I am a huge Katherine Center fan and am quick to read her books as soon as they come out. As soon as I saw this was a "Read Now", I rushed over to add it to my Kindle. From the jump, I struggled with this book. So much of it was very predictable and unrealistic. I read romance and women's fiction so I always expect a bit of predictability, but this was over the top. While the main character struggled with so much, I found her unlikeable and hard to root for. The medical condition, while I am sure is a very real struggle for some, made for an outlandish trope.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of Hello Stranger for review. I was so excited as “The Body Guard” was hands down my favorite book of 2022!

When artist Sadie Montgomery has urgent brain surgery she comes out with facial blindness. At the same time she has one of her largest work projects in the midst and is juggling her feelings for two men!

I adore Katherine Center’s writing style and “Hello Stranger” did not disappoint! I devoured this book and I’m left wanting more! I can not wait to see what she writes next.

Wonderful book! I was a big fan of the pacing of this... the set up works perfectly for the way the story flows and everything unfolds seamlessly! I do think it becomes a bit silly towards the end when the characters basically reiterate the revelation they have to each other (kind of like an unnecessary montage in a Netflix Christmas movie - we just saw this we don't need to see it again!). Overall, loved!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of Hello Stranger for review.

When portrait artist Sadie Montgomery has urgent brain surgery to treat a genetic condition that killed her mother, she loses the ability to see faces—just as she needs to paint a portrait for her ‘big break’ competition and falls in love with two different guys.

I am a big fan of Katherine Center, and Hello Stranger didn’t fail to deliver her trademark: a spirited protagonist facing a unique mix of personal growth, challenges with family, and romance. And goodness. Just feel-good goodness oozing off the pages as Sadie navigates her challenging relationships and rises above.

Maybe the premise of Hello Stranger was a bit-far fetched for me? Maybe the beginning was draggy? Maybe I had a hard time connecting to Sadie? Perhaps the narrative could’ve been more cohesive? Maybe I saw the twist coming a mile away? Perhaps. Maybe you’ll feel the same. But I say if you’ve enjoyed any of Katherine Center’s other books keep reading because I immensely enjoyed this book. Worth reading. Hands down. No question.

Sadie is looking for her big break and finally is almost there when she gets in an accident that leads to finding out that she needs brain surgery. Even though she tries to avoid having brain surgery, her dad (whom she is not super fond of) schedules it for her and it leaves her with facial blindness. The rest of the book goes through her trying to regain her ability to see faces and her struggles along the way. My favorite quote was "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."

I thought the story was a little strange at first, but 1/4 of the way in, I was hooked. I loved the artistic piece, the evil/crazy step-sister, the "two" love interests, and friendship shown in the story. There were parts that I literally laughed out loud at and others that I wanted to be able to give Sadie a hug.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Katherine Center for this ARC.

Loved Hello Stranger! Great story and interesting characters. The journey to the “twist” was well worth it.
The ups and downs were felt deep. The intense amount of healing Sadie went through was healing for me too. The advice she was given and gave was amazing. This book will stay with me for a while!

I started reading this right after I had finished two other Katherine Center books (Things You Save in a Fire and The Bodyguard). I don't know if that heightened my expectations for this book, but this one did not meet my expectations.

This book had almost too many subplots and characters. It was hard to be passionate about some of the issues when a new issue kept popping up every couple of chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of the book. It was fun and light-hearted. Then it took a turn to a little too serious, but also ridiculous at the same time.

I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it was a ehh sorta like for me.

This won't stop me from reading her other books. I think she has a real voice and uplifting tone that I need right now in my books.

I requested this because I previously read Katherine centers body guard last year, and I enjoyed it for the most part and really like her prose. It kills me to do this but for now this is going to have to be a DNF the main character is a bit to much (she’s coming across as a manic pixie dream girl to me) for me right now, I plan on coming back to this at a later date but for now it’s a DNF

I read The Bodyguard last year and absolutely LOVED every bit of it. Unfortunately, Hello Stranger was a huge letdown. Most of the book was either boring or completely unbelievable. Who acts like these characters in real life? Maybe the author's previous book had my expectations way too high, but there wasn't any magic for me in this romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this arc.

Katherine Center hit it out of the park again with Hello Stranger. I love her books and this is no exception.
Sadie Montgomery is a struggling portrait artist who has finally got her chance for a big break. As a finalist in an art competition she entered, she has the chance to win $10,000. Six weeks before the competition she needs to have brain surgery and it comes with an unfortunate side effect – she can no longer see faces. How can she paint a portrait without seeing the face she needs to paint?
I really enjoyed reading this book. I saw the twists coming, but loved them just the same. The only negative is that I read it so quickly that now I have even longer to wait for Center's next book.
Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been finding comfort in Katherine Center’s books lately, and Hello Stranger was no exception. Sadie is a portrait artist who, on the brink of her big break, has a surgery that results in prosopagnosia (facial blindness). As a result, she is forced to evaluate and redefine who she is. Her journey of self discovery is touching, but some of the back story was distracting. Overall, I’d say this is well worth your time even if it’s not my favorite by this author.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC in exchange for my review.

4.5 stars Hello Stranger's protagonist is a portrait artist, Sadie Montgomery. After years of struggling, she is chosen as a finalist in an art competition. After a medical emergency and brain surgery, she develops face blindness (acquired prosopagnosia). She cannot see faces at a time when she must paint a face portrait for her competition. As Sadie tries to navigate her new normal, she discovers more about herself, her family, and her neighbor. I loved the love interests in this book, but did not like the development of the family relationships. This is my second Katherine Center book and I am a fan!

