I have felt conflicted about Center's newer releases (especially Hello Stranger), but I will always pick up and read a new Katherine Center!

Perhaps I enjoyed this one more because it hit so close to home with the mentions of body image and eating disorders. Maybe it was the grumpy MMC that stole my heart. Or, maybe, it was the giant goof of a dog named George Bailey.

I did really enjoy this one but it was kinda predictable and had no spice but the story still sucked me in! I would have liked to see more romance between Katie and Hutch but they definitely had some good banter and sexual tension. Loved all the side characters especially George Bailey!

Although I devoured this newest Katherine Center as quickly as all of her others, I did feel it was slightly missing a little of the love. Although you could feel it between Hutch and Katie I wanted more interactions of them actually BEING tougher. Either way I still loved every minute of it. Just add it to the list of all my other 5 star Katherine Center reads.

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. This book felt a little different to me than others by Katherine Center. I liked the character growth told in the story.

I am a big Katherine Center stan - The Bodyguard and Rom Commers are two of my all-time favorites - and this book was consistent with her past work in that it exists first and foremost to bring the reader joy. Hutch was a very lovable MMC and "The Gals" were great, joyful additions to the story. It took a while to fall in love with Katie with so much of the first half focusing on body issues, but the primary conflict in the love story was well done. The worst part of finishing any Katherine Center book, though, is knowing another one is a year away. ❤️

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC! A lovely early Christmas present. 🎄

I am a big fan of this author, but this time, not so much. It’s the story of a talented woman with low self esteem, and a handsome, strong hero haunted by a tragic childhood event. After the hero’s brother introduces the couple, he subsequently intervenes to push them apart. Along comes a hurricane. Love conquers all. End of story. If you like rom coms, this one is ok but I don’t think it will blow you away.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this offering.

Katherine Center writes such great romance- one of my favorites!! She writes great conversation between characters and also great chemistry. I enjoyed this one!

I can't dislike a Katherine Center novel, and this one wasn't my favorite. To me, this plot felt the least believable of all of her stories, but I was also happy to go along for the ride. The characters, as always, were great. I loved all of them (except the ones I wasn't supposed to, and even then, they mostly come around). I thought the body image talk in the first half of the book was a bit heavy-handed, but in reading Katherine's acknowledgements, I do appreciate that she included it as part of her own healing and thought of that part of the story as its own enemy-to-lovers storyline. I walked away with positive feelings, including a reminder of how to be kinder to myself.

3.5 stars rounded up

At this point I’m convinced Katherine Center is unable of writing a bad book. I was absolutely obsessed with reading this book because not only was it super fun and such a great plot but it just brought such joy to my life the days I read it. Katie is a documentary film marker whose job is at risk due to turmoil in her boss’ personal life. When she’s given the assignment opportunity to follow Hutch a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who’s famous for saving Jennifer Aniston‘s dog (but is notoriously reclusive about giving interviews) she jumps on the opportunity. The only problem is her subject is expecting her coworker and her subjects semi estranged brother. I loved how the plot of this book flowed and all the really really fun and quirky side characters that the author incorporated into the story, my favorite of course is George Bailey the great Dane. This book is such a cute fun little romcom…. do yourself a favor and pick it up when it comes out!

I have loved all of Katherine Center’s books that I have read and this was no exception. A very sweet and emotional story with a lot of heart. Highly recommended.

I dropped everything I was already reading in order to read this, and I am so happy that I did. Katherine Center is an automatic, day-one purchase kind of author for me, and The Love Haters was no exception. I'll admit that I was not immediately super into the Coast Guard angle of this story, but it grew on me so quickly and it provided so much more depth to the story than I ever thought possible. This is a romance, yes, but it is also a story about living life to the fullest and loving yourself. It was exactly what I needed to read at the moment, and I know so many other people will feel the same.

I’ll preface this review with admitting to being unapologetically a Katherine Center fan girl. I just adore this woman’s writing. It has yet to disappoint.

The Love Haters (not a huge fan of the title) is everything I love about Center’s writing. It’s funny, inspiring, hopeful, predictable in the best way, and just a delight to read. The worst thing about reading her stories is that I finish them too quickly and then have to wait a whole year for another.

This one was engaging from beginning to end and side character George Bailey will just melt your heart. Thank you St Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC. And thank you to Katherine Center for another cast of quirky characters who you thoroughly enjoy spending time with!

Suxh a cute read, read it in about two days. Seeing Katie’s journey in loving her body really hit me as someone with similar struggles. I did see the Cole thing a mile away, but it was good to see how it was navigated. Loved Katie and Hutch, and Rue, they were the best parts. I think the Sullivan appearance could have been fleshed out more but was good overall.

The Lover Haters were absolutely amazing. I read it in one sitting on my vacation ! I fell inlove with Center's characters in this one and was just absolutely rooting for them. It was a journey of complex relationships and pasts.

