A review by booksarethenewblack
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
4.5
Well this solidifies that Katherine Center is now an auto-buy author! I was just introduced to her last year and have enjoyed her books immensely. I really need to catch up on all her backlist!
One of the things that I really love about Center’s work is learning something new about a medical issue. In this book, the MC, Sadie has a whirlwind brain surgery that leaves her some complications. She can no longer see faces and she’s a portrait artist! She’s just been accepted into a gallery contest that could finally give her, her big break. We go on her journey the next several weeks as she goes through recovery and trying to figure out her new normal.
Sadie was such a breath of fresh air. I loved her witty comebacks and how she looked at life. Even though, she has some past trauma, she tries to be kind and optimistic. I mean, sometimes she’s just ignoring the hard things but I think that’s what is so great about her journey. I do wish that we got to know her a little bit more before her surgery though. Sadie’s family situation is extremely sad and I hated Parker from the moment I met her.
Joe was the best! I fell for him so fast and he is just such a beautiful human being. I really enjoyed the relationship that Sadie and Joe build. Can you imagine building a relationship with someone and not ever seeing their face? She had to learn a whole new way to recognize people and I think that Center does such a great job here. His love for all the animals was seriously the sweetest!
This book was so quick to read because I had such a hard time putting it down. There are so many fun and sweet moments but we also get a lot of depth. I laughed and I cried a lot. It was so entertaining and I feel so happy after finishing this book. I will say that there are a couple of side characters that I wasn’t in love with. It’s really my only complaint about this book.
Overall, if you loved her other books, I think you will love this one too! It’s fun and heartwarming but will also pull at your heartstrings. There are some very tender moments that will make you cry. I’m looking forward to her next one! 🙂
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!