2.75/5 stars

I was really enjoying the first 2/3 of this book, but we completely lost the plot in the last third. What happened to the documentary Katie was filming on the coast guard? Why all the lies and frustrating miscommunications?

I would have enjoyed this book so much more if it stayed on track with its initial course. The tension between Katie and Hutch was building at a nice pace. I was fully on board with their compelling character development regarding past traumas with body image issues for Katie and a tragic loss for Hutch. But unfortunately, all of this halted with the unnecessary and really jarring third act conflict, and the plot never managed to get back on course from there on.

I nearly DNFed at 70%, but Patti Murin’s vibrant narration made me finish the book. The ending, sadly, was not any better.

The author's passion shines through in this book. The characters were perfect enemies to lovers. I just didn’t connect with it like I wanted to. It has great potential to appeal to other romance readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

The Love Haters was totally sweet and a little silly. If you’ve ever dreamed of finding a real life hero who is instantly obsessed with you, this is the book for you. The ending was ridiculously fun and sweet and I loved it.

DNF @ 20%

The first few chapters are chock full of body dysmorphia, descriptions of incredibly disordered eating, and body image/weight issues. In a world where women face so many reasons for insecurity, I can’t support books where this is the main source of conflict on the page.

I was gifted an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really love Katherine Center and I’m so sad that I didn’t love this more… it just felt like a miss for me. It was a very quick, lighthearted rom-com which had focuses on self-discovery and self-empowerment which was beautiful.. but could’ve done without a lot of the rest. Also.. For a title that is about lover haters, I truly didn’t get the vibe that any of them hated love..

That being said, I’ll continue to read future books of Center’s as I do love her writing style, and hope others hit closer to home for me!!

Thank you NetGalley, Kathrine Center, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read / listen to this story.

Absolutely LOVED this book, not my usual read but so glad I picked it up. Perfect amount of humor and great grumpy sunshine storytelling. Would recommend to my one went a quick lighthearted read

Katie is a videographer making a promo video in Key West encouraging people to sign up for the Coast Guard, but she has no idea how to swim.

I started this book as an ebook ARC and couldn't get into it, but then I was gifted an audiobook ALC from Netgalley and the narrator made the whole story come to life! I loved her so much and I would definitely recommend this one on audio. She made the antics funny and the banter swoony.

I did not like the body image storyline. It just wasn't enjoyable to read about, but the rest of the story was so good.

I did get misty eyes about some of the trauma the characters have gone through, but it wasn't a huge focus!

Things I love about this book:
The meddling old ladies 🥰
Single point of view - sometimes I just don't need to know what the MMC is thinking. It adds a layer of mystery 😆
Narrator
Banter
Documentary behind the scenes
US Coast Guard behind the scenes
The dog!
Side characters except Cole obviously
The reconciliation subplot

If negative self talk is not an issue for you, you should totally pick this book up (and by book, I mean your headphones).

ARC review • pub date 05.20.25

My favorite thing about Katherine Center books is that reading them feels like talking to your best friend. Like a literal hug- feel good - and always hits on a sensitive topic in such a respectful manner.

This book follows Katie who is headed to the Florida Keys to save her job - filming a Day In The Life of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hutch. Katie has struggled with body image and eating issues , and also doesn’t know how to swim.

The story was written beautifully, and as with all of her other books, I fell in love with the story and all of its characters. Ugh and the ending! Recommend this one 💕

Patti Murin is the most perfect narrator for Katherine Center books and you cannot change my mind!

4⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for my ALC

#MacAudio2025

It always amazes me how quickly that I get sucked into Katherine Center’s stories, and this one was no exception. From the meddling old ladies to the hot coast guard diver to the very large and excitable dog, I could see it all unfolding in my mind like a movie! I am so glad that this story was so much more than just a love story between a man and a woman. It was definitely what I needed. Katie’s struggles with loving herself hit so close to home, and I am sure that almost anyone can relate to that in some regard. Whether you are looking for a “boy meets girl” story or simply a “girl learns to love herself” story, this is definitely one to consider!

Thanks to Katherine Center and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

Cute rom com from Katherine Center: a little long in spots. A bit predictable. But light and fun. Not a fan of the swear words that seemed unnecessary.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center was, unfortunately, a mixed experience for me, landing at a 3-star rating. As a longtime fan of Center’s work, I went into this book with high expectations, but it just didn’t fully click for me.

The humor, which is usually a strong point in her books, felt forced and unnatural at times, making it hard to fully engage with the story. I also struggled to connect with Katie, our female lead. Her body image insecurities were a key part of her character arc, but they became repetitive to the point of frustration. While I completely understand the importance of self-acceptance themes in romance, the way it was handled made it difficult to stay invested.

Additionally, Beanie—the quirky cousin/friend—felt like an odd character choice, and instead of adding charm, she often felt out of place. The romance itself didn’t feel entirely believable, lacking the natural chemistry and emotional depth that I usually love in Center’s novels.

I truly hate giving a lower rating to an author I admire, but The Love Haters simply didn’t work for me. That being said, I know every reader connects with books differently, so while this wasn’t a hit for me, others may still find it enjoyable.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A disappointing read from an otherwise beloved author, with forced humor and an underwhelming romance.

The narration of this book was great!

Thank you NetGalley and McMillan Audio for providing an early audio version in exchange for my honest review!

