I will always read everything Kathrine Center writes. She has a way of making a story I might normally find too cheesy to read and make it so human and relatable. The core lessons I pick up in her stories stick with me, the two main ones I left with in The Love Haters were 1. Jealously is only your problem, figure out how to deal with that and 2. Loving your body will do so much for you!

5+ stars!

I liked the book, I LOVED the audio! Patti Murin is the PERFECT narrator for Katherine Center's banter! So much fun! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audio in return for an honest review.

While I enjoyed the audio, this one didn’t bring quite enough rom or com for me! Katie’s inner monologue about body image took up a lot of space—and while the author’s note helped, the execution felt heavy. That said, Hutch completely stole my heart. Grumpy, soft, and a literal hero with a giant dog named George Bailey? Sold.
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Set in dreamy Key West, this story had moments that made me ache, laugh, and yes—swoon. The forced proximity, the “only one bed” setup, and a meddling aunt I’d die for were all classic Katherine Center. The slow burn tension was so well done (even without spice!), and the found family vibes? Top tier.
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I never love the miscommunication trope, but I did love the gentle message of self-love, growth, and learning to take up space in your own skin. Plus, Patti Murin absolutely nailed the audiobook—highly recommend listening.
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3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for George Bailey and the beautiful, boat-living, slow-burning Key West magic.

Another great love story by the amazing Katherine Center! This author is a must read for me. As a Florida native some parts felt off but it’s a work of fiction so some leeway is allowed. (Just know if the thing is happening you would know on the keys.)

I loved the relationships. The romantic relationship wasn’t even in my top 3! The sisterhood was so strong and 1000% my favorite.

I went in expecting laughs and left with a heart that felt both lighter and fuller. Katherine Center writes characters who feel like people you actually know. They’re often messy, flawed, doing their best, and sometimes falling short. That’s what makes her stories hit deeper than your average romance. The protagonist’s insecurities are incredibly relatable and her emotions feel real. The audiobook narration only adds to that with a delivery that sounds less like a performance and more like someone sharing their own story.

Read if you enjoy:
✨ Grumpy x sunshine
✨ Journey of self love
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Funny with depth
✨ Witty banter
✨ Closed door rom com

This beautiful story had me in tears. Katie’s journey of self love was moving and her early struggles with body image were deeply relatable. As someone who also sometimes feels uncomfortable in their own skin, it was refreshing to see a protagonist who isn’t perfect, but who’s perfectly imperfect.

I liked this book but had a few things that stuck out to me that kept it at a 3. I felt there were a lot of things going on between saving her job, body image issues, falling in love, swim training, etc yet, with all that, the story still felt longer than it needed. I also felt that the love connection wasn’t fully there. I think maybe having dual POV would’ve been helpful in this situation. Overall it was an enjoyable book.

Finally back to the Katherine Center we know and love! I really enjoyed this one. I loved the characters especially the group of older ladies who took it upon themselves to take care of everyone and have family dinners and all the things! I enjoyed our peek into the world of rescue diving also. I loved Katie and Hutch’s love story and how they cared for each other. Cole made me want to pull my hair out. Aunt Rue is an incredible character, and I loved how she took Katie under her wing sensing that she needed someone to love her. There’s even a crazy but lovable dog thrown into the mix. What’s not to love?! The author’s note is brilliantly written, and I couldn’t stop highlighting. Here’s one of my favorites:

“Researchers have done all kinds of studies about what happens to our brains when we get lost in stories. Our mirror neurons flash. Our brains light up like what we’re reading is really happening. We know it’s fiction. We know it’s not real. But we believe it, anyway. And so stories have this power to resonate for us like nothing else in human life can. They teach us things we need to learn, and show us new ways of understanding, and answer questions we didn’t even know we needed to ask. Stories go deep. They don’t mess around. They don’t care about our attitudes, or our prejudices, or what we think we ought to think. They bypass the head—and go straight to the heart.”

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

3.25 ⭐️s
This was cute, quick, and summery but not my favorite KC book. The plot had a lot going on between trying to save her job, learning to swim/train to work with coast guard, her videos, her ex, body image issues, fake dating, family drama, hurricane, etc. The romance felt very surface level to me and underdeveloped - I didn’t really feel the emotional connection between Hutch and Katie. On a positive note, Rue and George Bailey were the best characters and I enjoyed the parts with them.

TW - heavy emphasis on body image issues

Audio narration was great.

Thank you for the ARC!

3.5 STARS ⭐

The Love Haters centers around Katie. She's a video producer who's about to get fired and she lies to save her job. Katie is sent to Key West, Florida where she is tasked to film Hutch, a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer.

