A New York Times bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
"Utterly and completely charming." #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Jenny Lawson
"Irresistibly fun...a fresh look at how people often let pride or misconceptions get in the way of their own happiness. Sure to grab readers right off the bat." Shelf Awareness
"The latest from the author of The Bodyguard (2022) is a winsome tale of a woman overcoming adversity and learning to lean on the people who care about her." Booklist
"This charming, heartfelt romantic comedy has a well-told, unique storyline, and Sadie’s prosopagnosia feels deftly explained, explored, and treated with respect. There’s chemistry between the protagonists with a slow-burn relationship, but there’s also a focus on Sadie’s mental and emotional growth, as well as her artistic frustrations and problem-solving methods. Readers who enjoy Jenny Colgan and Susan Mallery will love this engaging, well-written romance from Center (The Bodyguard)." Library Journal
"With a thoroughly modern millennial heroine at the helm, Center takes Sadie’s life seriously and her struggles with adulting resonate even before her face blindness sets in. Meanwhile, a dash of humor and an endearing love story make the pages fly. Readers will be hooked." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
“[A]uthor Katherine Center is back this summer with another voice-driven, funny, heartfelt and romantic escapist novel.” Good Morning America Online
“Laugh-and-cry specialist Katherine Center (The Bodyguard) returns with the love story of talented artist Sadie Montogmery.” Goodreads
“In this romantic comedy with depth, a health emergency leaves a struggling portrait artist unmoored with a possibly temporary diagnosis of face blindness.” Lansing State Journal
"With its emphasis on its central character, combined with its “swoony” romance, “Hello Stranger” is a hit. Sadie is everything you could want in a protagonist — the right amount of quirky, sunshiney and stubborn, and the men she’s in love with are equally fascinating. All the side characters provide humor and comfort, and even those characters who you aren’t really supposed to like are annoyingly intriguing and captivating. Center created a brilliant cast of characters, set to a plot that’s sure to keep you reading." Michigan Daily
03/01/2023
Sadie Montgomery is a struggling portrait artist, but things are looking up for her career when she's selected to participate in a portrait competition. Of course, that's when she discovers she has a "minor" leak in her brain and has to have corrective surgery. While her recovery prognosis is excellent, the temporary swelling in her brain causes prosopagnosia, or face blindness. Sadie can see people's bodies, but their faces are mixed-up jumbles. As Sadie struggles with what could be her new normal, she begins to appreciate other things about the people she meets. Her new veterinarian's confident gait, for instance, or her neighbor's kindness. Sadie might just be falling in love with both men simultaneously—and she has no idea what either of them looks like. This charming, heartfelt romantic comedy has a well-told, unique storyline, and Sadie's prosopagnosia feels deftly explained, explored, and treated with respect. There's chemistry between the protagonists with a slow-burn relationship, but there's also a focus on Sadie's mental and emotional growth, as well as her artistic frustrations and problem-solving methods. VERDICT Readers who enjoy Jenny Colgan and Susan Mallery will love this engaging, well-written romance from Center (The Bodyguard).—Heather Miller Cover
Patti Murin offers a fun, vivacious performance of this lively romance. After brain surgery, Sadie is diagnosed with facial blindness, an inconvenient side effect that will make her job as a portrait artist harder. As she copes with this development, she starts a friendship with an annoying neighbor, Joe, and a potential romance with her dog's vet, Oliver. Murin will amuse listeners as she delivers Sadie's brutally honest inwardly grumbling about all her life's issues. As Murin portrays Sadie's growing interest in Joe and Oliver, listeners will choose which character to root for. With steady pacing and a believable narration, this romance will charm listeners. G.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Patti Murin offers a fun, vivacious performance of this lively romance. After brain surgery, Sadie is diagnosed with facial blindness, an inconvenient side effect that will make her job as a portrait artist harder. As she copes with this development, she starts a friendship with an annoying neighbor, Joe, and a potential romance with her dog's vet, Oliver. Murin will amuse listeners as she delivers Sadie's brutally honest inwardly grumbling about all her life's issues. As Murin portrays Sadie's growing interest in Joe and Oliver, listeners will choose which character to root for. With steady pacing and a believable narration, this romance will charm listeners. G.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine