The Rewrite

by Beth Rinyu

How long would you hold a grudge?

If you’re Eloise Hendrickson, the answer is twenty-five years. After being humiliated by her overseas pen pal in seventh grade, Eloise, now a successful writer, has never quite let go of that one mortifying moment. One bad breakup, a late night of drunken internet sleuthing, and a half-baked excuse to bust through writer’s block send her straight into the path of the boy she’s hated her whole life.

Her plan? Turn him into the villain of her next novel.
The plot twist? He’s not the jerk she remembers.

Instead, he’s a charming chocolatier, a devoted family man, and awkwardly, a huge fan of her books. But as Eloise reconnects with the past, it’s not him who captures her attention, it’s someone else entirely. Someone unexpected. He’s rude, infuriating, and gets under her skin like no one else. He’s the exact opposite of the heroes she creates and the men she dates.

With new friends, a fresh perspective, and possibly the beginnings of something romantic—Eloise must decide if she’s finally ready to let go of the perfection she’s always demanded from herself as well as everyone around her, and embrace the unpredictable, wonderfully flawed life waiting for her. Maybe her next bestseller won’t be about righting the past after all. Maybe it will be about rewriting the future instead.

This book may contain chocolate and possibly a happily ever after.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2026

About the author

Ever since I can remember, I've always had a passion for Creative Writing. There's something special about being able to travel to a different place or become a different person with just the stroke of a pen--or in today's world a touch of the keyboard. Maybe it all started with the soap opera-level drama I used to script for my Barbie dolls. Plot twists, emotional arcs, surprise twins—it was basically a writer’s room before I even knew what one was. Whatever the spark, storytelling quickly became my favorite way to explore, create, and shake up reality just a little. I love stories that keep me on my toes. The kind that push me outside my comfort zone and introduce me to characters I either want to be friends with... or dramatically argue with in a fictional diner.

I love traveling to scout out new and exciting settings for my books—but nothing beats a peaceful walk in the woods or a seat by the ocean close to home. Turns out, plot twists and inspiration show up just fine with a sea breeze and squirrels.

Reviews

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Can I still kiss you like this...as your friend?"

This book is going to live in my head rent free for a good while. I absolutely loved it.
I saw so much of myself in the over-thinking Ella. It's been a long time since I've felt so in tune with a protagonist and her story.

This is a funny, beautiful, heartfelt story about friendship, love, forgiveness, and healing old wounds.

I really don't want to give any spoilers, so I'm reluctantly not shouting from the rooftop about the romance that unfolds. But oh, I want to! This has left me smiling and content.

Well-written, engaging characters with witty dialogue, and just the right pacing. A solid five star read for me. I love a spicy romance, but I wasn't even missing it in this book. It just felt right.

Read it if you love:
- Closed door romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Second chances
- Grumpy/sunshine

The Rewrite will be available from 29 January. Let me know what you think!

Thank you to Beth Rinyu and Xpresso Book Tours for the complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful and heartfelt read. The story follows Eloise Hendrickson, a successful writer who has carried a grudge for twenty-five years after a humiliating moment with her childhood pen pal. What begins as a slightly petty mission to turn him into the villain of her next novel quickly becomes something far more meaningful when she discovers he’s nothing like the person she remembered.
The premise is clever, but what really makes the book shine is Eloise herself. She’s flawed, stubborn, and sometimes hilariously dramatic, yet completely relatable. Watching her confront the past, challenge her own perceptions, and slowly open herself up to new friendships and unexpected romance made the story feel genuine and emotionally satisfying.
The characters around her add so much warmth and personality to the story, especially the people she meets along the way who help her see life and love from a different perspective. The humor, the emotional growth, and the slow shift from bitterness to acceptance make this a very engaging journey.
And yes, the chocolate definitely adds to the charm.
This is a thoughtful, funny, and uplifting story about letting go of old grudges, embracing imperfection, and discovering that sometimes the future holds something far better than the past we keep trying to rewrite. A wonderful read that left me smiling long after the final page.

