Reminders of Him Book Review: The CoHo Romance Novel You Were Looking For

Reminders of Him: an ultimate tearjerker, an emotional masterpiece, and a perfect contemporary romance novel by Colleen Hoover, is the kind of book you save to read on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee. Renowned as a #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 romance novels, a Sunday Times bestselling author, and a global phenomenon, you can expect nothing less from the beloved CoHo.  

Back with an emotional love tale of mother and daughter and the importance of redemption and second chances, the author once again explores a heartbreaking yet hopeful narrative—the kind of story you want to gulp down in one sitting. 

Personally, the novel felt heartbreaking and emotional, and it hit me in the face with the abyss of sadness. Nevertheless, this article covers the Reminders of Him book review, character analysis, themes, and more to help you decide whether it’s worth reading. 

Book Title	Reminders of Him
Author	Colleen Hoover
Genre	Contemporary Romance Fiction
Language	English
Publishing Year	2022
Number of Pages	335-336 pages
Price Range	INR 399 to INR 599
Format	Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/Kindle
Target Audience	Young Adult Audience
Main Themes	Love, Redemption, Family, and Second Chance
Get Your Copy	Amazon Free on Kindle Unlimited
My Ratings	5/5

What is the Book Reminders of Him About? A Quick Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free) 

“There was before you, and there was during you. For some reason, I never thought there would be an after you.”

The novel follows a 26-year-old Kenna Rowan, who returns to her hometown after serving 5 years in prison when she was accused of a tragic accident that took the life of her boyfriend, Scotty. Considered a murderer by the people who once knew and loved her, Kenna now hopes for just one thing, that is, to meet her four-year-old daughter, Diem, whom she gave birth to in prison. 

Diem is now being raised by Scotty’s grieving parents, who refuse to forgive Kenna for what she did and would not allow her in their lives anymore. Shunned by almost everyone in the town, Kenna finds an unlikely connection in Ledger Ward, Scotty’s best friend, local bar owner, Diem’s father figure, and the only possible connection to Diem. Though Ledger initially resents Kenna, considering her responsible for Scotty’s death, their relationship eventually begins to get better as he tries to understand the woman behind the accusations. 

As Kenna struggles to rebuild her life and prove to everyone that she is much more than a person everyone believed her to be, her 300+ letters, old memories, and unanswered questions shed light on the actual events of that tragic accident night. Did she actually kill her? Did she really leave him for dead? Read the story to find out what actually happened that night because what follows is an absolute cinema; a story of guilt, second chance, acceptance, love, and forgiveness. 

Did You Know? 

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover also has a film adaptation, co-written by Hoover and Lauren Levine, starring Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers in this emotional drama. 

The adaptation was released in March 2026 and can be streamed on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Peacock TV, and more.

Thoughts on Protagonists Of the Novel Reminders of Him 

Kenna Rowen and Ledger Ward, the protagonists of the novel “Reminders of Him,” are not only complex characters but also realistic and mature. Both carry their own sense of struggle, which makes the novel worth a read. 

Here’s my opinion on the protagonists: 

1. Kenna 

One interesting fact you must know is that Kenna, in Gaelic, literally translates to “fire-born”, which makes her character particularly interesting. The fire in her is evident: the fire of meeting her daughter and the fire of reconciliation, forgiveness, and redemption. It could also mean the hellfire she went through because of one tragic mistake on that accident night. 

Personally, Kenna’s character was the most emotionally challenging to read. It hits you directly in the face when she is yearning for her daughter, Diem. She returns to the town hoping to meet Diem and to seek forgiveness from Scotty’s parents, but all she got in return was complete rejection by society and the people who once loved her.  

The most emotionally intense part I came across was the letters she writes to Scotty, expressing her guilt and her love for him. Through this epistolary format, Hoover allows the reader direct access into the protagonist’s mind and to see Kenna’s guilt, grief, loneliness, and struggle to forgive herself. Watching her exist in this dark space, with no loved one but the weight of Scotty’s death and a way back to her daughter, personally felt so heartbreaking and frustrating. 

