I enjoyed this book. The narrators voice was smooth and enjoyable. The storyline was a bit what I was expecting, but I loved the mental health portion. I will recommend this audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to hear this book in (slight) advance, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Not a spoiler, but question for the Author, if you’re reading these. The one character who’s name was pronounced something like “lure-ah”, how is that spelled? Thanks!!

I picked this up since I expected some humor reminiscent of Laurie Gelman's Class Mom series. While there were humorous parts, much of this deals with the theme of mental illness and crippling anxiety. Definite potential but it easy to tell this is a debut author/book.

Closest to DNF book I have read in quite some time...except Little House On The Prairie
"A totally laugh out loud heart warming romantic comedy"no greater lie has been told since the last words coming out of Biden's mouth.
This book was neither romantic or funny. In fact it was platonic and depressing. I will rewrite the tag line for you, " A totally yawn out loud depressing platonic fiction book." Please note I did not even give it the honor of being labeled a drama because heaven forbid that would actually mean there was some emotion or excitement.

I blame myself for reading this. The cover was SO cute, I use to teach spin so I loved the bike on front. I also love my fancy gym so I thought it would be a cute read.

The book is about Kat Noad (Rhymes with Toad--dont worry dear reader if you don't catch it the first time you will be reminded another 977 times) who goes to her fancy gym for the first time and while there gets fired and her boyfriend breaks up with her, this sends her into having massive breakdown and she can't leave the gym......like she is paralyzed and has massive anxiety attacks if she goes towards the exit,
So that leaves us readers stuck with Kat in a massive gym (that is so unrealistic, don't get me wrong ym gym has a cafe, salon, spa, but a bar?? A place to buy formal wear?? Nope sorry Ellie, not a thing..oh and how about the fact that they have a childcare center that allows parents to drop the kids off all day while they are at work.......So this whole fictitious gym seems to grow and grow to fit what Kat needs.
Then there is the whole Kat hides out overnight in the gym---cameras seem to only point at one place and she is able to avoid them all in her overnight crashes....eye roll number 78
I could go on about unrealistic events, dumb plot lines, what a terrible person Kat is and the annoying reference to celebrities but I will not waste any more time. I think the author has a book full of trigger warnings.

-Kat uses exercise as a coping mechanism (like working out 8 hours a day) Trigger warning
-Constant reference to unhealthy food and exercise messaging
-Child abuse
-Abuse
-Animal death (you have to hear about this THE WHOLE BOOK!
-Alcohol
-Anxiety
-Depression

The concept could have been funny I guess. But the author takes this story down a terrible dark road. Personally I thought the way she handled the Anxiety (The Big A as it is referred to in the book--uhh) was very insensitive. Her anxiety is a character in and of itself. The whole book goes into great detail how it has ruled her life and led her to where she is and why she has made so many bad decisions in her life. Her coping mechanisms are very unhealthy. She becomes so dependent on medication and people around her.
I would have been more sensitive to Kat if she wasn't so unlikable. She deserved to be fired (Cussing out patients and treating them rudely), constant lies, she deserved to have her boyfriend break up with her (out partying, barfing in the sink because she was hung over all the time, a slob to live with) a bad friend (only doing what she wants, not considering others) and constant lies she tells to others.


Sum It All Up: This book is stupid

I would like to thank Netgally for this advanced listen to this book. I was not paid for this review (Obviously!)

I had high hopes for this book based off the cover and description. Unfortunately, the story itself fell a bit flat. Kat was very unlikable. I was hoping for a cute romantic comedy, and it felt like 12 hours of Kat complaining about her life and mental illnesses.

I went into this thinking I would feel the same as the rest of the people who read and reviewed this book, but instead I found myself not wanting to put this book down and truly invested in Kat’s daily struggles and adventures. That’s what this book felt like, a never ending struggle bus through the adventures of living at a gym.

