absolutely loved this book!!!! deals with some heavy topics like body image issues and navigating grief but otherwise i feel like the author hit the nail on the head!

5 BIG FAT STARS!!
WHAT A GREAT BOOK!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this wonderful book with me!
Lots of laughs and very happy tears at the end.
I'm heading to my Facebook page right now to recommend to all!
P.S. the narration was awesome!

Thank you NetGalley, Katherine Center, and Macmillan Audio for letting me review this audiobook in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was my first time reading one of Katherine Center’s books and I was not disappointed. This was so beautifully written and gave me all the warm fuzzies. It’s a great read about facing your fears and loving yourself. Be sure to listen to the author’s note at the end.

I absolutely loved this book!! I’m giving it a solid 4.5 star rating. It was definitely one of my favorite Katherine Center books.

I received an ARC of this audiobook through Netgalley.

My favorite Quote:
“The past can’t hurt you now the way it did then” - The Love Haters by Katherine Center

This book is a romance for two people who’ve never been truly appreciated for who they really are. Both are desperate to be truly loved, and both have given up on the possibility.

I loved this trope. I don’t even know if it has a name yet. Maybe It’s Not Right, Until It’s Right or Not Seeking, But Always Hoping or Are You My Person? Whatever it’s name is or will be - I loved it!

In this book a videographer works on
a campaign to help the U.S, Coast Guard get more recruits, especially rescue swimmers.

You know those death-defying heroes that jump out of helicopters into the ocean and save someone from a shipwreck? That’s what our main guy does. Yea, he’s that cool.

I knew I’d love the book, because Katherine Center is a genius, but I didn’t realize just how much I love it.

Safe to read spoiler: There’s a great dane that’s impossible not to fall in love with.

I hope to see more of this genre in the future. Jilted People Deserve a Chance (another possible name).

Highly, highly, highly recommend!

Katie is on the verge of losing her job when a colleague throws her a lifeline—spend a few weeks in the Florida Keys making a Coast Guard recruitment film.

As someone with deep ties to the military community who feels the Coast Guard is often overlooked, I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, of the four Katherine Center novels I’ve read, this was my least favorite.

Let’s start with Katie. I struggled to see why any of the characters liked her. She comes across as self-absorbed—her cousin Beanie, who is supposed to be like a sister, essentially acts as her on-call unpaid therapist. Hutch claims he fell for her during their first conversation, even though she spent the whole time trying to disappear. Rue insists Katie reminds her of her younger self, but there’s no real explanation as to why. Cole, who barely knows her, goes out of his way to save her job, but his real motivation is never made clear. And then there’s Katie’s willingness to go along with Cole’s lies, which made her feel even more selfish and unlikable.

Hutch, the romantic lead, isn’t much better. He’s one step above a generic “fit, handsome, military guy,” which is disappointing given that Katherine Center’s previous characters have been far more nuanced.

The highlights of this book? Rue and “the Gals.” I’d read an entire novel about them! And the climax—the hurricane and subsequent Coast Guard rescue—was genuinely suspenseful for a romcom. But even the big romantic reunion after all the life-or-death moments felt a little flat.

Overall, this one was a miss for me. Here’s hoping Katherine Center’s next book leans more toward *The Rom-Comers* and less toward this.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for making an advance copy available in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book by Katherine Center!! Her books are always so cute & fun! Great read! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me access to read it early!

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters is a heartwarming and witty story about self-discovery, career struggles, and unexpected connections. Set in Key West, it follows video producer Katie as she profiles a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, leading to challenges, humor, and personal growth. With Center’s signature charm and emotional depth, this novel delivers a feel-good and engaging read.

I had the privilege of hearing the audio of the Love Haters. The narrator, Patti Murin, encompassed the main character Katie. Her place is appropriate and add inflection at the right moments. She is easy to listen too. She had me engrossed in the story. I didn't want to put it down and stayed up too late.

I wasn't sure what to expect of the story. It was complex and there was depth in the plot. I loved it. It was a great rom-com and made me giggle throughout the book. One of my favorite things about this book is how the main character grew throughout the book. I def connected to her conflict between the main character and her body. I will be seeking to read another book by this author.

First I want to thank Netgalley & MacMillan Audio for approving this audiobook. I absolutely loved this audiobook so let's chat about it.
First of all the story is incredible! Lighthearted & happy are just a few of the ways I felt listening to this book.
I love reading Katherine Center & have previously read several of her books. With that in mind I also love when Patti Murin narrates one of her novels & this book is no exception. This audiobook was super easy to listen to & it kept my attention from start to finish with short chapters. I love how the narrator brings to life the main characters Katie & Hutch as well as the other lovable characters in this book. The story was fantastic & I've already pre-ordered the physical book that releases 5/20/25. This audiobook had me laughing & leaving me with a smile on my face.

