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A unique and charming love storySamSpeedReads

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Katherine Center

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Hello Stranger: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Katherine Center (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

9,555 ratings

Editors' pick Best Romance

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The glorious novel from the beloved author whose bright, hopelessly romantic New York Times bestsellers have been called “My perfect 10 of a book” (Emily Henry) and cheered for their “speedy pacing and sexual tension for miles” (People).

Love may be blind. But what if . . . what you see isn't what you get?

It’s all starting to come together for struggling artist Sadie Montgomery. She was just named a finalist in the national portrait competition of her dreams. But when she winds up with a rare, but real, condition where human faces look like jumbled puzzle pieces . . . it is, to say the least, not good.

With only a few weeks to paint the best portrait of her entire life, Sadie will do anything to reverse her condition and get back to work, but it’s anyone’s guess when (or even if) that'll happen.

Enter her dog’s charming veterinarian (who may or may not be Sadie’s daydream fiancé), and her bowling-jacket-wearing, Vespa-riding neighbor (who she can’t seem to stay away from)—both vying for her attention and adding to the chaos.

It’s a lot, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Because the truth is, seeing the world differently has its upsides. And love has an undeniable way of giving us courage. And the best way of looking is always, always with the heart.

"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

From the Publisher

Hello Stranger Katherine Center Emily Henry Helen Hoang quotes

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of July 2023:Reading Hello Stranger feels like drinking a cool glass of lemonade on a warm day—renewing and refreshing. Sadie experiences a breakthrough in her career she has been waiting years for—she is a finalist in a competition that comes with recognition and much needed prize money. Though, as fate would have it, at the same time Sadie is preparing for the competition, she is diagnosed with a non-life-threatening hereditary condition that impends her ability to create the entry piece. Sadie’s situation wasn’t trivial—there is a certain lightness and excitement in watching Sadie reckon with the cards she’s been dealt. As anyone who has experienced a change to their everyday reality, Sadie goes through stages of grief for what she has lost—but as a reader it’s beautiful to watch her develop acceptance of her situation, and growth as a person. Sadie’s interactions with her family, friends, and foes is so real—imperfect, flawed. Amidst all of this is a low-steam, mistaken-identity story with a twist of romance that will make you giddy with anticipation. The author’s note at the end is pure magic , will make romance readers feel seen, and will give non-romance readers a perfect view into our world. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor

Review

A New York Times bestseller

A USA Today Bestseller

"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

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B9KVDK8P
Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press (July 11, 2023)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 11, 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4.0 MB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 325 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #3,366 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #87 in Contemporary Women's Fiction
- #102 in Contemporary Women Fiction
- #189 in Women's Romance Fiction

Customer Reviews:
9,555 ratings

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Katherine Center

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BookPage calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, The Bodyguard, and her newest, Hello Stranger. Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” The movie adaptation of her novel The Lost Husband (starring Josh Duhamel) hit #1 on Netflix, and the movie of her novel Happiness for Beginners, starring Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes, opens July 27 on Netflix. Katherine’s summer 2022 book, The Bodyguard, was an instant New York Times bestseller, a People Best New Books pick, and nominated for Book of the Year by Book of the Month Club. Bestselling author Emily Henry calls The Bodyguard “a shot of pure joy,” and bestselling author Helen Hoang calls it “a perfect feel-good rom-com.” Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.

Customer reviews

9,555 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this novel to be a perfect escapist read with a beautiful love story and unique plot. They appreciate the relatable characters, with one highlighting the dynamic between Sadie and Joe, and find the book thought-provoking and filled with humor that makes them laugh. Customers describe it as a delightful fast read that holds attention until the end, with one noting how it captures the rollercoaster of emotions.

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Readability Story quality Character development Thought provoking Humor Enjoyment Comfort level Pacing

103 customers mention "Readability"98 positive5 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a perfect escapist read that they loved every minute of.

"...- this book was the first one I read by her, and I liked it so much as a library book that I bought a copy so I can re-read it whenever I run out of..." Read more

"...and the audiobook version and the book and Patti Murin’s narration is extremely well done and adds to the story...." Read more

"...It is well worth your time. I both read and listened to this book. I enjoyed Patti Murin's narration of the book...." Read more

"...By the end of this story, I just loved Sadie. The story is told in her voice and point of view which is cute and funny and sometimes sad...." Read more

100 customers mention "Story quality"92 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the story of this novel, describing it as a beautiful love story with a unique plot that kept them engaged. One customer notes the psychological intrigue and romantic comedy elements throughout the narrative.

"...the book and Patti Murin’s narration is extremely well done and adds to the story...." Read more

"...The story is told in her voice and point of view which is cute and funny and sometimes sad. Sadie has suffered some loss in her life, for sure...." Read more

"This book is sad, sweet … funny and a bit “can’t you see it?!” When you know she can’t...." Read more

"...The author has such a strong voice. It was laugh out loud funny, sweet, and sometimes sad. The characters were so likeable and had excellent banter...." Read more

42 customers mention "Character development"42 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding the characters relatable, with one customer particularly noting the dynamic between Sadie and Joe.

