I will never not be excited to see a new Katherine Center release. "The Love Haters" is the perfect kick off to summer reading and the plot, characters and romance were just perfect. It's hard not to devour a new release in one sitting, but I took my time because I didn't want to let go of the story.

**Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

I'm rounding up to three stars on this one because I enjoyed Aunt Rue so much. That said, this was Katherine Center's weakest romcom to date, in my opinion. It had some fun lines, and Aunt Rue's cast of friends was colorful, but ultimately this was a story about a woman with severe body image issues (and a history of disordered eating) learning to be ok in her own body, and also falling for an objectively perfect but pretty uninteresting man (he's a Coast Guard rescue swimmer that adopted an overlooked great dane and is a great dog dad, if that help suck you in?).

Our FMC spends a LOT of the book unhappy with her body, thinking about when she starved herself, and trying to get to a place where she is at peace with how she looks. This may resonate with a lot of women, and if so, I hope they enjoy this story. I couldn't connect with this level of physical self-loathing, and found it offputting in a beach read.

I also just didn't connect with the plot here: a female video producer takes a job she is not qualified for, lies, allows additional lying about her, then falls for a man she has been lying to and is surprised when he does not appreciate the lies.

And I don't even understand the title. No one hates love in this book. No one is even particularly trying to avoid love, it just hasn't fallen in their lap yet.

Overall, I think this would be a great romance for someone more comfortable with a FMC focused on her physical shortcomings, but I could never get into it.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the chance to read and review, though!

✨ THE LOVE HATERS ✨
Rating: 3⭐️ - It Was Ok

As I’m writing this, I’m honestly in such a slump with my reads this month and so over it!! I’m honestly devastated that I disliked this one so much given I absolutely ADORED THE ROM-COMMERS (it was my favorite romance of 2024!!!)

THE LOVE HATERS follow Katie, a film maker who is sent by her boss Hutch, to film a Coast Guard recruitment video with online heart throb and brother Cole.

❤️ for my LOVERS of SELF-LOVE (it’s a big theme),

💔 I’ll be honest I went into this one not being sure about the PLOT and as expected it did not work for me - there was no underlying trope (i.e. enemies/friends to lovers) that help me feel for this “couple” - it felt like the romance was between Katie and herself??

💔 one of the biggest themes in this story is around body positivity/self care/loving yourself - all themes I love and support but think in a novel it needs to be balanced? This was not - we spent multiple pages with Katie arguing with her BFF about putting on a swimsuit. It was extreme and deterred me away

💔 the other characters? Cole? Hutch (please don’t get me start with how TOXIC hutch was)? The BFF?

❤️ my main love of this book is EVA - oh my where can I get an Eva in my life?! She was so heartfelt and really such an incredible character to add into this read and to support the theme

Katherine Center's books always feel like a warm hug and never fail to leave me with a smile. She draws me in with her fantastic characters and makes me empathize with their challenges, concerns, and love stories. Not only do her stories explore romantic love, but Center also creates beautiful love stories for her FMCs with themselves.

This book stands out from some of Center's other works because, in addition to her signature humor and heartfelt exploration of deeper themes, this one includes some action. The MMC is a Coast Guard member, and I enjoyed learning more about those real-life heroes and that branch of service.

The characters are so well developed in this, and leap off the page, including the supporting cast. I especially loved the endearing Aunt Rue. However, the true star of the show was adorable George Bailey, the Great Dane, who literally bowled over both Katie and me!

The story had a strong emphasis on self-love and body image, which is handled sensitively. FMC Katie works through this for herself with bravery, strength, and an open vulnerability that makes her very relatable. Her grumpy/sunshine dynamic with swoony MMC Hutch was a delightful slow burn that had me rooting for them.

Patti Murin narrates the audiobook and is fabulous as always. She has narrated all of Center's books and really knows how to capture the emotional depth of Center's writing, and delivers a nuanced performance. Her voice is easy to listen to, which was perfect because I finished this in just one day! And don't miss the Author's Note!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted book and audiobook

*4.5 rounded up

This is my first Kathrine Center book & I’ll definitely be reading more by her. Quick paced, rom-commy, heartwarming, laugh out loud book. I couldn’t get enough of Katie & Hutch story! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
As always Center’s words, writing, story, and characters were delightful. Center has become an auntie read author for me. This story had me in all my feels. I adored our FMC’s growth throughout the story and her self love journey.

