Katherine Center’s newest rom-com is a witty, heartwarming adventure set in Key West, where video producer Katie Vaughn fakes her way into a high-stakes assignment profiling a heroic Coast Guard swimmer, even though she doesn't know how to swim. Thrown into a world of helicopter rides, hurricanes, conga lines, and one very good-looking (but complicated) man named Hutch, Katie finds herself juggling lies, uncovering old fears, and stumbling into unexpected romance. As sparks fly and secrets unravel, Katherine delivers a funny, but also all-the-feels story about bravery, second chances, and the messy, beautiful leap it takes to truly fall in love.

I saw this book was available on NetGalley and didn’t know anything about it other than it being written by one of my favorite authors. I loved this book!! It had some series topics in there like body image issues, but for the context of this book I liked how they were kept somewhat light-hearted, while still addressing it - if that makes any sense 🤪 this book had grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, an awesome dog, and great supporting characters. Everyone needs a friend like Beanie in your life! I was in the perfect mood for this book and had a bard time putting it down.

As someone who typically adores Katherine Center’s novels, I went into The Love Haters with high expectations—and for the most part, it delivered, sorta. True to form, Center gives us a heroine who’s messy, flawed, and deeply human. The main character in this one is a bit neurotic (sometimes almost too much), but honestly, that kind of relatability can be comforting—especially for those of us who know a thing or two about overthinking or self-criticism (or both).

One of the things I appreciate about Center’s writing is how her stories are never just about romance. They’re about women finding themselves, or healing from the past, or what have you - but ultimately growing into who they’re meant to be. The Love Haters fits that mold well, and although this time the emotional arc is just as important as the love story, it didn't quite hit the mark.

The male lead, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, felt a bit too perfect at times. While charming and swoon-worthy, he lacked some of the nuance I was hoping for. Still, their dynamic was entertaining, and I was invested in how things would play out between them.

My biggest frustration about this one, in comparison to her other novels? Some of the pivotal twists and resolutions felt a bit too convenient, even for fiction. Center typically does such a good job grounding her characters but this time the more far-fetched moments pulled me out of the story just a bit.

That said, The Love Haters was still an enjoyable read. If you’re a fan of Center’s other novels, this book will feel like a familiar and welcome escape.

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

Katie is needing to make a video for her job and her subject? The coast guard but specifically Hutch.

There was so much heart in this book and so much bonding. I adored both of the main characters and kept wanting more from them. There is this dry humor to the book that just constantly works and while I didn't cry at the end, there were tears.

I always cannot wait to see what Katherine comes up with next!

Ahhh I wanted to enjoy this one as it was so highly anticipated but alas this was not for me. I loveee a good rom com but this felt so disjointed. From Katie’s self-love “journey” and rediscovering herself to the Hutch and Cole saga it felt like the plot points and conflict didn’t flow together well enough. There were both cute and funny points but overall unfortunately not my favorite 🥲 & thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Katie, who can't swim, can either stay at her current video producer gig and wait to get laid off or take a job filming for the coast gaurd a hot real life hero. The choice is easy but won't come without consequences.

It kills me to say I couldn't get into this one. I've truly been chasing the high of How to Walk Away with each new Katherine release and unfortunately I just haven't found it. It feels like the characters get more obscure with more issues that truly need the help of a professional. Don't get me wrong I'll keep trying her books but this one just wasn't it for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Haters A Novel written by Katherine Center and narrated by Patti Murin was so much fun. Strangers to lovers. Miscommunication. Forced proximity. Romance but not spicy. Hutch is dreamy. Katie is relatable. And the Great Dane, George Bailey, has my heart. This was a dual read/listen. Patti Murin was phenomenal. One POV is getting harder to come by. Katherine Center created such lovely characters in The Love Haters. This will be put into my reread cycle. Five stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Katherine Center has done it again! The Love Haters is laugh out loud funny, emotional, and should be thrown into your pool or beach bag to start off your summer reading. As per usual, Katherine has a way of making her characters so relatable – hello, who doesn’t suffer from body image issues?? – and does it in such a careful way that you as a reader feel like you’ve been wrapped up in bubble wrap and that you too can get through anything.

This book is for you if you love slow burn, an amazing side cast of characters (LOVED Rue and the Gals), and the grumpiest yet heart-melting and most giving MMC (Hutch is just perfection). Katie is so clueless that Hutch has got it bad, and their dynamic had me squealing and kicking my feet – I’m looking at you Mallory Square! Neither Katie or Hutch are truely “love haters” and really just needed to find their person – Katherine Center knows how to write a love story!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

Katie finds herself in a quite a predicament. She accepted assignment where she has to direct and shoot a profile of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, yet she can't swim. She only accepted this assignment because she's trying to avoid getting fired, but this decisions sends her down a path she could never see coming. Not only does she have to face learning how to swim and pass a daunting Coast Guard training, she also has to fast her past and try to figure out how and if she can move forward. Cue the Coast Guard resume swimmer coming to.. well, the rescue, as he begins to teach her how to swim on their days off from Coast Guard duty, and maybe he teaches her about herself as well.

