The Love Haters
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Katherine Center never disappoints! Another 10/10 read!

To keep her job as a video producer, Katie agrees to go to Key West to interview and film Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, and participate in a training exercise. However, to get the job, Katie had to hide some facts—including the fact that she can’t actually swim.

As Katie and Hutch spend more time together, they begin to overcome their own personal struggles and adversities. Will they continue to be Love-Haters, or will they be able to rescue each other (both physically and romantically)?

Read if you love…
💕 Forced Proximity
🛏️ One Before Trope
🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Found Family
🌴 Tropical Setting
❤️ Themes of Self-Love and Acceptance
🛟 Hero MMC
🐕 Rescue Dogs
🐶 Cute Dog Wingman
🏊Swim lessons
📈Character Growth
😆MFC Finding herself in unfortunate (and laughable) circumstances

This book is like a hot Fudge Sundae - Delicious! I appreciated the multitude of love stories that filled this heartfelt rom-com; friend love, romantic love and especially self-love.
Center is a grand storyteller that I grow fonder and fonder as I devour each new story. This one is defiantly for the thoughtful romantic in the mood for a character driven live story.
Lastly the narrator- spot on delivery of the story, really captured the characters.

Katherine Center's spring/summer book release has been a highlight of my year for the past several years. The bulk of this review is based on my first read-through of The Love Haters, in e-book form. [January 1–4] When I finished, my Notes to Self included “Can't wait to read it again with my ears.” My second reading—this time, the audio ARC, narrated by superstar Patti Murin—was every bit as satisfying. [March 24–26]

Early readers are asked not to share quotes from ARCs until they are compared to the final published version. This, of course, isn't generally possible, as the whole point is to create early buzz. Even if I could, I wouldn't know where to start—there are just too many nuggets from which to choose. As I was going through my notes, I decided that I'll order one signed and personalized hardcover and one unadorned hardcover to use as my reading/sticky flagging copy. Who am I kidding? I'll probably buy the audio as well. If you are a KC fan, too, be quick like a bunny to get yourself on the library hold list and/or to Center's website to preorder the book from one of the independent bookstores that have signed books (with bonus swag) available for preorder.

This is what I can tell you: I laughed; I learned; I cried (at least once); I sobbed (at least twice); I might have stopped breathing a few times.

As is typical of KC's recent catalog, deep relationships between a varied cast of characters are featured in the story, including Katie's cousin/best friend Beanie; Katie's jerky coworker Cole; Cole's brother Hutch; Hutch and Cole's Aunt Rue (and The Gals—her besties); and Hutch's rescue Great Dane George Bailey. The fact that Aunt Rue and The Gals reminded me of my Granny and The Girls played no small part in my immersion in the book.

The book is slow-burn hot and sexy, but not smutty—which is my personal preference. The first kiss doesn't happen until Chapter Twelve (almost halfway through). If that's not your favorite, still come for the humor, action, all types of love, and emotional nourishment.

While I have a fairly full pipeline right now, I have no doubt that a third reading is in my not-too-distant future. When life is tough, books like The Love Haters offer restorative positive energy.

The Love Haters is full of charm, humor, wit, fun characters, and plenty of swoony moments. Beyond that it hits the deeper themes of learning to love yourself, selflessness, and the beauty that can come from found family.

Hutch will melt even the hardest of hearts (along with George Bailey).
Katie will win you over and have you rooting for her by the end.
Everyone needs someone like Beanie in their life.
Cole needed the swift kick in the pants that he got.
And Rue...Rue is an absolute gem of a character!

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook after reading this book and it did not disappoint. The narrator truly breathed life into these characters and upped my emotional investment in the story. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook if you are able.

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC and to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fun Rom Com... FMC needs to perform a miracle one on one very personal interview with a viral hero that just wants to be left alone in order to secure her job. Oh and there's one other problem, he's a Coast Guard and she can't swim. One thing after the other seems to get in her way from the start but she just keeps going keeping her eye on the prize, her job.

I would recommend if you would like to read a classic Rom Com.

Secrets are kept
Lies are told
Grumpy Sunshine
No one touches her
He sees ME

📚The Love Haters by Katherine Center
🎧ALC Review(Copy gifted by @smpaudio & @youhadmeathea)
🚨While reviewed copy is gifted, opinions are always my own.
Status: Available May 20th, Not KU

🥰Enjoyment: I am of two minds on this one. As a writer, KC has a voice that really draws me in, and then when you pair it with narration by Patti Murin and that right there is the special sauce. However this book focused heavily on a theme of body image and negative self talk that really was a lot. I wouldn’t call it a trigger for me but literally the entire plot is repeatedly touched by our FMCs self image concerns and it just weighed down the story for me. Additionally the “conflict” that existed in the back half of the book didn’t feel high stakes enough to drive the plot in the way it did. There were a few other nitpicky things that I won’t dive into but I just wanted more. More depth and less negative self talk. This won’t stop me from picking up the next KC book, but this wasn’t my favorite one.

📢Narration: Patti Murin as always was fabulous, her voice on Katherine Center’s writing are just a match made in heaven.

