Oh, Beth O’Leary, I love your books. I have been a fan ever since I read The Flat Share. I was over the moon when I got approved to read this! The Wake-Up Call had all the things I liked. Grumpy and Sunshine. Witty banter. Hate to love. I loved the chemistry between Lucas and Izzy. Of course, it wasn’t all about the romance. I enjoyed reading about why they cared so much about the hotel, their family and coworkers, and their backstories.
Now, to be fair in my review, I didn’t like the pacing. I felt it had been slow to start. The plot didn’t pick up until about halfway. However, the ending was sweet and made me feel cosy. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

Beth O’Leary’s The Wake-Up Call is a pleasant enough read (a cleverer choice of title than at first appears, btw), despite carrying recent romance trends I don’t enjoy, first-person present-tense narration and closed-bedroom scenes. Truth be told, there’s a trend in romance, like the Center I read this summer, that reminds me of the chicklit years: first person narration, rom-com vibes, pixie-girl heroines, and physical humour. It’s fine and I enjoyed The Wake-Up Call for the most part, but this trend lacks the genre’s intimacy (and not because the bedroom door is closed); rather there’s so much going on, so much of the cute, so convoluted the plot, and the romance is buried in there, embedded, not primary.

O’Leary’s romance trope is enemies-to-lovers; her premise, unique and compelling, if contrived. The publisher’s blurb will fill in the details:

Two hotel receptionists—and arch-rivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

It’s the busiest season of the year, and Forest Manor Hotel is quite literally falling apart. So when Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel’s front desk, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and see it through.

The hotel won’t stay afloat beyond Christmas without some sort of miracle. But when Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management that this might be the way to fix everything. With four rings still sitting in the lost & found, the race is on for Izzy and Lucas to save their beloved hotel—and their jobs.

As their bitter rivalry turns into something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas begin to wonder if there’s more at stake here than the hotel’s future. Can the two of them make it through the season with their hearts intact?

If there’s one thing I give O’Leary it’s her funny grumpy-sunshine pairing. Izzy refers to Lucas as Robot-Man and he’s always side-eying her sunshiny ways: “THE HOTEL IS SWARMING WITH FIREFIGHTERS. IZZY IS BEING unprofessionally flirtatious with one of the particularly handsome ones. I am in a very bad mood.” Lucas is staccato-blunt and scowly. It’s amusing as Izzy and Lucas verbally spar, banter, and take digs at each other. Izzy flits, flirts, charms, and hugs; Lucas scowls and digitizes the hotel’s booking system. She glues his mouse to the front-desk and he neatly arranges everything in her snack drawer.

O’Leary takes stock romance characters, grumpy-sunshine, and uses their “stock” as a mask to hide their vulnerabilities. She uses the romance narrative to slowly let the masks drop revealing their true selves to each other. The catalyst is their physical attraction. We learn that Izzy runs with carpe diem because she lost her parents. What else is there but to live for the moment, given life’s fragility? She collects friends to stave off the loneliness. Being with the sombre, serious Lucas sees her question her need to constantly be on the social scene. Lucas, in turn, lost his father when he was young; saw his family, sister and mother, be beholden to a harsh uncle-brother-in-law, is hyper-conscious that security and stability are the most important qualities to live by. Izzy helps him loosen up, tell his story, and yearn. Yearning suits Lucas. Teasing each other mercilessly makes for a funny first half, but getting to know each other upends their assumptions.

What didn’t work? O’Leary’s romance drags on with many secondary characters: the hotel guests, the loveable owners, Lucas’s family, Izzy’s many friends, but the worst of it is the narrative’s episodic nature. The romance is central sometimes and at times, it isn’t; least appealing is how the romance hinges on a misunderstanding. Oh no, the Big Mis: she is here. Nevertheless, there is tenderness to Lucas and Izzy falling for each. And they’re lovely people: they admit to the other’s qualities and grow to love them. The Big Mis carries them along for too long, but their declaration is magnificent, reminiscent of quite the Christmas movie. Then, this baby goes on and on and on…there’s even an HEA to the HEA. Miss Austen and I agree, Beth O’Leary’s The Wake-Up Call is “almost pretty,” Northanger Abbey.

Beth O’Leary’s The Wake-Up Call is published by Berkley and was released on Sept. 26. I received an e-galley, via Netgalley, from Berkley. This does not impede the free expression of my opinion.

An enemies-to-lovers romance that' s full of sparkle and sparks!

Beth O’Leary’s books are always full of quirky, offbeat characters and situations, and The Wake-Up Call is another treat. While there are some more serious plot elements about family loss, grief, and mourning, the overall tone is cute and full of humor, and the chemistry between Izzy and Lucas simply sparkles.

