Ratings210
Average rating3.9
I'm very torn by this book. On one hand, I liked it. It was a very emotional read. I don't usually get emotional over Colleen Hoover's books but this one had me getting choked up several times throughout the story. I really felt for Kenna. I felt her pain and remorse over everything that happened. I also felt for Ledger and Scotty's parents and understood why they made certain judgements, even if I didn't necessarily agree with them.
On the other hand though, I finished the book feeling less than satisfied with it. It ended the way I had hoped it would but I felt like it was too rushed and needed a bit more oomph before it came to the conclusion it did. This book would have benefited from another 50-100 pages.
Overall, not my favorite book by CoHo but still a compelling read.
2.5/5 stars
I'm not marking spoilers so proceed at your own risk.
Because of her popularity on TikTok, Colleen Hoover's books are more likely than ever to be read by people outside her age demographic. This book is going to be read by many people whose brains are not fully developed yet. People who may not fully understand the full extent of the consequences of drugs and alcohol. But taking this into account, the idealization of driving under the influence was not okay to me. It felt tone-death.
I do understand that everyone makes mistakes and people should forgive and learn and grow from their situations, but drunk driving is a hard mistake with severe consequences. Kenna's actions killed a man and maybe I'm just heartless, but I don't those are any sort of mistakes that can be forgiven in 330 pages. Yes, she was upset about what happened and yes, she went through a lot. But driving under the influence is a choice, that she made, and it killed a man.
And maybe I'd also be less annoyed at Kenna if she went the legal way of trying to meet the child she birthed. I know the government ain't shit, but there's still programs out there that would be able to help her. What did she even think was going to happen? Just trying to ambush this family at their house??? Um no.
I definitely don't think the grandparents raising Diem (the child) were ever the villains here. I back them up entirely for taking full custody of the child. Yes, the book addresses this at the very end, but I don't feel like this was prominent enough.
And one thing that was never addressed? Ledger had absolutely no right showing Kenna pictures of Diem, especially considering at the moment Diem's guardians were very clear that they did not want Kenna in her life. It is basic respect.
And why does every CoHo male love interests have to have a weird name and lots of money? Why did Ledger have to own the bar? After he was a professional football player? And owns tow houses? Why couldn't he just be the bartender? There was no reason for him to be super rich and successful 26-year old.
Idk this entire book just didn't sit with me. I can see why people might like it or why Colleen Hoover is so addicting to some people, but the more I read her books, the more I wish she didn't touch some subjects.
I don't really know how to rate this, so I won't. When I was reading, I contemplated on what the rating would be. By the time I finished, I didn't have one to give it. It definitely didn't deserve 1 star and I feel like giving it five stars is undermining what it did for me. I sobbed, laughed, and felt just so right reading this book. Towards the ending is when it hit close to home and the tears just started flowing. I honestly didn't expect anything less from this book. I'm honestly speechless. But, what I can say is that I loved it..from cover to cover.
Through my Bookworm Box subscription I got a limited edition excerpt of Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover. It is so good! I can't wait until release day!
I purchased the audiobook and borrowed the Kindle version through KU. This book was everything I thought it would be and more. It was really sad, so much that I cried during several parts. I had so much sympathy for all the characters and they each had their own reasons for reasons to hold a grudge, but I think being a parent made me relate to Patrick and Grace Landry the most. Colleen Hoover is such a gifted author. I can't wait for her next release!!!
Give another round of applause for the one and only....[a:Colleen Hoover 5430144 Colleen Hoover https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1464032240p2/5430144.jpg]!! This one might be my fav by her!! While reading those last few chapters I stopped to take a break and realized that my cheeks and neck were wet and I thought I was sweating....nahh turns out those were tears, uk the silent cry? yes tears were pouring down my cheeks and I didn't even know it, I was so invested in the book! Also do you know that feeling after a good cry where you are too numb and exhausted to cry more or even think abt anything and you just sit there staring at nothing? Yep that's exactly how I felt after finishing the book. Before starting it have about 10 boxes of tissues prepared just in case:)Even though I got annoyed with Kenna... Coho has this way, even though u are not a fan of the characters she has this way of making you feel their pain which is honestly amazing.You get the meaning of the cover and title of the book after ur done and I love it when authors do that!Also even though this is a romance you get more of family dynamics while reading it and I loved itKenna's pain is reflected through the writing SO WELL. And you can just feel it. Her daughter was so sweet too, I loved all the scenes with her(made me cry, laugh)Ledger is one of my fav, hes kind,sweet,caring,good with kids....What more can you ask?Can we talk abt those side characters tho? Roman and Lady Diana? I LOVE THEM!!! I wish we got scenes with them!!I picked this up while I was sick and I finished it in a day...made me forget that I was sick and it was a welcome break♥️Anyway I think I said ‘Love/loved it' abt a 100 times in this review...but please pick it up!! Comes out on 18/01/2022!!Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the e-arc:)