Rewind to Us Summary, Characters and Themes
Rewind to Us by Molly Morris is a heartfelt, coming-of-age novel that explores the complexities of love, family, and self-discovery. The story follows Dixie Mulligan, a young woman grappling with her feelings for her best friend, Sawyer Cook, and the weight of a family tradition that allows them to revisit and alter past mistakes.
With the ability to change a past moment, Dixie finds herself in a whirlwind of emotions as she navigates her unspoken love for Sawyer, family dynamics, and the inevitable decisions she must make about her future. The novel delves into themes of second chances, personal growth, and the importance of facing one’s fears.
Summary
Dixie Mulligan’s life is at a crossroads. She is about to spend the summer in Cielo Springs, where she plans to confess her long-hidden feelings for her best friend, Sawyer Cook.
However, there’s a twist—Dixie’s family follows a unique tradition known as the “Rewind,” where they can go back and alter a single moment from the past year, hoping to fix regrets. It’s a powerful and somewhat burdensome tool, and Dixie is conflicted about whether she should use her Rewind on something as trivial as her newly dyed orange hair, which she now feels self-conscious about.
The Rewind tradition has always been a part of her life, but now, more than ever, Dixie is uncertain about what it means for her future.
When Dixie arrives in Cielo Springs, the reunion with Sawyer is awkward yet familiar. They share inside jokes and banter, but the tension between them is undeniable.
She feels the weight of her decision hanging over her: should she finally confess her feelings or wait for the right moment? As they spend time together, Dixie’s nervousness grows, and she struggles with the decision of whether to tell him immediately or later.
Eventually, the moment she’s been waiting for is overshadowed by an unexpected development. Sawyer is kissed by Claire, a girl Dixie didn’t expect to be a rival for his affections.
This crushes Dixie, who now fears that Sawyer may have already moved on, leaving her heartbroken and uncertain about their future.
In the aftermath of this emotional blow, Dixie seeks solace in memories of her past. One constant in her life has been the Trip, her aunt’s movie theater.
It has always been a place of comfort and familiarity, offering her a sense of belonging in the midst of the turbulence she feels in her relationships. Meanwhile, Sawyer seems to grow closer to Claire, which intensifies Dixie’s turmoil.
She considers using her Rewind to undo everything that’s gone wrong, but she’s hesitant. Changing the past could alter her friendship with Sawyer, and she’s not sure if she’s ready to face the consequences.
As Dixie contemplates her feelings for Sawyer, she reflects on the complexities of her family’s dynamics. Her cousin Bunny plays a pivotal role in the story, often offering her insight into their shared history and the impact of their family traditions.
Dixie’s relationship with her aunt Kate also comes into play, as she grapples with the weight of family expectations and the tradition of the Rewind. Through these relationships, Dixie comes to realize that the power of the Rewind, while enticing, is not without its consequences.
She is faced with the question of whether it is worth it to risk everything for a chance to change the past, or if she should accept the reality of the present.
As Dixie’s emotional turmoil deepens, she is faced with a major decision. She contemplates asking her grandma for guidance on her Rewind, particularly about how to approach her complicated feelings for Sawyer.
Her grandma, a key figure in the Mulligan family, has always been a source of wisdom. When Dixie receives an email from her, she is reminded of the Rewind’s significance within the family.
However, despite the support she receives from her grandma, Dixie remains unsure of what to do. Her desire to fix her relationship with Sawyer becomes all-consuming, yet she’s left questioning if such a drastic step is worth the potential fallout.
Dixie’s confusion is further compounded by her growing realization that Sawyer may be dealing with his own unresolved feelings, not just for her but for Claire. As the days pass, Dixie begins to see their relationship with new clarity.
She is no longer certain that the Rewind will solve her problems, and she starts to fear that it may only make things more complicated. The weight of her choices presses on her, and she becomes torn between the possibility of fixing things with Sawyer and the understanding that some things are beyond her control.
In one pivotal moment, Dixie is confronted with the reality of her family’s past. She learns more about her father’s history and the reasons behind his decisions, including his intense focus on work and his desire for financial security.
This conversation opens her eyes to the complexities of her parents’ lives and helps her understand the pressures they face. Her father’s vulnerability offers a new perspective on his actions, and Dixie begins to see him in a different light.
As she navigates her complicated relationships, including the one with Sawyer, she realizes that she, too, must come to terms with her own fears and desires.
