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The Wake-Up Call

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The Wake-Up Call is a holiday romantic comedy set at Forest Manor Hotel, where two coworkers, Izzy and Lucas, are forced to put their differences aside and work together during the busiest season of the year. As their bitter rivalry evolves into a complex relationship, they find themselves competing to return a collection of old wedding rings to their owners while discovering their own love story. The book explores themes of miscommunication, enemies to lovers, and the challenges of running a hotel during a tumultuous time, all wrapped up in a heartwarming and emotional narrative.

The story alternates between Izzy and Lucas, as they navigate their feelings of hate and attraction towards each other, ultimately revealing their true emotions beneath the surface. Despite initial misunderstandings and conflicts, the characters develop a deep connection that leads to a romantic and cinematic journey of self-discovery and love. The setting of the English countryside adds charm to the enemies-to-lovers trope, creating a delightful and engaging read for fans of light romance novels.

Characters:

The main characters are complex and evolving, transitioning from rivalry to a deeper romantic connection, showcasing growth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and engaging, combining humor with deeper emotional themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The intricate plot weaves together miscommunication and rivalry, focusing on two coworkers working to save their hotel and uncover their true feelings.

Setting:

The setting is an enchanting hotel in the English countryside, framed beautifully by the Christmas season.

Pacing:

Pacing received mixed reactions, with some feeling it was slow while others enjoyed its gradual build-up.

Notes:

The book features miscommunication as a central trope, which is portrayed in a way that readers found compelling despite their usual dislike for it.
The main characters, Izzy and Lucas, work together at a hotel that is in financial trouble and need to sell lost property to save it.
Izzy is determined to return lost wedding rings to their owners, which becomes an important plot point.
The story has strong enemies-to-lovers themes with a romantic tension that develops amidst their rivalry.
The primary events take place during the Christmas season, making it a cozy read for holiday fans, even though it's not strictly a holiday romance.
Readers found the characters complex and relatable, with past scars that add depth to their relationship.
Some readers expressed frustration with the pacing and certain plot points feeling rushed or contrived, particularly regarding the ending.
The narrative alternates between the perspectives of Izzy and Lucas, providing insights into their thoughts and feelings as they navigate their emotions.
The story was described as a light, feel-good read with moments that evoke both laughter and tears.

Has Romance?

There is a high level of romance in The Wake-Up Call, evident through the relationship development between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

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?

September 2023
367 pages

Ratings (9)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (5)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (27):

Read It (13)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (12)
 
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