The Wake-Up Call is a great pick for when you’re looking for something light and cheerful, and would also make a terrific choice when the winter holidays roll around.

Smiles guaranteed! Don’t miss it.

I have enjoyed so many of Beth O’Leary’s books, and they always put a smile on my face when I finish reading them.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙠𝙚-𝙐𝙥 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡 was such a feel-good enemies to lovers and arch rivals story with such great characters. While this is low on the steam, it was full of all the great banter, and I didn’t even mind the miscommunication because it fueled their rivalry and made the story fun without being the only focus of the plot.

I also loved the setting at the Historic Inn at Christmas that felt so heartwarming and cozy, and reminded me so much of a holiday movie.

🎧I really enjoyed the alternating narration by Jessie Cave and Lino Facioli, and how it really brought the story to life, and would love to listen to more audiobooks performed by them.

*many thanks to Berkley Romance, PRH Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

This story is the cutest! I could totally see it as a Netflix series or a Hallmark Christmas movie, it has that vibe. Charming, fun, with lots of banter, quirky characters, adventures and the most beautiful setting. I loved it, it's a feel good kind of story. Just the kind of break you would need.

Lucas and Izzy work at this whimsical hotel and all their back and forths, pining and hate to love shenanigans were fun and sizzling. Then there's the whole ring backstory, which was original, mysterious, heart-melting and kept you guessing as the characters followed the trail, the hotel itself and the cast of supporting characters that make this story so wholesome and multidimensional.

There is a charming, light, addictive quality to Beth's writing, I liked her stories before too. And the fact that she writes from the English countryside, which always hold a soft spot for me, makes it more special and personal.

It's a closed door romance but with lots of passion and tension, so I could easily recommend it to anyone.

Perfect Christmas RomCom!

*arc provided by the publisher Berkley in exchange for a honest review, thank you so much!

Izzy and Lucas staff the front desk at a charming, but struggling hotel and do their best to avoid each other. When circumstances force them to spend time together, will they be able to overcome their past grievances in order to save the future of the hotel? This contemporary romance is a predictable, easy read with characters that are a tad frustrating.

Thank you Berkley for the gifted e-copy.

The Wake Up Call is a workplace enemies, grumpy sunshine romance set at a forest hotel/inn in England. It has good banter, I really liked both main characters, Izzy and Lucas, and they were trying to save the hotel from being shut down for financial reasons AND looking for owners of lost rings from the hotel's lost and found. What's not to love, right?

*SPOILER ALERT*

Izzy hates Lucas because of a freakin' misunderstanding. And that is my LEAST FAVORITE TROPE that I saw coming from a mile away.

The Christmas card that Izzy sent to Lucas last Christmas in which she professed her feelings was, in fact, NOT delivered to Lucas, but to Louis, a smarmy weasely man that gave me an icky feeling. AND, Lucas kissing Izzy's roommate under the mistletoe was NOT to take a crack at Izzy's feelings, because Lucas had NO IDEA how she felt, because he NEVER GOT THE CARD.

In summary, they hated each other for no reason.

BUT - when they do finally get together, sparks fly, and it's everything I love in an enemies to lovers romcom.

This is why I need 1/2 star ratings. 3.5 stars for this one.

This book was a little like the cover for me. I didn’t dislike it but I didn’t love it.

Izzy and Lucas work together at the front of the hotel. Or well, they purposefully don’t work together at the front of the hotel. Last Christmas Izzy wrote Lucas a card professing her love (or crush) and Lucas laughed at the card and then kissed her roommate under the mistletoe. Since then they have been only hate and haven’t been able to work the same shift. This Christmas however, in order to save the hotel they have to. While doing so, they decide to sell items that have been in the lost and found to raise money in hopes of saving the hotel. When Izzy finds some old wedding rings, she is determined to find out who they belonged to and give them back, while Lucas thinks it’s a waste of time.

Look, I love me an enemies to lovers story. And I did love Lucas and Izzy and their banter, even though their basis for hatred was a bit flimsy to me. I don’t know what it was about this book that didn’t grab me because on the surface I enjoyed it. I don’t have anything specific to say negative about it. It just took me a while to read it. I never got sucked in and it was easy to put down.

I liked the cast of characters. With the setting being a hotel, there’s always a fun and quirky guest hanging around. I also enjoyed the hotel owners even though they might not be the best business people.

