Review: Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Published by Montlake on January 18, 2022
Pages: 335
Genres: Contemporary, Romance


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A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.

After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself.

The only person who hasn’t closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna’s life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them.

The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing.

It is impossible to describe how deeply Reminders of Him touched me. It’s been days since I finished the book, and I’m still thinking about it. I know that the story will continue to linger with me for quite some time. I’ve come to expect nothing less from Colleen Hoover. 

I could not read this book fast enough, and yet even in the moments when tears threatened and my heart ached, I wanted to slow down and savor every sentence, to sit with all my feelings. It’s the complexity of my emotions—which were frequently conflicted—that pulled me in, while the characters and unique plot kept me 100% absorbed.

There are people who find peace in forgiveness, and then there are others who look at forgiveness as a betrayal.

Kenna is a genuinely good person who made a terrible mistake one night that would change the trajectory of her life forever. Despite the five years she served in prison, Kenna has not forgiven herself, and she does not expect forgiveness from others. Now that she’s out, though, the only thing she wants is to see her four-year-old daughter, Diem, who is in the care of the Landrys. They will do everything in their power to keep Kenna away from her.

The thing I love about this story is that there aren’t any villains. Although I desperately wanted Kenna to be reunited with her daughter, I understood the Landrys’ perspective. Even Kenna appreciates their feelings. She is willing to sacrifice absolutely everything—including her own happiness—for the well-being of her daughter. 

Kenna is fond of writing letters about her experiences, and what she has gone through is devastating. With each letter she writes, my compassion and love for her grew. Shout out to Ledger, who has devoted his life to Diem. He is caught between his love for the little girl, loyalty to the Landrys, and empathy for Kenna. The evolution of his connection with Kenna is realistic and moving.

This is a story about love, forgiveness, and redemption. If you don’t care for tear-jerkers, it may not be the book for you. As for me, even though I was an emotional mess, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up and read it all over again. Welcome to my “favorites” bookshelf, Reminders of Him. 

Recommended for fans of:
Tear jerkers
Little girls
Letter writing
Bars

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