Rewind it Back by Liz Tomforde
Rewind it Back is the 5th and final book in the Windy City series by Liz Tomforde, and as a fan of every book, I’m sad that it’s over but happy that it happened. This series of interconnected standalones has become the benchmark for sports romance, and I’m delighted to say we are going out on a high note.
No one could capture the feeling of reading this series better than the author’s latest dedication.
“Here’s to the 10 characters, 5 couples, 3 teams, 2 sets of siblings, and 1 amazing friend group that changed my life. This one is dedicated to you, the readers. Thank you for hanging out in Chicago with me.”
A Love Story Built on Rooftops, Mixtapes, and Missed Timing
It’s been 6 years since Hallie and Rio last spoke, and neither of them expected their reunion would be when Hallie sat front row as Rio slammed an opposing player against the boards. As he looked down, seeing her for the 1st time, the tension was palpable, jumping off the page.
This second-chance love story bounces between flashbacks and current day from both Hallie‘s and Rio’s perspectives. While they never could have imagined being anything other than in love as teenagers, the current reality is that they both carry grudges from the events leading up to Rio leaving for Chicago — where he’d been drafted as their newest NHL defenseman.
The flashbacks are charming and nostalgic in a way that will remind most readers of their childhoods: first crushes, first kisses, driving aimlessly just to have more time together, and first heartbreaks.
From Childhood Rooftops to Adult Renovations
The two met at 11 and 12 years old when Hallie’s family moved in next door, and Rio fell for her immediately. They spent years sharing music and long nights on rooftops, and secretly loved each other so as not to alert the dreaded best friend/older brother. They know everything about each other. A connection that only comes from a childhood spending long days and late nights together. I was drowning in cuteness while reading about this first and objectively true love.
The current day is complicated, to say the least. Hallie is struggling to make ends meet, working two jobs and barely affording food, while Rio is an incredibly successful hockey player. They’re thrown back into each other’s paths during that hockey game, but the plot thickens when Hallie becomes the roommate of Rio’s neighbor. Oh, and she’s the lead interior designer on his home remodel, so yeah, they’re done avoiding each other.
The Grand Finale We Didn’t Want to End
Between the tension radiating off these two and the dynamic of the friend group in this series, I was so entranced by this book I couldn’t put it down. Not often does a book garner a single-sitting read, but that seems to be the case for all 5 of these books, starting with Mile High — released in 2023 — and this, the last in the series.
Locked in doesn’t begin to describe the feeling of reading this book. As the grand finale in a series of sports romances taking place in Chicago across 3 sports, this book is bittersweet.
While the loyal readers have been salivating over the prospect of Rio getting his own book, it feels too soon to say goodbye to the Windy City Series. This friend group has given us enough tears and laughs to last a lifetime and cemented Liz Tomforde as an auto-buy author for romance readers everywhere.
About Liz Tomforde:
Liz Tomforde writes sports romance novels that depict realistic and healthy relationships. Her books offer a mix of witty banter and real-life struggles. Her heroes are alpha yet vulnerable, and her heroines are strong.
Born and raised in Northern California, Liz is the youngest of five children. She loves all things romance, traveling, dogs, and hockey.
When she’s not traveling or writing, Liz can be found reading a good book or taking her Golden Retriever, Luke, on a hike in her hometown in Sonoma County, CA.