This is 100% not a romance book. I think going into this knowing I wasn’t to expect a cheesy rom-com helped. Instead I was reading of the struggles of anxiety and mental health and even domestic violence. There didn’t seem to be a dull moment. Whether you’re feeling angry at Kat, or embarrassed for Kat, hopeful for Kat, or even sad for Kat, you’re going to feel something throughout the entire story. I loved this.

I switched between arc kindle and audio book versions thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture!

When I say I really wanted to like this book I mean it. I really really did but sadly it fell flat. It spoke about mental health, being your best self, it had romance but it just didn't add up.

This book is about a woman who gets dumped and fired all in one day over the phone while at the gym for the first time in years. Despite the description this book is not a comedy and in my personal opinion not a romance either. Someone reeling from a break up and finding themselves spiraling is the start of many good romances and self journey books but overall I found the main character as unrealistic and frustrating. The story didn't have much moving it forward. I felt like the main character was paralyzed with anxiety and the story line stayed right there with it.

It was not that the story was bad, it's not that the writing was bad either, it's just that the pacing was too slow and the main character was not very likable. The "ah-ha" moment where we see where the anxiety stems from came so late in the story that it felt too little too late. I liked the outcome of the book but I wish there had been a little suspense or excitement along the way. Thanks Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

Come Here Often by Ellie Center
Contemporary women’s fiction.
Kat goes to the massive health club for the first time ever. While she’s there, her boyfriend dumps her over the phone and then she losses her job. In the same day. She tries to leave but she can’t make it to the exit door. She has a panic attack and retreats back into the gym. Kat finds herself living in the gym, making friends and trying all the amenities including all the various workout classes. Anything to avoid the exit door.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Kate Hanford. The performance was well crafted. The listener can clearly hear and feel Kat’s anxiety as she tries to approach the door and her introspection as she remembers different issues and self-diagnosed missteps. Her switch to the daycare children is brief and sounds more like baby talk but it’s clearly not an adult voice so acceptable. I listened to this at a speed of 1.3 which is my preferred rate for a conversational pace.

Kat is clever is finding resources to both keep her busy and sustaining her daily needs of food, drink, and keeping her phone charged. The overall tone of the book is on the depressing side although it does include some humor. She makes friends and learns about herself but it’s really only the last portion that includes any hope. It does end on the positive side which is what makes it worth the drama for me.
I did have an issue with Kat’s self-soothing shopping and drinking in the mega club. I kept thinking of how she’s going to pay the credit card bills once she is actually able to get home. Maybe that’s just the accountant in me.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Hachette.

#netgalley
#ComeHereOften
The book is said to be humorous and romantic which it’s absolutely not. There are several triggers in the book related to mental health, chronic anxiety, death of a pet etc. the book was too long and a bit depressed for me especially when your waiting on the humour to come and it doesn’t.
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrator 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book is totally mislabeled and wrongly marketed. Not at all a romantic comedy and I was unable to finish the book due to lack of enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book early! When I marked it as "currently reading" on Goodreads, I saw that this book is not getting a lot of love and I was curious as to why because the beginning really hooked me and had me interested! This book is about a woman named Kat who suffers from anxiety. Her boyfriend signs her up for a mega gym and wants her to get healthy, so she's there when she gets the call that she's being fired and minutes later the call that her boyfriend is breaking up with her. Her anxiety takes over and she finds herself mentally trapped in the gym. It's not a 24 hour gym, but she decides to make it her home and hide out so she never has to leave. People's complaints about this book are completely valid-- this book is grossly mis marketed. From the cover and the general pitch, you would assume this is a fun, cute romance. Thats not at all what this is. This is a look into the life of Kat at her rock bottom. Her anxiety causes panic attacks and has led to prior hospitalizations, etc. She has a very severe case that is being managed only by Xanax (which she has run out of). We follow Kat as she continually tries to leave the gym but just can't. We learn more about her past and the triggers that have led her to this point. We also see her discover fitness and friendship in the people she meets at the gym. There is SORT OF a romance between her and a trainer, but thats such a minor part of the story I would not call this a romance at all. This is much more a women's fiction about Kat trying to overcome her anxiety and come to terms with her struggles enough to get some help. I think if this book were marketed more appropriately and people knew what they were getting into, it would be better accepted. Personally, I enjoyed the story because I knew very little going in. However I do have some complaints. Since the book is set all in one place and we're really just following Kat, it got a little redundant. I also hated how Kat couldn't be honest with ANYONE so she told 13984 lies to people. It makes sense why she did it, but it got annoying to read. There are also bits of her past thrown in to show us things that have made her mental health battle even harder, but they felt thrown in and awkward. Furthermore, they seemed to confuse the focus of the book. Is she suffering with anxiety or PTSD? The answer is likely both, but the life events made it even more gross to me that nobody was really supporting her. Her mom is an alcoholic, her dad kind of MIA, her boyfriend broke up with her, etc. This gal needs a lot of therapy and support and she's not getting it. I loved getting to know Kat's heart and seeing her work with kids was sweet. Overall, this definitely feels like a debut, but with better marketing and more experience, I'd give her another shot.

