Rewind It Back Chapter 9 (Chapter 7) Summary & Analysis
⚠️ 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
On her thirteenth birthday, Hallie Hart celebrates with her family and the DeLucas, the neighbours who have become like second family. Her brother Luke teases her about a crush, but Rio DeLucas defends her and gives her thoughtful gifts: a grid-paper notebook for her interior-design dreams and a cassette tape. After cake, Luke leaves to play video games, but Rio stays to make friendship bracelets with Hallie. Later that night, Hallie finds Rio on the shared roof between their houses. He admits he is considering quitting hockey because he doubts his ability. Hallie encourages him to hold onto his NHL dream. They listen to her birthday mixtape in her room, and Rio suggests that someone (perhaps himself) has liked her for a long time, leaving Hallie breathless.
Key Events
- The two families—Harts and DeLucas—gather at Hallie’s house for her thirteenth birthday dinner.
- Mrs. DeLuca bakes a devil’s food cake; the parents eat together, then retreat to the garage.
- Luke teases Hallie about her birthday wish; Rio tells her it will still come true.
- Rio gives Hallie a grid-paper notebook (knowing she wants to be an interior designer) and a cassette tape.
- After Luke leaves, Rio stays behind and they make friendship bracelets.
- Late at night, Hallie discovers Rio sitting on the roof between their houses.
- Rio confesses he feels he is not good enough at hockey and plans to quit; Hallie urges him to keep dreaming of the NHL.
- Rio gives Hallie his hoodie; she gives him her thirteenth-birthday mixtape.
- They listen to the first song (TLC’s “Waterfalls”) in Hallie’s room; Rio hints that someone has liked her longer than she knows.
Character Development
- Hallie Hart: Shows her kind, supportive nature and early tenacity. At thirteen, she already practices interior design, keeps a mixtape tradition, and tries to comfort Rio without overstepping. Her crush on him is obvious but handled with shyness and gratitude.
- Rio DeLucas: Reveals deep vulnerability. For the first time, he admits he might not be good enough at hockey, his father’s sport. He chooses to stay with Hallie over Luke, showing loyalty and a side of himself he hides from others. His quiet confidence in their connection contrasts with his athletic insecurity.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Mixtapes as Memory-Keeping: Hallie’s “important-moment songs” and the tradition of numbering tapes show how she preserves emotional milestones. The tape symbolises time, nostalgia, and the hope that meaningful moments can be rewound and revisited.
- Childhood Dreams and Doubt: Rio’s doubt about making the NHL mirrors a central theme of second-chance dreams. Hallie’s faith in him plants the seed for his future perseverance.
- Found Family: The two families are deeply intertwined—shared meals, carpools, vacations. The “ten feet away” closeness blurs the line between neighbours and siblings, creating a safe space for vulnerability.
- The Shared Roof: A literal and metaphorical bridge between Rio and Hallie. It is a private space outside family rules, where secrets (like Rio’s fear of failure) are shared.
Why This Chapter Matters
This flashback establishes the emotional foundation of Hallie and Rio’s relationship. It explains Hallie’s long-held crush, Rio’s hidden gentleness, and the origin of the mixtape custom. It also introduces Rio’s early struggle with self-worth as a hockey player, which will likely resurface in the present-day romance. The scene on the roof becomes the blueprint for their adult connection: quiet, honest, and outside the expectations of others.
Study Questions & Answers
1. What gifts does Rio give Hallie, and why are they meaningful?
He gives her a grid-paper notebook because he knows she wants to become an interior designer, and a cassette tape instead of a CD. Both show he pays close attention to her hobbies and preferences, and that he chose the gifts himself.
2. How does Rio’s admission about wanting to quit hockey change the way we see him?
Until this point, Hallie describes Rio as always positive. Admitting he might not be good enough reveals his insecurity and fear of failure. It humanises him and shows that behind his charm, he carries doubt—foreshadowing a possible future struggle with his career.
3. What does the mixtape tradition reveal about Hallie’s personality?
It shows she is sentimental and reflective. By collecting songs tied to specific memories, she creates a personal timeline of emotional growth. She values nostalgia and the act of curating moments, which aligns with her dream of designing spaces that hold meaning.