*spoiler-free*
Beth O’Leary’s The Wake-Up Call introduces readers to the Forest Manor Hotel, a charming but struggling countryside hotel where the staff and guests feel like one big family, except for Izzy and Lucas. The two are bitter rivals, so much so that they’ve been banned from working the same shift for the sake of workplace harmony. However, when Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring and earns a generous reward, the hotel’s management sees a potential lifeline. With four more wedding rings still unclaimed in lost property, Izzy and Lucas are reluctantly paired up in a last-ditch attempt to save the hotel.
As they begin their ring-returning mission, their rivalry becomes more complicated, especially as underlying tensions give way to undeniable chemistry. The premise reminded me a lot of The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, with its classic enemies to lovers setup, but I love the warmth and humour O’Leary added.
As a big fan of The Flatshare and The Switch, I was pleased to find the same comforting tone. The dual perspective, alternating between Izzy and Lucas each chapter, works really well, allowing readers to see both sides of their evolving dynamic. I particularly enjoyed getting to know both characters; their flaws, hopes, and quiet moments felt genuine and engaging. Whilst I found the plot quite predictable I do always love the happy ending O’Leary provides. Her books tend to follow a familiar pattern: two people with strong chemistry, a few emotional hurdles, and a resolution that leaves you smiling. It was definitively a comforting, wholesome and satisfying book.
A nice bonus at the end is a deleted scene from an earlier draft, which was fun to read and offered a little insight into O’Leary’s writing process. Overall, I really enjoyed The Wake-Up Call as it was the perfect pick me up book in between some of my heavier reads. I’m looking forward to reading her other books!
4/5 stars
Soph's Library 
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