I’d give this book 3 stars—it’s a solid read, but ultimately a bit repetitive. The main theme of embracing and loving your body is definitely important, but it felt like the book hit the same points over and over again. As someone who doesn’t personally struggle much with body image issues (though, of course, we all have some insecurities), I found myself wishing for a bit more variety or depth in the discussion. That said, for readers who are seeking a book to reinforce positive body image, this might resonate more. It’s well-meaning and positive, but could’ve been a little more engaging if it offered fresh perspectives throughout.

Phew - there is a lot to unpack in this book. I know that's usually the case with Katherine Center's books but this one seems to have some extra chunky trigger warnings including parent death, disordered eating, and other body issues. Spoiler alert for those who are squeamish about animals dying in books - George Bailey is okay!

Katie is desperate not to get downsized from her video producer job so takes a project that is very far out of her comfort zone. Her coworker Cole is trying to help her out and not have to do a job that involves his brother and all-around perfect guy Hutch. Reluctantly, Katie wades into the waters of Cole's complicated family and a new project, while also exploring her own issues with her body, self-confidence, and relationships.

What I love about Center's books is how deep she dives into the emotions of the characters - she really forces them to start working their "stuff" (wanted to use a 4-letter word here but I'll keep it PG) out. I felt like some of the romance and relationship building was missing here, probably because Katie and Hutch - and most of the "side" characters too - had a lot of their own "stuff" to deal with. Katie is struggling with her body after her last relationship pushes her into the spotlight. And Hutch, Cole, and Rue are all struggling with their family tragedy in different ways. Hutch is definitely the strong silent type and he opens up to Katie a lot more than most people. And while you can definitely tell there is a mutual attraction there, I wanted to see more of that.

You will absolutely fall in love with Rue and George Bailey. The picture the author paints a portrait of Starlite, the little village of cottages Rue created in Key West, so vividly that you will want to move there tomorrow and hang with "the Gals".

The book wrapped up a little fast for me, but was certainly a memorable and worthwhile journey.

This was a cute story and the main character was very relatable. It's nice to see a story about some who has body image issues but have a best friend and a guy who likes her keep her morale up and tell her that there is nothing wrong with her. Thank you for allowing me to read and review this ARC

The love haters by Katherine centre was a solid book. I am typically a fan of Katherine centres works but this one fell flat for me. While I loved the story of self love and body positivity within the book I missed the romance. The MMC just told the FMC that they liked each other halfway through but there was no build up. I would’ve even enjoyed reading a few chapters in the MMC’s point of view. The romance felt rushed but it was still enjoyable. As well the whole lying scheme with Cole it just felt so unnecessary. Overall, this was a solid book but it felt like it was missing something. If you were looking for a book that was light on the romance but deals with heavy issues you would enjoy it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the e- arc!

I read this book very quickly and found it to be entertaining, albeit a typical romance genre type book. If you enjoy Katherine Center’s other books, then you’ll enjoy this one as well.

I absolutely LOVED this book. So many stories of personal growth! I was laughing out loud so many times, but I think everyone has related to someone in this book, if not multiple people, at least once in their life. It was a story that if you ask me my favorite part, I'm not sure I have an answer because the whole story was just so so good.
I loved the banter between the main characters but I also loved the work Rue was doing on the sidelines to move relationships along. 5/5 for me!

I honestly didn't buy the romance between the two - it was a little too insta love. I do love George Bailey, and I would literally <spoilers> punch Cole in the face, no questions asked </spoilers>.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

First let me start by saying that I will always read anything Katherine Center writes! No doubt! This book made me think about my self a lot. Its more than just a romance book (nothing bad about it being just romance), its a book about life, growth, perseverance & mindfulness. I love seeing the character development happening between both main characters & new-found self-love and self-appreciation. Its a story about mourning family members but also emotions and self doubt. A story about family and friends and how important they are. Its a whole package of a book.

there’s something about a katherine center book that hits every time! this book was such a quick, highly engaging, and very entertaining read. i loved katie and hutch, i loved watching them meet and their conversations, i enjoyed relating to katie’s struggle with body image and watching her handle it, i really enjoyed katie’s relationships with other characters and i really really loved george bailey.
this is a wonderful romcom that is full of laughs and joy, but also a fair share of complex feelings and emotion.

I love how center gives you these complex human struggles and weaves them in to her characters with nuggets of wisdom and growth while remaining numerous and of course having a cute romance unfold. Center’s storytelling is always beautiful, she has a fun unique voice that will take you from laughing one page to crying and wondering why everyone is so messed up in their heads the next.

