Colleen Hoover is one of my favourite romance novelists [1], so when I learned she was releasing a new contemporary romance, adding it to the top of my TBR list was a no-brainer. Reminders of Him (out Jan. 18) follows Kenna Rowan, a young mother who works to reunite with her 4-year-old daughter, Diem, after serving a prison sentence for a tragic mistake. Upon returning to the town her daughter now lives in, she discovers that becoming a part of Diem's life is going to be much, much harder than she thought, even with the help of Ledger Ward, a man tied to her past and now her future. As the two grow closer, they both risk losing everything.

I personally like going into CoHo books a little blind (and have read that other readers feel the same way!), so all I knew of this book was the summary on the back cover and that I would most likely cry. The specifics of the plot are revealed pretty early on, so you're not kept in the dark for long, and just as I predicted, I was already tearing up before the 50-page mark — and pretty much didn't stop until the end. Just like many of Hoover's other books, it's heartbreaking but hopeful, and it will emotionally wreck you.

One of the reasons I love Hoover's stories is that she writes in such a straightforward way. Her sentences are short and simple, and somehow, the less descriptive she is, the more emotion she conveys through her words. It's almost as if describing things in her signature restrained way actually unleashes the emotion in you as a reader. It's one of the reasons I think she's such a gifted novelist.

Standout Quote

"I never could have imagined what it would be like for a mother to lay eyes on her child for the first time. The sight of Diem on the screen steals Kenna's breath. She slaps a hand over her mouth and begins to cry. She cries so hard, she has to set the phone on her legs so she can use her shirt to clear her eyes of tears.

Kenna becomes a different person right in front of my eyes. It's as if I'm witnessing her become a mother. It might be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Mindset

I recommend going into this book with as little information as possible, since the chances that you'll be disappointed are low, and it sets you up to be swept away by the story. Just keep some tissues handy.

Where You Should Read It

Somewhere you can weep comfortably and openly — like in bed or on your sofa.

Read This If You Like . . .

Books that make you cry, romance books by Colleen Hoover or Mia Sheridan, romance stories that centre on grief or motherhood, or stories with an endearing child character like The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren [2].

POPSUGAR Reading Challenge Prompt(s)

This novel can check off more than one 2022 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge [3] prompt; just pick the one that fits best for you.

• A book published in 2022
• A different book by an author you read in 2021
• A book with two POVs

How Long It Takes to Read

The story is 320 pages long with short chapters, so it goes by quickly. I finished it in one weekend.

Give This Book to . . .

Friends who love all things BookTok or who want to get ahead of a book trend.

The Sweet Spot Summary

Yes, Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover [4] ($16) is a romance, but it's so much more than that. It's an emotional masterpiece about loss and hope, grief and forgiveness, and how the power of love can heal.

Emoji Rating

👩‍👧 + 😫 + ❤️‍🩹