3.75 stars

I found the premise enjoyable. The beginning felt a bit slow, but the romance, once it developed, was really sweet. I also appreciated the unexpected slow burn. It was cute watching Silas go from being skeptical about Jo to falling head over heels for her. I also appreciated how the author approached mental health and anxiety, portraying both the challenges and the healing process.

The only part I didn’t particularly enjoy was the third-act conflict, which felt a bit too dramatic. However, the resolution was super cute and genuine, like something straight out of a rom-com.

Overall, this was a strong debut from Ana Holguin. I’m excited to see what she writes next.

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I may have found a new autobuy author. I did at least find a debut romance novelist I really loved.

Up Close & Personal is the debut novel from Ana Holguin. It follows spin instructor, Jo, as she is the center of a story being written by skeptic journalist Silas regarding the cult following she has received by being one of the top spin instructors at the IT spinning studio in NYC. No only does Jo get recognized for her hair flipping Instagrammable moments in the studio, she also does online through the studio's streaming platform. Does it remind you of Peloton because it should.

While the romance felt more secondary to the storyline, I really liked the care it took with mental health and anxiety that were at the front of the story. As someone who deals with an anxiety disorder that meant a lot to me. I could see myself in Jo in certain aspects and related to her along with Silas at times. I could feel the connection of the characters and there isn't an unlikeable one in the bunch. I would love to have another book within the same universe from Ana in the future. I also loved the close friendship between Jo and her close girlfriends. It reminds me a lot of the female friendships I have with a couple of groups.

I highly recommend this novel to others. I can't wait to get a copy of my own for my home library.

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

I ended up really liking this book. At first it was kind of slow for me but then it was a good ride (no pun intended). It gave me a “27 dresses” vibes cause of the fact that Silas is the James Marsden reporting on Jo’s life like Katherine Heigl’s character. I do appreciate the representation of someone who has anxiety and how it affects people even when they hide it as someone who has been through it. I did laugh at the aspect of Jo being a UT grad and from Central Texas cause that’s my life in Texas 🤣

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.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a fun romance that was a little more unique! I was super invested in the story and really enjoyed it. I couldn’t decide how I felt about Silas, and he didn’t really grow on me until the very end. I loved Jo though. It felt a bit like some of the story was repeating of Silas trying to get Jo to come out of her shell with not much happening until towards the end. I really liked the focus on mental health and normalizing it. I couldn’t tell how I felt about Haven and the “cult vibes” that surrounded it. It felt kind of like there was no discussion of any negatives surrounding it, and Silas was immediately converted into loving it. I did enjoy the book as a whole though!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well I devoured this one quickly! This was a contemporary NYC romance between a popular spin bike instructor and the unconvinced journalist writing an article about her. Being a member of the cult of Peloton myself, I really enjoyed that part and loved all the (fictional) behind-the-scenes details. Beyond the largely predictable romance, I totally adored the FMC’s relationship with her 2 best friends and appreciated the focus on mental health.

Behind every badass Latina, there's always a white man with an evil agenda.

To say I'm disappointed is to say the least.

I came into the book expecting an enjoyable story but left feeling upset. Once again, we are given a book in which a white man's actions overshadow the talent of a Latina.

You don't even find out that the FMC's ethnicity up till the 50% mark so take that as you will...

Silas is unlikeable from the very start. When you meet him, there's a poor distaste towards his character because from the very get go does he misjudge the FMC via her online social media presence. He also is known for having an attitude and judging everyone at his work. Which is a red flag in itself but the biggest of them all is when he approaches the FMC in person under FALSE PRETENSES and begins a relationship with her based off his lies.

He's a reporter on the job writing about the FMC's cycling career and as he continues to meet with her does he change his mind and think "hey, she's not so bad like I thought?"

*YAWNS*

I mean this for every Latina out there because unfortunately the "white man tries to ruin her career and lies constantly" is a trope in books. We deserve better than this. We are not on an agenda to prove white people that we're worthwhile. Our existence shouldn't constantly be devalued by white people who clearly don't listen.

We shouldn't settle for crumbs!

a note,

I do want to share that I do strongly believe that this book could've been great. The conversations of mental health were really well done, and the FMC is a great character, unfortunately, giving the MMC a POV and his actions overshadow these qualities. And therefore, I could not rate this book any higher.

White men stop trying to ruin BIPOC women's career challenge? Cause it seems like this is a trope that everyone and their mom has been writing about.

Incredibly slow and no chemistry for a romance. I loved the idea of a reluctant celebrity having a journalist try to write a hit piece on her but then he falls for her; that was cute. However, the chemistry just wasn’t there. If I have to be told they’re falling for each other rather than feeling it through the writing, then it’s not really there. This would have done better as a single POV as Silas’ added nothing to it. I wanted to love this as the cycling guru angle was fun but it just didn’t work for me.

