I'm such a fan of Katherine Center, and loved The Bodyguard and Things You Save in a Fire, the other two books by her that I have read. Hello Stranger was simply fine - it did not blow me away, and I didn't find myself getting as swept up in the romance and the characters as I expected.

I appreciate all of the research and care that the author took in crafting a character (Sadie) with face blindness (prosopagnosia)...but it felt like a weak version of the miscommunication trope to basically make it so your heroine can't recognize anyone's faces and she can fall in love with someone she doesn't recognize (or is it two someone's?). The fact that then Sadie doubles down on the miscommunication and refuses to tell people about her condition only adds to the frustration.

The long descriptions of painting and trying to figure out how to see faces, and introspection into what makes you you just did not hit home for me. The MMC as the love interest was solid, but not a whole lot about him stood out to really make him someone you fell for as a book boyfriend, or really rooted for.

The most interesting part of the book was the villain, her stepsister Parker, who is so atrocious and awful that she's almost unbelievable. As a reader, you could not wait to see when Parker would finally get her comeuppance, because she was positively diabolical and you knew something had to finally come to a head.

Overall this book was fine. It's a nice clean romance with a unique premise, but it's not one I'd want to reread or strongly recommend to others.

This book, while generally classified as a romance, has a lot more depth than many other romance novels I've seen. There's a quirky and memorable cast of characters, a unique story line, family drama, and larger questions about purpose and happiness (the romance is not the focus of the plot for much of the book). I thought the writing was witty and realistic, and the main character felt really tangible. I could really picture her and her life, and the comedic moments surrounding some difficult situations she has to face. I really loved this book and have not read anything quite like it. Heart-warming, clever, and well-written, I couldn't put it down and I would recommend this book to all of my reading friends.

Sadie has just been accepted as a finalist for a competition that could change her life as an artist. She could really use a ‘win’ as her father, stepmother and stepsister are not supportive. Six weeks before the competition, Sadie suddenly needs brain surgery and wakes up with face blindness; not ideal for a portraitist! Just when she thinks things can’t get worse, her beloved dog falls ill. Sadie’s journey makes for a great read! Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

This book was a great twist on the classic soap opera "amnesia" storyline. I love books with lots of missed connections and misunderstandings, and Center delivered. This would be a great summer beach read and seems like the beginning of a new era for her, along with the Bodyguard last summer. Loved it!

Another winner from Katherine Center!! I read Hello Stranger in one sitting. This is the sweetest romcom I've read in a while. I loved Sadie & Joe and always enjoy a good canine sidekick. I rooted for Sadie the whole way through and have to admit, I did NOT see that reveal coming!

The beginning premise feels super strange but once our heroine returns from the hospital and starts getting on with her daily life it becomes much more easy to read. I wished for more interactions with Lucinda and felt the bff role of Sue wasn't as fleshed out/around as I wanted her to be, but everything is forgiven at the end with the big reveal. What a fantastic and satisfying wrap-up to a romcom. I absolutely loved it!

This book is a short, cute and easy read. Another clean closed door romance from Katherine Center. It does have a slow start BUT if you keep reading the plot twist at the end is worth it.

In the book, I love the relationship Sadie shares with her dog, Peanut. She calls Peanut her “soulmate” and “family”.This reminds me of my relationship with my dog. Hello Stranger, is not only a romance but it is a book that helps you get a new perspective on life. In the book, Sadie suffers from FFG. She struggles with asking for help when she needs it and what people will think about her with acquired apperceptive prosopagnosia. Sadie ends up realizing that “love is nourishing” and “love is healing”. Sadie learns that you have to let people love you and it is okay to ask for support.This is a feel good book and helps change your perspective on how you should see your life.

In the author’s note Katherine Center says “I hope it kept you up way too late reading and gave you that blissed-out, oxytocin-laden, tipsy feeling that all the best love stories create.” I can honestly say it did and I would recommend that you read it yourself so you can have the same feeling. It is worth it.

Pick up your copy on July 11 2023.
Thank you to NetGallery who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have to give this book a 4.5-5 stars, honestly I think this it one of my favorite romance books! This is my first time reading Katherine Center's books, before reading this I've heard all the hype around her previous book (The Bodyguard), and I'M SO GLAD I loved this book so much! I have to go read The Bodyguard asap.
The pacing of this book was perfect, not too slow, not too fast. But I flew through the book once I passed the 50% mark. I also like how it does not focus all on the romance, but also the friendship, the hardship of her illness, the struggles between her and her family, etc.
Can we talk about Joe though, he is totally my kind of book boyfriend. Such a golden retriever type, so caring and sweet <3 ahhhh.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and Katherine Center for the copy of this book!

