Beth O'Leary knows how to hit you in the feels. I have enjoyed most of her previous books and have been excited to read her newest for ages. This is an enemies to lovers story of two hotel employees competing to return a stack of wedding rings to their rightful owner. Miscommunication, hurt feelings, and past hurts and stories pile up to create the perfect storm of tension and longing. The longing...whew...its so real and so good.

If you love Katherine Center, a good British rom or a romance with heft (per my friend Kari), this is your book.

An easy to digest contemporary rom com set at Christmas time in an idealistic but troubled hotel in England. Izzy and Lucas are rivals and their love/hate stems from their differing philosophies about absolutely everything.

To help the hotel stay afloat, Izzy starts a Ring Hunt to find the owners of lost rings, This becomes the centre of their ultimate HEA.

Lots of sexy moments and romantic scenes , but ultimately closed door and clean.

What a ride! Izzy and Lucas have a great grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers arc that pays off at every moment you get to know them. Both of these archetypes are not my usual go-to’s, but O’Leary makes it work and more. This may be my favorite since The Flatshare.

And just like that, I am taking a QUICK break from Spooky Season books to read & review a charming Holiday book that release next week 🎄⛄️

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

“The Wake-Up Call” by Beth O’Leary is one of the sweetest, wittiest and cutest holiday books that I have read in a long time! “The Flat Share” by this author is one of my all time favourite rom coms .. and this one is a close tie!

Izzy and Lucas work the front desk together at the cozy Forest Manor Hotel. The only problem is, well they LOATHE one another! As the holiday season begins to sneak up, the hotel roof falls to shambles and they can only accommodate a handful of guests during the construction.

However, the repair costs are astronomical and there is not much hope that the hotel will be able to stay open past New Years. Izzy and Lucas come up with an idea to raise some money by selling LONG forgotten about items from the lost and found!

While doing inventory, Izzy comes across some lost wedding rings that were never claimed by their owners. She feels destined to find the rightful owners of the rings … and when a HUGE finders reward is given to the hotel, Izzy and Lucas decide to turn it into a competition to see who can return the most rings back and help save the hotel!

Thank you kindly to @betholearyauthor @berkleypub @penguinrandomca @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases next week on September 26, 2023 and should definitely be added to your holiday TBR!

Read this if you enjoy:
🎄holiday reads
🎄enemies to lovers
🎄forced proximity
🎄workplace romance
🎄opposites attract
🎄grumpy vs sunshine
🎄cozy settings

The Wake-Up Call is an rivals-to-lovers romance set in a historic hotel in a small town in Great Britian. Izzy and Lucas are both hotel receptionists tasked with selling off the lost items left behind by guests and take on the task of tracking down the original owners of several wedding rings.

I loved The Flatshare by O'Leary and The No Show was charming if you could look past the cheating angle, but this fell flat for me simply because it was completely unrealistic that these two adults would not sit down and talk about an incident that caused their relationship to fall apart. Essentially, this novel completely hinges on the miscommunication trope, one that most romance readers bemoan the existence of. Instead of these two talking about an incident last Christmas that caused them to have a very public fight, Izzy refuses to talk about why she was so hurt by Lucas' actions. Izzy in fact, refuses to communicate for most of the book, and it made it difficult to finish.

There are some glimmers of greatness here, in the side characters that make up a lovely found family aspect to this book. Most of the people staying at the hotel are return visitors, so Izzy and Lucas have developed relationships with these characters beyond being service workers and their customers. Each side character is unique and charming, they leap on page. The owners of each ring also have cute if not juicy stories as well.

The hotel itself is also a charming setting, especially for a Christmas romance. You can practically picture the decorated halls of the historic hotel, with its antique furniture and fairy lights.

The writing quality itself is also very nice, I have never had issues with O'Leary's writing, simply her plots at times.

I would recommend this romance to someone who enjoys Abby Jimenez or Rachel Lynn Soloman. The character development in these authors' works are similar, as is the level of steam, and all have a focus on a high development of side characters to add to the story.

I was fortunate enough to receive this book as a Kindle ARC, and let me tell you, it was an absolute delight! This enemies-to-lovers romance took me on an unforgettable journey filled with passion, humor, and a rollercoaster of emotions.

From the very first page, I was hooked. The tension between the two main characters was palpable, and I couldn't wait to see how their relationship would evolve. The author masterfully wove a tale of love blossoming from animosity, and it was a joy to witness their transformation.

What truly sets this book apart is its perfect balance of steamy moments and heartfelt emotions. The chemistry between the characters sizzles on the page, making it impossible to put down. But it's not just about the passion; it's about the depth of their connection and the growth of their characters as they overcome their misunderstandings and embrace a second chance at love.

The story also had its fair share of humor, which had me laughing out loud more than once. The competitive aspect added an exciting twist, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

While this book would indeed make a fantastic Christmas read, it's a must-read at any time of the year. I couldn't get enough of the characters, their banter, and the beautifully crafted romance that unfolded.

