Videographer Katie barely knows her co-worker Cole, but when he asks her to sub for him and create a Coast Guard recruitment video on site in the Florida Keys, it might be a way to save her job as the company faces layoffs. Katie's been curating her own mini-documentary series A Day In The Life, where she follows everyday heroes for 24 hours and then combs through the footage to produce a six-minute short. Cole is convinced that a deep dive on his hero brother, Hutch, who rescued Jennifer Aniston's dog and has been dubbed the Pup Daddy, will go viral and launch her independent career. It’s a prospect Katie can’t turn down, so off to Florida she goes, even though swimming is a prerequisite and she has never learned how to swim. Cole is a liar by omission, though, not revealing that the housing will be through Rue, the woman who raised the two brothers after their parent's tragic death.

Upon arrival, Katie's missing luggage is an excuse for Rue to outfit Katie like a parrot in vibrant colors and prints curated from her tropical clothing boutique--a 180-degree departure from Katie's New York style (all-black-down-to-her-underpants) wardrobe. Rue asks Hutch to offer swim lessons to her newest tenant--in front of an audience of her widowed friends, no less--but when Hutch's dog, George Bailey, exuberantly tackles Katie on sight, the medic and Aviation Survival Technician spends part of the evening picking deck splinters off her haunch, instead. The forced proximity, from the filming to the swimming lessons to the family of choice that Rue has put together lead to Hutch and Katie inevitably catching feelings. The more Katie gets to know and admire the private, modest Hutch, the less she wants to subject him to the possibility of a viral video about his heroic life, and in spite of Cole's insistence, refuses to push the issue even though it might cost her job.

At this point, Cole decides to "help" by bringing their boss, Sullivan (a divorcee on the prowl), to visit--on the pretense of seeing his "girlfriend" Katie. Cole is hoping that bringing Sullivan to the Keys to meet Hutch will nudge Katie into getting A Day In The Life on Hutch--which means Rue and her cronies are now trying to deflect Sullivan's inappropriate advances, and Katie has to spend 24 hours with Hutch and George Bailey on his houseboat, while he's upset with her for not revealing she's dating his brother (except she isn't) who is still holding a grudge for, among other things, his wife having a crush on Hutch and trying to convince him to marry her. At their rehearsal dinner, no less.

There's an emotional storm brewing for most of the book, and it manifests literally as a fist fight between the two brothers and metaphorically as Hurricane Rafael, a Category Four frenzy of wind and water heading for Miami. The final twenty percent of the book becomes a gritty survival story when Katie fails to evacuate before the storm hits the coast, and gets trapped on Hutch's houseboat with the dog. The denouement is tense, cinematic, and emotional.

Katherine Center excels at creating strong, vivid, and complex female protagonists with a unique, clear voice. Her dialogue is fresh, real, and authentically funny/awkward/emotional, and the voice is consistent from start to finish. Katie is wonderfully vulnerable. Secondary characters--ride-or-die Beanie, flamboyant Rue, conniving Cole, and unhappy Sullivan--could easily have been one-dimensional characters, but each has a dignity and depth and grace beyond initial impressions. Most of all, Hutch is not the monster that Cole sees him as.

Katie has a all-to-relatable love/hate relationship with her body, and in fact, the author's note reveals that Center considers Katie to be caught in an enemies-to-lovers trope with her own body, and this is almost secondary to the romantic relationship between Katie and Hutch (who is portrayed as such a do-gooder, Boy Scout, perfect guy his brother can't stand him because of it). Katie's depression over being ripped apart online after attending a music awards ceremony with her ex (who then cheated on her and dumped her) led to a period of disordered eating. Admirably, a number on the scale is never named, demonstrating the author's sensitivity to food and body issues. Katie conflates getting down to a size zero and a body with a thigh gap with discipline and dedication as she undertakes a starvation study experiment. Katie credits her best friend/cousin Beanie with helping her get mentally sound and back on track. Katie is characterized as someone who overcomes challenges not in a linear fashion, but in a circuitous one, which is incredibly realistic: we learn our life lessons over and over, more like a spiral, hopefully with a deeper understanding on each pass. Things are not easily resolved, but incrementally better over time.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #TheLoveHaters via #NetGalley courtesy of #StMartinsPress in exchange for a fair and honest review; a review will post to HLBB on 5/20/2025.

This is my first Katherine Center book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved that the book was set in Key West, as it is one my favorite places. The chemistry between Katie and Hutch was perfect. Aunt Rue was a great addition as well. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

I usually love Katherine Center was but was so disappointed at this! I don't think I've ever given one of her books lower than 4 stars but had to with this one.

