A film version of Colleen Hoover’s novel “Reminders of Him” is in the works at Universal Pictures. The studio emerged victorious in the book rights battle and plans to release the film in theaters on February 13, 2026, ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Hoover, whose bestseller ‘It Ends With Us’ was adapted into a hit film starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, is co-writing the screenplay with Lauren Levine. Described as a “transformative feature film about motherhood, forgiveness and the power of one love to heal even the most shattered heart,” the story follows Kenna Rowan, who returns to her hometown after serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake. She hopes to reconnect with her young daughter, although everyone plans to keep them apart. Only one person in the area hasn’t shunned her, and that’s local bar owner Ledger Ward, who becomes an important part of Kenna’s life. Published in 2022, the novel has sold more than 6.5 million copies worldwide and been translated into 45 languages. Casting has yet to be announced.

“I am thrilled to be working with Universal to bring Kenna Rowan’s world to life,” said Hoover. “I hear from many readers who have found something of themselves in her story of living with and through tragedy and the often messy and imperfect work of healing and turning the page to a new chapter in life. I’m excited because ‘Reminders of Him’ also has a special place in my heart. I am confident that Universal is the right partner to do justice to this story.”

Levine has worked at MTV, Nickelodeon and Walden Media and was a producer on the 2007 tearjerker “Bridge to Terabithia” by Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb. She and Hoover will also produce through their newly launched production company Heartbones Entertainment. Their goal with the banner, Hoover shared in a statement, is to “create something very special for everyone.”

“This is a dream debut for Heartbones,” said Levine. “We couldn’t have a stronger partner for our first film than Universal, or a more representative project of the stories we love to tell than ‘Reminders of Him.’ Colleen’s legions of fans show that women long for more authentic stories about their lives. Heartbones strives to bring to film what Colleen has done so successfully in publishing, and we know these stories will have emotional and economic resonance in the modern film world.

“Reminders of Him” is Hoover’s second novel to be tackled on the big screen. Sony released “It Ends With Us,” which became a hit this summer to the tune of $344 million worldwide. The film, which Baldoni directed, was hugely profitable with a budget of $25 million. A sequel should be inevitable, as Hoover already wrote a bestselling follow-up novel titled “It Starts With Us.” Still, it’s safe to assume that the public to have saw the last of Lily and Ryle – the two characters played by Lively and Baldoni in the film – amid reports that the star and director did not get along on set and would likely not work together again.

Hoover, Levine and Heartbones Entertainment are represented by UTA and Allison Binder at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. The deal was managed by UTA. Hoover’s novels are represented by Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret and Allison Binder at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.