Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reader copy of Dear Hanna in exchange for my honest review.

After loving Baby Teeth, I was so excited to see there was a sequel. But Hanna as an adult just wasn't as creepy as Hanna the child. She didn't do enough really bad stuff for a sequel. The story was just ok for me.

Gripping, tense and addictive, this was the sequel that I didn't even know I needed!

The terrifyingly nefarious child from BABY TEETH has returned, and now she is a happily married stepmom. But don't let appearances deceive you. Hanna still has her fair share of skeletons in her closet.

I found DEAR HANNA to be a much different reading experience than BABY TEETH. We saw more of Hanna's humanity this time around, and despite her terribly dark thoughts, she had a way of rationalizing things that makes you stop and think. She isn't 100% evil. She is a complicated character with complicated feelings, and that was really interesting to me!

I highly recommend this page-turner!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This follow up to baby teeth left me just wanting more. I didn't hate the book but I just didn't love it either. There was a twist I didn't see coming. But I felt like I was waiting for something to happen.
Thanks to the publisher for my netgalley copy for my honest opinion.

Evil kids have been a staple of horror, whether they’re possessed, sired by the devil, or just a plain bad seed. More recently, as parenthood becomes more and more impossible, these books and movies seem to be making a statement about how draining it is to be a mother. Movies like The Babadook and books like The Push by Ashley Audrain, Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker, and Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage feature scary kids and confused, flawed mothers who wonder if the problem is them. Both The Push and Baby Teeth have fathers besotted by their young daughters and refusing to believe anything is wrong with them, blaming the mother for any issues.

Baby Teeth stands out by featuring the point-of-view of Hanna as well as her mother, making it clear that Suzette is right to be afraid. (Note: This review will contain some spoilers for Baby Teeth.) Now Stage has released a sequel to Baby Teeth, Dear Hanna, that picks up when Hanna is an adult. The underlying question: Can sociopathy be cured? Or do sociopaths just become more clever about hiding their disorder?

When we last saw Hanna, she was a seven-year-old being placed in a facility for severely disturbed children after trying to burn her mother to death. (The adult Hanna ruminates that she should have stabbed her mother in the eye with the burning ember, not the cheek.) While Baby Teeth was told from both Hanna and Suzette’s points of view, Dear Hanna is Hanna’s story alone. Hanna rarely thinks about her parents, and they only make one brief appearance in this sequel.

We meet Hanna again at 20 years old. She lives with her parents and works as a phlebotomist. When middle-aged Jacob brings in his 12-year-old daughter Jo to get her blood drawn, Hanna is immediately drawn to him. The two marry quickly, and Hanna settles in nicely to the roles of wife to a real estate agent and mother to a budding dancer. Her closest relationship, however, seems to be with her 15-year-old brother Goose. He’s away at boarding school, and he and Hanna exchange long, personal letters via snail mail. He seems to be the only person who knows the true Hanna.

The real action of the book starts a few years later. Jo is 16 and has a new boyfriend. Hanna feels ignored by Jacob, preoccupied with work and hobbies, and Jo, who has quit all her activities so she can hang out with the boyfriend. Wanting attention, Hanna fakes a pregnancy and a miscarriage. But the ploy backfires—Jacob wants to try again, and Hanna has no interest in being a mother. Then Jo ups the ante by announcing her own pregnancy. Furious at being sidelined, and terrified of what she might do to a baby in the house, will Hanna revert to her old tricks?

Just like she did in Baby Teeth, Stage does a spectacular job making readers understand the thought processes of a sociopath, whether she’s seven years old or 24. I hadn’t expected to find myself sympathizing with a sociopath, but I did. (Alternate view: I am also a sociopath.) At the same time, I really missed having Suzette’s point of view. I had expected this sequel to pick up with Hanna being discharged from her school, and I was surprised and a little disappointed to find her so much older, and Suzette practically missing from the sequel.

Hanna reminded me of Cassidy in May Cobb’s The Hollywood Assistant (reviewed here). While Cassidy didn’t plot anyone’s murder, both women were on the same slippery slope, and it’s a slope most of us have found ourselves on at one time or another. Everyone has a little sociopath in them.

