A funny but also self aware summertime read that you MUST throw in your beach bag!

In an effort to save her job, filmmaker Katie Vaughn sets off to Key west for a career making gig profiling Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmers, but not everything is as its seems and between swim lessons, hurricanes, and colorful company, can a mountain of lies lead to something good?

This is a fun, quick read.
I enjoyed our FMC, Katie. She felt very real. I enjoyed her personality, she is extremely funny, and I couldn't help but the root for despite the mess surrounding her. Besides our FMC, I enjoyed ALL of the side characters, especially the best friend/cousin Beanie and fairy godmother Rue. The interactions with them and Katie won me over again and again.

My biggest hang up was the love interest. I found him to be hit or miss and didn't necessarily buy into the romance. Might have been the miscommunication and lies, but Hutch didn't really do it for me.

I will say this one has a lot going on, and it almost leans more women's fiction than romance in my opinion, so me not buying into the romance didn't deter this from being a solid read. I appreciated the body image/eating disorder representation. How it comes to be and then is triggered further in Katie's adult life was extremely relatable. But between Katie's job, Katie's famous ex, Katie's mental health, and all the ongoing with the side characters - keep in mind there's a lot to track in a short amount of time. However, it all feels relevant and it's interesting without being information overload.

Also they might not get you in the first half, but the second half of this book is BONKERS and ridiculous and yet so fun. Between the scheming and the intense ending, it's a lot, but I was here for the mess and drama. AND THANK GOD, THE DOG LIVES!!!

Overall, I appreciate that this one kept me interested and laughing, even in the most tense moments, with spot on dialogue and commentary that felt fully realized and relatable.

READ FOR:
- Workplace Romance / Forced Proximity
- Strong Friendships/ Side Characters
- Imperfect but Relatable FMC

Thank you the publisher for my advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I just finished The Love Haters by Katherine Center. This was a good book, keeping me mostly interested. Her last couple of books held my attention more, maybe they were a bit spicier, maybe more chemistry? Honestly, I cannot remember.

It was a sweet story. Katie, a journalist, heads to the Florida keys to write an article and ends up meeting and befriending an older lady name Rue. Katie is renting a cottage in Rue’s property and is supposed to write an article on Hutch, the brother of Katie’s boss, Cole.

Hutch and Cole have a complex past. Rue wishes the two boys, her pseudo nephews, would make up, as she has news to share with them.

Katie develops feelings for the hunk that is Hutch, but Katie’s relationship with Cole complicates things.

I look forward to listening to this when it comes out in audio format. I am sure it will have a terrific narrator and I look forward to hearing it out loud.

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

3.5-ish ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wonderful as always. I will always read Center’s sweet romcom books— they feel like a hug, and not a cheesy one! They’re done just right.

It's only the second day of January and I already know The Love Haters will make it on my favorite reads of 2025. I absolutely ADORED this book. It was DELIGHTFUL and FUN and SO GOOD! I know I'm using a lot of caps, but I can't help it. This book brought so much joy to the beginning of my reading year. I was sucked in from the minute I started it and didn't want to put it down.

Katie was a flawed character in a way that was easy to relate to. She learned so much about herself from her new situation, help from her friends, and the new people in her life. I loved her growth throughout the book. I also loved where her job had taken her. Katie's temporary move to the Keys and the commercial she was shooting about Hutch and the Coast Guard was very interesting. I felt like I was learning about them right along with her. The way the assignment brought Katie and Hutch together was a lot of fun. Hutch was so charming and exciting to see Katie fall for. His dog was precious, and their connection was so sweet. I loved how Katie fit right into that. There was a lot of drama going on throughout the book that had an effect on their getting to know each other and the relationship they were building, but it was all in good fun. I also really loved all of the side characters, especially Rue. The way she took Katie in and made her one of her friends was special.

Honestly, there wasn't anything not to love about this book. It was an utterly fantastic read that made me smile from ear to ear. I'm sad it's over, but I'm excited about what Center might write next.

