I am a big fan of The Bodyguard by Katherine Center so I was very excited to receive an eARC of this title.

This book is a beautiful romance with a twist. Sadie loses the ability to see faces after having an impromptu brain surgery. Unfortunately, she’s a portrait artist, so her ability to make a living or compete in the prestigious portrait competition she was accepted in is lost.

Thankfully, this acts as a wake up call and allows her to find herself, her family, and the love of her life.

It teaches a beautiful lesson to pay attention to those who show up in your life over and over again.

Hello Stranger is an excellent book. Katherine Center manages to (once again) engross readers in the world she has built with characters that are like able and relatable. Center has become an auto-buy for me after this book and previous ones!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

“But I guess that’s the great thing about life- it gives you chance after chance to rethink it all. Who you want to be. How you want to live. What really matters.”

Thank you so so much to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my e-arc of HELLO STRANGER, as well as the very lovely @katherinecenter for writing this book! Pub date: July 11!

Every time I read a Katherine Center book, I have a big smile on my face the entire time. That’s what her books spark-joy and happiness in her readers. This book was no different. I loved the idea behind this book- FMC had facial blindness and can’t see anything… and her job is to paint portraits! I learned a lot about this condition while reading this book, and it really opens your eyes up to how we take so many things for granted that our body and brain just do automatically for us. Until something happens, and you lose that ability and have to figure out a different way to do everything from “before”

I liked Sadie as a main character. At times, she seemed a little immature for her age, but I think that was just what the author was going for- a light, fun, quirky female main character. I really enjoyed seeing Sadie grow in this book. Professionally, emotionally, and with her relationships with her father, step mother, and even her (evil) step sister. Tho, Parker is truly awful. Sadie struggled to ask for help, even before her accident, but what she learns throughout this whole experience is that asking for help doesn’t mean you are a failure.

I also really liked the male MC, Joe! He seemed a little sketchy at first, but once he redeemed himself, he was the best guy around and really cared for Sadie, and wanted to help her. Did I see the big twist coming near the end? Not really 😅 but it really added to the overall story and I liked it!

Another favourite character? Peanut! Sadie’s geriatric dog! 🥰🐶

Friends, if you are a fan of Katherine’s books, make sure you add this one to your tbr’s when it publishes in July!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the early read.

This was my fifth Katherine Center book. I just love her writing style and her reads go down like iced sweet tea on a hot day. This book was no exception. The plot moves quickly and I read it in less than two days. I really enjoyed the MC and her face-recognition affliction. I’d never heard of face blindness but was fascinated to learn how many people deal with it each day! My only gripe is the stepsister side plot which seemed a bit far fetched but it’s a minor storyline. I can’t wait to see what Katherine Center comes up with next!

RATING: 4/5 STARS

This was so cute!! Katherine Center popped off with this one. The concept was super unique, and yes I did see the ending coming but I fully enjoyed the journey. Positive points for the sweet romance, focus on mental health and self-love, and endearing heroine.

Hello Stranger is a satisfying and feel good book. When I finished reading it I wanted to share it with everyone I knew. The story is about Sadie Montgomery a portrait artist who is working hard for her big break and, as a finalist in a big art competition, she might be about to get it. Until she finds out that she needs to have brain surgery. The sooner the better. It takes her father, with whom Sadie has a distant relationship, to puts his foot down and not allow her to put it off. Unfortunately, because of the surgery, Sadie has developed face blindness. While this could be temporary until the swelling goes down, she is faced with the prospect that it could be permanent.As a portrait artist this is a catastrophic situation.

Sadie is an easy character to like and empathize with. I liked her from the start, but the more I spent time with her that connection grew. Never wanting to ask for help, she struggles with trying to adapt to her new normal. The story is complex and Sadie has to deal with old family trauma on top of trying to find a way to continue being able to paint for a living. In spite of the of difficult situation that Sadie is faced with this is a fun and entertaining story. The author does a nice job of creating interesting situations and interactions and lighthearted moments throughout. This is also a lovely romance. Center created a very special one that is impressively pleasing. The story pulled together with Sadie's lovely journey of acceptance, forgiveness, and the beginning of healing.


Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy to read.

4.5 stars!!

sadie montgomery is a portrait artist looking to make her big break. Struggling to stay afloat, she discovers she has made it to the top 10 in a portrait competition that could win her the money she needs. But, with an accident that leads her to become face-blind, Sadie has to figure out how to paint a portrait without being able to see faces in order to win her competition.

let’s just say this is the most fun i’ve had reading a book in a while! the fun and unique storyline kept me guessing until the very end. i couldn’t put it down because i needed my questions to be answered! it was a perfect slow-burn romance, while still being extremely captivating! while i felt like this book focused more on sadie’s personal growth (which i absolutely loved) and less on her & joes romance, i still really enjoyed reading about their relationship. joe was everything. the entire plot of the story was so fast-paced, fun, and different than anything i’ve read before & i found myself smiling too many times to count. katherine center will definitely be an auto-read author for me. Hello Stranger is a breath of fresh air, and a definite must-read!

This was such a different idea for a book and I loved it! I love when there is some kind of flaw or challenge a character has to overcome or learn to manage.

This was my second book by Catherine Center and I loved both of them!

This was such a sweet story and it pulls you right in. Pretty sure I read this every moment I was awake (and some I should have been sleeping haha) until I was finished and had a smile on my face. ❤

The perfect dose of happiness wrapped up in an emotional story about life and finding love where you least expect it.

Resident starving artist Sadie Montgomery may have just found her big break. She's just been announced as a finalist for a portrait competition that could change the game for her. She has a slight problem though - she needs brain surgery. After the surgery, she wakes up to realize that life has just thrown her a curveball and its name is Face Blindness (acquired apperceptive prosopagnosia). How can a portrait artist create when she can't see the face she wants to paint? Thankfully, she can still see animals and has her pup, Peanut, to keep a smile on her face in some of her darkest days. When she takes Peanut to the vet, she can't help but to develop a crush on a blurry faced veterinarian named Dr. Addison. On the other side of the coin is her helpful, arrogant neighbor, bowling jacket - hipster glasses wearing Joe. Although she can't see their faces, Sadie soon finds that there's much more than meets the eye.

I loved this book. Let me say it again louder - I LOVED THIS BOOK. It gives a beautiful character in Sadie who discovers that she can still be strong even if she has to ask for help. I loved her found family and that even in the end as things resolve themselves somewhat, she still finds them as her constant. This was the perfect blend of a sentimental, sweet romance and a perfectly executed love triangle. This was such a unique take on how things are so much more than meets the eye and It most certainly is going down as a top read of the year for me. Katherine Center is an exceptional writer and her stories always leave me right in my feels.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

As always, Katherine Center does not disappoint. Her protagonist Sadie, is a likable character who is an artist, like her mother, She has been named a finalist in an art contest that will help her financial situation when an accident lands her in the hospital having surgery. The result, “temporary” face blindness. As the story progresses, Sadie learns many things about herself and others and realizes that having face blindness is not the worst thing in the world after all. Interesting plot, characters and informative, as well., This is another quick and enjoyable read by this author. Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Hello Stranger by Katherine Center was very enjoyable. It was a new subject matter for me as I had never heard of a face recognition ailment called prosopagnosia. That in itself was interesting, but the story of Sadie‘s life journey, family, her art talent and her deep friendship were written beautifully. This is a must read and can easily be read in on sitting! Snuggle up and dive in !

I just love Katherine Center! I look forward to her next release even as I'm finishing her current one. It was so easy to get lost in this story of Sadie and her sudden face blindness (which I'd heard of but learned so much about!). Her characters are so interesting and intertwined... she has a great twist included that you will just love.
I'm ready for your next book, Katherine! Write quickly :)

Absolutely loved this book. Emotional, thought- provoking , and asks the question- who am I really? Another great hit by a great author. Keep them coming!

