Loved this book! Such a fun, quick read. Could not put it down. Sadie is someone who you are rooting for and loved the little twist.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! This book will be posted on GoodReads immediately and will be shared on my instagram account @Shandasreads as it gets closer to the publishing date.

I have never read any book by Katherine Center. I know, I know, and I’m sorry. For me, this book was a solid 4 stars.

This book has family drama, romance, and personal struggles. It was a very quick read as I find most romance novels are.

The problem I have is that I found it predictable and also left me with questions only a nurse would ask.

Regardless of what I liked and didn’t like, it was what I needed at the time. I was able to pick it up and be lost in a different world with someone who has a lot more going on. It was the perfect book to read in between books.

This book comes out July 11, 2023 and it will be the perfect summer read.

I have loved the other two Katherine Center books that I have read, so when the opportunity to read this one early presented itself I jumped at it! Going in I did not reread the synopsis, so I was blind going into my read. This is one that I didn’t want to put down because of the character development and the details that were all necessary to build the entire cohesive story.

Sadie is a starving portrait artist on the brink of her big break when a brain surgery leaves her unable to recognize faces. As she works through this complication in her personal and professional life, she faces the disappointments of her past, an evil stepsister, how to navigate a new world, and falling in love at first encounter.

I loved this story about our perceptions and interpretations, and how they affect our thinking and our actions. Hats off to Katherine Center for the thorough job she did researching and depicting what it is like to live with prosopagnosia (facial blindness).

I will be buying and rereading this one when it is released on July 11th.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

5⭐️😍

I absolutely adore this book and has quickly become my favorite contemporary romance. There is something beautiful with Katherine Center's writing, that sucks you in and makes you fall in love with her characters.

This story follows Sadie, after a brain surgery she finds herself with face blindness. She can't recognize the faces in front of her and each person feels like she's staring into a Picasso painting.

As Sadie navigates her new life, she has a run in with her apartment neighbor Joe that she has come to the conclusion that he is sleeping with most of the building. As she gets to know Joe better, she wonders if things aren't as they seem.

Both Sadie and Joe are such rich loveable characters. I can't get enough of them. Joe is so charming and funny. I loved every interaction between them, it was so incredibly genuine.

On top of the amazing characters, the story itself is just so unique. I haven't ever read something quite like it. Although it was predictable I just didn't care. It's so well written that I enjoyed knowing what was likely coming.

I have read The Bodyguard from Katherine Center before this one is even better. I will be picking up anything from her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins press for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floofs.booknook and retail sites near or on publication date.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Okay let me preface this by saying I really like Katherine Center's books and after The Bodyguard I was SO excited for this one.
Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me a bit.
I chuckled at some parts, but it wasn't laugh out loud funny like The Bodyguard. No steam/little romance, but then they said ILY and it just seemed so sudden! I also feel like it was unfinished? I would've loved to read about what happened between Parker, Sadie, and their parents. I also HATE the miscommunication trope though, kind of drives me a bit crazy.
I did like the idea of the plot though! Very creative and different. It did kind of make my head hurt though haha the idea of not being able to recognize people's faces is scary!
Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!

Hello Stranger is a quick, feel-good story. I loved the characters in this book and was cheering for them. There was a twist near the end that I did not see coming, so I loved that even more. It makes me want to go back and reread it to see if I missed something. I love books that make me smile, and this one did it.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book. It was my pleasure to read and review it.

It’s an undisputed fact: There’s something special about a Katherine Center novel that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. And I’m here to report that HELLO STRANGER is no exception. It’s full of witty, laugh-out-loud banter, memorable characters, life lessons, and swoon-worthy moments that envelope you in a big, endorphin-releasing hug.

I almost peed my pants yesterday afternoon when I saw HELLO STRANGER was a “Read Now” option on NetGalley, because I thought there was no way I’d be approved for an ARC otherwise. I squealed loudly (startling my husband and children), quickly claimed the eARC, and immediately started reading. I stayed up late to finish and went to sleep with a contented smile on my face and a satisfied feeling in my heart.

Now, about the plot: I think it’s safe to say that the one person who does NOT want to develop prosopagnosia, or face blindness, is a portrait artist. But that’s exactly what happens to HELLO STRANGER’s heroine, Sadie. And the timing couldn’t be worse: she’s just been accepted into a prestigious competition which could be her big break.

I don’t want to say more than this, because I don’t want to give anything away! But here’s a hint about what you’ll find in HELLO STRANGER: a dashing veterinarian; an evil step sister; roller skating shenanigans; a womanizing neighbor; well-meaning best friends; a geriatric, pad thai eating dog with a refined palate; unresolved childhood trauma; a pork pie hat-wearing artist named Lysander; a lot of chuckles; and perhaps a sentimental tear or two. Center always weaves a fun tale where everything comes together delightfully in the end.

