I’m in love! Both with this book and my latest book boyfriend Hutch! Hutch is with the Coast Guard (learned a lot about them in this book). He rescues people for a living. Has a huge, adorable dog George Bailey. He’s tall, dark & handsome. And made of so mamu green flags!

Katie works for a company that makes promotional videos. Except her job is in jeopardy as jobs are getting cut. So when Hutch’s brother Cole gives her an assignment to work with his brother and make a video, she says Yes! Even though she can’t swim! 😱

This book was such vibes. I’d love to see it as a movie or a mini series. It gave me early days of loving rom-coms (think Sophie Kinsella) nostalgia. Hutch’s aunt Rue and her crew of gals stole my heart. They’re the kind of seniors I aspire to be some day. And Katie’s struggle with self-love, body image and self-acceptance felt all too relatable. And I dare you not to get attached to George Bailey.

If you are looking for your next comfort read, here it is! I know I’ll be rereading this one. And not just because of my new book boyfriend Hutch but also because I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my eARC in exchange for an honest review! And love that this was one of Book of the Month add-ons cause I had to have a copy!

Do you hate love? Well Katie and Hutch do!
But when Katie is sent to follow fora documentary sparks fly. As a coast guard hero, Hutch is tough and fit. Katie is a little inept, can’t even swim and is there under false pretenses. A fun rom-com!

Thank you to Netgalley for the eread!

This was sooo good! I love Katherine’s book and I have to say she was back and better than ever!!! A must summer read!

synopsis: Katie has two goals: 1. keep her job, and 2. forget about her ex. Not an easy ask, when her boss's boss has been in the firey mood lately, and her ex (an exasperatingly famous singer) just released a song about her. And, I'm sorry to report, it's a very good song.
So when an assignment that would send her across the country and has the potential to save her job presents itself, she dives in full force. Literally. This new assignment is making a recruitment video for the Coast Guard.
So what if she can't swim? She'll figure it out.
But, when she shows up, it turns out that she's a pawn in a decades-long feud between the co-worker who gave her the assignment and his brother, a Coast-Guard hot shot with a distractingly nice face.
But don't get your hopes up. This guy "hates love." Or something...

spoiler-free review: I adore Katherine Center's love stories! This one has no shortage of rom or com, making us both yearn for the slow burn and giggle along the way.
I love that Center always tackles deeper issues as an undercurrent of the main action, and the focus here was body image. At times, I thought some of the *empowerment* chats with her quirky cousin (because it's not a romcom without a kooky sidekick) were a bit too cheesy.
However, I absolutely loved the banter between the love interests. And the friction between how he viewed her and her own self image felt very lovingly written.
There was one side character that absolutely earned her chops: Rue. Hutch and Cole's aunt was the real foil we needed, and I adored her from the first. Her and her gang of pot-stirring friends provided so much wisdom and meddlesome shenanigans, and I wish there could have been even more scenes with them!
All in all, this is a fun summer read that has a very heartwarming love story at its core with some deeper themes woven in.

I started this book but it seemed so immature compared to. What I normally know from Katherine center. I’m sorry :( I kept coming back to the book and trying it I made it to 50% and couldn’t read anymore.

3/5

I've really enjoyed the authors previous works but this one fell a little flat for me. The FMC's voice felt quite young, which in turn made this book feel more YA than adult. It definitely addressed some heavy problems but the narration felt very light in the face of that? I also felt like the romance felt a bit rushed and random. It was overall a fine, quick read, but not my favourite.

I am sadly DNFing this book at 8%

I was really enjoying the first chapter, but partway through the 2nd chapter, the FMC brings up her disordered eating in a casual way that I was so not ready for. And it bothered me!
If there had been a content note or warning of some kind, I would have been much better prepared for this topic to pop up (I knew and prepared myself beforehand for the fact that our FMC had body image issues. I was okay reading about that at the moment.) But the ED, and the casual way it's brought up/spoken about, was not to my liking.

DNFing at 6% - had I known there was this kind of eating disorder stuff in it I never would've requested this. I'm so sad because I love The Rom-commers so much but this ain't it for me. Definitely open with care if this is a trigger for you.

Leaving at 5 stars to not impact the overall rating negatively.

