Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

Firstly, thanks for this amazing arc.
Now, about this book. It's my first book by this author (I will definitely read her other novel), so I started it without knowing what to expect, but honestly, I loved it! So much even that I might consider it one of my favourite romance novels this year.
As a white woman I loved the representation, as most books in the romance genre don't include black or even plus-sized people. I enjoyed the different dishes that were mentioned, clothes, hairstyles and of course the different family dynamics.
I found this book not only inclusive but also very very entertaining, and I wasn't able to take my eyes off of it until i finished.
Loved the writing style and both MCs, without a doubt I would recommend it to have a nice and fun evening.
I also found it touching and important the different conversations about [alcoholism, and the struggles as a caretaker.

This book was everything! I was hooked within the first few chapters and couldn’t put it down. I devoured it in just two days (though honestly, I could’ve read it in one sitting!). I was so invested that I even took my Kindle to the gym and read it on the stair master..dedication, right? 😂

The Re-Write follows Temi, an aspiring author, and her ex, Wale, whose decision to join The Villa (basically Love Island) sets off a whirlwind of drama. Imagine this: your boyfriend distances himself, breaks up with you, and then joins a dating reality show. And to top it all off? When he gets out, you’re hired to ghostwrite his memoir. Wild, right? While the show isn’t the sole reason for their breakup, it deepens the cracks in their relationship, throwing both their lives into chaos.

I loved Wale’s character. At first, I judged him hard, but as his backstory unfolded, his upbringing, his struggles with vulnerability, and his growth—it completely shifted my perspective. His journey of learning to express his emotions and break free from toxic ideas of masculinity was so raw and satisfying to read.

Now, Temi? Whew. She tested my patience! She kept something major from Wale, and I was practically shouting at my Kindle, “Girl, just tell him!“. But honestly, her flaws made her feel so real, and by the end, I was rooting for her too.

This book tackles so many important themes - second chances, being a carer, online trolling, alcoholism, masculinity, and even sexual assault. Lizzie masterfully weaves these heavy topics into the story while keeping it heartfelt, engaging, and full of humor.

After loving Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?, my expectations for Lizzie’s next book were high and The Re-Write did not disappoint! It’s funny, emotional, and completely captivating from start to finish.

Strongly recommend.

This is my second of Damilola Blackburn's books and my favourite! A simple premise: a writer gets broken up with by a man to go onto a reality dating show. Many months later, her writing career is really struggling when she gets a chance to ghostwrite a celeb memoir. The celeb? Her ex.

I loved the amount of heart in this book. It felt realistic, punchy and endearing. The characters were well developed and I would love to read about all of then more.

I felt like there were times where I didn't follow the motives or logic of the character's decision making and this took away from the experience for me. Overall though, it was fantastic and I would wholeheartedly recommend!

What can be worst than the man you’re in love with breaking up with you to go to a dating reality show?
Probably being hired to ghostwrite his memoir after said show is over !
The Rewrite follows Temi and Wale who, after meeting one day London, start seeing each other. They do everything: go on fun dates, laugh a lot, meet each other’s friends. Before she knows it, Temi is falling in love. And then the unthinkable happens: Wale dumps her to go on a reality dating show called Love Villa. Temi, though heartbroken, focuses on what she loves most : writing. She’s very close to her first book deal and is determined to get it, no matter what. But no matter her determination, rejections still pile up and bills need to be paid. So when the opportunity presents itself to her to ghostwrite a celebrity memoir, she has to accept. When said celebrity turns out to be the boy who broke her heart and still hasn’t quite left her mind, however, things get a bit more complicated
So when you are forced to collaborate with the boy who broke your heart (and is now a national douchebag ) for six weeks to tell his life story, what happens ?
Well, needless to say, things get interesting.
I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did . Starting with the Fresh Prince of Bel Air references ( I too have heart eyes every time I see Nia Long), I immediately felt like the cast of this book were my friend group. ( I kept imagining Fonzo as a Jazz lookalike I’m not sorry).
Temi was such a sweet, relatable character and i honestly felt for her. Her chemistry with Wale was undeniable and I was rooting for them from their first interaction.
But I also deeply cared about their circle. I found myself wanting to know everyone’s story. I think Lizzie Damilola Blackburn has a unique way to make her characters feel like real people, people you already know and love.
What made me enjoy this book as much as I did though, besides the incredible romance and friendships, was the exploration of how people are different from what they think they are and there’s so much to people’s stories than the one side of them we usually meet . I think this book was also a very accurate description of how masculine stereotypes affect men and ultimately make them suffer. What I’m trying to say is, you’ll find so much more than just an excellent romance.
The only thing I’d change, if i can even say that, is I’d love a bit more of Temis and Wales relationship before their breakup, maybe an extra scene or two of their fun together!
Thank you so much to Penguin General UK and NetGalley for giving me this Arc in exchange for an honest review
And also thank you Lizzie, for writing this ! I can’t wait to read everything you’ve written and will write!

