This book has two of my favorite tropes: second chance love and forced proximity. It tells the story of a British Nigerian, curvy girl who is patiently awaiting her very first book deal. In the midst of her writing her novel she is dating someone. They break up very early on in the novel and the book tells the story of their second chance while helping us piece together what went wrong. The female main character frustrated me so much. There were so many instances where she lied, withheld the truth and avoided conversations: making the issue bigger than it needed to be. I wanted to jump through the book and shake her at times, but that’s how you know the author has you invested in a book. At first, I didn’t like the male main character; he was emotionally unavailable and I wanted the female main character to leave him alone. However, the author did a really good job at giving the reader bits and pieces that told the story of why he was so closed off and that made him more likable. This is a really slow burn, but the plot was there so I was fully invested. If you’re a reader that’s looking for a novel that doesn’t have any on-page spice, this will be a good option for you. The novel definitely addresses some really big topics like: betrayal, friendship and people pleasing. There is also an on page assault that can be triggering for some. But, overall it was a good read.

This is a delightful contemporary romance novel about finding the courage to be true and trust the ones you care about most. Temi is an aspiring novelist who is dealing with heartbreak, both in her personal life and in her career, when the two suddenly come together. She has choices to make and priorities to set for herself as she tries to balance between finding success in her writing career and reconciling with a former partner who she doesn’t yet fully understand. Wale is her counterpart in both of these struggles, as they become more and more connected through work and personal pursuits, and he has his own struggles with balancing his personal life and his public persona.
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn’s use of social media, reality TV drama, and everyday decisions around handling stress and trauma creates a very realistic backdrop for this fun and winding romance. With ups and downs, misunderstandings and miscommunications, the characters are real and relatable. I really enjoyed the strong character voices, the peek into UK Nigerian culture, and the developing relationships between the main characters and side characters.
Thank you so much to Penguin Books and NetGalley for an early copy of this book!

Self-doubt, secrets, and deadlines—The Re-Write delivers them all in a whirlwind lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance that’s as messy as it is addictive. From the very first page, I was hooked and found myself unwilling to put the book down. The emotional pull between Temi and Wale is undeniable, even when everything else around them is falling apart.

Temi is a determined aspiring author trying to get her book published, but she keeps falling short—and it's not just the publishing world getting in her way. She is ambitious, sharp, and deeply flawed. Her own fears, self-doubt, and a serious avoidance of honest conversations sabotage her more than once. Honestly, the girl needs therapy. So many situations could’ve been avoided if she’d just told the truth, but her flaws are what make her journey all the more compelling.

Wale, on the other hand, is the misunderstood villain of a reality TV dating show, trying to reclaim his narrative and show the world who he really is. Beneath the public image Wale is sensitive, guarded, and surprisingly a true lover boy. His struggle to be truly seen and heard on his own terms makes him the perfect foil—and match—for Temi.

Watching them push and pull, clash and reconnect, made for a story that felt both dramatic and grounded. There were definitely moments I didn’t think they’d find their way back to each other, which only made their journey more satisfying.

The Re-Write is heartfelt, chaotic, romantic, and real. It’s about second chances—not just at love, but at being the version of yourself you were always meant to be. Highly recommend if you love sharp banter, emotional depth, and characters you root for even when they’re making a mess of things.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn and Penguin Books for an advanced reader copy for my honest opinions. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Solidly in the “liked it, didn’t love it”.
This book is a blend of charm and growing pain, centered around Temi the FMC who’s navigating life edits with a lot of heart and a little chaos. You’ll root for her and then she makes choices that have you whispering “girl, no…”.
Wale the MMC and also Temi’s ex has deeper struggles around identity, expectations, and unresolved childhood trauma, which cause him he guards his heart closely, making it harder for him to open up fully.
However, at times, the story's pacing was a bit uneven, and I wished for more depth in some of the characters like Shona and Fonzo. Overall, it's a decent read that offers meaningful insights, but it didn't quite leave a lasting impression for me.

