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
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
Critiques-
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March 1, 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
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Starred review from May 1, 2023
With a thoroughly modern millennial heroine at the helm, this emotional contemporary from Center (The Bodyguard) tugs on the heartstrings and grabs attention. Portrait artist Sadie Montgomery, 28, may finally get her big break when she’s selected to enter a prestigious competition. Unfortunately, the contest coincides with a minor medical procedure that turns into emergency brain surgery, and the recovery process leaves her unable to make sense of human faces. Though warned by her neuropsychiatrist that her (possibly) temporary face blindness may make her interpret her other senses incorrectly, Sadie works to get her painting back on track with the support of her best friend, Sue, and her neighbor, Joe, who she can only recognize from the bowling jacket he wears all the time. She also tries dating her hunky veterinarian, Dr. Addison, hoping a relationship will help her settle back into normal. But is she seeing the whole picture? 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. -
June 1, 2023
Twenty-eight-year-old portrait artist Sadie Montgomery finds her world turned upside down when, after having brain surgery to correct a malformed blood vessel, she discovers she can no longer perceive human faces. Sadie is diagnosed with face blindness, which is a huge problem because she's just placed in a major contest that could net her prize money and do wonders for her fledgling career. Though her doctors hope her condition is temporary, Sadie still has the immediate challenge of composing a portrait for the contest with the deadline looming. Making matters worse, Sadie's stepmother seems determined to help her, even as her wicked stepsister, Parker, is determined to make her life hell. And then there's the matter of the two guys Sadie's falling for, a dreamboat vet and a charming neighbor who might be a major player or the most helpful guy Sadie's ever met. 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.COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
- Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "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."
- Good Morning America Online "[A]uthor Katherine Center is back this summer with another voice-driven, funny, heartfelt and romantic escapist novel."
- Lansing State Journal "In this romantic comedy with depth, a health emergency leaves a struggling portrait artist unmoored with a possibly temporary diagnosis of face blindness."
