Once again, I read this forever ago. At least I've doing the review before the release date!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this new Katherine Center book. It was delightful. <I>Hello Stranger</I> centers around a young artist who suddenly finds that she cannot see faces. She struggles through her new disability, finding friendship and romance with someone unexpected.

I thought that this handled disability really well, without turning it into inspiration porn. Also, I hate love triangles, but this was done in a great way that shouldn't keep you from reading it just in case you hate them too.

Anyway, this was a delight. Center has a way of getting pretty cheesy at the end, which I honest don't mind SO much, but that's the only complaint I really have about it. Super sweet, sunshine-y book from her as usual and if you've loved her stuff in the past, you'll enjoy this too. I'll be happy to read more from her.

4.5 stars

4.5 - I am officially a Katherine Center girlie! I loved her last book, The Bodyguard, and her latest one coming out in July did not disappoint!

Sadie is chosen as a finalist for a prestigious portrait competition but suffers a medical injury that jeopardizes her artistic abilities, face blindness. Faces now look like puzzles and she finds herself learning to navigate her new world full of "strangers". Of course there is an unexpected love interest intertwined into the plot :)

I love how Center's books don't fall into traditional romance tropes and the characters are always so likeable. Her writing invites you in immediately and hooks you from the start, even if the plot is chaotic an unpredictable at times. The beginning of this book was a little hectic and chaotic and I wasn't really sure why certain characters were being introduced, but everything comes together eventually in a hilarious but endearing turn of events. My only critique is that the FMC, Sadie, was a bit self-deprecating at times, but you'll eventually learn the context as to why. I can't wait to see what Center comes out with next!

Katherine Center is an auto-buy author for me. There's something about her books that just make me feel good when I'm reading them; they call me to curl up with a blanket, get lost in the story and give me the warm and fuzzy feelings of a good romance. Hello Stranger was surprisingly hard for me to get into, I had a hard time connecting with Sadie or the storyline until about half way through. The last quarter of the book is what made it a Katherine Center book for me. I was invested in the characters, what happens to them and how everything would come together. It was interesting reading about FFG and how it affects so much more than you initially think. Fans of Center aren't going to want to miss Hello Stranger!

There’s no other word to describe this book than pure joy - it is a real-life manifestation of joy and I loved it. But reader be warned, I did not feel this way the entire book and it was only at the end that I realized what a true treasure I had just read. So there will be times where you’ll question my rating and my review, but hold on, read the epilogue, then read the author’s note, and you’ll know exactly what I mean. I could read those two sections every day of my life and take away something new.

Ok, so back to the rest of the book. The writing overall is funny and charming. Sadie is a perfect protagonist - funny, kind, vulnerable, goofy, and someone pushes herself to grow and learn and be the best person she can be. The topic of facial blindness is something that I’d not heard of, and the author does an excellent job of making this book an immersive experience. You really do feel what it’s like for Sadie (and I also googled for examples). There were definite moments of implausibility and semi-cringe, but again, read the last two sections and you won’t care. My least favorite part of this book was the sister dynamic, as that did feel a bit exaggerated. But I got over it bc the rest was so endearing.

So many thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. It was my privilege to read and review. And now I’m going to go push it on all of my friends!

Her writing style is nice and fun and flows well, just like one of my favorites by her, The Bodyguard, but unlike that one I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I didn’t love them, I didn’t hate them, I was just pretty much indifferent. I was so disconnected from them that I actually didn’t know the main characters name for a while and even then often forgot it.

Also by design, I was really confused on the love interest. Like Joe was introduced but so was the Vet and honestly I had no clue if they were going to end up being the same person somehow. And then shocker they were and I didn’t enjoy it. Like there’s absolutely 0 way you love “Joe” and don’t even know what he does for his job, and they didn’t have any conversations about the fact that he quote literally saved her life and he asked “how’s your health” but when they became close didn’t ask what the hell happened?

I also was not a fan of some side characterization. Lucinda who has never been nice in the many years since marrying Sadie’s dad suddenly gets a redemption, and so does her dad. Not needed in my opinion, it’s nice that in some way Sadie gets to feel better but after at least a decade, I don’t believe it.

Which, in a mostly character driven story, is a problem. Now the premise was great, a portrait artist that gets surgery and ends up with face blindness, how ironic, but while also being a romance i felt like there wasn’t enough balance. It just felt way too face-blind heavy in some parts and in others it felt like we forgot about it for a little while.

I wasn’t a big fan of the pacing really and it started to feel real slow for me around 40%, I felt like I was just waiting for something to happen and move on like progress with portraits or the main romance but the main character kept getting sidetracked.

