Not sure why I decided to read this because I wasn't the biggest fan of Baby Teeth (also by this author) but I thought this might have been more interesting since we are following the main character Hanna as an adult. I did appreciate how the author referenced the events of Baby Teeth making it easier to remember situations from that book since it had been a while since I read it. At times I thought the story was really interesting especially in the beginning because we got so many of Hanna's inner thoughts and learned how unstable her mental state still is. There were moments when Hanna was unhinged in the plans she wanted to carry out which made the story entertaining. However, I felt the pacing was extremely slow since we are only following Hanna. It wasn't hard to figure out what was going on with her and the ending 'reveal' really wasn't shocking but I'm not sure it was meant to be. I did not think a sequel was needed and I don't think this added anything to Hanna's character. If you are a fan of Baby Teeth I think you would enjoy this more than I did but if you are like me and didn't care for that one not sure this one will be for you...

Dear Hanna by Zoje Stage is a dark thriller dripping with tension and chilling undercurrents. It is about control, manipulation and relationships, drenched in deceit.

Hanna married an older man, Jacob, four years ago at the age of twenty. Her immaturity level is obvious throughout the story and her past isn't exactly squeaky clean, either. But she's not the only one with secrets. Hanna's step daughter is only eight years younger which creates a bond of sorts. Life happens and Hanna finds herself reverting back to old habits when things don't go as planned. Hanna and her brother exchange letters which reveal the back story and an additional layer of interest and suspense.

Though the premise very much appealed to me, I didn't feel any emotional connection with the characters or enthusiasm for parts of the story. I felt at arm's length. However, the writing is excellent and the letters are a great touch. I did enjoy the slow burn aspect. The author's notes are enlightening.

My sincere thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating novel.

Thank you @otrpr #partner for the gifted copy of this book. Stick with me because you can enter for a copy for yourself below!

Weeeeee! This one was SO dark and delicious I ate it up! I could not put this down because Hanna, my friends, was quite the plotter and planner! She has grown up with devious, dangerous and murderous thoughts. Therapy can fix all that right?! 👀 Well now that she’s 24 she wants to settle down and she finds herself a perfect victim…errr I mean partner. She couldn’t be happier in her new life as wife and stepmom. All is just perfect until things start to change with her step daughter which ultimately throws everything off kilter for Hanna. She feels like her life is out of control but don’t worry…she has a backup plan for everything!

I didn’t know when I grabbed this one that Baby Teeth was the prequel to Dear Hanna. Knowing how much I loved Hanna and her completely psycho thoughts I am running to get myself a copy because I hear Baby Teeth is even more unhinged. Even though Hanna is not remotely normal in her thoughts there is just something about her that I couldn’t get enough of. She’s crazy yes but she’s a likeable crazy with a tinge of funny. Don’t get me wrong this book is chilling and filled with suspense but I certainly kind of felt myself rooting for her! Loved this one and I hope you too! Check out the below because you can enter to win yourself a copy of this one! Follow the rules below!

I read Baby Teeth shortly after it came out. And when I tell you it's a good thing these books are so spaced out that you don't need to read Baby Teeth to understand what Hanna is dong in this book, it's true. I have no recollection of Baby Teeth because my brain has been made mush by children. But the whole time I'm reading Dear Hanna I'm trying to figure out if Hanna actually has any redeeming qualities. I don't think so. Which is great for the book. I've also watched the same episode of Dateline about the antifreeze woman. I won't spoil it but how far would you go to save your family? Even if they don't want to be saved? How far would you go to save the life you know and want?

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!

I was a big fan of Baby Teeth and I was excited to read Zoje’s follow up. Dear Hanna is a quick and creepy read that fans of Baby Teeth will eat up!

Personally, I wanted more from the ending. It felt slightly anticlimactic, but nevertheless I enjoyed Dear Hanna. I’m excited to read more from Zoje in the future!

2.5 stars, rounding up. I am no stranger to reading books about psychopaths (although I have not read <i>Baby Teeth</i> -- I didn't see that this was a sequel to that book until the author's afterword; to its credit, it can easily be read stand-alone). When those books work best, it's because the character is especially compelling or well-written (think Patrick Bateman) or because they're perpetrating especially clever schemes (think Tom Ripley).

Hanna, in this book, doesn't really check either box. She's definitely insane, and the book does a fine job of initially drawing you in wondering what exactly her deal is, but it never really paid off for me, and her insane plotting kind of farts around abortively in various directions and each plan, when it was even explained, was so self-evidently nonsensical that I was more impatient with them than I was interested. I'd always heard a lot of good things about <i>Baby Teeth</i> and it's been on my list to get to, but between this and <i>Mothered</i> I'm wondering if Zoje Stage isn't quite for me.

