I don’t remember when I asked for He Heard Hannah for review, but when I saw the title on my Kindle this week when I was looking for a new book to read, I thought it was probably a Biblical fiction book. It was rather confusing when I opened it and saw something about a 911 call. Pretty soon I figured out what the story was about, but it still took until I was halfway through the book before I connected where the title came from!

Anna was born with a severe heart condition. She had several heart surgeries when she was very tiny, but seemed to be fairly healthy most of her life. However, when she was six, her heart stopped beating one morning. Her mother, Lynette, was devastated. What good could possibly come out of losing her daughter?

Courtney Becker was the 911 dispatcher on duty that morning.  Being on the phone with Anna's father Kyle for 14 minutes as the little girl died changed his life. For the next several years he struggled with depression like he'd never experienced before. Then one day, he was contacted by Kyle, and things began to change in his life.

He Heard Hannah is an amazing story of how God can use pain and grief to work good in people. There were a few chapters that were difficult for me to read, because I was crying so hard. I could identify so well with Lynette‘s emotions after losing her daughter. I remember that feeling, after losing a child, of thinking we would never be happy again. Along with her, I have learned how God can restore joy and heal pain. It’s wonderful to see the good that God can bring out of painful situations like losing a child. And watching Courtney's story unfold in this book is just amazing. Chapters alternate between Lynette‘s point of view and Courtney‘s, telling each event from both perspectives. This is an amazing story, one that will stick with me for a long time. I would say it is one of my top ten for this year.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: No warnings—beyond the obvious, that a child dies.

This review will also post on www.ignitelit.com in July or August 2022.

An updated version of the original story. This is a touching account of the devastating death of a young girl from both the 911 operator and mother's viewpoints. Deeply affected by the call, Courtney's spiritual journey begins. Lynette, the mother has strength that can be only provided by God. Touching story.