God, I love Katherine Center. That's it, that's the review~~ jk jk. But seriously, now that it's been almost 3 years since I've begun logging and blogging about my reads, it kills me a little inside that it took me SO LONG to pick up one of her books, and now I'm forever grateful that I've been lucky enough to read several of her ARCs now. Katherine Center continues to outdo herself with every new novel imo, because THE LOVE HATERS truly is top tier. The characters, their arcs, and the romance/side-plots itself are all so relatable in that they feel REAL - Katie, Hutch, and Cole (&/or any of the ensemble cast, really) could easily be people I know in real life, and I love discovering that type of ~kinship in the books I read. And yes, as always, this book is FUNNY. There are some parts that are a bit cheesy, but nothing too cringy or overly trendy. I will say that the back third becomes quite plot-heavy and a tad melodramatic (lol), but I also won't be docking points because the foreshadowing/groundwork was all intricately laid out throughout the first half, so it wasn't like I was taken by surprise or anything (it was just, like.... kinda a lot lmao). Regardless though, this was all in all a WONDERFUL read and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been able to read an early copy. Highly recommend!

✨eARC Review✨ {4/5⭐️}
I was lucky to grab this eARC when it was available without publisher approval- thank you @katherinecenter @stmartinspress and @netgalley! Katherine Center’s upcoming novel, The Love Haters, is about videographer Katie and Coast Guard rescue swimmer Hutch. The book is technically a romance, but I’d categorize it more as women’s fiction, since a lot of the story revolves around Katie finding confidence and improving her body image.

There wasn’t as much Coast Guard stuff in the plot as I was expecting because of the focus on Katie’s inner journey, but the last couple chapters of the book more than made up for it 👀 I was on the edge of my seat and stressed on behalf of Katie lol. I thought the random facts and Coast Guard lingo woven into the plot were fun too!

And of course, I can’t not mention George Bailey, Hutch’s lovable, overenthusiastic Great Dane with a fear of thunder and penchant for holding toads in his mouth (not eating them, just holding them and being their friend haha). Is it weird to say that the dog might have been my favorite character in the whole book? 😂

The author’s note was great, as usual - I love Katherine Center’s thoughts on the importance of love stories!!

The Love Haters comes out on May 20, 2025 if you want to preorder 🤗

CONTENT
🌶️ Spice: innuendos - seemed more frequent than the author’s previous books
🤬 Language: moderate - occasional curse words, including one f💣
🤔 Considerations: disordered eating and body image issues- detailed descriptions of the behavior and parental figure encouraging it, drinking, drunk driving car accident, heart failure

I started giggling and kicking my feet the moment I got the email that I was approved for this ARC, and I didn’t stop until I finished the last page.

Katie is a video producer who gets assigned to shoot a promotional video for the Coast Guard, which conveniently gives her an opportunity to highlight the subject for her side project featuring a “Day in the Life” of heroes. The catch? Her “hero” Hutch is her superior’s brother, with plenty of family tension to spare, and despite his incredible good looks, he isn’t interested in any more spotlight. Despite being told that Hutch hates love, Katie and Hutch find themselves getting closer and closer through the filming process, but a series of lies threatens them from the start.

From the outset, the reader knows that Katie is in recovery from an eating disorder so be warned if that’s a sensitive topic for you. I loved watching Katie’s journey to self-acceptance in all aspects of her life and the ways that Hutch supports and encourages her throughout. As Hutch is in the Coast Guard, there’s also a lot of discussion of water rescues so if you’re an anxious person, maybe just don’t read this one on a cruise.

Other highlights for me include the fabulous Aunt Rue and her Gals (who doesn’t love a feisty older family member to shepherd our heroine?) as well as George Bailey, Hutch’s loveable Great Dane rescue. As always, this is a classic Katherine Center mixture of sweet and heartwrenching and I’ll recommend to anyone who has loved her other work!

Katherine Center is a favorite of mine and I gobbled this book up just like all of the Christmas treats I just ate during the holidays! I can confirm that I enjoyed every delicious thing about this book and it was just the balm I needed to face the post holiday doldrums.
Reading this book gave me so much comfort and joy... and I saw myself in so many aspects of the main character: I definitely suffer from chromophobia when it comes to my wardrobe and my decor. Unfortunately like most women, I am body conscious and perhaps a bit to harsh on myself. Katie's (FMC) journey to self acceptance and self love is one so many of us can relate to. Center's characters are as vibrant as the covers to her book and equally as memorable... and who can resist a loveable gentle giant Great Dane named George Bailey?!?

