What a wonderful, heartfelt, laugh-out-loud funny story! I adored this book with the motley crew of side characters who were all so well fleshed-out: an aunt who makes us want to live loudly and in color, a cousin/bestie giving us all the truths we need to hear about self love, a hilarious dog sidekick, a gaggle of nosy and sweet retired women, a lucky toad. There’s lots to love here 🩷

This book was a breezy delight! I found KCenter last year and have so enjoyed her work since. The FMC was a tad confusing to me at times, her motivations etc, but I still found myself really enjoying her. All in all, this was a well-composed story!

Katherine Center does it again with another “can’t put down” story. Hutch may just be one of my favorite book boyfriends ever and Katie is one of the most relatable main characters I’ve come across. Plus, who wouldn’t love a giant lovable dog named George Bailey?!

Bro I finished this on 6 hrs!! This book made me cry!! Was so good! I really want to be stranded on a boat just to get rescued by hutch!!

For me Katherine Center's books are hit ( The Bodyguard, The Rom-Commers ) or miss ( Hello Stranger ) I'm sorry to say The Love Haters was a total miss.

It felt more like a self help book on body image positivity and weight loss struggling. Sorry, no, I couldn't do it. It's okay to include a subtle message but not shove it down the reader throat on every page. Where even was the actual romance?

Katherine Center is a solid writer. I usually enjoy her books and especially appreciate the fact that she focuses on the story and doesn't have explicit sex scenes in her book. That being said, this one was just okay for me.
I didn't really enjoy Katie because she confused me. I think she had body issues, but it wasn't clear at first if she hated bright-colored clothing and swimsuits because of her unfavorable view of drawing attention to herself or because of something that had happened with her stepmom as a child. Then I was convinced she was just afraid of the water because she couldn't swim, but that turned out to not be the case. Her ex being tossed into her insecurities just fueled the "what is going on?" for me. I thought eventually he would have a bigger role. Same goes for Cole; I thought they were going to be in a fake relationship from the jump from the blurb I read, but that wasn't the case. More confusion!
Hutch was a flat character. I didn't feel like we really got to know him on a deeper level- it was all mostly surface things such as what he did for a living or what he looked like and didn't go into much detail about his personality. Their relationship also felt like it came out of nowhere; like where did all these feelings on both sides come from? I know not all books talk about the couple's future, but it wasn't even a conversation they had even once. You would think with him being in the military and her living in Dallas they would've tried to see if it could possibly work? I don't know, maybe it was just me that it bothered.
The two best things in the book were Rue, the Gals and George Bailey for me- I wanted more of them!
I would definitely pick up another Katherine Center book in the future, however, because they are definitely reads I fly through and a nice palate cleanser from all the smut on the market right now.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an early copy of this book to review.

3.75⭐️ rounded up. I’ve loved Katherine Center’s last three books, so I was thrilled to get an advanced copy! I really liked this book, but I didn’t love it as much as some of her others.

Love Haters started out really strong for me. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I love the way the author’s writing style makes your feel like you are along for the ride! The premise of this book felt different from other romances. Katie, the main character is tasked with shadowing Hutch in his job as a rescue swimmer, in order to film a promo for the Coast Guard. The proximity created an intimate setting for these two characters to slowly fall for each other. The main characters were very likeable and relatable, and I loved their chemistry from the first meet. I adored the fun and colorful side characters of Rue and The Gals!! The setting of this story really got me! I’m ready to move to the Starlite Cottages in Key West and live a whole new way of life, colors and all!

Where this story took a turn for me was when Cole, Hutch’s brother, and Katie’s colleague, shows up. The story became a bit outlandish and made for some pretty uncomfortable situations for everyone involved. Luckily, the story made a quick recovery toward the end with a real life rescue scenario.

This story also dealt with a lot of themes of self worth, body image, and self love. Throughout the story we see Katie confront these issues from both her past and her present. This felt very relevant, especially in the day and age of social media. There were times where I found these parts of the story to be a little over the top. But overall, I loved the messages of learning to love yourself, especially in a world where there’s so many unrealistic expectations of women and so much judgement related to physical appearances.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published May 20, 2025.

At first, I wasn’t sure how much I would like this book. I love Katherine Center. I’ve read her entire backlog of stories and have loved them all. The first half of the story didn’t move me as much as her books normally do. However, Katie grew on me. I related very much to her story and the insecurities that she struggled with. I fell in love with Hutch and his annoying brother and wonderfully charming and eccentric aunt. The Gals and George Bailey brought an even cozier feel to this story. One thing I’ll always adore about Katherine is the witty writing and the breaking of the fourth wall she does in the narration. Every story she writes brings forth so much lightheartedness, but also new things to think about and to learn from. While this isn’t my favorite book of hers and it isn’t one I fell hard for, I still enjoyed the ride.

I devoured 'The Love Haters' by Katherine Center, and it left me feeling seen, heard, and emotionally drained (in the best way possible). As a documentary filmmaker, Katie's journey resonated deeply with me. Her task of creating a promotional video for the Coast Guard alongside the broody Hutch serves as the perfect backdrop for her own journey of self-love. What struck a chord with me was Katie's relatable struggle to find self-acceptance. Center masterfully weaves together themes of vulnerability, self-doubt, and the transformative power of love – not just romantic love, but also self-love, friendship and, dog love ;) (love you, George Bailey.) Be prepared to laugh, cry (I cried a lot!), and cheer on Katie as she navigates her way through the ups and downs of life. 'The Love Haters' is more than just a romance novel – it's a powerful exploration of the human experience, and I couldn't recommend it more. 5/5 ⭐️ thank you netgalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin’s press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Charming story about self acceptance and how hard it is to get comfortable in your own skin. The two thirds of the book had me so invested in Katie and Hutch. I felt as though the last third was A LOT, but still enjoyable.

