Katherine Center is now an auto buy author for me. This was such a heartfelt, fast paced story that shines a light on healing, self discovery and the importance of loving yourself.

These characters- chefs kiss.

Hutch is an absolute gem - so real and raw. A good person - and the way he helps Katie find her confidence and her own internal and external beauty was felt so strongly as a reader.

HIGHLY recommend!

Katherine Center is one of those authors I can always count on for a mood-lifting rom-com. Her stories are warm, engaging, and filled with heart—even when her characters are facing real-life struggles. In The Love Haters, Katie Vaughn grapples with body image issues, and that personal journey adds real depth to the story.

Despite the challenges her characters face, Center’s books always leave you feeling hopeful, and you can count on that signature happily ever after.

A few highlights:
• Hutch is the ultimate cinnamon roll MMC
• Brothers with completely opposite personalities
• A theme of grief, balanced by a tone of hope
• Overcoming fears, both big and small

And can we talk about Aunt Rue? She’s my new favorite side character—I seriously want her to be my aunt or my best friend.

As always with Katherine Center, don’t skip the author’s note. It’s the cherry on top.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️
There’s not a single Katherine Center book I don’t like. They are just so heartwarming and fun and sweet and everything I love about a rom-com AND no spice! Hutch was definitely one of my favorite characters and I loved Katie as a narrator. I can’t forget about Rue - what a joy!

I breezed right through this book in 2 days! I love Katherine Center’s feel good writing and this delivered just that. I was smiling, laughing, and near tears all in one book. I thought the way she handles the body image issues of the main character were tasteful and honestly very real. I love the self development and self love that the main character has to work through, and the underlying theme of loving yourself first. I think those that were disappointed in the “lack of a love story” didn’t see the whole point- there were so many love stories going on, between the friends, between “the Gals”, family, Katie and Hutch, and most of all with Katie and herself! Center uses the quote during the book that “love is what happens when you’re living your life” and I think that is an essential quote to this story. When Katie started really living her life for her, she found not just her romantic love, but so much love in so many ways. Other reviewers felt a lack of romance/lack of chemistry but I didn’t. I felt the butterflies for sure! I love that it’s a closed door story with depth and heart and drama, while somehow feeling so light hearted and feel good.
Is it the greatest love story of all time? No, but that’s why it’s not quite 5⭐️ for me. Is it a mood lifting, feet kicking, fun and enjoyable book that I couldn’t put down? Absolutely. Katherine Center is an auto read for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Absolutely LOVED this book. I liked how this book addressed the character's body image and how she came to love herself and realize not to listen to the negative voices. Katherine Center just has great characters and storylines.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The perfect blend of heart, humor, and healing. I didn’t want it to end!

The Love Haters was my first Katherine Center novel (I know, I’m late to the party!), but it absolutely won’t be my last. From the very first page, her writing felt like catching up with my best friend over FaceTime - it was honest, emotional, and completely immersive! I really felt like I was with Katie every step of the way. ❤️

The story is full of charm, but it’s the side characters who truly made me fall in love. I would die for George Bailey (yes, the dog), go shopping with Rue at beach markets and boutiques, and be the loudest at sangria night with The Gals. And Beanie - where do I sign up for a best friend like her!?

Underneath all the laughs and swoon-worthy kisses is a beautiful exploration of self-worth and body image. The way this book handled those themes, especially the author’s note at the end, was moving and empowering. I’ve even started a daily practice of listing one thing I love about myself, thanks to this book!

It’s a story about love, yes - but also about bravery, honesty, and becoming the version of yourself who shows up, wears the bright colours, swims anyway, and tells the truth even when it’s hard.

Absolutely adored it. Five stars, no hesitation. ❤️

Advanced Book Review! Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for sending me this book for review. Opinions are my own.
I always run to grab Katherine Center’s books early from NetGalley – as many of us do. But (and this might be an unpopular opinion) this one won’t make it into my list of favourites from her.
It took a while into – I really feel engaged until nearly a quarter of the way through. Up to that point, it felt like I’d been dropped into the middle of a story without much lead-in… and yet, not much was actually happening either.
Once things picked up, I was more into it – especially the dynamic between Katie and Hutch, and learning about his work as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The middle section worked better for me. But the last third started to lose me again. The story veered off in a direction that felt chaotic, with a bar scene that really turned me off (no spoilers, but yikes). The lying, miscommunication, and character shifts, especially with Katie’s boss and Hutch’s brother Cole, just didn’t land for me.
There were bright spots. I really liked Rue who came across as such a kind and grounded character. And the mystery around Hutch and Cole’s falling out kept me curious. And the body image representation stood out. Katie’s fear of wearing bathing suit felt relatable, and I thought it was powerful that we never actually get a detailed description of her appearance (unless I missed it!). It’s a subtle but important reminder that body image struggles don’t have a specific “look” and that anyone can deal with them.
This one wasn’t a hit for me, I’ll definitely read whatever Katherine Center writes next.