I fell in love with the beginning of the book. Everything was going perfect until it wasn't. I would have loved Hutch's POV. He was such a silent, kinda brooding man it was hard to get read on him. I didn't feel the chemistry between him and Katie at all *sigh*.

I love Katherine's writing. It's phenomenal and I truly enjoyed listening to the audiobook! Patti Murin did a wonderful job. This was an overall heartfelt and quick read. Check your triggers as the story deals with some heavy themes, like struggling with body image and grief.

From the moment I saw the adorable cover of The Love Haters, I knew I had to give it a listen—but what kept me hooked was the heartwarming story and the absolutely stellar narration.

Katie and Hutch's relationship is the kind of slow-burn that romcom dreams are made of. Their chemistry builds naturally over time, full of charm, banter, and genuinely sweet moments that had me grinning more than once. Hutch, despite being thrust into fame for saving Jennifer Aniston’s dog (yes, that Jennifer Aniston), remains humble and grounded—a hero who doesn’t see himself as one. Meanwhile, Katie takes on a role that requires swimming (a skill she doesn’t have!) all for the sake of her job and coworker named Cole, showing just how far she’s willing to go for something she cares about.

What truly elevates this audiobook is the narrator’s performance. Every character is brought vividly to life, making it feel less like listening and more like living in the story. There were moments I laughed out loud—not just at the witty dialogue, but at how perfectly the delivery captured each character’s quirks and personality.

If you're looking for a feel-good romance with lovable characters, a bit of quirky fame, and narration that keeps you completely engrossed, The Love Haters is a must-listen. It’s a delightful blend of humor, heart, and unexpected heroism.

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters is a contemporary romantic comedy that delivers a blend of lighthearted charm and emotional introspection. Set in sunny Key West, the story follows Katie Vaughn, a videographer sent to profile a heroic Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson. What begins as a professional challenge quickly turns into a personal journey, as Katie confronts her own fears and insecurities—particularly her inability to swim—and begins to reevaluate her beliefs about love and self-worth.

The novel sticks closely to the conventions of the romantic comedy genre: opposites attract, banter ensues, and emotional growth is central. Katie is portrayed as relatable and flawed, with moments of humor and vulnerability that are consistent with Center’s previous protagonists. Hutch, by contrast, comes across as more idealized—dependable, kind, and self-assured—which some readers may enjoy while others might find a bit one-dimensional.

Center's prose is accessible and paced for easy reading, making the novel a solid choice for those looking for an upbeat, feel-good story. That said, the book touches on deeper issues such as body image and professional self-doubt, and reader reactions may vary depending on their sensitivity to these themes. While some may find these explorations thoughtful and empowering, others might feel that certain topics could have been handled with more nuance.

Overall, The Love Haters offers a mix of romance, personal growth, and feel-good storytelling. It may not break new ground in the genre, but fans of Katherine Center’s previous work—or romantic comedies in general—will likely find it an enjoyable and comforting read.

Reading my yearly Katherine Center book is so comforting. Like the warm hug I’ve been waiting 365 days for. I love her. I love her message about romance books. I love her gentle and relatable way of telling us love stories.

The Love Haters was a fun read with an absolute dream MMC, Hutch, who is a coast guard rescue swimmer - I could have literally drowned in my love for him. He’s the guy you want your daughter and sister and bestie to bring home!! AND Rue, the sweetest and most fun grandma type character, and her group of Gals. The best!! There were many LOL funny moments throughout, but I especially loved any scene involving the sweetest great dane, George Bailey 😍

I’m not exactly sure why, but something was just missing a bit for me in the love story. I also really disliked the conflict towards the end. BUT, still such a comforting read!!

🎧I was lucky enough to have the physical book and the audio, which made binging very easy. The narration by Patti Murin was, of course, PERFECTION!

I LOVED this book!

Katherine Center is an auto-buy author for me, and this story is the perfect example of why.

While some parts were personally triggering, the message at its core was exactly what I needed. If you struggle with body image or disordered eating, please be gentle with yourself as you read—it handles these themes with care, but they can still hit hard. That said, the journey of self-love and learning to fall in love with yourself first was everything.

And Hutch? Swoon. I'm absolutely drooling over him! My husband was a D1 swimmer, so the swimmer aspect really tugged at my heart. I adored this sweet, grounded "Pup Daddy."

10/10 recommend picking this one up—it’s a perfect summer read with heart, heat, and healing.

Learning to Love Your Body and The Love Haters by Katherine Center

This is a love story, but not the one you’re expecting. Don’t worry, there’s romance. But, IMO, this is the story of Katie learning to love her body.

