Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center Narrator: Patti Murin
Published by MacMillan Audio, St. Martin's Press on July 11, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Life Fiction
Pages: 320
Length: 10 hours, 15 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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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?
Hello Stranger was a journey of personal growth for Sadie. I didn’t figure out her name until later in the books because a person doesn’t call themselves by their own name. We are mostly shared her thoughts and point of view. Sadie had a rough childhood with her mother’s death, her father’s withdrawal into grief and then the evil stepmother and stepsister.
She loves art which is her mother’s legacy, and treasures some of her mother’s things. Then she needed brain surgery or she might die suddenly like her mother did. I really appreciated how kind and positive she stayed with all the past and present problems she has. I don’t that I would have been so strong. But some of the family issues seemed a bit over the top. How could they be so evil?
Even though part of her development has her thinking she didn’t give enough, somehow she had her amazing friend Sue and her parents so she wasn’t without any support or love. Her reluctance to accept help or tell anyone about her challenges seemed believable. Thankfully, she has Peanut to calm any distress.
Like most other books by this author, the heart is this character Sadie and how she struggles, survives and even triumphs in her life. The romance is a bit of a side story. I liked how helpful Joe was and eventually connected him to his profession while Sadie didn’t. Their miscommunication was miserable and sad. Really, Sadie was so honest and forthright, it felt unfair.
I really enjoyed Hello Stranger and recommend it. The emotional ride while sometimes a bit silly or unrealistic, is also inspiring. It was so easy to root for Sadie all along.
Narration:
I’ve listened to Patti Murin previously. She infused Sadie’s voice and thoughts with emotion and this was an emotional time for her. All the voices, male or female, were distinct and seemed appropriate. I enjoyed her performance. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Katherine Center
Katherine Center is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away, the upcoming Things You Save in a Fire (August 2019), and five other bittersweet comic novels. Six Foot Pictures is currently adapting her fourth novel, The Lost Husband, into a feature film starring Josh Duhamel, Leslie Bibb, and Nora Dunn. Katherine has been compared to both Nora Ephron and Jane Austen, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” Katherine recently gave a TEDx talk on how stories teach us empathy, and her work has appeared in USA Today, InStyle, Redbook, People, Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, Real Simple, Southern Living, and InTouch, among others. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her fun husband, two sweet kids, and fluffy-but-fierce dog.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I’ve read so many rave reviews for this book, I’m glad you lived it too😁
I did. I generally enjoy this author. Her life fiction seems more realistic.
I really enjoyed this book too and appreciated reading your thoughts on it.
Thank you Jodie. This author gives more realistic characters not just a romance.
This sounds like my kind of book. I’m adding it to my TBR for sure.
Great review!
I hope you love it. It’s a romance but more a story of character growth and development.
I do want to read this one!
I really hope you enjoy it. I loved the personal growth of the main character.
Just added it to the wish list. I need to try her books.
I really enjoy this author. I’ve read a few and would like to get to more of her backlist.
I can’t wait to get to this one. Patti Murin is also on my list of favorite narrators. Wonderful review, Anne💜
Thank you Jonetta. I really enjoy this author. She does her characters so well here.
I’m currently reading and loving this one!
I’m glad you are enjoying it too!
I just loved this one. I had a great time going on this journey with Sadie!
yes it took me a long time before I knew her name was Sadie somehow as we were in her thoughts / POV. lol This was a great growth of her character.
I really enjoyed this one so I’m glad to hear you loved it as well.
It’s the personal growth of the main character which is always a great story.
LOL. That drives me nuts with a first person POV and we don’t know the MCs name (sometimes it’s not even in the book description if it’s also written in first person). Sounds like this one was a winner for you.
yes it was a fun read in addition to the development of Sadie.
I have this author on my TBR and this looks a bit unique. I will add this one to my list. Great review!
Thanks Katherine. This was unusual because of her disease. But the heart is her personal growth which is always a great read.
I got her book The Bodyguard last year as a surprise ARC and enjoyed it. Thought about requesting this one, but just didn’t think I’d have time to get it read. It is still on my TBR, and glad I kept it after your review. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Lisa. This one was widely given positive reviews from the ones I saw.