Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

7 reviews

kristysproule's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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jenna36's review

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emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really liked this book a lot! Had there not been a little too much misunderstanding and not enough communication right at the end it probably would have been 5 stars. I cried a few times while reading it, but it definitely captured some truth about humanity and grief. 

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kaydeedickins's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The Author’s Note is so so beautiful, an ode to love stories. 😍

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thenageler's review

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funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75


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jillkaarlela's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Taylor swift songs: “I think he knows”, “labyrinth” 

Age rating: 13+ (closed door/not steamy)

*EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THE AUTHOR’S NOTE!! IT’S AMAZING OH MY GOSH!!*

Check TW! 

This is quite different from her other romance book, “the Bodyguard”, but I heavily related to it!! It was really great!! Also the concept was super intriguing: what does a portrait painter do when they suddenly can’t see faces anymore? Brilliant! 

Like the main character, I have experienced a sudden illness/issue (severe Rheumatoid Arthritis) that basically derailed my life. I related SO MUCH to Sadie’s determination to not tell people, because she doesn’t want them to see her as needy/a burden, or see her any differently. To someone who hasn’t experienced that, I don’t think they would fully get it, but the people who get it, GET IT!

The illness, acquired face blindness (Prosopagnosia), was so well researched and explained!! Additionally, in the acknowledgements, Katherine Center explains that all of the characters of color, specifically Sue (Korean) and her doctor (from Trinidad) were well researched and based on people Center knew in real life! We love to see it!! 

This was an overall fun book with really cute romance, but I loved the depth that is brought in with the grief and coping that comes with a sudden onset illness that disrupts your life! I would very much recommend this book to anyone, especially if they want to understand the thoughts and motivations behind people who have chronic illnesses and try to hide it or try not to ask for help. 

I did feel like this was leaning a little towards Women’s Fiction with Romance rather than strictly romance (since it deals mostly with the character growth of Sadie and her coping and dealing with her face blindness) but the romance elements were great! 

Great job, again, Katherine Center!! She is an auto-buy author for me! 

TW: an instance of fat phobia, which is later cleared up as he was talking about a dog, not a person (but it still bothered me)

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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readingwithmeredith's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really enjoyed this one! It reminded me of a twist on Cinderella and I loved the mysterious elements thanks to the face blindness. The Bodyguard was my first Katherine Center book and I loved it so I was nervous going into this one. I really enjoyed this one but it didn’t have as much humor to it as the Bodyguard but it still was really good! This might be one of my favorite new releases of the year! It was nice to read a cleaner romance book too that surprised me along the way - reads like a good mix of romance and women’s fiction. The author’s note was so good too!! Definitely one I would recommend to anyone! 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book early!

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maryreadstoomuch27's review

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 ABOUT THIS BOOK 

When Sadie is left (hopefully) temporarily face blind after unexpected brain surgery, she’s left to reckon with not only this new challenge but also her future as an artist and her relationships with everyone around her. Through the struggle, she finds herself falling in love with not only her hot, new vet but also her helpful neighbor. Which will she choose? And what will her life as an artist look like going forward? 

MY THOUGHTS 

I learned so much about face blindness from this read, and Center’s descriptions really made the whole experience feel descriptive and immersive. My favorite part of this story was digging into Sadie’s relationship with her father and stepfamily. The romance plot, while cute, was maybe a little rushed and miscommunication is definitely a plot point. Was this a fun read to escape into for a little white? Absolutely. Was the love story life-changing and memorable? Eh. 

 
***I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! 

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