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

Katherine Center never disappoints! First of all I learned so much about prosopagnosia aka facial blindness. I found this fascinating and love when I can learn about a new topic in a fictional story. The book follows Sadie’s journey as she falls for 2 different men. There is a bit of an enemies to lovers trope, which I always enjoy. The family drama was a bit much and I wanted to murder Parker! Finally, I adored Peanut the dog and felt Sadie’s relationship with him was touching. Katherine Center’s books are usually pretty clean and this one had no smut for anyone looking for a sweet romance.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All of the above is my own thoughts and review.

I loved, loved, loved this book!

I have to admit that The Bodyguard was a little bit of a let down for me so I was a little worried I wouldn’t like this one. But I’m happy to say that it blew me away. I loved the chemistry between Sadie & Joe. And the description of Sadie’s face blindness was so good, I really could imagine what she was seeing. I did not like how the villains of the story got away without any real consequences.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

Obsessed is an understatement!!! This was my first book by Katharine Center & I immediately bought 3 more by her upon finishing this one!! Such a good story and i loved the connection between Sadie and Joe, such a funny & cute connection!
This book was amazing!

*4.5 stars*
“Hello Stranger” is a light-hearted romance about a young woman named Sadie; a portrait artist who experiences a life-altering diagnosis that leaves her with ‘face blindness’ and the inability to recognize anyone. As she navigates her life and her career, viewing the world in a new way, she feels stuck between a rock and a hard place. With her family falling apart, her art on the line, she’s at her wits end— until she begins to fall for two men, neither of whom she can truly see for who they are.

I really, really liked this book, and the last quarter of it totally brought things home for me. once every little detail within the plot came together, I loved the story even more. i just adore how Katherine is able to incorporate some pretty deep/difficult topics into enjoyable stories; interweaving pain and heartbreak with humor and love— it’s really beautiful to read! this book is set to be published next month, so definitely check it out if you’re a fan of humor, romance, adorable dogs, and feel good stories.
Thank you SO much to NetGalley, @katherinecenter, and the publishers for providing me with this ARC to read & review!

Sadie is a portrait artist who has a problem: she develops acquired face blindness after a health scare, and her entry into the final round of a portrait art competition is due in a matter of weeks. While recovering and learning how to live with her condition, she has run-ins with a maybe jerky but also kind of wonderful guy in her building, and a crush-worthy veterinarian taking care of her geriatric dog, Peanut. Family antics ensue as well with Sadie’s wicked stepsister, her sometimes buttinsky stepmother, and her awkward and detached dad.

Does what I just typed sound bananas? Absolutely! But somehow Katherine Center makes it work in the best way. This feels like a warm hug, while also being laugh-aloud funny, heartfelt, and totally, charmingly relatable. I rooted for Sadie and her relationships and for her to overcome her struggles. And that climax? It makes me want to go back and read it all over again. All the feel-good, laugh-aloud, swoony stars forever for Katherine Center.

My thanks to St Martin’s Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sadie Montgomery is a portrait painter who is suddenly struck with face blindness. It happens at a critical time in her career and she is struggling with how to continue doing what she loves. She also needs to find a way to recognize the people around her. One person is Joe, a helpful man in her building who she is attracted to. But just when she thinks she is moving forward, someone who has plagued her for years, throws more complications in her path. My heart broke for Sadie as she struggled to find her way, but soared as she learned to let go of who she thought she should be, and become her authentic self. Joe was so sweet, caring, and patient with Sadie, from the very beginning, even when she tries to push him away. I really fell hard and cared for both of them, as I cheered for their HEA. I also loved all the secondary characters who were always there for Sadie, supporting and caring for her, showing up when she needed them most. There is just so much to love about this story, the clever writing, the wonderful characters I want to be friends with, and a hilarious, emotional, intriguing, and heartfelt storyline that made me feel, and left me extremely happy!

I have enjoyed every Katherine Center book I've read and this one was no exception! I won't go into details about the plot, because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Suffice it to say that this is a sweet and humorous romance which delves into some serious medical issues that never takes away from the hopeful attitude of the characters. I was surprised by the twist at the end and loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel. It was terrific!

