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adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Infidelity
funny
relaxing
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Car accident, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Blood, Vomit
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Sexism, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail
(3.5 stars) Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the ALC! #MacAudio2025 Thanks, St. Martin’s Press, for the arc!
I’m a Katherine Center super fan! While THE LOVE HATERS didn’t jump to my new number one favorite by her, as her new releases usually do—I’m not sure anything will ever beat THE ROM-COMMERS for me. I had fun experiencing the story.
My full review is on Goodreads and StoryGraph. If you want to know why this book didn’t become my new favorite, it's hidden under spoilers in the posted review.
I like Center’s books because she always has outlandish plots that *could* happen, lol, but they feature characters who deal with real struggles and issues that you can connect with. Katie, a fantastic name and the FMC, struggles with body dysmorphia and image issues. Many of her thoughts were relatable, as someone who has also struggled with this for her entire life. If only I could find a helicopter rescue swimmer to help boost my self-esteem…
The one aspect that I didn’t care for was that we found out Katie’s ex had cheated on her, which is why the relationship ended. I don’t like infidelity in books, but when it’s a previous relationship, I’m fine with it. Hutch, the MMC, and she discuss honesty and trust in relationships. Then she pulls a stunt with his brother and a fake relationship and lies to everyone, including Hutch, about her feelings for him. Fake relationships are one of my favorite tropes, but not if they’re hurting people or implying cheating, which this one did both. After enjoying the book, it was a real bummer for this to happen in the last 25%.
I did read a little of the arc, but as soon as I received the ALC, all I did was listen to the fantastic narration by Patti Murin. She is one of my auto-listen narrators—I don’t have to know anything about the book; I just need to know that if she is narrating, I’m listening. Murin was an excellent choice for Katie’s voice and inner monologue. The emotions and insecurities came across wonderfully, and you can hear Katie’s growth throughout the book as she gains confidence.
The book's star is George Bailey, the Great Dane, lovable pet of Hutch, the MMC. I would love more books about him, his life, and his toads.
Even though this wasn’t my new favorite by Katherine Center, I’ll still be first in line for the next one! Her books make me happy, especially when read by Patti Murin on audiobook!
I’m a Katherine Center super fan! While THE LOVE HATERS didn’t jump to my new number one favorite by her, as her new releases usually do—I’m not sure anything will ever beat THE ROM-COMMERS for me. I had fun experiencing the story.
My full review is on Goodreads and StoryGraph. If you want to know why this book didn’t become my new favorite, it's hidden under spoilers in the posted review.
I like Center’s books because she always has outlandish plots that *could* happen, lol, but they feature characters who deal with real struggles and issues that you can connect with. Katie, a fantastic name and the FMC, struggles with body dysmorphia and image issues. Many of her thoughts were relatable, as someone who has also struggled with this for her entire life. If only I could find a helicopter rescue swimmer to help boost my self-esteem…
I did read a little of the arc, but as soon as I received the ALC, all I did was listen to the fantastic narration by Patti Murin. She is one of my auto-listen narrators—I don’t have to know anything about the book; I just need to know that if she is narrating, I’m listening. Murin was an excellent choice for Katie’s voice and inner monologue. The emotions and insecurities came across wonderfully, and you can hear Katie’s growth throughout the book as she gains confidence.
The book's star is George Bailey, the Great Dane, lovable pet of Hutch, the MMC. I would love more books about him, his life, and his toads.
Even though this wasn’t my new favorite by Katherine Center, I’ll still be first in line for the next one! Her books make me happy, especially when read by Patti Murin on audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
2.75/5 stars, rounded up to 3 on Goodreads. Characters lacked depth. Nice premise, pretty poor execution. Patti Murin did a wonderful job narrating as usual though. There is a miscommunication trope which I absolutely *HATE* in books with adult characters. Found myself speeding up the narration to finish this and get it to the next person in line at the library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Car accident
Minor: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Katherine Center does it again! This was so easy to read, but by no means was this a light read. Some heavy topics are dealt with at the forefront of the plot so I highly recommend checking trigger warnings before diving in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
Katie is fighting to keep her corporate videographer job amidst company-wide layoffs. At the strong urging of her manager, she accepts an assignment to go to Key West to profile a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Hutch is a heroic rescue swimmer of some fame (much to his dismay), who reluctantly agrees to be the subject of a promotional video. Earnest and gallant, he seems too good to be true. Katie is neurotic and very relatable, and Hutch is a frowny "still waters run deep" kind of guy who blossoms around the right person. I really liked Katie and Hutch, both apart and together, and I genuinely enjoyed their story. There was a sweetness to them both that was so comforting, and this read was just what I needed. It's pretty trope-heavy, which I ordinarily don't enjoy, but it was fun in a "don't over-think it" kind of way. Plus, some authors let the tropes do the heavy lifting in carrying the plot, but that's not the case here. There's high meet-cute energy and great supporting characters (especially George Bailey!). There's also a nice amount of humor, I wouldn't exactly call it a rom-com but there were enough comedic elements to make it fun. The book had great messages about self-acceptance and the profound joy of choosing to love yourself. I highly recommend you read the Author's Note at the end, she has some wonderful views on the healing power of love stories. :) I have read this author before and I have always enjoyed reading her books, and this one is no different. If you're looking for a closed door workplace romance with an HEA, this is the book for you! Publishes May 20, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an eARC of this book, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This was so much fun! The perfect summer/beach read, with plenty of funny moments throughout, and a charming cast of characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Car accident, Dysphoria
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’d like to thank Katherine Center, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In The Love Haters we follow our hilarious anxiety filled main character Katie who is about to get fired, so she omits a few details in order to be given a job. Cole, her supervisor chooses her to go in his place to film a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West for a promo to get more people to sign up for their job. The reason he didn't choose someone else? They couldn't swim. Fun fact, Katie can't either but that's fine, right?
