The Love Haters
Contemporary Women Fiction, Romantic Comedy
St. Martin's Press
May 20, 2025
Ebook, Audiobook, Hardcover
320
It’s a thin line between love and love-hating in the newest laugh out loud, all the feels rom-com by New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center. 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 pretends that she can. Plus, Cole and Hutch are brothers. 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 maybe 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.
A Colorful Love Story in Key West
This is my first audiobook review for The LitBuzz (I know–it took me long enough to get into audiobooks!), and I’m so glad I started with The Love Haters by Katherine Center, narrated by Patti Murin. It’s quirky, fun, and had me laughing out loud at the most unexpected moments.
As Center beautifully puts it in the author’s note, there’s something healing about reading stories of how others heal. While this is a romance, the real love story is between the main character, Katie, and herself. Yes, there’s the swoon-worthy Coast Guard rescue diver, Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson—but at its core, this is about Katie learning to love who she is.
A quick heads up: Katie’s perspective includes her struggles with body shame and dysmorphia. Center handles this with care and respect, wrapping the heavier themes in humor and hope. I found myself smiling not at her struggle, but at the witty and resilient way Katie meets her challenges.
Now, about that romance—Hutch is a gem. Kind, humble, and on his own healing journey, he and Katie share a connection that feels real. Also, yes, there’s shirtless jump-roping, which adds the perfect dose of fun.
All in all, I highly recommend The Love Haters, especially in audiobook format. Murin’s narration captures every tender moment and clever quip, making the story even more heartwarming.
Funny, Tender, and Unexpectedly Uplifting
Celeste is a woman who is unwavering about certain things in life; three of those being books, cats, and cold brew coffee. If she can enjoy all three at the same time, it’s going to be a good day. Her favorite genres are fantasy or sci-fi romance, historical romance, and historical fiction but every few books she likes to mix it up with contemporary fiction, a good psychological thriller, or an inspiring memoir. She has a busy schedule working full-time for an online university but she makes sure to unwind each day with stories, either by reading to her elementary school-aged daughter or tucking herself in bed with her Kindle or the latest book she picked up at a local book store.