Once again, Katherine Center delivers a story full of joy, hope, and LOVE. The Love Haters features a love story with a very good member of the Coast Guard (he rescued Jennifer Aniston’s dog!!) but more importantly, it shows a woman learned to love herself. Be sure you also read the author’s note, it is truly a thing of beauty.

i am unfortunately choosing not to finish this book and i am deeply disappointed.

i love katherine center and have been such a fan of her past work. i love her focus on love stories, specifically rom-coms, and the way she defends the genre. however, the love haters covers a topic i care about deeply with a lack of care and understanding that makes this impossible for me to continue reading. disordered eating is a serious issue that many people deal with. i watched it tear my sister apart and in the end nearly kill her. she survived and is better today, but not without intense intervention and care. this book treats EDs like some quirky trait rather than a life threatening disorder/disease. when writing about heavy topics, it’s really imperative to consider the implications of what’s being written about. this should have been done differently or converted into a different plot line altogether. again, very disappointed.

I was really excited to read this as I had read The Bodyguard and gave it 5 stars. Unfortunately, I found that my enjoyment for this could not have been farther from that of my Bodyguard experience. I felt like everything in this book was over the top, and none of the characters read as people I could connect with. The first 30% of the book dwelt heavily on the FMC's issues with disordered eating and body image, and it did not come off in a way that you could empathize with. It felt more whiny and "woe is me". Then the MMC is described as being a "love hater," only to be immediately shown as caring and compassionate and clearly into the FMC, so the grump trope really did not pass the vibe check. Perhaps my least favorite part was a particular scene where the MMC's brother goads him into a drinking contest even though he repeatedly declines, as he abstains from drinking for personal reasons. As someone who chooses not to drink for reasons other than needing to/alcoholism, I found this profoundly disrespectful. I deal with judgment about it every time I go out with people, always prodding for an explanation, and 1) you should never have to give one: no thank you is no thank you! and 2) NO ONE should ever force you to drink! So, to see that play out in this book was really not OK with me. All that aside, I really felt like the spark between the FMC and MMC never really ignited. I appreciate a clean romance, but they did not even seem compatible. I have heard such good things about this author, so this book was a huge shock and letdown for me.

Had a bit of trouble getting into this book. Wasn’t my favorite Katherine Center book but definitely fun for the summer read

Thank you NetGalley and St.Martins Press for providing me with a copy of The Love Haters to read and provide my honest review. I actually went into The Love Haters completely blind- I had a great experience with The Bodyguard, so Katherine Center already had my trust- and I was not at all disappointed. I really enjoyed this story. I really like Katherine Center’s writing style and the way she tells a story. Katie’s inner monologue was witty and had just the right amount of humor. I found her ridiculously relatable- at times it felt like I was in my own head. Her body image issues, while pretty severe, are something that a lot of people can relate to, myself included. I love being able to find aspects of myself in a character, especially when I also get to watch them grow and get their happy ending. I really had a fun time reading this book despite finding myself crying at a few points- Katie’s personal issues felt a little too real.

I loved that The Love Haters really hi-lighted strong female friendships and how healing they can be. I really liked that Beanie helped Katie work through her personal issues and they weren’t magically solved by Hutch. I loved that Hutch just supported Katie and made her feel seen. Their relationship was sweet and charming. I love a broody and quiet mmc, so Hutch was beyond ideal. But I did love George Bailey most of all. Overall I really enjoyed The Love Haters and will definitely be picking up another book by Katherine Center.

Katherine Center does it again. This book was short and sweet and just what I needed to break my book lull. Katie and Hutch’s story was relatable, enviable, and just simply delightful.

Katie and Cole are work friends that may grow even closer due to a possibility of being fired. Cole has a plan to help with this though. He has signed Katie up to visit the US Coast Guard Center off the coast of Florida. She is to do a documentary on what it takes to be in the Coast Guard. Katie is reluctant to go because she can't even swim. However, she keeps that part a secret and goes because her job is on the line.

When she arrives she meets an eccentric lady named Rue. Rue insists that she loosen up and even lighten up her wardrobe. She learns that the Coast Guard member, Hutch, is actually Cole's brother. Cole has promised their boss that Katie will film a wonderful documentary on Hutch who happens to be a gorgeous hunk.

