4.5⭐️
First off, I cannot believe this was my first Katherine Center read. What have I been doing??? I absolutely loved this so so much. It’s not only a love story between the FMC and MMC but it’s a journey of self love for Katie. Katie has been through a lot from being cheated on to being torn to shreds on the internet. And now, her job is at stake. Katie goes on a work trip to work on a project to try to save her job but the trip turns out to be so much more. Just when things seem be be going well for Katie, Hutch’s brother throws a wrench in her plans. And as if that isn’t bad enough, here’s comes a hurricane. It’s super slow burn and takes a while for the romance but I honestly loved the build up.
Some of the side characters (with the exception of Rue) lacked depth and weren’t very memorable which was disappointing for me cause I’m a big fan of lovable side characters, I feel they often make or break a story. There are a few heavier themes such as body image and grief and they are touched on a lot so that may be a trigger for many. I almost feel that it could be considered a book on body image rather than a rom-com.
I am so excited to dive into more of Katherine Center’s books

Hutch and Katie’s story is a perfect summer romcom! As the title eludes to, Katie and Hutch are love haters. They are not interested in happily ever afters. But when Katie comes down to the coast to film Hutch doing heroic deeds AND he is her swim instructor, they just can’t help falling in love.

I will now be accepting all your coast guard rescue swimmer romance recommendations.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My love for Katherine Center just keeps growing. I love her playful writing style that instantly connects you to her main characters, and The Love Haters is no exception. This time, she brings us a premise I never knew I needed: a videographer (with a secret fear of swimming) sent to the Florida Keys to film a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. It’s fresh, fun, and totally different from your average rom-com backdrop.

I am all in on the Florida Keys setting - bright, colorful, and full of that breezy, quirky charm Katherine Center does so well. The cast is just as vibrant: a clingy Great Dane named George Bailey (low key my favorite character), a crew of sharp-tongued battle axes I want to be friends with, and a love interest who’s more than just muscles and heroics.

But what surprised me most, and what made this book stick is that it’s really a story about learning to love yourself. The romance is sweet and satisfying, but it takes a backseat to the main character’s personal growth. This is a woman who’s been playing small ball, and she finally starts asking: What if I didn’t?

There’s no spice in this one, but the emotional journey packs a punch. My only complaint is that I wanted more of it. A few parts felt a little rushed, and I would’ve happily read another 200 pages of Katie’s story.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC! The Love Haters is summery, big-hearted, and quietly empowering - the perfect read if you want a love story that starts with loving yourself first.

#TheLoveHaters #KatherineCenter #NetGalleyARC #BookReview #RomComReads #BeachReadVibes #BookstagramRecs #SelfLoveStory #DogLoversReadToo #SummerReading #CozyUpWithABook #BookishEscape #FloridaKeysFiction #ReadersOfInstagram

This was a fun read! This book is charming and funny and actually very relatable (well ok fine, not everyone gets a “Pup Daddy” but you’ll see what I mean!) This would be a perfect #summerread or #beachread

I will say, this book felt less like a traditional rom com and more like a friend/found family com (is that a thing?) Yes we have our two love interests Katie and Hutch but there are some other great relationships that develop in this book (including Katie and her body image) and the one and only

Katie finds herself assigned to do a video promo for coast guard rescue swimmer Hutch. Ok yes, she can’t swim but with her company being down sized she has to say yes…plus how bad could it be right?

“His hobby is frowning…”

Oh Hutch, he was such a brooding grump and was not excited to see Katie at all. I wasn’t sure to think of him…but he definitely grew on me!

Kate’s internal dialogue was so funny and relatable and I found myself laughing out loud several times. I also definitely connected with her body image issues - if anyone has ever made unsolicited comments about your body I think you will definitely understand what Katie was going through.

I also really loved the found family/friendships in this book. There is some workplace drama and other shenanigans too!

✨What To Expect:
🏝️Key West Setting
🌦️Grumpy/Sunshine
💜Close Proximity
🛟Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer MMC
🎥Video Journalist FMC
😂All The Banter
💙Found Family
🔥Slow Burn
💖Self Love/Body Image
🏊‍♀️Swimming Lessons
🚁“Pup Daddy”
🚫Closed Door/No Spice

Katie Vaughn is likely to get downsized at work unless she agrees to produce a video featuring Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer – only she doesn’t know how to swim! She will fake it to keep her job, though. Hutch expected his brother – Katie’s coworker Cole – to be the one working the project and is not happy to see Katie there in Cole’s place. As Katie gets caught up in Cole’s life, including with his Aunt Rue and his great dane George Bailey, the two will have to determine whether they can find a happily ever after together or if the building lies will tear them apart.

As always, I love Katherine Center’s writing, and the story is a great escape from the world these days. There were many aspects of the book that I liked, but the use of lies to advance the plot left me cringing, which made me subtract a star. I would say Aunt Rue and George Bailey are the stars of this story. I enjoyed seeing Katie’s journey to self-acceptance throughout the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Love Haters by Katherine Center.

