I was really excited for this one. I’m a big Zoje Stage fan. I will be honest though, it took me awhile to make the realization that this was indeed a continuation of Baby Teeth. I didn’t put it together until I read the words Ann Marie Dufosset and once I did, I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed this book and hope that there will be another continuation of Hannah’s story.

Thank you to @otrpr for the #gifted copy.

Dear Hanna is the sequel to Baby Teeth. I didn’t read the first book and didn’t find it to be an issue while reading this one. There were plenty of flashbacks into her childhood as she frequently writes letters to her younger brother.

Just when Hanna thinks all her dark tendencies are gone her stepdaughter announces her news to the family and all her old fears come back rearing its ugly head sending her over the edge. Can she keep the family life she has built in tact?

This was a quick read and I hope there will be a book 3! I am backtracking to book 1 now.

The prefect follow up book! I am such a sucker for the creepy kid trope, so I was thrilled to know that Baby Teeth would be getting follow up. The way this picked up but expanded on the story worked perfectly.

Well that was honestly kind of disappointing. While it has been awhile since I read the first book of this series "Baby Teeth", I remember that book being so much more interesting. There was so much more going on in that book and it was a much more enjoyable read. The only reason I feel like I read this book at such a fast pace was because I kept expecting something big to happen, for some crazy plot twist to hit but truly nothing happened and this book was overall boring. This just was not a favorite for me and I wouldn't recommend. Honestly just read Baby Teeth and skip this one.

Oh I just loved being back in Hanna's world! Her mind really IS something else and it's an intoxicating and interesting place to reside. The things she comes up with and her responses to certain situations always have me eager to know what and why. And I thought it was a really neat idea to move beyond the "bad seed" story and place her in her 20s. But I also really enjoyed how Zoje Stage still incorporated all those feelings of motherhood, being a child, being a sibling, etc into the mix. It was truly a roller coaster and one that I had a great time riding! I loved the letters back and forth between chapters as they added even more insight into Hanna's world as well as kept the pacing totally engaging. Such a good book!

I have been waiting since 2018 when I read BABY TEETH by Zoje Stage for her to write the sequel. DEAR HANNA will publish on August 13, 2024, and it was well worth the wait! Thank you Zoje Stage @otrpr, the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.


Hannah is now 21 years old and working as a phlebotomist. With therapy she has learned to curb her sociopath tendencies. Well every once in a while she digs too hard into a vein, but everyone has their moments. She meets and marries Jacob who has a teenage daughter. She seems content and in control but her dark tendencies are there lurking. When the teenage daughter announces she is pregnant, Hannah starts spiraling into her dark obsessive ways and feels her carefully planned life is slipping out of her control. She writes letters to her brother Goose asking him for advice. Will her dark side win?

Dear Hannah is a psychological thriller/family drama that can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend reading Baby Teeth at some point to learn about young Hannah. The chapters are short and I read this book in one day. I could not help but feel sympathy for Hannah and could understand her actions. This is a twisty thriller that leaves an opening for a sequel. Please Zoje don't make me wait long if a sequel is in the works!

Thank you Over The River PR, #partner, for the advanced copy of Dear Hanna in exchange for my honest review.

She’s back!!! My favorite sociopath ever is back and I could not be more excited!!! We now see Hanna as an adult and let me just say, while she is functioning in society, her mind is just as scary and devious, always plotting while not necessarily carrying through on those evil tendencies. We really see her try to keep her inner demon at bay for the most part…until too many changes start to happen that she has no control over. Then we begin to see the old Hanna reappear, the one from her childhood, and all bets are off as to what happens next! The twists and turns this one took kept me guessing all the way through!!! ⁣
⁣
I love that while this book is a sequel of sorts to Baby Teeth, it absolutely can be read as a stand-alone. But trust me…you want to read both! They are both 5 star reads for me…and I hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Hanna!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I would definitely give this a solid 4.5 stars! It was an intriguing read that heal my attention throughout and I had to know what was going to happen next! The characters are well built and the main character is unlikeable in the best way! I really liked how the story wrapped up and would definitely read more from this author. If you like psychological thrillers, be sure to check this book out!

Dear Hanna is the unexpected follow-up to Zoje Stage's 2018-debut Horror novel, Baby Teeth, which I adored. It leaned into the creepy kid trope, which I'm always here for, and it did it in such a toe-curling way.

I never expected we would get more of this story and though I don't feel it was necessary, it was interesting. I went on a journey with this. We had our ups-and-downs, but I'm glad I stuck with it for the satisfying conclusion. It's important to note that you don't really need to read Baby Teeth before you read this. In fact, there could be a solid argument for reading this one first, learning about adult Hanna, and then going back and visiting her childhood, so you can see where all this came from.

Hanna is a foul human. Let me just get that out there. She's a true sociopath from the moment we first meet her. Stage is so convincing with her characterization of Hanna, that there were times when it was making me angry; her thoughts. I would have to set it down and walk away for a moment. Then I would remind myself, it's just Hanna being Hanna. I will admit though, there were times when it wasn't enjoyable to read, particularly through the middle bits and the parts involving Hanna's step-daughter.