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ This was a good yet slow read. There was good conversations with the main characters and at times it was obvious what needed to be done. Communication is very vital and this book showed that sentiment. Temi wasn't a favorite FMC of mine as she was so determined to get what she wanted that she lied and would've saved face had she been truthful. Although I love a confident plus size woman and their confidence EATS every-time. Wale the MMC showed a lot of growth through the entire book and his intentions were pure and that therapy can be beneficial to black men who feel that it's so taboo. I would read a part two to find out more about their lives after rekindling their love.

Temi and Wale meet in London, and later begin dating—until Wale unexpectedly ends things, leaving Temi heartbroken. She pours all her energy into writing a novel, determined to turn pain into purpose. But despite her best efforts, publishers keep turning her down. Just when things seem hopeless, a new opportunity lands in her lap: a chance to ghostwrite for a celebrity.

The twist? That celebrity is none other than Wale.

Cue me dramatically clutching my pearls—because WHAT?!

That’s all I’ll say—no more spoilers here. You’ll just have to read it yourself when it comes out.

Expected Release Date: 08/12/2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Ghostwriting your ex’s memoir after he shattered your heart and rode off into reality TV fame? Brutal. Watching the main character try to keep her dignity, her creativity, and her career afloat while tangled in that mess was equal parts infuriating and uncomfortably relatable.

What made this book stand out, though, wasn’t just the premise (as juicy as it is). It was the voice. The specificity. The cultural lens. This is a story about a British-Nigerian woman, written by a British-Nigerian woman, and it shows. The nuances around family, identity, faith, and professional pressure are so thoughtfully rendered. I felt like I was being let into a world that’s not usually centered in this genre—and that’s exactly why I read fiction in the first place. I want to feel connected and stretched at the same time. I want stories that aren’t mine but still resonate.

The pacing dipped a little in the middle, and I occasionally wanted to shake the main character out of her emotional spiral, but honestly? That was part of the charm. She felt real. Flawed. Tender and tired and still trying.

This is a novel about heartbreak, sure, but also about voice. Who gets to tell a story, and at what cost. Blackburn balances wit, emotion, and sharp commentary with a deft hand, and I’m already excited to see what she writes next.

This book is real. I love reading about authors, but they hardly ever write in them. This book finally delivers some actual writing and not just a passing mention. I loved it. The detail of how Temi balances her life while pursuing writing was chef's kiss. The complexities of semi-celebrity in our social media age hit just right. Not one-sided, not overly complimentary.
If you've ever felt you royalty screwed up a relationship, this book may be healing. I read it straight through apart from a sudden reflective moment on a line where I burst into tears. After a break, I realized that finishing the book might be helpful. And it definitely was. This is the first Lizzie Damilola Blackburn book I have read, but her voice was honest so I felt I could trust her to write this right. Not leave me or the characters living in shameful stupidity.
She gave me hope that I can maybe not be a total mess. She's a new one-click author for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read the advance reader copy.

I absolutely loved this book. Temi and Wale's love story was beautiful and it pulled at my heart strings bad. Second Chances don't come around often but, when they do and with the right person it produces magic and that's what Lizzie did with writing this story. She gave us pure magic #Telè!

This book gave me all the feels! It was a sweet, drama-filled second chance romance centered around Temi and Wale, two British Nigerians navigating love, heartbreak, and identity.

The chemistry was there. From the jump, you feel the love they had (and still have). The dual timeline in the beginning helped us see their breakup unfold while still watching them reconnect in the present. I loved how real it felt.

Temi being a plus-size Black woman was so refreshing to read. The book touched on fatphobia, racism, cultural expectations, and the pressure Black men face to be "womanizers" or hypermasculine. It added depth without feeling preachy. I was rooting for both of them.

BUT if I had to nitpick: I just wish there was more emotional tension between Temi and Wale before they made up. Temi forgave a little too quick, and I wanted just a bit more fight from both sides before that reconciliation. It would’ve made the payoff hit harder.

