The Love Haters by Katherine Center
ARC from Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an honest review
Book Blurb:
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.
My Review: 3.75 stars
The Love Haters by Katherine Center has created another contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a bucket full of bravery when it comes to love.
Center’s books are easy to read and perfect for a beach read. Always a great escape! I listened to this one and the narration made the story come alive. I loved the Key West locale, learning about the Coast Guard and the banter between Hutch and Katie. The minor characters seemed to do a lot to make the story thrum. I found the struggle between the brothers understandable, especially when they don’t communicate well. And dear Rue, she was a gem of a character.
The topic of body image was something brought to the page and I’m so glad that Center created a character dealing with body dymorphia. Women deal with so much regarding their bodies and getting body shamed or feeling it within themselves is a real problem. I hope this story helps women so they feel seen and understood.
I love that Center brings us a new book every year. Obviously, some are better than others, and this one hit the middle mark. There are some great one-liners that I highlighted but maybe a few too many threads that needed more umph to make it a solid four star. And kudos to the amazing dog George Bailey! Loved him.
Quotes I liked:
The funny thing about the internet is that it is basically a collective hallucination. If you don’t join in, it doesn’t exist.”
“It’s called a time horizon- a sense of how much time we have remaining. For teenagers, it’s vast. It’s infinite. But as we get older, it shortens and shortens- and we can’t help but feel it. As it shrinks, it makes everything more precious. We appreciate the days more because there are fewer of them to come. And it’s really true. I felt it so much today. How fast it all goes. How much we have to be thankful for. What a miracle each breath is.”
“Love stories make us better at love.”
“Trust me, and trust yourself: love stories are the best kinds of therapy”
“Every time you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time. That’s what life is for.”
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