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What Happened to Hannah

by Mary Kay McComas

3.51 · Rating Details · 1,106 Ratings · 149 Reviews

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 he ...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published February 7th 2012 by William Morrow Paperbacks

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Jun 20, 2013 Emma Rector rated it did not like it

I'm very confused why this book had a pretty high rating on here. The pacing was terrible, the characters weren't particularly compelling and overall it was just damn frustrating. So many times I read only a chapter because I got so annoyed with the author's choices or because it was dragging.

This was so clearly written by an author that usually writes short stories. This idea really lends itself to a very long short story, but in order to make it a full novel the author added lots of useless a ...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Victoria rated it it was ok

Shelves: lit-fic, family, not-for-me

Unfortunately, I found this book to be rather disappointing. The story was trite and predictable, with all of the actual action very far removed from the story. Confused flashbacks and nightmares just didn't provide enough drama or excitement for me. But this did turn a tough subject (child abuse) into a rather light-hearted and sweet book, which is perhaps why it felt so unbelievable to me. Though not a long book, it was slow moving, with characters that just weren't well-rounded enough to inst ...more

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May 13, 2013 Cindy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013-read

Really got caught up in this book. It made the subject of spousal/child abuse personal because I got so wrapped up in the story of Hannah. In view of the latest headlines one should question the ability to intervene in situations instead of turning a blind eye. Whether you sense something wrong with a child, a neighbor, or a friend, it seems that if the 'village' becomes vigilant when it comes to abuse, actions could be taken to make a change in someone's life.
I am giving this four stars instea ...more

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Aug 21, 2015 Michael rated it did not like it

What happened to Hannah? Probably locked in the boredom room. I simply could not get into this book at all, at first it had potential but it quickly went downhill with the lack of consistency and characterization. The entire time reading this, I was questioning why should I care what direction this story is going. It simply was not my cup of tea or anything, it was just one those books that did not pick up steam at all. Either that or I lost patience to see if it got any better. I tend to read t ...more

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Jul 10, 2015 Jo rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

I enjoyed this book... Tough subject... abuse of families - especially children is a devastating thread in our society, and this story actually deals with this very hard topic - in a way that leaves you feeling hopeful... loved the quote on page 120, "so THIS is the feeling most people know when they thought of family. Not fear, not resentment, not the burden of responsibility beyond their years. This is what it was like to have your heart bloom with gladness and pride for someone... not you, bu ...more

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May 09, 2012 Cait rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in2012, ebook, contemporary-fiction

I didn't really know what to expect from this book - I hadn't heard of it or the author before I read it. And, if I'm being honest, I chose it based primarily on the cover & the fact that the very vague summary held my attention.

Books that read without having many expectations go one of two ways with me - I either find it great because I didn't expect much, or I never finish it because I have no reason to. Thankfully, this was the former.

Apparently this has been talked about in some place ...more

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Dec 18, 2011 Amy Lignor rated it really liked it

Grady Steadman is a small-town sheriff who has a pretty good life. In fact, he only has one regret, and that regret is something he has wanted to fix for a good, long time. When he finally tracks down his first love who had to run from their town in the middle of the night because of a truly horrific event, Grady takes a deep breath, and tries to figure out how to deliver her the news that she now has to come back home.

Hannah Benson, when she was a teenager, had to watch as her mother, her siste
Grady Steadman is a small-town sheriff who has a pretty good life. In fact, he only has one regret, and that regret is something he has wanted to fix for a good, long time. When he finally tracks down his first love who had to run from their town in the middle of the night because of a truly horrific event, Grady takes a deep breath, and tries to figure out how to deliver her the news that she now has to come back home.

Hannah Benson, when she was a teenager, had to watch as her mother, her sister, as well as herself, got brutally beaten and abused by her horrendous father. After an event occurred in her young life, Hannah took off, leaving everything and everyone behind in order to find some sort of peace in her life. Year after year Hannah has ‘hid in plain sight,’ so to speak, working as an insurance saleswoman in Baltimore. When she receives a pone call from Grady Steadman, her panic attacks begin once again, wondering how the heck he tracked her down and what she’s supposed to say after all these years. When he delivers the news that Hannah’s mother has passed away; not only that, but her sister also passed away five years previously leaving behind a fifteen-year-old daughter named, Anna, who absolutely needs her ‘missing’ Aunt now, Hannah finds herself heading back into the town that was her ultimate hell.

