I couldn’t put this delightful book down! With some southern charm, she creates a real love- hate dynamic that wins you over! We all need a fresh start sometimes and you can’t help but root for Katie in this hilarious, sweet and swoon-worthy book! Get your copy today!

I’ve always really enjoyed Katherine Center’s books and I had really high expectations for this one. I pre-ordered it pretty quickly after it was announced…and guess what? It didn’t disappoint. It’s my favorite book of hers to date.

Katie is funny. She is so hard on herself, but in a relatable self-deprecating way. And while I couldn’t necessarily relate to all her “phobias”, I couldn’t understand them.

I actually didn’t like Hutch at first. He came across as a martyr, but by the end of the book I was hooked.

George Bailey was perfect. No notes. (He’s a lovable Great Dane.) And Lucky…one of my favorite parts of the book, but I won’t spoil it here!

Rue was so wonderful. And The Gals. And Beanie. Even Sullivan and Cole grew on me.

I loved the chemistry between Katie and Hutch and I loved the two different love stories - theirs and the one where Kati learned to love herself.

That’s a whole lotta “loves” in one review. But it’s how I feel!

Also, the author’s note. Katherine Center wrote, “along the journey of a romance…we rethink assumptions, overcome prejudices, and learn to see more clearly.” I think that applies to all reading - not just romance - and perfectly sums up why I love reading so much.

This book releases on May 20, 2025 and I definitely think you need it in your life. A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press is exchange for my honest review.

I will be posting additional reviews on my instagram @kraftykatreads

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this amazing ARC.
There is so much to love about this book Katie is sent to Key West to film a recruiting commercial for the Coast Guard. Hutch is her subject, a heroic diver. Learning to love yourself is the central message as Katie learns to let go and let life flow. Hutch and Cole’s Aunt Rue is a lovable character that is a colorful addition.
I loved every page of this book. And I look forward to reading more by Katherine Center

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this fantastic story!

I am becoming an all-out fan of Katherine Center! I have loved every one of her books I could get my hands on, and The Love Haters is no exception! Katie and Hutch were lovable and the story had me on the edge of my seat, ready to see how they would each come to terms with their interpersonal struggles.


Four stars! Absolutely recommend, and would read again!

The Love Haters is a fun rom-com set in sunny Florida, which was wonderful to read about as I sat freezing in snowy January. George Bailey the dog was my favorite character, followed closely by Rue. I also liked Katie and Hutch, but Cole was so unlikable. There were a few parts I wish were less rushed, and others I would have liked a bit more rushed — but despite the pacing, it was an enjoyable read. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the digital ARC!

While I did enjoy reading this book, I do think there should have been mention of how the main character struggles with her body image. Overall, great rom com.

Got an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley and was stoked because I love so many of Katherine Center’s books, but just like The Rom-Commers, this one did notttt hit for me.

The story got had too many wild coincidences and was entirely unbelievable and the chemistry between the main characters was lacking.

Loved the body positivity rep though, that was a positive!

This one was enjoyable for sure! As with all of Katherine Center's romances, the writing is conversational and funny, there are great lessons to be learned, and the plot eventually turns into complete camp madness. There were plenty of twists and turns, and I liked the romance between Hutch and Katie- Hutch was a good hero, I loved how bad he had it for Katie. I thought Katie's struggles felt real, and Katherine Center's author note solidified that for me. For having such a pivotal role to the plot, I wish Cole got more character development- I think his arc could have had a much stronger impact rather than being reduced to a few jokes. I also love loved George Bailey and his pet!! (iykyk)

The Love Haters by Katherine Center 👙🚁🌺🌊 (thank you to @netgalley, @stmartinspress, and the author for the early access!)

this was such a fun read 💖✨ our main character is a documentarian, and is forced to interview Hutch (a coast guard hero intent on remaining NOT famous) in hopes of saving her career. along the way, (with the help of some ✨fabulous✨ older ladies) she explores what loving herself might look like. and the handsome coast guard is a nice bonus!

exploring themes of body image, self-acceptance, fame, and family trauma, this funny rom-com actually packs an emotional punch! I love that Katherine Center’s stories touch on deeply human themes while still reading like a lighthearted romance.

Def recommend and you probably should read it while lying on a beach somewhere🏝️🌊☀️ warning, the last quarter is un-put-down-able!

Set in the Key West, the Love Haters was a great book to read in the winter, and I can't imagine that it won't be a great beach read. As with all of Katherine Center's romances, the writing is conversational and funny, there are great lessons to be learned, and the plot eventually turns into complete camp madness. There were plenty of twists and turns, and I liked the romance between Hutch and Katie- Hutch was a good hero, I loved how bad he had it for Katie. I thought Katie's struggles felt real, and Katherine Center's author note solidified that for me. For having such a pivotal role to the plot, I wish Cole got more character development- I think his arc could have had a much stronger impact rather than being reduced to a few jokes. I also didn't love how the third act conflict had nothing to do with Katie or Hutch's personal development, it made me lose some interest in the plot. Overall, think this is a fun, sweet read, and perfect if you want to escape!

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of The Love Haters by Katherine Center. I really enjoyed her earlier novel Things You Save in a Fire, this one was good but not my favorite. This is a cute story about Katie who is a video producer, and is at a low point in her life. A coworker asks her to go to Florida to do a promo video about a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, who also happens to be his estranged (and very hot) brother. Katie loves his aunt, and the brother, but things are not easy and there are a lot of hurdles to get through before a happy ending. This one would be a good beach read, enjoyable and light even though there are some tough topics. #thelovehaters #katherinecenter #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday

★★★★.5, rounded up

This was an absolutely delightful read! I was expecting a more rom-com feel based on the title and cover, and while romance was absolutely present, this novel was much more about Katie's healing journey from a past relationship and her finding a path to self-love. The mishaps, especially with George Bailey, were funny without triggering too much secondhand embarrassment. I knocked off half a star because at times I found Katie to be almost too obtuse to be believable and I wish we'd spent a little more time with Hutch, but this was still a super fun read with heartfelt characters.

Speaking of Hutch, Katherine Center must be some kind of wizard because how and why was I swooning over a fictional man named HUTCH. But truly, he was such a refreshing MMC. The miscommunication trope in this book made sense contextually, so even though I'm not a huge fan, I still enjoyed the ways Katie and Hutch kept circling each other. And the houseboat scene at the end? Crazy (ifykyk).

I'd recommend this for anyone looking for clean, easy-to-read romance with he's-a-good-man-Savannah MMC and an FMC who learns to get out of her own way. Note that the FMC spends a lot of her narration focusing on her body, and there are multiple mentions of disordered eating - proceed with caution if this is something you prefer not to read.

The star of this story is over 6’ 2”…but only on his hind legs!

Okay, George Bailey may not be the star but he was a truly lovable character in The Love Haters!

Katherine Center’s newest rom-com follows Katie, a mid-level documentarian down to the Florida Keys where she will be spending time filming Coast Guard rescue swimmer Hutch (aka Pup Daddy).

Besides the aforementioned George Bailey we meet a slew of supporting characters, ranging from well developed to merely background. But the world that Center created felt fleshed out and vibrant vs the isolated bubbles some rom-coms find themselves in.

Another important element to this book was Katie’s own journey of personal growth and it was moving to go along on it with her.

One qualm is that I missed the dual POV. While I think it was important as readers to have the same questions Katie had regarding Hutch and we found out organically as she did, I did miss his perspective

At the end of the day I loved this book! To get a 4 star or higher it pretty much means I would read it again and let me tell you I definitely plan to read this book again!

Possible trigger warning: mentions of past disordered eating and recovery.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this eARC!

This book delivers everything I've come to expect from Katherine Center—a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. There's something magical about her books that pulls me in completely. Once I start reading, I can't put it down (though I occasionally must, even when I don't want to).
The story follows Katie Vaughn, who travels to Florida for work. As a video producer, she has two missions: create an engaging recruitment video for the US Coast Guard and follow Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson—a rumored love-hater and hero—for her "Day in the Life" short series. The catch? Hutch doesn't want to be a star; he just wants to live his life.
One of the central themes is Katie's journey with her physical appearance and weight insecurities, which might be triggering for some readers, but these themes are handled with care. Watching the character grow to love and appreciate herself was truly wonderful. Her journey of self-love was especially inspiring from her perspective. She cleverly adapted a couples' self-help book to improve her relationship with herself, learning to treat herself with the same kindness she'd show a partner and speak to herself more gently. (yes i must read this book now)
As Katie learns to live in the moment and stop fixating on others' opinions, we watch her emerge from her shell. While discovering how to have fun and open up, she works alongside Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson. Through their interactions, she forms an unexpected friendship and discovers he isn't the person rumors made him out to be. The main side character provides a wonderful support system for Katie as she works through her challenges—they were so compelling, I'd happily read a whole book about them. Overall, I loved all the characters and their rich backstories.

