📖The Love Haters is another heartwarming, empowering story from Katherine Center, and I loved how much this one focused on a character’s relationship with herself just as much—if not more—than the romance! Katie's journey through insecurity, body image struggles, grief, and bravery felt so real and relatable. There is a beautiful way a character memorializes someone he lost that was honestly one of the most touching and original things I have ever come across in a book!!

🎧Now, onto the narration: Patti Murin did a great job bringing Katie’s insecurities and anxious moments to life. Her voice fit the character so well—it felt authentic, vulnerable, and never overdone. I did have to bump up the speed a little to match the pacing I like, but the flow of the story itself was easy to follow. Chapter transitions were clear, and the vibe stayed consistent, even as the story moved through emotional highs and lows. No distracting sound effects or music—just a clean, heartfelt narration that matched the spirit of the story.

🧡One thing that really stood out was hearing Katherine Center herself read the author's note at the end, talking about the power of stories. It added such a personal and emotional layer to the listening experience.

💛 If you are a fan of character-driven contemporary romances where emotional growth is just as important as finding love, you will enjoy this! Readers who loved Book Lovers by Emily Henry or Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez would definitely vibe with this story. I would recommend the audiobook if you enjoy heartfelt, thoughtful narration—but if you prefer a faster pace without adjusting the speed, you might like the print version too!

❤️Overall, The Love Haters is a funny, moving, and inspiring story about facing your fears, embracing who you are, and finding unexpected love—within yourself first.

Katherine Center has quickly become one of my favourite authors, and The Love Haters is yet another reminder of why I adore her work. With her signature blend of humour, heart, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting, this book was a joy to listen to from beginning to end.

Katie Vaughn is a video producer whose career is teetering on the edge—her company is laying off staff, and she knows her number is likely up soon. When her coworker Cole offers her a career-making assignment profiling his estranged brother, Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West, Katie jumps at the chance. There’s just one problem: the job requires strong swimming skills… and Katie can’t swim. Not that that stops her—she simply fakes it.

What follows is a chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt adventure. Katie’s time in Key West is far from relaxing. Between swim lessons, helicopter safety training, and a budding romance with Hutch, Katie’s in over her head—literally and figuratively. Add in a massive Great Dane, the delightfully eccentric Aunt Rue, a hurricane, and the surprise arrival of her boss, and things spiral in the best possible way.

Katie reminded me of a modern-day Lucille Ball—her antics had me laughing out loud, but beneath the comedy is a story of growth, courage, and healing. Hutch isn’t just a love interest; he’s a fully developed character with his own emotional weight to carry, and the relationship between him, Cole, and Aunt Rue adds real depth to the story. Rue, in particular, is the kind of character who restores your faith in humanity—wise, funny, and full of heart.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Patti Murin, and I can’t recommend it enough. Murin’s performance was spot-on—her comedic timing, emotional nuance, and ability to bring each character to life made the experience even more enjoyable. If you enjoy audiobooks, this one’s a must-listen.

Final Thoughts:

The Love Haters is a feel-good romantic comedy with depth, heart, and a whole lot of charm. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cheer, and maybe even tear up a little, this one delivers.

I received an ARC of this audiobook but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Honestly if Katherine Center writes it – I’m going to read it. And I was lucky enough to get some advanced copies of her newest release (thank you so much @stmartinspress | @netgalley | @macmillan.audio | @raincoastbooks for the advanced physical, digital and audio copies 🤍🥹).

This book was similar to her others due to the way they are not only romance books with a silly-goofy time, but also feature a deeper message about some area of life. And boy oh boy did this one hit home for me. The depictions of disordered eating and body dysmorphia were heartbreaking and will likely leave a mark on many women who read this book. The way we’re able to watch Katie grow in her self-love was wonderful, however it should be noted that for some people it takes significantly longer to work through these areas of life in real-time.

I genuinely think that the romance took a bit of a backseat in this book and I didn’t hate it! I thought that we could have even had more of a slow burn between Hutch and Katie due to the short time period they had to get to know one another, but hey it’s a romance book, it doesn’t have to be realistic because how else would I get to escape reality??? And a small sidenote; George Bailey was the true star of the show.

