I've thought a lot about this book since finishing it yesterday. It's challenging to give an honest review about this book without giving spoilers so in this one I need to so if you're reading this please be forwarned that it will talk about details that would not be good if you haven't read the book yet.

This was a 31/2 star for me. I went in blindly. Complete blindly. Not reading anything first or about Katherine Center. I want to first start out with what I like about the book. First, it was very talented writing, but the reader has to completely sustain the belief of plausibility to have this story work. A lot of unnatural uncommunication going on between Sadie and Joe. Sadie is a struggling artist and Joe is a neighbor in her building when they meet and it goes from Sadie thinking he's a weasel to finding as she gets to know him that he is correctly indeed perhaps one of the most wonderful men she's ever met in her life. Heartwarming and I loved the progression of their relationship. Joe is one of the best things about this book but Sadie often times she felt overly reactive which is explained a lot because her brain not functioning at its best as she has prosopagnosia, as her mother did and died from. She longs for her mother and the writing is so well done regarding this, for me as a person who lost a mother herself this was some of Katherine Center's best writing in this book regarding Sadie and her mother. But personally, for me who reads a lot of fiction and romance the stepmother and step-sister were in the book too much. They took up too much real estate in this story. It was established their horridness but it was too much angst and for me personally took away the glow this story could have been. It was too much negative valance. And kept it from being a fun read to a pale read.

There is a lot that is given at the end but the reader has to wait to page 280 out of 311 page book for the plot twist and then the reader has to believe the implausibility of non-voice recognition, of a person's own scent, mannerisms, phrases they individually say, etc. and it was implausible for me. It was a sweet story and Joe/Dr. Addison made this story for me but I wasn't feeling Sadie or the stretch that was required of the reader for not much given. Also, there needed to be much more sexual tension from Joe as he was deeply in with this woman emotionally and that was barely present. It's a pretty tame romance in my book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review Hello Stranger by Katherine Center. This one had me rereading after I finished to go back and give a proper review.

Katherine Center never disappoints and her latest, Hello Stranger might be my very favorite! She has such a way with words that makes the reader feel every single emotion and feel like they are part of the story. This book will have you turning page after page from the beginning to the end. Highly recommend!

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

I loved it! It was a story that, if written badly, could have just been a sad book but the author did an amazing job at not making it a "Debbie Downer" kind of story. The characters could be frustrating at time, but let's face it - we're all frustrating at times. I felt like we really got to know the characters. To me, that just made them that much more real. It also brought awareness to Prosopagnosia in a way that was interesting and helped the reader empathize. Rom-coms are usually a little predictable and this one was no different but there were some fun little twists and turns that made it fun to read. Even the parts that were a little far-fetched were explained in a way that they were believable. This was only the second Katherine Center book I have read but I think I need to go back and read the rest now.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book. I always enjoy Katherine Center’s work, but I loved this one. Hello Stranger is more than a romcom. The characters have so much depth and Sophie is going through some really traumatic times, but throughout it all she maintains the hopeful spirit that makes the genre a pleasure to read.

Genuinely one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was funny, sweet, emotional, and everything I could have wanted in a feel good read. I don’t even know how to classify this book because it’s so much more than a typical romance. It was AMAZING

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

“Isn’t it lucky when we’re drawn to people who can teach us things we need to learn?”

Every time I read a Katherine Center book, I tell myself I will slow down and savor it. I end up getting hooked and finishing it way too quickly. “Hello Stranger” was no exception.

I absolutely adored this book and these characters. It was a hug in book form. I found myself laughing and smiling about Sadie’s inner dialogue. I would be friends with her. I also would smile and swoon over Joe and Doctor Addison.

While Katherine Center is great at creating RomComs, she also does a great job including tough topics. Sadie was managing the grief of losing her mom, recovering from the trauma of brain surgery, and navigating the complex relationship she had with her family. It was quite the journey and I was happy to be along for the ride.

Was it corny? Absolutely, but only in the way that all RomComs are. Was it predictable? Yes, I figured out the twist early on, but if anything, it added to my enjoyment of the book!

It’s my new favorite Katherine Center book!

