5 Stars - Hello Stranger is another wonderful romance book from Katherine Center. The main character, Sadie, is a struggling artist and never seems to get a break, not from family or her profession, and when she finally does, her world appears to crumble apart. Sadie is forced to live her life in a way that is completely unlike anything she has ever known. How can a portrait artist paint when nothing looks the way it should?

With the help of her neighbor Joe and good friend Sue, Sadie starts to put the puzzle pieces together … or does she? The hope and anticipation of what could be kept me reading way past my bedtime to finish this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending this ARC for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hello Stranger will be available for purchase on July 11, 2023.

"Maybe life was full of surprises. Maybe disappointments could turn out to be blessings."

I do want to start this by saying it did take me a bit for this story to hook me. But in the end I did enjoy reading Sadie's story. A main message I took away from this story is "it's okay to ask for help". Sadie struggles with this a lot throughout the book and I can definitely relate to that. Asking for help is admitting defeat. It's accepting that you need someone/something. Personally, I find so much pride in being "the helper" like Joe. Being able to help people means that you know something they don't know. It makes you feel like you're better than them (or at least that's how I feel). Sadie's story teaches us that it's okay to need help. It's okay to depend on people. It's okay to not be okay.

Katherine Center does such a wonderful job with her characters and letting us get to know them. She truly let us go on this journey with Sadie and wow what a journey it was. I also loved all the side characters so much and I do hope if there's another story (perhaps Parker's...) we get to see some of these characters again.

Hello Stranger will be available for you to pick up July 11, 2023!

Thank you, net galley, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

“Sometimes we really are the best versions of ourselves. I see that about us. And I’m determined to keep seeing that about us. Because that might be the truest thing I know: The more good things you look for, the more you find.”

I went into this book blindly, and am so glad that I did. I don’t want to ruin too much for anyone, but I love a book that teaches me about a topic I am unaware of, and this one definitely did. Katherine Center has become an auto-buy author for me! I have read all of hers, but this one was one of my absolute favorites, along with the Bodyguard. Her characters are always so lovable, and she is a Queen at banter and dialogue. I always find myself smiling at the book when I am reading hers. I loved this one, and highly recommend picking it up next month when it releases! I’m not going to give too much of the storyline away, because I think you should go in blindly also.

I really liked The Bodyguard, so I was excited to read this. It’s an interesting concept, and puts a new spin on the ‘mistaken identity’ trope. I couldn’t tell if the reader was supposed to know what was going on, and only the main character didn’t know, or if it was supposed to be a twist. There were a few inconsistencies, but possibly those will be corrected before the final copy comes out. Overall, I enjoyed this and it was fun to read.

Sadie is a portrait artist who through unfortunate events, wakes up and realizes she can no longer see faces. With a big portrait contest coming up, and a desperate desire for things to go right, she stumbles upon her neighbor Joe and they can't see to stay away. Their story is surprising, and heartwarming, raw and hard, but absolutely intricately pieced together perfectly. I won't be able to stop thinking about this book for...the rest of my life.

I love this book.
Sadie and her journey through face blindness, art, learning to accept help, it was all so beautifully woven together from beginning to end. The depth of her character and the development throughout was incredible to live through.

Joe was the most kind, funny, adorable man and I love him with everything in me. He was patient and fun and pushed Sadie in all the right ways.

Also, the representation in this book for face blindness and bringing awareness to something many haven't heard about before is just incredible to see. I adore the depth of Katherine Center's books and how it impacts the happy ever afters.

I could talk about it forever but I'll just say I love it with everything in me and continue to be so thankful to live in a world where I can read Katherine Center's work. In her author's note she mentions romance stories and their anticipation, "this love story really created fantastic anticipation." And this one really did. I didn't want to put it down.

