OK I really love anything by Katherine Center. She does such a great job of writing romance while dealing with hard/serious topics. In line with her other books, The Love Haters is fantastic! I LOVED the characters and actually cried while reading. I also sat down and could not put this down, so I read it in one sitting! I would highly recommend this book!


Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing a copy to review!

This was the first Katherine Center book I've listened to/read that lost me for a bit.
What I loved:
The storyline of Body Positivity.
Hutch
The friendship with Beanie
The older, wise ladies
George Bailey
How Katie wasn't stuck on a loser ex.
Family reconciliation

What I didn't care for:
What seemed like unnecessary Deception. - Hutch was emotionally mature enough to handle the truth. It just seemed over complicated.
Too slow of a burn for me.
Cole

All in all, even though I got a little disinterested in the middle, the ending was strong and Katherine Center will still be an auto-read author for me.

Thank you Net Galley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and Katherine Center for an ARC of this story.

THE LOVE HATERS was a fun, romantic comedy that has all the good parts of this author’s writing: funny and improbable situations, a lot of heart, and a message that leaves you thinking long after you’ve finished the final page of the book. I enjoyed it and even though it wasn’t what I was fully expecting, I thoroughly devoured the book and, to me, it was worth the read.

I thought this book was going to be a love story between Katie, the FMC, and Hutch, the MMC, and it was. But to me, the story more centrally focused on Katie’s love of herself. I think as people and maybe society as a whole, we forget how to give ourselves grace and empathy. And this book centers on that idea of having our FMC embrace the love of herself while also falling in love with another who sees her in a way she does not: extraordinary. I enjoyed that message and Center’s ability to craft that narrative, balancing these very tricky subjects while also writing a story that was engaging.

But I can see how some of the aspects of the story might not be favorites for some readers. There is a lot of miscommunication. If you’re looking for a more romance centered novel, this isn’t quite it. And some readers might feel that the more heavier topics deserve more nuance or depth (or even vice versa, that the book and premise as a rom-com is too light to take on those issues in a meaningful way). But to me, I felt that Center, for what the novel is for and about, does a good job balancing these aspects.

Overall, I inhaled this book and enjoyed reading it. If you like some clean romance, a bit more heavier topics of body image, quirky situations, and fun writing, this is a book you should read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Katie is a videographer who is sent to do a story on a Coast Guard rescue swimmer despite her inability to swim. When she arrives and meets Hutch, she realizes there was more to this assignment than meets the eye.

I’ve been a faithful fan of Katherine Center since The Bodyguard. Her style of writing and romance is whimsical and easy to read. I enjoyed the characters in the story and her attempt at including a heavier topic into the storyline. Although some of the miscommunication was frustrating, it didn’t take away from enjoying the story overall. Another fun summer read and I look forward to her next!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a free ARC for review via NetGalley.

This story is a fun, heartfelt rom-com set in Key West, following video producer Katie Vaughn as she pretends to date a Coast Guard hero—while hiding the fact that she can’t swim. With witty dialogue, emotional depth, and a lovable cast (including a giant dog), the story explores self-acceptance and personal growth. Though a bit predictable at times, it’s a charming, feel-good read with Katherine Center’s signature warmth.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read the advanced digital version in exchange for my honest opinions!

Thank you to SMP for the e-book copy of The Love Haters! I was lucky enough to get an audiobook copy as well, and I did the majority of my read that way. I will say that I do think that Patti Murin's narration made the story what it was - I love Katherine's writing, by Patti takes it to another level.

While it wasn't my favorite story of Katherine's, I did enjoy the story for the most part. It die drag on a bit compared to her other books, hence, the rating. But I loved the dynamic between Katie and Hutch, and Katherine's humor is always very good in her books! And like usualy I did cry at the end so I'm 3 for 3 with crying over Katherine Center's books.

5 Stars!

This is now my favorite Katherine Center book. This story made me laugh out loud, tear up several times and had me literally holding my breath. I could relate to the body image issues that were a big part of this book. These characters had my heart from the first chapter, especially the Great Dane named George Bailey. I promise you will fall in love with them too. The setting is in the Key West making this a great summer read. I can't wait to see Katherine when she comes to St. Louis on her book tour for this book.

I received an ARC and a ALC so I was able to read with my eyeballs and my ears. The audiobook was so well done and really gives you the full experience especially in the funny and tense moments. Absolutely great narrators.

Thank you to Macmillian Audio, St. Martins Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Love Haters, by Katherine Center is a romantic comedy that centers around Katie Vaughn, a woman who has had a bad breakup. Katie is about to be laid off from her job when she is given an opportunity from her co-worker, Cole, to help be a video producer on a helicopter focusing on promotional efforts for the Coast Guard. The only problem is Katie does not know how to swim but has lied to Cole in order to get the job! The story has moments of laughter and moments of comfort, just as Katherine Center's books always do! Although I enjoyed this book, it was not my favorite from this author. She has a great backlist though and continues to be an auto-read author for me.

The thing that saved this book was Hutch the coast guard and the way his relationship with Katie formed. It was fun and beautiful.

My 3 stars is for that - the romance part of the book. The rest….yuck. I don’t want to read a romance book with endless pages of the female character hating herself and her body etc. It was SO much of this book. So much that I almost stopped.

I usually really like her books, this one just fell really flat. Too much of a topic that brought the book more to the self help category. Just…..bummed.

4.5 stars

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my copy of this book!

It’s no secret that I’m a huge Katherine Center fan, so I was really excited to dive in (get it? 😏) to this one! Her books are always lighthearted while still, at times, tackling deeper issues, and their content always makes them easy to recommend to literally anyone!

I absolutely love Katherine Center’s writing style—the wit, the relatable inner dialogue, etc. and this book was no different! I also really enjoyed the Florida setting ☀️

Katie, the FMC, has quite the journey of growth and self love. Overall, I liked how this was handled but really felt there needed to be trigger warnings for some of the content mentioned.

The movie The Guardian is one of my all time favorites, so when I saw that this book had a MMC in the Coast Guard, I was ALL in! Absolutely loved that aspect of the story and could really tell how much research Center put into it!

Hutch himself personifies the grumpy yet lovable love interest so well, and it was endearing how sweetly he treated his aunt and her friends. Also, his dog, George Bailey, was absolutely the unmatched STAR of this book! He was perfect 🥹

Many of the other side characters were fun and lovable, and even the one who wasn’t played an integral part in the plot.

Overall, I really loved this light-hearted romcom and I think it will be the perfect summer read!

3.5!
i enjoyed the writing and storyline! I related to Katie and her insecurities and enjoyed listening to her ramble and inner monologue! I do wish there were more scenes that showcased the building connection between the two main characters but nonetheless i still really enjoyed! I loved the budding connection, but I wish we got to see more before the drama happened, so then the reactions and attachment would have felt more cohesive with the story. But I did love the characters and setting so much! it really stood out to me besides the romance! Rue was my fave hehe! It was a fun read and highly recommend it for summer because it is light hearted while also having hard topics discussed! i was swooning despite the lack of relationship building which says a lot! The author always has a way to hit home emotionally while also having a romance plot so i recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Sadly this book was really not very good and this is my fourth KC rom-com.

I was nervous going in, but hopeful, sadly I could tell right away that this one was going to end up as a dud.

None of the characters are well developed and the situations they find themselves in feel more like slapstick movie than relatable with a side of fun humor.

The FMC job was unique and I liked that and I also liked the setting in Key West, but nothing else was really appealing about this story. The fmc body issues felt forced and not real and the ending was so over the top that I couldn't believe it made it past the editor.

I'm really hoping that Katherine Center finds her way back to how she used to write sweet and endearing rom-coms.

I received a digital review copy from NetGalley. I've always enjoyed Katherine Center's books, as they are generally quick, heartfelt romances that are easy to get lost in, and *The Love Haters* was no exception.

This story follows Katie, a video producer sent to Key West to film a reluctant Coast Guard member named Hutch. Although Katie cannot swim, she risks everything to keep her job as cuts are being made throughout the company. However, her co-worker, who is also Hutch's brother, conceals vital details from her, drawing Katie into his web of lies as she tries to navigate her feelings for Hutch.

When a hurricane forces Katie to choose between evacuating to save herself or staying to rescue Hutch's beloved dog, she makes the terrifying decision to remain in Key West.

Throughout the reading, I genuinely wished I were staying with Aunt Rue at Starlite Cottages. I love a good forced proximity romance, and Katherine Center did not disappoint with Katie and Hutch.

Title: The Love Haters
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Rating: 2.00
Pub Date: May 20, 2025

I received complimentary eARC and ALCs from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Erratic • Sappy • Beachy

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.

Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

💭 T H O U G H T S

After reading Katherine Center's 2024 release, The Rom-Commers, I officially broke up with her books. While I enjoyed her earliest work, her writing style has evolved (starting with The Bodyguard to be more comedic than romantic and it no longer includes the emotional depth I crave in a romance novel. And yet, here I am having finished The Love Haters and feeling exactly how I felt last year when I swore off reading her new releases.

It's never a good thing when I prefer the side characters to the mains in any romance novel. Aunt Rue was an absolute delight, and I honestly would have preferred an entire book dedicated to her and her story. Then there is George Bailey, Hutch's rescue dog, need I say more. While I cannot fault Hutch's character either, I simply wish the story would have unfolded from his POV because I really didn't like Katie's character.

Patti Murin, as a narrator, really brings the characters to life and adds personality to each one. The pacing and tone were well executed and I do think it was is an entertaining audio listen. I cannot fault her because she is simply narrating the story she was given.

And that is where the good ends.

