Katherine Center is an automatic read for me! She’s just the best!!
This is her latest book that comes out in May. I was so fortunate to be gifted an early copy. I was so excited, I started reading it immediately!!

On the edge of losing her job, Katie is asked by her not so supieror, Cole, to go on a trip to Key West to do a video piece on Hutch, a Coast Guard hero...who also happens to be his brother.
There are just a few minor details Katie has left out when she agreed to go.
-she can't swim
-her knowledge of the Coast Guard is zero
-her broken heart needs to get away and recover

Katie and Hutch need each other more than they realize, but they quickly become allies to help the other get what they want..but can they each follow through and get what the other wants?

This was such a great rom-com that had me laughing out loud and also yelling at the characters (in the nicest way possible, of course!)
If you've loved KC's other books, you will surely love this one just as much!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4 ⭐️ I have very mixed and complex feelings for this book that I am trying to work through. On one hand, I love Katherine Center’s work, she creates these beautifully broken characters that go through emotional journeys and she still pulls off some fun banter but on the other I am not sure I liked how the main theme of this book was handled and it was completely outside of the realm of believability. This book is about Katie, a video production mid-level employee who takes on a video promo project for the Coast Guard in order to save her job, one catch, she can’t swim and the main person in the video is her co-workers love hating brother.

For starters, calling this a romance as its main theme is a stretch. It’s more of a women’s contemporary story with romance as the subplot. Major trigger warnings for anyone thinking of reading this book that has dealt with any type of body image issues, self loathing, and eating disorders. There is a lot of triggering negative self talk and body dysmorphia with our fmc and I’d say the biggest theme of this book is Katie’s journey of self love. I myself have had body issues, having Vitiligo for the past 7 years from the top of my head to my toes, but never have/had any formalized therapy - so I am unsure if how this topic was treated was the healthiest. It may be honest from the authors pov but it also was a lot to read over and over and at times made me uncomfortable. This is also a zero spice book (not even closed door). I felt like the romance and the chemistry between our fmc and mmc took a backseat, so I never got the super swoon for these characters. Many of their interactions took a dive in the implausible with something catastrophic always happening that made it unrealistic - I believe another reviewer said slap stick type of hijinks and I somewhat agree. I still loved Hutch very much, he’s absolutely perfect.

This is my second book in the last two weeks where the mmc (Hutch) is a Coast Guard Rescue swimmer - last year with Rom-Commers it was screen writers. How do these authors have the same professional themes all the time?! I will say, this one was much done much better (The other being Rebecca Yarros - Variation, which I did not love). There was a lot of telling versus showing in this book. I would have rather been in the meat of the action versus being told about events and things that happened. We are in Katie’s head a lot, she’s narrating her story to us and you can tell. Breaks the 4th wall a few times.

The main conflict was so far fetched - once again going into implausible, the same with the last act. Random, but I thought of movie True Lies (a lot crazy action) in the last scene. It also wrapped up too fast, I wanted more of Hutch and Katie!

I absolutely loved the side character of Rue, she has my entire heart and the tragic backstories of all these characters made me tear up several times. I love a book that makes me feel deeply. Also, big props to George Bailey the great dane, I love a book with a great dog. Also, it is a super fast read, I got though it in two sittings. One last chapter before bed ended with me finishing the book hours before my alarm went off, whoops!

Can you tell I had a lot of mixed up feelings? I guess that is why I will rate this slightly higher than if I had just tossed it aside and moved on. I think this will either resonate with the reader or it will be completely off putting, so you decide and ensure you know what you are getting into when picking this up. I will forever be a Katherine Center superfan!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for this advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

I will be sharing my review on social media, goodreads and post on publishing day.

Katherine Center always checks all the boxes for a feel-good romance story. I love her ability to create a heartwarming story and have fully fleshed out characters.

Katie is a somewhat accomplished FMC and isn't a "damsel in distress" looking for a strong male lead. She has flaws that are glaringly obvious, but that's okay because she feels like a real person. Hutch is warm, real, and supremely good. He feels like an actual person and not a romance male lead.

