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Plot Summary

The Girl Next Door

A new neighbor, a new beginning

When Hallie Hart moves in next door to Rio DeLuca's Boston home at age eleven, a lifelong connection is forged. Their friendship is instant, built on shared music, secret rooftop meetings, and the comfort of being outsiders together. Hallie's quirky habit of picking a song for every important moment becomes their private language, and as they grow, so does their bond. The two families intertwine, and Hallie and Rio become inseparable, their friendship deepening into something more as adolescence approaches. The foundation of their relationship is laid in these formative years, with the roof between their bedrooms serving as the literal and figurative bridge between their worlds.

Missed Connections, Old Wounds

Six years of silence, one city

Years later, both Hallie and Rio are living in Chicago, but they haven't spoken since a painful falling out in their late teens. Rio, now a professional hockey player, is haunted by the memory of his first love and the unresolved pain of their breakup. Hallie, struggling to make ends meet while interning as an interior designer and bartending at night, is shocked to discover she's moving in next door to Rio—again. Their accidental reunion is fraught with tension, old wounds, and the weight of everything left unsaid. Both are forced to confront the ghosts of their past and the possibility that the connection they once shared might not be as dead as they thought.

Childhood on the Roof

Rooftop confessions and mixtapes

Flashbacks reveal the heart of Hallie and Rio's childhood: late-night talks on the roof, birthday mixtapes, and the slow, sweet burn of first love. Their relationship is built on small rituals—music, shared secrets, and the comfort of knowing someone sees you. As they grow older, their friendship turns romantic, but the pressures of family, ambition, and the looming specter of adulthood threaten to pull them apart. The roof becomes a symbol of both their intimacy and their innocence, a place where they can be themselves, away from the expectations of the world.

Unspoken Hearts

Love, loss, and the things we don't say

As teenagers, Hallie and Rio fall deeply in love, but their relationship is tested by secrets and the unraveling of their families. Hallie's father is diagnosed with cancer, and her mother's betrayal with Rio's father shatters both families. Hallie, sworn to secrecy by her mother, is paralyzed by fear and guilt, unable to tell Rio the truth. When the affair is revealed, Rio's world collapses, and in his pain, he pushes Hallie away, blaming her for not warning him. The unspoken words between them become a chasm, and both are left to navigate the fallout alone.

The Reunion Game

Chance encounter, old sparks

In Chicago, a chance sighting at a hockey game brings Hallie and Rio face-to-face for the first time in years. The encounter is electric and painful, reigniting feelings neither has truly buried. Forced to work together when Hallie is assigned as the designer for Rio's home renovation, they must navigate a minefield of unresolved emotions, professional boundaries, and the ever-present pull of their shared history. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry undeniable, but both are wary of reopening old wounds.

Renovation and Resentment

Building a home, rebuilding trust

As Hallie transforms Rio's house from a sterile bachelor pad into a warm, inviting home, the renovation becomes a metaphor for their relationship. Each design choice, each color palette, is a step toward healing. But the process is messy—resentments surface, and the pain of the past threatens to derail their progress. Hallie's financial struggles and Rio's guilt over his family's implosion add layers of complexity. Through late-night meetings and shared memories, they begin to rediscover the comfort and safety they once found in each other.

Secrets in the Walls

Hidden truths, revealed pain

The renovation uncovers more than just outdated fixtures. Hallie's secret debt, accrued from caring for her sick father, comes to light, as does the truth about her mother's manipulation. Rio learns the full extent of Hallie's sacrifices and the impossible position she was put in. The revelation is both devastating and cathartic, forcing Rio to confront his own role in their breakup and the ways he let his mother's pain dictate his choices. The walls between them begin to crumble, replaced by a fragile, hard-won honesty.

The Weight of Care

Caretaking, sacrifice, and self-worth

Hallie's years as her father's caregiver have left her exhausted and wary of letting anyone else in. She's fiercely independent, but the burden of responsibility has shaped her sense of self and her ability to trust. Rio, meanwhile, grapples with guilt over abandoning Hallie when she needed him most. Their reunion is as much about learning to accept help as it is about rekindling romance. Through small acts of care—homemade lattes, shared meals, and the simple act of being present—they begin to heal each other.

