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Hello Stranger
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
65 posts | 50 read | 35 to read
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 copeand hang onto her artistic dreamsshe 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. Thats when she meets veterinarian Dr. Addison. And shes 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. Hes 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 placesand people you least expect.
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review
Laughterhp
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

Low pick on this one. The MC annoyed me because she could not accept ANY help. And if she was just honest, there would have been no heartache… but it‘s a romance so there has to be conflict.

Her stepsister was absolutely the worst. This was an interesting story and set up with face blindness.

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Eggs
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Sweetest smartest story❣️

“Light matters just as much as darkness. Play matters as much as work, and kindness matters as much as cruelty, and hope matters as much as despair. More so, even. Because tragedy is a given, but joy is a choice.”

#RomCom
#LuckyInLove

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

julieclair Love this quote! Added to stack. 2mo
slategreyskies I love that last line. 😍 2mo
Eggs @julieclair It‘s so amazing 🥰 2mo
See All 6 Comments
Eggs @slategreyskies Yes 🙌🏻 🙌🏻!! 2mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🫶🏻🩷 2mo
56 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Samwise_Gamgee
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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“Isn‘t it lucky when we‘re drawn to people who can teach us things that we need to learn?” Read this in a day. Different and fun 💕

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Allthebookclubs
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

What an interesting plot! I cannot imagine what Sadie was going through, especially given her specific talent. I loathed Parker, but that was the point and it was made well. When I need a pick me up book, I turn to Katharine Center and she never disappoints. Book #10 in 2024

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Eggs
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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One of my top favorites from 2023
🩷💐💛🌺💜🌸🩵

#Bouquet

#LuckyInLove

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 💐 2mo
marleed Loved it! 2mo
Eggs @marleed 🙌🏻🙌🏻 2mo
61 likes1 stack add3 comments
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OriginalCyn620
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Couldn‘t choose one favorite for November!
#12booksof2023

Andrew65 Good, but very different, choices. Hello Stranger is one of the most nominated books this year. (edited) 4mo
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Librarybelle
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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#August ‘s favorite has to be this one! I loved it - loved the audio, loved the storyline, which was not saccharine sweet romance. I laughed, I cried…it was just so good! #12BooksOf2023

Andrew65 This has had a lot of nominations. 4mo
Librarybelle @Andrew65 Well deserved! 4mo
46 likes2 comments
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hes7
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

✨ august ✨

hello stranger was my only five-star read in august last year, so it was my favorite.

#12booksof2023

Andrew65 This one has had a few nominations. 4mo
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Read4life
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Andrew65 An interesting cover, that alone would make you want to read it. 4mo
40 likes1 comment
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NikkiCureton
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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“Seeing the world differently helps you see things not just that other people can‘t—but that you yourself never could if you weren‘t so lucky. It lets you make your own rules. Color outside your own lines. Allow yourself another way of seeing.”
Enjoyable rom-com, with a happy ending. The miscommunication trope was a bit much, but overall a good story.

10 likes1 stack add
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Rissa1
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

#NovelNovember Started and finished. Hopefully, this is the breakthrough, and my reading slump is over. I enjoyed this even though I saw the ending coming. Sadie's family story was able to keep me checked in because I wasn't sure how that would play out.

LiteraryinLawrence I liked this one a lot! My husband did point out that he misread the cover as Hello Strangler, though, and now I can‘t unsee it… 5mo
Rissa1 @LiteraryinLawrence That is hilarious. I think I would read that, too. 5mo
21 likes2 comments
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OriginalCyn620
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

Delightful! When struggling artist Sadie acquires face blindness after brain surgery, she must learn to navigate the world in a different way. She also learns to see the world in a different way…kindness is the way to go is the message here! And of course, there‘s a sweet romance too!

#bookspinbingo - free space

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 5mo
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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SheReadsAndWrites
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

It's been a while since I enjoyed a book from start to finish. This one I loved. The characters, the story, the writing. And a little surprise in the end that was fun. Heartfelt. Honest. Truly adorable. #romance #littensloveromance

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julesG
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Mehso-so

Miscommunication trope done a bit differently. Still predictable.

Paraphrasing the words of the MC: why can't people talk to each other?

#UnpopularOpinion
#MoreMehThanYeah

StayCurious I hate the miscommunication trope lol but the cover looks cute 6mo
SarahDWriter Yes the cover is cute! 6mo
68 likes2 comments
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CatLass007
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

This book was delightful. It was so wonderful listening to Sadie change, not just the way she saw the world, but how she felt about it. In the author's afterward and acknowledgements, I'm not sure if she uses the word kindness, but that was the overall message this book gave me. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 6 stars out of 5.

