So fun and sexy and kind of unexpected for Beth O'Leary! I feel she's more of a women's fic/romance cusp girly, but this was more a straight up romance. I really felt the chemistry between the two leads, and I really loved the slight twist of a FMC leaning into her sharper, less people pleasing side for a change for a Christmas story.

Beth O’Leary is the author to turn to when you are in need of a bibliophiliac tonic. Granted, all of her books appear to be made from the same recipe of memorable female protagonist, male antagonist-turned supporter, contemporary setting and a healthy dose of upbeat humour, but this does not diminish the light-hearted enjoyment that each tome offers. In this, her latest offering, O’Leary brings us a female literary protagonist by the name of Izzy Jenkins, whose initial antagonist is Lucas Da Silva who works alongside her at the Forest Manor Hotel. The once charming hotel is now crumbling around them, and the staff have resorted to selling off the hotel’s lost property in an effort to keep their jobs beyond the impending Christmas holiday that does not conjure up much joy. When Izzy find two wedding rings, however, the incurable romantic inside her decides to trace the rightful owners. But could this bold move provide not only a cash injection to the hotel but also a romance injection to Izzy’s life?
Other readers have commented on the often infantile character of protagonist Izzy, but it highlights the comedic value of some of her encounters even more. Whereas the elliptical, grammatically incorrect writing style of O’Leary’s ‘The Flatshare’ had occasionally jarred with me, I found this novel’s writing style more more reader-friendly and suggest that anyone in need of a literary pick-me-up gives this book a chance. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for granting me a free ARC that made this book review possible.

Not my favourite of Beth's books... There was something missing that I can't put my finger on. Just wasn't for me!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a DNF at 35% and not because there was anything bad about the book. The writing was good and the characters and plot were well written.

My personal tastes and preferences in my romance books interfered with my enjoyment of the book which is why I'm not continuing.

Fun a festive, this (misunderstood) enemies to loves keeps you on your toes! O'Leary brings us to a hotel on its last legs, and an adventure to find the owners of some lost rings. It's a love letter to love, whether failed or everlasting, and the twists were fun and authentic.

Having enjoyed this author’s previous books, I was excited to read her latest one. This is another great read, definitely a will they, won’t they rom com. Look forward to another page turner from this author

I have been a Beth O'Leary fan ever since I read The No-Show, and I am so excited that I have been able to add this book to my list of favorite romances! The Christmas setting was classic without being too cheesy, and the enemies to lovers vibes kept the story moving. Another hit by O'Leary!

I love Beth's writing. This took me a little while to get into, but once I was in, I was all in! Loved the characters and so wanted their story to have a happy ending. The humour, as ever, is great.

I've loved Beth O'Leary's books since I first read The Flatshare so I really enjoyed reading yet another romantic comedy written by her. I loved the premise of the book and the setting - is there a better place to fall in love than at a Manor in the New Forest? I doubt it! There's something magical about this one and although it's not one of my favourites by O'Leary... I think it's a great book to read if you're looking for some escapism!

Every book I read by Beth O'Leary has me grinning at her witty dialogue and in tears at the clever way she plays on our heart strings. This latest story continues this rich vein and fans will be quickly swept up in the complicated, crumbling nature of Izzy & Luca’s relationship.

I adored Izzy and her helpful ways, she is such a relatable, joyous character. The subplots revolving around the hotel are entertaining & engaging and a lovely counterpoint to the “will they, won’t they” storyline.

It's just marvellous.

I've loved Beth's other books, however I found this one lacking. The characters were ok, but I found the will they/ won't they a bit wearing and I was impatient for it to happen. It dragged on way too long. All the relationship stuff detracted from what was a great back story of them trying to save the fortunes of what sounds like a brilliant country house hotel. Slightly disappointing

The premise of this really spoke to me, it sounded so lovely. However, I didn't enjoy the execution. I didn't really like Izzy or Lucas as main characters, and I didn't believe in their romance at all, The hotel was lovely though, there was a real family feel to the place and I loved the other characters we meet here.

I have read most of Beth's books, but I think this one is my favourite. Was it predictable? Yes. I raced through it anyway, and enjoyed every minute.

The Wake Up Call by Beth O'Leary was everything I'd hoped it would be and more. I loved the story, the setting, and the characters, I didn't want this book to end. It was a highly enjoyable and entertaining read that i'd recommend to anyone who also likes the romance genre. The Forest Manor hotel sounds like a place I'd love to visit and would be an interesting place to work, so it was easy to fall into the story and the characters lives. Izzy and Lucas' rivalry, misunderstandings, and heat was perfect and had me hoping things would work out for them both in the end. The lost and found rings brought some great additional characters into the story and I loved reading about each of the attempts to find the owners. Can't wait to read more by Beth O'Leary.

Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved this book. I honestly don't know where to begin it was that good. I enjoyed the hotel part of the book, I could imagine myself as a guest checking in there. The characters I became very fond off. The plot was extremely exciting. I found this book so easy to read. Absolutely loved it.

This is a witty and feel-good romcom that's full of charm, with brilliant main and supporting characters that you can't help but love.

A wonderfully easy read that brings a sense of comfort and joy, and a cosiness that's perfect to read as the nights are getting colder!

With enemies-to-lovers, and grumpy x sunshine tropes, this story has a fun and competitive feel that lasts throughout the book - you can't help but wish that Forest Manor Hotel was real!

Beth O'Leary strikes again with her heartfelt, funny and quirky rom-coms. This one doesn't have the same sort of twist as The No-Show or the out-of-the -ordinary set-ups of The Flatshare and The Switch but it has a lovely cast of characters, the alternating point of views. Though now I come to think of it, I guess the search for the lost wedding rings works as the original set-up though it is not as central to the plot as it is in the other two books.

I thoroughly enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers story between Izzy and Lucas and all the other stories that a hotel setting bring up.

It took me a little while to get into this one, but I'm so pleased I stuck with it to enjoy Lucas and Izzy's journey from being work enemies to being... well, read the book! It's fun and entertaining with a great cast of characters.

Rather adorable opposites-attract hotel-set romance.

Their workplace is falling down around them. But receptionists Izzy and Lucas still manage to snipe at each other over the state of the stationery drawer. Every reader will see instantly that this pair are attracted to each other (as do most of the hotel staff and residents), but something has taken place that has left them snippety, playing pranks on each other and adamant that there is mutual loathing.

But with their beloved hotel threatened with closure, the discovery of some valuable rings in the lost property room starts them on a (maybe none too healthy) competition to reunite each with their owner and see if any rewards can perk up their employers' finances and keep them their jobs. With no funny business involved of course.

This was rather funny throughout. It's more than obvious that the pair are attracted to each other. And besides the main pairing, we have Poor Mandy, some excellent 'best friends on the phone' relationships, heart-of-gold employers, a selection of staff and residents that make their mark. A slimy potential love interest. And some past misunderstandings and backstories to root through as the romantic leads eventually decide if they want to open up and communicate.

Sometimes a warm, cosy love story is just what you need. One with sniping and realistic family/romantic entanglements is a bonus.

Would make an excellent mini-series/film.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

A Christmassy romance where two sworn enemies fight to save the hotel they work in from closure. It was an enjoyable enough read it just didn’t have anything that grabbed my attention and made me unable to put it down. I found the ending very sweet and a good round up to the story.