Friends, Lovers, Strangers

Navigating new dynamics, old feelings

As Hallie and Rio move from enemies to tentative friends to something more, they must redefine what they mean to each other. Their friends and found family in Chicago become a support system, offering both comic relief and sage advice. The couple's journey is marked by setbacks and miscommunications, but also by moments of joy and rediscovery. The chemistry that once defined their relationship is still there, but now it's tempered by maturity and the hard lessons of the past.

The Past Unraveled

Confronting family, seeking forgiveness

The final obstacles to Hallie and Rio's happiness are rooted in their families. Hallie returns to Boston to confront Rio's mother, seeking forgiveness and understanding. The conversation is raw and honest, forcing both women to reckon with their regrets and the ways they hurt each other. Rio, too, must make peace with his parents' choices and his own. The process is painful, but it allows for true closure and the possibility of a future unburdened by old resentments.

Forgiveness and Family

Healing rifts, choosing each other

With the past finally laid to rest, Hallie and Rio are free to choose each other without reservation. Their families, once fractured, begin to mend. Rio's mother and Hallie's father find common ground, and the couple's found family in Chicago rallies around them. The home Hallie designed becomes a symbol of their new beginning—a place filled with love, laughter, and the promise of a future together. Forgiveness, both given and received, is the foundation on which they build their life.

The Birthday Playlist

Music, memory, and meaning

On Hallie's birthday, Rio creates a playlist of songs marking their most important moments, mirroring the mixtapes Hallie made for him as a child. The gesture is both nostalgic and forward-looking, a testament to the enduring power of their shared language. The playlist becomes a living record of their love story, proof that even after years apart, they never truly let go of each other. The music is a thread that ties their past to their present, and to the future they're building together.

Second Chances, First Loves

Falling in love again, for good

With the house finished and their families reconciled, Hallie and Rio finally allow themselves to be fully together. Their love, once interrupted, is now stronger for having survived so much. They embrace the messiness of their history, choosing to see it as proof of their resilience rather than a source of regret. Their relationship is both a second chance and a continuation of the first love that shaped them. They are, at last, home.

The Heart Tattoo

Permanent marks, promises kept

Rio's tattoo—a heart in Hallie's handwriting, inked over his own—becomes the ultimate symbol of their bond. It's a reminder that even when they were apart, they carried each other with them. The tattoo, like the house, is a promise: of love, of forgiveness, of a future together. It's a mark that can't be erased, just as their story can't be unwritten.

Letting Go, Holding On

Moving forward, together

Hallie and Rio learn that true love isn't about erasing the past, but about holding on to what matters and letting go of what doesn't. They make peace with their mistakes, honor the people they've become, and commit to building a life together. Their story is one of endurance, of choosing each other again and again, even when it's hard. In the end, they find that home isn't a place, but a person.

The Proposal on the Roof

A question, an answer, a forever

In a full-circle moment, Rio proposes to Hallie on the roof where their story began. Surrounded by friends and family, in the home they built together, they promise to keep choosing each other—spoken or unspoken, in music and in silence, for the rest of their lives. The proposal is simple, heartfelt, and perfect, a testament to the love that survived everything.

Home at Last

Found family, found home

The epilogue finds Hallie and Rio surrounded by their chosen family, celebrating the home they've created. Their journey has been long and difficult, but every hardship has brought them closer. The house is filled with laughter, music, and the promise of new memories. They are, finally, home—not just in a place, but in each other.

Characters

Hallie Hart

Resilient caretaker, creative soul

Hallie is the emotional heart of the story—a woman shaped by early loss, family secrets, and the heavy responsibility of caring for her sick father. Her creativity and love of design are matched only by her fierce independence and loyalty. Hallie's relationship with Rio is the axis around which her life turns, but her journey is also one of self-discovery and learning to accept help. Her psychological complexity is rooted in her fear of abandonment and her struggle to balance self-sacrifice with self-worth. Over the course of the novel, Hallie learns to forgive herself, trust others, and embrace the love she deserves.