I will post about it on my instagram closer to the release date.

Katherine Center does it again! She has masterfully crafted a story that both entertains and pulls at your heart strings. Walking Katie's point of view throughout this story was truly heartwarming. Learning Cole and Hutch's stories was a rollercoaster of emotion as Center revealed each aspect of their story at the perfect moment to have the greatest effect! I look forward to purchasing this book when it releases in May! Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the Digital Advance Review Copy.

3.5! I love Katherine Center - in all of the books I’ve read by her by the end of it you learn a little more about yourself or you gain a new perspective of the people around you. Her characters are raw, imperfect, and incredibly lovable. This book is no exception. Seeing Katie’s understanding and perception of herself change throughout the book is really impactful. The dynamic of Cole and Hutch, while heartwarming at the end, didn’t feel as impactful. Now Rue and Hutch, and Rue and Katie’s relationships were the star of the show (or maybe it’s George Bailey truly). It’s book you can’t help but relate to, connect to, and learn from.

However… the romance fell flat for me in this one. I think the pacing/overall plot just felt a bit disjointed. The first 40+% is primarily just Katie and Hutch but also feels like we don’t really see a lot of Katie and Hutch? We’re told they’ve spent X amount of time together and have had X amount of conversations about themselves and these big impactful parts of their lives - but we don’t get to actually be a part of these conversations which really did a disservice to their relationship. The tension, chemistry, and just overall sense that these two people really knew each other was questionable. We never really see Katie being vulnerable with Hutch except for one scene that happens rather early on and then, again, are simply told other vulnerable conversations have happened. The fake dating fiasco at 60% into the book felt really out of place - it felt wrong and just didn’t feel right with the characters. I just wanted more - I think if we had started out with the fake dating with Cole and then gone from there it would have been different.

Thank you NetGalley and SMP for the arc in exchange for a honest review!

**Review of *The Love Hater* by Katherine Center (4 Stars)**

Katherine Center’s *The Love Hater* is a heartfelt and delightful exploration of love, self-discovery, and the importance of embracing imperfection. While it tells the story of recovering from heartbreak, its true power lies in how it portrays the journey to loving oneself and reconnecting with life’s possibilities—especially through unique relationships and an unexpected romance.

Katie’s quirky and lovable cousin Beanie is another highlight of the story. Beanie’s whimsical nature and unflinching honesty bring both levity and insight to Katie’s journey. She offers a refreshing perspective on embracing flaws and finding joy in the messiness of life, making her an unforgettable character.

Then there’s Hutch, the surprise element in Katie’s life. What starts as a slow burn—a connection marked by witty banter and an undeniable spark—gradually deepens into something meaningful. Hutch isn’t just a charming love interest; he’s a mirror to Katie’s growth, someone who sees her for who she is, even when she struggles to see it herself. Their relationship evolves naturally, full of humor, vulnerability, and an authentic give-and-take that makes it one of the novel’s most compelling elements.

What makes *The Love Hater* stand out is how it intertwines these relationships with Katie’s inner journey. Yes, it’s about finding love again, but it’s also about finding the courage to love yourself. Katie’s story is a reminder that healing and happiness don’t come from fitting into someone else’s mold—they come from embracing your own uniqueness.

Though some plot points are a bit predictable, the depth of the characters and Katherine Center’s signature blend of warmth and wit make this book shine. *The Love Hater* is a touching, funny, and inspiring read for anyone who’s ever had to rebuild their heart—and their sense of self. Highly recommended for fans of romance with substance and characters you’ll wish were your own friends.

I am not sure if I've outgrown Katherine Center or if her books haven't been as good lately. I found this story very inane, and the miscommunication KILLED ME. These are ADULTS who need to speak to eachother.

Some good stuff about body image and self-love, but got lost in a frustrating plot.

Katie and Hut ch’s story was a fun ride! Katie goes to key west for a work assignment, while lay offs are happening. She has to do many things she doesn’t want to, including take swimming lessons and be in a swim suit. But all of this happens with a handsome coast guard swimmer and rescuer, who is her co-workers brother.

It’s sounds kind of convoluted and wild, because at times it was, but a fun read.

I was so excited to recieve this digital ARC of Katherine Center's latest novel! I'm a huge fan and have read everything she's ever written. I read somewhere that she writes "deep rom-coms" which is a perfect description of her books. In this one, Katie is a documentary filmmaker making a promo about a rescue swimmer in the US Coast Guard. In order to follow him into the rescue helicopter, she needs to pass a safety swim test. Two problems: she can't swim and she hates wearing bathing suits. Througout the book, Katie learns to first accept, then appreciate her body, flaws and all. So while there is a romantic storyline between Katie and Hutch, the hot Coast Guard rescue swimmer, there's a more poignant love story between Katie and her own body.

This was everything I've come to expect from a Katherine Center book and left me happy and satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.