‘The Wake-Up Call’ by Beth O’Leary

Genre: Adult Fiction – Chic Lit

Published: 2023

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★

Another brilliant novel from Beth O’Leary! Izzy and Lucas work at Forest Manor Hotel which is under threat of closure. The pair are usually put on different shifts, so they don’t have to work together but in the run-up to Christmas the pair have to work together. What follows is lots of competition, comedy, and riling each other up. Sparks fly as they work to return lost wedding rings to their owners. It’s a lovely thought to be able to do that, and some returns go better than others, it has to be said.

Izzy and Lucas are so funny! I loved their constant sniping and teasing, obvious from the beginning they were meant to be together. Izzy is an outgoing, original, and seemingly adventurous character but we find out things about her past throughout the novel that explains why she is the way she is. In contrast to Izzy, Lucas is more aloof, withdrawn, and serious, but again there are things revealed throughout the story that explain his character. It’s fun to see how they draw each other out, without seeming to or intending to.

I also loved Mr Townsend and how his story came together was beautiful in the end. The only character I didn’t like from the beginning was Louis and I was proven entirely right that he was creepy and smarmy, thinking he is better than everyone else. He’s awful. The other characters were brilliant, some great comedic moments from Arjun and Ollie in the kitchen, and Lucas’s family on video calls were so funny trying to get involved in his life.

I always really enjoy Beth O’Leary’s books and once again I haven’t been disappointed! This was a funny, light-hearted story with some lovely emotional moments, not the same amount of angst as in other enemies to lovers’ stories.