[Astazia Hämmerle · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I received this book as an ARC)

I would rate this book anywhere beteeen 3.5 - 4 stars.
The book had me intrigued from the first chapter.
I really enjoyed the humor throughout the book as well as the short chapters and fast pace.
I loved how Ella and Max's relationship grew from bickering to actually catching feelings. Oh! And I love their mutual bond with my favorite old lady - Marion.
At the end, when Max wrote that letter to her as a 38-year-old, it just went full circle and my heart melted. 🫶

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's back!

Beth Rinyu is back with a fresh new story! The Rewrite is a wonderful tale of how things we experience in childhood impact us as adults and how to let go of them. This author has a true talent for creating relatable characters, and Ella is definitely a woman I feel like I could chat with while sharing a bottle of wine. I'd give this book more stars if I could!

[Brita Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

How long would you hold a grudge?

If you’re Eloise Hendrickson, the answer is twenty-five years. After being humiliated by her overseas pen pal in seventh grade, Eloise, now a successful writer, has never quite let go of that one mortifying moment. One bad breakup, a late night of drunken internet sleuthing, and a half-baked excuse to bust through writer’s block send her straight into the path of the boy she’s hated her whole life.

Her plan? Turn him into the villain of her next novel.
The plot twist? He’s not the jerk she remembers.

Instead, he’s a charming chocolatier, a devoted family man, and awkwardly, a huge fan of her books. But as Eloise reconnects with the past, it’s not him who captures her attention, it’s someone else entirely. Someone unexpected. He’s rude, infuriating, and gets under her skin like no one else. He’s the exact opposite of the heroes she creates and the men she dates.

With new friends, a fresh perspective, and possibly the beginnings of something romantic—Eloise must decide if she’s finally ready to let go of the perfection she’s always demanded from herself as well as everyone around her, and embrace the unpredictable, wonderfully flawed life waiting for her. Maybe her next bestseller won’t be about righting the past after all. Maybe it will be about rewriting the future instead.

This book may contain chocolate and possibly a happily ever after.

Tropes: Closed door romance, Enemies-to-Lovers, Second-Chances, Grumpy/sunshine, Chocolate, HEA, Understanding, Healing, Emotional Depth, Painful Memories, Confronting the Past, Engaging Touch, Memories are Fixed Truths, Perspective and time Re-Write’s the Past, Personal Growth, Wounded Writer, Long Delayed Closure, Exploration of Memory, Forgiveness, Life’s Surprises, Grumpy x Sunshine, Slow-Burn.

The Rewrite by Beth Rinyu.

This was the first book by Beth Rinyu that I have read and I have to say that it’s not going to be my last. Her prose, her character development, her storytelling, everything that she’s put into this book are things that I absolutely love in the books and authors that I fall in love with.

This is one of those rare gems of a book that warms you up and has this quiet powerful story that manages to sneak up on you without you realizing it. What began as Ella’s long delayed mission of closure suddenly turns into this deep heartfelt exploration of memory, forgiveness, and the way life can unexpectedly surprise us at times.

The Rewrite is one of those books that I can’t stop thinking about and has been living rent-free in my head ever since I finished reading it. I conclusively loved this book and I can’t wait to read this book again and others by Beth Rinyu.

Eloise (Ella): is our over thinking successful writer. At least on the surface, but underneath all the polish she’s still carrying this wound from middle school. Now after twenty-five years of replaying the same painful memories over and over again in her mind, she decides that now is the time to finally confront the man who hurt her all those years ago, leaving this scar on her heart, the bully she’s never been able to forget, no matter how hard she’s tried.

Ella’s journey to find closure takes her across the ocean to England, it’s here that she’s prepared to face the villain her mind has made this man out to be over the last two-and-a-half decades. But when she finally comes face to face with her middle school bully, what she really finds is someone and something so much more complicated than she ever dreamed possible.

I honestly saw so much of myself in Ella. From her tendency to over-think everything to her still carrying scars from her middle school bully. I found that I could relate to her on so many levels and understand where so was coming from and where her resolve to find closer was coming from. I may not have found the courage yet to face my high school bullies yet and find closure from that chapter of my life. But I do relate to Ella’s desire to find healing and closure to the scars she carries from her own bullies.

