Having read Zoje Stage's first book "Baby teeth" I was very eager to read this follow up novel and it did not disappoint me. The book continues with the main character being Hanna from the first book who is now a young woman, married to Jacob and step mom to 11 year old Joelle.

Hanna's childhood was traumatic and she is still suffering the effects years later. As a young girl Hanna was sent away to boarding school after family tragedy struck. Due to the past events in her life Hanna is someone who struggles with feeling empathy and love for others. She is content in her life though keeping house, working and being a stepmom. When Joelle who is now 16 becomes pregnant things come to a head. Hanna wants her to end the pregnancy but wants it to be Joelle's decision. Boyd (Joelle's boyfriend) parents want them to continue with the pregnancy and offer to have Joelle and Boyd move into their house. Hanna comes up with some dangerous strategies to try and get the young couple to split up and this is one the conflicts comes to a head with Jacob finding out many of Hanna's past secrets.

This is a fast paced interesting book but I would definitely recommend reading the first book before this one to get more background.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for a review.

I snapped this one up after initially scrolling past it because the cover didn't grab me. But then I remembered that Baby Teeth seemed familiar, and I was thrilled to see that this was its sequel. I flew through Baby Teeth a few years ago, so I was very excited to pick this up.

I read this very very quickly. I neglected my crafts, TV, and almost my weekly Zumba class. I LOVED this book. It was so good to be reunited with Hanna again, who you either really love or hate. There are some big twists at the end, one of which you can kind of see coming, but is still pretty great.

The only two things that made me rate this a 4 and not a 5 is:
1. The ending came too abruptly. There was great pacing throughout the novel and the tension kept building and building and then kind of sputtered out. It's really disappointing because there was so much going on.
2. Some of the wording and phrasing were a bit off. Hanna saying "dude" and "I legit tried" seemed way off from the rest of her dialogue. I was also a little irked about the TikTok mentions, because I feel like that really dates a novel.

*Also posted to Goodreads.

This novel was very chilling and not in a fun way. I really did not enjoy the dark subject matter. I think the author has a terrific and unique writing style, but ultimately this novel was just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was…fine. However, compared to Baby Teeth, which this is a follow-up to, it was incredibly meh. Hanna is now an adult and this book is basically a character study of a sociopath where nothing much really happens until the end. The twist got me but I wanted so much more.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this was NOT it! I’ve been waiting so long for a follow up on the characters from Baby Teeth and I thoroughly enjoyed this new Zoje Stage!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

I received a free ARC, and this review is voluntary

The synopsis provides a general understanding of the story of our dear Hanna, years separated from the conclusion of Baby Teeth. Although with a new life, and new family, the past isn't completely gone. With new and old characters gracing the pages, the focus of the story is on Hanna, and what's going on inside of her head, as she navigates this life she made for herself, and all the troubles that come along with it.

I'm guilty of wanting a sequel to Baby Teeth. "What would Hanna be like as an adult?" was always the question. Sometimes a sequel can fall flat, or not live up to the same hype as the first, but Dear Hanna? Stage knocks it out of the park, once again. Hands-down the best horror writer in Pittsburgh, and arguably one of the best on the scene today. This is an absolute must-read from an incredibly talented author.

"Sometimes she thought of herself as a constellation- an arrangement of stars that didn't actually look like anything untill someone looked skyward and connected the dots"
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Its unusual a sequel will be as good as/upSTAGE(see what I did there anyone 👀)the first but, here we are, once again Zoje gives us a chilling psychological family drama infused with terror, the complexities of family dynamics, trauma and mental health are explored with sensitivity, rather than being the bad guy Stage has created a lovable (kinda)villain in Hanna and I felt like she was someone I knew, maybe having been introduced to Hanna when she was *just a baby* reinforces this kind of allegiance with her, we see her battle with herself or her "other self" as she calls it, I found it extremely hard not to feel sympathy for our favourite sociopath, she often refers to her childhood and having to study human behavior in order to fit in, we see flashbacks of her mothers treatment of her and how its affected her in adulthood, this gives us an unsettling look into the mind of a sociopath that never felt exagerrated, Hannas blase remarks about murder had an air of authenticity making it all the more disturbing, as much as I felt sympathy for her at times the unrelenting tension and mounting unease was hard to ignore, you could almost feel her about to snap, and snap she does reverting back to past habits to cope with what she perceives as a lack of control about her role and worthiness, although the subject matter is bleak there is a layer of undeniable dark humour throughout stemming from Hanans own self awareness and I did find myself snorting in amusement at times, especially at the letters between her and Goose,  although Hanna is troubled I did find myself rooting for her and justifying her actions..slightly..does that make me bad? an evocative thrilling read that fans of BabyTeeth will love! I WANT MOREEE