Huge Katherine Center fan since reading The Body Guard. Hello Stranger is another enjoyable read! Lovable characters, interesting story, and charming romance. Feel good fiction at its best.

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the early copy for my honest opinion.

I recently dove into Hello Stranger during a plane ride and found myself captivated by the unique plot and relatable characters, and the exploration of prosopagnosia.

Comparing Hello Stranger to The Bodyguard, I found myself favoring the former. I was uncertain about continuing with Center's books. However, Hello Stranger convinced me to give her writing one more chance. The plot was more engaging, the characters more relatable, and the overall storytelling more captivating.

Hello Stranger book did have a few predictable moments and leaned toward some clichés, yet it didn't hinder my overall enjoyment.

I have received an ARC on NetGalley, but my experience with the book itself and my review remained untainted.

This was a great story and a great romance. Sadie’s neurological condition was so interesting and made for a very unique obstacle on the way to her HEA.

What a great romance novel by Katherine Center, with a twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Sadie is a portrait artist who is selected to enter her artwork into a gallery where should could finally prove to her father that she is making it on her own. He wanted her to become a doctor, but she chose to be an artist instead, and follow in her late mother's footsteps.
But a seizure lands her in the hospital, and with that, she finds out she needs brain surgery due to a cavernoma. A complication from the surgery causes facial blindness, which may or may not go away. She needs to figure out how she can still paint her portrait for the art show. Meanwhile, there is an evil step-sister who she has to deal with, who has caused so much anguish for Sadie growing up.

Sadie feels she has only her beloved dog Peanut, until he gets sick. When she brings him to the vet, she imagines her entire life laid out in front of her, which consists of marrying the vet, Dr. Oliver Addison. (He doesn't know this, of course.)
What transpires in the days of Sadie trying to deal with her facial blindness, her evil step-sister, the vet, and the guy in her building, Joe is all part of this great novel. You'll have to read it to find out how it all goes together. It is such a great story, and an easy read. I highly recommend it!! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy in return for my opinion.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥
When you're having a crappy week(end), sometimes a feel-good story is just what one needs, and Hello Stranger was an excellent pick.

Sadie is a portrait artist who is on the verge of a big break. Unfortunately, a mishap during brain surgery has resulted in face blindness. Add family drama and a sick doggy to her now-struggling career, Sadie's headline ought to be "if it weren't for bad luck, she would not have any."

The only upside to her life right now is love, but her bad luck streak strikes again by making her fall in love with not just one man, but TWO. She hits it off with her dog Peanut's veterinarian Dr. Addison, and her neighbor Joe is so incredibly helpful and sweet.

I really enjoyed this read. If life did not get in the way, I would have read it in one sitting. I thought it was clever of Katherine Center to turn Sadie's unfortunate series of events -- especially her medical condition -- into a fun romcom, and she certainly did it effectively. This is my first Center read, but I thoroughly loved her character development. Parker was such a delicious villain to hate, and I fell in love with Sadie's friend Sue and her family.

This is a spoiler-free zone, so I won't say anything about the twist other than it exists. It becomes more obvious as you get further into the story, but I still liked it nonetheless.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

Hello, Stranger.

I love a good romance novel. I love a story that teaches about a real-life condition. And Hello Stranger? Hits both nails on the head. Center does an excellent job detailing and showing how Prosopagnosia (face blindness) affects those who suffer from it.

This book is one POV, that of Sadie Montgomery. I personally can really connect with Sadie. If you tell me I can’t? I will, even if it breaks me. Ask for help? Nope. After losing her mom, and having an estranged relationship with her father (who thinks being an artist is ridiculous), step-mother and step-sister, Sadie will do anything to try to make it in the art world. But then the unthinkable happens. She can’t see faces. And at the worst possible time as a finalist for a portrait contest. However, art is the one thing that keeps her connected to her late mother so she is determined to make it work.

Then enter Joe and the veterinarian who saved her precious pooch. Who will she choose, when love is blind? Or at the very least…pixelated.

This novel, wonderfully written by Katherine Center, will leave you with the life lesson “The more good things you look for, the more you find.