I also want to add that Center’s Author’s Note is pure gold. Romance novels, she explains, are fun to read because of their structure: they’re positively valenced. It’s the ANTICIPATION readers experience that make romances delightful. “Love stories create hope and then use it as fuel,” she writes. “Two people meet - and then, over the course of three hundred pages, they move from alone to together. From closed to open. From judgy to understanding. From cruel to compassionate. From needy to fulfilled. From ignored to seen. From misunderstood to appreciated. From lost to found. That’s the guarantee of the genre: Things will get better. It’s a gift the love story gives to you.”

Thank you, Katherine Center, for the gift of this love story. And also to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this eARC and give my honest opinion!

I’ve always loved Katherine Center’s books but 25% in this latest novel I was thinking, “Okay, I love it, but it’s not my favorite of hers. Yet it is fair to rate it four stars just because she’s stunned me more before? No, definitely not.” But I was still debating with myself now and again. And then BOOM! 65% in I got it! She’s not even revealed it and Sadie is still in her hazy blurry faceless universe but dammit it’s so brilliant! And now I hate Katherine Center because I’ll have to read this book again with this new hindsight. I really love this author, and the genuineness of her characters, the “morales” to her stories. It’s really humbling. A breath of fresh air. Thank you.
And thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc. A true delight. (As always.)

As a huge Katherine Center fan, this one did not disappoint. Definitely more predictable and slightly cheesier than the hard to beat ‘Things You Save in a Fire’ and ‘How to Walk Away’, but still a unique and endearing story. Center knows how to create lovable and relatable characters that capture your heart while also delving into some deeper issues.

Even though I guessed the twist from the start (perhaps intentional?), I enjoyed the journey - complete with self-reflection, humor, failures, successes, family, love, and the all-around study of humanity and human behavior. This book will be another on my long list of Katherine Center recommendations.

Editorial note: In this particular copy, there are a few incorrect names when referring to Lucinda, such as Linda and Miranda. Also, a scene that is out of place when given the context of earlier events (don’t want to add specifics as it would be a spoiler).

I'm a huge fan of Katherine Center. She writes emotional stories full of heart, whimsy, and fun.

My heart broke while reading this book! Sadie is a struggling artist with a very difficult relationship with her father, and stepmother. Sadie's trying to prove herself and is on the cusp on her big break when tragedy strikes and she doesn't fully recover. Her journey is difficult and I felt her loneliness, frustration, and pain. Sadie is forced to take a new view of the world and discovers more about herself, her family, and what she truly wants.

I enjoyed this book, although it was pretty heavy at times. I felt the loneliness and pain. And that stepsister. Wow. Mean. Just plain cruel. It was hard to read.

Another nice story by Katherine Center. I loved the story line between Sadie and Joe. Who doesn’t love a happy ending. I adored Joe’s character. I found Sadie a bit annoying. She was way too shut down as a person. Her FFG saga was a bit repetitive for me and to not explain her experience to anyone just didn’t make sense to me. I also enjoyed the story that played out between Sadie and Dr. Montgomery. I love closure and forgiveness.

Hello book-hangover! When you meet characters as charming as Sadie and Joe it’s hard to leave them behind once the story ends. This story has humor and heart and all the elements I look for in a book.
Sadie is struggling with a new condition that leaves her unable to recognize people by their faces. This makes the readers look into the various characters she encounters that much richer.
Center writes books that make you wonder as much as they make you feel warm and cozy. This is more than just a romance it is also a look into humans overcoming obstacles, fighting internal struggles and how various relationships develop. All of this is woven into a delicious romance and will leave readers wanting more.

Another Katherine Center book that I love, easily a 5 star read!

This book was fun, and hopeful which is what I love in a Romance novel. It also introduced me to a rare condition, face blindness, I had never heard of before.

Thank you Net Galley and St Martin's Press for the digital ARC.

Hello Stranger is something special. Even though one of the biggest conflicts is STRONGLY hinted at almost immediately, it doesn't take away any of the story's charm. Through it all Sadie Montgomery is probably one of the most relatable protagonists I've read in a while, even though she has a very unique worldview, which takes a bit of getting used to. Although this is ultimately a story about love, at its core it is also a story about growth. It is about learning to adjust to the reality of life and finding the joy in everything you can (and cannot) see.