As the narrative progresses, Dixie’s journey is marked by moments of self-reflection and growth. She finds herself questioning the Rewind, wondering if altering the past is truly the solution to her problems.
The emotional stakes continue to rise as she comes to terms with her feelings for Sawyer and the uncertain future of their friendship. The weight of the Rewind tradition becomes more apparent as Dixie grapples with her family’s expectations and her own desires.
Ultimately, she realizes that the Rewind cannot solve everything, and that sometimes, the only way forward is to embrace uncertainty and take risks.
In the final stages of the story, Dixie confronts Sawyer, revealing her true feelings for him. While the course of their relationship remains uncertain, Dixie has learned valuable lessons about love, family, and self-acceptance.
As the novel concludes, the Trip remains a symbol of hope and renewal, representing the possibility of rebuilding and moving forward, even when the past feels impossible to change. The story ends on a note of optimism, as Dixie realizes that the key to finding happiness lies not in rewinding time, but in embracing the present and making the most of the choices she has.
Characters
Dixie Mulligan
Dixie Mulligan is the protagonist of Rewind to Us, and her journey of self-discovery, emotional growth, and navigating complicated relationships drives the narrative. She is a young woman filled with self-doubt and uncertainty, especially regarding her feelings for her best friend, Sawyer.
Dixie’s internal conflict is magnified by the family tradition of the “Rewind,” a unique ritual that gives her one opportunity to alter a past decision. Throughout the book, her desire to change aspects of her life, such as her hair color or her relationship with Sawyer, contrasts with her fear of wasting her Rewind on seemingly trivial matters.
This fear of making the wrong choice becomes a central theme, as Dixie grapples with how altering the past may or may not resolve her emotional turmoil. Her sense of belonging and identity is rooted in her family’s traditions and her work at the Trip, a local movie theater.
The family dynamics, particularly her bond with her cousin Bunny and aunt Kate, play a significant role in her journey of self-acceptance. Dixie’s character is defined by her emotional complexity and her eventual realization that growth comes from facing the consequences of her actions, rather than trying to undo them.
Sawyer Cook
Sawyer Cook, Dixie’s best friend and the object of her long-held romantic feelings, is a deeply integral character in Rewind to Us. Throughout the book, Sawyer’s relationship with Dixie is layered with unspoken emotions, making their connection both tender and strained.
Sawyer, while clearly close to Dixie, is often oblivious to the depth of her feelings for him, which leaves her feeling vulnerable and uncertain. His relationship with Claire, which becomes more apparent later in the story, highlights the tension and heartache that Dixie experiences.
Despite this, Sawyer is portrayed as a caring friend who values his bond with Dixie, even if he doesn’t fully understand the complexities of her emotions. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Sawyer also has unresolved feelings, particularly towards Claire, and this adds to the emotional confusion for both him and Dixie.
His character is marked by a sense of quiet affection for Dixie, though it is overshadowed by the complexities of their evolving friendship. Sawyer’s development throughout the story is subtle but significant, as he ultimately comes to terms with his own feelings for Dixie and the possibility of their future together.
Bunny Mulligan
Bunny Mulligan, Dixie’s cousin, serves as a catalyst for change and self-reflection in Rewind to Us. As a supportive yet mischievous figure, Bunny uses the Rewind to give Dixie a second chance, rewinding reality to offer her the opportunity to address her mistakes with Sawyer.
While Bunny’s actions are well-intentioned, they underscore a key theme of the novel: the desire to undo past regrets. However, Bunny’s decision to manipulate reality also highlights the limitations of the Rewind and the consequences of trying to alter the course of life.
Bunny’s actions force Dixie to confront the idea that fixing the past does not necessarily lead to emotional healing. Instead, Bunny’s presence in the story highlights the importance of personal growth, as Dixie comes to understand that learning from her mistakes and facing the aftermath of her choices is far more valuable than erasing them altogether.
Bunny’s playful nature contrasts with his deeper role in Dixie’s emotional journey, making him a complex but important character in the narrative.
Kate Mulligan
Aunt Kate plays a pivotal role in Dixie’s life and emotional development in Rewind to Us. As a maternal figure, she offers both guidance and emotional support, particularly when Dixie is grappling with her feelings for Sawyer and the complexities of her family’s Rewind tradition.
Aunt Kate represents stability and a sense of tradition for Dixie, providing her with a grounding force amidst the turmoil of her personal relationships. Their interactions reflect the importance of family bonds and the shared history that shapes their perspectives.