Another detail she learns, is the Coast Guard rescue swimmer they'll be filming is internet famous for saving Jennifer Anniston's dog, referred to as Pup Daddy. He's also Cole's brother, and his name is Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson. And according to Cole, he's a love hater, but that's fine. Katie is too. While in Key West she meets their Aunt Rue, a very colorful woman, and Hutch's Great Dane, and ends up trapped in several lies Cole tells.
The Love Haters is a beautiful book, but it's also going to be very hard to read for some people. It was hard to read for me. This book is not just a romance. It's about a woman with an eating disorder learning to love herself for the first time, facing her fears and falling in love with someone who notices all these little things about her nobody else ever cared to. She never realized they mattered, making her feel seen without the fear of being too vulnerable, giving her the opportunity to be herself for the first time.
The Love Haters is body positive in a way that is respectful and careful to those who are still learning to love their bodies. I've been in recovery from an eating disorder for years, and this book still lightly triggered me and made me cry in some sections, so I want people to be cautious when entering the book. That's not to say its a dark and dreary book, its fun and funny and Katie has a great relationship with both Hutch, and his aunt, and her best friend and cousin Beanie who she calls everyday. The romance is very realistically paced, and fun to watch unfold. There's a lot of substance to this book, more so than just the romance, which if you know Katherine Center's books will not be a surprise to you. She's a women's fiction author first, wanting the reader to see themselves in the characters and as they learn to love themselves, hope you in the process of reading, learn to love yourself as well.
Trigger Warnings I Gathered: cyber bullying, body shaming, depictions of eating disorder, sexual harassment, car accident, parent death, grief, infidelity
In The Love Haters we follow our hilarious anxiety filled main character Katie who is about to get fired, so she omits a few details in order to be given a job. Cole, her supervisor chooses her to go in his place to film a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West for a promo to get more people to sign up for their job. The reason he didn't choose someone else? They couldn't swim. Fun fact, Katie can't either but that's fine, right?
Another detail she learns, is the Coast Guard rescue swimmer they'll be filming is internet famous for saving Jennifer Anniston's dog, referred to as Pup Daddy. He's also Cole's brother, and his name is Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson. And according to Cole, he's a love hater, but that's fine. Katie is too. While in Key West she meets their Aunt Rue, a very colorful woman, and Hutch's Great Dane, and ends up trapped in several lies Cole tells.
The Love Haters is a beautiful book, but it's also going to be very hard to read for some people. It was hard to read for me. This book is not just a romance. It's about a woman with an eating disorder learning to love herself for the first time, facing her fears and falling in love with someone who notices all these little things about her nobody else ever cared to. She never realized they mattered, making her feel seen without the fear of being too vulnerable, giving her the opportunity to be herself for the first time.
The Love Haters is body positive in a way that is respectful and careful to those who are still learning to love their bodies. I've been in recovery from an eating disorder for years, and this book still lightly triggered me and made me cry in some sections, so I want people to be cautious when entering the book. That's not to say its a dark and dreary book, its fun and funny and Katie has a great relationship with both Hutch, and his aunt, and her best friend and cousin Beanie who she calls everyday. The romance is very realistically paced, and fun to watch unfold. There's a lot of substance to this book, more so than just the romance, which if you know Katherine Center's books will not be a surprise to you. She's a women's fiction author first, wanting the reader to see themselves in the characters and as they learn to love themselves, hope you in the process of reading, learn to love yourself as well.
Trigger Warnings I Gathered: cyber bullying, body shaming, depictions of eating disorder, sexual harassment, car accident, parent death, grief, infidelity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual harassment
funny
relaxing
medium-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
Title: The Love Haters
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Rating: 1.50
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
I received complimentary eARC and ALCs from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Erratic • Sappy • Beachy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.
The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.
Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!
But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.
Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.
💭 T H O U G H T S
After reading Katherine Center's 2024 release, The Rom-Commers, I officially broke up with her books. While I enjoyed her earliest work, her writing style has evolved (starting with The Bodyguard to be more comedic than romantic and it no longer includes the emotional depth I crave in a romance novel. And yet, here I am having finished The Love Haters and feeling exactly how I felt last year when I swore off reading her new releases.