In conclusion, this book is a captivating, heartwarming, and steamy journey from enemies to lovers. If you're a fan of this trope, don't miss out on this gem. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Beth O’Leary is a relatively new to me author, I absolutely loved The No Show, so I was excited to pick up The Wake-Up Call. I really enjoyed this, I got some good laughs out of the bickering between Izzy and Lucas, and although the actual problem could have been solved by an adult conversation when the issue took place. I loved the family between the staff and guests at the Forest Manor Hotel, they were all so quirky and fun, and the task of reuniting the lost wedding/engagement rings with their owners was sweet, albeit a little dramatic at times.

Overall this was a sweet, cozy book perfect to enjoy by the fire with a hot chocolate! Ultimately this solidified Beth O’Leary as an auto read author for me!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for sending me an advanced digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for review!

Have you ever stayed at a bed and breakfast?

I have not but they always sound so cute. The Wake-Up Call is about two people working at a cute inn in England that is in financial distress. To save the inn, they sell off lost and found items, including lost jewelry. This book was quite cute. There is a little bit of everything - romance, witty banter, quirky characters, heartfelt friendships, enemies to lovers, and of course, Gilmore Girls vibes with all the Dragonfly Inn feelings. It was was quite endearing and while it got a little draggy at times, I loved the ending and got the warm fuzzies. Just a good feel good, cute read.

I’d absolutely recommend picking this one up for the holiday season. Even with the chaos happening in the hotel, it still felt like a cozy place to spend Christmas. The writing was just what I’ve come to expect from Beth O’Leary. Definitely a comforting read; a decent mix of lighthearted workplace romance with some real heart to it.

I loved every single character in this book. There was a definite found-family element at the hotel which just warmed my little heart. I think Beth O’Leary is good at creating fun characters that don’t veer into overly quirky pick-me girls or manic pixie territory. Even with the giant miscommunication issue happening *eye roll* I thought that the story was so fun - I could read ten more books about the different people working and staying at the Forest Manor Hotel.

Beth O'Leary, you little rascal, you.

This book was everything I never knew I need wrapped up tight within 368 pages.

The Wake-Up Call, is funny, witty, and will have you smiling so hard your cheeks will hurt. Lucas and Izzy will warm your heart and have you rooting for them the entire time.

Check out this teaser:

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?

I always enjoy Beth O'Leary's books, they tend to be comfort reads for me. The Wake-Up Call was tougher for me to get into but once it got going, I really enjoyed the banter in this enemies to lovers, workplace relationship. There was a very hallmark feel to this one at times - i.e. Izzy and Lucas teaming up to save the hotel they work at from going under, but it felt perfect for this time of year.

3.5 Stars

Thank you to Berkley Romance for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute rivals to lovers story! I enjoyed the setting (I work in a hotel so hotel settings always bring me joy) and I enjoyed the banter between Izzy and Lucas. I think the only thing that would stop this from becoming a full-fledged five star book is if there was no miscommunication. Like I get it, I know why it happened but it did take away from the story for a moment and I wish that it wasn't there. Otherwise, another great book by Beth O'Leary, who always does a good job in the wholesome romance front.

A delightful, lighthearted read! Pure enjoyment! This story centers on the main characters, Izzy and Lucas, who share a deep affection for the same hotel they both work at. The narrative unfolds through the dual perspectives of Izzy and Lucas, providing readers with insight into both of their worlds.

In the midst of the busiest season at the struggling Forest Manor Hotel, Izzy and Lucas, despite their differences, find themselves sharing a shift at the front desk. The hotel is on the verge of collapse, and they must set aside their disagreements to ensure its survival. Desperation sets in as the hotel faces potential closure before Christmas. However, when Izzy returns a lost wedding ring to a guest and receives a reward, management sees it as a chance to turn things around. With four more lost rings still in the hotel's possession, Izzy and Lucas embark on a race against time to save their cherished hotel and, in the process, their jobs.

Izzy, with her warm and affable nature, effortlessly endears herself to everyone she encounters. In contrast, Lucas projects an air of brooding seriousness. Amidst their shared love for the hotel, a perceived betrayal lingers, waiting to be addressed. Compounding their challenges, the hotel faces dire financial straits, putting their job security in jeopardy.

The delightful rivalry and witty banter between Izzy and Lucas add an extra layer of charm to the story. Additionally, the inclusion of the 'Ring Thing' injects a sense of fun and intrigue into the narrative, making it an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read.

A big misunderstanding and a floundering hotel have rivals Izzy and Lucas grudgingly team up. They equally love where they work and everyone except each other. A guest offers the hotel a reward for a missing ring, sending Izzy and Lucas on a competitive mission to have a repeat with others.
I'm a big fan of Beth's writing and have found that her books always sit well with me. The setting is fantastic and the push to work together was perfect fodder for Izzy and Lucas to reconcile and see past their differences.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

The Wake-Up Call is a solid contemporary romance by Beth O'Leary. There's no twist or shake up. Just your standard cutesy rom com. If you like the genre or other Beth O'Leary books, you should add this one to your list as well. It's got a great supporting cast of characters and a solid enemies-to-lovers/grumpy-sunshine trope going on.