Rio DeLuca

Loyal protector, haunted romantic

Rio is a professional hockey player whose outward confidence masks deep-seated guilt and longing. His childhood with Hallie is the source of his greatest joy and his deepest pain. The trauma of his parents' divorce and his mother's heartbreak leaves him emotionally adrift, and he spends years searching for a connection that can match what he lost with Hallie. Rio's journey is one of reckoning—with his own mistakes, with the ways he let others' pain dictate his choices, and with the reality that love is as much about forgiveness as it is about passion. His growth is marked by vulnerability, humility, and a willingness to fight for the life he wants.

Mia DeLuca

Wounded matriarch, fierce survivor

Rio's mother is a central figure in both his and Hallie's lives. Her devastation over her husband's affair and her subsequent emotional needs shape much of Rio's behavior. Mia's journey is one of grief, anger, and eventual acceptance. Her relationship with Hallie is fraught, but ultimately, she is able to see past her pain and embrace forgiveness. Mia's arc is a testament to the power of chosen family and the importance of letting go.

Mr. Hart

Gentle father, silent sufferer

Hallie's father is the quiet anchor of her world. His illness is the catalyst for much of the novel's conflict, forcing Hallie into the role of caretaker and upending the family's stability. His vulnerability and gratitude for Hallie's sacrifices are deeply felt, and his eventual recovery is a source of hope. Mr. Hart's presence is a reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of familial love.

Luke Hart

Estranged brother, eventual ally

Hallie's brother is initially absent, having left Hallie to care for their father alone. His return and reconciliation with both Hallie and Rio are important steps in the healing process for all three. Luke's arc is about recognizing the cost of avoidance and the importance of showing up for the people you love.

Wren Wilder

Supportive friend, bridge to new beginnings

Wren is Hallie's roommate and a key figure in her Chicago life. Her friendship offers Hallie a sense of belonging and stability, and her own family's sports legacy provides a parallel to Rio's world. Wren's presence is a reminder that new connections can be just as meaningful as old ones.

Indy Shay

Empathetic confidante, found family

Indy is Rio's best friend in Chicago and the emotional glue of their friend group. Her insight, warmth, and unwavering support help both Hallie and Rio navigate their reconciliation. Indy's own journey with love and family serves as a model for what's possible when you choose vulnerability over fear.

The Chicago Crew (Zanders, Stevie, Miller, Kai, Kennedy, Isaiah, Ryan)

Chosen family, comic relief, and support system

This group of friends—athletes and their partners—forms the backbone of Hallie and Rio's new life in Chicago. Each brings their own quirks, wisdom, and history, offering both levity and perspective. Their acceptance of Hallie and Rio is crucial to the couple's healing, and their presence underscores the novel's theme that family is what you make it.

Mrs. Hart

Absent mother, source of pain

Hallie's mother is the catalyst for much of the novel's conflict. Her affair with Rio's father and her emotional manipulation of Hallie leave lasting scars. She represents the dangers of secrecy and the ways in which parents' choices can reverberate through their children's lives.

Uncle Mikey

Surprising new love, symbol of hope

Rio's uncle, who eventually becomes Mia's partner, is a symbol of the possibility of new beginnings even after great loss. His relationship with Mia offers a counterpoint to the pain of the past and a model for moving forward.

Plot Devices

Dual Timelines and Flashbacks

Past and present intertwine, revealing character depth

The novel employs a dual timeline structure, alternating between Hallie and Rio's childhood/teen years and their adult reunion. This device allows the reader to see the full arc of their relationship, understand the roots of their trauma, and appreciate the weight of their reconciliation. Flashbacks to rooftop meetings, mixtape exchanges, and family crises provide emotional context and deepen the impact of present-day events.

