As always, Katherine Center did not disappoint in her latest book, and I’m always glad to have an arc of hers! Katie and Hutch were such a nice couple — it wasn’t the true enemies to lovers I was expecting, but I also didn’t miss it. Katherine’s ability to show a true connection between characters always shines, and this book was no different!

This was another great book by Katherine Center. I loved all of the characters and the romance but most of all I loved the positive body image messages.

Why are books magic? And in particular, what makes Katherine Center’s books magical to me, especially this novel, The Love Haters? Often when we read a book, we are voyeurs—on the outside looking in as the characters work through their stories. But in this book, as in all of Katherine’s books, we are not just watching— we are living it! We are experiencing everything Katie, Hutch, and the rest (including George Bailey) go through, right alongside them. Their dreams and hopes are ours; their fear and doubts are ours as well. We celebrate with them, we grieve with them, we love with them. This book is a love story yes, between two captivating people; but it is also about learning to love yourself, to be happy and proud of who you are, loving your perceived flaws as much as you do the things you believe are beautiful. Katie was an incredibly relatable character, her inner monologues capturing so many emotions that we all feel, as we live and love the best we can. I could go on and on about everything I loved about this book, but all you really need to know is that this is a book that spoke to me. The Love Haters mesmerized me and charmed me and let me live in a technicolor world with giant dogs and houseboats and rescue swimmers and toads and bathing suits and love—all of it one hundred percent magic.

5 stars!!! I started reading this book, and didn’t put it down until I was done. I fell into the story almost immediately, and loved everything about it! The characters - they are relatable, fun, and have great chemistry between them.

Reeling from a breakup with her (now) famous ex-fiancé and struggling to be comfortable in her own skin, Katie takes an assignment in Key West filming a promo for the US Coast Guard in an effort to save her job…despite the fact that she can’t swim. She stays in a cabin owned by Rue (who is one of the best characters in the book), the aunt of the Coast Guard Rescue swimmer she is profiling. Will Katie get the footage she needs?

This book also has a secondary theme of learning to really see yourself, and appreciate the things that make “you” you, a thing that I am sure will resonate with most of us…

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of The Love Haters in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published May 20, 2025.

4.5 * There is much to love and little to hate in Katherine Center’s new Rom-Com. I feel that calling it a Rom-Com diminishes the depth of many of the book’s story lines. The main character is searching for her place in the competitive corporate world of visual storytelling. She heads off on assignment to the Florida Keys, to film a promo about the Coast Guard search and rescue team. The author did a great job with the Coast Guard descriptions , seamlessly integrating teaching moments into the plot. There is also a surrounding cast of characters, including many supporting female characters. One of the non-romance themes was the leads struggle with her body image- this was handled with a high degree of realistic sensitivity.

I highly recommend this book. If you’re looking for author comps think Abby Jimenez.

I love Katherine ‘s books. She couldn’t write a bad book if she tried. I appreciate in this book the research she took for learning more on coast guards. The research really shows.

This story is a slow burn, and has a good meaning and some humor. I really liked the MFC Katie.

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the e arc. Be on the lookout for this great book. PUB Date: 05/20/25

"This is a title you've been invited to view." cue me screaming!!! Im so incredibly grateful that I got to read an early copy of Katherine Centers new book! I read this in less than 24 hours so, do with that what you will (pls go read this immediately!!!)
This was such a wonderful read. I was full on laughing and had tears streaming down my face in the next second because some scenes and topics hit a little too close to home. I loved Rue and the gals, absolutely adored Hutch and Katie OH and George Bailey stole my heart! Like all of her other books this was the perfect mix, its full of love, funny and heartbreaking moments and also had me on the edge of my seat while reading the end.
Katherine if you‘re reading this: please never stop writing! I will 100% read everything you‘ll publish and I‘m absolutely sure I will love it just as much as all your other books!
The absolute biggest thanks go out to netgalley, the publisher and everyone involved so that I got to read this arc!

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters is a masterclass in crafting a story that feels both heartfelt and empowering. With her signature blend of warmth and wit, Center introduces readers to a heroine whose resilience and growth are nothing short of inspiring. The narrative beautifully balances moments of laughter, love, and self-discovery, delivering a tale that’s as emotionally satisfying as it is entertaining. This is a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, embracing the chaos and charm of life with a refreshing sense of humor. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance, it reminds us of the courage it takes to rewrite our own stories while having fun along the way.

I absolutely love Katherine Center. She has never led me astray. I loved this book, but I'm going to say its not going to be everyone's cup of tea. I just know it.

Do not go into this read anticipating a serious vibe until the end. Its fun and ridiculous and I think that's why I loved it and was sooooo invested in the characters at the end.

I really enjoyed the summer vibes in this book! Our MC, Katie, was going through an acceptance stage in her life after a public breakup. What I enjoy most from a Katherine Center book are the messages and inspiration of self love, with a side of romance and funny situations. I think this definitely delivered a sweet, lighthearted beach read. The silliness and cute factor was really there and I was imagining myself in Key West on the beach reading this story. The relationship between Katie and Hutch, even though set up his brother, felt very organic and realistic. I had a good time overall with this read!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the review copy, set to publish May 2025.

This was fun and the ending was WONDERFUL. I really loved the self love journey and Center’s humor was up to her usual standards!

Maybe my favorite one yet? I picked it up last night and barely put it down until I finished it. Loved it so much, loved Katie, adored Hutch. All so good.

