Talk about a story for the times! This one really hits home. Not only was Ana Holguin diving into the exercise world most of us all know and love but also hitting on the mental health reality for so many of us. It was well written and deep while also being a wonderful rom-com to make your heart smile. And a HEA to top it off.

It did take me a little bit to get into the story because I did feel like this was too close to “home” but Ana did a beautiful job characterizing Jo and Silas. The narration by Maria Liatis and Kellen Boyle helped bring the characters to life as their voices really helped me imagine Jo and Silas in my mind.

The work life balance, the dating world, living with anxiety is all touched on in this book along with a true sense of found family. The miscommunication/mistaken identity troupe is a main focus and while it is a struggle for me to get through some of these 3rd act breakups with the miscommunication piece Ana does it justice by humanizing every aspect of the trauma.

This was a super cute romance and honestly super good especially for a debut.
This had so many elements I don't see enough or at all that I found unbelievably refreshing.
-The representation around mental health was well done and honest.
-The fact that our MMC CRIES was so REAL and is not done enough in romance books in my opinion.
-This wasn't insta love or insta lust but a well developed connection based on getting to know each other
- I genuinely liked both MCs and found them both well fleshed out and realistic

There was nothing crazy different about the story or the general romantic plotting, but the items mentioned above were enough to seriously set this apart for me.

What do you get when you pair a journalist with a fitness instructor/influencer? An love story that just works. Silas is assigned a story covering the spin classes, fitness influencers, and Jo. Unfamiliar with the quote unquote cult of spin classes and their accessibility from one's own home, Silas goes in with pretty low expectations of Jo. I loved how Silas got to know who Jo was through unconventional interviews over hangouts and realized that he was all wrong about her and that they had quite a bit in common. You could tell that when Silas was beginning to learn that Jo was multifaceted and not just obsessed with her looks and fitness, he really cared for her as a friend. I saw a lot of myself in Jo and her journey with mental health and striving to be the best you can be. It was a fun and easy read that I would recommend to any looking for a rom-com to dive into as we head into Spring and Summer. I did a combination eyeball read and audio for this book and really enjoyed the narrators. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted eARC and ALC. All opinions are my own.

Instagram review will be live week of 21-Apr-2025.

I was initially curious about this book because of the journalist's skepticism toward trendy fitness classes. As a lover of group workout classes, I needed to see this guy proven wrong. The journalist, Silas, fell into that all-too-familiar category of hating things just because they’re popular or not immediately relatable to him—which can be valid, sure, but it didn’t quite justify the level of disdain he had. If we delve deeper into his hate, this could also be a situation of hating something because it’s mainly loved by a female population. But that is a whole other issue, we won’t get into right now. Overall, it felt a bit overkill. Honestly, Silas was such a hater that it started to kill the vibe for me.

The fitness instructor, Jo, was a bada$$ and really carried the book for me. She was fierce, funny, and didn’t take crap from anyone—which made her an instant favorite. She dealt with her mental health in a very relatable way, with a lot of grace and grit. I was rooting for her throughout the book to face her fears and grow as a person.

Overall, I really enjoyed the plot of this book, but I couldn’t get too invested in the romance. Silas was lying to Jo for most of the story, which made a lot of their early interactions feel kind of icky. It was hard to root for the relationship when so much of it was built on a secret—even if his intentions weren’t entirely bad.

I loved the author’s writing, so I definitely want to give another book a shot in the future! Some of these tropes just weren’t for me.

Audio Review:

Maria and Kellen embodied their characters perfectly. The narration was really well paced and consistent. I really enjoyed how their distinct voices brought the different POVs to life. That being said, their attempts at voicing characters of the opposite gender felt a bit cringey at times.

Read if you like:
Strong FMC
Mental health rep
Dual POV
Found family

I really enjoyed this slow burn , stranger-friends-lovers romance.

Jo is a super popular spin instructor who , from the outside looking in, is on top of the world and about to hit her peak. But on the inside, she is struggling with who she is and what she wants/needs for herself.  She suffers from anxiety, something she's never told the public about, and feels like a fraud because of it.

Silas,  known to his readers and co-workers as the guy who can find fault in anything.  This is what he was ready to do when he was assigned a story on the fitness worlds most popular instructor. 


This book has it all, raw emotion, real relationships that stand the test of time, found family, and a little drama. I knew the 3rd act break up was inevitable, but I didn't mind it. It was well written and added to Jo and Silas' love story .

I received this as an audio book and thought it was well paced . The voice of Jo helped me to invision her character and really understand her.  The voice of Silas, for me, felt a little bit older than what I had imagined when learning his story, but overall, it was a great listen.


Thank you, Hachette Audio and Forever Pub, for the ARC.