I love this author and I love her books. I started reading this to get some relief from a serious historical fiction book I was reading and I couldn’t put it down. At first I was put off by her “I’ll just omit the truth and deal with it later” attitude and thought, oh no this book is going to be silly. It wasn’t. There were good lessons in this book amongst the burning romance and cuteness. Just what I needed. Great quick read

Katherine Center has done it again! She always knows how to write a unique love story that gives you all the feels. I’ve read a few of her books, and I think this is my favorite so far. The main character, Katie, was easy to resonate with, and I loved seeing her grow and change throughout the book as she learned to love herself. Her relationship with Hutch had me kicking my feet, and I devoured this book in a day. There were so many great lessons about body positivity and loving yourself. This is the perfect rom-com to dive into this summer.

I am forever a loyal Katherine Center fan and reader. Her stories are endearing, heartfelt, and I always associate her with a depth that many rom-coms are devoid of. So needless to say, I was eager to experience Katie’s story in Key West and all that came with her task of filming a Coast Guard recruitment video while falling in love.

I’m sad to say that I didn’t feel this was Center’s best work. I thought Katie had potential but her struggles with body image weren’t fleshed out and in turn, were left feeling shallow and vague, making her growth less impactful.

So many aspects felt disjointed and surface-level, which isn’t usual for Center’s work.

But I can say that it was still heartwarming and Hutch was a fantastic MMC. I am also in awe of Center’s dedication and research that clearly went into the Coast Guard aspect of this book.

Overall, a fun, easy read. Just not my favorite of Center’s work, despite my excitement for it. But thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This was such a delightful read. I couldn’t put it down.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5

While the first 2/3 of the book is perfect, I felt the last 1/3 was a bit too much of a rollercoaster. Nevertheless, loved the chemistry and heartfelt moments between the main characters. The “too perfect” MMC stole my heart with his steady nature, protectiveness and genuine care for others. The FMC goes through a journey to self love and acceptance that felt believable and real. This novel has lighthearted humor in spades.

When I tell you that I have never so closely identified with a protagonist, I mean it. From the first few chapters, I felt like I was reading my own journal thoughts. I think so many women will be able to identify with Katie because the womanly experience of trying to find self-love is universal. The Love Haters not only shows the story of Katie and Hutch, but the story of learning to love yourself. Katherine Centers does an incredible job at bringing the characters to life, and I guarantee you will find hope and comfort as you dive into the story.

** Be sure to read the “Author's Note” at the end of the novel.

What I loved:
💗Friendship goals-the friend/cousin/sister dynamic between Katie and her bff is beautiful
🎥 Katie's unique career as a videographer/documentary creator
🛟 Hutch's career in the Coast Guard
🐾Pet storyline ❤️


Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Pub date is May 20, 2025

Katie is offered a job filming a Coast Guard promo featuring her coworker Cole’s estranged brother, Hutch. The catch? Katie doesn’t know how to swim but pretends she does. Arriving in Key West, she stays with Cole and Hutch’s eccentric Aunt Rue and her lively group of friends. While Key West may look like paradise, Katie’s tangled web of small lies leads to a series of adventures—navigating swim lessons, thrilling helicopter rides, and even a hurricane.

The Love Haters is a delightful and heartwarming read. Beyond the romantic connection between Katie and Hutch, the story beautifully explores Katie’s journey toward self-acceptance and her relationship with her body image. Aunt Rue and her colorful friends bring humor and charm to the story, creating a vivid sense of community that makes you wish you could join their dinner parties. With its lighthearted tone and clean romance, this is a perfect book to share with your mom or anyone looking for an uplifting, feel-good story.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an advanced copy of The Love Haters in exchange for an honest review.

I love Katherine Center. She’s an auto buy for me since I discovered her via BOTM years ago.
I devoured this story. I laughed and cried and just felt good. What a great read

I love Katherine Center’s books and really enjoyed reading The Love Haters. It was a cute story but also dealt with heavier topics like body image issues/self love. I wish Katie and Hutch’s relationship was a little more developed but overall I loved it.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy! This book completely surprised me with how much emotional depth it carried. I went into it expecting a light romance, but what I got was so much more.

The story tackles important themes like body image, self-worth, confidence, and the struggles with disordered eating—all with incredible sensitivity and care. I found myself deeply connecting with the FMC, Katie. Her journey was raw and heartfelt, and I loved her on every single page. Watching her growth was empowering, and her story resonated with me in ways I didn’t expect.

While this book is a romance, it’s not just about the relationship between Katie and Hutch, the broody, reluctant rescue swimmer. It’s also about the love Katie learns to have for herself. Katherine Center, once again, masterfully weaves a love story that’s equal parts sweet, swoony, and deeply introspective.

Hutch is such a compelling MMC—serious, protective, and layered. His journey complements Katie’s perfectly, and their chemistry is undeniable. But what really stood out for me were the side characters and the sense of community they brought. Rue and her “gals” were delightful, and the setting of Key West added so much charm to the story.

This book is more of a slow burn and leans heavily on character development rather than over-the-top drama. The author’s note at the end beautifully captures the heart of the story—it’s not just about falling in love with someone else, but learning to love yourself first.

This is a romance with real depth, and I highly recommend it. I can’t wait for more readers to discover this gem when it’s published in March.

Another can’t put down book from Katherine Center. The relationship between Katie and Hutch was exactly what I wanted/needed. Absolutely adored Rue and the heartbreaking backstory between her and the boys.