This story is cute. Katie has some issues with her body which became the main character of this story right along Hutch’s extraordinary good looks. It’s an ok read, gets a bit chaotic at times. Lots of over the top stories from the supporting characters. We never do find out what happens with the song the ex wrote. That seemed like a loose end. And the slight heart condition, isn’t a thing.
I’m going to throw in that I felt the Jennifer Aniston reference comes across as a shameless manifestation, in case this were to be picked up for a possible movie in the future.

This was a super cute romance!! I loved the body positivity and the character arc of Katie! And George Bailey is the cutest dog name ever!! So many funny moments and has that Katherine Center charm!!

I am a huge Katherine Center fan, and "The Rom-Commers" was one of my top books of 2024. I was really excited to receive the arc for "The Love Haters" from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. I loved the premise of this book, and thought it was super fun and unique. I do appreciate that Katherine Center has a "struggle" or sad thing happening in each of her books, but the body image thing with Katie was just too over the top and too much. As someone who has struggled with body image issues and living in a larger body since she was young - I get it, but also I felt like it was ALL I was reading about it, and it made it hard for me to keep going. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys rom coms that also don't mind some inner struggles with main characters.

The Love Haters is more than a sweet rom-com—it’s a celebration of imperfect, messy, beautiful journeys toward self-acceptance. With humor, warmth, and emotionally satisfying growth, Katherine Center delivers a story that makes you root for the characters—and maybe even for yourself. Engaging, uplifting, and impossible to put down—that’s the magic of The Love Haters. As always loved the cast of characters , especially the Great Dame named George Bailey and the love story of Katie and Hutch with the backdrop of Key West, Florida.

The Love Haters is a heartwarming and witty rom-com with wide emotional appeal. Katie Vaughn, a video producer teetering on the edge of layoffs, is sent to Key West to profile a Coast Guard rescue swimmer-though she can’t swim herself. Katherine Center weaves in thoughtful explorations of body image and self-acceptance alongside quirky tropes, eccentric characters (hello, Great Dane George Bailey and vibrant Aunt Rue!), and a slow-burning, tender romance. Despite its lighthearted tone, the book packs an emotional punch, culminating in a surprising twist and deeply satisfying resolution. A feel-good read that both entertains and reminds you that your first love story should always be with yourself.

When I saw Center’s The Love Haters, I thought I’d get more of The Rom-Commers, that is, a romance as good. Because I really loved The Rom Commers, also Hello Stranger. There was much to love about The Love Haters, except it also had a saggy middle, too many internal musings and ruminations on the heroine’s part, and even got a little preachy near the end. Overall, an uneven romance: with ho-hummy bits and truly great bits. To the publisher’s blurb to give you the details of the characters and goings-on:

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but pretends that she can.

Plus, Cole and Hutch are brothers. And they don’t get along. Next stop: paradise! But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good-looking man she has ever seen . . . but maybe a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

First I’m going to draw a bizarre parallel between Center and Betty Neels, at least as far as Love Haters is concerned. Like Beloved Betts (I feel a new Betty read coming on, it’s been a while), Center’s hero, “Hutch”, and he truly is utterly heroic (a bit of a caricature, deliberately so on Center’s part…clever) is a (hardy-har, pun) closed book. We know Katie (love the Kates…also she has my name, so doubly so), we get to know Katie A LOT, but we only have one wunderbar hint about what Hutch is feeling, a cypher is Hutch…except Center knows good romance and give us one teensy sign about his LOVE, not HATE, feelings for Katie.

Otherwise, the romance novel is taken up with Katie’s videoing (most interesting), her droll, self-deprecating inner voice, her growing and delightful relationship with Aunt Rue. And my favourite bit, her self-boosting “Face-time” (Florida to NYC) conversations with her cousin Beanie (can Center pul-lease give Beanie a romance?). For the most part, The Love Haters isn’t about Hutch hating “love” (though it makes for funny banter), it’s about Katie learning to love herself, especially her body. It’s not about disordered eating: I’m glad Center didn’t take that on in a rom-com. Rather, Katie has an “ex”, an “ex” who hit it big on the music stage and then the media took a “pound of flesh” out of Katie for having a less-than-perfect body and what they deemed a frumpy fashion sense. I’m no fan of “vintage” wear (thank you very much, I like my clothes off the new racks) but I do like me some new “boho” and Katie is condemned for her floral boho style at an awards show.

Well, Katie has certainly come to the right place as Rue runs a Vrbo estate and clothing store chock-full of (ahem, no thank you) kaftans and other colourful “boho” garments. As Katie, with Rue’s fashion “gifts”, Beanie’s adorable love-yourself brow-beating, and Hutch’s serious, admiring eyes, comes to see her body differently, her voice is maybe less ruefully funny and more joyously self-accepting, either way it works…until it doesn’t. And where it doesn’t is in the soggy middle “the lady doth [self] protest too much” and in the unfortunately preachy-self-love epilogue. I was hoping for a boho wedding and baby-making, but no.

