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 NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Having a bad day? Read a Katherine Center book to cheer you up. Having a great day? Read a Katherine Center book to keep the good vibes going. These are words to live by. Truly. So when I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of The Love Haters, you already know that no matter what mood I was in, this book hopped the line to the front of my giant TBR stack and was immediately devoured.

In the classic way only Katherine Center manages to achieve, the reader is immediately transported to another lovable character’s world where there’s (of course) romance, humor, and (as a new twist!) lots of action! The Love Haters will have you swooning, laughing, and falling in love not just with the characters but also with yourself, in this powerful ode to learning to accept and love one’s own body.

Huge thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This book was so good! I got to see Katherine Center at an event with her release of the RomCommers and quickly read several of her books. This one was so interesting, and kept me on my feet. I read it in one seating, I couldn't put it down! I wasn't expecting to cry, but man this book was so incredible. When she turned around to go and get the dog, I cried, and I don't think I stopped until I put the book down.

I liked this is that I liked the way Kate looked at herself and how she overcame her body image issues. They were very relatable. I liked her relationship with Beanie. I didn't love the men. I thought her ex would play a more prominent role. Cole was a jerk. And I wasn't sure what was going on with Hutch at times. Like maybe he wasn't even going to be her love interest? And at the end when he chose the dog? I couldn't believe it. Like, at all. So I love Katherine Center, I enjoyed reading this but it wasn't a favorite. The narration was great.

Narrator did amazing doing so many dif genders and ages. I enjoyed the romance and silliness of the book. I caught the myself giggling. It def was very over the top and sugary.

Katie has a history of hatred towards herself and her body. The Love Haters chronicles her journey of growth as a person. She makes peace (and even finds delights in) her body, and provides a great template for any woman who has hated her body.

It also includes a sweet, swoony, and healthy relationship. What a breath of fresh air!!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this fantastically narrated audiobook!

I just finished this book and let me say, I really enjoyed it!

I love Katherine Center and her closed-door romances. They are wholesome, charming and hilarious.

I will be honest, this book was not my fave compared to The Bodyguard. However, before going into this book I would recommend reading the author's note because it gives better context into what the story is about.

I originally was going to give this book a 3 star because I felt that we didn't get enough of the romance and Hutch felt very one-dimensional. Katherine Center made me realize that this story is about Katie and her battle with body image and how sometimes if we aren't completely whole before we find our person that is okay!


#NetGalley #TheLoveHaters

Listening to The Love Haters by Katherine Center was an absolute delight, and I can't recommend the audiobook version enough! The narrator brought each character to life in such a vivid and engaging way that I felt completely immersed in their world.

Hutch and Katie's story is a beautifully crafted tale that explores love, rivalry, and the complexities of human relationships. I particularly loved how their journey came full circle, showcasing both their growth and the intricate dynamics between them. Center masterfully balances humor and heart, making their interactions feel genuine and relatable.

One of the standout moments for me was the coast guard rescue scene. The tension and urgency were palpable, and I found myself on the edge of my seat, completely invested in what would happen next. It's moments like these that highlight Center's knack for creating suspense while still keeping the overarching themes of love and connection front and center.

Overall, The Love Haters is a compelling read that beautifully intertwines romance and adventure. Katherine Center has a unique ability to create characters that resonate deeply with readers, and this story is no exception. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for its characters, look no further. This one is a five-star gem!

DNF @ 6% - getting the ick from all the diet culture talk in the second chapter, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to get better thanks to other reviews/feedback. This is a dealbreaker for me, unfortunately.

Thanks St. Martins Press, Macmillan Audio & Netgalley for the review copies.

I really enjoyed this book. Patti Murin really brought the characters to life. Rue was my favorite character. Her bright, loving personality and back story were just beautiful. Katie and Hutch were hilarious. I loved getting to know them and watching their story develop. This is my new favorite Katherine Center book.

Thank you to Katherine Center, MacAudio2025 and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC.

I thought the narration of this book was well done, and I thought the plot and characters were engaging. There was a good mix of characters I loved (hey Rueeee, looking at you!) and characters I HATED (cough COLE cough cough) and interestingly they weren’t the leads. The leads were good, but the real character driven love and hate for me came in with the supporting characters which is interesting. Oh and not to be forgotten was the star of the show, the dog.

This is the perfect book for a day at the pool or the beach. Set in Key West, this is the story of Katie Vaughn, a video producer who wants to feature a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who shies from the spotlight. I wouldn't really classify this as their romance. Yes, they become a couple, but without his perspective or open-door love scenes, their romance falls flat. We're told a lot about their falling in love instead of witnessing it. The story does deliver on Katie's journey to self-love. Some reviewers are critical of Katie's low self-esteem, and I can see how incomprehensible her preoccupation with her looks would be unless they've experienced for themselves constant criticism from a parent. Those of us who have been there, get it.

This story is perfect for people who enjoy
-a light read
-a unique storyline
-a cast of Golden Girls
-found family
-a loveable four-legged character

I'd recommend listening to the audiobook. The voice actress is outstanding!