I’ll be honest, if this hadn’t been an ARC, I would have DNF’d at about 20%. I tell you this because I AM glad I kept reading. While it wasn’t a book for me, it wasn’t bad.
I’ll explain why this book didn’t hit the mark for me. It didn’t feel like a romance. This book felt like a story about a woman attempting to overcome body issues and there happened to be a man in there, somewhere, too. The body issues plot was too much for me. It took over the book and honestly felt repetitive and just… too much. The chemistry between the two main characters was lacking. We hardly saw them interacting because we were just overrun with how much she didn’t want him to see her, like basically at all, because… body issues. I know there was a lot more to this book, but unfortunately, this is what I am left thinking about.
But I did laugh a few times and I did find the “adventure” entertaining (though I wish we had more “on the job” moments with Hutch). I ended up reading it pretty quickly once I got past about 40% (and accepted we were on this body acceptance journey together). And I loved a lot of the characters (the old lady club was amazing!).
Katherine Center is a great writer, I have no doubt about that. I just think her storylines aren’t for me. And that’s OK!
I really appreciate that I got to read this story and I’m grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this hilarious, and breathtaking story that is full of witty banter, comical and awkward hijinks, exciting adventures, and tender moments of healing. Katie Vaughn is desperate to take a job in Key West filming a promotional video of Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson at the request of her boss, Cole. To save her job, she doesn't mention that she doesn't know how to swim, which is one of the main job requirements. Hutch wanted his brother Cole to be there so they could mend their relationship. He was not happy Katie showed up, especially because he was wildly attracted to the quirky, smart, beautiful woman that his aunt has taken under her wing. Katie and Hutch's meet cute was hilarious and set the stage for many more interactions. As they spend time together, they begin to respect, like and have fun together. But when Cole shows up unexpectantly, he causes miscommunication that divides them. Before they can reconnect, a hurricane that is baring down on them, could separate them for good. I loved Katie and Hutch together! They were opposites that fit so perfectly together. Katie lived a grey life, not looking for adventure, but found a colorful life, full of love with Hutch, his dog, and his sweet aunt and her community of supportive friends. Hutch is a true hero who just wants to live a quiet life with those he loves. I loved how he kept the things he cherished most close to his heart. I was so captivated by this story with it's wonderful and quirky characters, awesome storyline, and superb writing. I was so intrigued by the life of a coast guard rescue swimmer, which added some heart-pounding, breathtaking moments! I was completely captivated and loved every word of this hilarious, sweet, and moving story!

Unfortunately, I ended up not finishing this book. I am someone who has struggled with eating disorder and body dysmorphia in the past, and the hyper-fixation on body image, insecurity, thigh gaps, etc. was starting to trigger me a bit.

I loved the quirky side characters (Aunt Rue & George Bailey!!!) and thought the writing helped me visualize the setting and story well, but the constant body image talk pulled me out of the story (due to my own trauma).

I think an author’s note or trigger warning at the beginning would have served this book well due to the frequency of body image talk.

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s press for the early copy 💗

So here’s the thing about Katherine Center. I get sucked in by her premises because they sound amazing, but by the end of the book, I’m a little dissatisfied, because the plot is larger than life—it’s like a Disney movie, sweet and entertaining but a little too big and bright to be realistic. That tends to bother me. I want my stories to feel like something that really could happen, and at a certain point my disbelief becomes impossible to suspend.

But I must have been in the right frame of mind, in dire need of some escapism, because THE LOVE HATERS hit the right notes for me. There were so many unlikely elements (I mean, the whole thing with the brother’s love life?) but I still devoured this in two days. Katherine Center is a gifted writer—her dialogue and scenes flow seamlessly, and when i wanted my belief suspended (and I did this week), I went on a delightful adventure that hovered at the edge of life-threateningly precarious for a moment or two. Would you expect anything different when the love interest is a rescue swimmer?

Anyway, a great time. Definitely worth reading on a beach.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this galley in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this and may have had to take an extended lunch break today in order to finish it. I loved Katie and Hutch’s story however at times it felt too easy and other times it felt like a long slow burn. I enjoyed Rue and The Gals but did not care for Cole and Sully. I do like this book showcases all different kinds of love relationships—Katherine’s note at the end does a great job delving into this more.

I could tell this was well researched though I could see the climax point being a trigger for some. Overall, a solid book from Katherine.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Another hit by Katherine Center! I really enjoy Katherine’s books, and this one was no different. At times it felt a bit far fetched, but sometimes that’s what I am looking for in a book. Loved the characters and also the book taking place in the Florida keys was really fun. Overall really enjoyed it!