If you haven't dived into the prequel, make sure you grab it first! In "Baby Teeth," we meet young Hannah, a kid with serious issues and a massive grudge against her mom. Now, in "Dear Hannah," she’s back at 24, married, and dealing with a 16-year-old stepdaughter. Sounds like a recipe for drama, right? Well, it starts off almost too normal, a bit too tame for my taste. I was waiting for the old craziness to kick in, and it took more than half the book to get there. But once it did, wow, the last few chapters were a wild ride! Still, the ending left me wanting more. I enjoyed peeking into Hannah's life after her rough start, but I craved more of the dark and twisty stuff. Big thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for letting me read and review this ARC!

I'm back with a book review for one of my highly anticipated reads for 2024. You probably remember the popular book Baby Teeth, and if you haven't read it, you are missing out. This one is described as a sequel to that book, although it can be read as a standalone. Our favorite little sociopath, Hanna, is all grown up with a family of her own. She works as a phlebotomist, drawing blood and using needles, which seems to satisfy her sociopath tendencies. When her teenage stepdaughter becomes pregnant, all hell breaks loose, as she tries to keep it together. This one was fun and entertaining, with fun domestic twists. I would describe it as a slowburn domestic thriller. As I mentioned, it is a standalone, but you can definitely read it by itself. It was interesting to see how she navigated interactions as a wife and mother and employee. Hanna's parents even make an appearance in Dear Hanna. Thank you @otrpr for the gifted ARC and for inviting to be a part of the tour! #readingmamareviews #dearhanna #zojestage #babyteeth #domesticthriller #arc #gifted

“She was never going to be fundamentally different from who she’d been at seven, when she’d tried to kill her mother.”

Dear Hanna by Zoje Stage
🦊 🦊


I truly had high hopes for this book considering the love I have for baby teeth. But this was a big whomp for me. I didn’t care at all for anything happening in the story. Hanna annoyed me more than anything. Maybe I just had myself too excited for the book and that’s why it was such a let down for me.

I absolutely LOVED Baby Teeth and was excited to dive into this to see how creepy she turned out to be. Not sure if my expectations were too high but it kind of fell flat to me.

A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

The follow-up to her striking novel, Baby Teeth, Zoje Stage revisits a truly unforgettable character in the landscape of fiction, Hanna. Not to spoil Baby Teeth for those who have not read it as both it and Dear Hanna can be read as standalones, but prior events have revealed Hanna to be a sociopath of sorts from a very young age. She is a child who is misunderstood and defaults to violence or unconventional thinking to confront the issues before her. Around sixteen years later, we see that some things have changed for Hanna, but others have not. Now married and a stepmother at age twenty-four, Hanna works as a phlebotomist by day and spends her evenings with her “chosen” family or writing letters to her brother, Goose. That is until Jo, Hanna’s stepdaughter, begins to change in ways that Hanna did not account for, ushering in a slew of complications for Hanna. Stage takes us on a dark, tense ride with Hanna as old demons prove to be restless and the truth hard to discern.

Dexter Morgan. Joe Goldberg. Hanna. The idea of relating to these characters who are formed with a strong predilection for violence would seem preposterous at face value. However, what these characters all have in common is the fact that we DO, indeed, willingly (and excitedly) sit passenger to their dark actions. In fact, in the case of Hanna, we are left wanting MORE. Stage’s decision to revisit Hanna after so much time is a bold one, one that had the potential to be a whopping success or a letdown. I’m here to say it’s the former, not the latter.

Hanna’s characterization as a functioning sociopath out in the world reads as compelling fiction. This feels like a character study of the darkest variety and begs the question of whether or not a child like Hanna can be “reformed.” Of course, this is a book built upon suspense so what we see initially proves to be a rather slippery version of Hanna’s reality. Around the 20-30% mark of this novel marks an incredible uptick in intensity, not in an active sense, but in a thrilling psychological one. If you’ve read Baby Teeth, you know what young Hanna would default to in a situation like this. Yet, what would THIS Hanna do?

Dark predilections aside, Stage pulls off what feels like the impossible in making Hanna incredibly relatable. While her navigation of the world marks a lack of innate empathy, Hanna’s ability to recognize things like neglect, disinterest, and mistreatment remains wholly intact, leading to emotional reactions. Stage uses these instances to display gender inequalities, the complexities of motherhood, and to highlight other volatile issues most adults face in today’s world. These hot topics aren’t avoided, rather they’re confronted full-force through Hanna’s viewpoint. It’s tense writing with every possibility left on the table.

Razor sharp and compulsively readable, Dear Hanna by Zoje Stage is a welcome visitation to one of the most memorable sociopaths in modern fiction. This is a book that sinks its claws in deep and doesn’t relent until its final pages. The conclusion left me wanting slightly more, but in a way that feels like an open door, the possibility for a continuation existing on the fringes. In any case, Dear Hanna is gripping, entertaining, and darkly delightful.

