“Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover is a contemporary romance novel that goes into themes of redemption, forgiveness, and love. While many readers have found Hoover’s writing compelling, this review will dive into both the strengths and weaknesses of the book, providing an honest and balanced perspective. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Hoover’s work or new to her novels, this review aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of what to expect from “Reminders of Him.” This is the third book I’ve read by Colleen hover and I’m really starting to understand why she has so many haters.
Table of Contents
Summary of “Reminders of Him”
“Reminders of Him” centers on Kenna Rowan, a young woman recently released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for a tragic mistake. Desperate to reconnect with her four-year-old daughter, Diem, Kenna returns to the town where her life fell apart. She faces the daunting task of earning back the trust of her daughter’s guardians—her late boyfriend Scotty’s parents. Along the way, she forms an unexpected connection with Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and Scotty’s best friend. As Kenna navigates her complex feelings and the community’s hostility, she seeks a path to redemption and reconciliation.
What I Liked About “Reminders of Him”
1. Flashbacks with Scotty
The flashbacks featuring Scotty are some of the most compelling parts of the book. Through these glimpses into the past, readers get to see the depth of Kenna and Scotty’s relationship, making Scotty a likable and well-rounded character. His presence in the flashbacks adds emotional weight to the story and helps readers understand the magnitude of Kenna’s loss.
It also gives readers a more understanding of why Kenna is so determined to see her daughter.
What I Didn’t Like About “Reminders of Him”
1. Character Development
One of the significant drawbacks of “Reminders of Him” is the lack of depth in the character development. Kenna and Ledger, the central characters, often come across as one-dimensional. Kenna’s struggles and motivations, while initially compelling, do not evolve in a way that feels natural or fully developed. Similarly, Ledger’s character lacks complexity, making his actions and decisions less believable.
2. Insta-Love Between Ledger and Kenna
The relationship between Ledger and Kenna develops too quickly to be convincing. The insta-love trope is prevalent here, which detracts from the authenticity of their bond. Given Ledger’s initial belief that Kenna was responsible for his best friend’s death, his rapid shift from hatred to love feels forced and unrealistic. This quick transition undermines the emotional stakes of the story and makes their relationship less impactful.
I absolutely hate the whole “ she’s the only thing I want to look it” ledger has just gotten out of an engagement and it’s like he’s fully over it as soon as Kenna walks into the bar. Yeah unbelievable.
3. Ledger’s Inconsistent Emotions
Given that Ledger believed Kenna “killed” his best friend Scotty, it is surprising that he doesn’t struggle more with his feelings towards her. One would expect a more prolonged internal conflict and resistance to developing feelings for her. This inconsistency makes Ledger’s character arc less believable and detracts from the overall narrative tension.
He didn’t even try to hate her because of the whole “Insta-love” thing going on.
4. Length of the Book
At times, “Reminders of Him” feels overly long. Certain sections drag, and the pacing becomes uneven, which may cause readers to lose interest. I really just wanted to be done with this book I was already 50% into it and was like well mind as well finish this.
Kenna’s Lack of Perspective
Kenna’s inability to fully understand Scotty’s family’s perspective is another point of frustration. Her lack of empathy towards what they went through, given her role in Scotty’s death, feels unrealistic and makes it difficult to sympathize with her.
At one point she claims that she knows how Scotty’s parents feel loosing him comparing it to how she feels with not being able to see her daughter??? That’s definitely not the same thing your child is alive and well, there’s is dead and they will never see him again.
5. Limited Emotional Impact
Despite its themes of redemption and forgiveness, “Reminders of Him” does not deliver the emotional impact one might expect from such a narrative. The emotional moments often fall flat, and the story does not resonate as deeply as I hoped it would . This lack of emotional depth makes it harder for readers to connect with the characters and their journeys.
“Reminders of Him” book review conclusion
Hoover is a novel that attempts to tackle significant themes but falls short in several key areas. The lack of character development, the unrealistic insta-love between Kenna and Ledger, and the limited emotional impact are significant drawbacks. However, the flashbacks with Scotty provide some redeeming moments, adding depth to the narrative and offering a glimpse of Hoover’s usual storytelling prowess. Fans of contemporary romance might find some enjoyment in the book, but it may not be the standout work that many may expect. Therefore my rating of this book is a 3.5 /5 stars.
publish date: January 18, 2022
page count: 335
genre: Contemporary romance
if interested its available on Kindle unlimited or you can buy on Amazon.com
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