I saw rave reviews about The Bodyguard and it's been on my list for a while now, so when the NetGalley and the publisher offered me this as an ARC I jumped on it! (Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book.)

THEN I realized the author is the same person who wrote Things We Save in a Fire, a book that I did not like at all, and I got a little worried.

And I guess it's fine that I actually didn't care for this book at all, because everyone else seems to LOVE it, so my mediocre review won't really make that much of an impact.

But I'll start my review by saying, if you love a "woe is me, I'm always the victim" then great news! This story if for you!

The first thing I'd like to take issue with is the dead mother. She is the epitome of Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Her mom was such a free spirit! She made everything fun! She wore flowers in her hair! She roller-skated even when it wasn't cool anymore! Here's the thing, I think it's fine to romanticize your dead relative, and only remember their fun, crazy personality, but I think there's something to be said about the way Emily Henry did it in Book Lovers, where Nora had romanticized it and thought her mother was the greatest, where her sister had a different opinion. Nora had only remembered the good, and ignored all the rest. That's a pretty accurate portrayal of real life. In this though, that's not what happens. Sadie's mom straight up was as cooky, and fun, and wonderful as she remembers.

The second thing I'd like to take issue with is the artist take. As an artist myself, and someone who tends to love portraits...this just didn't click for me. It should have. This really should have been a perfect book for me. A hot vet? A dog? A portrait artist? Excellent, we're 3 for 3. I'm also fascinated by face blindness, so good, now we're 4 for 4. Yet...all of this fell flat for me. Sadie loves people that are symmetrical and she says it's because she's an artist, but I think if you ask a lot of artists, we DON'T want symmetrical. We love a unique face. It's more interesting, but not only that, it allows a bit more freedom in the drawing/painting. Oh, that eyebrow is slightly higher than the other? Yeah, perfect! Now they can be sisters and not twins!

Third. And maybe the thing that was the most frustrating for me the entire time (and it's the main plot of the book), the "I like two people but don't realize they're the same person" trope. This is a hard trope to make work. It really tends to only work when it's an online personality versus a real life personality. Julia Whelan was able to do it brilliantly in Thank You For Listening, but normally it's not an easy balance and I usually find it grating as a reader because the author goes about it one of two ways...

1.) we the reader knows they are the same person, but the character doesn't. Which can be irritating for us because if the characters just had one simple conversation or asked "why are you acting like I'm a stranger?" the problem would be solved.

Or 2.) it's supposed to be a big plot twist to us readers. Which it never is and that just means the author, editor, and publisher thought we were idiots. Booo!

Hilariously after reading this entire book, I'm not sure which option we're supposed to believe. Probably number 1...but????

Fourth, speaking of "if you just had ONE simple conversation we wouldn't be here." There's literally a line in this book that says <i>"when you're watching a movie and there's a simple Big Misunderstanding and you want to shout "just talk to each other!" </i> So the author literally acknowledges that this is a common frustration and people hate the miscommunication trope, and then she says but that's not real life. In real life you can't just clarify things with one sentence or conversation. GIRL WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ON? YES YOU CAN. Like I'm sorry, you just called out the miscommunication trope, and then USED IT. Jail.

I just really can't figure this out in stories. I don't think I'm the World's Best Communicator, but I have no problem, ya know, asking for clarification? I think most people are fine with it. And FINE, you can make the case that Sadie isn't...but what about the man? He at no point was like, hey, how's your dog? Hey, I'll see you Thursday at THE VET. Like, c'mon now.

Fifth, the evil step-sister. I'm really tired of seeing this Cinderella storyline in books. I've read three already and it's MARCH. And they aren't retellings. They just want to include the evil step-mother and step-sister. And I'm sorry, but there is no one that is THAT horrific in real life, and if they are, other people are aware of it. No one is out here plotting and planning to just destroy someone's life for fun. And again, if they are, more people are aware of it. The family isn't going to just be like, wow this child, who has never been a troublemaker, is now such a monster she needs to be sent away. Again I say, c'mon now.

