Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Love Haters by Katherine Center. This review is based on that advance copy, provided solely for the purpose of an honest review.

Synopsis:
Katie Vaughn’s career is on the line, so when her coworker offers her a shot at saving it by profiling a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West, she jumps at the chance. There’s just one problem—Katie can’t swim, and the guy she’s profiling happens to be her coworker’s brother. Cue the awkward lies, swim lessons, and undeniable sparks. What starts as a work trip turns into way more, as Katie finds herself facing old fears, big feelings, and a whole lot of chaos along the way.

My thoughts:
This book ended up being a delightful surprise, but it did take some time to get there. The first 15% felt a bit slow, and I wasn’t quite sure where the story was headed. However, once the pacing picked up, I was fully invested. The premise felt fresh and unique, and I appreciated the way the story balanced humor with deeper emotional moments.

I do wish the romance had been explored more thoroughly. The early relationship building between Katie and Hutch felt a little rushed, and I found myself wanting more scenes of them interacting and getting to know each other throughout their time in Key West. That said, there were several laugh-out-loud moments that made this such an enjoyable read, and the final stretch of the book really delivered. I loved how the story wrapped up, and the emotional payoff in the last quarter was exactly what I was hoping for.

Overall, The Love Haters is a fun, heartwarming story with a memorable setting and a great cast of characters. Despite a slow start and a few missed opportunities in the romance development, it’s a book I’d easily recommend to fans of Katherine Center or anyone looking for a feel-good romantic comedy with just the right touch of heart.

I am a fan of Katherine Center but I feel this book wasn't at par for me. I just could not feel any love and emotion. The pacing isnt something I had a problem with but I felt the romance was quite under-developed.

This was a sweet, uplifting read with some beautiful messages about body acceptance and learning to give yourself grace. While I enjoyed it, I have to admit it wasn’t my favorite of Katherine Center’s books — How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire still hold the top spots for me.

There’s a conflict in the story that felt a bit forced, as if it was added just to create tension, and for me, it disrupted the natural charm of the plot. I also found the pacing a bit slow at times, which made parts of the story drag.

That said, Center’s signature magic is still here — she has an unmatched ability to write characters who not only have great chemistry but also radiate kindness and authenticity. She remains, in my mind, the queen of the comfort romance.

I’m giving this one 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

As always, Ms Center’s book was a winner. I have loved every single one I’ve read and I am pretty sure I’ve read them all! This one was a little more serious than some others but in a good way. The main character grows up and oozes confidence and charm along the way. I hope the next one comes out quickly because I am definitely having withdrawal.

A quirky FMC, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer MMC and a group of older ladies called The Gals make up an amazing character cast for this book. There was a big focus on learning to love yourself and your body which was refreshing - love stories don't have to be only about living others. There were a few things that I just didn't love in this book like Cole's character and his lying. Some of it felt really far fetched. Overall a sweet read that's a bit of a ride.

Katherine Center always knows how to write an interesting and charming love story! She has unique and quirky characters and fun dialogue.

This story starts with Katie going to film reluctant Beto, rescue swimmer, and older brother to her manager for some promotion for the U.S. Coast Guard. She’s doing Cole, her manager, a favor by taking the assignment with his older brother Hutch, in hopes of avoiding being part of a round of lay offs at work.

Katie arrives and starts to discover that Hutch is very different than Cole made him seem. He’s handsome, capable, hard working, possibly flirting with her, and NOT the love hater he was made out to be. Hutch and Katie end up spending almost all their time together while she films him, gets swim lessons from him, and is living at his aunts cottage.

These two are so cute and sweet together. I love their banter and soft moments together. Hutch comes to Katie’s rescue on several occasions and they just have some sweet and tender moments.

Katie is working through quite a lot throughout the book in terms of her self image, confidence, negative self talk, body image issues, and disordered eating in her past. I thought the authors note at the end of the novel provided some important thoughts but beware that these topics are present and proceed with care. They were a bit much for me at times for my personal preferences.

My only other issue with the book was all the LYING from the brother, Cole. Boy did he make things messy! Once I hit the 70% mark I just had to keep reading because of the family drama.