"3.75⭐️ 🫑 This novel had me laughing, crying, and shouting at the characters while being fully entertained...." Read more

"...It was laugh out loud funny, sweet, and sometimes sad. The characters were so likeable and had excellent banter...." Read more

"...I liked the sweetness of the main character Sadie but just how forgiving she was toward one particular character (no spoilers in this review) seemed..." Read more

"Great story! Really enjoyed the people in the story and the storyline itself...." Read more

42 customers mention "Thought provoking"42 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and fascinating, with one customer noting it contains interesting facts and life lessons.

"...I've since discovered that she provides information about her background research in every book she writes, a habit I've found to be very useful." Read more

"...with the initial effects of a life changing illness and how perspective is so important when you’re dealing with change...." Read more

"...about this book is the way Center works in an interesting and relatively unknown medical condition that forces our artist to approach work and life..." Read more

"...desires, and romance all together in a way that is unique and well, educational. That is, if you open your eyes to it...." Read more

28 customers mention "Humor"28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it both funny and emotional, though some mention it can be sad at times.

"3.75⭐️ 🫑 This novel had me laughing, crying, and shouting at the characters while being fully entertained...." Read more

"...The story is told in her voice and point of view which is cute and funny and sometimes sad. Sadie has suffered some loss in her life, for sure...." Read more

"This book is sad, sweet … funny and a bit “can’t you see it?!” When you know she can’t...." Read more

"...The characters were so likeable and had excellent banter. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much." Read more

18 customers mention "Enjoyment"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fully entertaining, with one mentioning it holds attention until the end and another noting how it challenges readers.

"...me laughing, crying, and shouting at the characters while being fully entertained...." Read more

"...be over the top and the conclusion a bit farfetched, but it was still a fun and fast read...." Read more

"...I listened to it every chance I had and never got bored...." Read more

"...Light not heavy, enjoyable. I recommend it." Read more

15 customers mention "Comfort level"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book comforting and relatable, with one customer noting how it felt real to them and another mentioning the rollercoaster of emotions throughout the story.

"...Overall, this is a terrific feelgood story that had me smiling and re-reading right away...." Read more

"...I found this book to be a charming feel-good romcom." Read more

"...I adored this touching story! ❥ 5 stars — Pub. 7/11/23..." Read more

"This book was so interesting and captivating and nothing like I have ever read...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pacing"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing, describing it as a delightful fast read, with one customer noting its slow build.

"...top and the conclusion a bit farfetched, but it was still a fun and fast read...." Read more

"...The romance here is just a lovely, slow build, that had me loving Sadie and hoping that everything would work out for her...." Read more

"...Sadie was so lively and funny and handled a difficult time in her life with grace...." Read more

"...The love story has good tension and pacing. It's a great read if you are looking for a solid Oxytocin boost." Read more

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Sandy
A Fun Read with Useful Insights (not just a fluffy romance)
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2025
Verified Purchase

I'm a Katherine Center fan - this book was the first one I read by her, and I liked it so much as a library book that I bought a copy so I can re-read it whenever I run out of other books to read. I've also enjoyed all the other books she's written, but I would say this one is my favorite. I had never heard of the face-blindness experienced by the main character, but Katherine Center did a lot of research and provided some further resources in the acknowledgements. I've since discovered that she provides information about her background research in every book she writes, a habit I've found to be very useful.

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ElisaTonks
Fun RomCom
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2025
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3.75⭐️ 🫑

This novel had me laughing, crying, and shouting at the characters while being fully entertained. It was also nice to see an FMC dealing with the initial effects of a life changing illness and how perspective is so important when you’re dealing with change. Will definitely be reading more by this author in the future. I switched between reading and the audiobook version and the book and Patti Murin’s narration is extremely well done and adds to the story.

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BookJunkie
Fun and Unexpected
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
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Happy Pub Day to Katherine Center and Hello Stranger! Pub Day 7/11

I'm a fan of Katherine Center. She is known for writing solid romances with fun storylines full of comfort and hope. Yet she always introduces the unexpected into what is typically a highly predictable genre. In this case it's a struggling artist with a strange side effect from an injury, a couple (??) of possible love interests, and the cutest sidekick of a dog I've seen in a while.

What I love about this book is the way Center works in an interesting and relatively unknown medical condition that forces our artist to approach work and life in a different way and to learn that it is ok to let others help you. I found the family dynamics to be over the top and the conclusion a bit farfetched, but it was still a fun and fast read. Maybe not my favorite Katherine Center book, but I'll still be first in line when her next book is released.

Note: The author's note starts as a reference to her sources for the research on the medical condition and continues into her love letter to romance books and the romance genre. It is well worth your time.

I both read and listened to this book. I enjoyed Patti Murin's narration of the book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, MacMillan Audio, and Net Galley for the Advanced Reader's and Advanced Listener's copies of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

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5 people found this helpful

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TM in PA
Wonderful slow build romance!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
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What would happen to you if you suddenly lost the one thing that you need for your job, your livelihood, your personal success? Sadie Montgomery is a portrait artist about to potentially get the big break that will make her a success in the eyes of important family members when a potentially serious health condition sidelines her. But even worse, as a portrait artist who specializes in faces, her medical condition has left her with the inability to read faces, called face blindness.

