In Katherine Center’s latest, main character Sadie is a struggling artist who also has a difficult relationship with her dad, stepmom, and stepsister. At the beginning of the book, she finds out she is a finalist in a prestigious portrait competition which she thinks she will finally be able to prove herself - but then a freak medical condition leaves her with a condition called face blindness, which may or may not be temporary. The rest of the book finds her trying to cope with her new condition, while juggling friends, family, a sick dog, and maybe even some new romance as well.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors - I’ve read all her books and couldn’t wait to read this one, even though it comes out in July! Happy to say I loved this one too, though I must admit it’s not my favorite of hers. (My most favorite is Things You Save in a Fire, if you’re wondering.) I found the evil step-sister to be way over the top, and this one just wasn’t quite as affecting emotionally as usual for me. But I still really enjoyed it!

If the only book you have read by Katherine Center is her book from last year, The Bodyguard, then you should know going into this one that this one is less of a romance. There is a romance - and a very cute one - but more of the focus of the book is Sadie’s personal journey. And I absolutely loved the author’s note after the book how instead of talking about predictability in romances, we should talk about anticipation, since knowing there will be a happily ever after at the end is part of the fun, which I do agree with!

I absolutely loved this book! The characters were great and very well written. I felt like I was going through Sadie was as her life was changed so drastically. It was wonderful to see her so bravely face her challenges and navigate through life as she has never had to. Beautiful story.

4.5 stars
So the first thing that drew me to this book was the beautiful artwork and Katherine Center’s name on the cover (I really enjoyed The Bodyguard and I was feeling hopeful that’d carry over). And then I read the plot and I was just wholly intrigued by how the main character would be able to go about her life unable to see anyone’s face. Plus she’s a portrait artist? Her job is literally to look at and then create faces! I was hooked just by that, but then I started and I was fully reeled in. Yes, Sadie is definitely the quintessential quirky girl, and some of her family dynamics were starting to skew towards this can’t possibly be a real person and real situations. There were also some moments with her best friend that just rubbed me the wrong way, a certain plot point that I felt should’ve been handled a bit more delicately than it was. But past that, I didn’t mind leaning into the absurdity a little bit, and I felt it made the ending a bit more satisfying as all the seemingly ridiculous moments culminated in the best karmic way.
And of course, there’s the bit about Sadie falling for two men while she can’t see anyone’s faces. I was skeptical about that plot in particular, but I absolutely loved how this love triangle played out. I loved her fascination with Dr. Addison, and her connection to Joe. It was a bit of a puzzle and I was just as confused as Sadie with how things would be able to piece together for her, and seeing as it all came together - I loved it. All those big romantic sentiments were definitely getting me misty eyed. Once again, it made the ending so satisfying, I just wish that it maybe didn’t have to happen so close to the end of the book.
While there was a romantic aspect to this book, the pacing also made it seem a bit like women’s fiction too. Since I’m more of a romance girly, it took me a little bit to adjust my reading experience to enjoy the nonromantic moments but surprisingly for me, I did get invested, and I was also crying towards the end seeing her family starting to work through some of their past traumas. I also loved learning about how our brains work - I’m no expert on the brain, so there might be things exaggerated for the story’s sake, it did make me stop to think about my perspective on the world and certain cues that I unknowingly take for granted because I’ve never known any other way.

My goodness! what a delight! I can say with certainty, I've never heard another book with a similar plot. I loved the plot and how it came together. There were such moving moments and scenes and it was absolutely swoony. Of particular note was the ending; the last 30 pages of the book were truly fabulous. Both on the plot front as the male characters come together in a truly heart touching way but also in the writing. The epilogue had several lines I highlighted, a rarity for me. I also particularly loved the author's note; it was one of the best I've ever read and really resonated. I think this book was a hit with some exception. I thought the evil step sister was a completely unnecessary plot device. She was not realistic as a person and personality so she stuck out like a sore thumb as every other character felt they could very much be in the real world. I think the subplot about grief and hardship with family could have just as well been accomplished. Second, frankly her crush on the vet was confusing and I wondered if she as joking or delusional as to me, it seemed unrealistic for an adult. I also thought the beginning was really slow and I almost did not continue; the characters weren't engaging and the set up felt prolonged without motion.
Truly lovely read - glad I stuck with it because it is a GEM!

I normally loathe this genre of book but I picked a Katherine Center book up about a year ago and read it on a whim and ended up loving it! This book was no different. The characters were well developed and likeable.

Absolutely LOVED! Katherine Center has a way of tugging on my heart strings and making me belly laugh! Another absolute WIN. Warm, loving, and just full of all the feels!