This was the perfect follow-up to Baby Teeth, presenting Hannah as an adult. The execution of this was flawless. We are given an in-depth look into the mind of a sociopath attempting to become a part of society with a career, husband, and teenage stepdaughter. While she may seem almost evil to the average person in her choices, one can't help but feel a little empathy for her in fully grasping what is right or wrong. I really enjoyed this and found myself fully invested from the start. The plot, character development, atmosphere, and inner dialogue were written with precision. The ending, while satisfying, left me craving for more of Hannah's story. This can be read as a stand-alone for those who may not have read Baby Teeth, and for those who have, you will be intrigued to see grown-up Hannah and who she has become. Four and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer, for this ARC.

This sequel to BABY TEETH continues to follow Hanna who, as a very young child, tried to kill her mother. Because she is a psychopath. The afternotes say sociopath, but I don’t know about that. Anyway, now she’s 24, married to Jacob Altman and has a teenage stepdaughter (and that just sounds like a remarkably bad idea.) She’s also a phlebotomist which allows her to fulfill her desire to hurt people.

Then Joelle starts to grow up in some very specific ways that just don’t work for Hanna and, to the surprise of not me, anyway, she begins to lose control. It’s all a big beautiful mess.

I actually enjoyed this more than BABY TEETH, I think. I do quibble with something that Hanna describes as “ethically squishy” as I cannot imagine that category even exists for her, and certainly not for the specific thing she is talking about when she says it, but overall it’s quite fun to read about someone who has no (few?) boundaries. Recommended.

This is a sequel to Baby Teeth, which was about a sociopath and her psychological troubles handling things in the real world.

With Dear Hanna, the author manages to once again freak us out with a deft, reality based psychological horror that creeps under skin.

Hanna meets a man with a twelve year old daughter. They all have a good relationship and eventually they get married and settle down to make a happy life for themselves. Until a few years later and the now sixteen year old daughter finds herself pregnant, determined to keep the baby and marry her boyfriend.

This might sound like the every day issues of many many family units. But Hanna isn't exactly mentally stable. She goes through the motions of normalcy while planning horrible things to "solve" the problems. Murder is not out of the question. In fact, it seems to be the easiest solution.

It's within the mind of Hanna where the disturbing unsettling terrors of this novel reveal themselves. We get an inside look at the thought processes of a sociopath and, through flashbacks, we get to see how her tendencies have affected her life leading to this point. It's chilling because it's not sensationalised and has the feeling of authenticity. This makes for a creepy narrative that gets darker and darker as you read.

There's also the hand written letters between her and her younger brother, Goose. These letters present a sort of twisted bond between siblings. But, of course, there are twists involved there that will raise concerns as well once they're revealed.

You certainly don't need to read Baby Teeth in order to follow and enjoy this one but I still highly recommend both. Zoje Stage continues to be a must read author for me and you'll see why once you pick this up.

Wowowowow - this is probably my favorite of Stage's yet (each release keeps getting better!). I'll admit, I went into this not realizing this was a follow up to Baby Teeth but as soon as it clicked I was GIDDY about it. Fantastic follow up - so interesting to see Hanna all grown up. I feel an odd connection to her (I promise I haven't tried to kill anyone!!) and am curious about her continued adventures in life.

I do believe this can be read as a standalone from Baby Teeth, but I'd highly encourage picking that one up because it's a wild ride as well.