And I'll wrap it up here, but this whole thing of Sadie not wanting to seem needy, her not wanting to ask anyone for help actually makes her so insufferable. She doesn't want to ask for help, so instead she causes MORE problems for others. She's illegally living in a space that is not meant to be a living area. So instead of asking anyone for help, or doing anything about her situation, she does something that is illegal, and could get the building manager (her best friends family) in trouble. Girl, you're actually being a worse person and causing more problems. And her INSISTENCE on being an artist is fine, but she can't even afford to live, but she...doesn't go out and get a job to supplement her income? Any artist I know does this. You want to live off your art? It's going to be hard, and you're going to have to do another job at the same time. Wait tables, bartend, do freaking Doordash or Uber or something. But nah. Sadie just lives illegally in her studio and whines about making like $400 a month selling on Etsy. And then has the money to order take out and croissants for her dog??? In what world?

Also, how was she paying for these medical bills, or the vet bills? That's like, never addressed. And also, wasn't she pre-med? Yet she had to have EVERYTHING spelled out for her medically. And I get that she dropped out and probably wasn't in it for long, but some of these things were basic, and I would expect her to at least be AWARE of them.

She's also apparently the least observant person in the world. She crossed paths with Joe/Oliver like a shit ton and never noticed him. She didn't figure out she had face blindness for like 3 days.

I don't know. This just really didn't work for me and it actually bums me out. I wanted to like it. I wanted Katherine Center to be a go-to, closed door romance author, but I don't think that's going to be the case for me.

Anyway, it looks like everyone else is loving it, so my little two star rant will probably be lost in the ether and irrelevant in the long run.

I adored this book from the start. Struggling artist, Sadie Montgomery, finds she must have a surgery and then recover from it the same week she has been accepted to paint a portrait for a highly prestigious art show, which her late mother was also accepted for. Forced to have the surgery by her father, she awakes to realize she has face blindness. Which is going to be a problem if she's supposed to do a portrait.

With Sue, her best friend at hand, an annoying turned friendship neighbour down the hall, Joe and her veterinarian, Dr.Addison for her beloved elder dog, Peanut, she manages her face blindness the best she can- with humour, hijinks, and heart.

As the book progresses, we find out more of Sadie's family history and your heart just opens wider for this artist. I had a hard time putting down this book, but also did not want to stop reading because it was so good.
(Also- Dr. Addison and Sadie Montgomery? REALLY hoping this was a cute shout-out to Grey's Antomy/ Private Practice!)

This was an adorable story. Katherine Center really knows how to take a rom com in a different direction. I love that every book of hers in completely different, yet equally amazing. I love Sadie and how she dealt with everything. Her banter with the other characters, including the doctors was amazing. Another win for Katherine Center.

I have read and loved almost all of Katherine Center’s books. I love the lighthearted nature of them. They are sweet, easy reads. Hello Stranger is no different. Although I felt the misunderstanding was easy to spot early on, I enjoyed the author’s introduction of Prosopagnosia (face blindness) into the main character’s life. It made for an interesting story line.

Sadie Montgomery has been waiting for her big break in the art world her entire life and has finally been given the chance to achieve it by being named a finalist in a portrait painting contest. Unfortunately, an ill-timed brain surgery leaves Sadie without the skills to complete a painting for the contest that will help her achieve success. In the midst of this reality, she meets not one, but two men whom she wants to spend time with. Throw in a dysfunctional family and the stage is set for a remarkable book!

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions listed above are my own.

Ahhhh I loved this so much I devoured it in a matter of hours. I have been fascinated by prosopagnosia since learning about it in grad school, so I was instantly hooked by the premise - portrait artist with a big competition coming up develops acquired prosopagnosia following a necessary brain surgery. I found the neuropsychology really compelling, learning about how our senses interact and the compensatory strategies a person with the condition might use to help them identify and differentiate people. Also, we love an MC who goes to therapy and betters themself!!

Sadie was incredibly relatable as a character, and I just adored her and her story arc. She learned so much about herself, she overcame a lot of beliefs she’d previously held that were holding her back, and confronted relationships that were damaging her. Her love interests were so sweet and the growing romance between her and Joe was positively adorable. As Center says in her author’s note at the end - she hopes the book keeps the reader up way too late reading (check!), gives a blissed out-oxytocin laden, tipsy feeling that all the best love stories create (check!) and that it gives the reader a new perspective (check! I’ve been thinking about what it would’ve been like to experience what Sadie experienced all day/night)! The story created fantastic anticipation (another nod to the author’s note) of hope and a happy ending, and I loved every second of getting there.