Now, I know all of this is complaining or what I didn’t like and I don’t want to be negative because by no means is this a bad book.

Katherine Center writes beautifully, she’s funny at every turn, and really does write beautiful easy to connect to storylines and characters. I think on this one it was just a personal miss. I’m entirely blaming myself for the disconnect.

I see so many things about this book that I could love, the irony, the humor, the hopeful tone. I can’t really explain what prevented me from it. But I do think everyone should give this one a chance. I see so many things that many people would enjoy and love in this book.

I hope all readers can connect to Sadie better than I did! and have a great time.

Sadie was headed to celebrate being chosen as a finalist for a huge portrait artists award when she passes out and wakes in the hospital. Since the surgery, Sadie can no longer see faces. They look like a puzzle she cant put back together. This does not bode well for painting a masterpiece in the next six weeks. When she meets two different men that she finds herself wanting to date, even without being able to see their faces, her confusion just grows.

A book about an artist is always one I am sure to love! Now throw in some out of left field medical issue that creates a mess of her current situation and chaos is likely to ensue. I had no idea that face blindness was a thing, but I loved that I got to learn a bit more about it through this book! Sadie was also just such a relatable character facing the same struggles that so many of us face, and I just wanted to reach out and hug her and become her friend. I loved every second of this book and if you are a Center fan, you will too!

I got this as an arc from NetGalley.

I was shocked actually because Katherine Center is so popular and I seem to keep getting rejected from those bigger names.

Anyway this book. I freaking love it. I know I didn’t love her last book. But this one, in particular Sadie’s Voice, is so fresh and original. I’m pretty jaded about romance books because every main character seems to bleed into each other. With Sadie, Center has somehow created a totally new person. It’s something Naomi Novik does really well too, and I really appreciate it. I think the first-person, single-perspective protagonist and near stream-of-consciousness text actually lends itself really well here. You get so much of who Sadie is and . . . I legit love her. She’s legit hilarious and quirky and adorable. I also honestly think the dual perspective narratives need to go bye bye. Like, this man is a fantasy like most other romance book men but at least I don’t have to hear his stupid, fake, obviously fantastic thoughts. (Also, for the narrative, you really can’t go into his head.) I prefer my romance men mysterious. Joe is a dream, and I like it that way. He is also deeply real and relatable. Yes, I love him too, but mostly for how he lives Sadie.

I also think the side characters and side quests (it seems so trivializing to call them that but it’s the best term I can think of rn) are also lovable, relatable, magical. Everything wraps up so beautifully. In another mood, I would find it twee and unrealistic. But the book put a spell on me. The family drama here was really integral to the experience and never felt forced or contrived, the way I think Emily Henry’s does sometimes. The personal journey was engaging too—you’re really rooting for Sadie to figure things out and get her big break.

If I have one complaint it’s that SHE DOES NOT BANG. Very disappointing. But plenty of tension getting there. Katherine, sweetie, let them smoosh.

The thing I always forget with KC books is that they look like fun romcoms, but they’re not. They’re an anxiety attack filled with drama and emotions and people who don’t communicate what they think. The writing is amazing as always, but there just too many plots and problems to be able to sit back and enjoy it on a weekend. If you liked her first books, you’ll like this one. It was just too much of a heart wrencher for me.

This was so good. My first book I've read by Katherine Center. I could not put this book down. I loved Sadie and Oliver. I love that despite what happened to her she didn't give up on her dreams, she kept pursuing herself and pushing herself for that contest. Her big break and meeting Oliver for the matter. One big mishaps is all I have to say about this book.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

This is Katherine Center we are talking about and Hello Stranger has all the magic you would expect to find in one of her books.

While I loved this book there was something I considered a flaw to the story, the author’s note helped me come to terms with it but it took away just a little bit of the magic for me while I was reading.

Sadie, our main protagonist, is one stubborn artist. As we come to know her better, we learn what shaped her into the woman she is and the values that she has.

There is a bit of a love triangle, and while both options are dreamy, one is the clear winner. 🫠

I love how Center brought a rare condition to life in this story and really let it lead the show. It was interesting to learn more about and it made for a truly beautiful read.

Rare Medical Condition Rep
Content: Explicit language (a few f-words), brain injury, past death of a parent, bullying

4.5 stars - rounding up to 5

Thank you so much to Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I LOVED this book, and I'm still smiling from reading it! I was drawn to wanting to read this book not only through my recognition of the author but also because of the awesome artwork on the cover. After reading it, I now know what each aspect represents. This was another absolutely fun and refreshing read by Katherine Center. I honestly loved this book and will definitely be recommending it to my romance-reading friends. I found myself constantly reaching for it, not feeling like I had enough time in the day to read as much as I wanted. This was the perfect, realistic, but feel-good romance. You just have to be ready for a couple bumps along the road in Sadie’s romance journey. I definitely saw the twist at the end coming, but I’m honestly not even mad about it. There were so many parts that my brain had to backtrack on to connect when everything fell into place. I think that made this story just that much more special to read and be a part of. I will note that it helped that one of the main characters is a veterinarian, and due to my husband being in his final year of veterinary school, I could relate to the book more.

