The narrators do a great job bringing this story to life—leaning into all elements from the responsibility of the anxiety/depression rep to the steamier moments too. Really well done! I blew through it.

ana holguin mi reina cómo me encanta este libroooo!!!!

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this audiobook was OUTSTANDING. maria liatis and kellen boyle were incredible narrators for this. this is probably my favorite audiobook i’ve ever listened to. the voices had such good inflection and matched ever scene perfectly. i was engaged from start to finish and didn’t want it to end. 10/10 audio experience!!!
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FIRST and foremost i want to highlight the mental health representation in this book. ana deserves all the flowers on this end because this book offers such a raw and insightful perspective on anxiety and depression. i myself have generalized anxiety disorder and while it isn’t to the extent that jo has it, there were many scenes where i felt so seen and understood. anxiety is such a difficult disorder to endure and even harder to explain. people who don’t have it often cannot fully understand, so to see myself jn this way in a character is really special for me. and as much as jo’s battle is highlighted, so is silas’ with depression. it’s something he’s worked hard to manage for the entirety of his adulthood. both jo and silas are in therapy and i love to see it painted in such a positive light. therapy is one of the best things that ever happened to me and i am so happy we are continuing to open up this conversation and eliminate the stigma.

second, i want to talk about how much i adore these characters. jo is a BADASS spin instructor who has worked so hard to be where she is today. she conquers her fears every day to inspire thousands of people and i admire her so much. i loved her relationship with serena and amber and had so much fun with her from the start. silas is my emotional king who is misunderstood. from the beginning, even when he comes off as a little bit cold and cynical, i knew i would love him. that man was head over heels for my girl jo from day one. she flipped his perspective with just one class and had him not only turning his article into a positive piece, she had him wanting to be around her. he is extremely compassionate — he cared so much for jo, not just at a surface level but for her career, her health, and her general well being.

i truly enjoyed everything about this book. this is an outstanding debut for ana holguin and i cannot wait to read more from her in the future. thank you forever for the advanced copy!!!

Thank you to Hachette audio for the review copy! Up Close & Personal is a great romance read for anyone looking for a plot that is more than the romance and one that leans into self growth and themes on anxiety/pressure and perhaps wanting to be seen for more than one part "thing" *that thing here being a prominent fitness instructor/somewhat reluctant influencer enduring a lot of behind the scenes strain and a reporter who wants to be more than the writer who hates everything (these themes worked for me in terms of reminding me that everyone has more to their identity that we know or see). I also thought examining the fitness world was important as it seems at times that can really get out of hand with kind of cult like mentalities and engagement so exploring the instructor side was a welcome character emphasis.

A few notes that held back my 100% loved it review: The pacing was a little slow for me at times and yet I also wanted more of a background to each character before the main plot began, I didn't feel I had a strong sense of who Jo and SIlas really were, especially Jo and her mental health struggles and I think setting that up first, perhaps with an epilogue, would have lead to a faster and more immediate understanding of her character. The relationship development was engaging as well but also felt a little rushed and slow at the same time, rushed in that they meet and there seems to be an immediate attraction (which doesn't always work for me it it's not well explained) but then it's a slow less than banter filled romance, I like banter and slow burn tension and that wasn't quite there.

A rom com with mental health representation! I absolutely loved watching the mfc peel back layers. I loved that we didn't get all of her in one go but in this natural flow and we could see her slowly getting more comfortable.

However this book was a miss for me. It's a super slow burn for rom com. We Know they both like each other but no one acts or speaks on it for over 60% of the book. In the meantime I couldn't quite connect to their romance and everything in the end just seemed wrapped up so nicely. I also would have loved more descriptions on the characters so I could paint that picture.

Overall I ended up a bit bored and disconnected.

Up Close & Personal is a fun and lighthearted romance with a touch of emotional depth. While the story brings plenty of charm and cheesy romance, it also touches on serious topics like depression, adding a layer of realism. It didn’t completely wow me, but it was still an enjoyable read. If you love sweet, feel-good romances with a bit of heart, this one is worth checking out!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advanced audio book.