StayCurious Great review! 7mo
60 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Arvena
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

Such an amazing story - “all the feels“ book. Completely captivating and heartwarming. Brilliant author‘s note!

CogsOfEncouragement The book I just read had a character that read all of Center‘s books. They do all look good. 7mo
58 likes1 comment
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TLuvs
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Absolutely one of my top 5 authors... love pretty much everything she writes!

TLuvs EVERYTHING KC WRITES JUST HITS!!!!!! Devoured this in two days and grabbing my next read by her. 8mo
11 likes1 stack add1 comment
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marleed
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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I really wanted to finish this stack of books this month and gave a couple books too little attention, but some reads were unforgettable. Tagged my fav!

5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F

MyNamesParadise I‘m so excited to read The Connellys of County Down!! I loved the author‘s first book! Glad you liked it! 8mo
marleed @MyNamesParadise Fictional family drama may be my go to genre! 8mo
Garabrandtreviews I felt the same about the one by Nina George. I loved her other works though 7mo
marleed @Garabrandtreviews Me too! Hopefully, the next one is great! 7mo
64 likes4 comments
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Eggs
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Thanks for the tag🥰

1* Hello Stranger 🛼🩷🌺🌟🐶💛🥰

2*Characters!! The heroine is loveable and guileless !

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

TheSpineView I loved that book. Thanks for playing! 8mo
Eggs @TheSpineView ❤️🩷❤️ 8mo
marleed It was Shark Heart for the win for me. There was so much more to the story than just a man morphing into a shark! I so rope my IRL bookclub votes on my submission for a 2024 book discussion. 8mo
Eggs @marleed Sounds good! 8mo
55 likes4 comments
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TheHeartlandBookFairy
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

10 of #14Books14Weeks ...
Katherine Center does it again! Sadie Montgomery has a lot going on in her life, and on the day she gets the news that she'll have a chance to compete with the elite in her field, she feels like she's finally getting somewhere. But the somewhere she ends up is in the hospital diagnosed with cavernoma and brain surgery becomes urgent. Sadie is happy to put off the surgery until after (cont in comments)...

TheHeartlandBookFairy the North American Portrait Sicuety competition, but her somewhat unsupportive father shows up and drops a bomb shell with info about why she needs the surgery immediately. You will ride the roller coaster of emotions with Sadie as you move through this book. Diagnosed with a "probably temporary" condition known as prosopagnisia (face blindness) as a result of the surgery, Sadie has to find a way to create a portrait for the competition. When she can't see faces as anything other than a puzzle of scrambled facial features. As she learns how to deal with finding new ways of recognizing people other than by their faces, she also has to deal with past (and current) family trauma, bullying, and not one, but 2 potential new love interests. You'll cheer for Sadie, you'll want to take a swing at a couple of people for her, and you'll cry with her. And believe me, you will not see where this is going! Fantastic, feel good fiction! 8mo
dabbe Gorgeous flowers! 💚🧡💚 8mo
TheHeartlandBookFairy @dabbe Thank you 😊 8mo
39 likes3 comments
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marleed
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

I read piles of romance and rate them a A- often enough, but I‘m typically too critical of details to go higher. However, I thought this story was adorable and couldn‘t wait for Sadie to see what the reader knew was right there in front of her.

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Margot0817
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
Pickpick

Every book she writes is my new favorite!

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Eggs
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

Great premise! Clever and charming, this is the story of portrait artist Sadie who is discovered to have a small brain bleed and has it removed. But there are some complications involving perception and face recognition that alter her life perspective…

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick
#RushAThon Day 19 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 8mo
Eggs @DieAReader 🙌🏻🤗 8mo
74 likes2 comments
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MartinaLove
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

4/5 ⭐

I really liked it. A great story about life obstacles and forgiveness.

mom_of_4 Im reading one of her books now. About to start it. 8mo
MartinaLove @mom_of_4 I enjoyed all of her books. Her, Christina Lauren and Emily Henry are instant buy for me. And Carley Fortune. 😊 8mo
26 likes2 comments
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MartinaLove
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Currently reading 💙❤️

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TheSpineView
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Misty is giving away this book.

Post this pic and tell us what your favorite book has been this summer. Tag friends and Misty.

See her original post for more info.

Favorite book so far is Hello Stranger.