Music as Memory

Songs as emotional anchors, mixtapes as love letters

Music is a central motif, with Hallie's habit of assigning songs to important moments serving as both a narrative device and a symbol of their connection. Mixtapes and playlists become repositories of memory, allowing the characters to revisit and reframe their shared history. The act of "rewinding it back" is both literal and metaphorical, underscoring the novel's themes of nostalgia, regret, and hope.

Home Renovation as Metaphor

Building a house, rebuilding a relationship

The renovation of Rio's house is a powerful metaphor for the work required to heal and move forward. Each design choice, each act of demolition and reconstruction, mirrors the emotional labor of forgiveness and the creation of a new life together. The house, once sterile and empty, becomes a home filled with love and possibility.

Found Family and Community

Support systems, chosen kin, and the power of belonging

The Chicago friend group functions as a surrogate family for both Hallie and Rio, offering support, perspective, and a sense of belonging. Their presence highlights the importance of community and the idea that family is not just about blood, but about the people who show up for you.

Secrets, Guilt, and Forgiveness

The corrosive power of secrets, the liberation of truth

The novel's central conflict revolves around secrets—those kept out of fear, shame, or misguided loyalty. The slow revelation of these secrets, and the characters' willingness to confront them, is the engine of the plot. Forgiveness, both of self and others, is the ultimate resolution, allowing for healing and the possibility of a future together.

Analysis

Rewind It Back is a deeply emotional, character-driven romance that explores the enduring power of first love, the corrosive effects of secrets, and the redemptive potential of forgiveness. Liz Tomforde crafts a narrative that is as much about healing as it is about romance, using music, memory, and the metaphor of home renovation to chart her characters' journeys. The novel is a meditation on the ways in which our past shapes us, the importance of chosen family, and the courage required to let go of old pain in order to embrace new happiness. In a modern context, it speaks to the challenges of adulthood—caring for aging parents, navigating financial hardship, and redefining what it means to belong. Ultimately, the story's lesson is that love is not about perfection or erasure of the past, but about choosing each other, again and again, in spite of it.

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FAQ

Synopsis & Basic Details

What is Rewind It Back about?

  • A Second Chance Romance: Rewind It Back follows Rio DeLuca, a professional hockey player, and Hallie Hart, an interior designer, who were childhood sweethearts and neighbors in Boston before a painful breakup and family secrets drove them apart for six years.
  • Reunion in Chicago: Fate brings them back together in Chicago when Hallie moves in next door to Rio's house and is unknowingly hired to renovate it, forcing them to confront their unresolved past and the lingering feelings between them.
  • Healing and Forgiveness: The story explores their journey of navigating old wounds, revealing hidden truths about their pasts, and deciding if their deep connection is strong enough to build a future together, supported by a close-knit group of friends.

Why should I read Rewind It Back?

  • Deep Emotional Resonance: The novel delves into complex themes of first love, family trauma, sacrifice, and forgiveness, offering a raw and honest portrayal of healing from past hurts.
  • Compelling Dual Timeline: Alternating between their poignant childhood/teenage years and their tense yet hopeful reunion as adults, the narrative provides rich context and emotional depth to their present-day struggles and rekindled connection.
  • Rich Character Development: Readers will connect with Hallie's resilience and vulnerability and Rio's journey of self-forgiveness, set against a backdrop of supportive friendships that highlight the power of chosen family.

What is the background of Rewind It Back?

  • Chicago Sports Setting: The story is set primarily in Chicago, leveraging the backdrop of professional hockey (Rio's career) and basketball/baseball (his friends' careers), integrating the demanding schedules and public nature of professional sports into the characters' lives.
  • Focus on Found Family: A significant cultural element is the strong emphasis on the close-knit group of friends in Chicago, who function as a supportive, chosen family for Rio and later Hallie, providing a sense of belonging away from their biological families.
  • Themes of Sacrifice and Caretaking: Hallie's backstory highlights the immense personal and financial sacrifices made when caring for a sick parent, a reality that deeply impacts her independence and initial reluctance to accept help.

What are the most memorable quotes in Rewind It Back?