Look, if this was a movie I would watch it EVERY time it was on TV.

It's just one of those amazing stories with heart, humour and a fantastic dog. What more could you ask for?

The Love Haters is a true romcom, set in the Florida Keys with an unlikely duo (a coast guard and a girl who can't swim). Katie's insecurities were also handled incredibly well and honestly, I think we all need a Beanie in our corner.

Just go read this book and let a little colour into your life ❤️

🌟🌟🌟💫
Have I become a Love Hater?. Not a chance! I absolutely love…LOVE!❤️

The premise:
Katie Vaughn is about to lose her job as a video producer. Her only hope is accepting an assignment that will take her to the Florida Keys. Gee, that doesn't sound so bad!
Katie is tasked with putting together a piece on a headline making Coast Guard rescue swimmer named, “Hutch”. He’s super cute, loves animals, (having saved Jennifer Aniston’s dog) and the internet instantly falling in love with him. Sounds perfect, right!? Well…not so fast!
The job does require some filming on and over the water in the rescue helicopter, and guess what...Katie can’t swim! Details, details! That’s not going to stop our Katie!

My thoughts are a bit mixed.

Let me explain:
There is a strong theme of body positivity throughout this read. And while I was happy to see its inclusion, it overshadowed most of the read.

The romance itself also fell a bit flat for me. I didn’t care for Hutch’s character, and felt he was cruel in how he spoke and treated Katie. Why she would want a man who treated her this way was beyond me! There was nothing endearing about this man.

The saving grace for me was Rue, the feisty “aunt” who raised both Hutch and his brother! I wanted to move to Florida and move into her condo complex. Drinks by the pool, ladies!😎🍹

And of course, I can’t forget George Bailey, the Great Dane! I’m in puppy love!❤️ (He actually displayed more love than our leading man Hutch!)🙊

🎧: With having both the digital and audio versions, the audio won out! I would definitely recommend that format! Patti Murin was exceptional as always!

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio

This was my first Katherine Center book and I loved it! I rated it 4.5 stars! Just Katie’s personal growth alone is such a beautiful journey, as someone who has struggled to love my body, the way she overcomes it is so lovely. There is a mention of an eating disorder, so trigger warning for that. On to the development of her relationship with Hutch, I love this couple so much. They really bring the best out in each other. I adored this lively, colorful cast, I wish I had an aunt like Rue! George Bailey of course, gets an honorary mention as a wonderful, chaotic addition to this story. I’ve always wanted a Great Dane. Now for the plot, the entire premise had me hooked from the first chapter. Katie, not being able to swim, takes a job making a recruitment video of a rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard just to save her job, and the focus of said video is her superior’s grumpy, perfect brother. What could go wrong? This book was so fun, and the audio narration was great!

After the implosion of her engagement, Katie is struggling a bit with her self worth. Now her job is on the line, and she has two choices. Lose her job, or take a gig making a profile of “Hutch.” Hutch is a coast guard rescue swimmer and has had some time in the spotlight, and hates the spotlight. Katie doesn’t know how to swim, but doing a profile for someone that hates the spotlight, and doing it in bodies of water won’t be a problem right?

A main character with my name is so fun! I do have to start by saying that I hated how hard Katie was on her body. It didn’t feel like that was handled in the best way, though I know that 90% of women have felt that way about themselves at one time or another. I really loved Hutch, and the tension between him and Katie was fabulous! Cole…well I don’t want to get into my feelings on him! While I enjoyed this one overall, I had higher hopes for it.

Thank you to @stmartinspress for my gifted copy of this book!

Another great rom com beach read from Katherine Center!
The slow burn romance between Katie and Hutch is sweet and romantic as is the location, Key West. George Bailey and Aunt Rue add comic relief and are lovable canine and human supporting characters.

The narration by Patti Murin is excellent and really adds something special to the story.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a rom com.

This is 8th Katherine Center novel and she is an ALWAYS a must read for me.

Great romcom about a girl who learns to love herself, finds love and a wonderful guy and his dog George Bailey!

A story about healing that allows you to immerse yourself in the story/main character and truly understand how/what she is feeling.

Thank you, MacMillan audio and NetGalley, who provided me with an advanced reading/audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really love Katherine Center books. You can always count on a light, contemporary romance that explores an important topic. The Love Haters’ focus is on body positivity and the challenges facing the book’s main character.

The Love Haters starts off strong. I loved the premise, the characters (especially Aunt Rue), the humor and especially Great Dane, George Bailey. Even the “hot topic” was an important exploration of an issue that many (most?) women face. The first half of the book was exactly what I needed . . . an affable, sometimes laugh-out-loud story to escape from the challenges of real life.

The second half went off the rails a little bit. It was still entertaining, but didn’t have the same magic as the first half. I won’t get into specifics. But let’s just say the "lies and secrets" trope makes me cringe.

The Love Haters is still a fun read when you need something light-hearted to get your mind off the world.

The Love Haters was a fun read that kept me coming back for more! The characters were well developed and likable. The setting was perfect for a summer read!