Setting: Key West
Videographer / Subject
Forced Proximity
Hurt/Comfort

On the brink of losing her job alongside many other colleagues, Katie is offered an opportunity by colleague Cole that she can’t say no to. The catch? She has to fly to Key West for an extended trip and the subject is Cole’s brother that he’s not on great terms with. Katie is put in a situation where she has to lie/withhold the truth to maintain the accommodations and access to the US Coast Guard base and heroic rescue swimmer she is interviewing, Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson.

You can’t help but fall in love with Katie and Hutch — and his dog George Bailey!
Center does a great job building her MCs out with some help from Hutch’s Aunt Rue and her gal pals. She had me hooked on her every word as she brought these two love haters close together through swim lessons, trainings, helicopter rides, rescues, and family dinners.

Center delivers us some serious suspense that I was not anticipating. I read this in just over a day, I needed to know how it ends.

TW: body dysmorphia.
This book isn’t just about Katie and Hutch falling for another, but also about Katie falling in love with her body and changing her relationship with food.

3.5 stars, will round up because I truly loved this book, (it was so close to being a 5 star read!!), but there are two glaring issues I can’t get past.
1. I am too hung up on the lack of closure regarding Katie and her now famous pop star ex fiancé, Lucas.
2. How she let Katie’s colleague Cole, who is Hutch’s brother, absolutely stream roll her and take control of the narrative by showing up with their boss. I felt she was complicit in hurting Hutch and I couldn’t understand why she would go along with Cole’s lies.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC.

Another great book by Katherine Center! Katherine Center’s The Love Haters was unputdownable! From the moment I picked it up, I wanted to keep reading and forget the rest of the world existed. This beautiful story of complicated characters turned out to be romance in more than the usual way. The main character goes on a self-love journey that she doesn’t know she’s even on, while finding friends and the love of her life. Every detail there makes you feel like you are there in the helicopter, in the water, and watching Hutch do shirtless pushups. This story made me so happy!

💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
I always get emotional when I read a Katherine Center book because she was one of my first introductions to the romance genre. I knew I needed to end 2024 with a book I would love, so without hesitation, I picked up 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. This story is emotional, hopeful, and absolutely hilarious. It beautifully explores relationships with siblings, parents, friends, significant others, and, most importantly, ourselves.
I think we will all see a bit of ourselves in Katie, the way we criticize and judge ourselves when what we truly need is kindness and appreciation. If you are looking for your next swoon worthy grump and utterly irresistible book boyfriend, Hutch is it along with his adorable dog George Bailey and his fierce and lovable Aunt Rue. The side characters really bring this story to life.
I could go on and on about my love for Katherine Center, but I will just say this: her Author’s Notes are unlike any I have ever read. They might be my favorite part of her books. I will end with a quote from her: “𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧: 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱. 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰.”

📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
🩷Forced proximity
☀️Grumpy x Sunshine
🗣️Witty Banter
🥹Emotional and hopeful
🫶Self love journey
🥰Found family
🚪Closed door romance
🐾Cute dog
☝🏼Single POV

⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:death of a parent, body shaming, toxic relationship.

👙𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾👙
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

💕Q U O T E: “𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒻𝓊𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝓎𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓎. 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝓊𝓃𝒻𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝑜𝓃 𝒶 𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒶 𝓂𝒶𝓅, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝓉𝓊𝒹𝓎 𝒾𝓉, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈.”

🙏 Thank you NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💕

This book was so cute. Katie was both a relatable and likable character. Of course, everyone will love to love Hutch and love to hate Cole, two brothers at odds. Katie takes to Key West to film a documentary about the Coast Guard where Hutch will be promoting enrollment. Katie goes to save her job, but really only has the opportunity because Cole refuses to face his brother. Of course, there are all the typical RomCom types of actions where comments are misunderstood, people are falling for each other and people show up at an inopportune time. Having been to Key West many years ago, this book took me back, the gift shop, all the colors, dining al fresco, cocktails and of course water and swimming. Katherine Center is one of my favorites when it comes to RomComs and this one did not disappoint. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to @NetGalley, @St. Martin’s Press and the author for this ARC in exchange for my thoughts.
Publication Date: May 20, 2025
Genre: Romance

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I’m a big Katherine Centre fan and this is just another example of a cute, laugh-out-loud, but thought-provoking read. The MC’s struggles with self confidence, social media and body dysmorphia were relatable and you couldn’t not fall for the MMC and the aunt. My only tiny qualm- I get that this book was primarily about the MC and her relationship with herself, but I wish there was just a little bit more about her relationship with Hutch at the end.

Katherine Center does it again! Center is one of my favorites for a feel good rom-com and she did not disappoint with the Love Haters.

Katie Vaughn, a video producer in danger of losing her job during the next set of layoffs, really needs a win. Enter Cole, Vaughns boss who offers her am assignment she can not give up if she wants to keep getting paid. Only problem? Its following a Coast Guard swimmer (who also happens to be Coles gorgeous brother) and Katie can't swim. No problem, right? RIGHT?!

One of my favorite parts of reading Centers novels is she has the ability to make a far-fetched romance seem realistic.. and she is able to do just that in The Love Haters. I appreciated how she was able to interweave Katies body image issues and how those type of issues can effect a budding romance. The chemistry was palpable but also felt attainable. Hutch was the perfect book boyfriend. And her found family at the Inn? Adorable and a wonderful break from the heavy bits. If only I had my own Aunt Rue perhaps my world would be a bit more colorful (not to mention my wardrobe!). Overall, a book I smiled all the way through.

3.5 stars

Videographer Katie might be losing her job after looming rumours of downsizing. When her colleague Cole offers her a job filming his hero coast guard brother Hutch, she takes it despite not knowing how to swim.

The Love Haters is sweet and charming book about self-love. Katie has low self esteem about her body after being ripped apart by online commenters after accompanying her pop star ex-boyfriend to an awards show. At times I found it excruciating being inside Katie's head as it was filled with a lot of talk about her body as well as her best friends attempts to get her to start seeing it in a positive light. Also the first couple of chapters made Kate to be a bit dim. Romance-wish it was a bit patchy with a lot more telling than showing.

I adored Cole and Hutch's Aunt Rye and the gals and how they get Katie out of her head and embracing colour. I did find the plot with Cole and their boss jarring though and felt this was the weakest part of the book.

Touching and heartfelt, though slightly bonkers.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book! It was filled with romance and adventure as well as many hidden gems throughout the book that makes Katherine Center one of my favorite authors. I love how KC takes a simple story and adds such dimension and depth to it and fills the pages with such deep life lessons that are uplifting. This book will stay with the reader long after the last page in the book and is not to be missed! Put it on your TBR booklist!Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for providing me an advanced readers copy in exchange for my review.

I hate to tell you this, but this is a story about love - in its many forms. Katie sets out to make a video - and save her job in the process - but needs a whole lot of help from Hutch. Hutch is just your average (ahem) rescue swimmer for the Coasties. But as with all people, there is more than just meets the eye (but I can’t tell you or it will ruin the story).

I wanted to give this 5 stars, but I just couldn’t do it this time. There are moments in which I want to slap a few of the characters because they are acting idiotic- but hey is t that the way in life as well? Overall a brilliant story, filled with multiple interesting characters, and lessons to take for all in this game of life. Grateful to NetGalley for the early read!

I wanted to love this book, because the RomCommers was one of my top books of 2024. So when I got this arc I stopped everything I was doing to get to read it. It is a good romance, but I did not fall in absolute love like with the RomCommers, we just had a fling. A really good fling. What works? The MMC is a dream boat, perfection on a page pretty much. I also loved the aunt with her fabulous store and hotel! A fabulous Key West Grandmother. What did I not love? There was a bit too much miscommunication and lying, and those are my least favorite tropes. An really they were not love haters. Also the hurricane storyline, as a floridian, just made me want to shout at everybody.

It’s no secret I ADORE any book written by Katherine Center. It never fails that I fall seamlessly in and grieve when the last word is read, realizing it was a story with an end. This book is phenomenal. Tough topics sprinkled in that could be triggering to some readers but presented with the gentle and loving touch that KC executes. Loving yourself is the overall theme and message but I am walking away with so much more. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this digital ARC and the opportunity to read before publishing date. I hope I never fall off the email list and the person who keeps me on it has the perfect temperature pillow and drink of choice every.single.day.

Read it in May when it’s released!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Katherine Center, I really do, but this book and her last one really didn't do it for me. The last book felt rushed and this one was better, but I feel cranking out a book a year is a disservice to her writing. As much as I love a new release, I feel like it might help if she slowed down a bit so these books can be polished up some more.
2.5 stars

My biggest issue is that the blurb is mis-leading. Sure, it's a rom-com, but in no way does it indicate that body issues/eating disorders/body dysmorphia, severe insecurity and poor self worth are a HUGE component. I actually stopped reading and went re-read the description just to make sure that I was reading the right book.

Be prepared for some cute rom-cominess, hot guy/hero who is humble, stupid lies to throw off the romance, and fun side characters. But also buck up for a extremely heavy dose of self-help and learning to love your body and yourself. It was just too much for me and it all felt a bit dated.

Spoiler starting here....
Oh, and one last thing...how is it that EVERYONE she knew EVACUATED because of an oncoming hurricane and not ONE SINGLE PERSON thought to get in touch with her? Sure, she mentioned she was off of social media, but she was where they all lived and no one bothered to check in on her or make a plan with her? This book is riddled with unbelievable scenarios for the sake of a story, but this one was the hardest pill to swallow.

I will read whatever Katherine center writes. This book was so good and,in classic fashion, had her character facing some challenges. She brings so much heart to her books and I just love it! Although I really enjoyed this one, it isn’t my favourite of hers but still a great read.

Katherine Center never misses! The way her books make me feel good is always a bonus.

This read in particular had its ups and downs. The ups were very up and the downs were very down. I loved the main character Katie’s “look” and profession. I feel it reflected her well and fit perfectly for the way she was meant to meet Hutch. As a plus sized reader it was somewhat nice hearing about another “plus size” character.

Hutch was very likable and a typical love interest. His backstory was exciting and outlandish but it made for a good connection.

