I thought this was an entertaining read. I thought the premise was cute and the tropes were right up my alley. The thing that made this book good but not great for me was the amount of discussion there was surrounding Katie’s body image issues, I think the same point could have been made with 80% less discussion about how uncomfortable she was in her body and how much of a hot alpha male Hutch was. I thought the rest of the writing and plot were enjoyable. I loved the characters, including the Girls, but Hutch’s dog was the best part of the book. I would recommend this book, but I would just warn that those with their own body image issues should tread lightly.

This felt like Katherine Center’s writing from the start, but somewhere around the time Katie begins her job filming for the coast guard recruiting promo, it felt like more telling that showing. The majority of the initial getting to know you part of the relationship between Hutch and Katie was brushed over in an over the weeks chapter. Unfortunately, it made me not really connect to a set of characters I so desperately wanted to enjoy. The premise of this story had a lot of promise, but without really getting the page time to get to know the FMC and MMC, it just didn’t click for me. That’s not been the case with her past book, so it kind of pains me to give her anything below 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the arc. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Katherine Center’s ability to make a reader work through a tough topic with humor and a light touch never fails. In The Love Haters, we get a good hard look at what it means to love ourselves – our physical bodies, our worth as individuals, the value of our place in our family and in the world.

The setup in a nutshell: Katie is a junior videographer whose job is on the chopping block. Her coworker Cole, ostensibly trying to help save her job, offers her the chance to film a promo video for the US Coast Guard – “ostensibly” because the subject of the promo is Cole’s estranged brother, Hutch. Add in a hurricane, a rescued Great Dane named George Bailey, the fact that Katie can’t swim (a detail she omitted to get this gig), and the fact that Cole is willing to tell an unlimited number of lies for the sake of self-promotion, not to mention a misguided need to one-up his brother, and you betcha things go south quickly.

The Love Haters publishes on May 20, 2025, just in time for summer! Get your pre-orders and library holds in now.

Thank you to St. Martins Press, NetGalley, and author Katherine Center for the complimentary copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for this eARC!

This was my first book by this author and I thought it was a cute story. The banter was bantering, which I absolutely love! I would have loved to see more of Katie and Hutch’s ‘actual’ relationship on the page. I did prefer the first half of the book, personally, and with the abrupt ending, a lot is left to the imagination. Overall, I enjoyed it and am interested is reading some of her other books!

The relationship between Katie and the Hutch is the emotional core of the novel, and it’s beautifully done. Their connection feels real and deeply felt, with strong chemistry that draws you in.

One drawback was Katie having to lie to him—it felt unnecessary and undercut some of the trust and emotional weight their relationship had built up.

The houseboat scenes, especially the boat stranded out to sea with the dog, were a bit hard to connect with. While atmospheric, they felt slightly out of step with the rest of the story’s emotional realism.

“The Love Haters” by Katherine Center
So Many ways to feel/show love…
This was a really fun read and, well as I read this story and the author’s notes at the end of the story; I discovered that I had been visiting some new or maybe just forgotten ways that love is felt, shown, accepted, or, denied. I came away from reading a light fun read feeling renewed, refreshed, and my spirit was lighter, too, as well as being joyfully entertained.. Read this story to be entertained and maybe gain a bit of insight into yourself or others along the way, Or, just to escape your real world for a few hours. Happy Reading !!

I really liked Katherine Center's last book, The Rom-commers, and I was very excited to read this one.

Katie Vaughn is a video producer with serious body issues after she's dumped by her newly famous fiance and is ripped apart by internet commenters. She's on the verge of being laid off from her job, and so she agrees to take on an assignment profiling Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson in Key West. There are just two problems: Hutch is the estranged brother of her co-worker and is expecting his brother to handle the video, and Katie can't swim.

When Katie arrives in Key West, she's adopted by a group of fabulous elderly widows, meets a neurotic but lovable Great Dane named George Bailey, and realizes that Hutch is not the grumpy robot his brother told her about and she grows closer to him.

I was really enjoying the book, but around the halfway mark, I thought that maybe there could be a bit more conflict in the story. And then the book took a major detour into drama town and I got all the conflict I wanted.

This book is funny, sweet, and romantic. Katie and Hutch are both great characters, and their romance is charming. The group of old ladies who adopt Katie are absolutely delightful. As Katie is making a promotional video about the Coast Guard's rescue swimmer, there's a lot of info about how the rescues are handled and how the swimmers train, which I found really interesting. Video producer/would-be documentary filmmaker and rescue swimmer are really interesting jobs and something a little different than the usual romance professions.

This is a very charming book and I would definitely recommend it.

Read this if you like:
•dogs
•complicated family relationships
•forced proximity

George Bailey (the dog) stole the show and saved the book for me. The best Great Dane there is! Katie is jaded and has body image issues. The body image issues run DEEP and parts of this felt like a self help book for body issues. Katie lies to get a job, lies that she can swim, and the job involved being able to swim. Hutch is a coast guard hunk with a complicated relationship with his brother (Katie’s coworker). Katie felt immature at times but overall a cute story and the dog was the best part of the book! This is also a great reminder that everyone should learn how to swim. Thank you SMP for eARC

I loved Hello Stranger and really enjoyed The Rom-Commers so I was totally up for another Katherine Center book. Unfortunately, The Love Haters didn’t feel like the author I’ve read and loved. The only decent thing about this was the short romance we see between Kate and Hutch before the dumbest third act breakup happens. And by third act, I mean literally HALFWAY through the book so we’re robbed of the majority of the romance. The marketing for The Love Haters ain’t it, either. This is definitely a storyline more centered as women’s fiction with the major focus on Katie trying to love herself. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good self love journey, but can we accomplish it without a man saying cringey dialogue and solving all of the fmc’s problems by being hot yet sad???? This story felt like we glossed over all the areas that had true potential (i.e., Katie and Hutch’s blossoming romance). Don’t even get me STARTED on the ending events of this book - it’s seemingly random and not conducive to anything previously brought up in the story. This was such a let down and definitely needs a different approach to the marketing.

Before concluding my review, I think it’s very important to mention the abundant, graphic depiction of body dysmorphia and an eating disorder. There are zero content warnings or implication that the above mentioned triggers would be a driving plot point from the first chapter. There’s also suicidal ideation that, again, isn’t forewarned to the reader. As authors, publishers, and editors - YOU HAVE TO DO BETTER. The Love Haters desperately needs a sensitivity read, content/trigger warnings, and proper marketing.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy.

Format - EARC (Netgalley)

Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Spice- 💋

Series- N/A

Troupes- Forced Proximity, small town, arm chair travel, grumpy/sunshine

CW- Death of loved ones (off page), Surviving a hurricane at sea

I don’t know how Katherine Center does it but her writing is serotonin to my brain. I honestly think she could write a dictionary and my would find it fascinating. This book is no different.
My eye balls and brain gobbled this one up in less then 24 hours. I could not put it down and luckily for the gremlin in my brain but not so lucky for the rest of my life I’ve got Covid so I didn’t have to put it down.

Set in a place I honestly, had no interest going but now am desperate to visit the Florida Keys, with a MMC who is literally a hero and a MFC who is the every girl, and antagonist who you love to hate but are also glad when they get redeemed. Add in a great Dane named George Bailey and this book could do no wrong.

This book has no spice, just a lot of mutual pining and a mid air kiss for the ages. But it does have a lot of found family, lovable dynamic characters and one hell of a lot 80% that leaves you wanting a movie made out of this Absolutely knock out of a book!

I loved every second of this book and as always am excited for whatever Katherine’s brain has for us next!

Thank you Katherine Center, St Martins Griffen and netgalley for the advanced copy it has no baring on my review or opinions of this book.

“𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬.”

