Book Review: Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

I love a book that brings all of the warm fuzzies and Hello Stranger by Katherine Center is a contender for her sweetest love story yet!

In a recent Instagram Reel, Center shared her perspective on love stories. She spoke about the concept of hope within a love story. That knowing there will be a happily ever after isn’t a spoiler or predictable, but rather allows the reader to experience a rare emotional bliss of something to look forward to, hope. You can check out that reel right here.

Center is a master at creating stories that evoke hope. Huge thanks to her for sharing her joy with me and send an early copy of Hello Stranger my way!

Need another example of Center being the queen of love stories? Of course, you do.

Check out my book review of her 2022 novel The Bodyguard here. Spoiler Alert: I loved it so much that I made Katherine a custom embroidery. #fangirl

You can order these books and all of my other favorites from the Books list in my Amazon Storefront!

Before I dive into my review, check out the synopsis of Hello Stranger below:

Goodreads: 

Sadie Montogmery has had good breaks and bad breaks in her life, but as a struggling artist, all she needs is one lucky break. Things seem to be going her way when she lands one of the coveted finalist spots in a portrait competition. It happens to coincide with a surgery she needs to have. Minor, they say. Less than a week in the hospital they say. Nothing about you will change, they say. Upon recovery, it begins to dawn on Sadie that she can see everything around her, but she can no longer see faces.

Temporary, they say. Lots of people deal with this, they say. As she struggles to cope―and hang onto her artistic dreams―she finds solace in her fourteen-year-old dog, Peanut. Thankfully, she can still see animal faces. When Peanut gets sick, she rushes him to the emergency vet nearby. That’s when she meets veterinarian Dr. Addison. And she’s pleasantly surprised when he asks her on a date. But she doesn’t want anyone to know about her face blindness. Least of all Joe, her obnoxious neighbor who always wears a bowling jacket and seems to know everyone in the building. He’s always there at the most embarrassing but convenient times, and soon, they develop a sort of friendship. But could it be something more?

As Sadie tries to save her career, confront her haunting past, and handle falling in love with two different guys she realizes that happiness can be found in the places―and people― you least expect.

My Spoiler- Free Thoughts:

It was a total five-star read for me! Sadie struggles with stubbornness, difficult family dynamics, and a traumatic brain injury that reveals the need for immediate brain surgery. After discovering that surgery has led to (hopefully temporary) prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, she’s understandably struggling to make sense of her new way of life. We see her experience anger and frustration, determination, sadness, hope, and, yes, more stubbornness. 

While we get to walk with her through this process that the doctors say is temporary, she’s also found a new love interest in her dog’s veterinarian and friendship in her once obnoxious neighbor. The only problem? She has no idea what either of them look like. 

This book felt like a hug. It felt like coming home to a book that you know will be safe and fun, playful and memorable, and wrap up with a happily ever after no matter where the pages take you. It’s a welcomed escape from stress, fears, and anxieties. 

I tried holding onto this book for as long as I could before reading it to enjoy my own sense of having something to look forward to, but that lasted a whole three weeks.

It publishes 7/11/23, so plan accordingly! This is the perfect story to accompany you by the pool this summer or pack in a carry-on and enjoyed on summer vacation. 

You can order your copy here and have it in your hands as soon as it’s published. Be on the lookout for a Five Star Cocktail in honor of Hello Stranger on my Instagram page soon!

Want more Five Star Cocktails?

Strawberry Basil Margarita for The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

Strawberry Bourbon Smash for Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Spice Pineapple Margarita for I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

French 75 for Atomic Habits by James Clear

Spicy Passion Fruit Margarita for The Reunion

Large Batch Strawberry Margaritas for Maame by Jessica George

What are your thoughts on Katherine Center’s books? Do you have a favorite? Looking forward to Hello Stranger? 

Leave a comment below and let’s chat!