ARC Review: "The Re-Write" by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn ★★★★
ARC Review: The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn has woven a dazzlingly fun yet heartfelt second-chance romance about a ghostwriter hired to save her ex’s negative reputation after a reality dating show disaster. 🧡💜This is the Wale I fell in love with. This man right here. The Wale who was always a shoulder to cry on whenever I got a rejection email. The Wale who encouraged me when I couldn’t motivate myself. The Wale who affirmed me. The Wale who was the type of prince who would hand me his own sword to help me slay my dragons. The Wale who saw me. Who trusted me.
[Contains some spoilers]
PLOT SUMMARY
Going with Wale’s favourite line, “Let me tell you a story” (this would have made a perfect alternative name for this book):
Temiloluwa “Temi” Ojo is an aspiring author who hopes one day to have her book Wildest Dreams published. She was a ghostwriter for a while, but now works at a call centre. She dated 25-year-old Adewale “Wale” Bandele, a fundraising officer for ACE, a charity to help unpaid carers. After being together for 6 months, they ended things on a sour note, and Wale became a star for the 6th season of The Villa, a Love Island-inspired reality TV show.
Two months later, in August, Temi quits her job at the call centre. Her agent Mayee wants to see her draft of Love Drive, a book Temi is supposed to have been working on for months but has barely started. Mayee tells her an agent is looking for a ghostwriter to write a coming-of-age memoir for a celebrity. Temi accepts – only to find the celebrity is none other than Wale himself. He has earned a bad reputation from The Villa, dubbed a heartbreaker and f-boy by the public, and wants to tell his side of the story.
Ghostwriting for an ex-boyfriend, keeping things professional, trying not to delve into the past, racing against two deadlines (book and memoir). What could possibly go wrong? Short answer: everything.
As they spend time together, Temi wonders if she really knew Wale that well when they dated. And the more she learns, the more she likes. But tension grows between them. And Temi holds a horrible secret: a novel born out of revenge, that could have serious consequences should it ever get out.
Before I realize what I’m doing, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest, just below his neck. Wale sinks his cotton-soft chin into my hair, and I feel him physically relax. Our hug is a silent exchange. *Thank you*: he squeezes me tight. *I’ve got you*: I give him one back.This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Temi.
OVERALL OPINIONS
This is Blackburn’s second novel, one she thought she would never reach the end. I’m glad she did though haha because this is really something marvelous! She has a way of writing that, despite most of the plot’s predictability, I was still compelled to know how this story ended and raced through to the end.
ㅤ the writing
Through the novel’s occasional use of dual timeline, the make and break of Temi and Wale’s relationship is explored and things are revealed as we go. This is so cleverly done as we the reader, like Temi, assume the worst of Wale and then as everything progresses, we learn more about Wale at the same time as Temi get a better picture of what he is like as a person and why he acted the way he did to her.
What I especially adore is that the format of the text in the book changes according to the situation. These include:
• Wale’s interview at the start looks like a Q&A article online (with the questions highlighted in bold)
• Some chapters start with a typewriter-like font that indicate how long Temi has to go with her drafts, with the document’s names (Love Drive_Draft1.doc and Wale_Memoir_Draft1.doc), the target word count and actual word count.
• Text is put into message bubbles to indicate text messages between characters like you would on your phone.
• Capslock for headlines from social media, and a section for social media (Instagram) comments with emojis and usernames in bold text.
• Sender and Subject with message to indicate an email layout.
• A handwriting-like font when Temi reads one of Wale’s journal entries.
While the text messaging format in particular is quite common in books these days, I haven’t seen all of these used in the one book before and I thought this was done so, so well!
She has some great descriptions here. For example: “As though we’re in court we stare at each other.” – this perfectly captures the tension between Temi and Wale as the courtroom is a very serious place and it is a professional place, and reminds them to keep their distance.
ㅤ culture/representation
The African/Caribbean culture, and general representation, in here is fantastic! Our main characters are British-Nigerian (like Blackburn herself). Temi is a plus-size main character, and we get to know her struggles and insecurity through racism and fatphobia she particularly endured in school, though she embraces it by the end of the novel.