Katherine Center delights readers once more in Hello Stranger.

Sadie Montgomery is a fighting artist granted just one opportunity to show her worth: win a portrait competition she is just one of ten finalists for. But the night she finds out she’s a finalist, her life changes. She’s hit by a car and needs brain surgery. But on recovery from this surgery, she finds out she cannot see faces. What is she going to do when her life is all about painting faces?
On top of this, she meets two men that she cannot see fully but knows she likes. One, a neighbor that rides the elevator with named Joe. The other, a vet named Dr. Addison, who saves her dog Peanut. Juggling the portrait competition, the men and life, Sadie’s about to learn about who she truly is.

I enjoyed reading Katherine Center’s latest, Hello Stranger, but felt the plot was a little far fetched. While one can tell that Center put a lot of research and love into her novel, I wondered throughout why Sadie didn’t put things together via her other senses. I enjoyed the character plots of Dr. Addison and Joe, looking forward to when they were in the novel. However; I despised Sadie’s “best friend” Sue and the other side characters. Overall, I am glad I read this novel and found myself flipping through the pages in a few sittings to find out how everything connected in the end.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for my earc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I need Katherine Center to add some spice to these books! Like The Bodyguard, Center introduced great male & female leads and this just ends up being cute. I loved the representation of a character with a brain injury. and think the author did a great job capturing the frustration and helplessness.

I thought Sadie was very likeable and the male MC(s) were, as mentioned, well, I wanted more. I finished this one in a few hours. Great for a fun pick-me-up read. Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! The face blindness plot was unique and kept me interested from the start. Did I guess the “twist”/ending from beginning? Yes. Did that stop me from devouring this book? No. Sadie’s journey and growth was so heartwarming. You see her become more confident and learn to accept herself. The MMC is wonderfully written and an absolutely perfect romance character. The side characters were also well written, Sue is the best and Peanut is everything. I even loved the neuropsychologist! I hated Sadie’s father and stepsister, I disliked the stepmother. This is a great romance with literary fiction elements sprinkled overtop. I haven’t read The Bodyguard yet, but I’ll be picking it up now!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

📖 HELLO STRANGER by Katherine Center  

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

♥️I absolutely loved The Bodyguard (I read it twice) so when I got a chance to read Hello Stranger ARC I made a little dance. 🎨
The plot is unique and nothing I have ever read before. It was an absolute joy to devour this funny, adorable, quirky, and heartwarming romance. Plus, I learned something that I didn't know exist. Nothing better than a romance book that not only makes you laugh but also educates you. :)


Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for this ARC! 💖

I love, love, love, love this book, wow.

I just recently finished The Bodyguard and I adored it, so I was beyond excited to read this arc for Hello Stranger and it did not disappoint!! This is now one of my favorite books ever, in general, but also one of my favorite romances. (And the pub date is my birthday!! How exciting! I think that's a sign from the universe.)

The plot is unlike anything I've ever read before, as Sadie is a portrait artist who finds herself facing a neurological complication, Prosopagnosia, after her brain surgery, leading to her being unable to recognize faces (including her own). And as bad luck would have it, it happens right after she learns she has landed a spot as a finalist in an important and potentially life-changing portrait competition. She doesn't know how long the face blindness will last and the competition is only in a few short weeks, which poses a huge challenge to not only her dreams and her career, but her fierce independence and perspective in life, too. Her mom was also given a spot in the very same art competition shortly before she died, so it's even more special to her.

It was really heartwarming that Sadie prided herself on her art and honored her mom every day, even down to the same style of painting. But I loved her character growth so much and the way she discovered herself, and what she had to say in her portraits, instead of trying to fill her mom's shoes. Sadie was so caught up in trying to be as independent as possible until her face blindness. It challenged her to find ways to adapt her art, her attitude, and the relationships she fostered. Her growth was really lovely.

