Another summer romance homerun for @katherinecenter
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It’s been a year since Katie was humiliated in front of the world when her newly-famous fiancé cheated on her with a Hollywood starlet. It messed with her head so much that now she only wears black, has swimsuit-phobia and is trying really hard to retrain herself not to constantly be starving so she can be a size 0. As a video producer she’s used to being unseen, hiding behind the camera. However her boss is about to lay her off so her coworker offers her the chance of a lifetime: go to the Florida Keys and interview the notorious Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, famous for saving Jennifer Aniston’s dog and not giving any interviews. But when Katie finds out it’s her coworker’s brother and gets involved in their family drama, she’s suddenly wishing she was even more invisible as the becomes entrenched in their lives.
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Fan-freaking-tastic! I didn’t know I would be crying when listening to this audiobook but Center will do that to you every time. A seemingly innocent, sweet adult romance book worms its way into your soul and the characters become so real. The entire storyline about Katie's weight issues was incredibly relatable and one of the best representations I've seen about the topic. I adored this and need to add Center’s backlog to the top of my TBR! Thanks @librofm for the ALC.

CW: emesis, eating disorder, body shaming, cyberbullying, car accident, parental death (recounted), death of a spouse (recounted), grief, terminal illness, animal cruelty (recounted), toxic relationship, mental illness, panic attacks, injury, body dysmorphia, fire, medical content, blood, medical trauma, violence, ableism, infidelity

This book was maybe not for me. I had trouble getting into the characters, and the story felt forced.

I've loved every Katherine Center book I've read, and this one was no exception!

A perfect summer romcom! The audiobook was well performed and a fun listen.

Tropes: grumpy -sunshine, self-love journey, enemies to lovers, fake it till you make it

Cute sweet cheesy romance! I feel like she was trying to be a little Abby Jimenez and make this have a deeper storyline but this one fell a little flat there. Nothing to write home about and prob won’t stick with me forever but def enjoyed listening to this audio. Plus I always love a Katherine Center authors note at the end, where she always captures the joy of reading so perfectly. Thanks netgalley for the early copy!

I love the drama and the thrill of this book, as well as the romantic (awkward) comedy. I love that this was a strangers to friends to lovers read. I also absolutely love the ending.

I always find Katherine Center has solid books that do not disappoint, and this was no exception. There is a strong female lead character and a good plot line.

Thank you, MacMillian Audio and Katherine Center, for the ARC! Katherine never disappoints! A cute rom-com with a unique setting that has you rooting for the main characters. Hutch is the lovable grumpy mr. sunshine that has you just waiting for the heroine to break his hard exterior shell. Def a quick, light read.

Just be sure to read the trigger warnings as needed as they are quite a bit of subjects covered - yet not dwelled on.

This book was full of humour, romance and all the feels. I loved following along as the two main characters who hate love find joy and love in one another. I loved listening along to watch their story and adventures together unfold.

The narrator for this novel did a wonderful job and I cannot recommend this one enough.

Honestly, what’s not to love about a rom com set in sunny Florida, with a lovable dog and a sexy Coast Guard rescuer. I found myself laughing out loud at times and at others, my heart went out to the MC because of how poorly she saw herself. A trigger warning to those who may have body dysmorphia. That being said, the ending was *chefs kiss* that kept me on the edge of my seat and so happy that the MC could finally see her beauty for what it is. This is a great summer pool or beach read. A solid 4 star read for me and one that I would definitely recommend, especially the audio!

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

Katherine Center’s Love Haters is a heartwarming, witty exploration of love, self-discovery, and the power of friendship. The story follows Katie, a woman who’s been dumped by her now-famous ex-boyfriend, leaving her with a bruised self-esteem and a complicated view of her own worth. As she navigates the difficult terrain of rebuilding her life and her sense of beauty, she finds herself thrown into the orbit of Hutch, a well-known "love hater" with a mysterious past. What follows is an emotional and uplifting journey of healing, self-acceptance, and, ultimately, love.