This story is told in dual POV, so you get Izzy’s side of the story and Lucas’. It was cool to have a main character who was Brazilian and I lied how they brought his culture into the story. O’Leary’s novels usually have some heaviness to them so they’re not your typical romance novel. This one had some heaviness but nothing the same as her previous books.

This book is definitely more of a 3.5 star for me. It was enjoyable and Lucas and Izzy had good banter. The characters were enjoyable and I liked the story. I just wish there was something more, but I don’t know what the more is that I want. I would recommend The Flatshare and Road Trip before I recommend this one if you’re looking to get into O’Leary’s books, but if you want something a little lighter this might be a good spot to start for you. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

YES YES YES! Beth O'Leary is an incredibly talented writer that has yet to disappoint with a unique story, incredible characters, and really satisfying endings .The Wake Up Call is a great novel that I could not put down. I thought nothing could live up to her last novel The No-Show, but The Wake-Up Call was so incredible.

In this delightful romantic comedy, rival hotel receptionists Izzy and Lucas must set aside their differences and work together when they stumble upon a collection of lost wedding rings.

As they compete to return the rings and save their struggling hotel, their rivalry transforms into a love story that might mend more than just the business.

While set over the busy holiday season, this hotel book isn’t too heavy on the Christmas backdrop. This is one of the new Christmas books of 2023 that could be read any time of year! #gifted

Izzy and Lucas at one time got along, with attraction and chemistry sparking between them, but a misunderstanding has them battling it out as co-workers, trying to one-up the other.

Now they must band together to save the beloved and charming Forest Manor Hotel. Cleaning out and selling off the accumulated “lost items” to raise money, Izzy finds a Tupperware of lost wedding rings. Partially motivated by her own loss, Izzy is determined to find the owners of the missing wedding rings, which leads to a competition between Izzy and Lucas over who can return the most.

I loved The Wake-Up Call! Brimming with emotions, fun and playful at times, but also more serious dealing with feelings of inadequacy, grief and hurt. The romance was deliciously steamy, and I cheered for these two to sort everything out!

Beth O'Leary does it again and created another masterpiece that completely took me by surprise in the absolute best way!

I absolutely loved this book! Work-place, enemies to lovers is always top tier. Beth O'Leary does no wrong! I love how her books have romance but there is always something else there. The Wake-Up Call is an amazing novel with Christmas cozy vibes that everyone will enjoy!
5 stars!!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Izzy and Lucas have both found their family and their place at Forest Manor Hotel. But coming out of the pandemic, it's in danger of closing. The two of them don't get along, ever since the previous Christmas. But they agree to work to find money and keep the hotel open. One of their schemes is returning wedding rings from the lost property room to their original owners.

This brings together workplace romance, forced proximity, enemies-to-lover, and a bit of grump/sunshine. But there is so much miscommunication.

I enjoyed reading about the hotel and their quest for the rings. But I kept finding myself annoyed that the main characters didn't have a simple conversation about why they didn't get along. And my annoyance only increased as the miscommunication persisted.

I really liked Jessie Cave's narration. I didn't find Lino Facioli's voices quite as strong.

Beth O'Leary's writing and characters are as wonderful as always. But the miscommunication means this wasn't my favorite from her.

Rounded up to 4 stars

The Wake-Up Call is an enemies to lovers, coworker, (dare i say holiday?), romance!

Izzy and Lucas are polar opposites at work. Izzy is colorful and empathetic and a bit chaotic whereas Lucas is organized and detached. After a disastrous fight the holiday previous, Izzy and Lucas can never see eye to eye. The hotel they work at is going under and they need a way to save their home. When Izzy discovers a set of rings in the lost and found, she makes it her mission to find their rightful owners. Her and Lucas strike up a competition of sorts, placing bets and wagers on whoever finds the owners the fastest. As they compete they realise their sparking 'animosity' might be the spark of attraction.

I thought Beth O'Leary paints a really vivid and engaging cast of characters, both side and main characters here. I love opposites attract romance. The 'enemies' component here is that Izzy confessed her love Lucas last Christmas in a card, asked him to meet her under the mistletoe, just to catch him kissing her roommate there instead. As you might guess, it was all a misunderstanding. I think that's the only place where this started to fall flat. I loved their chemistry, I loved their banter, but after learning (from Lucas' POV) that her barbs are always hurtful to him, completely confused as to why she blew up on him last Christmas and her teasing that he's unfeeling hitting too close to home (a cheating ex), I found it hard to read their fighting. It was starting to hurt. In addition, because of this knowledge, Izzy's stubbornness and inability to even breathe a word about the incident last Christmas, reads very frustrating.

