⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love Katherine Center’s books & this one did not disappoint. Sadie is a struggling artist, trying to make it on her own, when she gas an accident that causes her to experience ‘face blindness.’ Now she can no longer work on her drawing…but she also has a terrible time recognizing everyone she used to know. An interesting spin on the author’s typical rom-com type stories, but it worked for me! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. #booksbyashleynicole

Part of me adored Hello Stranger by Katherine Center, and the other part disliked it immensely. I feel unbalanced and utterly confused as how to rate or review this book.

Katherine Center does hope well. No matter what she puts her leads through, and sometimes it is a lot, the story is always hopeful. Her characters may not feel hope, but there is always a sense that things will get better. Even when they may not get better, there is a feeling that things will still be okay.

I know I can't describe this well, but I enjoyed the parts of the romance when the love interests were participating in the day-to-day things: dinners, walks, just talking, or comforting each other. During these times, they were vulnerable and fully fleshed out, and when their chemistry won me over. These scenes made me forgive a lot of what I didn't like.

This book made me cry. It is likely because I have an estranged relationship with a relative, and when this topic comes up in books, I tend to feel it deeply. EVERY. DAMN. TIME. However, I rarely cry. I don't think more than ten books have ever made me cry. So, if you can make me cry, you get a bump in stars.

I loved the author's note about romance books and their predictability of them. Predictability in books sucks unless it is a romance. If you aren't reading a romance book for the happily ever after, what are you even reading them for? It is sad that an author even needs to justify it.

The rest of this book made me roll my eyes. Like constantly. If this were any other book, it wouldn't get above a 2 star. Much of the premise requires you to suspend disbelief that what is occurring would and could happen. Here, the female lead has brain surgery, which causes her to suffer from temporary face blindness. Her face blindness resulted in so much confusion and utter ridiculousness that it made it hard for me to buy what was happening - like the inability to know someone by their voice despite her inability to see their face. However, I am not a doctor. I have never had face blindness. I have no idea about what may or may not happen. So, I let most of it go.

What ultimately bothered me the most; is that Center clearly knew this would be an issue because you are force-fed excuses and explanations as to how this entire plot could happen. She wants you to believe it so much that she tells you how to believe it. It took me out of the story.

My other issue with the story was the female main character's attitude. Due to past trauma, she doesn't let people help her, but she is mean about it. We all have trauma. We all go through things, but you don't need to be constantly rude because of it. It made me not care about her or what she was going through. BUT there is character growth by the end. So, that is something.

Lack of communication is a significant trope in this book. So much so that if the lack of communication doesn't exist, there is no plot. It made me want to scream.

Ultimately, I believe most people will love this book. It gives a lot of warm and cozy vibes and aww moments that even got me. I suggest going in with the expectation that her medical issues would result in everything that happens.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of this book so much, and overall it was a great read! However, there were just a few things that bothered me which is why I am rating it 3.5 stars. When Joe and Sadie figure out that he has always been the same person as the vet - they explain it to the reader by figuring it out themselves. But then they turn around and say it all over again to Sue and it felt very repetitive. Besides that, there was miscommunication and obviously non-communication all over the place but it worked for the plot. There was a lot of potential for the ending to be more succinct and engaging, which would have bumped up my rating!

I hate ever leaving less than glowing feedback on books because I know each is a labor of love. It feels hypocritical, judging someone harshly for something I couldn’t do myself. But I have to be honest that this book made me furious. You know the whole trope of “why don’t they just TALK to each other?!” (Which is MENTIONED in this book!) - this book is that on steroids. And that drives me insane. I spent a lot of time wondering, does the author not realize that the twist is obvious? Or does she want us to know the twist and be writhing in frustration that the FMC can’t figure it out for herself? Dear god, the frustration was just unnecessary. And is she a fan of Greys Anatomy? Because - Montgomery Addison? Like if you’re going to wink that hard just put it out there straight.

Effervescent Sadie Montgomery has finally received her big break: a slot in the same exclusive portrait competition her mother entered years and years earlier. Sadie wants to win the competition in her mother’s honor and to prove that she can be a success as an artist to her father and wicked stepmother, but things aren’t so easy for Sadie. Her brain has other plans.