This was such a quick, fun read. If you're looking for a rom-com, definitely put this one on your list! At first, I wasn't sure I'd connect with Katie, a filmmaker hired to do a promo with the United States Coast Guard rescue swimmers, but I quickly understood where she was coming from and I loved watching her journey throughout the book. I loved how organic her relationship with Hutch was. Their initial meetings were so cute and I loved their easy dialogue. Katie's relationship with Beanie and Rue are goals to strive for and I think they, along with the Gals, rounded out the story perfectly.

This book could've easily veered into tear-jerking and sad territory, but it didn't ever stray that far. Instead, it felt hopeful and I laughed out loud several times. Even when I thought the story curveball would be too much, the writing kept me invested and I couldn't put the book down. I loved the lessons that could be learned through Katie's mind.

Side note: I didn't know anything about rescue swimmers until I read another author's recent release. I thought this one might've been too similar on that front, but it wasn't. The books have completely different feels and I didn't feel like there was much overlap. Also, I want to go to Key West now.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Never and notes for Ms. Center’s writing. I couldn’t really relate to the FMC but I still loved their dialogue and the pacing of the plot was so well done (as always!) Loved this fun read.

Another great book by Katherine Center! I didn’t enjoy this as much as her other most recent books, but that was due more to some of the plot point (the lying, Cole being annoying, etc) than the overall book. I did enjoy the themes of self-love and loving yourself before anyone else does and their love story.

4.5 stars
Another book by Katherine Center that I thoroughly enjoyed! I learned about the coast guard and enjoyed Katie’s journey through self-love. Loved all the characters (that you were supposed to love of course). All in all a good book that I couldn’t stop reading.

Katherine Center did it again! This book was the perfect combination of a love story and a deeper story. I loved all of the characters and felt like their stories were really well written. I can’t wait for publish day so that everyone can get a copy in their hands!

Thank you netgalley for the arc of the love haters in exchange for my honest review. Katherine Center is easily one of my favorite romance authors. She really has a way of keeping you engaged and interested in the story as it unfolds. The authors note at the end about the main character Katies enemies to lovers troupe was absolutely inspiring. Katie is in marketing and her co worker Cole asks her to go to florida to film something for work. Her job is in jeopardy so she feels like she has to say yes even though this job requires her to be able to swim and she cannot. She heads down to the Florida Keys and meets her coworkers aunt Rue and his brother Hutch who is the person she is supposed to be making the video of. Hutch teaches her how to swim among many other things, i loved this book. Five stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Kathrine Center love stories will never get old, this one is such a wonderful story about love and how you have to love yourself just as much as the love you give others. Katie is a struggling video journalist working at an advertising agency and is given an assignment filming an ad for water rescue swimmers and the coast guard to save her job, she leaps at the opportunity and decided to figure out the part about how she can’t swim later. 🤣

Hutch and Rue and Katie are such a vibrant cast of characters and although the story started slow, I was so into it at the end that I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely adored this and can’t wait to pick up my shelf trophy when it’s released!

My romance readers, you’ll love this! My non romance readers, give this a chance!

PS - there’s an adorable Great Dane who likes to hold toads in his mouth.

Spice .5 🌶️

Thank you to Netgalley, St Martin'sPress, and Katherine Center for the opportunity to read this book early! The RomCommers was one of my recent favorites and I was looking forward to the opportunity to read this before it's release in May.

I didn't love this quite as much as the RomCommers but I did feel the same connection with the characters, family dynamics and the family home setting.

I would include a trigger warning regarding the body image and disordered eating that is discussed throughout. I think that this topic was handled very well and with a lot of thought, however, it may be triggering to others.

I really enjoyed this book! The main character was relatable and funny and the love interest was swoon worthy. The comedy aspect of the book acutally made me laugh out loud. Overall it was a fun, relatable, heart warming story. I also really like KCs writing style, its easy to read and understand and is unique to her.

3.5 ⭐️

I really loved The Bodyguard, but The Love Haters just felt a little flat to me. I needed more spark/tension.

I don’t want to give too much away, but Katie is a film maker who is recovering from an eating disorder. Her ex fiancé just blew up on TikTok and now she needs to go to Florida to film a project with the Coast Guard to hopefully save her job.

There wasn’t much character development throughout the story which was a bummer. I loved the idea of the plot, but I don’t think it was executed very well.

Pub Date: May 20th, 2025

Thank you NetGalley, St Martin Press, and Katherine Center for this #gifted DRC!