Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - The Wake-Up Call

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The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary

8 reviews

sandysmith's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A light, well written, easy read. The main characters have depth, both being really hurt and suffering loss, Izzy and Lucus the muscled Brazilian. It's a love-hate relationship based on miscommunication. I didn't realise that it was set mainly at Christmas time, but that didn't stop my enjoyment reading it in May. I really enjoyed the New Forest location as I live nearby so could vividly picture the realistic descriptions. You have to wait to the end of the book to understand why it's called the wake-up call. Overall, it was a very cute easy read rom com.

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quasinaut's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Mixed reaction to this one! There's something about how Beth O'Leary writes characters that makes me like them even when they're unlikable. Izzy was naive and impulsive, and I was frustrated that she didn't communicate better with Lucas about their year-long miscommunication, especially once she started to get to know him. I understand why he didn't want to push it, but it didn't make sense to me how absolutely hostile and antagonistic Izzy could be. Plus, the rampant unprofessionalism from both of them really bugged me.

Pros: I loved that the main characters have other things going on in their lives. They have friends and family. They actually hang out with and talk to other people outside of work.

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frantically's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

and that, kids, is why handwritten cards are overrated

–

I loved this! Read it in one day. It took me a bit to warm up to the MCs because they're both such complex characters and they both have these really different views on their relationship and why it is the way it is but once I did, I was all in. While I could see myself more in Izzy, the romance feels were allll in in Lucas' parts. The slow realisation he loves Izzy? Amazing. Show stopping. Never been done before.

O'Leary writes romances in the best way – she writes romances about people that have *lives*. This isn't about just Izzy and Lucas. They've got friends, coworkers turned family, annoying exes, dead parents, alive parents in other countries, toxic roommates and the list goes on. While this is primarily about Izzy and Lucas getting together, it's also about (almost) everyone else in their lives seeing them getting together and rooting for them and that just gave me all the feels.

The cover didn't speak "Christmas" to me (and it still doesn't) so I was a bit surprised when this turned into a holiday romance (especially as it is May) but it was a cute surprise!

I'm always hesitant to pick up second books by authors I loved ("The Flatshare" was my favourite 2023 book 🫶🏻🫶🏻) because I'm scared they'll be bad but this one just inspired me to read all the other books Beth O'Leary has written – let's hope they continue to be this good!

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pia_h's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Beth O'Leary delivered another sweet rom-com. I loved the setting (I'd love to travel to the New Forest and stay in Forest Manor Hotel!) and the two main characters. The side characters are well-developped too. This novel is probably best enjoyed around Christmas though I read it in spring and totally loved it. I'm already looking forward to Beth O'Leary's next publication and don't want to wait another year.

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sauvageloup's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

a really fun rom com frolic

pros:
- I liked how there were aspects of both characters that weren't immediately obvious and the other had to learn, and that they both tried harder to be kinder and less snappy, respectively.

- I liked that Lucas fell first and it made sense since izzy had, she believed, been so hurt by him.

- it was funny and angsty, I definitely felt for especially Lucas when he was trying so hard and it wasnt paying off.
- the writing is really gripping and the book just rolls along so well, I read it very fast.

cons:

- they did talk it out but I liked less how Lucas had to sort of seduce her without scaring her off because she couldnt face her own feelings. I felt he should have backed off or been honest, rather than, bevolently, manipulating her.

- I would have also enjoyed a bit more detail on side characters, like Mandy, Ollie, Arjun, Mrs B and Barty, etc. they're all nice but not given much detail. we do get a bit on the Hedgers and Mr Townsend, and a little on Izzy's friends so maybe I'm asking a bit much!

- I also thought the end was a little too good to be true, considering a flood in guest bookings is great, but the hotel was in such dire financial straights that they wouldnt have the cash flow. I suppose with the obvious interest, though, they could get an investor.

overall, a really fun rollicking book that I thoroughly got caught up in. and also called me single in about 300 languages.

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