Woke Up Like This

Earlier this year I enjoyed Amy Lea's contemporary fiction novel, Exes and O's which had humour, spice and heart so I jumped at the chance to read this new book as an Amazon First Reads. 

This book immediately has a strong YA feel as readers are plunged into American high school life and two teens who have been the bane of each others' existence for years. This reimagining of the movie "13 going on 30" has teenage angst and a budding romance when Charlotte and her nemesis, Renner suddenly find themselves 13 years in the future, in 30-year-old bodies, and engaged to each other. Awkwardness, miscommunication and self-discovery ensue. 

There are sweet moments and some humour (I expected more) and lots of teen melodrama (and American prom obsession) as Charlotte and Renner figure out what they want out of life and how they fit into their futures. Unfortunately, I found Charlotte frustratingly annoying because she held grudges like her life depended on it and it got to the point where I couldn't see what Renner saw in her. 

This book doesn't bring anything new to the YA table, but it is a sweet teen time travel love story that uses the popular enemies to lovers trope and also touches on the evolution of friendship. I expected more from this Mindy Kaling book club pick, but I'm not its target audience. With its strong teen vibe and sweet message, it would be a good pick for fans of author Jenny Han.

Disclaimer:  Thanks to Amazon First Reads program for this complimentary eBook that was provided in exchange for my honest review. 

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Amy Lea

Genre: RomCom, Teen, Canadian, BIPOC author

Type and Source: eBook from Amazon First Reads program

Publisher: Mindy's Book Studio

First Published: October 1, 2023

Book Description from GoodReads: For two high school seniors, it’s seventeen going on thirty—overnight—in a magical romantic comedy about growing up too fast and living in the moment. Planning the perfect prom is one last “to do” on ultra-organized Charlotte Wu’s high school bucket list. So far, so good, if not for a decorating accident that sends Charlotte crash-landing off a ladder, face-first into her obnoxiously ripped arch nemesis J. T. Renner. Worse? 

When Charlotte wakes up, she finds herself in an unfamiliar bed at thirty years old, with her bearded fiancé, Renner, by her side. Either they’ve lost their minds or they’ve been drop-kicked into adulthood, forever trapped in the thirty-year-old bodies of their future selves. 

With each other as their only constant, Charlotte and Renner discover all that’s changed in the time they’ve missed. Charlotte also learns there’s more to Renner than irritating-jock charm, and that reaching the next milestone isn’t as important as what happens in between. Navigating a series of adventures and a confounding new normal, Charlotte and Renner will do whatever it takes to find a way back to seventeen. But when—and if—they do, what then?