Strangers, Sex, and Static

On a crowded flight from Vegas to Denver, Jack, a professional hitman, finds himself seated near Hannah, a curvy, small-town librarian. Their initial interaction is electric—literally, as static zaps between them, and figuratively, as Jack is drawn to Hannah's innocent yet smutty reading material. Jack, used to a life of violence and detachment, is surprised by his instant obsession with Hannah, who is convinced true love only exists in books. Their flirtatious banter quickly reveals a mutual attraction, but both are hiding secrets: Jack's deadly profession and Hannah's hidden desires. The flight sets the stage for a collision of worlds, where danger and romance are about to intertwine.

Librarian's Secret Desires

Hannah, fresh from a romance book convention, is mortified yet thrilled when Jack reads over her shoulder as she devours a spicy novel. Their conversation blurs the line between fiction and reality, as Jack teases her about her bookish fantasies and she confesses her longing for a man who will "rail" her like her favorite heroes. Jack, amused and intrigued, plays along, and the two share an intimate, charged exchange that leaves both wanting more. Hannah's self-doubt and recent heartbreak are contrasted with her vivid inner world, while Jack's protective instincts are awakened. The seeds of a deeper connection are sown, even as both try to convince themselves it's just a fleeting encounter.

Hitman's Code of Justice

Back in Denver, Jack resumes his work as a hitman, taking out targets who "deserve it"—traffickers, abusers, and criminals. His best friend and fixer, Dax, is his only confidant. Jack's life is a series of jobs, each justified by his personal code: he only kills the truly bad. Yet, the memory of Hannah lingers, disrupting his emotional detachment. Jack's longing for normalcy and connection grows, and he finds himself questioning the emptiness of his existence. The contrast between his brutal profession and his yearning for something real is stark, setting up the internal conflict that will drive his choices.

Small Town, Big Secrets

Back in Coal Springs, Hannah returns to her routine—librarian by day, dreamer by night. She struggles with her family's indifference, her medical debt from a recent brain tumor, and her stalled dream of opening a romance bookstore. Yet, something is changing: she discovers she can suddenly lift heavy objects with ease, a side effect of her radiation treatment. As she confides in her best friend Brittany, they joke about superpowers, but Hannah is unsettled. Her newfound strength is both empowering and frightening, hinting at a supernatural twist that will soon become central to her survival.

Family Dinners and Dead Animals

Determined to see Hannah again, Jack tracks her down to her small-town library. Their reunion is awkward but charged, and Jack boldly invites himself to her family dinner. The Highcliff Family are a bizarre, dysfunctional bunch: a taxidermist father, a judgmental mother, a cult-leader brother, and a trampolining sister. The dinner is a comedic disaster, with Jack enduring insults, Bible verses, and overcooked burgers. Yet, he stands up for Hannah, earning her trust and deepening their bond. The evening ends with Jack being called away for a job, leaving Hannah hurt and confused, but the connection between them is undeniable.

Sparks, Strength, and Superpowers

Jack returns to Coal Springs, determined to win Hannah over. Their chemistry explodes in the back of the library, where Jack gives Hannah her first real orgasm—fulfilling one of her secret fantasies. Meanwhile, Hannah's superhuman strength becomes more pronounced, and she begins to suspect her radiation treatment has given her actual powers. As their relationship heats up, so does the danger: Jack's mafia employer, Sal Reggiano, grows suspicious of Jack's distraction and puts both their lives in jeopardy. The blend of romance, humor, and supernatural elements sets the story apart from typical romantic suspense.

Mafia Shadows Loom Closer

Jack's entanglement with the mafia deepens as Sal Reggiano pressures him to complete a hit. Jack's growing feelings for Hannah make him vulnerable, and Sal's men begin to close in. Meanwhile, Hannah's powers are tested when she is attacked at the library by one of Sal's goons. In a moment of panic and anger, she teleports herself to safety—confirming her abilities are real and potentially life-saving. The stakes are raised as Jack realizes Hannah is now a target, and he must choose between his deadly career and protecting the woman he's falling for.

Confessions and Misunderstandings

After a series of near-misses and misunderstandings, Jack and Hannah are forced to confront the truth about each other. Jack confesses his profession as a hitman, expecting Hannah to run. Instead, she reveals her own secret: her superhuman strength and ability to teleport. Both are stunned by the other's reality, and a heated argument ensues. Jack, fearing betrayal, accuses Hannah of being an assassin sent to kill him, while Hannah is hurt by his lack of trust. Their vulnerabilities are laid bare, but ultimately, their mutual honesty becomes the foundation for a deeper, more authentic connection.

