I enjoyed The Love Haters—it was a refreshing read with an original plot and a setting that felt both unique and engaging. What stood out most were the real, imperfect characters that made the story feel grounded and relatable. Catherine Center has a great way of weaving in deeper life situations—relationships, personal growth, and emotional honesty—without making the story feel too heavy. I’m definitely interested in reading more of her books after this one. A solid, enjoyable novel that brings something a little different to the rom-com genre, balancing heart and humor with a touch of meaningful introspection.

Katie is a video producer whose job is on the line due to layoffs. In an effort to secure her job, she agrees to interview Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who went viral with his heroics. But first she has to learn to swim.

The Love Haters is a lovely story of found family, loss, healing and self-love. Most of the characters were strong and enjoyable, except for one (you’ll know who), and I would LOVE to find a real-life community like Rue and the gals.

My only real issue is that there should absolutely be an ED and body image warning for this book. While I did enjoy the end of Katie’s self-love journey, the detailing of her struggle was a lot, especially at the beginning. At one point I wasn’t confident in continuing the story but I’m glad I did. As the story progressed, the body image issue became less of a focal point so it was more enjoyable.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!

Katie takes a Hail Mary assignment to profile hero Coast Guard Hutch in order to save her job. Wanting to spend more and more time with him beyond just the video assignment is just icing on the cake.

I loved this book! Here's what I loved:

The writing and humor: Center has such a unique way to pull me into a story, I loved Katie's voice. There was such humor in the small things. I wanted to keep listening because I was so pulled into the character and pulling for her. This has Center all over it.

Hutch: I adored him! He's strong but awkward. It's such a unique combination that I was here for. He's such a book boyfriend. I also a bored his dog.

The story: This was such a fun story. There was some outlandish things that just worked. I was on the edge of the seat with some of it! And then swooning for some. It was all real well laid out.

The narration: Patti Murin was amazing with this. She helped add to the already hilarious humor. I can't picture Katie any other than with Murin's voice.


All in all, this was such a great romcom! Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

This audio was super cute! I absolutely loved the characters in the plot. The Coast Guard/videographer characters were cute and the storyline was believable. I didn’t love the third act drama, but overall it was definitely an enjoyable book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
This was a new to me author, but the storyline had interested me. Overall I enjoyed this! It was fairly predictable and you could guess how it was going to go, but still enjoyable and kept my interest easily. I would recommend for an easy read!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed the premise of this book! Katie is in danger of losing her job as a film maker in the documentary industry. A unique opportunity arises that will put her in the limelight and save her job. She is sent to film a short promotion video for the Coast Guard featuring "Pup Daddy"/Hutch, a rescue swimmer that saved Jennifer Aniston's dog and became famous.

While this is branded as a romance, the focus shifted more towards self love and healing from heartbreak, which was a nice addition. I enjoyed Katie and Hutch together, but longed for something more. The first half of the book felt well paced and exciting, I could feel the longing between the characters and was looking forward to what the second half held. Katie's friend Beanie was a fantastic addition to the story. She is the best friend everyone deserves, someone that helps you see why you are loveable and deserving. Rue was another great addition to the story. Without Rue and Beanie the story would have been dry.

My critiqued of the book overall: I think the web of lies and blackmailing got out of control in the second half and pulled from the enjoyment of the small amount of romance in the book. I get that there has to be some type of tension and problem to make the book more realistic and interesting, but it only annoyed me and felt a little over the top. I did feel like the poor body image aspect was also more extreme than I like, but that might be more because I try and focus on body neutrality.

The audio was well done. This narrator always does a great job at keeping the story entertaining. I like how she can change her voice just enough to give each character their own sound. The narrator makes the book easy to listen to.

The audiobook was well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Katherine Center books! The Love Haters does not disappoint. Katherine Center books are delightfully readable, feel good while tackling real characters and themes.

Narrator was great. Lovable characters, Katie, Hutch and especially Rue, Beanie and George Bailey. I will always pick up a book by Katherine Center.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillion Audio for the opportunity to read The Love Haters in exchange for my honest review. I’m endlessly grateful to receive another ARC from one of my all-time favorite authors, Katherine Center.

