page_appropriate 's review for:

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

5.0

adventurous emotional funny inspiring 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

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 Thank you St. Martin's Press for my #gifted advance electronic copy via NetGalley.  My thoughts are my own.

Katie Vaughn is faced by the unfortunate choice of getting laid off or taking a video-producing gig of her boss' brother, who's a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The catch?  Hutch doesn't want to be interviewed, and even if he did, Katie can't swim.  Plus, she hates her body and wouldn't be caught dead in a swimsuit.  So she lies to get the job and figures it out on the way.  Also on the way, not only does she find her attraction to Hutch mounting, but also the lies are multiplying and pretty soon she has to decide whether she is brave enough to face the truth--and herself.

This is another winner from Katherine Center!  It's about the good story (with all the 1990's rom-com feels) but also about appreciating your body and not letting the bizarre, warped standards on women's bodies apply in your own head.  Your value is not in how well you match those standards.  I got sucked in, and was sooooo frustrated with the lies and the lack of communication.  But I really appreciated about how this isn't just about romantic love (which was pretty awesome, let me tell you!), but also about other loves--friends, family, found family, and loving yourself.  This was a big hit in my book! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia, Death of parent