About the book: Jo De La Cruz is a spin instructor on one of the hottest platforms, first on the scene, we all know which brand we're picturing- with in person classes and live streams, she is the person you want to take a class with. Jo is struggling with so much attention and media and after ten years, is a little burnt out.
Silas, journalist doing a story on Jo is a non-believer, sees all the cult like tendencies of the craze and isn't buying it. But over many meals, an injury, and admitting that the spotlight hasn't been as easy as it appears, there are feelings- until Jo discovers what Silas is writing about her.

My thoughts: The audiobook was well-paced and it was easy to listen to on a long car ride. The story was a bit predictable and I didn't particularly love any of the characters as standouts. It was a good slow-burn, easy romance book I wish there would have been more backstory with either of the main characters- even Jo's friend group felt like an accessory at times.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette audio for an audio e-arc of this book!

I really enjoyed this story. It was nice and not too complicated, which made it easy to get into, but what stood out to me the most were the deeper themes running throughout. Even though the plot was straightforward, it had a lot to say about life, relationships, and human nature. I found myself thinking about it even after I finished reading. It’s one of those stories that feels simple on the surface but leaves a lasting impact.

Thank you Forever Publishing for my #gifted ARC and thank you Hachette Audio for my #gifted ALC of Up Close & Personal! #UpClosePersonal #AnaHolguin #marialiatis #KellenBoyle #hachetteaudio #ReadForever #Forever

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐔𝐩 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 & 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐀𝐧𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐥𝐞
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝟒.𝟓★

The second I read the description, I knew I had to read this book. As an avid Peloton lover and book lover, this book just sounded like the perfect blend. On top of that, I love books that focus on mental health representation and I loved how well the author incorporated anxiety representation into this book. This rom-com had so much to it, and that’s what made me love the characters and the plot so much. Both Jo and Silas had their own personal battles and there was much vulnerability involved and that made me love these two even more. This book had the slow burn, found family, lots of chemistry, and so much more. If you are a Peloton, or just a romance lover in general, this one is for you!

🚲Famous Spin Instructor x Journalist
🚲Anxiety Representation
🚲Found Family
🚲Slow Burn
🚲Dual POV
🚲NYC Setting
🚲Perfect for Fans of Abby Jimenez, Kate Spencer & Jessica Joyce

🎧Maria Liatis and Kellen Boyle were PERFECT for Jo and Silas. I’ve listened to Maria before, but this was my first time listening to Kellen, and I can’t wait to find more audiobooks narrated by him! Both did such an amazing job bringing their characters and the entire story to life. I found my time listening to be so enjoyable and would highly recommend this one on audio. It was so easy to follow with the dual narration and loved that I found a new narrator to watch for in Kellen Boyle!

Posted on Goodreads on April 18, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around April 18, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on April 29, 2025
**-will post on designated date

3.5⭐️ rounded up

A high octane, emotional roller coaster romance that explores mental health around anxiety and depression.

Disclaimer: I read this as a audiobook via NetGalley. I did receive a physical uncorrected proof from the publisher Forever. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book follows Jo and Silas as they navigate mental health and starting a new relationship based on some dishonesties. Jo is a spin instructor that has reached the pinnacle of her career and is anxious about making a change that she knows she needs. Silas is a well established journalist at a high profile publication that is looking for his next cover story. What neither of them counted on was the sparks that flew between them.

The narrators listed below did a really good job with this audiobook. I felt like they lent a lot of emotion and tempo to the story. Their speeds and dictation match pretty well, I did not have to do any adjustments to speed during the listening of the audiobook. Their voices were clear and concise, and I felt like they matched the vibe and feeling they were giving each character pretty well.

This book really focuses more on mental health as the deeper theme. It's done very well. As someone who is diagnosed with anxiety I related to Jo many times throughout the story. I really loved how Silas was a rock and was there for her and didn't try to change or "fix" her. A lot of books surrounding the theme of mental health always has somebody trying to save the struggling person instead of supporting them through. I love the introduction of Silas and his openness with his mental health issues as well. I felt the book had a very strong positive highlight on accepting help and receiving therapy when needed, and making those steps with no judgment or stigma. Jo exhibited some very realistic and terrifying symptoms of anxiety throughout the book and it made me realize I'm not alone.

I do feel like the Latinx rep in this book was lacking. It has been marketed as a Latinx book, but really this is more of a book written by a Latinx author. There is really only one mention of the female main characters Mexican American heritage. She is supposed to be a second generation Mexican American, and she only mentions once her heritage as it pertains to her parents and expectations. I did not feel like it was a positive mention in general. There were plenty of opportunities to discuss more assimilation being brought up to be Americanized versus in their culture in heritage and opportunities for talk surrounding mental health and how it disproportionally affects marginalized communities such as the Latinx community. All missed opportunities that would've added more Latinx rep that were not done.

I did feel the romance was done really well. This is a definite slow burn. Nothing really happens for the majority of the book, but a lot of severe tension and suspense, which was done really well. I definitely felt the chemistry between Jo and Silas. But I also did feel the friendship burgeoning between them, and that was almost just as tantalizing as the romantic tension. The spice was light and it was not graphic.

⭐️Spice: 🌶️🌶️ Light and non-graphic.
⭐️Latinx Rep: Minimal
❤️Romance: Slow burn building on friendship
⭐️Theme: Mental Health Awareness featuring anxiety and depression. Realistic and well done.
📖 Published by: Forever Publishing
🎧Audiobook: 11 hours 35 minutes
🎤Narrated by: Maria Liatis/Kellen Boyle

Thank you Hachette Audio, Forever, and NetGalley for this ARC

This was such a good story. The kind you snuggle up with under a weighted blanket and get lost in. Even with that, the story covered some heavy but important topics that I think were done beautifully. Despite what the characters battle daily, we see them find their balance with love, careers, and friendships.

I listened to the audiobook, and it was mostly well done; both narrators kept me in the story. However, there were times they sounded too flat or monotone. And that was mostly during moments where the characters’ emotions were heightened. I didn’t feel like some of those emotions were portrayed as well as they could’ve been; it almost sounded like a computer was reading it. For example, scenes where Silas and Jo were fighting or crying.

In terms of plot, I loved the backstory of how the fitness company came to be. The ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ they put into creating and growing, and the success they achieved over a decade. I loved the community and trust that was built through that. Reminded me very much of BTS, yes it did, that’s what happened. My heart went out to Jo for knowing that despite how far they came because of her hand in it (along with others), she knew it was time for her to move on (see what I did there… IYKYK).

I’m a sucker for a slow burn romance and this one did it for me. Silas was down bad! There was the dreaded third-act break-up that could’ve been avoided. So many of us readers just sit around and wait to see what’s gonna break a new couple up when we read romance, which is not fun. I’m over thirty-year-olds running out on important conversations—I think a lot of us are. There are so many other ways one could up the drama, but oh well.

I’d definitely recommend this one. I was a little surprised this was a debut novel, although I can’t say why. It’s pretty solid!

[review will be posted on other platforms, on or close to publishing date]

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the alc in exchange for an honest review!

Up Close & Personal was equal parts fun, angsty & spicy. This is for Peloton and exercise enthusiasts looking for a well written NYC romance between a famous cycling instructor and the journalist tasked with interviewing her. I learned after I finished that this was the author's debut, which made it even more admirable. I absolutely loved the fact that these were millenial mc's, I felt seen as a fellow millenial who often reads romances featuring characters 10+ years younger lol. And as someone who does not suffer from any mental health disorders, this was an insightful look into the minds and lives of people who deal with them on a daily basis. It was tastefully and beautifully done, intertwining two mature mc's who externally have their lives together despite the fact that they have these underlying ghosts haunting their psyches. Jo and Silas are easily a couple I could get behind. My rating only lost stars because of the highly predictable catalyst for the third act break up. I saw it coming from two miles away, but still felt all of the heart pounding emotions. For a debut, this felt incredibly seasoned and I will eagerly be be on the lookout for more works from Ana Holguin.

There is so much I loved about this book. The mental health representation (I knew it’d be great when I saw a quote from Abby Jimenez), the personal growth of the characters, the friendships. I thought the progression of Miles and Jo from friends to more was very well and realistic. The only thing holding this back from 5 stars was some of the dialogue/millennial references and the breakup/miscommunication at the end felt drawn out. The narrators did a good job and felt true to the characters.

This was a really enjoyable listen!

Both voice actors were perfect for the characters and helped bring the story to life.

I wasn’t sure about a book about a famous fitness influencer, the potential to get into some body shaming is always there in these types of stories. But I felt the author really handled the topic well and there was little to no mention of size or “ideal” fitness, it was all about people feeling good and enjoying themselves.

It dove into some deeper topics than I was expecting, but used a lot of care to discuss mental health and the importance of taking care of yourself mentally.

I loved the natural falling for each other that happened in this book, and having it be duel POV was great for hearing them each deny they were secretly obsessing over the other 😄.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette audio for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Solid debut novel for the fitness girlies, who also love slow burn. Silas is a jaded journalist tasked with interviewing Jo De La Cruz, a virtually famous cycling instructor, against his will. Silas will do anything to uncover Jo's story with plans of exposing her as a "cult leader" that is until he actually gets to know the real Jo.

While I enjoyed the story I would not label it as a rom-com, more of a contemporary romance. Ana dives into heavier topics like depression and anxiety, which in my opinion were very well written. The character development for Silas could have gone more in depth instead of just a connection to Jo. I loved the friendships in the group, how they lean on each other and encourge one another to seek help with mental health issues. While the book does have diverse characters, a sprinkle, I would have liked for Ana to write a bit more about it. The conflict was a bit predictable from the begining and it turns into more of a miscommunication trope. However, I did enjoy how said conflict was resolved in the end.

3.5⭐'s

I really wanted to love this one. The premise had so much potential, a reluctant celebrity, a journalist sent to write a hit piece who unexpectedly starts to fall for her? Yes, please. Add in the cycling guru angle and I was definitely intrigued.

What I did really appreciate was how the book handled mental health. Both characters deal with anxiety, depression, and the slow, often non-linear recovery that follows a crisis. That part felt honest and well done, and I love seeing more books normalize those conversations.

But... the romance just didn’t click for me. I never really felt the chemistry between Jo and Silas, it was more like I was told they were falling for each other, rather than feeling it through the writing. It’s a slow burn, which I’m usually fine with, but this one felt really slow, and the relationship didn’t seem to grow much beyond talking about work or their mental health. I kept waiting for a deeper connection, but it never fully landed.

The dual POV didn’t help much either, Silas’s chapters didn’t add a ton for me, and the narrators (I listened to the audiobook) sounded so similar it was hard to stay focused. I honestly think this story might’ve worked better as a single POV, especially if we got to see more of Jo outside of her job and anxiety. I wanted to know who she was.

Such a cute concept, and there were definitely some things to appreciate, but overall this one just didn’t quite work for me.

Thank you to Ana Holguin, Hachette Audio for giving me early access to this book via Netgalley.

(4.75 stars!) I loved the story, the slow burn of it all, the mental health & depression representation, and the forced proximity matched with denied attraction!!

the voice actors made it a really pleasant listen and it was a thoroughly good experience!! i hope to buy this when it’s out!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I’m so sorry to say it really wasn’t for me, and I didn’t enjoy it. I ended up speeding up the audiobook to get through as much as I could before ultimately DNF-ing it, unfortunately.

The plot itself is quite interesting, and I really liked that it was dual POV. I thought the way the author showed both characters’ perspectives and inner thoughts was done really well.

I think I expected a bit more of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic or rivalry between the main characters, and that didn’t really come through, though that could absolutely be down to me misinterpreting the blurb when I requested the book.

I just needed a bit more from the characters in this one, and a story that felt more fast-paced to listen to. For me, it felt very slow and needed a bit more momentum to keep me fully engaged.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrators, which might be part of why I struggled to enjoy it. I found their delivery a little flat, and I think it could’ve benefited from more emotion and variation.

That said, the mental health representation in this book was brilliant - such an important theme, and handled really well by the author.

Overall though, I felt a bit disconnected from the story and the characters, it just didn’t have the spark I was hoping for.

I just finished Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin and honestly, I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s such a tender, beautifully written romance, and the mental health rep—especially around anxiety—hit really close to home.

Jo felt so real to me. Her anxiety, the way it showed up in her thoughts and actions, was written with so much care and honesty. I saw a lot of myself in her, and it made her journey that much more powerful. Watching her slowly let her guard down and start to trust Silas? Genuinely moving.

And Silas… he’s the dream. Supportive, patient, never trying to “fix” her—just showing up and being steady while she found her footing. Their relationship felt so natural and earned, which made every moment between them even more impactful.

The way this book handled mental health was incredible. It didn’t sugarcoat anything or rush Jo’s growth, and I really appreciated that. It felt honest and hopeful at the same time.

This was such a cute romcom 🤭🥰 I initially was interested bc I saw this author being brought up in a few different spaces and wanted to support her. I’m genuinely pleased with the outcome! There’s great mental health representation navigating chronic anxiety and the MCs flowed so well together. For this being Ana’s debut novel I can’t wait to see what else she puts out there, because I’ll be reading it! I listened to the audiobook and the narrators fit the characters perfectly.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this 🎧 ARC.

Let’s be honest- romance books are often very predictable. This book fell into that category, but the main characters felt relatable which was huge for me wanting to see where their story went. I loved them starting as strangers, becoming friends, and then growing their relationship to even more. Jo’s journey with mental health was handled very well. I loved how outgoing she was and the banter between Jo and Silas was great.

This audiobook was an easy read and the narrators voices were pleasant.

Read if you like:
🚲 Dual POV
🚲 Slowww Burns
🚲 grumpy x sunshine
🚲 Strangers to Friends to Lovers

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.