This was the toughest Katherine Center book for me to read — and I suspect it will be for many other readers, too — because it touches on such raw, real parts of being human. It explores deep insecurities, the pain caused by people we love, and the heartbreaking pressure to shrink ourselves to fit into safer, more “acceptable” boxes. It’s about learning how to stop apologizing for who we are, and instead, learning how to see ourselves — truly — with gentleness and pride.

As always, Center’s stories are layered, emotionally rich, and full of hope. She never writes fluff; she writes real people with real pain and joy and resilience. I love how all the small moments in the first half of the book, even ones that seem light or unrelated, come back with full emotional weight later — that’s something she does so well.

Two quotes that will stay with me forever:

“We can train our own eyes to look with kindness, and pay attention to what’s beautiful, and focus on what’s right instead of what’s wrong. That’s how you fall in love — and stay in love — with anyone, including yourself.”

And:

“Then she would insist, very gently, that I wasn’t stuck inside of my body. It wasn’t some prison my soul was caged in. The two things were — and only ever had been — one thing. I was it, and it was me. We were the same.”

This book will break your heart open in the best way. It’s about love, self-acceptance, courage, and choosing joy — even when it’s hard. I can’t wait to recommend The Love Haters to my family and friends. An easy 5 out of 5.

In true Katherine Center fashion, I came away feeling good. She has such a great way of writing topics that are highly relatable. I enjoyed the wit, the descriptive writing, and how Katherine encourages self reflection and self love. Thank you for this advance copy. It was cherished and I can’t wait for the print copy to come out.

This was a great book. Katherine Center doesn't disappoint. The story was well written and kept my attention. I loved the interaction between Katie and Hutch, but my favorite character was Rue, she was just an all around awesome lady.
I did want to smack Cole upside the head a few times.
In all it was an excellent story. A great beach/summer read.

The narration was well made and it was easy to follow along.

It’s no secret that I love Katherine Center. KC and her books make me want to put on a bright floral dress and head out in the sunshine. Per usual, her newest novel THE LOVE HATERS is a feel good story set in tropical Key West.

Katie travels to Key West for a work trip to film a documentary centering around the coast guard, in particular coast guard rescuer Hutch. Katie has been jilted by her ex who cheated on her when he became famous. And Hutch is trying to live a quiet life and doesn’t seem to have plans to include love.

The banter between the main characters was cute. I really liked Katie despite a poor choice she made, but Hutch was obviously a better person. While I loved the main characters, George Bailey and Rue stole the show for me.

Thanks to @macmillan.audio for the early audiobook narrated by Patti Murin, the only narrator I can hear for Katherine Center novels. 😌 she does a fantastic job bringing life and color to the female lead character.

And thanks to @stmartinspress for the eARC so I could read when I couldn’t listen! This book will be available 5.20.25!

Tropes are as followed
-Hero
-Forced Proximity
-Body Image/eating disorder
- Found Family

The narrators was great. This would have been a 5 star for me but there was part of the books that I lost interest. The banter was great in the book. Not her best book, but also not the worst.

4 Star

*Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for access to the advanced reader copy and advanced listening copy for this book!

I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, this romance missed the mark for me.
I was intrigued and invested for the first 25-30 percent of this story. I appreciated Katherine Center taking the time to provide our female main character with a specific history, one that instantly endears her to the reader. I also appreciated the discussion surrounding outside influence on personal self-esteem and how that can lead to negative and unhealthy habits. This discussion dips lightly into body dysmorphia and eventual body acceptance, which was given time to be explored, but I do wish our female main character would have explored seeking professional help to sort through her challenges.
I was excited about the initial interactions between our female and male main characters. Center creates instant chemistry between the two, which puts a smile on the reader's face and keeps them wanting more. Unfortunately, the romantic progress is chopped off at the knees due to an incredibly frustrating, immature, and down right annoying side character. This character is unlikeable all on his own, but add in the complications he creates between our main characters and he's the absolute worst thing about this book. He ruins the energy of the story and sets off some major pacing issues, which are further worsened by a very drawn out third act conflict.
I think my favorite thing about this story is the audiobook narrator. She has an engaging voice and her ability to fluctuate between female and male voices is great. Without the audiobook, I don't know that I would have been able to make it through this book. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to experience Patti Murin's narration.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

3.5/5

First, thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me the opportunity to read and review this!

