I went in expecting laughs and left with a heart that felt both lighter and fuller. Katherine Center writes characters who feel like people you actually know. They’re often messy, flawed, doing their best, and sometimes falling short. That’s what makes her stories hit deeper than your average romance. The protagonist’s insecurities are incredibly relatable and her emotions feel real.

Read if you enjoy:
✨ Grumpy x sunshine
✨ Journey of self love
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Funny with depth
✨ Witty banter
✨ Closed door rom com

This beautiful story had me in tears. Katie’s journey of self love was moving and her early struggles with body image were deeply relatable. As someone who also sometimes feels uncomfortable in their own skin, it was refreshing to see a protagonist who isn’t perfect, but who’s perfectly imperfect.

The FMC's emphasis on how much she hated her body felt like overkill. I believe the book had a good opportunity to show a character's growth in accepting herself throughout the book but this felt mishandled. I've never struggled with eating disorders and never had particularly bad body image issues; however, I felt uncomfortable reading this and can't imagine how it will be received by someone with more serious issues regarding their own body. I like Hutch and Katie together. I believed their pining and emotional attraction towards each other.

Katie takes an assignment filming at an USCG station to save her job. She'll be required to swim in a simulation before her helicopter ride. No problem, except she never learned. Some things can't be faked. Her coworker, Cole, tells her things about Hutch, the Coast Guard officer she'll be profiling. Apparently, he hates love. Katie can relate--not only was she burned by love, but it went viral.

Katie is staying at Cole's aunt's property, and Aunt Rue is so fun. Their pseudo mom, colorful and kitschy, and she gets Kate to wear bright colors and even a bathing suit. She arranges for swim lessons--with Hutch.

Hutch is nothing like Cole described. And he has the friendliest dog. He teaches Katie to swim and he takes his job seriously. As they spend time together, they both help each other and they have fun hanging out with Rue's friends, definite chemistry. But he thinks she's Cole's girlfriend, and holds back.

An impending hurricane, a daring rescue, facing fears, plus secrets and truths revealed. Fun, quirky, some somber moments, and romance--all you expect in a delicious KC rom-com.

The love haters might find out they actually love love after all.

This was a solid romance read! I’ve loved quite a few other books from this author but this one just wasn’t one of my favorites from her. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and especially enjoyed the FMC finding her relatable and fun. I struggled quite a bit with the romance in this one feeling it a bit underdeveloped and like it was missing something from me to love it. I really enjoyed the setting and the lighter feel of this book I did wish it had been balanced out more with the heavier topics. Overall though a fun romcom that I definitely recommend checking out!

3.5 out of 5 stars!

Katherine Center is always a must read author for me. I look forward to her book each spring. This book just missed the mark for me. From the beginning, I had a hard time with the main character's difficulties with her own body image and not having them address by a professional. She kept talking about immersion therapy but she didn't seem to have anyone who was helping her through that. This stuck in the back of my head for the entire book.

I finished this book, but I will admit the first 30-40% was much of a struggle.

I struggled with Katie and Hutch as the leads and whilst I generally enjoy a good grumpy/sunshine, they seemed very one dimensional. Whilst body image can be very tastefully written about, this misses the mark with Katie's character - rather than dating, she should (as I saw another reviewer state) go to therapy stat. Hutch's brother Cole can just get straight into the bin.

I loved Aunt Rue (and her friends), George Bailey (the dog) and the absolutely delightfully punny names of the stores in town. This is what earns the book it's 3 stars. The concepts of found family and that a woman's life doesn't magically end after divorce or in widowhood are shown well here - I can't wait to be in my 60's & 70's with a rocking friend gang like that.

Whilst there were some entertaining moments, overall the book fell a bit flat.

3.25 ⭐️s
This was cute, quick, and summery but not my favorite KC book. The plot had a lot going on between trying to save her job, learning to swim/train to work with coast guard, her videos, her ex, body image issues, fake dating, family drama, hurricane, etc. The romance felt very surface level to me and underdeveloped - I didn’t really feel the emotional connection between Hutch and Katie. On a positive note, Rue and George Bailey were the best characters and I enjoyed the parts with them.

TW - heavy emphasis on body image issues

Thank you for the eARC!

✩ 4/5

Can a struggling reporter convince a dreamy Coast Guard rescue swimmer to let her interview him, and save her job in the process?

First off, thank you so much to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Every Katherine Center book feels like the coziest, funniest romantic comedy to me, and I truly eat them up every time. In The Love Haters, we follow Katie, a video producer on the verge of being laid off, as she embarks on perhaps her toughest assignment yet: convincing Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West, to let her profile him. Sounds simple, right? Except Hutch is the brother of Katie’s boss, and the two of them do not get along (oh, and she can’t swim.)

Can Katie save her job without falling for Hutch in the process?