Unfortunately, Katherine Center's newest novel, The Love Haters, did not do it for me. It was a light-hearted romance but overall lacked her usual spark. While not a bad book, I expected more and feel a bit disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

I genuinely enjoyed this book from start to finish. The blend of wit, heart, and emotional growth had me hooked, and I found myself smiling through so many scenes.

One of the highlights for me was the friendship between Katie and Beanie. Their bond was refreshing, honest, and full of support—and their banter brought such a fun energy to the story. It’s always special when female friendships are given the space to shine, and Center nailed it.

And then there’s George Bailey—sweet, loyal George Bailey. My heart burst when Katie went back for him. That moment alone sealed how deeply human and compassionate her character is. It was such a small act with such a big emotional punch.

Without spoiling too much, The Love Haters offers a beautiful reminder that love is worth the risk—even when life feels messy or uncertain. This book had me rooting for love, friendship, and second chances, and I closed it with a full heart.

Trigger Warning for eating disorders/body image, etc. I really loved Center's "How to Walk Away," which was marketed more as women's fiction than Center's recent books. They don't quite fit the bill for romance, but as women's fic, they're still charming in some ways. There's definitely some content that maybe hasn't aged well or isn't ideal for the current climate or my own preferences, but that's personal preference!

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a delightful romantic comedy that had me hooked from the start. The story follows Katie Vaughn, a videographer who, after a series of romantic misadventures, finds herself on a documentary assignment in Key West. There, she meets Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer with his own baggage. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the setting adds a perfect touch to their unfolding romance. Center’s writing is witty and heartfelt, making this a must-read for fans of feel-good love stories. Highly recommend!

The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Format: audiobook and eARC
Genre: contemporary romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Katherine Center’s books feel like a warm hug. This one was so fun and full of heart. Did I have to let go of reality a little bit to enjoy this one? Yes. Did I have a great time? Also yes!

Katie is a very relatable main character. I also loved that she was from Dallas! She struggles with body image issues, so take care if that topic is sensitive for you. Her and Hutch together were very much a bit of opposites attract, but they worked well together in my opinion.

My favorite character was probably Hutch’s dog, George Bailey 🥺 I also loved so many of the side characters! Rue and her friends were hilarious and so sweet.

I listened to most of this on audio and thought Patti Murin was fabulous!! She’s narrated a few of Katherine Center’s books, and I always enjoy her narration.

This is going to be a great pool or beach read this summer! If you’re looking for something fun to read on vacay, pick this one up.

🏊🏼Coast Guard rescue swimmer MMC
🎥Video producer FMC
🐾A Great Dane named George Bailey
🌴Key West setting
🚤A bit of adventure
💕No spice
🎧Great on audio
✍️Heartfelt and impactful author’s note

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for my ALC and @stmartinspress for my eARC! All opinions are my own. The Love Haters is out 5/20.

Katherine Center doesn’t miss. As always, she delivered with another fun, easy read that I know fans of hers will enjoy.

What I loved: setting (Key West!), Aunt Rue and the gals, a Great Dane named George Bailey, niche Coast Guard search and rescue lore, musings on body image, Hutch!!!!!

What I didn’t: the conflict felt very contrived, Sullivan and Cole (the WOAT)

I’ve read two books by Katherine Center so far—and if I’m being honest, both have felt pretty underwhelming for me. That’s not to say this one was a bad read, but I also wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it as a great one either. Maybe I should’ve adjusted my expectations from the beginning, especially since the first book I picked up by her didn’t impress me all that much.

The Love Haters follows Katie, a video producer who pretends her way into keeping her job just to avoid getting laid off. Because of that decision, she ends up tangled in some family drama—mainly due to the strained relationship between Cole and his brother, Hutch. Along the way, a few lies are told that only make everything more complicated than it already is.

Katie. Her character was relatable—though only to a certain extent. There were moments when reading from her point of view felt a bit overwhelming. She was too much in her own head, and at times, it made the story drag for me. That said, I did appreciate her journey of self-realization. I liked how she eventually had her epiphany and chose to make things right—not just for others, but for herself.

