This is my first romance book with this trope. It’s food for thought and makes you just take it at its word. Logically it’s hard to compute how the twist really is possible.

I do love her writing style and look forward to her next book.

This love story really created fantastic anticipation. Each book by the author is better than the last. Her books are the soul-nourishing, page-turning, bit of magic that I need in my life.

You will love this book if you enjoy romance that has substance, characters that aren’t perfect, the inevitable communication issues, and of course a happy ending.

I’d heard of face blindness, but really didn’t know what that meant. The author did a very good job of talking about it in both medical terms and descriptively so that I truly could picture what Sadie could or couldn’t see.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication! I loved it!!

3.75-4⭐️

I was beyond excited to read this one after I was accepted for the ARC, especially after reading The Bodyguard, my first book by Katherine Center. I was on the fence with the rating as there were parts I enjoyed and others that just left me with underwhelming emotions. Took me a bit to get through the book.

I don’t want to give spoilers as it would take away from the enjoyment, but I feel my perception of Sadie throughout the book impacted my experience. I felt her immature for her age (28), her self-dialogues, her take on platonic feelings that were a bit exaggerated but I guess needed for the plot to work.

The plot and twist were okay. I was able to read into the story very early on but it didn’t turn me away from wanting to see events unfold. I enjoyed the learning experience I had throughout the book as I learned about Prosopagnosia. Would never imagine such a condition and that kept my interest throughout.

My biggest letdowns were how specific relationships and situations within each other were handled. It’s like nothing was really resolved but more brushed by with apologies. I guess I’m looking at things throughout my own eyes and after 28 years, things don’t just get forgiven as easily. Felt a bit superficial at times and would have wanted more connections to understand the secondary characters. Hated her family to say the least.

Overall, a book that I would recommend but not as a first for Katherine. Will definitely read more from this great author, but this one just didn’t make it into my favorite ones.

**Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy of Katherine Center’s most recent release, ‘Hello Stranger’, out on July 11, 2023.

“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.”

Wow Katherine Center just played me like a fiddle.

This book was great, like really freaking great. I was nervous going into it because I’ve always liked her stuff, but her last release ‘The Bodyguard’ was so cringey and awful, I didn’t know what to expect with this one. But I guess every author has that ONE book you hate right? Because damn was this one fire.

I knew where the story was headed around 75% or so, but even though I knew what the reveal was going to be, I was still sitting there like “WTF”.

This is a great romance but it also is a wonderful story about how we need to be able to find ourselves, and be willing to open ourselves up to the idea that we can’t do everything alone and that asking for help isn’t a bad thing. And to appreciate the little things in life because you never know when you may not be able to see them.

READ. IT.

TW: This book deals heavily with parental loss.

“The more good things you look for, the more you find.”

4.5 stars!!!! 💗
The only reason it’s not 5 is because I love love loved the bodyguard so much and I can’t NOT compare hello stranger to that. If the bodyguard didn’t exist, we’d have a different story.

This book was so fun! A classic Katherine Center romance leaving me with a sense of happiness and hope. I loved the storyline as I’ve been interested in prosopagnosia since first learning about it in college. The art element was an excellent touch.

I laughed out loud at multiple scenes (i.e. had to pause to stop crying). I swooned at the romance (of people AND dogs). The angry side characters made the book a BOOK. I loved to hate them. I simply couldn’t put this book down because of how bingeable it was.

Katherine Center is just so good! Romantic books typically aren’t my thing, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every book I’ve read by her! Hello Stranger was no exception. I loved the storyline and the characters so much, I finished this one in a couple of days.

Swoooon. I love a good romance and this was the perfect book to get me out of my reading slump. I looooved the author’s note so much. Katherine Center described romance novels best when she spoke of the anticipation and hope that they bring to the reader. If you’re looking for a fun rom-com that will give you all the feels, then HELLO STRANGER is the book for you.

Sadie Montgomery may have finally caught a break as a struggling artist when she becomes a finalist in a portrait competition. The competition holds sentimental value because it is also the very competition that her late mother competed in herself. The chance of winning the competition is the perfect opportunity to honor her mother’s memory and prove to her father that she is accomplished, even without a medical degree. Unfortunately, Sadie finds out that she needs surgery even though it’s untimely, and it can’t wait. The surgery should be minimal downtime and she can begin preparing for the competition without any distractions. Of course, nothing goes as planned and Sadie develops a rare condition called prosopagnosia, or face blindness. When Sadie’s dog peanut becomes sick and needs to see the veterinary clinic, Sadie is smitten over the handsome new vet, Dr. Addison. To her surprise, he asks her on a date, but she is hesitant due to her new onset face blindness. Sadie’s obnoxious neighbor, Joe, also seems to show up suddenly at all the wrong (and sometimes right) times. Their friendship blossoms and could it potentially be more than just friendship?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This is sure to be one of my favorite rom-coms of the year. You can get your copy on July 11, 2023.

Many thanks to Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found Hello Stranger to fall short to other Katherine Center reads. The story felt disjointed at times with random blurbs about characters that could’ve been woven in better. Admittedly it did take me longer then I would like to admit to catch onto the “twist” and once that happened I liked it way more, but that was only ~30 pages left in the book

I think that Center said this best in her author's note when she stated "This love story really crated fantastic anticipation."