SPOILERS AHEAD: She finally leaves the gym when one of the kids she knows from daycare starts to get kidnapped by her abusive Dad. Kat started working in the daycare and met this little girl whose parents were divorced. The mom told her to never let the dad take her but someone new let it happen and she knew the little girl was in danger but nobody would help so she ran out of the building to save her.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh boy. I wanted to love this book, I really did. Based off of the cover and the synopsis I was expecting to read a cute and fun romcom and this book was quite literally the opposite. This book was not light, fun or a romcom. This book was about a young woman going through a mental health crisis and refusing to leave a health center (like a fancy gym) because her anxiety was too bad.

The only reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of one was because the book was well written, it was that the story itself was just not very good. The mc was not likable at all. She blamed everything on her “Big A” (don’t even get me started on how often she referred to her anxiety as “big a”) or she blamed everyone else. And if she did say she was sorry for anything she followed it up with “it’s not my fault though it’s my anxiety”. I honestly do not blame her boyfriend for dumping her in the beginning. I don’t think there was enough character development or self growth throughout the whole book to make the fmc likable by the end. Yes she got over her fear but everything happened in the last 10% of the book.

This book is also like 80% inner monologue about the fmc complaining about her life and comparing herself to others.

I also genuinely think this book was mislabel as a romcom. It’s not a romcom until the last 5% of the book and it doesn’t even follow romance guidelines for books. The driving factor of the book is not the romantic relationship, it’s her mental health. The relationship in the end was so random and I honestly didn’t understand it. I think it should have been a women’s fiction or contemporary fiction but definitely not a romcom. I also though it was extremely misleading to add "Perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Tessa Bailey and Sally Thorn". This book was nothing like their books at all.

First I want to say this is strictly my opinion and solely based on my feelings.
The blurb is a romcom so I was very excited. Unfortunately I did not really get that vibe. I felt it was dragging. Did it have some quirky funny moments , yes but enough to keep me really engrossed. I didn't love the narration enough to want to finish chapters. I found myself debating on finishing .. The issue of anxiety and depression in the book was a little off to me as well. Again strictly my opinion. Please use your judgment. I appreciate net galley and the publisher giving me the Audio early to review .

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audio book in return for an honest review.
Synopsis
Ever been in the gym, about to jump on a bike, when you get dumped and fired within minutes? Then you have a panic attack and you’re physically unable to walk out of the door, so you’re stuck there? Yeah, that.

I’m Kat and today is officially my Day of Change. Step 1: signing up to Nashville’s fanciest health club. My idea of aerobics is lifting Dunkin’ Donuts, so I thought the toughest part would be getting on a treadmill. Wrong! I didn’t count on being dumped over the phone and fired from my job in the space of minutes. Now, that’s how you work up a sweat.

