpy cinnamon roll. I also loved how much their different personalities complimented each other.

While this book did not grab me the way her other books have I still enjoyed it and it kept me coming back for more.

Thank you St Martins Press and Netgalley for the digital Arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

Release date:5/20/25

This book quite literally failed to live up to its title. I loved the premise but the execution fell flat.

I was hoping with a title like Love Haters there would be a lot of internal conflict within the main leads and there was, for Katie. The story starts off strong with Katie reluctantly cajoled into taking on a new videography project from her coworker that leads her to the Florida Keys and a colorful crew of old ladies and attractive, stoic, coastie Hutch. It was wonderful to see Katie grow past body dysmorphia and low self esteem following a public breakup and it seemed like the author spent none of that character development on Hutch. He was too perfect and, aside from being single, did not in fact hate love or seem reluctant to the idea of falling in love at all! It felt a bit instalove to me. I wanted more of a slow burn and tension. The book does feature Center’s classic humor and has no spice whatsoever for better or worse. Worth reading if you’re a fan and there are cute moments but ultimately might leave you a bit wanting.

This book had so many wonderful things in it! I LOVED learning more about the Coast Guard and rescue swimmers. Seriously, it was so interesting! I also loved our FMCs journey to accepting and loving her body. This was something I think all women can relate to at some point. The tension between our two main characters was so good and I was just dying for it to snap…. But it just was a little lackluster for me at the end and felt very rushed. All in all, I enjoyed this book immensely!! Katherine Center never disappoints!! ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.75 stars rounded up to 4
Really over the moon happy to have gotten an early release copy of this new one from Katherine Center out in May. I love how easy and enjoyable her stories are but this one wasn’t my favorite from her lineup. I DID love the characters of Hutch and Rue and the witty, relatable commentary by the main character as she interacted with the full cast of characters. But I just wanted more character relationship depth and less then this happened oh and then and this happened, bit too outlandish at times. But the internal monologue of Katie was truly spot on for this mid 30’s reader.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this early copy!

While this book wasn’t “bad,” it definitely fell flat for me.

The author’s near-constant use of rhetorical questions was distracting. The characters, their story, the “conflict,” all too contrived. The humor was a bit too cheesy slapstick.

The idea of an enemies to lovers trope with the FMC and her body is excellent! It was handled in an odd way, and could have been explored better.

As a Florida resident and military spouse who has spent time in Key West, I wanted to see more development with the setting.

I will still read anything Katherine Center writes! This one just didn’t work for me.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center
This was AWESOME! What a phenomenal love story with a brilliant dog included!
Katie is between a rock and a hard place. Her career is teetering as her company downsizes. Her co-worker Cole offers her a project that could save her job and get him out of interacting with his brother Hutch. It's a promotional video about the Coast Guard and his brother is front and center. The catch, it requires swimming skills, which Katie doesn't have, so she fakes it.
When Katie gets to Key West, she finds a bright welcoming community and Aunt Rue. Rue runs everything in town including building a family with her friends and community. She is as colorful as the clothes she wears and she warms everyone's heart with her personality. Sparks fly when Katie meets Hutch and she literally flies when she meets his giant dog, George Bailey.
I loved this story! It has self reflection and teaches some lessons on perspective and self appreciation. Katherine Center amazes me every time! She is truly a gifted storyteller and will always be "must-read" author. I will read everything she writes! This is a beautiful creative love story that will stay with me, it made me laugh and I was with the characters, in the story. The writing is just that good, like you walk right in and just become part of the story - the best kind of book! Of course it has a brilliant dog at the center, I love George Bailey!
To quote Katherine Center, " In the best stories, you're in it. It's happening all around you - and to you." That's exactly how i feel about books. That's why Katherine Center is an excellent author. Read this one and don't skip the author's note, it's phenomenal too!
I would like to thank NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to review an ARC of this book. 5+/5⭐

Thank you for the advanced copy of The Love Haters. I’m a huge fan and follower of Katherine Center, and it was exciting to see the request come through!

My first piece of feedback is that I wish the ARC had provided a content warning about the body shaming and disordered eating. These are huge themes in the book, and as someone navigating ED recovery… I would not have actively chosen to read the novel. There was no mention of the disorder in content warning format or in the book description.

The above put me off to the story, but I was able to begin enjoying the writing about halfway in. Center doesn’t make her characters as bantering and snarky as some other recents books I’ve read; however, the exchanges and dynamics were still fun. I also appreciated the bits of information provided about the Coast Guard.

A quick summary: about a year following a uniquely public breakup and in an attempt to save her job, Katie travels to Key West as a video producer intent on profiling an otherwise hard to nail-down rescue swimmer Hutch. The latter has made headlines before but does not lean into the “hero” title or spotlight. The org chart for these characters is interesting - Hutch is the brother of Katie’s coworker, Cole, and she stays with their Aunt Rue. There should be another chart for all the lying that goes down too - Katie can’t swim, Cole is quick to fib, and the readers will absolutely be angry about the lack of communication to clear things up. A series of filming and other events leads to a final hurricane situation, which was also somewhat predictable but handled very well by the author.

Again - it’s important to note that Katie is navigating all of this while also navigating a journey to body-acceptance and appreciation.

I’ll rate this 3.75 rounded up to 4.