This book was everything I needed and more. If you like charming characters, love triangles, and family drama you will love this story. Katherine Center did an exceptional job writing this book. The plot and characters she wrote made me want to live in that world.
Reading Hello Stranger I felt as if I knew Sadie. I laughed along with her and was heartbroken about her struggles.
To summarize this story: Sadie ends up with face blindness after undergoing a brain surgery. She is a portrait artist and is struggling to cope with this diagnosis and paint for her art competition. She cannot admit that she needs help. Then we have Joe. He doesn’t take no for an answer and loves to help. She takes him up on his offer to let her paint him.
We cannot forget about Peanut! He is the one that brought Sadie and Joe together. Or should I say Dr. Oliver Addison ;)

Katherine Center has done it again. Many of us have “sure thing” authors that we’ll read no matter what the book is about. Katherine Center is certainly one of those for me.

Prosopagnosia (face blindness) is definitely a unique subject matter. I really enjoyed stepping into that world and learning something about this condition that I knew existed, but knew very little about—even though each person’s experience with it can be different. It was a wonderful topic to weave a story around. That, along with lovable characters (and some intentionally not lovable) and an adorable dog named Peanut contributed to the joy of this book. But perhaps the best part was Katherine’s signature sense of humor. Always unique and stemming from a place of happiness.

This may be my favorite of hers so far. I’m only sad that I finished it so quickly and that I won’t get to read it again for the first time.

Ms. Center has come up with most amazingly creative concept for a book I have seen in quite a while. When struggling artist, Sadie Montgomery, has necessary brain surgery, she develops a condition called “face blindness” as a result. She was entered into a prestigious contest where she must enter a portrait in six weeks, but if she can’t see faces how can she paint one? Her life is already a dysfunctional mess; her career is going nowhere, she lives in a shed on top of an apartment building, she still suffers with grief from her mother’s death fourteen years ago, and has a terrible relationship with her father, stepmother and evil stepsister. Adding face blindness to the mix is just adding insult to injury.

I devoured this book in less than one day and couldn’t put it down. I was riveted watching Sadie navigate her life through this new unknown. The way the author wrapped it up surprised me in a way I never saw coming. Bravo!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this awesome book in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave it five, fabulous stars!

Another Katherine Center that gave me the feels.

Loved Sadie as a character as well as Joe - thought Parker was more of a caricature rather than a fleshed out person though. And absolutely saw the twist coming from a mile away.

I would say more but I don’t want to give anything away! Heartwarming to say the least.

Wow....I laughed, got angry and cried like a baby. What a wonderful love story between strangers, whose story gets a brain fart in a way 😂. But seriously, I love that all of Katherine Center's books have a real life feel to it but with a twist that will make you think of what you would do if it was you.

If you have read the book, what would you do if you were Sadie?

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center does not miss! Absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down once i started. The Cinderella vibes was a fun touch to an overall fun and comfy romance!

I have a habit of reading Katherine Center's books in one day and Hello Stranger was no different. From the moment I started reading, I was completely invested in Sadie's story from her still unfulfilled dream of being a successful artist to her total inability to accept help from those around her. She is witty, genuinely kind to everyone around her (most of the time) and loves her dog more than anything in the world which I can pretty much completely relate to. Katherine Center has this gift where she is able to take a complicated experience that most of us will never go through and allows us to empathize and understand it through the eyes of a person going through it. This book was honestly everything that I have always loved about Katherine Center's writing. You are drawn into this story immediately and even through all of the hardship her characters face, you are there with them, pulling for them to come through the other side.

I will admit there were times that certain aspects of the story seemed a bit predictable and while I just knew what was coming, I totally didn't care. I spent this book falling in love right along with Sadie, swooning and laughing out loud, and by the end, I had fallen in love with every character (except Parker, she's the worst). I really recommend you do the same.

Side note, if you love Katherine Center's other books there's also a little easter egg in this book that brought the biggest smile to my face when I read it!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Katherine Center’s books always get a high rating from me simply because they earn it. This one however was a solid three stars until *MIC DROP* she got me. She got me in the best way possible.

In HELLO STRANGER we have an another strong female lead that is stronger than she thinks. There is always sound advice in Katherine Center’s books. A doctor in the book that was helping her cope. She told her that when the odds of something going wrong are 1%, you need to stop focusing on that 1%, and focus on the other 99%. She tells her that she needs to convince her mine of the positive outcome. Not the negative. Sadie says, “but what if I don’t believe that?” and the doctor tells her “then keep arguing”. This is an accurate summary of one of the main lessons in the book.