I felt the beginning was extremely strong but had a little of a weak finish. Still a very fun and lighthearted read.

Thanks so much NetGalley and. St. Martin’s Press Romance for the eARC.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

THE LOVE HATERS is a book I’ve been anticipating for months and I’m so happy I got my hands on a copy! There were so many things to enjoy about this book: the characters were fun and dynamic, especially Rue, The Gals, and George Bailey the Great Dane; some truly swoon-worthy moments between our main characters, video producer Katie and Coast Guard rescue swimmer Hutch; a ton of conflicts to be explored; and a last minute dramatic twist that had me unable to put the book down because I so badly wanted to see how things worked out.

However, a few things kept THE LOVE HATERS from being a 5-star read. While weight and body image are a main conflict for Katie, something I and SO many others can relate to, the way it was handled felt somewhat clunky and surface level. Now, while I don’t necessarily want or need to read tens to hundreds of pages of characters struggling with this topic, especially in a romance novel, I almost wish it had been something Katie had previously come to terms with so more time could have been spent fleshing out her relationship with Hutch. The moments we do get with the pair were adorable and, again, swoon-worthy, but I wanted more (though that is not unusual with any book I read!).

In the end, I’ll read whatever novels Katherine Center puts out because reading them is always just a truly enjoyable experience.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC of the book.

In order to save her job as video producer Katie agrees to make a promotional video for coastal guard in Key West. Katie might not have mentioned that she doesn’t know how to swim and things get interesting as one of the coastal guards is a handsome guy who went viral because he saved Jennifer Aniston’ s puppy.

For me Katherine Center’s books are a cozy place despite all the trauma and stress that her characters go through because I know that she will magically fix it all. Katherine has a talent to make different characters relatable and as a reader I always root for their happy endings. I love how she brings complicated topics through stories of her characters and shows that some things have resolutions.

Katherine Center does it again. I love how she writes such different books every time, with characters who are so different from what we’ve read before, and we get totally immersed into the world in how she teaches us about something new (in this case, the U.S. Coast Guard!). I think she brilliantly weaves stories, arcs, little details beautifully. I’m excited I was able to read this early and can’t wait to share about it on social media.

I really just adore everything Katherine Center writes. This story is a love story, but at it's heart it's also a story about grief, loss, guilt, nonromantic relationships, and how we learn to love ourselves.

The FMC deals with a lot of issues (especially how she views herself and her weight) which were really relatable to me. I swear Center is inside my brain. Her characters always have a stream on consciousness and thoughts that are similar to my own. I relate so much to them.

The plot was fun, deep, and honestly like a little movie playing in my head the entire time. It somehow made me want to hop on a plane to the Keys in FL while also doing a deep search into my soul and learn to love myself. Was the entire plot believable? Not so much. But was it an unputdownable read? Absolutely,

And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read the author's note. It was such a beautiful add on to her story. It made me cry a few times.

Thank you SO much to Katherine Center (I am now a lifetime fan as your last three books have been FANTASTIC for me), the publishers, and Netgalley for this eARC. Review on my Bookstagram to come.

I LOVED this book. Katie is a video producer who is trying to save her job amidst layoffs. When she is told by her boss that she needs to go to film his big brother, a grump and true “love hater”, she decides to do it in an effort to save her career.

Upon her arrival, Katie is immediately ushered in by Aunt Rue. Rue is an eclectic bolt of color who immediately makes Katie feel like family. But when Katie meets her filming subject, Rue’s nephew Hutch, things take a turn.

Hutch is heroic, kind, attractive, and gentle. Katie is immediately swept up by his quiet charm as he teaches her how to swim and (reluctantly) lets her into his heart and home. Alongside his rescued Great Dane George Bailey, Hutch charms Katie (and readers alike) with his charming grumpiness.

This story shows a woman processing through complicated feelings about her body (which, who doesn’t have those moments?!), a couple working to be together, and such a charming cast of characters. The Lover Haters has stolen my #1 Katherine Center book read through its charming tale of love, loss, kindness, and hope.

When the name Katherine Center appears on a book, there’s no need to read the blurb or check the number of stars from Goodreads. You just have to buy it, borrow it or in this case I was lucky to get an advanced copy from NetGalley. According to Google AI, a love hater is “someone who has a strong aversion to love or romantic relationships, often stemming from past negative experiences, leading them to actively avoid or resist getting involved with others romantically”. According to our protagonist, twenty-six year old videographer Katie Vaughn, a love hater is someone who is “all rules and no heart, all action and no reaction, all body and no soul.” In order to not be downsized at work, Katie accepts an assignment from her superior, Cole Hutchinson, to travel to Key West to film a promo for the Coast Guard. The thing is, Katie has to film from a helicopter (which means getting weighed) while flying over water (she can’t swim) . And to make everything worse, the subject she’ll be filming is Cole’s very handsome, “human specimen of perfection” brother Tom also known as “Hutch”. In her signature style of writing, this story is filled with great dialogue and banter from a cast of characters that are fun, witty and loveable . Bonus - there are many tidbits of self love wisdom to digest.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this reader with a digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.