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A review by theuncorkedlibrarian
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
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