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emmas_bookshelf's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Fatphobia
momsmagicreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I only fell in love with reading romance about a year ago. It was my "Hello, Stranger" moment, if you will. Romantic relationships were a part of the books I'd been reading, but not the focus. And then I found some authors that made the pieces fall right into place for me. I've discovered Katherine Center's work relatively recently, and perhaps you can imagine my delight when reading the Author's Note in Hello Stranger and discovering that Center also had a similarly-timed, surprising, and delightful fall-in-love-with-romance moment. Oh, do I ever love a sense of connection with an author!
I also love a sense of connection with a character, and Sadie Montgomery's sassy independence, quirkiness, and self-deprecating humor was charming, though tinged with a bit of sadness. She is a portrait artist who, due to an unusual medical issue, is now living with a condition commonly known as face blindness - but that's not where the story begins. She has had a very strained relationship with her family since the death of her mother, which left her determined to succeed on her own - but also lonely. Her best friend, Sue, balances out what Sadie views as her shortcomings - Sue is cheerful, outgoing, and has a loving family who has welcomed Sadie in as if she's one of their own. And occasionally a "generic white male" appears in Sadie's life, for better or for worse. *Cue the somewhat obscured romantic storyline that makes you simultaneously crave reaching the end of the book to figure it all out but also wanting the sweet, slow burn to last forever* Does Sadie make mistakes? Absolutely! Some she can see coming and some she can't (but perhaps you, dear reader, can!). And we see that sometimes a serendipitous moment can change everything.
Katherine Center has created endearing characters in Sadie, Mr. and Mrs. Kim, and Joe; love-to-hate them characters in Dr. Montgomery, Lucinda, and Parker; and the best cheering squad you can imagine in Sue, Dr. Nicole, and Augusta. Her writing evokes a wide range of feelings; I laughed, wept inwardly, and had several a-ha! moments that would have been visible on my face to anyone nearby. Hello Stranger is a masterpiece of what Center explains to us (in her Author's Note) is a "positively valanced" novel, and I look forward - with great anticipation - to what she has in store for us next.
I also love a sense of connection with a character, and Sadie Montgomery's sassy independence, quirkiness, and self-deprecating humor was charming, though tinged with a bit of sadness. She is a portrait artist who, due to an unusual medical issue, is now living with a condition commonly known as face blindness - but that's not where the story begins. She has had a very strained relationship with her family since the death of her mother, which left her determined to succeed on her own - but also lonely. Her best friend, Sue, balances out what Sadie views as her shortcomings - Sue is cheerful, outgoing, and has a loving family who has welcomed Sadie in as if she's one of their own. And occasionally a "generic white male" appears in Sadie's life, for better or for worse. *Cue the somewhat obscured romantic storyline that makes you simultaneously crave reaching the end of the book to figure it all out but also wanting the sweet, slow burn to last forever* Does Sadie make mistakes? Absolutely! Some she can see coming and some she can't (but perhaps you, dear reader, can!). And we see that sometimes a serendipitous moment can change everything.
Katherine Center has created endearing characters in Sadie, Mr. and Mrs. Kim, and Joe; love-to-hate them characters in Dr. Montgomery, Lucinda, and Parker; and the best cheering squad you can imagine in Sue, Dr. Nicole, and Augusta. Her writing evokes a wide range of feelings; I laughed, wept inwardly, and had several a-ha! moments that would have been visible on my face to anyone nearby. Hello Stranger is a masterpiece of what Center explains to us (in her Author's Note) is a "positively valanced" novel, and I look forward - with great anticipation - to what she has in store for us next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Grief, Medical content, and Death of parent
readingwithmeredith's review against another edition
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!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book early!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Medical content, Bullying, and Chronic illness
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
mamawantsbooks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Katherine Center has absolutely done it once again. Hello Stranger revolves around Sadie, a portrait artist who after an accident and consequent surgery develops face blindness. Not super awesome considering she has an important competition that depends on a portrait she’s made from a live model. Throw in some romance shenanigans involving her vet and the always helpful but possibly serial romancer Joe from her building and 🤌🏽. A cozy and clean romance that reminds me of Meg Cabot’s Boy series in the best way possible. Katherine is ruining my life by quickly becoming a favorite author with an auto-buy/read factor.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC and the chance to read this before it releases in July!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC and the chance to read this before it releases in July!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Bullying, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
haylethal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and St.
Martin’s Press for the ARC! I was so excited to receive it, you have no idea.
Sadie is a starving portrait artist who is trying to get her big break and she’s almost there. She has placed in a big art competition and has the opportunity to win $10,000.
One night she’s on her way to a party to celebrate her newfound success when she suddenly has a seizure in the middle of a cross walk and a Good Samaritan saves her.
While she’s in the hospital, she finds out that she has an irregular blood vessel in her brain and has to have surgery. This surgery leads to her developing face blindness. Bad for a portrait artist, right?
I absolutely LOVE Katherine Center’s writing/books. Seriously, give me all her books right now, they’re amazing. And have you seen the covers?!
Her characters all have such great personality and witty banter, it’s adorable. And they’re imperfect, they all have their flaws they have to work through and eventually become the best versions of themselves. It’s good when you’re sad that the book has to end.
I can totally relate to Sadie and her relationship with her dog, Peanut, too. I have an 11 year old mini doxie who I hope lives forever.
Ps, don’t sleep on the authors note! And the book comes out in July 2023!
Martin’s Press for the ARC! I was so excited to receive it, you have no idea.
Sadie is a starving portrait artist who is trying to get her big break and she’s almost there. She has placed in a big art competition and has the opportunity to win $10,000.
One night she’s on her way to a party to celebrate her newfound success when she suddenly has a seizure in the middle of a cross walk and a Good Samaritan saves her.
While she’s in the hospital, she finds out that she has an irregular blood vessel in her brain and has to have surgery. This surgery leads to her developing face blindness. Bad for a portrait artist, right?
I absolutely LOVE Katherine Center’s writing/books. Seriously, give me all her books right now, they’re amazing. And have you seen the covers?!
Her characters all have such great personality and witty banter, it’s adorable. And they’re imperfect, they all have their flaws they have to work through and eventually become the best versions of themselves. It’s good when you’re sad that the book has to end.
I can totally relate to Sadie and her relationship with her dog, Peanut, too. I have an 11 year old mini doxie who I hope lives forever.
Ps, don’t sleep on the authors note! And the book comes out in July 2023!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Bullying, Death of parent, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Panic attacks/disorders
maggieparedesauthor's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Bullying, Medical content, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
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