Summary
Kenna Rowan steps off a bus into the town that holds everything she’s lost. Five years ago, a catastrophic accident claimed the life of her boyfriend Scotty, the father of her unborn child. Now, after serving her prison sentence, Kenna returns with one goal: to meet the daughter she’s never held—Diem, now four years old and being raised by Scotty’s parents, Patrick and Grace Landry. This opening sequence establishes the emotional stakes that any thorough Reminders of Him book review must address—the question of whether a mother who made a terrible mistake deserves a second chance at knowing her child.
The novel opens with Kenna pulling Scotty’s roadside memorial cross from the ground, a small act of defiance against public grief she knows he would have hated. She moves into a rundown efficiency apartment above a convenience store, accepts a kitten she doesn’t want from her eccentric landlord Ruth, and begins the impossible task of rebuilding a life from nothing. These early scenes immediately distinguish this Reminders of Him book review from typical contemporary fiction—rather than positioning Kenna as a victim, Hoover forces readers to sit with the uncomfortable reality that her protagonist is genuinely responsible for the tragedy that defines her life.
On her first night back, Kenna wanders into what used to be her favorite bookstore, now converted into a bar called Wards. There she meets Ledger Ward, the bartender—a former professional football player whose career ended with a knee injury. The attraction between them is immediate, electric, and dangerous. Kenna doesn’t know that Ledger was Scotty’s best friend. Ledger doesn’t know that “Nicole” is actually Kenna Rowan, the woman he’s spent five years hating.
When Ledger discovers the truth, the fallout is devastating. He physically prevents Kenna from approaching Patrick and Grace’s house, escorts her back to her apartment, and tells her to leave town. But Kenna can’t leave. She’s found work at a local grocery store, befriended a teenager named Lady Diana, and begun to build fragile connections with the people in her apartment complex.
The story unfolds through dual perspectives—Kenna’s desperate hope and Ledger’s torn loyalty. Kenna writes letters to Scotty, hundreds of them over five years, confessing every detail of that terrible night: how she was driving too fast on a gravel road, how the car flipped, how she panicked when she touched his cold arm and assumed he was dead. She didn’t know he was still alive, crawling for help, bleeding for six hours while she walked home in shock.
Ledger struggles with conflicting emotions. His loyalty to Patrick and Grace, who have raised Diem since birth, wars with his growing feelings for Kenna. When he reads one of her letters, everything shifts. He sees not the monster he’d imagined, but a broken woman who has punished herself more than any court ever could.
The climax arrives when Ledger gives Patrick and Grace Kenna’s letter. The grandparents read it together, crying through the night. The next morning, Grace appears at Kenna’s apartment. She returns a ring Scotty bought for Kenna before his death—a $4,000 antique with a pink stone he couldn’t afford but borrowed money to purchase. She invites Kenna to dinner.
Kenna meets Diem in the backyard, playing with her turtle named Ledger. The moment is quiet, unassuming—Diem doesn’t know she’s meeting her mother for the first time. She’s more interested in showing off her jungle gym and asking about t-ball. Kenna cries, but Diem simply accepts her presence with the uncomplicated grace of a four-year-old.
The novel ends with hope. Kenna and Ledger are together, though they take things slowly. Diem has her own room at both houses. Patrick and Grace have accepted Kenna fully, not with conditions but with genuine warmth. In the epilogue, Kenna gives birth to a son and names him Scotty, completing a circle of healing that seemed impossible at the story’s beginning.
Critical Feedback and Analysis
Reading this novel is an emotional marathon. As one reviewer noted, “I spent like 96% of this book in pure anxiety… this book hurt me like it screwed in my head.” The visceral reaction readers experience isn’t accidental—Hoover deliberately crafts situations that force us to examine our own capacity for judgment and forgiveness.
The central question the novel poses is deceptively simple: can a person be reduced to their worst moment? Kenna made a terrible choice—she drove drunk, crashed the car, and in a state of shock, walked away from a scene where Scotty was still alive. But is that one choice the sum total of who she is? The novel argues forcefully that it is not.
What makes Kenna compelling is her relentless self-awareness. She doesn’t excuse her actions. She accepts the Landrys’ hatred as justified. When Ledger asks if she regrets kissing him, she answers honestly—it was authentic, but also complicated by her situation. She doesn’t manipulate or lie, even when the truth would make her life easier.
Ledger’s character arc is equally nuanced. He begins as the loyal friend who has demonized Kenna for five years, but his growth comes from allowing his lived experience of her to challenge his preconceptions. When Roman, his recovering addict bartender, points out the hypocrisy—”You’re the reason I’m not dead in a ditch somewhere, Ledger. You gave me a chance when everyone else gave up on me. It’s really hard to look up to you right now”—Ledger is forced to confront his own double standards.