This is what real romance feels like! I was so impressed on so many levels with how well this was executed. A second chance romance with an interesting concept with actual diversity (thank goodness, its about time!)

I loved the set up and thought it was really refreshing to see our MMC on a reality TV show! The love island-esque premise and interview in the beginning was spot on and just felt like such a great intercept between books and tv that isn't typically explored so that felt like a really unique angle for sure.

Temi had some moments where her character really shone through in the best way possible. I loved that she named all her glasses, especially Shakira that one was my favourite hands down. This gorgeous tale touched on Temi's relationship with her own creativity as a writer and the sheer struggle of facing rejection in the publishing world. It also explored each one of Temi's book 'babies' and I really felt for her whenever someone rejected or turned down one of her books. I wish we knew more about Temi though as there's such a thorough character deep dive of Wale (especially since she's writing his memoir) that I felt like Temi almost floated through the book a little without as much pertinence as Wale.

Wale deserves his own review, to be honest. He is deliciously charming, vulnerable and such a well formed character. He's astonishingly respectful towards Tems but equally so romantic and cute when they do cross that line into lovers again.

The light heartedness of this book didn't make this book any less special than your classic serious romance book. In fact, I really enjoyed how fun this book was. There was so much at stake and so many pockets of stress for the characters but the fun of romance was written incredibly. The banter and ease in which Temi and Wale riff off each other was undeniably enjoyable to sink into as an observer. Their banter also felt so natural in every instance which I feel like can be tricky to do perfectly every time. This book also ticked all the boxes for classic romantic chemistry and later on sexual chemistry, the spice wasn't super heavy but when it was there it was tasteful and felt real.

A super well rounded romance book with a really interesting premise. The main reason it doesn't quite hit the 4+ star mark is on the basis that I didn't really get attached to the characters and it all felt a little short for me. I liked that the plot thickened when Temi's revenge novel gets signed but other than that I didn't feel like much remarkable events happened for them as a couple. It might've been more interesting to have picked up with before Wale came out of the reality show or a different point in the narrative perhaps.

This book just was not for me. Could not connect to the characters, the writing was not how I would have liked it. The reality TV backdrop not my favourite either. Some people might actually like the tropes in this novel, but it was not for me and nust seemed a bit too long. Still grateful for having been given access to the ARC.

Could you give a second chance to the guy who dumped you to go on a TV dating show?

When aspiring author Temi is given some bad news about her debut novel dying on submission, she has to go back to ghostwriting to make ends meet. Little does she know that the celebrity she's been tasked to write a memoir for is none other than her ex, who she hasn't seen since they broke up and he got straight on a plane to the Love Villa. On the show, Wale was shown to the nation to be a self-absorbed womaniser, but he swears that there's more to him that meets the eye, and he needs Temi's help to show the world that too.

The Re-Write is a delightful second chance romance that also deals with some harder themes like alcoholism, being a carer and toxic masculinity. Blackburn handles these themes with grace and a deep respect, and I especially loved that she specifically spoke to Black men in the acknowledgements, hoping that the book may make them feel less alone.

