Few authors can break your heart and mend it within the span of a single novel quite like Colleen Hoover. Reminders of Him, a 2022 Goodreads Choice Award nominee, is one of her most powerful works to date. It explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love through the story of a young mother desperate for a second chance.
The novel follows Kenna Rowan, freshly released from prison after serving five years for a tragic mistake that altered her life forever. She returns to the town where it all fell apart, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter, a child she has never had the chance to raise. But forgiveness does not come easily. Her daughter’s guardians, friends, and community all view Kenna as unworthy. The only person who has not completely shut her out is Ledger Ward, a bar owner with ties to Kenna’s daughter and to the past she cannot escape. Their uneasy alliance slowly transforms into something deeper, but with that comes risk, sacrifice, and an emotional reckoning.
A Story That Breaks and Heals in Equal Measure
Readers have described Reminders of Him as a novel that feels impossible to read without tears. Yun, a longtime Hoover fan, called it a story that “packs a punch,” highlighting how rare it is to find fiction that deals so honestly with the struggle of reintegration after prison. Kenna’s yearning for her daughter is portrayed with such raw intensity that it resonates deeply, even with those who may never share her exact experience.
Ayman’s take emphasizes Hoover’s talent for complex characterization. Kenna is flawed but undeniably human, proving that bad decisions do not make someone irredeemable. Ledger, the gruff former football player with tattoos and an intimidating exterior, is both infuriating and captivating. His journey from resentment to reluctant protector, and eventually something more, adds fire to the narrative. The push and pull between them is messy and real, which is exactly what makes it so compelling.
An Emotional Rollercoaster
What Colleen Hoover does best is remind us that pain and love are two sides of the same coin. Warda’s reaction speaks to this perfectly: she describes ugly-crying through the final chapters, yet finishing the book with a sense of peace. The story acknowledges anger, grief, and mistrust, but it also shows how healing can grow from even the most broken places.
It is not a flawless novel. Some readers have pointed out that the pacing in the middle lingers a bit too long and the ending wraps up too quickly. But even with these quibbles, the book leaves a lasting impression. It is not just a romance; it is a meditation on how much it takes to rebuild trust, and how love is never simple, especially when it is entangled with guilt and loss.
Final Thoughts
Reminders of Him is quintessential Colleen Hoover: heartfelt, devastating, and ultimately hopeful. It is a story that forces you to confront uncomfortable questions about forgiveness while offering the kind of emotional catharsis that has made Hoover a household name. If you are looking for a novel that will move you to tears, challenge your perspective, and remind you of the resilience of the human heart, this one belongs on your shelf.