This book is a closed door romance and was overall a fun read!

Face your fears and hot guys? Sign me up! I Love Katherine Center’s depth of characters and out-of-the-box romances. The side characters really stood out in this book with some deep family drama and yes, there is an adorable dog. However, things seemed to much and storylines became a bit far fetched even for a romcom, love Katherine's other books but this one was not a top one.
Thank you Net Galley and St Martins press for the ARC copy.

I don’t know how Kathrine Center manages to blend a cute love story with more heavy, serious topics and still keep it light and hopeful but she does it every time and The Love Haters is no exception. She is also great at just writing a truly funny and relatable FMC that I have come to think of it as her signature, a way that you can know write away she wrote it. In the love haters it was great to see how Katie uses this trip to prove to help prove to herself that after her breakup, she is whole again. I am always a sucker for a man who starts off grumpy but quickly melts for his love interest and Hayden does just that. Their relationship progression felt natural and I really enjoyed the pacing of the story after a bit of a slow start. I would recommend this book both to those who have read Center's previous works but it is also great as a starting point for those who have never read her work before.

Oh. My. Swooning heart. Katherine Center, you’ve done it again, you magnificent purveyor of witty banter and slow-burn yearning that makes a reader want to simultaneously sigh contentedly and punch a pillow in delightful frustration. The Love Haters is less a book and more a perfectly crafted emotional obstacle course designed to trip you headfirst into a puddle of romantic goo. And honestly? I signed up willingly.

Our protagonists, the gloriously prickly Audrey and the infuriatingly charming Louis, are locked in a professional death match with the prize being… well, each other’s constant, simmering annoyance, apparently. Their animosity is so palpable, you could practically cut it with the sharp edges of Audrey’s perfectly tailored suits. And yet! Beneath the barbs and the eye-rolls, a spark flickers with the stubborn persistence of a toddler demanding more cookies.

Center’s genius lies in making you crave the inevitable collision of these two oil-and-vinegar personalities. The snark is razor-sharp, the internal monologues are laugh-out-loud relatable (especially if you’ve ever fantasized about tripping a particularly irritating colleague), and the slow reveal of their vulnerabilities is handled with the delicate precision of a bomb disposal expert… except the bomb is their carefully guarded hearts, and the explosion is pure, unadulterated romance.

Now, let’s not pretend this is groundbreaking literature. It’s a rom-com, people. But it’s a masterfully executed rom-com. Center understands the assignment: deliver witty dialogue that makes you snort your tea, create characters you simultaneously want to throttle and hug fiercely, and build a romantic tension so thick you could spread it on toast. And boy, does she deliver.

However (and here’s where the snark kicks back in, because balance, people), be prepared to suspend a teensy bit of disbelief. Some of the “accidental” encounters and forced proximity situations lean a little heavily on the “fate is a meddling matchmaker with a slightly stalkerish vibe” trope. But honestly? When the payoff is this deliciously swoony, I’m willing to forgive a few narrative contrivances.

So, should you read The Love Haters? If you enjoy your romance served with a side of sarcasm, your yearning seasoned with genuine wit, and your happy endings earned through a delightful gauntlet of professional antagonism, then YES. A thousand times yes. Just be prepared to emerge from its pages with a goofy grin and a slightly unrealistic expectation that your own office nemesis might secretly be your soulmate. (Spoiler alert: probably not. But a girl can dream, right?) Five out of five sparkly, heart-eyed emojis. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go reread my favorite snarky banter scenes and maybe practice my own award-winning eye-rolls. For research purposes, of course.

I LOVED this one!! The message really spoke to me and made me realize the importance of life. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. The setting is perfect for the summer months and really made me happy. Always adore her books!!

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!

I love Katherine Center but unfortunately this one just fell flat for me. The pacing felt off and I feel like there were a lot of gaps in information—the relationship/romance progressed, but I felt like they hadn’t even conversed all that much. I also couldn’t get past the manipulative, wildly inappropriate coworkers. They seemed like it didn’t really fit in with the story. And while I appreciate talking about body image, it really had too large of a portion in the book in my opinion.

