Loved it! Katherine Center is usually a must read, and I’m very grateful for this one. Watching Katie as a fish out of water in Florida, falling in love with herself and everyone and everything around her was such a joy. The ending felt a bit rushed but made me feel extremely hopeful! This felt more like an action rom-com at times which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Unfortunately this isn't the book for me. I typically love KC and her wit! However, I was really surprised by the prevalence of the body image issues and ED content (putting the food journal in chapter 2 with no trigger warning at the beginning of the book??). I may not have picked this up as these themes aren't for me right now. It's of course an important representation, but I wish it had been disclosed.

Thanks for the ARC. It was a super cute read and I really enjoyed it! The characters were really lovable and there is also a really adorable dog! Can’t go wrong with that!

I love a Katherine Center book and also happen to be fascinated by the Coast Guard so this book was an immediate yes for me. I was hooked from the start and really loved the story. The self-love journey, the banter, the will they/wont they… it was all going so well. There is a major curb ball with a 3rd character more than half way through that halted all progress, felt out of character for our main girl and really just left me with a bad taste. It was unnecessary and frustrating and the book would have been much stronger without it. I’m still rating this high because there are so many delightful moments. Some of the side characters (including a dog) are so delightful and interesting and the romance was definitely there.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

It's not often I have a hard time moving on from a book, but this book was so good. I have been in a heavy duty reading slump since. It made me cackle. It made me cry (I am NOT a crier.) It stressed me out. It made me want to add more color to my life.
It's been a solid month plus since I've read this book and I still think back on some of the lessons. I found the FMC significantly quirkier and disconnected than her usual But I ended up loving all of it.

This was the first Katherine Center book I've read. I was not disappointed! I can't wait to dive into more of her books :)

Meh. This took me nearly 2 months to finish (and the only thing that got me through the last 40% was the audiobook). There was nothing compelling about this story, Katie was hard to root for as an FMC, Cole was a walking dumpster fire, Hutch was annoying and pouty, and the dog…annoying. I loved Rue and the Key West setting and the gals. But the main plot and the romance? Boring. I really love KC’s earlier books but the last two have been complete misses for me.

I enjoyed this! A fun summer read that I got through pretty quickly. I enjoyed how fast paced and entertaining the writing and storytelling was. It hooked me from the beginning and had me finishing the book quickly. I loved the Key West setting and thought the premise/plot was fun. Katherine Center has a gift for funny, engaging storytelling with deeper themes underneath. I didn't really connect to either character or their romance so that took away from my enjoyment a bit. The FMC was a little frustrating and I didn't totally love the way body image/disordered eating was handled in this book. I also feel like the romance went from 0 to 100 with very little build up, so by the time the couple got together, I was confused about how it had actually happened. Not a bad book at all, still a fun summery read that I think a lot of people will enjoy! Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

4.25⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early ARC e-book of Love Haters by Katherine Center!

This was such a fun, heartfelt read. I absolutely loved how normal and relatable Katie felt—she was funny, kind, and her inner dialogue was both realistic and laugh-out-loud hilarious. Hutch was adorable. As someone married to a military guy, I really enjoyed how he was portrayed—yes, he fit some of the stereotypes, but he also broke them in ways that made him feel authentic and entirely his own person.

The story was fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining, with that classic Katherine Center blend of witty romance and a deeper emotional current. As always, there's a good dose of trauma nestled in with the love story, which gave the plot more weight without making it feel too heavy.

Love Haters is a fantastic reminder of one of Center’s central themes: that romance isn't shallow—it's meaningful, life-giving, and a vital part of being human. I think this book is a great read for anyone, whether you're a seasoned romance reader or just dipping your toes in.

One thing about an Author's Note by Katherine Center - they're going to reaffirm you for being a romance reader. "Love stories are the best kind of therapy. They're not shallow, they're deep. Start looking and you'll see it too." It's so true, there is something so beautiful and joyous about a love story - knowing that you're working towards a better version of a character or a couple and the promise of a happily ever after. I feel zero shame for my unabashed love of romance novels.

Katie has once chance to save her job - she has to absolutely crush the short film she has to make about the coast car. A short film that landed on her lap by way of her co-worker, Cole whose brother just so happens to be the hunkiest coast guard hero you've ever seen. There's one catch - she can't swim. Oh, one more catch - she is kind of falling for Hutch, the hunky hero himself. Will Katie come out of paradise unscathed, or with a whole lease on life?

