This was such an incredible book! It has everything that you want in a romcom. It hits all the troupes. It's not too spicy, I would say that it's rather cozy. But, it's really good and has really great family dynamics that are fun and interesting. AND of course you've got a hot guy in the mix.
This book is absolutely a hot summer read.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8bjLDe5/

DEVOURED. EVERY. SINGLE. WORD.

I have to admit the first K. Center book I read I wasn’t impressed, but YEAR AFTER YEAR I AM SHOOK with the stories we are given and this one did not disappoint. LOVED IT. BEYOND LOVED IT!! I did not guess anything coming and I really found the premise unique, and also educational. I had no idea an affliction such as our MC suffered from even existed- which yes, I will admit that makes me lucky and blessed. I about DIED at some of the situations in this because they were PERFECT and so relatable! I was rooting for our vet, I was rooting for our MC to tell family members where to shove it, I was rooting for all. the. goods!


Do I have this book in every single format? Sure do. The audio of this was brilliant and even though there were some very serious situations and topics throughout, the writing and plot was phenomenally done to continue to engage the reader and have them wanting more of love, of retribution, of achievement and of healing (in all forms).

192272626262 percent will and do recommend this to everyone!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for and advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely adored this book! The premise is original and so interesting. I was sucked into the story immediately and so entertained. Katherine Center had a beautiful way of writing and this story was no different. The narrator was fantastic and made it easy to listen to this book. I would highly recommend it!

This book was a struggle for me. There was a love triangle and miscommunication trope in this, and it did not work for me. I found the main character annoying and I could not connect to her, or cheer for her as the book progressed. This book was not there for me.

I had no problem with the narrator of this audiobook, and the narrator made no difference as to my liking of the book.

I want to thank Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for an ARC, and advanced listening copy of this book.

HELLO! What a cute book to listen to, it's been a while since I laughed, giggled, (and then) cried to a book but I am so glad that "Hello, Stranger" gave me all the feels.

This slow build romance is so delightful. I think the main characters were developed perfectly. I wish I had more of the family drama.

*Amazon Editor’s pick: Best Book of the Year 2023!
*Loved this story!
*Couldn’t put it down
*Learned a lot about Prosopagnosia or face blindness
*I loved how Sadie grew as a person because of her disability-she had to learn how to ask for help from others
*Audiobook ⭐️⭐️⭐️-the character voice distinctions weren’t that great and there was no emotion expressed in the reading

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the Audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Katherine Center has become a favorite author for me, and her books always feel like a warm hug when I finish.

The characters and storyline were so well written, and I thought this was a fascinating take on prosopagnosia, facial blindness.

While the story does have a bit of a love triangle, I didn’t mind it once I finished because it all came together so well for that HEA I’ve come to expect with Center’s heartfelt and emotional storylines.

I paired the audiobook with the book and loved the immersive reading experience so much.

*many thanks to St Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I’m really glad that I managed to get the Advanced Listener Copy of this book, I was having issues getting into the ARC of the book but the narrator does a really good job, and was very engaging to listen to.

Sadie is a struggling portrait artist, after a bad break up she’s living in a hovel on the roof of her best friend’s parents apartment building, when she finds out she’s made it to final round to a portrait contest. In the midst of getting supplies to celebrate Sadie has a seizure and soon has to go in to have brain surgery. After the surgery she is horrified to find out she can no long see faces, in the wake of this she finds herself trying to cope. Meanwhile she keeping running into her awful neighbor Joe and find herself falling for her dogs new veterinarian.

I had a really fun time with this one, and the message was pretty great. I really adored Joe and Sadie’a dynamic.

Katherine Center does it again! I am such fan of Katherine and her writing and to say I squealed in excitement when I was approved for this book does not do it justice.