Sadie, an up-and-coming artist following in her mother’s footsteps, has finally hit her big break, or so she thinks. As a finalist in a big art show (pretty much what she has worked for her whole life), she’ll have to work endless hours to create a portrait piece for her chance at winning ten thousand dollars. Money that she desperately needs to keep living. What already seems like a daunting task becomes worse when Sadie has to have urgent brain surgery, which leaves her with prosopagnosia (face blindness). This makes being a portrait artist almost inconceivable. Between that and her dog Peanut getting sick to the point of going to the veterinarian, Sadie is pretty down on her luck. Thankfully, she has her best friend Sue to keep her going because her dad, stepmom, and stepsister certainly aren’t going to be the ones pushing her through to the finish line. But when her best friend gets swept away to elope, leaving Sadie without a model for her portrait, she’s forced to find someone else. With the help of her neighbor Joe and her commitment to present something at the show, Sadie will test her ability to overcome the cards she’s been dealt. All while battling two love interests: her neighbor and her veterinarian. Both are handsome (everywhere but their faces that she knows of) and seemingly genuine and kind, but who will win Sadie’s heart in the end?

Favorite quote: “It takes a certain kind of courage to be brave in love. A courage you can only get better at through practice.”

Sadie Montgomery is a struggling artist portrait artist, who just finally got her big break. She placed as a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition, but everything comes crashing down, when she is diagnosed with a condition called face blindness. She still has her vision, but now everyone face is a bunch of jumbled features. On top of coping her face blindness, her dog is sick, she has major family issues, and she might be falling in love with two men.

I have to start off by saying that I really enjoyed the story and writing. Sadie was a fun main character to spend time with, because I found the "struggling artist" side to her very relatable. I thought her journey from diagnosis to learning how to live with her condition to be heart warming. It's not just a love story, but a journey of self-acceptance. The two main love interests were also great, and I love the little surprise at the end.

The area where I have to take off points was her step-sister, because I found her to be a little cartoonish. It did not make sense for someone to be that awful unless there was something seriously wrong, which did not really get addressed.

Overall, I could definitely see myself returning to this story.

I devoured this book. Practically finished it in one sitting. I couldn't get enough. I love Katherine Center's romance novels. I hope she continues down this path and gives us more in the future. I really enjoyed The Bodyguard last year, but I liked this book even more!

I had seen the rave reviews early on being shared on Goodreads and Katherine's Instagram, so I knew I was in for a treat. But I was also nervous, because I discovered the main character was going to have face blindness. I was worried it wouldn't be pulled off realistically enough for me. I'm so happy to say I was wrong and Center executed it perfectly!

This may seem obvious to others who have had the chance to read this book, but I was oblivious to how this book was going to go until about three fourths the way in. That's when I had my "ah-ha" moment and I loved it!

I loved Sadie. She was such a joy to read and how she tackled each of her adversities. Between the difficulties of her past and to her current situation, I thought it was portrayed beautifully. There's just something about Katherine Center's writing that really sucks you in. You have an enjoyable experience while reading and some heartfelt moments laced in. Overall, I can't recommend this book enough and I think its going to be a big hit once it releases.

Trigger warning: loss of parent, grief.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

Struggling portrait artist, Sadie Montgomery is reveling in the biggest achievement and opportunity of her professional life when she ends up needing brain surgery. She wakes up from said surgery with face blindness. As she learns to cope with her (hopefully temporary) condition, much heartache and hilarity ensues.

Okay, to be fair, it's not hilarious for her, but as the reader, sliding the puzzle pieces into place as the story goes on, it's priceless. Sadie's facial blindness and her inability to see things clearly are a poignant reminder that we are so often lacking in perspective. I love how Katherine Center weaves real life lessons into her stories.

Beautiful story. :)

Ummmm this book is incredible. I just cannot stop thinking about Sadie and Joe and the entirely refreshing and unique story. It filled me with so many butterflies! Endless hopeful anticipation! Loads of second hand embarrassment! It truly is a romance at its core and was such a fun and enjoyable read. I don’t want to give too much away, but I highly recommend this book. Even though I saw the “twist” coming a mile away (I’m confident that is intentional) it only made the story that much more entertaining. Pick this one up ASAP (especially on audio; the narrator does an INSANELY good job or testing Sadie and the wild range of emotions she is experiencing).

**Thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to receive an ARC of Hello Stranger in exchange for an honest review!!** !!!! 5 million stars!!!!!!! I loved this book! I decided to read it because I thought it sounded like such a fun plotline and it was such an interesting read. Sadie was definitely having a lot of struggles in her life and her diagnosis seemed to be just another issue to deal with until it became more. It was very interesting to consider what your life would be like if you couldn't do the one thing you excelled at. I think this might be the fastest I have ever read a book. I even stayed up until 2am to finish reading it. I don't want to give away too much of the plotline because I think this is really a book you have to experience for yourself. Sadie's sudden facial blindness was such an interesting premise and it really felt like you could feel the underlying fear that you would feel if you were put in this situation. The Author's note at the end definitely made me cry. "Happy love stories-they all run on a blissful sense that we're moving toward something better." I felt that positivity throughout this book and I honestly just want to re-read it as soon as possible so that I can see which hints I missed. I love Katherine Center's books and I'm so happy I got to read it!! It's my favorite book of the year!

I wanted to love this one, but I didn't. I enjoyed it for sure, but it was only okay for me. I don't get why it's marketed as a romance, for one; there is a love story in the book, but it feels second-place to the main storyline of Sadie's face-blindness journey. Secondly, I saw the 'twist' with the love interest coming a mile away, and it didn't feel realistic to me. Lastly, it was slow. Too slow for my tastes. I kept wishing for something more. Thank you to NetGalley and St-Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

📆 pub date: 7/11/23

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

This book was thoughtful, sweet, funny, and had a beautiful message. I really enjoyed the premise of this story since I was already familiar with prosopagnosia and it truly sparked my interest.

It had a lot of amazing moments and grief/family relationship struggles were a large part of it. Those elements were well done & absolutely made me emotional. This also reminded me a lot of the movie A Cinderella Story.

I couldn’t rate this higher than 3-4 stars because it was just horribly repetitive and predictable. The decisions the main character made, and even things she said, were very cringe. I understand characters have to make certain decisions to further the plot, but Sadie’s choices truly did not make sense to me. She made her life unreasonably difficult by not communicating, especially with the love interests in this book. I never enjoy the miscommunication trope, and this book is just one big miscommunication.

Most things did not make sense, and then to add insult to injury the author spent many pages of the final chapter explaining why so many of those choices made no sense, in an effort to clear up any confusion. It was all tell, no show, and what should have been a swoony romantic ending to bring our main characters together turned into all dialogue.

“Omg you didn’t know?”
“How did that happen?”
“What are you going to do next?”

I didn’t get butterflies, I didn’t grin from ear to ear, it felt so sterile and lacking emotion. Even the plot with the “evil stepsister” that was so heavily focused on throughout the book was abruptly ended. I expected so much more closure from that situation.

I appreciated the message behind this story, and I truly enjoyed the excellent narration on audio. I highly recommend this as an audiobook for sure.

I did enjoy the beginning to middle sections, but the ending really took me out of the moment and left me feeling unsatisfied.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan audio for this ARC & ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I love romance novels and this one is one of the best I’ve read. A creative twist makes this story even more compelling and loving.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advanced reading copy!

Sadie Montgomery is riding the high of her greatest career accomplishment yet -- being selected as a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition -- until her brain, quite literally, knocks her off her feet. When diagnosed with a "probably temporary" condition called face blindness, Sadie's dreams of winning the portrait competition are as muddled as all of the faces around her. Add in her beloved dog, Peanut, suddenly becoming ill and a series of other unfortunate events and Sadie's life is a bit of a mess. Luckily, she has two very helpful and (assumedly) handsome men nearby: her vet, Oliver, and her helpful neighbor, Joe. As Sadie's life is falling apart and she herself is falling in love (with two different men), she realizes she might have been "blind" in other ways, too.

I love love LOVED Katherine Center's last book, THE BODYGUARD, and this one had similar delightful vibes but fell just a teeny tiny bit short of that for me. I, personally, wanted more about the romance and less about Sadie's family, though I totally appreciated the journey she went on in those familial relationships, too. Sadie's character was absolutely adorable and so easy to go on this ride with. There were some giggly moments in this book and some dreamy ones that made me tear up. Not to mention, this book had such a unique premise, with the MC's primary conflict being that she suddenly can't see faces?! Wild, and so creative on Katherine Center's part. It was fun to read a romance that took some different turns than I was expecting, though still filled with the delightful anticipation (IYKYK) that I love in a romance. Another great one from Katherine Center, and I can't wait to see what she'll do next.