I'm a sucker for books with Florida as the setting and this one didn't disappoint! I loved the imagery of the Florida Keys, the bright colours, and the ocean.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this advance copy of The Love Haters. All opinions are my own.

"𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳."
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 has everything I adore in Katherine Center's books - it's got wonderful characters and focuses on more than just romance. Are there elements of the plot that are completely over the top? Yes, they are. But there's also so much depth to the story that it doesn't matter. Plus there’s a 160-pound “canine yenta” (you read that right!) named George Bailey. He put a smile on my face along with so many things about this one

As Center says in the author's note "Love stories are the best kind of therapy" and I'm so grateful this one came at a time when I so needed it.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the copy to review.

🌟 5 Stars for The Love Haters by Katherine Center 🌟

Katherine Center has done it again – crafting a love story that’s as big, beautiful, and epic as the Atlantic Ocean itself. But let’s be real: is there anything better than falling in love with yourself? If you just so happen to also snag a swoon-worthy, heroic rescue swimmer and his lovable great Dane along the way… well, that’s just the cherry on top. 🍒🐶

We meet Katie, a documentary producer who’s navigating some rough waters (pun intended) after a public breakup, a major confidence crisis, and impending job loss. When she’s sent to Key West to film a promo for the Coast Guard – despite her hatred of water, bathing suits, and swimming – she crosses paths with Hutch, a ruggedly handsome, marshmallow-hearted rescue swimmer who allegedly hates love. Cue the tropical vibes, a motley crew of fabulous women in their 70s, lots of sangria, an unstoppable great Dane, and a series of hilarious, heartwarming adventures that push Katie to confront her fears and fall for the truest love of all: herself. ❤️

✨ Favorite moment? The lesson on fearlessness. It’s not just about saving lives or running into storms. It’s about being vulnerable, taking risks, and embracing who you are. Katie’s journey of self-love is inspiring, raw, and so, so beautiful. Plus, Hutch and that dog? Chef’s kiss. 😍

📚 Read this if you love:
• Forced proximity
• Workplace romance
• Strangers to lovers
• Hot rescue swimmers (yes, please)
• Laugh-out-loud adventures with a side of heartfelt growth

TW: Eating disorders, body image struggles

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Katherine Center always has the cutest romcoms and this was no exception. I love that the MMC is a rescuer, so hot! They were just made for each other!

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

The Love Haters by Katherine Center was a wonderful romantic comedy. This is not my first Katherine Center novel and she never disappoints. Katie was a relatable character. She has obvious self esteem issues and little by little with the help of Hutch and Beanie, she slowly begins to love herself. Secondary characters were all likable, relatable and enjoyable. I highly recommend this book!

I couldn’t have been more excited to receive an advanced copy of The Love Haters by Katherine Center! She has quickly become one of my absolute favorite authors, and I’m not exaggerating in the slightest when I say I was smiling from ear to ear the entire time I was reading this book. I don’t know what magic fairy dust @KatherineCenter sprinkles into her books, but they are so fun, laugh-out-loud funny, and have a way of pulling on your heart strings all at the same time. This book was everything I look for in a perfect rom-com, and I’m genuinely so sad that it’s over. If you haven’t already, pre-order your copy—you won’t regret it🥹🫶🏼

Read if you like:
•Witty banter
•Closed door romance
•Tropical settings

And the biggest thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the gifted ARC and opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review! This book officially comes out May 2025, and I will definitely be buying a copy👏🏼

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a clever, often humorous story with a very important message: Love yourself! Katie has huge self-image issues that she must overcome to fulfill her job assignment. Katie’s interactions with her BFF Beanie are wonderfully detailed and positive. The fearless hero, Coast Guard rescue diver, Hutch, is in Katie’s eyes so perfect but even “perfect “ people have issues. This reader adored this book. It’s poignant, it’s exciting, it’s emotional, it’s funny, it’s romantic. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

THIS is the Katherine Center I know and love. I read this on an airplane and had to take breaks because I kept tearing up. Emotional, romantic, comedic.

