This book was quite the ride. Imagine realizing you accidentally signed up to write a memoir for your ex, after he dumped you to go on a reality tv show. This is Temi and through all this, she still has to balance writing her own book too.

At so many points I wanted to shake Temi through the book and tell her to put herself first and also to stop lying to people around her, but I understood her struggles and the pressures she was juggling. I could also heavily relate to her relationship with her parents.

And Wale… wow, his character really grew on me. The kind of character development I love to see. We really got to see a different side to him as the book unfolds.

I couldn’t help but root for these two, as I waited with bathed breath, wondering if they’d fall for each other again.

The author also touches on so many important topics, the struggles of aspiring authors, toxic masculinity, alcoholism, and more. It was a good read abd quite relatable.

I love the concept of this story. Both main characters suit each other so well, and I especially loved Wale and connected so much with his story and emotional depth. However, I didn’t connect very much with Temi. Although her story was also written well, I couldn't get over the third act breakup, and her part in it. I couldn't bring myself to feel sympathetic for her character or her actions. I will say though, that Temi and Wale have serious chemistry. I love that they both built their relationship back up by opening up to each other, and learning about how the other ticks emotionally. I also loved how the physical chemistry built with time, and built slowly alongside the emotional chemistry.

The familial and friend side characters brought so much comfort and warmth to the story. I loved seeing how much they supported our two main characters, especially through emotional conflict and turmoil.

The ending put such a big smile on my face. Wale is such a hopeless romantic, and through his actions AND words he showed just how much he loved Temi. The fact that Temi found her writing inspiration through him is so adorable. I just love them.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an adorable, romantic, and emotionally deep second chance romance.

A huge thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a contemporary romance set in the UK. Having read the author's first book," Yinka, where is your husband?" I had high expectationsfor this novel. I did not have the same connection with the characters of this book.

The Re-Write is a romcom that isn’t quite a romcom. Sure, there’s some romance and some funny scenes. But is that enough to make this a romcom? I’m not quite sure.

Temi is in her mid-20s, trying to find her way in life and fighting for her dream to be a published author. Wale is in his mid-20s, trying to find his way in life and fighting everyone’s perception of him. They dated, had a public breakup, and then he appeared on a reality TV show focused on romance. She wrote a book about their relationship to vent her feelings about everything. They reconnect after the show, when she’s hired to write his memoir. She realizes she didn’t know the real him, and tries to stop her book from coming to light.

Does that sound like a romcom to you? I thought it sounded like a good read. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver. Temi came across at times as an entitled, self-absorbed brat. Wale was so focused on what others thought of him that he didn’t show people who he is. If you’re so worried about people’s perceptions of you, why wouldn’t you let those closest to you in first?

I stumbled over the names a few times, but that is a me problem. Once I figured out the proper pronunciation, I had no issues. There were a few phrases or descriptions that were decidedly British. They also caught me unaware, but I was able to move past them without being slowed down. I will say, reading that someone was wearing a vest under a sweatshirt was a bit confusing for a minute. Then I remembered that a vest in this situation isn’t a normal vest you would find with a suit. It’s referencing an undershirt.

Overall, The Re-Write was an okay read. I was tempted to DNF it because the first 30% didn’t grab my attention. But I pushed through and read the last 20% in one afternoon. I accept that I may not be the intended target of The Re-Write.

After reading Blackburn's first book I was excited to get this one. And here's what I loved: the Nigerian-British main character, Temi. She’s smart, ambitious, and unapologetically herself as she chases her writing dreams in south London.

In this second‑chance rom‑com, Temi takes a ghostwriting gig that lands her face‑to‑face with her ex, Wale, the same Wale who dumped her to go on a Love Villa–style reality show and became public enemy number one. Now she’s stuck writing his autobiography while trying not to unwrap the emotional baggage all over again. Sparks fly, old wounds reopen, and their chemistry? Undeniable. Was i rooting for them? Yes, I was!