I also didn't like Hanna's husband, Jacob, at all, so any scene with him had the strong possibility of annoying me.

It's funny, as I write this, the more I think about it and process it, the more impressed I am with just how convincing this story was. It left a bad taste in my mouth, it certainly did, but I think that was the intention, so I definitely need to give Stage props for that. I feel like it's important to go into this one in the right headspace though, and perhaps, I wasn't quite in the right space when I picked this up. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more at another time.

Unfortunately, we'll never know. I walk away happy I made it through, but knowing I'll never pick it up again. Although, Baby Teeth I would def be interested in revisiting now.

Thank you to the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Zoje Stage has such creative and compelling ideas. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next!

I grabbed this, thinking it was a sequel to another book but it's a sequel to Baby Teeth. Since I haven't read that one, I can safely say that this one can be read alone but I bet you'd love it so much more if you'd read book 1.

As it was, I found Hanna to be a shocking and dark character. You are in her POV this time and get to see the inner workings. She's married now, and seems to be succeeding at life. But when the Hanna, the stepmom, and Jacob, her husband, get shocking news from their teenage daughter - you can see the cracks in Hanna's carefully created facade.

I didn't find the ultimate twist shocking but I did love how deliciously dark all the references to Daddy and Mommy were - definitely a nod to book 1. This one was entertaining and I enjoyed the audiobook!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Oh Hanna, what are you going to get yourself into this time? This book is the sequel to “Baby Teeth”, which I absolutely loved! When I saw there was another, I just had to read it. The 1st book was about Hanna as a child, this one is about her life as an adult. It CAN be read as a standalone, as there are flashbacks and references to when she was a child, but it is certainly better to read both. Although Hanna is not as “nutty” as she was in the original book, she is still has dark thoughts, impulses, and tendencies. On the outside, Hanna appears to have it all, but her sociopathic tendencies are still there, lurking just under the surface, waiting to see the light of day. Hanna continues to have 'issues' but strives to be seen as having a handle on everything. She is organized, poised, a touch of OCD she will admit. She has a professional job as a phlebotomist, one that she enjoys and is quite proud of. She takes pride in her ability to draw blood ‘oh so gently’, but every once and a while (if the patient is difficult), oops, she just can’t find a vein and inflicts some pain. Witnessing Hanna have an awareness of her abnormal thoughts and therefore adjusting her behavior to hide in plain sight was super interesting! Her ability to “pull the wool over the eyes” of her husband, step-daughter, boss and those in her life is amazing. She has a ritual of writing letters to her little brother “Goose”, catching up on life, and asking for advice, it is super sweet and gave me some good laughs. Watching her life unravel, through her eyes, is heartbreaking. Shedding light on what Mental Illness sounds like from inside the mind person going through it. Although I liked the 1st book better, we all know the sequel is 2nd best, this was a good follow up.

I devoured Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. At the time, there was nothing else like it. An entire book centered around an evil child? I loved it. So when I saw that Zoje Stage was coming out with a sequel, of course, I had to read it.

Dear Hannah is about Hannah as an adult. She’s 24 years old and dealing with her 16-year-old stepdaughter, as well as a husband and work. She is a responsible adult with a job as a phlebotomist. What a change compared to Baby Teeth.

Hannah is still a dark character with troubling thoughts and impulses but she tries really hard to be good. This was a solid read and Hannah was not as evil and creepy as she was as a child. I thought it was a good book, a solid read, and hope there is a third book in this series.

Hanna is no stranger to dark thoughts: as a young child, she tried to murder her own mother. But that was more than sixteen years ago. And extensive therapy — and writing letters to her younger brother — has since curbed those nasty tendencies.

Now twenty-four, Hanna is living an outwardly normal life of domestic content. Married to real estate agent Jacob, she’s also stepmother to his teenage daughter Joelle. They live in a beautiful home, and Hanna loves her career as a phlebotomist — a job perfectly suited to her occasional need to hurt people.

But when Joelle begins to change in ways that don’t suit Hanna’s purposes, her carefully planned existence threatens to come apart. With life slipping out of her control, Hanna reverts to 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.

I can't forget the story of "Baby Teeth," which introduced us to the chilling world of Hanna's childhood. Although I might not recall every detail, I vividly remember the terrifying impression she left. So, when "Dear Hanna" caught my eye, I knew I had to get my hands on it. This standalone novel shows Hanna as a grown, self-sufficient adult with a successful career. Like "Baby Teeth," both books have simple yet eerily captivating covers that draw you in.

One of the most intriguing aspects of 'Dear Hanna' is the transformation of the protagonist into a likable sociopath who has mastered the art of controlling her dark thoughts. Despite her ongoing struggle, years of therapy have equipped her with the tools to manage her condition. I am fascinated by the opportunity to delve into the minds of atypical characters like sociopaths and explore their unique perspectives. Zoje Stage, with her effortless portrayal of such characters, is an author I deeply admire.