What happens with a portrait artist whose life is currently a hot mess, from her living situation and finances to her family and dating life, suddenly becomes face blind weeks before a potentially career-defining competition? At times hilarious hijinks and misunderstandings within the framework of an emotional journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. I found all of the characters, Parker withstanding (we hate her, everyone), to be loveable. The best friend is a true ride-or-die. The father though still carrying his own guilt and regret is redeemable, and stepmom ends up trying harder than most. And our male lead, wow what a surprise :). He's a little goofy, very sweet, with an intrinsic need to be helpful at all times. And he loves animals. What more could you ask for?

Follow Sadie as she navigates this new disorder that may or may not ever resolve. How can she adapt her art style to allow for the jumble that she sees instead of faces? Will she learn to accept help and rely on others? Can she remedy her relationship with her family in the face of this new diagnosis and learning more about what happened to her mom before her? I love Katherine Center's work and this is no exception. I cried, I laughed out loud, I raged at characters, and I swooned along with Sadie. The plot twists are fun, if maybe a smidge predictable. But I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Well, Katherine Center has done it again.

Hello Stranger is the story of Sadie Montgomery, a struggling artist. Sadie is in an accident and needs to have major brain surgery. During her recovery, Sadie realizes she can no longer see faces or recognize the people around her. Her doctor says it is temporary, however, Sadie is a finalist in an art competition in 6 weeks, where she has to paint, guess what, a portrait. How is she supposed to do this when every face she sees looks like a picasso painting?

I loved reading this story. I loved all the side characters, and especially the relationship between Sadie and her dog. Katherine Center's books are always feel good, but she's gotta break your heart a little first.

Highly recommend this to those who love romance with some depth.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this one before it was published in exchange for an honest review.

Friends, Romans, countrymen—let it be known that this is the second time Katherine Center has taken such good care of my heart and I hope that I’m able to express some of my gratitude here.

Sadie Montgomery is a talented yet struggling portrait artist determined to get her big break. Her chance is just on the horizon as she becomes a top-ten finalist in a hugely prestigious portrait competition. Of course, the unforeseen happens and Sadie finds herself needing immediate brain surgery prior to the contest. She reluctantly has the surgery and to her horror, she soon discovers that she’s experiencing a rare side effect—face blindness. She hopes it’s only temporary and that she’ll make a full recovery just in time for the portrait competition… but what if it’s permanent?

Prosopagnosia (face blindness) puts a whole new emphasis on the term “struggling portrait artist” and, bless her Southern heart, Sadie manages to drive that struggle bus with bravery and comical inner monologues throughout the book.

As she navigates through her current situation, she encounters a kind, local veterinarian and an intriguing neighbor in her apartment building that both come to her rescue on different occasions. She begins to develop feelings for one but is soon drawn more to the other. The interactions become endearing but by no means is this a love triangle trope. In fact, it’s a charming story about self-love, introspection, newfound perspective, and finding different ways to adapt, accept, and appreciate our lives and loving the people [and pets!] in them, despite obstacles along the way.

As I went along this journey with Sadie, I laughed, I cheered, and I felt her ongoing frustration. Can you imagine everyone’s faces looking like a Picasso? But, they say that when one sense is lost (or in this case, weakened) the other senses are heightened. Once Sadie came to the realization that “there are all kinds of ways to win,” and that her current condition could be, “a chance for [her] to make her own set of rules,” not only was it an appropriate parallel to both the portrait competition and this rare moment in her life, but it was also immensely empowering.

"Seeing the world differently helps you see things not just that other people can’t—but that you yourself never could if you weren’t so lucky. It lets you make your own rules. Color outside your own lines. Allow yourself another way of seeing."

