COMP CLOSED | Book Giveaway | Hannah & Huia

A moving New Zealand debut novel that explores issues of mental health. This is a story about hope and finding purpose in life, even when that hope seems lost. Hannah gives Huia the most important gift of all – hope – and in doing so, Hannah finds hope for her own future.

Hannah is in a mental health unit, in shock and rendered speechless following the sudden death of her husband and baby son one rainy night – for which she feels unspeakable guilt. She pays little attention to her institutional surroundings as events play and replay inside her head. There is no way out, no way back, and no future she can possibly imagine, just an endless, unbearable present.

Huia is also there, a long-term resident who lives entirely in her own inner world, a woman who seems unable to communicate. Her mutterings, her sleeve-plucking, her foot-tapping? Well, that’s just Huia. But who is she? What is her story and why does she play on Hannah’s mind? No one else pays attention to Huia’s condition, but Hannah is drawn to the mystery of the older woman … Huia has something to teach Hannah, if only Hannah pays attention – and she does.

Gradually drawn out of her own web of misery, Hannah learns to read Huia and decides to follow the tiny clues back to the source and discover the truth of Huia. In the process, she uncovers the strange bonds that unite them and finds it might, after all, be possible to save her own life – that families can and should heal. And Huia is her path to redemption.

Two women, two literally unspeakable tragedies, two families, one powerful and unforgettable story.

No one should ever be made to feel invisible. And you are never alone.

About the Author

Charlotte Lobb was raised on a lifestyle block just out of Hamilton. She began her schooling at Tamahere Model Country School, which is where her love for creative writing first began. She completed her schooling at St Peters School in Cambridge and Hillcrest High School. Throughout these years, Charlotte kept busy with an array of interests and talents ranging from ballroom dancing, violin, piano and singing to being a member of the New Zealand Shooting Team and High Performance Academy for air-rifle shooting.

After leaving school, Charlotte went on to complete a Bachelor in Speech and Language Therapy (Hons.) at the University of Canterbury. She worked at the Waikato, Hastings and Waitakere hospitals before moving with her husband to Tauranga. They have two children.

Along with her passion for words, Charlotte has a desire to bring mental health topics out into the open, and to provide hope for those in need.

Hannah & Huia is Charlotte’s debut novel.

Terms and conditions

1. 1. You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
   2. Competition closes on the 1st August 2023, winners will be notified via email by 3rd August 2023.
   3. It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be couriered. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
   4. Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
   5. GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
   6. By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
   7. One entry per household.
   8. Prize is non transferrable.
   9. You must reside in New Zealand – the prize will only be posted within New Zealand.
   10. You must be over 50 years of age to enter, check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.