I read very few romance books, but when I do, they tend to be Katherine Center. I love the way she gives her characters something weightier that they are working through besides a potential relationship. She creates characters with depth and feeling and crafts each page so that you don't want to put the book down. She brings hope to every broken character and shows us all simple, realistic ways we could make life better for those around us. Perfect antidote to listening to the news - just turn it off and go to Key West for a few hours and hang out with "the Gals" by the pool. Perfect "feel good" fiction.

Katherine Center's books are the cutest and this one did not disappoint. However I'm not sure the title quite fit for this particular story.

This book is SO different from Katherine Center's previous stories, but after reading her Author's Note I have a deep appreciation for it.

I listened to the first 88% of this story and then I just had to know what happened, so I read the rest. The audio for this one doesn't stand out. It was okay, nothing stellar, but not annoying either. The story on the other hand is not your typical love story between two humans; it's, instead, a love story between Katie, the FMC, and herself. There's some bantar and she does fall for the MMC, but ultimately this is a story of Katie finding and falling in love with herself.

At first, I wasn't a huge fan. I wanted a typical KC read, but when I read her Author's Note and realized that this was her purpose, I realized it was executed well. Katie has a back and forth relationship with her body for much of the book, but in the end she resolves that and falls for herself. I can relate with this in a past and present tense. Women have historically always struggled with body image. There are of course many Beanie's (Katie's friend) in the world who don't, but I think a large group of us do. This would be a fantastic book for a YA audience too, because that is an age where this is very prevalent.

I loved Hutch as well, as his own character. I particularly love the rescue scene (if you know you know) The love element between him and Katie was very back seat to the story of herself. I wish there had been more here, but that wasn't the point or the author's purpose.

Center writes rich characters that feel like real people, and that is something I can and will always love about her writing.

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters blends her trademark warmth and emotional depth with a sunny Key West setting and a heroine on a mission to keep her life from falling apart, while maybe accidentally falling in love in the process.

Katie Vaughn is the kind of heroine who sticks with you. She's flawed, funny, and refreshingly self-aware. Her journey from self-doubt to self-worth feels authentic and earned, and watching her navigate both literal and emotional deep water (with a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, no less!) is a delight. The chemistry with Hutch is both sweet and slow-burning, with just enough friction to make the sparks feel earned.

The real heart of this book lies in its emotional layers. Yes, there are laugh-out-loud moments and rom-com-worthy setups, but underneath the charm is a thoughtful story about body image, boundaries, and choosing joy even when it’s easier to settle for safe. Bonus points for Aunt Rue and the gals, who add warmth, wisdom, and just the right amount of meddling to move things along.

The Love Haters doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, and that’s exactly what makes it shine. If you enjoy character-driven romances with emotional arcs, lovable side characters, and a summer-y setting, The Love Haters delivers.

🌴 Key West vibes & coastal charm
💗 Self-acceptance arc
🐾 Rescue dog cameos
📽️ Behind-the-scenes career drama
🎤 Witty banter + a vulnerable heroine
🏊‍♀️ Swim lessons & emotional growth
🛏️ Classic rom-com tropes with a twist
🌞 5/5 stars

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc!

Katherine Center has done it again! She has created another hilarious rom-com that had me laughing out loud, all while making me reflect about self acceptance and love.

As Katherine mentions in her author’s note, this book is not just a love story between Katie and Hutch but also an enemies to lovers story about Katie and her body.

If you have ever dreaded or struggled putting on a bathing suit in public, then this book is for you.

Katie has to face her swimsuit insecurities when she has to take swimming lessons from Hutch, a gorgeous Coast Guard rescue swimmer. What happens next is one of the funniest scenes, that had me cringing on her behalf while laughing out loud.

The luscious setting of the Starlite, a cute community of coloured cottages in Key Largo, had me wishing I could move there and wear hibiscus caftans, sip sangrias by the pool and do the conga.

I feel like I could write an essay about all the things I loved about this book, but honestly I don’t want to spoil any of the funny, stressful and delightful moments.

If you are looking for a book that provides a sweet, fun escape with a delightful love story, while also encouraging you to be brave and love yourself, then I highly recommend The Love Haters.

For those friends who love the spice, please note this is a closed door romance.

The Love Haters releases May 20th. Thank you to @stmartinspress and @katherinecenter for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This was such a cute read, and I had a great time with it!!! Such a fun premise too, I think that it kept me engaged really well and definitely recommend reading Katherine Center's books!

