This was a quick, fun romance read that had me smiling from start to finish. The pacing was spot-on, the writing style flowed effortlessly, and the characters—especially Katie and Hutch—were both charming and easy to root for. The Key West setting, mixed with adventure, humor, and a Great Dane, made this feel like a sunshine-filled rom-com in book form.

Where the story missed for me was the constant body-consciousness from Katie. It felt repetitive and unnecessary, especially in a romance that otherwise radiated confidence and growth. Remove that aspect, and this would’ve been an easy 5-star read!

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I was between a 3.75 and 4 star rating for this book, I decided a 4 is the rating for now.

I enjoyed the story but there were some elements that needed a touch more of sensitivity, in my opinion. I have been a fan of Katherine Center’s books for a few years now and have enjoyed most of her works, so I want to give this one the benefit of the doubt.

I liked the characters, the plot, and the romance of this book. I always appreciate a found family book, especially one like this.


***Semi-Spoiler/Trigger Warning***

The main character has an eating disorder and a complicated relationship with her body and how she looks.

I have complicated feelings about the way this was handled and I believe that it could be damaging to someone who is actively working through an eating disorder of their own.

Thank you to Macmillian and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This is a 3.5 rounded up to a 5. This is my first Katherine Center book and her others have been on my TBR for a while. I don't think I would have enjoyed reading it on the page as much as I enjoyed the audiobook. Patti Murin is an excellent narrator who made me feel like I was in the Florida Keys with Katie.

Katie is on the verge of getting fired at her video production company. Her colleague Cole has the job of a lifetime for her: creating a promotional video for the U.S. Coastguard featuring his brother, Tom "Hutch" Hutheson. Katie could not be a worse fit for this job as she can't even swim. With the help of her best friend/cousin Beanie, she learns how to love herself. Katie's broken engagement and lifelong body image issues have left her insecure and doubtful that this project will save her job. When she meets Hutch and Cole's aunt Rue, she learns to accept herself even if she's scared. Throughout her time in the Keys, she and Hutch's bond grows as she faces her fears.

I know the old saying not to judge a book by it's cover, but I have never seen a cover fit less for the story itself. It's giving sunny summer vacation romance, when it was more about trauma and the ins and outs of the U.S. Coast Guard. If you're looking for a swoony love story, this isn't it.

Thank you so much to Katherine Center, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for this EARC and ALC!
All thoughts and opinions are my own 🥰

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Find more on my IG @kayreads_romance

⚠️ !! Please be sure to check any TWs before diving in !! ⚠️

What to expect:
* Closed door romance/only kissing
* Body image struggle TW!!!!
* Opposites attract
* Small beach town
* Coast Guard MMC
* Video Production FMC

I love Katherine Center books so much. This one was a bit of a hard read for me, at times. Body image struggles are such a nuanced topic and our FMC Katie has struggled with body dysmorphia and negative self talk since she was young. I think it felt uncomfortable because 1) it felt very real - and this is something I really admire about KC’s writing. But 2) as someone who has lived in a fat body/has been fat my whole life, it was really hard to hear what Katie thought she looked like when I actually look like that.
Im hoping this makes sense. Not to diminish her struggles at all, but it’s upsetting that in her eyes, the worst thing that could happen to her was being fat or perceived as big, or being seen in a bathing suit.
How she didn’t believe it at first, when Hutch said he wanted to cover her up because seeing her in a bathing suit affected him in a good way.
I would have loved to see her gain a bit more confidence and self love earlier in the story. But, we got there in the end.
I think the epilogues was one of my favorites I’ve read in a while.
I still would recommend this book, just going into it knowing that if you struggle with body image or are fat, some parts may be hard to read. 💕

And also Patti Murin always does such a great job with these audios!!!

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

Katherine Center is an auto buy author for me so I was delighted to get an advance copy of the audiobook. The narrator did a fantastic job of keeping me interested.

This story was like so many of Katherine's stories - hopeful and funny and a bit far fetched in the best way. Katie and Hutch are adorable!

Cole - what a tool! I suppose he has a couple of redeeming qualities but it could be a stretch.

Pick this one up if you need a little "pick me up"

Congrats to Ms. Center on a job well done.