⭐4/5 Rating

📖Genres: Romance | Contemporary | Contemporary Romance

The Love Haters was such a light-hearted, feel good story that made me feel giddy. From the very beginning, I was drawn in by the easy chemistry between the characters. Katherine Canter has such a fun, natural writing style that made the story incredibly easy to sink into.

The premise itself was adorable, and it played out like a classic romantic comedy... the kind of story I could easily imagine becoming a Netflix movie (and honestly, that's now my personal benchmark for an automatic 4-star rating!). It hits all the right notes: funny, heartfelt, a charming small-town setting, an adorable dog, and a hot coast guard hero. What more could you ask for?

The banter between the main characters was one of my favorite parts. It felt authentic without ever being forced. I appreciated that while the story stayed light and entertaining, it also gave enough character depth to make me care about their journey and root for their happily ever after. The pacing was just right for a romance like this. It was steady, with enough tension and sweet moments to keep me engaged without dragging.

This has truly been a fun read. I was hesitant to read this after now loving the last Katherine Center book I read. The slow burn was an amazing but I do wish she was a bit more confident. There was a lot that just made it feel like she’s calling herself ugly the entire time. I think there’s a love hate with this book over all it’s a light fun romance.

I always enjoy Katherine's stories. She finds just the right balance of quirky and fun, without making it seem juvenile and this was no exception. I enjoyed the banter and slow build Katie and Hutch had, and the supporting crew added some good laughs. And the dog. Can never go wrong with a dog.

I also enjoyed the narrator. Patti always does a great job infusing each character with their own life.

This was a really sweet romance. I enjoyed the characters Janie & Hutch with their own complicated backgrounds. Janie use to date a now famous music artist who decides to write a song about her as she is finally making steps to find confidence in herself and undo that stress and eating disorder she took up after their rocky breakup. To add to her personal life drama, she is in a real mess of lies at work, notably that she can swim, to try and save her job. She has to nail this interview of Hutch, the hot coastguard and brother of her colleague who has his own sad and complicated history.
I was also a HUGE fan of George Bailey- the giant great dane <3
The narrator, Patti Murin also did a great job, I felt like the pacing was great and added life to this great story by Katherine Center.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC, all opinions are my own.

The Love Haters is the first book I have read by Katherine Center, despite having at least one sitting on my shelf! I am not sure why I haven't picked one up yet; my TBR shelf is just intimidating, and I spend a lot of time staring at it, finding a book to read elsewhere. I will say, if all her previous books are like Love Haters, I am sorry I haven't picked it up yet, because I did enjoy this book.

I really enjoyed Kate. I am not saying she was without problems, but I liked her. I understood her shyness about her body. I think a lot of us would relate to that. She was charming and flawed, so she felt relatable, and I really like that in a character. It was fun to see her growth throughout the story.


Key West is one of those places I have always wanted to go, so I liked that the story was based there, but honestly, this beach-raised girl now living in the middle of nowhere near water, would enjoy any beach setting.

I liked Katie's reluctance to get involved with Hutch. I think anyone with a bad dating past would be, or at least should be. Relationships are hard, and I think I would be the same after a string of them. I also liked the fact that even with her reluctance to have a relationship with Hutch, she still appreciated the finer points of him. The author also peppered in some great secondary characters that really added to the story.

Despite my really enjoying this book, it seems to have gotten mixed reviews from people who have read her before, saying this wasn't her best. If that is the case, I am truly looking forward to picking up some of her past books.

Grab this for your beach bag, it's the perfect summer read.

This book is the definition of cutie patootie, and I loved every minute of it! From the very first pages — all the way to the author’s note — you can feel that Katherine Center set out to write a romantic comedy about good people doing their best, finding themselves, and finding each other, even while life throws absolute avalanches at them. (And by avalanches, I mean not just everyday struggles, but things like the loss of family, body image battles, and, oh yeah, a literal hurricane.) And guess what? She nails it.

The joy and humor in this story are an absolute delight — I’d honestly love to be friends with (almost) every single character. The banter? Beyond adorable. I'm genuinely shocked that our FMC isn’t living her best life in a full-on cottagecore dream, because her vibe is just that sweet and wholesome — while still being sharp and fun. And don't even get me started on the romantic tension! It’s some of Katherine Center’s finest work — swoony, charged, and completely satisfying.

Bonus points for how much I learned about the Coast Guard — their work, their training, and even some real survival tips I feel a little safer knowing now (just in case, you know, I ever find myself in hurricane territory!).