This was the point where I admired Hoover’s writing beyond anything. She made Kenna’s pain feel deeply human, personal, and directly in the face. The letters reveal a part of her that makes the reader forget about her mistake and empathise with her deeply and emotionally. I feel it was difficult NOT to understand and feel the weight of her grief and desperate desire for forgiveness and a second chance. 

2. Ledger

Ledger Ward, in my opinion, is a gentleman. He is not only protective of Kenna’s daughter, Diem, but also emotionally and physically available for his best friend’s daughter, almost becoming her father figure. I like the fact that he is emotionally available and sound and chooses empathy over straight judgment. 

He has devoted five years to being a father figure to Diem, while also trying to respect Scotty’s parents and the grief they carry. It’s hard to see him torn between Kenna and Scotty’s parents, as he understands how desperate Kenna is for her own daughter and how unforgivable Scotty’s parents, Grace and Patrick, are for the death of their son. 

What makes me admire this character the most is how he also respects his growing relationship with Kenna and understands her as a woman beyond all the accusations. He wants Diem to have the love of her mother, even if that means putting everything he has built with Scotty’s parents at risk. 

Personally, I felt that Colleen made her best effort to show how Ledger not only served as a romantic interest or eye candy in the novel; he was an emotionally mature, active partner and an anchor between Kenna, her daughter, and the life she was desperately trying to reclaim. 

Themes and Emotional Depth in the Novel Reminders of Him 

Forgiveness, redemption, second chances, and familial love are the major themes throughout the novel. Here are my opinions on the themes: 

1. Forgiveness and Second Chance

The central themes of the novel revolve around the importance of redemption, forgiveness, and a second chance for someone who was framed for their tragic mistake. Kenna is consumed by guilt and spends so much of the novel struggling to forgive herself and reclaim her life. However, it made me realize that punishing yourself through and through does not guarantee growth and redemption. 

Scotty’s parents and other people had their own reasons for not forgiving Kenna, and they are valid because grief is real, and they needed to hold someone accountable for what they have endured. At the same time,  forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgetting something; it just gives the other person an opportunity to take responsibility and rebuild their life. 

2. Familial Love

One thing I particularly admired in the novel is the importance of love and family. For Diem, she lost both her parents at once under different circumstances, and Ledger Ward was the one who provided love and care, almost becoming her father figure. It shows how the institution of family is not always defined by blood but by presence, care, and love. 

Another painful side of familial love can be seen through Grace and Patrick’s relationship with Kenna. Having lost their son, they are unable to mend their ways with Kenna, while she is simultaneously losing precious years with her own daughter. In a way, both sides are living with the loss of their child in different circumstances. 

Colleen Hoover’s Writing Style in the Novel Reminders of Him 

One thing I like most about Hoover’s writing is the emotional depth with which she captures every emotion, be it a mother-daughter relationship, husband-wife, or one’s own self-doubts and insecurities. The emotional density and the accessibility of prose in each one of her novels are impeccable. 

Facts I loved about the writing style in the novel “Reminders of Him”: 

• Epistolary Elements
• Simple and Accessible Writing 
• Page Turner 
• High Emotional Intensity and Depth 
• A Touch of Unconventional Theme: Postpartum Depression 

Here’s my opinion on the writing style in the Reminders of Him novel: 

1. Epistolary Format 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The novel is rich with literary elements, including a touch of epistolary format: the letters written by Kenna to her dead boyfriend, Scotty. It adds depth, explains the backstory, and adds emotional weight for the reader to feel. 

Personally, her letters were my favorite part of the narrative. In my opinion, these journal entries, diaries, and letters make up a huge part of Hoover’s narrative. A similar effect can be seen in her blockbuster novel, It Ends With Us. I believe these epistolary formats offer a direct entry into the protagonist’s mind, and in this case, Kenna’s. 