This was a cute and quick read. There was a strong presence of body image and positivity in part of the storyline that I think many might find relatable. The romance was a military man x film maker.

When starting Love Haters by Katherine Center I really didn’t know what to expect. I decided to go in blind and I really am happy I did. In this book we follow Katie, a videographer that is tasked with making a short documentary film on a local coast guard diver, Hutch, that has gained fame and reputation for being a hero. Katie expectations are diminished once meeting him and now is fighting her emotions towards him all together. This book is a romance book but it’s also so much more than that. It explores body imagining concerns, familial issues, childhood trauma, sibling rivalry among other factors. I really enjoyed how well this book was written and how the author managed to give a voice to the issues that were portrayed in this book so flawlessly and with much consideration. I think many people can relate to the issues brought up in this book as many have suffered from one or more of the issues and can appreciate the message behind this novel. This was more than the concept of love but it was more about finding love for oneself to then give to others. This was a delightful heartwarming novel and I do recommend to anyone that wants to read a great book about love and family and the power of friendship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this advance listeners copy in exchange for my Honest review.

I was so excited when I read the blurb. Katie was such a fun character who had real struggles. Katherine did a great job of handling heavier topics. I think adding a duel POV, might of adding something more to the story. Still was a 5 star read !
Thank you for the ALC

The narrator was really great! She did such an excellent job! The book though calls Hutch Pup Daddy but in the audio it says Puppy Love. Why the change?!

I love Katherine Center and her books. They are so easy to read and they just make you feel happy. This one was no different. I do feel like the greater love story here those was Hutch and George Bailey.

Katie is a digital reporter, I’m probably saying that wrong but she makes marketing videos for her regular job but her passion project is documenting heroes.

Her boss asks her to go on assignment with the Coast Guard in Key West. This is where she is to meet and interview Hutch who is…A Love Hater.

I really loved all the side characters even though I wanted to punch one of them. I can’t tell you which one because it would ruin the story.

THE LOVE HATERS was so good. I can't decide which of Katherine Center's books I like the most. She writes flawlessly. I liked the characters, plot and the ending. Bravo for another great story.

Many thanks for my gifted ALC.

I love Katherine Center’s writing. She writes lovable, relatable characters and enduring stories. This one had so much potential, but just didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s a me problem…

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙:
I enjoyed the first half of this book immensely. I loved the Key West setting mixed with the Coast Guard elements. Hutch and Katie had great chemistry from the start, and I loved how easily their relationship blossomed. I also loved Rue. She brought so much color to the story, literally 😉. The narrator also did a great job! I enjoyed the audiobook very much.


𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙:
Sadly the second half of this book lost its charm for me. There was so much lying and miscommunication that left me super annoyed. I literally wanted to scream “just tell him the truth” multiple times. I expect to go through all the feelings when reading a KC book, but when I got to the point where I should be having those “feelings”, I was already checked out. The ending dragged on for me during the hurricane and afterwards. Maybe it’s my Christian perspective, but if I thought I was going to die on a boat lost at sea, I wouldn’t spend my last hours thanking my different body parts.


𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:
I can see why so many have loved this one. It was enjoyable, but just not the book for me. Will I still read anything Katherine Center writes? Absolutely!


Thank you to NetGall and the publisher for the ARC and ALC of this book. All opinions are my own.

A fun romance set in Key West, FL to kick off summer with. This wasn't Katherine Center's strongest but I still enjoyed it, particularly the latter half. I got bored with the constant focus on Katie and Hutch's bodies at the beginning and wasn't *totally* convinced of their romantic connection. Rue and George Bailey were interesting side characters that were plus points of The Love Haters.

I enjoyed the narrators and didn't find any qualms with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio copy. The Love Haters hits shelves on May 20, 2025.