Hutch teaches Katie how to swim, enjoy life at the beach, and secretly falls in love with her. Katie tries to keep focused on her job, film the segment, and get out of town. Cole shows up with their boss, Sullivan, to supervise the end of the job. A lovers spat begins in the midst of an approaching hurricane.

Katherine Center has written another page turning ROMCOM for the summer. Put this book in your beach bag!

I loved that although a love story, it touched on heavier subjects as well such a body image, grief, trauma, and illness. And relationships in general, not just the romantic ones.

I loved reading about Katie and Hutch falling in love and how Hutch was the first person to notice Katie’s pie piece!!!! 🥲 BUT my favorite love story was between Katie and herself. It felt like a little reminder to be kinder to ourselves, especially in the middle of a storm.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Katie Vaughn, a video producer recovering from a public break-up, is in danger of being laid off so she jumps at the opportunity when her colleague, Cole, offers her an assignment shooting a recruitment video for the US Coast Guard in Key West, Florida. The promo will feature a team of rescue swimmers including Tom 'Hutch" Hutcherson who became an internet sensation after his heroic rescue of Jennifer Aniston's dog. There's a catch though - Katie isn't qualified for this job as she can't swim but is pretending she can and Cole has left out a few important details about why he hasn't taken the assignment himself.

The Love Haters is a great beach read with the fabulous Key West setting and cast of entertaining secondary characters including a bevy of colourful retirees and a loveable, very large and very funny rescue Great Dane named George Bailey (as in It's a Wonderful Life). This was my first time reading this author and I enjoyed the slow burn, non-spicy rom-com featuring a female main character with body image issues facing her fears, learning to practice self-acceptance and finding love. A light, fun (and funny) escape that's perfect for summertime reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Katherine Center can do no wrong in my eyes ! I was truly in need of a refreshing Romance read thats closed door, lets get to the point !
This book needs to be a pick up for this summers tbr
The banter-Check
The laughter-check
The ambiance- check
And the end of book crisis-check
Ugh I absolutely couldn’t get enough!
Slightly miscommunication but not in a terrible way that I want to throw the book at my wall
Ohhhhh and you guys there’s a dog !
The book takes place in key west Florida and as a Floridian myself I was truly impressed .
Yes yes yes and yes
Not only will u truly enjoy this book
The physical copy is going to be absolutely beautiful on that bookshelf !
This audiobook had me on my toes and I think it’s a book you’ll need to dual read !

Katherine Center does it again! I always know her books won’t let me down, and The Love Haters did not disappoint!

I loved how not only is there a superb love story, but how the real love story here is about falling (back) in love with yourself. I think most of us can relate to a time where we just didn’t feel like our best selves, and can had mastered trying to not stick out in any situation…and having to learn to love ourselves enough to want to be seen. Katherine Center has a way of writing exactly to my heart, making me laugh uncontrollably, cry along with her characters, and leave feeling like I lived a great adventure with my best friends. I loved every second of this book, and I can’t wait to come back and visit it again.

Always love Katherine Center’s books - they’re light & funny but still give you all the butterflies!! A little bit of a slow start but it picked up quickly! I love their banter and the chemistry was very clear. This book was so cute and I flew through it! Can’t wait to get the physical copy with the sprayed edges 😊

KC books are always fun, lighthearted (tho touching on important topics), funny, and feels like a big warm hug when you read her books! The Love Haters was no different! Tho, it almost felt like more.

While this book does have a romance aspect to between the FMC, Katie and MMC, Hutch, the real love story happens between Katie and herself. Katie struggles with her own body image and self worth. This comes after being jilted by her fiancé and the internet leaving not so kind comments about a public appearance she made with her ex before she got jilted. She has a fear of bathing suits and bright colours. She doesn’t like meh things about her body. So this story, really focuses more on Katie’s journey to love herself again and love her body. It’s a gentle reminder to all of us that it’s okay to not love yourself or how you look all the time, but we should all find something of our own bodies to love and value- as it’s our own bodies that help keep us alive and safe.

That doesn’t mean that the actual romance between Katie and Hutch isn’t anything to talk about. Whole their love story takes the back seat, it’s no less swoon worthy. I mean, Hutch jumping rope shirtless? Did I mean ruin he works for the US coast guard rescuing people out of the ocean?! So yes, he’s very eye catching, and Katie takes full advantage! Hutch is protective, kind (in his own way), loyal to a fault m, and will do anything for the people he cares about. What more could a gjrl want?

This book hits the shelves on Tuesday, and I highly picking it up if you have read bad loved KC’s previous books. This book is different, but no less special. Make sure you read the author’s note at the end!

Katherine Center has an amazing way of getting me out of reading slumps. So, when I picked this one up, I knew it wouldn't take long for me to get sucked in to the story. She had me hooked from the start! This book had joy and great banter. It was therapy and a warm hug all in one, but also so much action! Katie and Hutch have such great chemistry and I love how protective he is. If you are looking for a pick-me-up, this book is for you!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NeGalley for the ARC.

I sat down to read a few chapters and inhaled it in one sitting. It has the light, effervescent style I really loved from The Bodyguard. As in all her books, I felt the chemistry between the characters and enjoyed the funny banter and the overall light tone despite some deeper emotions. I laughed and cried tears of anger and happiness. While I appreciate that her books are fast-paced and plot driven, sometimes it feels like the plot elements get way too zany and unbelievable, everything is dialed up to 11 and you have to really try to suspend disbelief. The end had a pretty melodramatic plot element AND kind of a dramatic misunderstanding plot where the otherwise very intelligent characters kind of decided to jump headfirst into assumptions and lies for plot reasons when everything could be cleared up by just a short conversation. I also wish there had been a bit more of a resolution to the romance. But overall I really enjoyed my reading experience. I am unsure about the choice of having the cover art show a female MC who looks like a size 4 when most of the book centers around her body image issues.

The Love Haters is not just a romance novel - it's also a story about learning to accept yourself and forgive yourself for your past.

Katie has finally gotten her life back together after a difficult break-up and is putting a lot of energy to her job as a video producer. When she finds out that there will be lay-offs, she's sure that she will lose her job. Until one of the managers asks her to take on a job filming a promo for the Coast Guard. The star of the promo will be Hutch. He doesn't like the press or talking about some of the rescues that he's done but the world knows him as the person who rescued Jennifer Anniston's dog. To do her promo justice, she has to train with the rescue group and go on a rescue with them. She is so desperate to keep her job that she agrees to go to Key West and film Hutch and be part of the team despite the fact that she doesn't even know how to swim. The other important thing about Kate is that she has a terrible body image problem. She feels that to look her best, she needs to wear all black and she hasn't owned a bathing suit for years. When her luggage gets lost, Ruethe person who is renting her a home for the filming takes her to a boutique and buys her a bright and colorful outfit. When she finally meets Hutch, there are instant sparks between them. One thing that Katie and Hutch agree on is that they both hate the idea of falling in love and want to avoid a relationship at all costs. When Hutch realizes that she's lied about knowing how to swim, he gives her swimming lessons and the more time they spend together, the more they realize that they might not really be haters of love. But when he uncovers other lies it may be the end and it will take a hurricane for them to realize what they really mean to each other.

This book was an interesting read. Though it was basically a romance novel, it touched on a lot of other issues -- mostly Katie's self confidence and her body image issues. But it isn't all serious -- there is also a lot of humor in this book brought on by George Bailey, Hutch's Great Dane and by Aunt Rue and her group of friends who just know that Katie and Hutch will be a perfect couple. Will Katie be able to learn to accept herself and realize that she doesn't hate the thought of falling in love? Will Katie and Hutch get their happily ever after? This book is a perfect summer read!

The Love Haters is a quintessential Katherine Center book: quirky heroine, reserved hero, and rambunctious supporting cast. It had her signature humor and light-hearted tone, and while I enjoyed the individual pieces of the book, the overall underpinning plot and conflict that kept the characters apart/added "romantic tension" really missed the mark for me. Basically the entire plot is centered around miscommunication based on a lie, and while it was tedious in the first half, it was downright frustrating by the second half.

The supporting characters are generally one of my favorite aspects of a Katherine Center book, but in this case most of them left a lot to be desired. I did adore Rue (Hutch's, our love interest, quirky aunt), but the rest rubbed me wrong one way or another (and one of them was responsible for my main source of frustration throughout the book).

The book does deal with some heavier themes, primarily Katie's struggle with body image and themes of eating disorders, and I did feel Katherine Center handled them with care. Grief was explored as well. However, in comparison to the Rom-Commers, the lighthearted tone that is so familiar in Katherine Center's books grated against the exploration of grief, as opposed to complimenting it.

Overall it's a fun and lighthearted beach read, it just wasn't the Katherine Center story I was looking for at this time. Regardless, I really look forward to her next release and can't wait to see what she has in store! I'll likely also revisit this one at some point in hopes of gaining a new perspective.