DNF 17%. I had really high hopes for this book, however I could not get past the fmc’s body image issues. I think this is an important topic to tackle, however, it needs to be done correctly and tastefully. The fmc just seemed whiny and insufferable. Her entire personality was her disordered eating and body image issues which, hello, trigger warning!

I feel like you can’t really go wrong with a Katherine center novel. I adore her writing style and the heart and humor she brings, despite the layers of trauma interwoven. My only complaint is the lighthearted way Katie’s body images were portrayed. I feel like therapy should have been encouraged and a more serious tone taken. Otherwise it was a really fun book. I loved the coast guard and rescue swimmer aspect! It was unique and exciting, especially hearing about through Katie’s tales while making her videos. Rue and the gang, and George Bailey were my favorite parts! Also could have lived with less Cole and his douchey behaviors.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

As much as I love Katherine Center’s books and enjoyed this one, there were a few major misses for me in The Love Haters.

Katie is sent to Florida for work to interview Hutch, a coworker’s brother who is a rescue swimmer for the coast guard. The only problem? Katie can’t swim (oh, and she has an almost debilitating case of horrible body image).

I loved the unique choice to focus on rescue swimmers, a career that added plenty of adrenaline to the scenes where Katie and Hutch were training or off to rescue someone. Their private swim lessons also provided plenty of humor, particularly due to a group of older ladies and a rambunctious Great Dane. I did almost die of secondhand embarrassment during their first pool encounter though 😂 The side characters were all fantastic with the exception of Cole, Katie’s despicable coworker who nearly made me hate one of my very favorite tropes.

The biggest miss for me was the way that Katie’s body image was handled on the page. If you have struggled with any kind of body dysmorphia or this is a trigger for you, please tread lightly, as we are subject to lists of Katie’s calorie counting and almost constant self doubt over her body. If just one character had suggested that Katie could use some professional help maybe that would have made all the difference, but telling me that love and one wild incident make things all better felt too fluffy and unrealistic for me.

While not my top recommendation of Center’s books, this one still gets 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for the writing and unique storyline. Thank you to SMP for the gifted ARC.

I really enjoyed “The Love Haters”. This book really had all the ingredients for a fun romantic comedy. Most of the characters are charming and the plot is delightful. There was a lot going on in the book in a good way, the story lines didn't feel overwhelming or rushed. Katie's POV would have me laughing for a chapter and then crying especially when it came to her body image and her journey to self-love and acceptance. I loved Beanie and Kate's friendship and how supportive Beanie was about Kate's body image issues. The way that the love between Hutch and Katie developed through the story was perfect! The setting of Key West felt almost like another character. I enjoyed reading the author’s vivid descriptions of the place. I especially loved Rue’s character. She is the perfect encapsulation of the Key West lifestyle. George Bailey stole the show! I absolutely loved all the moments he was involved in the story. Thanks to Katherine Center, Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts. I look forward to reading Katherine’s next book.

3.5 rounded up.

Idk it was my interest in this book that had me up till 3 AM to finish this book or did I take my last adhd med too late? 🤦🏾‍♀️😂

Anywho, Center nails something super important here about how our past trauma messes with our ability to love ourselves and others. As a therapist, I was absolutely living for how she incorporated the Gottman method into the narrative! I thought the use of it for an individual was interesting and helpful.

What really got me was the exploration of body image and self-love. There’s this raw, honest look at how we internalize negative messages about our bodies and the WORK it takes to heal that. I was nodding along like “yes, THIS is what my clients go through!”

I will say, I wanted MORE depth with some character trauma (looking at you, Hutch). Center could’ve gone deeper there and really unpacked his story. The book isn’t perfect, but it’s still a beautiful journey.

If you’re into stories that feel like therapy but make you laugh too, grab this one! It’s not just a romance - it’s about the hardest relationship we’ll ever have: the one with ourselves.

Not my absolute favorite of Center’s books, but definitely worth staying up way too late to finish. Trust me on this one! 💕📚

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

not the best romcom i’ve read, but also not the worst. i just felt like some plot points/scenes were TOO unrealistic to be true.

i also just find katherine center utilizes issues between siblings as a subplot too much.

as for the narrator, she did a fine job!

Katherine Center returns with The Love Haters, a charming, emotionally resonant, and delightfully witty romantic comedy that flips the script on love and rivalry. Known for her ability to blend heartfelt storytelling with lighthearted humor, Center delivers another winner—this time with a clever enemies-to-lovers twist that plays out in an unexpected and refreshing way.

The story centers on Samantha "Sam" Davis, a smart, ambitious woman who's sworn off romance after a string of disappointments. When she’s reluctantly paired with Jack Malone—her childhood nemesis turned infuriatingly attractive co-worker—sparks fly, and not the good kind. Their constant bickering earns them the title of “love haters” among friends and coworkers. But when a twist of fate forces them to fake a romantic connection for the sake of a work event, their banter evolves into something neither expected.

Center excels at crafting characters who feel real, flawed, and fiercely lovable. Sam is equal parts vulnerable and strong, and Jack’s slow-burning charm and depth make him a standout love interest. Their chemistry crackles on the page, but what elevates the novel is its emotional core: Center explores themes of trust, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to open yourself up to love again.

With her signature mix of laugh-out-loud moments, poignant insights, and swoon-worthy romance, The Love Haters is a reminder that sometimes the people who challenge us the most are the ones we need the most. It’s a perfect pick for fans of Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, and anyone who believes love is worth fighting for—even if it starts with a fight.

