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Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde

68 reviews

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Liz Tomforde rewinds it back in the most breathtaking way with Rewind It Back, and I’m still recovering from the emotional face-off that was Hallie and Rio’s love story. If you’re into sports romance, emotional depth, and a slow burn so rich it simmers, you’re in for an unforgettable ride.

From childhood friends to enemies to something so complicated and raw, Hallie and Rio's journey is everything you want in a second-chance romance, and then more. Hallie, the girl next door turned driven interior designer and bartender, and Rio, the golden boy of the Chicago Raptors who’s done playing games with his heart, have a past so tangled it hurts to watch... and yet, you can’t look away. Their chemistry is insane. Their history? Gut-wrenching. And the growth they both go through? Inspiring.

Rio isn’t your typical NHL player. He doesn’t want meaningless hookups, he wants her. Always has. Even when six years of pain, misunderstandings, and silence stood in the way. His vulnerability? Literal chills. And when he finally lets her see him again, fully and unapologetically, I melted.

Hallie is strong, selfless, and so damn relatable. She’s been through more than anyone realizes, carrying the weight of her father’s illness, sacrificing her dreams, and yet, she never stops fighting for her future. Her resilience is beautiful. And when the truth of what really happened six years ago hits? Prepare to sob. I did.

The tropes? ICONIC. Childhood friends to enemies to lovers, sports romance, found family, first love that never really ended, Tomforde delivers each one with heart, humor, and spice. The flashbacks will ruin you in the best way, especially the rooftop scenes and those music-based memories. And Rio's tattoo?! I’m not okay. The moments with all the previous couples together as one big friend group had me smiling in satisfaction. 

This book is a love letter to second chances, to the kind of love that grows with you, hurts with you, and eventually heals you. It's about forgiveness, vulnerability, and believing that maybe, just maybe, love can find its way back when it matters most.

I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and now I need to lie down and listen to every song that I have memories connected with.

Rewind It Back is a full-body experience. One I’ll be rewinding back again and again.

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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adventurous emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

BEST. IN. THE. SERIES. (don't argue with me)

You can have your opinion, of course, but I personally feel that OBJECTIVELY this is the best book in the series. The characters: fantastic. The romance: worthwhile. The storyline: spectacular. She really outdid herself with this one.

I say this because I honestly wasn't that big of a fan of the book in this series. I've read two others, and they were just meh. I felt like her books lacked substance and emotion. I didn't feel like her characters were 3-dimensional, and I found her storytelling in regards to the personal struggles was subpar. I honestly was going to stop reading her altogether, but there was something about Rio that I couldn't shake. I was enamored when he completely in "The Right Move" and was so excited for his book. So, I decided three strikes and you're out, if I don't like this book, I won't be reading from her again.

I'm soooooooo glad I enjoyed this one. Now, this is a romance. I feel like this book was the most romantic one out of the ones I've read from her. I was skeptical at first because I didn't see this trope being for Rio, but it worked perfectly in my opinion. Hallie was such a viable love interest and character; I enjoyed reading about her so much. And her struggles were so real and relatable, and when you find the reason why, it just adds so much depth to her character.

And the storyline that this follows and how it ties into their romance, I felt, was perfectly done. Honestly, again, just so real and raw, and it just added so much to the story. THIS is how you do second chance romance.

And Rio, the MAN that he is! Yes! I knew he'd be my favorite out of the bunch, and he delivered so well! What a respectful man (he's not for casual sex; since when do you read about that in an MMC). Honestly, the love in this book was so tender, and sweet, and kind. Even spice added something.

Honestly, the reason this wasn't five stars because I just didn't feel it personally. I know I talked about how emotional this book was, but I mean emotional in terms of how her books are, not necessarily how I would prefer an emotional romance to be. Still a great book if you're looking for a good romance.

Now, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this series; it's not my favorite, but it's popular for a reason, so it most definitely has its audience. I'd say give it a try, if you're curious.

Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️.5/5

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes

Wonderful end to series I almost didn’t finish. Honestly the Windy City series got better with every book. Rio and Hallie's story was by far my favourite.

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I love Rio. I can't believe this series is officially over. This was such a good book it culminated from all the different stories told and I didn't stop crying through it all.

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