I really enjoyed this book. It was not at all what I expected, but in a really positive way. I love how the author took a unique look at a romance novel, but focused on the main character's development and issues more than just the relationship. I think the main character's struggles with family, work, and finances make her more relatable than if she was successful from the get go. I love that she followed her dreams and had a found family when hers fell short. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think the end felt a bit rushed and the continuous description of what face-blindness is was unnecessary (specifically in the middle of the book, when it had already been described previously). I really like the twist of Joe being Dr. Oliver, which was unexpected but really made sense to the story. I also really loved that while Sadie began fixing her relationship with her father, it wasn't an immediate fix, just like it wouldn't be instantly better in real life. Overall, I'd give this book a 3.75 out of 5 stars.

This was so sweet! I think this is one of my favorites from this author. I loved the main character Sadie, and I was rooting for her throughout. Throw in art, some neuroscience stuff, and a hot and possibly playboy-ish neighbor, and this was a great read. It's a romance, but it's not the starring role in the story. Sadie is dealing with family drama and the fact that she can't see faces anymore-right on the cusp of her breakout chance as a portrait painter. I'd call this a romance plus, and I loved every page!

In HELLO STRANGER, Katherine Center delves into themes of parental approval, self-sufficiency, and the processing of grief.

Sadie Montgomery has just had a huge break in her career, but an accident threatens her livelihood, since she develops face blindness right as she is expected to deliver a portrait for the competition. In the midst of this, Sadie feels she must not appear weak and doesn't open up to her father or friends. She wrestles with trying to gain her father's approval, and they both revisit memories of her mother's earlier death.

Are the themes and circumstances revelatory and new? No. Can we make predictions for what will transpire? Of course. But those need not be detractions. There are books we engage with for the mental break they afford, for a pause from what we find present in the world around us, be it the polarization, the uncertainty, the fear. Offer a story well told, offer a welcome diversion, and that can be enough.

I especially enjoy reading author's notes when they reveal their motivation or inspiration, and the reflection that closes this book brings valuable insights to Center's work. Center shares what drew her to romance, after she was gifted a romance book when she was forty. It was the "positively valanced" anticipations, contrary to the anxiety and dread that drive other genres. She is not content to work in shallow tropes; instead, she weighs what makes a story work and fleshes it out accordingly. 

Take this stunning insight: 

"Yes, misery is important.

"But I think joy is just as important. I think the ways we take care of each other matter just as much as the ways we let each other down. That light matters just as much as the darkness. That play matters as much as work, and kindness matters as much as cruelty, and hope matters as much as despair.

"More so, even.

"Because tragedy is a given, but joy is a choice."

I found this book pale somewhat compared to The Bodyguard, but it is still a pleasant read. 

(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

I love Katherine Center books. How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, The Bodyguard. The consistency of her style, warmth of her characters, and deeper life observations just keep me coming back for more! So, you better believe I smiled through every page of her latest drop, Hello, Stranger! Following a horrible accident, portrait artist Sadie is faced with perhaps the worst-possible medical condition for someone in her profession: temporary face blindness. She can suddenly only see human faces in foggy parts, with no recognition of the whole picture. As she struggles to put together the many broken pieces of her current life, every new person she encounters represents yet another jumble and source of frustration.

When she finds herself smitten by not one, but two new men in her life, however, Sadie must ask herself: is it possible to stare happiness right in the face without knowing it? This book is just everything! Unique, fresh, funny, and oh-so lovable. Clean romance at its finest! I especially adored the Author’s Note at the end when she talked about her research for the novel, as well as her passion for writing romance books in the first place. Five stars from me!

This book was amazing! I wasn’t expecting it the way it turned out. To her have a crush on the guy who is on her floor. To her having a crush on the vet guy when her dog get sick. Her not seeing that they are the same person with her having face blindness.

Sadie Montgomery was celebrating her placing in the North American portrait society competition. When she all of a sudden had face blindness and all the people faces she meets are puzzles.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for letting me read this book!

My heart feels so unbelievably full after reading Sadie's story and I really don't think I can write a coherent review that fully expresses my LOVE of this story. I wish I could reread it for the first time again! Katherine Center and her witchcraft.

Center brings us an authentic, vibrant cast of characters in Hello Stranger. Most importantly, we are there every step of the way with Sadie as she trudges her way through money issues, family drama, a career in crisis, and health issues that force her to re-evaluate her life and her approach to painting. This story grabbed me by the heart, and still hasn't let go.

We bordered on a little bit Disney villain in one of the side characters but, honestly, it worked here! Especially if you don't mind a dollop of OTT every now and then.

