Hannah's Reach

by Eileen Snow

Hannah's Reach is the story Charles Dickens would write if he were alive today. Always one to weave a heart-wrenching tale of a lonely child, he could find no better setting for his story than today's foster care system. It's the book about love, children, and the spiritual side of Christmas readers have wanted to experience for years.

266 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this for our ward book club and I was pleasantly surprised. Knowing that it was a local author and her first book, I didn't expect too much, but it was actually really well written. The author came to our book club meeting and it was really interesting to hear from her how the idea for this book was born.

Synopsis of the story: Livy is a high-powered executive living in New York city who is afraid to open up in relationships. She meets Bryan and begins to have a change of heart towards children, family and faith. A moving story about the foster care system, family and redemption. There are quite a few twists and turns that keep you intrigued.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book...especially taking into consideration that this is her first time writing a book. I loved the story and the characters. There are many lessons to learn from this book and I thought it was very inspirational.

[Kelsey Argyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a girl named Livy that does not feel loved and lives her lonely life working for Joys toys When Livy meets Bryan and he helps her come up with a new toy for the company. Livy is all of the sudden is framed and fired an then runs accidentally into traffic. Livy needs to find her past, and reconnect with the wonderful emotion of love, How? She is heartbroken and severely injured.

The theme for this book is that you are never alone. Livy felt alone but then bryan was always their for her. Livy felt abandoned but it turned out that her mom really just wanted what was best for her. Livy felt unlovable but when she discovered who she was, she found love.

Like and dislike. There was a lot of different perspectives which made it confusing. It also didn't explain everything,like how Livy ended up where she ended up. It was so full of emotion and there were a lot of twists and turnes. Some times it felt like you're just walking along all fine and dandy an then a bomb explodes directly in your path. It got your emotions flowing.

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Thomas, a successful New York business woman who invents an automated doll which becomes a must-have Christmas gift, was shifted as a little girl from foster home to foster home and never wants anyone to know about her past and even shies away from love. But, Bryan Kimball from a large family in Blackfoot, Idaho, becomes her friend and teaches her about love, not only their brother-sister relationship, but about the love of God. Many surprises happen along the way as she learns about her real family. I was moved to tears when she realizes that Jesus Christ has suffered even more than she has. A wonderful Christmas book!

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were some rough spots in this novel, but the overall effect was still one of a delightful story that kept the reader guessing right up to the end. I loved this story so much I'd like to see a really top notch movie made out of it - in my opinion it could become a classic right up there with Miracle on 34th Street. This has definitely become one of my favorite Christmas stories and I am grateful for the person who introduced it to me.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read it was a couple years ago, and I sped through it in 2 days while on vacation. It's a great page-turner with all the different characters' lives weaved together. It's a Christmas story with a mystery and a little romance and really about the main character finding herself and her faith.

[Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mother sent this to me for my birthday. It was a good story and I cried in a lot of parts. My main problem was that all the separate story lines came together way too neatly. It was a bit of a stretch for me to believe the outcome.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book club choice.

I thought it was kind of interesting, but the end was very confusing for a minute till I figured out what was going on!
We are going to hear from the author this week. She is coming to our club to speak on Thursday, June 26.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's difficult to read a story when all it does is break your heart. The examples of child neglect and abuse could actually be fact not fiction. Olivia suffers the worst you can imagine, and we keep hoping for that happy ending. And, it's a good one! I love Bryan!

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

After gaining more information for the author herself, this book became a little more meaningful - although, not a favorite.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the surprises in this book. I really appreciate how it brought me the Spirit of Christmas this year.

[Beth Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out pretty slow. It ended up being pretty good and having a great message.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a touching story that through the end you can see how everything ties together to complete the story of the main character.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! It was a great story of love and miracles. I really liked it and hope that everyone will want to read it.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun Christmas story with some very serious things to say about foster care and its shortcomings.

[Keisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read with a good message. Normally a book like this would probably only get three stars, but it touched my heart so it got an extra star.