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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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Terminal illness, Medical content
Minor: Gaslighting, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Such a good read to get out of a reading slump! If you’re looking for a book that will make you swoon and kick your feet over how good the character dynamic is but also makes you double over as the plot thickens and unfolds, this is definitely for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Sexual content, Gaslighting
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Gaslighting
emotional
hopeful
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
rio mf deluca!!!!! watching him grow from a boy to man throughout not only this series, but this book was one of the most beautiful parts of this world. him and hallie’s story was a kidney x gut x KO punch- absolutely painful. but like in the best way. i love them and how intricate their connection, relationship and HEA was. this has been one of the only second chance romance x dual timeline that i absolutely obsessed over. the microtropes in this one hit all the vibe checks!!!
ps: THE RYAN MOMENT AT THE END HAD ME SOBBING
megan wicks and conner crais duet narration was the best way to round out this perfectly imperfect family. i cannot recommend this series enough!!!
ps: THE RYAN MOMENT AT THE END HAD ME SOBBING
megan wicks and conner crais duet narration was the best way to round out this perfectly imperfect family. i cannot recommend this series enough!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
5⭐️
What a great way to finish the series. I was on a months long reading slump and this is the first book that made me stay awake till 2am on a weeknight.
What a great way to finish the series. I was on a months long reading slump and this is the first book that made me stay awake till 2am on a weeknight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Gaslighting
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
Rio and Hallie are everything!The flashbacks combined with the present day storyline were woven together so well to show them falling back in love. Rio is the definition of perfect book boyfriend with keeping the boombox to play her mixtapes and CDs, making her lattes, flying out to the hospital to be with Hallie, and recreating their playlist tradition. This book was so heart-warming and I would absolutely recommend reading it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness, Medical content, Gaslighting
Minor: Alcohol