Videographer Katie Vaughn’s boss is looking to downsize her staff. Co-worker Cole believes in her talent and has an idea to save her job. The Coast Guard wants a new promotional video to recruit members and he wants her to film it. He just forgot to mention the featured Coast Guard rescue swimmer is his ridiculously good-looking older brother Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson who he’s trying to avoid, and she “forgot” to mention that she can’t swim!

As the ‘80’s band The Thompson Twins sang: 🎶 Lies, lies, lies … yeah 🎶. This book is full of them. In fact, Cole lies like it’s his full-time job, while Katie’s are more of the omission type. Whatever the reason, those lies predictably cause some problems! That, and the fact that Katie is struggling with body image issues that make her want to avoid a bathing suit like it’s poison.

It’s trademark feel-good Katherine Center featuring two likeable opposites attract MCs, a delightful cast of side characters including Cole and Hutch’s very colorful “aunt” Rue and her posse of friends in Key West, Florida, a hilarious thunder-phobic Great Dane named George Bailey and Katie’s biggest cheerleader, no-nonsense cousin/bestie Beanie.

I didn’t feel as much chemistry with last year’s MCs in The Rom-Commers, so for me this was a return to characters I felt more invested in. It was fun to see all-business Hutch loosen up a little and color-phobic, insecure Katie learn to see herself and the world with more adventurous eyes. Their banter was top-notch. Honestly though - I think George Bailey may have stolen the show!

I always admire Center’s ability to take what could be heavy issues and find the joy and light in the situation. Hutch and Cole’s backstory with Rue was quite poignant (no spoilers), but never went dark, and Katie’s struggles with body image are something that most of us can relate to on some level. It’s nice to see a romance show characters with vulnerability and depth.

If you want good clean fun with a splash of adventure … this one should do the trick! I read and listened to the audio by the amazing Patti Murin, who once again doubled the enjoyment. She and Center make a great team!

★★★★ ½

Katherine Center’s books are the perfect hug you didn’t know you needed. Whether it’s a character’s inner dialogue or conversation, Katherine’s descriptive words have a way of wrapping around your soul. Katie Vaughn’s inner dialogue, especially about her insecurities and observations do not disappointment. The Love Haters is set in Key West and allows a reader to escape to a tiny community where all the supporting characters in Katie and Hutch’s story feel like main characters you want to meet. You can’t help but smile as you read this rom com. Katie and Hutch’s grumpy sunshine trope is one Katherine Center story you won’t forget. The Love Haters is the perfect beach read that will leave you smiling even if the day has an overcast.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this advance audiobook copy!

This book missed the mark for me. It’s my first by this author and I’ve heard so many good things. But I found the characters to be annoying. The emotional depth and chemistry was lacking. It just wasn’t for me.

Katherine Center never disappoints!! I just devour her books! And this one was no different. I love a good, complicated love story with a happy ending. Just gives me all the feels!! Also, the audiobook was very enjoyable!! Highly recommend this read!!!

*Thank you partners @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted e-galley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

I absolutely adored this! Such a swoon-worthy romance, and a beautiful message about learning to love your body. Love, love, LOVED it! Highly recommend!

I usually enjoy Katherine Center's books a lot, but this one didn't quite catch me as her books usually do. Normally her heroines are strong and capable women, that happens to meet somebody she likes, this time the protagonist moved too far from quirky and funny towards silly, and the obstacles between our two love birds were too dramatic, yet predictable.

That being said, the book was entertaining, and I will still read Katherine Center's next book.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Katherine Center has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading her books every year, this one was no exception. I absolutely adored all of the characters. The characters are a quirky, lovable bunch. Katie and Hutch were 😍 I loved their relationship from the start and it only got better. I know this was hit or miss for some people but I liked reading about Katie’s struggles with body image. As someone who really struggles with that myself it was nice to see it represented in a book. I loved seeing the growth in her character. Katie and Hutch were just so easy to root for! The perfect book to read this summer.

Whenever I see a Katherine Center book I know I’ll love it! & then add in the audiobook experience, perfection!! Seriously, my favorite audiobooks!!!

She writes characters in such a way that I fall in love with them, cheer for them & even yell at them. Katie is every rom coms perfect leading lady. Hutch & Cole are brothers. Rue is the sweetest older woman with a connection to the boys. & then there’s George Bailey! This dog is described & portrayed in such a way that I said out loud, “you’re killing me Catherine.”
I’m a busy elementary school teacher. I like to read to relax. Centers style of writing is always what I’m looking for. Banter, friendship, love, surprises but not a twist so absurd that it isn’t believable. I can count on her to take me to place that might tug at my heart a little but most of all it fills my heart with butterflies!

