Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with this gifted eARC. 🫶🏻

I have been wanting to read Katherine Center for sooo long and this first book by her did not disappoint!

Katie is a very real and relatable FMC who gets herself into quite the mix after a teeny tiny lie! 🤭 she is also dealing with body image issues throughout the book which makes her character even more relatable to me.

Hutch is such a fun MMC who is also quite the sweetheart while also being oh-so-swoony! 🔥 seriously, he’s a viral sensation that has a rescue dog named George Bailey? Sign me up! 😍 there’s a lot more to this hunky man as he is also right there when Katie needs him most. Both to help her out of her situation brought on by her fib AND to also help her realize that she is perfect the way she is.

I loved the dynamic between these two and the side characters were a great addition to this story! Also, the splinter scene? One of the most comical scenes I’ve read in a book. 🤣 Katie’s character growth throughout this read was so special and this read definitely came around when I needed it most. 💖


**I received a gifted copy of this title and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received this as an arc from NetGalley and once again, Katherine Center hits the mark. At first Katie’s body insecurity annoyed me because as a plus sized person, I couldn’t help but wonder what her problem was but in getting her back story, I understood her better. I loved meeting Hutch and starting to see Katie come into herself as she explored life outside her norm. The ending had me staying up way later than I should to find out what happens. Loved the ending, the book was another hit, a great time all around.

The Love Haters was a story about, self discovery, love and adventure. Our main character is tasked to create a video about the US Coast Guard, and the main guard we’re profiling is her boss’s brother. What could go wrong?

At first, I found Katie to be a mirror of me. I found it to be unsettling, mainly just how real it felt. Her negative self talk was hard to digest at points, but it all came together in the end.

We had a bunch of wacky side characters that at times added quite a bit to the story. The now famous ex-boyfriend part felt a little abandoned, could’ve used more karma for his wrongdoings. Everyone else who were important parts of moving the story along were able to get their stories tied up which was nice.

The relationship we see between Hutch and Katie was fun, it was nice seeing someone with such a hard shell like Hutch give in to Katie. Overall, I had a blast reading Katie’s story.

I enjoyed it like I enjoy all of Katherine Center’s books. It follows the boy meets girl love story arc but I still get invested in the characters every time.

Pub Day Pick
The Love Haters
Katherine Center
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to St Martin’s press and Macmillan audio for the free eARC and ALC via NetGalley.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite romance writers. Her stories have never missed at delivering a feel good romance while also hitting a nerve I don’t expect.

In the Love Haters, Katie finds herself falling for Hutch, a coast guard rescue worker, when she is sent to Florida to film a promo video. While Hutch may be the perfect man by many definitions, Katie has to first come to terms with her own lack of self love before she can see what he sees in her.

I’m always stunned at how well Center is able to use tropes I’ve seen over and over again and yet makes them feel new in a way that catches me off guard. Is Hutch too perfect? Yes. Could I see where the plot was headed at the end? Absolutely. Was it any less enjoyable to read for me? Absolutely not!

I’m her author’s note Center writes:

“The best love stories are never just about romantic love. . .
They are always master classes on how we find the best in each other—and, by extension, ourselves. .”

The Love Haters is indeed a master class in exactly this. Few writers get us to feel and BE the characters in their stores quite as well as Katherine Center.

I had a hard time finishing and ended up DNF’ing. I did not find the characters and storyline likeable. Continuously fell asleep while reading.

Katherine Center books are usually a 5 star for me, but this was missing something. Sometimes some topics are more interesting to some rather then another.

The title and description may lead you to believe this is simply a romance novel, but it is so much more. The author weaves in so much wisdom about self-love and body image as well as a lot of information about Coast Guard rescue training and operations. I especially enjoyed the humorous episodes involving George Bailey the Great Dane. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

This was my second Katherine Center book! Although, I enjoyed it I found it to be very YA. I thought it was cute and of course the main male character is what we all fall in love with! Love Beanie the best friend and Rue the grandma! Oh and don’t get me started on the Gals. They need their own book 😂overall I’d recommend 🤣

I think this is a perfect summer romance read. Slow burn, tension building, no spice, love story. I also identify with the female lead and her body image issues, I love that she dealt with them in a healthy way.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A chance encounter to save her job didn't turn out the way Katie Vaughn thought it would! A romance created by destiny, Katie thought she was saving her sinking career by covering a story
her coworker, Cole, suggested. She discovers that her story's subject is his brother, a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer, in the Florida Keys.

Cole's brother, Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson, turns out to be Katie's swim coach, as she lied about knowing how to swim to get this job.

More drama unfolds when Cole shows up and full-on expects Katie to go along with a fabricated story concocted all for his benefit.

The story was a slow start, but despite this, it was a cute romance. 🥰

#NetGalley #TheLoveHaters

#Romance #Books #Read #KatherineCenter #Love#

I’ve seen a lot of controversy surrounding this book, and honestly, I get it. This book deals with a lot of self conscious body talk and emotions. It’s not going to be for everyone. Those that get it, get it, and those that don’t, well, I’m happy you haven’t known that kind of struggle 🫶🏻

I am part of the group that gets it, and I really enjoyed this book. I felt seen, in a lot of ways. The way the FMC Katie talks about how certain aspects of body image were ingrained so early on (like being taught to suck in your stomach) was just so relatable to me. Her journey towards self love and acceptance of her body was very encouraging and therapeutic.

Body issues aside, the romance was so stinking cute! Lovable coast guard MMC? Yes please! Hutch was something else man 🥵 and the “gals” that took Katie under their wings during her stay in the Keys were hilarious and endearing.

I was so in love with Katie from the beginning. She was relatable and imperfect and I wanted her to have it all. Then the author went and threw in a Great Dane named George Bailey who is scared of thunder and I was over the moon.

I love the authors easy writing style. It makes it so easy to gobble up the book. Along with a great setting and great characters, I had this finished in no time.

Katie and Hutch have great chemistry. There was never a moment I wasn’t rooting for them. Of course they might come in second to Katie and George. I’m a sucker for a dog in a book but I’ll give mad bones points when the dog is more than just an accessory and is part of the story.

I loved learning Hutch’s backstory and finding out what made him grumpy. There were so many little surprises as I found out his whole story. And it kept making me like him more and more. If that was even possible since I’m also a sucker for a military man.

The multiple conflicts standing in Katie and Hutch’s way felt a little much or maybe a little out of character for the beginning. It derailed my perfect read a smidge. It’s still a fun read. The romance, the journey, the laughs. A perfect book to start out summer.

Patty Murin narrates the audiobook. Her voice and sound really meld together with Center’s characters and story. She was able to nail bringing it all together and really fit what I’d expect Katie to sound like.

If you’re a romantic comedy fan, this should be a part of your summer reading or listening.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

This is my first Katherine Center book and I have heard so much hype about her books and this one for sure did not disappoint!

You ever read a book that you just don’t want to leave that world? One that feels comfortable and like a warm hug? This book was that for me.

This novel follows Katie as she travels to Florida to film viral video sensation Hutch the Pup Daddy. To save her job she must work on a film project to please not only her coworker but the boss trying to fire her. She is told that Hutch is a love hater but there is no much more to the story.

This story is a romance not only between two people scorn by love but it is also a book about self love. It touches on a lot of themes about forgiven yourself for your mistakes and loving every aspect of yourself because you are yours. I found the book well paced though the ending was a little slow but it wrapped up so nicely!

I highly recommend this book for those who want a lighter heart romance novel that gives you a warm hug as you enter their world that Center has created.

In true Katherine Center form, this was a quick, easy, & fun read.

I loved almost all of the side characters, Rue and George Bailey being the VIPs. Anytime George Bailey was in a scene I was guaranteed to LOL.

Hutch was an adorable grumpy MMC. I found the Coast Guard part of the book interesting and especially liked how it tied into the plot.

Lastly I loved the body image issue rep. As someone who struggles with the same things it was nice to read about it in a way that felt relatable.

