A Heartfelt Journey of Second Chances and Dream-Chasing

The Re-write is a beautifully uplifting read that captures the essence of hope, resilience, and the power of following your dreams. This book dives deep into the life of its protagonist, who, after facing setbacks and disappointments, embarks on a journey to reclaim her life and pursue what truly makes her heart sing.

What I loved most about this book was its authentic portrayal of the struggles that often come with starting over. The author skillfully shows that while taking a second chance can be terrifying, it’s also one of the most empowering decisions you can make. The narrative is filled with raw emotions, yet it never loses sight of the optimism that comes from believing in yourself, no matter the obstacles.

The writing is both tender and inspiring, filled with moments that make you stop and reflect on your own journey. The characters are relatable, with their flaws and imperfections making them all the more endearing. The story reminds us that it’s never too late to follow our passions, and sometimes, the best things in life come after we’ve stumbled and fallen.

Overall, The Re-write is a heartwarming reminder that dreams are worth chasing, and it’s never too late to start again. It’s a must-read for anyone who needs a reminder that even in the toughest moments, there’s always room for hope, growth, and new beginnings.

I really enjoyed The Re-Write! Lizzie Damilola Blackburn delivers a fun, heartfelt story about love, career struggles, and figuring out what (and who) truly matters. The main character felt so real—flawed, funny, and easy to root for. The writing is sharp, with great humor and cultural depth that made the story stand out. Some parts dragged a little, but overall, it was such an engaging read. If you love a good mix of romance and self-discovery, this one's worth picking up. Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC—I’m excited for others to read this!

The author did an amazing job bringing in the African culture throughout the book. The book touched on some very serious topics such as mental health and substance abuse and it made the book even more unique. I have not read a book like this so it brings the book into its own category for me. the plot of the book was absolutely amazing. If the goal was to get my nerves ramped up on the lack of communication skills Temi had...goal achieved! i was so happy they finally got on the same page in communicating with each other. I felt there were a few slow points in the book but overall had a good flow. I personally just did not connect with their love story as much as I wished. The side characters were great and I would love to read about shona and Fonzo’s love story! All the secrets and waiting game of having the serious discussions are a real reminder for every reader just how important being honest truly is. Especially with yourself.

“I'm hot too - not hot for a plus-sized girl but hot. Period.”

Temi cannot catch a break! First her boyfriend dumps her to go on a reality dating show, then she cannot seem to find a publisher to take her life's work. And now, after finally being offered a writing deal to ghost write a celebrity's memoir.. Temi finds out that the celebrity is none other than her ex, Wale.

Wow, this book is so well-written! Blackburn does a fantastic job of bringing the characters of this book to life. Wale is charismatic and sexy, Temi is so strong-willed and badass. I love their dynamic, and the redemption arc was well deserved! Can't wait for the book to come out!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the eARC! Projected publishing date: August 12th, 2025

This a second chance romance was light, fun, and at times thought provoking. The author did a good job of developing the characters in a way that explained their behavior, but there were still a few cringey moments where readers watch them make mistakes in real time. I liked the author’s exploration of Wale’s understanding of masculinity and his own emotions. Temi was a likeable, albeit sort of naive heroine. I enjoyed it overall. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

Such a cute plot - reality star has his ex-girlfriend ghostwrite his memoir. In the process they learn a great deal about themselves and each other. This book gives the reader an immersive experience in Nigerian Black British culture. The romance was a little lacking for me but overall an enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC e-read for an honest review.

The Re-Write is the most fun I have had reading a novel this year! It was heartwarming, heartbreaking, smart, witty, and so much fun to read. I truly appreciate the diverse characters and how social media and the "new" celebrity culture have shaped how we view and act on love. Blackburn writes brilliant and loveable characters that you want to root for from start to finish. This is truly a modern romance and will be enjoyed by Gen Z to Baby Boomers. I highly recommend this for your next fun beach read or a fun pick for your next book club selection. Can't wait to read more by Blackburn in the future.

