This was a sweet book about a romance between a videographer and a Coast guard rescue swimmer. Katie also has a lot of body image issues that she continues to work on throughout the book. This is honestly an amazing read for younger readers as there’s no spice and it talks a lot about being confident in yourself and what your body does

This is the ultimate beach read. Get ready to be transported to a world full of color in Key West. I have never been there but I felt like I was immersed in the landscape and the culture. You are in for a treat of a lovely group of elderly gal pals, a lovable giant dog who is a success story of his own and a very attractive male main character.

This is not just a romance. I love that you find out a lot about what our heroes at the Coast Guard do. I love that this addresses the struggle a woman faces in a world filled with airbrushed perfection and she feels like she doesn't measure up. Above all, I love the humor. I can't count how many times I was chuckling at the banter or what happened to the characters. The scenes at the pool and at the test will be forever etched in my memory as one of the funniest scenes I have read in a book. And the thing about the pennies? My heart melted in a million pieces over the love this beautiful man has for his mom and his story about his parents and meeting Rue.

Most of all I hope that any woman out there who believes she is anything less than beautiful reads this book. It will change your mind and it will change the way you think about yourself. I love how this author didn't just write a romance about someone who rescues people for a living. She writes about rescuing yourself. That is a powerful message. Message received. Thank you.

Katherine Center is the queen of sweet romances. I really enjoyed this book! To me, it tackled the topic of worthiness and how to feel like you belong in your own skin. Katie, a non-swimmer and non-bathing suit wearer, takes on a videography job profiling Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. What could possibly go wrong? Throw in Katie’s coworker Cole, who, although very humorous, refuses to spend time with his brother and their former guardian Aunt Rue (who happens to have a gaggle of old ladies for friends that make the entire book). Oh yeah, and Cole is Hutch’s brother! If you consider yourself to be an awkward person, Katie may be someone you relate to. Her internal monologue is more like a dialogue with herself, and as the book progresses, you as the reader get a front row seat on her healing journey. In the author’s note, Katherine Center says this is more than just a sweet rom-com between Katie and Hutch, but also a love story between Katie and her body image. With an ex whose fame put her in the spotlight in a negative way and a stepmother who introduced her to diet culture at a very young age, Katie has a lot to overcome, and with the help of a Key West town, as well as a thunderstorm fearing large dog named George Bailey, she’s able to start healing. This book does have several triggers surrounding body image, so please check those if that’s something you struggle with!

This was sadly a miss for me. I was really bummed out by Katie’s self-loathing, it seemed over the top. As someone who has struggled with body image issues my whole life - it felt like too much. I also didn’t like all the lies the characters were telling, it didn’t feel like it really pushed the plot forward and made them unlikable

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. Another great Katherine Center love story. This one takes us through a hurricane, learning to swim, and the coast guard. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and found myself cheering for them to make it work the whole time.

First I’d like to say that I loved the author’s note at the end! 🥹 She compared Katie and her view of her body to an enemies to lovers trope and I honestly loved that so much. Sadly, I think a lot of us can relate to having body image issues so it was easy to relate to Katie. I really loved her journey into loving her own body in this book. There’s a moment where she has an epiphany about longing to be looked at by someone in a lovingly way and she realizes that SHE can be that person. It’s so simple but I loved it.
Also shoutout to Beanie! She’s such an amazing friend! She was so supportive of Katie. The way she gave her ‘homework’ to help her find ways to love her own body. 🥹 it honestly had me tearing up!
And then there’s Hutch. 🥹 Hutch is a literal hero and I truly appreciated that he had a career that i haven’t seen often in books. He was in the Coast Guard and he was amazing. I liked his story with his brother.
George Bailey and Rue were lovely additions as well.


The audio narration was perfection. The narrator brought this story to life in the best way. She changed her voice slightly for each character so it was easy to know who was speaking. Highly recommend the audio! 5/5 for the narration 😊

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5-ish stars)
The Love Haters by Katherine Center was my first foray into her work. While I totally get why readers love her voice and storytelling style, this particular book didn’t hit all the marks for me.

I was hooked by the premise...romantic, a little chaotic, with a chance for second chances, but the FMC’s inner monologue of self-doubt was exhausting. Like, sis, I am rooting for you! But every step forward felt like two steps back into a pit of “I’m not enough.” She does find her footing eventually, but I’m growing a little weary of storylines where women only realize their worth after a man enters the picture and gives them permission to love themselves. That’s just not the narrative I’m chasing right now. With that being said...I found the read/listen enjoyable, and it is definitely suitable for a summer read TBR.

Don’t get me wrong—Center’s writing is charming, and I can totally see myself enjoying some of her earlier books. This one didn’t leave me swooning the way I hoped.

Themes:
Second chance romance
Grumpy x sunshine (but maybe more insecure x confident?)
Career girl with big dreams
Emotional baggage unpacking in real-time

Would I recommend it?
Sure...if you love Katherine Center or emotional growth arcs with a romantic payoff, give it a go.