Blackburn tackles some heavy social themes: toxic masculinity, caretaking burdens, and the pressure of Black excellence in both family and career. Plus, the book gives a peek into the brutal publishing world that Temi, a Black woman, must navigate.

There were parts that just didn't land for me, but overall, I thought the book was a decent read. Big props for the representation, Black British, Nigerian flair, and the fun, relatable characters. If you want a rom‑com with heart, culture, and second‑chance feels, this one is for you.

The Re-Write by Lizzie Damiola Blackburn is an emotional, captivating second chance romance that you won’t want to miss. We have our FMC Temi who is an aspiring writer who was just dumped by her boyfriend, so he could go on popular reality tv show The Villa. She copes and distracts herself during the breakup by writing. Temi gets an offer to ghostwrite an upcoming celebrity memoir, and who other for this celebrity to be than her ex Wale, one of the newly famous stars of The Villa… and her ex. We follow Temi along in navigating this new writing journey, and this journey to rediscovering who Wale is on a deeper level than even before in order to write his memoir. It was emotionally deep, and gripping. I can relate to these two characters a lot and it made me connect with them more. The book is very fast paced and very bingeable. I wish we got deeper into the emotions of the characters and maybe even into the inside thoughts of Wale, maybe even during The Villa as he was making connections there but it was also nice to focus on Temi and her emotions navigating this experience. Thank you Lizzie Damiola Blackburn, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this book. You’ll love it too if you’re a fan of Fresh Prince and/or Love Island. This book is basically about lovers turned enemies turned lovers again. It was a rapid read, great if you love rom-coms, if you relate to wearing glasses or if you know a caregiver. This novel had its fair share or drama, ups and downs, but left me feeling happy and hopeful for a second book, that follows some other characters mentioned. Definitely a 5 star read for me. Added bonus for representation of a plus size woman.

Temi is devastated when her boyfriend Wale breaks up with her to compete on reality dating show The Villa. When her manuscript is rejected she feels she has no other options but to accept a job as a ghost writer for a celebrity memoir - the celebrity turns out to be Wale. To make things even messier, she submit to her agent another manuscript inspired by her break up with Wale. I love second chance love story!
This one was fun! As a Canadian, I enjoyed the window into this British-Nigerian couple's romance. I was cheering for Temi and Wale all the way and found the story completely satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was a really fun concept, with a lot going on! Writer Temi is devastated when her boyfriend Wale breaks up with her to compete on reality dating show The Villa. When her manuscript is rejected she feels she has no other options but to accept a job as a ghost writer for a celebrity memoir - the celebrity turns out to be Wale. To make things even messier, she submit to her agent another manuscript inspired by her break up with Wale.
I really enjoyed Temi as a main character, and I loved the themes this book touched on. Unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me in terms of the chemistry between Wale and Temi, and I had some issues with the third act conflict. However, I still found this a fun and heartwarming story. I would recommend to those who love diverse stories with representation of plus-sized main characters and male vulnerability.

I really enjoyed this follow up to Yinka, where is your husband, that sees Temi, a fat, British Nigerian aspiring writer agreeing to ghostwrite a memoir for Wale, her famous reality tv star ex. This was full of banter, TONS of emotional depth, mistakes, second chances and had great fat rep too. Excellent on audio and perfect for fans of books like Business or pleasure, The lodge or The perfect rom-com. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, I had such high expectations for this book and author. I wish Temi was a more likeable character - I just don’t understand her thought process at all. Not only is she a weird pathological liar, but the whole traumatic relationship with her ex… the way she carried that into her relationship with Wale was… strange. Was this a decent second chance romance? Sure, albeit the writing was a little cringe at times.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is a second chance romance where our MMC Wale left our FMC Temi for a reality TV dating show called Love Villa. Now, Temi is tasked with ghost writing Wales memoir since he has now become a social media sensation. Tensions between the pair are high as their breakup wasn’t exactly amicable. Temi is also struggling to keep her personal writing career afloat and meet the expectations of her agent. As Temi spends more time with Wale, she starts to see a different side of him than before and old feelings begin to resurface.