A necessary surgery leads to a condition that leads to face blindness. She is a portrait artist that can’t see faces.

How will Sadie recognize people in her life? How can she prove herself as a portrait artist when she can’t see faces—even the ones she has created on her canvases?

And so Sadie begins relying on coping mechanisms—identifying clothing and hairstyles, gaits and voices. But so much of that is an amalgamation in her mind, not a science.

Can Sadie keep a sunny, upbeat attitude in the face of so many challenges? Can she fall in love and establish a new relationship without seeing and committing faces to memory? Can she still prove her artistic prowess to her family and to the art world?

This book brought me so much joy and hope. From Sadie bopping down the grocery aisles to her skating on the rooftop, she makes you want to delight in living. Her burgeoning friendship and relationship with Joe is so sweet.

And it wouldn’t be a Katherine Center book without the reader experiencing the trials and tribulations along with her characters, aching for everything to work out. Your heart has to constrict before getting to that happy ending.

I loved it.

Stick around after the story to read Katherine Center’s author’s note for a lovingly articulated argument as to the importance of romance as a genre.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

This was such a cute read. I loved Sadie! This story mostly revolves around Sadie and her struggle with face blindness after having brain surgery. It is also a story about loss and how it affects people, about feeling like you were betrayed by those who should have supported you when you needed them most, and being able to get over yourself and ask for help when you need it. The love story is secondary to Sadie healing emotionally and I kind of like that. Although, the issues Sadie has with dating while struggling with face blindness definitely bring humor to this story. I find Sadie's step-mom to be over the top and her step-sister is just cringey and mean. Joe is amazing (definitely book boyfriend material) and all the quirky things that happen between Joe and Sadie had me shaking my head. Overall, this was a great way to start my summer reading!

I loved everything about this book. I'm not kidding when I say I smiled literally the entire time reading it, and laughed out loud several times. It was perfect.

Sadie was so loveable and the condition of facial blindness was so interesting to learn about in the context of a romance novel. Her character development was so well done. There were just so many layers to this story but they all wove together neatly and with humor.

I can't wait to read more of her books!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center just secured her spot as my favorite feel-good romance novelist of all time. Her characters are the quirkiest, funniest, most lovable human beings - and, in this case, we even have to include geriatric dogs in her repertoire of charming characters. It is impossible not.to fall in love with Sadie, a struggling artist who is suffering from facial prosopagnosia after being hit by an embarrassingly small car and saved by a - now unrecognizable- stranger. What follows is a hilarious comedy of errors as Sadie finds herself falling for Peanut's dreamy vet and her endearingly helpful neighbor at the same time.

I received the audiobook ARC as well, review below matches the audiobook review.


I'm a big fan of anything that makes a novel unique, unforgettable.

Hello Stranger introduced me to a disease that I had no idea existed, acquired Prosopagnosia, face blindness. And it was quite fascinating to learn more about it. Also, I thought the author did a fantastic job of researching the topic and turning it into a great plot arc. Well done!!

But I was not a fan of the heroine, couldn't even point to exactly what irked me, but she didn't endear herself to me - which is never a good thing.

I also would have liked to have more interaction between the couple, and less of Sadie's inner monologue. Her inner musings were just so blah, and meh, almost childish and definitely vexing at times. Also her relationship with her family had me rolling my eyes at times - I was not a fan of it! And I must have spaced out here and there because I can't even remember if the couple slept with each other or not. :(

Best part of the book:
I had an Aha! moment at 72,8 % of the audiobook, that's how long it took me to realise who is who when it comes to "Jim". That was pretty brilliantly done by the author, if I may say so!

Overall, it was a solid audio performance, but not my favorite Katherine Center novel. Nevertheless I'm looking forward to the next one.

I adored The Bodyguard and adore this newest book by Katherine Center just as much. A fun, heartwarming read with an unique premise. Loved it so much! 5 Stars!

Thank you to #netgalley and publishers for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This is my third book by this author, and while I look forward to reading more, I have to say this was my least favorite of the three. The banter between Joe and Sadie is spot on. However, other aspects of the book took away from that for me. Parker was just awful, shame on the parents, the best friend was all over the place, sometimes helpful and other times detrimental to Sadie, and I had a hard time getting over some of that. The second half of the book and the ending flow much better and redeem the first half.

