In Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, It’s been a little over five years since the night that changed everything for Kenna Rowan. A 
horrific accident took the life of her boyfriend, Scotty, and put her behind bars for her part in the reckless mistake they made. Now finally released and back in the real world, twenty-six-year-old Kenna wants nothing more than to see her four-year-old daughter for the first time–and to earn forgiveness from Scotty’s parents. But as expected, they want nothing to do with her.
‘He looks at me like he might empathize with my situation. I need to know who my enemies are, and I need to know if there’s anyone on my team. If I only have enemies, what am I even still doing here?’
Trying to decide if there’s any chance that staying in town will help her cause, Kenna slowly forges a relationship with bar owner, Ledger Ward. He has ties to Scotty’s past. And he just might be a way for her to see her daughter. But he’s put in a precarious position and feels almost like he’s a mediator in a fight where no one can win. Ledger realizes too late that he’s more drawn to Kenna than any other woman he’s ever known. And he has a feeling that if they explore their insane attraction, the two of them won’t be the only ones who could potentially get hurt.
‘There’s no good answer. I’ve somehow immersed myself in the depths of an impossible situation. One that doesn’t leave a single solution that won’t lead to at least one person suffering.’
An angsty, emotionally-charged novel about finding forgiveness and redemption for past mistakes, Reminders of Him took Colleen Hoover’s already evocative writing to a whole new level.
‘Time, distance, and devastation allow people enough opportunity to craft villains out of people they don’t even know. But Kenna was never a villain. She was a victim. We all were.’
Trigger warning: View Spoiler »
I swear I’m a masochist when it comes to Colleen Hoover’s books because I just love how raw, gritty, and intense they are–even if I feel emotionally gutted after I finish reading them. As was perfectly showcased in Reminders of Him, CoHo is able to cut right down to the heart of the issues each character is facing, along with perfectly describing the emotions they feel so deeply in each scene. It makes for an intimate, sometimes painfully real, reading experience like no other.
Kenna and Ledger were in what amounted to a no-win situation in this story. And I waffled between rooting for them both as well as questioning decisions they made. I think that was the beauty of this particular book, though. CoHo was able to make me understand on a visceral level exactly where Ledger and Kenna were coming from based on their past experiences and where they were at present day. I could empathize with Kenna’s desire to see her daughter for the first time ever. But I could also understand why Ledger and Kenna’s daughter’s grandparents would be wary of letting Kenna into their lives.
I have a sneaking suspicion that readers will hold strong opinions about the main characters, particularly in the first quarter or so of the book. But I think if you give CoHo a chance to build the story and let Kenna and Ledger learn from each other, then you’ll be surprised (and hopefully pleased) with where it all goes. That epilogue!! Sigh…
A whole lot of healing took place after years of anguish and harsh feelings in Reminders of Him. Whether this is your first Colleen Hoover book or if you’re a die hard fan, this will be an experience you won’t soon forget.
QOTD: Are you a fan of redemption stories?
Book Info:
Publication: January 18, 2022 | Montlake |
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.
Jennifer Shiflett
I’m really looking forward to reading this new Colleen Hoover book.
Michele H
I hope you’re as wowed by it as we were, Jennifer! Talk about an emotional roller coaster! You’ll have to let us know what you think. 🙂 Happy reading!