As usual, Katherine Center hits it out of the park! This is a love story, but more importantly, a SELF love story.

Katie is a highly relatable character full of wit and a lack of confidence. In a society that preaches perfection, Katie's struggle with her self image is not only understandable, but deeply recognizable. I loved her journey guided by the most amazing friends.

Speaking of friends... Rue deserves her own book! Loved, loved her.

Also Hutch... ummmm... yes please.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the ALC of this book.

In Katie's desperate attempt to keep her job, she agrees to follow Hutch, a member (and hunky hero) of the US Coast Guard. Only problem? She can't swim. And she hates swimsuits. And the way she looks.

This book ended up finishing ME instead of me finishing it. I loved the idea of Katie falling in love with herself first before falling in love with anyone else. It started out rough for me, I didn't know if I was going to finish. As with Katherine's other books, it is the slowest of slow burns, but it is so worth it in the end. I thought it was action packed, cute, and thought provoking. I'll be implementing the body part I love and why part of the book into my weekly affirmations!

I thought Patti Murin was a perfect narrator for this book! Her voice is what I would have imagined for Katie as I read.

3.5/5, rounded up to 4.

I loved The Love Haters by Katherine Center. Katherine is one of my auto-buy, go-to authors when I want a feel good, low steam happy ending. But the thing I like about her books is that while they are all of those things, they also deal with real issues and emotions that aren't all sunshine and rainbows. If I don't cry at least twice, was it really a Katherine Center book?

Katie is persuaded by her co-worker Cole to travel to Key West and film a video profile of Tom "Hutch" Hutchinson, a coast guard rescue swimmer. Katie is the opposite of qualified--she can't even swim--but she's desperate to keep her job and figures a little white lie won't hurt. Also, turns out Cole and Hutch are brothers, and things get a little messy in paradise. And that's before the hurricane rolls in. I loved watching how everything shook out for Katie down in Florida with the colorful cast of side characters including a rescue great dane with thunderstorm anxiety. I kept thinking of the Taylor Swift line about "just getting color back into my face," and how it fit so well with Katie as she learned to love again and embrace all the colorful moments of life.

Patti Murin does a fantastic job narrating this book, bringing Katie, Hutch, Cole, and co. to life. Thank you so much to MacMillan audio for my advance listening copy. All the stars. Fabulous. No notes.

Hmmm, I didn't love but didn't hate. I have loved each of her other books, so was a bit bummed with this one. There was some dumb moments, especially the part where the brother shows up.

The Love Haters

3.75 Stars

Grumpy x Sunshine
Hilarious Meet Cute
Key West Setting
Witty Banter
US Coast Guard

“You can’t drown if you try… Watch me.”

“Love stories make us better at love. In all directions. And getting better at love, of course, means getting better at life.”

Katie Vaughn has two options, be laid off or take a job she is unqualified for interviewing a United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Fun fact: Katie cannot swim.

My thoughts:
Katherine Center delivers a laugh out loud funny RomCom while tackling relatable and realistic issues.

If “Fake it until you make it” was a book, this is it. Katie was such a relatable character and absolutely hilarious. The tropical Key West setting gave all the summer vibes. Katie knew before signing up that she was in over her head but she still pushed through and gave it her all. The Love Haters was a fun and heartwarming story of learning to love yourself, embracing it all and letting go. I don’t want to spoil too much but the story that unfolds in Key West is heartwarming, heartbreaking, and heartfelt.

Aunt Rue was hands down my fave!

What I didn’t like:
The issues Katie struggled with regarding her body image became repetitive and borderline annoying. It felt overpowering at times but the second half of the book made up for it. Overall, it was still a fun and enjoyable read.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan.audio for the ALC!

The FMC is one of my favorites. She is relatable and realistic. Not having the body you see in the magazines is hard but this character faces it head on and struggles with it in a realistic way. She LEARNS to love her body not just "flip the switch" and love it. It is a process and Katherine Center shows that process. This book is a show of what every person goes through in todays society; how it effects us and how we can try and change that.

Ever since watching the movie “the guardian” with Ashton Kutcher, I’ve been so intrigued by the coast guard. I absolutely loved that the main male character was a rescue swimmer and we got to experience a glimpse into that world.
I loved this book! I loved the characters, I love KCs writing style, and enjoyed reading it on my kindle / listening to the audio. The narrator is excellent.
Such a wholesome, heartfelt story that made me laugh out loud and kept me engaged the entire time. Can’t wait for Katherine centers next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback

Oh, how I love Katherine Center! As a romance reader, I tend to lean toward particular tropes. Normally, I'm not a fan of the grumpy mmc, but The Love Haters has definitely been an exception to that rule! This isn't just a love story, it's a journey to self love and self discovery. It's about finding family in unlikely places and finding ways to love even when it feels impossible. Katherine has nailed the genre once again! I'll definitely be purchasing this book for our library's collection.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors. I’ve enjoyed each of her books that I’ve read and this one is no exception.

The story line really keeps you reading and the characters are all plausible and likable. That said, the research done was apparent and appreciated. Even to the point of talking to pilots and other air crew.

The main character was forced to be brave and learn to swim because of a work related experience with the Coast Guard. I found this part of the book quite interesting although I must confess to laughing aloud through parts.

The narrator did an exceptionally good job in my opinion. Thank goodness not monotone sections and the voice modulation, articulation and validity were some of the best that I’ve listened to.

I was allowed to read these prior to publishing thanks to St. Martins Press/McMillan Audio and Net Galley with no payment or other incentive except reading a great book early!

The Love Haters is the laugh out loud rom-com you didn't know you needed to make your commute that much better! Katie is convinced to interview Hutch, a viral sensation for saving a dog by her co-worker. Little does Katie know that Hutch is actually her co-worker's brother. Her co-worker also neglected to mention that his fiancee drunkenly revealed how she wished she would have picked the "better brother". Just when you think can it get any messier, it does! I love Katherine Center and I loved this one. The narrator did a great job and made me feel like I was viewing this book as a movie rather than listening to it. Do not pass this one up!

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.