Ok, we all know I'm a Katherine Center fan, so I'm biased from the start. I loved Hello Stranger and the Rom-Commers a ton. I tried to put aside my bias for this ARC, and I think I was able to do that (maybe....we'll see).

I would probably give this one 3.5 stars, but let's round up due to my aforementioned adoration of the author. Yeah, I guess that's where the bias comes in. But still! There wasn't anything WRONG with this book. It was enjoyable. It was nice. The characters were good. However, I just didn't feel like it was super memorable. It didn't stick with me like the others. I suppose that's fine, because I did enjoy it while I was reading it (and I mean, the main character and I share names! Katies for the win!) Her primary struggle is with body image and internalized body shame. Relatable. The main squeeze was a liiiiiiittle too perfect, IMO, not as many struggles as our leading lady. BUT I will say, I had fun with it. I couldn't put it down for the last 20% or so. So, would I recommend it? YES. But is it as good as some of the others? Maybe not.

This is only my second Katherine Center novel, but at this point it’s a sealed deal. Anything she writes, I will read.

I see a lot of myself in Katie, and know other readers will too. I love the relationship with her bestie/sister Beanie. Shes the kind of friend we all deserve.

The story between Katie and Hutch was great. It was a great balance of tension and payoff.

The book being set in the magical Key West makes me want to go, and I hope a hotel like the Starlite exists in real life.

Overall a fun read that I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait to see what Katherine comes up with next!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This hilarious book by Katherine Center is a perfect pick-me-up! The adorable romance and empowering body positivity message make it a must-read. Katie’s self-love journey is sweet and inspiring. A funny and self-aware summer read, perfect for your beach bag!

I loved this read!! The setting in Key West added such charm to the story—it truly is the perfect beach read and exactly the kind of escape that I needed to distract me from these cold winter months. I loved Katie and how she grew with the help of her best friend, Beanie. Every phone call between the two was hilarious and heartfelt all in one. The interaction between characters and the speed that the plot moved along was perfect. The actual romance between Katie and Hutch didn't quite hit the mark for me, but I loved everything else so much that this is a solid 4.5 stars for me. If there was any book that I've read in the last year to get made into a movie, I would LOVE to see this one on screen.

I love Katherine Center's work and this one is another great addition! Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for my honest review!

I wanted to like this one so much because I love Katherine Center, but I couldn’t get into this one.
It was good, but fell just short of a must read for me.
I found it slightly boring, and none of the characters really resonated with me.

oh my goodness, do i have feelings about this book.

first of all, i’m grateful to have read an ARC of this book through netgalley.

the beginning - insufferable, terrible even. i hated how much she talked about her body image issues at the beginning. not because i have a problem with that being in a book, it’s the way it was written that was not good. it was so off putting. the side note about her ex being a celebrity and being all public about regretting splitting with her and then them never speaking? made no sense. i didn’t understand that part of the book.

ALSO- i kept forgetting the FMC’s name bc they BARELY said it. but oh i remember “HUTCH THIS,” “HUTCH THAT” also???? her name is katy??? like katherine???? like the author??? idk.

the middle general plot line was okay. it felt similar to the bodyguard with the whole fear or water, military swimmer, etc. it kind of got lost. like the whole reason she was there got washed away. i forgot at points how the hell any of this came to be.

the part with the house boat/hurricane??? and then NO GRAND PROFESSING OF LOVE????? LIKE???? it set it up perfectly and we BARELY got to see the aftermath of them being happy? he saved her from being out at sea and they were just acting like *NOTHING HAPPENED*. they kinda ignored each other and whatever.

the epilogue bounced all over the place. it did NOT wrap everything up. i still have so many questions. it was not a satisfying ending at all :(

there is so much more i could say, but i’m just so disappointed.

****I DID like katie learning to love herself. that was a positive.

me just start with two words - George Bailey. To know him is to love him. Read this book for him, if for no other reason.

Katie is finally leveling out from the rollercoaster of a bad breakup with her ex boyfriend turned overnight pop star which left her with some extreme body image issues and now she is on the brink of being downsized at her job as a video producer. In an effort to avoid a layoff, Katie takes on an assignment producing a video promoting the US Coast Guard where she will profile one of the country’s most scientifically good looking heroes. There’s just one little catch - she can’t swim! Oh and one other thing, this handsome hero, Hutch, happens to be her coworker’s nemesis brother. Add in the tropical beach setting, a group of vibrant senior besties, a web of lies, and a violent hurricane - you’ll be up past your bedtime reading.

Some may argue that the portrayal of Katie’s body image issues is overboard; however, I’d counter that this is one of the main love stories in the book and one many of us women, myself included, struggle with.

Some may also argue that the build up of Katie and Hutch’s romance was rushed, sudden, or lacking, especially on Hutch’s side, to which I’d counter that they missed all the subtle ways Hutch was loving Katie all along.

Some may further argue that Cole gives the ick, to which I would agree. But I think that’s the whole point!

In the books I love most, the characters are flawed and relatable and Katie and Hutch were just that.

By the way did anyone else pause for a little ugly cry intermission after a certain chapter? You’ll know it when you get there and oof it cuts deep.

Katherine Center nails it every time. Romance, humor, emotion, adventure, inspiration - she does it all. The Love Haters reminds us that life is too short even when we get a long one and to love ourselves simply because we are ours. Oh, and don’t sidestep an evacuation mandate! I look forward to her stories as much as I do to her beautiful author’s notes. I am a romance girlie through and through!

