“People think women who go to prison have a certain look. That we’re a certain way. But we’re mothers, wives, daughters, humans.”
Reminders of Him – Colleen Hoover
My Rating
In Summary of Reminders of Him
“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.” –Goodreads Synopsis
WARNING: death, drunk driving, incarceration, mother/daughter separation, PTSD
READ IF YOU LIKE: family dramas, slow-build stories, duo point-of-view, emotional stories, misunderstood characters
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Strong, believable emotions | Connection between Kenna and Ledger doesn’t always feel like real chemistry; rather, it can feel like a bond developed strictly on attraction and connections to other people |
| The way the author works to break down the stigma of incarcerated women | Very character focused; slow plot development |
| Easy to read, heartfelt writing and quotable lines |
“She’s quiet in a fierce way – a storm that sneaks up on you, and you don’t know it’s there .”
The Review
Grab your tissue box… Colleen Hoover’s new book is here, and it’s a good one!
Don’t expect a lighthearted romance, though; this one is quite somber. Heavy themes are present, and it will make you think hard about love, family, and forgiveness.
While I enjoyed the novel and didn’t want to put it down, I will warn you that it is slow and completely character-driven. There are a few twists that reveal truths, but nothing crazy happens. However, Reminders of Him will make you feel ALL of the feelings – heartbreak, jealousy, pain, pity, dread, love, and happiness. Colleen Hoover has readers not just sympathizing for Kenna and Ledger, but empathizing and rooting for them.
An author that can make you strongly feel what the characters are feeling knows what she’s doing!
Switching perspectives between Kenna and Ledger works well for this book, as this examines both sides of the tragedy. I enjoyed uncovering Kenna’s past through her thoughts and letters, which added depth to her. I will admit that I am not a huge fan of Kenna as a [fictional] person, but that’s probably because I cannot personally relate to her struggles and experience with incarceration. She does, however, open up an important door for people to consider and discuss the stigma of incarcerated women and their reintegration back into society. Her character will make readers question: Who deserves to be a mother? How does incarceration of women affect their lives as moms, sisters, wives, etc. once they are released?
Kenna is certainly a flawed female character, but Ledger is the portrait of an ideal man. Perhaps he’s a little too perfect, though? Clearly his character serves to counter Kenna’s imperfections and provide a sort of “saving grace” for her, which is unrealistic. He – and their love – seems a little too good to be true. I can’t imagine being in the position where I am attracted to someone simply because of their connection to my dead boyfriend rather than who they truly are as a person, but maybe that’s just me.
Don’t let this criticism stop you, though, from reading Reminders of Him because Colleen Hoover is a skilled author and the book is a worthwhile read! Colleen Hoover fans will not be disappointed!
Reminders of Him Book Information
- Published: 2022
- Publisher: Montlake
- ISBN: 978-1542025607
- Format: Paperback
- Length: 335 pages
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