If you are looking for a bright hopeful start to 2025, look no further than The Love Haters.
Thank you to Katherine Center, NetGalley, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Love Haters will be available on 5/20/2025 and I cannot wait for you to grab a copy and enjoy!

Katherine Center does it again!

Katie Vaughn is a video editor on a mission to save her job, with a merger and certain cuts looming she knows this next job needs to be her best yet. She is sent to Key West to film a promotional video for the coast guard...problem is that she can't swim. She meets Tom "Hutch" Hutchinson who is a humble yet studly water rescue swimmer...who happens to be her co-worker's brother. The man who is described to her as stoic, selfish, and guarded however turns out to be anything but that. Katie and Hutch work together to face their fears both in and out of the water...

I feel like this book is Katherine Center's victory lap! Its cute, spicy, fun, filled with amazing side characters, and overall just a joy to read from start to finish. There are moments of joy, sadness, suspense, and heartbreak. It's a true celebration of the romance genre!

“No one’s born fearless - you have to earn it. Everytime you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time. That’s what life is for.”

Katherine Center TRULY never disappoints ❤️

The Love Haters is so much more than a romance novel, focusing heavily on the never ending journey to love yourself and complex family relationships, this book will tug at your heart strings and make you laugh out loud.

Centers’ ability to give you a deep understanding of each characters past and how it has formed them into who they are, while still focusing on their current life and situations never ceases to amaze me.

Also I have to agree with Katie, “You’re like a human hot fudge sundae” might be the greatest compliment of all time.

It’s only January 2nd and I have a feeling The Love Haters will definitely be amongst my favourite reads of 2025!

I absolutely loved The Love Hater! From the charming Key West setting to the captivating slow-burn romance, this book was a delightful and entertaining read. Katherine Center's storytelling never fails to bring me joy. Katie's struggles with body image were, unfortunately, all too relatable, but seeing her overcome them as the story unfolded was incredibly uplifting. And George Bailey, the lovable dog, stole my heart! His humor and happiness added so much warmth to the novel.

While I usually skip the author's note (sorry!), I decided to read this one—and wow, it was worth it. Do not miss this section! Katherine Center truly is a gem.

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book!! The way that Katherine Center described each emotion and even the visual descriptions was so thorough that it was easy to get drawn right into the story. The characters were so thoughtfully crafted, with their personalities reflecting real family dynamics that were easy to believe. I loved the comedic relief of George Bailey!!

"The Love Haters" is a quintessential Katherine Center book that doesn't deviate from the formula that has made her a master of romance. Katie is a video producer sent to Florida for a job filming a Coast Guard hero, Hutch. There's the usual will-they/won't they with plenty of chemistry and Center's signature humor. This is a stronger comeback from the Rom-Commers (which I think is Center's worst to date) but Katie still lacks the intelligence and introspection I loved in Center's earlier books. Simply put, Katie is not the sharpest tool in the shed and it leads to unnecessary miscommunication which is one of my least favorite tropes. Still a solid, fast read but I do miss the sheer magic from "Happiness for Beginners."

A laugh-out-loud joyride! The Love Haters will pull at your heartstrings one minute, and make you giggle the next. Excellent characters. Fast moving plot. A read you should definitely add to your TBR, this Spring!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC copy. What a treat!

Of all the Katherine Center books I’ve read and loved (all of them), this one feels special. Like in a, I will become an evangelist for this book, kind of way. Read it if you’ve ever looked at yourself in the mirror and been disappointed, even a little. Read it if you hate bathing suit and jeans shopping, or have made the mistake of reading the comments, or just feel like you need a hug in book form. This is going to be one of my favorites of the year, for sure.