Between the heartfelt topics, the off-the-charts romantic tension, the fascinating plot, and the perfect balance of high-stakes drama meets ridiculously adorable banter, this is a must-read — especially if you’re on the hunt for the perfect summer vacation book. I adored it!

This was a pretty cute listen! The beginning was a slow start for me, getting to know the characters, but once Katie and Hutch started interacting with each other, I was definitely rooting for them!

This was a GREAT audiobook read!

Patti Murin is one of my favorite narrators because she adds so much charm and personality to the characters she voices.

This is a great summer read! I really enjoyed the plot and themes.
I found the main character to be very relatable, especially when she was working through some confidence and body image issues.

Not only did I enjoy the romance between Hutch and Katie, but I really loved all of the other relationships as well. Like Rue, the vivacious, kaftan-wearing, color-loving, older aunt who Katie stays with in Key West, Florida. She reminded me a lot of Blanche from the Golden Girls, and I loved that aspect.

I also loved the relationship between Katie and her cousin Beanie. Even though we only get to know them together through facetime and phone calls, she still felt like an essential character and I loved the way Beanie helped Katie learn to love herself.

The romance between Hutch and Katie was super sweet and I love the way Katherine Center adds tension and yearning without explicit spice.

If you're looking for a fun summer romance, this is the one!

Katie's job is in jeopardy, so she takes a gig profiling a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West...even if she hates bathing suits and had to lie about her ability to swim to land the job.

I enjoyed this one and always love Center's writing — it's entertaining and heartwarming with a bit of adventure. I appreciated Katie's growth as she struggles to navigate her negative body image, and watching her continuously run into Hutch and realizing he's not the grump her colleague led her to believe. I loved the Key West setting and side characters (especially Rue and her crew of old ladies).

There's some unnecessary drama and lying which I didn't enjoy, and I wish we got a bit more of a connection between Katie and Hutch. Overall it's a lighthearted book that's a perfect beach read for the summer.

Thanks MacMillan Audio for the gifted copy!

The audiobook of The Love Haters by Katherine Center, narrated by Patti Murin, offers a charming and engaging rom-com experience that balances humor with emotional depth. The story follows Katie Vaughn, a video producer who takes on a challenging assignment profiling Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, despite her inability to swim. The audiobook captures the lighthearted yet heartfelt tone of the novel, with Murin’s narration enhancing the humor and the emotional journey of self-acceptance and romance. While not as impactful as some of Center’s other works, it’s a solid listen with enjoyable characters, a warm Key West setting, and a low-heat romance that’s perfect for a relaxed, feel-good experience. Overall, it’s a decent 3 out of 5 stars for those who aren’t typically romance readers but appreciate a well-crafted story with relatable themes.

I love a good Katherine Center romance! This one touched heavily on body positivity which was really nice to see and a good reminder that the relationship we have with ourselves is just as important as any romantic relationship.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh how good it feels to jump into a Katherine Centre story, some of my favourite rom/coms she has penned. The Love Haters releases in less than a month, I highly recommend it.

Told from Katie Vaughn's point of view she takes on a job she is nowhere near qualified for, She is not only trying to help a coworker out but also possibly saving her own job. She gets way more than she bargained for.

As I’ve come to expect with this author, this wasn't just a rom/com, she also deals with relevant subject matter. For Katie, it is dealing with her inner demons in terms of body image, love ability and being too hard on herself. With a wonderful cast of characters I was thoroughly entertained with a story that was heartfelt. It made me laugh, smile and feel for all the characters, even George.

I was lucky enough to get both the e-book and audiobook for review purposes and I listened and read both. Center’s books are a perfect fit for audio since they are usually from the point of view of the main character, it's like she’s telling her story. The reader did an awesome job bringing Katie's story to life with heart and emotion. The e-book worked great for curling up on the couch to read and unwind. I will be adding the print copy to my shelf to go with her other books.

The Love Haters is a story of friendship, loss, self love and stepping out of your comfort zone. There is a Great Dane named George Bailey, who one can’t help but love along with Lucky his new little friend.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review.

This is a quick, easy read with some fun bright spots along with some deeper insights as well.

