In an effort to avoid being laid off from the video production company she works for, Katie Vaughn agrees to a month-long visit to Key West, Florida to shoot a recruiting video for the Coast Guard. The video will feature a rescue swimmer, Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson. Katie has previously heard of Hutch because he took the internet by storm several years before, after he rescued Jennifer Aniston’s dog.  

The first problem with Katie taking this assignment, which she omits from her co-worker Cole, who gives her the assignment, is that she cannot swim. Plus, there is no way she is getting into a swimsuit or announcing her weight before boarding the Coast Guard helicopter, like the requirement lists.

Katie struggles with low self-esteem, especially as it relates to body image. During childhood her stepmother often placed her on a diet because she thought she was overweight, and several years ago, during her relationship with a boyfriend who had just become a famous musician, internet trolls said mean and hurtful things about her physical appearance. Years later, she still struggles to maintain a positive body image. So thinking about sporting a swimsuit, even as part of an assignment, or sharing her weight gives her major anxiety.   

But first things first, Katie arrives in Key West and is greeted by her landlord and Hutch’s Aunt Rue.  Rue is the most colorful person that Katie has ever met and it is thanks to Rue that she begins to step outside her comfort zone, at least a bit.

Katie soon meets Hutch at a swim class event hosted by Rue, but their first interaction does not go as smoothly as she would have hoped.  His giant Great Dane plows into her at top speed and she ends up getting about a million splitters in her backside from the wood floor. Since Hutch is trained in first aid, he ends up getting a firsthand look at Katie’s bum as he removes them. 

She neglects to tell him that she will be working with him, but once he finds out, he is not happy.  He had thought that her co-worker Cole would be making the video. Even though he is angry, the two are soon working closely together and Katie makes it her mission to make a great recruiting video that features him, and also to record him as part of her personal side project, A Day in the Life YouTube series.  

A wrench is thrown in Katie’s plan when two surprise visitors show up at Aunt Rue’s. She will has to decide whether to risk her closeness with Hutch or possibly lose her job.

Center’s romantic comedies offer so much in addition to a good love story.  They have relatable conflicts as part of each story and THE LOVER HATERS is no exception.  It deals with self-esteem, friendship, confidence, imperfections and healing in a funny and accessible way.

Also noteworthy is this book’s cast of characters are eclectic and add dimension to the story. Katie’s cousin and best friend, Beanie, is such a hype woman for her, and Beanie’s personality is confident and no-nonsense.  Rue gives Blanche Devereaux from “The Golden Girls” vibes, but less man-hungry; and her group of friends, affectionately called “The Gals” provide Katie a circle of women who help her through several tricky situations.

If readers are looking for a summer beach read, this one would be perfect for most! 

Review written by: Jeana Gockley, Joplin Public Library Director

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