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!

This book was amazing!! Sadie is an artist who has an accident and as a result of that accident, she has to undergo a surgery with a very serious side-effect -- she can no longer see faces. They are quite distorted for her!! Even if they belong to people she knew before. She must rely on the rest of her senses to guide her into recognizing the people she encounters.
Although Sadie keeps waiting and waiting for this condition to improve, it seems to just be taking it's sweet time!! Her medical team cannot find anything that would be causing the delay in her getting better, so they only advice they can give her is to be patient.
In the meantime, Sadie plans out an imaginary future with her vet, but quickly abandons that future when he stands her up for their first date. She ends up leaving with somebody she knows from her building and she only recognizes because of his jacket! However, this make-up dates turns out to be just what she needed in order to distract her from her horrible first-date from her dream guy, who she has assumed was perfect. But Sadie knew this guy from her building wasn't perfect, so she has to figure if she is willing to give this blossoming relationship a chance with him or not. And will her facial recognition abilities ever return to normal??!

GENERAL INFO

Year Pub: 7/11/23

Date read: 5/15/23

Format: Kindle

Source: e-ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Page Count:336

Setting: Houston

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Rom-Com

Tropes: medical condition, bullying

Standalone/Cliffhanger/Part of a Series: standalone

HEA/HFN ending: HEA

Epilogue Included: yes, 1 year later

Character(s)POV Spoken: h Sadie

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Artist Sadie Mongomery entered a portrait competition to help with her financial woes. She has a medical emergency-a seizure in the street. Forced to have brain surgery, she gets face blindness, a rare side effect. As she struggles to cope and work through major family issues, she falls in love—not with one man but two.

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Contains Cheating: no

Contains Children: no

Flashbacks: yes, memories of Sadie's mother and life after her death with stepsister

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : Sadie is a little jealous of her evil stepsister Parker coming on to Joe.

Amount of Sex In The Book: none

Overall Smex Rating: 0

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Hero: Dr. Oliver Addison

Hero Description: A veterinarian who helps Sadie when her dog Peanut gets sick.

Hero Likability Rating: 5

Heroine: Sadie Montgomery

Heroine Description: introvert, struggling artist who sells portraits from photos on Etsy. She lives in a studio "hovel." Enters portrait competition. Needs minor brain surgery for cavernomas which caused her a seizure. Her mother died from same condition when she was 14 years old. Side effect of operation-prosopagnosia- face blindness. Sadie can't make out people's faces, even those she knows already.

Heroine Likability Rating: 5

Secondary characters:
Peanut-Sadie's dog her mother gave her when she was 14 yrs old
Dr. Richard Montgomery-Sadie's father, cardiothoracic surgeon. Not close because Sadie dropped pre-med for fine arts in college.
Lucinda-Sadie's evil stepmother
Parker-Sadie's evil stepsister
Sue-Sadie's bff, Korean. Mr. and Mrs. Kim, Sue's parents, own building Sadie lives in
Dr. Nicole- guides/encourages Sadie after diagnosed with face blindness
Joe-a helpful neighbor in Sadie's building

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: Ezra-Sadie's ex from 3 years ago. Oliver was married and wife Skylar cheated on him.

Cheating Before/During/Outside H/h Relationship: yes

CONTENT WARNINGS/TRIGGERS
medical condition, parental death/grief, bullying, mention of suicide attempt- not H or h

AUTHOR OVERVIEW
Katherine Center
New or read before & any favorites: Loved The Bodyguard

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 4/4.5

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: I connected to Sadie's life that "everything that can go wrong- does." Sometimes life just keeps throwing problem after problem. Dr. Nicole and Sue are Sadie's cheerleaders, encouraging her to see the positive. Oliver is gem. He's a great support to Sadie who knows exactly what she needs. There are ALOT of misunderstandings but they are easy to believe with Sadie's condition. A great HEA and very PG.

I adored this book so much! Center always writes amazing characters that you love so much and root for. Her stories are not hard to get attached to and immediately pulled in. Loved it and the audiobook was perfect!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publishers, and Katherine Center for providing me with an ARC of Hello Stranger. I absolutely devoured this book any chance I had. My daily goal is 50 pages a day and I was well passed that without even realizing. This was such a fun read and honestly gave me a new hope and look on life I never expected. This is my second book of hers and she has been made an auto buy moving forward. You know those butterflies you get sometimes when something exciting is happening? That’s this book.

I haven’t ever read a book by Katherine Center, but I’m certainly happy that this was my first experience. I very much enjoyed this book. The dialogue is strong, which moves the plot well. The author is adept and characterizing, which is something that makes a book appealing to me. This will be a hit, I’m sure. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Katherine Center writes the BEST female main characters ever! I’m obsessed with this story and read it in less than a day! I could have listened forever I was laughing and smiling so much! This is how miscommunication is written in a rom com!

I adored this novel. It was so cute. I learned a new word prosopagnosia which means face blindness and the astounding number of people who have this condition. I cannot even imagine and Sadie is an author, so just the worst possible scenario for this condition. I dug the cinderella story embedded into this one. Sadie is so lovable and even though the little plot twist is super obvious, it was obvious in the best way. It was so obvious that I wondered if I was wrong a few times. Joe seems so amazing. I want him to be my boyfriend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy for an honest review. I will read anything Katherine Center writes. I also loved The Bodyguard so send them to me automatically. lol.

An extraordinary read. I thought that I was clever figuring out the "plot twist" (if you will) at 30% but after finishing it, I do believe that was the point. I am so used to not guessing the end, that being on the other side was fun. I found myself feeling so much more emotion for the FMC than I would have figuring it out when she does in the book. This is definitely one of my favorite books I have ever read as it is packed full of emotions, romance, and self growth.

In Hello Stranger, we meet Sadie, the FMC. She finally got her big break as a portrait artist and things seem to be going to plan. That is until she is almost run over in the middle of the road, and her life is completely changed. Luckily, Sadie is saved by a good Samaritan that she cannot remember but it led her to find out about a small brain issue that requires minor surgery. A few days later, after surgery, she now discovers she can no longer see faces - which is an issue as a portrait artist. Sadie is honestly just prone to one accident after the other in the book, but there are so many great lessons learned.
Our MMC, Joe. What a sweetie. I am not one for spoilers so let me just end this here. I love Joe.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. But especially to someone who is looking for an emotional pull, no spice but pure butterflies, and if you're looking for a less traditional romance/fiction trope. This book is so unique, I am not sure I can pin point a specific trope to describe it overall- but it has self compassion, miscommunication, and family struggles.

TW: Death of a parent (an adult who loses their parent as a teen)

Katherine Center does it again! I adore her romances: captivating, compelling, heartfelt, authentic, relatable, emotional and most of all hopeful and this one was no different. I was also completely fascinated by the face blindness aspect of the story. Add in some heart-wrenching family drama and this was a top-notch romance. Center has a loyal fan in me and I can’t wait to read more from her. I previously loved The Bodyguard and Things You Save in a Fire. I also always love the bright, gorgeous cover art!