This book is such a perfect and easy summer read. If you're heading to the coast for vacation, it makes for a wonderful companion. That said, compared to Center’s other main characters and love interests, I didn’t feel as immediately connected to Katie and Hutch. While I laughed, cried, and kicked my feet at all the swoony moments, it didn’t fully hook me (at first.) Center’s signature quippy writing still made it enjoyable, but I felt both the central characters and the main conflict could have been fleshed out more effectively. We get a few “WTF?” moments toward the end that honestly felt like drama for drama’s sake.

Katie, however, was a deeply relatable character. Her struggles with trust, body image, and anxiety felt raw and empowering. As someone who has faced similar issues, it was meaningful to watch her navigate those challenges. Hutch had similar emotional wounds, particularly around commitment and attachment, but his character development didn’t really kick in until the third act. I would’ve appreciated more insight into his past and internal struggles earlier in the story.

All in all, The Love Haters is a fun, beachy, summer-y read that definitely deserves a spot on every romance lover’s TBR this season. Is it perfect? No. Is it still swoon-worthy? Absolutely.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC of The Love Haters!

The company Katie works for is going through massive layoffs and one of her colleagues, Cole, reaches out to her with a career saving opportunity that seems too good to be true from a mere acquaintance - create a video ad campaign for the Coast Guard starring a recent internet celebrity who saved Jennifer Aniston's dog. Cole doesn't want to do the job himself since the internet celebrity is his brother Hutch. So Katie moves into a rental bungalow owned by Cole and Hutch's aunt Rue and prepares herself to film someone Cole swears is the absolute worst but Hutch turns out to be the Perfect Guy. As Katie learns more about the Coast Guard and Hutch, she tries to work up her courage to ask Hutch to help her save her job and just to simply love herself for the person she is.

I love all of Katherine Center's books and this one is no exception. I absolutely am in awe of the detail that Center puts into researching the careers the main characters of her books have. The author's notes of this one explain about learning about the Coast Guard but there are so many interesting details about Katie's job as a videographer throughout the book as well. The side characters (RUE IS PERFECTION) add so much to the story. At times, some can be one dimensional (Sully the crazy boss) but overall they add so much to the story. I knocked a star off for the amount of "self=love" preaching throughout the book. I think that it is an important topic but may have been overdone here and it often took me out of the story. But otherwise this is a great novel and the perfect summer read!

Hmm.

Katherine Center has always been in my top-tier of romance novelists for many reasons. One is the way she creates premises I have never heard of before and just rolls with it with pure confidence. The second is shining a light on important issues dealing with personal mental health. "The Love Haters" had both of these and yet, it was not one of my favorites.

Let's start with the characters. I loved the majority of them individually. Hutch was such a teddy bear with a slight alpha complex (due to circumstances beyond his control). Katie (who I forgot what her names was far too often because it wasn't mentioned enough) was just trying to get through deep-seeded issues with the help of her friend and not a therapist. Rue was such a beautiful light and character that added to the emotional impact of the novel. George Bailey was there but not utilized quite enough, in my opinion. But the others? Either forgettable or absolutely atrocious.

The story itself went way too fast and had so many elements that were just thrown in there but not fully developed. I mean, I get that the song and the ex-boyfriend were catalysts for the initial plot but they just randomly popped up and was never fully an issue? And her not being able to swim? That was relevant for maybe the first 30% of the book but otherwise, didn't pop up again event when it LIKELY should have come up towards the end of the book...

Overall, I have issues with this one. I love Katherine Center's writing and I feel like this book was just a fluke. The story felt rushed and even the romance itself, which is always the best part of the book. Personally, I didn't feel the chemistry there but, what do I know?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I want to start this review by saying that I have loved every Katherine Center book I’ve read. Her stories always feel like a warm hug, adorable, heartfelt, and full of the kind of emotions that stay with you long after you turn the last page.

That’s why it truly pains me to say that I had to DNF The Love Haters at about 35%. I’m not someone who gives up on books easily, it’s only happened a handful of times. I went into this one so excited, counting down the days to dive in. But despite my best efforts, I just couldn’t connect with it.

What really made it difficult for me was the overwhelming focus on the main character’s body image. While I deeply understand and appreciate the importance of the representation of body image struggles and insecurities in books, especially as someone who has had my own struggles in that area, this aspect of the story felt like it overshadowed everything else. The constant negativity surrounding her appearance became emotionally draining and made it hard for me to engage with the plot or connect with the character in a meaningful way.

I truly believe that these kinds of stories can be powerful and cathartic when handled with nuance, but unfortunately, it just didn’t land that way for me here.

That said, I’m still a huge Katherine Center fan and will absolutely be picking up her future books. This one just wasn’t the right fit for me, but I know every reader’s experience is different, and I hope others pick it up and connect with it in the way I’d hoped to.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC and the opportunity to read early!

