Review: Reinventing Hannah - Jack A. Ori

Review: Reinventing Hannah - Jack A. Ori - November 2022

I'll be honest—I've been struggling with romance novels lately. The meet-cutes and happily-ever-afters have felt hollow, so I've been gravitating toward my collection of edgier reads that have been gathering digital dust on my Kindle. That's how I rediscovered Reinventing Hannah by Jack A. Ori, and I'm grateful I did.

Hannah starts as the archetypal "good girl"—student council member, rule-follower, someone waiting for marriage (or at least the right person) before having sex. She doesn't drink, smoke, or do drugs. She's the perfect student, the one parents point to as an example. But perfection, as we learn, offers no protection from the worst humanity can offer.

When Hannah agrees to be the designated driver for her friend Sasha's party, she's still the responsible one—having fun but staying sober. The next morning, though, she wakes up with no memory of the previous night and the devastating realization that she's been raped and sexually assaulted.

What follows is a raw, unflinching exploration of trauma's aftermath. Hannah struggles with anger, acts out in ways that shock those around her, and finds herself unable to trust even her own instincts. Her established friendships crumble as people retreat from this new version of Hannah—one who's finally learned to stand up for herself.

Jack A. Ori masterfully captures the cruel irony: the very assertiveness that Hannah's assault awakens in her is what she needed all along. The tragedy becomes a twisted catalyst for her to become who she always wanted to be—someone who refuses to be silenced, someone who wants to help others, someone who understands that life is precious and short.

The pressure Hannah faces to stay quiet feels painfully authentic. Friends and enemies alike want her silence for different reasons. Her parents' well-meaning fragility only adds another layer of isolation. Most devastating are her own fears, constantly pulling her back toward the safety of silence.

The central question—whether Hannah can find the strength to advocate for herself and other survivors—drives the narrative with genuine tension. This isn't just about one woman's recovery; it's about finding voice in a world that often prefers victims stay voiceless.

Reinventing Hannah resonates because most of us know this story intimately—whether through personal experience, someone we love, or countless news stories. We understand how fleeting life can be and how powerful it is when someone simply says, "I am here for you."

Jack A. Ori has crafted a story that's both heartbreaking and hopeful, showing how sometimes our greatest wounds can become sources of unexpected strength.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gxpXmp