The novel’s structure deserves praise. Dual perspectives allow readers to experience both Kenna’s desperate hope and Ledger’s torn loyalty. The letters Kenna writes to Scotty, interspersed throughout, provide intimate access to her inner world. We learn about their courtship—how he bought four dinner plates just to work up the courage to ask her out—and the depth of their connection. These letters transform Scotty from a symbol of loss into a fully realized person, making his absence feel more acute.
The second half of the novel drags somewhat, as one reviewer noted. The middle section, where Kenna and Ledger dance around their attraction while Kenna works at the bar, could benefit from tighter pacing. However, this slower section also allows for crucial character development, particularly Kenna’s growing friendship with Lady Diana and her integration into the bar’s community.
The ending, while satisfying, strains credulity. Patrick and Grace’s transformation from implacable opposition to full acceptance happens remarkably fast. Grace reads one letter and within 24 hours is inviting Kenna to dinner. Given the depth of their grief and the five years of hatred, this pivot feels rushed. As one reviewer observed, “I cannot fathom how them reading Scotty’s letter just changed everything for them—they all became a big happy family. That made zero sense to me.”
However, the novel earns its emotional payoff through Kenna’s first meeting with Diem. The scene is deliberately underplayed—Diem is more interested in her turtle than in this stranger who claims to be her mother. Kenna doesn’t push, doesn’t demand recognition, simply accepts whatever Diem offers. It’s a masterclass in restrained writing that packs enormous emotional weight.
About Author Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover has become a publishing phenomenon, with multiple novels topping bestseller lists and dominating BookTok recommendations. What sets her apart from other commercial fiction authors is her remarkable range—she can write gut-wrenching drama like It Ends With Us, twisty psychological thrillers like Verity, and tender romance like November 9 with equal skill.
Hoover’s signature technique, on full display in Reminders of Him, is her ability to create morally complex situations that force readers to examine their own biases. She presents scenarios that seem clear-cut—a woman responsible for her boyfriend’s death—then slowly reveals layers of context that complicate easy judgments. As one reviewer noted, “She puts you in these situations and she makes you form an opinion, but then she spends the entire book slapping you in the face being like: your opinion is not always right. There’s always multiple sides to every story.”
Hoover began her writing career in 2012, self-publishing Slammed after being inspired by a poem. The book’s success led to a publishing deal with Atria Books, and she’s since written over twenty novels, many of which have been translated into dozens of languages. She’s known for her engagement with fans on social media and her willingness to tackle difficult subjects—domestic violence, infidelity, grief, addiction—with unflinching honesty.
What makes Hoover unique in the contemporary fiction landscape is her ability to write books that function as both commercial page-turners and serious literary explorations of human pain. Her prose is accessible without being simplistic; her plots are propulsive without sacrificing character depth. Readers finish her books feeling not just entertained, but changed.
Reminders of Him Book vs 2022 Release Expectations
When Reminders of Him was announced, it immediately became one of the most anticipated releases of 2022. The BookTok community, which has elevated Hoover to unprecedented levels of popularity, was particularly eager. The question on every reader’s mind: would it live up to the hype?
What Readers Expected
Given Hoover’s track record, readers anticipated an emotional gut-punch, and the novel delivers that in spades. However, many expected a more traditional romance between Kenna and Ledger. What they got instead is a story where the romance serves as subplot to the central mother-daughter drama.
Some readers expressed disappointment that Kenna and Ledger’s relationship felt secondary. Others appreciated this focus, noting that a full-blown romance would have detracted from the more important theme of maternal love and forgiveness.
What the Novel Actually Delivers
- A meditation on forgiveness: The novel asks whether some actions are unforgivable and explores the cost of withholding grace.
- A portrait of grief: Patrick and Grace’s grief is rendered with painful accuracy—the way it doesn’t fade but simply becomes something you carry.
- A study in moral complexity: Every character has valid reasons for their position. There are no villains, only hurt people hurting people.
- Redemption through persistence: Kenna doesn’t win anyone over through grand gestures. She shows up, works hard, tells the truth, and waits.
How It Compares to Hoover’s Other Work
Fans often rank Reminders of Him alongside It Ends With Us for emotional impact. Both novels feature protagonists who’ve survived trauma and must navigate impossible situations. However, Reminders of Him lacks the romantic tension that made It Ends With Us so compelling—the central question isn’t “will they or won’t they” but “can she ever be forgiven.”
The novel shares DNA with All Your Perfects in its exploration of grief and the long tail of tragedy. But where All Your Perfects focuses on a marriage crumbling under the weight of infertility, Reminders of Him expands its scope to include an entire community’s response to loss.
For readers new to Hoover, this novel serves as an excellent introduction to her themes and style. For longtime fans, it represents a成熟 of her craft—her ability to create morally nuanced situations has never been sharper.