I really enjoyed my time with Temi, Wale and all of their friends (Apart from Kojo, that guy SUCKS). M only gripe with the novel was how the miscommunication was handled. Miscommunication definitely happens, but I wanted to jump into the pages and physically make the two main characters just talk to each other properly! Although that would have made the book a lot shorter...

Overall, the Re-Write is a fun and nuanced take on second chance romance and lives up to Blackburn's debut, Yinka Where Iz Your Huzband? which was one of my favourite reads of last year!

Thank you so much to Penguin and NetGalley for the eARC.

Very much enjoyed this.
What happens after the reality show? How do you turn around your body rep?
Wade and Temi have to work together on his biography, but they haven't been in contact since Wade dumped Temi and went on a love reality programme.
The characters were likeable and believable.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

An interesting read covering a variety of emotional arcs. The characters were well defined and the story was well paced. The reality show background was just enough and didn't overtake the rest of the story. Would recommend.

Main characters
Wale
Temi

Storyline
Temi and Wale are the perfect couple until they break up. And Wale goes on a reality dating show.

Temi throws herself into her dream of becoming a published author. But publishers keep passing on her novel and bills still have to be paid. But her luck starts to change when the opportunity to ghost-write a celebrity autobiography arises.

And, of course, the celebrity turns out to be Wale...

Thoughts
I enjoyed this book, I'm usually not into the 'reality show books' however I loved the storyline. I liked that the book went into Wale's past and showed an vulnerable side to men that you don't really get to see due to the stereotype of "Men can't show emotions". I would recommend this book.

Temi and Wale had been dating but then she is devastated when they part ways. Wale then goes on a reality tv show and is the ‘bad boy’ of the series. When he comes home Temi ends up writing his memoir and they spend time together getting to know each other again. A few bumps along the way.. a good feel book. Well written and fast paced

The Re-Write is a super fun, sweet second chance romance about a young writer and her ex-boyfriend who has become a notorious reality star. I read Lizzie Damilola Blackburn's previous novel, Yinka Where is Your Huzband? and really enjoyed it. She has such a relatable, fresh, and vibrant writing style. The characters are authentic and kind, but also flawed.

Temi is in her twenties and has written two novels that she desperately wants published. Wale left their relationship to go on a reality dating show a la Love Island that he signed up for before meeting Temi. He’s known for breaking the hearts of one of his castmates and is offered a book deal to pen his memoir. Wale needs a ghostwriter and Temi is in consideration for the job and gets it. Temi is desperate to have a paid writing job, so she begins to work with Wale despite their baggage.

The story follows the trajectory you’d expect from a romance, but I loved reading about Temi and Wale and learning their backstories. The Re-Write mostly focuses on them, but some of their friends and family make regular appearances. A character from Yinka Where is Your Huzband? even makes a cameo! I think I preferred Yinka because of the community feel of the novel, but I really enjoyed this one as well.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This is the second of Lizzie's books I've read and it certainly did not disappoint. I loved the characters from page one. It's very current given the background of a reality TV show called The Villa and gives an insight into black culture which I found very interesting. Great book which deserves a sequel.

Loved it!
Temi is a great character with such strength. Wale is at times a fool and definitely a heartbreaker. I loved the insights into life as an author- the dreaded word count, the assumption you are brimming with ideas and that those ideas will be a best seller before the ink has dried!

If you are a writer and there's a story inside of you, it will find its way out. That's the main thing I took from reading about Temi's journey to being a published author amid heartbreak and a few other minor life crises. At the end of the day, the book that the world was meant to read will make it onto the shelves.

This is a story about mistakes and second chances. What I appreciate is that it was about writing and books first, and romance second. Many times, books about women who are ambitious and also want love are weighed down by all the relationship stuff. In this one, there is a lot of drama and action, giving the reader many character arcs to follow, and a lot of them are really interesting. I enjoyed the idea that even once you've confessed your biggest mistakes, redemption is never farther away than a sincere apology.

