The Pain and Power of First Love

Rewind It Back

Author: Liz Tomforde

Publisher: Entangled Amara

Liz Tomforde’s Rewind It Back, the fourth book in her “Windy City” sports romance series, proves yet again that she knows exactly how to mix heart, humor, and heat. This installment follows hockey player Gunner Blake — the charismatic, confident, and emotionally guarded athlete — and his best friend’s sister, Indy, a woman who’s learned to keep her own guard up after years of heartbreak. What unfolds is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers story that’s equal parts tender and tantalizing.

Tomforde strength lies in her ability to craft relationships that feel lived-in. The chemistry between Gunner and Indy simmers from the first page, but it’s their emotional vulnerability that carries the story. The banter is quick, the tension delicious, and the payoff immensely satisfying. While tropes like “brother’s best friend” and “forbidden love” are familiar, Tomforde refreshes them with depth and warmth. Gunner isn’t your typical macho lead — he’s layered, introspective, and refreshingly respectful — while Indy’s independence and dry humour make her an instantly lovable heroine.

What also stands out is the series’ continuity. Readers familiar with the Windy City universe will appreciate cameos from past characters, grounding this romance in a sense of community. Yet, Rewind It Back works perfectly as a standalone for newcomers too — its emotional core is universal: love that requires patience, honesty, and a little courage to face the past.

Tomforde’s writing is confident but conversational, peppered with heartfelt reflections and just enough spice to make you blush. If her earlier books built her reputation, Rewind It Back cements it — proving she’s not

just writing romances, but relationships worth rooting for.