Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the banter, loved the setting. It was such a fun, engaging romantic book. The cover is so fitting. Narrator was great. Wish it was duo POV.

I wanted to love this. The writing draws you in and is so easy to read that it just keeps you invested. The story, however, was not my favorite; it felt bogged down with body positivity and self-esteem issues that felt overdone. I loved the dog and the romance but otherwise, this one didn’t work for me.

Katherine Center is a must read for me. Most of her books are 5 stars, and while I enjoyed this one (4stars) I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I usually do with her writing. I thought this was enjoyable, a light read (although some heavy trigger mentions). I’d recommend this to Katherine Center fans but just know it hits a little different in comparison. I listened to the audio version, which I thought was well done and easy to follow.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my advanced listener copy! Unfortunately DNF-ing at 54%. While the writing and pacing at face value are fine, I'm just so over listening to the fmc talk about her body image issues. Feeling 0% chemistry between the characters also did not help. Maybe the Love Hater is actually just me.

What I loved most about this book is how it takes familiar rom-com tropes and breathes new life into them. There are swim lessons, helicopter rescues, conga lines, and even a hurricane, but at its core, The Love Haters is about so much more than romance. It’s about facing your fears, learning to love yourself, one little finger or mouth at a time, and being brave enough to tell the truth-even when it’s hard. Katie’s journey is incredibly relatable, especially as she navigates body image struggles and the lingering effects of her toxic ex. Watching her find her confidence, with the help of a lovable rescue dog, George Bailey, and a cast of quirky supporting characters like Rue, it was very enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced audio copy of The Love Haters by Katherine Center.

This book was on my highly anticipated for 2025 and it did not disappoint! I love a romance novel that gives us characters with some depth. The banter between our love interests in this novel was witty and more fast paced which is always delightful with an audio book. We also have a dog that adds some depth to the story that was pretty heartwarming. I think most readers will fall in love with the goofy Great Dane.

This book does have elements to the story line that involve body image and grief. I think they were a bit glossed over at times and could have been addressed a bit more. However this is still a great rom com novel for the summer.

Center never disappoints and this one was wonderful as well. She always has a way of finding something not often talked about and making it important. For this book it was body positivity.

Katie is sent to the Keys to follow around Hutch, a Coast Guard rescuer, and create a documentary on his skills and rescue missions. Katie, who never learned to swim, becomes his first mission. Throw in some deception by Hutch's brother (who was Katie's colleague that sent her to video his brother in his place) this makes for a sweet Rom-Com.

The narrator did a great job!

3.5⭐️This was more of a love yourself book with a side of crush. I wouldn’t call this a rom-com either because there wasn’t any com. Sweet story and some good affirmations to take away.

I really really loved this! I could tell that Katherine Center did a lot of research to accurately depict what being a coast guard rescue diver entails. I loved getting a peek into that, and after seeing the Blue Angels air show recently, I had been vying for a love story story that involved some kind of military personnel with high stakes involved. This totally delivered, while 100% still being a perfect rom-com beach read!

I really enjoyed the audio as well. You'll recognize Patti Murin from Katherine's other books and some of Christina Lauren's books. I loved the differentiation between all of the characters and how she delivered the banter and dry humor so well. I laughed out loud several times at the audio!

Small complaint- I wish the cover was different. Chilling on pool tubes was not the vibe of this book. I would have loved to see Katie with her film camera and Hutch in his rescue diver gear or in a helicopter.

Hutch (truly such a sexy nickname) is reluctant to have to spend time with Katie, but as they open up to each other, we see that he’s just a softie with a lot of buried trauma.
Katie is insecure about a lot of things and he never once makes her feel silly or less than. He protects her and lifts her up.

I loved the authors note at the end- Katie went through an enemies to lovers trope, but with her body. I loved this journey for her. As Katherine Center said- “It’s healing to read stories about healing. It’s nourishing to read stories about people finding nourishment. It’s life-changing to read stories about people changing their lives.” This book, followed by her authors note, felt like a big hug!

TLDR: set in Key West, emotional back stories, body image struggles, loss of a parent, a great dane who thinks he's a lap dog, slow burn with no spice, just kissing but really sweet!

Out May 20!

Thank you SMP for the ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

🎧 Audiobook +📗 E-book: The Love Haters

✍🏾 Author: Katherine Center-an auto-buy author for me

📃Page Count: 320

📅Publication date: 5-20-25 | Read: 5-12-25

🏃🏾‍➡️Run Time: 10:33

🌎 Setting: Texas to Key West, FL

👆🏾POV: 1st person single

Genre: Rom-Com/Contemporary Romance, Women's Fic

Tropes: body image, fake dating, sibling rivalry, found family

⚠️TW: h cheated on (not by H), online bullying-h, death of loved ones, heart failure-not h/H, parental abandonment-h

🗣️Narrator: Patti Murin voices all the characters with standouts from Katie, Cole, and Rue. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.