The writing was also beautiful and I had to force myself to slow down so I could enjoy it, even as my brain wanted to skip through the sentences to find out what would happen next. I just LOVED this book! And it makes me want to go back and read all of Center’s other books!

A resounding 5/5 stars. So grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Center does it again with her great story telling talents. Even though it was a bit harder to related to someone with face blindness, Center still manages to capture my heart and soul with the FMC. I also loved the supporting characters. Well done!!! Definitely read the authors note at the end!

Charming as always. I guessed the ending, but not the twists along the way and this was very satisfying! The premise was an original one, too, which was gratifying and unexpected.

Can you go wrong with a Katherine Center book? Nope. And I don't think you ever will! This is another perfect addition to the authors repertoire and I highly recommend it to everyone who needs a good romance in their lives!

Katherine Center continually blows my mind with her ability to touch readers and write unforgettable love stories with such amazing emotional depth!! In this story we get to know Sadie, a portrait artist on the brink of her big break who discovers she needs brain surgery after an accident.

Reluctant to go ahead with a huge competition looming, Sadie's father forces her to go through with the surgery. The catch, after the surgery the swelling in her brain leaves her with a condition called Prosopagnosia, aka face blindness. Left unable to identify people's faces, Sadie is stuck trying to figure out how she'll paint a portrait for the competition.

Full of toxic family relationships, beautiful found family and the most swoony romance imaginable, I seriously couldn't get enough of this story even though I found elements completely predictable, the ANTICIPATION of finding out how the two main characters would get their HEA kept me flipping the pages late into the night.

HIGHLY recommended, this is my new favorite book by one of my favorite authors. She tackles some hard topics in this book, from grief over the sudden death of a loved one to an unexpected disability and the uncertainty of the future. It's also a beautiful love letter to the romance genre and readers do not want to skip reading her author's note at the end!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Favorite quotes:
"We're all just muddling through, after all. We're all just doing the best we can. We're all struggling with our struggles. Nobody has the answers. And everybody, deep down, is a little bit lost."

"Love stories don't have happy endings because their authors didn't know any better. They have happy endings because they let readers access a rare and precious kind of emotional bliss."

Katherine Center has done it again! Hello Stranger was such a fun, unique read and I couldn't put it down! Katherine writes the best kind of feel good, heartwarming hug type of books and they are always must reads for me! The characters were charming and likeable, there was a fun twist on a love triangle and our fair share of family drama. If you need a quick, easy read that will make you swoon and laugh out loud, pick this up and thank me later!

Hello Stranger
Katherine Center

Genre: Romance
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Recommended: Yes!

What an amazing book. I love how Katherine Center can make you laugh and cry while reading. While in this one I didn’t cry, it’s only because I guessed the twist and was not stressed about the third act breakup!

Read if you like…
* Slow Burn
* Friends to Lovers
* Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
* Recovery
* Mistaken Identity sorta?

You've heard the saying "there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met?" But what if everyone you meet is a stranger-even if you've met them before? This is the fate of Sadie in Hello Stranger. Diagnosed with prosopagnosia (more commonly referred to as "face blindness"), it renders you unable to recognize faces, even those you've known for years. This medical twist gives Hello Stranger a fresh take on the classic "boy meets girl" romance. But make no mistake, Hello Stranger is a romance in the traditional sense. In the author's notes Katherine Center states that one of the drawbacks of romance novels is they are predictable, and she is right. But as she also acknowledges, there is a great deal of comfort in predictable, and after the last few years of uncertainly, predictable is a welcome change. Hello Stranger is sweet and simple, and it will make you smile. The plot has a few staples of rom/coms through the years-most notably an evil stepmother and stepsister ah la Cinderella. But Hello Stranger is feisty and fun in ways Prince Charming was not. Sadie's prince is handsome, helpful, and loves animals. What more could you ask for? So introduce yourself to Hello Stranger and meet a new friend.

Alright, I'll be honest. This was not my favorite Katherine Center book. I found the entire plot a bit far-fetched, especially the conflict. I understand what she was going for, and this does not downplay the experiences of real people who have suffered from similar situations, but I just thought it was a bit of a stretch. That said, I still found the book enjoyable and I read it quickly.

Katherine Center has written another perfect comfort read. Filled with hope and humor and a happy ending, Hello Stranger was delightful from the start. After a sudden medical emergency and subsequent treatment leaves Sadie unable to recognize the faces of...anyone (including herself)...her life as she knew it had quite literally disappeared. Add to that she's just received a once in a lifetime opportunity in her chosen profession as a portrait artist. Portrait art and face blindness are an obviously unfortunate pairing. Sadie is forced to confront her past and take hold of the present in order to determine what truly brings her joy and holds importance in her life. Katherine Center takes us on a journey from deep grief to overwhelming joy and love. Her stories always leave me feeling as if hope and happy endings are available for us all.

P.S. I fully believe they actually are!

Hello Stranger is Katherine Center's sweet and touching newest novel. I have read several of her books, and this one just may be my favorite. Sadie is a struggling artist who finally wins a spot as a finalist in an art competition and then promptly faces a medical emergency that makes her art and her life an even bigger challenge. We watch Sadie try to find her footing and navigate old and new relationships. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Meet our main character, Sadie. She's living in a run-down space that can't even legally be rented as an apartment, surviving (not thriving) on her art. She finally gets her big break, a contest that her mother also had the opportunity to compete in before she passed away. When life seems to be looking up for our girl Sadie, she must undergo surgery which ends up resulting in prosopagnosia or face blindness. As horrible as this outcome is, she's a portrait artist. A portrait artist who can no longer see faces.

Thankfully, her doctor assures her that this is temporary. Enter Dr. Addison, her dog Peanut's vet, who also happens to be extremely attractive, says the girl who can't see his face. Still, we believe her because we live for the romance. On the other hand, we have Joe, who lives in Sadie's building and is a huge player but also has a soft spot for helping people.

I appreciated the quirkiness of this story, the little details and surprises were fun and things I look for in romances. However, I'm getting tired of romances that seem to just pop up out of the blue, out of proximity. I want some romance, some pursuit and unfortunately, Hello Stranger didn't deliver. Beyond that, I don't expect the book to be full of serious, thought-provoking thoughts but I found this book to be over-the-top dramatic, and repetitive in the writing. I couldn't get into the drama between Sadie and her family and felt it was quite unnecessary.

This was a 2.5 star rounded up because although it wasn't my cup of tea, I'm sure lots of people can enjoy this easy-to-read, light romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Hello Stranger in exchange for my honest review.

Just as Sadie feels like everything if finally happening for her, her life takes a 180. And she realizes that what we think is true is quite different sometimes from reality. I really like the theme that the author explores throughout the book - not just with Sadie, but other characters too. We all go through our life absolutely sure of our truth. But what if we aren’t seeing the true picture? What if we don’t have all the information? I would have liked more from the secondary characters- I think Sur and Witt’s story could have been explored more. And Parker and Lucinda - maybe they were a little one dimensional. But overall, well done. 4 stars!

I’ve grown to love Katherine Center’s books, so I was thrilled to receive this eGalley from NetGalley to read and review. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

This book had me from the beginning with a sprinkle of family drama, two best friends loving and rooting for each other, and a young woman just trying to get by, but unable to ask for help. Then the wrench gets thrown into the mix and makes everything even more interesting with a douchey boy next door (well, downstairs) and a real-life evil step sister.

Hello Stranger was quick paced, fun, and quirky with a delightful little twist that I only kind of saw coming (but not until the last second, tbh). I know this will be one that I purchase and gleefully reread when I need a pick me up, a nudge to look at my world a little differently, or a reminder that asking for help is a wonderful thing.

This is my first Katherine Center book and will not be my last. I loved the main character, Sadie. I could not put this book down and read it in about 4 hours. I loved the story line. This pulled my heartstrings more than once. I just love a good lovable book and that's what this is!

This love story really created fantastic anticipation 😉

In all honesty, one of my favorite Katherine Center books and that’s saying a lot because I love all of her books. The characters are always relatable yet their situations are always so unique and intriguing!

The journey from the first page to the last page was a pure delight but I do not want to give too much away so I’ll leave it at - if you are a KC fan - you will love this one!

If you haven’t read this one yet - be sure to read the authors note at the end. I love Katherine Center and I always will 🫶🏼 I choose joy!

READ IF YOU LIKE:
• Rare Medical Conditions 🏥
• Family Drama 🎭
• Struggling Artists 👩‍🎨
• Adorable Furry Sidekicks 🐕

Thank you Net Galley & St Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.