If you think your family dinners are awkward, wait till you read this review of Reminders of Him! I picked up this book expecting a nice little story—maybe a few tears, maybe some smiles. What I got was an emotional rollercoaster with more ups and downs than my last attempt at online dating. Buckle up. I’ve read every page, laughed a little, cried a lot (don’t judge), played the story back in my head with my friends, and now I’m ready to tell you what I actually think. Spoiler: it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but there’s a lot to talk about here!
Book Review: Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
In a nutsheel
‘Reminders of Him’ is a punchy romance and drama rolled into one, written by the queen of tug-your-heartstrings, Colleen Hoover. If you like books that mix tough stuff with hope, this one is right up your alley. The story centers on Kenna, a young woman with a rocky past, who is trying to rebuild her life and reconnect with her daughter. The pages are packed with big emotions, a sprinkle of romance, and enough mistakes to make you wince and laugh at the same time.
Hoover doesn’t shy away from the hard topics—think forgiveness, second chances, and that feeling you get when you hope people can change. There’s also a healthy dose of small-town drama (I swear, everyone’s in everyone’s business). You’ll find yourself rooting for Kenna, even when you want to shake some sense into her. If you ever wanted a book that feels like a bear hug and a punch to the gut, here you go. Just maybe keep a box of tissues handy—unless you want to blame your allergies again.
Main Character’s Rocky Road: Redemption in Reminders of Him
If I had a nickel for every tear shed by Kenna, the main character in Reminders of Him, I’d finally have enough for therapy to deal with my own emotional baggage. Kenna’s journey is anything but smooth. I mean, I’ve seen less drama in my group chat. Fresh out of prison and carrying a giant sack of guilt, Kenna returns to a town that would rather stage a bake sale than give her a second chance. Her goal? Reconnect with her daughter, who thinks “mom” is just a word in the dictionary. If you like rooting for underdogs, Kenna might just become your new mascot.
Most stories with heavy themes make me want to call my mom and tell her I love her. This book? It made me want to hug a cactus—it hurts, but you can’t stop yourself. Kenna keeps getting knocked down by every person she meets. But instead of giving up, she keeps trying, learning, and growing (unlike my houseplants). As the pages turn, you see her develop grit and hope. She learns that forgiveness isn’t something you buy at the store, and self-worth doesn’t come with a receipt. That mix of self-doubt and courage makes her journey in Reminders of Him feel real and raw.
Stick around, folks—the next section will tug at your heartstrings like a toddler with a balloon: Emotional impact and relatability is up next!
Why ‘Reminders of Him’ Hits You Right in the Feels: Emotional Impact and Relatability
I don’t cry much when reading. Last time I teared up over a book, I had just finished an onion sandwich and that was the real culprit. But ‘Reminders of Him’ got me. This book packs a one-two punch straight to your squishy heart, and it’s hard not to feel at least a little bit wrecked after some chapters. The emotional impact is genuine. It doesn’t feel forced, like that time my nephew tried to fake sneeze to skip school. Every moment in this book tugs at your emotions naturally—sometimes gently, sometimes with an uppercut.
One thing that makes ‘Reminders of Him’ so gripping is how relatable the characters are. I’ve never been in Kenna’s shoes, but dang, the guilt, the hope, the feeling of being an outsider? Haven’t we all felt that on some level? Even the side characters feel real. I swear, one of them reminded me of my next-door neighbor who always pretends he isn’t home when I knock to borrow sugar. The tension, the forgiveness, and even the awkward, quiet moments—they all ring true. It’s as if Colleen Hoover snuck in my house and read my diary from when I was a moody teenager (except Kenna is much cooler).
If you’re the kind of reader who wants a story that grabs your heart and shakes it like a snow globe, this one’s for you. But don’t worry, I’ll put down my tissues and talk about writing style and pacing next—get ready for some Steve-level opinions!
Why ‘Reminders of Him’ Reads Like Your Favorite Sweater: Warm, Worn-In, and Occasionally Itchy
Let’s talk about the writing style and pacing of ‘Reminders of Him.’ I expected to be swept off my feet, but honestly, I felt more like I was on one of those moving walkways at the airport: not too fast, not too slow, and always bobbing along with other people in my way. Colleen Hoover writes like someone who has spent a lot of time listening to real people talk—and sometimes argue—at family gatherings or dive bars where everyone knows your business. The sentences are simple and direct, but they also pack a punch, like getting hit with a water balloon when you’re not expecting it. You don’t get lost in confusing words, but you do get lost in the emotions (and that is a good thing, unless you’re me and cry at commercials).
The pacing is mostly steady, like a slow dance. There are a few points where I wanted the story to stop dragging its feet and get on with it already. Still, I found myself flipping pages well into the night, needing to know what trouble Kenna would create or fix next. There aren’t any wild plot twists thrown in just to make you gasp, but the story doesn’t plod either. It moves along, letting you savor—and sometimes stew in—every feeling.
Next, I’m peeling back the emotional layers to talk about how forgiveness and redemption are served up—don’t worry, there’s plenty of emotional gravy for everyone!
Forgiveness and Redemption: Can You Ever Really Start Over?
Let’s get real for a minute. If there’s one thing Reminders of Him nails right on the nose (besides making you cry in public, which I absolutely did on the city bus), it’s the tricky business of forgiveness and redemption. Colleen Hoover doesn’t just slap a happy sticker over tough stuff. She gives it to us straight—like a cup of coffee that’s a bit too strong but wakes you up anyway.
Kenna, our main character, is not exactly everyone’s favorite person at the start. I mean, I tried to root for her right away, but even my dog looked at me like, “Are you sure about this one?” But as the pages rolled by, I saw how hard forgiveness can be—especially when you need to forgive yourself. Kenna makes bad choices (boy, did I relate), but she also owns up to them, slowly earning a shot at redemption. This isn’t some cheesy, everyone-gets-a-trophy journey. Nope. People hold grudges, and for good reason. Kenna has to earn every inch back, and not everyone is ready to give it to her. It felt real. It hurt. And honestly, I think that’s why it works so well.
I kept thinking, “Could I forgive her if I were in their shoes?” The answer changed as I turned the pages. Watching Kenna scramble for second chances, sometimes tripping, sometimes standing tall, was like seeing your own clumsy efforts in life played out on the page. If you’re a sucker for stories about starting over, but you like them with a splash of reality, Reminders of Him delivers. Do I recommend it? Heck yes. Just maybe don’t read it on the bus.
Conclusion
Alright folks, that wraps up my review of Reminders of Him. If you want a book that hits your feels like a marshmallow hammer, this one’s for you. Kenna’s journey kept me turning pages and wiping snot off my sleeve (sorry, that’s gross). Sure, sometimes it went a bit slow, and the drama’s thicker than my grandma’s stew, but the story packs heart and hope. If you’ve got a soft spot for second chances, family, and a little ugly crying, I say it’s worth a spot on your shelf. Thanks for joining me—Steve—on this wild, emotional ride. See you next review. I promise less snot next time.