Expected publication date is September 26, 2023.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Negalley for the electronic advanced copy.

Another fun flirty romance from Beth O'Leary! This one is a forced proximity, enemies to lovers romance centered around a family style hotel. I loved the emphasis on chosen family in this one. Highly recommend!

The Wake-Up Call is something of a return to form for Beth O'Leary, which left me with a big smile on my face and a strong desire to revisit The Flatshare, which was one of my favorite reads of 2019. Oh, how I loved that book! Seriously, I felt so happy when I finished reading it—like it was a little gem I'd discovered—and that feeling was echoed when I closed The Wake-Up Call.

I'm not always the biggest fan of enemies-to-lovers romance, but there was something about this one that just worked for me. The back and forth between Izzy and Lucas was biting and perhaps even a little immature, but it never went too far. Perhaps it was the quaint but chaotic hotel setting, or the inclusion of Poor Mandy in their antics, or simply just O'Leary lovely writing; whatever it was, I was eager to see the two of them set aside their differences, have a good conversation or three, and finally get to the bit all romance lovers love: happily ever after.

A cute premise combined with a seasonal setting, strong supporting characters, and of course, two protagonists who captured my attention (and ultimately, my heart) all came together in a story that I didn’t want to put down, did want to gush about—even while still reading—and strongly suspect will be one of my top reads of 2023.

3.5 STARS

A country hotel in rural England, the Forest Manor Hotel, is on its last legs literally and financially. Two trusted employees, Izzy and Lucas, who seem to be mortal enemies are forced to work together to help save the hotel from financial ruin. Christmas time is usually a very important season for the family run hotel; however, with part of the hotel closed for repairs, the few remaining employees are desperate to keep the business open. While selling off what the owners and staff can find to acquire some much-needed operating funds, Izzy hits upon the idea to return some valuable rings from the lost and found after the first attempt reaps a bountiful reward.

Izzy and Lucas do not get along and are constantly bickering, messing with one another in petty little ways, and now, are in competition to find the other ring owners. A year before, Izzy has made an attempt to let Lucas know she liked him and when it backfired, she decided to get her hate on treating Lucas as Enemy Number One. Lucas thinks Izzy is a major pain in his arse, who delights in making his life harder. He is an ex-pat Brazilian not only working at the hotel, but is taking courses in management to further his career.

Lucas’s fiery Brazilian temper and Izzy’s people pleaser personality mix like oil and water, or in other words, not at all. Each of them has some family baggage to contend with making any kind of relationship a challenge since their default setting seems to be an antagonistic one. Even when they cross battle lines into the lover zone, they are still not really friends although Lucas realizes his feeling for Izzy are more than physical. Izzy is protecting her heart thinking that Lucas has ill-treated the declaration she made in a card the year prior at Christmastime.

This story is very much about found family as the owners, staff, and even regular guests rally together to save the beloved hotel. The drama between Izzy and Lucas has some entertaining moments; however, a lot of their interactions seem toxic and some of Izzy’s actions and choices make it seem she needs a major wake-call of her own. The major miscommunications between the couple from the beginning, and others continue detract from this story as a ROM-COM. That being said, all the characters and their antics are entertaining enough for fans of Ms. O’Leary enjoy this story for the most part.

I honestly wasn't sure I was going to love this as much as Beth O'Leary's other books, especially when it became obvious that the major conflict is a result of a misunderstanding between the love interests. But I quickly realized I was ABSOLUTELY INCORRECT. The characters of Izzy and Lucas were so endearing with such a crackling chemistry that they won me over in no time. What an absolutely charming book. O'Leary is five for five and I already can't wait to read book 6.

I found this book to be okay. It was an enemies to lovers with a ton of misunderstanding. Izzy had sent a letter to her crush, Lucas, at the hotel they both worked at which was delivered to the wrong person thus creating a ton of drama and animosity between Izzy and Lucas. During all this, the beloved hotel they work at is going bankrupt and their solution is to return missing rings to their owners hoping for a hefty finders fee. This seems an unlikely way to save a dying business, especially since the majority of the rings seem pretty generic, rather than family heirlooms worth thousands of pounds. Which realistically still wouldn't be enough to save the hotel. This starts out as a competition between the two but they grow closer while meeting with the owners of the rings, but there is still a ton of assumptions between them that could have been solved by a simple conversation. The chemistry between Izzy and Lucas was pretty good but I found myself not really invested in them or their relationship and the scene where they returned one of the rings and spent time dancing went on way too long and also felt heavily out of place. 3 stars for an okay read. Others may enjoy this more, especially if they are fans of O'Leary's other novels and like non-spicy romances. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.