The Love Haters Audiobook By Katherine Center cover art

The Love Haters

A Novel

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The Love Haters

By: Katherine Center
Narrated by: Patti Murin
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About this listen

“Patti Murin skillfully narrates this engaging romance, capturing a wide range of emotions…Murin deftly adapts her narration to match the shifts in tone.”—AudioFile

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.

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.

“[Patti] Murin's portrayal...is captivating—a blend of sass, humor, and empathy with impeccable timing and nuances.”—AudioFile on The Rom-Commers

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2025 Katherine Center (P)2025 Macmillan Audio
Contemporary Editors Select Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Funny Witty Feel-Good Swimming
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Critic reviews

“Katherine Center’s latest romance is madcap, laugh-out-loud, and adrenaline-packed—but with a tender center: the reminder that our first love story always needs to be with ourselves.” —Jodi Picoult, #1 NYT bestselling author

"A documentary unites two people who are jaded about love in the sparkling latest from bestseller Center (The Rom-Commers). Fearing impending layoffs, Texas-based videographer Katie Vaughn gamely agrees to an assignment from her supervisor, Cole Hutcheson, to fly to Key West to film a profile of his brother, Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The assignment is complicated both by Katie’s inability to swim, which she failed to disclose to her boss and which makes joining Hutch on rescues impossible, and by her intense attraction to her subject, who, like her, has been burned by romance. The pair grow closer as both open up about their pasts, but their budding romance is forestalled when Cole shows up and ropes a reluctant Katie into a fake dating scheme. Add in the threat of a severe hurricane, and Center builds to a dramatic grand finale. She also surrounds her lovers with a colorful supporting cast, including Hutch and Cole’s Aunt Rue, who’s on a mission to add color to Katie’s dull wardrobe, and Great Dane George Bailey, who smothers Katie with affection. Striking a perfect balance of comedic moments and emotional authenticity, this may be Center’s best yet." --Publishers Weekly

Editorial Review

Love wasn’t the assignment...
One of my favorite author/performer duos is Katherine Center and Patti Murin, who deliver every. single. time. The Love Haters is no different. This sweet, sharply funny romance is about filmmaker Katie, who takes on a last-chance assignment in Key West profiling a rescue swimmer who turns out to be more charming, and complicated, than she expected. What begins as a professional favor becomes something messier and more meaningful as Katie navigates family drama, past wounds, and the slow process of learning to trust herself again. With unforgettable side characters, emotional depth, and Center’s signature blend of humor and spice, The Love Haters is a charming, feel-good listen about self-acceptance and the unexpected places love can find you.—Patty R., Audible Editor

Heartwarming Themes • Witty Writing • Excellent Narration • Engaging Storyline • Laugh-out-loud Humor • Perfect Pacing
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Katherine Center’s latest kept me on the edge of my seat. The main characters are fun, and of course there’s some romance to be had, but the voices of some of the side characters — Rue, Beanie and the unforgettable George Bailey — kept me chuckling all the way through!

Colorful characters, smart and funny writing and tidbits of wisdom sprinkled throughout

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Katherine center is simply lovely. Quick fun read. Devoured it in 1 day. If you like her books, you’ll love this one too.

Whimsical and fun… your perfect summer read

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The Love Haters : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ love this author from Texas I’ve been waiting for this to come out!!! This would be a great beach:vacation read… you sort of see what’s coming, but a nice easy read ❤️ heart filling read💗💗💗💗💗

Great beach read

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Sorry, but for me it was Monotonous. Conversations strung out way too long and the dialogue was boring between the characters.

Annoying Narrator’s Voice

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A perfect read for summer or when you’re longing for the beach- loved everything about this book.

So delightful!

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I couldn't stop listening. It made me giggle, smile and care. I loved all the characters main or not. Idk if there's any thing I didn't love about it. Patti Murin is of course the best! I can absolutely see myself listening to this again.

My favorite!

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I loved this story. It made me chuckle/lol and had some great characters. What a story of family dynamics and romantic coupling. You need to read this book it took me in right in the beginning.

The relationships between all the characters

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The performance was well done, but this was not Center's strongest book. Center excels in complex, layered stories, but this one just didn't quite hit the mark.

not my favorite Katherine Center

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First, Patti Turin is … a genius. Period the end. Second, this book is quite literally laugh out loud funny. And not just in one or two spots — I downright guffawed a LOT. I’m delighted to have stumbled onto the Katherine Center bandwagon (thanks for that 100% goes to the “Vitamin Sea” worthy cover design) and anticipate spending a whole lot of time with her prose this summer!

Late to the party but glad I’m here!

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Story was choppy and not what I’d expect from this author. As commented the body shaming/positivity(?) was too much. Struggled to finish. Ugh hate to be harsh hoping her next one is better.

Finished but barely

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