I was such a fan of The No Show, so this one left me a little disappointed. It is a good story with good characters, especially some of the secondary ones, but my expectations were so very high.

I love when a romance has both characters narrate so you can see both sides of the events. Check. I am a fan of rivals to lovers. Check. I love when there are characters you want to root for. Check. I am not a fan of miscommunication. So three out of four isn’t bad.

I think there is a fine line with rivals and how mean spirited the rivalry can be and this one was a smidge too much for me. And it took so long to get from rivals to civil.

Lucas is a fiery Brazilian and that alone made him swoon worthy. And I had a love hate relationship with Izzy as she wouldn’t just ask what happened last Christmas.

But aside from the romance, I loved that this pair was working hard to save the hotel and reunite lost wedding rings with their owners. And the Christmas setting was perfect. Not too much that you wouldn’t want to read it any time of the year, but enough to help set the mood.

If you are a fan of a slow burn rivals (enemies) to lovers coupled with a heartwarming side plot, then you definitely need to check this one out.

So much promise for a book that ultimately falls into the "it's ok" category. Our love interests are two adults who's jobs involve dealing with people's problems at the front desk of a resort, and yet we're supposed to believe that they can't have a simple conversation and work out there own misunderstanding? O'Leary creates an interesting cast of side-characters who keep the reader interested in the story and wanting a bit more from them. We spend significant time with the build-up of the situation that brings the MCs together (finding the owners of lost rings) and yet nothing of interest happens there either which could have brought some flair to a fairly mediocre story.

Thank being said, I'll still reach for the next Beth O'Leary when it arrives.

O'Leary never fails to be delightful, but I've found that her books can be a bit hit or miss for me. Some of her books are my absolute all-time favorites, and some have been pretty big misses for me. The Wake-Up Call, unfortunately, falls into the latter category.

O'Leary does a great job with setting up the premise, but I am not a huge fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and I wanted things to expand outside of the hotel.

This one was quick and easy to get through, but I found my attention waning. However, if you enjoy enemies to lovers and British rom-coms, I think you'll find something to like here!

"The Wake-Up Call" is O'Leary's most conventional romance novel. It was a quick and fun read, but the enjoyableness of it was undercut because the whole story was based on a misunderstanding. It was aggravating most of the book.

I love Beth O'Leary's books and this was a hit. I highly recommend if you love Brit-lit and witty banter.

I adore all of Beth's books and this one was no exception. The first half is a little slow, but I loved Izzy and Isaac , they were so great individually as well as together. If you can make it through the first bit, it really picks up.
This book showcases the struggle businesses went through during Covid, and it really made me emotional to read . Another great novel from O'Leary.

Sorry for doubting you Beth! This has been my favorite from her so far, but that may have to do holiday-season theme because she absolutely nails it.

Beth O’Leary is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. The Wake-Up Call is O’Leary’s latest book — an excellent addition to her list. It is the second I’ve read by O’Leary, however, it felt just as great as The No-Show. Well, in a different way. The Wake-Up Call is about two hotel receptionists – Izzy and Lucas. The two get along as well as oil and water. It wasn’t quite always that way though. A year ago, at Christmas, Izzy wrote Lucas a vulnerable card and he did something not great with it. So, she hates him. Anyways, flash forward to present day and it is just before Christmas. The Forest Manor Hotel’s second floor pretty much collapsed. It is on the brink of financial ruin. To save the hotel, after reuniting a lost ring with its owner and getting a reward — Izzy tasks herself and Lucas with returning the other lost rings at the hotel to their owners.

I really enjoyed how The Wake-Up Call played out. Of course you have tropes I really enjoy too — enemies to lovers, miscommunication, found family. Izzy is a delight – she is kind of a people pleaser and just instant friends with everyone. However, she needs her downtime to recover. Then we have Lucas who is big into physical fitness, is large and Portuguese. He seems heartless but obviously he’s not. He care so deeply. I loved his character and just the thought that seemed to go into writing him. I loved the chemistry between Izzy and Lucas — it just about crackles. Then we have the setting — the Forest Manor Hotel — which seems a magical place.


ON A SCALE OF ONE TO BUDDY THE ELF, HOW MUCH CHRISTMAS SPIRIT DOES THE WAKE-UP CALL BY BETH O’LEARY HAVE?
As stated, The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary is pretty much set during the holiday season. There’s a snow storm. Also, there is a Christmas market. Oh and how could I forget a Christmas party. This book isn’t too over the top about the holidays as it isn’t really a holiday book — but a book set around Christmas. I would say The Wake-Up Call is what you pick up to ease into a seasonal mood and to whet your appetite for the over the top Yule themed books to come.

I always enjoy Beth O'leary books and this followed suit! The banter was there between our enemies to lovers. The Inn setting was great and I enjoyed the low level of steam here.

Enemies to Lovers/Rivals to Lovers in a cozy hotel setting??

This is such a classic story with strong and lovable characters.

Especially great for a cozy winter read!

