Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⬜
Title: Hello Stranger
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Month Read: January 2023
Book Type: E-Arc
Publication: July 2023
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 336
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me this E-Arc. It in no way influences my review on this work in any way, shape, or form.
TRIGGER WARNING-
Sexual Content / Surgery / Complications from Sugery / Emotional Abuse / Maternal Death
"So when I catch myself worrying, I should try to convince myself that things are going to be fine?"
"That's one way to do it."
"But what if I don't believe it?"
"Then keep arguing.”
No Spoiler Summary (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.
Review:
I read my first Katherine Center book (The Bodyguard) last year, and let me tell you how much I have loved both of these books. She writes fresh, tough, women that are such a breath of fresh air in a genre that sometimes is a little too predictable. I loved reading a novel from the perspective of a portrait artist that can no longer see faces- I thought it was interesting to see that there are artists that actually have this phenomenon, and create beautiful art despite being able to see.
A new kind of love triangle. I love the Joe v. Dr Addison moments in the book, and how wild it seemed for Sadie to have to date around without seeing who she's dating? I do think her not speaking about her medical diagnosis was a little annoying (why are you ashamed of something that isn't your fault?) but I guess we wouldn't have much of a book without her stubborn shame.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and you should pick up a copy in July when it's released. Holding out for it to be a BOTM pick so I can get a hardcover version of this. :)
Recommendation:
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
"But I find the antidote to that is just keeping a sense of humor. And staying humble. And laughing a lot. And doubling down on smiling. We’re all just muddling through, after all. We’re all just doing the best we can. We’re all struggling with our struggles. Nobody has the answers. And everybody, deep down, is a little bit lost."
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