When Jo, a celebrity spin teacher, meets Silas, a culture magazine writer, they strike up a deal: he'll start attending her spin classes and interview her with the hopes that she can turn him from being a hater of this "spin culture" to understanding why she's become famous because of it.

The premise of UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL started out very cute, and I appreciated that Jo was a complex character (dealing with anxiety from social media interactions when she first became famous), but the conflict at the heart of the story--the why this couple will eventually have to break up--which is that Silas used his connection to his college roommate (who is engaged to one of Jo's best friends) to gain access to her, didn't stand up for me. Silas acts as though he can't share any of this information with anyone because it would end his friendship, but it was Jo who suggested that he interview her, which made the conflict no longer a real conflict and took all of the air out of the story.

Strong writing but I couldn't stick with it because of the lack of conflict.

What a delightful debut! Thanks @emily for the rec!

Short Synopsis:
Jo De La Cruz is one of the country’s leading spin instructors. She’s a well-known figure in the fitness world and her hair has its own Instagram account. But she’s not sure if she wants to continue being a spin instructor and her anxiety has her questioning everything. She’s kept interviews lockdown, but decides to give one to Silas - who she shockingly has a lot in common with.

My Thoughts:
This was such a cute novel. And honestly makes me want to go to a spin class pronto.

Jo and Silas were just adorable. I loved how Silas was so down bad for her. And just the sweetest when Jo’s anxiety got the best of her. The slow burn in this worked so, so well. They had amazing banter, tension and build up. I adore how Silas goes from “why is there a waitlist to a spin class” to “I’m Jo’s number one fan” so quickly. Let’s protect both of them at all costs mmmmkay?

What You’ll Find:
Celebrity Fitness Trainer
Writer MMC
Forced Proximity
Anxiety Rep
Slow burn
Tattoos 👀
Dual POV

Unfortunately I didn‘t feel the chemistry between the two main characters and the story in general fell a bit flat for me. I am not a regular audiobook listener, and I just recently got into listening to audiobooks, so maybe it was a little bit harder for me to connect with the characters and the story?! I don’t know exactly what it was, the book itself is not bad, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
3 ⭐

This was such a fun listen! I really enjoyed the development between the two characters and the progression in which they got to know one another.

I loved how strong-willed Jo was, and the mental health rep with her was really good. I enjoyed Silas as a character and how down bad he was for her—we love a pathetic man!!!

Now I’ve gotta check out the Oliver Garden in Times Square.

Thank you netgalley and hachette audio for the rree alc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. This was so well done its outstanding that it is also a debut book. I loved the narration, the spin classes felt so accurate the high of working out and in a team like effort is 100% facts. Look forward to seeing what the author does next.

4.5/5☆

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HachetteAudio for an advance listening copy of #UpClosePersonal. Four stars!

Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin is a friends-to-lovers, SLOW burn romance. This was a dual POV narration performed by Maria Liatis and Kellen Boyle.

Jo De La Cruz is the face of Haven fitness, the woman with the amazing hair who motivates and inspires others to dig deep and give it their all during spin class. However, not many people know the real Jo, a woman who has struggled with severe anxiety and is questioning what she wants for her future. Silas Anders is a journalist for Metropolitan Magazine and assigned to do a piece on Haven fitness, determined to expose the "cult" for all that it is. After meeting Jo through a mutual friend, he realizes she is so much more than he thought. I LOVED the slow burn of this story, the representation towards mental health and wellness, and the positive image towards fitness (not weight loss). The narration was excellent, especially from Maria Liatis! The author did a great job highlighting Jo's journey to tell her story and I loved how Silas was able to support her mental health throughout.

Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and the author for this audio e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

OH MY GODDD
this was so good!! The slow burn, the tension AGHHH the writing is lowkey giving emily henry (best compliment ever imo)

This was a dual pov, work environnement slow burn wich is always something I love. The read was very light but the characters still had a great emotionnal depth, I think finding a good balance between the two can be a challenge sometimes so that's really something that made me enjoy the book a lot!

Silas is def my new book bf! He cared so much for Jo and evolved a lot through the story!
Jo was so relatable to me and I loved her with my whole heart<3

The audiobook narrators were very great at portraying the characters, it was very immersive if I can put it like that!