Katherine Center has done it again. This is another story that starts so silly and lighthearted, and then it sticks with you. I see myself in so many of Katherine's characters, and Katie is no different. Katherine tackles body image and self-confidence in the most realistic and relatable way. And don't get my started on Hutch - my newest book boyfriend. The storyline and plot, the characters that feel like family, and the setting make for one of my favorite Katherine Center books to date. I had so much fun binging this book.

Before I get to what I liked, I want to make my main issue clear: the swoon. Or lack of it. Don't get me wrong; those kisses were perfect; however, there was too much focus on how good Hutch looked, the great person he was, and the fact that Katie loved him, and not enough of Katie admitting or declaring she loved him. (Or him admitting or declaring he loved her.)

I wanted more words of affirmation and quality time. An intense silence, with him pulling into her arms, before he said, "I love you, too." A little love speech from each of them as they stand on the beach. But instead, it was touching when he was there and fretting over whether or not he liked her when he wasn't there.

Again, I don't have a problem with kisses! But I came to read a rom-com, not comedy-with-romance-thrown-somewhere-in-there.

Looking at what I did like... contrary to other reviews, I loved the focus on Katie's body imagery. She struggled with body dysmorphia, and I was wowed by how seriously Katherine Center took it. It wasn't lighthearted, and nor was it slapped on top, like some cheesy message. It was downright serious from the start. And it helped create a character arc.

As always, I enjoyed Katherine Center's fun voice and how she can turn the most ho-hum circumstances into something absolutely stupid that makes you smile, giggle, or wheeze. Rue and George Bailey (yes, named after the protagonist from It's a Wonderful Life!) were instantaneously lovable. I could vividly see the outfits Katie wore. And man, I was shocked at how, just when I thought it's a lighthearted, fun story wrapping up, Katherine Center gave the plot such high stakes towards the end!

Hutch was amazing and worth rooting for--although he was a bit one-dimensional. Yes, yes, he has backstories and inner conflicts, but he doesn't have much personality, except for being "the grump." He hasn't and doesn't do anything wrong. Also, although Katie is the focus when it comes to body imagery, and she's objectified at one point, she objectifies Hutch. I don't need to read a page about how he looks without a shirt. I know it's tempting for a lot of women, but how would you feel if a man were drooling over you wearing a bikini?

Overall, I was impressed with the messages and inspiration in this new addition to Katherine Center's fun, easy-to-read romances. I just wish it had had a bit more... romance!

Really enjoyed this one, and could definitely see it being made into a movie. Katie and Hutch were both very relatable characters, which made it so easy to enjoy. All of the minor characters were great as well, and it would be awesome to see some of them in a follow up story.

Loved this book!

For me, this book was back to what I love about this author's writing. Funny with serious mixed in. Characters who are so well developed you think you could run into them on the street and recognize them. Quirky strong female main character. Dog. Hunky but down-to-earth male main character. Despise-able boss. Forced proximity. Yes, this book has it all.

Katie's been at a low point and doesn't know things are going to get even lower. Hutch is carrying around a tragedy from his past. When he and Katie are put in a position to record a recruitment video for the Coast Guard, sparks start to smolder, but each of them is scarred from the past and are hesitant. The way the rest of the story unfolds is well-written, and flies along. Highly recommend.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Katherine center is one of the masters at taking difficult topics and addressing them in such a relatable way all while also writing truly enjoyable Rom Coms. Her newest novel focuses on Katie, a woman who after a year is trying to reclaim herself after her musician fiance broke up with her. With the help of her amazing best friend she decides to take a job filming a recruitment video for the coast guard. When she arrives she has to face multiple challenges such as learning to swim and even being ok with wearing a bathing suit. She also meets Hutch, one of the members of the coast guard and the brother to her boss.

I read this book in one sitting just because it was that good. The themes were so relatable and handled so well. I also loved Katie and Hutch’s relationship and how it blossomed.
Center herself said at the very end of the book that the reader should lose themselves into the story and I did just that. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love Katherine Center books! Just like all her other books that I have read this one will make you laugh and cry. Her characters are so relatable. I loved Katie and Hutch. Katie was very relatable with her struggles. Also, the dog, George Bailey was the BEST!!