Book Review and Giveaway: The Love Haters

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.

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. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Allyson Bales:

It really isn’t the start of summer without a Katherine Center book in my hands! 

I am a HUGE Katherine Center fan and really enjoyed her latest, The Love Haters, so much!  

I did an immersive read of this one and really, really enjoyed Patti Murin’s narration.  She very much brings the characters and story to life and if you can, I highly recommend the audio!

Center has a way of writing layered romances where there is always something special and unique about her main characters.  I really enjoyed getting to know Katie and found her to be incredibly relatable.  She is struggling with her body image and I really, really loved the way Center explored that in the story.  Center talks about it a bit in her Author’s Note which I really recommend you read as well.

I found Katie and Hutch’s story to be one of my favorites of Center’s.  Hutch is a coast guard rescue swimmer who went viral saving Jennifer Aniston’s dog and is a real heartthrob!  You get to learn all these interesting facts about the coast guard and Hutch is teaching Katie basically how to swim so there are many, MANY hilarious moments between them that had me laughing out loud.  I think the bathing suite fiasco is my favorite moment and when you read that part, please message me so we can laugh together!  I loved so many of the side characters, Rue being my favorite, and the Key West Setting.  I also really, really loved Hutch’s dog George Bailey.

This book is a warm hug and the perfect summer read! I really can’t wait for you to read it!

Melissa Amster:

I adore everything Katherine Center writes and her latest novel is delightful in so many ways! An insecure and flawed narrator. A swoon-worthy love interest. Quirky supporting characters. And a lovable dog. Put this combination in Florida and you have a winner!

This story had an interesting premise to it, which I appreciated. I don't even know how to put into words how much fun this story was and how it was just packed with surprises and jaw-dropping moments. Sure, there was some cringe involved, but it just added to the charm of the story. I just loved Hutch, Rue, and George Bailey (the dog) so much. 

Katie's best friend was constantly challenging her to share things she loved about her body and I feel like that's a good challenge in some ways. Especially since so many people were so judgmental about Katie without even knowing anything about her. My heart hurt for her so much during one part of the story.

There was a point where I felt like everything got to be too much and Katie deserved a break from all that. And she definitely didn't deserve to end up in the situation she did later on. She handled it a lot better than I probably would have and I give her kudos for that! 

Be sure to add this one to your summer TBR. It's the perfect beach or poolside read! (Preferably while wearing a colorful bathing suit...)

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Katie: Katie Douglas

Hutch: Liam Hemsworth

Cole: Logan Lerman

Rue: Annie Potts

Sullivan: Lilah Richcreek Estrada

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy to share with a lucky reader!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends May 26th at midnight EST. 

More by Katherine Center:

How to Walk Away

What You Wish For

Hello Stranger

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Listen to this book on Speechify!

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TW: Body shaming. Hurricane. Loss of property. Death of parents/spouse. Infidelity.