I loved the Key West setting and the best side characters in Aunt Rue and the Gals along with Hutch.

Buuuut I wasn't a fan of Katie she felt very immature to me, and then her body image issues. Also the ending -- like wtf.

Katherine Center has a special gift. Many of her stories although are romance, there's also a very important theme. For Love Haters, she focuses on acceptance of the self. Both of the main characters and a few others go a self acceptance journey that is absolutely heart warming.

I always look forward to a Katherine Center book and was so appreciative to receive a chance to read this one early. I am struggling with this review a little because this wasn't my favorite and was a little difficult for me to finish. I felt like this one had such a slow start and I didn't really connect with the characters like a usually do. Although I do appreciate her writing about difficult topics in such a delicate way.

4.5/5 ⭐️s
🫑 - kissing only

LOVES:
- That opening set us up for adventure and chaos. The rest of the book sure didn’t disappoint!
- GOD. The eating disorder/body image stuff was really tough. But her journey back to herself is what I was HERE FOR. The Beauty List and all of her epiphanies about her body felt good to read.
- Katie and Beanie’s friendship is magical, I absolutely love it 💞
- George Bailey, the dog 😭💗
- JFC, Hutch is a saint of a man. So pure. It’s awesome, though I also kind of understand his brother’s irritation. But just be better then! Learn from Hutch, be like him!
- The development of Katie and Hutch’s relationship was simultaneously adorable, ridiculous, and confusing. Katherine really jerked us around with these two 😆

CRITIQUE:
- Katie’s journey was really the focal point of the story, which I appreciated in a lot of ways. I also felt like it made it difficult to get to know Hutch as a real person and not this near-perfect human. I could’ve used a bit more of just them.

I laughed so much, got really mad at people on the internet, then at one point, I think I had a heart attack! Lots of stuff going on here, but it was a fun ride. Takeaway: everyone should love everything about themselves 💘

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the eARC 💝

Katie was burned really badly and very publically in her last relationship. Not to mention she is very close to being fired from her current job when her boss decides she wants to downsize the company. Her direct superior Cole, offers her an opportunity to produce a video for the coast guard who are looking to increase recruitment. She is following Tom "Hutch" Hutcherson a rescue swimmer who went viral a while ago for rescuing a celebrity's dog. What she doesn't know is Hutch is Cole's brother and she is about to get herself tangled in a huge web of craziness and forced to confront a lot of fears.

I LOVED the message of learning to love yourself and your body after having such a negative view of yourself. Hutch was honestly a dream man and I loved their chemistry, their connection felt very natural and the communicated well. I found myself laughing so many times, the cast of characters were so fun. The author once again put out a book that balanced fun and flirty with more serious topics and made a book I didn't want to put down.

I always enjoy reading Katherine Center's books. They are funny with wonderful characters and usually, okay mostly always, filled with romance. This was no exception. And there was a dog, George Bailey, in this story that stole my heart. This book wasn't just about romance and falling in love with another person, it dealt with body issues and learning to love yourself as you are. Some readers might not like the body issue in this book but it is a reality that many woman have issues with their bodies and don't like wearing a bathing suit (yes, that one would be me), but the author wrote about it in a tasteful way. There were some moments in the book that I did find a bit annoying and those were mostly the ones with Cole in them, Hutch's brother. I didn't care for him at all and I wish Katie would have stood up to him and not go along with his lies. But other than that one character, everyone else was very likable. Aunt Rue and the Gals were a hoot. I have to admit that this book wasn't my favorite of hers but I still found it enjoyable.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

This was such a sweet book. The romance was super sweet and was a delicious slow burn. The underlying premise of body dysmorphia was poignant and seemed handled well. KC always picks such fun “jobs” to include in her stories and I loved the way these jobs were portrayed.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Katie and Hutch don’t have the best track record when it comes to love. When Katie, a video producer, gets the career opportunity of a lifetime, she can’t help but go along with it even if she gets herself caught in a lie along the way. Katie jets off to paradise to make a career-changing profile documentary on hot coast guard celebrity: Tom “Hutch” Hutchesen. Will the love hater change his tune along the way?

This is the third KC book I’ve read. I had a lot of fun along the way and I felt like Katie and Hutch were pretty realistic and genuine. I have to say that The Rom-Commers is probably my favorite by her, but this one hit all the right spots too. There were many serious notes, especially with Katie’s body image struggles and Hutch’s struggle with certain things from the past, but it was well balanced with witty and laughable moments throughout. It was a story about self-love just as much as it was a story about relationships.

