Reading Processes

 

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

   

• Date:2/2/24
• Title: Reminders of Him 
• Author: Collen Hoover
• Genre: Romance
• Pages: 317
• Rating: 4/5

• Summary: After serving five years in prison for her tragic mistake, Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year old daughter. But it is impossible as everyone in her daughter is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hasn't shut Kenna out  she works to prove herself. The only person who hasn't shut her out completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and a few remaining links to Kenna's daughter. They tow form a relationship despite the pressure surrounding them, but romance grows so does the risk Kenna must find a way to absolve her past mistakes in order to build a future.

• Review and thought: I like this book as it explores the theme of love, loss, grief and healing. The characters cope with traumatic past, navigated complicated emotions, and find hope and healing through their relationships and personal growth, connecting us with their journey and making us feel rollercoaster of emotions.

• Favourite quote: "Music still makes me think of Scotty, but thinking of scotty no longer makes me sad. Now that I've forgiven myself the reminders of him only makes smile." This was my favourite quote from the book because it illustrates that while music still reminds Kenna of Scotty, but it no longer makes her sad. Her act of forgiving herself for past mistakes allows her to move forward in her life without and grief and sadness.

• Favourite scene: My favourite scene from the book was when Kenna finally absolved herself of her past mistakes and met with her daughter, despite the heavy burdens on her shoulders.

Verity by Collen Hoover

• Date:15/3/24
• Title: Verity
• Author: Collen Hoo
• Genre: Psychological thriller
• Pages: 336
• Rating: 4.5/5

Summary: Lowen Ashleigh was a struggling writer. She was hired by Jermey Crawford to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife, the bestselling author, Verity Crawford, was unable to finish due to an accident. As Lowen goes to Crawford house to get the notes and outlines of Verity, hoping to find enough to get her started. She finds an autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read in chaotic office. Page after page of bone chilling  admissions, including Verity's recollection of the night their family was forever changed. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jermey knowing it would devastate him, but as Lowen's feelings for Jermey begin to intensify, she recognizes all the way she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jermey is is to his injured wife a horrifying truth would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.  

Review and thought: I like this book because of the gripping plot, filled with twist and turns, and it offers a mix of romance and mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed, and kept me engaged till the end with the unexpected twist and turns that created a sense of tension throughout the story.

Favourite quote: "People are mirrors. In them, we see what we've become, and what we don't want to see, we choose not to see." This is my favourite quote from the book because Lowen, struggles with the idea of whether the reality she is experiencing is real or not, and this quote reflects her realization that what we see in other people is often reflection of our own biases and preconceptions.

Favourite scene: My favourite scene from the book was when Lowen discovered Verity's letter which opened up a  whole new dimension to the story and challenged everything the reader thought they knew about the characters and their motives. It was a masterful twist that leaved me questioning that which truth was she manipulating.