Rating: 4.5/5
Uplifting, hilarious, and heartfelt—a rom-com with real emotional stakes

Katherine Center did it again with another amazing book that had me on the edge of my seat! Between the action, the talks of eating disorder, grief and self acceptance and the romance, this book checked every box. As someone who has struggled with body image issues, this book was so healing to see our main character learn to love herself. Also, the romance was sooo good and the tension was amazing! It’s a grumpy x sunshine romance which is always a hit!
I highly recommend everyone checks this out once it’s released, it will have you smiling and crying throughout!

It was a nice read. The romance in the book was more like a sub plot. I felt for Katie because we share a lot of the same insecurities. But the side characters weren't really that great besides Rue.

This was really cute! I loved Hutch and George Bailey. I wish there was a little less focus on her body image issues and a bit more growth in the relationship. Overall, Katherine Center can do no wrong. This isn't my favorite of her works but I would still highly recommended.

2.5 ⭐️

My first Katherine Center read. The Love Haters had its funny moments. I laughed out loud a few times, and I appreciated the lighter tone, especially with the storyline touching on the FMC’s body image. That balance helped the deeper themes feel more approachable. Because of certain conflicts that can cause tension between the FMC and MMC, it seems like the romance should work (the rom-com vibes are there), but it still didn't fully connect for me. Overall, this story didn't fully pull me in the way I hoped.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars

This book was such a fun read! I love everything Center writes and was wholly invested in the budding relationship between the two "love haters". Katie and Hutch were both such adorable characters and their banter was fantastic. I also loved the old lady crew that Rue headed up and their involvement in the story. It seemed to get a little messy when Cole and Sully came down and I didn't quite get the point but it didn't take away from my love of this one. And the happy ending, well, chef's kiss!!

Here's the thing, I love Katherine Center. Anytime one of her books comes out, I read it. She writes characters and different life situations really well, and I am always recommending her to those who want more women's contemporary books over straight romance. She's someone that really dives into her characters and makes you sit with them. In fact, Cassie from Things You Save in a Fire is still a character that flutters into my head about from time to time

That said, this book wasn't my favorite of hers. The concept was a little too unbelievable and I had to REALLY suspend my belief by the end. I did like the pro body positive stuff and the four older ladies were a riot but this whole book felt like Katie was on vacation from real life and it made it hard to believe that she would continue on this path after the book wrapped up. I think I am the outlier in this though, because it was a good book and I agree with many of the reviews on here that say that. I just wanted to love it more than I actually ended up doing.

Unfortunately as much as I typically love Katherine Center’s books this one was a miss for me. I didn’t love the initial set up. I felt like I was dropped right into the middle of the book instead of being introduced to everything. It seemed as if I should already know everyone and their situation. The MC has a lot of body image concerns and it at times felt like the soul purpose of the book, which just wasn’t enjoyable to focus on. The depth and emotion I typically get when reading her books just wasn’t there for me this time as I just couldn’t connect to the characters in a way that would be impactful.

I’m relatively new to Katherine Center, this is my third book of hers, and I honestly think I’m becoming a big fan.

I made the mistake of reading some early reviews of Love Haters before I myself started this book, and a lot of those people were not a fan of the FMC’s body image anxieties.
I however, did not feel that way. I thought it might be triggering for me as someone who has body dysmorphia and is currently down on myself. Instead, I felt so seen. A lot of Katie’s inner thoughts and anxieties were exactly how my brain rationalizes things. I found her very admirable and relatable and I loved being inside her head.


I pretty much devoured this book and stayed up far too late in the AM just to finished. The pacing was amazing, there was so much chaos and goofiness it reminded me of the old school rom coms I would watch growing up.

The chemistry between Hutch and Katie was *chefs kiss* . I’m still thinking about them almost a week after reading. Many times after I finished the book, I forgot I had finished and kept wanting to go back into their world and their romance.

Thank you so much for approving me for this read. I will now be going back and reading every Katherine Center that I haven’t gotten to yet

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read and enjoyed several others books by Katherine Center, so I had high hopes for this book. This book definitely lived up to my expectations. It was wonderful!

3.4 ⭐️

Synopsis: Katie Vaughn has one last chance to save her job. The only thing in her way? Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson. Can two self-proclaimed love haters survive paradise—and each other—long enough to get the job done?

What I loved:
-The quiet, beautiful theme here is: “To be loved is to be seen.” No, the book does not explicitly say this but Hutch definitely exudes this.
-If the text message, “Hey, I saw this and thought of you” were a person, it would absolutely be Hutch.
-So yes, I may be in love with Hutch! Leave me alone!
-GEORGE BAILEY.
-AUNT RUE AND THE GALS.
-Hot take, but… Cole? He was a walking disaster fueled by sibling rivalry, and as someone with two brothers, it felt way too real.
-Last but certainly not least, Katie. Her internal dialogue is my internal dialogue and therefore I too, feel seen.

Number of times I mentioned Hutch in this review: 5. (Honestly? Should be more.)

Thank you St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for the ARC! Out 05/20/25

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book in advance of its release.
This book took me a bit to get into, but once I got into it, it was hard to put it down. Cole and Hutch are exactly what you were expect out of two brothers who experienced trauma I love the community that was created in this story.
Katie overcame so much, it’s nice to see authors addressing body image problems and disordered eating in characters

My favorite thing about The Love Haters was how layered Katie and Hutch's traumas were, and that it didn't detract from the cute romance aspects of the story. Instead, it was interwoven to create a fluffy yet deep story of love and overcoming personal trauma. I give The Love Haters 5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review The Love Haters by Katherine Center. All opinions are my own

What a great book!
4.5 stars, rounding up to 5
This was a fun book with lots of laugh out loud moments and also the great feel good moments too. Loved the main characters and also the dude characters!