Antoine Moreau: when I first read his letter to Ella, I hated him with such a passion. I am and always have been a bigger girl and I was bullied relentlessly for it. So, when I read his letter to Ella, I cried for her. I felt her pain like it was my own.

It was only when Ella meets him face to face twenty-five years after that letter, that she realizes the boy who wrote that letter isn’t the same man who she is meeting face to face. He’s not the jerk that he was all those years ago. Rather Ella finds him to be this charming family man who loves her books.

Max: is Antoine’s cousin and he is the one who takes Ella by total surprise. He is this rude, infuriating man who manages to wedge his way under Ella’s skin like no one else she’s ever met. He’s exactly the opposite of all the heroes she creates in her books and he’s not like any of the other men she normally dates.

The way that Beth handles Ella’s emotional deconstruction with such a stunning light and engaging touch. I loved how Ella was not only able to make new friends but she could also connect with them. And as the storyline progressed, we are forced and challenged to face the idea that our memories are these fixed truths.

Then as Ella’s assumptions start to shift and her pre-conceived notions change, and we watch as the narrative starts to blossom into this thoughtful look at how our perspective – and time – can actually rewrite the past.

The Rewrite delivers so much laughter, charming moments, a stunning cast of secondary characters who bring so much warmth and humor to Ella’s life and her journey. All the friends that Ella makes, the amazing slow-burn that allows time for trust to be rebuilt, and the sparks of something so much deeper and meaningful that all feels so natural and just so deeply satisfying.

I found The Rewrite to be this beautiful, heartfelt story all about friendship, love, forgiveness, and most of all healing decades old wounds.

Beth did such an amazing job in writing this story with enthralling characters that had dialogue and the pacing was just pitch perfect. If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. I just fell in love with this book and I can’t stop thinking about it and it will soon be living on my trophy shelf. I normally love a good dark spicy romance, but I didn’t miss any of that when I was reading this. Everything just felt right and I felt like I was at home.

A Few of my favorite quotes (because as usual I can’t pick just one) are:

"Can I still kiss you like this...as your friend?"

“Okay, so if booty calls are off the table. What about a friendship? Seeing he’s such a decent guy? You’re a lonely woman in a strange country. He’s an available strapping man. Maybe it would be nice to have someone just to hang out with. I mean… not someone like you and me someone. Let’s face it, I’m irreplaceable.”

“Ella, honey.” Charlie gave me that look that was equal parts exasperated and concerned. “All I’m saying is, maybe this is your moment to let your hair down a little. You’re always so tightly wound, and this breakup didn’t exactly loosen the screws. Maybe it’s time to expand your horizons. Try something different. Someone different. Maybe this guy is the kind of non-Kent energy you need.”

“Charlie, I love and appreciate you, but stick to doing the weather. You’re much better at that!”

“One last question, and then I promise I’ll ixnay the subject.”

“What?” I didn’t even try to hide my annoyance.

“Do you call him Mr. Moreau or Grace’s daddy?”

“Goodbye, Charlie!” I blew him a kiss and disconnected our call.

[PFL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Rinyu’s The Rewrite is one of those warm, quietly powerful stories that sneaks up on you. What begins as a mission of long delayed closure turns into a heartfelt exploration of memory, forgiveness, and the unexpected ways life can surprise us.

Eloise “Ella” is a successful writer on the surface, but beneath that polished exterior sits a wound she’s carried since middle school. After twenty five years of replaying the same painful memories, she decides it’s finally time to confront the boy who made her life miserable, the bully she’s never been able to forget. Her journey takes her across the ocean to England, where she expects to find a villain. Instead, she finds something far more complicated.

Rinyu handles Ella’s emotional unraveling with a light, engaging touch. As Ella connects with new friends, the story gently challenges the idea that our memories are fixed truths. Ella’s assumptions begin to shift, and the narrative blossoms into a thoughtful look at how perspective—and time—can completely rewrite the past.

Along the way, the book delivers plenty of laughter, charming moments, and a cast of characters who bring warmth and humor to Ella’s journey. The friendship that develops, the slow burn of trust rebuilding, and the spark of something deeper all feel natural and deeply satisfying.

