So much more than a charming "boy meets girl" romance, though don’t get me wrong, the romance is adorable and full of those swoon-worthy, feel-good moments Katherine Center does so well. But what truly sets this book apart is Katie’s journey to loving herself.

Watching her heal, grow, and reclaim her sense of self-worth was inspiring, uplifting, and genuinely thought-provoking. It’s a love story in the truest sense, one where the most powerful relationship is the one she rebuilds with herself.

If you're looking for a feel-good read that balances humor, heart, and a strong message about self-love, The Love Haters is the book for you.

I don’t DNF often, especially not this far in, but I had to call it at 40%. I enjoyed The Bodyguard but didn’t love it, so I was curious to give this one a try. Unfortunately, it just didn’t hold my interest.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a fun read that leaned more into comedy than romance—which surprised me as I was expecting a lot more romance. There are a lot of slapstick-style moments (ripped bathing suits, rogue dogs, unexpected chaos) that give the story its true rom-com energy. It’s very physical comedy—not so much clever banter or wit—and while that might not be for everyone, I found myself laughing out loud more than once.

Katie’s personal arc was actually my favorite part of the book. Her complicated relationship with her body is front and center, and the way Katherine Center described it as an enemies-to-lovers story between Katie and herself really resonated with me. Some readers might find parts of that journey uncomfortable or even a little triggering, but I appreciated the honesty of it and think a lot of people will see themselves in it.

The romance, though, was where this didn’t fully hit for me. Hutch is great on paper, but I wish we had seen more meaningful connection between him and Katie throughout the story. It’s a very slow burn, but so slow that it almost snuck up out of nowhere. And while I loved the Key West setting, I didn’t totally buy the setup—Katie’s assignment to film a promo video, and the idea that the shoot would take a month, didn’t really make sense. A project like that would usually have a tighter timeline and smaller budget, especially if funded by the government. Still, this is a heartfelt, entertaining story with plenty of emotional layers.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the audio version of this book! The narrator was fantastic.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy of The Love Haters by Katherine Center Narrated by Patti Murin in exchange for an honest review. It publishes May 20, 2025.
First off, Patti Murin did an excellent job narrating this book, she always does great!
As always, Katherine Center brought us a wonderful story that touches on so much. I especially loved the author’s note, which I really appreciated.
This book was so sweet and inspiring, but also informative! I learned a lot about the Coast Guard, and really appreciated the way things were explained. I loved the setting, the character development, the relationships, all of it! I highly recommend this one!

Wow. So where do I even start with this book? I guess I just say Katherine has done it again! I am a huge Katherine fan and read all her books so this was one of my most anticipated books of the year. It did not disappoint.

Our female main character is relatable and her struggle with self love and food was such a great addition to this romance. So many of Katherine’s books have an element of self discovery while falling in love and this story has a similar nature. I loved that her knowing about these issues and her feeling healed was just her way of coping and finding a way to survive for so long that messing with her routine (her outfits, her location, her daily activities) really pushed her outside her comfort zone and made her reevaluate herself. And our male main character!!! He was so sweet. I loved that he was so attractive yet so humble and kind. Genuinely he came off like such a sweet soul I want him in my life. His disbelief and shock at her ability to not see herself clearly was such a sweet moment and I loved that he didn’t know what to do the entire book to show her he cared. Everything was fantastic. I cannot wait for her next book and I know I will be reading this again.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet summer romance. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.

I would have liked this book so much more if A) there wasn’t such blatant on the page eating disorder or B) there was an authors note at the beginning giving me a heads up.

Katie falls into (and tells) a few lies that get her a job she’s far from qualified for; profiling the rescue swimmer who saved Jennifer Anniston’s dog. Hutch is sweet and grumpy, but he will do anything for the people he loves. Add in a funky aunt, a thunder-phobic dog, a phone hiatus, and an impending hurricane and you get The Love Haters.

I loved most things about this book. Hutch? Dreamy. Rue? Funky and fresh. George Bailey? The best. I just wish Katie’s struggles with her body would have been approached a bit differently.

The narrator did a great job, I loved listening!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ALC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I’m no stranger to Katherine Center’s novels, so when I was given the opportunity to read this book early, I was excited. It has the typical Katherine Center witty rom-com banter, which I adore. Based on the title, I was expecting a grumpy x grumpy trope, but you never really felt that at all. I really would’ve liked to have seen that more. We can understand why the FMC might be but not the MMC.

I really enjoyed the underlying theme of learning to love yourself and your body as is. However, the FMC’s journey through major body dysmorphia and a likely eating disorder feels like it was glazed over and resolved a bit too easily. I would’ve liked to see that explored in a more meaningful way.