DNF at 10% on Chapter 4. WHY IS THERE NO DISCLAIMER FOR ANOREXIA OR EATING DISORDERS. I am anorexic and trying become a recovering anorexic and this book has made me spiraled. I read the Rom-Commers by this author and absolutely loved it, so of course I wanted to read the next book by this author, but since there’s no disclaimers for sensitive topics I didn’t know this would be a problem. I was going to try to push past it, maybe reading a book about something I struggle with every day of my life will help me begin my healing journey, but I fear it’s going to set me back. Do better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for providing an ARC of The Love Haters by Katherine Center for a review of my honest thoughts.

Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)

As a big Katherine Center fan, I went into The Love Hater with high hopes—and while it didn’t quite hit the same emotional beats as some of her earlier work, it still had that familiar charm and warmth her stories are known for. Like her other books, this one blends rom-com energy with real-life issues—but the balance didn’t feel as seamless this time around. The heavier themes were present, but they skimmed the surface and never fully landed in a way that felt meaningful to the story.

Katie's body image struggles and the Hutch's past trauma added context, but mostly served as background noise rather than emotional anchors. And while I get that Katie's conflict-avoidance was a character trait, it caused most of the tension in the story—and not in a satisfying way. That said, the banter is sharp, the pacing keeps things moving, and it’s undeniably readable. If you're already a Katherine Center fan, it's worth picking up. Just maybe go in with slightly adjusted expectations—it’s not her most emotionally layered book, but it’s got all the makings of an easy, sun-soaked summer read.

Also, shoutout to Rue, I want to be her when I grow up.

Once again, I reached the end of a Katherine Center book and was upset at having to say goodbye to the characters. The Love Haters was slower to grab my attention than some of her books have been, and I found Katie's obsession over her weight, while understandable for character development, emphasized a bit too extensively at the beginning. It's one thing to have hang-ups; it's another to let them take over one's decision making process completely. But as the story progressed, other matters rightly took center stage, and Katie's evolving friendship with Hutch, his aunt, and a lovely cast of secondary characters, including a fabulous dog, grabbed my attention. As always, I learned a lot about the characters' occupations/preoccupations, and who wouldn't enjoy coming to understand how helicopter water rescues are carried out?! Curiously, I wouldn't call either main character a true "love hater," so the title perplexed me a bit. I also wondered if there were hidden meanings behind a writer named Katherine naming her main character, Katie, but without insider info, I'll have to remain intrigued but unenlightened. This was not my favorite title by this author, but I'm rounding my 4.5 stars to 5 because a less than perfect Katherine Center book is still a great read.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center delivers a blend of humor, heart, and self-discovery in a romantic setting. The story centers on Katie Vaughn, a video producer, who takes on a career-making assignment profiling a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

Center crafts a narrative that explores themes of overcoming past hurts, self-acceptance, and finding love in unexpected circumstances. The book is filled with engaging characters, witty dialogue, and moments that are both laugh-out-loud funny and emotionally resonant. The vibrant Key West setting adds an extra layer of charm to this story.

The audiobook edition, narrated by Patti Murin, enhances the listening experience. Murin's narration captures the humor and emotional depth of the story, bringing the characters and their interactions to life. Her performance makes this a delightful and engaging listen.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite romance writers. The character's are always so entertaining and the FMC often with very quippy and sarcastic lines that leave the reader laughing out loud. This was a fun story of a videographer filming a Coast Guard recruitment film in Key West. The connection of the whole family and even a rescue pup to boot was heartwarming. The life in peril and complete turmoil part of the book's arc was more dramatic than many romance novels but I rather liked the added drama. A great summer read for sure.

When videographer Katie has a potentially career-saving gig dangled in front of her by her boss Cole, in the form of filming a Coast Guard promo video, she decides to go for it. She may not be able to swim, but the video is featuring rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutchinson, who apparently ranks up there as one of the best-looking men ever, so she figures it's worth the risk. When Katie arrives in Florida, she finds out that Hutch is actually her boss's older brother - an older brother he no longer speaks to, hence the reason he passed this gig on to Katie, unbeknownst to Hutch, who only agreed to do the video to fix things with his brother. Dramatic pause. Add in the emotional baggage both Katie and Hutch carry, a quirky aunt, and a oddball Great Dane, and you have Center's latest romance.

A fun, sometimes wild, romance by one of the greats - Katherine Center is always a must-read for me, and I enjoyed The Love Haters. This won't rank as one of the top Center novels for me, but it was still worth it.

What worked for me: a flawed but lovable main character in Katie, some out-there situations she finds herself in, the family drama, the forced proximity attraction

What I didn't love: the body image issues felt too in-your-face, the Hutchinson family past felt surface level and a little immature, the general pacing (it took me a bit to really get into the story, and by then it was over).

The audiobook was narrated by Patti Murin, who I have listened to with other Center books, as well as Chrstina Lauren and Ashley Poston, with a few other titles mixed in, so I knew I would enjoy her reading. She does a great job of bringing books and characters to life.

Again, a really good read. I wouldn't discount it, just enjoy the ride - it's a perfect summer book!!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced audio copy of this book!