What I loved:
George Bailey! Who doesn't love a cute book doggo??
The tropical setting of Key West. Bring on the summer books!
The personal growth the characters embark on. I felt this was handled very well and allowed the characters to push through adversity and come out stronger, knowing themselves and loving themselves a bit more. A teeny downside of this is that I feel that it took away from the romance love story, being more about a self-love story. Both have their place and are important, but in a romcom, I think the romance should be the main love story. Which leads me into...

What missed the mark (for me):
The chemistry! I didn't feel the rom in this rom com. I so badly wanted to love these characters together. But it lacks chemistry and passion.
The choices of a few characters - I don't want to spoil anything but Katie! Girl! Enough of the "it's only until Friday, then I can tell the truth". And Cole. Seriously!? The lies this man believed and told and just his whole persona was so silly and ridiculous!

Overall, not book of the year, but still an enjoyable read!

I always know what I’m getting with a Katherine Center book in the best way. Quirky scenarios that make me laugh out loud, sandwiched between deeply profound moments that stick with me long after I’ve finished reading. I’ve had moments in her books that unpacked emotions it took me years to untangle in therapy (no joke lol). It’s always fun when you’ve read enough of an author’s work to really understand their voice, it makes the experience feel so enjoyable and familiar. After falling in love with The Rom Commers last year, I was so excited to get my hands on an ARC of The Love Haters, and it did not disappoint.

As a native Floridian whose favorite city is Key West, I adored following Katie and Hutch’s story. The last third of the book was so tense for me—as someone who’s experienced what Katie goes through her entire life, I was blown away by how beautifully and accurately she captured the anxiety, stress, and helplessness of it all.

Also? I want to be Rue when I grow up. Give me the bold prints, the ride-or-die friendships, and the poolside giggles until I’m old and grey.

The Love Haters is out on May 20th! Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

In an effort to save her job, Katie Vaughn agrees to go to Florida to create a video promo on Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The catch in all of this? Katie isn’t qualified for this job, one that involves swimming - which is something she isn’t able to do. Katie finds herself doing everything she can to save her job, even if that means swimming lessons, while she’s also battling her own demons and scars from her most recent breakup, which was super public.

I really wanted to love this book, as I have been a fan of Katherine’s books for quite some time! Unfortunately, this one just fell flat for me…It started off strong and brought some complexities into the storyline, with also some witty one liners - which I appreciated, but as the book progressed, there seemed to be almost “too much” happening. I did enjoy the funny quips from the characters and the hilarious moments with George Bailey, the Great Dane - so I don’t want to discount it too much because there were parts I did enjoy! However, it’s just not the one for me - but I do look forward to reading more Katherine Center books in the future!

Love Haters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
By Katherine Center

🖊️ Publication date: May 20, 2025

“I just suddenly understood, in a whole new, sun-breaking-through-the-clouds way, that even if we do eternally need, and long, and want to be seen, maybe the most important eyes doing the looking are our own.”

🌴 Genre: Romance
🌴 Steamy rating: Mild
🌴 Profanity: Mild

Love Haters is a charming rom-com that follows Katie, a heartbroken videographer who gets roped into a new assignment by her coworker, documenting said coworker’s brother, Hutch, who’s serving in the U.S. Coast Guard down in the sunny Florida Keys. When Katie arrives, she’s greeted by a warm and quirky retiree and a very unenthusiastic Hutch. Cue the family drama, sparks flying, and all the grumpy-sunshine vibes you could want. I absolutely loved Katie and Hutch’s chemistry, and the Coast Guard angle added a fresh, fun twist to this romance. Am I now crushing on Coast Guard guys? Absolutely!

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @katherinecenter for this gifted copy of this audiobook. I loved it.

Triggers: Infidelity, death of loved ones, hurricanes, body dysmorphia and online bullying

I read the ARC for The Love Haters first and then listened to this audiobook. It was a rough start and took some time getting into, as I wasn't a huge fan of the story the first time around, although I adore the Katherine Center and Patti Murin combo.

I do feel like the audiobook enhanced the overall experience of The Love Haters. Katie came alive in her quirky self, and Hutch was more charming. I could understand their chemistry more, but still would have preferred that to be at the forefront of the book, instead of all the different storylines competing. I was definitely still more immersed than I was with the ebook.

Overall, I did enjoy the story more as an audiobook and would bump up its rating a point because of this.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All views and opinions are my own.