Overall, I really loved the unique perspective of a documentary filmmaker vs coast guard rescue swimmer. It feels like something I haven’t seen in a story before, so that was nice. The Gals were a nice touch and some comedic relief. And the big lovable gentle giant, George Bailey was *chef’s kiss*. It doesn’t seem I’ll stop recommending Katherine Center’s books anytime soon!

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I walked around all day with my speaker listening to it. The narrator is great. I talked with her, I got mad at her, I laughed and smiled like a fool with her. I love Katie and I might be in love with hutch. What a great body positive love story!

I only have a few comfort read authors, and Katherine Center is one of them. I’ve read every one of her books, and I expect disappointment each time, but I never get it (hope for the best, but expect the worst and all that). I still hold Hello Stranger as my favorite Center book, but this one comes to it closely. The Love Haters is number two in the most recent grouping of stories, which I think has a jilted theme, with Charlie from The Rom-Commers not believing in love and Cole having similar aversions to the feeling as well. I love seeing what new spin on all the romance tropes I’ll find in Center’s books; this one’s got some clever ones for sure.

Two things readers can most definitely expect in a Katherine Center rom-com are actually funny comedic parts and seriously emotionally hard-hitting aspects. While Emma has to lie to keep her job (she can’t really swim) and suffer a notoriously grumpy and video-resistant film subject in the meantime. Though Cole has a bristly exterior, he seems to be a giant softie to everyone else, especially the older ladies who hang out at the pool, his aunt, and his giant ninny dog. The irony made comedic gold and the dog took the cake.

Characters in Center books are no less awesome, and usually the side characters have some serious appeal that threatens to overshadow the mains, which happened here in spades. Cole’s aunt needs her own book or something, and I need an origin story of ninny dog in the form of a picture book stat.

Just about everything about this book tugged on the heartstrings. If Katherine Center keeps writing, I’ll gladly take regular breaks from SFF books to come back to the real world. But just for a bit. I must be about my magical business.

Murin’s narration the voice matched so perfectly the tone of the story and the characters. I read this as an ebook first and then listened to the ALC. The narration didn’t change a thing about the story; it only enhanced it, as any good narration should.

Overall, 5/5 for all of it. I love Center’s writing, and her romance has the added bonus of the complete lack of explicit sexual content.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the DRC and ALC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

Katie Vaughn, video producer, accepts a job to profile Hutch, coast guard rescue swimmer even though she cant swim in order to save her job. Not only cant she swim, she hasn't worn a bathing suit since middle school, and her insecurities about her body are only one of the obstacles in this rom com set in Key west. We have family issues between the subject of her video and his brother, who also happens to be her coworker who got her this assignment, an old boyfriend who's songs play on the radio and whose fans shame Katie on social media, and a group of lovable older ladies led by Hutch's Aunt Rue and a great Dane named George Bailey that round out the cast.

This novel has Centers usual fun cast of characters, and I really loved the character of Rue and her friends who gave this a found family element. I also enjoyed the adventure element we got toward the end, and Katies journey of self discovery and improved self worth. George Bailey was also a fun character to read as well, and any support of dog rescue in a novel gets a thumbs up from me. All in all The Love Haters in another enjoyable Rom Com from Katherine Center. Its not my favorite of hers, but I still found it a nice addition to her library.

I listened to the Audio read by Patti Murin who delivers another solid performance. I had no trouble differentiating the characters and she does fine with the male voices as well as the female, making listening to the book an enjoyable experience. Thank you to Net galley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of this audio book.

First, Patti Murin is a wonderful narrator, and I probably wouldn’t have stuck with the book if not for her. But sadly, Love Haters fell flat as a romance,. It just didn’t give me any butterflies despite having promise and some fun side characters (Rue, the dog). Everything to do with the bother Cole was so convoluted and he was such an off-putting character, I also noticed a repetitive “like” writing quirk where the author was constantly describing things as “blah blah blah, I said, like blah blah” or “he shrugged like blah blah”

Katherine Center at her best—The Love Haters is everything I wanted and more! This book had me laughing, swooning, and completely invested in Katie and Hutch’s journey from start to finish.

Katie is a mess in the most relatable way, and Hutch? Oh, I am obsessed. Their grumpy/sunshine dynamic was perfection, and the found family vibes—between Hutch’s eccentric Aunt Rue, his lovable Great Dane, and the whole chaotic Key West setting—made this story even more special.

Beyond the romance, I loved how this book explored self-love in such a meaningful way. Katie’s personal growth, facing her fears, and learning to trust herself again made the story even richer. And let’s be real—Katherine Center never misses when it comes to lovable characters and heartfelt, feel-good storytelling. Loved the audio version, it brought the story to life in such a loveable way!

