[Review] Wake Up Call - JL Merrow

Summary: South London mechanic Devan Thompson has gone to Porthkennack to track down someone he’s been waiting all his life to know. But Dev’s distracted from his quest by Kyle, a broodingly handsome local of only a few months, who’s already got a reputation as an alcoholic because of his strange behaviour—including a habit of collapsing in the street.

Kyle Anthony fled to Porthkennack to escape from the ruins of his life. Still raging against his diagnosis of narcolepsy—a condition that’s cost him his job as a barrister, his lover, and all chance of normality—the last thing he wants is another relationship that’s doomed to fail. But Dev’s easy-going acceptance and adaptability, not to mention his good looks, have Kyle breaking all his self-imposed rules.

When disaster strikes Dev’s adored little sister, Kyle steps up to the plate, and Dev sees a side of his lover he wasn’t prepared for: competent, professional—and way out of Dev’s league. With one man determined that they don’t have a future, and the other fearing it, life after Porthkennack is starting to look bleak for both of them. (Pub Date: Apr 17, 2017)


Review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. I want to also thank the publisher for giving me this opportunity.

2.5. I didn't hate it or anything, it just didn't do it for me.

We have Kyle who had a life change and moved to Porthkennack when he discovered he suffers from narcolepsy, and we have Dev who is goes to Porthkennack to find his real mother. The two meet and feel attracted to each other, despite their different backgrounds and social classes. Even though a holiday affair comes easy to them, they need to face their issues if they want to take it to the next level.

I think this story was interesting. In theory.

Number one problem was that I couldn't care for the characters. And yes, I found Kyle's problem real enough to feel pity but it didn't redeem him for being so boring. And Dev... it was even worse. First, I had problem believing he was the younger one. I guess it comes from his hard life. Still, it made it hard for me to actually picture him, each scene I had a person in mind. Not easy to cheer for a couple you don't feel anything for.

The side characters were far more interesting but they don't show for long—after all, they're not the focus—so, they weren't enough to save the book.

The text is well written, the plot is there, it's well developed and I liked the conclusion. The problem really rested with me not feeling into it. I do like this author, so I'll keep reading her next novels for sure.

Rating: 2 out of 5.