The audio on this book is really good!! If you’re contemplating the audio, do!

This STORY is incredible. It gives all the warm, fuzzy, down-to-earth, good feels.

As for the plot itself? Unmatched. Seriously. You’ve never read this plot before!

There’s no questions, this book is a rom-com readers “no duh”!

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

LOVED THIS BOOK!!! EXACTLY what I needed, a dose of hope and happiness,
Katherine waves a beautiful web throughout the story with the characters and events. While you think you know where the story may go you can't stop turning the pages to find out how it unfolds... And if you're right.
It was magical, heartbreaking, and full of intriguing family drama and a sweet slow-burn romance.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was cute. She's about to get her big break and has a potentially life saving surgery and gets a specific type of face blindness that is mostly out to ruin her life. She's a finalist in a portrait contest and can't put all the pieces together of anyone she knows, let alone strangers. She's in a loathe at first sight relationship with a guy from her building, keeps getting tricked by her evil stepsister, is in lust at really no sight with her new veterinarian, and is faking it until she makes it with everyone else.

A thing about me is that I cannot do secondhand embarrassment. If it's in a movie, I'll walk out of the room for ten minutes and come back when the scene is hopefully over. I read the second half of this book with a hand over my face like a scary movie. So kudos to Katherine Center for this book being good enough to finish.

Narrator: The narrator was great. Patti Murin did a nice job handling her range of emotions and everyone elses. Especially Joe's complete and total bafflement.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Hello Stranger was an absolute delight! This cute story revolves around Sadie, a portrait artist who loses her ability to discern faces, and a cast of characters who surround her as she tries to make a new normal, including her best friend Sue and Sue's family, her estranged father, stepmother, and step-sister, and a neighbor named Joe. Center did a great job creating characters that I cared about, a story that didn't feel hokey (what with the face-painter losing the ability to see faces), and a good note at the end about the actual condition of face-blindness. The literal gift. in this audiobook was the narrator, Patti Murin. I cannot say enough about how much I loved every second of listening to her! She made the story feel more like a friend telling you a story than someone reading a book and I'm sad that I've finished. A huge thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early listen to this adorable book for my honest opinion. I have already recommended that people add this book and look forward to recommending it to all soon.

4.25 stars
Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio/St. Martin's Press for the audiobook review copy!

This book was such a delight! I think it has a little bit more dose of serious than THE BODYGUARD did (and that's the only other Katherine Center book I've read since I prefer to read romcoms over more serious/sad/dramatic romances) and I was a tad worried in the beginning when it was taking a while to get to some laughs. I really did appreciate it though! There were still plenty of swoons, cute moments, and some really valuable perspectives in this book.

I REALLY liked the concept of face-blindness in a romance story. Once the love story started to develop, I knew how it was going to go but I liked being able to see both sides of it as the reader! (I think we're supposed to be able to know/guess... the author's note at the end talks about hope and positivity in romance novels vs calling them "predictable" because they're kind of supposed to be predictable.) The face-blindness was an interesting and unique angle to use in a romance... falling in love with someone because of who they are and how they act without ever knowing what their face looks like was a fresh perspective and I always love when a romance can give you something new! I loved seeing Sadie interact with Joe and appreciating his kindness so many times without knowing that it's him half the time.

The only thing I didn't love about the book was the evil step-mother/evil step-sister thing. I'm sure some marriages and family blending does cause terrible relationships and there are tons of step-families that don't get along, but I would have rather had that be a bit less polarizing. There was some resolution there that was really heart-warming and I liked that not everything was perfectly tied up, either.

I also did enjoy that not everything was 100% perfect happily ever after to keep some more reality in this adorable book. There is still a happy finale with the romance, so don't worry there! But Sadie doesn't get everything she magically wanted and there are some real struggles, real hurdles to overcome, and relationships that get better, but aren't perfectly fixed.

This is also a NO SPICE book, which I loved. I adored the close moments between Sadie and Joe and there's some wonderful scenes to make your heart flutter and fall in love with Joe too.

I am forever here for new Katherine Center books and I loved the combination of cute rom-com and real life seriousness without either one taking over in extreme.

Recommended for fans of: Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez
Also check out: Linda Holmes, Ellie Cahill

Hello Stranger - Audiobook
Katherine Center
Narrator: Patti Murin
Pub Date: July 11, 2023

Whenever I read a book by an author I just adore, I always get nervous to start a book because what if the book doesn’t live up to my expectations? Luckily, I didn’t have to worry about that because I just ADORED Hello Stranger! I’ve loved every single book written by this author, and this book might now be my favorite one of hers!

Sadie, a struggling artist, lands a spot in a portrait competition that could be her big break. As she is set to celebrate with her best friend, she has an unexpected medical event and is told she will need a minor surgery. When her somewhat distant father demands she has the surgery right away, she reluctantly agrees, knowing that she will still have plenty of time to participate in her art competition. As a portrait artist, she paints faces, but when she is no longer able to see faces after her surgery, a potential side effect, she struggles to cope and hold on to her dream of being an artist.

When Sadie’s dog, Peanut, needs medical help, she rushes him to a local veterinarian office and meets a handsome vet, Dr. Addison who is able to help Peanut, and eventually asks Sadie on a date. At the same time, she starts to develop a friendship with her annoying neighbor, Joe, who seems to make his rounds in her apartment building. Suddenly, Sadie is falling for two guys at the same time, trying to figure out how to move forward with her portrait competition and facing family drama.

The character development was just phenomenal and I found myself flying through this book because I was hooked after the first chapter!

The narrator, Patti Murin, was absolutely perfect for this role! I listened to the audiobook while reading my eARC and found that I really enjoyed listening while I read the book. I also enjoyed the authors note, read by Katherine Center.

Read if you like:
🎨A love triangle between the main character, her neighbor, and her vet
🎨Family drama
🎨Mental Health Rep
🎨A unique premise and storyline
🎨Strangers/Friends to lovers trope
🎨Health Rep (Prosopagnosia)
🎨Laugh out loud character banter
🎨Absolutely perfect character development
🎨An adorable dog

Favorite Quotes:
“Isn’t it lucky when we’re drawn to people who can teach us things we need to learn?”

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

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Katherine Center, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with an audio copy of Hello Stranger!

Posted on Instagram on May 10, 2023 (Currently Reading): http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
Posted on Goodreads on May 13, 2023: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram (full review) on July 11, 2023: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Instagram (mini review) in late June/early July 2023: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on July 11, 2023
**-will post on designated date

"Hello Stranger" by Katherine Center is a truly captivating and heartfelt novel that follows Sadie Montgomery, an artist diagnosed with a rare condition known as face blindness. Center expertly explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and love as Sadie navigates the challenges of her condition. The book delves into the complexities of human connection and offers a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience. Center lands another fantastic read here with evocative writing and well-developed characters, creating an engaging narrative that tugs at the heartstrings. While the plot may have some predictable moments, the emotional depth and relatable protagonist make "Hello Stranger" a touching and worthwhile read.

The audiobook narration of this novel by the delightful Broadway actress Patti Murin, made this book even more wonderful. Highly recommended.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Hello Stranger by Katherine Center. This fun little rom-com is about Sadie, a struggling artist who develops facial blindness just as she's about to start on a portrait for a huge art competition she's qualified for. It's a little predictable and a lot over the top, but who cares! A great summer read.

From the very first page to the author's note at the end, I enjoyed every part of Hello Stranger! It was full of Katherine Center's token charm, banter, and heartfelt emotion. Sadie was definitely a character to root for--I really empathized with her struggles and resonated with many aspects of her beliefs and personality, especially as she learned to accept help from others. I laughed, smiled, hurt, and loved right alongside her. I highly recommend this book! The audiobook narration was excellent.

There was some swearing (at least a few s-words and a couple of f-words), and some sensual innuendos/making out, but nothing intense. The romance was very sweet!

Sadie Montgomery is a struggling portrait artist on the cusp of her big break when a life altering medical condition unexpectedly detracts her present life path, sending her on a journey to self discovery where she must confront the disappointments and heartache of her past while she comes to terms with the devastating impact her condition plays on her present.

Packed with humor, emotion and delightful characters, I absolutely loved this story from the very first page right through the very last. The characters were well drawn and the story moved along at a good clip. Sadie was easy to fall in love with. She was vulnerable yet strong, and independent almost to a fault, stubbornly pushing though on her own for fear of being pitied. She was funny and kind and just kind of person I would want for a friend. I absolutely loved that she was able to find love during the chaos of her life.

Katherine Center has done it again, penning a fantastic story of triumph over adversity that is full of courage, hope, resilience and forgiveness. It was a gentle reminder that life is not always simple, easy or may not be what we expected, but we are surrounded by blessings and reasons to be grateful, and with love, you can conquer all.

A hearty thankful to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to an advance audio copy of this book that is due to publish July 11, 2023. Patti Murin does a fantastic job with her narration, truly bringing these characters to life. Highly recommend!

I have quickly become a Katherine Center fan as I have made my way through her backlist so I was very excited when I received this ARC from NetGalley. I really enjoy how she works medical issues into her books and I always learn something that I didn’t know. Hello Stranger was no different and this concept of face blindness was fascinating. Add in a portrait artist to whom this diagnosis would be devastating, a sweet, slow burn romance along with some family drama and you have a great read. Sadie’s personal growth and healing, both physically and emotionally was well done. I was definitely surprised by the story because this was going to be a 4 star book for me until the very end and I LOVED the plot twist when it hit.

I have really enjoyed Katherine’s books on audio and this was no different. I felt that the narrator did a great job with the voicing and emotion of the story.

I highly recommend reading the Author’s Note as she profoundly described exactly the reason that I love a good love story and long for the happily ever after.

Romantic Content: Kisses

Katherine Center is a must read/must buy author for me - so I was elated when I was approved for this new KC book - and it did NOT disappoint in the slightest, actually it may be my new favorite!

Sadie wants desperately to make it big - or at least be able to pay the bills - as a portrait artist. Her big break is finally here and she's ready to knock the competition out of the park. She'd love to prove her father wrong and pay the rent without stressing. An accident leads to a must-have surgery and Sadie's surgeon father will not let her wait a minute longer than necessary. They found something on her imaging that has lead to the inability to see faces - hopefully temporary - but the six weeks until the competition is rapidly dwindling and she’s not going to back down. Throw in then two gorgeous men and a twisting love aspect too and you’ve got yourself a book you won’t want to put down.

I loved Sadie, I loved the romance, I loved the full cast - even that she-devil-who-shall-not-be-named. Katherine has this amazing ability to pull all of the emotions out of me and weave these threads throughout that seem innocuous until it means so much more later. Her cyclical style is impactful and makes me want to start over immediately to see what I missed.

4.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

This was a solid 4.5. I loved it but The Bodyguard is still the top KC book for me. This was a close 2nd.

The audio narrator was really good.

I just loved the progression of this one and couldn’t have been anymore satisfied with how everything came together in the end. Plus I learned more about “face blindness.” I loved that KC really raised awareness for it in this book and took the time to describe how it feels to the person experiencing it.

The object of Sadie’s affection was just the best. Sadie was very likable.

Although the trouble with Sadie’s dad, stepmother and worst of all evil step sister Parker, just really made me so mad. Parker was the worst, seriously she had no redeeming qualities and I loved that KC didn’t make apologies for her…she just let her be the awful person she was and that helped the overall story arc and with Sadie’s growth. Seriously…Parker. Is. The. Worst. She wins the award for most unlikable character in my recent memory.

I just loved it…I’m not surprised. KC writes so well and I’m always instantly drawn into her novels and rooting for her characters (except for that awful Parker)!

I highly recommend this one.

Per the book blurb--
"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."

I listened to this as an audiobook. This was not a book written or narrated for me. It's a cute and quirky story, but the story starts right off with face blindness, which gets really reiterated throughout the novel. The ending is really predictable because of it and the whole thing with face blindness comes off lazy.
I wouldn't really call it a romance novel because the romance in it is pretty minimal and if you took it out, it would just be a long novel about someone with face blindness who has a terrible horrible family.
It makes you wonder why she even speaks to her family, but they are right there constantly shoving themselves into her life for no reason. The narrator's voice for the step-sister was grinding, which I guess was the point maybe to show how awful the step-sister is.

This might be a Cinderella retelling actually, but with one step-sister.

Katherine Center is a must read author for me and I was thrilled to get an arc of this new book from netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. This is the story of Sadie, a portrait artist, who is struggling to find the success she has been chasing for years. After an accident leads to a brain surgery, Sadie finds herself unable to see faces in the same way. Though she is told it is a temporary issues, she has a deadline for a major art contest and this turns her world upside down. She is struggling with many things and finds an unexpected friendship with her neighbor Joe and sets her romantic sights on her dog Peanut's new vet, Dr. Oliver Addison. She also is dealing with a complicate family situation and the loss of her mother. This isn't just a romance, but a story about how we see the world and how we observe the things around us. The way that Center deals with the sight issues and discusses faces and the viewing of the world really makes you think. Thank you netgalley

I read a lot of thrillers. Sometimes I really need to change up genres and I usually always go to Katherine Center. I was so happy to be approved for an ARC for Hello Stranger. I wanted to wait to read this until summer time but I just couldn't wait any longer! This book was such a breath of fresh air. There were definitely unexpected parts that I never saw coming. This is the perfect summer/beach read! Another 5 star book from Katherine Center! I think the Authors note was probably one of my favorite I have ever read, so do not skip it.

I loved this story. At first Sadie was a little woe is me but her character grew a lot. I can't even imagine having a disability like face blindness. Book was great, narrator was also great.

Spoiler ahead:

At about 70%, I KNEW Joe was Oliver and I just had to keep going for proof. When he ghosted Sadie, that's all I needed. I was just thinking "is Joe his middle name?" Lol!! Also, Parker is the absolute worst. Wow.

“And the idea that anything could just disappear at any moment is something you suddenly understand in a whole new way.”

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center. 

I have yet to be disappointed in any Katherine Center book. She has this charm she gives her characters that make it hard not to fall in love with them. 

What I loved about this story was Sadie's perseverance. She is faced with the unthinkable...face blindness when she is a portrait painter. She has finally got the biggest break as an artist in her life, and is unable to paint as before. I loved that she used her creative spirit to find a new way to paint. 

Oh Joe, what a great character. I loved his nickname, Helpful...he really was Mr Helpful!

This was another win from Center! And the audiobook is the way to go with this one, so perfect!

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center is officially my favorite book by this dynamic author! Katherine Center has quickly become one of my favorite authors! I loved everything about this book, the premise was unique, the character development was stellar and the audiobook quality was top-notch ( I loved the narrator).

Center is truly the master of writing complex relationships and emotionally charged events with care. I can always count on her ability to write stories with well-developed characters who I cheer on; characters that are flawed (like all of us) with interesting backstories that tug at your heart. This book did not disappoint because it was all of these things and more.

I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I loved this book! Katherine Center is a genius author, as it is, but this book was super engaging and I kept wanting to know what happens next. The book is definitely a contemporary romance, but does not necessarily follow your typical romance plot line. I was surprised to learn from the authors notes that the medical condition in the book was actually real! This made the book so much more interesting and made me want to research and learn more about the condition. I really enjoyed this!