I wouldn’t recommend one at all if you have an eating disorder. This was super triggering. The FMC is so intensely obsessed with what she eats and how she looks. From the looks of other reviews it does not get better at all. I just can’t do it

The Love Haters, the newest romance from author Katherine Center, is a perfect summer read set in the sunny Florida keys. It's told from the POV of Katie, a videographer with dreams of becoming a documentary filmmaker. In danger of losing her job to to major downsizing at her company, Katie accepts a job to accompany a US Coast Guard rescue team in order to make a new promo code for the USCG. The only problem? Katie can't actually swim. But we all stretch truths for a job and Katie plans to worry about that later. Fortunately she's immediately put in contact with Rue, who sweeps Katie up in a whirlwind of energy and color and gets Katie set up with swimming lessons from her nephew, Hutch. Her incredibly handsome nephew who also happens to be the intended focus of Katie's promo video.
This was my first read by Katherine Center, and I loved it. The romance was so easy and natural and just charming. Hutch was funny and sweet, and he owned a rescue dog no one else wanted. Of course we all love him! And Katie was complicated and self conscious, but earnest and trying to be her best. It was so easy to be swept away (pin intended) by the charm of this love story.
As much as I loved Hutch, I loved Katie more. Riddled with anxiety and body insecurity, Katie was sweet and kind. It was difficult at times, reading her insecurities and wanting to shake her a little bit (I always want my romance characters to see a therapist, but oh did I really really want Katie to see a therapist!) But Katie's struggle was addressed in such a sweet way. Challenged by her cousin to make a list of her 10 favorite body attributes, Katie starts with her earlobes. At first I laughed, who chooses earlobes? But as she defended her choice, I began to wonder if I'd ever given my loves that much loving attention. She does the same for her ankles, her pinky finger, etc. It was silly and heartwarming at the same time. Would it work in a real world situation? I'm not sure, but the earnestness worked here and I loved it.
Center's writing also deserves mention. The book itself was engaging and fun, drawing the reader in quickly and keeping them with an easy flow. I devoured this book in a weekend, partly because I was so invested in seeing Katie succeed, but also because the pages flowed so easily it was hard to stop.
This is a fun read (though check the TW as Katie's issues may be triggering for some) and definitely has me ready to read more from the author.
This review has been published on my social media pages, as well as Barnes and Noble. All links are included.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I adore Katherine Center and her feel good romances! This one is another solid rom-com that gives you all the feels!! Hutch is the perfect book boyfriend. Katie is a leading lady who doesn't believe she is leading lady material. Beanie is the best, best friend! Add a big, horse dog and a group of old ladies (Rue leading the pack). The whole book was fun and so heartfelt. The personal growth of our heroine was inspiring as well as hilarious as she learned to love and accept herself. I enjoyed every minute of the book...well, except for some of the moments with Cole. Grrr!! But I'm glad we got some understanding into his issues and slight redemption.

I had one bit of confusion which wasn't a big thing (no pun intended), but the book never clarifies whether Katie was truly a plus-size woman, or did she simply have a distorted view of her size. It was like we walked around any concrete descriptions about her in that regard. There is a lot of focus on loving your body which I applaud no matter the size.

Looking forward to the next writing! And audiobook on hold...:)

4.5 stars

Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read an early digital copy of this book. I was also lucky enough to receive a physical ARC of this book. One of the words that I would use to describe Katherine Center's books is JOY. I read them whenever I need an uplifting book, and she never disappoints. This book is perfect for summer and one that I think her fans will enjoy. And if you've never read a Katherine Center book before, you are missing out! The atmosphere and the swoon are *chef's kiss*, and Katherine Center remains one of my favorites!

The Love Haters is exactly what you'd expect from Katherine Center—a warm, witty, and uplifting romantic comedy with just enough emotional depth to keep things interesting. The concept is fun: a heroine who’s sworn off love, a hero who seems too good to be true, and a delicious enemies-to-lovers vibe that keeps the pages turning.

The writing is breezy and engaging, filled with Center’s trademark blend of humor and heart. The main character is relatable, stubborn in all the right (and wrong) ways, and the banter? Chef’s kiss. There were definitely moments that made me laugh out loud and a few scenes that hit me right in the feels.