I was a big fan of Baby Teeth so when I heard that Zoje Stage wrote a sequel to that I jumped at the chance of scoring an arc and was lucky enough to receive one.

The Hanna in Baby Teeth was one terrifying child.

The Hanna of Dear Hanna was not quite what I was expecting. She's much tamer this time around. On the one hand I was a little disappointed to not be in the mind of a total nut. On the other hand I actually came to understand Hanna a little better and, dare I say, I even started to care about her.

Hanna is 20 years old and makes her living as a phlebotomist when in walks an older man and a young 12 year old girl. The girl is terrified of needles so Hanna speaks calmly and works efficiently to set the child's mind at ease. Once through, the father, a widow, offers to take Hanna out and she's thrilled. He's a kind man and this is just the family she's looking for.

They meet, get married, and everything is peachy until Joelle, now a 16 year old, begins acting out. This sends Hanna spiraling back into her old obsessive and, maybe, even murderous behavior.

As I said this Hanna isn't nearly as deranged as she was as a child. In fact, I often felt sorry for her. She has a husband and step-child that are constantly taking advantage of her and show her little appreciation in return. So, yes, she has some snarky thoughts but don't we all when we think we've been given the short end of the stick? The difference between Hanna and I are that I know the difference between thinking something and doing something. The line remains a little blurry for Hanna.

So this one didn't blow me away like Baby Teeth but I was still thoroughly entertained and never once thought to put this down. I feel like I've gotten to know Hanna a little bit better. Stage also leaves room for a sequel. I'm not sure she will write it or that it's really even necessary but the opportunity is there should she decide to. I'd read it. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy.

I really need to start reading the synopsis of books I request. I saw the author's name and automatically requested it. I did not realize or pay attention to the face that this is a sequel to Baby Teeth. That books was crazy and Stage hasn't written one I've liked as well as that one until this. Revisiting Hanna as an adult is kind of a scary premise. She was a terrifying child. She tried to kill her mother! But I did not realize the link between the books until she mentions an incident from the first book that made it all click. I would have read this sooner had I known. This was just as crazy and twisty as the first one. Hanna has grown up but still has her demons.

I remember loving Baby Teeth back when I read it in 2018, although I confess that Hanna scared the crap out of me. I've always wondered what would have become of her as an adult though... And Dear Hanna offers you exactly that. This story is all about what little Hanna's life is like when she's all grown up, and I've been excited to discover how her character had evolved over time. While it wasn't quite as creepy as the first book, Dear Hanna still turned out to be a fun and twisted ride.

It is true that technically Dear Hanna is a sequel, but it can quite easily be read as a stand-alone as well. I confess that I didn't remember too much about the plot of Baby Teeth after six years, but I had no issues whatsoever jumping right in. There are some characters that will reappear in Dear Hanna, but most of them are either new or will be explained in such a way that you are not really missing out on any background. The plot itself stands on its own as well, as it focuses on the same main character as an adult.

Like I said before, this story isn't nearly as creepy as the first book and Hanna is actually surprisingly mild during most of the story. I wasn't sure what to think of it at first, but I could quite appreciate the focus on her journey trying to control her urges. There isn't much said about her time sent away as a child or as a teenager, but you do get glimpses every once in a while. The main focus is on her as a 24-year-old, married and a stepmother to a teenager. It is without doubt a fascinating situation, especially since it is basically a miracle she was able to lead such a normal life for so long... At least it feels that way after everything that happened in Baby Teeth.

Instead of in-your-face horror, the suspense and creep-factor is built up slowly as you see Hanna unravel after certain triggering events. One of my favorite parts were the letters written between Hanna and her little brother Goose, as they gave so much insight in Hanna's inner thoughts and how she was affected by those triggering events. The humor used worked very well to balance out some of the more serious topics, and it was interesting to see how Hanna tried to work the situation in her own favor. Were her actions normal or healthy or even legal? Not exactly. But they were definitely fun to read about!

I do have to say that I was a bit disappointed by the ending, as it was simply not plausible AT ALL. I mean, after everything that happened in Baby Teeth, there is just no way that her mother ever would have left her alone with her baby brother... And the solution presented was a bit too convenient to be satisfying. I still did appreciate the letter part of the twist though. The writing itself was engaging and I had a hard time putting the story down... I simply HAD to know how far Hanna would go. And despite the ending and slower beginning, it was still an entertaining ride.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this book. I’ve read everything Zoje has written and I could not wait for the follow up to Baby Teeth. Well, Dear Hanna did not disappoint. We are now in Hanna’s world as an adult. She has a job as a phlebotomist where we see some of her tendencies peaking through when she purposely hurts her patients. She writes letters to her brother. I really liked this laser of this book. In the same fashion as Baby Teeth, it had a creepy vibe overall. Can people really change? Can they even improve? Well, you’re about to find out. What a great read this was. It was worth the wait!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is the follow up to Baby Teeth and it shows Hanna all grown up. She is living a normal life but she is a sociopath and things start to unravel in her perfect life.

