The Love Haters: A Novel
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.
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Readers say *The Love Haters* by Katherine Center blends heartfelt humor and relatable characters with a well-researched, grounded setting. Many appre...
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for the ARC.
Having previously read The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, I had a good sense of what to expect with this book: a rom-com that is brave enough to touch on serious topics but never takes itself too seriously. Center’s stories tend to be lighthearted, making for great beach reads or palate cleansers between heavier books.
While the execution of The Bodyguard leaned a bit too far-fetched for me to REALLY love, I found The Love Haters to be more grounded, thanks to the research Center put into the US Coast Guard and the more well-rounded, believable characters. The main characters' journeys with self-image and past trauma gave the story more depth than I anticipated. The Author's Note speaks to themes of "Katie and her body - in a kind of enemies-to-lovers trope". There were some truly beautiful passages exploring themes of self-compassion and resilience, with thoughtful insights on how tools from relationship counseling can be applied to our inner dialogue. Reclamation of the anniversaries of a traumatic memory for several characters are a standout for me.
That said, the tone is still unmistakably rom-com, with plenty of goofy moments, playful banter, and a few cringey exchanges along the way. It’s a well-balanced "just here for the vibes" kind of book with a comedic relief dog, Golden Girls energy, and everyday hero love interest. For readers looking for a fun, escapist read that offers both heart and humor, this one scratches that itch perfectly. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with a little more substance than your average rom-com, even if it doesn’t always stick the landing.
This book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review. Rating: 3.5/5
Having previously read The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, I had a good sense of what to expect with this book: a rom-com that is brave enough to touch on serious topics but never takes itself too seriously. Center’s stories tend to be lighthearted, making for great beach reads or palate cleansers between heavier books.
While the execution of The Bodyguard leaned a bit too far-fetched for me to REALLY love, I found The Love Haters to be more grounded, thanks to the research Center put into the US Coast Guard and the more well-rounded, believable characters. The main characters' journeys with self-image and past trauma gave the story more depth than I anticipated. The Author's Note speaks to themes of "Katie and her body - in a kind of enemies-to-lovers trope". There were some truly beautiful passages exploring themes of self-compassion and resilience, with thoughtful insights on how tools from relationship counseling can be applied to our inner dialogue. Reclamation of the anniversaries of a traumatic memory for several characters are a standout for me.
That said, the tone is still unmistakably rom-com, with plenty of goofy moments, playful banter, and a few cringey exchanges along the way. It’s a well-balanced "just here for the vibes" kind of book with a comedic relief dog, Golden Girls energy, and everyday hero love interest. For readers looking for a fun, escapist read that offers both heart and humor, this one scratches that itch perfectly. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with a little more substance than your average rom-com, even if it doesn’t always stick the landing.
This book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review. Rating: 3.5/5
One of, if not the best Romance I have read!
You start off with a woman who has no self worth, except for her job. A job that ends up sending her to the Florida Keys to do a story on a coast guard diver who saved Jennifer Aniston's dog. It ends in a literal hurricane where the woman realizes (thinking she is going to die) that she has been too hard on herself and that she does not need to listen to all the naysayers.
Lots of humor! Must read!
You start off with a woman who has no self worth, except for her job. A job that ends up sending her to the Florida Keys to do a story on a coast guard diver who saved Jennifer Aniston's dog. It ends in a literal hurricane where the woman realizes (thinking she is going to die) that she has been too hard on herself and that she does not need to listen to all the naysayers.
Lots of humor! Must read!
I love everything Katherine Center. This one got a little boring in the end though and a little far-fetched. Boilerplate
Super cute romance read, I always am so impressed with her characters they always feel so real and natural to me.
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