⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Sadie's life has been turned upside down! Not only did she just have brain surgery, now she's dealing with the unfortunate side effect of prosopagnosia (face blindness). It might only be temporary but after years of struggling to make it, she's on the verge of her big break after being selected to compete in a prestigious art competition. Did we mention that she specializes in portraits? Yikes!

Sadie was the kind of FMC we wanted to give a big hug to but also shake some sense into! She went on a journey and we were right there with her. She had to overcome situations that she didn't have any control over and learn how to cope. This whole situation also made her confront some issues from her past that needed to be addressed. Along the way, she found herself in a love triangle of her own making and that's where things got interesting. Joe taught her that first impressions aren't always as they seem!

Although some topics within the book were heavy and sad (grief, bullying, suicide attempt), Hello Stranger is a funny and heartwarming read which seems to be the Katherine Center formula we love!

Read if you like: 
▪️Friends to lovers
▪️Closed door romances (kissing only)
▪️Artistic + quirky FMC
▪️Sweet MMC who falls first
▪️Women's fiction + romance
▪️Cute dogs

Hello Stranger is an enthralling book that captivated me from start to finish. The writing was engaging and brought the characters to life, making it easy to get lost in the story. The plot was well-crafted, combining romance and humility in a seamless manner. I found myself eagerly anticipating each chapter, as the chemistry between the main characters kept me hooked. It was so original too…the subject manner like nothing I have read before, which made it so special and hard to put down!!! Whether you're a fan of romance or just looking for a captivating read, Hello Stranger is a must-add to your book collection. Highly recommended!

HELLO STRANGER is another light, relatively feel good book by Katherine Center (What You Wish For and How to Walk Away). Her latest novel centers on Sadie Montgomery who undergoes an operation that leaves her unable to recognize faces – difficult for any of us, but especially for a portrait artist. Sadie's perseverance is tested, of course, but she overcomes a number of obstacles and disappointments as readers of Center's work would expect. HELLO STRANGER has quite a bit of "woe is me" mixed in, but Sadie grows to accept help from others. Buried in the angst of post-operative trauma, a dysfunctional family, and somewhat far-fetched boyfriend troubles are some thought-provoking, inspirational asides: "our thoughts create our emotions;" "I just wasn't going to let the things I was afraid of hold me back anymore;" and "isn't it lucky when we're drawn to people who can teach us things we need to learn?" HELLO STRANGER received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was chosen as a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for July 2023.

A usually love Katherine Center's book and look forward to reading her new one each time they come out. Hello Stranger was a little different for me. While it was a nice and easy read, I didn't find myself loving it as much as her other books. I felt there were parts of the story that did not make sense. Gorgeous cover!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the arc. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars
Although the premise is a little far-fetched, since the female lead's condition is not a common one, and the story is predictable, it was still an enjoyable read. I really liked the male and female lead characters. The path to the happy ending was a little drawn-out but overall fun.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this romantic comedy! It was very easy to relate to the main characters and so difficult to watch their missed connections when I could see it all along! There were parts that were twisty and caught me completely off guard also! The humor in this story had me literally laughing out loud at parts and my teen daughter heard me and asked if I would but a copy for her! Definitely a five star read if you like romantic comedies!

I’ve enjoyed several Katherine Center books the past couple years, however this is the first time I read the book instead of listening to it. And I have to say, I enjoyed this one quite a bit!

We meet Sadie Montgomery just as she’s been notified she’d placed in the top ten of a prestigious portrait painting competition, which has extra special significance because her mother once placed in the same competition shortly before her untimely death. But on the way to celebrate, Sadie has a seizure which ultimately reveals a need for brain surgery. Once she wakes up in the hospital, she discovers she can no longer see people’s faces. Which is a big problem since she has just six weeks to paint a portrait that will win the competition and jumpstart her currently limping career.

As per usual Katherine Center, Hello Stranger is lighter on the romance - this is more a story of Sadie navigating a discouraging life as a struggling artist than one of finding love in the midst of an even more challenging part of her life. Within this charming story you’ll find a quirky best friend, found family (since her real family is mostly trash), and of course a cinnamon roll of a hero. Also, a plot twist I didn’t see coming (but with as much as I read I really should have…). I feel like the evil step-sister’s antics were a little over the top, but the rest of the story was utterly delightful.

This is my favorite Katherine Center book yet. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments but also heartbreak that ended with hope. And those are the best kinds of books.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was such a unique concept. While it wasn't my favorite, it definitely kept me reading until the end. My biggest issue is how slow the story was and how it felt like it dragged on. Great concept, but could've been a handful of pages shorter!

This book was all kinds of mixed up, but in a good way!

Just when Sadie was close to her big break with the upcoming art show portrait contest, wham, she needed brain surgery. And the bad luck didn't stop there, the surgery caused her to be face blind. How in the world can she paint a portrait when facial features are all mixed up.

This book checked a lot of drama boxes. A spiral of unfortunate events, check. A crazy family including a sabotaging step sister, check. Last but not least, a bunch of misunderstandings with her neighbor and love interest Joe.

After all the drama near the end, Sadie finally started putting the dots together and realized how many assumptions she had been making about a lot of people due to the face blindness. The romantic confusion was quite a doozy.

This book is fairly light, fun, and is just wacky enough to really draw you in to want more!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

One thing that always draws me into Katherine Center books is her writing. It draws you in quickly and without much warning. Her characters are realistic and have real human qualities. Sadie is such a relatable main character, dancing in the store and trying to live her best life despite life trying to take her down a few pegs. This was such a unique story and I enjoyed it. I'm always looking forward to the next novel that Katherine Center writes.

*Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this title, my opinions are my own. 3.5 stars rounded up.*

I was craving a warm and fuzzy book and this one fit the bill! Katherine Center has delivered in giving us heaps of cuteness, lots of positivity, and a heroine that I just wanted to squeeze! This book showed me how important it is to enjoy what you have and make the best out of life. And while there were some parts that seemed a little “too good to be true” I enjoyed this story for the fiction that it is and loved the message the author was sending us readers. I can’t wait to dive into more of the authors’ backlist after reading this one!

This book was very well written and quick paced! Mostly enjoyable and am sad to have guessed the twist but that is a me problem. This is book so well liked! Keep doing your thing Katherine! Thank you for the ARC copy!

I always love all of Katherine Center’s books because they remind us that no matter how dark life can get, there is hope. I love how Katherine weaves each of her character’s struggles in a swoony, romantic plot full of joy! Her books truly are as fun and joyful as her covers imply, and Hello Stranger was no exception!

Hello Stranger was my second book by Katherine Center ( I loved last year's The Bodyguard) and I really enjoyed this one as well.

Sadie, a portrait artist, has finally had a stroke of good luck and is a finalist in a prestigious painting competition. After years of feeling like she's never good enough - thanks Dad - this is finally her opportunity to show the world her talent. A freak medical emergency leaves her face blind and unable to work on any portraits for the competition. The face blindness leads to even more problems when she falls in love with two different men - her cute (she thinks?) vet and the potential menace/probably nice guy who lives in her apartment building.

Parts of this were a little cheesy and predicable, but the premise was an interesting one. I thought Joe was such a sweet love interest and it was easy to swoon over him. I liked how there wasn't a ton of unnecessary drama with the romance, even with the third act break up. I also loved just how funny this book could be.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a review copy.

Hello Stranger is the second book I’ve read by Katherine Center. While I did not enjoy this one as much as the previous book, I still found it enjoyable and easy to read.

My biggest issue with the story was the basic concept. While I’m not saying it couldn’t happen, I’m just wondering how likely it is to happen. Does that make sense? I’m sure Center researched the medical side before writing, but it still feels farfetched.

Though I did enjoy how Sadie’s face blindness plays out throughout the story, it shows how we use other tells about a person than just their face to inform us about those around us. How a person wears their hair, voice, and walk can tell you so much about a person. Those cues can be used for good or evil (looking at you, Parker!).

If you enjoy reading about people growing and learning more about themselves, you should read Hello Stranger.

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

Personal review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read the Bodyguard this summer and liked it good enough; but Hello Stranger had me hooked! I guessed the plot miscommunication early on, but still loved the characters and their relationships. Sadie was the independent female lead every romantic comedy needs!
Her relationship with her family was so relatable to many, after the death of her mother. It reminded me of Cinderella and the evil step mother and step sisters with Lucinda and Parker, her step mom and step sister. Her quest to be more like her mother and make her proud was admirable and her financial struggle, although comical at times, was easy to understand and sympathize with. I loved her relationship with Joe and her attractive veterinarian.

Synopsis:

Sadie Montgomery never saw what was coming . . . Literally! One minute she’s celebrating the biggest achievement of her life―placing as a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition―the next, she’s lying in a hospital bed diagnosed with a “probably temporary” condition known as face blindness. She can see, but every face she looks at is now a jumbled puzzle of disconnected features. Imagine trying to read a book upside down and in another language. This is Sadie’s new reality with every face she sees.

But, as she struggles to cope, hang on to her artistic dream, work through major family issues, and take care of her beloved dog, Peanut, she falls into―love? Lust? A temporary obsession to distract from the real problems in her life?―with not one man but two very different ones. The timing couldn’t be worse.

I typically LOVE Katherine Center's books but I struggled with Hello Stranger a bit. As a character I didn't find Sadie to be terribly appealing and so I wasn't as invested in her story.. Still I'm willing to think this was a me problem as so many others have enjoyed this book greatly. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.. Hello Stranger is on sale now.

📚 Book 58/25 of 2023 📚

⭐️ 5/5 stars!

Thank you Katherine Center & St. Martin's Press for this ARC via NetGalley! I loved getting the opportunity to read this book.

My first Katherine Center book and by golly, it won't be my last!

Hello Stranger had such an interesting plot that had me constantly revising my theories about what was happening and how we were going to get to that happily-every-after (HEA). It gripped me in such a way that reminded me of how it feels when a good thriller book really has its teeth sunk in. The Author's Note also made the book even better for me as I got to hear the author's voice and passion for romance novels. As she discussed in the Note, her book was filled with clues for you to find, but with anticipation that has been positively valenced. I wasn't glued to my Kindle in fear of what would happen to Sadie (our main character), but because I was excitedly hopeful as I wanted to see her get her HEA. How DELICIOUS of an experience!!

Also, Mr. Kim is the best (iykyk).

Sadie is a struggling artist, but life looks up when she is selected as a finalist for a prestigious art competition. Suddenly, Sadie is in a hospital and needs a brain surgery that leaves her with face blindness. How does a portrait artist compete in a dream contest with face blindness? She is also struggling to decide between the hot vet and the guy at her apartment. How Sadie navigates through life in this difficult phase forms the premise of the story.

Must say, this was a super unique plot! The character's despite their unique situations were super relatable! The family drama and complications were all handled really well. Most of all I enjoyed the fact that the plot was so well written and was truly engaging!

Thank you @macmillan.audio & St Martin's for the complimentary ALC & ebook.

It's hard to beat Kathrine Center. I adored this book, the premise, the whole lot of it. I grew quite attached to the characters and I went out and got myself a paper copy, haha.