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.75/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 5/20/25

*Thank you @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Katie is about to loose her job in a company downsizing, when her co-worker offers her a deal that just might save it. Go to Florida, make a promo video for the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers featuring his brother, Hutch. Who happens to be the infamous Pup Daddy (aka rescued a celebrities dog). Hutch is a Love Hater, and all business. Katie has to navigate Hutch's moods and the murky emotional waters that ensue.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲:
🚁 USCG (United States Coast Guard)
🌊 Grumpy x Sunshine
🚁 Books with a Dog
🌊 Books about Self Love/Discovery
🚁 Octogenarian Side Characters
🌊 Laugh out Loud Dialogue

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
I devoured this book! The first couple chapters were slow but establish the rest of the storyline. Any book that can make me giggle out loud is a winner in my eyes.
I loved the originality with the USCG, when there are so many of the same themes repeated in romance/rom-coms. I also loved that this book addresses body confidence issues that many women face. From feelings of inadequacy in teen years, to a break up that caused more public scrutiny of Katie's looks, to learning to appreciate everything about herself. Then lets talk about George Bailey, you just cant NOT love him! The relationship with Rue and the FMC/MMC(s) was well developed. The ending was of course sweet and reflective, if you can suspend a bit of reality in the way things played out- I think most would love this story too!

#TheLoveHaters

I went into this book with high hopes, I absolutely adored Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard and The Rom-Commers. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t land the same way for me.

Katie’s character struggled with self-image, which is a very real and relatable theme. But the repeated emphasis on “everyone says I’m beautiful, but I know I’m not” felt overdone and went too far into pick-me territory for my taste. It became more frustrating than sympathetic, and I found myself pulled out of the story by it.

There’s also a scene toward the end involving a competition where the “prize” is getting to kiss Katie—and that moment felt especially uncomfortable. It came across as objectifying and creepy, and it was hard to reconcile that with the otherwise lighthearted tone.

That said, Center’s signature warmth and wit are still present. Her dialogue sparkles, and the chemistry between characters is as charming as ever. Hutch, Rue, and Beanie were definite standouts—I really enjoyed them as side characters and wish they had more.

While this one wasn’t for me, I’m still a big fan of Center’s voice and storytelling, and I’ll definitely be picking up her next release. Here’s to hoping the next one recaptures the magic!

Katie is trying to save her career by convincing the stubborn and selfless Hutch to share one of his heroic rescue stories.
This book should contain a major TW for body-dysmorphia and eating disorder. I'm not triggered by these things, but I know a lot of people are. What actually triggered me, is that the FMC was trying to make us believe that she "practiced" body positivity, and yet she barely talks about anything else than her body and everybody elses. This way of thinking can't be the entire plot, nor can her entire character's personality can be that she's insecure about her body. What could be triggering for some was very annoying for me. What did trigger me, however, is one character insisting that another character drank alcohol. Can we normalize not drinking and minding our business on the matter? I'm even more triggered by the character who folds under the pressure and enters a frigging drinking contest (because that's not the stupidest thing to do). Also, siblings rivalry is one of my least favourite trope. All in all, this one was definitely not for me. I usually adore Katherine Center, but this one is at the very bottom of my list of her books.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Katie is a mid-level producer at a mid-level video production company. She is just trying not to lose her job in the middle of a company downsizing. When her colleague, Cole, presents her with the opportunity to travel to Florida to make a promotional video about Coast Guard rescue swimmers (think Ashton Kutcher in The Guardian), Katie jumps at the opportunity, hoping it will save her job. What she didn't count on was that she would be living in a cottage owned by Cole's Aunt Rue or that the subject of the video would be Cole's older brother, Hutch, who Cole describes as a "Love Hater".

The Love Haters was an unexpected 5 star read. I loved EVERY.SINGLE.MINUTE. of this book. I binged the entire book in one sitting after my kids went to bed, staying up until the wee hours of the morning to get to the end. Hutch and Katie were two stellar but relatable characters. The supporting characters, especially Beanie, Aunt Rue and George Bailey the dog, brought the whole story together. Katie's complicated relationship with herself was so raw and authentic. While the plot may have had some predictable moments, it still had me completely hooked from start to finish. The title is a complete misnomer and really had very little to do with the story as a whole. I loved the way that the author tackled Katie's negative body image with such kindness and compassion. Everyone can learn to love themselves the way Katie did.