Still, it was a great read. Super enjoyable, just not one I’d personally reread, which is why it’s a strong 4 stars for me.

I absolutely loved this book. The character build up was amazing, it really describes them like o knew them personally. Showing a once struggling writer just blossom into her career all while getting entangled back into a second chance romance. I love to see a character overcoming sacrifice to get back on top. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and friends while also would love to have the physical copy on my bookshelf!

She writes a revenge manuscript when he leaves her to go on a dating show... But now he's back and she's writing his memoir. This one was so great. I loved learning new details of the break up each time and it all was laid out so well. And she's just so afraid of the consequences of not being perfect or doing the "right" thing that she does all the wrong ones. Something I think we can all relate to. It's a story about trust, second chances, and a lot of misunderstanding.

A delightful second-chance romance that blends humor and heart. Temi, an aspiring writer, is hired to ghostwrite a memoir for her ex, Wale, a reality TV star seeking redemption. As they collaborate, old feelings resurface, leading to a journey of self-discovery and healing.

Thank you Netgalley for the A.R.C. This was my first read by this author and I enjoyed it. Temi and Wale got a second chance at love after a devastating breakup. While both characters experienced a lot of growth by the end, I think Temi could have benefited from some therapy. The withholding information, especially about her book deal, was a little alarming but it created tension for the story. I loved the depiction of Wale and his journey of what defines a real man. This is not a topic that comes up often but it should. After Temi and Wale were able to work through their issues and forgive, a cute love story resulted. I will definitely read more books by this author. Anyone who enjoys a second chance romance will definitely enjoy this read.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc.

The Rewrite by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn was such a good read! I really connected with the characters and loved how real their stories felt. The way Blackburn writes about love and family is so honest and refreshing. I especially appreciated the cultural vibes that added extra depth to the story.

It did slow down a bit in some parts, but honestly, the emotional moments more than made up for it. Overall, this was a solid, heartfelt romance that I’d definitely recommend if you like stories about second chances and personal growth.

This was a cute, well-written book. The background of their breakup gave such conflict in Temi and Wale’s new working relationship. However, misconceptions on both sides fueled these past and present issues. This was a great reconnection story. I recommend this as I read it in two days and couldn’t put it down!

When her boyfriend dumps her and goes on The Villa, a Love is Blind-type reality show, Temi writes a revenge novel about it in a few weeks. She never means for it to see the light of day, but when she can’t make progress on the novel she needs to write for her deadline, she turns it in and it gets snapped up immediately. Further complicating the issue is her ghostwriting job where she ends up writing her ex’s memoir! Hijinks ensue, and a pretty standard but fun plot follows. There are the usual miscommunications, this doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it is enjoyable and the friends and family characters are well done. One disappointment to me is that although the FMC is clearly and unapologetically plus-size, the cover does not reflect that.

Fun and engaging story about a young British-Nigerian writer who is asked to ghostwrite the celebrity memoir of her ex – known as the bad boy from the most recent reality tv dating show.

This contemporary romance is told from the first-person perspective of Temi, the female protagonist who shows what it means to be body positive, embracing her curvy/thick build and considering herself to be “hot”. The storyline follows a countdown of the writing goals she has set for herself (and her progress) with flashbacks to her romance with Wale, the male lead. The plot is well-paced with solid character development for both of them, as well as for several key supporting characters.

The story calls out toxic masculinity and the damage it can cause in relationships, highlights the curated nature of reality tv and social media content, and celebrates Black love with a feel-good second chance romance. Trust and open communication are important themes for Temi & Wale as they reconnect, but are also central in addressing issues in their relationships with friends and family.

This was my first book by this author, but I definitely enjoyed her writing style, so I plan to check out more of her work in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
I read the first half and decided that there are other books I would
rather read.. Not terrible but meh.

The re-write explores a lot of heavy themes amidst the second chance romance between the characters. The characters will frustrate you because you will be invested in their success, and they seem to sabotage themselves at every turn. This is a beautiful story about how learning to love and understand yourself can help you open up to love.