Romcoms can be hit or miss for me. Some are far too formulaic (I'm not hating on the formula! I just like to be surprised when I read.) The Re-Write puts a great twist on the usual story, moving us around in time and setting it against the backdrop of a fictional reality show. I thought the show might take up more of the story but it's all in the background.

The cultural background isn't one I was familiar with before and it was really interesting to read about. The slang words used, the foods they eat, it all adds up to a really rich background, one I'd love to know more about.

The characters were great - it's hard taking a character from hated and reviled to love interest in 300 pages, but Lizzie manages it beautifully! The pace is just right and the background characters are wonderful. Temi's journey and the place she ends up is amazing - a real boon to struggling writers everywhere!

This was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed it.



Book Recommendation:
"Queenie" by Candice Carty-Williams
Queenie is a young British Jamaican woman navigating life, love, and identity in London. Like The Re-Write, it explores themes of personal growth, relationships, and cultural identity with humor and heart.
Movie/TV Recommendation:
"Rye Lane" (2023)
Set in South London, this romcom is full of vibrant characters, hilarious situations, and heartwarming moments. It also showcases British culture and community in a way that resonates with The Re-Write's backdrop.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'm not a fan of second chance romance books but the thing that made me interested in this was the Love Island esque element. I watch it yearly and so I was intrigued with how this story would go. I started off despising Wale, that man could get in the bin as far as I was concerned. But as Temi embarked on her ghost-writing journey I started to see him differently.

There were many times where I wanted to yell at both MCs because they just did not communicate. Another trope I'm not a fan of. Neither of them trusted the other enough to tell the truth so decided to hide it or lie, which is perhaps the dumbest thing to do. All in all I did enjoy their interactions with each other for the most part.

As light, funny and sometimes frustrating as this book is, it also touches on really serious topics like alcoholism, sexual assault and racism.

Being born and raised in London, I also enjoyed knowing the locations of where everything was being set. It added a nice touch for me.

I enjoyed The Re-Write and thought it was a fun and sweet romcom. Having to ghostwrite your celebrity ex's memoir is a really clever and fun set up to bring the exes back into each other's orbit and force them to reevaluate each other. The supporting characters and the novel's world were believable and well realised. My only quibble is that I would have liked there to have been longer between when the characters first broke up and reconnected for the memoir. It takes place over less than a year and I think more time would have made more character growth and yearning more believable.

When I started this book, I realised I was probably far from target audience for it – being old enough to be Temi or Wale’s mother and not a Love Island aficionado – but I need not have worried, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

You are rooting for Temi from the start. She’s desperate to be a published author – but is being rejected all over the place. She’s done some ghost writing historically – but is then offered the chance to ghost write for a new celebrity – who is, of course, her ex – who has just had a stint on The Villa (basically Love Island!)

There is then lots of will they / won’t they / misunderstandings / crossed wires – and at the same time their histories (from long ago, and more recently but undeclared) are exposed.

Whilst you want Temi and Wale to be reunited from the start, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing!

I also loved that Temi was plus size and a glasses wearer – both of which I could totally get on board with (even at my advanced years!)

The supporting cast of friends and family were also great (or awful, but necessarily so!) and as well as the romance storyline – there are other big topics covered, being a carer, alcoholism, family pressure.

It was published last week – so you can buy a copy now if you like the sound of it.

A big thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for my advance review copy.

Temi’s first novel has been passed on and she’s lost her job as a junior ghostwriter at a publishing company. And now she’s told her literary agent a tiny white lie about how much of her second book she’s actually written.
So when she’s offered the chance to ghost write a memoir for a celebrity of Nigerian descent, she takes it. Then she finds out the client is reality TV star Wale, who has been leaving broken hearts in his wake, not least Temi who he dumped to go on the Love Island-like show, The Villa.
Set in the book world, tick. With a reality TV link, tick tick. This well-written multilayered story was a really enjoyable read about a second chance at love - no need for a re-write here. Temi was a likeable character and she shared great chemistry and banter with her ex.