Grady has gone from a wild child teen to a handsome reliable young man who preaches the law instead of breaks it. And he is the one and only person in town who is there to help Hannah face her demons, and try to learn how on earth she can be there for a child when she doesn’t have a clue how to take care of one.

Jumping back into this town and Grady’s family is difficult, especially seeing as that his teenage daughter, Lucy, is Anna’s best friend. Lucy is beyond angry because Anna is a five-star runner who wins prizes galore; she’ll even have some college scouts visiting her very soon. Not only that, but Lucy knows that Anna is falling for her very own brother, Cal, and Lucy’s mouth makes sure to let this strange Aunt know that she should leave Anna right where she is and go away.

As Hannah and Anna learn about one another - what they share, and what Anna was told about the past mistakes that Hannah made, the story becomes a vibrant, haunting tale of a woman trying to discard the past once and for all in order to begin again. A powerful story with a beautiful plot that will have readers routing for peace, romance, and second chances.

Until Next Time,
Amy

...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Sara Strand rated it it was amazing

I will tell you that I could not put this book down. It took me a little over a day to fly through it because I was so engrossed in the story. I have to say that I was afraid I wouldn't like Hannah's character- a lot of times when you read books with similar story lines, the main character comes off basically as a bitch. Not to be crude, but that's how they come off. Mary Kay McComas did Hannah's character so well and made her someone you really feel like you'd want to get to know. She isn't ove ...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Nancy rated it really liked it

Hannah disappeared when she was 16. The people of the small town assumed she'd probably been murdered by her abusive father. Little rumors had been circling for a bit about him being alcoholic, the broken bones, unexplained bruises, etc. But there is a collective agreement to turn the other way in order to not be responsible for Hannah or their family.

It's 20 years later when the book opens. Grady, the new sheriff, and Hannah's one teenage love, knows she is alive and well in Baltimore. He final Hannah disappeared when she was 16. The people of the small town assumed she'd probably been murdered by her abusive father. Little rumors had been circling for a bit about him being alcoholic, the broken bones, unexplained bruises, etc. But there is a collective agreement to turn the other way in order to not be responsible for Hannah or their family.

It's 20 years later when the book opens. Grady, the new sheriff, and Hannah's one teenage love, knows she is alive and well in Baltimore. He finally makes the call to reconnect but also to drop the bomb that her mother has just died. Her beloved sister, Ruth, has been gone for a few years and, surprise! Ruthie had a daughter who is now 15 and needs a home. Hannah protests but finally agrees to meet Anna, her niece. So Hannah returns to her loathsome home town where her heinous childhood took place and still haunts her.

The story of Hannah's childhood and the blossoming of the romance between Hannah and Grady during their teenage years is slowly and sweetly revealed in flashbacks. Also remembered and voiced are the horrendous memories of abuse suffered by both her father, in an effort to control, and her mother, in fear. The time spent in Clearfield, getting to know Anna and her friends (coincidentally, they are Grady's children), getting reacquainted with Grady and his mother and Grady is a single father, by the way, is also punctuated by Hannah's cleaning out the old Benson home, haunted by the memories of her childhood yet symbolically, Hannah is cleaning out the anger and resentment she has clung to through the years.

Peripherally, Hannah speaks often to Joe, her mentor, former business partner, and dear friend in Baltimore. Joe, a religious and God-loving man, plays the part of reason and learning to trust and have faith. With the help of all of these supporting characters, Hannah finds who she really is, faces her past, and releases her demons. She has secrets. Many secrets that she is afraid to allow to see the light. How does one heal from such terrible experiences? How does a self-sufficient woman like Hannah forgive those who wronged her? Can she make room in her life for Anna? Will Anna accept her? What if the secrets she holds are shared? Might it jeopardize her taking guardianship of Anna? Can there be a romance for Hannah?

Good, solid chick lit with spiritual overtones of faith and forgiveness. Clean enough for an older teenager (teenage sex implied and one "f" word). ...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Staci rated it really liked it

Recommended to Staci by: TLC Tour Books

Shelves: 2012-tlc, 2012-reads

First Thoughts after finishing: "What an emotional roller coaster ride and a satisfying read."