“We’re here to be alive. To feel the sun on our skin. To breathe deep in the wind. We’re here to feel it all. To love and cry and love some more.”

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to an eARC audio of “The Love Haters” by Katherine Center. I read “The Rom-Commers” last year and enjoyed it, so I was really excited to read this one as well. I listened to the audiobook in tandem with reading a digital copy and I loved the experience! The narrator really captures your attention and amplifies the story.

As far as characters go, I really enjoyed out FMC Katie and the MMC Hutch, but the real stars of the show were The Gals and George Bailey! I loved the found family aspect and the ending was fantastic!!! Katie had so much character growth.

I don’t love the miscommunication trope, so that was a big aspect for me that hindered with my complete enjoyment of this story. This story is more than just a summer romance, and I also loved the development of body positivity that the FMC grew as the story progressed.

However, the summer vibes of this story are going to be something that will make you want to pick this book up in June for sure.

This was such a fun book. I really like that the author is adding in extra depth with other completely normal problems. The miscommunication was really messy with the brother involved, but I ended up being ok with that included.

I dont have my posting schedule made for May quite yet, but I will share this title on my instagram at www.instagram.com/robinashleyreads shortly before publication day.

This book how can you not love it!!! Katie is a videographer in a company in Dallas. When she is given a chance to go and make a video about the Coast Guard she is dreading it but makes the best of it! Cole her boss send her to do a promotional video to get people to join up with a tiny little tid bit it’s his older brother hutch. As Katie gets to key west she is haunted by body image and her famous ex boyfriend and online trolls. Beanie Katie best friend tries to encourage her to look at the bright side of it all!

I love this book! It make me laugh and it’s just what I need I highly recommend!! So go buy it now!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

I loved this book! The main character, Katie, is a low level video producer and is about to be let go due to cuts. She agrees to help shoot a video for the Coast Guard featuring Hutch, a man who was deemed a national hero for rescuing the pet of a celebrity.

The most lovable character in the book was Hutch's eccentric aunt, Rue. She and her wacky crew of older women brought comic relief and heartwarming conversations.

It is a great summer romcom for when you are wanting a great story with good characters but nothing so serious that you can't enjoy the lightheartedness.

Overall this was a fun read and a nice brain vacation. It’s also a true rom-com with no romance smut.

As usual, the dog was the very best part of this story.

My complaints are that I got tired of the author shoving body positivity down my throat.

My other issue was several parts of the story are beyond over the top and many of them were not necessary; it would have been a better book without some of them. For example, the MC ex boyfriend is a Justin Bieber. There was absolutely no need for this. She could have been a normal gal who has a bad breakup that left her feeling a little insecure or lonely or whatever.

I will continue to read this author books. 3.75 stars
Thanks netgalley

Katherine Center does it again! Relatable characters with character development throughout. A fun and engaging romance full of humor while still hitting deep topics of self worth, bravery, grief and family. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end - it really pulled it all together for me.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook.

I'm a fan of Katherine Center, and this book was another fun ride, but unfortunately, from time to time, I did feel that there were too many subtopics to tackle and that nearer to the end some ideas for the characters felt a bit forced/ contrived. However, it is still a solid romance, and a light beach read. I must state I read the ebook and audiobook in tandem. I got invested in most of the main and supporting characters and I loved the dog George Bailey. The love story was still entertaining and the rescue job aspect was well done. The narrator of the audiobook did a great job with the voices and for me, it helped move the story along through some of the heavier subtopics. Overall, a quick and easy read.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC. This is my honest review.

Narrated by Patti Murin, and due out May 20

If you go into this one looking for romance, you're gonna be disappointed, BUT...

Katie was once deeply in love with a fiancee who left her after becoming famous. After being shamed by his fans for her appearance, she withdraws and embraces a future of all black clothing in the hopes of never again standing out.

In an effort to save her job, Katie takes an assignment interviewing Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson. There's a decent amount of awkwardness here, because Katie has told a few lies to get this opportunity. (Yes, she's taken a position requiring that she swim knowing that she can't swim, and also that she's not comfortable being seen in swimwear).

Thankfully, she finds a tribe of older ladies, led by fairy godmother Rue. And this is the true heart of this story. The relationships here, formed in the most heartbreaking of times, are the best parts, full of love and solidified as chosen family. Katie is welcomed and evolves as she finds herself to be worthy of the attention and affection she finds.

Though some of the growing pains were pretty cringey in this one, and some parts downright silly, I liked Katie's learning to accept herself.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audiobook ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Katherine Center’s unapologetic love for writing romance makes me love reading her books. I’m comforted in knowing there’s always some swoon and warm fuzzies along the way to love. This book delivers as Katie sets out to interview Coast Guard rescue swimmer Hutch and save her job. Hutch is such a dreamy lead- he ticks all the boxes. Katie also struggles with self image and body positivity throughout the book which I can certainly relate to, so this felt more real than annoying to me. The final complication/scene in the book feels both extremely unrealistic and also a bit frustrating that Katie got herself into the situation, but I forgive a lot in the name of a happy ending courtesy of Katherine Center. As usual, Patti Murin provides excellent audiobook narration. I listened to an ARC from NetGalley and also had access to a digital copy. I did read several luke warm reviews of this book and understand some of the critiques, but while this book may have its imperfections, it’s a net win.