Sadie is a likable whimsical character just trying to make her way in life when she experiences a medical emergency requiring her to have brain surgery. The problem is she is a finalist in an art competition for portraits and she is experiencing facial blindness. She is on the cusp of getting everything she ever wanted and she enlists the help of her best friend and her new neighbor to overcome this obstacle. She then meets a charming vet who seems perfect for her, or he would be if she didn't start to develop feelings for her neighbor. This book is funny, sweet and overall an easy read. The main character can get a little frustrating at times but her family dynamic really makes those parts of her personality make sense. I will say I guessed the twist but that's not too uncommon for me. That being said I am so happy I got to read it and I wanted to see how the story would come together.

I would recommend this book to any Katherine Center lover looking for a cute romance. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

Book Review: Hello Stranger
Stars: 4 of 5
Author: Katherine Center @katherinecenter
Publisher: St. Martin‘ s Press @stmartinspress
Thank you NetGalley @netgalley for the audio Arc of this book.

This is the story of Sadie, an artist, who has an accident and ends up with facial blindness. Sadie is a portrait artist and just before her accident she finds out she is one of ten finalist for a competition but how can she paint in a contest if she can see faces.

Sadie's life has not been easy. Her mother died when she was a teenager. Her father a prominent cardiac surgeon remarries a not so nice woman with a bratty daughter. She also has difficulty living up to her father's expectations.

Things start to go Sadie's way when she meets two men. She starts to get know them and all is progressing well except how do you tell some one you can't see their face.

Sadie encounters many frustrations and struggles as she learns what may be her new normal. She also must learn to trust others which she has always found difficult. Who knows maybe this face blindness is what Sadie needed to turner life around.

The author does a fabulous job of describing the many aspects of living with such a cognitive disorder that only affects 2.5% of the world's population.

I love this tale. It is a very heartwarming and humerus story if struggle and love, The ending was perfect. Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors and this now is well worth the read.

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The author took a unique premise and gave it life in a way that still honored people who really have the face blindness condition she uses in her story. She clearly did her research and captured the many different ways of looking at one's own disability without overly romanticizing the condition or trivializing it. The pacing was good, and the characters were fun.

Absolutely wonderful. Like, REALLY wonderful. I loved every single word of this entire book and cannot wait to reread it in the future. I stayed up too late and woke up early, eager to continue reading about Sadie.

I just love how well Katherine Center weaves such beautiful stories that focus on both grief and healing. 100% recommend. And the narrator is fabulous!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary e-arc. All opinions here are my own.

Title: A Heartwarming Exploration of Connection: "Hello Stranger" by Katherine Center

Rating: ★★★★☆

Katherine Center's "Hello Stranger" is a delightful and heartwarming tale that explores the unexpected connections that can blossom in the most unexpected places. Center's signature blend of wit, charm, and genuine emotion shines through, making this novel a comforting and engaging read.

The story follows the journey of Cassie Hanwell, a dedicated and accomplished paramedic who finds herself far from her comfort zone when she moves to a small town in Texas. The narrative skillfully navigates themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the healing power of human connection.

Center's character development is a standout aspect of the novel. Cassie is a relatable and strong-willed protagonist, and her journey of personal growth is both authentic and compelling. The supporting cast, including the quirky residents of the small town, adds layers of humor and warmth to the narrative, creating a community that readers will want to be a part of.

The author's narrative style is accessible and engaging, with a perfect balance of humor and heart. Center tackles serious themes with a light touch, infusing the story with a sense of hope and optimism. The pacing is well-managed, allowing the relationships and conflicts to unfold organically.

The romantic elements of the novel are tenderly portrayed, avoiding clichés and presenting a genuine connection between the characters. The slow-burning romance adds depth to the story without overshadowing the broader themes of self-discovery and personal empowerment.

While the plot follows some familiar romance novel tropes, Center injects enough freshness and authenticity into the narrative to keep readers invested. The Texas setting adds a charming backdrop to the story, and the author's attention to detail in capturing the nuances of small-town life contributes to the novel's overall charm.

In summary, "Hello Stranger" is a heartwarming and uplifting read that delivers on both emotional depth and entertaining storytelling. Katherine Center's ability to create relatable characters and explore themes of connection and self-discovery make this novel a satisfying choice for readers seeking a feel-good escape.