I am always looking for a book that keeps my attention all the way through to the end and this author delivers! I loved Hannah and her toughness, her need to keep everyone at arm's length, and the harder-than-nails exterior that she worked so diligently to keep in place. The author let Hannah tell the story of the reason why she left her home town in the middle of the night over twenty years ago and I t ...more

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Nov 30, 2011 Darcia Helle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, arc-requests, general-fiction

I was captivated by this story. As a child, Hannah suffered abuse that most of us can't even imagine. She escapes and, despite the odds, becomes a successful adult. But the past never quite leaves her. When she gets a phone call telling her she's the only living relative left to care for a niece she's never met, Hannah has to go back and face the ghosts of her past. While learning to let go, she also learns to trust and truly love.

This story has many layers, at the core of which is courage, trus ...more

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Aug 01, 2013 Barbara rated it really liked it

Hannah ran away at 16 to escape an abusive home. No one has heard from her since. Now many years later, she must return her hometown after her parents and only sibling have died. She is to care for her teenage niece she has never met or knew nothing about. This story is about their developing relationship, facing memories from her childhood and reconnecting with the boyfriend she left behind so many years ago. It was a quick read for me because I was drawn to the story and characters. The memori ...more

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Jul 09, 2015 Amanda rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 04, 2016 Lisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fict-5-liked-exceptionally, wtr_2-thoughtful-reading

I would give this book Five Stars based on language alone. This author is a beautiful writer and definitely knows how to put words together to form a powerful image. Many times a beautiful image, but always well done. There were so many times in the book where I would just read a sentence and pause to savor how beautiful the writing was and the story was well done. Interesting, involved, believable. I think what I most liked about the book was that it was on a difficult subject and showed some r ...more

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May 11, 2012 Robin Moore rated it did not like it

I could figure out what happened to Hannah fairly early on, and at one point, considered ditching the book. If you like sappy stories that tie together very neatly/sweetly/predictably at the end, then you'll like this book. I didn't.

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Jul 02, 2016 Amy rated it really liked it

This was a pretty good read. I read it pretty fast, but I don't feel like I missed anything. I liked the story, the characters and how well everything flowed together. I didn't feel the big reveal at the end was anything too shocking. Some things were a bit frustrating, like the "romance". But most readers would probably just go with the story line and be patient. It's worth a read if people like small town girl fleas because of big secret, is called back to settle some business, has to face dem ...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Nicole rated it did not like it

Ugh! Read the first few pages and you will be able to predict exactly what is going to happen to Hannah. The answer: a bunch of stuff that only happens in bad chick lit.

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May 31, 2014 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

Mystery, love interest, psychology... This book was packed with interest. Hannah was raised in a severely physically abusive household and got away at age 15-16. Swearing never to return to her hometown, she ends up going back to settle estate matters. She unearths a lot of suppressed memories, many if which are beautiful and of her first love, who is still in town... Who has leverage to finding out Hannah's darkest secrets.

Although I generally stay away from stories about child abuse, this one ...more

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Sep 30, 2014 Linda Trionfo rated it did not like it

Did not get too far, did not like the language, nothing too harsh but a lot of the Lords name etc...

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Feb 29, 2012 Laura rated it really liked it

Twenty years ago, sixteen-year-old Hannah Benson ran away from an abusive home. Now, at thirty-six she has a successful business and has put the past behind her with the help of a loving friend, until Grady Steadman, the boy she once loved, but who is now the town's sheriff calls her to tell her that her mother and sister have died, leaving Hannah the guardian of her fifteen-year-old niece, Anna. Hannah is reluctant to go back to a place that holds painful memories, but once she meets Anna she k Twenty years ago, sixteen-year-old Hannah Benson ran away from an abusive home. Now, at thirty-six she has a successful business and has put the past behind her with the help of a loving friend, until Grady Steadman, the boy she once loved, but who is now the town's sheriff calls her to tell her that her mother and sister have died, leaving Hannah the guardian of her fifteen-year-old niece, Anna. Hannah is reluctant to go back to a place that holds painful memories, but once she meets Anna she knows this could be her chance to be a family. However, Hannah holds a terrible secret from the night she ran away and she's afraid of trusting Grady and jeopardizing everything she now holds dear.