Is The Love Haters the best romance I've ever read, no? It's almost laughably far fetched and if you hate a miscommunication trope or have a fear of the ocean - avoid it. But, is it self affirming? Absolutely. Perhaps the most beautiful love story in this book is the love story Katie writes to herself and her body -- a message I think every woman could stand to write in their own lives! At first, I was triggered by just how body conscious Katie was (Hello, praying on my own insecurities!) -- but, one line will stick with me forever," I should have loved all of my everything. Because it was mine."

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own and freely given.

I’m a huge fan of Katherine Center, so I was incredibly excited to receive an ARC of The Love Haters. Unfortunately, I had to DNF at 17%. Nearly five full chapters in, at least 90% of the content centered around body image. While I’m sure this is all building toward an empowering message that many readers will relate to, it was just too much for me. I personally find it exhausting to live in a world so fixated on body image and I didn’t want my reading escape to be filled with that same chatter.

I could already tell there were side characters and plot points I’d probably love, and I wish I could’ve stuck around long enough to reach them. But I needed less body focus and more actual story. And if somehow you didn’t know going in, this book tackles body image and body dysmorphia very directly—so definitely check content warnings before diving in.

It’s not a trigger for me, but the sheer volume of it wore me down. That said, I have no doubt it leads to a powerful journey of self-acceptance. If you can push through to the heart of the story, I genuinely envy you!

On a high note—Katherine’s author’s note? Absolute perfection, as always. Five stars for that alone. They are truly some of my favorite pieces of writing in the world.

Katie Vaughn doesn't believe in love anymore she has been burned one to many times. Her work life isn't going much better it looks like if she doesn't take a job she knows she is not qualified for. She has been taxed with doing a profile on Tom Hutchenson a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, the problem she can't swim and at some point she is going to have to get in the water. Hutch also happens to be her bosses brother and they don't really get along. Hutch is a hater of love as well. The two get along well and Hutch even agrees to teach Katie how to swim. They spend a lot of time together and start to have feelings but with neither of them believing in love can something come of it? This was a wonderfully emotional read that had me laughing and crying all the way until the end. Center really knows how to pull on the emotions of the reader in all the best ways.

Just like all of Katherine’s books, I loved this one.
It took me a bit to get into and was a slow burn, but I was hooked by the end. There’s something so wholesome and cozy about found family and I couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters. The star of the show? George Bailey. He has my heart forever.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of my honest review!

☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: Available now

Honestly, I STRUGGLED to get through this. I did not connect with either of the main characters nor the plot and just found it to be overall too slow moving.

Thank you NetGalley, Katherine Center and St Martins Press for an early copy in exchange for a review.

Okay I know people are haters of this book but I loved it. Katherine Center can do no wrong in my eyes.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I felt so seen in this book- as someone who is in the process of loving their body fully and grew up struggling with their weight--I related so hard to the FMC. I felt represented and as always this book had me literally laughing out loud as only Katherine's books can make me do.

I believe this is the first book that I have read from Katherine Center. I have others but have not had the chance to read them. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked Katie and her journey of getting to self love. Hutch was a great guy and could he do anything wrong. Haha!

I did not care for Cole and his silly lie that Katie went along with, but I guess we wouldn't have the story without it. I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e copy.

Ate this book up.. where do I find hutch????? asking for a friend

Plot - fantastic. Katherine told the story in a beautiful way that wasn't too unrealistic. I fell in love with all the descriptions of the settings, characters, activities, it was just great. The plot flowed very well and wasn't ever boring or dragging. Plenty of twists, leaving me wanting more of Katie's story. I was obsessed with the story line of Hutch and Cole's family / Rue. *Cue uncontrollable sobbing

Characters - loved them all. THE GALS, are you kidding me! Where do I find these ladies, it's like the golden girls were written perfectly into this plot, I love them. Not too many characters and all well written, developed, and easy to love. (except cole maybe??? ew what a freak lmao)

Themes - family drama, self-love, insecurity, it was all really good! I've seen some reviews saying she went too far talking about Katie's insecurities, but I thought it was well written without being annoying or over the top. This book showed a side of self-love that we don't typically see. All the family matters between both Katie's and Hutch's families were great. Everyone has demons, trauma, and love to handle in the way they want to cope.