That said, it’s not a super deep or unpredictable read—some of the plot points feel a bit convenient, and the ending wraps up a little too neatly. But honestly? That’s kind of what I wanted from it. It’s comfort food in book form.

If you're looking for a charming, low-angst romance with a strong female lead and some seriously cute moments, The Love Haters delivers. Just don’t expect anything too groundbreaking—and that’s totally okay.

This was an excellent romcom! It was a heated romance with some family drama intertwined. I loved the feel good ending!!! Definitely recommend this book!

(2.5 stars, rounded up to 3)

This needed a trigger warning for body talk & disordered eating. I found it very difficult to read about her goal of 1,000 calories and how her stepmother talked about her body. Now, I did read an advanced copy so a trigger warning very well could be added in the final copy & I very much hope it was because it is needed.

This was the 4th Katherine Center book I’ve read & unfortunately it’s my least favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book!

This was my first Katherine Center book and it will absolutely not be my last. This book started out a little slow, but when it picked up, I couldn’t put it down!

The setting was so vibrant, I felt like I was in the keys myself. Perfect read for summer!

Overall, I loved that this book created a wonderful balance between light heartedness and heavier topics. I like my books to have a little weight to them but without taking themselves too seriously, and this did that seamlessly!

As posted on Goodreads:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (6 Stars!)

Katherine Center has done it again with Love Haters—a novel that’s as easy to devour as it is hard to forget. I found myself completely entranced by her writing, which is both descriptive and accessible in a way that makes the characters feel alive and the emotions real. Her prose is like sinking into a warm bath: comforting, vivid, and undeniably immersive. I don’t know how someone can not instantly fall in love with these characters!

What makes Love Haters stand out isn’t just the romance, but the depth. It’s a story that navigates tough, often underrepresented topics like cheating, eating disorders, and body confidence struggles, and it does so with grace and sincerity. These themes are never heavy-handed—they’re human, and they make the emotional arcs land with more weight.

This book has some of my absolute favorite tropes: a grumpy-ish love interest meets a sunshine-y heroine, there’s “forced” proximity (if you know, you know), and a subtle “he teaches her” dynamic that’s warm, not patronizing. The banter is excellent, the chemistry is slow-burn and satisfying, and the emotional beats hit just right.

I highlighted quotes like:

“The truth is, it’s hard to make yourself ask for something that you know the person you’re asking doesn’t want to give.”

and

“Every time you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time. That’s what life is for.”

These lines stuck with me—not just because they’re beautifully written, but because they carry real insight.

If I had to nitpick, I’d say the modern pop culture references (TikTok, Noah Kahan, Jonas Brothers) pulled me out of the story at times. They’re fun, but might not age well, and for me, slightly disrupted the timeless feel of the narrative.

Still, Love Haters is the kind of book I’d want my loved ones to read—not just for the romance, but for the emotional intelligence baked into every page. It’s a love story, yes, but also a gentle lesson in vulnerability, courage, and connection. There is something that lies in between the pages that everyone can relate to.

Highly, highly recommend!!

This is my second ARC from Katherine Center, and once again, I’m in love! Huge thanks to the author and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copy—what a joy this book was.

I adored Hutch, but the one who truly stole my heart was George Bailey. His fear of thunder? Totally relatable (I’m scared of it too haha), and Aunt Rue’s little community? That’s my retirement dream right there. The whole setting felt so alive, so warm and inviting, I honestly wish it were real. I’d book a trip to Key West tomorrow if it meant I could visit them all.

This story made me laugh out loud. I finished it in one sitting. Katherine Center’s writing always feels like a warm hug from your bestie, and The Love Haters is no exception. 5 stars all across the board. I loved everything about it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars for The Love Haters by Katherine Center

I’ve really loved Katherine Center’s other books, so I had high hopes for this one—but sadly, it just didn’t land the same way for me.

The biggest issue? The body image storyline. I completely understand the importance of that kind of rep, but the amount of time spent on Katie’s insecurities (especially about wearing a bathing suit) felt super repetitive. Whole chapters were basically just variations of the same internal struggle, and I honestly almost DNF’d because of it.