It's been awhile it seems since I've read a really good character-driven book. And this one was so satisfying on many levels. It simultaneously brought back memories of my high school days and first love and touched me on the level of a parent raising kids. This book held my interest from beginning to end. McComas knows how to build characters one cares about and could relate to even if our own life circumstances aren't the same.

Although Hannah's story deals with a physically and verbally abusive childhood, it is not overwhelming aspect in the story, but it's the propelling undercurrent that pushes the present story forward. As the story progresses, there are flashbacks to Hannah's past that give us an indication of not only what she suffered but also her strength, her resilience and what she and Grady meant to each other. It filled the story without interruption and I loved reliving how she first fell in love with Grady and how she discovered she could be loved in return.

Although I guessed what Hannah's secret was pretty early on in the story, I still enjoyed how the story unfolded. It was touching, with real, honest characters and a perfect pace. I loved McComas' writing, how she portrayed teenagers, life in a small town, family love and the rekindling of a special young love. It's the story of starting over and the quiet personal triumph of overcoming childhood trauma. I'm happy to have discovered this talented author, and I can't wait to read her next novel.

Note: This book has some mild profanity (a few religious expletives and one f-word). ...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Trunatrschild rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, amazon-vine-program

Well, my reservations before reading the book were about whether the author could adequately describe child abuse in a believable and yet readable way. As they say, write what you know about! She seemed to do a good job, I found it believable and highly emotional, I bawled in some spots, definitely Chick Lit! Then the farther I got into the book the more disappointed I got. There was MUCH potential for a very deep and insightful book out of this story, and yet it seemed to be such light reading. ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Alisha Marie rated it liked it

Shelves: chick-lit, tearjerkers, arc-s, amazon-vine

When I first started reading What Happened to Hannah, I was a little disappointed. I had assumed that it was going to be a semi-deep novel about child abuse, but the way the book started, it seemed more like chick-lit. Once I let go of the "serious, deep novel" notion, though, I ended up enjoying a pretty good chick-lit novel that, although wasn't as deep as I would've liked, was more deep than that of your average chick-lit.

So, with me being me, my favorite part of What Happened to Hannah ended When I first started reading What Happened to Hannah, I was a little disappointed. I had assumed that it was going to be a semi-deep novel about child abuse, but the way the book started, it seemed more like chick-lit. Once I let go of the "serious, deep novel" notion, though, I ended up enjoying a pretty good chick-lit novel that, although wasn't as deep as I would've liked, was more deep than that of your average chick-lit.

So, with me being me, my favorite part of What Happened to Hannah ended up being the characters, but what's different is that most of the time in chick-lit novels, I end up liking the supporting characters more than the actual main character, but that didn't happen this time (at all. And more on that a little later). In fact, I loved Hannah. Yes, she was snarky and sarcastic, but she had a good heart and tried to do the right thing more than once. You can tell immediately that she cares more about others than she does herself. And that tied to her sarcastic behavior, endeared me to her almost at once.

Now, the supporting characters grated a bit, with exception of Anna, whom I liked because she seemed mature beyond her years and seemed like she had a good head on her shoulders. When it comes to teens that come from broken homes, it can sort of go either way in that they'll imitate the life their parents had or they hate it so much that they'll do anything not to fall back on that and I found Anna to be in the latter. However, the characters I did not like are Anna's best friend and Grady. Anna's best friend annoyed me almost immediately. I'm sorry, but I have never nor will I ever like reading about a bratty teenager and the BFF was as bratty as you can possibly get. She was so bratty in the beginning, that I seriously contemplated in putting the book down and not reading it. That's how annoying she was. And her father (AKA the love interest) was no better. That guy was a huge brat. With the whole (MILD SPOILER HERE) "I'm not letting you take Anna unless you tell me the truth" schtick. Hey, dude, that's BLACKMAIL! And very unbecoming of an officer of the law(END OF MILD SPOILER). Sure, he got a teeny bit better by the end, but at that point I disliked him so much that I wouldn't have cared a wit if his car rolled over and left everyone feeling angst.