Book Review: With trademark Katherine Center romantic tension, The Love Haters follows filmmaker Katie while she makes a documentary about the Coast Guard and rescue swimmer, Hutch. Katie's boss, Cole, in an effort to avoid seeing his estranged brother, Hutch, sends Katie to complete the project instead. Filled with memorable supporting characters and set in the colorful, Florida Keys, The Love Haters will make for the perfect summer read. Center is masterful at creating plot drama through internal turmoil and character deceit. At times, some of the story's main themes feel belabored, but overall, the story moves quickly and will make you feel both sorrowful at times and uplifted at others.

Narration: Patti Murin does an excellent job heightening the tension between Katie and Hutch, adding an artistic layer to the already entertaining story. I particularly liked how easy it was to identify changes in characters speaking. Murin uses pauses skillfully to move narration from character to character.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers, for the audiobook ARC of this new release! These are my honest and initial thoughts

“Every time you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time.”

The narrator was incredibly engaging and easy to listen to, making the character voices feel distinct without any of the usual cringe I sometimes find in audiobooks. I also appreciated the pacing—unlike some romances that feel rushed, this one had a natural flow.

At first, I found myself relating to the story because I used to be a swimmer, and the idea of the FMC needing to be good in water made me laugh a little. That said, Katie was a bit frustrating in the beginning—her insistence on needing to be in the water when she couldn’t even swim felt excessive. But as I listened to her reasoning and learned why Cole assigned her the project, I started to appreciate her outlook on life, especially through her “Day in the Life” videos featuring real-life heroes. One line that stuck with me was:

Hutch, on the other hand, was such a likable character. The way he first noticed Katie’s eyes when she had a hibiscus in her hair? Adorable. I loved how he paid attention to the little things that often go unnoticed—side-eyeing Lucas here.

In the end, I really wanted to love this book as Katherine Center was my auto-buy author now. But I found it difficult to fully enjoy because of the body image themes, fatphobia, and body dysmorphia aspects. Those elements made it a tough read for me, so I’ll be shelving this under NRN (Not Right Now) at 55% of the audiobook and might revisit it in the future.

To stay in her boss’s good graces and avoid being laid off, Katie accepts an assignment to film a U.S. Coast Guard promo video in Key West. The only problem… she may have slightly omitted the fact that she can’t swim. Determined to prove herself, she also plans to film a mini-documentary for her YouTube channel spotlighting a local Coast Guard rescuer. As she tackles the challenges of the job, she’s also forced to confront her ongoing body image struggles.

Patti Murin could read straight from the dictionary, and I’d still hang on to every word. Her impressive range of character voices shines as she effortlessly brings each one to life. I was immersed into the performance, and the story felt as though it was unfolding right beside me. Patti absolutely nails Katie’s internal dialogue, perfectly capturing its sweet, endearingly awkward charm. The energy Patti brings to this performance elevated my entire experience with the book.

Romance fans, this might not be what you expect! Never fear, there is a delightful romance infused with small, intimate moments that feel big. The heart of this book is Katie’s enemies to lovers relationship with herself (read the author’s note!). She struggles with a lot of negative self talk around body image, and we gradually learn how and why. Ultimately, this is a story about Katie’s journey of self acceptance, and along the way she happens to get tangled in family drama and someone else’s web of lies. Fans of Katherine Center’s trademark rom-coms should pick this one up on audio!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I would say more like 3.5-3.75 ish

Never met a Katherine Center book I didn’t like and this follows suit. I read about 60% on kindle and finished the last 40% on audio. She always delivers on charm & wit! I had a hard time picking this up but once I started reading I would get fully immersed. I enjoyed Katie’s character and felt she was relatable. Loved George Bailey and of course Hutch and sweet Rue. Would like to strangle Cole!

Katherine Center has done it again! The Love Haters was so good and I loved it so much! It was laugh out loud funny, but also sweet and swoon worthy. It had a beautiful underlying message about learning to love yourself.

Patti Murin did a fantastic job bringing the story to life with her narration of the audiobook!

And read the author’s note too -
“Reading love stories isn’t frivolous - it’s profound…. Love stories are the best kind of therapy - they aren’t shallow they’re deep.”

Enjoyable read - the storyline is engaging with a few twists along the way. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic- the book was brought to life!

Katie has just had a brutal public break up and is trying to get her life back together and finds out her job is at risk due to downsizing. She is a filmmaker and her colleague, Cole, tries to help retain her job by sending her on his assignment to make a promotional video about the US Coast Guard. The twist is the main contact for the USCG is Cole’s estranged brother Hutch.

Katie arrives in Florida and is quickly absorbed into Cole/Hutch’s family and drama. She has a job to do and she is trying to accomplish it while keeping her job and the secrets she learns along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Press for an early review audiobook.