Where to Buy and Download
Reminders of Him is widely available through multiple retailers in various formats:
Print Editions
- Hardcover: Available at all major booksellers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores via Bookshop.org
- Paperback: Trade paperback edition released approximately one year after initial publication
- Large Print: Available through Thorndike Press for readers preferring larger text
Digital Formats
- Kindle: Available on Amazon with Whispersync technology for seamless switching between reading and listening
- Apple Books: EPUB format for iPhone and iPad users
- Google Play Books: Available for Android devices and web reading
- Kobo: EPUB format with DRM-free option
Audiobook
- Audible: Performed by Brittany Pressley and Ryan West, whose narration brings both Kenna and Ledger’s perspectives to life with emotional authenticity
- Libro.fm: Supports independent bookstores with each purchase
- Spotify: Available for premium subscribers in select regions
Library Access
- Libby/OverDrive: Available through most public library systems for free digital borrowing
- Hoopla: Instant digital access through participating libraries
Comparative Chart: Reader Expectations vs Reality
| Aspect | Reader Expectation | Novel Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Romance focus | Central love story between Kenna and Ledger | Subplot; primary focus is mother-daughter reunion |
| Kenna’s guilt | Protagonist wrongly accused or morally innocent | Genuinely responsible but deeply remorseful |
| Ledger’s character | Supportive love interest from the start | Initially hostile, grows through empathy |
| Grandparents’ role | Villains or obstacles | Complex, sympathetic, ultimately forgivers |
| Pacing | Tight romantic tension throughout | Slow middle section, rushed ending |
| Emotional impact | Weepy romance | Existential anxiety about forgiveness |
| Resolution | Gradual earned forgiveness | Rapid transformation after letter |
| Diem’s character | Active role in reconciliation | Passive recipient of adults’ decisions |
| Letters to Scotty | Plot device | Central narrative mechanism |
| Secondary characters | Minimal development | Rich supporting cast (Roman, Lady Diana, Amy) |
Reader’s Guide: Who Should Read Reminders of Him
This Reminders of Him book review wouldn’t be complete without addressing who might appreciate this emotional journey. If you enjoy:
- Stories about second chances and redemption
- Complex moral situations without easy answers
- Mother-child relationships as central plot drivers
- Characters who make terrible choices but earn empathy
- Slow-burn romance that serves character development
- Explorations of grief and its long-term effects
- Hopeful endings that don’t ignore past pain
…then Reminders of Him will reward your investment.
However, if you prefer:
- Clear villains and unambiguous heroes
- Fast-paced romantic tension throughout
- Characters who make only good decisions
- Stories where forgiveness comes easily
- Minimal focus on children in adult fiction
…you may find the novel frustrating.
The novel’s greatest strength is also its greatest challenge: it refuses to make anything easy. Kenna is genuinely responsible for Scotty’s death. Her actions that night—driving drunk, speeding on gravel, panicking and fleeing—are indefensible. Yet Hoover makes us care about her anyway, makes us root for her reunion with Diem, makes us hope Patrick and Grace will find it in themselves to forgive. This moral complexity is what elevates the novel above standard commercial fiction.
As one reviewer noted, “I can be a very judgmental person about looking at situations like ‘oh you should have done this.’ She puts you in these situations and she makes you form an opinion, but then she spends the entire book slapping you in the face being like: your opinion is not always right.”
The novel also offers a nuanced portrait of grief. Patrick and Grace aren’t villains for keeping Kenna from Diem—they’re protecting the last piece of their son. Their hatred is understandable, even justified. Yet the novel argues that understanding isn’t the same as forgiveness, and that holding onto anger ultimately hurts the holder as much as the target.
The secondary characters deserve mention. Roman, the recovering addict bartender, provides crucial moral perspective when he reminds Ledger that everyone deserves a second chance. Lady Diana, the teenager with Down syndrome who befriends Kenna, offers unconditional acceptance at a time when Kenna desperately needs it. Amy, the grocery store manager who hires Kenna despite her record, represents the kindness of strangers that makes redemption possible.
Ultimately, Reminders of Him is about the stories we tell ourselves about other people. Patrick and Grace told themselves Kenna was a monster; it was easier than facing the messy truth that their son’s girlfriend was a frightened twenty-one-year-old who made a terrible mistake. Ledger told himself she was unremorseful; it was simpler than acknowledging that a person can feel profound grief and still look emotionless in a courtroom. The novel’s project is to strip away these convenient fictions and reveal the complicated, painful, hopeful truth underneath.
As Kenna writes in one of her letters: “I am not a bad person. It took five years of weekly therapy sessions to help me realize this. I only recently learned how to say it out loud.” The journey from believing yourself irredeemable to accepting that you deserve love and forgiveness is the novel’s true arc—and it’s one that will resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled to forgive themselves.
Whether you’re a longtime Colleen Hoover fan or new to her work, Reminders of Him offers an emotional experience that lingers long after the final page. It’s not an easy read—it will make you anxious, angry, and occasionally frustrated. But it will also make you think, and feel, and perhaps examine your own capacity for grace. In a world that often prefers simple judgments to complex understanding, that’s no small gift.
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