3 stars

After reading a lot of Center's books, I have a pretty solid set of incoming expectations when it comes to her leads and the relationships they'll get into over the course of the novel. This is not a bad read, but it's not on the level with some of Center's previous romances.

In an effort to save her job, Katie takes a wild opportunity that lands her in the presence of a potentially dreamy dude. The strange thing is that while these two say - and others notice this - that they're into each other, that felt less obvious to me based on, well, limited character and relationship development. While I could have forgiven that and gone along with a fluffier exploration, it drove me bonkers that Katie was so focused on trying to breakup with herself. This character has some real challenges with her perception of her own body, and while that is likely relatable for many, it's also pretty tough to read (and I say that as a person who doesn't really have that lived experience). The relationship I know most about upon concluding the book is the one between Katie and her body. It's also more interesting than whatever is going on with Hutch. That's not really why I came here, though.

Fans of romance - particularly those who are more tolerant of a less developed relationship may enjoy this one. I am looking forward to Center's next effort.

3.5 ✨️ and likely an unpopular opinion, but I was not a fan of the middle/semi end of this book. Starting the book off, I wanted to see how Katie learned to love herself and maybe, in turn, fall in love with Hutch. But I have a few issues

A) we have another FMC not loving swimming, then she does and THEN a semi background character has a condition that may be terminal- reminded me a lot of the rom commers

B) Katie was okay LYING to Hutch about his brother and thats why she couldn't be with him. Keep in mind she was cheated on previously, I wish she would have had some gumption to state her mind asap.

Patti Murin saved the book for me as I'll listen to anything she audios. This just wasn't the book for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Setting: Key West, Florida
Genre: Rom-Com

I loved every Katherine Center I have read, and here’s another to end to the list of great reads! The Love Haters is everything I crave in a rom-com—hilarious, heartfelt, and swoon-worthy in the best possible way. It’s the kind of story that wraps you up in sunshine, makes you laugh out loud, and leaves your heart aching in the most delicious way.

Katie Vaughn is stuck at a career crossroads, and her last-ditch chance at success comes with one major problem—she has to fake being a competent swimmer while shadowing Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson. Oh, and did I mention that Hutch is the grumpiest, most gorgeous man alive? And that he’s also the estranged brother of Katie’s coworker? The tension is electric, the banter is top-tier, and the slow-burn romance is utterly irresistible.

But The Love Haters isn’t just about romance (though trust me, there are stolen kisses that will have you swooning). It’s also about courage—about stepping into the unknown, facing fears, and learning to trust yourself. Katherine Center has a gift for writing stories that feel like a warm hug, and this book is no exception. Between the stunning Key West setting, the laugh-out-loud antics, and the deep emotional beats, this one is pure rom-com perfection.

If you love your love stories with a side of adventure, humor, and a hero who will make your heart race, The Love Haters is a must-read. I adored every second of it! #netgalley #thelovehaters #booked_this_weekend

This is one of those cases where I think I went into this book with WAY high expectations. I liked it and found that it was engaging, it had its cute banter moments, Aunt Rue and the girls are everything and Key West is the perfect setting. And don't even get me started on George Bailey...
However, I had big issues with Katie's personality. And although it's a romance, my favorite part was when Katie finally learned to accept and love herself. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life and setting the tone for the story. Overall, not was good, but not my favorite Center book.

absolutely loved this book!!!! deals with some heavy topics like body image issues and navigating grief but otherwise i feel like the author hit the nail on the head!

5 BIG FAT STARS!!
WHAT A GREAT BOOK!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this wonderful book with me!
Lots of laughs and very happy tears at the end.
I'm heading to my Facebook page right now to recommend to all!
P.S. the narration was awesome!

Thank you NetGalley, Katherine Center, and Macmillan Audio for letting me review this audiobook in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was my first time reading one of Katherine Center’s books and I was not disappointed. This was so beautifully written and gave me all the warm fuzzies. It’s a great read about facing your fears and loving yourself. Be sure to listen to the author’s note at the end.

I absolutely loved this book!! I’m giving it a solid 4.5 star rating. It was definitely one of my favorite Katherine Center books.

I received an ARC of this audiobook through Netgalley.

My favorite Quote:
“The past can’t hurt you now the way it did then” - The Love Haters by Katherine Center

This book is a romance for two people who’ve never been truly appreciated for who they really are. Both are desperate to be truly loved, and both have given up on the possibility.

