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.

This book is the epitome of a feel good romance. Katie and Hutch were so cute together! Katie also battles with self-love after the fallout from a toxic relationship, and I loved her journey to feeling that love for herself again with the help of Beanie and Aunt Rue. Will be a great summer read!

I love Katherine center- all of her work is so beautiful and funny. She writes characters who are realistic, well-thought out , funny- people I would want to be friends with! This was some of her best work. If you liked rom-comers, you’ll love this one. She’s different than Abby jiminez/emily Henry. It’s probably more similar to a Christina Lauren style. However, she’s definitely at the top of her game!

I was SO excited to be chosen to review The Love Haters by Katherine Center. She’s one of my auto buy authors! This was a great read!!

I devoured this book—I absolutely love Katherine Center's work—so thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC! That said, I do have one critique: I didn’t quite understand why the book was titled The Lover Haters. There didn’t seem to be many instances where the main characters genuinely hated love. While the idea was mentioned, it wasn’t clearly demonstrated in their actions or the storyline.

Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the romance, and it didn’t detract from the overall story, though the title did leave me a little puzzled.

(Spoiler alert) One other thing I’ve been thinking about: I can’t believe George Bailey was rescued first. While I understand the reasoning behind it, part of me still questions the decision. It wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but it’s something I keep reflecting on.

I loved this book! The Love Haters by Katherine Center is an easy to read book that will take you on a journey through an array of emotions.

The story centers around the main character Katie, a video producer, who travels to picturesque Key West to film a video for the Coast Guard in an effort to save her job. I found Katie to be so relatable. I felt so connected to her. She’s a go-getter but like many, she has personal struggles she is dealing with too. I liked being able to see her grow throughout the book.

I also adored the MMC, Hutch, he’s a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, and just such a good guy. They are a couple you want to root for.

Personally, I’m a huge dog fan! I love when dogs are incorporated into books, especially such a lovable one like George Bailey, the Great Dane, Hutch’s dog in the book. Such a fun addition to the story.

I also enjoyed the supporting characters that the author created. The Gals and Aunt Rue just added so much to the story. They were true gems! Such a wonderful little community that they built together down in Key West.

I truly enjoyed the emotional journey that this book took me on. I loved the strong message in the book that you have to learn to love yourself first. The romance in this book was the best, but I appreciated Katie learning to love her body and herself again too.

If you love a book with a heartwarming romance, an adorable rescue great dane, and a strong element of found family, then read this!

I read this book in one setting, and truly had the best time! It such a well-written and enjoyable book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a sweet and endearing story. I enjoyed the opportunity to read it as I love Katherine Center! Though I did find the story to move a bit slow at times, I still overall enjoyed it!

"I showed up to Key West with a past I was afraid to contend with."

This book had all delicious ingredients of great main characters, banter, and growth. I could really relate with her and body image issues. I believe the story did an excellent job expressing the experience without making it a joke or something that is just easy to get over. Having a side character who loves self-help was a good way to bring ideas to the table without being forced. And the romance...swoon. The story could seem far fatched at some points, but overall, I think it hit the beat of what it was trying to say.

The book felt like a giant hug with tons of hope. I give it a 4.5 and 0 for spice. I'm definitely telling my friends to grab this on release and snatching myself a copy, too.


On a side note, honestly, I would love to see youtube videos described in this book.

Cross-posted on goodreads and storygraph.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall an enjoyable read but a few misses for me.
What I loved:
❤️ Rue
❤️ Beanie
❤️ Key West
❤️ George Bailey (dog lover here)

What I dislike:
💔 Cole
💔 Cole (this is an intentional duplication because he was in fact terrible)
💔 the “third act breakup” scenario
💔 possibly too many storylines vying for attention

What I can’t decide on
❓ The over the top ending?
❓ The mixing of a heavier topic with the otherwise lightheartedness that we typically see in a KC novel.

Personally, for me this book went from “great” to “WTF” to “okay I guess”
Katherine Center is, and will continue to be, and instant buy author for me but The Lover Haters fell short for me.
In the beginning of the story I really appreciated KC taking on a heavier topic like body image. As the story progressed it seemed like this topic was just fighting to be apart of a story that wanted to be both comedic but also dramatic.
I was on board with this book until we get to our “third act breakup” when Cole arrives at Key West. Everything about Coe in Key West was atrocious and off putting. I also really did not like how Katie the character was handled during this whole part. It really did not feel like I was reading the same book.
Once we start reaching the finale now the story really goes in to overdrive and I’m still trying to discern how I feel about it. Was the situation totally over the top? Yes. Could we assume that some rescue situation was likely going to transpire because of Hatch’s profession? Probably.
Overall, I feel like there were too many storylines trying to give this book depth but in my opinion, it made this book a little messy and over the top.
Rue was my favorite character and I really loved her story.

As a big fan of Katherine Center, I have to say that while this wasn't my favorite of her books, it was still a charming read! Hutch, the love interest, was absolutely swoon-worthy, and the side characters added so much fun and warmth. From the adorable, thunder-phobic dog to the sweet Aunt Rue and cousin Beanie with her body image insights, each character was endearing in their own way. I really enjoyed following Katie’s journey toward self-acceptance. While some of the premise and scenes felt a bit cheesy, the story carried a meaningful message that made it all worthwhile.