Another fun read from Katherine Center to kick off the new year! While I really enjoyed the story and characters, I didn’t love it like I loved some of her other books. Some things felt a little too surface level and wish it would have dove in deeper to the characters and their emotions rather than getting to start to see it and then move to another scene. All in all though it was a fun read and gets 4 stars from me!

Katherine Center does it again with Love Haters! This book is a heartfelt and beautifully crafted exploration of love, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships. Center's writing is sharp, witty, and full of warmth, making it impossible to put down. The characters are so well-developed and relatable that they feel like real people—flawed, funny, and utterly lovable. Love the balance of humor and depth of story. This book will give you lots of feels, but keep you entertained for sure! Love Haters is an absolute must-read. Katherine Center proves once again why she’s a master of feel-good fiction. Highly recommend!

“She’s grateful for the reminder to be grateful. We all need those once in a while.”
Katie is assigned a documentary job in Key West. This is a lady effort to keep her job.
She is to work with the Coast Guard for a training video.
What she finds in key West is so much more! She has to interview Hutch, who radiates hero !

This book was so much fun, so much about living in the moment and being grateful for what you have.
I loved Katie and Hutch, I loved the Starlight cottages and The Gals!
I want to pack my bags and move to Key West right now!!

I don’t usually do this, but I’m writing a partial review as I am 20% into the latest novel by Katherine Center. I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book because I’ve loved every book of hers I’ve read so far. That being said… I hope this gets better.

So far, I haven’t enjoyed getting to know the main female character. I totally support women with body image issues (and it’s certainly relatable), but it feels overdone. I actually feel sorrier for her best friend, who has to constantly build her up and remind her that she is, in fact, beautiful. How many pages can there be about her agonizing over wearing a bathing suit? Please… let this plot thicken as we get to know more about her work assignment, where she’ll be filming a short documentary about a hunky Coast Guard hero.

Okay, I stuck it out, and it finally gets really good right around the time the hunky Coast Guard’s competitive brother shows up and lights a fire under everyone. Not literally.

I really ended up enjoying it. It finally felt like a Katherine Center book to me once the main character let up on some of the self-loathing. It never entirely goes away, but at least she has other things to focus on for a bit! The ending was quite the nail-biter, and I loved the intensity—it was exactly what the novel needed.

Katie has had a rough few years after being cheated on by her now pop-Star finance spiraled her into a state of deep self-hatred. She is also a filmmaker whose job is on the line with pending staff cuts. When her boss Cole asks her to take on an assignment promoting the Coast Guard, potentially saving her job, she says yes. Except this assignment requires her to shadow the infamously heroic (and hot) Pup Daddy- a viral sensation after he rescued a high profile celeb’s dog. The only problem, she can’t swim and that’s kind of a requirement. Once Katie gets to Key West, she meets a crew of retirees living out their best lives led by Rue, Cole (and Hutch’s) aunt. Hutch is surprised to find Katie is the one documenting him rather than his brother Cole but his anger is quickly tempered as he spends more and more time with Katie. As Katie starts to accept more of herself with the not so subtle nudging by Rue, she opens herself up to the possibility that Hutch may actually like her.. or does he?


Thank you St. Martin’s Press for giving me early access to this book! I was so excited to get the email inviting me to read it.

First book of the new year and started it off with such a great message. In the author’s notes, Katherine Center writes: “Love stories make us better at love. In all directions. And getting better at love, of course, means getting better at life.” I have mixed views on romance novels and the inner cynic of me often struggles with the genre as a whole but I think that’s what makes Katherine’s books unique. For one, I enjoy them (shocking!) and two, there’s always some sort of message beyond the love story; whether that’s learning to love yourself as Katie does in this story or leaning into challenging relationships. For me, Love Haters had me going back and forth about whether I actually liked it. The romance of course was cute, the craziness of Katie’s work situation was entertaining and there was suspense towards the end which I won’t reveal here. I think what held me back was the frequent examination of Katie’s view of herself and self-worth. It hit close to home- which is a scary realization when reading what is supposed to be a fun romance. As a whole, the book was enjoyable, made me contemplate on my own self perceptions and had a fun romance with some drama. With all of that said, I’m giving this one 3.5 stars and rounding up.