Hello Stranger is a fun, loving, inspiring book that teaches us that we allow our perceptions to influence things we believe, say and do. Having no ability to recognize faces leaves Sadie at a huge disadvantage but also allows her to work through some difficult family issues and to find a true love. Katherine Center has created a heart-warming, sweet, pleasurable story.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Katherine Center's books are like the best chocolate chip cookies, warm and gooey and satisfying with just a little bit of bite to them. I did a little happy dance when I got an advanced copy of this book, and it surpassed my expectations. I love that her main characters aren't perfect, they have flaws and histories but they always try to be better. Even when it feels like everything is a disaster, you know that somehow her characters are going to be more than alright in the end and you just have to keep reading---Katherine's books are the epitome of can't put down.

Wow! What an amazing book by an incredible author! I have loved everything I have read by Katherine Center, but this is definitely my new favorite of hers!

I absolutely love Center's writing style, how it grips the reader immediately and her thoughtful dialogue that keeps you engaged until the very end. I also adore that she includes mini allusions to another one of her novels in each book. (This one had an allusion to Things You Save in a Fire, which I read last month and also loved!)

Hello Stranger features Sadie Montgomery, a starving artist who suffers an unexpected seizure that results in a life-changing medical procedure that threatens to ruin her career. She is fierce, she is relatable and watching her love story unfold is beautiful, raw and absolutely heartwarming. The twist in this story had me laughing at the very end and I promise you is something you have never seen before!

If you have not read anything by Katherine Center before, then get started ASAP, but also definitely preorder this one because it will make you laugh, cry and give you all the warm and fuzzies that a love story should give you. Which brings me to my last point: Read the author's note! Center talks about her experience in writing romance novels, why they are important and why she keeps writing them even though romance novels have a bad rep. This was arguably my favorite part of the book because it gives you some insight as to why romance novels are beautiful and why we need them. This book definitely filled me with anticipation and hope and I can't wait to see what she delivers next!

I love Katherine Center's books and look forward to each new one. This was a fun one about face blindness. I did have to suspend some disbelief, but I'm okay with that.

Can Katherine Center do wrong? I don't think so.

The story? Fantastic.
Characters? Real, loveable, annoying, laughable and just overall a good time. I adored Sadie. Sue and Mr. Kim were fantastic side characters, and I loved both Dr. Addison and Joe. I even felt a bit of pity for Parker. But only a bit.

The narration felt so authentic throughout, it was so easy to picture all of the goings on and Sadie's frustrations trying to navigate the world with her acquired face blindness. A definitely feel good contemporary romance with some tough parts and hilarious parts.

Hello Stranger felt like a comfort read! This is the first book I’ve read by Katherine Center and that seems (through other reviews) to be the premise for most of her books! It’s not going to give you fanny flutters, but it’s going to make you feel good in the end! I enjoyed Sadie as a character so much! I respected how she went after the career path she wanted, truly very independent, and attempts to solve problems herself. Hello Stranger actually gave me A Cinderella Story (Hilary Duff version, obviously) vibes!

I will say it was hard to relate to her prosopagnosia diagnosis because my brain just can’t wrap my mind around how this is possible (I know it’s a real thing). So in that aspect it was hard to relate to the experiences she was in, but it didn’t make the story unenjoyable. I was actually fun watching the puzzle pieces come together in Sadie’s life - specifically between Sadie, Joe, and Dr. Addison. I was a bit surprised with the L-bomb was dropped because it felt like it came out of left field!

Overall, if you're looking for a feel-good read I recommend Hello Stranger!

Thank you to @ and @St. Martin’s press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, but I definitely felt like this was more of a women's fiction book than a romance. I enjoyed the writing and the fcharacters, but the chemistry and romance fell a little flat for me. I would definitely still recommend this book, but would have loved a little more spice.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⬜
Title: Hello Stranger
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Month Read: January 2023
Book Type: E-Arc
Publication: July 2023
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 336
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me this E-Arc. It in no way influences my review on this work in any way, shape, or form.

TRIGGER WARNING-
Sexual Content / Surgery / Complications from Sugery / Emotional Abuse / Maternal Death


"So when I catch myself worrying, I should try to convince myself that things are going to be fine?"
"That's one way to do it."
"But what if I don't believe it?"
"Then keep arguing.”






No Spoiler Summary (Goodreads):
Sadie Montogmery has had good breaks and bad breaks in her life, but as a struggling artist, all she needs is one lucky break. Things seem to be going her way when she lands one of the coveted finalist spots in a portrait competition. It happens to coincide with a surgery she needs to have. Minor, they say. Less than a week in the hospital they say. Nothing about you will change, they say. Upon recovery, it begins to dawn on Sadie that she can see everything around her, but she can no longer see faces.