I still enjoyed the overall vibe—it’s an easy beach read with some heart—but it lacked the magic I’ve come to expect from her. And don’t even get me started on the fake dating the brother subplot… I could’ve done without that entirely. There were way better ways to keep him in the story without making it weird.

Would I recommend it? Sure—as a light palette cleanser between heavier reads, maybe from the library. But if you’re new to this author, definitely start with one of her other books first. She’s written some real gems.

Many thanks for the earc
I really enjoy Katherine Center’s novels and was super excited to read this one! I loved the concept and the MCs, Katie and Hutch, but definitely felt that the book could have used some TWs (it may in the finished copy) and the ending felt unnecessary with the frustrating lies from the MMC and his brother. Definitely a fun and banter filled novel nonetheless, with an endearing rescue pup, that definitely stole the show!

The Love Haters is a fun book that reads like the female protagonist is talking directly to you. I really enjoyed that. The book is funny and insanely relatable as far as Katie’s personality goes.

Katie is trying to save her job by filling in for her boss, Cole, in putting together a promotional video for the Coast Guard—while working with Cole’s brother. We have side characters like Rue and Beanie who add to the entertainment.

I also struggle with how I feel in certain clothing, and I like to blend. Katie being so self conscious about herself spoke to my insecurities. I love when a book makes me think about how I can better myself.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

How does she keep delivering such adorable rom-coms featuring characters with such a wide range of professions? Are the moments between Katie and Hutch over-the-top and cheesy more often than not? Absolutely—but that’s exactly what makes it so fun. I enjoy a good cheesy rom-com, and this one delivered all the feel-good vibes I was hoping for.

I don’t always need heavy, real-life drama in my reads, and for a light, breezy beach read, this was spot on. That said, as with the author’s previous books, I’m still not the biggest fan of the female characters. But overall, the story is sweet, light-hearted, and charming—perfect when you're in the mood for something fun and easy.

Katherine Center weaves a great story and, as always, this one does not disappoint. A fun look into Coast Guard and fame, this book was a quick and happy read. I loved the characters, especially the secondary ones like Aunt Rue. This will have you laughing and wanting to run out to adopt an overlarge puppy!

Katherine Center is my comfort author. The Love Haters did not disappoint. Katie and hutch will live in my head for a while. I absolutely ate this up. Something about a coastguard rescue really gets me going. As a native Floridian, I really liked the hurricane scene. I can’t imagine being out there in the open ocean. Wild.

Anyway. I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for a digital advanced readers copy. All comments and opinions are my own unless otherwise noted.

Katherine Center is one of my must-read authors, and her latest novel is another feel-good 5-star winner! It was laugh-out-loud funny as well as poignant, romantic, with an edge-of-your-seat climax and three-dimensional characters who change for the better by the end of the novel.

This is the perfect beach read – but I urge you to read it no matter what time of year. As the book’s blurb says: “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.”

I agree with author Katherine Center: “The best love stories are never just about romantic love. They’re always about so much more than that: kindness, and joy, and belonging, and safety – not to mention growing, and changing, and healing from the past. They are always master classes on how we find the best in each other – and by extension, ourselves.”

You’ll love the Love Haters - I highly recommend!

I am such a fan of katherine center! I loved this book it really got me in the mood for the summer. The plot was enjoyable, I loved the characters, and I would definitely recommend this! The perfect beach read.

I have loved all the KC books I’ve read up until this point but something in this one just didn’t work for me personally.

I felt that the body image issues were really forced & overdone. I appreciate the ability to weave sensitive topics into the story but it felt a little too much involved in driving the plot.

I thought the pacing & romance was very well done! I loved Hutch & the ending scenes were some of my favorites of the book!

Katie Vaughn is a relatable, lovable heroine whose journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance is as inspiring as it is entertaining. From the moment she steps out of her comfort zone and into the sun-drenched world of Key West (despite not being able to swim), I was hooked. Her chemistry with Hutch, the swoon-worthy Coast Guard rescue swimmer, is undeniable—but what makes this story shine is the emotional depth behind their romance.