If you are an audiobook lover, I can affirm that Patti Murin's narration was top-tier. Honestly, when isn't Murin crushing the game? She always delivers an outstanding performance, and I listen to anything she narrates. --->Trust me. I am an audiobook expert (per me)

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review the ARC and ALC.

Katherine Center just writes books that are good for my heart This one was no different. I loved the body positivity message because I think we all struggle with that issue (hence why I don’t leave the house) I loved Elliot and Hutch! And don’t even get me started on George Bailey (the Great Dane) Are books just better when there’s a dog in it??
A wonderful story that made me feel like the little spoon 😊

Katherine Center can do no wrong and I will die on this hill!!
Thank you for coming..
Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the early copy

I Should’ve dnf this one truthfully…Katherine Center is just so hit or miss for me sometimes! I loved the Romcommers and The Bodyguard recently, but this one was just hard to get through.. This book approached body acceptance, but in a hateful and strange way. I think the mc definitely has an eating disorder but it’s kind of resolved in two seconds later when she just says she likes her body. It’s just really weirdly sprinkled into this shallow rom com. I just feel like this whole book lacked real substance, and the characters had zerooo chemistry.

There’s also just a ton of telling and not showing. They bond and talk about a lot, but we don’t get to read about it. Just about how hot he is and how they talked and how he thinks she’s super hot too.

I think the idea had a lot of potential but I would skip this one if I were you. It was just too surface level and cringey.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book, as I have yet to read a Katherine Center books. I had recently watched a movie based on her book "Happiness for Beginners" and I loved it, so I could not wait to see what her writing was like on the page. The plot of this book caught my attention right away, and I would suggest to anyone who wants a book that is not just a typical romance story. To give a quick synopsis of the story without giving too much away, the main character Katie has had her heart broken and is now facing potential unemployment from her job as a video producer. Lucky for her a co-worker, Cole has set her up with a possible career changing gig shooting a promotion video for the coast guard, profiling none other than Cole's estranged brother Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. Biggest problem with this, our girl Katie never learned to swim basically the only definitive qualification for filming a rescue swimmer. So you can imagine omitting this truth could potentially be an issue, but so could being laid off, so what harm can a little white lie or two do?

I have to say I loved the characters in this story from Katie and Hutch to Hutch's zest for life living Aunt Rue and her lovable posse of friends. This would be a great summer read I suggest adding it to your TBR immediately. Having now read a Katherine Center book, I will immediately be diving into all of her backlist and have already purchased two of her books. The amount of emotion this book brought out of me! I love a romance book that gives you more, you get a sense of who each of these characters are and how the events in their lives have shaped them. I was so moved to see the struggles and conquests of Katie and her personal growth, it was truly my favorite part of the book. There may have been some tears shed throughout the book but there was lots of laughs too. This book is heartfelt, funny, deep and romantic. Loved every minute of it!

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

The Love Haters, Katherine Center's new book is a quick, light, easily forgettable read that lacks the character depth of her previous works. Each of the main characters seem to be rather one-note, a note that gets hammered again and again. This is my least favorite of her books. Nevertheless, I consider this an anomaly and will continue to look forward to future books from this author.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for granting me access to a DRC of this title via NetGalley. Publication is 5/20/25. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

Katherine Center is back with another sweet and heartwarming romantic comedy. "The Love Haters" is a fun enemies-to-lovers and forced-proximity romance. I loved the Key West setting, the unique plot, and the charming characters. Hutch is a swoon-worthy MMC and one of my new favorite KC men. Rue, Hutch's aunt, and George Bailey, his Great Dane, were especially lovable and provided a lot of comic relief. As someone who struggles with her own self-esteem, I resonated a lot with Katie. It was tough to read about her body image struggles, but I loved how much she grew and became more confident. 

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

This was my first Katherine Center and won't be my last. I loved that the main character is following around a US Coast Guard and can't swim. This is the perfect summer read.

TW: ED and body shaming

This was a solid read, and I did enjoy it. There were parts that I really loved (especially the found family that Katie finds in Key West with Aunt Rue and The Gals), but the last third of the book lost me a bit. It felt like too many twists were being thrown and they weren't needed. Truly, the whole lying scheme didn't end up mattering. I also don't think either main character was a love hater in the slightest.

I understand the importance and the representation of Katie's past ED and body shaming herself/struggle to love herself, however, at times it was a lot and it felt like it took me out of the book. I wanted to slam it shut when she was surprised she had to wear a bathing suit for a swim lesson. I understand her struggle of needing to do that, but she should not have been SURPRISED that she had to wear a bathing suit to go swimming. There were a few moments like this where it just took me out of the book.

I did like all the layers and dynamics in this book, especially with all the different types of relationships.

TLDR: this is a fast read and I liked it, but I didn't love it.

I may have to stay inside the next time it rains so lightning does not hit me because I totally enjoyed this fluffy mush.