As my world unravels, and I have visions of turning into Great Aunt Gladys with her surplus of cats, I’m paralyzed by a panic attack. I can’t physically walk out of the door.

Unable to step outside into the hot mess of my life, I secretly spend night after night sleeping on massage tables, avoiding security guards, hiding from my ex, and drinking a lot of green juices. I won’t lie, flirting with blue-eyed personal trainer Marcus, who’s carved like a Greek god and has a smile that makes my stomach flip-flop, definitely takes the edge off.

But it’s just a matter of time before I’m caught… Can I get my act together? Will Marcus forgive me if he finds out the truth? And how personal is too personal when it comes to personal trainers?

This totally hilarious romantic comedy is for anyone who has ever lost their spark, been savagely dumped by a waste-of-space ex, or prefers pie and lattes to pilates. Perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Tessa Bailey and Sally Thorne.

Sadly another not for me, marketed as a comedy that unfortunately I failed to find humour in. Mental health issues are a running theme of mental health issues. It just wasn’t for me at all. I’m actually wondering if it’s me at this point in all honesty. Don’t let my review put you off.

I want to first thank the publishers and Netgally for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.

I want to start by saying this book does have a few trigger warnings. Mainly anxiety, but there are also mentions of domestic abuse, divorce and loss of a pet.

The book does have a great representation of anxiety and panic disorders. I do this this book could validate how a lot of people feel and experience their mental health struggles.

Other then that this book kinda fell flat for me. It’s marked as a romance and comedy but unfortunately to me it is neither. There was funny parts but not enough to make the entire book worth it. Also the romance was a kiss in the last 10% of the book.

This might be a personal pet peeve but I also don’t like that every guy she meets seems to want her which does not seem relatable to me. There is also very little character development.

Kat is what I would consider a functional alcoholic, who is described as selfish and lazy at the beginning of the book. The only this she really changes is her mental health and even that was minimal.

She continues to drink throughout the book (it is reduced but still) and it’s not really explained on how she changes the other character flaws she has. I know that that those can be due to her anxiety but if they were going to focus on her anxiety through the entire book I wish they hadn’t made her sound like a horrible person.

I also didn’t really care for her call her anxiety “my big A” which I know is nit-picky but it really caused a disconnect for me.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

2.5/5 stars ⭐️

As this book was described as a romance I was disappointed. This was not a romance and was primarily focused on the chronic anxiety of the main character. Which is fine, and I enjoyed the book for what it was, however it should have been advertised as this. As a book which explores anxiety, it was a pretty good representation and I think it was written well in terms of the characteristics of the disorder. Although, unfortunately the audio book narrator was awful.

This was an interesting listen(audiobook version). The blurb called it a hilarious romantic comedy. It is not at all what I expected nor as described. There are some amusing parts, but for me I didn’t find out to be a riotous comedy. It was an interesting listen that addressed tough topics. Mental health is finally being talked about and it is so important as it can impact any and everyone. Mostly we are all just hanging on given the events of the last few years. Kat is having not jus a bad day but a bad/tough….everything. her life has hit the proverbial wall and she becomes completely overwhelmed by it all. A panic attack of epic proportion hits her and she gets stuck in place. She cannot physically leave the fancy schmancy gym that she was in and manages to hide out there for…..longer than anyone should be at the gym. As time goes she has to figure out how to escape her own issues, move forward and finally get outside again. Interesting listen that will absolutely have you cheering Kat on and wanting all the best for her, but still wondering who decided this was a romantic comedy? Quirky, yes. Riotous ? Not so much.

COME HERE OFTEN? by ELLIE CENTER.

As Kat takes a step out of her comfort zone and tries a new health and fitness club, it all goes horribly wrong.
Before she can even conquer the cross trainer or say Swedish Massage, Kat receives two phone calls that blow here world apart.
When the panic attack and anxiety that ensues prevents Kat from leaving the building, what can she do next?

