The Love Haters by Katherine Center -> Starting April 7th, 2025

[Alaina]

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.

[Alaina]

I'm jumping into this after I finish Six Scorched Roses!

[Haley]

Sounds good! I cracked it open but only 10% into it so far

[Haley]

35%

(view spoiler)[ I didn't realize that it was going to have such a focus on body image, I was expecting more of a enemies to lovers as the main focus, but it appears that's a back burner. I'm hoping it doesn't become her main character trait of "woe me". I do like how she's still confident enough to make sly jokes with Hutch.

the automatically hot and irresistible at 6 feet tall smh! I don't read many rom-coms and honesty that's the reason why (more so the here we go again) & the interview part had me laughing, he's SO uncomfortable in front of the camera

but I do love Katherine's writing. the part where Katie is explaining the latin meaning behind helico -pter had me chuckling. Rue is precious and I wonder what's on the October date that is being missed? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Haley]

68% (view spoiler)[ correction not enemies to lovers!! more of a friends/strangers to lovers trope

ugh I had a feeling this is what Cole called about when hutch suddenly agreed to the day in my life... I wasn’t expecting that entire wedding and Cole choosing his fiancé over own brother?? Wow wow

was a bit heavy in the beginning with self loathing but now it’s calmed down!

go katie for wanting to take a personal day smh.. also the Great Dane being the wingman I love it!! HAHA

How long is this lie going to last? (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

94% (view spoiler)[ at first I really thought Hutch was going to leave her behind in the ocean... like what, how can he be so nonchalant about seeing her with his dog she saved??

The scene between Cole and Hutch wrestling in the yard really had me tearing up. his mother's last wish... (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

finished (view spoiler)[
yes yes to her taking Rue's job!! couldn't have worked out better. & also being able to film videos, I love how her future worked out. I really thought hutch was going to leave her behind on the boat and that would have docked this down to 3 stars if that happened lol

Sullivan and Cole dating officially after one night? so weird...

I laughed out loud with that bit of George keeping the toad lucky HAHA. I typically don't read the author's note, but I found this one got my attention.

the epilogue did a really nice job at putting it altogether and wrapping it up into a nice bow. Overall a cute read and I really enjoy Katherine's writing as I can't wait for another one by her (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 1-5: (view spoiler)[Oh, my heart. His dog is named George Bailey. My dog was named Bailey after that same character. And now I miss my dog. I'm not quite sure what to think about our main girl yet. I feel so bad for her, though, which I'm sure she would hate. I hope she finds a way to fully heal from her past. I also hope that Hutch and Rue can help along the way. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 6-10: (view spoiler)[I get that her stepmom was horrible and did a number on her but damn. I was kind of hoping she could move on from the body-shaming trauma and have fun in Key West a bit more. Which, yes, she definitely is but I just have a feeling she is going to spiral real soon.

As for Hutch? He's definitely the complete opposite of what his brother said he would be like. I wonder why they don't get along. Could it be because of their mom? Also, is Hutch mad that he didn't show up for their aunt? Ever since that phone call, it has been on my mind that something is up.

Other than that, I do hope he changes his mind about the day in the life video. I just don't want her boss to show up and ruin everything. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Haley wrote: "35% .."

I absolutely love Rue and the gals! Also, yes, Hutch was so awkward in front of the camera but very funny. I can see why he didn't want to do interviews.

[Alaina]

Ch 11-16: (view spoiler)[Yeah, I had a feeling there would be some drama between them. I'm annoyed that he keeps doing things for Cole. That relationship is not healthy one bit. Other than that, I really liked how he helped her after that stupid article came out. And the story about what happened to his parents and Rue's husband? Omg - I was not prepared for that one bit! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 17-20: (view spoiler)[Ugh, Cole is the worst. He really needs to fess up and start treating Hutch like his actual brother. No more competition. No more making him feel bad about the fiancé. I’m so over him. I didn’t like him before I definitely don’t now. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 21-Finish: (view spoiler)[Oh good. They finally had a fight and talked. Very proud of these brothers. As for her going back and saving his dog (well, sort of), I'm happy about that. In the end, they needed to be rescued but hey - they survived and we got a happy ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Haley wrote: "68% ..."

Yeah, Cole was something. I really needed him to get his shit together.

[Alaina]

Haley wrote: "94% ..."

OMG RIGHT? I was screaming at my phone to not leave her there.

[Alaina]

Haley wrote: "finished ..."

Yeah, Cole and Sullivan were the weirdest relationship combo ever but if they are happy, I'm happy. I'm just happy for Hutch and Katie.

[Haley]

Alaina wrote: "Haley wrote: "68% ..."

Yeah, Cole was something. I really needed him to get his shit together."

Yes yes!! I kept asking Cole what in the heck are you doing?? Holding onto grudges from the past?? Silly

[Haley]

Happy to see we rated the same!! Overall a really cute book and another success by Katherine center :)