Thank you so much @BerkleyRomance for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 25 April 2023)

SYNOPSIS | Charlotte & JT are frenemies who have had a four year rivalry (ever since he ditched her at homecoming) but they are forced to work together. They meet early one day to set up prom decorations when Charlotte accidentally falls off a ladder colliding with JT which sends them to the future. Now they are 30 and about to be married… to each other.

WHAT I LIKED:
- basically a high school version of 13 Going on 30 and I was here for it
- the time jump was handled really well and I loved both before and after chapters
- Char & JT were honestly so precious together and despite their animosity the forced proximity and bizarreness of their situation was such a fun read
- it touches on some heavier topics and I liked that they could see the repercussions of some of their actions in the future timeline
- overall it's such a wholesome & feel good story that managed to give me those nostalgic feels too

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- Charlotte is pretty insufferable for most of the story

I enjoyed the flow of this book! I wish we could find out more about the next 13 years between the characters (perhaps a second book?). If you love enemies to lovers then this is a definite read.

“Mom once described high school as a “trip”—a passage of time that feels tediously slow, but also lightning fast. After chasing perfect grades, (…) the next school event, it’s hard to believe all those mini goalposts have culminated in four whole years.”

Genre: General Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Actual Rating: 5+ stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Mentions death of a young sibling and death of a parent. Contains some romantic content (kissing).

I had never smashed the 5-star button for a book so fast. “Woke Up Like This” follows Charlotte (Char) Wu and J. T. Renner, two high school frenemies, as, after a petty accident, they’re both catapulted to an alternate reality—a reality 13 years away, where they’re 30 years old and a week away from getting married. They’ll do anything to go back to 17, but what if they can’t? And most of all, if they do, will (reverse?) hindsight affect their future? Or are these two polar opposites really meant to be.

This book was really “13 Going on 30” core, and I was here for it. And perhaps “Woke Up Like This” wouldn’t be as relatable if you’re in your late teens, fresh off of high school, but gosh did I love this read. It really did make me reminisce my school days and how I, too, wanted nothing but to grow up—and now want nothing but to go back to the days when my biggest worries were what homework was due or if I was going to be able to nap or not.

I fell in love with Renner and Char and their whole dynamic, but I was specifically drawn to Char and her need to micromanage the present and the future—mostly because I, too, was this way until recently, until I finally understood that I wasn’t living nor enjoying the present, all because I was looking out for my future. Spoiler alert, it’s not worth it in the long run, the present will always be just a little bit sweeter.

“Woke Up Like This” really did take me through a rollercoaster of emotions. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for a sweet, clean romance with some cute high school rivals to lovers vibe.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Mindy’s Book Studio in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 1, 2023

“(…) Real life doesn’t feel real without you.”

An absolute gem of a book, delivering on its promise and then some!

What makes "Woke Up Like This" different from other books is its ingenious and fresh concept of time travel with a twist – waking up engaged to a high school nemesis after 13 years. This original premise immediately piques readers' curiosity and draws us into a captivating narrative.

The book not only entertains but also resonates with readers on a deep level. The book is a delightful trip down memory lane, bringing so much of high school nostalgia. To me, this was such a charming and entertaining read that captures the essence of youth and the importance of embracing the journey, not just the destination. The story made me laugh, reflect, and perhaps even wish for a bit of time-travel magic in my own life.

“Woke Up Like This” offers a delightful and unique reading experience. It is perfect for those who love coming-of-age stories with a unique twist.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review! I’ll make sure to buy the paperback version as I loved this book so much.

Sometimes a book isn’t worth the hype and sometimes it totally is. This book is definitely worth the hype! I love, love, love this book. It is like 13 going on 30, but with a twist of not just Charlotte the list making, follow rules and show no emotion girl plummeting into her 30’s. Also her arch enemy J.T. is flash forwarded to his 30’s. Join them in their adventure of bickering and then trying to get back to their senior year in high school.

I cannot sing enough praise for the storytelling and feeling the connection to these characters. I didn’t want it to end.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance ready

Charlotte is ultra busy organizing the prom and check off her high school bucket list. She falls off a ladder on to her archnemesis, Renner. But when she wakes up, they are 30 and he is her fiancé...
This is an enemies to lovers, YA, romantic comedy with "13 Going on 30" vibes. I liked that both MCs are in the same "WTF is happening" situation-as opposed to Renner not knowing what the heck Charlotte is freaking about. I would've skipped a lot of the teen drama and the obsession with prom, but it was a quick and fun read that had me laughing out loud a few times.
"Hate to break it to you, but adulthood is just a never-ending circle of chores, obligations, googling how to fix stuff and spending money on things you hate. Like sponges and dish detergent. ... I spend half the time pretending to know what I'm doing, and the other half ignoring all my problems and hoping they'll disappear. Spoiler alert: they do not."
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this cozy, entertaining read, a true page-turner. If you've read the blurb, you know it's one that will make you stop in your tracks and take notice. If you haven't, the book is about 17-year-old Charlotte and Renner- arch rivals- and after a fall from a ladder wake up as 30-year-old. And the worst is yet to come. They're engaged to be married in a week. Together, they try to wrap their heads around their new reality while trying to get back to age 17.