Overall, I def recommend this book to anyone that likes a good romance with spice that isn't too much! 5⭐

- slow, Slow, SLOW burn.I like a slow burn but this was just too much.

Rich, insightful and well written on mental health issues with really good discussion of male mental health issues. This is not something we see a lot so I appreciated it.

Dual POV narration is something I enjoy

Another slow, slow slow aspect was narration. I ended up reading it at 1.5x just to keep it going at what I expect is a normal pace. I ‘read’ audiobooks every day so I value my opinion on this (LOL)

I’d say this was not the book for me but I can see others enjoying it.

This was a sweet easy rom com. I really enjoyed the authors writing and it's surprising, that it's her debut book. It felt fresh. The descriptions of places were really nice. And the friendship group these characters have is just the best. All of them so supportive.
It was a SLOW burn, like, so so slow. I would like more romantic moments from both of them.
And I found the MMC really annoying at times.
I appreciate the anxiety & depression rep, but as someone who is anxious and depressed, I could not understand some things that Silas did. And it could be so easily avoided! You could also tell from the beginning what happens.
I really liked the parts with breathing exercises, though. It felt fresh.
Jo the FMC was the sweetest and I really liked her. I enjoyed her inner thoughts, and could see myself in her.
Overall, it was a nice easy book.
I had the audiobook version. The narrators did a really good job with it. The voices were nice, calm and realxing. Sometimes too realxing haha. The sound was clear which I appreciate.

Thank you to net gallery shelf for the audiobook version of ARC. I am glad I got to listen to it.

While I did really enjoy the premise of this book and the overall plot I did find the writing repetitive. It even felt like the same sentences were used multiple times and some minuscule subjects were over explained.

Over all it’s a very fun, fast, and easy read!

Cozy, tender Romcom
LATINA!!!
Fitness instructor (spin) and Journalist
Dual POV
Anxiety rep

Loved listening to Silas the part time hater (journalist) and Jo (fitness instructor) book. Jo fools everyone with her smiles and hair flips. She’s wants to find her spark again, she’s bored but wants to tell her story. Silas is writing about the industry and is expecting the worst but finds that he enjoys her class and her company.

I will be purchasing a physical copy on 4/29

I enjoyed this audiobook however there are a few things that I thought it could have been better.
I thought the whole " we met under nefarious purposes " went on too long. I don't think it should have caused that much inner turmoil, especially because the MFC knew what he through of her to begin with. They were both using each other to accomplish something.

I did appreciate the candid discussion of mental health for both MCs. I liked that they were both the black sheep in their family but together were perfect.
I liked the narrators, found the pacing to be thought out and while the story was predictable, I found myself wanting to keep listening for the resolution.

Ana Holguin's debut, Up Close & Personal, is such a fun romantic comedy and a new favorite of mine!

Jo (FMC) is a famous spin instructor and a role model for so many, but behind the scenes she battles with anxiety and mental health.
Silas (MMC) is a writer who is skeptical of Jo's following and asks to interview her for an article in the magazine he works for.
It's a SLOW burn romance that with have you anticipating THE MOMENT! 😘

The ONLY thing I didn't really care for in this story was the conflict towards the end, it just felt immature and avoidable.

I received the ALC of this novel, thanks to NetGalley & Hachette Audio!
I highly recommend the audio version, Maria Liatis and Kellen Boyle did a fantastic job. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 (I listen at 1.5x speed)

Read this if you like
- SLOW Burn
- Pining
- Strangers to Friends to Lovers
- Spin Class/Peloton
- Anxiety Rep

Silas, a New York based journalist, is tasked with writing an article about the craze around the local fitness club, Haven and their star instructor Jo. The problem is Haven has a waitlist that is months long and traditional channels to request access for his article will take weeks to months.

Silas discovers a mutual acquaintance through social media and works his way into Jo’s inner circle and slowly they become friends and his guilt of misleading Jo starts to surface.

This is a great read - light reading even with the mental wellness issues Ana has written on throughout the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early review audiobook.