The Love Haters is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and high-stakes romance set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Key West. This rom-com captures readers with its irresistible charm, unique premise, and quirky cast of characters.

Katie Vaughn, the story’s relatable and hilariously flawed heroine, finds herself at a crossroads both personally and professionally. Burned by love and facing the end of her video production job, Katie takes a leap of faith (or perhaps a plunge of desperation) by accepting a high-profile assignment to profile Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson. There’s just one problem: she can’t swim. The result is a rollercoaster of comedy, chaos, and romantic tension as Katie tries to keep her lies—and her heart—afloat.

Hutch, the embodiment of stoic, rugged heroism, is the perfect foil to Katie’s determined but clumsy charm. Despite his initial resistance and his “love-hater” tendencies, their chemistry is undeniable. As Katie navigates swimming lessons, family drama, and the occasional hurricane, the sparks between her and Hutch light up the story. Add in Hutch’s colorful Aunt Rue and his lovable Great Dane, and you have a supporting cast that keeps the narrative lively and full of heart.

The novel strikes a perfect balance between laugh-out-loud moments (Katie’s fake swimming skills and wild Key West escapades) and heartfelt exploration of vulnerability, bravery, and trust. Katie’s journey from fear and insecurity to courage and self-acceptance is both engaging and inspiring, making her a protagonist readers will root for from start to finish.

With its tropical setting, sharp dialogue, and a mix of laughable misunderstandings and swoon-worthy moments, Next Stop Paradise is a must-read for fans of feel-good romantic comedies. It’s a story about taking risks, embracing the messy parts of life, and finding love in the most unexpected places—even when you’re just trying to keep your head above water.

I really loved Rom-Commer's when I read it last year, and it made me want to read anything Katherine Center. I did really like this book. The Love-Haters is a charming quick read with super witty and likeable characters who all experience some character growth by the end of the story. But, there was a lot going on and something fell flat, but I can't quite put my finger on it and I'll update my review when I figure it out. I really wish we had dual POV so we could have gotten Hutch's POV. Overall, it's a solid 3 star read!

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a devoted fan of Katherine Center, and I think I’ve only rated one of her books less than 5 stars. Unfortunately, this time, I’m reluctantly lowering my rating to 3 stars. This is my first three-star review for the author, and yes, this is an unpopular review alert! Don’t get me wrong—this is a solid romance read. Nothing about it is unenjoyable, and there were moments when I considered rounding 3.5 stars up to 4. But ultimately, my expectations were too high, and the storyline, along with the love story, just didn’t work for me. Here’s why.

Katie Vaughn’s journey in The Love Haters had an intriguing setup with its mix of humor, high stakes, and a dreamy Key West backdrop. The story promised all the feels, but I found the execution didn’t fully live up to the premise. Katie, a video producer faking her way through swim lessons and entangling herself in her coworker’s complicated family dynamics, started as a relatable and spirited protagonist. However, as the plot unfolded, the chemistry between Katie and Hutch, the so-called “love-hater,” felt underdeveloped and more told than shown.

The supporting characters were a mixed bag. Rue, Hutch’s quirky aunt, brought some much-needed vibrancy to the narrative, but others, like Katie’s friend Beanie and Cole, Hutch’s brother, lacked depth and likability. Beanie’s questionable support and Cole’s abrasive nature left me frustrated, and their roles in Katie’s life could have been explored with more nuance.

Another aspect that fell short for me was the handling of heavier themes, such as body image and grief. While these issues are important and commendable to include in a rom-com, they often felt overshadowed by the book’s lighter tone and over-the-top moments. The humor, which typically shines in Center’s books, occasionally missed the mark for me here, coming across as forced or distracting rather than charming.

That said, there were still elements of the story that kept me entertained. The tropical setting was vividly described, and the blend of swimming lessons, treasure hunts, and helicopter rides added an adventurous flair. Katie’s personal growth—learning to confront fears and embrace her worth—was a highlight, even if the journey felt uneven at times.

Overall, The Love Haters is a quick and easy read with flashes of Katherine Center’s signature charm. While it didn’t quite hit the high notes I’ve come to expect from her, it may still appeal to readers looking for a lighthearted rom-com with messages of self-discovery and empowerment. I’ll still be eagerly awaiting her next release—everyone has an off day, and this just wasn’t the perfect match for me.

3/5 stars

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is another win for Katherine Center. This fun rom-com has it all and had me laughing so much! Highly recommend!

Having the same name as a character is fun. Having the setting take place close to your home is amazing. Seeing the characters experience situations you have lived through is a dream. I loved this book. She captured the Key West vibe perfectly

I love Katherine Center’s books and look forward to reading any new ones published. I love how her main characters’ narrate the story and I find it comforting how they all have a similar voice. I read this in a day and found it incredibly enjoyable. I did feel like a large chunk of the story was focused on the main character’s past relationship history and not enough of the story was focused on the present one. It felt a little insta love-y for my taste. George Bailey stole the show! Overall I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend!