I usually am a huuuuge fan of dual pov. Dual narrator. So it surprised me how much I wished this was just from the fmcs perspective.

The male narrator gave humorous scifi narrator and did not feel romance lead at all. Which didn’t help how annoying the mmc was. (Note: the female narrator was very good)

I think another big issue I had with this was the pacing. It took until like 64% until they even admitted to themselves they were attracted to each other and then immediately they were in love. It was really weird.

Thanks to netgalley and hachette audio for an alc.

Actually floored that this is Ana’s debut novel!

What an absolute warm hug of a book.

I related to Jo & Silas in different ways. Jo because she wanted to switch directions in life after falling out of love with her job & Silas because unfortunately I too was sceptical of anyone who joins spin studios like Haven (don’t worry I’ve tried a class myself & man I have so much respect for anyone who takes that challenge on now - it is so hard).

Jo was an absolute motivational badass and yet vulnerable queen & Silas was actually a big softy with enough self awareness to realise he needed to be more open and suspend judgement. Both gentle & passionate characters. Their relationship developed from tentative friendship & respect and I loved that aspect - they slowly unpeeled each other’s layers. And it certainly didn’t hurt being set in NYC.

Jo’s friendships with Amber & Serena was such a highlight. I felt myself tearing up over small things they did for each other that reminded me of my own wonderful friends.

I was so impressed with the narrators & felt they complemented each other and the story very nicely.

Ana’s going to go from strength to strength after this debut I can just feel it!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, the narrators & of course the author for this special fresh new read.

The audiobook was set in 1st person duel pov. This was a sweet and heartfelt read/listen. I really enjoyed it. Up Close & Personal gave me some banter and slow-burn romance I was hoping for, with a good dose of emotional depth mixed in.

Jo and Silas have great chemistry, and I loved how their relationship developed naturally. I also really appreciated how the book explored mental health with both characters dealing with their own stuff (anxiety, depression), and it was handled with a lot of care.

It did feel like the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle, but overall I was super invested in the story and the characters. The audiobook narration was great too and they really brought the characters to life.

5 stars

So often slow burns are more enemies to lovers focused so getting one that was somewhat friends to lovers was such a nice change. I was giggling and kicking my feet from the MCs early interactions and it just continued that way throughout. Both were so soft and kind to the other which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also felt there was a lot of foreshadowing to the 3rd act breakup so that wasn’t a surprise but still hurt my heart for the both of them. The mental health rep and conversation around it felt very real and thoughtful as well.

Regarding the audiobook, I really felt both narrators embodied the MCs well and fit to how I imagine them. I did listen to it faster than normal (usually I’m at 1.75x but I listened to this at 2x) but I did feel both narrators had matching speeds. Great production as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC!

I will be the first to say that I judge a book by it’s description ,and I was fully anticipating for this to be a cheesy escapist rom-com. And I would say it is 2 of those things, but not all three.

This book has heart and soul. I empathized, sympathized and related to Jo consistently through this book. Same with Silas. I love the girl group dynamic Jo has with her friends. I loved seeing healthy male friendships, and how Silas deals with the more unhealthy moments. I love that these people celebrated and cried and loved each other.

Jo and Silas are a warm-hug couple in a sea of smile and nod couples. They are so multi-faceted. I loved to listen as they unfolded to each other through this book.

This also didn’t seem like an unrealistic timeline either. Honestly, I am struggling to put into words just how much I loved this book and these characters.

I was fully preparing myself for a very predictable third act break up, and while there is one, it absolutely did not come about the way I had thought it would. I read enough rom coms that I can predict them, but I am so thankful that this one through me for a loop because I think if it happened the way I thought it would, it would have ruined the book for me.

As far as the audiobook is specifically, I ALWAYS love when there are two narrators, and this book was no exception. It was a beautiful way to listen to the story.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a ALC of this book

This book had me rethinking my entire relationship with spin class. I mean, I don’t go to spin class, but after this? I briefly considered it… before resuming my usual hobby of lying down and listening to audiobooks.

This story had a really fun vibe. It was fast-paced, flirty, and just emotional enough to tug a little without wrecking your whole day. The chemistry was on point, the characters had some depth behind their sass, and I really liked that it didn’t lean too hard into drama for the sake of it. It felt real but still totally entertaining. The audiobook, narrated by Maria Liatis and Kellen Boyle, added a nice touch. Maria captured Jo's strength and vulnerability perfectly. Kellen’s narration was polished and clear—and while he sounded a touch more mature than I’d imagined for the character, he brought confidence and warmth that matched the tone of the story.

Tropes I gobbled up like post-spin protein bars:
🚲 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎥 Workplace proximity (but make it influencer vs. investigator)
🛋️ Forced closeness
💬 Witty banter as foreplay
🧡 Two people challenging each other's worldview and actually growing from it

There was a little bit of miscommunication trope, which is not my favorite, but I was able to look past that and enjoy the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

Drop the book you are currently reading and pick this one up. It was funny, heartfelt and had great mental health rep. The pacing was perfection! My insides were warm and fuzzy, I was smiling so hard I could not contain myself.

A great behind-the-scenes look at what goes on outside those screens! It was a predictable trope, but I love those, so WIN! It was nice to see a character with flaws and doubts...contrary to her outward appearance. What a great friend group! I enjoyed this quick and fun read - and recommend it!

Loved this one! Very cute romance and really enjoying both of the MCs. Perfect to listen to as an audiobook.

Disclaimer: I received this as an ALC in exchange for an honest review— thank you! 🤗

I loved Jo so much. And I felt overwhelmed for her. The narrator for Jo did a wonderful job pulling emotions out of the page. Anxiety is monster that can come in all shapes and sizes for individuals dealing with it. I really appreciated the mental health representation with Jo’s anxiety and Silas’ depression. But also how it gets tied back in for a bigger purpose later in the book.

Hear me out— I immediately was put off by Silas due to his seemingly snobby personality. And the narrator did a wonderful job and getting that personality to show, let me tell ya. LOL. But as we learn more about Silas and his job as a journalist… he is a good writer because of his candor and impartiality. The slow burn of his attraction to Jo and the ways he shows he cares for her (a little more than he would a subject he’s writing about) was super sweet. And when he takes an online class with her just to see her… MY HEART. 💔

I’m quite surprised that I ended up liking this as much as I did! I would maybe go 4.5⭐️ if I could. There was just something about the story and the characters that was so captivating. Maybe the slowwww burn? The yearning? I just really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend!

Up Close & Personal had all the ingredients for a charming romance—dual narration, a cute premise, and a solid performance by Maria Liatis and Kellen Boyle. But for me, something was missing.

The story felt predictable and a little too polished, like it was checking all the romance boxes without ever really digging deep. It wasn’t bad—far from it. It was cute, easy to follow, and had some sweet moments. But it just didn’t have that spark or soul that makes a romance truly memorable.

If you’re looking for a light, low-stakes listen that won’t break your heart or your brain, this one might hit the spot.

It was cute, it was fun. I could see the third-act break-up coming from miles away as Silas dug his own grave, but it still hurt when it happened. I kept thinking that our girl Jo just wants to be loved 🥺 and I almost felt like she would have accepted any love. Jo's development and realizations were relatable.

All in all, it was enjoyable and fun and an easy 4 stars. The narrators did a good job. I really liked the female narrator!

Thank you so much Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

From the moment I saw the cover on this book I expected a lot but not what I got! It was way better.
I was very excited from the moment the plot started to develop, it felt a bit how to lose a guy in 10 days to me, but in this case he's the journalist and she is a cycling instructor.

I love romcoms and this felt like a classic. This story really had it all! The ups and downs, how they built trust and got to know each other, the gestures, the backstory and my personal favorite the third act breakup.
This book has a very refreshing take on career burnout but also anxiety and mental health in general, but I think the most important to me was how real the story felt and how easy it was to relate to Jo.

I believe some parts were a bit longer than needed but in the end it all worked out.
Maria's voice was perfect for Jo, I really think she brought up her personality. And even though I liked Kellen's voice, I'm not sure he's Silas. But overall this was a great audiobook!

Thanks a lot to Netgalley and Ana Holguin for this ALC!

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.</i>

3.5 stars rounded up

This had so many pieces of a rom com that I really really enjoy! It’s a bit of a slow burn but I found myself really enjoying getting to know each of the main characters even outside the romance aspect of the book. Will absolutely be keeping this author on my radar!

Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin is undeniably a sweet and tender romance. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the author does an excellent job of building an emotional connection between them. The slow burn of their relationship is heartwarming and makes for an overall enjoyable read.

However, the book does rely heavily on a plot point involving a minor secret that the characters treat as a major turning point. While the secret adds some tension to the narrative, I personally felt that it wasn’t as big of a deal as the characters made it out to be. The way it was handled seemed somewhat exaggerated for the sake of drama.

The book then concludes with a miscommunication trope, which felt a bit contrived. The misunderstandings between the characters were a bit too forced for my liking, and the resolution didn't feel as satisfying as it could have been. While the emotional moments were still touching, the climax of the story didn't fully land for me.

It's a cute read and I'm not sorry to have spent my time with the book, but I'm also not going to shout about it from the rooftops. It's mostly forgettable.

I love the nineties vibes on the cover, it looks like a scene straight out of Saved By the Bell. I love the concept of this one, with a journalist and a spin instructor, and they have such a sweet, slow-burn romance. I could’ve done without the miscommunication trope, but I don’t think it hindered the story too much.

This is what I like to call a low stakes romance. It’s cute and sexy, from the meet-cute to the HEA, and gives me all the feel-good vibes without causing my brain to experience too much trauma, angst, or tension. That being said, Up Close and Personal is not without its commentary on anxiety and performance in the workplace. Jo is theoretically at the top of her game; a spin-cycle instructor reaching into millions of homes with a cult-like following. But instructing isn’t doing for Jo what it did years ago. Silas is a magazine journalist who (much like myself) sees the popularity behind cycling as trendy nonsense and he’s a bit of a hater. So when the opportunity for Silas to interview Jo for his magazine arrives, it’s a chance he can’t refuse.

I liked that this romance took place in a different setting and actually felt like I understood why cycling has become such a hit—Jo is clearly good at her job and has a magnetic personality. The chemistry is believable and I actually found Silas and Jo to be a good fit, but beyond Jo’s mass of hair, I don’t think I’ll remember much about either of them. The third act breakup is a bit expected, but resolves as any romance should—Silas’s article on Jo saves his neck from the miscommunication trope. I feel like this is a romance I could easily recommend to someone new to the genre as it’s easily palatable as an afternoon read.

I listened to this and appreciated the dual narration. I would definitely listen to both narrators again. while the dialogue didn’t push them in any way, their performance was perfect for the characters. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟.5
Steam: 🪭

I really enjoyed listening to this book! Jo and Silas were fun characters to get to know and root for—I found myself smiling through many of their moments. As a Peloton user, I especially appreciated the humorous nods to the cult-like following of certain instructors and the wild scramble to get into live classes. II also loved how the story normalized mental health and self-care in a genuine, refreshing way. Overall, this was a heartfelt and entertaining read that I’d recommend!

Great narration!

This book was an overall great read. I ended up really believing in the couple's HEA. There were lots of great conversations on mental health, anxiety, and people's relationship with social media that I truly do admire and am happy to come across in the book.

I think that there was some longing, and a little angst needed to make it feel like a romance book more. There was a change in the author's tone towards the end that captivated my attention the most. Where as the first 70% that was a slow build and slow moving parts that I really had to power through to finish.

I do love the big sweeping love declaration by the FMC at the end. It was def swoony!

I did read somewhere the the FMC is Mexican but there is ZERO references to culture so I would not feel comfortable categorizing this book as a Latinx Romance.

Peloton fans will love this one! This story is all about a cycle instructor, Jo and her experience in the growing cycling world and social media fandom. I loved the way this story brought in many very realistic struggles with mental & physical health. I thought the approach to these harder topics such as anxiety and depression were handled well and felt so realistic. This was a story that was so much more than a romance. I loved the character growth in both Jo and Sila’s. The way Jo slowly found she could trust and open up to Sila’s as their friendship formed during the process of each getting to know one another. It’s a slow burn but such a great story with many layers.

The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Maria Liatis and Kellen Boyle. These two were such great voices for Jo and Sila’s characters in this story. I felt all the longing, emotion, anxiety and love the characters experience.