The Love Haters by Katherine Center on May 20, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy, Fiction / Women
Format: ARC
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
Katherine Center delivers yet another charming, heartfelt rom-com with The Love Haters, a story filled with humor, adventure, and the kind of slow-burn romance that keeps you turning the pages. While this book didn’t necessarily blow me away like some of Center’s others, it’s still a wonderfully endearing story about loss, friendship, and learning to love yourself as much as you love others. (Side note: Katherine Center is always a MUST-READ for me.) This one will definitely give you the “love yourself” vibe.
Katie Vaughn, a video producer on the verge of losing her job, takes a career-defining opportunity that’s way outside her comfort zone—filming a profile on Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson. The problem? She can’t swim. But that doesn’t stop her from faking it, diving headfirst (pun intended) into a whirlwind of awkward moments, hilarious mishaps, and undeniable chemistry. The added tension of Hutch being the estranged brother of her coworker, Cole, only makes things more complicated.
Katie is such a relatable protagonist—her inner monologue felt like something I’ve had with myself a hundred times over. And Hutch? A total sweetheart who grew on me more and more as the story unfolded. Their dynamic is equal parts tension-filled and tender, making for a romance that feels earned.
What truly sets this book apart is the laugh-out-loud humor. One scene in particular—featuring a big dog, splinters, and Katie’s “haunches”—had me laughing so hard I cried. Center’s knack for blending comedy with heartfelt moments makes this an easy and enjoyable read.
That being said, there was one scene that took this down from a perfect 5-star to a solid 4-star for me. Without giving too much away, it involves the rescue scene, and I found myself a little disappointed with how it played out. Still, that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
With The Love Haters, Katherine Center once again proves her talent for creating romances that are funny, emotional, and full of heart. If you love a story with swoon-worthy chemistry, tropical settings, and characters who make you laugh out loud, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this eArc.