Jo De La Cruz is a renowned cycling instructor at one of the most prestigious spin studios in New York City, Haven. Not only does she teach in person classes each week--classes that are nearly impossible to book--her rides are available to stream in thousands of homes. The entire world has access to Jo, and while it may seem glamorous, she has been struggling from the impact. Silas Anders, full-time journalist for Metropolitan magazine and part-time contrarian, cannot believe the demand for Haven's spin classes aren't simply a scam run by unskilled pretty folks. He has just been tasked with penning an article all about the cult following of Haven's top instructor. Jo. Jo and Silas very quickly have their worlds turned upside down when neither one of them turns out to be anything like they had imagined.

As a former worshiper at the altar of SoulCycle, the second I realized this was a spin-related romance, I RAN to request an ARC. I am intimately familiar with being a devoted cycling student (to unhealthy excess), and couldn't wait to read a romance from an instructor's perspective.

Up Close & Personal is a super cute, well written, and pretty straight forward slow burn romance novel. While both main characters are coping with their own mental health and past trauma, it's by no means a heavy read. I enjoyed the spinning aspect for obvious reasons, but I like how the story shed light on how much preparation and off-the-clock (read: unpaid) work fitness instructors have to do on top of the physical demands of their job. It only took Silas one ass-kicking class to shatter his preconceived notions about an industry he considered cult-adjacent, and realize that movement, whether it's free or $45 per class, is one of the more accessible forms of mental healthcare, especially in the United States. Jo's vulnerability and willingness to share her struggles so publicly was really admirable. As a reader you could really feel her internal battle to surrender trust, and ultimately her heart, to Silas. You may be able to see the third act break-up coming right out of the gate, it's overall a satisfying and very charming debut novel!

This is one of those books that would really be perfect weekend afternoon book/beach read if you're looking for something low angst, fact paced, and sexy.

3.5 ⭐️s rounded up to 4 ⭐️s

Up Close & Personal is out on 4/29!

Thank you so much to @readforeverpub and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to @readforeverpub for the eARC and to @hachetteaudio for the ALC!

This book was excellent. I’ll admit that much like the MMC, Silas, I wasn’t super into the idea of focusing on a Peloton instructor type. I could not have been more wrong. While I’m not a fitness fanatic (don’t get me wrong, I see the benefits of exercise and get the Peloton or home work out appeal - I just would rather do about anything I o get out of cardio) this book dealt with something that I can absolutely resonate with: anxiety and depression. Jo was such a realistic portrayal of that and I found myself identifying with her experience quite a bit. Silas was a great character as well and I appreciated his journey and self-reflection on his actions - he took accountability and that’s attractive. I love a love interest who knows when he messed up and realizes he has a gem.

This book had authentic emotion, steamy moments, cute inside jokes (when you’re here, you’re family 😂 iykyk) and a couple that I couldn’t help but root for. I loved this book and can’t wait for more from this author! This was such a great novel, hard to believe it’s her debut!

I read this because I impulse downloaded it when it was read now one day. I thought it was fine but I didn’t love it. The characters grew on me and had some growth, but there were things that irked me and the pacing was off. Not awful but not great.

This was VERY cute.

Jo is a spin instructor for Haven, a workout company that’s like THE workout company. Like Peloton but there’s also in person workout classes in addition to the at home ones.

As one of the OG instructors, she’s like the face of the company, along with Mike who is another instructor. But ya’ll know she has a secret.

Enter Silas, moody, skeptical, newspaper journalist, ready to hate on everything popular and fun and trendy, like you know this guy wrote a think piece on Taylor Swift’s popularity I’m sure of it, has to write an article on Jo, and let the hijinx ensue 😈.

This book is a slow burn, which I’m not against but omg after 50% I’m like KISS ALREADY. *throws a chair*

The novel touches on various mental health issues, there’s some miscommunication, some secrets, their pinkies are touching long before there’s any spice so if you are a slow burn, pinkies touching girlie this book will for sure be your jam.

This novel spends a lot of time focused on Jo’s hair. Cause ya know she just has a lot of hair guys, it’s everywhere. It’s up, it’s down. It’s a massive mane, a curtain if you will, it has its own Instagram. I don’t know why we needed all that, but it was there.

Overall, this was super cute. I was all “awww” at the end because I knew it would all work out after the foreshadowing of what was going to happen happened because our boy Silas just couldn’t part with that first draft of the article. Like sir. Let it go it’s going to ruin your life.

Anyway, thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever Publishing, Hachette Audio & Ana Holguin for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes, men can be so dense, can't they!? So many chances dear Silas could have come clean from the jump. So many chances he had to delete the file! But alas, as Celine Dion sings "That's the way it is..".