I didn't like the story all that much. There are so many outlandish situations that nothing felt real. The romance itself felt superficial (could she have mentioned his physical appearance more?) and it lacked any real chemistry.

Center has tried to check too many boxes in one book and as a result, the story suffers greatly. The lack of focus and endless list of tropes makes everything feel forced. Honestly, pick a lane and stick to it, there will be other books. She's also trying too hard to be witty and to come up with the most over-the-top moments that aren't particularly funny or entertaining, but rather quite ridiculous.

I appreciated the inclusion of body image and self-confidence issues, however, it also felt somehow shollow and forced rather than giving the story the emotional depth I suspect it was intended to. This isn't the first time I have said this about a Center book, but it simply feels like she includes these serious topics to tick the rep box rather than really researching whatever topic it is she's including. What Katie is dealing with is a serious mental illness and no where in the story is there talk of treatment or ways in which is dealing with it. In fact, there's no real resolution and it seems to disappear with all of Hutch's compliments, etc., which just isn't realistic.

I have no doubt The Love Haters will be a hit with many readers over the summer months, it just really didn't work for me. I certainly appreciate the themes of self-love and acceptance within the narrative, yet it's painfully obvious Center's humour (or lack there of) and current writing style don't jive with my tastes. I swore off picking up Center's books after reading 2024's release, and here I am again doing the same. I think it's safe to say, I've learned my lesson.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• deception
• furry friends
• forced proximity

⚠️ CW: body shaming, eating disorder, fatphobia, body dysmorphia, mental illness, bullying, death, death of parent, grief, toxic relationship, car accident, infidelity, alcohol, alcoholism, vomit, terminal illness

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Isn't that how it always is? The thing you're afraid of is never the thing you should be."

This was a book that took a little bit for me to get into and actually connect with the characters. Overall, I would say the main character's body image issues overtook most of the story.

Loved this story! I love everything Katherine Center writes. Thank you for the ARC!! Can’t wait til pub day to get my signed copy.

The Love Haters was a touching, funny story about finding love and yourself when and where you least expect it. Katie agrees to complete an in- depth profile on a Coast Guard rescue swimmer despite not knowing how to swim because she doesn't want to lose her job. Center does an excellent job of making you connect with Katie's character. Everyone feels lost and inadequate at some point, but Katie slowly finds joy again. Aunt Rue and her gal pals were hysterical. It was such a treat to get to read an advanced copy of The Love Haters. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this opportunity!

Thank you NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

An easy contemporary romance read from one of my favorite authors, but it doesn't quite hit the mark that I was expecting it to.

While this is an easy read, I feel like the book spends too much time focusing on Katie's body image problems and not enough time fleshing out the romance between Katie and Hutch. The body image issues just overshadows everything else in the book. And while this is a closed door romance and I'm perfectly fine with that, we only get snippets of true rom-com moments in the first 65% of the book. The rest of it is other plot points that help the book out, and I will not spoil anything here.

The secondary characters are adorable. They are fleshed out enough and aid in this book being a rom-com. But I feel like the author didn't flesh out Hutch's character enough in regards to love hating. Maybe I'm wrong, and the reasons are there, but I just think there could've been more.

The Coast Guard information that is discussed and used in this book are very well done. While I know nothing about the Coast Guard, I feel like I learned a little bit about water rescues because of this book. You can tell the author did thorough research on this one.

Overall, not my favorite book by this author. Still a decent read, but in my opinion, the body image problems overshadows the romance and relationship development between Hutch and Katie.

This was my second Katherine Center book and I was afraid I wasn’t going to love it as much as I did the first book I read, but I ended up enjoying this one just as much! I liked Katie and Hutch together. Cole was somehow equal parts annoying and endearing to me. Aunt Rue and her friends were so much fun. George Bailey (the dog) was the best part of course. My biggest complaint was the way body image was discussed in this book. It played a big role in Katie’s life but I think there was a lot of room for a bigger/more helpful discussion around it. Overall highly recommend!

This is my 4th Katherine Centre book. I enjoyed the last one (The Rom-Comers) the most. The other 2 were enjoyable but this one fell off the edge of the cliff for me.

This author centres on a serious subject and writes about that subject in a light-hearted but respectful way. The serious subject in this book is the negative body image. Coincidentally, I just finished another title about this subject. It was extremely well written. And, unfortunately, I think that may have affected my thoughts about this book.

This one was plain silly and unrealistic. Usually, I don't mind unrealistic because I read for entertainment. If I am enjoying a story, I turn pages quickly because I want to find out what happens. This time I turned pages quickly because I wanted it to be over.
While I did feel empathy for the female character, I couldn't relate to her male counterpart at all. He seemed like a cardboard cutout. I did enjoy George Bailey, a rambunctious Great Dane. And, the senior ladies were fun.

Back to my favourite saying: Not every book is for everyone. This one was not for me. On to the next one…..

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.