About the Book
Reminders of Him is a contemporary romance novel by Colleen Hoover about Kenna Rowan, a woman who returns to her hometown after serving five years in prison for a fatal mistake. Her goal is simple but far from easy: reconnect with the four-year-old daughter she has never really known. The people who have been raising that child, her late boyfriend's family, have no intention of welcoming Kenna back into the picture.
The story is told through shifting perspectives, following Kenna as she tries to rebuild credibility in a community that remembers exactly what she did, and Ledger Ward, a bar owner who knew her late boyfriend and finds himself unexpectedly pulled toward her. The central tension isn't a mystery or an action plot, it's about whether Kenna can earn forgiveness from people who aren't obligated to give it.
This is one of Hoover's more emotionally grounded novels. It sits closer to women's fiction than to lighter romance, dealing directly with grief, guilt, parental rights, and the social cost of a criminal record. Readers who found other Hoover titles too breezy may find this one lands differently.
Narration & Audio Performance
Brittany Pressley is a familiar voice in the romance audiobook space and handles Reminders of Him with consistent competence. Her read of Kenna is measured and carries the appropriate weight for a character who is trying very hard not to fall apart. She doesn't over-embroider the emotional scenes, which is the right call, the material tends to speak for itself when given room.
Pressley differentiates male and female voices clearly enough to follow dialogue without confusion, though her male voices are functional rather than particularly distinctive. The pacing is steady throughout, which suits the story's slower build in the first half. There are no reported issues with audio production quality from Center Point's release.
Listeners who prefer more dramatic vocal range may find her delivery slightly flat in places, particularly in the more intense confrontation scenes where a harder edge might have added impact. That said, for a book of this emotional register, understated narration is generally easier to sustain over a full listen than an over-performed one. Sampling the first chapter is a reasonable step if you're unsure her tone works for you.
The Audible Verdict
Reminders of Him works well in audio, the narrative structure is linear, the character perspectives are clearly handled, and Brittany Pressley's narration is reliable without being exceptional. The book earns a listen, but the narration doesn't elevate it enough to justify a paid credit when a free trial credit would do the same job just as well.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
This is a strong audio fit by most practical measures. The story moves in a straight line chronologically, the dual-perspective structure is easy to follow aurally, and there are no charts, footnotes, or visual elements that would be lost in audio. Contemporary romance in general translates well to the format, and this title in particular, which relies heavily on internal voice and emotional tone, benefits from having those voices read aloud.
The one caveat is that some readers find Hoover's prose more effective on the page, where they can control pacing through difficult scenes. Listeners who tend to mentally re-read emotionally heavy passages may find audio slightly less forgiving. But for anyone comfortable with emotional fiction in audio form, this is a practical choice with no significant format-related tradeoffs.
Popular Listener Questions
Is this a standalone novel or part of a series?
Reminders of Him is a standalone novel. No prior knowledge of other Colleen Hoover books is needed.
Is the content of this audiobook appropriate for all ages?
No. The book deals with grief, incarceration, and contains adult romantic content. It's intended for mature readers, typically categorized as adult contemporary romance.
How does this compare to other Colleen Hoover audiobooks?
It's tonally heavier than titles like Ugly Love or November 9. Listeners who want lighter romance may want to start elsewhere in Hoover's catalog, but those looking for something with more emotional weight often rate this as one of her stronger works.
Is this narrated by the author?
No. Brittany Pressley narrates the audiobook. Colleen Hoover does not narrate her own work.
Does this book contain content that could be difficult to listen to?
Yes. The story involves the aftermath of a fatal accident, parental separation, and characters processing long-term grief. It's not graphic, but it is emotionally heavy in places.
Similar Audiobooks
Ugly Love
Another Colleen Hoover title that blends romance with heavier emotional content, also available on Audible with a single narrator format.
Hoover's most widely read novel deals with similarly difficult subject matter beneath its romance framework, a logical next listen if this one resonated.
The Hating Game
Fans of contemporary romance with emotionally grounded narration tend to move between Hoover and Sally Thorne. The audiobook version holds up well.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Deals with a woman navigating isolation and judgment from a community, with a similarly measured narrative pace. Frequently recommended alongside Reminders of Him.
Emily Henry's dual-timeline romance appeals to much of the same readership as Hoover, and the audiobook version is similarly well-paced and easy to follow.
Audiobook Details
| Title | Reminders of Him |
|---|---|
| Author | Colleen Hoover |
| Narrator | Brittany Pressley |
| Genre | Contemporary Romance |
| Year | 2022 |
| Publisher | Center Point |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
Reminders of Him is available on Audible and is a reasonable use of a free trial credit, the audio format works for this book and Pressley's narration is a competent guide through a heavier-than-average romance.
Open on Audible