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readsewknit 's review for:
The Love Haters
by Katherine Center
“It was such a life-changing thought: that longing to be looked at lovingly, that longing to be lovable … that’s really also so much about wanting to be valued, and seen, and connected, and safe, and just deeply, fundamentally okay? Maybe we didn’t have to outsource that. Maybe we could fill that longing for ourselves.”
A favorite aspect of any Katherine Center book is the author’s note, where she discloses her inspiration or motivation for the title in question. I appreciate that deeper context, and it reveals the thoughts and planning that go into each title, which reinforces why they are successful and why they connect with readers: Center isn’t afraid to tackle real, messy topics.
In THE LOVE-HATERS, Center focuses on body positivity and self acceptance. Katie’s boyfriend is a musician finding success. While Katie was already struggling with being publicly analyzed and privy to strangers’ assessments of her value and worth based on outward appearances, when her boyfriend is caught cheating, she ends the relationship and is thrown into a tailspin. The intervening months were a dark time of her navigating the fallout.
When Katie has an opportunity to coordinate a promo video for the Coast Guard, she welcomes the chance to lose herself in a project where she can prove her worth. On this small island, she finds community and friendship and a new appreciation for herself. And, as can so often be the case, when we become most content with ourselves, we may find a partner well-suited to joining together alongside.
THE LOVE HATERS entertains readers, but behind that levity, we find ourselves dwelling on the lessons that Katie is learning, encouraged to internalize them for ourselves as well.
The audiobook is skillfully narrated by Patti Murin, who finds ways to characterize a host of personalities and her performance absolutely added to my enjoyment of the listening experience.
(Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)