Temi & Wale were a couple for six months until they broke up because he had applied and has been accepted to join the hot reality The Vila . Now after the reality has ended and with Wale reputation been as the playboy he needs to fix his image so he will write his memoirs and the best person is Temi who is a writer . Temi has a dream to publise her book Wildest Dreams but she always get rejected so she does ghostwriting instead . When her agent tell her about a new job she does not reveal her that it is her ex because she really needs the money and she also is unemployed .
While working together to write about his life she realises that she didn't really knew him and the she falling in love with him all over again . Will they be able to forgive the secret they kept from each other so they can finally have their happy end ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

This was such an enjoyable read, Temi frustrated me at times, but so thought the overall storyline and character development was great!

This book was so great! I loved the representation od poc and plus suze fmc <3 I loved how the characters were written and there were often times when the author really surprised me!
The romance part is so cute and relatable, I enjoyed reading it very much.

This book follows Temi and Wale.

They met, got together, and then he dumped her to go on The Villa, the reality TV show akin to the Love Island.

Temi is a writer, struggling to get published. Her novel, Wildest Dreams, has been rejected numerous times. Her agent, Mayee, puts Temi’s name forward to ghostwrite a short memoir for a celebrity.

As the pay is good and Temi really needs the money, she agrees to do it.

Who is the celebrity? Wale. Temi’s ex.

As Temi starts to write Wale’s memoir, she discovers a new side to him: gentler and honest. Can the two of them put aside their differences for the sake of the story?

You’ll have to read this one for yourselves to find out.

I enjoyed this one! I immediately liked Temi and her passion for her ‘baby’, Wildest Dreams. She was very driven to have it published, however, the plot was quite niche, so no wonder there weren’t many takers!

I wasn’t that keen on Wale to start with, as he was trying to be a typical macho, shallow man going on a reality TV show. However, as the story progressed, I realised that there was depth to his character.

This is a lovely feel good book. I definitely recommend it. Many thanks to Penguin for my NetGalley widget.

I really enjoyed Lizzie’s last book and would definitely recommend The Re-write to anyone who’s in the mood for a charming will they/won’t they romance. Temi and Wale are lovely characters and really enjoyed the positivity of Temi’s attitude to her body and looks - it was really refreshing. It’s one of those books that will happily entertain while sneaking in some serious issues which stay with you. I raced through it and I’m sure many others will too.

The Re-Write started off slowly and I struggled through the first half. It thankfully picked up pace and I found the second part to be much more engaging.

Temi and Wale are together for six months until Wale walks away from the relationship to be on the singles reality show, 'The Villa'. Struggling author Temi is heartbroken and throws herself into her writing. After a book rejection, Temi takes up an offer as a ghost-writer - writing a memoir for a celebrity; only this celebrity turns out to be Wale.

I liked Wale's character development. He is initially portrayed as a slick playboy, but that persona slowly sheds away to reveal a very caring and selfless person.

A little quibble - after so many references to all the different glasses that Temi wore; her glasses aren't anywhere to be seen on the cover of this book.

I just finished The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it! I didn’t read Blackburn’s first novel, but this one definitely hooked me. Her writing style is so easy to get into—it’s fast-paced, light, and just makes you want to keep turning the pages.

The story follows Temi and Wale, who meet and start dating in London. Everything seems to be going well until Wale suddenly dumps Temi to go on a reality TV show called Love Villa. Ouch, right? Instead of wallowing, Temi dives into her dream of becoming a writer. She’s close to a book deal, but things don’t quite work out, and she ends up taking a gig ghostwriting a celebrity autobiography. And, of course, that celebrity turns out to be none other than Wale. Cue all the tension and complicated feelings!

One thing I loved about the book was how it switches between the past and the present. It gives you such a good understanding of how Temi and Wale’s relationship got to where it is. You see their playful beginning, the heartbreak, and then their awkward reunion as they work together on Wale’s memoir.

At first, Wale is painted as the classic “bad guy”—the reality TV star who broke Temi’s heart. But as Temi writes his story, you start to see the real Wale. He’s actually this kind-hearted, soft guy who cares deeply about his work as a caregiver and his charity. As the timelines come together, all the pieces start fitting perfectly, and you realize there’s so much more to him than the reality star.

I loved the chemistry between Temi and Wale. As they work together, you can feel the tension and that spark reigniting. It really felt like they brought out the best in each other, and I was rooting for them the whole way through.