3.5 STARS ⭐

The Love Haters centers around Katie. She's a video producer who's about to get fired and she lies to save her job. Katie is sent to Key West, Florida where she is tasked to film Hutch, a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer.

I fell in love with the beginning of the book. Everything was going perfect until it wasn't. I would have loved Hutch's POV. He was such a silent, kinda brooding man it was hard to get read on him. I didn't feel the chemistry between him and Katie at all *sigh*.

I love Katherine's writing. It's phenomenal and I truly enjoyed listening to the audiobook! Patti Murin did a wonderful job. This was an overall heartfelt and quick read. Check your triggers as the story deals with some heavy themes, like struggling with body image and grief.

Another Katherine Center hit! I read most of this in one day/sitting and I would have kept going but I got a little irritated at where the story went at around 67%. Picking it back up this morning, I felt better about where the story was going and had to fight through the work day to read the last 10% because I did not want put it down. I read on my train, read on my breaks and finally finished in shortly after arriving home. That's how much I loved this story. I think it had a great message, and any story with a dog get extra points in my book!

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

This was a cute, lighthearted summer read! Perfect for taking to the beach or to cozy up with on a rainy day.

Cute concept, but it fell flat for me. A bit cringe, and the FMC was too in her head for me personally. I haven't read any other KC books, but from what I've heard about her other books, I feel like she has better stories.

Thanks for the ARC! This was classic Katherine Center: witty, warm, and full of heart. Katie’s journey was equal parts hilarious and vulnerable, with just the right amount of chaos and charm. The Key West setting was a total vibe, and Hutch brought the slow-burn tension I love. A few plot points stretched believability (she really can’t swim?), but the emotional payoff and humor made it all work. A fun, feel-good read with depth beneath the sunshine.

Katherine Center is an auto-read for me (and still will be). While this one touched on some meaningful themes, I struggled to stay engaged. The female lead’s inner monologues dragged at times, with a heavy focus on her insecurities, and the male lead felt a bit too perfect. Not a favorite, but it still has Center’s signature heart.

Katherine Center does it AGAIN! Obsessed with the FMC and her inner monologue voice. She’s witty, clever and it reads like you’re talking to a good friend. My second favorite character was George Bailey, the Great Dane…just trust me.🥰

I love how they handled the topic of body image, loving yourself and disordered eating. I loved how her best friend was used to help coach her along in her journey of loving herself.

Katherine Center is so gifted in making these characters come alive, putting words on the pages and her notes at the end of the book may have been my favorite part. Definitely read them.

Thank you to @Netgalley, @stmartinspress for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Katherine Center is one of my go-to authors for heartfelt, character-driven romance—and The Love Haters absolutely delivers on her signature charm, wit, and warmth. But despite a strong start, this one didn’t quite land all the way for me.

The story follows Katie Vaughn, a video producer on the brink of losing her job who’s offered a last-ditch opportunity to profile Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a swoony Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The problem? She can’t swim—but pretends she can. Add in Hutch’s estranged brother (and Katie’s coworker) Cole, a massive rescue dog, a quirky aunt, and the electric pull between Katie and Hutch, and you’ve got a recipe for a fun, tropical romcom.

For the most part, it works. The characters are endearing, especially Katie, who’s navigating vulnerability and ambition in equal measure. Hutch is the quintessential Katherine Center love interest—handsome, guarded, and layered—and their chemistry is undeniable. The setting is vivid, and the writing, as always, is crisp and emotionally resonant.

But the last 25% of the book veers into territory that felt a little too far-fetched—even for a genre that allows a lot of suspension of disbelief.

Still, if you love stories about emotional growth, reluctant romance, and finding bravery in the unlikeliest places, there’s plenty to enjoy here. It’s not my favorite from Center, but it’s still filled with her trademark heart.

Ah, Katherine Center. You've done it again--a cute cartoonish cover with a great blurb, for another novel that digs much deeper than we readers expected!

Videographer and mini-documentary-maker Katie is being sent to Florida to make a promo video for the US Coast Guard, featuring the very good-looking brother of her supervisor. Well, that sounds complicated, doesn't it? Add to it that Katie cannot swim and has some major issues from her past with her own self-image, and things get murky very quickly.

Katie is better than she thinks she is; Hutch is great; Rue and her crew are amazing and fun--and who doesn't love a great dog with a fun name like "George Bailey." I mean.

The heaviness comes from Katie's inability to see herself. But then again, who among us doesn't sometimes have this going on? And for those who say, "It's because Katie is so young," I call barnyard substance; we grow and change as humans, and sometimes we are in places in life where things are changing and our view of ourselves changes too. It is a part of being a human being on planet Earth.

This book was great. It may not be for everyone, but it was a great beginning-of-summer read for me.