The author’s note was also equally inspiring and beautifully said so, taking her words into consideration, I’ll conclude by stating that the anticipation and hope that this book delivers was a true delight. My heart is happy and I'm optimistic you’ll also feel a similar sense of fulfillment on July 11th when this book is released.

My sincere thanks and appreciation to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This one just isn’t it for me. I was unable to even get into the book until almost halfway through, then it had some hope, but ultimately the drawn out play by play at the end ruined it for me and it’s just not something I would recommend.

A family drama bit that was really dark and sad just did not fit in with the rest of the tone of the book, and why did we have to draw out the end by explaining it so many times?

I loved The Bodyguard, and will still try other Katherine Center books, but this one gave me nothing to remember it by or spark any big feelings.

<b>Thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Hello Stranger in exchange for an honest review.</b>

I requested this arc after reading The Bodyguard and really enjoying it. However, I, unfortunately, didn't like this book as much.

<b>The pros:</b>
- The writing in this one is still fast-paced, funny, and witty, which reminds me of Meg Cabot's style.
- The MC has to deal with prosopagnosia after surgery, which is a condition that affects the way you perceive faces ("facial blindness"). I think this aspect of the book was done really well. I didn't know about this condition, and not only the way she described it felt real and agonizing enough, but considering Sadie paints portraits for a living, this situation becomes even worse.
- There's a plot twist at the end that explains the miscommunication between the couple and I thought it was cute and not that bad, considering the MC's condition.

<b>The cons:</b>
- Her whole situation with her family was too dramatic for me. I felt like I was watching <i>Cinderella</i>. Her relatives are very stereotyped, and her relationship with her stepsister is really heavy, which threw me off - I didn't feel like I was reading a cute romance and it didn't match the light tone of the writing.
- The romantic interest was kinda meh and I don't even have anything else to say about it.
- Her best friend was so selfish and annoying.

I'm sad I didn't like this book, but it is what it is.

I thought this book was fascinating. I’ve read one other book that a character also had face blindness and loved that one (Rock Paper Scissors) so this one as a romance had me hooked from the synopsis!

I don’t usually like romances with the miscommunication trope, but this one seemed to come very naturally and made complete sense. I thought the characters were very lovable but the heroine also came off slightly immature. Regardless of that, I rooted for her the entire time. And don’t get me started on the hero! What a guy!

There are some parts of the story and how the face blindness fits into it doesn’t make sense to me. I’m chocking this up to not really knowing what someone with face blindness sees.

It’s another Katherine Center win in my book! Not as funny or endearing as The Bodyguard, which lets face it, is pretty hard to top. But a very good romance, nonetheless.

I expected to at least like Hello Stranger by Katherine Center, but I didn’t expect to be able to put it down. Ohmigoodness! This book made me emotional and made me believe in love.

I started my freshman year of college as a normal functioning girl and ended my freshman year almost dying from brain-related diseases. It’s taken a long time to get back to where I am, but reading about Sadie’s struggles was so relatable. I’ve never lost the ability to see faces - except when I’ve lost my vision a few times - but memories are just for me. Once in a while, they might return, but anything before the age of 18 is spotty, and it’s frustrating.

Center did a fantastic job of getting this feeling of frustration across the page. She showed how it’s frustrating to be alone, with people, and trying to do activities. You can have Sadie’s or my ailments, and it’s frustrating no matter who you are adapting to a new lifestyle after knowing how to live a certain way for a long time before.

Center does a great of creating memorable characters. I loved and related to Sadie, but the side characters stood out to me. When you are going through something traumatic, you want people there for you. Sadly, you learn who your real friends and family are, which Center did an exceptional job with emotionally and weaving it into the story.

I loved this with my whole heart. It may not be my disease and disability, but it’s a great example of what I have felt, do feel, and maybe one day will feel. I hope people read this for two reasons: one, for a little more understanding of what it is like to be disabled, and two, for a story that will make your heart feel good.

5 stars