I liked that the male main character was given the space to explore his mind, his feelings and his past, and that even when those stood in the way of him making his interpersonal connections quickly, the people around him still gave him time to come back to them. He never used his damage as an excuse to hurt others.

Would I call Temi a wise businesswoman? Not really. She allowed her personal disappointments to cloud her professional judgement and almost lost everything in the process. But in the end she revealed herself to be someone who was willing to get really honest and start again.

A great story featuring the ever popular reality show arc as a side plot to a rocky romance.
Temi is an aspiring writer who's struggling to get a publishing deal, and in order to make ends meet, she is ghostwriting.
Wale is her ex-boyfriend. She thought they had something special, and it meant even more to her, as a woman with generous curves, to be attractive to such a gorgeous specimen of manhood.
But something happens, causing them to split. Wale ends up on TV on a reality dating show, hopping from woman to woman, rubbing Temi's face in the misery of their breakup.
She writes. It's cathartic. Words that will never see the light of day.
Then she is approached to ghostwrite a memoir for a young reality TV star who want to redeem his reputation...
Guess who it turns out being?
I won't go into any more story detail, but there is so much more to this story than a good-looking guy trying to make himself look better and a struggling author struggling to make a name for herself.
An enjoyable read, touching on young carers, alcoholism, and parental expectations, as well as second chance romances.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for an ARC.

Read in one sitting. Reality tv was the backdrop, but only to the extent that it shaped the interaction between the characters. The anxiety of chasing your dreams and trying to protect yourself from disappointment was very well examined and is a relatable feeling for many people. Overall really good read.

The Re-Write is a Black British/Nigerian second chance romance with plus size representation. I haven’t read many romances recently so when I had the chance to read this one, it sounded right up my street. As someone who is also a writer, I could sympathise with Temi especially when she kept getting rejected. It is heartbreaking when it keeps happening but I am glad she persisted with her writing. While the Black/Nigerian culture is something I am not the most knowledgeable about, I learnt a lot from the book and it has made me want to read more about it. This was such a cute, heartwarming and quick read.

I think that The Re-Write covered topics such as being a carer, fatphobia, classism, toxic masculinity, alcoholism and assault with such ease. It doesn't feel as if it was separate from the story, it flowed so well throughout the book. I haven’t seen much plus size representation in books so this is something I really appreciated. It was refreshing to read about a plus size character who embraces who she is and doesn’t focus on trying to lose weight or shrink herself down for others.

So, you know on reality shows (ones like Love Island) where from time to time a rumour is circulated that one of the contestants has a boyfriend/girlfriend back home? One where they’ve just happened to break up days before the contestant joins the show? Well, buckle up as this story is similar!

We start with Temi, a writer who had a bad break up with her boyfriend, Wale. Wale shortly afterwards enters Love Villa - the popular reality show to find love.

We follow both of them having to face some truths when Wale comes out of the Villa being labelled the bad boy/player trying to reform his reputation, and Temi struggling and desperate to get a book published.

As a method of trying to repair his reputation he’s agreed to publish an autobiography, which needs a ghost-writer for, cue Temi.

Temi has been struggling to get her book published for quite some time and is in desperate need of work and money. So this deal working with her ex-boyfriend who she still loves but also is deeply hurt by, is one she can’t refuse.

This was a very entertaining read. It almost felt like lovers to enemies to lovers but with a lot of communication issues thrown in. The story had humour as well as touching on other important subjects like masculinity and caring responsibilities. My only very small negative is that it may have tried to deal with too many sensitive topics in too brief of a time e.g. plus size discrimination, SA, alcoholism etc. However, that did not stop or slow me down from reading this book.

If you’re looking for a short, cute and romantic read, I’d highly recommend!

I’m curious to see if we’ll get a part two with the other relationship that forms 👀 (no spoilers).

Thank you to Penguin Random House UK for this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.