Summary: Facing a layoff, Katie takes on a profile gig and "Day in the Life" with "Hutch"-a coast guard rescue swimmer. Katie can't swim but will fake her way through it to save her job.

👩🏾 Heroine: Katie Vaugh- 27, video producer, can't swim by lies to get the job. She does mini documentaries about heroes.

👨🏾 Hero: Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson- nicknamed "pup daddy" on the internet after he rescued Jennifer Aniston's dog.

🎭 Side Characters:
*Beanie-Katie's cousin
*Cole Hutcheson-production editor and Katie's co-worker, Hutch's estranged brother
*Aunt Rue-raised Hutch and Cole after their parents passed, owns a clothing boutique
*Scarlet-Cole's ex-wife
*Lucas Banks-Katie's ex-fiancé, famous musician-broke up a year ago
*Sullivan-Katie's boss
*Pets: Hutch's rescue Great Dane- George Bailey

🤔 My Thoughts: Another well-written, funny, and heart-warming rom com by Center. I understood all of Katie's insecurities because I still struggle with them at 45, and I can't swim! Hutch was the perfect hero that reaffirmed Katie's evolving self-esteem. I loved Rue as the mother figure of the group and understood Cole and Hutch's complex family dynamic.

*Spice: 1/5 🌶️ kissing only
*Emotion: 5/5 🥲
*Couple: 4/5 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
*Rating: 4/4.5/5 ⭐

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Katherine Center for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center was such a fun, heartwarming read. I loved Katie—she’s smart, relatable, and just trying to hold it together while pretending she can swim (been there, faking confidence!). The story had the perfect mix of humor, sweet romance, and personal growth. Plus, the Key West setting and lovable side characters totally pulled me in. If you’re into feel-good reads with strong women and a little emotional depth, this one’s for you.

I needed a break from psychological thrillers and this book delivered. This was my first listen/read from Katherine Center and was exactly what I anticipated it would be - a lovely, light hearted, easy listening romance book. Loved the characters - except for Cole - he needs a bit of a revision but my fav by far is George Bailey! I love BIG dogs and I think he’s fit in well here. It’s always good to see a dog play such an integral role in a romance. I could totally see this book as a lovely rom com that I would stream for SURE!! I found myself imagining who would play the leads as I listened. I hope Katherine Center writes more about Ru in a forthcoming book - she was also a favourite character. If you are looking for something lighthearted and where you aren’t overly challenged or remotely surprised by the ending but find yourself thoroughly enjoying the ride - pick up this book or give it a listen! Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Haters is another fun Katherine Center rom-com. The banter was strong throughout the book and I found the FMC, Katie, likable and witty. I also enjoyed Hutch and his quiet strength and kindness.

Up until the 70% mark this book was a 5 star read. Then Cole re-entered the chat and his whole character is just a no from me.

There was body issues discussed a lot through out the book. I can see how that would be hard for some people to read. I, however, found this relatable and I loved the growth of Katie. I especially loved that the growth was not because of the MMC but encouraged by her best friend.

George Bailey is the best.

I thought Patti Murin did a fantastic job as the narrator.

Overall I rated this 4.25/5 stars.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center's books always do two things - make me laugh and cry at the same time, and introduce some very interesting career choices. In The Love Haters, Katie is a videographer, and Hutch is a Coast Guard rescue swimmer with a shy Great Dane named George Bailey. In an attempt to save her job, Katie agrees to film a promo of Hutch, even though she can't swim. You can imagine what types of scenarios this brings about, but I promise you they will not even compare to Katherine Center's imagination. In between the humour, this story also deals with insecurities, fears and body image issues, all in the kind, gentle way that I've come to expect from Katherine's books.

The voice of Patti Murin is forever associated with Katherine Center's stories in my mind, she is the perfect narrator for them, so much so that I was surprised to hear that Katherine actually has a different voice when she narrated the author's note and acknowledgements! But I also really appreciate the perspectives these sections add to the story, and that they are included in the audiobook.

Katie’s job is on the line when she agrees to travel to Key West to film a profile on Tom “Hutch” Hutchinson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The only problem is Katie doesn’t know how to swim. One thing leads to another and Katie is befriending Hutch’s aunt, getting swimming lessons with him and filming a day in the life episode. It’s no wonder she falls so hard to the perfect man she finds in Hutch, but does he feel the same way? And if he does, will the secrets Katie’s been keeping push him away?