  • "Hallie, you're in here.": Rio taps his chest in Chapter 31, telling Hallie she's still in his heart despite their years apart, symbolizing how deeply ingrained she is in his identity and how he never truly moved on.
  • "It's always been you, Hallie, and I think we both know it.": Rio's declaration in Chapter 31 encapsulates the core theme of their enduring connection, emphasizing that despite the detours and pain, their bond was always destined.
  • "You're my childhood dream.": Rio tells Hallie this in Chapter 43, revealing that his lifelong ambition wasn't just playing for the Boston Bobcats, but being with her, highlighting the ultimate priority of their relationship over career goals.

What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Liz Tomforde use?

  • Dual POV and Timelines: The story alternates between Hallie and Rio's perspectives and weaves in flashbacks to their past, providing a comprehensive view of their individual experiences and shared history.
  • Emotional and Vulnerable Tone: Tomforde employs a writing style that is direct and emotionally resonant, allowing characters to express their inner turmoil and desires with raw honesty, particularly in internal monologues and intimate dialogue.
  • Symbolism and Metaphor: Key elements like music (mixtapes, playlists), the physical space of the roof, and the process of home renovation serve as powerful metaphors for memory, connection, healing, and building a future.

Hidden Details & Subtle Connections

What are some minor details that add significant meaning?

  • Hallie's Heart Signature: The specific way Hallie draws a heart with an extra tail (Chapter 15, 22, 24, 29) is a seemingly small quirk that Rio consistently notices and touches, symbolizing his acceptance of her imperfections and foreshadowing the heart tattoo he gets in her handwriting (Chapter 32).
  • Rio's Boombox: The old, non-Bluetooth boombox Rio carries (Chapter 5, 6, 16, 19) isn't just a quirky habit; it's explicitly linked to his need to play Hallie's old mixtapes and CDs (Chapter 29), revealing he actively held onto their shared musical history and memories even when trying to forget her.
  • The Coffee Bar: Rio's elaborate coffee setup (Chapter 10) is initially presented as a convenience for guests, but Hallie recognizes it as a deeper trait: his innate way of caring for and making those important to him feel comfortable, a subtle demonstration of his nurturing nature that extends beyond romantic partners.

What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?

  • The First Drive Home: Rio driving Hallie home in his truck as teenagers (Chapter 16) mirrors his driving her home from the bar as adults (Chapter 11), establishing a pattern of him being her safe transport and a space for vulnerability and connection, culminating in the significant drive after the bar where they reconnect emotionally.
  • The Locked Closet: Rio preventing Hallie from seeing a specific closet during the initial house tour (Chapter 10) creates mystery and foreshadows the significant personal items (mixtapes, bracelet) hidden within it (Chapter 24), revealing the depth of his preserved memories.
  • "It's nothing you haven't seen before": Rio's teasing line about being shirtless (Chapter 10) and later about Hallie watching him in the shower (Chapter 24) is a callback to their teenage intimacy, subtly reminding Hallie (and the reader) of their shared physical history and the comfort level they once had.

What are some unexpected character connections?

  • Hallie's Roommate & Rio's Friend Group: Wren Wilder, Hallie's roommate, is the sister of Cruz Wilder, a prominent athlete who is friends with members of Rio's core group (Ryan, Isaiah, Kai) (Chapter 37), unexpectedly integrating Hallie into Rio's established social circle through a seemingly unrelated connection.
  • Rio's Uncle Mikey & His Mom: The revelation that Rio's uncle Mikey and his mother Mia are dating (Chapter 43) is a surprising development that provides a hopeful parallel to Rio and Hallie's second chance, showing that love and new beginnings are possible even after significant past pain and loss within the family.
  • Hallie's Dad & Rio's Mom: The unexpected reconciliation and warm interaction between Hallie's dad and Rio's mom at the housewarming party (Chapter 43) highlights the healing of the family rift caused by the affair, demonstrating that forgiveness and renewed friendship are possible even after deep betrayal.

Who are the most significant supporting characters?

