The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn: Book Review

The Re-Write is the most recent release from British-Nigerian author Lizzie Damilola Blackburn. With an anticipated North American release date of August 12, 2025, it takes readers to London where an author is working to meet a deadline. Temi has a book agent who is shopping her manuscript around to all the publishing houses. She also has a broken heart. Wale just finished a stint on a romance reality show. He is also the reason for Temi’s broken heart. What happens when they find themselves having to work together on a project?

I want to thank Doubleday Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Re-Write. All opinions presented here are my own.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Temi and Wale meet in London. They flirt, date, meet each other’s friends.

. . . Then Wale dumps Temi to go on Love Villa.

Instead of giving in to heartbreak, Temi throws herself into her writing. She’s within touching distance of a book deal that would solve all her problems. But publishers keep passing on her novel, and bills still have to be paid. So, when the opportunity to ghost-write a celebrity autobiography arises, Temi finds herself accepting.

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

Has too much time passed, or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?

My Opinions

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.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.