I loved this trope. I don’t even know if it has a name yet. Maybe It’s Not Right, Until It’s Right or Not Seeking, But Always Hoping or Are You My Person? Whatever it’s name is or will be - I loved it!

In this book a videographer works on
a campaign to help the U.S, Coast Guard get more recruits, especially rescue swimmers.

You know those death-defying heroes that jump out of helicopters into the ocean and save someone from a shipwreck? That’s what our main guy does. Yea, he’s that cool.

I knew I’d love the book, because Katherine Center is a genius, but I didn’t realize just how much I love it.

Safe to read spoiler: There’s a great dane that’s impossible not to fall in love with.

I hope to see more of this genre in the future. Jilted People Deserve a Chance (another possible name).

Highly, highly, highly recommend!

Katie is on the verge of losing her job when a colleague throws her a lifeline—spend a few weeks in the Florida Keys making a Coast Guard recruitment film.

As someone with deep ties to the military community who feels the Coast Guard is often overlooked, I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, of the four Katherine Center novels I’ve read, this was my least favorite.

Let’s start with Katie. I struggled to see why any of the characters liked her. She comes across as self-absorbed—her cousin Beanie, who is supposed to be like a sister, essentially acts as her on-call unpaid therapist. Hutch claims he fell for her during their first conversation, even though she spent the whole time trying to disappear. Rue insists Katie reminds her of her younger self, but there’s no real explanation as to why. Cole, who barely knows her, goes out of his way to save her job, but his real motivation is never made clear. And then there’s Katie’s willingness to go along with Cole’s lies, which made her feel even more selfish and unlikable.

Hutch, the romantic lead, isn’t much better. He’s one step above a generic “fit, handsome, military guy,” which is disappointing given that Katherine Center’s previous characters have been far more nuanced.

The highlights of this book? Rue and “the Gals.” I’d read an entire novel about them! And the climax—the hurricane and subsequent Coast Guard rescue—was genuinely suspenseful for a romcom. But even the big romantic reunion after all the life-or-death moments felt a little flat.

Overall, this one was a miss for me. Here’s hoping Katherine Center’s next book leans more toward *The Rom-Comers* and less toward this.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for making an advance copy available in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book by Katherine Center!! Her books are always so cute & fun! Great read! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me access to read it early!

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters is a heartwarming and witty story about self-discovery, career struggles, and unexpected connections. Set in Key West, it follows video producer Katie as she profiles a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, leading to challenges, humor, and personal growth. With Center’s signature charm and emotional depth, this novel delivers a feel-good and engaging read.

I had the privilege of hearing the audio of the Love Haters. The narrator, Patti Murin, encompassed the main character Katie. Her place is appropriate and add inflection at the right moments. She is easy to listen too. She had me engrossed in the story. I didn't want to put it down and stayed up too late.

I wasn't sure what to expect of the story. It was complex and there was depth in the plot. I loved it. It was a great rom-com and made me giggle throughout the book. One of my favorite things about this book is how the main character grew throughout the book. I def connected to her conflict between the main character and her body. I will be seeking to read another book by this author.

First I want to thank Netgalley & MacMillan Audio for approving this audiobook. I absolutely loved this audiobook so let's chat about it.
First of all the story is incredible! Lighthearted & happy are just a few of the ways I felt listening to this book.
I love reading Katherine Center & have previously read several of her books. With that in mind I also love when Patti Murin narrates one of her novels & this book is no exception. This audiobook was super easy to listen to & it kept my attention from start to finish with short chapters. I love how the narrator brings to life the main characters Katie & Hutch as well as the other lovable characters in this book. The story was fantastic & I've already pre-ordered the physical book that releases 5/20/25. This audiobook had me laughing & leaving me with a smile on my face.

Book Review: With trademark Katherine Center romantic tension, The Love Haters follows filmmaker Katie while she makes a documentary about the Coast Guard and rescue swimmer, Hutch. Katie's boss, Cole, in an effort to avoid seeing his estranged brother, Hutch, sends Katie to complete the project instead. Filled with memorable supporting characters and set in the colorful, Florida Keys, The Love Haters will make for the perfect summer read. Center is masterful at creating plot drama through internal turmoil and character deceit. At times, some of the story's main themes feel belabored, but overall, the story moves quickly and will make you feel both sorrowful at times and uplifted at others.