I loved Jo's friend group. I felt the connection and chemistry build with Jo & Silas as the story went on. I appreciated the SoulCycle/Peloton storyline and value of the community. I do wish there was more of a conclusive moral to the story of Jo physically overworking her body. It feels odd to wish a physical breakdown on someone, but I think it would have been a good takeaway about the fitness industry's hustle culture.

Ana Holguin's debut novel, Up Close & Personal, is a contemporary romance that artfully combines humor, heartfelt moments, and insightful commentary on mental health and social media culture. The story follows Jo De La Cruz, a celebrated spin instructor grappling with the pressures of fame, and Silas Anders, a journalist skeptical of her profession.

I was really impressed with Holguin's ability to craft authentic characters. Jo's journey towards self-acceptance and her navigation of mental health challenges are portrayed with empathy and depth. Silas's evolution from skeptic to supportive partner adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, making their relationship both engaging and believable.

Overall this read was a heartfelt and humorous exploration of modern relationships, personal challenges, and the complexities of public life. Holguin's ability to intertwine romance with meaningful themes makes this novel a noteworthy addition to contemporary romance literature. Highly recommend to fans of Abby Jimenez!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an early ARC of this book!

Jo is a well known cycling instructor/personality for a big company and is ready to tell her story. Silas is a journalist known for writing the occasional hit piece and is wary of this fitness “cult” surrounding Jo, until he is tasked with writing an article about her. I liked their conversations about the expectations and realities of well known people in society. Jo’s friends were a great addition to the story.
This was a bit of a slow burn, but that pacing felt natural to their story.
The only negative piece of feedback is that the third act breakup was so predictable and so preventable with a little communication.
I’ll give this one a 3.5 rounded up to a 4.

This story was so fun to read. It's the kind of romance I've come to enjoy when breaking up some of my really dark reads. It's enjoyable, friends to lovers and full of delicious slow burn.

I also love the setting in the spin cycle studio as it's different and makes this book interesting to read.

I also really enjoyed Jo and Silas as they find themselves complete opposites that fall into an easy friendship and then a little more. I felt connected to their growth as individuals and together. Jo in particular had to take care of her mental health and to do what felt like the right decision in her personal and professional life. It can be so hard to do so I appreciated her ongoing struggle but also her determination to make the right choice no matter how hard it was.

Again, thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think you will too!

Thank you to Forever Pub for the eARC of this book!! <3

Jo is a spin instructor and Silas is a journalist writing about her. He soon realised why everyone loves Jo, and as he interviews her they open up.to each other. I liked how it was told from both points of view.

I absolutely ADORED everything about this book you guys!!! I am shook this is a DEBUT novel?! I don’t understand how 😭 what beautiful and well developed writing in this book. Silas + Jo are the new slow burn goal. I mean truly; the yearning and swooning in this was just top tier!! I loved Jo’s rep of a female struggling with Anxiety and mental health issues. The vulnerability and highlight of growth in her character was inspiring to say the least. Silas is patient, he’s kind and he’s PROTECTIVE ok? We love these two. Yes, I predicted things and yes it was a classic romance in some ways but something here was different and I ate it up. I also really enjoyed our side characters in this book; they were girls girls through and through.

This was so up and down for me. I love the attention to detail (to the plot) that the writing has, these feel like real people and this is a fleshed out book that had time and care given to it. But my biggest issue is the setup to the premise. Not every character has to be likeable or relatable, I totally get that, I just recently read and loved a romance with a internet celebrity spin instructor FMC similar to this book and I would never be able to be a fitness instructor much less well known on the internet so I enjoy reading outside of my scale of relatability. It's that when the book starts off the FMC Jo's biggest problem in life is that she's too successful... there's "nowhere to go at the top". I really tried to reflect on this but I just come back to the question as to why I should care. Use your money and clout and pivot, the world is your oyster this is not a real hardship. The MMC's motivations are more clear as a journalist and that brought an interesting angle, even though you do have to suffer through vaguely sexist ruminations and he gives *not like other girls* thinking being excited for a workout class is dumb etc for awhile there but I respect a growth arc and I feel like it actually happened for him. I enjoyed their banter so the romance is there in this as well.

Thank you to Forever for the eARC!

I really felt like the mental health struggles, particularly Jo’s, were handled so beautifully by the author. I’ve dealt with anxiety for a number of years now. Mental health CAN be debilitating but I think this story showed that you can still need help even when you seem like you’re coping just fine on your own. It doesn’t always have to be a complete breakdown before you think about options!

The love story between Silas and Jo flowed really naturally, nothing felt rushed and I loved their pining. I enjoyed the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes with the “I was going to write a scathing article but instead, oops, I fell in love with you”. I was fanning myself when they couldn’t stop flirting!

Overall I really enjoyed this debut! I think readers who love a slow burn, not-quite-enemies to lovers will enjoy it also.