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adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Katherine Center has become a must-read, go-to author for me, and I still need to read her older works. The Love Haters was the perfect 2025 summer read, set in Key West, FL during hurricane season, which for me was a little triggering post-Helene.
I ate through this book in days, most loving the chemistry between Hutch and Katie, Rue’s community of older ladies known as “The Gals” (which I hope to have in old age and 100% aspire to be like them all), and of course the Great Dane, George Bailey (who does not die – not a spoiler – but I want you to enjoy the story, worry-free… not that Center would EVER do that to us).
About 75% of the way in, I started to worry about the formulaic and standard conflict/misunderstanding (I’m SO exhausted by these), but it was not as annoying as I expected; the point of angst was tolerable and didn’t ruin this as a 5-star read for me.
There was something about The Love Haters that had more depth, too. Katie, Cole, Hutch, Rue – they all grow and have a lot to overcome. Part of this is a story of forgiveness and love – of yourself and others.
TW for disordered eating and body shaming, and I personally wish there was a therapy component here.
Plot: In order to save her job, Katie – who cannot swim - is sent to Key West to document/profile dog hero Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who hates love. She’s also hoping to get some footage for her own YouTube series. Hutch is her boss’s older brother, and we learn why their relationship is so strained based on a tragic accident in the past.
I ate through this book in days, most loving the chemistry between Hutch and Katie, Rue’s community of older ladies known as “The Gals” (which I hope to have in old age and 100% aspire to be like them all), and of course the Great Dane, George Bailey (who does not die – not a spoiler – but I want you to enjoy the story, worry-free… not that Center would EVER do that to us).
About 75% of the way in, I started to worry about the formulaic and standard conflict/misunderstanding (I’m SO exhausted by these), but it was not as annoying as I expected; the point of angst was tolerable and didn’t ruin this as a 5-star read for me.
There was something about The Love Haters that had more depth, too. Katie, Cole, Hutch, Rue – they all grow and have a lot to overcome. Part of this is a story of forgiveness and love – of yourself and others.
TW for disordered eating and body shaming, and I personally wish there was a therapy component here.
Plot: In order to save her job, Katie – who cannot swim - is sent to Key West to document/profile dog hero Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who hates love. She’s also hoping to get some footage for her own YouTube series. Hutch is her boss’s older brother, and we learn why their relationship is so strained based on a tragic accident in the past.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent
ch 2: stopped at the calorie-counting journal
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
**massive content warnings for body focused content*** even though Katie's growth and her self acceptance gives us a beautiful arc for her character it's really important to know that there is a LOT of body talk in this book. It's the centre of her character.
This book gave me a lot of hope and was very sweet. There was also a lot of moments for grief and just unimaginable pain. I personally can't really give it higher than this just because sooo much of Katie's character was hating on herself and her body, and I can super appreciate where that came from and that it was used as a vehicle for her change but it was difficult to read.
This book gave me a lot of hope and was very sweet. There was also a lot of moments for grief and just unimaginable pain. I personally can't really give it higher than this just because sooo much of Katie's character was hating on herself and her body, and I can super appreciate where that came from and that it was used as a vehicle for her change but it was difficult to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Car accident, Alcohol
Moderate: Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
TW: BODY DYSMORPHIA AND EATING DISORDER
I’m such a Katherine Center fan, but this one just missed the mark. It was a cute story, but it wasn’t as good as her other books. The plot and love story felt underdeveloped and more told than shown. Although heavy topics were discussed, it felt like we only knew the characters on a surface level. The FMC’s inner monologue was soooo daunting, I really needed a break from it. And the ending with the brother was such a hot mess. I really didn’t like that, especially since we didn’t get the MMC’s POV. My favorite characters were the aunt and the dog lol
I’m such a Katherine Center fan, but this one just missed the mark. It was a cute story, but it wasn’t as good as her other books. The plot and love story felt underdeveloped and more told than shown. Although heavy topics were discussed, it felt like we only knew the characters on a surface level. The FMC’s inner monologue was soooo daunting, I really needed a break from it. And the ending with the brother was such a hot mess. I really didn’t like that, especially since we didn’t get the MMC’s POV. My favorite characters were the aunt and the dog lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Katherine Center’s “The Rom-Comers” is one of my favorite books of the past few years, same with “The Bodyguard”. Both were pretty straightforward romances, which I am here for.
That said, “The Love Haters” is not a Romance. It’s a romance-adjacent story about holding onto family (both kinds), self-acceptance and letting go.
I disagree with other reviewers takes on dual POV. It might have been fun to get Hutch’s thoughts, but I think it would have changed the story completely.
I loved the audio, narrated by the always fab Patti Murin and afterward read by the author.
Make sure to check the content warnings!
That said, “The Love Haters” is not a Romance. It’s a romance-adjacent story about holding onto family (both kinds), self-acceptance and letting go.
I disagree with other reviewers takes on dual POV. It might have been fun to get Hutch’s thoughts, but I think it would have changed the story completely.
I loved the audio, narrated by the always fab Patti Murin and afterward read by the author.
Make sure to check the content warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment
The last few chapters take place during a hurricane, where Katie and George Bailey (Hutch’s comically large Great Dane) are trapped on/in a houseboat, which eventually starts to sink.
George Bailey is injured but does not die.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was super cute story, but not my favorite Katherine Center (that honor goes to The Rom-Commers). I did like the characters (except Cole, he can shove it), I thought the storyline was interesting and unique. I thought the dialogue was super drawn out in some spots and the miscommunication was annoying.
Make no mistake- Katherine Center is my favorite romance author and I will never not read her books. This just was not my favorite from her!
Make no mistake- Katherine Center is my favorite romance author and I will never not read her books. This just was not my favorite from her!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder
Moderate: Infidelity, Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Yes! This was a sweet romance. A true love story but more between the FMC and herself. I loved ALL the characters, which is very rare for me. The coast guard element was cool. Those people are badass. I really loved how she wrote the FMCs body image issues. Any woman can relate, and the writing was just really well done. Hit that balance of sad but hopeful. Also had a little action/suspense at the end which I didn’t expect and loved. I also LOVED the authors note at the end. The way she thinks about the power of stories really came through. The book was good but in the end, the author left me feeling hopeful and proud to read romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder