3.5/5
Sadie is a starving artist hoping to make her big break and she might when she places as a finalist in a portrait competition. All is going well until Sadie finds out she'll need to get brain surgery to fix a lesion. But something goes wrong, she can't see anyone's face and is diagnosed with face blindness. Another thing to make Sadie's life more complex, she begins to fall for two different men!

Our protagonist is one of those characters who is simply down on their luck with one bad thing happening in succession. It can be hard to remain motivated and hopeful while in the thick of it. I feel for Sadie, but at times, she came off as selfish and waiting for someone to come along and solve her problems. This happened when her best friend has a huge life-changing event, but instead of being happy for her, Sadie turned the situation into a "woe is me" moment. Many people come to her rescue, but it turns back into a Sadie life crisis moment.

For the sake of the story, I understand why Katherine Center did this. But it made me not connect to any of the characters including the love interests. Joe the neighbour shows up at opportune times to assist Sadie and seems to be sleazy. Dr. Addison the vet is not the most present person. The twist that comes with the romance, it did take me way too long to figure it out.

I did enjoy the message of being able to come to terms with a life-changing event and realize you can come out on the other side with acceptance. The plus side for Sadie is that she has many supportive people in her life that turns out to be heartwarming to read about. We see how Sadie is healing from past hurts and present troubles. Overall, a more lighthearted romcom read!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second KC book in 10 days, and once again I read it in a day. This book is perfect for when you need a romcom and had just the right amount of predictability, or anticipation as she puts it. It made me laugh out loud at times, and I loved the characters. The way the story was brought together was done very nicely, and I loved the author’s note. I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future.

I'm a fan of Katherine Center's books and was thrilled to get a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This one had a great premise - a portrait artist ends up with face blindness after brain surgery - and how this impacts her work and her love life. There were some fun twists and turns but at times the writing was a little over the top (e.g., the history and conversations the main character had with her step-sister were verging on soap-opera-like). But I loved the author's notes at the end and she wrote about her late in life discovery of romance books and how they are best enjoyed and described as "anticipatory" rather than "predictable" - great way to put it and a good comment to note when you can see the ending coming but all the same can look forward to it as a satisfying ending.

This one was cute! I enjoyed The Bodyguard last year, so I was excited for another book by this author. The slow burn in this was good, and although there is no steam (which I prefer), the story never felt lacking. Sadie and Joe were adorable with all of their angst.

HELLO STRANGER by Katherine Center
Release date: 7•11•23

⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐/5
🌶️/5

This was not only my very first eARC approval, but also my first read by Katherine Center. The premise of this book was so unique and kept me engaged with “fantastic anticipation” from the start…(read her acknowledgments at the end).

Even though there are some heavy issues the main character is dealing with, this is such a light-hearted, comfort read that made me fall in love with all of the characters.

The only part I struggled with was how cringey and mean Sadie’s stepsister, Parker was. I would have preferred a little more backstory as to why she was such an awful human to Sadie.

Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet rom-com and would definitely recommend this book. And now I’m off to read all of Katherine Center’s backlist!

This was sooo wholesome and SWEET.


Sadie just got the opportunity in her art career that will literally make her or break her but then all of a sudden she has a horrible accident that results in temporary face blindness. She's mad at the world, understandably, but with the help of her doctor she begins to 'see' the world around her in a new way.

Then our girl Sadie falls in love.... with two people actually, Joe + her vet, Dr. Collin and this is the silliest and sweet love triangle you will ever read.

Also, if you read this book take the time to read the author's note. Kathrine talked about what makes reading romance so addicting... it's the hope that it gives you knowing no matter what happens in the story, there will be a happy ending. Ahh, I loved that so much. She spills some gems so make sure to read it!

Most of the criticism I’ve seen about this book was about how the fmc is unlikable. I actually really liked her. I think a lot of rom coms have two dimensional characters, the main character has a quirk and a problem and the love interest helps her solve that problem. This book had such a well rounded fmc, she’s not perfect, she’s not selfless, she’s a real person going through a hard time and finding herself looking at life in a whole new way. There’s interesting conversations about grief and betrayal. I loved our live interest, he’s such a kind soul. The chemistry was believable and electric. The problems the fmc work through are interesting and real. She has a lot of character growth and reflection. By far one of my favorite romances of the year.

As a huge Katherine Center fan, I was beyond excited to get the opportunity to read her newest novel before its publication. I always love her characters as they have hilarious banter with one another and feel like “real people”. Unfortunately, compared to this author’s other books, I was not impressed with this one. There is a plot twist that is crucial to the story’s development that I figured out very early in the novel. I would recommend Things You Save In A Fire, another title by Center, over this one.

Such a unique take on a story! The plot of it centers around a woman who can't recognize faces. She knows they have one, she can see everything around her but her brain doesn't compute the face. Which is not ideal, as she is a portrait painter. She begins to enlist coping mechanisms and going on about her life. Determined, she won't let this temporary setback deter her.

She begins to fall for two guys, her vet and a guy in her building. While she is grappling with that, she has to deal with her twisted step sister whose only goal in life is to make hers miserable. She does what she can to finish her portrait painting for a contest.

I loved the premise of this book. It is so different than anything I usually read. Yes, it is a romance. Yes, it has a bit of dramedy. But the whole plot of it, is amazingly different. I loved this book so much! You get to know these characters based on their personalities! So well done!

HELLO STRANGER by Katherine Center (Patti Murin, Narrator)

Sadie is a struggling portrait artist who has lost the ability to see faces. (acquired apperceptive prosopagnosia, or face blindness). “As Sadie tries to save her career, confront her haunting past, and handle falling in love with two different guys, she realizes that happiness can be found in the places—and people— you least expect.”

RomCom done right is a joy, and this one was done right! Yes, there is an easily corrected miscommunication. Yes, there is some mistaken identity and some melodrama. Yes, I knew how it would end. Yes, the evil stepsister was over-the-top, but in a fun way (and you knew she would get her comeuppance!).

But as Center explains in her Author’s Note, that’s not predictability. It’s anticipation. We read romances to smile, feel good, know how it will end, and be rewarded. It’s why we re-watch movies and tv shows we love. It’s comfort. Pure comfort.

This was my favorite by Center so far. It was joyful and fun, with the added benefit of learning something new (face blindness in this case). Her novels are as happy as her covers.

I was also delighted by the narrator! Her delivery was the frosting on an already delicious cake. Each character’s voice was distinctive (Sue was my favorite), making the story fly faster than a roller skater listening to disco.

QOTD: Can you roller skate? Do you have any tricks?

Thanks, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio, for the DRC and ALC. US Pub Date: 11 Jul 23

This book was darling and had the most unique premise of a romance book that I've ever read and spoke deeply to my neuroscience nerd heart. The very obvious twist (to the reader) was incredibly amusing to experience through the lense of Sadie, our narrator and female love interest.

*Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC of this book

As a enthusiast of reading, I'm always anticipating new books from one of my favorite Authors, Katherine Center. Her newest novel "Hello Stranger" has been added to my list of recommended books to all avid readers. I love how she always captures a realistic love that shows struggles and overcoming things to find our own kinds of happiness.

Not only is the illustrations on the cover beautiful the content has you yearning to know what is going to happen to the beloved character Sadie. Sadie suffers from an event that leaves her coping with a strange condition of "Facial blindness". Facial blindness is a condition that all faces are no longer recognizable. Learning to navigate through daily life without the ability to decipher faces has given her a unique opportunity to understand life. Living with this altered perceptions makes her see thing through a different prepective treating everyone as though they are no longer strangers. I found Sadie relatable and I truly enjoyed taking this journey through her life.

July 11, 2023 is the publishing date for Hello Stranger; this can soon become one of your new favorites. Mark it down as a must read right now.

I'm so thankful for Netgalley,
Katherine Center
and St. Martin's Press for the early copy of this wonderful book for an honest review.

Sadie is a portrait artist who undergoes brain surgery which results in prosopagnosia (facial blindness). This complicates her personally and potentially professionally since she's a finalist in an art competition that could change her life. Now simple interactions become complicated, and Sadie must learn to read body cues and speech patterns to decipher who she's speaking to. To add to her stress, she finds herself attracted to two men. Naturally.

It's an interesting premise, particularly the facial blindness aspect and I enjoyed the bits of humour that Center adds in this very-light-on-the-romance story which has no spice but an endearing male lead.

I loved Center's The Bodyguard, but I was surprised that this book fell flat for me. It felt like it never quite got going and had a repetitive feel because Center overexplains her plot, there's too much miscommunication and readers are stuck inside Sadie's head which is not a great place to be.

Sadie is immature, whiny and takes waaaay too long to figure things out. For me, the plot was clear from the start and required me to suspend disbelief far outside my comfort zone with insta-love, insta-forgiveness and an over-the-top, straight from Satan character who should have gotten a swift and hearty comeuppance.

While I'm grateful that this book taught me about prosopagnosia, I didn't enjoy how the story was executed. I like a HEA (happily ever after) but this story has little depth and no surprises for the reader. I'm in the minority with this book so if you want a very light book that's easy to pick up and put down while you're poolside this summer, then you may enjoy it more than I did.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to St Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book which was provided in exchange for my honest review.

The idea of face blindness is something I’ve never read about before and honestly loved reading from the perspective of someone, especially a portrait artist, who was diagnosed with it.

I found myself totally invested in this main characters life, and went through all the emotions she did. From losing her ability to see faces, dealing with a literal evil stepsister, to losing the little family she has left, I felt her heartbreak while reading.

Then comes along the love interest(s). At first I thought it was your typical love story but BOY WAS I WRONG. When there was conflict between the two main love interests, I was so confused why. When you find out the reason for it…prepare to be absolutely mind-blown 🤯

After seeing the twist and how this story ended, I knew it was a an immediate 5⭐️. Absolutely loved this and can’t wait to grab myself a physical copy!