I understood the rationale when in Izzy's chapters (her fear of getting her feelings hurt again), I was finding myself a little annoyed at how harsh she is on Lucas repeatedly. Especially because many of the 'banter' moments always felt more mean on her end.

This was a problem for me during the middle chunk of the book. Despite this! I did find the story overall enjoyable. It made me want to read more Beth O'Leary though I don't think this story will be entering the ranks of a favorite of mine.

Izzy and Lucas work for Forest Manor Hotel, they love their jobs but hate each other. In an effort to raise some much needed funds for the hotel they decide to go through all of the lost and found left over the years and sell it. They come across a collection of wedding rings. Izzy finds the owner of one of the rings and receives a sizable reward for the hotel in return. Four unclaimed rings are left and Lucas and Izzy decide to make it a competition. Who can find the owners first? With the hotel and their jobs on the line they find themselves setting aside their differences and working together. Can they do that and fight the attraction that they have towards each other?

This was a cute story. Lots of great banter, sabotage, steamy chemistry and of course love! The No-Show will still be my favorite but this was good in its own right. It is one of those frustrating stories that I just wish that the characters would just communicate!! Talk to each other and be honest!! That is what makes these romances fun though is the path they travel to find love and possibly each other.

3.5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #BethO’Leary #TheWake-UpCall

Highlights:

Enemies-to-lovers
Workplace romance
Miscommunication
Christmas miracle
Found family
TW: parental death, grief

Izzy and Lucas work in a picturesque Forest Manor Hotel. The hotel has fallen on tough times, so Izzi and Lucas have to team up to save the hotel. The only thing is, they can't stand each other. Of course, The Wake-Up Call is a romance novel, so, while working together, their enmity turns into something else. I liked the premise of the book. A historic manor hotel with quirky characters is a perfect setting for a Christmas-themed book. But I struggled with Lucas and Izzy's relationship. For me, enemies-to-lovers work when there are high stakes, such as in fantasy or paranormal romance. In contemporary romance, especially workplace romance, it can turn into childish pettiness and sabotage that I don't particularly like. This was the case with this book.

I recommend The Wake-Up Call to readers who enjoy the mentioned tropes and holiday-themed romance.

I always look forward to a new book from Beth O’Leary. While The Wake-up Call was not a new favorite for me, I did still find it enjoyable.

I’ll start with what I liked. The characters were fun and witty and provided some great banter. I loved all the quirky people at the hotel and wish there was maybe even a little more from them. Izzy and Lucas were both pretty likeable most of the time (even though I often wanted to strangle Izzy) and I obviously shipped them. The romance was cute, if a little too far on the sappy side towards the end.

There were a few things that brought my reading experience down, though. One of my very, very least favorite things in books is when one, short conversation could solve all the conflict, but the characters wait way too long to have that conversation and that is the case here. There are even multiple times where Izzy willfully works against having that conversation and it drove me insane. Another one of my very last favorite things is the whole “friends/enemies with benefits” trope. When you know both characters have feelings, but they think they can hide them and just have a physical relationship without any strings. It doesn’t work and it makes me respect them less.

I also thought the Ring Thing would play a much larger role in the story. It ended up being just a small part of the overall narrative and the whole thing was far less adventurous than I was expecting. There wasn’t a whole that really happened in the story, to be honest, but it was still enjoyable to read about Izzy and Lucas and watch their relationship develop.

Overall, I enjoyed The Wake-up Call. While there were some things that brought the story down for me a bit, it was still an entertaining read and I’ll look forward to O’Leary’s next books.

I have read all of Beth O'Leary's novels and really liked them, but I didn"t find this one as good as the others.

Izzy and Lucas are hotel receptionists who hate each other, all because of a misunderstanding. Essentially, I thought they were both immature and they could have easily cleared the air. But I get it. Sometimes, because a certain amount of time goes by, the situation becomes worse and a mountain is created from a molehill, and then it's hard to know what exactly started it all because now each action is a rivalry.

It's a rom-com, and out of all of her books, this one is the most typical rom-com. It bothered me that although they claimed to hate each other, they still had lots of sex. I finished the book because O'Leary has a way of drawing you in, but I was not a fan of the story.

This was a cute story, but I had mixed feelings about it. While I adored Izzy's perspective, I couldn't quite connect with Lucas and his reasons for being upset with Izzy didn't entirely make sense to me. Both characters came across as somewhat immature at times, which was a bit off-putting. I liked the setting as a character and the hotel seemed like one I would want to visit. However, I found it a bit hard to fully buy into the ring plot. Overall, The Wake-Up call was an entertaining read, but didn’t surpass my favorite, The Flatshare.