  • Indy Shay: As Rio's best friend and the emotional core of the Chicago friend group, Indy provides crucial emotional support, pushes Rio towards vulnerability, and acts as a bridge for Hallie to integrate into the group, often offering insightful observations about Rio's feelings (Chapter 6, 13, 14, 31, 38).
  • Mia DeLuca: Rio's mother is a pivotal figure whose pain from the affair and initial resentment towards Hallie significantly impact Rio's emotional state and their relationship, representing the primary external conflict they must overcome for their future (Chapter 26, 38, 40, 41, 43).
  • Mr. Hart: Hallie's father's illness and his sacrifices for her (Chapter 28) are central to understanding Hallie's character, her financial struggles, and her deep-seated need to care for others, while his eventual recovery and support for Hallie and Rio's relationship provide a source of healing and hope.

Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis

What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?

  • Rio's Need for Control: Rio's insistence on paying off Hallie's loans (Chapter 27, 37) and buying her a car (Chapter 37) isn't solely altruism; it's partly an unspoken attempt to exert control over the financial situation he feels guilty for unknowingly leaving her in, a way to "fix" the past through present actions.
  • Hallie's Testing of Rio: Hallie's initial defiance and subtle pushing of Rio's boundaries (e.g., asking about his dating life, teasing him) (Chapter 10, 19) can be interpreted as an unspoken test to see if he will truly stay and fight for her this time, or if he will retreat when things get complicated, mirroring his past abandonment.
  • Rio's Delayed Vulnerability: Rio's struggle to fully articulate his deepest feelings and the extent of his hurt (Chapter 29) is an unspoken manifestation of the emotional walls he built after his parents' divorce and Hallie's perceived betrayal, making his eventual raw honesty (Chapter 31) more impactful.

What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?

  • Hallie's Caretaker Identity: Hallie exhibits a complex psychological pattern rooted in her years as a caregiver, where her self-worth became intertwined with her ability to sacrifice and handle burdens alone (Chapter 8, 28), leading to difficulty accepting help and vulnerability, even from someone she loves.
  • Rio's Trauma Response: Rio displays psychological complexities stemming from the trauma of his parents' divorce and the perceived betrayal by Hallie, leading to a defensive mechanism of emotional avoidance and a tendency to "run away" from difficult feelings or situations (Chapter 4, 26, 31).
  • Intergenerational Trauma: The novel subtly explores intergenerational trauma, showing how the painful choices and unresolved issues of the parents (affair, divorce, secrecy) directly impact the emotional well-being and relationship patterns of the children (Rio's trust issues, Hallie's fear of abandonment, their secrecy).

What are the major emotional turning points?

  • The Hospital Reunion: Rio showing up at the hospital in Minnesota (Chapter 27) is a major emotional turning point, demonstrating his unwavering support and care for Hallie regardless of the circumstances or his understanding of the situation, breaking through her emotional walls and allowing her to show vulnerability ("Am I allowed to say no?").
  • The Closet Revelation: Hallie discovering the box of mixtapes and the friendship bracelet in Rio's closet (Chapter 24) is a pivotal emotional moment, providing tangible proof that he never forgot her and actively held onto their shared history, fundamentally shifting her perception of his actions after their breakup.
  • The Phone Sex Scene: The phone call where Hallie and Rio engage in phone sex (Chapter 25) is an emotional turning point that allows for raw vulnerability and honesty ("I don't want to want you," "I'm tired of lying"), pushing their emotional connection forward even while physically apart and revealing the depth of their continued desire and longing.

How do relationship dynamics evolve?

  • From Childhood Sweethearts to Estranged Adults: The dynamic shifts from innocent, deeply connected childhood friends and first loves (Chapter 3, 15, 22, 30) to tense, resentful strangers (Chapter 1, 2, 5), highlighting the profound impact of unresolved conflict and unspoken pain over six years.
  • From Client/Designer to Tentative Friends: Their forced professional relationship (Chapter 5, 8, 10) gradually evolves into a tentative friendship (Chapter 9), marked by cautious interactions, shared history callbacks, and a slow rebuilding of trust, laying the groundwork for something more.
  • From Healing Partners to Committed Couple: The dynamic transforms from two individuals healing from past trauma and helping each other (Chapter 27, 28, 29) to a fully committed couple (Chapter 31, 32, 33, 34), openly communicating, supporting each other's dreams, and building a shared future based on forgiveness and mutual understanding.