Love can happen in many ways, and I'm in love with the new trope if (I can call it that) created in this story. Of course, it's rivals to lovers, but the authenticity of these characters melted my heart unexpectedly. And it's not just the love between Charlotte and Renner, but the understanding of relationships over the gap of 13 years. This book could very easily have used the plotline on the surface lever, but I appreciate the way Amy Lea dug deep into underlying emotions.

As I mentioned, there is an emphasis on family and friendships, which is a pure delight! Charlotte being our POV character, we saw more of her dynamic with her divorced parents and complex relationship with her best friend.

Charlotte and Renner's ever evolving bond made for some great banter and amazing conversations. I love how they both complement each other and bring out the best in the other. All the amazing tropes plus everything you need in a rom-com rolled into one book. I can't do anything more to convince you to read this book, but please do coz its PERFECT!!

When a book makes me cry I feel like it deserves five stars. This book made me laugh and cry. The author does a fantastic job bringing you into Charlotte and Renners lives. I especially loved that both of them went forward in time. That they shared that together. This book is fantastic and a must read. The author is definitely an auto buy author for me.

I really liked this whole story. I thought it was the perfect YA wholesome novel that really hits home for a lot of people. Loved the 13 going in 30 twist as well. Overall a super fun read!

3.5 ⭐️

Wow. This made me feel old. This book was cute. High school enemies wake up as 30 year olds a few days before their wedding.

This book is YA and I feel like teenagers reading this will relate to being on the brink of adulthood and all of the endings that come with saying goodbye to high school. There’s also some good lessons here about friendship and growing apart, growing up, and giving people second chances.

This has a lot of reminders of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and 13 Going on 30, but it’s still a unique take and feels like it stands on some of its own concepts.

Amazing read for fans of 13 going on 30!

It was very much YA, actually more than I excepted. I honestly feel too old for it, but it's perfect for someone 13-15 years old, I feel like teenagers will absolutely love it.

I gotta say chapter 23 was soo good!

I enjoyed this book. Definitely 13 going on 30 vibes. I thought this was a good easy read for maybe younger adults/younger highs schoolers but I was not disappointed. I would highly recommend this book when given the chance.

This was an easy, fun read. It's definitely very similar to 13 going on 30. However, this time 2 people go forward in time after an accident where they hit their heads.

It’s a nice book, but Charlotte, the main character was very immature for her age. She is a senior in high school in the book but has the maturity of someone much younger. I think this book may have been written for an audience around 13-15 years old. If you are not into young adult-type stories, this book would not be for you.

There was a lot going on, a few life lessons thrown in, and it was still a fun read. I was torn between giving this a 3 and a 4, because of what I mentioned above. But I must admit that even though it seemed to be written for a much younger audience, I still enjoyed it.

Woke Up Like This by Amy Lea is such a fun romcom. Definitely "13 Going on 30" vibes, which I loved. I never wanted it to end, I was enjoying the story and the banter and early 2000s details. Highly recommend!!

I LOVED this story, especially as a high school teacher. Charlotte and Renner are high school arch enemies. They are decorating for prom when Charlotte falls from the ladder, waking up in bed with Renner. She figures out that they are now 30 years old and engaged to be married. Charlotte and Renner have to piece together what happened and try to get back to high school. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I enjoyed this light YA rom com. It was fun, and I really liked the connection between the two main characters. It was a nice trip down high school lane!

4.5 ⭐️

JT Renner and Charlotte Wu couldn’t be anymore different, right? They neg each other at everything. Since being ditched on homecoming, a 4 year rivalry has been born. Too occupied planning all the senior events, Char and Renner meet one day to set up prom decorations, but a free accident causing them to collide end up sending them to the future 13 years later. When they’re 30 and about to get married… to each other!

This was a sweet rivals to lovers YA with a snippet of the adult world, very reminiscent of 13 GOING ON 30, but with a twist where both main characters got to see themselves as adults. Renner was such a likable character and Char was the perfectionist you can’t help but cheer for. There were strained friendships, strained family dynamics, and romantic chemistry between the MCs. It would translate very well on screen!

Woke Up Like This is just a warm hug of a book.

Honestly this book gave me the same feeling of watching that favourite romcom you can’t help but watch every time it’s on tv. I’m thinking 10 Things I Hate About You, 13 Going on 30, etc.

Charlotte and J.T. have always hated each other and competed for everything at school. When they hit their heads in an accident, they wake up to the realizations they’re 30 years old and getting married in a week. Can the future be changed? Do they want it to??

I almost read this is one sitting, its so much fun and just gives all around good vibes. You know exactly where the story is going to go, but it’s one of those books where that’s a welcome thing!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available October 1, 2023

Woke Up Like This skews far more YA than Contemporary/Chick Lit. It's a cute story, and definitely has '13 Going on 30' vibes, but I expected it to be a bit more mature. I'd say this is firmly geared towards 13-17 year-olds than it is to a broader audience.

Amy Lea's first YA is a spin on 13 Going on 30. I tend to love time slip/time travel stories, especially in romcoms, and this has a fun twist on the trope: the love interest time travels along with the MC, which creates a fun dynamic. This was a very quick read, and I had a good time with it, but I didn't feel super invested, nor did the romance really pull me in.