Receiving an ARC of my favorite author’s new book has been a high point in my lifelong reading journey so thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review The Love Haters.

Get your copy immediately on May 20th!

Another beautifully written book by Katherine Center! I loved hutch & george bailey and wanted to keep them in my pocket. Only request is I would add a trigger warning for the ED but otherwise loved it. Thanks for letting me ARC!

I absolutely LOVED this book!! Katie and Hutch are 🧑‍🍳💋 Beanie & Rue are special characters that I want in my life!! I received this in an ebook format as an ARC in exchange for my honest review, and I'm so so grateful! Katherine Center is such a storytelling treasure!!! Wholesome and Heartwarming!

If recommending this book to a friend (which I would) I would include a trigger warning for the eating disorder content. I love the character development towards body acceptance but some of the earlier details could be tough for someone with personal history. I really liked the story. The resolution was a little far-fetched but still adorable.

My favorite thing about a Katherine Center novel is I know my heart will always be joy filled by the time I finish reading. This story was no different. Hutch may be a new favorite MMC. I want to put him and George Bailey in my pocket to keep forever. There are some cheesy parts, definitely silly and over the tops parts, but overall this was a good story with good characters. 🧡

Honestly, I could not get into this book at all. Slow starting and we really didn’t get into the main storyline untill 25% through. The romance was not interesting, it just wasent for me

I found an ARC copy of the book on Net Galley - thanks to my daughter! Katherine Center is a favorite author of mine so I was happy to be able to read it - and it was free (a very nice extra). Center writes romances with heart and a message. In this one the theme of body shaming is tackled. Katie Vaughn’s job is on the line. Her life goal is to create documentaries but the company she works for is downsizing (or so it would seem). Her boss, Cole, apparently wants to save her job so he coerces her to go to Key West to make a promotion video for the Coast Guard featuring a real-life hero, Tom “Hutch” Hutchinson. Katie learns Hitch hasn’t dated in a year which doesn’t faze her because she’s sworn off dating after her ex-fiancé cheated on her. The story moves on from there where Katie has to face wearing a swimsuit - part of the body shaming theme - that is hilariously tackled via Hutch’s “Aunt” Rue and her gal pals. She’s also fudged a few things on taking the job - like she can’t swim! From there emerges a sweet, funny story that involves secrets about Cole and Tom as well as the budding romance between Katie and “Hutch.” No spoilers: you have to read the book to learn how everything comes full circle. You won’t be disappointed! This is a fun, cozy read (especially when it’s snowing out) - and not necessarily all romance focused. Don’t forget to read the acknowledgment at the end as Center gives insight into her writing a

The Love Haters was an easy to read romance about a film maker, Katie, who was forced to take an assignment she wasn’t fully qualified for in an attempt to avoid being laid off. Despite not knowing how to swim, Katie will be interviewing and showcasing the heroism of Coast Guard rescuer, Hutch. Once she arrived in Key West for her assignment, she meets Rue, a quirky cottage owner and relative of the subject she will be filming. Katie was recently dumped by her boyfriend and working through body issues with the help of her friend, Beanie. While I did enjoy reading this book, I feel like there wasn’t a lot of character development and things just kind of skimmed the surface. It was a nice, light read and I’m a fan of other books by this author, but this one fell a little flat for me.

Katherine Center did it again. She wrote another fun, sweet, adorable and heart-warming story. This book is not your ordinary love story between the FMC and MMC. This book is about reconnecting, forgiveness, and self-discovery. It's funny, inspiring, and I really enjoyed the glimpse of Coast Guard life. This book is also a good reminder that not all love stories are just romantic love and that falling in love is not only with another person. Learning to love yourself, accepting yourself, and seeing yourself is one of the best love stories that could ever happen.

This was 3.5 stars for me! The only other book I’ve read from Katherine Center was The Bodyguard, and after reading this, I’m excited to read more! This book features a cute romance between Katie and Hutch, but also equally discusses self love and the process of it. Things I didn’t like as much were that aspects of the romance didn’t seem as fleshed out as I anticipated, and that towards the end it felt a little far fetched (I was caught off guard with how it went but didn’t completely hate it!), but besides that, I enjoyed it! I liked the comedy and lightheartedness of the book, which made it easy to read even during more serious parts. Learning about the Coast Guard and facts pertaining to rescues was interesting as well!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I laughed, I cried. Katherine Center you've done it again!
Thank you for not only teaching me a new lesson on how to love myself, but thank you for taking me on a journey.

"The Love Haters" is a delightful and heartwarming read. If you're looking for a light and entertaining escape with a touch of romance and self-discovery, I highly recommend giving it a try.

The only issue I had was how Cole's lies were resolved. It seemed too easy and convenient and no repercussions for anyone.

This was a really sweet book. It wasn’t my favorite book by Center, but I loved the military aspect and I loved the body positivity. I laughed out loud several times reading it. I thought the Cole showing up and saying they were together storyline was a bit much (…but not the hurricane? IDK) but not enough to detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I really enjoyed The Love Haters! I have read 3 other Katherine Center books and this was another great read. I thought all of the characters were enjoyable, especially Rue and I wanted to get back to the story when I was unable to read.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed and the body shaming was a bit repetitive in the begining, which is why I gave the book 4 stars. However, it's clean, cheesy (in a good way) and the coast guard information was interesting. I'd recommend it!