I also appreciated how realistic the book felt. Blackburn weaves in things that are so relevant today, like reality TV culture, social media pressure, and how influencers can struggle under the weight of public attention. It felt very true to life.

I later found out that Blackburn worked for Carers UK, which made the parts about Wale being a caregiver and his work with a foundation even more meaningful. It’s brilliant how she blended these serious topics into what is, on the surface, a rom-com. She also touches on important issues like discrimination, harassment, and alcoholism, which adds depth to the story.

If you’re looking for a rom-com with heart and substance, The Re-Write is definitely worth picking up!

A fun, charming, breezy read that I absolutely sped through. Temi is a struggling writer who accidentally takes a job to ghost-write her ex boyfriend's memoir. It was great fun unpicking the misunderstandings between the two love interests and to watch Temi grow.

Enjoyed this light hearted second chance romance. It was a sweet, fun, light hearted read and anyone looking to read something funny, should pick this up!

This was a fun, fast paced second chance romance. I really liked Temi and Wale and how they found each other again and how their second chance evolved. Although it made sense for there to be something that Temi withheld from Wale it was still a mildly frustrating plot point, however I liked how it led to showing a lot of character growth, especially from Wale. Overall, I enjoyed this book

A modern second-chance romance for fans of Love Island (like myself!). And if you like to read books about writers/authors, this is one for you. Even though I personally wouldn't read a memoir by someone that had just been on the latest season of Love Island, the book followed various scenarios and hiccups to keep things interesting. A wholesome romance with little to no spice (if you're wondering) that makes for a perfect weekend read.

This was a fun, light-hearted read on the whole while also addressing some harder topics. A very well-written and unique take on a rom-com, this was an easy read with some great characters.

Temi, an aspiring author, is devastated when boyfriend Wale dumps her to go on a reality tv dating show and her book keeps getting rejected. She is then offered the chance to ghost write a celebrity memoir which she accepts, only to find the celebrity is Wale. Will she manage to separate the past and reconnect with her ex to write the book?

This was a really fun, uplifting romcom, which also explores current, serious subjects. I enjoy books about books, romance and reality TV, so this seemed like the perfect read. I really liked Temi as a character and how she was celebrated for not being the typical protagonist. Wale also grew on me and I found myself rooting for them both by the end. The connection and dramas between them felt authentic I enjoyed watching them develop on a deeper level.

The author’s writing style was good and the story flowed well, while I found learning more about different cultures engrossing. This is definitely worth a read if you are looking for an original, multi layered and rewarding romance. I didn’t realise until after I picked this up that this author also wrote Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband, which is a book I was interesting in reading before. I will certainly be adding it to the TBR pile now. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Having had a slow couple of reading months, I sped through this one! Once again, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn has created a host of characters who are all multifaceted and very real and her narrative will draw you in and keep your attention from start to finish.
Set in a world of publishing, social media and reality TV, this is the story of Temi and Wale, ex-lovers who find themselves working together. Will they be able to keep the relationship professional or will their love be rekindled?
This book will move you, make you laugh, and leave you wanting more.

This was a great original take on the romance genre - what if your ex went on a Love island type show, showed the world what a terrible person he was with his behaviour, came out and you ended up ghost-writing his memoir (through financial necessity, not choice) and realising that you didn't know him half as much as you thought you did. This scenario gave so many brilliant situations and dilemmas for the characters to work through.

The writing is totally on point. It's snappy, acerbic, witty, emotional and fully realistic. Although the setting is everyday life, there is a lovely lyrical quality to Lizzie Damilola Blackburn's words that gives each scene a technicolour glow. The cultural representations were a great insight to someone like myself, from a different background and never felt stereotypical or lazy.

This is definitely a story that can be enjoyed for its feel-good, will-they/won't they content but it also has things to say on a deeper level - about how social media representation is never the full story and we only ever know what people want us to know about them. It also touches on accountability and owning your decisions, making right where you need to, as well as family obligations as your parents and you age.

Something I particularly loved is the featuring of ghost-writing as a profession. It doesn't get much spotlight as most people who use them don't want anyone to know but it is such an amazing skill to be able to take someone's words, thoughts and very essence and use it to craft a story that sounds like them.