I would like to start out by saying thank you so much for this e-arc copy.
Although, I did have to ultimately DNF this story at 36%. Which came to me as a surprise, I was anticipating this novel so much and I adore Katherine’s writing.
But for me, something did fall flat, which may be a personal reasoning. I felt like I couldn’t connect enough with Katie. Ultimately, it came down to feeling as though the character was written overly insecure.
Which as again, is a major personal opinion.
I will most definitely be re-attempting this novel at a later date.
So thank you again for this opportunity!
(I don’t publicly post reviews for novels I don’t finish, as I don’t have the whole story to go by.)

Kate has a brutal assignment - create a video about a rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard. As she spends time with Hutch, the rescue swimmer, she finds more than a successful video. When I see a new book release by Katherine Center, I jump at the opportunity to read it! I simply love her books!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this title.

I really wanted to love this title as I heard many great reviews on this authors precious work. Unfortunately this did not hold my interest and therefore I chose to stop reading/did not finish.

⭐️⭐️✨ 2.5/5
Book: The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Format: ARC and Audiobook

Thank you to NetGalley and @Macmillan.Audio for the ARC!

This was my first Katherine Center book, and I really wanted to love it—but sadly, it just did not click for me. I did not feel much chemistry between Katie and Hutch, and the banter felt more forced than flirty. Hutch was supposed to be dreamy, but honestly just came off kind of grumpy, and their connection never really pulled me in.

Also, just being real here, the constant focus on body image was tough. As someone who is trying to give myself more grace after having two kids back to back, it felt more discouraging than empowering. On the bright side, the dog was my favorite character 😂 I am super thankful for the audiobook, because that is the only way I was able to get through it. This one was a miss for me, but I know it might land better for others!

Deep romcom!

I absolutely LOVED this book! I crushed it within 24 hours! I could not put it down! 👏🏻👏🏻

The characters were on par! Katie, the FMC was my favorite! She essentially gets sent to interview a famous Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hutch. Her job is on the line so she reluctantly does it to appease Cole, her coworker. Come to find out Cole and Hutch are brothers and have a rocky relationship with a deep past. As Katie navigates interviewing Hutch (who happens to be the most gorgeous guy ever), so much happens. Hutch is also known as a dog lover (BONUS) and a love hater…

The tension that builds along with banter and learning about the characters’ lives in the past was all so fun! Katherine knows how to write fun romance with plenty of emotional pieces. Entertaining is a great word for this book!

I loved Aunt Rue and Hutch’s Great Dane, George Bailey was another star of the show. It was just a really great time. The very end of the epilogue really spoke to my heart. The deep connection I felt from Katherine’s writing there was something I haven’t felt too many times while reading. Overall, the underlying theme of this one is deep and so so great for any woman who struggles with seeing all the good in herself physically. 🫶🏻

*thank you to NetGalley for an eARC and St. Martin’s Press for a physical ARC!

I enjoyed this author's previous works. So I was excited to check this one out. And while I enjoyed some parts of the book, overall it lacked emotional depth, and the characters weren't very well fleshed out. As a result, I couldn't fully immerse myself in the story.

The concept was there, but the execution left me wanting more.

I am choosing to stop reading this book at about 10%. It seems that the female main character’s body image and previous dieting and disordered eating trauma are going to play a big role in her character arc. I did not see this pre-warned in any way. Just the sheer amount of focus it’s received in these first few chapters was enough to make me feel uncomfortable. As a woman and as the mother of a young daughter, this is a trigger for me especially since her trauma began at a young age. While I’m sure some women who relate and struggle with this might find support in reading this character’s struggle, it is not something I would choose to read and to continue would be forcing myself through it.

4.25 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for a copy of this ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I really enjoyed this one! I am a big fan of Katherine Center and this book was no different. I thought Hutch was such a fun MMC and I really enjoyed his character. This book flew by! I will say that our FMC, Katie's, commentary on her body may be upsetting for some but I definitely felt seen in her inner monologue that she had with herself. I had several scenes that had me laughing out loud. While there were some scenes that were over the top and exaggerated, overall I had a good time. The ex and Colin can kick rocks, but other than that, I had a blast. I will say Hutch does emote a lot for someone they say is a love hater. I definitely appreciate his character and his personality to of taking care of others. Also, much like Katie, I would do anything for George Bailey.

CW: Death of a parent (past, described), Drunk Driving references (past, described), natural disaster