Some readers of Baby Teeth complained that the book ended not with a bang, but a whimper. They might have a similar complaint about Dear Hanna. The final twist is easily predicted by any fan of the genre, and the denouement is quiet. Still, I’m a big fan of Hanna and I hope this book is the second in a trilogy. Seeing Hanna as a mother worried about her child’s intentions would be the chef’s kiss for this character.

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer for my copy of DEAR HANNA.

This was one of my mostly anticipated books of the year but it didn't meet up to where I wanted. This is a sequel to BABY TEETH, which is a book I've had a hard time forgetting and I hoped this one would sit on my mental bookshelf in the same way, it's definitely not going to. I didn't like the characters, I predicted the twists, and the meat of the book just didn't satisfy at all. I don't recommend this one.

3.5 stars!!!

I really enjoy Zoje Stage's writing but I think the plot of this book fell a little flat for me. It might have been on purpose, but the main character's husband was so unlikable and there was one scene close to the end that made my eyes roll into the back of my head because of him.... I enjoy that Zoje writes horror with themes of motherhood (because it's truly something I am afraid of and not interested in being a part of at all) and it's refreshing reading her books because they're all so different! I also love a morally gray character, even though this character is definitely not ok, and she does such a good job making you root for them. Overall, I had a really good time but I didn't enjoy this book as much as her previous novels.

WoW What a book Dear Hanna by Zoje Stage was. This latest book was a Book that will blow your shoes off it was excellent and a sequel to the brilliant book called Baby Teeth that was also excellent.
Hanna, was a kid with serious issues and a massive grudge against her mom. Now She's back and a 24 years old adult, is living an outwardly normal life of domestic content. Married to real estate agent Jacob, she’s also stepmother to his teenage daughter Joelle, who is just 16. They live in a beautiful home, and Hanna loves her career as a phlebotomist which is a job that perfectly suited to her occasional need to hurt people.

Sounds like a perfect family at the beginning and then everything changes!

Hanna's life has started slipping out of her control, Hanna reverts back to her old habits, determined to manipulate the events and people around her. And the only thing worse, than a baby sociopath is a fully grown one.

WoW..........I so didn't want this book to end,,,,,,Its crazy and so good......I loved it.

This novel is the highly anticipated sequel to Baby Teeth. When we left Hanna at the end of the first book, she was sent to an institution for troubled girls – when we meet Hanna as an adult she’s a phlebtomist, where she uses her job as a means to exact pain whenever she feels stressed on her patients. One day she meets a widowed father with a young girl and soon she marries him and becomes a stepmother. Hanna lives a very structured and mundane life, but she’s happy, until her stepdaughter becomes pregnant. This event triggers her to the point that her past sociopathic tendencies reemerge. While I found this novel very fast paced and I did like adult Hanna a lot, I kind of expected more. What I mean is that child Hanna was way more deranged than adult Hanna, and I know that adult Hanna was trying to avoid ever having to go to prison, but I kind of wished that she would’ve been more dangerous if that makes sense? I did like how the novel ended – Hanna deserved to get rid of all those terrible people in her life.

If you read the first book you might like this sequel, although this book can be read as a standalone. I don’t know if this book was much of a thriller, so if you’re into thrillers where you’re worried about any of the characters dying, this isn’t that sort of thriller. I do enjoy Stage’s novels overall, but do feel that she fills her novels with too many mundane events and details that don’t really add to the story.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I loved Baby Teeth and was so excited there would be a second part. I dived into this one blind and hoped it would be everything Baby Teeth was.

I found Hanna more than unlikeable. I wasn’t sure of her motives and how they would make sense. At the end the twist was revealed and it didn’t give me the pay off I was looking for.

That girl hasn’t changed a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Zoje Stage for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest view.

The much-anticipated sequel to the beloved horror gem, Baby Teeth delivers up a chilling, thought-provoking and interesting thriller. This one can be enjoyed without having read the previous book as enough information is provided about the main character’s childhood that you can understand what is going on. The story follows Hanna, now grown up as she navigates her adult life and tries to build relationships and her own family. The story offers an interesting glimpse into the mind and psychology of a sociopath and will make you hope that you don’t know anyone like Hanna in real life. It had some interesting twists that while a little obvious still were fun to reveal. I’ve also read Mothered by this same author and enjoy her unique style. I’ll definitely check out more by this author in the future.