Also, the whole mystery of what actually happened to Hannah was a tad bit predictable, almost from the beginning. It was good that I didn't bank on the mystery because, otherwise, I would have been highly disappointed. The child abuse in What Happened to Hannah was bad, but that seems to be the only depressing slant on the story. For the most part, What Happened to Hannah is a pretty light, summer read with a twinge of depth in it (admittedly, not much, though). In the end, I do recommend What Happened to Hannah as long as you go into it expecting chick-lit and nothing more. ...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Shana rated it it was amazing

This is a great story about Hannah who has a successful insurance office and seems to have it all figured out. That is until one day she gets a call from her old high school sweetheart Grady. Grady has always wondered what happened to the fresh faced yet, mysterious Hannah since the day she disappeared. Grady tells Hannah that her mother has just passed away, her sister passed away a few years ago and that she is the last relative alive to care for her sister Ruth's teenage daughter Anna. Though ...more

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Jun 16, 2015 Asheley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult-fiction

(a similar version of this review can be found here at Into the Hall of Books: http://www.intothehallofbooks.com/201...)

What Happened to Hannah is one of those stories that gripped me from the very beginning and didn't let me go until the very last word on the last page. I devoured this book, which is so very interesting to me given the summary and themes in the story. Honestly, though, I just couldn't help it. While there were themes that were a bit dark and depressing, they were sitting inside ...more

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Feb 09, 2012 Jael rated it really liked it

Twenty years ago Hannah Benson ran away from the nightmare that was her own home. An abusive father and a painful secret have kept Hannah away from Clearfield. Hannah built a life and a career for herself, but the physical and emotional scars of the past are always with her. But Hannah's bubble is about to burst when tragedy brings her back to Clearfield.

A phone call from her high school sweetheart Grady, who is now the town sheriff, brings the past back to the present. Hannah's mother has died, Twenty years ago Hannah Benson ran away from the nightmare that was her own home. An abusive father and a painful secret have kept Hannah away from Clearfield. Hannah built a life and a career for herself, but the physical and emotional scars of the past are always with her. But Hannah's bubble is about to burst when tragedy brings her back to Clearfield.

A phone call from her high school sweetheart Grady, who is now the town sheriff, brings the past back to the present. Hannah's mother has died, leaving her niece Anna without family. What does Hannah know about raising a teenager? Will they even like each other? Will Anna reject her? Hannah's first instinct is to wonder why her sister Ruth can't raise her own daughter. Ruth died years ago. Her abusive father died the night Hannah ran away. It seemed very insensitive to me that Hannah never wondered what happened to her family. Hannah saved herself, which she had every right to. Hannah spent years protecting Ruth, and taking the brunt of her father's abuse. All she ever wanted was for her mother to love her and protect her. Despite all the disappointments, wouldn't some part of her want to make sure they were Ok? She let everyone believe she was dead, a lie generated by her mother.

Hannah will have to face all her internal demons when she goes back to Clearfield. Grady takes everything Hannah says and does with a grain of salt. There is something about her that he doesn't trust. As kids, Grady spent years breaking through Hannah's shell. Grady's small acts of kindness were met with resistance from Hannah. She wasn't used to kindness. A wrong look, a wrong word or a wrong action were all it took to set her father off. When someone, like Grady, tried to be nice to her Hannah didn't know how to handle it. But eventually, Hannah and Grady fell in love. A love that had to be hidden from her family. A love that fell apart the night Hannah ran away. In the present day, just Hannah's mere presence pulls at Grady's heartstrings. Despite his feelings he knows Hannah is hiding something. How can he get close or trust her if he doesn't know the truth? He has is own children and his heart to protect.

Hannah's fears seem very real, which is something that kept me coming back for more. Just being in Clearfield brings back so many memories, actually very vivid flashbacks. Just going in the family barn is traumatic for Hannah. In her mind it's 20 years ago, and she is hiding from her father again. Anna is struggling internally just like her aunt. She doesn't want to rock the boat, fearing her aunt will reject her. Anna wants to go with the flow, rather than saying what she wants. She has close friends and a promising athletic career. If Anna fights for what she wants, Hannah might leave. If Hannah leaves, she would be just another person who has abandoned Anna. Her mother struggled as a parent. Her grandmother raised her with more grace and love than she did Hannah. Now that both of them are dead, she can't risk losing her only family connection.