I just have to say that Sadie is 100% me because her delusional obsession with the sexy vet based solely upon the first three seconds of meeting him...yep. I see someone attractive and my brain immediately goes, "what would our wedding look like?" so I felt seen. And there's nothing better to take your mind off your serious and stressful circumstances than a little delusional fantasy, especially when it's the guy who saved your dog. Love at first sight!

Sure, the romance is easily predictable and cheesy in some parts. but come on!! Who doesn't love a cute romance between the FMC and the helpful, snake-sitter and veterinarian who wears a random and confusing-to-someone-who-can't-recognize-you-without-it bowling jacket! Joe's just so sweet and their banter was so funny. Their little miscommunication conversation towards the end had me actually laughing out loud.

I loved this book and Center's humor, I highly recommend it, and I want someone to turn this into a movie so badly!!!!!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this eARC!!

Cute story about facial blindness and its effect in an artist. Not too believable but a light read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this arc.

I devoured this book. I started a finished it in one day. I found this book to be so interesting and different than a lot of books that I’ve read recently. Sadie has a seizure causing her to lost the ability to see faces- “face blindness.” She has to learn to navigate her world while unable to see the faces of people she is interacting with, including having a love triangle. I found “Joe” to be hilarious and loved his interactions with Sadie. Would definitely recommend this book to a friend.

Thank you #NetGalley and #stmartinspress for an arc of #HelloStranger in exchange for an honest review.

I adore Katherine Center. This was my second book of hers.

After having read The Bodyguard, which I loved, I worried I held too high of a standard for this next read. Super excited to say that it didn’t disappoint!

Katherine had me feeling all the feels. She does so well with getting you to connect with the characters throughout their journey in the stories she meticulously weaves together.

I have found a new auto-buy author and am excited to visit her other work I have yet to read.

Favorite quote:
“We're all struggling with our struggles. Nobody has the answers. And everybody, deep down, is a little bit lost.

Knowing I don't have it all figured out--facing that somehow in some way every day- forces me to be compassionate with myself.”

Wow where do I start the book hooks you in from the second you start it. A portrait artist loses her ability to see faces after having a life saving surgery. She finds herself in the book. Mets a guy falls for a vet and the Joe in the apartment. Things are not always as they seem. Book even had the wicked stepsister in it. This book has a little something for everyone. Characters are detailed and likeable and the villain was made unlovable a great romance or beach read

There are two aspects of this story that I like, the first is the romance between Sadie and Joe, who started off as cute and funny and involved into a surprise end. And the second aspect is of Sadie having to deal with all her old feelings and ideas, after an operation that left her unable to see faces makes her life more difficult. Some of those beliefs that she needs to work through come from her family that not only put her aside after someone lied about her but that her own father abandon her while they both grieved over her mother. Another problem is that the operation has made Sadie's brain not work properly, so she doesn't see things as they really are.
I love how Dr. Nicole helps Sadie face facts and help her work through her issues with her family and her face issues and realize that it is up to Sadie herself to make her life better, even if outside events don't change. I like that an old friend comes to Sadie's rescue after her stepsister tries to ruin Sadie again, and that finally the family is starting to work on their issues.
Great read. I read this in three days because I couldn't put it down, I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.

I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this intricate story.

This book was wholly unique and just the romance read I was looking for. The premise of this book is like nothing I have ever read and I absolutely loved that about Sadie's story. Her growth and the way she navigates through everything is so admirable, I enjoyed getting to know her as well as the other characters.

Except Parker. Parker was a lot.

I was pulled in from the beginning and I really loved the overall storyline and the twist at the end!

I always enjoy Katherine Center’s books, and this one is no different. Absolutely adored it. First book I read on vacation and I absolutely flew through it. I thought it was funny, sweet, adorable, paced well. Loved everything about it. I wish I had more words, but there’s a reason Katherine Center is the writer and I’m not 😉 I’ll just keep saying I loved it. Love, love, love, loved it. Need more.

This is definitely a top five book of the year for me. It was heartwarming, sad, funny, intense, and so very complicated. I loved all the characters we were supposed to, especially Joe and Sadie. They are probably my favorite characters at the moment. The character development was well thought out for all the characters. The plot ebbed and flowed seamlessly. I laughed and cried. Nothing felt forced. I did a little research on the medical conditions listed in the book and I feel like she explained everything and was factual. Katherine Center is definitely an automatic but for me now and I can’t wait for this book to come out and I can add it to my shelf!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for this digital advance readers copy!