I loved this book so much, but not quite a 5⭐️read for me, more of a 4.5. I wanted more! I wanted more of Rue and The Gals, every female needs a group of gals! I wanted more of Hutch and Cole and Katie and George Bailey, and even more of Sullivan!

This story was written in first person which made it fun to read and learn all about Katie’s insecurities. I loved how Beanie tried to show her that she is beautiful and needs to quit comparing herself to supermodels by using the “beauty list”. Also, why are so many super models not representative of the general population in regards to size?

Katherine Center always has a way to give you all the feels, while also having a small lesson interwoven in the pages. This one was to remind you to love yourself. My beauty list starts with my eyes. I love how brown they are, but sometimes look green.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of The Love Hater in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Katherine Center is an auto read author for me, so I was excited to get an early copy of The Love Haters. Katie is a documentary filmographer who gets sent to Key West to follow the USCG, in a bid to save her job. Unbeknownst to her, she’s also walking into some family drama between her coworker Cole and his older brother, rescue swimmer Hutch. There is early chemistry between the two leads, although a series of miscommunications leads us wondering for a while if they’ll be able to untangle themselves from the lies that others around them have told.

The idyllic setting (Key West!), the secondary characters (Rue and her friends), the cute pup (George Bailey!), and the USCG’s mission (and learning about how rescue swimmers work) were icing on the cake.

The last quarter of the book really had me in suspense for a while, but I was glad that it gave Katie a chance to work some of her own issues out.

Overall, a great read and I’m already sad it’s over!

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for the ARC.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

I will always pick up a Katherine Center book and even though The Love Haters rates 3 stars from me, I'm still a huge Katherine Centers fan. I had a variety of problems with this story but I won't be listing them all since I'd end up revealing too much of the story if I did so. I'll just mention a few things that I did or didn't enjoy.

I adored the toad loving rescue Great Dane named George Bailey! What a sweetheart, I can't get enough of him.

Octogenarian Aunt Rue and friends show that you are never too old to have fun and/or take spur of the moment road trips.

The paradise Katie lands in sounds like a great place to spend time and I loved the low key feel to the place.

But, there seemed to be too much of things. Too much focus on body image. Actually the entire story is about body image and I felt uncomfortable with Katie's best friend's way of hounding Katie to deal with her body image difficulties. Aunt Rue had her own heavy handed way of coming at Katie's body image difficulties, too, and it bothered me that Katie couldn't be allowed to be herself, even if herself didn't meet up to other people's standards. This all sounds messed up, I just don't think people are this easy to "fix" and sometimes "fixing' isn't the answer. I do think acceptance is a good thing, I just felt like others needed to be more accepting of Katie's choices even if that means she gets to wear black if she wants to wear black.

On the other hand we have Hutch, an Adonis who has no idea he's good looking, attractive, that women might "want" him. Yeah, right, the guy isn't dumb in other parts of his life, I don't believe he'd be dumb about his looks and attractiveness. But I see the contrast, how could I not, Katie is worried about her "not attractive parts" and here we have this great looking guy who doesn't see things the way Katie does at all.

The whole job thing and Hutch's brother revolves around one lie after another. The lies get sillier and sillier and it's hard for me to even remember why they are lying and the reason they are having to lie. You have to be there to understand all the effort that goes into the lies. It doesn't help that Hutch's brother is a lying liar who lies.

Everything seems forced to me and I guess that's why the story lost me. This is my sixth Center book and my least favorite. Despite my misgivings, if you want a story that will leave you feeling happy for the characters, this is a good one for you.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

It took me some time to get to it because I didn’t like main character in the beginning, she was super insecure. But Katherine writing is great! Loved it in the end. Always fun heartwarming read.
4.25⭐️/5

Another amazing story, but the talented Katherine Center. Love Haters is a great romance/drama/action story told from the view of her strong female lead, but Katie doesn't start out strong in the beginning. Bordering on a bit pathetic, Katie starts this story with incredibly low self-esteem & body images. Through all the ups & downs of this story, Katie finds the much needed confidence she needs & plenty of support from a whole bunch of amazing characters along the way. Hutch, the male lead, also has his demons he must face with his family & their past. The chemistry between Katie & Hutch is palpable through the story, so add in the Coast Gaurd & an action-packed water rescue & you've got a fantastic story here.
Thank you, #NetGalley! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book with all thoughts and opinions being my own. If you enjoy romance, a little drama, some action, plenty of self reflection, & a little passion, then you'll enjoy Love Haters by Katherine Center.

A sweet enjoyable story. This book kept me wanting more. I always enjoy Katherine Center books.

Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

thank you so much to St Martin's Press for sending this eARC to me 💚

I'm a BIG Katherine Center fan. Is this her best book? Unfortunately, no. It was a bit to "telling and not showing" for me. Appart from that I really enjoyed my time reading this and if you're a fan of her, definitely pick this up, if you're not, definitely change your mind and pick this up 💚

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors. I have read many of her books and I have not been disappointed. I was very excited to get an Arc of her new book The Love Haters that will be out this summer. This is an easy read about Katie and Hutch. The book is primarily located in Florida near the water. I could not put this book down. I was rooting for Katie and Hutch throughout the book and followed their day to day activities. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading romance books. You can’t go wrong with a Katherine Center book.

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love Katherine Center’s books and this one might be my favorite. She just brings so much joy and love in her books. I laughed and cried reading this one. There are so many themes I think many of us can relate to as Katie and Hutch are both dealing with heavy insecurities from their past.

Katie and Hutch are the perfect couple and their personalities together are so funny, will they continue to be Love Haters? 👀♥️

Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press for this gifted ARC of The Love Haters! 🌺