Discovering Hannah's secret is at the heart of this book. What that secret might be is alluded to throughout the book. I had a strong feeling of what is was. It's a secret that could jeopardize her relationship with Anna and her freedom. Trying to get to the bottom of her secret is what kept me coming back for more. My one criticism would be that the resolution to the story seems a little rushed. The ending seems too good to be true for Hannah. But overall, this is a very good book. You have hope for Hannah's future, she can overcome her past.

Rating: Superb

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (HarperCollins) in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs, arc-reading-challenge, read-in-2012

This book is a good character driven novel. Those who enjoy stories of abused characters that have overcome their abuse will enjoy this book.

Hannah escapes her family and abuse as a teenager. She is a successful adult who seems very well rounded when she receives a phone call telling her her mother has passed away and she is now the guardian of a teenage niece named Anna, that Hannah had no idea existed. She returns home to take care of her family's affairs and meet and care for Anna.

As a reader This book is a good character driven novel. Those who enjoy stories of abused characters that have overcome their abuse will enjoy this book.

Hannah escapes her family and abuse as a teenager. She is a successful adult who seems very well rounded when she receives a phone call telling her her mother has passed away and she is now the guardian of a teenage niece named Anna, that Hannah had no idea existed. She returns home to take care of her family's affairs and meet and care for Anna.

As a reader, you know Hannah has been abused and she left her home but the mystery revolves around what happened to Hannah the fateful night she left. Hannah has not been back since. As Hannah cleans out her mother's home, she also cleans out the memories which seem to haunt her from that horrible night. The story goes back to when Hannah was a teenager which is intertwined with the present day story. Not to worry though. The storyline is easy to follow.

There is a romantic storyline also. Hannah is reacquainted with Grady, her high school sweetheart. Hannah is not ready to welcome back anyone from her past as she has moved on and in her eyes has put the past behind her. Grady is sure Hannah is hiding something from her past that needs to come out. There is a tension between them but is it because they still have feelings for each other or is it because Grady is just doing his job as the local sheriff?

I enjoyed reading about Hannah's life. She was a strong willed child and woman who did what she had to survive. She was an easy character to like. I felt bad that as a child, the community turned a blind eye to the abuse happening in her home. I'm sure this happens everyday but it sure was hard to stomach as I became involved with Hannah and her story.

The story kept me reading and wanting more until I got to the satisfying ending. I would recommend this book to book clubs as there is much there to discuss. It's an excellent read for those who like to read about dysfunctional families and those who have overcome abusive situations. ...more

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Mar 16, 2012 Laurel-Rain rated it liked it

Violence was an ongoing part of Hannah Benson's childhood. Then, on one tragic night, she ran as if her life depended on it.

Now, twenty years later, a call from her past brings everything about that life front and center. Grady Steadman, her old boyfriend, is now the Sheriff in Clearfield, Virginia, and his news is about to change her life again. Her mother has died, and her sister's daughter Anna is now in need of her care. Yes, her sister Lucy died five years before. But nobody could find her ...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Dianne rated it it was amazing

This book was an extremely powerful look into aspects of child abuse and possible molestation in the southern region of our country. It is about what happens when people don't want to get involved and also what happens when a community believes in the monsters lies.
This book shows us with vivid detail, how one extremely young girl can make it from being beaten to the point of broken bones and then begging on the streets, to pulling herself up and getting her GED and then making good.
It is about ...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Virginia Campbell rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, womens-fiction, fiction

