Chapter 35 Summary and Analysis - Rewind It Back
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
In this flashback chapter, twenty-year-old Rio lies in bed with Hallie after sex, listening to her curated playlist. He announces he will enter the NHL draft early on his agent's advice. Hallie expresses confidence he will be picked. Rio asks her to move with him if he gets drafted, even offering to buy a house and wait for her if she isn't ready. She jokes about hesitation but immediately agrees, saying she'd go anywhere with him. They dream together about their future home: Hallie envisions a fixer-upper with white walls she can renovate, in a family-friendly suburb near a city. Rio insists all he wants is her. The scene underscores their unwavering commitment and the foundation they are building for their life together.
Key Events
- Rio tells Hallie he is entering the NHL draft early, despite his original timeline.
- Hallie reaffirms her belief in his talent, recalling scout attention during the season.
- Rio asks Hallie to move with him and transfer schools if he gets drafted.
- Hallie initially teases hesitation, then enthusiastically agrees to go with him.
- They discuss buying a house: Hallie describes a fixer-upper with white walls that she can design.
- Rio mentally notes her preferences, determined to give her everything she wants.
- The chapter emphasizes their physical and emotional intimacy, framed by Hallie's playlist of songs that mark their relationship milestones.
Character Development
Rio
Rio demonstrates mature foresight by planning a shared future with Hallie rather than focusing solely on his hockey career. His declaration that he wants to "start our lives now" shows his devotion and readiness for lifelong partnership. He is willing to buy a house and wait for her if needed, prioritizing their relationship over immediate convenience.
Hallie
Hallie shows unwavering support for Rio's draft decision and her own agency by envisioning a home she can personally design. Her interior design studies become a tangible way to contribute to their shared life. Her confidence in Rio—and in their relationship—has only grown since their early days on the roof.
Luke
Although absent from the scene, Luke's gradual acceptance of Rio and Hallie's relationship is mentioned, indicating a thawing of earlier hostility. This subtle development reinforces the theme of found family and forgiveness.
Rio's Mom
Mentioned as an adoring supporter of Hallie since the Harts moved in next door, Rio's mom represents the familial approval that solidifies their bond.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Music as Memory Trigger
Throughout the chapter, Hallie's playlist acts as a sensory timeline of their relationship. Rio asks her to identify songs, leading to memories like their first time. The phrase "rewind it back" is used literally and metaphorically to express a desire to relive those moments.
Dream Home as Symbol of Commitment
Hallie's detailed description of their future house—white walls, a fixer-upper, a family-friendly suburb—symbolizes her investment in building a life with Rio. The renovation process mirrors their willingness to shape their relationship intentionally.
Certainty in the Face of Uncertainty
Though Rio's NHL future is uncertain, both characters express absolute confidence that they will end up together. This certainty undercuts the precariousness of early adulthood and long-distance challenges.
Found Family
Despite Luke's initial fury, the families have accepted Rio and Hallie. The chapter highlights that their support network is already in place, reinforcing the found-family motif that runs throughout the book.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 35 serves as a crucial flashback that establishes the depth of Rio and Hallie's early commitment. It provides emotional stakes for the present-day timeline by showing what they once built together and what may be at risk. The dream-house conversation echoes later choices in the story, and Hallie's insistence on making the home "ours" foreshadows her role as a designer and partner. This chapter also humanizes Rio, showing him as a vulnerable young man asking for partnership rather than just support. It enriches the second-chance romance by reminding readers why these two belonged together from the start.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What decision does Rio announce to Hallie at the start of the chapter?
Rio announces that he has decided to enter the NHL draft that year, earlier than originally planned, on the advice of his agent.
2. How does Hallie respond when Rio asks her to move with him if he gets drafted?
Hallie first jokes that she might not be ready, then quickly confirms she will go with him, stating, "Of course I'll go with you. I'd go anywhere with you." She also expresses hope that he might be drafted by Boston, his hometown team.
3. What specific features does Hallie describe for their dream house?
Hallie wants a large house with four or five bedrooms for future children, located a short drive from downtown in a family-friendly area like their childhood neighborhood. She insists on white walls initially so she can renovate and design the interior herself, turning it into "our dream home."