Please read the Author's Note. It beautifully tells why romance novels are unlike any other type of story. "That's a guarantee of the genre: Things will get better."

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC of Hello Stranger by Katherine Center in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this was such a delight! I could guess where it was going but couldn't figure out how it was going to get there. Katherine Center's books just SPARKLE.

"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 let's you make your own rules. Color outside your own lines. Allow yourself another way of seeing."

°•*⁀➷

I think my favorite part of reading a Katherine Center book is how well I know the characters when I turn the last page. Also, her author's note. So much of her true voice comes through in her author's voice, and I will always think it's beyond the word special.

Yes, this is my second, but how could I love the rest any less?

Sadie, our main character, takes a life-chasing diagnosis and creates a world she can live in with it. To know the world in one way and have to learn it in a complete other over night... bravery beyond measure. I loved learning how to navigate a different world with her, even while I walked every terrifying step beside her.

She had me excited to wake up every day having no idea who we might see and if we would ever recognize them again. She's silly, she's obnoxious, and she writes up a perfect lesson on how to be yourself no matter what life throws at you.

I loved that. I loved that this story revolved so much around acknowledging the differences we need to accept in order to live a better, more fulfilling life. I loved that it touched on how changing our perspective is what truly helps us be winners at the end of the day.

This book felt like a diary, which I think is most of the reason I could get passed Sadie's more immature moments. While she doesn't reflect me, I think she does reflect the way we all want to feel. Free.

Even if it takes us a while to get there.

Sadie doesn't feel free until she stops letting expectation weigh her down. Her whole life revolves around what she can bring from reality and reflect it on paper. When that is taken away, and she needs to find a way to make a living, the most important theme of the story really came through.

That we are never alone.

There will always be people to lean on in life. If the ones that are meant to love us don't, we can find new ones who will love us more. Letting people in, saying hello to strangers, loving our pets, recognizing people for more than just their face... it's what living is all about.

Pick this up on July 11 and find out just how much fun it can be to fall in love. Whether it be with a guy... or two... or yourself.

- Paige

This was a fun read, and such an intriguing concept!
Sadie strikes that delicate balance of unlikeable yet somehow endearingly relatable. I loved the supporting characters, and loved that there was so much more going on in and around Sadie’s life. The “twist” was somewhat predictable but yet totally fun to see it all unravel! I’d love to read more from this author.

This is my first Katherine Center book and needless to say I’m a big fan 🥰 Do you ever start reading a book and just know it’s a 5 ⭐️ read? I knew within the first 50 pages of this one.

First off, this book had a quirky plot which I loved. Sadie is a gem. When she started dancing in a grocery store I knew I’d vibe with her and she was my kind of person. I wanted her to succeed so badly and she has such a kind heart and you kept me laughing.

I loved the supporting characters, Joe especially. There were definitely some swoon worthy moments, drama, sadness, life lessons and charming characters that kept me excited to finish the book and see what was going to Sadie and her two love interests.

I was not expecting the ending at all and I love the way the story wrapped up with the main characters and how her romance played out followed by her family situation.

All in all I’m now a Katherine fan for sure! I think it was well written, funny, had moments where my heart was full and the development of the characters, especially Sadie, was fantastic!

I was really looking forward to reading this book because I LOVED The Bodyguard. I was beyond excited to receive this ARC! But unfortunately, I was disappointed with Hello Stranger. I wanted to love it! But I am definitely a part of the select few that did not. The book has a very creative and intriguing concept involving prosopagnosia (face blindness) but this fell short for me.

The pace was very very slow. The plot didn't keep my attention, and honestly was quite boring. I felt like something was missing from the story line. Maybe some extra romance and I would've enjoyed it more.

Sadie was not a likable main character. And most of the time, Sadie's internal dialogue made me cringe. She's a 28 year old woman but I felt like she was acting and speaking like a 13 year old.

Katherine Center is a wonderful author. However, I wouldn't recommend this book like I would The Bodyguard.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reading copy, in exchange for an honest review!

This is my second Katherine Center book and I’ve gotta say, It’s my favorite of the two I’ve read. Hello Stranger follows Sadie, an artist who ends up with a medical condition that makes her “face-blind.” It’s something difficult to imagine but I figure it’s similar to when I’m not wearing my glasses and someone waves at me and I have no idea who they are. Sadie as a main character is very likable, though she is anxious and tends to draw conclusions without bothering to figure out if those conclusions are correct. Her personality combined with her condition make for some pretty funny moments. I found this book to be cute and cozy like getting a warm hug when you really need one. Did I call a couple of the things that happened? Yes. Did that take away from the story or my enjoyment of it? No! If you liked The Bodyguard by Katherine Center I would definitely recommend this one. I will for sure be diving into her back catalogue.

A special thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book!

I love all of Katherine Center’s books and this one was no exception! Such a wonderful love story with a fun twist at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Hello Stranger
By: Katherine Center

eARC & Book Review
Pub Date: July 11, 2023

“Love isn’t blind, it’s just little blurry.”

Ms. Katherine Center has done it again!! She is the queen of adorable, fast, and easy-to-read romances. This is the 3rd or 4th book I’ve read of hers and it was just as good. I loved Sadie, Joe, Dr. Addison, and Peanut so much. They were fun characters and KC wrote them so well.

Is this a predictable plot? Yes. But sometimes you just need a good, feel-good (no spice) romance to dive into.

P.S. I personally loved the science-y inclusion of Sadie having Prosopagnosia! It was incredibly insightful and fascinating to read about.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!