I enjoyed reading The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn. While some parts were a little slow, the overall rhythm was nice. The behind the scenes glimpses of life as a writer was interesting and that of a carer insightful. I liked how the author continued to point out that "life" on social media is a constant thing- what you say and do in public can be captured and shared without your knowledge or consent. While I understood Temi's hesitation to have a hard conversation with Wale, I did find myself wishing it had happened sooner than it did. The delay in that conversation caused the ending to feel a little rushed. Overall this was a good read and I look forward to checking out other works by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a fun time. I always find myself enjoying second-chance romances, and Temi and Wale were no different. I enjoyed the journey they went on alone and together and enjoyed learning a bit about Nigerian culture and the publishing industry through the story. The writing was easy to read, and I found myself reading half the book in a night. I loved most of our side characters (if you've read the book, you know who I don't) and found myself rooting for Temi and Wale on their own journeys and for their relationship.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this ARC! As always thoughts and feelings are my own.

I couldn’t put this book down! Read it in one day. An aspiring writer has a breakup- and ends up being asked to write the memoir of her ex-boyfriend. She takes the job, misunderstanding after misunderstanding kept happening. But the characters struggles felt so real, and I felt like I knew them. I just wanted to know how it would end.

This was so good! The characters voices shine through and I truly enjoyed reading this. I'm a big Love Island addict so it's always fun seeing it integrated into others lives - and I really felt like I knew these characters! Adding Ms Blackburn to my automatic purchase list!

I liked the plot of this and the ideas behind it, especially with dating shows/ getting cancelled being so relevant. However, the dialogue and chemistry between the two main characters fell flat for me and the conflict seemed immature.

I enjoyed this overall! It was a fun take on reality tv being an aspect of the story line, and it highlighted the struggles of being a writer as well and trying to please those around you with your career (her family)

Such a well written sweet story. Temi is wonderfully complicated. Wale is sweet and layered. Read it! You won’t regret it. Delivers on many levels! Not too spicy and definitely a slow burn.

What an absolutely delightful book! The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is a charming and heartwarming story of second chances, self-discovery, and unexpected romance. Temi’s journey from heartbreak to chasing her dreams as a writer is both relatable and inspiring, with plenty of humor and emotional depth along the way. The twist of having to ghostwrite for her ex, Wale—who left her for reality TV—adds just the right mix of tension and hilarity. This book beautifully explores whether time can heal old wounds or reignite old sparks. A must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley.com for allowing me to read this ARC!

This one was cute. I didn’t love love it, but it was cute and kept me interested. I love the representation and I like getting a peak into other cultures and lived experiences. Overall, I’d recommend it

This book provides a delicious dive into Nigerian culture. It is a welcome addition to any public library's diversity collection.

I wanted to read this book based on the reality tv plot (Love Island aka Love “Villa”) but it ended up being so much more. This was a fun second chance romance!

I loved this book. It hooked me from the beginning. Learning about each character on a more personal level helped me feel more connected to them. Temí mentioning that she was on the heavier side and Wale being super attractive just made me picture them as a young Jill Scott and Denzel Washington. This book also touched on men dealing with emotions and how they feel that they need to be tough all the time. The way Wale let his guard down and put everything out there made me admire him even more. I would recommend this book to anyone.

3/5⭐️ this was a fun, second chance romance novel. The Re-Write tells the story of Temi, a writer, who agrees to help write a memoir for a celebrity; the twist is that the celebrity she’s writing for, is her ex boyfriend Wale who gained fame from a reality dating show. The dating show that Wale was on was giving me Love Island vibes; I love that show. I just couldn’t help but feel like there was something missing and there were times that felt a little slow and boring, that’s why I rated it the way I did. This book will be released on August 19, 2025! Huge thank you to the author and Penguin Books publishing for allowing me to read this early!