Throughout the story I found myself very interested in the struggles Temi had to face within managing a writing career that she hasn’t found success in yet. This aspect of the book was probably the most enjoyable to me. I also appreciated the representation and talk about difficult topics such as sexual assault, racism and racial stereotypes, and toxic masculinity. I think they were worked into the story seamlessly and handled with care.

This being said, I found that the miscommunication between the characters was quite frustrating at times. I also found that the pacing was choppy and scenes that carried significance or altered the story in a big way were cut short. I would have liked more depth within the conversations and more back story to our main characters. I think that would have made me root for the happily ever after of the couple a lot more.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to second chance romance lovers and fans of Love Island.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC❤️

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7727621587

I really enjoyed reading Temi and Wale’s story! Second chance romance isn’t typically my thing, but I really enjoyed it in this setting. I would definitely recommend it to others who are a fan of this trope!

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

Temi loves to write and it consumes her life and she is looking for long term solution to all of her problems. When she is asked to ghost write Wale's novel but she is worried about the experience.

I love a good second-chance romance!!

I wasn’t so sure I was going to be able to get into this during the first 20% or so, but I’m so glad I stuck with it!

We follow Temi’s journey to becoming a traditionally published author! Through the story we meet Wale, who is the love her Temi’s life. They end up breaking up because he thinks he can’t trust her, and then he goes on a dating show that ends up casting him in a horrible light.

Wale wants to write a memoir to show the world he’s not the same guy they saw on screen, and who better to do that then Temi…

While learning more about Wale, Temi falls in love with him all over again.

Of course, there’s another villain in the story, but I’ll leave that with you to find out who!

Plot 4/5 ⭐️
Spice 2/5 🌶️

Temi and Wale meet and fall in love.... Until Wale dumps Temi to go on Love Villa. Temi continues to work hard and agrees to ghost-write a celebrity memoir. of rouse it turns out to be Wale.

Love Temi and Wale. The rest of the cast is fun as well. This is a reality/book writer story done well. Love the British tones and different culture as well.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

This one was fun! As a Canadian, I enjoyed the window into this British-Nigerian couple's romance. I was cheering for Temi and Wale all the way and found the story completely satisfying.

I think a wide swath of romance readers will enjoy The Re-Write and hope it will find much success.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in advance of publication!

As a rabid romance reader, I always appreciate a stand-out story that steps outside the conventional tropes and offers a memorable, fresh take on the genre. Lizzie Damilola Blackburn delivers on this with The Re-Write,

What would happen if an ex broke your heart and then went on a popular dating reality tv show? Heartbreak compounded, right? Maybe a bit of public humiliation and certainly some salt in the wound, having to watch (despite your best effort to avoid the show entirely) the guy you had a genuine connection with 'dating' some of the hottest women the producers could find, on national (international?) television, no less? Worst case scenario.

UNLESS, of course, you finally get your 'big break' as an author - an offer to ghost write a celebrity's memoir for an exorbitant amount of money just when you're starting to think your writing dreams will never come true - ONLY TO FIND OUT that the celebrity in question is... you guessed it... the ex.

What would happen then? Do you decline the offer? Suck it up and sabotage the memoir to enact your revenge? Or, dare I suggest, give the guy another chance?? Well, reader, you'll just have to see for yourself.

Temi and Wale's story was fun, real, and cheeky. Their friends and family are lovable (mostly) and memorable, and I flew through the book in anticipation of how it would end. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the character's cultures throughout, from traditions to food to the familial expectations that Temi and Wale navigate as they come to terms with who they've been, who they want to be, and how they stay true to themselves in all matters of the heart.

Fans of Etta Easton, Talia Hibbert and Myah Ariel should grab The Re-Write immediately if they're looking for their next black love focused romance fix, but fans of the genre more broadly will also love and devour this memorable story for its wonderful writing, character growth, and relatability.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book. I will be purchasing once it's published as I'll certainly be re-reading this one!