Katie’s body image struggles started early. Her step-mom’s cruel comments fueled self-doubt, and she started yo-yo dieting. After her boyfriend became famous and broke-up with her, Katie was ridiculed online for her appearance. She tried changing her body to cope. Doing things like starving herself, bingeing, and creating impossible rules like “my thighs can’t touch.”

Katie was terrified of swimsuits and did everything she could to hide, often dressing in black layers. When her cousin asked her to name things she liked about herself, she listed her ankles and fingers.

Katie had negative body image.
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Body image is how we see our body and judge it. Many compare their appearance with unrealistic beauty standards. Myths that link thinness with wealth, power, moral superiority, and health abound. Messages are spread within families, friend groups, and social media. These beliefs are both unfair and inaccurate. They create unrealistic standards that contribute to negative body image, which can be destabilizing on a day-to-day basis.

Here are tools for learning to love your body.

See the Full Person: View yourself as a whole person, not a set of disconnected parts to be judged. Focus on qualities like kindness, drive, and creativity, rather than appearance. You’re more than just a body to be scrutinized.

Call Out Negative Comments: Speak up when you hear body shaming. Say it's hurtful and unnecessary. No one has the right to comment on another person's body.

Live in the Moment: Don’t put life on hold, waiting to be a certain size or weight before you start living. You can be happy and fulfilled at every shape and size. Don’t set appearance-based goals as a condition for happiness. You deserve to live your best life now.

Recognize Your Body’s Power: Appreciate the amazing things your body does for you. Be grateful for its strength, abilities, and energy. Your body is working hard for you every day—show it some love.

Cute and predictable as expected. Really liked the coast guard and Key West elements! Hutch is a dream. Aunt Rue and her crew are just the best!

The MC's inner dialogue and body image issues really started to get irritating by the end of the book. We get it.

Overall, enjoyed this one. How To Walk Away is still my favorite Center.

A feel-good rom-com about taking risks and finding love in unexpected places. Center's signature charm shines through in this quick and easy read. Ideal for listeners seeking a heartwarming story.

Well. I might be done with KC books. Sorry.
I did not have a good time with this book. I found the fmc to be insufferable. The way her ED was handled was not with care for the reader. And the mmc was like a cardboard cut out of a man. Like bland af.

The only redeeming factor was the old lady group and the dog which still didn’t save it for me.

Thanks to netgalley and Macmillan audio for an alc

I couldn't get past the overtly descriptive diet culture (calories, weight loss, thigh gap!) language early in the book. It set the tone for me and in a way I couldn't reframe.

I absolutely loved this book! I’m extremely surprised because I have tried Katherine Centers books before and never really enjoyed them. This was brilliant. The writing was beautiful and emotional. The FMC was relatable and she wasn’t insufferable. The MMC was brooding but charming and loveable . I ate this book up in one sitting! Very beautiful work and definitely my favorite read by this author.

Looking for a good beach read? I just finished “The Love Haters” by one of my favorite authors, Katherine Center! Her latest rom-com released last Tuesday, and if you don’t already have it on your summer TBR, what are you waiting for? Set in Key West, Florida, this book is full of beachy vibes, including sun, sand, ocean waves, and even a house boat!

Thanks to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio, I received an advance copy of the audiobook, read by the uber talented Patti Murin, who has narrated several other KC books. I love Patti’s down-to-earth tone and her easy-on-the-ears delivery—it’s like listening to a book narrated by your best friend!

Let me just say right now that not only am I a HUGE fan of Katherine’s writing, I’m also a fan of the heart behind her books. If I had to list my top five contemporary writers of all time, KC would be on that list. Her writing is witty, relatable, and funny while at the same time, deep, philosophical, and profound. You don’t come across a modern-day writer like her very often.

In this book, Katie, a mid-level video producer, goes on assignment to film a documentary about Hutch, a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer, and all kinds of craziness ensues. There’s love (of course), betrayal, helicopter rides, lies, a hurricane, annnnnnd a 160-pound Great Dane named George Bailey. (I’m a big fan of “It”s a Wonderful Life” so this was just the icing on the cake!)

As someone who has struggled with body image most of my adult life, Katie’s similar struggle was something I could really relate to, and it made me feel seen—like I wasn’t the only one in the world who’s afraid to go out in a bathing suit or terrified to say my weight out loud. How Katie comes to terms with her body and appreciates it in the end both motivated and inspired me to do the same—love myself for who I am, with all my flaws and imperfections.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars) – Loved it!

Content warnings:

Some language 🤬
Kissing only 🌶️