3.75⭐️ I definitely think this book has some great moments. I loved that our main character went on this journey learning to love herself and her body, I just wish it went deeper. I also wanted more from the romance 😢 Hutch deserved moreee. The ending was SO SO GOOD up until a few pages before the epilogue. I hadn’t read anything like this ending and right when it peaked- it started to feel rushed and we missed out on some romance development. Katherine centers writing is always incredible! I just wonder if this book would have been better simply being a fiction with no romance or less focus on the personal and more on the relationship since it’s described as a romance? Still glad I read it and looking forward to the next book as always 🙂

Katherine Center never fails to create a love story that’s rooted in REALNESS while providing a sweet escape.

As a fan of the author’s other books I was pretty excited to read this, but unfortunately it doesn’t really compare to some of her other works. I just don’t think I enjoyed the story overall, it felt, to put it plainly, forgettable. The characters felt underdeveloped in their lack of personality or interests, the plot was somewhat lacklustre and just overall an okay read. Sadly it just wasn’t for me :(

I think I have a crush on a fictional man named Hutch who, despite being an swoon worthy rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard, is also sweet, thoughtful, kind and humble. I also fell head over heels in love with George Bailey-- a rescue great dane who quite literally stole the show!

There are also themes of body image, self-realization and grief through the story-- heavy topics on their own, but weaved delicately through the storyline by Katherine Center. KC has always the ability to create an inviting world with her storytelling, creating characters that you love to love, and romances that leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. The Love Haters is no exception.

There is just something so sweet about a Catherine Center book that I don’t want to put it down. Katie was such a realistic character when it came to her struggles and how she viewed herself. I love how she had people in her life that loved her and did what they could to help her see how she really was.
Another thing I love about this book is how easily their relationship was with each other and that was as “friends” first. They simply enjoyed each others company and spending time with each other. I also love how respectful Hutch was at multiple times throughout the book. All in all this was a book that I just wanted to keep reading.

I’ve been in a bit of a reading rut lately, but The Love Haters pulled me right out of it. I stayed up until 1:30 a.m. on a school night because I couldn’t put it down, that’s how quickly I got hooked on this story and these characters.

Katie Vaughn is classic Katherine Center: smart, funny, and instantly lovable. I adored her dynamic with Hutch (who, per usual with Center's heroes, I imagined as Chris Evans. Is that just me?). Their chemistry is swoony but grounded, and the Key West setting gave it all a dreamy, tropical rom-com vibe. Add in Katie’s best-friend/cousin Beenie and Hutch’s Aunt Rue (who both deserve their own spin-off), and the cast feels like people you’d actually want in your real life. Supportive, hilarious, good people.

As always, Center delivers on more than just the romance. This one touches thoughtfully on grief, body image, and eating disorders; all big topics handled with care, without weighing down the story. I once read that Center writes rom-coms because they give people hope, and that really comes through here. In a world that feels so heavy more and more often, reading something that leaves you feeling joy is such a gift.

A few small things kept it from being a full 5 stars for me. I loved the first 75% (easily a 4.5+), but the final conflict felt a bit over-the-top compared to the otherwise grounded tone. I also wasn’t wild about the miscommunication that drove the last-act drama; it felt a little too avoidable and out of character for how thoughtful the rest of the book was.

Still, this is an easy recommend for fans of Emily Henry or Sarah Adams, or anyone looking for a low-steam rom-com that’s equal parts heart and humor.

4 🌟 Another charming, heartful rom-com from Katherine Center that reminded me why I love her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Katherine Center does it AGAIN. <3

Nobody is surprised that Katherine Center rocked out another book. One of my favorite things about Katherine Center is how her books are romances, but they also weave in SO much real life lessons.

My. Girl. Katie. I loved how much she grew in this story. She made so much progress in how she viewed herself.

I loveddd Hutch. He was such a gem of a person and cared so deeply about the people in his life.

My favorite character hands down was George Bailey (MY FAVORITE CHARACTER named after one of my favorite characters).

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any Katherine Center lovers or anyone who loves a combination of women's fiction/romance!

Thank you to the publisher & author for the earc!

I have loved a bunch of Katherine’s previous books so I was so excited to read her newest release. She always has the cutest covers and the best summer reads. This one did fall a little flat for me. This follows Katie who is on the verge of losing her job and will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen. This includes going to film Tom Hutcheson who is a coast guard rescue swimmer. The only problem is Katie can’t swim! I personally had a hard time connecting to either character. Katie has body issues which is very relatable as a women but for me personally it got tiring hearing the same thing over and over again through out the whole book. Although this didn’t work for me it definitely will for others.

I absolutely adored this book!!

It made me reflect, made me laugh so hard, gave me butterflies, and had me on the edge of my seat.

Was it silly at times? Of course! But that’s what made it fun! I can picture all of Katherine’s books on the big screen.

There is a dog named George Bailey who will steal your heart! And Hutch! Oh gosh, I loved him!

I loved it!!

I am always so tickled pink to get my hands on new Katherine Center books! Her books are just true escapism and joy for me.

As someone who's terrified of deep water (especially ocean water), I found so much comfort with a main character that needs swim lessons from one of my new favorite book boyfriends, Hutch.

🌸comfortable in your own skin
🌸friends/enemies to lovers
🌸found family
🌸out of comfort zones
🌸body image (loved this awareness - not seen much in books despite being a common female issue)

Bottom line: Nothing to hate here! Loved it!

Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book. It was the heartwarming hug I needed this week. Hutch is a dreamboat of a Coast Guard rescue summer, George Bailey is the dog that everyone needs in their life, Rue and her friends are the grandmothers that we all want, and Katie is all of us and our insecurities.