Having read The Bodyguard in 2022, I was highly anticipating Hello Stranger and I was thrilled to be able to read the ARC. I simply adored this book. If you want a book that feels like a warm hug, look no further.

Sadie Montgomery finally feels like she has an opportunity for a big break. As a portrait artist, she's landed a spot as a finalist in a prestigious competition. But when she discovers that she will need brain surgery and ends up with face blindness, her dreams are put on the rocks. Sadie now must navigate how to deliver a portrait without seeing a face, all while navigating a sick dog, an evil stepsister, and a seemingly annoying weasel of a neighbor.

But with the help of her best friend, Sue, and shockingly, the annoying weasel of a neighbor, Sadie begins to see what truly matters. And the handsome veterinarian taking care of her dog, Peanut, doesn't hurt either. The reader has the opportunity to walk alongside Sadie as she navigates her health, her family, her job, and her love life.

From page one, it is easy to fall in love with the whole cast of characters. I knew from the prologue that the MMC would be one of my favorites of all time. Is the plot twist easy to guess? Yes, but it did not make me rate the book any less. Rather, I felt that I was seeing the story from an overhead view and I found myself trying to tell the characters to "Pay attention! You can do this!" Where many books feel predictable, ruining the story, Center somehow managed to do the opposite. Although I could see what was coming, I was so engrossed in the characters and the story that I couldn't put the book down until they found the joy that I felt reading. Overall, this book was engrossing, funny, and deeply comforting. I'm now a huge fan of Katherine Center's romance writing and this is a book I feel confident in putting in the hands of many. This will no doubt be one of my top favorite books of the year.

Glad to see another Katherine Center out in the world. This is my third fave of here, which is actually decent praise ha. Very much enjoyed how this story all wrapped up.

Hello stranger was an adorable rom com that takes the miscommunication trope to a whole new level. Sadie is a portrait artist who, after a necessary surgery is left with face blindness. This is unfortunate because she needs to finish a portrait for a competition for her big break. While her work life is falling apart, sparks are flying with her new veterinarian… but is now the best time to be falling in love with someone she can’t see? This book was predictable from the first page, but it was so cute and sweet I could not put it down! It gets a little “here are all my themes and lessons” in the end but honestly it was still a fun read. Sadie is a likeable FMC, and the MMC is so fun throughout. Could the plot have been avoided with one honest conversation? Yes but I still think it’s worth the time!

I adore this book !

Sadie is a struggling portrait artist who is about to get what she hopes is her big break. She has been chosen to premier a portrait is an exclusive contest with a $10,000 prize. But after suffering a seizure and needing brain surgery, she awakens to realize she can't see faces. She has what's called face blindness , a condition doctors hope will resolve itself once the swelling on her brain goes down post surgery. Unfortunately this does not happen in time for Sadie to enter a masterpiece in the contest.

Meantime, Sadie becomes friends with a guy living in her apartment named Joe, who is lovingly referred to as "helpful" by their landlord. At the same time she develops a crush on the veterinarian who saves her dog's life. All while not being able to see either of their faces!

What happens when the swelling goes down and Sadie's 's vison mostly returns is the truly magical part of this book. The ending may be a bit surprising but oh so satisfying. Sadie is a character to truly love and I found myself rooting for Sadie and Joe . The main characters are lovable and show growth and development .The ending of this book is satisfying and hopeful, and a brook I would read again.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Hello Stranger

Also reviewed on GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5354970736

Thank you to NetGalley, publisher, and author for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a sweet story! I fell in love with the characters and I felt all the tender moments so purely. Solid story and meaningful romance with a few twists that made it fun. Highly recommend!

Hello Stranger was an absolute delight to read. I loved everything about this book I was in a 4-week long reading slump and picking this up was *exactly* what I needed to get back into the swing of things. I don’t know how Katherine Center consistently turns out gem after gem but she keeps doing it! Every book she writes ends up being a new favorite of mine. This book was uplifting, the characters were relatable and lovable, and I learned something too! Come to think if it, I think I learn and take something away from every book of hers I’ve read. Hello Stranger gets a solid 5-stars from me!

Perfect. Absolutely perfect. This is an easy read, yet with full depth. It is so cute, without being cutsey, annoying, or eye roll. The main character is so likeable. It is one of my favorite books I've ever read - and I read a ton, and rarely books like this. It is feel-good, with substance - well done :)

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center was more of a romance than I initially suspected. Romance not being my favorite genre, that could have been a deal breaker for me except Katherine Center compensated for the emphasis on MC Sadie's love interests, imagined love interests and past love interests by mixing in lots of drama related to Sadie's 'condition', prosopagnosia. Even though I am a health care professional, I had little knowledge of the impact prosopagnosia can have on one's life and whoa what an impact that turns out to be on a portrait artist's life! I managed to be surprised by the ending even though the inevitable outcome of the contest Sadie was vested in was clear early on. So for an expected ending in an unexpected way I give this read 4 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for getting this copy of the ARC in my hands. I would recommend you give it a read.

I LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH!

First off, what an interesting topic! I'm not going to write any spoilers here, but the main topic of this book was SO captivating and revolved around something I had no idea existed?! It inspired me to bring it up in conversation with friends and family because I was so taken aback from it ha. Besides that, I also really resonated and fell in love with the main character, Sadie. I feel like a lot of us can relate to Sadie and her life in many ways and I felt comforted by the fact that a character made me feel less lonely in this season of life.

Like Katherine mentions in her author's note (READ IT! IT IS SO GOOD), this book had me wanting more and had me hoping for x, y, and z for Sadie. I love the way Katherine tells a story and how she intertwines humor and life lessons all into one amazing romance novel. There were gushy love moments, heart-wrenching moments, and so many plot twists in this one.

Although this one was technically an ARC read for me, I'm already anticipating the release date just so I can grab a physical copy of my own because I loved it that much. Also let's have a moment of silence for the stunning book cover please *moment of silence*.

Definitely add this one to your must reads of 2023! ...especially if you're a romance book lover :)

So funny. So witty. So romantic. So enjoyable. I had read two Katherine Center books before this one, and enjoyed them but with reservations. The stories and concepts were good, but I found the heroes boring and almost nondescript although they were both lovely. The heroines were, in one case, flat-out annoying and in another just meh. In both cases, their situations seemed intriguing and the stories full of possibilities but they ended up seeming a bit contrived to me. They were both immensely popular highly rated books, so it was a personal problem, apparently.

But this one! Yes, the heroine was flawed and frustrating at times and had some major issues to conquer and grow past. At first, I found her a little off-putting and I had a hard time getting a handle on her. But I liked her. She really spoke to me. Literally. Sadie tells her story in the first person and she establishes a close relationship with the reader. It is as easy and natural as if she is talking to her best friend (you). I was drawn in immediately. You listen to her telling you her side of the story, but you can also see her flaws and things she may be wrong about. Early in the book, I thought we might be dealing with an unreliable narrator situation. As it turned out, she wasn't really, but confirmation bias is a theme.

"Anyhoo." (and I quote.) As a result of minor brain surgery, Sadie develops face blindness. When she looks at a human face the features do not come together as such. It is as if they are “puzzle pieces spread out on a table.” Difficult and disconcerting for anyone, but alas she is a struggling portrait painter who has secured a place in a prestigious contest and is on a deadline to complete a traditional portrait. Even being asked to compete is an honor. Doing well will finally give her choice of profession much-needed validation. Sadie had a very painful childhood thanks to the death of her beloved mother, who was also a painter, and her subsequent relationship with her father, stepmother, and stepsister. She was victimized. It has caused her to always put on a brave face, never admitting vulnerability or need for others’ help. As Sadie works to deal with her new disability and complete the portrait to enter the contest, she learns and grows. Unfortunately, The North American Portrait Society folks cater to the Norman Rockwell set rather than the Pablo Picasso crowd. Her condition forces her to treat other people differently and accept help. The self-protective layers start to peel off. Meanwhile, we meet some interesting characters, both good and bad. Her long-term friends and landlords, the Kims, their daughter Sue, her wise doctor, her beloved old dog, Peanut, and his veterinarian, who she decides will be her future husband. Her troublesome family arrives on the scene and we learn that some step-sisters really are evil. And we meet Joe, who turns out to be the, at first, unlikely love interest. He is quirky, funny, and adorable.

Near the conclusion, there is a surprise appearance and an interesting twist I did not see coming but probably should have. But no, I take that back. It was so well disguised that when I started to suspect what was going on, I went back to review some parts to see if it could be true. Yes, the clues were all there, but I still didn’t see how it could be. To Katherine Center’s credit, it the exposition of all of the reasons I (wrongly) didn’t believe it made sense. I bought it. Or chose to buy it. It made the ending even more satisfactory and joyful. No, her life and family relationships weren’t all perky sparkles, but as I’ve said before in a previous review, Katherine Center really knows how to end a book. My ratings of both of her books I read previously were bolstered by her climaxes and wind-ups. This one didn’t need bolstering.

There are two Author’s Notes at the end. One is about acquired prosopagnosia. The other is a defense and appreciation of The Romance Novel as a genre. Any reader who has ever felt belittled or apologetic about their tastes in reading such novels needs to read this. Anyone who has thought less of someone’s tastes in reading “Chick-Lit” or romance needs to read this as well. Though they probably wouldn't. Brava Katherine Center.

Thank-You to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an uncorrected digital galley of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....

Katherine Center has a way of writing books that make me feel all the things and this was no exception. A beautifully written story about overcoming hardships that also had me laughing out loud. This book was just a pure delight! I loved the friendship with Joe so much and Sadie’s friendship with Sue was gold. This is one I can see myself re-reading in the future. Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my review!

This is a great feel-good read. I liked the unique storyline inclusion of sudden freak accident induced face-blindness, i have come to look forward to Katherine Center’s novels, and this one filled the bill with characters I cared about and a rom com atmosphere. There was also plenty of heart. My favorite part were the unexpected and delightful twists.