Deeply Personal was a quick breezy read. Light and funny banter between two relatable humans. If you enjoy fluff & of romantic comedies will greatly enjoy this read.

Thanks to the NetGalley and publisher teams for an ARC for review!

This book had a fun premise I haven't really seen before and was a quick read but ultimately, I wanted more chemistry from the characters.

I rated ‘Deeply Personal’ 3 stars overall.

Some of the things I enjoyed about this book was how easy to read it was, how relatable it was and how fun of a story it was.

The idea of the FMC meeting the MMC by passing out at a race is funny and definitely gives rom-com vibes. Right away, we find out our FMC has a heart problem and our MMC is a personal trainer. She obviously thinks he’s cute but does not want to get into another relationship. Our MMC eventually reaches out to her to see if she’d renovate his apartment because she’s an interior designer. From here, the romance develops. The overall story was quick to read and wasn’t hard to keep up with at all. I can relate to the health aspect of the story because I am pretty active and even lift weights like the MMC. So I thought that was cool that we share interests.

However, there were a few things I did not like. One was the overall writing style. I just felt like a lot of it was repetitive. Another thing was a hole in the plot. I thought that the main plot was going to be about the MMC actually training the FMC but he never did.

All in all, a fun and quick read!

Romance💍💌😻
Their first date fake dating added some fun, but the kinda love at first and second vibe felt rushed and unoriginal.

Plot🤞🏼👀🌃
The story is easy to get into and perfect for binge reading. However, it doesn’t offer anything l different from standard romance novels. The amount of coffee annoyed me. It was too much. Lines like “Don’t go jumping all over her like some lonely dog” it was kinda cringey the dog part was not needed.

Flow 🤝🏼💥🙀
The pacing was smooth, while it did seem like they fell I  love straight away I'm happy that there was a other things happening.

Characters 🤡🙈🧟‍♂️
The characters were hit-or-miss. Lenny, the female lead’s brother, has a funny personality. Their dynamic is like puzzle pieces—he has a messy, unorganized house, and she’s an interior designer. I just wish the female lead had more personality to make her stand out. It's random but I didn't like the ML name.

This was a pretty sweet romcom filled with everything you would expect. I liked both of our main characters and their chemistry together. This book wasn’t so much focused on fitness which is something I typically enjoy and was expecting with this one.

This was a interesting and cute read, the plot does occasionally feel a bit confusing. The balance between their personal growth arcs, career challenges, and romance can get muddled, leaving readers wondering where the focus truly lies. Despite this, the humor sprinkled throughout keeps the story light and entertaining.

Ultimately, DEEPLY PERSONAL is a fun and touching read about overcoming fears of commitment and finding love in unexpected places. It’s not without its flaws, but the humor and heartfelt moments make it a story worth picking up. Perfect for those who enjoy romances that feel both personal and laugh-out-loud funny.

I had high hopes for this book, but it was a major disappointment. The writing felt unpolished, and the characters were one-dimensional. The fake dating trope, which usually excites me, was unnecessary here—Paul could’ve just introduced Jessica as a friend without it affecting the plot. Worse, the characters were careless about maintaining their act, making the “humor” fall flat.

The romance lacked any chemistry or growth. Jessica ignored her health issues, and Paul, a personal trainer, didn’t care to address it. Both their supposed flaws—Jessica’s heart condition and Paul’s commitment issues—magically resolved without explanation.

The wedding scene, where Jessica admired her twin brother instead of her husband, was the final straw. It felt bizarre and inappropriate.

To top it off, the author’s casual, insensitive references to cancer were jarring and added nothing. This book felt like a chore to read, and I can’t recommend it. That's why I'm giving this book 1 aka 0 ⭐.

Deeply Personal by Suzanne Collier is a delightful rom-com. Jessica Chandler, a 32-year-old interior designer, faints at a Turkey Trot and is rescued by Paul Brady, a charming personal trainer.

Jessica, who has neglected her health due to work, is drawn to Paul. As they exchange skills—Jessica helps Paul with design, and Paul helps Jessica with her health—they grow closer.

Their fun banter and fake date to impress a client blur the lines between professional and personal, leading to unexpected love.

Overall, it's a charming, uplifting read about personal growth and love. Perfect for a light, feel-good romance!

Deeply Personal is a fake dating story, with both main characters being likeable enough.
The story did move quite fast in parts, the chemistry didn't always feel like it was fully fleshed out, then suddenly you realised something had happened to move the relationship forward.

The family storyline felt oddly forced, particularly in the final chapter. The two characters seem to have a different relationship to the one I read.

I did finish so would rate a 3.5 if I could, however not something I would reach for again. I see potential in Suzanne Collier reads as well so would be willing to read more from her if it came up.

I really tried to love this one but I unfortunately had to DNF it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Y'all. This was not great, lol! It reminded me of a Tessa Bailey book. No real plot. Characters were blah. The romance part of this story fell flat for me. 2 stars. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review. I was originally drawn to this book based on the cover as it looks like a cute romance focusing on fitness and healthy lifestyles. There is a slow burn between Jessica and Paul, but it was kind of boring and underwhelming. Paul is a personal trainer and Jessica has some health issues and have a meet-cute when Paul rescues Jessica mid race at the Turkey Trot. I was kind of expecting Paul to be her personal trainer and focus on that aspect, but that was not the case.

The synapsis of the book and what the book actually was about were two different things. It was in no way a comedy. There was never a swap of skill sets between Paul and Jessica, he hired her for his reno and he didn't train her as a personal trainer. It was kind of hard to like Jessica because she was very negative about everything. Overall, I'd say it's 3 stars. It had a happy ending but not sure I'd recommend it.