Teleportation and Assassins

When another attempt is made on Jack's life, Hannah's powers prove crucial. She physically overpowers a mafia goon and, in a moment of crisis, teleports herself out of danger. Jack, initially skeptical, witnesses her abilities firsthand and is forced to accept the impossible. Together, they realize that Hannah's powers are both a blessing and a curse—making her a valuable asset to the mafia, but also putting her in grave danger. Their partnership solidifies as they vow to protect each other, no matter the cost.

Showdown at the Library

Sal Reggiano escalates his threats, demanding Hannah work for him or face the death of her loved ones. The final confrontation takes place at Hannah's family home, where Sal holds her family hostage. The Highcliff Family, oblivious to the danger, provide comic relief even as the situation turns deadly serious. With Jack and Dax's help—and a creative use of Hannah's powers—they subdue Sal without bloodshed, setting the stage for a new order in the criminal underworld. The mafia's internal politics resolve in Jack and Hannah's favor, allowing them to finally break free from the cycle of violence.

Dangerous Love, Dangerous Life

With the immediate threat gone, Jack and Hannah must decide what kind of life they want. Jack quits his job as a hitman, choosing love and a quieter existence over violence. Hannah, empowered by her abilities and newfound confidence, commits to pursuing her dream of opening a bookstore. Their relationship, forged in danger and tested by secrets, emerges stronger than ever. They embrace their unconventional partnership, blending romance, humor, and a touch of the supernatural.

Mafia Ultimatums and Family Chaos

Sal Reggiano's last-ditch effort to control Hannah and Jack is thwarted by their combined strength and the intervention of Sal's own son, Paul. The mafia's code is turned against itself, and Jack's past is finally put to rest. The Highcliff Family, as eccentric as ever, remain blissfully unaware of the true danger they faced, providing a humorous coda to the story's high-stakes drama. The couple's victory is not just over external threats, but over their own fears and insecurities.

New Beginnings, New Powers

With the mafia threat gone, Jack and Hannah focus on building a life together. Jack uses his ill-gotten gains to buy Hannah her dream bookstore, and they settle into small-town life—albeit with a few lingering superpowered surprises. Hannah's powers remain, hinting at further adventures, and the couple's love story becomes a legend in Coal Springs. Their journey from strangers on a plane to partners in life (and crime-fighting) is complete.

Happily Ever After, Hitman Style

In the end, Jack and Hannah find their happily ever after—not in spite of their differences, but because of them. Their story is a celebration of embracing the unexpected, finding strength in vulnerability, and choosing love even when it's messy, dangerous, and a little bit magical. With a new business, a new home, and a new sense of purpose, they look forward to a future filled with romance, adventure, and the occasional supernatural twist.

Characters

Jack Hollister

Jack is a professional hitman with a strict personal code: he only kills those he deems truly evil. Haunted by a lonely childhood and a life of violence, Jack is emotionally guarded, relying only on his fixer friend Dax. Meeting Hannah disrupts his carefully controlled world, awakening a longing for connection and normalcy. Jack's psychological journey is one of self-forgiveness and transformation; he must reconcile his violent past with his desire for love and a better future. His protectiveness, dark humor, and surprising vulnerability make him a compelling antihero who ultimately chooses love over violence.

Hannah Highcliff

Hannah is a small-town librarian with a vivid inner life and a history of being overlooked by her eccentric family. Recently recovered from a brain tumor, she is determined to live fully, even as self-doubt lingers. Her love of romance novels masks a deep longing for passion and adventure. The discovery of her superhuman strength and teleportation abilities forces her to confront her own power—both literal and metaphorical. Hannah's arc is one of self-acceptance and empowerment, as she learns to stand up for herself, pursue her dreams, and embrace a love that is as wild as it is true.

Dax

Dax is Jack's childhood friend and business partner, serving as a fixer who handles the messy aftermath of Jack's hits. Outgoing and pragmatic, Dax provides comic relief and practical wisdom. He is the voice of reason, often challenging Jack's decisions and pushing him toward self-awareness. Dax's loyalty is unwavering, but he is not afraid to call Jack out on his mistakes. His presence grounds the story, offering a counterpoint to Jack's intensity and a glimpse of what a "normal" life might look like for someone in their line of work.