This was such a fun summer romance! A heartfelt story about loss, friendship, love, facing fears and learning to love yourself. The setting takes place in the Florida Keys and follows Katie who is a video producer to cover a profile story of Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. There is a lovable great dane named George Bailey that stole my heart. There were several side characters that I loved and had so many layers like Ru.


The audiobook was narrated by Patti Murin. I love her voice and telling this story from Katie’s point of view. Patti is the voice of most of Katherine Center’s previous books and she really does such a great job. Great emotion and tone setting the stage of the story through hard subjects as well as the comedy moments in the story.

ALC review
Publication day 20 May 2025
“The Love Haters” by Katherine Center is a contemporary romantic comedy.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

Katie is a video producer and needs to do a profile on Hutch, a Costal Guard that went viral after rescuing Jennifer Aniston’s dog. He also happens to be her work colleague Cole’s brother. Also, Katie lied about knowing how to swim.

This is a love story, but with an emphasis on learning to love yourself. It is also about loss and grief and the importance of friendship.
There is still a romantic part, that I enjoyed a lot, but it is not the main focus of the book. Also, there are many hilarious moments and very sweet characters. Please be aware that there are some serious topics discussed that can be triggering, including mention of eating disorder, body shaming, and death of parent.

I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Patti Murin. She manages to play well all the characters and made me enjoy the story even more. There is also an emotional author’s note at the end.

Katie is a relatable character that has many insecurities, especially regarding her body.
The trip to Key West pushes her out of her comfort zone, with the help of Rue and “The Gals”, a group of sweet 80 year old ladies.
Hutch is a grump on the outside, but has a gentle soul. And his love for his dog makes him irresistible. I loved the way he treats Katie. Even if there is no spice, there is tension between them and a lot of chemistry.
The only character that I did not like was Cole, as he used both Katie and Hutch and is a selfish and jealous man.

If you like summer books with good writing and relatable characters, I recommend this book.

The minute this book officially hits the shelves, I will be buying it. Until this book officially hits the shelves, I will be recommending it to everyone and anyone who will listen- willing or unwillingly.

Although this was my first “beach read” of 2025, Love Haters was so much more than the average fun, light, relaxing summer read. Along with being laugh out loud hilarious it was also, ugly cry emotional. The tears that fell throughout this book weren’t only from the heartbreak (of the past) but also just from the inner turmoil of the MFC.

I truly do not know a single woman who cannot relate to Katie Vaughn throughout some point in their life. The inner dialogue of this woman, was just so spot on. She was insecure in such a real, honest way. Even if you don’t have the same exact insecurities as her (a lot of which I didn’t) having ever had any insecurities at all, you will feel her feelings and emotions in your soul. Not to mention she is funny, and witty and the perfect amount of self deprecating. I loved being inside her head.

Then there is Tom “Hutch” Hutchinson. The super tall, super sexy COAST GUARD RESCUE SWIMMER. (If you have ever seen The Guardian with Ashton Kutcher, you know just how sexy that can be.🥵) This man is quiet and reserved, and strong, and mature, and goes around saving dogs and teaching little old women how to swim. He wear aviators unironically, takes his job very serious, and makes his whole life around helping people (and rescue animals 🥹) and demanding zero recognition. To say he is a swoon worthy dream boat, would be an understatement.

This however, is where I have major beef with Ms. Katherine Center. How are you going to give us this gorgeous specimen of a man, have us screaming, crying and kicking our feet when we find ourselves upon a little “one bed” moment and then….. not give us a little (or a lot) of spiiiiiiiiiiice!! 😩💔

I know super spice isn’t Katherine’s thing (unfortunately) and I totally respect that. But come onnnnn. Howwww can you give us this mannnn. This beautiful, protective, heroic man and not even the teeny tiniest mention of “a bulge” or a “discreet adjustment”. Not even a “is that a phone in your pocket or are you just excited to see me?!”. It’s truly heart wrenchingly, devastating. ☹️

In all seriousness though, even without the steam, me giving it such a stellar rating and going on and on should really tell you how much I loved this story (smut slut for life) - this book was amazing and I will be recommending it… realistically until I find the next book worth insistent recommending. Easy 5/5

As for the Audio- Another solid 5/5. Patti Murin was perfect. Her inflections, and the personality she put into the characters were spot on throughout.

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance 💖💖💖💖
Spice 🫑

Thank you Katherine Center and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the summer vibes in this book! Our MC, Katie, was going through an acceptance stage in her life after a public breakup. What I enjoy most from a Katherine Center book are the messages and inspiration of self love, with a side of romance and funny situations. I think this definitely delivered a sweet, lighthearted beach read. The silliness and cute factor was really there and I was imagining myself in Key West on the beach reading this story. The relationship between Katie and Hutch, even though set up his brother, felt very organic and realistic. I had a good time overall with this read!

Audiobook narrated by Patti Murin, with a personalized note by the author, was fantastic. I loved Patti’s delivery and the charisma she added to Katie and all the characters.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the free review copies.