I'm always grateful to the person at a book signing who told me I needed to read Katherine Center. I'm pretty sure I only have a couple on her backlist to go before I've read them all. While this one was pretty predictable at times, I still really enjoyed it. I can't imagine not being able to recognize faces and the way it must mess with your mind on so many levels. Also, gotta love a book with a character who loves their pet as much as Peanut is loved. It made me smile. Great book.

Loved The Bodyguard but did not connect with Hello Stranger as much. Too many plotted interruptions to the love story made it stressful to get through. Between the unbelievably cruel stepsister and the absurdity of hiding face blindness from someone you're seeing, I just wasn't able to enjoy and root for them. To far fetched without enough steam to make it fun.

I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Katherine Center book that I have read despite having a couple others on my shelf. Hello Stranger definitely has me excited to try more of her novels. This novel follows Sadie who is a struggling artist still working towards her big break. An unexpected twist occurs when she receives brain surgery and ends up with face blindness right before a portrait competition. Sadie now has to navigate this as her life seems to be spiraling out of control and as a budding romance is occurring.

I enjoyed many elements of this novel, however I hated the 'evil step sister' portion of the book. It just seemed so far fetched that someone in their late 20s was still behaving in such a childless manner. This definitely took me out of the story. Also, I wish there was just a little bit romance in this book and that it wasn't so closed door.

All in all a really enjoyable read that has me intrigued to pick up more of this author's works.

When I finished this book, I picked up my phone and texted everyone in my universe about it. It’s so so so good! It just hit me on all the feels. Katherine Center is everything!

Sadie portrait artist with newly developed facial blindness. She has this goal. She had to paint an amazing painting in a short amount of time. How can she do this when she can’t actually see people’s faces. If that isn’t definition of conflict in a story then I don’t know what is. Sadie’s journey is heartwarming at times and heartbreaking at other times. The secondary characters in this story were well developed. Some of them were fantastic and other characters I wanted to punch in the face. All of this made for a well written story that I devoured from beginning to end. This was a wonderful book!!! Great summer read!!

My thanks to Net Galley, St. Martin's Press and MacMillian Audio for an advanced copy of this e-book and audiobook.

When an accident happens to Sadie that reveals a problem in her brain that requires surgery, it leaves her with Face Blindness. Although this is a romance or as the author calls it, a "love story", I found some really good "meat" in this story! How can you enter an art contest to paint a portrait when you can't see people's faces? How can you trust people what people are saying when you can't see their faces?

Sadie has a little dog, Peanut, who needs to be taken to the vet. She ends up making a connection with Peanut's vet and he asks her out! As the story plays out and she tries to hide her face blindness, she finds herself being kind to those who are unkind. She makes judgements on people by what she hears them say. She doesn't trust those who want to help her. There are some life lessons we could all learn.

I really enjoyed this book - a lot! - and I don't even read "Romances". But the Author's Note is not to be missed on this one and it helped me understand why so many people love romance/ "love stories" so much.

I have loved every book I’ve read by Katherine Center, and Hello Stranger did not disappoint.

She has a way of delivering substance to a light hearted read. This was a quick, fun read filled with hope and laughter.

While the MC struggles though lots of ups and downs, she learns along the way and I loved that. Her step sister was the perfect villain and had me screaming at the way she was behaving. Ha!

If you’ve loved Katherine’s previous work then you won’t want to miss this! And if you are new to Katherine’s magic, this is the perfect place to start!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC in return for my honest review.

I finished this a few days okay and have avoided reviewing because I can’t make up my mind. So many parts of this deserves high stars. But other things are really, really annoying and worthy of punitive star removal. After enjoying last years The Bodyguard (July 2022) I excitedly jumped into Katherine Center’s latest.

Things I like:

1. The male lead is a gem. He is helpful, kind and sweet. He is everything you’d want for the perfect partner.
2. The plot is original. The idea of a portrait artist and finalist for a major competition to suffer from face recognition blindness is very unique. I’ve never heard of this and the information is fascinating.
3. Peanut the dog. Absolutely adorable.