This book is the perfect summer read. I coud not put it down and really enjoyed the main characters, Katie and Hutch. Even more than the romance, I loved the romance that Katie slowly developed with herself. Because really, before we love anyone else, we should love ourselves, and Katherine Center helps us remember this with this beautiful novel.

Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, but also immediately after finishing it could tell you nothing about it. I think its main saving grace was the male lead and his dog. He was 99% the reason why I enjoyed it.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary copy of this novel! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
A heart-warming RomCom!!! I loved every second of it! Sullivan, the boss, is laying people off. Katie is on that list. Her job is on the line. So, when her co-worker Cole, tells her about an opportunity for a filming job, she jumps at the offer. All she had to do is follow a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, who lives in sunny Key West! She is to film him for a promo video for the USCG. Hutch is already kinda famous because a while back he had saved a movie star’s dog. (He has a soft spot for dogs). The only thing is.... Hutch and Cole are brothers. Cole was supposed to do the promo himself, but they had a falling out a year ago, so he sends Katie. When Katie arrives down in Key West, she arrives without any luggage. She meets Cole and Hutch’s adoptive Aunt Rue and her gang of gals. Aunt Rue, who adores very bright and colorful clothes, provides some very colorful ones for Katie, who apparently has a fear of anything colorful. When Katie first meets Hutch, it’s like he’s a Roman god. And Hutch’s Great Dane, George Bailey, loves Katie!!! What ensues is a heartwarming, adventurous Romantic Comedy!!! I loved the banter and chemistry between Katie and Hutch. I loved Aunt Rue’s character and outlook on life, even with the tragedy she suffered. And George Bailey, the Great Dane, is a lovable rescue dog!!! (He was my favorite character) This novel is a perfect, light-hearted Summer read. There were laugh-out-loud moments, and this novel did not disappoint!

3.5* Rounded Up

I think this book will be either hit or miss for you and it will likely depend on what you're hoping to get out of it. I went into it looking for a fun romcom summery light read and it was perfect for that. It has many ridiculous but funny moments that if you suspend your disbelief and pretend you're watching a silly comedy it works. The setting was perfectly done and I felt that I was in the Florida Keys which was nice for the warm weather, the romance was cute if a bit complicated. I overall read this so quickly and it felt like watching a fun summer blockbuster in terms of action and silliness.

I received an eARC thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, all opinions are my own.

I love all things Katherine Center & The Love Haters was a definite 5 star read for me. I can always count on her books to be a great ready that I can't put down!

Thank you NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for an ARC copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

👙 For my friends who are loyal Katherine Center fans.

THE LOVE HATERS by Katherine Center (Patti Murin, Narrator)

Thanks, @stmartinspress, for the e-book review copy via #NetGalley and @Macmillan.audio, for the audiobook review copy. #macaudio2025 (Available 20 May 25) 10 hours

Katie accepts a videographer assignment profiling the Coast Guard, with a focus on a very photogenic and heroic Hutch. Because her office is facing layoffs, she jumps at the job, despite not knowing how to swim, and realizing that Hutch is her supervisor’s estranged brother.

This felt like a departure from a typical Center novel, in that the “Enemies to Lovers” trope was applied to the main character and her own body. Katie learning to love her shape and herself after years of body shame and an eating disorder made up the majority of the story.

Relegated to the sidelines were colorful retiree-aged ladies, a Great Dane, and a handsome Coast Guard rescue swimmer. There was some miscommunication, loads of erratic behavior, an out-of-character drinking game, and an over-the-top finish that somehow ended rather abruptly, then jumped into the Epilogue.

I love Katherine Center and love how carefree and happy her books make me feel. I’m chalking this one up to something a little different, but with a good message. I was entertained, but I would have enjoyed it more with managed expectations. As usual, the talented Patti Murin enchanted as the audiobook narrator.

Fun and spunky! Immediately pulled into the colorful story. Will review online this month when it's released :)

✨ARC REVIEW✨

3.75✨

This book was cute. I really loved the overall premise of this story. I thought the setting was fun and the vibes were a good time. Katherine Center will always write enjoyable books - like they're never gonna be bad.

While reading this book, I was genuinely enjoying it but deep down knowing I wasn't fully in love. The first 30% of the book was a tad slow for me. When we finally got to Hutch showing up, my interest was piqued for sure. But then it got slow again and suddenly feelings were shared and I felt like I missed something.

I didn't totally feel like Katie and Hutch had a connection. It felt a little forced and inorganic. Do I think Katie had feelings for Hutch? Absolutely. Did Hutch show his feelings in an uninterested way? Absolutely. He never really showed any true passion towards her but we were made to believe that he did. I wasn't totally sold.

I think I enjoyed their characters individually more than I did when they were together. I just wanted so much more from them. Like, I could feel the tension but always felt like something was missing.

I'm seeing a lot of people hate on Katie and I want to say something to get it off my chest. Negative body image is a topic I am very passionate. Why? Because I relate SO HARD on this topic. IF YOU FELT ANNOYED THAT IT WAS BROUGHT UP NON-STOP, TRYING LIVING WITH THAT MINDSET. If you've never been in that mindset, you will never understand how much it dictates your life. So I have major respect for Katie to be able to slowly work through her insecurities.

Some people hated this storyline - I absolutely LOVED it.

Now. The characters in this were a little all over the place. Cole? Yeah, I can't stand him. Rue had such a heartwarming and bittersweet storyline and I did enjoy her. But at the end? She completely dipped and it felt so open-ended and I was like "wait, that's the goodbye?".

60-75% in and I was actually really loving it until Cole came to visit and all hell broke loose. The whole situation was completely unnecessary for this story to progress. And the ending ending? Totally confirmed my "lack of passion" suspicions. I did not like how Hutch responded when het got to her. Like, where was the "ARE YOU OKAY? OMG I'M SO GLAD I FOUND YOU" Like, nothing. I was a tad disappointed.

Honestly, though, this story was cute and I did find myself enjoyed it. There were just a lot of moments where I was like "I'm not convinced" I honestly was going to give this book a full 4 stars or 4.25 until I finished the book and really thought about what I read.

Will I continue to read Katherine's book? ABSOLUTELY. But I feel like I may be better off with the audiobooks...

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc copy!

Although I love a good romance , this one fell flat with characters I didn't like and a plot I wasn't feeling. Getting to the end was a challenge, and I almost wish I hadn't bothered.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

I was really looking forward to this book, but unfortunately, I just didn’t like it. I’ve enjoyed other Katherine Center books and I’m sorry to say that this one was just boring to me.

Katie is a video producer who is sent to the Florida Keys to create a video about a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in order to save her job. Unfortunately, there isn’t much more to say.

I felt zero connection between the FMC and the MMC. We didn’t go on a journey with these characters as they fell in love, and instead there were weird time jumps and all of a sudden it was like they were in love. In addition, I feel most of this book revolved around Katie’s body image and what she ate. And while, I think that is important I just got tired of reading and hearing about it go on and on.

For me, this could have been a four or five star if I felt more of the characters connection and I felt like I experienced their romance with them instead of just being told. I’m really sorry to say that I just didn’t do it for me.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the audio and ebook arc.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I really enjoyed this one! I thought it was fun and fresh! I loved the rescue swimmer/video documentary combo story line! Katie as a character grew so much from page one to the end and I loved getting to see her growth and relate to it in my own ways! I would’ve loved a duel pov to get to see a little more of our mmc but still loved their relationship and the dog was definitely my fav. Character of the whole book!

✨ARC Review✨

I would absolutely love to write a spoiler-free review but right now I am riding the high of finishing this book and I can't help myself but include some of my favorite quotes. Sorry.

This story filled my cup. It fed my soul. It kept me up until 2 am just to finish it. This was the kind of story that I will be thinking about for a long time and will likely leave me with a nasty book hangover for weeks.

The book started out relatively slowly. I found it easy to set the book down and not think about it, then pick it up again the next day or two days later. That all changed around 50% of the way through. Then it started consuming my thoughts. The slow burn, hot and cold romance story that developed between Katie and Hutch was SO GOOD. I will swoon over Hutch over and over again.

Hutch went from being described by his brother as a dull person with a permanent frown. Then we get to know his personality and his morals. His love her Rue. Oh, his big mushy heart that cares so deeply for those around him. <i>Swoon</i>. I just have to leave this little quote here because this man is just *chefs kiss*

“Someone should get to kiss her.” At that, Hutch jacked the man’s arm up a little tighter. “That’s her decision, and her decision only,” Hutch said. Then, like a pain-based PSA, he threw in: “Just the way it is for all the women in our lives.” Hutch gave it a second and then said, “And that’s the end of that.”

Katie's character was so complex. At times, her self deprecation was hard to read, but not because I was growing annoyed but because there are so many women out there that feel the way she does about herself and it's a sad truth. However, the way Katie grows and discovers how to love herself is so dang beautiful. I hope that journey finds so many women out there and I honestly hope that this book helps spark that journey for many women.

Katie resonated with me over some of her anxiety-ridden thoughts. I'm going to include another excerpt from the book here because it gave me OCD vibes, which is something I have and it can be so frustrating to logically know something but have your body reacting to it in an entirely different way.

To be truthful, I didn’t logically think that I would drown during SWET training. I grasped the almost mathematical impossibility of drowning in a pool while surrounded by highly trained, peak-condition, professional rescue swimmers. It wouldn’t really happen. It just felt like it would. In fact, my feelings didn’t seem to understand math at all—because if you’d asked them, they’d have told you I was certain to drown. One thousand percent.

Thank you Katherine Center for writing that. I felt seen and understood.

Now, I'm going to get into the absolutely <b>profound</b> statements within this book, including within the "Author's Notes. These quotes moved me deeply and I hope they resonate with you too.

I don’t know what shape time itself is, but I know our minds move through it in spirals—returning over and over to the mysteries that shape us, to the questions we’ve never been able to answer, to the pieces that don’t quite fit. The same questions, over and over—and the only thing different is us.

Stories takes us out of ourselves and deeper into ourselves at the exact same time. They are specific and universal. Big and small. Something and everything.

Tropes:
🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
🔥 Small Town
🔥 Found Family
🔥 Great Side Characters