When we are growing up, and viewing life through young eyes, we often don't see the true reality of the world around us. Hurtful things may cause us to make our own reality. We may be looking and listening, but still not comprehending. Sometimes, it takes maturity and similar experiences in our later years to really grasp the full meaning of what we have seen and experienced. Life is a continual learning process, full of starts, stops, and restarts. The truth is always there, waiting. We just ha When we are growing up, and viewing life through young eyes, we often don't see the true reality of the world around us. Hurtful things may cause us to make our own reality. We may be looking and listening, but still not comprehending. Sometimes, it takes maturity and similar experiences in our later years to really grasp the full meaning of what we have seen and experienced. Life is a continual learning process, full of starts, stops, and restarts. The truth is always there, waiting. We just have to find it. It already knows exactly where to find us. In "What Happened to Hannah", by Mary Kay McComas, the truth comes home to Hannah Benson in a startling manner, and one phone call forever changes the path of her life. To escape the cycle of abuse, Hannah had left home at age sixteen and never looked back. In high school, Grady Steadman was Hannah's sweetheart. Years later when he calls her, he is the sheriff of their hometown, informing her that her mother has just passed away. He also tells her that her sister had died some time ago and left behind a young daughter. Hannah's return to her home place is bittersweet, and she is forced to deal with painful memories and haunting ghosts from her past. She must also find a way to make a new life for herself and for her niece, Anna. With Grady now again a visible presence, Hannah's heart remembers how they once felt about each other, and feelings long denied flicker back into flame. In order to grasp a chance at true happiness, Hannah must let go of the weight of the past and grab on to the future with all of her heart.

Abuse has long -lasting, widespread effects-not just on the victim, but on those who care for the victim. All of us, whether we realize it or not, know someone who has been abused at some point in their life. The first reaction to abuse is denial. It's a subject which makes people uncomfortable, and the victims often linger in a very painful silence. Writing about it may encourage someone who is a victim to seek help. Acknowledgement is not only a first step, it's a giant leap!

Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine ...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Jillian rated it liked it

Sometimes, you have no choice but to go home again. Hannah Benson left her hometown 20 years earlier due to a tragedy that she has not yet moved past. However, when she receives a call from her old flame letting her know that her mother and sister have passed away and she is now the guardian for a niece she has never met, Hannah takes a deep breath and prepares herself for what is coming. Hannah has her reasons for not returning, Grady among them, but her niece, Anna, is there and she feels resp Sometimes, you have no choice but to go home again. Hannah Benson left her hometown 20 years earlier due to a tragedy that she has not yet moved past. However, when she receives a call from her old flame letting her know that her mother and sister have passed away and she is now the guardian for a niece she has never met, Hannah takes a deep breath and prepares herself for what is coming. Hannah has her reasons for not returning, Grady among them, but her niece, Anna, is there and she feels responsible for making sure Anna is cared for, which is more than anyone ever did for Hannah.
What Happened to Hannah by Mary Kay McComas is the story of what can happen when we allow ourselves to let our guard down and try to move beyond our past hurts. More so, it is a story of what happens when we forgive ourselves and allow ourselves the understanding of the people around us and why they make the choices they do. What Hannah discovers about mercy, compassion and love will fill your spirit as well.

As a character, Hannah is endlessly complex and completely frustrating. The entire book is spent talking her down from a ledge of her own making. But isn’t this what we all do? We spend so much time making up drama in our heads and then dealing with the upset from that that the real life issues we have are minuscule in comparison. Hannah moves through the story keeping secrets not only from the other characters, but from us, the readers. It was frustrating to have a clear understanding of why she was doing what she was doing until the end of the book, but the tension was not altogether unpleasant.

Other characters in the novel were pleasantly involved, but I found Grady to be a little too supportive. He showed so little emotion and the end felt inauthentic. I wanted more of Grady’s story and to know what Grady was doing when he was going home at night. Or what he was thinking, feeling or doing at work. How was Hannah’s pulling away really affecting him? There is a little of this in there, but I could have used more insight into both him and Anna.

Out of all of the characters, Biscuit was probably my favorite and I can’t tell you why without giving away some key details of the novel. If you read it, just know that I appreciate his wisdom beyond his age and his ability to truly see people as they are. I enjoyed the addition of Biscuit to the novel.

What Happened to Hannah is not a difficult read, though it may be for those that have abuse in their histories. The story is an interesting one, though there were some turns that I would have expected to be explored more fully (Jim). Either way, this is one that is a take it or leave it, but if I had the choice again, I’d probably take it.

Note: I was given a free copy of this novel in order to review it. Thank you for allowing me to share my opinion. ...more

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About Mary Kay McComas

Mary Kay McComas is an acclaimed romance novelist and the author of twenty-one short contemporary romances, five novellas, and two novels. McComas has received numerous honors and prizes for her work, including the Washington Romance Writers’ Outstanding Achievement Award and two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times (one for Best New Novel and another for Most Innovative Romance Series). ...more

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