Things that bugged me:

1. Villainous step sister. If you’re going to create a character that is actively trying to hurt your life, sabotage family relationships and damage your mental health, than the pay off needs to be HUGE!! There has to be a big comeuppance and correction for justice to be served. This falls way short. It does allow FMC to offer grace but I’m still outraged at the non-accountability for her actions.
2. Father. He gets a bit to explain his reaction and choices after his wife’s dies. But his actions were more terrible than just remarrying quickly. He is an adult and a doctor and should have done better. And again, no explanation or trying to make up for his neglect or situations caused by the step-daughter. I’m giving step mom a pass because she is still trying to have contact.
3. Worst best friend ever. She throws a surprise party knowing you can’t recognize people and then leaves you alone. Nope!
4. Immaturity of FMC. The flights of fantasy about planning nuptials with someone she just makes her seem younger than her age. Also her still wanting daddy to approve of her when he really should be no contact tells me she needs a better therapist.

I’m not going to summarize the plot as the book blurb does covers it well. I will absolutely read future books by the author. But maybe the characters can be more middle ground. This one everyone seems very good or totally the worst. This book did get a reaction from me but I ended up feeling more annoyed that cheering a delightful HEA.

I loved loved loved this book. There's something about Katherine Center's writing in general that just speaks to my soul... I start reading and find myself unable to put the book down or take a break, and Hello Stranger was no exception. The characters she writes are real and raw, and I really loved the take on face blindness. (I've read another book featuring this and let's just say that the take in this book was elite). Sadie's journey toward finding her way was so fun to watch and I really enjoyed her and Joe's friendship throughout the story.

This was a fun lovely book about a young portrait artist who fell hit her head and obtained through surgery face blindness due to the swelling in her brain. The fun part comes with how her world changes..everyone is a stranger to her. Yes there is romance in this story...very humorous unbelievable romance...but I loved this book! It was fun! If your looking for a light funny romance you can't put down...pick this one up!!


I want to thank St Martin's Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

If Katherine Center wrote it, I am going to read it. She is so good at writing lighter reads that have some meaning or weight to them. She creates such well-rounded characters, I always feel like I understand where they are coming from. I loved Sadie. I loved Peanut. This book is also funny. I found myself laughing out loud a few times. Don't forget to read the authors note at the end!

I’ll start my saying that I typically enjoy the premise of Center’s books, and Hello Stranger definitely was one that initially intrigued me. We start by following the main character who suffers a seizure and, as a result, develops face blindness known as prosopagnosia. This is super unfortunate given her career as a portrait artist and news that she has been selected to submit a portrait for a big competition.

Unlike Center’s other books, I did not like any of the characters or how they were portrayed. I felt the female main character, Sadie, was whiny and juvenile at times. But it didn’t stop there. I didn’t fall in love with any of the supporting characters either. Sadie’s family was horrible to her in every aspect and for no reason at all. Her stepsister did not add to the story and was a nightmare of a person, and that’s putting it lightly. Lastly, her best friend seemed to disregard her feelings in almost every scene and was far too selfish for me to believe she cared genuinely cared for her.

Now to the plot. While the premise of this book had everything I know I like in a book -romance, personal struggle, a splash of science, & wit between characters- it did not hold my attention. I felt like there were too many things happening in the beginning but with little to no progression. The last fifth of the book was what bumped up my rating. I felt like the plot was finally coming together and there was even a fun little twist at the end. Overall, I liked the premise but it, unfortunately, fell flat for me.

This is the book I needed to read on love after brain damage! I just read one that infuriated me and left me rage crying, and then turned around and read this absolutely delightful book and now I’m all smiles, floating around on cloud 9! It was almost my first Katherine Center book and I am hooked. Sadie is a portrait artist who is living her Very Best Life, thank you very much. At least that’s what she wants to portray to her father, who has made his disapproval of her art career very well known. So when she is one of only ten finalists in a portrait completion that has a $10,000 prize, she can’t wait to tell him.

