Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. My reviews can be read on my GoodReads account here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1335387-kelly

I rated "Hello Stranger" by Katherine Center 3 stars on Goodreads. While it was an okay read, it felt quite unrealistic. The concept of facial blindness was intriguing, but it was painfully obvious that the two men the main character was interested in were the same person, whether she had proper eyesight or not. The banter between the characters was enjoyable, but overall, I found it difficult to connect with them, making it just an average read for me.

Katherine Center is a magnificent storyteller who sucks me right in with her imperfect, relatable characters. I look forward to her new books every year and this one was no exception.

Overall, I enjoyed Hello Stranger by Katherine Center but was not amazed. It was a fun time even with a serious topic present. I thought Katherine Center wrote about prosopagnosia respectfully while throwing in plenty of laughs. My main downside with this book was our FMC who felt so selfish and whiny throughout the book. I felt as if she thought the whole world revolved around her and nobody gave a hoot about anyone else. I also felt like some events also bordered so unrealistic to me that it disengaged me from the book. I am looking forward to reading more by Katherine Center in the future though as her books are fun and easy to read!

As always with Center’s books, totally charming. A delightful universe of characters and a tender, sweet love story that you can’t wait to finish to know the ending, but also want to last forever.

Katherine Center is one of my all time favorite authors. I loved the representation that this book had about face blindness. I love how each book she writes touches on very serious topics that are not typical in everyones daily life. It did feel very slow at the beginning but it sped up quickly. Thank you for the chance to read this book!

HELLO STRANGER follows Sadie, who I think is in her late 20s or early 30s, with acquired face blindness trying to navigate crushing on people who’s faces she can’t see. The idea is cute, but I struggled to get into the story, primarily because Sadie sounds like she’s about 14 years old and seems to process information like a young girl. Transitions from chapter to chapter felt jumbled. The last third of the story was the only section that felt like the fun romance the story could have been the whole time. One highlight was Peanut - who seems like the most precious dog. If you’re interested in a fun romance by this author, try THE BODYGUARD instead - that one I loved.

Hello Stranger, like all of Katherine Center's novels, is a feel good novel. The plot was a bit predictable but that does not take away from the book at all. Prior to her surgery, Sadie, at times, can be a little annoying, but it does not make the book insufferable or unable to be read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and I can not wait for her next novel.

I love Katherine Center, and to this date, one of my favorite reads is the Bodyguard. I handsell that one very often at my bookstore. It's just so quirky and innocent, and the characters are adorable. There's just so much to love about her writing. This book was bittersweet as well. I have to admit the end had me in tears because the fmc knew what she wanted,but didn't realize what the outcome was due to her own complications. And everyone was just so confused and things got heated. And I started to get worried for both of our main characters. But Center did not let us down, and we got our happy ending after all! Thank you Netgalley for sharing this earc with me.

I had the absolute hardest time reading ANYTHING in 2023, because I was pregnant and my attention span went to zero. But I will always power through for Katherine Center, and this book held my attention when nothing else would! It was lighthearted and fun, sweet and sexy. All around, it was a great summer read and did not disappoint!

Thank you for the copy of Hello Stranger! I have always enjoyed Katherine's books and this one didnt disappoint! This story was definitely unique and interesting to read about the main character who cant remember faces and then is having to be stuck and torn between two men. The main character def deals with a lot going on in her life and things just keep on happening. It was definitely interesting to read about a disorder/diagnosis of the face and with blindness so it was a different yet cool thing to read about and what happens. Like they say, everyone looks like a stranger to her. "Hello Stranger"
Good book, would recommend.

Let me start with saying that Katherine Center is one of my favorite romance authors and this one didn’t disappoint.

A portrait artists who goes “face blind” who falls in love with two separate men and has to decide which to pick??? Amazing.

If you’re a rom-com reader you know how this is going to turn out but I still loved every second of this read

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Katherine Center, and Netgalley for an arc of this book.

I absolutely love everything Katherine Center writes at this point. 10/10 definitely recommend

I’m a mood reader with a love-annoyed relationship with romance as a genre so I waited far longer than I should have to start this book and oh was I missing out!

Face blindness was just something from an episode of House as far as I was concerned so it was cool to get to learn more about the condition and the range of severity.

While it becomes pretty clear where the story is headed, there are still some fun little surprises towards the end and some of the more serious conflicts are resolved in a realistic (aka not a perfect box with a tidy little bow). Well worth the read and as difficult as it could be to make, I would LOVE to see a movie version of this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read. All opinions are my own.

4 out of 5 stars.

Katherine Center presents another joyful and emotionally resonant story in "Hello Stranger". The book follows Sadie Montgomery, a portrait artist whose life is turned upside down by a rare medical ailment that renders her unable to identify faces. I think the author expertly mixes together themes of resilience, love, and personal growth, producing an inspiring and very affecting story. What I absolutely personally loved are the well-developed characters, clever banter, and the protagonist's inspirational path. This is definitely a wonderful study of overcoming misfortune and finding connection in unexpected places, with the ideal combination of comedy, heart, and romance.

[Delayed review due to loss of net galley account. Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC]

If you need a dose of happiness you should pick up this sweet and relatable read. An interesting story with a new twist I haven’t read before – the main character has face blindness. I thoroughly enjoyed this book with loveable characters and an interesting plot line.

Katherine Center has become a must read for me. She is always a delightful read and perfect for the beach.

I want to thank NetGalley, Katherine Center and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

I will read anything Katherine Center puts out. Her unique twist on the romance genre and deep dive into how personal trauma impacts out ability to love is spot on. I adored the story of Sadie and her crazy condition of face blindness that I didn't even realize was a thing.

Keep them coming, please!

I always enjoy Katherine Center's books, because what appears to be the truth in the beginning has so much more depth and nuance to it by the end. This one was both heartbreaking and heart-healing. Thanks to the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for a review copy.

This book was extremely cute with an interesting premise. The characters had good chemistry and wasn’t overly cheesy. This has been my favorite Katherine Center book yet. I can’t wait to read more of her books soon. I can only rate it a 4 star here but it was definitely a 4.5 star for me.

New. fear. unlocked.

Sadie is a portrait artist who ends up in the hospital finding out she needs an “elective” brain surgery. She wakes up feeling fine, recovering quickly, and then realizes she cannot recognize anyone’s face. It is determined to be ‘face blindness,’ and Sadie must now learn to navigate her life with this complication.

This was SO funny. Like funnier than I expect. And sooo good. A twisty turny romance? Sign me up!!
I loveeeeed Joe and then I hated him and then I loved him 😂. Like a what a sweet sweet person. His personality was on point. Also, just what a completely unique storyline. The pacing was great & I fell right into it!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review