It's never a good thing when I prefer the side characters to the mains in any romance novel. Aunt Rue was an absolute delight, and I honestly would have preferred an entire book dedicated to her and her story. Then there is George Bailey, Hutch's rescue dog, need I say more. While I cannot fault Hutch's character either, I simply wish the story would have unfolded from his POV because I really didn't like Katie's character.
Patti Murin, as a narrator, really brings the characters to life and adds personality to each one. The pacing and tone were well executed and I do think it was is an entertaining audio listen. I cannot fault her because she is simply narrating the story she was given.
And that is where the good ends.
I didn't like the story all that much. There are so many outlandish situations that nothing felt real. The romance itself felt superficial (could she have mentioned his physical appearance more?) and it lacked any real chemistry.
Center has tried to check too many boxes in one book and as a result, the story suffers greatly. The lack of focus and endless list of tropes makes everything feel forced. Honestly, pick a lane and stick to it, there will be other books. She's also trying too hard to be witty and to come up with the most over-the-top moments that aren't particularly funny or entertaining, but rather quite ridiculous.
I appreciated the inclusion of body image and self-confidence issues, however, it also felt somehow shollow and forced rather than giving the story the emotional depth I suspect it was intended to. This isn't the first time I have said this about a Center book, but it simply feels like she includes these serious topics to tick the rep box rather than really researching whatever topic it is she's including. What Katie is dealing with is a serious mental illness and no where in the story is there talk of treatment or ways in which is dealing with it. In fact, there's no real resolution and it seems to disappear with all of Hutch's compliments, etc., which just isn't realistic.
I have no doubt The Love Haters will be a hit with many readers over the summer months, it just really didn't work for me. I certainly appreciate the themes of self-love and acceptance within the narrative, yet it's painfully obvious Center's humour (or lack there of) and current writing style don't jive with my tastes. I swore off picking up Center's books after reading 2024's release, and here I am again doing the same. I think it's safe to say, I've learned my lesson.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• deception
• furry friends
• forced proximity
⚠️ CW: body shaming, eating disorder, fatphobia, body dysmorphia, mental illness, bullying, death, death of parent, grief, toxic relationship, car accident, infidelity, alcohol, alcoholism, vomit, terminal illness
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Isn't that how it always is? The thing you're afraid of is never the thing you should be."
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Rating: 1.50
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
I received complimentary eARC and ALCs from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Erratic • Sappy • Beachy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.
The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.
Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!
But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.
Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.
💭 T H O U G H T S
After reading Katherine Center's 2024 release, The Rom-Commers, I officially broke up with her books. While I enjoyed her earliest work, her writing style has evolved (starting with The Bodyguard to be more comedic than romantic and it no longer includes the emotional depth I crave in a romance novel. And yet, here I am having finished The Love Haters and feeling exactly how I felt last year when I swore off reading her new releases.
It's never a good thing when I prefer the side characters to the mains in any romance novel. Aunt Rue was an absolute delight, and I honestly would have preferred an entire book dedicated to her and her story. Then there is George Bailey, Hutch's rescue dog, need I say more. While I cannot fault Hutch's character either, I simply wish the story would have unfolded from his POV because I really didn't like Katie's character.
Patti Murin, as a narrator, really brings the characters to life and adds personality to each one. The pacing and tone were well executed and I do think it was is an entertaining audio listen. I cannot fault her because she is simply narrating the story she was given.
And that is where the good ends.
I didn't like the story all that much. There are so many outlandish situations that nothing felt real. The romance itself felt superficial (could she have mentioned his physical appearance more?) and it lacked any real chemistry.
Center has tried to check too many boxes in one book and as a result, the story suffers greatly. The lack of focus and endless list of tropes makes everything feel forced. Honestly, pick a lane and stick to it, there will be other books. She's also trying too hard to be witty and to come up with the most over-the-top moments that aren't particularly funny or entertaining, but rather quite ridiculous.
I appreciated the inclusion of body image and self-confidence issues, however, it also felt somehow shollow and forced rather than giving the story the emotional depth I suspect it was intended to. This isn't the first time I have said this about a Center book, but it simply feels like she includes these serious topics to tick the rep box rather than really researching whatever topic it is she's including. What Katie is dealing with is a serious mental illness and no where in the story is there talk of treatment or ways in which is dealing with it. In fact, there's no real resolution and it seems to disappear with all of Hutch's compliments, etc., which just isn't realistic.
I have no doubt The Love Haters will be a hit with many readers over the summer months, it just really didn't work for me. I certainly appreciate the themes of self-love and acceptance within the narrative, yet it's painfully obvious Center's humour (or lack there of) and current writing style don't jive with my tastes. I swore off picking up Center's books after reading 2024's release, and here I am again doing the same. I think it's safe to say, I've learned my lesson.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• deception
• furry friends
• forced proximity
⚠️ CW: body shaming, eating disorder, fatphobia, body dysmorphia, mental illness, bullying, death, death of parent, grief, toxic relationship, car accident, infidelity, alcohol, alcoholism, vomit, terminal illness
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Isn't that how it always is? The thing you're afraid of is never the thing you should be."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
body dysmorphia