Finally! Third time's the charm! The Love Haters is the first book by Katherine Center that really worked for me! We've got great main characters, some amazing supporting ones, an incredible atmosphere, and a thrilling storyline to go with it!

Katie and Hutch fell into their attraction for each other so organically, making it fun to watch their slow and steady decent! Hutch's dog, George Bailey, was a great meddling addition, and so was Aunt Extraordinaire Rue! Hutch's brother Cole rubbed me the wrong way at times, but I did enjoy the overall character arc he was given! What a great use of an epilogue to wrap everything up! Also, this book had so many laugh-out-loud moments!

I was initially worried that Katie's whole personality was going to revolve around her body image, but after her initial character development, that wasn't the case; yes it still played a part in who she integrally was, but it was never overdone. She had a fantastic (and realistic) character arc, and I can see myself taking away many of the lessons she learned and applying them to my own life! (Hats off to Katie's best friend Beanie for being the kind and loving soul that she is!)

Patti Murin was such a great choice to voice Katie! She was fun and upbeat, bubbly even, but never obnoxiously so. Her voice was reactionary and portrayed emotions perfectly as the scenes played out! I absolutely love the Author's Notes that Center adds to her books - her love of the romance genre is revolutionary! Again, I appreciated that the acknowledgements were added within this audiobook; they are hardly ever shared in the audiobook format and as I always seek out to read them, it was delightful to have them read to me. The Author's Note and Acknowledgments are narrated by Center, which is always an added bonus!

I can finally see the hype in Center's work - and I can't wait to read her next romance!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

George Bailey made this book for me. Now, I might be a little biased because we just recently got a Great Dane/Irish Wolfhound (pictured) mix puppy who acts exactly like the dog in this book but he was so adorable and hilarious, I could just eat him up.

I really liked the premise of this book and was ready to give it 5⭐️ until the conflict at about 70%. I really didn’t like that and I found it unnecessary. The ending helped a lot and I really enjoyed all the characters. Rue came in a close second to the dog 🥰

Definitely give this one a go!

Spice: None, just kissing

Read this if you like:
👙 Military romance
👙 Gentle giant dogs (seriously, he is the best)
👙 Found family

DNF 15%

The main character's energy is maybe a bit too high-strung and manic for my liking. I suspect that I am not the right listener for this book. Readers who enjoy a breathless Meg Ryan in the 90s kind of FMC will likely adore this book, but it isn't for me.

Thank you Katherine Center and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook ARC of The Love Haters.

The Love Haters for sure had me all over the board emotionally! I love it! I really enjoyed the humor throughout even mixed into the suspenseful edge of your seat parts! Katie is your typical beautiful girl that doesn’t realize she’s beautiful but without it being overly emphasized. One of the things I enjoyed most was that the author used consent in a body language type of way that didn’t absolutely ruin the moment. I hate how consent is over the top in most books lately with “can I kiss you”. Obviously I get it, but at the same time in a hot romantic moment if I guy asked permission to kiss me when it’s very clear it would 100% ruin the moment. So I feel it was very well executed!

Not going to spoil the meaning but I LOVED the meaning behind the Pennie’s. I do the same thing with dimes for my mom. I’ve never heard that from someone else so it was a pretty heart touching moment for me. Especially a near the end! Almost had me in tears hearing what Katie did for Hutch.

Katherine also did a wonderful job introducing a new take on someone’s thoughts right before they think they are going to die. Instead of reliving memories or thinking of others, she made the character think of themselves. They wished they were nicer, loved themselves more, just gave themselves a little more grace sometimes. It was a nice perspective change for me. Really makes you sit back and wonder what being so mean to ourselves really does for us in the long run.

📖 Review of The Love Haters by Katherine Center
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The banter sparkles, the chemistry sizzles, and the ending is deeply satisfying.

The Love Haters is classic Katherine Center: uplifting, empowering, and full of heart. A must-read for anyone who believes in second chances and love that’s worth the dive. #iykyk Big thanks to Netgalley & @stmartinspress for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

A Balm for the Soul

I had an absolute blast listening to this audiobook. From the very first minute to the very last, it had me smiling, laughing, and feeling totally wrapped up in the story. I was only halfway through when I started recommending it to everyone I knew—at least five people on the spot. That’s how good it is.

