26 Feb Book Review: Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

I picked up Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover after hearing so much buzz about it, especially since Hoover herself recommends it as a starting point for new readers. I was curious to see how she’d handle a story about redemption and forgiveness.

What’s it about?

Kenna Rowan has spent the last five years in prison, serving time for a tragic mistake that resulted in the death of her boyfriend, Scotty. Now that she’s finally free, she’s returning to the one place she’s both desperate to see and terrified to face—the small town where it all went wrong. But Kenna isn’t just coming back to reconcile with her past; she’s coming back for her daughter, Diem, the child she’s never met.

Diem, now four years old, has been raised by Scotty’s parents, Grace and Patrick, who have provided her with a stable, loving home in the absence of her biological mother. But to them, Kenna isn’t just an absentee parent looking to make amends—she’s the woman responsible for their son’s death, a living reminder of everything they lost. The idea of letting her back into Diem’s life is unthinkable.

With the entire town seemingly against her, Kenna finds herself alone, struggling to prove that she’s not the same reckless girl she was five years ago. Her every move is met with judgment and resistance, especially from Ledger Ward, Scotty’s best friend and Diem’s de facto father figure. Ledger runs a local bar, serves as a protective force in Diem’s life, and, at first, wants absolutely nothing to do with Kenna.

But fate, stubbornness, and close proximity force Ledger and Kenna into each other’s orbit. What starts as hostility—Ledger believing he’s protecting Diem from the woman who ruined her family—slowly evolves into something more complicated. He begins to see Kenna’s determination, her remorse, and the deep love she has for the daughter she’s never had the chance to know. Despite his instincts telling him to keep his distance, he finds himself drawn to her in ways that blur the boundaries of grief, loyalty, and love.

As Kenna fights to rebuild her life, she faces impossible choices. How do you prove you’re worthy of forgiveness when no one wants to give you a chance? How do you convince people that you’ve changed when your past is the only thing they see? And, most importantly, how do you balance seeking redemption with asserting your right to be a mother?

With emotional stakes running high, Reminders of Him is a heartbreaking yet hopeful story of second chances, love in its many forms, and the struggle to move forward without erasing the past.

What This Chick thinks:

Diving into Kenna’s world was an emotional rollercoaster. Hoover has a knack for creating deeply flawed yet relatable characters, and Kenna is no exception. Her desperation to connect with Diem is palpable, and through letters she writes to Scotty, we gain insight into her remorse and longing. These letters add depth to her character, making it hard not to empathize with her plight.

Ledger’s character provides an interesting dynamic. His internal conflict between loyalty to Scotty’s family and his growing feelings for Kenna adds tension to the narrative. Their relationship, while central to the story, doesn’t overshadow the broader themes of forgiveness and redemption.

However, some plot points felt a bit predictable, and certain character decisions seemed too convenient at times. Despite these minor hiccups, the story’s emotional depth kept me engaged.

Final thoughts:

Reminders of Him is a poignant exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the complexities of human relationships. While it treads familiar ground, Hoover’s storytelling and character development make it a compelling read.

Rating: 7.5/10

Try it if you like:

• The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo: A tale of love, loss, and the enduring impact of past relationships.
• After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid: An exploration of marriage, separation, and the journey to rediscover oneself.
• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: A story about unexpected friendships and the redemptive power of love.