Aunt Kate’s relationship with Dixie is one of understanding, offering a balance between tough love and nurturing support. Through her, Dixie learns about the weight of family traditions and the importance of self-acceptance.
Aunt Kate also serves as a reminder of the resilience of the Mulligan family, as she helps Dixie understand that, while their family’s history is complicated, it is through those very complexities that they learn to grow and evolve.
Charlie Roman
Charlie Roman, Dixie’s father, is a character whose actions and decisions are central to Dixie’s understanding of family dynamics in Rewind to Us. Initially, Charlie is depicted as a driven and career-focused individual, particularly involved in a high-stakes business deal that threatens the existence of the Trip, the movie theater that is central to Dixie’s sense of home.
His intense work ethic is a product of his past struggles, having grown up in poverty and worked tirelessly to ensure his family’s security. This backstory adds layers to Charlie’s character, as he becomes more vulnerable when he opens up to Dixie about his past hardships.
Their relationship is strained, especially as Dixie feels caught between her father’s priorities and her own desire to preserve the Trip. Charlie’s transformation throughout the story—from a distant figure to a more emotionally available father—highlights the novel’s exploration of familial love and the understanding that personal growth is possible, even for those who appear unchangeable.
Ultimately, Charlie’s character embodies the theme of reconciliation, as he learns to balance his professional ambitions with his family’s emotional needs.
Eli Roman
Eli Roman, a former colleague of Charlie’s, plays a secondary yet significant role in Rewind to Us. His conversations with Charlie reveal important aspects of the family’s past and provide insight into the emotional complexity of Dixie’s father.
Eli’s role in the narrative is more reflective, as his interactions with Charlie serve to highlight the struggles of the older generation and their impact on the younger ones. Through Eli, Dixie learns more about her father’s fears and motivations, which helps her understand Charlie’s decisions and actions throughout the story.
Although Eli’s role is not as prominent as other characters, his presence in the story adds depth to the portrayal of family history and the ways in which the past shapes the present.
Harvey
Harvey, introduced as someone who appears to be Dixie’s boyfriend, adds a surprising twist to the emotional complexities of the story. His sudden appearance, claiming to be in a relationship with Dixie despite her lack of memory of their connection, creates a sense of confusion and tension.
Harvey’s role in the plot is crucial in demonstrating the ways in which memory, time, and the Rewind affect relationships. His relationship with Dixie, though initially unclear, forces her to confront the emotional gaps in her life and her relationships with those around her.
Harvey’s presence serves as a catalyst for Dixie’s self-reflection and her eventual decision to confront the past and move forward with honesty.
Mich Roman
Mich Roman, Dixie’s mother, plays a significant role in Dixie’s emotional journey. Mich’s Rewind, which resets certain memories and realities, creates a new dynamic in the family, particularly in relation to the Trip and the business decisions that threaten it.
Mich’s actions, while sometimes creating tension between her and Dixie, highlight the complexities of family dynamics and the impact of past decisions on the present. Her relationship with her daughter is marked by both love and misunderstandings, and as the story progresses, Mich’s role becomes a reflection of the ways in which family members influence each other’s lives, sometimes without fully realizing the consequences of their actions.
Themes
The Complexity of Love and Friendship
The relationships that form the backbone of Rewind to Us are marked by confusion, longing, and moments of unspoken affection. Dixie’s internal struggle with her feelings for Sawyer is the focal point of the story, which illustrates how love can be both a source of joy and pain.
Dixie’s relationship with Sawyer is complicated by the layers of history and familiarity they share. Their deep friendship, while providing comfort, also introduces tension because of the unacknowledged feelings that lurk beneath the surface.
Both characters are caught in a web of uncertainty, unsure of how to navigate the shifting boundaries between friendship and romantic desire. This push and pull between the desire to confess their emotions and the fear of ruining their friendship is heightened by Dixie’s indecision about using the Rewind to alter her past actions, especially in terms of their interactions.
The novel reveals that love is not a simple, linear emotion; it involves vulnerability, mistakes, and moments of doubt. Dixie’s journey of figuring out how to express her feelings, especially when faced with Sawyer’s growing relationship with someone else, highlights the difficulty of navigating emotions when the stakes are high.
Ultimately, this theme underscores the idea that love is both fragile and resilient, and that it requires a willingness to confront the complexities of one’s emotions and actions to truly understand it.