This book is described as a romantic comedy, but for me, it didn’t quite deliver the romance and the funnies were a little sporadic.

I wholeheartedly applaud any book that shines a light on the realities of living with anxiety, but as much as Kat’s panic attacks and other struggles were true to life, they just didn’t fit into what is supposed to be a light read.

The quality of the writing was good, and I’d definitely be interested in future work from this author. Unfortunately, this book didn’t work for me.
⭐️⭐️

With thanks to #Netgalley and #BookoutureAudio for an audio arc of this title.
Well narrated by Kate Handford.

Thank you, Net Galley, for providing me with a digital copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly, “Come Here Often?” wasn’t for me. I think it’s the misleading marketing that had me expecting something significantly different and my expectations were not met.

It is said to be a “hilarious romantic comedy” but I found it rather depressing. It deals with a lot of hard-hitting topics like anxiety, depression, alcoholism, unhealthy habits and loss. Which is not to say that romcoms and romance shouldn’t include said topics but if they are the most prominent aspect, they change the vibe completely and in this book they definitely eclipsed all he comedy.

The romance was barely present. It’s definitely not the main focus of the story. The main character does flirt with a couple guys here and there with a clear main interest but it’s all very subdue.
That being said I could hardly call this book a romantic comedy.

I don’t think this is inherently a bad book, but the marketing is not doing it any favors and you could enjoy it more if you knew exactly what you were getting into, not being misled.

My problem with the actual story, regardless of it being or not a romcom, is that it got very repetitive real fast. I know there was a limited amount of interactions and scenarios possible because it all takes place in the same building with the same characters. It’s realistic, but it doesn’t make for a very entertaining read.

I genuinely hope this book gets to the right audience, because it tackles anxiety with no filters. Just don’t go in hoping for a cute and funny story.

I was lured in by the title, the cover and the way that the book was presented

"This fresh and funny page-turner is for anyone who has ever lost their spark, struggled with anxiety, or prefers pie and lattes to pilates. Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Emily Henry and Jo Watson."

This sounded right up my street and I put on my headphones eager to start what I was expecting to be an over-coming adversity story with an engaging and loveable heroine and a heart warming romance.

My expectations were sadly not met. Firstly, I didn't warm to the narrator, who left long pauses between sentences for no apparent reason. Even listening to the book at a speed of x1.5 the pauses were still distracting. I didn't engage with Kat at all (despite being a sufferer of acute anxiety myself) and found the story really, really hard work. There's a lot of descriptions about experiencing a panic attack, and the negative thought processes that accompany anxiety. The reasons for Kat's mental health issues are also hard to read about and I'm struggling to understand why this would be marketed as a ;rom-com'. The truth is there's very little to even raise a smile at in the book, never mind a laugh, and the romance is minimal. I definitely think that the cover and accompanying blurb needs a re-think and maybe even the title.

Not one for me I'm afraid, but I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

ADORABLE!! This quick read pulled me in right from the start and had me anxious for what was going to happen next and when/if she'd get caught right up until the end!

Kat has been a mess and embarks on a wellness journey to better herself; only, that same day as she's working with a personal trainer for the first time in a fantastic health club, she gets dumped by the love of her life (over the phone!) AND loses her job. Plagued by anxiety that has followed her since a childhood trauma, Kat finds it physically impossible to leave the fitness center. So she does the only thing she can think to do; takes up (secret) residency.

Through a series of crazy encounters with her ex, friends, a potential love interest, an actual love interest, celebrities and celebrity look-alikes, a snooty self-centered antagonist posing as a competitor, and finding herself wrapped up in someone else's domestic drama, Kat navigates how to move on with her life in it's current state while attempting to break free of the anxiety keeping her trapped in the building.

I found this book to be very enjoyable while also raising awareness to the issue of how crippling invisible disabilities can be. Well done! #netgalley #comehereoften