Tropes - Fake Dating, Coworkers, Forbidden love, Semi forced proximity

One of my favorite katherine center books and I'll be recommending this to everyone I know! Thanks to KC, the publisher, and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my review, I LOVED IT <3

I would give this book a 3.8. I LOVE Katherine Center but unfortunately this was not my favorite of hers. Don’t get me wrong, it was still very enjoyable and the last 30% was excellent but it seemed to drag on a couple times in the middle.
I absolutely adored the Key West setting and I definitely want to move into one of Rue’s colorful cottages so I can be BFF with The Gals. While I can see how our hero Hutch is supposed to be the man of everyone woman’s dreams, I felt more of a connection with the dog, George Bailey. I was tempted to rate this book 5 stars because of Katherine’s explanation of how horrendous puppy mills are is spot on. Rescue dogs are my world.
If you read a lot I would definitely recommend picking this one up but if you only read a few books a year, I would recommend The Rom-Commers or Things You Save In A Fire over this one.

⭐️REVIEW⭐️

The Love Haters - Katherine Center

I’ve come to love Katherine Center’s books. The banter, the unapologetic love stories, the added layer she adds to each one and the author’s notes she includes are just fun. I’m not saying I’d read notes on a napkin if she wrote it but also…maybe.

When Love Haters bounced into my @netgalley shelf, I dropped everything else and devoured it.

Katie Vaughn is a video producer. In a last stitch effort to save her career, she accepts a job from her boss to make a documentary profiling all American hero, Hutch Hutcheson (Hitch is a nickname, don’t worry), a coast guard rescue swimmer in Key West Florida. Of course there’s problems right off the hop. Like she can’t swim. And Hutch is her boss’ brother and they do not get along. What could go wrong? Well, as it turns out…lots.

This one has secrets and lies, some fake dating, Floridian paradise, a tropical storm (literally), a drunk brawl, a big Great Dane, and a crew of fantastic retirees.

Admittedly, Aunt Rue, reigning queen of the retirees and Hutch’s aunt by choice, is my favorite character in the book.

Like her other books, there is so much I enjoyed about this one. Truly. Katie is ridiculous and I for sure laughed out loud at her. Hutch is the classic “grumpy” for her sunshine and their banter is everything you’d expect from that meet up. There are some sweet heart tugging moments.

As much as I enjoyed lots of it, I struggled with the way Katie’s body image issues took over the story. Negative body image and how it impacts life is an important topic but there was SO MUCH OF IT, it took away from the story for me. Where usually the deeper issues enhance the story in center’s writing for me, this one took me out of the plot and the romance.

That said, Katie’s self acceptance journey was hopeful and bright and what allowed her to open herself to the romance of the story.

Lots to enjoy and I’m glad I read it. Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my e arc to enjoy and review.

✨video producer FMC X Coast guard MMC
✨forced proximity
✨workplace romance
✨slow burn
✨closed door
✨found family
✨tropical setting

Trigger warnings: body dysmorphia (this is discussed throughout at length)

Katie, a video producer, has been given the opportunity to do complete a career making profile on a coast guard rescue swimmer in the Florida Keys

the catch?!
- she can’t swim
- Her job is on the line
- The swimmer is her co workers brother

I absolutely adore Katherine’s Center’s writing and her way with words. She creates the perfect combination of smart, witty, funny and emotional throughout.

The storyline was unique and intriguing. You could tell a lot of research went into developing the setting and details around the coast guard and occupation. The book kept me engaged with multiple twists and turns along the way. The main characters had instant chemistry. I loved their banter but also their sweetness and understanding with one another.

I will say there are some heavier themes discusses throughout including body dysmorphia which I wasn’t prepared for & I kind of wished this was more professionally addressed. With that being said I absolutely loved the ending and how she started to speak to herself- it was truly such a special moment

I really enjoyed the theme of found family throughout and thought this helped the FMC to become more comfortable in her own skin

Overall it was an enjoyable read - I did find the pacing a bit broken up throughout

Thank you so much to St Martin’s press for this gifted early copy