Narration: Patti Murin does an excellent job heightening the tension between Katie and Hutch, adding an artistic layer to the already entertaining story. I particularly liked how easy it was to identify changes in characters speaking. Murin uses pauses skillfully to move narration from character to character.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers, for the audiobook ARC of this new release! These are my honest and initial thoughts

“Every time you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time.”

The narrator was incredibly engaging and easy to listen to, making the character voices feel distinct without any of the usual cringe I sometimes find in audiobooks. I also appreciated the pacing—unlike some romances that feel rushed, this one had a natural flow.

At first, I found myself relating to the story because I used to be a swimmer, and the idea of the FMC needing to be good in water made me laugh a little. That said, Katie was a bit frustrating in the beginning—her insistence on needing to be in the water when she couldn’t even swim felt excessive. But as I listened to her reasoning and learned why Cole assigned her the project, I started to appreciate her outlook on life, especially through her “Day in the Life” videos featuring real-life heroes. One line that stuck with me was:

Hutch, on the other hand, was such a likable character. The way he first noticed Katie’s eyes when she had a hibiscus in her hair? Adorable. I loved how he paid attention to the little things that often go unnoticed—side-eyeing Lucas here.

In the end, I really wanted to love this book as Katherine Center was my auto-buy author now. But I found it difficult to fully enjoy because of the body image themes, fatphobia, and body dysmorphia aspects. Those elements made it a tough read for me, so I’ll be shelving this under NRN (Not Right Now) at 55% of the audiobook and might revisit it in the future.

To stay in her boss’s good graces and avoid being laid off, Katie accepts an assignment to film a U.S. Coast Guard promo video in Key West. The only problem… she may have slightly omitted the fact that she can’t swim. Determined to prove herself, she also plans to film a mini-documentary for her YouTube channel spotlighting a local Coast Guard rescuer. As she tackles the challenges of the job, she’s also forced to confront her ongoing body image struggles.

Patti Murin could read straight from the dictionary, and I’d still hang on to every word. Her impressive range of character voices shines as she effortlessly brings each one to life. I was immersed into the performance, and the story felt as though it was unfolding right beside me. Patti absolutely nails Katie’s internal dialogue, perfectly capturing its sweet, endearingly awkward charm. The energy Patti brings to this performance elevated my entire experience with the book.

Romance fans, this might not be what you expect! Never fear, there is a delightful romance infused with small, intimate moments that feel big. The heart of this book is Katie’s enemies to lovers relationship with herself (read the author’s note!). She struggles with a lot of negative self talk around body image, and we gradually learn how and why. Ultimately, this is a story about Katie’s journey of self acceptance, and along the way she happens to get tangled in family drama and someone else’s web of lies. Fans of Katherine Center’s trademark rom-coms should pick this one up on audio!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I would say more like 3.5-3.75 ish

Never met a Katherine Center book I didn’t like and this follows suit. I read about 60% on kindle and finished the last 40% on audio. She always delivers on charm & wit! I had a hard time picking this up but once I started reading I would get fully immersed. I enjoyed Katie’s character and felt she was relatable. Loved George Bailey and of course Hutch and sweet Rue. Would like to strangle Cole!

Katherine Center has done it again! The Love Haters was so good and I loved it so much! It was laugh out loud funny, but also sweet and swoon worthy. It had a beautiful underlying message about learning to love yourself.

Patti Murin did a fantastic job bringing the story to life with her narration of the audiobook!

And read the author’s note too -
“Reading love stories isn’t frivolous - it’s profound…. Love stories are the best kind of therapy - they aren’t shallow they’re deep.”

Enjoyable read - the storyline is engaging with a few twists along the way. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic- the book was brought to life!

Katie has just had a brutal public break up and is trying to get her life back together and finds out her job is at risk due to downsizing. She is a filmmaker and her colleague, Cole, tries to help retain her job by sending her on his assignment to make a promotional video about the US Coast Guard. The twist is the main contact for the USCG is Cole’s estranged brother Hutch.

Katie arrives in Florida and is quickly absorbed into Cole/Hutch’s family and drama. She has a job to do and she is trying to accomplish it while keeping her job and the secrets she learns along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Press for an early review audiobook.