Interpretation & Debate

Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?

  • The Full Extent of Parental Relationships: While the affair and its immediate fallout are central, the long-term dynamics between Hallie's parents, Rio's parents, and their respective relationships with Luke remain somewhat open-ended, focusing primarily on the impact on Hallie, Rio, and Mia.
  • Hallie's Mother's Perspective: Hallie's mother's motivations and feelings beyond her initial fear and manipulation remain largely unexplored, leaving her character primarily as a catalyst for conflict rather than a fully developed individual with her own complex arc.
  • The Future with Boston: While Rio re-signs with Chicago, the possibility of playing for Boston is left open as a future possibility ("If it's about me staying in Chicago, I don't have to. I can come with you..."), suggesting that the tension between his dream team and his established life in Chicago could resurface later.

What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in Rewind It Back?

  • Hallie's Decision to Keep the Secret: Hallie's choice at age 19 to keep her mother's affair a secret from Rio and his mother (Chapter 41, 42) is highly debatable; while motivated by fear for her father's health, it directly leads to years of pain and misunderstanding, raising questions about the ethics of silence and loyalty.
  • Rio's Immediate Abandonment: Rio's reaction to learning Hallie knew about the affair and immediately cutting her out of his life (Chapter 42) is controversial; while understandable given his pain, the swiftness and completeness of his abandonment can be debated as an overly harsh response to a complex situation Hallie was forced into.
  • Rio Paying Off Hallie's Debt: Rio secretly paying off Hallie's loans (Chapter 37) can be seen as controversial; while intended to help, it bypasses Hallie's independence and pride, sparking debate about financial power dynamics in relationships and whether such significant gestures should be made without prior discussion.

Rewind It Back Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means

  • Rio Re-signs with Chicago: Instead of pursuing his childhood dream of playing for the Boston Bobcats, Rio signs a contract extension with the Chicago Raptors (Chapter 43), signifying that his definition of "home" and his primary dream have shifted from a geographical location/career goal to being with Hallie and the life they've built together in Chicago.
  • Proposal on the Roof: Rio proposes to Hallie on the roof of their newly renovated Chicago home (Epilogue), mirroring the rooftop where their love story began in Boston, symbolizing their journey coming full circle and establishing their new house as the foundation for their future together, built on shared history and forgiveness.
  • Found Family Embraces Hallie: The ending emphasizes the strength of the Chicago friend group, who fully embrace Hallie as part of their chosen family (Epilogue), highlighting the theme that family is built on love and support, not just blood, and providing a strong community for Hallie and Rio as they start their life together.

Review Summary

4.67 out of 5
Average of 1.2K ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Readers are eagerly anticipating Rewind It Back, the final book in the Windy City series featuring Rio's story. Many express excitement for the second chance romance trope and childhood friends-to-lovers storyline. The book's red cover and revealed tropes have increased anticipation. Fans predict an emotional, angsty read with golden retriever hero vibes. While sad to see the series end, readers are thrilled for Rio's book and hope for a potential Monty and Reese story. The novel is set to release in May 2025, leaving fans impatient for its arrival.

Your rating:
4.69
515 ratings

About the Author

Liz Tomforde is a sports romance author known for crafting realistic, healthy relationships in her novels. Her writing style combines witty banter with real-life struggles, featuring alpha yet vulnerable heroes and strong heroines. Originally from Northern California, Tomforde is the youngest of five siblings. She has a passion for romance, travel, dogs, and hockey. When not writing or traveling, she enjoys reading and hiking with her Golden Retriever, Luke, in her hometown in Sonoma County. Tomforde's books resonate with readers seeking authentic romantic stories set in the world of sports.

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