Dear Hanna
Zoje Stage
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


Hanna Jensen is a sociopath. But she is not a serial killer. She was born without empathy or remorse and with virtually no conscience. She struggled as a child to cope in a world she didn’t understand. Years of therapy at the Marshes facility helped her develop skills to recognize and “read” people’s emotions and actions, as well as control her “stew of boiling emotions.”

She learned to be less reckless and impulsive, and mastered the art of flirting and seduction. She lived according to the logic of her misaligned moral compass, forged by her childhood difficulties and parental upbringing.

We first visited Hanna during her early childhood in Stage’s debut novel, Baby Teeth. This is somewhat of a sequel, revisiting Hanna as a married woman and stepmother to Joelle. She originally met her husband, Jacob, while drawing blood samples for testing. Hanna immediately recognized this as her chance to establish a solid family unit and extricate herself from her parents’ stifling house. She easily attracted Jacob’s interest with her coquettish charm, soon started dating him, and eventually married him. She was an excellent phlebotomist and forged a good reputation. Sometimes, she used her needle as a tiny weapon to hurt people—just a little—to vent her frustrations.

Jacob was a somewhat attractive man, financially stable, and a widower. His wife Rachel had died in an auto accident three years ago, unfortunately swerving into an oncoming bus while intoxicated. This is a tense psychological mystery that can be enjoyed as a standalone, as Stage expertly provides any necessary backstory. Incidentally, as a child, Hanna tried multiple times and in various ways to murder her mother. Now twenty-four years old, she is living an ordinary domestic life with Jacob, a real estate agent, and his daughter Joelle. She manages to cook, clean the house routinely, work as a phlebotomist, and still find time to pursue her artistic talent of drawing in graphite. They eat together and nightly watch an indie or foreign movie—usually suggested by Hanna. She has managed to maintain a nurturing and responsible front. She frequently posts her drawings on TikTok, usually receiving positive feedback. Her followers typically describe them as “creepy and hilarious” or “diabolically whimsical.”

Zoje Stage masterfully weaves a convoluted tale through a combination of first-person internal dialogue, flashbacks, and a series of “letters” to and from “Goose,” her brother, who apparently still resides in a boarding school. These letters provide marvelous insight into motivations and circumstances from both the present and past, incrementally ratcheting up suspense and intrigue as the story progresses.

Hanna’s life appears almost idyllic until sixteen-year-old Joelle announces she’s pregnant. Her previous supportive role as confidant, and almost a “big-sister,” is shattered. Despite Hanna’s suggestion of an abortion, Joelle stands firm on her decision to “make this work.” Hanna is thrown into a frenzy at the prospect of a new life upending her present situation. She certainly does not relish the idea of becoming a nurturing grandmother. In fact, she fears the presence of a “fragile” baby invading their household. Her thoughts and emotions begin to spiral out of control. How can she stop this untenable situation from coming to fruition?

In this dark and disturbing tale, Zoje Stage explores gender inequalities and motherhood in a gritty intrusion into the mind of a “functioning” sociopath, leaving the reader with no choice but to root for her success. This compelling and emotional story will certainly elicit an array of weird and disturbing thoughts that will persist long after the last page is turned.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. I wonder where Hanna’s life goes from here?

I love all of Zoje Stage’s books. One of my favorites of hers was her debut novel, Baby Teeth, so I was really excited she was writing a sequel. This time from the perspective of the daughter, Hannah. Another great read! Highly recommend if you’re a fan of Baby Teeth!

'Baby Teeth' was probably the scariest book I ever read but the sequel was underwhelming.
I could figure out the end twist.
The story line was not very interesting and I was bored in the middle.

Not always a fan of sequels but this is worth it..

Dear Hanna by Zoje Stage is a thrilling and captivating sequel to Baby Teeth. As a fan of Baby Teeth, I was excited to dive back into Hanna’s twisted world and discover what had happened to her since the events of the first book. Although there is a significant time gap between the two books, Dear Hanna can still be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

In this book, we find Hanna married, with a stepdaughter and a successful career. At first, she appears to be leading a relatively normal life, but it doesn’t take long for her true nature to emerge. If you’ve read Baby Teeth, you’ll recognize the familiar darkness that lurks within Hanna’s character.