I think three of the stars were for Rue, The Gals and that big ole dawg.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Katherine Center always writes the most heartwarming and hopeful romances. This is no different. With her signature style, the reader falls in love with our two main leads: Katie and Hutch, and the journey they go on. Also, can I just say... GEORGE BAILEY?!?! Definitely the highlight of the book for me. Read it, you won't regret it. A definite addition to our collection.

Loved it!! Katharine Center is one of my favorite authors and I was excited to read this book. It definitely didn't disappoint. I loved the relationship between Katie and Hutch. The back and forth was hilarious. From the start I knew they would be the perfect match. Pulling splinters out of someone's butt is a great way to get to know each other. You definitely get up close and personal. This was all due to George Bailey. The scaredy cat Great Dane who thinks he's the size of a chihuahua. George Bailey has a knack for constantly running and jumping onto Katie. He loves holding toads in his mouth. Katie always finds herself in ridiculous situations. Katie takes a job where she will be required to swim and be able to get out of a sunken helicopter. Naturally she takes it, even though she doesn't know how to swim. Who wears a sexy swimsuit during SWET training? The hole and the diaper just added to the whole moment. It takes skill to get stranded on a houseboat in the middle of the ocean, with a dog and a toad. Who wouldn't fall in love with Hutch? Not only was he handsome, but he was an all around good guy. He loved George Bailey and was a wonderful dog dad. He was always there for his Aunt Rue. Loved Aunt Rue and The Gals. They all seem like so much fun. They make me want to put on a multicolored caftan and move into the Starlite Cottages. I really don't understand how Cole blames his brother for what happened the night before his wedding. I was sad to see the book end. I loved reading about Hutch, Katie, Rue and of course George Bailey and his toad loving ways.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved the characters, writing style and story. It was a fun read that had me smiling throughout the whole book. There's so many memorable moments between Katie and Hutch. I could see it made into a movie, it's the perfect rom-com . Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Love Haters is a warm, witty escape to Key West, where videographer Katie Vaughn is tasked with profiling rescue swimmer Hutch. The quirky setting, heartfelt moments, and lovable dog George Bailey add charm, and Katherine Center's signature humour shines through.

That said, some plot points just didn't really land for me, and the romance didn’t have the same spark as in some of Katherine Center’s earlier books.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read with sweet moments, but not one of my personal favourites.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I consider Katherine Center’s novels in general to be funny and witty, have plenty of romantic sparks, amazing character development, and minimal smut. I absolutely LOVED this book, where a jilted video producer named Katie finds herself in Key West working on a project for the Coast Guard, shadowing Hutch, a ridiculously handsome Coast Guard rescue swimmer who is not the biggest fan of love, and who is the brother of Cole, Katie’s supervisor at work. The biggest irony is that Katie cannot swim - the book is full of hilarious situations as well as really emotional moments. This is truly a romantic comedy in book form and I enjoyed the whole journey. Thank you St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Guys, I honestly think this is going to be one of my favorite reads this year. I really really enjoyed reading this. I read a reviews from a lot of other people, and many are negative, but I honestly have nothing but good things to say about this book. 

So, I'll start this review off with the plot, setup, and storyline. One of my favorite things about the plot and storyline was the body positivity. What's funny about that, though, is that's what a lot of people disliked about this book because they felt it was overdone. Did I think we came back around to body positivity a lot? Yes, but I don't think it was done in a way that felt forced. Katie had a TON of body image issues because of people who shouldn't be commenting on her body anyway, so it made sense to me that it kept getting brought up. It was also dealt with at the end with such a great conclusion that I honestly felt myself wanting to change the way I think about myself. Also, I really enjoyed the tiny plot points that were utterly dramatic and over the top, but still somehow hilarious and fun to read. The ending, though? My goodness did it set my anxiety on edge. A super fun plot overall. 

With the characters, Katie was honestly so spunky and fun. With a mixture of goofiness, self-consciousness, and humor, she was by far my favorite character aside from Rue. Rue was just the old, wise mentor who everyone loves and that type of character always holds a special place in my heart. Hutch was the stoic, humble hero of my dreams, but honestly I'm really tired of all the male leads in romantic novels having rock hard abs, a chiseled body, and the look of a god. It would be nice to see a male main character who just looked like an everyday guy with a heart of gold.  Cole and Sullivan were annoying as heck and I think Sullivan could've had a little more to her character, but they both honestly felt like they were teenagers most of the time with how they were acting. Who stole the show, though? The Great Dane, George Bailey. 

As always, Katherine Center's writing style is my favorite type. She is definitely up there as one of my favorite romance authors (my top three, ALWAYS WILL ORDER: Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Katherine Center). There is humor, heart, and has the type of "makes you want to be a better person" writing that I adore. 

Overall, I absolutely adored this novel and have also realized that every Katherine Center book that I've read has been a five-star read for me. I will always pick up a copy of her books and definitely won't hesitate to read an ARC of her newest novels. A huge thanks to St. Martin's Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing an ARC for The Love Haters in exchange for an honest review. 

***Review will be posted on my blog, www.heididischler.com, on May 13th at 12pm CST***