3.75

There was a lot of woe is me surrounding the fmc's body image and I felt that it took away from the enjoyment of the story. I understand it is a topic that needs to be discussed (EDs and such) but I think it was way too big a part of the story when we were supposed to be focusing on Hutch and his job as a rescuer for the coast guard. You know, the whole reason she's in Key West. I liked the story (other than the body image stuff) and I listened to it basically in one day. The characters were relatable and the dog adorable (as adorable a great Dane can be!) It was a cute rom-com with some adventure thrown in.

The narration was well done, easy to listen to.

3.5 /5
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the #ARC audio book.

This was a super light and fun book with endearing characters, cute interpersonal relationships and a picturesque backdrop. The quirky background characters of Rue and her lady friends added a lot of the comedy to the story line. The chemistry between our MMC and FMC was fantastic, thought I do wish it was explored a bit more. I am not embarrassed to admit that George Bailey was my absolute favorite character.

On top of a rom-com esque storyline we also get the self discovery of a woman trying to fall in love with herself. I loved the body positivity that our FMC gained as the story went on.
Another highlight for me was the narrator. Her voice perfectly told the story and though I rarely like a book in a single POV, it was perfect for telling this story.

The Love Haters
by Katherine Center
5/5 ⭐️

Five stars isn’t nearly enough for this book. The Love Haters has officially stolen the number one spot on my favorites list. This romantic comedy is not only laugh-out-loud funny and full of heart, but it is also rich with themes of found family, friendship, and learning to truly love yourself.
I connected with the main character, Katie, on a personal level. Her beauty list was an uplifting concept, and watching her personal growth unfold made me feel seen in ways I didn’t expect. She is flawed yet determined and easy to root for.

Rue, with all her gals and confident quirkiness, is the kind of best friend/mentor every woman dreams of having. Her big heart brought so much soul to the story. And let’s not forget Hutch! He is hot, charming, and in the Coast Guard. Yes, please. The Coast Guard storyline was fascinating and added a unique aspect to the book. If you’re like me and love it when a story includes a furry friend, George Bailey, the dog is the cherry on top. He was so loyal, lovable, and full of personality.

This book was nearly impossible to put down. It made me laugh, smile, and cry. I highly recommend this book! @katherinecenter continues to amaze me!

Read if you like:
🧡fake dating
🚁only one bed
🧡body positivity
🚁workplace romance
🧡forced proximity

Thank you to @Macmillan.Audio and @netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All my opinions are my own.
Publication Date: May 20, 2025

2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3
Katherine Center is one of my favorite romcom writers, so I requested The Love Haters audiobook from Net Galley. This was a first miss for me. There was not much chemistry and no spark between the MC's. It was missing Miss Center's usually witty conversation. FMC is constantly dealing with body image and fearful of everything because of what her stepmother told her years ago, which could work for some time, but it lasted for the entire story. It was just overdone. Info on the coastguard was interesting. Loved the dog,

3 stars — sweet, awkward, and surprisingly relatable
The Love Haters isn’t my usual genre, but I gave it a shot and ended up enjoying it more than I expected. The chemistry between the characters was fun, and the overall vibe was light and heartwarming.

That said, there were a few awkward moments that pulled me out of the story, and I felt like the main character’s body image struggles, while very real, were a bit heavy-handed at times. Then again—body issues are all-consuming in real life, so I get where it was coming from.

It’s a fast-paced, easy read with some genuinely sweet moments. If you like books that lean into rom-com tropes and emotional growth, you might enjoy this one too.

I loved this book! Patti Murin did an incredible job with the narration. This was my first book of hers that she's read for and I would totally reach for it again.

I personally really enjoyed the FMC the the things she was navigating as I have been in those shoes. I can understand when those things don't have an explanation and a full circle moment but that's not the case here. I think it all came to a head really well. Anyway, Katie, our FMC is filming a documentary for the Coast Guard with a focus on a rescue swimmer named Hutch who's not so thrilled of the arrangement because come to find out, our girl Katie can't swim.. The banter had me sat and I loved the swim lessons of it all. The end was honestly really fun and kept me on my feet but I wish we had a bit more to it.

I really loved the beauty list activity. It was a really sweet part of the book and a really great reminder that we're all different and our bodies are our homes.

