“Reminders of Him”, by Colleen Hoover, is a poignant and heartwarming novel about love, loss, and the healing power of forgiveness. The story revolves around Kenna, a young woman who has recently been released from prison after serving time for a tragic accident that took the life of her best friend, Everly. Struggling with guilt and grief, Kenna returns to her small hometown to confront her past and rebuild her life.
Kenna soon discovers that Everly left behind a daughter, five-year-old Ellie, who is being raised by Everly’s former boyfriend, Scott. As Kenna and Scott navigate their shared grief, they develop a deep connection, with Ellie serving as a living reminder of the bond they once had with Everly. Together, they must learn to face their pain, confront their feelings of guilt, and find a way to move forward.
As Kenna becomes increasingly involved in Ellie’s life, she faces the judgment of the town’s residents, who blame her for the accident that changed their lives. Despite the challenges, Kenna begins to form meaningful relationships with the people around her, and slowly starts to rebuild her life with the help of Scott and Ellie.
“Reminders of Him” is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of love, forgiveness, redemption, and the power of human connection. Through Kenna’s journey, the story demonstrates that it’s never too late to make amends and that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for a brighter future.
Reminders of Him Summary Takeaways
Here are the main takeaways from Reminders of Him:
- Power of forgiveness: “Reminders of Him” demonstrates the importance of forgiveness, both towards oneself and others. Through Kenna’s journey, we learn that forgiving oneself is a crucial step towards healing and rebuilding one’s life.
- Redemption and second chances: The novel emphasizes that it’s never too late to make amends and that even those who have made grave mistakes deserve a chance at redemption and a fresh start.
- The healing nature of human connection: Through Kenna’s relationships with Scott and Ellie, we see how forming deep connections with others can help heal emotional wounds and bring solace in times of grief.
- The impact of judgment: The story highlights the damaging effects of judgment and gossip on individuals and communities, as Kenna faces harsh treatment from the town’s residents. It serves as a reminder to treat others with empathy and understanding.
- Overcoming guilt and grief: Kenna’s journey illustrates the importance of facing guilt and grief head-on, rather than avoiding or suppressing these emotions. By acknowledging her feelings, Kenna is able to find a way to move forward and rebuild her life.
- The resilience of the human spirit: “Reminders of Him” showcases the strength and resilience of the human spirit, as Kenna navigates the challenges that come her way and emerges stronger for it.
- Hope for a brighter future: Despite the darkness that surrounds Kenna’s past, the novel ultimately offers a message of hope, as she learns to forgive herself and embraces the possibility of a brighter future.
Reminders of Him quotes
Here are few interesting highlights from the book, for more check out my article best Reminders of Him Quotes:
- “There was before you and there was during you. For some reason, I never thought there would be an after you.”
- “Grudges are heavy, but for the people hurting the most, I suppose forgiveness is even heavier.”
- “Now that I’ve forgiven myself, the reminders of him only make me smile.”
- “There was before you and there was during you. For some reason, I never thought there would be an after you.”
- “So, you decide right now, right here. Are you gonna live in your sadness or are you gonna die in it?”
- “I couldn’t breathe because you were dead, and how was I supposed to breathe when you had no air?”
- “I want to learn how to talk to people without wishing I could retract every word I said.”
- “It proves that time, distance, and devastation allow people enough opportunity to craft villains out of people they don’t even know. But Kenna was never a villain. She was a victim.”
- “I don’t like that the one person I dislike most in this world reminds me of the person I love the most.”
- “In the end, if there’s nothing good going on in your life, almost every song becomes depressing, no matter what it’s about.”
- “happiness isn’t some permanent thing we’re all trying to achieve in life, it’s merely a thing that shows up every now and then, sometimes in tiny doses that are just substantial enough to keep us going.”
- “Crying seems to be the only thing left in life that I’m good at. Crying and making bad decisions.”
- “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.”
Final thoughts
Reflecting on the emotional ebb and flow of life post-loss, this post navigates through the weight of grudges, the gravity of forgiveness, and the surprising resilience found in the aftermath of grief. We’re reminded that while sorrow can be a consuming abyss, choosing to live through the sadness rather than succumb to it is where the essence of our strength lies. The journey from suffocation in someone’s absence to finding solace in their memory indicates a poignant transformation—a metamorphosis of pain into something bearable, even smile-worthy. We see that time and distance can distort perceptions, turning victims into villains, and that the echoes of love can resound in the most unexpected of reminders. The narrative acknowledges that happiness is not a constant state but a fleeting visitor that sustains us through the struggles. And as tears become a familiar comfort and bad decisions a recurring theme, there’s an underlying thread of hope—perhaps the truest way to honor those we’ve lost is to seek their essence in the world around us, creating an omnipresent connection that transcends their physical absence.
Finally, I hope you find this Reminders of Him summary helpful as you read the book.