Katherine Center is one of my favorite romance authors, unfortunately this one was just not my favorite. I loved George Bailey and Hutch. I liked the inclusion of the body image stuff but was perhaps a little heavy handed. I did not love the part of the book when Cole comes to Key West. The narrator of the audiobook was great!

I thought this was a good summer read. The narrators did a good job of engaging me, the listener. Kate and Hutch have an awkward first meeting and each encounter seems more uncomfortable and turns into a wild adventure.

I usually enjoy Katherine Center's books but this one was a miss for me. This nearly ended up in my dnf pile when by 44% the MCs still hadn't even met. I stuck it out but skipped some chapters just to move it along. The fmc was annoying and the mmc wasn't interesting IMO. I didn't feel the spark between them. The storyline just simply didn't make sense to me. Hopefully the next KC book will be better for me.

I received an ALC from NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.

I went into this book really expecting to enjoy it, since I know this author's The Rom-Comers got rave reviews. Unfortunately, I felt this one fell flat for me. I feel like the main characters body image issues was a major part of the book and honestly the whole thing about my brother doesnt want to be in a documentary but I'm going to secretly have you do it theme just didn't do it for me. I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy this book, but I just don't think I was one of them.

There are so many times in Katherine Center's stories where I want to write down one of her profound sentences. I love each and every character revelation, philosophy and declaration of love. It's wonderful to thoroughly enjoy a romance novel and find it funny and sweet, while also being fundamentally moved by it.

Calling this novel The Love Haters is such a misnomer, as it's just bursting with kindness and love. (Okay, maybe it takes a little bit more time for Cole and Sully to get there, but they're aight.) And any story that makes me both laugh out loud and ugly cry is going to become an instant favorite. The author's note has Center setting out her goals with this novel, and, well, she should consider this a resounding success.

And as Center says, this isn't just a love story between the FMC and the hot Coast Guard hero. But it's also a love story between the FMC and her body. Both were really well done and thoughtfully plotted.

As for the narrator, I think Patti Murin has done a few collabs with Center. She does a very nice job of capturing the humor and the heart.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher!

I love Katherine center. Her wit and her style of writing. This book was so unique with the coast guard side of things. As a military spouse I loved that aspect. I really enjoyed the characters and enjoyed the banter between the MMC and FMC. There was one part that wasn’t my favorite in the middle in terms of the conflict between them but it resolved relatively quickly. Overall it was a really fun read

(4.5 stars)
Katherine Center has another hit with The Love Haters! I love her writing, which mixes humor in with romance tropes, and also covers some deeper topics along the way. This time, our female main character is Katie, who has body image issues, among other things. She’s a videographer and works professionally on business-oriented videos. She’s quite good at her job, but the company is planning on downsizing a lot and so her job is on the line. When her direct supervisor, Cole, wants her to film a promotional video for the Coast Guard, featuring a rescue swimmer based in Key West, Florida, Katie jumps at the chance, in spite of her not knowing how to swim (a requirement for the job), in the hope of saving her job/not being laid off. It turns out that the rescue swimmer in question is actually Cole’s older brother, Hutch.

Katie has major body image issues and she hasn’t worn a swimsuit in ages. A large part of this is due to a very critical stepmother, which made me really sad to read about. The other part is from being mocked on social media for her looks and her clothing choices (by fans of her ex, a rock musician). I think a huge number of women will totally relate to Katie on these topics. There is so much pressure to look a certain way, to fit into a certain size, etc. Her best friend, Beanie, tries to give her pep talks, asking Katie to think/say nice things about her body, but it’s a difficult road for Katie. (From the cover illustration and from the text, I do not think Katie is a “plus size” person, just a normal young woman who thinks she’s overweight.) Beanie also has good advice for Katie in terms of learning to swim: face your fears; do the thing that scares you. Easier said than done, of course!

I loved Cole and Hutch’s Aunt Rue, and her “gals” in Key West. The gals weren’t really delineated; they were kind of a faceless bunch to me, but Rue is delightful! With Katie’s luggage gone astray, Rue outfits Katie in colorful clothes, the absolute opposite of what Katie usually wears (black t-shirts and black jeans, for example).

I also loved Hutch, even though he seemed way too perfect at first. Learning his and Cole’s and Rue’s backstories were emotional revelations. There’s an undertone of grief below the surface for all three of them. And I also fell in love with George Bailey (ha!), Hutch’s Great Dane, who seems to have a thing for running into and knocking Katie over. What I didn’t really care for, was Cole and his approach to life, lying and his brother. Oh well. That’s a minor nitpick.

As always, Patti Murin knocks the narration out of the park!

Don’t miss the Author’s Note at the end, full of interesting thoughts on the magic of stories, and learning to love yourself for yourself. “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.”

Thank you to St. Martin’s Presss and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I adored this book! Love Haters is the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud funny, swoony romance, and growth. Katie pretending she can swim to chase a dream job and ending up in Key West with a grumpy, gorgeous Coast Guard hero who just happens to be her coworker’s brother. It’s chaotic, sun-soaked perfection. Add in a Great Dane, an eccentric aunt, conga lines, and stolen kisses, and you’ve got a rom-com that had me smiling from start to finish. I didn’t want it to end!