There are some cultural references such as the food dishes the characters had and the name of the bookstore. Anansi Books is named after Anansi the Spider, a character from African folklore often a loveable and mischievous trickster able to outwit his foes.
There are some stigmas and stereotypes explored. Men, but especially black men, have this expectation/view that being emotional is a sign of weakness. This is explored through Wale and his tense relationship with his father:
‘My dad – he’s one of those strong African men who shows no emotion. I frustrated him ’cause I was sensitive and cried all the time.’I am glad that Wale learns that it’s okay to let emotions out and not supress them, and handles things like a real man ought to – and this cannot be emphasised enough. He tries not to have his friend Kojo cause a scene and tries not to rise to his bait because it would fuel the idea that black men are violent/cause trouble.
Another expectation Wale has been brought up with is that being a man should mean you are a provider – which is not the case! Because of this, he feels like he was not able to treat Temi the way he should which also caused a strain on their relationship though Temi didn’t know it: ‘I used to imagine what I’d do for you if I could actually treat you the way you deserved.’. Now he has money, he is very willing to splash out and buy her things which is lovely but it’s nice that Temi shows him that she is happy with modest things. His surprise for her (doing the place up to look like the Morocco trip that she missed) is a gift more from his heart which is far more priceless.
I was actually very pleased to find Kelechi (the girl Wale was mostly coupled with on The Villa) is so lovely and supportive of them both. It really made a change from the cliché narrative of a mean girl who wants her man back.
ㅤ humour but heart
While there were some funny moments, there were also a lot darker elements. Blackburn does not shy away from all the difficult topics that can be found in here including racial discrimination, sexual assault and harassment, recovering alcoholics and unpaid carers. She handles all of this with the utmost care and respect, covered briefly but with enough of an impact to the storytelling. I was deeply moved by it all! The latter point about unpaid carers is something I don’t think I’ve encountered in a novel before and Blackburn dedicates this to them: “the unsung heroes” – as someone who is one, I did indeed feel seen and I think others will too.
Insecurity is shown and I like that it is handled differently for each person. Temi for example has a pair of glasses for everything, to distract people from the rest of her – because she would rather be known as the “glasses” girl than the “fat” girl. She ultimately doesn’t let it drag her down, but this unfairness is looked at:
Why does being ‘fat’ need to be something derogative? It is not a descriptor like the word ‘thin’ or ‘tall’ or ‘pale’? Sadly, not everyone thinks this way. For some, if you’re overweight, you’re by default unworthy, less than.Wale’s toxic friend Kojo, who has trained Wale at the gym, becomes insecure because everyone seems so interested in Wale – but the difference is through this insecurity he turns bitter and goes around harassing women or forcing himself on them. Shona, due to a previous relationship, has become insecure and distrustful of men though eventually opens up with sweet Fonzo.
Temi doesn’t want to be seen as a failure or disappointment to her parents so she pretends all is well with her work, and I am glad her conversation with her parents, knowing how much they failed doing things too, helped her.
ㅤ to conclude
Overall, I would give this 4.5 stars.
<< Positives >>
🠚Lovely cover, reflects the African culture with its big and bold colours.
🠚Excellent variety of humour and more serious elements.
🠚Plenty of cultural and general representation in this book.
🠚Perfect changes of layout with appropriate section (text messages, social media comments)
<< Negatives >>
🠚There wasn’t as much tension here as I’d have liked. She goes very quickly from shutting him out to letting him in, and I thought this should have been done more gradually.
🠚The chapters were extremely short.
🠚I would have loved more spice too, but that’s a personal preference.
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Temi꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ She did annoy me unfortunately – all she had to do was be more honest! – but I know the plot had to be done.
🠚I love how empathetic she is, always being there for others despite her deadlines looming over her and helping them see the best in themselves.
I only get one chance to be a debut, so if I’m going to publish a book, I want it to be something that I’m passionate about, not a hastily written treatise about my ex. The Ultimate Payback was born out of anger. I want to spread love through my writing.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Wale꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ “You’d think Wale with all his muscles and tattoos was the protective one. It’s true. You really can’t trust a book by its cover” – agreed, some people get tattoos to look tougher and for Wale this is definitely meant to be the case. I like that.