Not only do these act as a cathartic point of healing for Kenna, but it is only through these letters that readers understand her innocence, redemption, and her love for Scotty. 

It is only through these letters that she is forgiven by Scotty’s parents, and Ledger gets a complete picture of the accident night. These revealing letters are the heart and soul of her narrative, offering the audience a mirror to look into the character’s psyche and emotions. 

2. Dual Perspectives, Tone, and Pacing 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The novel “Reminders of Him” offers shifting perspectives between Kenna and Ledger, allowing the audience to understand Kenna’s vulnerability and her love for Scotty and her daughter, while offering insights into Ledger’s love and protective nature. 

For the tone and pacing, it’s always the classic Hoover style; the tone is dense, emotional, and tear-jerking. The writing is impeccable, and quotes are heartwarming. The novel is fast-paced, allowing the audience to fly through the entire novel in one sitting because of interesting plot cliffhangers and a strong backbone given to the story. 

3. Plot 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s surprising to me how Colleen H. returns with a very fresh plot and themes in her novels. All the novels are distinctively different from each other, despite the fact that most of them are romance novels. While some novels deal with domestic abuse and difficult moral choices, others talk about dark psychological themes, suspense, and relationships. 

Reminders of Him is one such novel; although predictable to a certain extent, the plot is captivating. It’s quite disheartening to see a mother yearning for her daughter as the world shuts her down, believing her to be the murderer of her boyfriend. At the same time, the novel portrays a gushing love story of Kenna and Ledger. The plot makes the audience eager to ask questions and find their answers, and this curiosity, combined with a fast-paced plot, is what makes this a blockbuster for me. 

My Favorite Quotes From Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover 

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the novel: 

• “He smells like limes and bad decisions.”
• “Sometimes we do things for people we love, even though we wouldn’t choose to do those things for ourselves.” 
• “I want to learn how to talk to people without wishing I could retract every word I said.” 
• “There was before you, and there was during you. For some reason, I never thought there would be an after you.” 
• “Reading is a hobby, but for some of us, it’s an escape from the difficulties we face. To all of you who escape into books, I want to thank you for escaping into this one.” 
• “We’re all just a bunch of sad people doing what we have to do to make it until tomorrow.” 

Other Books Like Reminders of Him You Must Read 

If you enjoyed reading the novel Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, then these are the books you must read based on similar themes and emotions: 

S No.	Books	Why You Should Read Them
1.	Ugly Love: Colleen Hoover	Emotional Drama Contemporary Romance Modern Love
2.	It Ends With Us: Colleen Hoover	Complicated Relationships Domestic Violence and Unforgettable Past
3.	When I am With You: Durjoy Datta	Contemporary Love Story Motherhood Importance of Acceptance and Second Chance
4.	The Last Letter: Rebecca Yarros	Family Drama Loss, Grief, and Forgiveness

Final Verdict: Is The Novel Reminders of Him Worth Reading 

Yes, the novel “Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover is a must-read romantic and family fiction. If you enjoy emotional and character-driven stories, marked by guilt, redemption, and forgiveness, then this is your sign to pick up this book. 

For me, I’d say this was a compelling and heartbreaking read. Kenna’s struggle, isolation, and desperation to meet her daughter gave the story both depth and weight more than a straightforward romance novel. Ledger’s character was also interesting, allowing the audience to appreciate his emotional maturity and his role as more than just a romantic interest. 

With that being said, Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover is an absolute emotional masterpiece, and if you enjoy such tear-jerking romances, it is definitely worth a read.

Readers Who Will Enjoy Reading Reminders of Him: 

• Fans of Contemporary Romance Fiction
• Readers Who Enjoy Women’s Fiction and Family Drama 
• Emotional Storytelling and Themes
• Slow-Burn Romance 
• In-Depth Exploration of Protagonist’s Psyche and Internal Guilt

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