Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

My rating: 5 of 5 stars




I’m awarding Katherine Center the Nobel Prize for a brand new category: Feel Good Literature!!!



In her Author’s Note at the end of this novel, Katherine Center ably defends the love story: it’s raison d’etre, its necessary place in a happier, more inclusive and progressive world, and the need for an end to the denigration of a genre labeled “romance” or “women’s fiction”.



AGREED!!! In fact, we should lobby for a new label: Feel Good Lit sounds perfect to me.



We DO need romance in our lives. These tumultuous love stories, as Katherine Center points out, are purveyors of HOPE – something we humans can’t truly live without. I make no apologies for reading them, EVER!





Sadie Montgomery is a firecracker of a character! She refuses to admit that she ever needs help – especially from her distant, heartless father and her horrible stepmother, Lucinda! Parker, Lucinda’s evil daughter, made Sadie’s teenage years a living hell. Parker was one character you loved to hate!



You’d think a story about a woman needing brain surgery, then developing face blindness as a result, would be one long tear-fest. Well, think again. I laughed so hard and so often as I traveled along with brave, daffy Sadie on her slow road to recovery. I’ve also highlighted a colossal number of insightful, light bulb moment passages on my Kindle in this beautifully written, heart-stirring novel. Katherine Center has surpassed herself: I was impressed!



The final chapter was a parody of a Whodunnit, with the big reveal elaborately (and hilariously) dissected by Joe, Sadie and Sue. (Reminded me so much of a Three Stooges episode, that scene!)



And what a huge aw-worthy denouement! Just…. filled my heart and curled my toes! Well done!



I’m giving all the stars to this highly entertaining novel that delivered on all levels. (I highly encourage you to read the Author’s Note: I cheered and was totally inspired!) My thanks to Katherine Center, MacMillan Publishers, and NetGalley for an ARC of this outstandingly fabulous novel in exchange for an honest review! It was my ABSOLUTE, LAUGH-OUT-LOUD PLEASURE!!!



AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: (I tried to post this on the AUDIOBOOK VERSION, BUT NO LUCK, SO I ADDED MY AUDIOBOOK REVIEW HERE.) (jUNE 7, 2023)

Another fabulous audiobook experience. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this hilarious, edge of your seat life drama.

Do yourself a favour and listen to this “can’t breathe – wet your pants – laughing so hard” audiobook.

Sadie is trying to put a brave face on a terrible diagnosis. Joe doesn’t know what to make of Sadie.

It all makes for a sometimes heartbreaking, often times hilarious, whirlwind of a story – don’t miss this wild but funny ride!

Do I need to say more?!! Hurry up and go listen to it!


My thanks to the author, narrator, publisher and NetGalley for an ARc of this most excellent audiobook.!



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