🠚Blackburn did an excellent job with making me hate this man to my guts to really adoring him. He is such a good man – what Wale has done for his family, the charity, it’s all so heartwarming to see. And all the things he does for Temi? Aww!
‘Remember a few weeks ago when we sat here?…When I looked you in the face and said people assume that I’m too scared to love? Well I’m telling you now, I’m not. I was just hesitant to say it. But not any more. I love you, Temi. I always have.’
-ˋˏ ꒰ Other characters꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Shona is the best, an amazing friend with the best advice – “make sure you’re choosing yourself first”. It’s nice that despite trust issues, she opens her heart up again and gets with Fonzo. He was sweet, I immediately liked him.
FAV QUOTES
• He goes to hold my hand and then stops himself, his eyes and expression an apology letter.
• I was ready to have this conversation before we broke up. Before he made a decision about *our* relationship for me.
• The way he looked at me when he said ‘People assume that I’m scared to love,’ made me feel as if I was being cut open. exposed. I wish I had broken eye contact sooner. I wish I never held it in the first place. I also wish he was less attractive than he is. He is frustratingly distracting.
• I remember we used to speak on the phone every night. We would talk until the sun came up, mainly about randomish and hypothetical scenarios... I miss that. I miss us.
• Weirdly, writing about your ex is kind of fun.
• ‘Listen, as long as you’re writing, you’re a writer. And nothing, and I mean *nothing*, can ever take that away from you, yeah? I meant what I said the other day – you’re fucking talented, Tems. I chose you as my ghostwriter ’cause I believe in you. But whatever you do, please *please* don’t ever stop believing in yourself.’ • the more I learn about Wale, the more I realize that things with him are not black and white.
• ‘One sec,’ he says. ‘I forgot something.’ He pats down his pockets. And then he gives me a quick peck followed by the cheekiest grin known to man.
• He looked out for me this morning. He didn’t have to. He didn’t have to come by with brunch, make me pancakes. And he certainly didn’t have to buy me a new laptop. But he did. Because he cares.
• He wraps his strong arms around me, his mouth muffled in my hair. His body is warm and comforting like a snug winter jacket. I feel protected. Safe.
• This story lacks one main thing: heart. While Wildest Dreams was born out of love and The Ultimate Payback was born out of hate, Love Drive was born out of fear. • ‘You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?’ I stare at her with emotion, and then, slowly, I nod. I don’t know exactly when it happened – I’ve been in denial for quite some time – but now there’s the possibility that I could lose Wale for good, I know I have. I believe he has too. Although he hasn’t said it, I can tell through his actions; the way he looks at me. Whatever happens, this book cannot stand in the way of our second chance.
• Maybe I was in love with the idea of being in love. And who can blame me? How often does one meet the man of their dreams in person and have an instant connection with them so electrifying you can’t imagine life before they were in it?
• My feelings for him then were loud. Like a swarm of bees that never stopped buzzing. But my feelings now are different. They’re quiet. Deep. Growing in depth and intensity the more layers he peels back and the more I discover about him. He feels something too – I can sense it – but he’s following my lead, gauging each interaction, being patient, playing chess.
• I had failed to cross the finishing line. But this time, things will be different. I *will* finish what I’ve started. I *will* make the deadline. This time, I, Temiloluwa Ojo, will win.
• He’s…smiling. Though I’m not sure if he’s smiling at me – he was already smiling before he looked at me. But then he offers me a slow, steady nod that makes my heart feel like it has springs. I have a chance. *We* have a chance.
• ‘It hurt ’cause I care about you.’ His words feel like a hug and a stab at the same time.
• ‘my heart was still with you.’ So, Wale *was* in love with me this entire time.
• But something about this moment is uniquely special. Perhaps because we’re both different people. We communicate better. We’re open. Honest. We also understand each other a lot more. We know each other’s fears, triggers and insecurities. And what we desire from each other at this present moment.
• Honestly, I couldn’t have written this story if I tried.
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I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, Penguin for the opportunity. A huge thank you to the Penguin General Influencer program for providing me with a paperback copy. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
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