5 Stars – Heartfelt, Hilarious, and Utterly Charming
I absolutely loved The Love Hater by Katherine Center! This book had everything I look for in a great read—smart writing, lovable characters, and a story that made me laugh, tear up, and cheer. Center has such a gift for blending humor with heart, and this book is the perfect example of that.
The main character was so relatable—flawed, funny, and completely authentic. I loved watching her journey of growth and self-discovery, and the romance? Total swoon. It felt earned, real, and full of chemistry.
What really stood out to me was how the story explored love in all its forms—not just romantic, but also the love we have for ourselves and those closest to us. It’s hopeful, empowering, and exactly the kind of book that leaves you smiling when you finish.
If you’re already a fan of Katherine Center, this one will make you fall in love with her writing all over again. And if you’re new to her books—this is the perfect place to start.
Highly recommend!

4.5 Stars
A beautiful story with all types of love represened. Katie's relationship with her cousin Beanie, and her attempts to get her to view herself and her body differently brought me to tears a few times. The journey of self-love was as important as the romantic love blossoming with Hutch.
Truly a tear-jerking, beautiful, Katherine Center book.

3.5 stars

Thanks so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book! I always love the arrival of a new Katherine Center book each year!

Katie enjoys her work as a video producer, helping companies raise their profile with promotional videos. On the side, she has a YouTube channel for which she films interviews with ordinary people who do heroic things.

When word gets a large number of employees will be fired to cut costs, Katie is a bit panicked. But then her coworker, Cole, taps her to film a recruiting video for the Coast Guard, by profiling Hutch, a rescue swimmer down in Key West. (He also happens to be Cole’s estranged brother.) Hutch had gotten some notoriety after a rescue, but he turned down any opportunities to cash in on his 15 minutes of fame.

Rather than stay and get fired, Katie agrees to the assignment. Of course, she can’t swim, but is that a big deal? She is quickly embraced by Hutch’s aunt Rue and her gaggle of friends, and is dazzled by Hutch in every way. But while Cole keeps pressuring her to get Hutch to film one of her hero videos, she understands why he is reluctant for publicity.

But then Cole arrives in Key West—with his and Katie’s boss in tow. Apparently Cole isn’t good with the truth, and to save his job—and hurt Hutch—he lies about his relationship with Katie. Lots of drama ensues.

I really love Center’s books, but sadly, this wasn’t a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the focus on self-esteem and body positivity, and loved Hutch (and George Bailey, his Great Dane), but miscommunication is one of my least favorite tropes.

The book publishes 5/20.

Katherine Center does it again!!! I have never related to a character more than with Katie, I felt like I was highlighting half the book

Kathleen Center's "The Love Haters" is another winner! This was a warm, fuzzy read that hit all the right notes, with a lovely dual theme of finding love with someone else and, just as importantly, with yourself. Katie's journey of self-discovery was so touching, a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles with body image. Loved the subtle use of color as a metaphor for her growth.
Hutch? Total Glen Powell energy, especially in those Coast Guard scenes – think Top Gun: Maverick meets Anyone but You. And Rue and her crew? Modern Golden Girls vibes for sure! Center paints such a vivid picture of the motel and their personalities; I could totally see this as a movie.
This was super bingeable, though the beginning felt a tad long, and a few end bits stretched a little. My only real niggle is that Hutch didn't show much personal growth; he seemed pretty perfect from the get-go. Cole, though? Fantastic foil! Would LOVE a novella for his redemption arc.
Plenty of laugh-out-loud moments (shoutout to George Bailey the dog and the Cole/Hutch sibling dynamic) balanced with genuinely moving scenes about healing and reflection. Overall, a sweet read I'd recommend, though The Rom-Commers is still my fave Center book.

Has its moments, but not quite among Center's best. The setting of Key West is vibrantly captured and I loved how much I learned about the Coast Guard through Katie's assignment to profile Hutch; it is obvious how much research went into writing this, which I greatly appreciated. The romance between Katie and Hutch is sweet yet unfortunately slight, and the nice moments between the two of them had me wanting to see even more of the development in their relationship. The primary love story here is between Katie and her body, since she suffers from body dysmorphia, and it is wonderful to see her finally embrace the way that she looks and be cheered on by supportive friend Beanie. Two-thirds of the way through the book there is a plot development that led to a rough couple of chapters where I could feel a burning disdain toward a character who had primarily existed offscreen but emerged into the narrative in the most obnoxious way. Thankfully, this serves an important purpose and didn't spoil the tale for me, although it could have been tackled in a more subtle and less outsized way. The climax here is genuinely thrilling and while it requires much suspension of disbelief, it acts as a fitting capper to the story. Not one of my favorites by Center, but I'm glad that it acts as a rebound from my disappointing experience with The Rom-Commers.

I have never met a Katherine Center book that I did love. This is no different. I loved the aspects of the book that you can apply to life. How often do we as women look at ourselves in a harsh light? Just like Katie. Everyone process grief differently, some carry it for a long time. Just like Cole. And man how lovable is Rue? I wish we all had someone in our corner from the get go like her. Having your person like Beanie, the road to relationship with Hutch and discovering own goodness are all the aspects of the book grab a readers heart and make us spiral on into the whirlwind of this book.

Thank you St. Martins Press for my advanced reader copy. Can’t wait to see what Center does next!