The central romance is a quiet type of love built on small acts of kindness and letting someone finally see who you are. It's like if Love is Blind actually worked. All in all, the romance is special, it's built on familiarity and warmth rather than an all-consuming passion. It's healing, it's nurturing, it's freeing, but it's also good. I would go more into it but I feel like it would be spoiling it too much.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center does it again! Her newest book, Hello Stranger, tells the story of Sadie Montgomery, a portrait artist waiting for her big break. Sadie's world revolves around being able to paint faces. So when she has to have a surgery that affects her ability to see those faces - Sadie's world falls apart. I found myself rooting for Sadie throughout the book and was so sad when the book ended. This was more than just a rom com, but a truly beautiful story about love, happiness, and family!

This was my first Katherine Center book - I know, I’m way late to the party - and I really enjoyed it. With how many people had recommended Center to me, I think my expectations were really high. This was a sweet, well-written romance. I think the idea of face-blindness was unique and interesting. However, this didn’t blow me away. I’ll remember it because of the face-blindness aspect alone.
I found all the characters, including the main character, a little too much like characatures instead of real people. Joe was Helpful and Nice and Center leaned into that to the nth degree. Parker was the most over the top ridiculous evil step-sister.
I also thought many parts were very repetitive. When Sadie was first describing her condition, I swear I read the same paragraph at least three times. At the end, the resolution was explained twice. When she was working through how to paint, the options were listed many, many times.
My last hold up was the ending. Everything was almost too neat and coincidental. EVERYTHING. It felt forced and contrived.
All that said, I flew through this book. I wanted to pick it up again after pausing to sleep or, annoyingly, go to work. I will definitely pick up more from Center. It was a lovely, light read. If you like sweet, closed-door romances, I would recommend this one.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for providing this ARC copy to read and review. All the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading the book.

3.75/5 stars! Another interesting and enjoyable read by Katherine Center. Her book "The Bodyguard" was one of my favorite reads of 2022 so I was excited to pick this up. I liked the story itself and Joe and Sadie were so sweet together. There was humor, tenderness, and also dealing with fears. I think my only problem with this story was that the secondary cast fell a little flat. While Joe and Sadie's chemistry was palpable, her friends and family felt 2-dimensional at times.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Portrait artist Sadie Montgomery gets her big break and her meet cute—maybe— then everything comes tumbling down.
Readers feel those hits quickly.
Prosopagnosia aka face blindness means painting portraits is no longer feasible. Those portraits aren’t just the way she makes a living, they’re the connection to her mother who died when Sadie was 14.
Her face blindness is brought on by brain surgery and the swelling after. Her doctors hope the face blindness goes away as she heals.
And healing is a big part of Hello Stranger. Healing that comes about because of Sadie’s face blindness.
I loved everything about Hello Stranger. Author Katherine Center has created a perfect romance and an impossible to put down book that combines characters and conflict in a way that has readers cheering for Sadie almost from the beginning as she falls in love without realizing it.
Center has done something hard to do in romance. Readers knows exactly what’s happening but the main character doesn’t, and when she finally figures out the truth, we can’t help but cheering.
Sadie and Joe will stay with me a long time. The book has earned a place on my keeper shelf.
Also, don’t skip the author’s note and acknowledgements at the end.
Hello Stranger is a book filled with heaviness that never feels heavy. It’s a book of hope and healing, and, of course, falling in love. Katherine Center has earned a place on my auto-buy list with this one.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of Hello Stranger.

I enjoy Katherine Center's books because of her creative plots and likeable characters, and Hello Stranger was no different! In this, the main character has complications from brain surgery, and the side effects mean she can no longer see faces clearly. This book has all the necessary characters-the struggling main character, the solid best friend, the enemy and the movie star handsome love interest, without being cliche! I enjoyed reading this book and was hooked until the last page!

Sadie is a portrait artist who lives in the small rooftop spot in her best friend’s parents’ apartment building. She is a struggling artist, so the spot is really supposed to be a studio where she can do her work, not a place to live. Sadie has also placed in the North American Portrait Society where she will be competing with other amazing artists.

One day, Sadie is outside and almost gets hit by a car when a man saves her. She goes to the hospital to make sure everything is okay when she finds out she needs to get brain surgery as she has a cavernoma that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later.

Sadie’s father, also a doctor, pushes her to get the surgery asap! He even makes the appointment on for her and she agrees to go. After she is done with her surgery, her best friend, Sue, visits her. Sadie recognizes that this is what Sue would say and do, but she doesn’t recognize Sue’s face! The doctors tell her that she has prosopagnosia, akanface blindness.

How is Sadie supposed to create portraits, especially for the North American Portrait Society, if she can’t see faces? How will she navigate her life without recognizing faces? Will her life ever go back to what it once was?

I really enjoyed reading this book. Katherine Center writing makes you really sympathize with the main character and root for the characters in the book. While there might be some “How did you not know?” thoughts, Katherine Center really explains it very well for the readers to understand what is going on inside Sadie’s head.