Sadie Montgomery's life takes an unexpected turn when, after celebrating a major achievement, she finds herself diagnosed with face blindness—a condition that transforms every face she sees into a perplexing puzzle. In her journey to navigate this new reality, where every face is a disjointed collection of features, Sadie grapples with maintaining her artistic aspirations, addressing family challenges, and caring for her cherished dog, Peanut.

While facing these struggles, Sadie unexpectedly discovers herself entangled in feelings of love, lust, and a fleeting obsession, providing a temporary escape from life's complexities. Amidst the challenges, the story transcends traditional romance, exploring themes of personal growth, resilience against life's obstacles, and the art of letting go of burdens that hinder progress. This heartfelt narrative blends warmth, depth, and substance, addressing challenging issues with a gentle touch while delivering a compelling tale of falling in love and finding oneself.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the premise of the book was super promising. A portrait artist loses her ability to see? Count me in. Unfortunately, Sadie came across as a total brat. Her life sucks, and she wants to blame everyone else for it. I grew super tired of her whining, and I found it really hard to root for her success.

I found it really difficult to care for the love triangle between Sadie, Joe, and the doctor. What annoyed me most of all, is the fact that she had so many nice people in her life willing to help her do all of these things she could no longer do, and she couldn’t take five seconds to care for anyone else but herself. She never took the time to get to know and/or thank anyone else for doing things for her, and I hated it.

I normally love Katherine Center’s books, but this one wasn’t my favorite. The idea of this book hooked me, but I just couldn’t get over the amount of terrible and selfish characters present in the book.

I will say, however, that the audiobook was perfection. Patti Murin did an exceptional job and I truly enjoyed listening to her.

Katherine Center does it again! This book is so beautifully written. Don't miss this one!! You won't be disappointed!

4.25🌟 - I enjoyed it!

Katherine Center books are so fun! This was such a unique premise with the main character dealing with the condition of face blindness. It is creative, sweet, and overall a really cozy romance read. There were predictable moments, but the overall swoon and how it all came together really worked for me.

I have decided that if Katherine Center writes it, I am going to read it. I love the closed-door love stories. Hello Stranger was unlike anything I had read before because the main character, Sadie, is suffering from facial blindness after an accident. Although I did have the "twist" figured out ahead of time, I still really enjoyed this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

Hello Stranger is about Sadie, a struggling portrait artist who doesn’t want to admit she’s struggling to her father who told her she should become a doctor like him. She makes it seem like everything is going fine for her despite the fact she’s living in her art studio on the roof of an apartment building, which was only meant to be a studio, not a full time residence.

One day she finds out she has a problem with her brain – but she also just found out she’s in the top 10 for a prestigious portrait contest, she doesn’t have time for brain surgery right now. Until her father, a literal brain surgeon, tells her she needs to have the procedure done ASAP.

She has the surgery and comes out of it fine, except she, a portrait artist, can no longer see faces.

I’ve never heard of prosopagnosia (face blindness) before so it was fascinating to learn more about it in this fictional story – but the disease is a real one. Sadie is taught tricks on how to get around not being able to see someone’s face, such as being nice to everyone and reading body language and tone of voice. She’s not great at knowning peoples voices so what ensures is hilarious and heartwarming of her getting to know people each time she meets them until she realizes who they are.

Enter Joe. Joe is a guy who lives in the same building as Sadie and has been helping her out. But Sadie has a crush on Dr. Addison, her veterinarian, and has already decided they’re getting married! I loved seeing her interact with her two crushes and you’ll never guess how this story ends (you will absolutely guess it’s pretty obvious, but that’s one of the best things about romance)!

Sadie is such a great character and she doesn’t let this temporary (hopefully, according to the doctors) disability stop her from painting a portrait. She’s a genuine person and I wish I knew someone like Sadie in real life!

I can’t fail to mention her best friend Sue who often forgets Sadie can’t see faces anymore but is still there for her. She’s the definition of a ride or die.

Joe is another good guy we learn about in bits and pieces from what Sadie pieces together. I liked him a lot.

This was such a heartwarming read!