Thank you Macmillan for the ALC <3

I unfortunately had a really hard time finding things I liked about this book, so now I am going to be talking about things I didn’t like.

This felt more like a corny self-help book than a romance novel. While an FMC with body image issues had the potential to resonate with me, Katie just didn’t at all. The first 10% of the book just felt like a mockery of every single eating disorder behaviour known to humankind, which I found quite distasteful. Even by the 40% mark, it was still solely about Katie’s insecurities and nothing else. I understand repetition to develop a character, but this was just trying a bit too hard.

I wasn’t a fan of the romance either because I felt zero chemistry between Katie and Hutch. Their meet-cute, albeit sort of funny, was more cringe than cute, and the interactions afterwards didn’t sell me on their developing relationship. It just felt sort of…shallow. If I had a penny for how many times Katie referred to Hutch’s “smokin’ hot, ripped af, big, burly” body, I’d have a million effin’ pennies. The fake-dating trope in the third act also felt so forced by the author. Sometimes it’s okay to not check off every trope tick box in one book. In this case, I don’t feel like it added anything to Katie’s relationship with Hutch at all. Plus, bringing the plot back to all Katie’s insecurities, the second the big handsome man tells her she’s pretty suddenly she loves herself? Girl.

I feel bad because this is my first Katherine Center book and I definitely have a sour taste in my mouth. I will possibly pick up other books from her someday, but I hope they’d be insanely different from this one, because this one unfortunately wasn’t for me.

This may be my favorite book ... ever? It's that feeling in a book where you want to savor every page, appreciate the beautiful writing, and swoon at the perfect love story. I think Katherine Center is right -- love stories have the power to change the world. (Side note: Center's author's notes are an absolute must read. They are so life affirming and perfect. Chefs kiss!) The other great part? Witnessing our main character Katie fall in love with herself.

Audiobook review: Patti. Murin. Holy cow. She knocked it out of the park. The internal monologues from Katie, the banter between Katie and Hutch. Everything was absolutely perfect.

Five big ones. THANK YOU to NetGalley and the publisher for the pleasure of reading this ARC.

Rating: 5 stars!

Honored to have received another Katherine Center ARC! The story starts off with our sweet Katie and the threat that she might lose her job if she isn't able to pull off the ultimate interview with hunky coast guard Hutch. The unfolding potential love story if obvious from the start. The way the relationships unfold throughout the story, a flair of an old lady social circle, and a stubborn great dane are the perfect ingredients for this summer read.

A lot of reviews have called out their disinterested in Katie's comments about her own self-worth and her physical appearance. I have a genuine question for those people: Did you read the entire book? Typically, this would be a big turn off for me also.. BUT if you read the entire book, the emphasis placed on all of those things comes full circle. I also had a deeper appreciation for the character's flaws after reading the author's note. Round of applause for another Center book!!

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

Katherine Center books have been hit or miss for me (loved the Rom-Commers and Hello Stranger, did not like The Bodyguard). As a daughter of a Coastie, the premise of this book had me intrigued and I feel like it was represented well without going too much into military information. Good story with some fun characters, especially George Bailey! Just a bit too cringe at times for me and some of Katie’s inner monologue felt a little excessive especially with the body image topic. Narrator was engaging and all characters were easy to follow.

Listening to this audiobook was an emotional journey for me. Patti Murin's narration was so captivating that it transformed the story into a vivid experience, bringing the characters and story to life. I found myself laughing and crying at various moments, completely immersed in the storytelling. The combination of Katherine's writing and Patti’s performance made me feel a genuine connection with the characters, as if we were close friends sharing their experiences. The themes of self-love and personal growth were empowering, especially as Katie learns to love herself with Hutch's help, leading to their beautiful and humorous romance. Overall, I laughed, I cried, and I enjoyed.

🛟 The Love Haters 🛟

“It doesn’t matter what anybody thinks if you’re having fun. And all the fun is in color.”

Ohhhhh my heart, Katherine Center can do no wrong. I absolutely ADORED this latest addition to her collection of rom-com magic. As she says in the book, “joy is a kind of magic, for sure.” And WOW does this one bring joy.