Brittany

Brittany is Hannah's best friend, a dentist with a sharp wit and a big heart. She is fiercely protective of Hannah, offering both practical support and much-needed comic relief. Brittany's belief in Hannah's worth helps her friend overcome self-doubt, and her open-mindedness about Hannah's powers and love life adds levity to the story. She represents the importance of chosen family and the power of female friendship.

Sal Reggiano

Sal is the head of the Vegas mafia, a manipulative and dangerous figure who embodies the threat of Jack's past. His attempts to control Jack and later Hannah drive much of the external conflict. Sal's willingness to use violence and intimidation is matched only by his underestimation of Hannah's abilities. He is ultimately undone by his own hubris and the shifting loyalties within his organization.

Paul Reggiano

Paul is Sal's son, eager to take over the family business and modernize its operations. He is pragmatic and opportunistic, willing to ally with Jack and Dax when it serves his interests. Paul's decision to turn on his father is a key turning point, resolving the mafia threat and allowing Jack and Hannah to escape their pasts.

The Highcliff Family (Marcia, Bob, Perry, Briana)

Hannah's family provides both comic relief and emotional context. Marcia is a critical, status-obsessed mother; Bob is a taxidermist father with a penchant for dead animals; Perry is a self-righteous, cult-like preacher; and Briana is a trampoline-obsessed sister. Their obliviousness to danger and Hannah's struggles highlights her resilience and the importance of found family.

Joey Brains & Eyebrows

These two serve as both threats and sources of humor. Their incompetence and lack of subtlety contrast sharply with Jack's professionalism and Hannah's emerging powers. They are memorable for their nicknames, bad hygiene, and role in escalating the danger to Hannah.

Nitro

Nitro is the behind-the-scenes tech wizard who provides Jack and Dax with crucial intel. His skills are essential to navigating the criminal underworld, and his dry humor adds another layer of levity to the story.

Kevin

Kevin is the catalyst for Hannah's self-doubt and the embodiment of the "bad boyfriend" trope. His eventual comeuppance at Jack's hands provides closure for Hannah and reinforces the story's themes of self-worth and justice.

Plot Devices

Dual Narrative and Alternating POV

The novel alternates between Jack and Hannah's perspectives, allowing readers to experience both the external action and the internal emotional journeys. This structure deepens the romance, heightens the suspense, and provides insight into the misunderstandings and growth that drive the plot.

Supernatural Twist: Radiation-Induced Powers

Hannah's superhuman strength and teleportation, a side effect of her brain tumor radiation, inject a fresh, playful element into the romantic suspense formula. The powers serve as both metaphor (for hidden strength and transformation) and literal plot device, enabling Hannah to save herself and Jack at key moments.

Romantic Comedy Tropes with a Dark Edge

The story subverts and celebrates romance tropes: the "good girl" librarian, the "bad boy" hitman, the "meet-cute" on a plane, and the "found family." These are blended with crime thriller elements—mafia threats, assassination attempts, and moral ambiguity—creating a unique tone that is both lighthearted and suspenseful.

Misunderstandings and Confessions

Much of the tension arises from Jack and Hannah's secrets and the misunderstandings they create. Their eventual confessions are cathartic, paving the way for genuine intimacy and trust. The story uses these devices to explore themes of vulnerability, forgiveness, and the courage to be seen.

Comic Relief and Satire

The eccentric supporting cast, witty banter, and absurd situations (family dinners, trampoline roof-jumping, mafia bosses enduring small-town quirks) provide levity and satirical commentary on both romance and crime genres. This humor is essential to the book's charm and accessibility.

Empowerment and Self-Actualization

Both protagonists undergo significant growth: Jack learns to value connection over violence, and Hannah discovers her own power—both literal and figurative. Their journey is one of mutual empowerment, challenging traditional gender roles and celebrating the messy, unpredictable nature of real love.

Analysis

Hannah and the Hitman is a witty, genre-blending romance that playfully upends expectations while delivering genuine emotional depth. By pairing a morally ambiguous hitman with a secretly powerful librarian, the novel explores themes of self-acceptance, transformation, and the redemptive power of love. The supernatural twist—Hannah's radiation-induced powers—serves as both a metaphor for personal growth and a literal tool for survival, reinforcing the message that our greatest strengths often emerge from our deepest wounds. The story's humor, sharp dialogue, and satirical take on both romance and crime tropes make it accessible and engaging, while its underlying sincerity ensures it resonates beyond the laughs. Ultimately, the book champions the idea that love is not about perfection or safety, but about embracing each other's darkness, quirks, and hidden strengths—and choosing to build a life together, no matter how unconventional.

Last updated: May 8, 2025