Family Legacy and Tradition
The Rewind, a powerful family tradition in Rewind to Us, serves as both a blessing and a burden for the Mulligan family. While the ability to rewind and alter the past is a tool meant to alleviate regret, it also comes with the weight of responsibility and unintended consequences.
Dixie’s grappling with the decision to use her Rewind to undo her hair color or other aspects of her life illustrates the tension between the freedom to change one’s past and the fear of losing what makes them who they are. The Rewind represents the generational legacy of the Mulligan family, a practice passed down with the intent to make amends, but its application is not as simple as it seems.
Dixie’s reflections on her family’s use of the Rewind reflect her deeper questioning of the tradition’s true value. At times, it feels like a crutch to avoid dealing with the emotional complexity of relationships, while at other times, it offers a sense of hope for starting anew.
The theme of family legacy is also explored through Dixie’s connection with her grandmother, whose wisdom and understanding provide a stabilizing influence in the midst of Dixie’s turmoil. However, it’s clear that while the Rewind may offer opportunities to undo mistakes, it does not erase the emotional scars that come with those mistakes, leading to the realization that facing one’s past is often a more powerful tool for growth.
The Burden of Expectations
As Dixie navigates her relationships with her family, friends, and Sawyer, she is burdened by a mix of expectations—both external and internal. Her father’s business ambitions and her family’s historical attachment to the Rewind create an atmosphere of pressure, where every action feels laden with the expectation of fulfilling certain roles or adhering to certain traditions.
Dixie’s emotional struggle with her identity and her relationship with Sawyer is compounded by these expectations. She feels trapped between her family’s desires and her own need for independence and authenticity.
This theme also extends to Dixie’s relationship with Sawyer, where she feels the pressure of living up to his perception of her and their friendship, especially in the wake of her feelings for him and her secrecy about her family. The tension between what others expect from her and what she truly wants for herself is a key conflict in the narrative, especially when faced with difficult decisions about how to move forward with her life.
The weight of these expectations forces Dixie to confront not only the demands placed on her but also her own role in perpetuating them. In the end, Rewind to Us underscores the importance of breaking free from external pressures and learning to make decisions that align with one’s true desires, even when those choices are difficult or uncertain.
The Power of Change and Self-Discovery
At its core, Rewind to Us is a story of personal growth and self-discovery. As Dixie struggles with the repercussions of her past decisions and contemplates the possibility of using the Rewind, she embarks on a journey toward understanding herself better.
This theme of change is not just about altering past events but about recognizing how the past shapes the present and how personal growth often comes from accepting imperfections. Dixie’s internal conflict about her feelings for Sawyer, her family’s influence on her life, and her struggle with secrets is reflective of the broader theme of self-discovery.
The Rewind offers a chance to revisit mistakes, but it is through facing those mistakes, rather than erasing them, that Dixie comes to understand the significance of her experiences. Ultimately, Rewind to Us teaches that true change is not about escaping the past but about learning from it and moving forward with a renewed sense of self.
Dixie’s decision to stop using the Rewind to fix everything and her choice to face the consequences of her actions signify her emotional maturation. Through her journey, the novel explores the complexities of identity, the importance of self-acceptance, and the realization that growth often occurs through embracing one’s flaws rather than hiding from them.
The Impact of Nostalgia and Memory
In Rewind to Us, memory and nostalgia are powerful forces that influence the characters’ choices and relationships. Dixie’s connection to the past, especially her time working at the Trip theater and her bond with her family, reflects a longing for a simpler, more certain time.
Nostalgia often serves as a double-edged sword in the narrative. While it offers comfort and security, it also represents a barrier to moving forward, as characters, especially Dixie, become fixated on how things were rather than accepting how they are now.
The theme of nostalgia is not limited to Dixie’s personal reflections but extends to her family’s history and traditions, particularly the Rewind process, which involves revisiting and altering past moments. This creates a tension between the desire to preserve the past and the necessity of embracing the present.
Dixie’s relationship with Sawyer, too, is affected by memories of their shared history, which complicates her ability to move forward in their evolving connection. At times, the past seems like a safer, more predictable space, but the novel emphasizes that it is only by confronting the present and accepting the uncertainty of the future that true growth can occur.
Rewind to Us ultimately shows how the weight of memory can both enrich and restrict, challenging its characters to let go of the past in order to move forward into new possibilities.