Katie is assigned to film a documentary and promo of US Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hutch. She relocates to the Florida Keys where she learns Hutch is less than thrilled her appearance when he was expecting someone else… Especially when he finds out she doesn’t know how to swim. Even still, Katie and Hutch work together and around their undeniable chemistry.

It has banter and shenanigans. Swim lessons with a coast guard rescue swimmer 😏. A meddling Auntie with her gaggle of The Gals that tease and love.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Patti Murin is the QUEEN. She does SUCH a fabulous job bringing Katie and the cast of characters to life. She sucks you in and the story comes to life in your head as you listen. HIGHLY recommend the audio to have you laughing, giggling and grinning along.

Check this one out for:
🛟 Romcom magic
🛟 Incredible banter
🛟 Heartwarming found family
🛟 Finding yourself and appreciating your body
🛟 Learning to say no to the haters and yes to yourself

Thank you to Macmillian Audio for this ALC! The Love Haters in on shelves May 20, 2025! My opinions are my own.

This book was such a heartfelt and engaging read! I loved how it tackled body positivity—a topic that’s deeply personal to me. It was portrayed with warmth and authenticity, and I found myself truly connecting with the characters because of it.

The tension between the two main characters was so fun to experience! Their banter, chemistry, and emotional growth made the story fly by. I was completely hooked on their dynamic.

What really moved me, though, was the emotional core of the story—Hutch saving Cole because it was his mother’s dying wish. That moment hit me hard. As a mom, I felt the depth of that promise in my heart. It brought me to tears in the best way.

And then there was the splinter story, which had me laughing out loud! It was such a hilarious and memorable moment that added the perfect dash of levity to the emotional beats.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. Their performance really enhanced the emotional moments and made the humor shine.

One element that really stuck with me was the beauty list activity. It was such a sweet and empowering part of the story, and I plan to incorporate it into my own life. It’s a wonderful reminder to celebrate what makes us unique and beautiful.

This book had a beautiful balance of heart, humor, and healing. Highly recommend!

Read Completed 4/6/25 |3 stars | Book #48 of 2025
Love Hater, thy name is me. This was a pretty blah read for me, but the story was still readable. I do like Katherine Center's writing style and tone, but the romance, plot, AND characters weren't for me. I'm sure others will still love it, but none of it really hit for me. 3 stars isn't a bad rating and this wasn't a bad book, but I simply didn't connect and it didn't stir many feelings up.

At 33%, I was actively irritated by it. I didn't connect to Katie and I was mad that she and (selfish) co-worker Cole were trying to push his brother, Hutch, into essentially becoming internet famous when he didn't want to. There's more to that story, and I knew there was, but I still wasn't thrilled with how it all came around.

I had didn't love Katie's body issues and how they were handled. I felt like some of it was a little too quickly brushed by and aside from just talking about how she didn't want to know her weight, there really wasn't much detail about her new relationship with food (which would be a BIG deal) except some mentions here and there and of course, her self-perception. It wasn't handled *poorly* but it just didn't quite feel right. Those are some really deeply seeded issues and I kind of felt like once Hutch told her she was pretty and he liked the way she looked that it like, magically cured it for her for the most part? I don't know. I don't have anything against including this topic in this book, but I was also not at the right time to want to read about it, so I just had a hard time with it overall too.

Hutch was kind of .... BORING? Firstly he really wasn't a "love hater" so that was kind of annoying. I wanted him to be grumpy, but he was just kind of blah. When he had personality, it was a little too nice and too sweet. He could have used a lot more character development. Katie was okay. Rue was too typical sassy grandma/older female relative that's used so often in books. I liked her but she needed more personality too. The brother sucked. WHAT WAS WITH THE DRINKING CONTEST and why was that a thing and why was the prize kissing Katie!?! That was so stupid.

The ending was just FINE, nothing I really cared about by that point. All of the coast guard action wasn't really engaging for me. The best friend should have been on the page at some point too.

This is a very forgettable read and I felt little to no passion or chemistry between the two leads. Center is usually a closed-door romance author so I don't mind there really only being kissing, but I still want to feel that tension, yearning, butterflies.... this just didn't do it for me.

I loved this! It was fun and flirty with a strong, believable female character with such a great personality! The other characters were quirky and realistic too. The plot was cute and the writing was solid. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I really hope someone makes this into a movie!