Love Haters is a delightful and uplifting read, perfect for fans of romance and women’s fiction. Center’s exploration of self-worth, the healing process, and the power of love makes this novel both heartwarming and inspiring. Whether you're looking for a lighthearted romance or a thoughtful exploration of self-acceptance, this book is sure to leave you with a smile and a sense of hope.

The Love Haters is a heartfelt, uplifting romance with Katherine Center’s signature blend of humor, emotional insight, and vivid characters. With its focus on self-love and supportive relationships, it’s a perfect summer escape—and a sweet reminder that the most important love story is the one we tell ourselves. If you’re in the mood for a charming, emotionally resonant read that’ll make you smile—and maybe teary—that feels like a hug in book form, this one is hard to beat. May be triggering for people who have body image CWs.

A Heartfelt, Hilarious Journey of Love, Lies, and Finding Yourself

Katie has sworn off love after a painful heartbreak—and she’s still carrying the emotional baggage. When her career hits a crossroads, she’s faced with two options: get fired by her intimidating new boss or accept a risky assignment to produce a feature on Tom “Hutch” Hutchenson, a beloved Coast Guard rescue swimmer in sunny Key West.

Though she’s not exactly qualified, Katie takes the leap—anything to keep her job. But things get complicated fast when she discovers Hutch is the estranged brother of her boss, Cole. Caught in a web of half-truths and awkward encounters (including with Hutch’s eccentric Aunt Rue and his lovable Great Dane, George Bailey), Katie finds herself falling for Hutch… just as a hidden secret threatens to unravel everything.

This story is more than just a romance—it’s a beautiful tale of self-discovery, second chances, and learning to trust again. Rue is an absolute gem, and George Bailey had me laughing out loud more than once! The setting, the characters, the emotional depth—it all comes together in a perfect summer read.

I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic! The narrator brought so much warmth and charm to the story—I was hooked from start to finish.

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen and review. The Love Haters is a feel-good, heartwarming escape you won’t want to miss!

I had a great time with this book. I have found that I often prefer Katherine's books on audio, and this one was no exception.

Despite the fact that she cannot swim Katie agrees to take on a gig profiling a Coast Guard rescue swimmer named Hutch. Chaos ensues as she navigates learning to swim, getting the story, and trying not to become too attached to the family she is getting to know in Key West.

I loved Aunt Rue and the dog. When what happened happened with the storm I was anxious, stressed, then so relieved. I loved seeing the adventures they went on in the book and their growth together.

I did not like what Cole said when he came and that whole ordeal. It seemed unnecessary to me.

This is my third book from Katherine Center and her books have always been a delight to read. I read The Love Haters after a slew of books that were dark (and some even depressing) and I knew this one would pull me out of that funk. Center's rom-coms are light, laugh out loud, and tug on your heartstrings in just the right way. Her books are an escape from reality!
The Love Haters had a lovable cast- I especially loved Aunt Rue and the other residents of Key West, and the dog really stole the show! There was surprisingly a lot of action in this story too that kept the story moving fast. My sole complaint was that <spoiler> the FMC's self-image issues were a very strong focal point of the story and and it felt forced and repetitive. </spoiler>
Overall Center remains at the top of my recommendation list for modest rom-coms (little to no explicit spice in these ones- I love recommending them without worrying about offending anyone). Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC of The Love Haters!

OVERALL RATING:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Amazing & Passionately Recommend: I loved it/ Struck a chord and am thinking about it after it's done - I want to talk about it and will be binging all other books by the author

ROMANCE RATING:
❤️❤️❤️❤️ | HEA - Happily Ever After: I love them together, they clearly love each other & are meant to be.

