I want you to imagine your best friend, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your mom, your dad, hell your DOG. Now, imagine that you can vaguely think of them but you just cannot remember their face. You know that your best friend usually wears her hair in a high ponytail (but what about when she doesn't?) but nothing about the way she smiles. This is how we meet the main character, Sadie. She just had a random seizure and is now diagnosed with face blindness, which yes, is a real thing. As if that's not enough, she is supposed to be competing in a portrait competition that she's been dreaming about for so long.

I love Katherine Center's books. They're always interesting in the way that many of them bring in medical issues that are very much possible, yet pretty rare. It adds a little more to the romances that she writes. This story would have gone so much differently if Sadie were able to see the people that she was talking to.

I really enjoyed this story. It brought me back to her books like How to Walk Away, which is around where I started reading Katherine Center. I definitely would recommend this book and the audio was very well done also.

Sadie is ecstatic that she has been selected as one of 10 finalists in a prestigious Portrait competition. Unfortunately, the same day, she lands in the hospital needing brain surgery that leaves her with temporary face blindness. Probably temporary, maybe...? Sadie is devastated as the portrait competition requires her to see and paint faces and she's unable to see them. She tries multiple times and yet her best friend, Sue, truthfully lets her know that they are terrible. Winning the competition is necessary for Sadie as she wants to prove to her father that she made it as an artist and the prize money would also help since she's bumming a less than desirable place in Sue's parents' apartment building. Adding to the complications, she finds her self swooning over her dog's vet but also possibly interested with Joe who lives in her building. Life feels messy and especially hard since she can't see anyone's faces, but, as Sadie soon learns, there are ways of seeing and connecting with people other than their faces.

This was definitely a sweet read with humor and heart and a twist that I didn't see coming. Just like Center's other novels, this one has a strong female protagonist who overcomes obstacles and finds that maybe there are other ways to win at life than the path she had originally planned for. I really appreciated her Author's Note on why she loves romance novels. I'm not a romance reader but so much of what she said resonated with me that maybe I'm willing to dive back into romance with a new perspective.

This book was so much fun to read and the perfect summer book! She is a quirky artist and he is the supposed douchebag of the building. However, she lost her ability to see faces and she is losing fate in her senses. This is a story about love and finding one's self when everything seems to be failing.

The only reason for me that this is not a five-star read was because she was 30 years old. She was acting way too young for her age so if she was in her early 20s the story would make more sense in my opinion.

“Hello Stranger” by Katherine Center
The gift of SIGHT often undervalued
There was a time while reading this story that I wondered why I thought I wanted to read it. Thankfully I persevered because I am so glad I did read this story. There really is a condition called ‘Face Blindness’ check it out… I did. I think this would make a very good ‘book club’ read. This story has lots of discussion opportunities. And, yes, I really did enjoy my time within this story with an ending that surprised me. Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story via NetGalley.

I rarely gravitate toward Romance novels, but something about Katerine Center's writing really draws me in. Her stories are so well-researched about interesting topics. In the author's note, she says that "romance novels, rom-coms, happy love stories --- they all run on a blissful sense that we're moving towards something better." Center has a unique talent for bringing the reader into that happy feeling.

Hello Strangers focuses on Sadie Montgomery, a portrait artist who has just been accepted as a finalist in a major juried art competition in her hometown of Houston, Texas. A hereditary condition causes her to have brain surgery, which results in acquired apperceptive prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness. How will she be able to paint a portrait when she can no longer see faces? As Sadie tries to recover, she must also deal with long-seeded emotional issues. And of course, there is romance in the form of a neighbor whose face she cannot see as well as a lost opportunity with a cute veterinarian. Yes, one of the results is foreseeable, but it is still a cute plot twist.

4-plus stars.

“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.