Hello Stranger is my first Kathrine Center novel. Comfy cozy, light, heartwarming, fuzzy feelings aplenty! The plot was creative, you do have to suspend disbelief a little but overall I found this to be any enjoyable read. Sadie is a portrait artist on the cusp of her big break. She is a finalist in a prestigious art competition that will put her name on the map. She ends up in the hospital and after surgery she is diagnosed with prosopagnosia or “acquired face blindness.” She is now a portrait artist who can’t see faces with only one month to paint the best portrait of her life. Sadie is a complex but mostly likeable main character. She has been burned by the people closest to her, experienced the loss of a parent, and now is dealing with medical trauma. Because of her past, she has a hard time asking for help. As someone who has experienced my own losses, Center handled Sadie’s and her dad’s grief in such an authentic and heartbreaking way. The romance aspect of the story was so sweet, and the couple had great banter.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center is a novel that blew me away. The premise for this book is so unique and it really creates an unusual plot that works perfectly in this romance. The author did impeccable research on medical conditions to make this book realistic and interesting. Great book overall! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I honestly do not know what I would do if I lost my ability to see faces.

Sadie Montgomery is on the brink of getting what she has ever wanted out of her career when tragedy strikes. She has a tumor that has been causing her to have seizures. The latest one almost got her killed if it weren't for a handsome stranger who pushed her out of her way. There is a lot resting on her eyes to get her everything she has ever wanted but the question is whether or not her ability to see faces will return in time to get her there.

What this book has:
~Single POV
~Disability Representation
~A Hilarious Misunderstanding
~Redemption
~Slow Burn
~A Slight Cinderella Retelling

Thank you so much to Katherine Center, Net Galley, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Hello Stranger by @katherinecenter was another fun, delightful book from this author. I’ve only read one another by her and enjoyed them both thus far!

Sadie is an artist who just got accepted into a competition near and dear to her heart. Weeks before the North American Portrait Society competition, she gets into an accident which triggers something in her brain called face blindness. Yep, she can no longer see the faces of the people she’s talking to. Talk about inconvenient. To top it off, she’s in the midst of getting to know a few potential suitors and doesn’t know what they look like.

Here’s the thing, this was a bit outlandish, unlikely, and at times, predictable. And the author acknowledges that in her note at the end. But it was engaging, fun, and I liked the characters. In rom-coms and romances, it really comes down to that. It lightened my heart and gave me the serotonin boost I was looking for. Katherine Center is definitely an author I put on my list to pick up for their new debuts and their backlist.

Thanks to @stmartinspress for the advanced ebook via @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the audiobook copy. Hello Stranger comes out July 11th!

Hello Stranger instantly captured my heart and held it tightly until the very last page. The story revolves around Sadie, a resilient and relatable character who went on a journey through this book. Experiencing Sadie’s world, being drawn into her struggles, her triumphs, and seeing her personal growth really resonated with me.

One of this story's standout features was its realistic portrayal of face blindness, a condition that profoundly affects Sadie’s life after a chain of unfortunate events. Katherine Center did a lot of research and her attention to detail to paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced by Sadie, evoked genuine empathy. Through Sadie’s experience, I gained a newfound understanding of the daily obstacles and emotional complexities that accompany this condition.

Hello Stranger also weaved a captivating romantic element into the narrative. A love triangle emerges, which immerses the reader in a whirlwind of emotions and conflicting desires. The story navigates the complexities of love, highlighting the raw vulnerability and difficult choices faced by Sadie and the two characters who take up space in her heart. It adds a layer of tension as well as the anticipation that keeps you eagerly turning the page.

I look forward to reading the rest of Katherine Center’s backlist and will absolutely be picking up all of her future releases. This book gave me the five-star feeling so early and that feeling never went away!

It was an HONOR to receive this ARC on NetGalley. Katherine Center is one of my favorite romance writers because of her way at handling grief and humor, Hello Stranger being no exception. Full review is on goodreads as if 6/2123, this version I took out the spoilers.

This book follows Sadie after she suffers a brain injury and becomes face blind. While many people live with face blindness, acquired face blindness changes your ability to recognize and interact with people and Sadie is forced to rethink everything she knows - especially as an artist who draws portraits.

A few aspects I truly loved about this book:
- Sadie’s approach to her moms birthday every year and dealing with grief
- The concept of being nice to someone because you don’t know if they are a stranger or not
- Friends forgetting what you are going through despite the constant reminders - a very harsh reality when dealing with new health problems
- Feeling like a burden and being afraid to ask for help

A few of my favorite quotes:
- “Hes kind of like that but with croissants.”
- “Did it make me miss my mom? You bet. But the delight of it - the absolute blissful, embodied pleasure of it - made it okay somehow. I felt that familiar ache of longing, but now mixed with something new. Joy, maybe.”
- “It takes a certain kind of courage to be brave in love.”

Finally, this is my first Katherine Center book I’m reading and not seeing a review/rating from mom first. I miss my mom so much and making my way through all of Katherine Centers books has been a way to feel close to her. Here’s to a new journey and being brave.