That all being said, I loved Rue and The Gals and their friendship with Katie. Katherine Center just has a style of writing that makes you feel cozy and at home, so I will definitely continue to pick up her books. This one just wasn’t a winner.

This book was such a wonderful mix of lighthearted romance and deep story of self love and personal growth. Katherine Center has an amazing skill in creating whole, unique, singularly interesting female main characters, and Katie was no exception. Her voice and character shone through in her internal monologue, and her genuineness was apparent in every interaction she had with other characters. Hutch was a perfect male main character, good-hearted through and through, with a twin goal of wanting what's best for Katie and wanting her to want what's best for her as well. The story was unlike any other I've ever read, and when it was over I was truly sad to say goodbye to these characters. I could have read many more chapters (or many more books!) of Hutch's quiet, caring qualities and Katie's bubbly personality (and, my GOAT Rue).

Over the last few years, Katherine Center has quickly become a favorite author of mine. Each of her books, though very different, is still so uniquely "her" to me, and the Love Haters is no exception.

This story focuses on Katie, a video producer, who agrees to travel to Key West to profile Coast Guard rescue swimmer and reluctant subject Hutch in an effort to save her job -- despite not knowing how to swim herself. Katie is still reeling from her break-up from her now famous musician fiance and the struggling to put behind her the cruel comments his fans made about her appearance while they were together. Hutch, meanwhile, is Katie's co-worker Cole's brother, who obtained viral fame following a high profile rescue of a celebrity's dog, but wants anything but the spotlight. When the two supposed "love haters" connect in Key West, the rest is Katherine Center history.

I've seen a lot of mixed reviews of this one, but I enjoyed it. Center's trademark casual/comfortable/conversational tone is present throughout, which is something that repeatedly draws me back to her books. This one does not shy away from some tough topics such as body insecurity and death of loved ones, but I did not find Katie's body image issues to be trivialized or mishandled like other reviews I've seen. (Although I do think that the author's note was important, and might be better served at the beginning of the book rather than at the end). I found Rue (and "the Gals") to be a great side character - kind, funny, colorful and inviting. And any book prominently featuring a dog with a personality and character all his own is a winner for me. My biggest gripe with this one was Cole's arrival in Key West and the storyline that follows his arrival; the way it played out just seemed completely unbelievable to me, and Cole was so incredibly unlikeable that it had me cringing. But I appreciated the handling of the family dynamics, and overall while this was not my FAVORITE of hers, I very much enjoyed it.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For a long time, I'd heard about Katherine Center's books but never picked one up until now. Let me tell you, it changed something for me.

Katie is skating on thin ice at her filming job, knowing that getting laid off is just around the corner. So when a new opportunity pops up, she jumps at it. The catch? It's a profile piece on a Coast Guard swimmer, and she’s conveniently leaving out one small detail, she can't swim. To make matters worse, the coworker originally assigned to the project, who just so happens to be the swimmer’s brother, sends Katie in his place without telling anyone because apparently they don't get along.

What starts as just another job quickly turns into a chance for Katie to open herself up to life and love. But as the lies start to pile up, things get increasingly complicated with Hutch, the charming and incredibly handsome Coast Guard swimmer who’s making her rethink everything.

I loved the connection between the main characters, the way they gradually get to know each other and how they genuinely care. Their bond feels authentic and they are beautifully imperfect. I especially appreciated the author's note at the end, Katherine truly gives us a gift with her words, making it the perfect way to close the story. This book (and author) found me at just the right time, and I couldn't be more grateful for that.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc!

Katherine Center does it again! I absolutely zoomed through this book—it’s the perfect read to kick off the summer. The story thoughtfully explores body insecurities and the journey toward embracing self-worth, all while keeping things light, engaging, and relatable.

Katie and Hutch’s relationship is a joy to watch unfold. Their chemistry is sweet, fun, and authentic, making every chapter even more enjoyable. If you're looking for a light-hearted, feel-good read with real emotional depth and a sprinkle of romance, I highly recommend this one!