Things I did not love:

Cole. I got second hand embarrassment at times with how lame he was. I found it hard to believe him and Hutch were brothers.

I HATED how he convinced Katie to lie. It was so unbelievable. At that point you’d definitely tell that dork to fork off. (Ya know what I’m sayin!) or at least just tell Hutch what was going on!!!

And having the boss come??? No one in their right mind would do that. It felt unnecessary and went no where. Felt like a filler.

Still had a great time though! Thank you to St. Martins press for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Katherine Center does it again with her new book The Love Haters!

The main characters, Katie and Hutch, are absolutely relatable and perfectly imperfect in their own ways. I really enjoyed following their individual stories and seeing how they grow together. Humor, romance, a few tears, a bit eccentric “honorary” aunt, and an adorable dog bring the story to 5 stars for me.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this e-ARC.
#stmartinspress #NetGalley #thelovehaters #katherinecenter #romcom

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martens Press for an E-ARC of The Love Haters.
This was a cute rom com perfect for summer. Katie was very relatable with her struggles with her body image. After being assigned a film job to showcase Hutch (super hot and a hero of course) and the coast guard in Key West she meets Rue and her friends who slowly help Katie to love herself!
Definitely would recommend for a summer read!

The Love Haters was my first Katherine Center book, and I had such a good time with it. Her writing has a super easy, natural flow, and the voice really pops—it made the whole thing a breeze to read. I literally had a few moments where I laughed out loud (well, air-puffed-out-my-nose laughed), and one scene with Katie and Hutch totally gave me butterflies.

The storyline felt fun and different from anything I’ve read recently. I wasn’t really into Cole or his weird little side plot, but luckily it didn’t drag on. And the big twist at the end? Totally caught me off guard—but in a good way. It added some real stakes without making the story feel heavy, which I appreciated.

I loved Rue. I loved Katie and Beanie’s friendship. And I especially loved the moment Katie has near the end around her self-image—it was subtle but powerful. My only tiny gripe? I selfishly wanted more of Katie and Hutch once they finally got together. Their banter was just so good.

Overall, this was a super enjoyable read. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Katherine Center.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Katherine Center’s book is ALWAYS a delight. And this one’s not an exception. Not only she delivers funny banters and swoony, heartfelt romance, but also A SUBSTANCE. This time it’s about body image.

Katie is a talented videographer, but she needed to lie a bit to get this one particular job, so that her boss could see how good she is, so she won’t get fired. Problem is, that lie might be a determinator in her survival in a life-or-death situation. Because she’s going to shoot a promo video for the US Coast Guard, including following them to their actual rescue mission at the open sea. So “can’t swim” is never an option.

Her subject for this job is Hutch, a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer who’s said to be serious and aloof and doesn’t like to talk and hate love. But at this point Katie is willing to make anything work so that she doesn’t get fired.

Katie & Hutch are lovely characters I couldn't help but immediately love them. The Gals were wholesome. The narrative around body image and self love was beautiful. The USCG feature was really interesting, this book itself could be a promo for them. Because I’ve never heard of them before but now I’m going to look for USCG in action, especially the rescue swimmers lol. It’s insightful and clearly KC did a thorough research for this. But honestly I have some nitpicks too. Nothing big, only that the brothers quarrel felt a bit weird?? Like WTF??? Andd the ending could use some extra cute scene between Katie & Hutch, after everything they went through… and, I promise this is the last: the book title isn’t really fitting, because I didn’t feel the “they hate love” vibes at all? But it’s okay. I still love the book as a whole.

I enjoyed this book, however I didn't LOVE it. I enjoyed the setting being the Florida Keys, and the accompanying cast of characters, except for Cole. The whole, 'pretend we are dating' trope didn't work for me at all.

As for Hutch... if anyone has seen the movie The Guardian, starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher, you will notice some similarities overlapping. That being said, I liked the basic story with one exception: Katie's body image issues. Read at your own risk.

Not her best work at all, but also not her worst. I can't wait to read her next one!