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!

It took me a while to get into The Love Haters, but once it clicked, I found myself enjoying the ride. The premise is a little far-fetched—Katie, a video producer who can’t swim, is suddenly off to Key West to profile a hotshot Coast Guard rescue swimmer. But if you’re willing to suspend disbelief (and forgive some questionable life choices), there’s a fun, sunny rom-com buried under all the chaos.

Katie is endearingly messy, and while I didn’t always agree with her decisions, her inner struggle and growth felt genuine. Hutch is a classic grump-with-a-heart-of-gold, and their banter brought some solid charm. Aunt Rue and the Great Dane added a nice dose of warmth and humor.

The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, and it took a while for the romance to really sizzle—but once the story found its footing, I was rooting for the characters. The mix of beachy vibes, family tension, and emotional honesty ended up working surprisingly well.

Not a perfect book, but it’s sweet, chaotic, and a bit deeper than expected. If you’re in the mood for an imperfect but heartfelt rom-com with a dash of adventure, The Love Haters might win you over too.

I adored this book and am so so glad I read it!! I loved the main character so much. Did she have a lot of personal hang ups and body issues? Yes, but so do most women and I could totally relate. I loved all the characters, actually. The story really pulls you in and doesn’t let up!! This is a true love story - and not just with the two main characters, but also one of self love. Yes, I would 💯 recommend this book. I believe any woman with self loathing tendencies should read this. This was the first book I’ve read by Katherine Center and it will not be my last. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job. I would like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review). 🧡

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC of The Love Haters by Katherine Center. I really enjoyed this one—it’s heartfelt, funny, and full of the emotional depth I’ve come to love from her writing. The narration was fantastic and brought the characters to life in such a warm, relatable way. The story perfectly balances romance with personal growth, and I found myself smiling, tearing up, and rooting hard for the main characters. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is real, and the message about love and vulnerability really hit home. The Love Haters is a feel-good listen that’s both smart and emotionally satisfying. I didn’t want it to end!

Another winner by Katherine Center. This book was fun! I enjoyed the Coast Guard element weaved in. A fab summer read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Another sweet story by Katherine Center. The backstory was really intriguing and hit the heart right on. Aunt Rue and her friends were the best! I wish there was a little more development at the end, but I really enjoyed from start to finish.

The narrator does a GREAT job with the audiobook as well!

Rounded up from 4.5 stars. Would have been a 5 if not for the lying situation with Cole, it just didn’t feel realistic for Katie to go along with that.

First of all, trigger warning for anyone actively struggling with disordered thoughts about their body. The overall theme is extremely body positive and loving yourself and your body, but the character for sure struggles with this in the beginning and needs to overcome it. If you are triggered hearing someone talk about themselves in a negative way, even if you know it’s going to come around, skip this one. Because it’s a major theme.

All of that out of the way, I really did enjoy how Emma came to value herself, and the role Beanie played in making her really think about it more. It’s something I am sure a lot of people can relate to, and I loved the idea of having to name things you specifically love about body parts.

The romance is fun, and just like previous Katherine Center books, witty and quick. Sometimes I feel like she is inside my head and can imagine my internal dialogue saying the exact same things.

It’s a love story, but not just a romance, a self love story as well, and I really enjoyed 95% of the book. I know there needs to be some conflict, but I just was not a fan of Cole’s role in this story and the ability he had to shake everyone up.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Update 4/19

I was lucky enough to be able to receive an ALC of this book as well and it was so much fun to be able to hear the audio after loving the book!

Patti Murin did a fantastic job bringing the story to life and it was just as I had imagined it when reading the first time.

This will be one that is added to my library and will become something I re-listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this ALC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my advance audiobook copy of The Love Haters in exchange for my honest review!

This book follows Katie, on a quest to save her job that her coworker Cole says in jeopardy, and travels to Florida where she meets Hutch, and works on a project. Both Katie and Hutch have sworn off love and Hutch happens to be Cole's brother...so why didn't Cole take the project?

Katie does video work and on the side does day in the life profiles of people. Cole lets her know her job is on the chopping block and she should also do a day in the life of Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, who also famously saved Jennifer Aniston's dog. There's a lot of history that gets unraveled...trust me.

Katie also has body issues. She once dated a now famous singer and the internet was not kind to her. I didn't get the picture that she was never that large, so I was annoyed for most of this book. Weight was a constant theme. As someone who has struggled with her own weight, I was just screaming to stop, you aren't even that big!

It did make me reflect on how I am with my own weight. I'm just like Katie, expect I don't moan and groan about it daily with my best friend. With Katie's past love and her body issues, she has sworn off love. Hutch, for reasons unknown to us, has also sworn off love. Do they get flirty? Yes. Does Hutch's aunt and her friends start to play sly matchmaker? Maybe...and oh do I love them so!

There is a little hurricane drama that spices things ups, along with family drama. This book really has a lot going on that is all connected. What made me absolutely LOVE this one was Center's note AFTER the book, which delved a little into how we should love ourselves and I had tears. All the annoyance I had felt, my perspective completely changed. Katherine Center, never stop writing your books, you are a once in a lifetime gem.

5 stars. It's a romance with a fantastic story along with some Coast Guard action. Absolutely one of the best books I have read in awhile! Pre-order this ASAP!

I love Patti Murin as the narrator she did a phenomenal job with all the voices.

Issues. Too many celebrity name drops. The FMC having body dysmorphia was not it for me. She was too obsessed with her weight and honestly it was annoying.

Katherine Center adds another enjoyable novel to her growing collection. Well written and easy to read- a great way to spend an afternoon.

Audiobook Review of The Love Haters

This book is so intricate that even the dog has a backstory and depth! That’s the kind of care and heart this book carries also I didn’t know I wanted to be called a hot fudge sundae until now, but here we are.

This book makes me want to wear more color. It’s healing in the most unexpected, gentle way. It made me appreciate myself more and love myself a little deeper. There’s so much warmth written through these pages! It’s the kind of story that just feels good.
Yes, there were moments where my brain thought, “that would never happen,” but my heart always responded, “but it totally could.” And honestly, that’s the magic of this author. I believe in the world she’s created, I buy into the fantasy and doesn’t that make it an extraordinary piece of art?