I really loved Baby Teeth and was super excited to see that we got to revisit Hanna, especially now that she’ll all grown up. I enjoyed being able to see where a troubled little girls such as Hanna ended up in the world as a grown up. This is definitely one of those books that I could not put down!

<b> “I wear my darkness like a sweater; it keeps me warm.”</b>

I can see the next book now… Hanna’s next victim(s). Can we just get a bunch of books where Hanna goes from life to life wrecking havoc in her wake. Kind of like Joe Goldberg? PLZ ZOJE?!

Baby Teeth rocked my world. I still think about it all these years later. Idk what it is about it but every thriller I read is held in comparison.

Hanna from Baby Teeth is all grown up now. THE HANNA. My review for Baby Teeth said well, nevermind I don’t want a daughter 😂 and after reading Dear Hanna I still stan that 100%

I love that we got to see inside that depraved little child’s mind as an adult. At first I thought it wasn’t enough compared to her childhood but as time goes on the little alarm bells kept ringing louder and louder.

My favorite part was her Other. Creepy. I only wish we could have seen that more. And I’d also like to hear conversations with her therapist. By the end we see how truly, deeply disturbed Hanna is. See, Zoje?! More books plz!!

***I read another review that said AS IF Suzette would have ever let <b>that</b> happen and I whole heartedly agree. No no no. As much as I enjoyed this, that’s my reason it wasn’t five stars.

Such a good follow up to one of my favorite books, "Baby Teeth"! Definitely could read as a standalone. While I still enjoyed Baby Teeth more, I loved getting to read more about the characters and recommend!

Babyteeth was my favorite book by this author so when I saw that this sequel was coming out I was thrilled to get my hands on this. I may have screamed and jumped with joy.

Hanna is all grown up now and is trying to appear normal and fit into society. She has the perfect job as whenever she wants to she can inflict a little harm on those she is drawing blood from to help with the stress of life. She is now married and has a step daughter and is trying to do everything to protect her family. She has some pretty devious plans and I liked how it showed her struggling within herself on whether to go follow through or not with plans.

I like how the author does a great job of showing you Hanna's dark side. This would work as a stand alone but I think it was creepier knowing what she did in the past to her mother and how she was trying to perfect it second time around.

2.5 stars

This is the long awaited follow up to Baby Teeth. And it’s quite the let down. I’m beginning to think Baby Teeth was a one hit wonder (for me), as that is the only book of Stage’s I actually enjoyed.

This is more than a book - it is a journey both in terms of the plot itself and the psyche of the protagonist. There are enough hints here to see where the story will end, but that doesn’t detract from the impact when things finally come to a head. The author does an amazing job of bringing the characters to life - from the annoyingly entitled stepdaughter to the overbearing mother of the soon to be son in law. I haven’t read Baby Teeth but definitely want to now.

I’ve been waiting literally years for my favorite author Zoje Stage to give her readers a sequel to her first book Baby Teeth. Today I read this novel (to the exclusion of doing anything else). So was this long wait to learn more about the intriguing main character Hannah worth it? A resounding YES! Hannah’s life as a married young woman with a stepdaughter was riveting. I’m already imagining what this complex character would do next in her life. I’m sending huge thanks to Zoje Stage for sharing her wonderful stories with us.

I LOVED Baby Teeth. I think about it all the time, I loved the way it was written, how truly creepy Hanna was, and just the overall vibe of the book. It’s the best psychotic child book I’ve ever read for sure. I was thrilled when I learned about this sequel as the ending of Baby Teeth felt like a cliffhanger and like it left a pretty clear cut path for the story to follow. I have complicated feelings surrounding sequels, if the author doesn’t have a solid vision of where the story is going, it ends up feeling floppy and pointless and sadly, this one did just that.

Jumping 15(ish) years into the future was a weird choice but I stuck with it, hoping I’d be wrong. Hanna lost all of her bite, there wasn’t a very clear plot line, and the ‘twist’ was both predictable and unbelievable. As IF Suzette would have let that happen. As if. It breaks my heart because I so badly wanted to love this book but I am incredibly disappointed.