Which leaves us with the what of the romance say you, Miss B., question. What there is of it, is mighty fine, as fine as Hutch’s serious brown eyes, washboard abs (nope, he carries a bit of “blubber” he tells Katie, all swimmers do, to help them float; Katie can’t see it, but she gets to “ogle” as she puts it and this is funny too) and drolly flat banter delivery. I loved him. There are quite a few revelations and surprise twists to the narrative and an adorable dog, George Bailey (yes, named after that George Bailey), but I don’t want to spoil. What I will say, with Miss Austen’s sage nod, is that any Katherine Center, even a slightly less successful one, is better than most contemporary romance you’re likely to read. So, we agree, The Love Haters is of “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters is published by St. Martin’s Press and released on May 20th. I received an e-galley from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley. The above is my honest, AI-free opinion.

Katherine Center once again delivers a hopeful romance that I didn't want to put down! I found myself once again learning while reading with this one. This time it was about the Coast Guard.

Katherine Center is the reigning queen of the perfect rom-com. The Love Haters is no exception, with a perfect blend of heartwarming characters, humor, and the enduring message- love conquers all.

Katie is a well-developed character with genuine challenges. I wanted a little bit more depth regarding her body image issues, but also understand how doing so could have taken the story to a level of seriousness beyond a typical rom-com. I do I like that this story is just as much about finding love with yourself.

It’s clear that Katherine Center did her research for the Coast Guard and rescue swimmer aspects. This kind of attention to detail makes Hutch and the plot believable. Cole is more of a pain sometimes than a realistic foil, and his involvement in Katie & Hutch’s conflict was somewhat unbelievable.

But anything that Cole takes away from the story, it’s added back tenfold by George Bailey and Rue. This isn’t the first time I’ve fallen for an animal companion in one of Katherine Center’s books, and she has a gift for writing the most endearing furry characters. Rue and her friends are a delight, equal parts heartwarming and hilarious.

Overall, a fun and enjoyable read with an extremely lovable cast of characters. The Key West setting and Coast Guard aspects elevate the story and keep it engaging.

The Love Haters gently floats that line between rom-com comfort and emotional depth. Katie Vaughn, facing layoff chaos, volunteers to film a Coast Guard rescue swimmer—despite being unable to swim herself. Set in sunny, chaotic Key West, the novel shines through its quirky cast—most notably Aunt Rue’s flamboyance and George Bailey the rescue Great Dane’s unpredictability.

What elevates the story: it’s Katie’s internal journey, not a hot romance, that drives the narrative. Center avoids making love the fix for Katie’s insecurities—a welcome departure from the trope. The late twist is a delightful jolt that pushes the emotional arc home. Still, some readers may find the treatment of body image superficial or jarring, and a handful of caricature-like secondary figures pull me out of the moment.

Ultimately, if you’re after a warm, witty, and emotionally resonant beach romance with real heart, The Love Haters is a solid choice—even with its small missteps. 4.0 / 5 stars

I honestly didn’t love this book like I have loved other Katherine Center books. I felt the love was way too rushed and unbelievable. And I’m ok with insta-love if there is chemistry, but I didn’t feel that with this book.
Here were some positives though! Aunt Rue was terrific! And the dog. You’ve got to love George Bailey. I can see other readers enjoying this book and I will continue to read Katherine Center, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Katherine Center has done it again—I adored this book! Her stories always feel like the perfect mix of warmth, humor, and heart, and The Love Haters was no exception. The characters were so endearing, the dialogue sparkled, and I found myself smiling, laughing, and tearing up along the way. As always, her writing leaves me both entertained and encouraged. Another absolute favorite from an author who never disappoints

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

2.5⭐️, took me 3 months but i finally made it through the ARC. a lot of it was sweet but a lot of it annoyed me. i just couldn’t relate to either of the mc’s but i loved rue and the gals and the setting!

Unfortunately I didn’t like the body image part of this book. It kind of came of no where and felt icky. I have given all of k centers books five stars. This was a miss for me but can’t wait for the next one by her.

5/5 I absolutely loved this book! Katherine Center has a way of writing the best romance that just has you so enamored by the characters! Also the MMC has a really hero-worthy and swoony job and was easy to root for! This book is the essence of what romance is about.

People have been saying how much they absolutely LOVE this author, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I am hoping to give her other novels a try since she comes highly recommended. Sadly and surprisingly, this one fell flat for me. :(

thankful for the opportunity to read this book!! i am a big fan of Katherine Center, but this book fell flat for me. the characters didn’t really drawn me in and it felt like a struggle to finish.

Katherine Center normally can really hit the mark for me. This one kind of fell flat for the most part and it just felt like it was getting pretty dull in the middle. It felt very millennial complainy to me but maybe I might just not be the target audience.
HOWEVER, I did thoroughly enjoy the ending and it did up my overall experience.

Another incredible 5 star read by Katherine Center. I enjoyed the setting and a look into the USCG. Rue is one of the best secondary characters I’ve come across in a while. She added so much warmth and light to this book. Highly recommend!

Katherine Center is an automatic read for me, so I was very excited for this book! I loved the vacation vibes, aided mostly by the Key West setting. The side characters were fun (Rue was my favorite part of the book), but I wish I they were more developed. While the romance aspect was generally fun to read, the "love-hating" idea didn't feel fully realized throughout the book, and certain heavier themes felt ignored at times. This book was still a very fun read and I will be waiting for Katherine Center's next release!