Only she doesn’t get the chance. She suffers a seizure, and finds out that she has a brain condition that needs operating on. And once the operation is done, she discovers something else. She has face blindness. Unsure of how long this condition will last, she’s desperate to still paint for the contest. She enlists her best friend Sue to help her, and when that falls through, her new friend and possible Mutton Muncher neighbor Joe. During this time, her beloved dog Peanut becomes ill, and she meets his vet, Dr. Oliver, who makes his attraction known by asking her on a date. The issue is that she becomes attracted to Joe and Dr. Oliver, all while her life is falling apart.

I freaking loved this!!! I normally like a bit of spice with my romance if possible, but I loved this enough that I didn’t miss it! Joe is so sweet and caring, and I adored him. Sadie is hilarious in a non-overpowering way, and I loved reading from her perspective! Just enough angst and sadness to offset the silliness and humor that I enjoyed so much. I mean, she feeds her dog pad Thai and French crepes, how could I not love her?! I wanted more from the epilogue for sure, but I still had such a great time reading this!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love Katherine Center’s romcoms. Her books are always so light and enjoyable with just enough drama to give it some depth. This book was no different. The banter was great. I laughed out loud multiple times throughout the book. The FMC, Sadie had a real life problem. I actually learned about her issues and what causes it and the symptoms. Personally, I felt like the middle was a tad flat for me. It seemed like it was moving too slowly. Slow character build. Slow burn. The middle was more character driven than plot driven. The beginning was great, and what made me enjoy the book a bit more was the ending! I loved the twist at the end! I definitely fell for the MCM and FMC until the end of the book.

If you’re looking for something light, fun, witty banter…all with a good storyline, this is for you! Also, if Katherine Center is your home girl, it’s a must read!

Amazing cover, as usual too!

Friends, it’s Katherine Center’s world, we’re just living in it. I’ve loved her last several books, but Hello Stranger is next level. I’m going to suggest something completely unorthodox. Read the author’s note BEFORE you read the book. More than an author’s note, it’s an unapologetic manifesto of romance books. I’ve always been a fan of the genre, but the literary case she lays out is just magical.

This is the story of a girl who’s been disappointed so many times, is surviving not thriving. Sadie has just received her big break, a spot as a finalist in the same prestigious art competition her mom was going to be in before she died. Before she can begin her portrait Sadie needs an operation that can’t be delayed. When she wakes she has prosopagnosia, face blindness. How can a portrait artist move forward when she can’t get faces to make sense? Working with a neurologist Sadie tries to develop coping skills, while hoping it isn’t permanent. How in the middle of this does Sadie manage to fall in love with not one but two men?!?

This is a story of healing, of filling in the blanks, of looking at the past with new information and fresh eyes. It’s about roller skates and disco that connect you to a time and place you can’t let go of, giving yourself and others grace and the opportunity for a fresh start, it’s about hope.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press @stmartinspress , Katherine Center @katherinecenter , and Netgalley @netgalley for the early copy. This is out July 11, 23. I’ll be sure to remind you during pub week, but I couldn’t wait to share my love of this book. You’re going to want to preorder this one!

Thank you so much to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and Ms. Center for providing this book for my honest review. This is my absolute favorite Katherine Center book. In fact, this is one of my all time favorite rom-coms. It’s just perfect. The witty banter, mistaken identity, and how lovable the characters are just makes this such a wonderful read. I love that Katherine Center doesn’t just write fluffy rom-coms. The characters are usually dealing with a conflict that just makes them so relatable and human and results in her books having more depth than the typical romance novel. They are just so much fun to read. I always finish her books with renewed hope for mankind and the desire to go out into the world to be the best version of myself I possible can be. Thank you again to Net Galley, St Martin’s Press, and Ms. Center. This book is perfection!