I have loved everything I’ve read by Katherine Center so it’s no surprise I loved this book too. I was pulled in from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. Katie and Hutch were great lead characters with depth and complexity that added so much to the story. The chemistry and attraction between them was strong and hard to ignore. This book was full of funny, sweet, tear jerking and romantic moments. It took me on the full roller coaster ride of emotions but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I enjoyed this romance so much and would definitely recommend it. If you are looking for a good romance read with great characters, depth and some comic relief look no farther!

Katherine Center is the girlie pop of romcoms and you can’t change my mind on this. She is so good at weaving together humor, difficult topics, chaos, and love into such enjoyable stories. I was really excited to get the audio ARC for this one. The narrator captures the humor of the FMC SO well. I will always recommend Katherine’s books to anyone who just likes feel good romances and a happily every after ✨💕

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this 🎧 ARC.

Another winner by Katherine Center! Unlike her previous book, The Rom-Commers, which I liked but felt was a bit "clunky," this one is smooth sailing all the way. Katie, a lower level videographer, is coerced into traveling to Key West to film a promo for the Coast Guard. In doing so she meets Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson, who is scientifically perfect in appearance and extremely good at heart. With some fun supporting characters in a great setting, plus a 160 lb Great Dane named George Bailey, this was a terrific romp that had me rooting for the main characters from the beginning. I loved it from start to finish.

My Interest
I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for a fair review from #Netgalley

I’ve loved every Katherine Center book I’ve listened to! The Body Guard [my reviews are linked to each book’s title], Hello Stranger, The Rom-Commers, so of course I asked Net Galley to let me have a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. Thankfully, they said “yes.”

The Story
“But I hadn’t thought I hated love. I’d thought I was just recovering from it.”

Video producer Katie’s job is hanging by a thread. Her company sends her to video the Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hutch “Puppy Love” Hutch who is fresh off going viral in a video saving Jennifer Aniston’s dog [hence the nickname]. Yes, her is her co-worker’s big brother. So what’s the deal? Why did little brother, Cole, fob this great assignment off on his co-worker? Key West, Florida, a Coast Guard hero–why?? Especially since Katie….NO SPOILERS!

In Key West, Katie meets, Rue and the real estate developer with a heart of gold and shop full of extra-colorful Key West-perfect clothing! She has a back-up band of friends known simply as “the gals.” And then there’s Hutch–yes, that Hutch. Wowser! So different from Cole! But what’s the backstory on these guys? And how does a hurricane figure in–no it isn’t caused by Geoge Bailey!

But Cole has a plan that could save Katie….NO SPOILERS! Will it work? NO SPOILERS!!

My Thoughts
Katherine Center’s books are so fun! This book was the perfect escape from USA life right now. No politics. No tariffs. No destroyed politician-destroyed 401(k), just a super-fun story. I loved Katie, Cole, Hutch and Rue. But most of all I loved George Bailey! No Spoilers!

My Verdict
4.0
The Love Haters: A Novel by Katherine Center will be published on May 20, 2025

I listened to the audio version of this book, provided by #NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

A mixed bag from one of my go-to authors.

As a longtime fan of Katherine Center’s novels, I was genuinely excited to dive into The Love Haters. While the premise had all the ingredients I usually love—an adventurous setup, slow-burn tension, and a sunny setting—I found myself struggling to connect with the story this time around.

Katie, the protagonist, starts off with charm and potential, but her inner monologue quickly became overwhelming. A large portion of the book centers on her body image issues, which is a worthy and important theme, but the execution felt repetitive and surface-level. I also found it frustrating that her journey toward self-acceptance seemed heavily reliant on validation from the male lead, Hutch. The romance itself felt a bit flat for me; despite Katie’s constant swooning over his appearance, their actual chemistry didn’t quite land.

I did enjoy some of the setting details and the dynamic Aunt Rue and her Great Dane added levity and warmth. The story had flashes of Center’s signature heart and humor, but they were diluted by pacing issues, a forced twist, and some grating side characters.

While The Love Haters wasn’t a standout for me, I do appreciate what it tried to do—blend romance and self-love in a tropical setting. I’ll still pick up Katherine Center’s next book, but this one just didn’t hit the mark.

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

This book fell flat for me. The characters didn't grab me lie other Katherine Center books did. I didn't love Cole and Katie wasn't anyone I would want to hang with. It's a cute story - but I wanted more from their time together and it just wasn't for me.