Hello Stranger - Katherine Center

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Katherine Center's latest novel, Hello Stranger, is a heartwarming and entertaining read that will appeal to many readers. The book follows Sadie Montgomery, a struggling portrait artist who develops prosopagnosia (prosopagnosia) after brain surgery. The situation proves particularly challenging because Sadie, a finalist in a prestigious portrait competition, must navigate her personal life and relationships without being able to recognise faces.

I praise the Center's ability to create lovable and quirky characters, infusing humour, emotion, and romance into the story. Sadie's journey of self-discovery and growth is a central theme as she learns to cope with her illness and accept help from others. Supporting characters such as Sadie's best friend Sue, neighbour Joe, and her beloved dog Peanut add depth and warmth to the story.

While some critics found the storyline somewhat predictable, with a few coincidences that made it hard to believe, the story's charm and heart more than made up for these minor flaws. The author's engaging writing style and the book's fast pace immerse readers in Sadie's story from beginning to end.

Some reviews I read also praised Center for shedding light on the rarely discussed condition of prosopagnosia, praising her ability to balance humour and emotion in a satisfying and uplifting way. I can only agree with them. 

The author's note at the end of the book is also worth highlighting, as it provides insight into the central point about the importance of hope and joy in storytelling.#

Overall, "Hello Stranger" appears to be a delightful and heartfelt novel that showcases Katherine Center's talent for creating lovable characters and crafting stories that leave readers with a smile.

I would give "Hello Stranger" a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This rating reflects the book's ability to captivate and entertain readers while delivering a meaningful and emotionally resonant story.