Katherine Center writes like a balm for bad days. Her books are warm, witty, and full of heart, and The Love Haters is no exception. What really made this one stand out was how it centered self-worth and body image without turning it into a lecture. Katie’s struggle to love herself felt raw and real, and the book never rushed her healing. Everyone moves at their own pace, and the story honors that beautifully. It’s honest, empowering, and deeply relatable.

Katie and Hutch are pure joy together. Their chemistry is electric, their banter is gold, and the romance builds at just the right pace. Add in Aunt Rue, the fierce and funny auntie we all wish we had, and you’ve got a cast that’s hard not to fall for.

Yes, some plot points go big near the end—but honestly? I was all in. This is fiction, after all, and it was so much fun. The humor sneaks up on you in the best way, and the story kept surprising me in ways I didn’t expect.

I even loved the author’s note at the end. Just a perfect finish to a story that’s as feel-good as it is thoughtful. If you're looking for a story that makes you laugh, root for love, and rethink how you see yourself, give this one a listen. It might surprise you too—in the best possible way.

Get your annotation supplies ready—Love Haters by Katherine Center is overflowing with quotes you'll want to highlight, underline, and revisit again and again. This book is a treasure trove of heart, humor, and healing, and I truly believe it’s her best yet!
From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn in by the magnetic grumpy-sunshine romance. The chemistry between the leads is irresistible—sweet, sharp, and emotionally rich—and the narrators bring them to life perfectly. I thought I’d sneak in a quick hour of the audiobook, and suddenly, I’d flown through 80% without even realizing it. It's that good.
Beyond the romance, Center masterfully weaves in delightful family dynamics, laugh-out-loud moments, and just enough suspense to keep your heart pounding. There's a depth to the emotional storytelling that makes you feel both seen and comforted—like the literary equivalent of a warm hug.
Love Haters is more than just a love story. It’s about resilience, forgiveness, and the quiet courage it takes to open your heart. I can already tell this will be a top book of the summer—one I’ll be recommending to everyone I know.

Patti Murin and Katherine Center are an unbeatable author/narrator combo. The narration was done with such raw emotion that I was unable to put it down.

This was a profoundly beautiful story all the way through to the end of the authors note (which was one of the best authors notes I’ve ever read). I was healed and touched by Katie’s journey to not just accepting herself but truly loving herself. Hutch had incredible depth. I adored him. I genuinely laughed out loud throughout this story and was utterly charmed by George Bailey the dog. I can’t recommend this enough

It's not often I have a hard time moving on from a book, but this book was so good. I have been in a heavy duty reading slump since. It made me cackle. It made me cry (I am NOT a crier.) It stressed me out. It made me want to add more color to my life.
It's been a solid month plus since I've read this book and I still think back on some of the lessons. I found the FMC significantly quirkier and disconnected than her usual But I ended up loving all of it.

The Love Haters was a Macmillan Audio pick that I selected because one of my book besties recommends her!

This book had the perfect romcom premise with a woman who’d been scorned by love and hadn’t dated in a year, Katie, and a man who supposedly hated love, Hutch. It had a quirky, eccentric aunt, a web of lies spun by Katie’s coworker, and a hurricane–there’s also a giant dog who is terrified of thunder and Katie seems to be the only one able to calm him!

This story was absolutely adorable. It had some heavier themes of self-shaming and accepting one’s body, as well as the loss of loved ones, brotherly rivalry, and found family. It didn’t spend too long fleshing out the plot; it was just the right amount of hijinks, romance, drama, and internal conflict.

The ending was so over-the-top and the heroism was just corny enough to keep me loving it. I really enjoyed this quick, light romance with colorful characters, four stars!

I love that Katherine Center keeps her books relatable. There are some trigger warnings for this book, and I will be honest, I almost didn't read it because of dementia being one of those triggers. I decided to push through since I love Katherine Center's books. I was not disappointed. She has a way of keeping life's challenges relatable and realistic.

Thank you #netgalley and #macmillanaudio for this ARC.

My favorite of Katherine Center’s books so far. I loved the main character, and felt that her struggles with her relationship to her body were relatable. I love that she made active choices throughout the story, and that no male characters gave her permission. The love story was sweet and tender and laugh-out-loud funny at times, and the ending was truly gripping. My only complaint is that the epilogue felt rushed, and a bit explanatory, but overall this was a truly delightful read