13 Going on 30 is one of my all-time favorite movies, so any time a book or a movie or a TV show comes out with a similar premise, I have to have it. Amy Lea’s latest romantic comedy, Woke Up Like This, takes the “waking up in the future” concept and doubles it. When 17-year-old Charlotte Wu wakes up in the future, she’s not alone. Next to her is her high-school nemesis, J.T. Renner—and he’s just as confused as she is. Especially when they find out their wedding is this weekend!
Woke Up Like This is a cute story featuring one of the most popular tropes in romantic comedy, the “enemies-to-lovers” transition. It’s much closer to YA than to chick lit, with its heroine very much in the mindset of a 17-year-old. Charlotte is obsessed with making lists and planning what’s next. Her girlfriends are the world to her, and she still holds a grudge against her father for divorcing her mother. The early part of the book reminded me of the book and movie Election, with Charlotte in the Tracy Flick role and J.T. as Paul.
Unlike 13 Going on 30, Charlotte doesn’t come out of the experience with deep lessons about how her missteps during her teenage years led to her becoming a bad person as an adult. Instead, the lessons are sweeter, about not judging people, valuing your friends, and enjoying the moments. More than a story about its two leads, the book is an ode to high school. For readers who still treasure their memories of prom, Woke Up Like This will be a nice reminder of those days.
Thanks to MB Communications for the book in exchange for an honest review.
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