Sadie is a portrait artist faced with sudden face blindness. She is a finalist in and upcoming portrait contest but how do you draw faces when you can’t see them?

Enter two love interests. We have a handsome (we think) veterinarian and a womanizing (he is isn’t he?!) saves the day at all times neighbor. I absolutely cannot say more and risk spoiling anything but this was amazing. When you read this (because you HAVE to read this) and it happens, you will know. A light will come on and it will all
make sense. BRAVO Katherine Center!

This is such a fun book- Katherine Center books are as joyful and comforting as they come. This is a very G rated book but boy was it fun

🅶🅴🅽🆁🅴—𝒞𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓂𝓅𝑜𝓇𝒶𝓇𝓎 𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒
🗓ℙ𝕦𝕓 𝔻𝕒𝕥𝕖—𝕁𝕦𝕝𝕪 𝟙𝟙, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟛

✂️ P L O T L I N E
Sadie is a struggling artist who has has had some bad breaks in life. Finally, she gets her big break when she becomes a finalist in a portrait competition. Unfortunately, she ends up needed major surgery at the same time and is left with some complications that takes away the one thing she had going for her…being amazing at painting portraits. This story takes us through Sadie trying to save her career, falling in love with two different guys, and really trying to find her place in this world. A romance read that makes you realize that there is more than one way to be a winner in life.

💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
I vividly remember reading my first Katherine Center book “How to Walk Away” a couple of years ago. I was having a tough time in life and my bestie brought it for me to read. I was heart broken during the first couple of chapters for the characters in the story and then the book turned in to a story of hope and resilience. It was exactly what I needed to read at that point in my life. All that to say that I had very similar vibes reading “Hello Stranger.” It’s a romance story but also so much more. A story of resilience and reminding us that we were put on this Earth to grow and change and embrace who we really are at every step in our lives, even when we feel the most alone. I will forever be a fan of Katherine Center. Her books are so fun to read and really let you dive in deeper into the meaning of over coming obstacles that are put in our way. “Hello Stranger” is the perfect balance of finding love, overcoming family drama, and really finding yourself. A story that reminds us that changing our perception can help us understand someone else’s point of view and leas us to live the life that we really want. Make sure to read the Authors note. It is 💯!!! And I’ll end with Katherine Centers own words: “This love story really created fantastic anticipation.”

🎨𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾 🎨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

💕Q U O T E S: “We’re all just muddling through, after all. We’re all struggling with our struggles. Nobody has the answers. And everybody, deep down, is a little bit lost.”

🙏Thank you NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Katherine Center for this beautiful ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts 💕

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a ARC of this book. I found it to be such a fun read…funny and charming but also pulled on your heart strings. I do think it was fairly predictable but for me most rom-com style books are this way but it doesn’t take away any enjoyment in reading them. I enjoyed cheering Sadie on as she navigates her way through everything that comes her way. Definitely recommend for an easy good feel read!

Anything Center writes is beautiful, hopeful, and deeply woven together beyond normal confines of a romance novel. Hello Stranger was a hug in a book, with estranged family dynamics, and a unique love triangle. I loved it and couldn’t get through it fast enough. Once again, a five star from this author!

“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 had the answers. And everybody, deep down, is a little bit lost.”

A struggling artist, Sadie is thrilled to learn that she is as finalists in a nationwide portrait competition. With 6 weeks to paint a winning portrait, she isn’t expecting to have to be saved by a stranger in a crosswalk and end up having a “simple” brain surgery. When Sadie wakes up from surgery, she realizes everything is fine, except she can’t see faces.

When her 14 year old dog gets sick, she rushes him to the vet and meets Dr. Addison, who promptly asks her on a date. But there’s also Joe, who isn’t quite as annoying as she thought he was. She doesn’t want either man to know about her face blindness. Now she is juggling to save her career, confront her past, and falling in love with two different guys. Sadie will find that happiness is found where you least expect it.

Katherine Center is one of those writers that writes fun, happy books while sometimes tackling the tougher subjects like loss and grief. This book was no exception. This was a great read by an excellent author. Thank you NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. 4/5⭐️

I loved this book. It was a cute romance story without all the extra spicy parts. Sadie is the main character that has something pretty traumatic happen to her and I loved finding out how she learned how to adapt her life. You definitely have to keep reading to find what happens—I was surprised.

I rated this book 5/5⭐️. I definitely recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!