I love her books. This is a really cute story and will be a big hit (and a great beach read) next year!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center has done it again with a wonderful novel about relationships and love…not just with others but loving who you are, body and soul. Throw in a wonderful dog by the name of George Bailey who adds so much to the storyline and you are instantly captivated not to mention a brooding male lead who is a hero but modest enough not to claim his rescues. A not to be missed adventure through pages, The Love Haters is a five star read that will leave you holding your breath until the final pages.

It's hard to find the words for how much I LOVED this book! It is now on my list of top reads for 2024, and will likely be on my top reads for 2025 once I re-read after its release!

Mark my words, this WILL be the summer read of 2025!

Katherine Center never lets me down. Whenever I get her newest book I drop everything and start reading. This one was no different! I loved Katie as the protagonist and her story about coming to terms with her body is going to be relatable to a lot of women.

I have read and loved every book by this author. This book was no exception. Most of the characters were likeable and the plot was unique. I rated it down one star, though, because quite a few things were predictable. Also, a lot of events that happened seemed unrealistic. Still a good read overall!

Reading a Katherine Center book is like getting a warm hug - and this one is no different! The story focuses on Katie who has had a rough couple of years with a not so flattering social media video go viral, broken engagement topped by being on the verge of losing her job.

As a last ditch effort to save her career, she heads to Key West to film a video promo of Hutch, a rescue swimmer with the Coast Guard. But - she can't swim! Sparks fly between the two leads and the story is rounded out by a cast of loveable side characters who are fully fleshed out.

Overall, it's a great read that I highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley for the sneak peek!

As usual, Katherine Center provides a page turner that I loved not hated. The title perfectly depicts the characters' relationships with love, self-esteem and traveling outside of their comfort zones.

Facing corporate downsizing, Katie accepts an assignment that pushes her mental and physical limitations. Fearing that she won't be able to rise to the challenge, Tom proves to be her greatest obstacle. Will being thrown thrown into the deep end force Katie to tread water or face her fears?

I will love everything Katherine Center writes until she decides to put down her pen (may she never), and her latest release, The Love Haters, is no exception. This is not only the unlikely love story between our MC’s Katie and Hutch, this is the story of a woman learning to find the freedom to love herself. Set against the incredibly lush backdrop of the Florida Keys, Katie’s journey of self exploration includes some fabulous secondary characters that teach her about the power of friendship, the strength women find when they band together, and the beauty that comes from speaking to ourselves with kindness. Action packed, laugh out loud funny, and filled with swoon-worthy moments, The Love Haters is a glorious read! Thank you to NetGalley and Saint Martins Press for my gifted ARC.

Can one truly embody the concept of a "love-hater"?

Hutch, despite his rugged, humorous exterior, is surprisingly down-to-earth and compassionate, which often catches Katie off guard. Katie is a sweet and determined individual who possesses a clear vision for her future. Even after experiencing heartbreak from a past relationship, she remains resolute in her pursuit of progress. Although she secured her current job under false pretenses, she is committed to proving her capabilities regardless of the circumstances. Although she lacks swimming skills, she is confident she can master them within days—just in time to prepare for the challenges of surviving a helicopter crash. While Hutch may be skeptical about love, could Katie be the one to change his perspective?

Katherine has done it again with another banger of a story! The characters are amazing and the story really makes you feel like you are with them at all times. There are amazingly funny moments and very heartfelt ones, and I feel like Center really wanted you to love all the characters and feel what they feel on all levels. Going back and forth with the characters and dealing with real life consequences is very real in this story and having a disaster strike really gives you the edge of your seat feeling!

Katherine Center doesn't write a *bad* book. That said, this one was way more action (it's about a rescue swimming Coastie in Florida, so you do the math) than I am used to from her. And the HUGE EVENT at the end had me way too stressed, which is definitely not a word I typically use to describe KC's books. It wasn't bad, just...different.

In true KC fashion, many moments made me tear up and I find myself highlighting quote after quote. I will of course be buying it and recommending it to everyone, but you just need to know it definitely felt different.

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.