I did not read the first book in this series but I don't think you really need to in order to read this one.

However, I was not a big fan of this one. I felt like all of the characters were unlikable and I just couldn't connect with anyone. I felt like Hanna was easy to dislike and it was just annoying for me to read.

I know others have liked this one but I can't stand an unlikable main character.

4⭐️

This is a follow up to Baby Teeth, but typically I hadn’t read it first. There are sufficient references to the first book to be a spoiler for me so I doubt I’ll read that now.

Hanna is married and a step mom, now a grown up sociopath. Things in Hanna’s life aren’t going her way so she decides an intervention is in order.

Hanna doesn’t pretend to the reader to be anything that she’s not, but she’s quite convincing with people in her life. I couldn’t like Hanna but that didn’t stop me wondering how far she would go in her quest.
The writing style keeps things quite light which seems to be the trend when writing from female sociopath POV so it’s easy to read. There’s not that much depth plot wise for me, and it’s not as dark as I was expecting. The pace is fairly slow.

For me the letters between Goose and Hannah didn’t really add any significant, although there was a purpose for them. They just felt kind of repetitive.

I have heard such rave reviews about Baby Teeth that I desperately wanted in on this book, I enjoyed it, but didn’t love it. I found that the ending fell flat, I was underwhelmed by it.
Keen to know how others find it in relation to the first book, as I only have half the story.

I have not read Baby Teeth which is the first book about our main character, Hanna. The first one is about Hanna as a child, but Hanna is all grown up now. This book can be read as a standalone and we do get little snippets of Hanna’s life from when she was young. This one includes Hanna corresponding with her younger brother, Goose via written letters and I really like that, it’s no secret that this reader loves epistolary novels.

Stage writes her sociopath well and her dark, disturbing thoughts will shock you, but don’t worry Ms. Stage does not go into over-the-top territory, she writes her cunning female lead perfectly. This one sucked me in and never let me go.

The ending wasn’t a big surprise but for some reason, I really liked this book. It was easy to read, the writing and story flowed well and I hated every single character. Hannah is a bitch of the highest order but the people who enter into her realm uninvited aren’t so great either. What’s wrong with my brain that I was cheering this psychopathic bitch on? Now I want to read Baby Teeth, the first book, and see where it was that Hanna got her start. Will there be a book three? I certainly hope so and that says a lot.

I really enjoyed this book! I have read other books by this author but not Baby Teeth which is the prequel to this. You don't need to read that one to be able to enjoy this, it can easily be read as a stand alone novel.

Hanna is disturbed. As a child she plotted to kill her mother and made a few attempts, landing her in a 'special' school for children like her. Once out she sets her sights on marriage and Jacob seems the perfect partner. There is an age difference but he is a successful real estate agent and even though she enjoys her career as a phlebotomist the financial security is the dream. He does have a daughter, Joelle, who lost her mother, so Hanna will have an instant family.

But, things don't go exactly as planned. While things start out ok, as the book goes on Hanna's world slowly starts to crumble. She writes to her brother Goose, explaining how the intrusive thoughts are coming back and what her plans are to take her life back.

I did guess the plot twists all the way through, but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment I felt while reading it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5/5)

Trigger Inducing Themes: Manipulation, pregnancy/miscarriage, politics (abortion topics), self harm, suicidal ideation, guns, descriptive menses and blood talk.

This book is the follow up to 𝗕𝗔𝗕𝗬 𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗛 and this follow up novel is…in a word, 🅳🅰︎🆁🅺! Hanna is now 24 years old, she’s married with a teenage step daughter the she adores (can you believe it!?!) and a career she loves…she’s quite good at it too. It’s an appropriate career for someone like her who can disguise the pain she inflicts on people as an oopsie.

On the surface everything appears to be going smoothly in Hanna’s life, she’s away from her bio family except for her lil teenage bro Goose (Gustav), but her crazy is always on small annoyance away from bubbling back to the surface.

I loved following Hanna’s inner monologue. She’s prob one of my fav crazy villains to read. Omg the way Hanna talks about this little kid at a cookout was so terrible that I had no choice but to laugh out loud, she was calling him “snotface” or “sh!thead” he’s a toddler who is in desperate need of a diaper change. She’s the worst but somehow entertaining at the same time.

It was a good one and I felt like the characters were well developed. I wish there was a bit more pop to the end. However…that leave it open for another book about Hanna and I’m here for it.

If you’re looking for a bloody good time with a demented individual, look no further. It’s Hanna time!