Katie & Hutch ❤️

🚁When Katie finds out her videographer employer is downsizing and she and her colleagues are in the firing line, she hopes it won’t affect her. Her line manager Cole gives her the option of travelling to Key West to film his brother, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, she’s grateful for the chance to escape.

🚁Only the subject of the coast guard recruitment video, Hutch, is a reluctant hero. He rescued Jennifer Aniston’s dog and when it went viral, he really wanted to stay out of the limelight.

🚁When Katie and Hutch meet, the sizzle is undeniable. Soon though, the situation becomes complicated and as things spiral, it takes Katie reaching rock bottom before the couple can move forward.

✏️There’s a movie plot type feel to this story, as if Katie is speaking to the camera. I liked this aspect of the story, but there is also something that feels superficial, that glosses over some of the serious issues that Katie and Hutch experience. From the loss of parents, to death (Hutch and Cole) and divorce (Katie), body image problems, loss of a spouse (Rue), cheating ex’s. There is a lot here but it feels like the author treats it as a fact, in the background to the story unfolding between Hutch and Katie. My favourite part of the story is then open-armed welcome from Rue, Hutch and Cole’s aunt and her friends.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a charming, feel-good romance about second chances, self-worth, and finding love when you least expect it.

With witty banter, emotional depth, and a sunny coastal setting, this book delivers all the warmth and hope. It's perfect for anyone who loves a slow-burn romance with heart and humor.

There's a particular alchemy that happens when a romance novel transcends mere entertainment to become a mirror reflecting our deepest insecurities—Katherine Center's "The Love Haters" achieves this rare transformation with spectacular wit and wisdom.

Center crafts a protagonist whose body image struggles pierce through literary distance, creating an almost uncomfortable intimacy. Thea’s self-perception resonates not because it's unique, but because it articulates those private thoughts many of us have whispered to ourselves in dressing room mirrors. This vulnerability becomes the emotional bedrock upon which the narrative builds its most powerful moments.

Against this backdrop of self-doubt emerges Hutch—a character whose appeal lies not merely in physical description but in the way Center constructs his perspective. He sees beyond surface-level beauty culture, challenging our protagonist's self-perception while simultaneously inviting readers to question their own internalized critics. Their chemistry crackles with both humor and depth, elevating their romance beyond predictable patterns.

What distinguishes this novel is Center's masterful balance of lighthearted moments with profound undercurrents. The narrative sparkles with dialogue that provokes genuine laughter while never diminishing the intellectual weight of its themes. The exploration of self-love unfolds organically, never feeling didactic despite its transformative power.

Reading "The Love Haters" feels like discovering a new language for articulating familiar emotions—a vocabulary that combines intellectual understanding with visceral recognition. In a genre often dismissed for superficiality, Center delivers a work that honors both heart and mind, reminding us that the most meaningful romances begin with how we love ourselves.

This book doesn't just entertain—it illuminates, challenges, and ultimately affirms with extraordinary warmth and insight.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for my free E-ARC.

I absolutely loved The Rom-Commers so I was very excited for a new Katherine Center book! It gives the same sweet and sarcastic vibes I was hoping for. My only drawback is that one of the biggest plot points in the story is the main character dealing with body image issues. It just got to the point where it felt a bit overdone. If you can look past that part then I think it is a fun and cute romcom that has some wonderfully sweet moments.

I was so into this! I loved the slow burn and the setting was incredible. I thought the main character’s struggles were relatable but also added a lot of humor to the book. This was the best beach read!

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.
My Thouights:

As we journey along with Katie and others in The Love Haters, we begin to understand how important Hutch is to Katie’s efforts.

Will she begin to connect with him during their various efforts?

When Katie begins to connect with Hutch in a big way, something happens to push them off track. Hutch’s brother Cole tells a lie that could end them.

And a hurricane pushes them off track, too, leaving Katie clinging to the houseboat, hoping for rescue.

A great story that kept me intrigued throughout: five stars.

***