At its heart, The Rewrite is about second chances—at understanding, at healing, and at love. It’s a feel good read with emotional depth, perfect for anyone who enjoys stories where personal growth and romance intertwine.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella's trip to London is an impulsive one. Fresh off a breakup, she decides to fly across the ocean to confront a childhood bully. Except, when she gets there, she discovers so much more. She meets ppl & develops friendships. She discovers her "bully" is a pretty great guy & even becomes friends with his family... Oops! 😄 Her life becomes so full, she mostly forgets what brought her across the Pond in the first place.

Part of her new adventure involves a plumber named Max. They get off on the completely wrong foot & then end up being thrown together in various ways - one of which is the friendship that develops between Ella & Grace!

I struggled a bit throughout the story. It's told completely from Ella's POV & I prefer dual POV. I like to know what's going on in the MMC's head, ya know? And sometimes I wanted to throttle Ella bc, while she's helping everyone else with various things, she stays stuck in negative thoughts about her own situations. Idk, it's hard to explain.

Even through the bits I struggled with, I really enjoyed the way other bits unfolded. Ella's impulsive decision has far-reaching impacts on everyone she meets, & the way that all works out is brilliant & fun plotting! I LOVE the way her being in their lives touches the others in the story. 💚

I also enjoyed Max & wanted more of him. 😁 They have some really cute banter. And I loved the ending!

😍😍😍

[Jessica's Book Review · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always adore a good Beth Rinyu novel. Her books are mature with a great emotional storyline.

Rewrite is written in the POV of Ella, she is a famous author that is going through a breakup and decides to take an extended trip to London to write her next novel, but more importantly she tracked down a pen pal from her childhood that betrayed her with cruel words when she was 12 years old. She discovered he now lives in London and wants to meet the man that caused her so much pain and really re-shaped who she is as an adult.

In London she meets this childhood pen pal but he doesn’t know who she is. Ella becomes friends with not only his wife but VERY close with his cousin Max. Max and Ella begin a friend with benefits situation. Max is a good character; he is a blue-collar guy and a single father. They agree to this relationship since Ella is returning to the States.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot to this book. While I did like all the minor characters and found each character to be very well developed, the story itself was just a bit boring and was not really going anywhere. I really wish the end was not wrapped up so quickly. I was 97% in and thought maybe there will be a second book…. But nope. The book ended in just pages wrapping up the “main event” in the book. It was too rushed.

I give Rewrite by Beth Rinyu 2.5 stars

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being bullied as a child leaves marks, and for Ella, it changed everything. She worked hard to be accepted, changing her looks and chasing success - now she’s a famous author with movies based on her books. But the hurt never fully went away. When she hits writer’s block, she decides to visit the boy who once made her feel small, hoping to show him how well she’s done.

In London, things don’t go as planned. Instead of proving a point, Ella meets his family, makes new friends, and starts to enjoy a life she never expected - especially after meeting a handsome plumber who wasn’t part of the plan.

This is an easy, enjoyable read. The romance grows slowly, and I liked that the usual big drama wasn’t overdone. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, it’s a sweet story about love, friendship, and how the past shapes us. If you like romance with a found-family twist, this one’s worth a try.

I received an advance review copy for free , and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of The Rewrite

I was drawn to the title(I love a good "play on words" so having Ella "rewrite" everything she thought was true about the man she dubbed her enemy for all these years was rewarding.
This was a cute and overall enjoyable read!

[Beth Rinyu]

Available now! If you like an enemies to lovers romance, with a long lost penpal them. Then this romcom set in London is for you! It’s a feel good read that will have you missing the characters when you reach the end. Grab your copy today and be sure to add it to your TBR list!

[Andrea Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Rinyu is back with this heartfelt story! She never misses. The Rewrite is a remarkable love story that starts out as one goal but ends in the complete opposite. And what a journey we go on. Ella’s journey to confront a bully from her childhood ends up being the best thing she could have ever done. The grudge she’s been holding onto changes as she finds friends and love on her trip. And what a wonderful story we were given.

I don’t want to say too much more because I don’t want to give anything away. Just know that you need to read this sweet story.

Highly recommended.