DNF at 22%.

I've never read Katherine Center before, but she is so highly recommended by my friends that I was excited to read this one. I was unpleasantly surprised when I started reading and realized that the primary conflict for the FMC of this rom-com? is her body image issues and history of an eating disorder. There is no mention of this in the summary of the book or the blurb. I have no problem reading heavier material and difficult topics, but not packaged as a light-hearted, forced proximity, summer romance. I was really turned off by a prolonged scene where the FMC has an internal spaghetti-western style "standoff" with her bathing suit because it's the first one she's contemplated trying on since middle school. She's crippled by her anxiety and negative thoughts, which her best friend laughs off as being a "phobia" she needs to get over by using exposure therapy techniques. I mean, why would anyone think such a situation is funny, and should be played for laughs? There are no TW/CW either in the e-ARC I received.

I absolutely adore Katherine Center's books, and this story was not an exception. The Love Haters is a perfect summer romcom. This book had several heartwarming moments and had me laughing most of the time. In this story we follow our main character Katie. Katie is on a mission to save her career. Her main mission is to convince Hutch to share a story. Katie and Hutch were so likable and adorable together. The ending was perfect and I absolutely can’t wait to have a physical copy for my collection. Once again thank you NetGalley and publisher for giving me this amazing opportunity.

Katie has had a terrible year and now she's in threat of losing her job. When one of her superiors, Cole, throws her a bone and gives her an assignment in Key West filming a promo for the coast guard with Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson, Katie knows she can't turn it down. One thing though: Katie cannot swim. Oh also it turns out that Hutch is Cole's brother and they have had some sort of falling out so tensions are high between them.

Once Katie arrives in Key West and begins learning about Hutch and his life and job, she doesn't see the unhappy person that Cole painted for her. Rather someone kind and thoughtful.

Katherine Center has become a top author for me. The way she takes some tough topics and weaves them into a story is close to magic. This time around we're talking about our relationships. Not just what we think of as our normal relationships but the ones with our bodies. How oftentimes we are our worst critics. In Katie's case social media did a pretty good job of "helping". Especially after she came into the public eye when her now ex-fiance became a famous musician upon going viral.

Then we have Hutch who is kind and caring but also closes himself off for reasons that are not immediately apparent and which I won't reveal here.

Once Hutch and Katie are together you feel like everything is right, it just clicks into place, this is how it's supposed to be. But there's still quite a few obstacles in the way with quite a few of said obstacles stemming from Katie's job.

I rushed through this book as I tend to do with all of Katherine Center's books. There's just something so comforting and reassuring every time I read one of her books. I know that there's going to be some kind of hardship, but I also know that everything will work itself out in the end.

The Love Haters is the latest romantic comedy from beloved author Katherine Center. I have enjoyed many of her previous novels, and this one also started out strong for me. I was fully invested in an HEA for self conscious Katie, who is recovering from being dumped by her now famous musician fiancé and then bullied by social media commentators. She is struggling with body imagine and on the verge of losing her job as a videographer. Katie’s journey of self love dominates the narrative. Her destined romantic partner, Hutch, is a handsome, heroic, golden retriever dream. He works for the Coast Guard in Florida, the subject of Katie’s latest assignment. The quirky side characters, including Katie’s self-help loving best friend, Hutch’s sweet Aunt Rue and delightful band of retirees and Hutch’s Great Dane, George Bailey, provide frequent laughs.
Unfortunately the story started to lose me when Katie’s colleague (also Hutch’s younger brother), Cole, attempts to steal the show with a series of unnecessary lies and drama. The reader then needs to suspend disbelief with the over the top dramatic ending. Overall this was not my favorite novel by Katherine Center, however I remain a huge fan of her work and her love of romance novels. 3.5/5⭐️

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own. 5/20/25

Loved it. It may help that I have been to Key West as that is where most of the action takes place. I had empathy for the characters. Their back stories were unusual and heartbreaking. Good story that kept me turning the pages. Some exciting moments and several fun ones. Lots of personal growth. Rue and the Gals were terrific. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.