*The Love Haters* by Katherine Center is an emotionally rich and engaging novel that blends humor, heart, and personal growth in the most refreshing way. The story is a delightful exploration of love, vulnerability, and second chances, with sharp writing and an irresistible charm. Center’s ability to balance lighthearted moments with deeper, more poignant themes keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. It’s a perfect blend of heartwarming and uplifting—definitely a must-read for those who enjoy stories with depth and emotional resonance.

I loved this book! I read it on a friend's recommendation, and it did not disappoint! I love a good Rom-Com, and this was a perfect mixture of both.

The author did great with the main characters, Katie and Hutch. By the end of the story, I felt like I knew them personally.

I would recommend this book to friends. Thank you to Katherine, NetGalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Aptly titled - I had a love hate experience with The Love Haters. There were parts of this book that I struggled to get through, for several different reasons. However, there were also many aspects of the story that were very fun and memorable.

Because the problems came first for me, I will start there. I actually thought I was going to have to DNF this book around chapter two. The main character, Katie, has struggled in the past with disordered eating, and continues to deal with body dysmorphia and extremely low self esteem. There is a lot of negative self talk, and I personally had a really hard time with all of those sections of the text. I’m not sure if there will be content warnings in the beginning once this is released, but it is a major part of the story. You may want to approach this one with caution if these are difficult topics for you.

Certain storylines also rubbed me the wrong way, particularly anything and everything having to do with a certain brother. At one point (and I’m sure you’ll know it when you see it), I just felt exhausted by the thought of having to continue reading if this was really the direction that we were going to go. And the choices Katie makes at that point? Frustrating.

Now on to the good parts! I actually really enjoyed learning about the coast guard and rescue swimmers. I didn’t think I would be that interested, but I found all of the sections about Hutch’s job pretty fascinating. I was also surprised, based on the way he was initially described, by how much I liked Hutch. There were also some great side characters. Rue and the Gals were so entertaining every time they made an appearance! Of course, I especially loved every mention of George Bailey. His scenes were some of my favorite parts of the book!

Overall, it wasn’t my favorite of Katherine Center’s novels, but it won’t stop her from being one of my auto buy authors either.

Might have been my favorite read of 2024! I cried, I laughed, I couldn’t put it down!! Will absolutely be grabbing a copy when it comes out and recommending it.

Oh my goodness, I loved this book!! I have been reading Katherine Center for many years and have encouraged many friends to read her, also. She's one my favorites, and I feel like each book just raises the bar even more!

Katie has struggled with her image her entire life, but especially in the last year when her ex-boyfriend got TikTok famous and the gossip rags were ruthless in critiquing her. A year later, she's still working through those demons, while also facing being laid off from her job. At her boss's insistence, she takes a job to film a promo for the Coast Guard. The subject of the film is her boss's brother, Hutch.

Cole and Hutch have a troubled relationship so he opts to send Katie to shoot the promo instead of going himself. Also on the scene is the boys' "aunt" Rue. She graciously pulls Katie in and tries to introduce some color into Katie's life.

Katie & Hutch start working together and have an undeniable pull from the beginning. Somewhere along the way, as they fall for each other, Cole shows up and throws a wrench in things.

Aside from the love story, the transformation story of Katie was awesome! I love seeing someone come through to realize they are more than what others say they are. I loved the realizations Katie had and was cheering her on.

I especially loved the ending - such a unique and fun twist and was a great way to end the Coast Guard story. I highly recommend this book. It had me laughing out loud, and I'm so excited I got an advance copy of this to read.

Thank you Katherine, Net Galley and publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC!!

While George Bailey stole the show in this book and is arguably the best part, he is by no means the only good part. Between the sweet, blossoming romance of Katie and Hutch, the journey of self love and self reflection, and the downright colorful friendships of all of those at the Starlite…there is a lot to love about The Love Haters.

The initial chapters follow the path of any good rom-com. Giving you that will they, won’t they (but we know they will) storyline that we romance readers find comforting even if it’s a little predictable. I was enjoying it, even in its silly moments, because Katie is such a relatable woman that I saw a lot of myself in.

Then in walks Cole with his very punchable face (he’s not illustrated, but you just know he’s punchable) and spins the whole storyline on its head like a top…or a helicopter crash simulator…and that’s when it gets really good.

I couldn’t put this down from that point on and in the end i only wished there was more. More of the suspense, more of Katie’s inner monologue…and I wouldn’t complain about a little more shirtless Hutch and his golden retriever style mooning over the woman he has straight up heart eyes for.

Can’t wait for you all to have a chance to read this one!


Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title!