DEEPLY PERSONAL by Suzanne Collier is a contemporary rom-com that leans heavily into feel-good tropes, with a slow-burn romance that’s as much about personal growth as it is about swoon-worthy chemistry. While the story delivers lighthearted charm and laugh-out-loud moments, it also grapples with deeper themes of health, vulnerability, and fear of commitment. However, some of the execution feels uneven, leaving the characters’ journeys somewhat underwhelming despite their promising arcs.

Jessica Chandler is a likable but flawed protagonist—a perfectionist who’s built her interior design career at the expense of her health and personal happiness. Her collapse at the Turkey Trot is an amusing meet-cute (albeit with serious undertones), and her rescue by the dashing Paul Brady sets the tone for a sweet, if predictable, romance. Jessica’s struggle with heart issues serves as both a physical and emotional metaphor for her need to slow down and embrace life beyond her work, a relatable dilemma for many readers.

Paul Brady, the "knight in running shoes," is an intriguing mix of swoon-worthy and endearing. His commitment issues don’t stem from arrogance or a tragic backstory, but rather a fear of permanence and getting it "wrong." His clutter-free, man-cave existence contrasts perfectly with Jessica’s desire to create beauty and order. Their barter of expertise—Jessica revamping Paul’s condo in exchange for his help in rebuilding her lifestyle—creates some fun and flirty moments as their friendship evolves into something more.

The skill-swap dynamic leads to plenty of witty banter, awkward mishaps, and romantic tension. However, the “fake date” subplot, while charming in its premise, feels like a late addition meant to artificially accelerate their romance. Their emotional hesitations and internal monologues around commitment feel drawn out at times, which makes the pacing drag slightly in the middle. Additionally, while the novel is pitched as laugh-out-loud funny, some of the humor feels more situational and subdued rather than consistently sharp or fresh.

The supporting cast adds texture but doesn’t stand out as memorably as it could. Jessica’s friends and Paul’s gym clients serve their narrative purposes but feel somewhat interchangeable. A stronger focus on their backgrounds and motivations could have enriched the story, especially in a small-town setting brimming with potential for quirky side characters.

Where DEEPLY PERSONAL shines is in its exploration of how our professional identities can bleed into our personal lives, sometimes leaving us unsure how to live outside of our work. Both Jessica and Paul are "projects" in their own right—works in progress who slowly realize they can’t control everything and that sometimes, imperfection is where happiness lives.

The novel’s ending is satisfying, albeit predictable, with a heartwarming message about balance, self-care, and finding someone who makes you feel seen. There’s no dramatic blow-up or overly contrived obstacle; instead, the characters’ growth feels natural, though perhaps more subdued than the rom-com marketing suggests.

For readers who love soft, slow-burn romances with relatable protagonists navigating life’s curveballs, DEEPLY PERSONAL will be a cozy and enjoyable read. It might not reinvent the genre, but it offers enough warmth and charm to leave readers rooting for love, healing, and beautifully redecorated condos.

This book is a quick read romance novel. I breezed through this and generally enjoyed the meeting and general premise behind how the characters come together to begin their relationship. Overall though, after finishing and thinking about the book, I found that I felt this book missed the mark in terms of concept development and missed some opportunities for a stronger story with stronger characters. Ultimately, these missed opportunities led to a book that was just ok, if not a bit unsatisfying to me and would keep this book from being a top contender as a "must read" romance. If you are just looking for a quick read and won't be too bothered with gaps in the execution of the story, this will be a great read for you!

Deeply Personal by Suzanne Collier was a really sweet dual POV, contemporary romance that will get you in your warm and fuzzies!

3.5☆

Jessica Chandler, an interior designer, is focused on rebuilding her career after a tough breakup. Enter Paul Brady, a personal trainer with a guarded heart and a deep love for his family.

When Jessica collapses at a Turkey Trot walk (thank you for enlightening this Brit about Turkey Trots!), our hero Paul rushes to help. Later that day, after a chance meeting, they exchange phone numbers which sets everything in motion. They decide to exchange their professional skills too!

Professional proximity quickly turns into something more. A series of fake dates starts as a clever business move but turns into a heartfelt journey as they realize they’re both ready to take risks again—especially with each other.

I really liked this story, it felt light and gentle. I much prefer MC's in their 30's, their established careers make sense and really boosted the authenticity!
My only critique would be that I would have loved more depth to their romance, and a couple of personal training sessions could have really deepened their intimacy.

Overall, Deeply Personal is a lighthearted and uplifting read that left me smiling, but not squealing and kicking my feet, hence the 3.5☆

Thanks to NetGalley, Splitrail Publishing, and Suzanne Collier for eARC of this delightful story, in exchange for my honest review!

Fun and very light story about beautiful people falling in love, more about people flirting and talking and hanging out than much of any action, which makes for a relaxing and easy read. Good book to read when you aren't in the mood for anything dramatic or stressful. Fun read.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think this book could best be described as amateur. It sounds awful but I think it needs to be polished.

A great fast-paced rom-com. The little fake dating that the characters had to do had me giggling and kicking my feet. Their relationship was so pure and they were so made for each other.
Paul was so thoughtful and caring in regards to everyone close to him. He felt emotions so deeply. Jessica’s struggle in her career life gave her a really good character arc. Her internal struggles about wanting to just be successful in the interior design world but also being slightly burned out just were so realistically written. Paul and Jessica had such good banter. They back and forth had me cracking up.