I’ve heard good things about this author and the premise of this one sucked me in. But I saw the big plot twist coming from a mile away, which made the book kind of drag on because I was awaiting the inevitable reveal. The obviousness of it all made me frustrated with the FMC even though it’s not entirely her fault.

I think the ending was a little lackluster overall, but I did like the journey there, so that counts for something! The creative premise kept me reading and I thoroughly enjoyed the cute romance scenes. I’d pick up another book by this author for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This story was absolutely fascinating! And so, so, SO heartfelt.

Waking up in the hospital after an accident, portrait artist Sadie Montgomery is left with acquired apperceptive prosopagnosia, aka face blindness. She is unable to recognize a single person. Weeks from submitting a piece in the North American Portrait Society competition, you can imagine the complete upheaval on her life.

But even despite her diagnosis, financial struggles, and interactions with hateful family, Sadie never gives up. Her situation is tragic, of course, but the message of hope and perseverance is something any reader can connect with. Sadie was amazing!

On top of this is the sweetest romance. One that took a detour I was not expecting, I must add. I did have to suspend my disbelief a tad—for reasons I can't reveal—but what a fun, unique twist!

With ALL the warm fuzzies you'd ever want, I definitely recommend this one. It made my heart flutter.

A summer storm blew through yesterday and our power went out so I decided to start Hello Stranger. And once I started, I couldn't put it down...I read all 5 hours of this glorious romance in one setting. Interesting premise, great characterization...I knew the resolution because it just made sense given the genre, BUT that knowing made it even sweeter as the character discovered what we all had inferred. Addicting and compelling- a must summer romance read!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #St. Martin's Press for the ARC.of this gem.

4.5 stars - Katherine Center does it again; another wonderful, cozy romance. Sadie is a portrait artist and was placed in the finals for the North American Portrait Society. But her happiness is cut short when she ends up in the hospital and is diagnosed with a temporary condition of face blindness. Sadie needs to learn to adapt to her new reality and figure out how to paint a face portrait to submit to the contest. In the midst of all of this, she falls for not one but two men.

I did guess the big twist in the book, but that did not ruin the book for me. I thought the romance aspect of the story tied up nicely. I wish there was more relationship development between Sadie and her stepsister Parker; it wrapped up too quickly. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend this to anyone.

I have yet to not love a Katherine Center novel. In fact, I devoured this on one sitting.

This time, we meet Sadie, whose brain surgery leaves her with face blindness. This is a big problem seeing as she's a portrait artist, of all things. Things are further complicated by her hot (she thinks) veterinarian and an intriguing guy who lives in her apartment building. And an evil stepsister bent on taking full advantage of Sadie's disability. Busy month for our plucky heroine!

Sweet, not spicy. Lovable, not sappy. This is such a perfect beach read, I pre-ordered a physical copy for my shelf.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

After Sadie, a portrait artist, undergoes brain surgery, she suffers from face blindness (Prosopagnosia), which causes her to not recognize a face that she is looking at. Yet, she miraculously is able to find love and happiness, even though she really can’t identify anyone’s faces. I have enjoyed some of Katherine Center’s other novels, and — as always — her writing is very good and many of the scenes she depicts here brought a smile to my face. Nonetheless, for some reason, this book fell sort of flat for me. It was a good read, just not a great one.

What would you do if you lost the ability to recognize faces? Even your own?
That's the unique condition (prosopagnosia) that the heroine, Sadie, suffers from following a minor brain surgery.

To say Sadie suffers from a horrible case of bad luck would be an understatement.
She is the literal version of a starving artist.
She suffers a random seizure that leads to the discovery of the condition above, hopefully temporary.
Her dog Peanut is having medical issues.
Her evil stepsister, Parker, also re-enters her life.
And to cap it all off, she is supposed to create a portrait painting for a critical exhibit in several weeks . . . but oh yeah . . . she has face blindness.
YIKES!!!
I was truly sympathetic to everything she was going through and wanted the best for her. Yet it was obvious to me as a reader that she had several things going her way, she just didn't recognize the signs. Namely, the potential love interest. I won't go into details, but this guy clearly had her back on more than one occasion and would do just about anything for her.

While there was no surprising twist in this story, I loved how things played out when Sadie finally discovered the truth. A well-deserved HEA!