Author: Colleen Hoover
Page Count: 335
Genre: Romance, Drama
Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤
Backstory
Hi friends. I'm back with a hot take on the newest books I've read. But before I get started talking about the latest book, Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, I just wanted to announce that my birthday is 6 days away! Get excited. I haven't figured out what I want to do to celebrate it yet. Will I post two stories this week? Will I post 2 reviews in one day? Will I run naked through Walmart and take a bath in the water fountain? Who knows? Anything is possible at this point...well that last suggestion is a lot less likely, but just for entertainments sake, stay tuned.
So yes, back to the books. Before you roll your eyes at me and exit out of this page, it's not another Kiersten Modglin book. At least not for right now. I switched it up from the usual gushing about Kiersten Modglin and picked up the newest title by Colleen Hoover. I have been reading a lot of Kiersten's work lately and while that is perfectly fine, I do want to be well rounded in my reading and at least talk about someone else every now and then. I have read quite a few books by Colleen but I have only had the chance to write a review on two so far. More will come soon. I think I have read maybe 5 of her books in total at the time this review was written? Be on the lookout for more of her work. Anyway, I saw positive reviews about this one so I figured why not give it a shot? So now, without further ado...*insert drumroll please*
Synopsis
After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all took place, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the people in her daughter's life who took care of her while Kenna was away have no interest in communicating with her or allowing her to see her child.
The only person who is on her side is a local bar owner named Ledger Ward who is one of the remaining links to her daughter. Ledger slowly becomes an important part of Kenna's life but when people start to discover just how close they've gotten it could ruin any chances Kenna has of reuniting with her daughter. Kenna has to find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing.
My Thoughts
Okay. So this book was certainly a different pace than the murder, murder, kill, kill books I usually gravitate towards. I don't even think I fully read the synopsis before grabbing this book. It's a Colleen Hoover title so I trusted that I would enjoy it regardless. Plus, booktok, which is actually a thing apparently, has been talking nonstop about this book since it was released. I figured it would be entertaining one way or another. I was correct. This book was so good. I got a little misty eyed at the end, if I'm being completely honest. Which is impressive because even though I am an absolute water-baby, I don't usually cry at books.
Maybe it doesn't matter whether something is a coincidence or a sign. Maybe the best way to cope with the loss of the people we love is to find them in as many places and things as we possibly can. And in the off chance that the people we lose are still somehow able to hear us, maybe we should never stop talking to them.
This is a story of love, loss, forgiveness, strength, and perseverance. Where many would have given up, cut their losses and ran, Kenna stayed and fought for what she wanted. Forgiving herself was the biggest step because the girl was walking around like the human equivalent of Eeyore for the majority of the story. I wanted to just hug her and tell her that she didn't have to keep beating herself up like this. It almost made me protective over her when everyone else was determined to see only the worst in her. Imagine that, me fussing at imaginary people because they were being mean to another imaginary person.
I'm not crazy, I promise.
Another important lesson from this book is that grief looks different on people. Everyone was determined to write Kenna off because she didn't show her pain on her face like everyone thought she should, but in reality she was devastated beyond belief. So hurt she was empty. You never really know how you'd react in a situation until you are placed in that situation. What people thought was indifference was actually sheer devastation and brokenness. People behave differently in the face of loss. Shock and adrenaline can cause you to make decisions you wouldn't otherwise make in the heat of the moment. Does that make the grief and the loss any less real or significant? No. It doesn't. I think as humans it's important to remember that not everyone reacts the same way you think is appropriate in traumatic situations. That does not mean they aren't feeling every bit of the pain, it just means that they are processing it differently. Sometimes it is processed in a way that makes no sense to anyone but them. It still matters. It is still just as important.
Anyway, let me step down from my soapbox there. If you can't already tell, Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover is 100% Booky Babe Approved! Definitely grab this book next time you are in the store, or add it to your TBR list for when you have more time. It was a beautiful story of love and loss. This is one I could definitely see being made into a Lifetime movie at some point. I am here for it!
If you decide grab this title, you can find it on Amazon using the link provided here:
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Well there you have it, friends. Go get your copy of this book today. Make sure you come back and tell me what you thought of it. I'd love to know your opinion. Did you feel bad for Kenna too? What was your opinion of Ledger? I can't wait to hear your thoughts, but until then:
Happy Reading Friends! ❤