HELLO STRANGER - KATHERINE CENTRE
4⭐
PLOT - Sadie Montgomery is a struggling portrait artist whose luck might change as she is selected as a finalist in a competition but one day she has a seizure and needs to be operated leaving her with partial face blindness . Now we have Sadie a portrait artist who can't differentiate one face from another . While sorting this mess and her estrangement from her father she falls for her neighbour and is obsessed with her dogs vet. She might need to figure other ways of seeing and accepting help from least expected sources.

MY THOUGHTS -
I loved the premise and how one has to suddenly adjust to this new problem still maintaining and living your current life.
Sadie as a character inspite of hardships she faced was good hearted but I wished she stood up for herself even more esp with her father.
The plot of face blindness in a rom com was very well done with some serious issues also being discussed
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Hello Stranger releases July 11, 2023

1.5

<b>There’s a good chance this has spoilers.</b>

Sadie, a portrait artist, placed as a finalist in a contest where the grand prize is $10K.
Her best friend Sue (also an art major) proposes that they must celebrate.
That same night, Sadie has a meet-cute with some man at a grocery store as he’s about to pay for her wine and dog treats since she forgot her purse.
Immediately following this, Sadie has a seizure in the middle of the road which lands her in the hospital — turns out she has an inherited condition and needs brain surgery — but as a result of that, she’s left with something called prosopagnosia (face blindness).

Truthfully, I was ready to DNF this at chapter 3 after that inclusion of such a fatphobic conversation that Sadie eavesdropped on in the elevator, which was <I>so</I> unnecessary to add, AND to find out later that he’s the love interest? get wrecked.
> “Oh, my god, she’s so fat. I thought she had to be pregnant, but no. She’s just unbelievably obese.”
> “Belly fat for the Guinness book, I swear. And she does that thing where breathes like she’s choking. It’s hilarious.”
> “She did that thing where she planted her fat ass right in the middle of the mattress and then she rolled on top of my face. I almost suffocated, I swear—under a mountain of blubber.”
And ok, yeah, it turns out this was about a dog and not a woman, but that fact isn’t made clear until 70% and by that point, your formed opinion about this man is either leaning one way or the other.

I’m struggling to understand why KC can’t find it in herself to write supportive female characters (I had an issue with this in The Bodyguard too).
1. The whole Cinderella-esque inspired evil stepmom and stepsister was something I was not expecting and quite frankly did not need. Parker was straight up malicious and I hated every time she was on page. These characters are too old to be behaving this way.
2. Sue — how is it that she just “kept forgetting” that Sadie had face blindness?? Like, hello? It’s quite ignorant. She did not feel like a best friend at all. Like sure, yes, go elope and live your best life but also she did not seem supportive in the slightest given the fact that Sadie just went through something so traumatic and life altering. Not even that, but throwing her a surprise party and then leaving her to fend for herself the entire time while being unable to recognize anyone, even after promising that she wouldn’t leave her side? That’s so selfish.

The whole Dr. Addison/Joe thing straight up made me want to rip my hair out.
Sadie was delusional to be planning a whole ass fictional wedding when they weren’t even dating.
You’re telling me that even when she got back her full vision, she was unable to remember who he was and that he helped move her into the building? That just speaks to who she is as a character, and it’s not saying great things tbh.

The romance here was lacking in every way imaginable, especially for a title that is supposed to be in the romance genre. This should have been left as a family saga since Sadie and her late mother shared SO much in common — it would have been great to dive deeper into her grief and reconciliation with her father, which was entirely rushed over.

I’m 0/2 for KC novels and you’d probably have to pay me to read anything else.

I am so sorry but I DNF at 30%.

I automatically requested this title on NetGalley because I love Katherine Center. I had no idea the premise included face blindness. I don't know why, but it's my least favorite premise in romance. That's on me, though, and not the author.

I feel like it's impossible to write this plot without being contrived or overly cliché.

I hope other readers love it. For me, I needed to stop.

I really enjoyed this one!! I think that Katherine Center writes really great stories, and her love interests are so compelling.

I’ve seen some people not like Sadie and I could definitely see why, but I think she was real. I like a protagonist who is a mix of annoying and likable. It’s very me.

The mix of Sadie’s story and relationship with Joe were told well. And i adored Joe. Also the twist was too good.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center is...another masterpiece by Katherine Center. I generally stay away from Romance or Rom-Com novels that are too saccharine - it just isn't' for me and I find myself eye rolling my way through. After reading this description I worried that perhaps I wouldn't connect with the character or her experiences. I WAS WRONG! From the opening lines I just loved this story and even when I had a sense of what was coming the tone and writing was so well executed that I didn't even care and just enjoyed.

Sadie Montgomery is a portrait artist taking after her own mother who she lost at a young age. She has just gotten a major break in her career and is getting ready for a night celebrating. As she's crossing the street she suddenly experiences a stroke and ends up in the emergency room. She learns that she has a rare brain disorder and has to get surgery asap. She is reluctant to move forward with it as she is on deadline but her surgeon father insists - and as she's coming out of the operating room she realizes that she can...no longer see faces. What follows is her experience navigating this major turn with the help of her friends and neighbors...and lovers?

Hello Stranger is charming, it's sweet, it's wonderful. I BREEZED through this in less than 24 hours because I was just having such a good time. Don't miss it!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy - Hello Stranger will be out 7/11/23.

Katherine Center's writing is total comfort reading for me. She writes in such a way that is so easy to read. I find myself reading along and then I'm hit with a great observation on human nature that surprises and delights me. Hello, Stranger was no exception.

This story follows Sadie Montgomery through a sudden health crisis that leaves her with "face blindness." For a person going through life, this would be a difficult challenge. For a portrait artist like Sadie, this would seem impossible to overcome.

I enjoyed getting to know the main character, Sadie (even if she was a tad annoying at times), and her world. Sadie struggled to cope with a lot of health challenges, suppressed trauma, and uncertainty. Watching her grow and learn from her struggles was satisfying without feeling too tied in a bow. Did I have the "twist" figured out after I read the book blurb? Yes. Did I care? No. The journey is the delightful part.

As a Katherine Center completist, I eagerly await her next release!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for a review copy of this book.

5 stars for sure! I just love Katherine Center's novels, and this one was just what I needed to read! Sadie is so like-able, and I was rooting for her immediately. She became a friend, and I missed her as soon as I put the book down (with a big smile, of course). It's a sweet story written cleverly and expertly. Please don't ever stop writing, Katherine Center!!!

A HUGE thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this one! Such a fun read!!

I really loved the premise of this one! The whole face-blindness thing really made for a unique and dynamic love story. I love how all of Center's books have that extra layer of...trauma? probably not the right word but we'll go with it. Her characters are just flat, broke, down on their luck, looking for love characters. They have very real, very tangible problems, and it's what makes her one of my favorite romance authors. I found Sadie to be a bit much at times, but I loved how I totally expected the romance to go in a different direction than it ultimately did.

Oh and Peanut was the star of the show.

🛼 I loved this book! I loved everything about it!

🎨 First, I’ve always been curious about prosopagnosia (face blindness) and how it impacts a person. I feel like this story gave me a great primer on how prosopagnosia impacts a person’s ability to recognize people and how they learn to cope with it.

🛼 I loved Sadie’s tenaciousness! When her face blindness clearly impacted her ability to paint portraits, she worked to find alternative methods. When her family created personal issues for her, she found solutions. She plowed forward despite adversities, and I loved that about her.

🎨 Joe! Loved me some Joe!

🛼 I think I smiled on every page. Ok, maybe not the pages where the evil stepsister was in the scene, but otherwise I was enchanted throughout the whole story.

🎨 There is a twist at the end that was shockingly perfect! I can’t believe I didn’t anticipate it, but I’m glad I didn’t because it was simply wonderful!

🛼 This is a clean, sweet, and realistic romance. I adored everything about it and I highly recommend it. If the author’s other books are this good - and I suspect they are - I have a lot of catching up to do!

Thank you @Netgalley and @stmartinspress for an eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.