I absolutely recommend this gem of a romance and will be shouting my praises to any and all who will listen. I would really love to see this one translated to the screen

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. (This is no surprise -- I haven't read a KC book I haven't adored.) As usual, this was a sweet and all-around feel-good book. I think it would make a great movie, and I enjoyed learning about face-blindness.

Oh gosh this book just sucked me right in. You are rooting for the heroine from the very beginning and the rapid turn of events is stressful and anxiety provoking. It ends up becoming a sweet love story and I loved the entire book. It leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling and I can't wait to read what comes next from this truly incredible romcom artist.

I absolutely loved this book. This is my second book by Kathrine Center and I love her writing. The storyline, the new knowledge of face blindness, the quirky bestie, the rude neighbor, the dreamy vet, and the evil step sister/mom were all amazing!!! It keeps you captivated the entire story!!

Thank you Net Galley for the chance to read and listen to the ARC.
I can't wait to read more from Kathrine Center.!!

My second Katherine Center book and I just want to read all of her backlist. She does it again! I loved this book and I loved the main character Sadie even more. Sadie, a portrait artist, suddenly gets a brain injury which prevents her from seeing faces. She has to rely on body language and social cues to navigate conversations and people. There were many elements to the backstory of Sadie’s life that led to the crescendo’s impact. That’s all I’ll say, the rest is for the reader to unveil, discover and enjoy.

Stand out quote:
But I couldn’t see the face. All I could see was the emotion. The artistry. The longing. It was like getting the inside view.

I forgot to write a review over here but you can find me gushing about this one on tiktok.

I loved the main characters, and was mistified by the author’s ability to perfectly encapsulate how a person with prosopagnosia might feel or the struggles it might present in everyday life.

Also the romance was completely amazing, not to mention that the appearance of loyal friends and loyal pets won me even more.

LOVED

I'd like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book!!!

This was my first Katherine Center book and after reading, I can definitely say I’ll be diving into her backlist.

Sadie is a portrait artist who, right after getting her big break in the industry, needs to undergo brain surgery and is diagnosed with face blindness. As Sadie tries to adapt to her new (& hopefully temporary) condition, she works to navigate new and existing relationships.

This book was predictable in almost the best way! Romances provide a sense of comfort because you know what’s going to happen, but not how it’s all going to unfold and Katherine Center captures this perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about a condition I previously knew nothing about (and was honestly imaginable). I enjoyed the complexity the family and friendship aspects added to the book as well.

Katherine Center has become an autobúy author for me. She takes a premise that you think will be impossible to write a believable novel about, and she makes you cry with how well done it is!

I’ve read quite a few Katherine Center books and they’ve been very hit or miss for me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. I liked the idea of incorporating face blindness but I didn’t feel like it was executed particularly well. I feel like I didn’t quite understand the main character or her family relationships. Her step-sister felt almost like a cartoon villain, it was a little over the top. I thought the romance was fine and there were some cute moments, but I wasn’t super invested in it. Overall I thought this was just okay.

This book was so fun! It warmed my heart in all of the right places and I loved the little twist at the ending. I smiled, giggled and kicked my legs in the air. Great romance!

DNF. I hated to do it but I just found this dull and packing. I needed more chemistry to care about and be invested in these characters. They felt cold and immature.

Katherine Center never fails to deliver. There were several frustrating moments that I wanted to admonish Sadie and Joe to talk to each other more, but of course we wouldn’t have the story without their miscommunication. Overall, a fun and easy read.

I loved this book so much. I laughed, I swooned, I got really mad, and I cried. A whole roller coaster of emotions from this book. It was absolutely wonderful, and I cannot recommend it enough! Please read this! 😍

4.5 but rounding up.

I fell head over heels for this adorable, charming, and often funny story! There’s face blindness, a tiny white dog named Peanut, a cute vet, family struggles, an evil step sister, and so much more! MC Sadie’s character is just so quirky and lovable that I couldn’t help but root for her throughout. While she is definitely flawed, not knowing when I to ask for help due to pride issues, I found her overall presence endearing. Yes, a lot of the drama and miscommunication could have been cleared up if she put aside her own issues, but I was happy to be along for the ride and watch how the madness unfurled. I loved about this romance book was somewhat unpredictable, unlike a lot of “boy meets girl but there’s a reason they can’t be together” romance stories. About a third of the way through I wasn’t even sure I knew who the main love interest was…I was kept on my toes, and still not entirely correct! The twist at the end was fun and had me rethinking earlier moments. While I typically can’t stand the miscommunication trope, I didn’t mind here at all due to the prosopagnosia (face blindness) playing a part. My only issues were some repetitiveness towards the end and more telling rather than showing. In my opinion, this took away from the impact of the ending a little bit. But overall, I felt like I was constantly laughing and smiling throughout. It was an absolute joy to read/listen to.

Thank you to St. Martins Press, Katherine Center, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!