Chapter 25 Summary and Analysis – Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

⚠️ Spoiler Notice

This page contains detailed summary and analysis of Chapter 25 (Chapter 24) of Reminders of Him. If you haven’t read the book, you may want to finish the chapter before continuing.

Summary

Ledger is packing up T‑ball gear when a group of mothers corners him. They’ve heard Kenna is back in town and mention that Grace and Patrick filed a restraining order. Ledger defends Kenna, then drives to the grocery store to pick her up. On the way, he warns her about the order. Kenna reacts with quiet disappointment. To lighten the mood, Ledger shows her a video of Diem’s dance recital; Kenna laughs and glimpses her daughter’s personality. At the bar, the staff have already bonded with Kenna—Roman saved her gluten‑free muffins, Mary Anne gave her noise‑canceling headphones. Kenna admits she hates music because it feels sad. Ledger realizes that her aversion stems from loss, and he feels an unexpected possessiveness over her.

Key Events

The “brigade of mothers” confronts Ledger and reveals that Grace and Patrick filed a restraining order against Kenna.
Ledger picks up Kenna from the grocery store, interrupting her walk home.
He informs Kenna about the restraining order; she is caught off guard but stays composed.
Ledger shows Kenna a video of Diem’s dance recital; Kenna laughs and asks about Diem’s hobbies.
At the bar, Roman mentions he put three gluten‑free muffins in the fridge for Kenna.
Mary Anne gives Kenna noise‑canceling headphones so she can block out the bar’s loud music.
Kenna reveals that she hates music because “it’s sad” — a response to her grief.
Ledger notices how quickly the rest of the staff has befriended Kenna, stirring jealousy.
Ledger scans the jukebox, realizing almost every song would remind Kenna of loss, so he sets it to random.

Character Development

Ledger spends most of the chapter navigating protective instincts and personal feelings. Defending Kenna to the mothers shows he is willing to challenge public opinion. By warning her about the restraining order, he acts as a reluctant ally. His jealousy over Roman’s easy camaraderie with Kenna reveals his growing emotional attachment. He also begins to see music through Kenna’s eyes, questioning his own assumptions. This chapter marks a turning point: Ledger is no longer merely a guardian of Diem’s well‑being; he is wrestling with his own desires.

Kenna appears vulnerable but resilient. She accepts Ledger’s news about the order without anger, redirects the conversation to Diem, and finds joy in the recital video. Her quick rapport with the bar staff—Roman, Mary Anne, Aaron—shows she can connect when given a chance. Her admission that she hates music because it is sad offers a direct window into her unprocessed grief, revealing how small sensory triggers continue to wound her.

Roman and Mary Anne (supporting characters) demonstrate that Kenna is becoming part of a community beyond the Landrys. Their small gestures (muffins, headphones) contrast with the hostility Kenna faces elsewhere, setting up a support system that will likely test Ledger’s loyalties.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Music as a trigger for grief: Kenna’s hatred of music crystallizes how everyday pleasures can become unbearable after trauma. Music—often a symbol of joy or comfort—is here a symbol of absence and pain.
Physical gestures and inherited traits: Ledger notices Kenna flexes her fingers and grips her thighs the same way Diem does. This reinforces the biological bond between mother and daughter, a theme of intangible connection that transcends separation.
Community judgment versus new beginnings: The mothers’ gossip and the restraining order represent the town’s long memory, while the bar staff’s kindness suggests that Kenna can build a fresh start with people who don’t hold her past against her.
Protective circles: Ledger is caught between protecting Diem and protecting Kenna. His inside‑knowledge of the order puts him in a morally ambiguous position: he is both part of the Landrys’ efforts and beginning to act on his own conscience.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 25 deepens the emotional stakes of Ledger’s internal conflict. It is the first time he directly tells Kenna about the legal barrier Grace and Patrick have erected. His choice to show her Diem’s video—a private moment—signals that he is crossing a line, granting Kenna a piece of her daughter’s life without permission. The chapter also introduces a micro‑community (the bar staff) that accepts Kenna, contrasting sharply with the Landrys’ hostility. This prepares the ground for future confrontations between Kenna, Grace, and Patrick, and pushes Ledger closer to admitting his true feelings.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ledger decide to warn Kenna about the restraining order even though he fears it might upset her?
Ledger believes Kenna has a right to know, especially so she can prepare for the legal consequence of the grocery‑store encounter. He also wants to be transparent with her, which hints at his growing respect and care for her—even if it means making her shift harder.

2. How does Kenna’s reaction to the dance video affect Ledger’s perception of her?
Her spontaneous laugh and the joy in her voice while watching Diem make Ledger wonder whether that same joy would be permanent in Kenna’s life if she had access to her daughter. It humanizes Kenna further and deepens his empathy, making him question the wisdom of keeping her away.

3. What does Kenna mean when she says she “hates music” because “it’s sad”?
Music often evokes memories of loved ones, love, and loss. For Kenna, who carries the trauma of Scotty’s death and her separation from Diem, most songs trigger painful associations. Her rejection of music is a survival mechanism—a way to avoid being pulled into grief unexpectedly.