I finally got a chance to read this one and it was so do darn cute! Very much a grumpy x grumpy romance even though the characters themselves are completely well meaning!
Fundamentally this book does rely on the miscomunication trope, which made me just want to shake everyone at multiple points, but overall I love Beth O'Leary's writing so I will let it slide! Such a good little rom-com with a fun, failing-hotel, setting!

Not my favorite of O'Leary's. It took my awhile to actually get into and even then, I wasn't really interested in what was happening. Just an ok read from me.

*Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the #gifted egalley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because 4 stars or less.*

Thank you for the free book @berkleyromance!! #penguinrandomhousepartner #berkleyIG #BerkleyBookstagram

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒌𝒆-𝑼𝒑 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲: workplace nemesis to lovers trope, friends with benefits, he falls first, one bed trope, snowed in, Brazilian male lead, found family, saving a cozy hotel vibe!

"𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 .. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬.”

"𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙪𝙨𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙯𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩"

If you’re a Beth O’Leary fan, definitely add this to your list! I love her books and I’m so happy she finally came out with a holiday romance for us all!

So basically Izzy - our female lead wrote Lucas a letter expressing her feelings towards him. She never got a reply, then finds Lucas kissing one of her friends at their work Christmas party. And so the hate begins. 😂 Forest Manor (cute hotel name alert!) is in the brink of getting bankrupt, they’re on their way to save the hotel by selling everything they can until they found five wedding rings in their lost and found room. As they search for the rings’ owners, it took them to a journey of different kinds of relationships and stories of marriage and loss…

Friends, this one has so much heart and I love it so much! It is a little spicier than I expected from this author but I mean there is a friends with benefits trope so 🤷‍♀️I mean it worked as a great tool for the author to write about all the complicated feelings that we all love to have. 😂 I know that that ending might be polarizing but I loved it and it sums up the story perfectly!

Dnfing. Not engaging at all. I find myself completely lacking a care for what the characters do. Thanks anyway for the ARC.

I have come to accept that Beth O'Leary's books just aren't for me. And that it is okay.
I know many people who love her books, which is fantastic. I really want to love them, but I find the writing style isn't to my preference. I tried reading The Flatshare last year and also DNF'd it.
I DNFd at 17% after trying to read the book for months. I found what I did read to be very slow and I didn't feel any chemistry between the MCs, making me wonder how they eventually end up together.

I hope other people like the book!

Beth O'Leary always delivers! So hilarious at times, poignant when it needs to be, and the chemistry is off the chart. I'll read anything she writes and she just keeps getting better and better.

3.5
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary was another fun read by this author. Her writing has the same cadence in every book so her books all have the same "feel". I thought the premise was cute and I liked both Izzy and Lucas.

I always enjoy O'Leary's work, and this is no exception! Rival coworkers in a small English hotel must team up to save their jobs and the hotel by finding the owners of lost rings left there. Romance with a fresh take on the “enemies to lovers” trope.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

A Charming Romcom with a Delightful Enemies-to-Lovers Twist

Synopsis:
The Wake-Up Call takes us on a delightful journey into the lives of Lucas and Izzy, two hotel receptionists at the charming Forest Manor. From the very start, their mutual disdain for each other sets the stage for a romance you won't want to miss. Forced to collaborate due to staff shortages during a business downturn, they stumble upon a cache of unclaimed wedding rings at the hotel. Inspired to return them to their rightful owners, Izzy's efforts result in a surprising reward, one that could turn the tide for the struggling hotel.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy season, Izzy and Lucas find themselves drawn to each other in ways they never expected. Can their budding attraction overcome the years of animosity that have fueled their enmity? Will past wounds and misunderstandings threaten their chance at true love?

My Thoughts:
This is a charming romcom that had me laughing, swooning, and occasionally reaching for the tissues. London's picturesque backdrop, coupled with an array of endearing side characters, adds layers of charm to this heartwarming story. Izzy's vivacity and Lucas's determination, tempered by a generous dose of heart, make for a compelling pairing.

But what truly won me over was the ending – an epic love story finale that warmed my heart and rekindled my belief in happily ever afters and true love. If you're looking for a fun and feel-good enemies-to-lovers romance with a London flair, this book is an absolute must-read. "Love's Lost & Found" will leave you believing in the magic of love and hoping for your own happily ever after.

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary was a sweet, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance read.

This is the story of Izzy and Lucas who despise each other, but work together at a hotel facing serious financial trouble. They can hardly stand to be in the same room with each other, but they end up being forced to work together in an effort to return lost rings to former hotel guests in hopes of earning a reward that could help save the hotel. As they spend more time together, they realize there is an attraction burning between them, but how can you be attracted to someone you hate? Eventually, they both start to wonder if maybe they don’t actually hate each other after all.

Overall, I thought this was a cute read. I enjoyed the adventures they had in competing to return the rings to their rightful owners. I also liked the progression of how the main characters progressed from enemies to enemies with benefits to lovers. However, I was frustrated with how stubborn they both were in admitting their true feelings for each other. Things would have been a lot easier for them if they could have just been honest with themselves and with each other. I was also very happy with the ending. Everything was wrapped up well and left me believing they would live happily ever after.