One of the things I enjoyed about Dear Hanna was the gradual unraveling of the plot. While I did figure out part of the twist at the end, it was still a satisfying journey to reach that conclusion. Zoje Stage’s writing is excellent, and she knows how to keep readers engaged and on the edge of their seats.

I highly recommend reading Baby Teeth before diving into Dear Hanna. It will provide valuable context and enhance your understanding of Hanna’s character and her journey. Zoje Stage has once again proven herself as a talented author, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next. Thank you @netgalley @zoje.stage_author and the publisher for this arc to review.

Unfortunately, this sequel didn't resonate with me. I absolutely loved Baby Teeth, so I was eagerly anticipating this follow-up. However, I found Hanna more insufferable than intriguing, and the twist felt predictable from the start. I have great admiration for Stage's other work, so I’ll definitely continue to explore their writing—I'm just a bit disappointed this time.

I loved Baby Teeth so I was thrilled to get my hands on this book to read about how Hanna has been doing. This was a creepy and enjoyable read that will suck you in and have you hooked until you're turned the last page. Definitely recommend this novel.

Recently read Baby Teeth in preparation for Dear Hanna and both were equally unsettling. The difference for myself was while Baby Teeth was creepy Dear Hanna was almost tragic. Hanna is now living in an adult world navigating social situations somewhat successfully.Using coping mechanisms she learned from Marshes school for disturbed children Hanna has a career(phlebotomist), husband and stepdaughter(Jacob and Joelle).As her carefully crafted life starts to unravel we see Hanna fall back into her old ways.
Some of the most interesting aspects in adult Hanna are those most similar to her mother Suzette and her interactions with a much younger brother Goose. There are some twists here but inevitably Hanna was destined to fail and I will forever give pause before having blood drawn. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer publishing

Okay, so totally on me here for not realizing what this book was before requesting it & getting into it. I wasn't a huge fan of BABY TEETH, and chose to read another book by Zoji Stage despite that because I thought it wasn't the writing that bothered me, just the child. So a continuation of a story I didn't originally like may not have been high on my priority list had I known what this was, but since I didn't... I read it anyway. And guess what? I enjoyed it SO MUCH more than I did Baby Teeth! I'm not sure if it's because Hanna is all grown up now or what, but this was a lot more fun for me as a reading experience and I'm honestly super glad I went into it without knowing more, because that might have dissuaded me from attempting to read it (which is a shame since it's such a good time!).

Hanna is back and she’s back to her old tricks or is she. Hanna is all grown and she’s working as a phlebotomist where she can cause a little pain to satisfy the darker part of herself. She meets Jacob and his daughter Joelle and she sets her sigh5 on him as a means to get away from her parents house. For four years they developed a comfortable life until Joelle’s drops a bomb shell, she pregnant. As you can expect the old Hanna is back to save Joelle from making what she feels like a mistake. What fallows are attempts that she her self sabotages. In the end Hanna doesn’t follow through but she does enough that causes Jacob to worry. It was good to be back in Hanna’s mind and reading* tab Elster she gets from “ Goose” were great until,the big reveal at the end made by none other than mommy dearest. Overall if you enjoyed Baby Teeth you’ll definitely enjoy Dear Hanna.

Though this one is marketed as Horror, I wouldn't call it that. This book was more of a domestic/psychological suspense. Now if you didn't know. this is a follow up to another book from this author, but you can read it as a stand a lone, as it doesn't really give anything to either book's plot. Except the same character, and in different life stages.

In this book we follow the life of Hanna as a grown woman. She has her own life - a job. And now she needs her own family. And she sets her eyes on a single dad with a teenage daughter. Everything is fine, until life happens, and things need to change. But change is hard for Hanna. She unloads her hardships to her brother in her private letters, and we get to see a bit of the dark side from Hanna, as she plots and plots to get her created life back on track.

I did enjoy this slow burn of a book with a lot of darkness surrounding Hanna, I kept wanting see if her diabolical planning will work out, and how everything will end for this crazy lady. Hanna is something else...

Totally a wild ride for the fans of psychological suspense. It does build and deliver.

Thank you to OTRPR for my gifted book.