Katie is sent to Key West to make a video for the Coast Guard and attempt to save her job in the process. Hutch is Katie's boss' estranged brother and isn't happy that Katie was sent instead of his brother for this project. George Bailey is his dog who is obsessed with Katie. Rue is his adopted mother who runs a hotel in Key West with several permanent residents and makes it her mission to get Katie out of her all-black outfits and into some color - there's a bit of a metaphor in there for Katie's life as well. Just read it. It will make you happy!

What the World Needs Now: The Love Haters!

Spring Break, Summer Vacation and New Year’s Eve all rolled into one fabulous read!

This just might be Katherine Centers BEST one yet! Katie, Hutch, Rue and George Bailey are characters that you care about and root for. This rom-com is perfect for your beach bag and will definitely kick off the vacation.

Videographer Katie’s assignment is a promotional video for a hunky Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hutch. Set in Key West, with a supporting cast of an insecure brother, a best friend, an ex-boyfriend and a group of die-hard matchmaker retired gals that make you wish you could hang out with them.

This is a feel-good, escape read that will help you welcome in the season of beach reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed The Love Haters! I always look forward to Katherine Center's books and this one had me turning pages and racing home to finish reading. This book has hurricane vibes, a man in a uniform, a rescue dog, and self love discovery with body image. It was heartwarming and heart pounding and I couldn't put it down. This book also has a healthy dose of sibling rivalry with a side of found family.

Big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I know when I see Katherine Center’s name on a book that it will be a good one! That was true for The Love Haters! It was a fun romance but also had some good life lessons. I loved Hutch, and of course George Bailey! Also, can’t forget Rue! Everyone needs an Aunt Rue in her life. I could also relate to Katie’s relationship with water and with her own body. I even enjoyed the author’s note. Thanks for another great read, Ms. Center!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Very similar to many of Katherine Center's previous works where this is just a cute rom-com, nothing more and nothing less. I enjoyed my time with it but ultimately, I feel like I won't remember much of this plot as time passes.

I am a big fan of Katherine Center. I liked The Bodyguard and Things We Save In A Fire, and I looooved The Rom-Commers. I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Love Haters, especially with that fun cover!

Synopsis: Katie works for a video production company that is in the process of downsizing. She’s newer to the company, so she knows she could be on the chopping block. Her co-worker Cole gives her an opportunity that could help her secure her job – filming a recruiting video for the US Coast Guard. The only thing is, Katie can’t swim… and the job would be working with Cole’s older brother, who he was deemed as a grumpy, frowning, love-hater.

Overall, this was a like, not a love, for me. I thought Katie’s back story and inner thoughts about self-image were so relatable. Her cousin/best friend was so encouraging, and I think everyone needs someone like Beanie in their corner. The buildup of Katie and Hutch getting to know each other better was delicious. I was really into it until about 60% of the book. Then the story took an unexpected turn, and I felt like the wheels fell off. There were so many threads coming off from the main plot, and it didn’t feel cohesive. The author had some great ideas, but I don’t think they needed to all be mashed into one book, and ultimately, I didn’t quite understand how the title fit the story much overall because it deviated so much.

I will continue to read whatever Katherine Center puts out there – it was still an enjoyable read; this just didn’t hit the high mark for me! If you’re looking for something with a lot of tropes but is also pretty introspective, this is for you.

Katie & Hutch take us on a super fun adventure of self discovery and learning not to hate love! While both were in some pretty awful situations that made them shy away from that part of their lives, they just couldn’t help their connection. They really seemed to be destined for each other once you saw how much they affected each other at every turn.
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Not only was the central romance so wonderful but I absolutely LOVED Katie & her best friend’s relationship. How they actively worked to help the other see themselves in a positive light. They actively worked to build each other up. It was also wonderful to see the lovely ladies at the Starlite and how Rue just took Katie in as one of her own.
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This book had love, emotions, drama & more!

Katherin Center has done in again with The Love Haters, producing another romantic comedy novel that reads like a movie.

In an effort to save her job, Katie ends up being hired to film a promotion for the coast guard. Considering that Katie doesn't swim and the subject of the filming isn't on board with her doing the job, she has some problems to say the least. All of this is on top of the fact that she's still mentally recovering from being cheated on by her former fiancé who is now a viral music star and has left her with some body issues.

The book has a cast of characters that entertain, including one very large and lovable dog. The climax of the story left me with some questions, but overall the story did it's job and I felt happy I read it and content with the resolution. I would recommend this book for readers looking for a light hearted romantic comedy, body positivity, fans of Katherine Center, or those looking for a bounce back from a break up story.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a complimentary ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Katie Vaugh is getting over a breakup and trying not to get laid off from her job so when her coworker Cole suggests she take a job in Key West to produce a recruitment video with his brother Tom "Hutch" Hutchinson for the US Coast Guard she doesn't hesitate. As the two spend time together during filming they get to know each other and become closer. There is a lot of funny chaos in between and lots of twists and turns through out. As two people who are not looking for love Katie and Hutch defy the odds in this funny romantic comedy.

I really liked this story. I couldn't put this book down. It did start off a bit slow but I thought it was funny but it also had a positive message about insecurities and body image. I thought it was very well written. This is my first book by this author and won't be my last.

This was the first novel I have read by Katherine Center, and I am not usually a romance reader. However, I saw so many people recommending The Love Haters and Katherine Center's previous work and I decided to try it. This was a very cute and easy to read story about two unlikely people who are unlucky in love coming together and finding their person.