Hutch. Yes, I get it. He’s dreamy and charming in that classic way. But honestly, some of his scenes came off a little cringey, even if they were meant to be cute. It’s not that I didn’t like his character, I just wish things weren’t as predictable as they turned out to be. There’s more I could say about him, but it would spoil the story—so I’ll just leave it at that. He was overall okay.

This book had a lot of potential, and I truly wanted to love it, but one of my biggest issues was the lack of chemistry between the main characters. They had their sweet moments—don’t get me wrong—but those were the only times I actually felt like they belonged together. Another thing that didn’t work for me was the miscommunication trope. It’s one I absolutely hate, and I just wish they had addressed the situation like actual adults instead of overthinking everything and letting it pile up.

Despite my critiques, I will say that this book had some bright spots. I appreciated how it handled themes like self-love, grief, and friendship. It may have been underwhelming overall, but I still made it to the end. Just like the first book I read from Katherine Center, the story picked up its pace near the end—finally giving me something to hold onto, even if it came a little too late.

First, thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my copy. I enjoy Katherine Center books. They are sweet and feel like a hug in book form. However, this was probably my least favorite book of hers I have read thus far. For me, the body image issues suffered by our FMC were a bit off-putting and the timing of the relationship between Katie and Hutch, plus the third act conflict just felt like a lot. That said, I am sure there are others who will enjoy this story. It just wasn't quite for me.

2.5⭐️/5

I really wanted to love this one. After The Bodyguard, I was excited for another Katherine Center rom-com, warm, wise, and a little chaotic in the best way. And The Love Haters does have so many elements I usually adore in her books: a quirky setup (coast guard in the Florida Keys with an FMC who can’t swim), a Great Dane named George Bailey, and an undercurrent to the plot about learning to be kind to yourself.

There were things I genuinely did love, Hutch’s Aunt Rue being at the top of the list. What an absolute star of a character. Her chaotic energy, her genuine love for Katie, her shenanigans? All of it felt alive and real. The chemistry and honesty in Rue and Katie’s dynamic had more depth than anything in the central romance, to be honest.

Which brings me to the hard part: I just didn’t feel anything for Katie and Hutch. Their chemistry was flat, and the romance felt forced and rushed, more insta-love than a believable connection. Meanwhile, Katie’s internal monologue is weirdly an endless loop of thirsting over his physique, melancholic eyes, and slow-motion presence like he’s starring in a fragrance commercial lol. It was too much. One kiss does not a personality make.

And while I appreciated the focus on body image and did feel for Katie and her less-than-kind thoughts about herself, the way it was handled just didn’t work for me. I saw what Center was going for, but the message felt repetitive and overly explained to the point that it lost emotional impact. Instead of moving, it felt... hollow.

The supporting characters were pretty mixed. Katie’s friend Beanie and Hutch’s brother Cole lacked depth. Beanie’s questionable support and Cole’s overall character choices felt put-on for convenience and left me frustrated. Their roles in Katie’s life could have been explored with more nuance.

I’ll still read whatever Katherine Center writes next. She’s given me some of my favorite comfort reads! But this one didn’t quite hit the mark. For all the charm in the setting, the heart of the story didn’t feel real enough for me to fall for it.

I would rate this book 3.75 stars! I love Katherine’s stories because they feel so real and emotional while still keeping in mind banter, humor, and lightheartedness. I loved the message of this story and Katie’s journey with self love. I wish I could have seen more of Hutch & Katie’s moments that happened off page. But overall, I enjoyed this read!

I read this in 2 days on a reading slump so you know it’s good. At times, I was swinging my feet, other times I was laughing, or crying. But their romance wasn’t the only romance in this book, it was also her journey to loving herself. George Bailey was a cute little bonus!

This was my first Katherine Center book, and now I can’t wait to read more of her books.

I would like to thank Net Galley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I have read a number of Katherine Center's books over the past few years. I usually enjoy them, but I did not like this one. I just couldn't care about the main characters. They all seemed flat and lifeless to me. Katie is trying to keep her job and her co worker Cole gives her a chance at a story.She goes to Key West to produce a video of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. A few problems, Katie can't swim, she has body issues due to a previous relationship, and the Coast Guard swimmer is Hutch, Cole's brother. And Cole and Hutch do not get along. Yeah, well, it just didn't make it for me. I see a lot of people do like it very much,so I guess its just not for me.

I just love how Katherine Center can write a love story where the main character not only falls in love with the perfect guy but also falls in love with herself. This was a funny and inspiring read. And there’s a big goofy dog? Can’t get much better than that.