title: The Love Haters
author: Katerine Center
publisher: St. Martin's Press
publication date: May 20, 2025
pages: 320
peppers: 2 (on this scale)
warnings: vomit, near drowning, fatal illness, cheating, binge drinking, death by car crash (described years later), disordered eating
summary: In order to save her documentary-film-making job, Katie accepts her colleague's offer to film a promotional video about Hutch, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer who saved Jennifer Aniston's dog. All she's heard from her colleague is that the guy, whose hobby is frowning, hates love and publicity. To get the job, she pretends to know how to swim because she's going to have to prove that she can escape an underwater, upside-down helicopter safety simulation. I know, what could possibly go wrong?!
tropes:
- family troubles
- stolen fianceé
- cheating fiancé
- learning to love oneself
- he's perfect and smitten
- I can't see how great I am
- elderly and smart
- lying for the job, gets caught
- fake dating
- bad boss
- saving the dog
- out-of-control dog
- great best friend
- found family
- fun elderly ladies
what I liked: all of it.
- The narrative voice is wonderful -- funny, smart, likable, honest, and imperfect in adorable ways
- The love interest is perfect, an actual hero
- the aunt has a great flair
- the best friend is a winner
- good life lessons
what I didn’t like: Nope. Nothing.
overall rating: 5 (of 5 stars)
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