Thank you to MacMillian audio and author Katherine Center for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for a honest review.
What does a Great Dane, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and a blogger have in common? Water.
When Katie’s work superior told her he had the perfect job for her and bonus she would get content for her blog she wondered what the catch was.
Hutch, the most famous Coast Guard swimmer in the Florida Keys, was tasked to star in a recruiting video. When Katie arrived in the Keys she found out she was going to need to swim in order to be able to ride in the rescue helicopter. Her teacher, turned out to be Hutch, who brought along his Rescue dog George Bailey, What happened next just set the tone for this amusing and heartwarming Rom-com.
As Katie overcomes self doubt and body positivity with the help of Rue, Hutches elderly aunt, and her crew, she finds out there is love out there if you are just willing to take the chance.
This book kept me engaged and wanting to hear more of this madcap story. Ms Center hits this one out of the park I give it 5 stars

I really loved this book. The narrator was awesome and the story was just a lot of fun. Despite dealing with some serious issues, Center manages to find the perfect balance with humor and creating really relatable heroines. Katie's body image and self-esteem issues were so relatable and it was very refreshing to not just feel bogged down with sadness at all times. Sometimes you just don't feel good about yourself but it doesn't make you a complete bummer. Katie was so funny and lovable and even though this was a super tame romance, I love how organically with romance with Hutch developed. I also adore George Bailey and couldn't relate more than Katie going back for him despite it not being the wisest decision. What else are you supposed to do for a sweet gentle giant like George Bailey?
All-around, a fantastic book!

I've said it before (and I'll probably say it again): if you want a fluffy romcom, Katherine Center will not disappoint.

Also: solid narrator, and not a great cover given some plot points I won't go into.



Review copy provided by publisher.

I really liked this book! The story is a very sweet romance that highlights issues with body image and comparison between brothers. It dives in deep (pun intended) to the world of the Coast Guard, which was pretty interesting. I also liked the character of Rue as the almost matriarch keeping everyone together. I did not really see the point of the scene where she is stuck on the boat alone. It felt drawn out. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book! The narration itself was also pretty enjoyable. I was able to differentiate among the male characters, which I sometimes find can be difficult with a female narrator.

It's a thin line between love and love-hating.

This book was so cute! Loved the tension and banter between Katie and Hutch! The last few chapters were my favorite. They were exciting and heartwarming. I loved all the side characters including the dog! This was a beautiful story filled with humor and love!

Read if you enjoy:
💘forced proximity
☀️grumpy sunshine
💼workplace romance
🎭family drama
🐶 animal sidekick
📍Key West, FL

“𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬.”

The world is such a better place with Katherine Center in it. Her novels are sweet, kind, quirky in all the best ways and her characters are so loveable.

Love Haters brings together the video producer Katie, the Coast Guard rescue, Hutch, and the loveliest dog and aunt ever! It is full of love and color and joy and as always, relatable human conditions and quirks. You know that things are going to work out for these characters, you're rooting for them the whole time and you cheer loudly in the end even though you knew it was coming.

Along the way you scold them, you cheer for them, you laugh at them and you shake your head at their silliness. And then there's the author's note and you fall in love all over again. As I said Katherine Center is a gift.

The audio and ebook of this are equally enjoyable and it's extra perfect when you get to go back and forth like I did.

with gratitude to netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I like Katherine Center so I was excited to get this audiobook. I liked the narrator a lot, she was a wonderful pick for this main character and she really brought the story to life. Katie is sent to Florida to do a video on a rescuer swimmer named Hutch. She tries to ignore that she doesn’t swim as she desperately tries to save her job from massive layoffs. When she gets there and finds her swim instructor is the feature of her video. Of course they have a meet cute and then things get heated and then complicated. The characters are cute and I enjoyed it, although I got tired of the body insecurities of Katie. Overall this was a fun rom com that I enjoyed. Definitely the feel good fun time that I needed right now.

Well, color me officially obsessed. The Love Haters was my first Katherine Center book, and now I’m questioning all my life choices up to this point. Fake dating? Check. Found family? Double check. Grumpy-sunshine? Absolutely. It’s like she read my rom-com wishlist and said, “Challenge accepted.” The chemistry between the characters is electric, and their banter is sharp enough to cut glass (and make you laugh out loud in public).

Now let’s talk about Patti Murin. She doesn’t just narrate audiobooks, she performs them. If audiobooks had a Hall of Fame, she’d have her own wing by now. Her comedic timing? On point. Her swoony moments? Dangerous. If she ever reads the phone book, I’ll probably swoon.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a book that’s funnier than your favorite sitcom, more heartwarming than your grandma’s hugs, and swoonier than... well, you get it—this is it. Katherine Center knocked it out of the park, and now I’m just over here binge-reading everything she’s ever written. (Sorry, real world, I’ll get back to you after I’ve finished this author’s entire catalog.)

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.