Hanna's life is planned, from the type of husband she desires to her firm decision to have no babies. Enter Jacob - he checks all the boxes, and they swiftly build a life together. However, their idyllic existence is shattered when unexpected family circumstances throw a wrench into Hanna's need for control, creating a suspenseful twist in the narrative.

I couldn't help but fall in love with Hanna. I found myself getting into her mindset and rooting for her as she made terrible decisions.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for providing this eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#DearHanna #ZojeStage #ThomasandMercer #AmazonPub

⭐️4
Antisocial and disturbed young Hanna is now an adult woman.
***This is the sequel to Baby
Teeth.

Main POV of 24 year old Hanna. She has changed. She is a good wife and a good mom. She is living an ordinary married life to Jacob and stepmom to 16 year old good-natured Joelle.

When a single event upsets the delicate balance of this family of three, thus begins the emerging of a long hidden past.

Here’s what I liked most: Hanna’s character was portrayed in such a way, that the subtle unraveling was so casual-until it wasn’t and everything was NOT fine.

You will like this if you like psychological thrillers mixed with the disturbing.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6742493318

Pub date: August 13, 2024

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very interesting look at the manipulative, sociopath little girl Hanna from Baby Teeth, all grown up.

It is quite a journey into her marriage, work life, and life as a young stepmother. While she has grown in some areas, some sociopathic tendencies have only grown stronger as well.

I had a couple of difficulties in the last 25% of the story. Some things were skimmed over too easily. But, all in all, I really enjoyed this one.

Also, I can see how the author's writing talent has grown from book to book as well.

I gave this 4 solid ⭐️

As always, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an advanced ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I go into nearly all my books blind, so when I saw Zoje Stage had a new book coming out, all I knew was that I was going to read it. Imagine my excitement when it dawns on me as I’m reading it, that this is a sequel to Baby Teeth! 😱

The letters between Hanna and her brother were so absurdly insane, but really pulled me into it. I don’t know what I would consider this, maybe psychological horror? Either way, it was a lot of fun. I was a little let down by the end though. It was like a really slow ascent that was continually building up, so I expected a lot more and I really didn’t get that big explosion I was hoping for. I do have to mention that I did like the end revelation, it made it more interesting. All in all it was still a solid 4⭐️ read for me. Many thanks to the publisher, Thomas and Mercer, for my eARC. Dear Hanna published this week.

I really enjoyed Baby Teeth, so I was excited to receive a NetGalley eARC of Dear Hanna. This psychological thriller was a gripping read, centered around an unhinged woman named Hanna with a deeply questionable moral compass. What I found particularly intriguing was the opportunity to explore the mind of a sociopath. Despite Hanna's terrible actions, the author managed to evoke a sense of sympathy for the character, making the story even more engaging.I guessed the twist, but it didn't change my enjoyment of the book.

I really enjoyed this sequel to Baby Teeth by @zoje.stage_author. Hanna is really such an interesting character! I loved how she masked all of her impulses and tried to create a normal life for herself (but failed). I haven’t read the first book for a few years but I feel like Dear Hanna provides enough context clues and reminders that I didn’t have to. In fact, not remembering everything from the first book made it even more twisty! I think this could be read as a standalone book, but would recommend Baby Teeth as well just because it was so good!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of the sequel to Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Hanna is all grown up now, but how far removed is she from that young girl who tried to kill her own mother? She's now married to an older man and stepmother to Joelle, a teenager. Hanna has found ways to curtail her dark thoughts - purposefully hurting a few patients here and there in her job as a phlebotomist, both she rationalizes that she only does it to those who deserve it. She also writes letters to her younger brother, Goose. But when Joelle surprises everyone with a big announcement, it sets off Hanna in even more disturbing ways.

I really enjoyed Baby Teeth (and Mothered even more!), but this can easily be read as a stand alone. I loved the creepy feeling, the dark humor, and the episolatory technique of reading the correspondence between her and Goose. I also appreciated how dark and twisted Hanna's thoughts and actions were, but nothing veered towards the gruesome. Sign me up for whatever creepy story Zoje Stage comes up with next!

Rounded up from 4.5
Hanna met a good man, a bit older, with a teenage daughter and money, when she was 20. Thanks to Hanna's careful planning, they were living together and then married very fast. Hanna knows what she wants. And what she wants, she gets.
I was so excited to see that Baby Teeth had a sequel! This psychological thriller follows a grown-up Hanna, who used to be a psychopath child who repeatedly tried to kill her mother. But after years of extensive therapy, she's cured, right? I despise characters (and people!) who are that calculating and manipulative, but it was fun to see Hanna make her way through the world. There was not a lot of dialogue (which I'm not a fan of), but I was still very intrigued about where this was going. Although the story was dragging a bit for a while and got very repetitive with the dealings with Joelle's predicament. I liked Hanna's letter exchanges with her younger brother, they were a fun way to see a different side of her, but also somewhat disconcerting. The more you read, the more unsettling it gets and then in the end, we understand why (although I was expecting something so much more twisted). Also, the ending is very unsatisfying, I'm under the impression (and am hoping) that this story is not finished. Will there be a third book? I don't know how to explain it other then I loved to hate Hanna.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.