The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Publication Date: May 20th 2025 by St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio
Pages: 320
Audio Book Length: 10hrs 33min
Narrator: Patti Murin & Katherine Center
Source: Publishers
Rating: ★★★★½
My
Thoughts:
Katie Vaughn’s company is downsizing and as one of the
newest hires, she’s worried her job is on the chopping block. This is why she accepts
an assignment to make a recruiting video for the Coast
Guard featuring Hutch Hutchenson, one of their rescue
swimmers, when she doesn’t know how to swim. A major requirement, but off to Key
West she goes.
Katie struggled with her body image and self-confidence after
a brush with her ex-fiancé’s new-found fame (people can be so awful online!). It
wasn’t just not knowing how to swim, that was a mental challenge for Katie.
I loved Katie’s journey from an insecure introvert to
someone who wasn’t afraid to live in color. Hutch and his aunt and her friends gradually
coaxed Katie’s true self out with swimming lessons, dinners, and a rambunctious
Great Dane! Hutch was an absolute pillar and oh-so-dreamy! I also loved the
Coast Guard aspects of the story which added an extra element of adventure, danger,
and excitement!
The Love Haters was a pure delight from start to finish! I adored
Katherine Center’s author’s note at the end, as well.
I alternately read an e-copy and listened to an audio
version with Patti Murin narrating. Her performance was perfection! Just icing
on the cake!
4.5 Stars
Book Description:
It’s a thin line between love and love-hating.
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 fakes it that she can.
Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. 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 also 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.
Readers seemed disappointed with this one, glad to see we both enjoyed it. The romance was definitely there, but the real story was Katie's which you highlighted in your review.
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading this one and I thoroughly enjoyed it, too. And Hutch! I love Hutch. :D
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I loved this one. Hutch really was a stand up guy. I felt bad for what Katie and especially his brother did to both of them.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Love that she's going through a time of change and growth in her personal life even while meeting people who are good for her. Another good Katherine Center that I need to try eventually.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed the books I've read by this author and need to read more! Great review!
ReplyDeletehttps://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/05/31/e-galley-review-cant-always-get-what-you-want-houston-baddies-hockey-2-by-sara-ney/
First of all, this cover just screams summer reading! I've been reading more romance recently, so I'll add this to my list.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds adorable. Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteAww a pure delight, I could roll with that
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun premise.
ReplyDelete