This book was very confusing. It felt chaotic. I wasn’t a fan as much as other Center books. The premise was unique but felt like there was some story lacking.

Well, this was another Katherine Center hit for me and another book that I question WHY it took me so long to pick up. What I love about Katherine’s storytelling is that she has this ability to weave such a unique love story. Nothing about this felt like it fell into the standard formula for a romance book, and I ATE IT UP! I honestly was completely floored by how this ended. I will continue to read anything Katherine writes!

A portrait artist who loses her ability to see faces by developing face blindness after an expected brain surgery? Talk about the EMOTIONS! We have so many beautifully weaved layers that come together to paint the most entertaining story. I love Sadie’s relationship with Sue (her best friend), can’t get enough of her dealings with her evil stepsister, was completely enthralled with how she was navigating life post face blindness, and couldn’t get enough of her geriatric four-legged best friend. The whole story just really worked for me.

If you don’t have Katherine Center on your radar, please pick up her books! I can’t wait for her next one to hit shelves next year.

I love anything this author puts out. She is an auto read for me! This book hooked me right from the beginning. You won’t regret reading this.

Katherine Center is a newish author to me. This is only the second book of hers that I've read. I will definitely be reading more. I loved the uniqueness of this story.

Sadie is an artist, but after a sudden accident she is struggling with “face blindness”. She cannot recognize anyone by their face, even her closest friends!

She meets a nice vet when she takes her dog in for a check up. She also interacts regularly with a neighbor who lives in her building. The *twist* is that they are actually the same guy and she couldn’t figure it out because of the face blindness.

I love Katherine Center in general, but this was not one of my favorite reads by her. It was cute, I had fun, I actually didn’t see the twist coming BUT there were a lot of plot holes to make the story remotely believable. How did he never ask her about her sick dog when he saw her outside of the vets office?? I will happily suspend disbelief for a cute story but this was one a little bit much. 3.5/5 stars!

This was an enjoyable exploration of love, identity, and the power of second chances. Katherine Center's writing shines with warmth and wit, making the characters feel relatable and their struggles authentic. The story's blend of humor and heartfelt moments creates a perfect balance, drawing me in from the very first page.

Yet again. Katherine Center has not disappointed me. I have binged her books this past year and every single one of them has been so heart warming and fun. Her love stories remind you of what it feels like to fall in love for the first time and they take you to a happier world for a while. Like all her previous novels, I highly recommend.

I liked the overall story, but Sadie’s character made me dislike this book. She was so bratty and whiny that I just couldn’t connect. I had to force myself to not DNF it.

Hello Stranger, 5*

In the wake of losing my mom this was one of the hardest books I've read. If it wasn't a Katherine Center book I would have just DNF’d it. But if there is one thing I know, it's that KC will give me that damn happy ending! I’ll finish the story and feel all warm and gooey inside, learn a little more about life and feel optimistic about humanity. She did not disappoint.

Sadie was a hot mess. The Kim’s were my favorite. Joe was 10/10. Peanut the foodie was a good boy.

This book was 3.5 stars for me. I love Katherine Center and can read anything she writes. I was torn a little on this one relating to the twist, which I saw coming but overall I loved the book.

Katherine Center always writes the most heart warming stories. This book was such a mood booster - at first I wasn’t sure of the plot, but it’s so well written. The author’s note is a nice touch too about romance novels! Her books are always an instant buy for me.

was really disappointed with this one. I think the concept was really creative and interesting but the execution was not great. There were so many unnecessary and really awful parts just for it to seem like it would be all tied together neatly at the end.

Excellent! Quick fun read. Especially interesting because it informs on the little know disorder of 'face blindness'. Now there is a TV show with an MD with the disorder of the same name, just the other kind than the main character has at this time. Enjoyable book especially if you're wanting some light reading with a little romance that's not overdone. I was provided an advanced reader copy but was under no obligation to review for I apologize for the delay in the writing. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Katherine Center is the queen. I loved this book. It was so fun to read. I love the characters and the challenges each character had to overcome. I thoroughly enjoyed the message of strength, joy, and happiness. I love this book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy

Sadie Montgomery is an aspiring painter and has finally had a breakthrough when she is accepted into a prestigious competition. She then finds her self in a hospital in need of brain surgery, which leaves her with face blindness. The prognosis from her doctors is that this is hopefully temporary, there's no guarantee. How is Sadie supposed to continue with her efforts as a portrait painter if she can't see people's faces. The book takes us through her journey post-surgery, where she encounters and falls for two very different men. She is faced with making the decision of which man is right for her. This book contains all of Katherine Center's usual charm, wit and warmth, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was able to "figure out" (although it's not a mystery book) the ending before the author got there, but I still found the book enjoyable.

The pacing of this book was perfect and I really enjoyed the overall story. Katherine Center is always a hit for me and I will keep reading whatever she writes!

Eventho there is no spice in Katherine Centers books they are romances that are soo enjoyable to read. You really get to know her characters. Sadie is forced to come to terms with her sudden diagnosis of face blindness in the midst of getting read to enter an art competition where her main focus is painting portraits and making money by doing animal portraits.

Thank you to St Martins press for an arc.

Katherine Center has once again provided us with an excellent romance book.
The story grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t release its hold until the end. The story has some twists and turns that you can see coming. But if you read for enjoyment it doesn’t take away for the book. In my opinion there were a few far fetched areas that made me question things. But overall I’m glad I read it.
Thank to NetGalley for the complimentary book

A beautiful romance novel about identity and loving someone for who they really are, rather than what they look like. Center’s Hello Stranger follows Sadie after an accident that leaves her with face blindness, a very unfortunate experience given her work as a portrait artist. Unable to recognize anyone by anything other than context clues and—surprisingly—gaits, Sadie enters a world in which she must relearn how to form and maintain relationships, as well as her ability to paint portraits without any facial features. While going through this life-changing experience, Sadie also happens to fall for two men in her life: her charming vet who saves her dogs life and the helpful neighbor in her building who can’t stop saving her socially. With family problems and work deadlines, grief and money stress, and above all else, her inability to recognize anyone, Sadie’s life does not need the complication of a relationship, but as she grows closer with Vet Oliver Addison and Neighbor Joe, Sadie learns that it’s okay to ask for help, and that what truly matters in a relationship is what’s inside.

I loved this fun yet meaningful romance from Center and can’t wait to read her backlist. Center did an amazing job researching neuropsychology and face blindness for this novel, and I was genuinely moved by Sadie and her character growth. Fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Taylor Jenkins Reid will love this book!

I'll admit, I'm a bit picky when it comes to Romance novels. I don't mind a dash of spice, but I don't love it when a novel is to focused on the spice, so, that being said, "Hello Stranger" really was the perfect book for me. It was the exact kind of romance I look for. Sweet, while a bit frustrating at times, with characters that defy the odds. Even though I figured out the twist about halfway through the story, I still really appreciated Sadie and Joes story and loved seeing it progress through the pages. I also found the fact that Sadie, the protagonist, was given a health condition that caused her (a portrait artist) not to be able to see faces during the most crucial time in her career to be both a unique and fun story line, if also a bit stressful at times. Then, the added side storyline relating to Sadies family also gave a dash of flavor to the story. I think her struggles are something a lot of readers can relate to and I'm happy for the outcome, especially with her relationship with Lucinda.

This is the first book I've read by Katherine Center and overall I really like her style. I can't wait to read other works by her!