STEAM RATING:
🔥 | Closed door: Sexual attraction is written discreetly. You would likely be comfortable letting a teenager read the book

A NOTE REGARDING CONTENT/ TRIGGER WARNINGS: Sometimes these can be “spoilery.” Mine are found at the end of the review so you may easily choose to read them or avoid them.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
“The Love Haters,” by Katherine Center, is a perfect summer rom com. Need a beach book - this is a great go-to! Katie has been burned by love, drug through public scrutiny (leading to a very serious need to relearn to love herself), and now is on the edge of losing her job. The take it or leave catalyst: go film a story about a Coast Guard swimmer. So, she packs up her cameras, heads to Key West, and finds a quirky band of Golden Girls to shack up with. Then enters Glenn Powell or “Hutch,” as the book likes to call him. She not only has to profile him but take swimming lessons from him all while the geriatric band of biddies watches. Oh, and did I mention there is a gigantic dog, who is scared of thunder…don’t worry that is absolutely, definitely not going to be quite the plot point.

So, the story has a great set up and great chemistry but does not stay surface level. While we are definitely vibing with some familiar themes and tropes (found family, a weird love triangle, forced proximity, and definitely some grumpy/ sunshine) it is beautifully endearing and woven together. All the main characters are very real, relatable, and familiar - the girl who only wears black is dropped in fantastically colored Key West, Aunt Rue is quirky but a fully fleshed out character. She’s not just there to provide some comic relief and get the characters together - though she does love doing that too!

The Cover is fun and in the style that screams “Katherine Center,” however I would say it’s not my favorite style and certainly seems like more of a snapshot from after the HEA.

Overall, I love Katherine Center’s style and if you do too, you’ll enjoy this ride. If you’ve never read her, she writes very fun page turners. Where every character is a real person with their own motivations, baggage, and purpose for being written.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Patti Murin, who does a beautiful job bringing distinct characters to life.

WHO SHOULD READ IT?
Fans of Katherine Center and rom-coms.

GRATITUDE & DISCLOSURE
Thank you NetGalley @Netgalley and Macmillan | Audio @macmillan.audio for early access to this ARC in return for an unbiased and voluntary review.

CONTENT WARNINGS (not exhaustive, but what stood out to me):
Eating disorders / Disordered eating / Body dysmorphia / Fatphobia
Mental health crises / Panic attacks / Anxiety attacks
PTSD / Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) / Trauma responses
Grief / Mourning
Parental death / Loss of a loved one
Terminal illness
Cheating / Infidelity (in relationships, if a significant plot point)

this might be my new fave katherine center book. i loved the plot and everything about this book. i also learned so many new things

thanks to netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review

Story Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Audio Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
*Narrated by: Patti Murin
Spice Meter: 1/5 🌶 (Closed door; kissing only; no explicit sexual content)

The Love Haters was a charming delight with a good blend of humor, romance, and fun.

Katie and Hutch were likable characters, and Katie especially showed growth throughout the story. I loved their flirty banter, and I also felt they got to know each other on a deeper level.

The audio format was engaging, though I would have preferred dual or duet narration rather than one narrator. Patti Murin spoke clearly with a good tone and pace. I felt she changed her voice well enough in dialogue to distinguish between the characters easily.

While the ending requires suspension of disbelief, The Love Haters was overall a satisfying rom-com and a perfect beach read.

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*Complimentary ARC + ALC for review provided by St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed here are honest and entirely my own.

TW/CW:Body dysmorphia; disordered eating; parent death (past; recounted); car accident (past; recounted); natural disaster

Genre: Rom-com

The cover was great but not the book.

The thoughts of the main character go on forever. Most of those thoughts are sad and negative. For the first 25% of the book there is almost nothing that happens. The premise for this story sounded really good, but it just did not work..

I read and reviewed The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center and rated it 5 stars. My comment in the review for that book, "I love books that make me laugh and this one did. What a great story about dreams, family and love." So I was really looking forward to The Love Haters but it did not deliver.

I just love her books so much! This one was another success for me and now I miss go buy a copy for myself to display on my shelves

Sad to report that this is probably my least favourite Katherine Center romance so far. I don't feel like the discussions around EDs were handled as sensitively as they could have been and I would have liked to have seen Katie seek therapy to help work through her history with body image issues and disordered eating. I also found the entire section with Cole wildly unbelievable and wasn't a fan of the way Hutch felt the need to "rescue" Katie all the time. It played too much towards traditional gender roles for me.