I'll admit, I'd never heard of face blindness and this book makes it so that I'll never forget it! Sadie actually takes her situation quite well and she does have the help of a lovely therapist who helps Sadie navigate this fairly serious change in how she views the world. But there's no way to avoid the fact that the portrait she needs for the contest is not completed, and she'll have to tackle it while she has face blindness.

But there are some bright spots -- namely two -- her new veterinarian who she fantasizes about marrying, and one of her neighbors who lives in the apartment building. Joe, the neighbor, starts out by giving Sadie a wrong impression that gradually changes to something like friendship and maybe more. I don't want to say much more about this, but I truly loved how this unfolded! I had an inkling about what was happening here, but it wasn't confirmed until that glorious ending when a beautiful HEA lands in Sadie's heart.

By the end of this story, I just loved Sadie. The story is told in her voice and point of view which is cute and funny and sometimes sad. Sadie has suffered some loss in her life, for sure. I adored how the family situation come together nicely, even the episode with Sadie's evil stepsister.

I finished this book with a smile on my face and I ended up going back to read the deliciously sweet ending a few times since. Things almost go south for Sadie, but her friends really come through for her.

I loved everything about this -- from the story of a young artist finding her true creative calling to the romance that develops way before the start of the book. The romance here is just a lovely, slow build, that had me loving Sadie and hoping that everything would work out for her.

Overall, this is a terrific feelgood story that had me smiling and re-reading right away. I devoured this is a couple of days because I really needed to know how it all ended up for Sadie, including her art and her family. I just loved this and it will definitely be on my list of favorites for 2023.

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23 people found this helpful

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Glitterjen
Great read
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2025
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This book is sad, sweet … funny and a bit “can’t you see it?!” When you know she can’t.

I felt this book and Sadie’s hardships … how she continued to struggle and struggle some more. How everything was thrown at her!

But at the heart of this book is a slow burn love story. Which is good.

My first read from Katherine and I am onto read many more!

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Amy k.
A fun, emotional read
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2025
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I loved this book. The author has such a strong voice. It was laugh out loud funny, sweet, and sometimes sad. The characters were so likeable and had excellent banter. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much.

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Victoria
Cute Strangers to Lovers Story
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2025
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I loved the writing in this romance! Sadie was so lively and funny and handled a difficult time in her life with grace. I’d heard of prosopagnosia but never in this instance and it was fascinating to read about it from her perspective. Wasn’t expecting that plot twist but loved it! I wish there was more to the story, as most endings always feel rushed and leave you wanting more of that world, those characters and their stories. Sadie and Joe made a great love story.

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Top reviews from other countries

Scribe
Katherine Center delivers again
Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2025
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As always, Katherine Center delivers. I was not a big fan of romance novels, but her rom-coms are more like a hot cup of tea with a good friend, with witty banter and the promise of love. Gone are the Regency romances that the genre is usually known for - Katherine Center makes rom-coms relevant, and delivers on the promise of an entertaining yet still thought-provoking read. This book is a must-have in your library.

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Diane Schepers
Always 5 stars
Reviewed in Germany on February 22, 2025
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There's no Katherine Center book that has disappointed so far.
Hello Stranger touches so many issues and still it is fun to read.

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BarbarinaS
Absolutely beautiful
Reviewed in Australia on October 26, 2023
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This was a delight from start to finish. It held such poignancy and even though I guessed what was happening I still wanted to savour each word, each moment of the journey. Loveable characters, interesting characters and all of them with that touch of reality that holds us to the page.
I can’t bring myself to talk about the story. I don’t want even a hint of spoilers. Just read it and enjoy it. Loved, loved and loved it.

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Danny
Just another beautiful piece about love and humanity.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2024
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Thank you Katherine for fooling me again with the cute cartoon cover only to have me ugly crying and sobbing my heart out third of the way in.

Just another beautiful piece about love and humanity.

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wainisi
Hello strangers
Reviewed in Australia on March 24, 2024
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The book was overall a good read, however a long the way I felt lost in the story. It’s not a bad book, was busy I couldn’t wrap my head around.

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Hello Stranger: A Novel Kindle Edition

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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read with Useful Insights (not just a fluffy romance)

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun RomCom

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Unexpected

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful slow build romance!

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun, emotional read

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute Strangers to Lovers Story

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Katherine Center delivers again

5.0 out of 5 stars Always 5 stars

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just another beautiful piece about love and humanity.

3.0 out of 5 stars Hello strangers

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A Fun Read with Useful Insights (not just a fluffy romance)

Fun RomCom

Fun and Unexpected

Wonderful slow build romance!

Great read

A fun, emotional read

Cute Strangers to Lovers Story

Katherine Center delivers again

Always 5 stars

Absolutely beautiful

Just another beautiful piece about love and humanity.

Hello strangers