Hello Stranger by Katherine Stranger

Sadie is about to start really celebrating being a top 10 finalist in an important portrait contest when the worst thing happens, she goes face blind after having brain surgery to save her life. In the course of recovery Sadie deals with an evil step-sister, an adorable vet, a meddling step-mother, an estranged father, a well meaning best friend, a neighbor she may have misjudged, and figures out how to paint a portrait (even if she knows she will not win the competition). Sue’s, Sadie’s best friend, parents basically adopted Sadie because they are awesome, are almost the real parental figures for Sadie and have very loving scenes when they are in scenes. Sue’s cluelessness about what Sadie is going through could be easily be the funniest parts of the book. The reader will figure out who Joe is before Sadie does (and even before Joe realizes Sadie doesn’t know who he is). What was a nice twist was who the man in the store when Sadie is buying cheap wine turned out to be. A cute story with great characters.  Mr. Kim giving permission for Sadie to be happy at the end shows who the true father figure in Sadie’s life really is. Peanut, the dog, is a bit of a worry during the story, however the reader should know he is fine and living a happy life by the end of the book. Great read, and since Sadie cannot see people the character list usually provided will not be done so that the reader is in the same state of not being sure who people are, just like Sadie. Looking forward to more from this author, as her rom-com stories are charming and uplifting.