Temporary, they say. Lots of people deal with this, they say. As she struggles to cope―and hang onto her artistic dreams―she finds solace in her fourteen-year-old dog, Peanut. Thankfully, she can still see animal faces. When Peanut gets sick, she rushes him to the emergency vet nearby. That’s when she meets veterinarian Dr. Addison. And she’s pleasantly surprised when he asks her on a date. But she doesn't want anyone to know about her face blindness. Least of all Joe, her obnoxious neighbor who always wears a bowling jacket and seems to know everyone in the building. He’s always there at the most embarrassing but convenient times, and soon, they develop a sort of friendship. But could it be something more?

As Sadie tries to save her career, confront her haunting past, and handle falling in love with two different guys she realizes that happiness can be found in the places―and people― you least expect.





Review:
I read my first Katherine Center book (The Bodyguard) last year, and let me tell you how much I have loved both of these books. She writes fresh, tough, women that are such a breath of fresh air in a genre that sometimes is a little too predictable. I loved reading a novel from the perspective of a portrait artist that can no longer see faces- I thought it was interesting to see that there are artists that actually have this phenomenon, and create beautiful art despite being able to see.

A new kind of love triangle. I love the Joe v. Dr Addison moments in the book, and how wild it seemed for Sadie to have to date around without seeing who she's dating? I do think her not speaking about her medical diagnosis was a little annoying (why are you ashamed of something that isn't your fault?) but I guess we wouldn't have much of a book without her stubborn shame.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, and you should pick up a copy in July when it's released. Holding out for it to be a BOTM pick so I can get a hardcover version of this. :)





Recommendation:
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren



"But I find the antidote to that is just keeping a sense of humor. And staying humble. And laughing a lot. And doubling down on smiling. We’re all just muddling through, after all. We’re all just doing the best we can. We’re all struggling with our struggles. Nobody has the answers. And everybody, deep down, is a little bit lost."


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No one writes a smart romance like Katherine Center. I’d say her books are more than romance, because they are - but that feels dismissive of the genre, a back-handed compliment, as though all romance books aren’t about so much more.

Here’s our setup. Portrait artist Sadie finally has her big break, when she is named a finalist in a prestigious portrait competition. She has six weeks to paint the portrait of her life, one worth $10,000 and (she hopes) the respect of her father. There’s just one problem (isn’t there always?): a recent freak accident has left her unable to see faces in a rare condition called prosopagnosia. To cope with the turn of events, she develops a crush on the swoony Dr. Oliver Addison, the vet in shining armor who saved her elderly dog Peanut, and works out an arrangement with Joe, the obnoxious player in her building. But without the ability to discern faces, nothing in Sadie’s steady life is what it seems - and when you introduce love to the equation, all reason goes out the window.

As with any good romance, we know all will work out, but we don’t know who will be holding Sadie’s hand at the end of the book: Dr. Addison or Joe?

I figured out what was happening in this book quickly, but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment. Katherine Center brings so much life to her characters, creating a world of flawed people who make you want the best for them and who remind you of the good around you. This isn’t my favorite of hers - in truth, it’s probably fourth on the list - but when you consider how much I adore her books, that’s still a high mark.

Katherine Center is a wonderful writer that definitely knows how to tug on your heartstrings. Her latest book Hello Stranger is no different and I’d recommend preordering it or picking it up when it’s released! The main character in this story is Sadie, a struggling portrait artist that finds herself in need of brain surgery. After the surgery, there are complications from the swelling which lead to her developing a condition where she can longer see peoples faces. I find this a fascinating look into the condition that I wasn’t even aware of. The story is heartfelt and in the end uplifting but I definitely cried along the way.

This book has such an interesting premise, i felt anger, happiness , tearful and touched reading this one center did an amazing job with sadiess face blindness and how much she deals and overcomes because of it

YET AGAIN, Katherine Center knocks it out of the park. There are just so very few contemporary romance authors that can capture this magical mix of superbly written, loveable-but-flawed characters and plot that you just want to sink into. This one was cozy, charming and full of humanity. My one qualm, as a few other reviewers have stated, is that it did start to feel a touch repetitive at points - but I was so charmed by the rest of the story that I didn’t mind. I’ll continue to read whatever Center writes!

Sadie, a struggling artist, feels like she is finally getting the break that will validate her choice to be an artist. She has been invited to enter a portrait contest and plans to win! She suffers a medical incident that after surgery leaves her unable to recognize faces, hopefully temporarily. As she deals with this, she has the help of a few as she want to keep "it" a secret. When her family gets involved it goes from bad to worse. A chance meeting of two men begin to change things that brings a surprising twist. Heartwarming, emotional and satisfying! Loved it!

This book was great. I didn’t want to put it down because I was genuinely drawn in by the characters and what was going to happen next!!