@BookwormAHN @swishandflick @wanderinglynn

#LitsyLove

wanderinglynn Thanks for the tag! 😘 8mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 8mo
BookwormAHN Thanks for the tag 🧡🧡🧡 8mo
51 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

I nearly sobbed at times listening to this one, as Sadie navigates life with a condition that begins suddenly. It‘s sweet, reflective, humorous, with some dashes of romance. I loved listening to Sadie‘s growth and her journey to acceptance in a variety of things in her life.

While I enjoyed The Bodyguard just a smidge more, I absolutely loved this one. So good! #52BookClub23 #TitleStartingWithTheLetterH

BarbaraBB Wonderful review! 8mo
Librarybelle @BarbaraBB Thank you! 8mo
Clwojick I ADORED this one! Things You Leave in the Fire and The Bodyguard too! Im going to have to read her whole backlist. 😍 8mo
See All 12 Comments
robinb 🩷🩷🩷 So good. 8mo
Read4life 💙💙💙 I‘ve loved everything I‘ve read by her. 8mo
squirrelbrain I haven‘t read anything by this author… definitely sounds like one to try! 8mo
Librarybelle @Clwojick @robinb @Read4life @Cinfhen I may have to read her backlist. I think I have one or two BOTM selections by her, so that will be a start! 8mo
Librarybelle @squirrelbrain This one was a fun one, with also serious bits thrown in. Definitely worth a try! 8mo
robinb So far I‘ve read 7 from her backlist…loved them all (some more than others). My very favorite was the first one I read from her below. BTW, two of her novels have been made into Netflix movies: The Lost Husband and Happiness for Beginners. 8mo
Librarybelle @robinb Good to know!! Thank you! 8mo
robinb @Librarybelle 👍🤗 8mo
82 likes1 stack add12 comments
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GinaKButler
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Up next on audio! 🎧

I 💙 Katherine Center!

#bookspinbingo

Clwojick Adored this one! 9mo
CoverToCoverGirl Me too! 9mo
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Read4life
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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I enjoyed so many books in July, but this one has stayed with me. Center is an auto read author for me anyway but I loved how she wrote about face blindness.

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TheSpineView
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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review
TEArificbooks
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

Center is an auto buy author. Her books tend to be easy to read and laugh out loud funny rom coms. I liked the ending.

51 likes1 stack add
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Sharpeipup
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Taking advantage of the early morning quiet to finish this one.

44 likes1 stack add
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Read4life
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

Love Katherine Center and this book was great. I love that Lauren Billings (1/2 of Christina Lauren) saw that she was writing about face blindness & reached out to offer any info she could as a neuroscientist. #AuthorLove
#BookSpinBingo #ISpyBingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 9mo
51 likes1 comment
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Quirkybookworm
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

You guys, you‘ve got to read this book. I‘ve laughed a lot while reading this late last night until 4:47 am this morning. I just couldn‘t put it down. I actually like it better than her debut novel, Things You Save From the Fire. I just want to say more but I don‘t want to spoil it. How many of you guys read it so far?

Julsmarshall I read it and loved it too! 9mo
Read4life I‘m reading it now and loving it! 9mo
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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GondorGirl
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Katherine Center art Schuyler Books in West Bloomfield, Michigan. She's so chatty and lovely!

CatMS @GondorGirl are you an East Michigander? I'm a West Michigander...Kalamazoo! I Will have to stop by the bookstore next time I'm visiting my sister in White Lake. 7mo
GondorGirl @CatMS I'm actually in Toledo, but close enough to Michigan that I go to a lot of events there. Schuler's is one of my favorite indie bookstores. There's actually three stores- Grand Rapids, Okemos, Ann Arbor, and West Bloomfield. So, there a closer one you can visit! They do lots of great author events. 7mo
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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bridge12
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

Didn‘t mean to get pup, Cat Stevens, nose in there but it‘s fitting.

Loved this book, quick read, and a very charming narrator. 4⭐️ #botm

TheSpineView It's a cute nose!❤️🐾 9mo
21 likes1 comment
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jdiehr
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

You guys.

I loved this story about a portrait artist who suffers a traumatic brain injury and loses her ability to see faces.

Imagine how this affects her career as well as her daily interactions.

Katherine Center did a great job describing what face blindness must be like.

I loved the love story and also the family dynamics.

I teared up a couple of times when Sadie recalls her mother who was also a portrait artist.

So good 💕

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LiteraryinLawrence
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

💗💗💗💗 Very sweet story!

kstadt929 I got this one in my BOTM box and I‘m hoping to get to it soon! I usually can‘t put books by this author down so I‘m hoping to get lost in this one too 🩷 9mo
LiteraryinLawrence @kstadt929 I bet you will! I read it in one day and liked it a lot. 😁 9mo
BkClubCare I like this author, too. Stacking 9mo
71 likes1 stack add3 comments
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SerenaCrawford
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

Great “Summer Read” sometimes it‘s nice to read a quick well written love & learning story. I look forward to reading the authors next book —Things you save in a fire—sometime this year.

55 likes1 stack add
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Laughterhp
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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**Update - we have a winner!

So I won this from a Goodreads giveaway (which I never win), so I already bought a copy from #botm. And I‘m trying really hard to not have multiples of the same book (which I‘m somehow failing at).

So, I‘ll give this away to one lucky litten! If I have multiple people interested, I‘ll pick a name.

*US only please (I don‘t know how to send international).

#litsylove

Read4life I‘d love to be entered please. Thanks for doing this! 9mo
peanutnine I would love to read this one. And the cover is beautiful! 9mo
TheDaysGoBy I‘d like to be entered please! 9mo
See All 8 Comments
WorldsOkayestStepMom That cover! 😍 I'd love to be entered into the giveaway. Thank you! 9mo
Laughterhp I entered the 4 of you into a name wheel and the winner is @WorldsOkayestStepMom ! Congrats! Email me your mailing address at laughterhp3@yahoo.com 9mo
WorldsOkayestStepMom Awesome! Sent you the email, thank you so much! 9mo
50 likes8 comments
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TheSpineView
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

This book was so good!! Read in a day and a half. After 30 pages I felt like I had known Sadie all my life. And Joe, well everyone should have a Joe in their lives. Some of the insights in this book were handled spectacularly. 5⭐️

#LitsyLoveReads @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

LiteraryinLawrence Aww, mine is coming soon and your review makes me even more excited! 9mo
TheSpineView @LiteraryinLawrence Hope you enjoy! 9mo
71 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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TheSpineView
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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My #BOTM came yesterday! Yahoo! Love book mail! ❤️📭❤️📘❤️📚❤️📭❤️

TheBookHippie Love the cover! 9mo
Allylu I'm looking forward to reading this one! 9mo
TheSpineView @Allylu Me too! 9mo
71 likes1 stack add4 comments
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KLyn1
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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review
CoffeeK8
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Pickpick

What I love about KC‘s books is that her characters are so real, and so flawed but at the same time so very appealing. Sadie suffers a life changing setback and has to learn how to ask for help and live her life in an emotionally honest way. All while trying to accomplish a major life goal and falling in love with two very different men. #botm

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CoffeeK8
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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My #BOTM haul! Arrived yesterday and I‘m diving in today. 📚

robinb Loved Hello Stranger! And I've got Dark Corners coming up... Enjoy!! 10mo
39 likes1 comment
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Laughterhp
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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#BOTM got delivered today! I also got my prize delivered for completing the 2023 challenge. My dog immediately snapped it up, thinking it was a dog toy. I‘m not mad because he‘s old and cute and I like that he still has energy for toys.

I also just won a Goodreads giveaway for the tagged book (which I literally never win). We‘ll see if I actually get the copy because the only other time I won, I never got the book.

dabbe Da cutest pup! 🖤🐾🖤 10mo
61 likes1 comment
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robinb
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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It is the COOLEST moment when you‘re reading a favorite author‘s newsletter, and you come across a review they‘ve shared that sounds vaguely familiar…and then you get to the bottom of it and see YOUR name. 😱😱😱

This is from Katherine Center‘s current newsletter for her soon-to-be-released book.

It‘s always nice to discover that someone is reading your reviews…but especially wonderful if that someone is the author of the book. 😊😊🩷

squirrelbrain How lovely! 💕 10mo
BennettBookworm Omg congrats! 10mo
DGRachel That‘s awesome! 10mo
See All 9 Comments
robinb @squirrelbrain @BennettBookworm @DGRachel Thank you! I was so excited to see it! 😍 10mo
MaureenMc 🙌 10mo
CoverToCoverGirl Totally cool! 💕😊 10mo
mabell Very cool!! 10mo
Reggie Awww this is awesome!!! 9mo
robinb @MaureenMc @CoverToCoverGirl @mabell @Reggie I was just blown away…made my day! 🎉😊 9mo
51 likes9 comments
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TheSpineView
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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I choose Hello Stranger by Katherine Center as my July #BOTM choice. It had a lot of good reviews. Looking forward to reading this one!

What did you choose?
💙📖📘📚

JenReadsAlot Same! 10mo
53 likes1 comment
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CoffeeK8
Hello Stranger: A Novel | Katherine Center
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Book of the Month sucked me back in! 3 of my favorite authors all released this month! #botm