I was very disappointed with this book, as this was a highly anticipated release for me. It’s just seems all over the place. Also, the FMC’s body issues were stressful and didn’t really feel like they fit into the story since there wasn’t a character arc surrounding that. She was just deeply insecure about her body for 6 chapters and then it was never brought up again. Also, the brother was extremely unlikeable and felt like a forced trope device. I feel like this just needed more editing.

This was an enjoyable read. A few minor surprises, but nothing shocking. While I ultimately knew what was going to happen, I was still engaged and didn't want to stop reading. Those that are fans of romcom reads I think will enjoy this one!

Katherine Center has absolutely solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me with this one!

Brief overview: Katie is sent to Key West to do a promo for the US Coast Guard, not knowing she may be stepping into someone else's family drama. Oh yeah, and she can't swim!

My thoughts: I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Katherine Center has cracked the rom-com code, and delivers with excellence every time. Not only were the main characters lovable, relatable, and fun, but the side characters were even better! And to top if off, there's a big cuddly dog!

The whole story was fantastic, I absolutely loved it, but what really got me was the Authors Note at the end. I don't want to spoil a single bit of it, but make sure you keep reading past the epilogue. It's worth it.

The Love-Haters has everything I adore about Katherine Center's books - a protagonist you're instantly rooting for, a spark of chemistry with an infinitely loveable male lead, and a cast of side characters who surround the two leads with a delightful atmosphere of .humor, occasional chaos, drama, and most importantly, love and support. The protagonist this time is Katie, who has finally put her life together after a very tumultuous failed relationship, only to find that she's in danger of losing her job as a video producer and in order to save it, she has to produce a project that she is decidedly unqualified for. Of course, she does it anyway, and thus begins her relationship with Hutch, the subject of the video, There's just the right amount of will-they-or-won't-they suspense, and enough of the characters' backstories to really round out the story nicely. The Key West setting was really fun, too - the perfect escape on a cold winter's day.

The Love Haters

“Every time you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time.”

Two love haters, both respectively traumatized by their pasts, find their way to each other. They both need to be brave along the way. And boy is it a bumpy ride!

The indeed star of the show is the Great Dane, George Bailey. Don’t worry, Katherine Center is not satan, she takes care of the dog. AND she takes care of you!

Only pick up this romance if you love witty banter, accidental lovers, found family, and a true journey of self discovery. And really hot Coast Guard search and rescue men that sleep in boxers only.

I will forever love Katherine Center. I will always recommend her closed door romances that are so full of spunk and love you never even miss the spice.

Also if there’s ever a Christine in her books, I hope it’s because of this review (iykyk).

★★★☆☆
The Love Haters (Katherine Center - releasing 05.20.2025)
e-ARC Review

✧ Read with me ✧ Instagram ✧| @haileydianereads

A massive thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press & one of my all-time favorite authors, Katherine Center, for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest book review! 🥰🙌

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy…
- Romcoms that don’t shy away from the struggles (body image & grief)
- US Coast Guard Swimmers
- Hilarious banter from the queen of great dialogue
- Seriously great Great Danes
- A delightful author’s note (you should ALWAYS be reading the author’s notes) ☺️

Katherine Center is one of my all-time favorite writers. Center is the writer whose novels convinced me that I actually do like romance as a genre. I admire her because she is always true to her values and writes uplifting stories that always include a struggle and healing moments. From the banter to the chemistry and all the feel-good moments in-between, Center always manages to present her readers with a story that will pull at your heartstrings and make you swoon in just a matter of pages. As always, I NEVER talk about Center’s books without mentioning my personal favorite of hers - How to Walk Away. If you’ve not read it, stop what you are doing and put it on your TBR (like right now), and then come back and finish reading this review.

Honestly, this book was a miss for me. I was struggling to rate it between 3 and 3.5, but it really came down to the flaws of the story.

RATING SYSTEM: I rate my books by 5 literary element groupings: plot and pacing, characters and development, setting and world building, dialogue and writing style. See below for a full review:

📖Plot and Pacing
Katie is a mid-level videographer who is typically putting together corporate videos. After being persuaded to take an assignment in place of her coworker, Cole, amongst a stressful batch of layoffs, Katie heads down to Key West to film a US Coast Guard recruitment video. The catch? She can’t even swim. With the hope of a passion project video for her “A Day in the Life” series, she is on a mission to befriend the heroic rescue swimmer, Hutch. Katie finds much more than enticing video footage during her time in the Keys. The pacing of this book did not leave time for “story lulls.” However, I did think, “Whoa, are we getting everything wrapped up super early?” No. The answer was no. I didn’t quite expect some of the climatic points in this story (which can be a fun surprise - but missed the mark this time - for me). Overall, it was an entertaining read from start to finish, but be prepared to hold life’s silly moments in the same hands with the weighty struggles of life.

🧞‍♀️Characters and Development
Katie and Hutch are both wonderfully written characters with layers of realistic personality traits and backgrounds that lead the reader to pull for their development. Both Katie and Hutch have faced challenges in their past that have molded them into the people we meet at the beginning of the book. However, as we progress through the book, readers will begin to uncover just how impacted they were by the events of their past. While Center continues to excel at making you love her characters, I did feel like this book left me desiring more romance between the two. Reading the Author’s Note at the end of the book provides some insight as to why this book heavily focuses on Katie, but it might have served the overall story more to have a better developed romance play out.

🌇Setting and World Building
This novel is set in warm and sunny Key West! I’ve been once before, but I was a child and really only remember it being miserably hot in the summer months. What is so great about the setting is that it is almost directly tied to one of the main characters in the novel, Hutch’s Aunt Rue. Rue is the embodiment of chromatophilia (the love of color). She lives a bright and vibrant life and her small real estate empire really does leave her character to set the stage for many of the book’s locations. Sign me up today to live at Starlite Cottages! From her seaside boutique, the vintage motor court cottages and a DIY houseboat on the marina, many of the settings ooze Rue’s brilliant love of color that is evident in most aspects of life in the Keys. I swear I felt the sun come out on a dreary January day when I was reading this book.

🗣️Dialogue
As is the typical Center approach, the exchange in this book includes heavy banter and wonderful internal dialogue. I once was at an author event for Katherine Center where multiple people asked questions related to how she managed to write such engaging and realistic banter - she’s got a true talent. Whether it is the laugh out loud humor or the pinch in the chest realizations that her characters often go through, she always delivers. Katie and Hutch have undeniable chemistry, but I really appreciated the interactions between Rue and Katie the most.

📝Writing Style
While I typically find little issue with the Center’s writing style, this book felt different than her previous works in the approach to conflict throughout the book. Read “The Flaws” below that relate to the writing itself.

❉BONUS❉: Emotional Connection
Many readers will be able to connect with the struggles that Katie faces with her own body image. I am no different. I felt like Beanie’s character provided me with insight that I’ve never considered - some people genuinely didn’t grow up obsessing over physical features. I love the calls between Katie and Beanie and all the love that is present between the two. Beanie is committed to showing Katie there are healthier ways to view her body image and by making small steps each day, she can shift her perspective. This is not a toxic positivity take on the issue, but rather a reminder of the ways we can show up for ourselves.

😤The Flaws
Unfortunately, this one of the lowest ratings I’ve ever given a Katherine Center novel and I’ve read all of her previously published books. I had two main issues with this book and these two issues were the reason I gave this book a 3-star review:
1. The arrival of a MAJOR climatic moment in the book felt OFF. It just missed the mark for me and felt like it was completely out of the blue. There were definitely plot holes in some of the decisions made and, as other reviewers mentioned, “felt silly.” From MC decisions to the plot itself, I had issues with the conflict in this book. Decisions started to feel outside characters’ previously built personalities. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted/needed the tension to play out, but the execution was a miss.
2. I believe a book can be both humorous and light while also serving a larger narrative and driving character development. In fact, typically, it’s what Center does best and why I found myself reading romance. However, this story struggled to couple the two sides of the coin well. For me, the issue came down to timing and transitions. At times, the plot jumped too quickly between those funny, can’t-control-my-giggles moments to more sober situations. Overall, at the end, I found myself really wishing for less and more at the same time.

I loved how entertaining of a read this story was, but the setbacks in the plot and general lack of cohesion of the book resulted in a lower rating than I’d typically give one of Center’s novels.

Of course, I am already looking forward to Center’s next novel and can’t wait to hear more about what she has in store for her readers in 2026!

Gratitude, always.
- H.

3.5 🌟 rounded up. The Love Haters started off slow for me but picked up around 18%. From that point on, I was hooked! I looked forward to picking it up, if only to swoon over Hutch, and it really had my heart pounding towards the end. I laughed out loud and thought that certain scenes were just so funny and adorable. I cringed at some very cheesy lines but forgave them because the context surrounding the cheesiness was too good not to enjoy. But then the main conflict of the story really had me shaking my head. Overall, I very much had a love-hate relationship with the story but thought it was cute and had nice messages. I’d definitely recommend it to certain friends and plan on rereading it by listening to the audiobook when it releases in May.

I found Katie and the major issues she had surrounding her body image to be an overbearing start to the book. I completely understand her negative self-talk and the struggles she has had with the number on the scale, but it felt like it dragged on and on and was too focused on this in the beginning. By the end of the book though, I was sold on the message that Katherine was delivering. We only have one body in our lifetimes and one chance to love and appreciate all that it does for us! It is so important that we learn to be kind and forgiving to ourselves.

As soon as Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a rescue diver for the US Coast Guard, entered the scene, I could not put this book down. He is an extremely lovable and swoon worthy MMC and I ate up every single scene with this guy. I loved his humongous Great Dane sidekick, George Bailey, and the ridiculous yet hilarious situations he caused, his Aunt Rue, her colorful, flowery caftans, dinners by the pool every night with the gals, and her need to constantly gift Katie with bold bathing suits gently coaxing her to be brave, and his profession sold itself- the helicopters, the aviators, the necessity of being fit to rescue people in the ocean on the worst day of their life. He’s kind, patient, and always willing to lend a helping hand. The tension between him and Katie was so good and the inspirational, uplifting messages peppered throughout the book made me love the story despite the many issues I had with it. And Katherine Center is the queen of writing a meaningful and impactful Author’s Note so be sure to read it!

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I've enjoyed every book written by Katherine Center that I've read, and this one was no different. What I really like about her books is the research, which may sound weird to say about a romantice comedy. This time I got to visit Key West and learn about the Coast Guard while being thoroughly entertained by a loveable heroine with self image issues and a hot rescue swimmer with an adorable Great Dane. The banter and comedic timing was spot on, as were the more profound and touching moments of this story.

Another winner for Katherine Center!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! What can I say The Love Haters by Katherine Centre is another witty, feel good romantic comedy. When Katie is worried about being sacked she signs up for a job that she’s not quite qualified for…swimming being the basic necessity to film the documentary. However, once she meets Hutch, all fears of swimming seem to disappear over the first week that she is in Key West. Several funny coincidences put her and Hutch in the same place at the same time even before starting work together. The most embarrassing situations turn out to be the most fun that is until her coworker, Cole, shows up with a scheme to help her keep her job and his own. Cole, Hutch’s brother, has had it in for his sibling since they were kids. He has always felt like second best since a tragic event took place in their youth. What Katie didn’t realize was that she would, unbeknownst to herself become a pawn in his game. She also couldn’t have imagined how much she would come to regret helping him with his scheme. She also came to regret it even more throughout a near death experience. Overall, a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed although the ending was somewhat predictable right from the beginning. Can you really hate loving others?

This is another fun unlikely love story told by Katherine Center! I finished it in one sitting and it is the perfect PG summer romance!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ability to read an early copy of this. There will be SPOILERS in this review. Probably.

I’m very conflicted and kinda confused about how I feel about The Love Haters. I feel like the bones of the story was good, but it just lost its way a lot in the story telling. The relationship between hutch and Katie was a lot of telling us they were falling in love off page but I feel like I didn’t get to experience it as part of the story.

The miscommunication trope in this book was horribly misused as well. The morning after cole told hutch he was dating Katie I feel like he would have absolutely said something. And im sorry or I didn’t know or anything but the silence we were given. It felt very out of character.

The tense in the book jumped around a lot too. I know that May part of the editing that still needed to be fixed as this was an early copy, but it was so egregious I do feel like it needs to be mentioned. The random jumps to her talking from the future looking back really threw me. Also just the passing of time is poorly explained? This takes place over 3 weeks? Why did the filming take that long. And when she does the day in the life video they wrap up at 10 am and then he’s supposed to go to work after that? In what world do you go into work that late? I assumed it was a weekend or his day off or something. Plus having her running around while they are preparing for the hurricane but she’s not filming just feels like it wouldn’t happen. I don’t have experience with the coast guard, but I do with the army and having a civilian around during a crisis just doesn’t work.

The title? I just felt like it didn’t fit. It just felt like a forced conversation at the end to make the title make sense but for me it didn’t work. I did not feel like either of them hated love at any point in the story.

The characters of Rue and Beanie were the best parts for me. I will still listen to the audiobook one it releases but this was just an ok read when i usually love her books.

I will quite literally read anything that Katherine Center writes. She creates amazing characters with realistic dialogue and her books always have me highlighting quote after quote. This book was no exception! I loved our couple, Katie and Hutch, and my only negative was that I wanted more of them. The plot fell a little short or maybe was a little rushed to me. I wanted more of our main characters together, or placed in more situations where they interacted. I was not a huge fan of the drama at the end, but I will say it was definitely a unique storyline!

I will continue to read every book this amazing author writes!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eArc!

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!