I requested this because I previously read Katherine centers body guard last year, and I enjoyed it for the most part and really like her prose. It kills me to do this but for now this is going to have to be a DNF the main character is a bit to much (she’s coming across as a manic pixie dream girl to me) for me right now, I plan on coming back to this at a later date but for now it’s a DNF

I read The Bodyguard last year and absolutely LOVED every bit of it. Unfortunately, Hello Stranger was a huge letdown. Most of the book was either boring or completely unbelievable. Who acts like these characters in real life? Maybe the author's previous book had my expectations way too high, but there wasn't any magic for me in this romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this arc.

Katherine Center hit it out of the park again with Hello Stranger. I love her books and this is no exception.
Sadie Montgomery is a struggling portrait artist who has finally got her chance for a big break. As a finalist in an art competition she entered, she has the chance to win $10,000. Six weeks before the competition she needs to have brain surgery and it comes with an unfortunate side effect – she can no longer see faces. How can she paint a portrait without seeing the face she needs to paint?
I really enjoyed reading this book. I saw the twists coming, but loved them just the same. The only negative is that I read it so quickly that now I have even longer to wait for Center's next book.
Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been finding comfort in Katherine Center’s books lately, and Hello Stranger was no exception. Sadie is a portrait artist who, on the brink of her big break, has a surgery that results in prosopagnosia (facial blindness). As a result, she is forced to evaluate and redefine who she is. Her journey of self discovery is touching, but some of the back story was distracting. Overall, I’d say this is well worth your time even if it’s not my favorite by this author.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC in exchange for my review.

4.5 stars Hello Stranger's protagonist is a portrait artist, Sadie Montgomery. After years of struggling, she is chosen as a finalist in an art competition. After a medical emergency and brain surgery, she develops face blindness (acquired prosopagnosia). She cannot see faces at a time when she must paint a face portrait for her competition. As Sadie tries to navigate her new normal, she discovers more about herself, her family, and her neighbor. I loved the love interests in this book, but did not like the development of the family relationships. This is my second Katherine Center book and I am a fan!

Please read the Author's Note. It beautifully tells why romance novels are unlike any other type of story. "That's a guarantee of the genre: Things will get better."

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC of Hello Stranger by Katherine Center in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this was such a delight! I could guess where it was going but couldn't figure out how it was going to get there. Katherine Center's books just SPARKLE.

"Seeing the world differently helps you see things not just that other people can't- but that you yourself never could if you weren't so lucky. It let's you make your own rules. Color outside your own lines. Allow yourself another way of seeing."

°•*⁀➷

I think my favorite part of reading a Katherine Center book is how well I know the characters when I turn the last page. Also, her author's note. So much of her true voice comes through in her author's voice, and I will always think it's beyond the word special.

Yes, this is my second, but how could I love the rest any less?

Sadie, our main character, takes a life-chasing diagnosis and creates a world she can live in with it. To know the world in one way and have to learn it in a complete other over night... bravery beyond measure. I loved learning how to navigate a different world with her, even while I walked every terrifying step beside her.

She had me excited to wake up every day having no idea who we might see and if we would ever recognize them again. She's silly, she's obnoxious, and she writes up a perfect lesson on how to be yourself no matter what life throws at you.

I loved that. I loved that this story revolved so much around acknowledging the differences we need to accept in order to live a better, more fulfilling life. I loved that it touched on how changing our perspective is what truly helps us be winners at the end of the day.

This book felt like a diary, which I think is most of the reason I could get passed Sadie's more immature moments. While she doesn't reflect me, I think she does reflect the way we all want to feel. Free.

Even if it takes us a while to get there.

Sadie doesn't feel free until she stops letting expectation weigh her down. Her whole life revolves around what she can bring from reality and reflect it on paper. When that is taken away, and she needs to find a way to make a living, the most important theme of the story really came through.

That we are never alone.

There will always be people to lean on in life. If the ones that are meant to love us don't, we can find new ones who will love us more. Letting people in, saying hello to strangers, loving our pets, recognizing people for more than just their face... it's what living is all about.

Pick this up on July 11 and find out just how much fun it can be to fall in love. Whether it be with a guy... or two... or yourself.

- Paige

This was a fun read, and such an intriguing concept!
Sadie strikes that delicate balance of unlikeable yet somehow endearingly relatable. I loved the supporting characters, and loved that there was so much more going on in and around Sadie’s life. The “twist” was somewhat predictable but yet totally fun to see it all unravel! I’d love to read more from this author.

This is my first Katherine Center book and needless to say I’m a big fan 🥰 Do you ever start reading a book and just know it’s a 5 ⭐️ read? I knew within the first 50 pages of this one.

First off, this book had a quirky plot which I loved. Sadie is a gem. When she started dancing in a grocery store I knew I’d vibe with her and she was my kind of person. I wanted her to succeed so badly and she has such a kind heart and you kept me laughing.

I loved the supporting characters, Joe especially. There were definitely some swoon worthy moments, drama, sadness, life lessons and charming characters that kept me excited to finish the book and see what was going to Sadie and her two love interests.

I was not expecting the ending at all and I love the way the story wrapped up with the main characters and how her romance played out followed by her family situation.

All in all I’m now a Katherine fan for sure! I think it was well written, funny, had moments where my heart was full and the development of the characters, especially Sadie, was fantastic!

I was really looking forward to reading this book because I LOVED The Bodyguard. I was beyond excited to receive this ARC! But unfortunately, I was disappointed with Hello Stranger. I wanted to love it! But I am definitely a part of the select few that did not. The book has a very creative and intriguing concept involving prosopagnosia (face blindness) but this fell short for me.

The pace was very very slow. The plot didn't keep my attention, and honestly was quite boring. I felt like something was missing from the story line. Maybe some extra romance and I would've enjoyed it more.

Sadie was not a likable main character. And most of the time, Sadie's internal dialogue made me cringe. She's a 28 year old woman but I felt like she was acting and speaking like a 13 year old.

Katherine Center is a wonderful author. However, I wouldn't recommend this book like I would The Bodyguard.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reading copy, in exchange for an honest review!

This is my second Katherine Center book and I’ve gotta say, It’s my favorite of the two I’ve read. Hello Stranger follows Sadie, an artist who ends up with a medical condition that makes her “face-blind.” It’s something difficult to imagine but I figure it’s similar to when I’m not wearing my glasses and someone waves at me and I have no idea who they are. Sadie as a main character is very likable, though she is anxious and tends to draw conclusions without bothering to figure out if those conclusions are correct. Her personality combined with her condition make for some pretty funny moments. I found this book to be cute and cozy like getting a warm hug when you really need one. Did I call a couple of the things that happened? Yes. Did that take away from the story or my enjoyment of it? No! If you liked The Bodyguard by Katherine Center I would definitely recommend this one. I will for sure be diving into her back catalogue.

A special thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book!

I love all of Katherine Center’s books and this one was no exception! Such a wonderful love story with a fun twist at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Hello Stranger
By: Katherine Center

eARC & Book Review
Pub Date: July 11, 2023

“Love isn’t blind, it’s just little blurry.”

Ms. Katherine Center has done it again!! She is the queen of adorable, fast, and easy-to-read romances. This is the 3rd or 4th book I’ve read of hers and it was just as good. I loved Sadie, Joe, Dr. Addison, and Peanut so much. They were fun characters and KC wrote them so well.

Is this a predictable plot? Yes. But sometimes you just need a good, feel-good (no spice) romance to dive into.

P.S. I personally loved the science-y inclusion of Sadie having Prosopagnosia! It was incredibly insightful and fascinating to read about.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Katherine Center just never misses for me. Another well written book full of characters to love and hate and an ending I actually did not see coming!

If you have even remotely liked any of her previous books, you will love this one! Absolutely a 5 star read for me and any rom com lover will agree!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for this free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In true Katherine Center fashion, this book is pure joy. With a super unique premise I was instantly drawn into this story. Sadie and Joe were so sweet, and I loved getting to be in Sadie’s head.

My only drawback was that I don’t think this should be categorized as “romance.” I definitely think it’s more women’s fiction with a side of romance than just straight romance. This was still cute, and I enjoyed!

When I saw Katherine Center was releasing a new book, I knew I had to read it, especially after reading The Bodyguard and loving it. I was not disappointed at all with this book!

This book was so good, that I could not put it down! The characters were perfect (yes, even Peanut who I cried for) and the drama was to die for. I looked forward to the scenes with Joe and Sadie honestly.

While I did guess the ending or the big plot twist much in advance, it was still exciting to read the book and experience things as they unfolded.
Also, I am not going to lie, I did get teary eyed during several parts of this book. Both from being sad for Sadie but also happy for her!

Highly recommend this book, especially to other fans of Katherine Center!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A New Katherine Center Book!!! It was a fresh, engaging and fun read. The characters suck you in and you can't wait to see what happens next!!

4.5 stars!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Another favorite from Katherine Center! I wasn’t sure what to expect after reading the synopsis for this book, but was hooked less than 50 pages in! Definitely recommend!

This is the first of Katherine Center's books I've ever read, and it makes me want to run out and buy the rest.

For me, the premise of a portrait artist who acquires face blindness was intriguing, and the romance aspect of the story was fun, but what made this a 5-star read was the voice of the main character. I was immediately captured by Sadie, and I remained spellbound until the end.

The 'twist' wasn't a surprise to me, but I suspect that's the point: only Sadie, with the specific challenges she was facing, couldn't have seen it coming -- and I felt for her as I waited for her to figure it out.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this terrific book in advance of publication.

I always love the quirky and fun humor balanced with serious storylines that this author often writes. Sadie Montgomery is about to get her first big break as a portrait artist with an upcoming contest that could be the start of a flourishing career that has been stalling for a while. But after a surgery renders her blind to the faces of people, Sadie has to figure out how to continue her career in the one area she used to specialize in. Not to mention all of the obstacles that come with this new challenge regarding all of the people around her. I did love the aspect of Sadie seeing the world differently, including the people she already knew, as well as discovering new people. Her journey in trying to reinvent herself vs working with her dilemma and acting as though it didn't exist was well portrayed. The parts that seemed a little bit contrived and even unnecessary had to do with the embedded lessons, such as her stepsister and how the author often tries to spin a negative into a positive which is great for character growth and development, but sometimes the unlikable characters are best suited as unlikable rather than empathized with. I would've liked more out of the open conversation between Sadie and her father and his perspective on the things that Sadie had been wrongly blamed for in the past. As for Joe, he was lovable in all the ways and while I knew what was going on early on, it was hilarious to see Sadie not put the puzzle pieces together until much later. The ending was sweet and fit the story's paradigm that things aren't always perfect, but they are how they should be based on the journey.