Rating: 5⭐️/5

Such a perfect, meet-cute, rom com. I loved Katie as a main character and her internal dialogue was relatable and refreshing. Not the perfect “it girl” but a wonderful character arc with Katie finding her confidence with a little encouragement from Hutch and a wonderful cast of support characters including some older gals, especially Rue.

The Love Haters had me laughing, crying and feeling warm inside. A little mix of military man, he saves her, brotherly dynamics and the FMC overcoming her internal battles, The Love Haters is a fabulous new romance.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This fell flat for me. The beginning was fun and intriguing and I was genuinely excited to read the story. But I felt like there wasn’t any development. The emotions and descriptions and happenings were very surface level. I didn’t care for the MCs and didn’t really feel a connection from them for each other. I can appreciate a romance handling heavier topics, in this case body image, but it was very messily shoved in there and fully distracted from the plot. I kept going and kept wanting to read less and less.

I’ve read almost everything Katherine Center has written and this is easily one of favorites.

Katie is just now putting her life back together after a brutal breakup. She’s working as a video producer but finds out she’s at risk of a layoff. Her coworker, Cole, offers her an opportunity filming a rescue swimmer in Key West. This film has all the potential to build her career because the rescue swimmer, Hutch, has already gone viral for saving Jennifer Anniston’s dog. The only problem is Katie can’t swim. And Cole and Hutch are actually brothers and some family drama is about to unveil itself.

I loved the relationship between Katie and Hutch. I also really loved the secondary characters, particularly Hutch’s Aunt Rue who brings so much color to the story and made it so fun. I also loved George Bailey, Hutch’s giant and lovable rescue dog. This book is funny and bold, and encourages bravery and loving yourself for who you are.

This little releases on May 20, 2025.

5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Though Katherine Centers works have been fairly predictable, I have thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. It is good to know of a writer who consistently writes clean romances.
I always look forward to reading her new works.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite romance authors so when I received an ARC of her latest book, I was thrilled. Love Haters has KC’s normal blend of quirky characters, great banter, and beautiful writing. I enjoyed the military and documentary themes, and the topical issues of splintered families and body image issues. I also really enjoyed the MC’s journey with self discovery with a friend, which was unique for me. I felt Love Haters was a bit cheesier and predictable than KC’s other books, but it was a quick, enjoyable read that really helped me with a reading slump.

I love Katherine Center and her books. This one fell short but redeemed itself in the end. I thought the characters seemed immature and yet saw where the story was going and the end was better. Too long and meandering at times. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I still love her and hope her next book is better.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of The Love Haters by Katherine Center. All opinions are my own.

The Love Haters follows two people that have issues but are such lovable characters. Katie, while good at her job, had such a poor view of her own body. It was beautiful to see others lift her up about her appearance, but I especially liked how she lifted herself up. Hutch was such an amazing character, but he didn’t seem to see himself the way others saw him. Not only did he literally rescue people for a living, but he also was just such a kind person overall and made sure others were taken care of.

One of my favorite aspects of this story was Hutch’s dog. He was such a sweetheart, and I loved his interactions with Katie and Hutch. I also appreciated the story behind Hutch rescuing him.

While the conflict bothered me a bit, I liked that it wasn’t super drawn out. I also liked that the characters were quick to forgive.

I listened to the audiobook, and I loved Patti Murin as a narrator. She did a great job with her inflection and overall tone. I would recommend this format if you like audiobooks.

Overall, I just really loved this story. It was sweet, and I loved the character growth. I’d recommend this book!

I really did enjoy this book. It was a cute romance with enough drama to keep me engaged. It had some elements of body positivity. Overall, it was a good story and a quick read. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

Was I expecting to love this book as much as I did? Absolutely not! This romcom was everything and more. The connection between the two Main Characters was absolute perfection from the get go. Sometimes there’s aspects of tropes/the MC’s relationships that bother me, but this one was absolutely wonderful through and through. I think the setting of the book and (weirdly) the jobs of the MC’s made the entire reading experience that much better and added so much to the plot!

Katherine Center continues to put out romcoms that are so enjoyable and easy to read. She’s an automatic read author for me now!

My only bother with the book was that I felt like the title was totally deceiving? But like that’s actually not a problem at all.

Did I absolutely adore this book? Not quite. But I certainly didn’t dislike it! It’s a solid read that leans into women’s fiction more than romance, which was an interesting twist for me. While there’s definitely love woven into the story, the main focus isn’t on a romantic relationship.

We follow Katie, who’s on a mission to save her job by creating a promotional video for the Coast Guard. She’s teamed up with Hutch—a reluctant hero with a complicated past—who wants nothing to do with the limelight that usually comes with his story. As the plot unfolds, we discover that Hutch is actually the brother of one of Katie’s colleagues, and there are some family tensions that suck her into their drama.

Then there’s Rue, the boys' aunt, who becomes Katie’s guiding light as she navigates both the filmmaking process and her own personal growth. While there are some lovely moments, I found myself craving more romance. I loved how the romance in Center’s last book was crucial for both characters’ development, and this story felt like a more solitary journey for Katie—one of learning to love herself.

That said, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book! It’s an enjoyable, easy read, especially once you get through the first five chapters. So, if you're looking for a compelling tale about self-discovery, give it a shot!

Adorable! I read this book after a few heavier reads and it was exactly what I needed! I thought Katie’s internal monologues were hilarious and the story was so fun!

Content considerations: mild language, just kisses, loss of parents, body shaming

I really wanted to love this because I love Katherine center but it just didn’t hit right for me!! I think I was having a hard time relating to the body image issues and felt like that overshadowed the romance aspect? I know this author likes to have deeper things going on than just romance but this just didn’t work for me. Of course I’ll still continue to read anything she releases!!

Ugh. I just love Katherine Center. I feel like every book just gets better for me. It is like a warm hug wrapped around me.

I loved, loved, Rue. I know she is not the MC, but she was a great light hearted addition to the hard memories Hutch has faced. Also -- who knew there was so much to learn about rescue swimming?

Highly recommend this one!

The Love Haters by Katherine Center was a wild ride, though not always the fun kind.

I absolutely LOVED Katie and Hutch. Their chemistry, banter and understanding of each other was wonderful. When they were together on page this was a 6+ star read.

Unfortunately, they weren't together 100% of the book and when they weren't together it was rough. Rue and her gals are great characters but Cole and Sullivan and the whole set up was not likable or enjoyable.

The detailing of Katie's body dysmorphia and eating disorder (though they weren't called that in the book) in chapter 2 was shocking to me and if this hadn't been an ARC it likely would have been a DNF. I am all for Katie going on a self love journey and I love that she came through it in the end (though the timing of it still felt a little off). That said if talk of online bullying, calorie counting, or not liking any part of your body is triggering, you might want to skip this book.

I did still give this 4 stars but it's not one I will be recommending to everyone.

4.5 stars! Katherine Center does it again!! She always brings heart and humor, and The Love Haters delivered on both.

Katie is the kind of main character you just vibe with. She’s struggling, she’s sarcastic, she’s trying to keep her job—and then she gets sent to Key West to profile a literal rescue swimmer (hello, Hutch 😍). What starts off feeling like a rom-com setup ends up being so much more layered. It’s about body image, shame, family baggage, and figuring out how to stop dimming your own light.

Also: Hutch. Can we talk about that glorious specimen of a man for a second? He’s sweet, steady, and absolutely swoon-worthy without being over the top. Their banter gave me life, and the chemistry was perfection. I laughed, teared up a little, and finished the last page feeling like I’d just been given a big hug. Highly recommend if you're into smart, feel-good romance with a beachy vibe!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Katherine Center for this wonderful ARC!

Oh, Katherine Center, you’ve done it again! This time with The Love Haters, she whisks us back into the whirlwind of love and all its glorious messiness! As a long-time fan of Center’s work, I know she has a magical way of pulling me into her worlds, making it nearly impossible to put her books down.

That said, I did find myself grappling with the character of Katie. While I could totally relate to her insecurities, they felt a bit like a persistent echo throughout the story. Sometimes, I wanted to shout, “Katie, you are enough!” It made navigating her journey a little challenging for me, especially as I just wanted her to break free of those doubts.

And oh, Hutch! I was rooting for this couple, but I left the story feeling a tad unsatisfied with their romance. I craved more of that “happily ever after” spark and a deeper glimpse into how their relationship blossomed after all the ups and downs!

Overall, I’d rate The Love Haters a solid three stars and a half stars. While it didn’t completely captivate me like some of her previous works, I wholeheartedly encourage you to dive into Katherine Center’s books. Her writing has a way of touching hearts and filling your cup with love and emotion—especially on those days when you need an extra dose of romance! So grab your copy and get ready for a delightful ride!

Ironically, I easily fell in love with “The Love Haters.” When Katie’s team lead at work, Cole, warns her that her job is at risk, she must travel to Florida to video Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. She must face her fear of swimming and her self view of her body image. While this book did address some real internal insecurities and family situations, the story was still filled with lots of fun and humor. Hutch was a nearly perfect love interest, and I loved seeing these two fall in love!

For those who enjoy:
🛟Videographer + Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer
🛟Forced Proximity
🛟Coastal Florida Setting
🛟Navigating Family Dynamics
🛟Workplace
🛟Body Image Insecurities

Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is classic Katherine Center! She knows just how to bring together a wonderful romance with humor, a sweetness that will make you say "awww" and friends who become like family. As Katie and Hutch were falling in love, I was falling in love with their story too! But honestly, I think George Bailey, the dog, stole the show!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read/listen to this amazing audio book! All opinions are my own... and in my opinion this is one of the best books I've read in 2025! I always look forward to reading Katherine Center's latest every spring!

Publication date: 20 May 2025

At this point, Katherine Center is an auto-buy author for me. And while I wasn't 100% sure what The Love Haters was going to be about when I picked it up, it might be my favorite Center book yet!

When Katie’s company starts downsizing, she has two choices: face possible layoffs, or take an assignment producing a recruitment video for Coast Guard rescue swimmers featuring Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson. A couple of weeks in Key West sound like a dream - even though Katie can’t swim, which is required for the job. Spending time with Hutch is a lot easier than it should be, and his Aunt Rue helps put Katie at ease in her new environment. But as lies start piling up, Katie has to face her fears and be truly brave for a chance at what she wants the most.

While Katie and Hutch’s romance was sweet and fun and everything that I love in Katherine Center’s work, the real “star” love story for me was Katie’s self-love journey. I saw a lot of myself in Katie, and absolutely loved watching her relationship with herself develop. And while Hutch was fantastic, Beanie and Rue’s support, love, and encouragement made me so happy to see. Honestly, I wish that everyone could have a Beanie and Rue!

This story could have been too intense and heavy if it wasn’t for Center’s trademark out-of-nowhere humor. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud (waking the baby, since I was often reading during contact naps). Center’s delivery never failed to make me smile (or cry), and that is something that I love about her books.

I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to know that I highly recommend The Love Haters by Katherine Center. While some readers might not see themselves in Katie the same way I did, I think that everyone would get something out of reading this story and I hope you consider picking it up when it’s published on May 20th! Thanks to St Martin’s Press, Netgalley, and Katherine Center for the eARC!

Another super book by Katherine Center. I love everything she writes!! Keep going... can't wait for the next one.