What Happened to Hannah
by Mary Kay McComas
Paperback, 352 Pages
February 7, 2012 by William Morrow
Review Copy/TLC Tours
As a teenager, Hannah Benson ran away from home in order to save herself. Now, twenty years later, the past comes calling and delivers life-changing news: her mother and sister have passed away, leaving Hannah the guardian of her fifteen-year-old niece.
Returning home to bitter memories and devastating secrets, Hannah must overcome her painful past to pave a future with her niece, the last best chance at a family for both of them. She begins to create a new, happier life with her niece and rekindles a relationship with Grady Steadman, one of the few people she’s ever called a friend. But she can’t forget what she cannot forgive, or lay to rest those ghosts that will not die. Will love and trust—and the truth—give her the strength to stand her ground and fight for what she deserves?
Thoughts
When I started Hannah's story I was prepared to dive into a world of deep secrets and perhaps a deep look into the aftermath of domestic and child abuse, although McComa's story touches on these issues the novel even with its serious matter (the abuse was bad-just not the focus) wound up being a light read, full of humor, romance and second chances. I think the book tried in places to bring serious thought with the use of childhood flashbacks and the mystery of why Hannah ran away from her home, leaving the town to suspect she was killed by her father, but even with those elements, I couldn't see it as a deep serious novel.
More often than not I found myself laughing at the relationship between Hannah and Grady and enjoying the chemistry they had, despite Grady's irksome behavior midway through the book, by the end he makes full circle winning Hannah's heart.
To me this felt like a summer read, for anyone who is looking for a book in this type of venue I would defiantly recommend!
Rating
What Happened to Hannah is recommended to adult readers and contains: Violence, strong language, sexuality and child abuse.
3/5- Women's Contemporary
Thanks to publisher and TLC tours for review copy
I have to say I like that despite the seriousness of the premise and the topic of abuse the story is still funny and romantic:) The title alone would make me think it would be darker and heavier, it's nice that it was surprisingly warm:)
ReplyDeleteWow, with a premise and description so dark, I would honestly have been turned off by this one immediately. Glad that it was surprisingly funny and even sweet. I think there should be more books about second chances.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I was excited after reading the synopsis but it was nice to see that they didn't make abuse the entire focus of the book.
ReplyDeleteHmm, it's hard to imagine this being light hearted with the serious topic, LOL. Sounds like a good story though.
ReplyDelete@Jenny- thats what I thought when I started, due to the this would make a great chick-flick movie vibe it gave me, I never really saw past that feeling. So even the serious stuff seemed light toned.
ReplyDeleteHeidi-Jenny-Rummanah- Well its for sure a book that you could all handle if dark stuff isnt your thing...:D
Sounds like a great read for one of these rainy, blustery winter weekends when I want to stay home in bed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.
Hmmm... Summer reads in the winter could be a perfect way to get some light, breezy fun, while trying to keep yourself warm. hehehe
ReplyDeleteI love it when characters have fun banter, and it sounds like Hannah and Grady really did.
With such a serious topic, it's too bad that at times those deep and seriously tender moments weren't more real and rough. I think it makes all the happier times in the book that much better. If you can make me cry and laugh in a book, you have ROCKED my world a bit. I think this one sounds like a book I'll pick up for a rainy day. I like the sound of Grady and Hannah's relationship. Lovely review, Tina. It still sounds really good.
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