What a lovely and charming debut! Up Close & Personal follows Silas, as he writes a magazine profile on Jo, a wildly popular cyclist instructor.

First, the romance was incredibly sweet and it was the perfect amount of slow burn! The tension was a gradual build and I loved the moments that just felt like it was going to EXPLODE! The chemistry Jo and Silas have is soooo well done. Between their banter, longing looks and glances, vulnerable conversations, and sexy moments, the romance is obviously a huge highlight.

I also really appreciated the large focus on mental health. There's serious conversations about depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Even though Jo is a huge media star and lots of people can't necessarily relate specifically to that, it doesn't mean you can't relate to what she's thinking or feeling and how she deals with that. It's talked about as something that ebbs and flows throughout life rather than something you can just magically fixed and I loved that.

Other things of note I really enjoyed: the friend group, the nyc setting, the emotionally healthy talk about physcial fitness, dual pov.

Thank you Forever and Netgalley for this arc!

Up Close and Personal was an easy book to get wrapped up in! I could not put it down once I started.

Our main character, Jo, is a celebrity fitness instructor (think Peloton) who strikes a bargain with Silas, a disgruntled journalist, to tell her story. Silas has expectations of what Jo will be like from the start, but this is immediately proven wrong as the two get to know each other and find more in common, especially with their mental health struggles.

I found both characters to be so real and likable in this story, and I loved their easygoing dynamic. There was so much character growth while Jo and Silas learned to lean on each other for support. I also appreciated this book's honest depictions of mental health and how much support and love played a role in Jo’s journey.

P.S. Jo might just inspire me to start cycling classes!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Loved it from start to end. This was a beautiful friends(?)-to-lovers romance between Jo, our famous fitness instructor, and Silas, our stoic cynical journalist. There was something really earnest and respectful about the way Jo and Silas treated both themselves and each other, and the heavier real life issues that each character faced that was really tender. Plus, that slow burn? When the characters decided to give way and give in to their undeniable attraction and chemistry to each other? Such a good payoff.

That said, you could see the main conflict/third-act breakup from a mile away. I was basically waiting for the shoe to drop the entire time, so that felt a little flat when it happened (though no less devastating for the characters involved).

All in all, a wonderful debut from Ana Holguin. I'd be sure to look out for more from her.

I really enjoyed this! First off, a Latina FMC will always get me through the door. But I really loved seeing the friendship between Jo and Silas grow. They were both really open with each other very early on. I found the conflict to be very obvious from the start, but the author's writing style kept it very interesting and I definitely want to read more from her! Cute, fun, and lil bit of angst. ;)

Up Close & Personal was such a great debut from the author, Ana Holguin. The book follows a celebrity cycling instructor, Jo and a journalist, Silas tasked with writing an article about her / the large cult-like following of the fitness studio at which she works. Silas, a bit of a grump who was sure he was going to expose a scam in the celebrity fitness word in this story, was able to get in touch with Jo through a mutual friend and while initial intentions are kept secret (for too long), Silas was surprised by what he discovers both about Jo in her professional life as well as a person. The story he initially set out to write ended up taking a completely different turn and allowed Silas and Jo to connect in a very meaningful way. This book contains mental health rep and open discussion, personal character growth and a third act breakup. A book that involves a trip to and inside joke about the Times Square Olive Garden will always be considered a great read by my standards.

Thank you to the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Will definitely be looking out for future releases from the author.

wow, this was amazing. i love that this story follows a fmc with a diagnosed anxiety disorder because i to have that and am constantly running through ‘what if’ scenarios and overthinking so i felt i truly connected with jo. i also relate to silas in the fact that im always in my head running through a thousand thoughts and also have battled depression. i really liked how this book covered anxiety and depression with empathy and support throughout the characters lives. this book really spoke to me with the mental health representation and holds a special place in my heart.

other notes: i enjoyed the dual pov, the backstory, the nyc setting, and the slow burn between silas and jo. what a great debut novel!!! i can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy! highly recommend this one!

I am not a fitness gal.
You could put me in a room with a famous peloton-esque instructor, and I’d have no idea who they were.
Up Close and Personal is a book about two people who seek like they couldn’t possibly have anything in common, but it turns out they have more in common than they realize.

I loved this book. It spoke honestly about mental health (the fmc has anxiety, and the mmc has a history of depression). The characters were likable, but they weren’t too perfect or too imperfect. They were just… right.

All opinions are my own.

What a fun romance debut 💕

Up Close and Personal was one of those feel good romcoms. The anxiety representation was on point and the mental health representation was appropriately placed throughout the book.

The characters felt real. Normally, I have difficulty relating to “celebrity” characters (which seems to be the trend of romance books these days) because frankly, I just can’t relate to that struggle. Ha! But Ana made Jo feel like such a normal person even though she is a star within the Haven (similar to peloton) community.

I adored our MMC. Ana’s descriptions were spot on with a normal guy but add in lots of sex appeal!

My only beef was why did he keep his secret so long? That part felt a bit immature to me with everything else around his character. It would have solved a lot of problems. Regardless, I would have liked a bit more groveling, especially with how he knows how deep her mental health struggles run.

The writing was fun, real and relatable. If you are a peloton person who loves a feel good romcom you need this book! 🚲🌶️📚

Here are some of my favorite quotes!

“I’ll take whatever you give me.”
“This place doesn’t serve what I want to give you, Jo.”

“She goes in for a hug, giving me extra time to admire her legs, which I’m fairly certain are shaped the goddess Nike herself”.

Up Close & Personal is the debut rom-com novel from Ana Holguin.

The book follows a popular fitness instructor and the grumpy journalist who is determined to expose her fitness empire that he sees as a scam.

Our two main leads battle serious topics such as depression, anxiety, self-love, and mental health. We also get insight on the complications and expectations of the influencer world.

Overall, an easy and charming read that also tugs on your heartstrings. I can't wait to read Ana's next novel!

Thank you to Net Galley and Hachette for the eARC!!

Silas is a contrarian set out to expose the celebrity fitness world by interviewing Jo, a popular fitness instructor. Once he starts getting to know Jo and her work, Silas becomes surprised by what he uncovers and begins to have real feelings for her.

Silas is kind of a grumpy person in the beginning, but becomes a total softie after he becomes completely enamored by Jo. From early on, it's clear that they are attracted to each other, but prepare for a slowwww burn. The author writes their emotions so beautifully - Silas and Jo's make-up scene was especially heart-wrenching to read, with their pain and love for each other being so clear and heartfelt. These characters are also deeply developed, with both struggling with their mental health and trying to break free from a cycle of unhealthy patterns. Through Silas's article on Jo and their own experiences with anxiety and depression, the book also addresses the stigma of mental health and the importance of seeking and accepting professional help when needed.

An excellent debut novel by Ana Holguin.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC!

What a great debut from Ana Holguin! This books follows a celebrity cycling instructor and the journalist tasked with writing an article about her fitness empire and significant social media following. As he takes her classes and the run around the city together, their connection and feelings about each other begin to flourish.

I struggle to believe that this a debut book from Ana. The characters felt incredibly real, and the journey they went on together was full of vulnerability and emotion. I am so excited to read more from this author!

THIS is what I want in a romcom! Characters that leap off the page, a propulsive plot that’s built as much on deep internal challenges as it is situational external ones, and a swoony, SEXY romance I can’t help but root for! When I read a romcom, I want all the feels AND a layer of depth to sink my teeth into. Ana Holguin gave us all that in Jo & Silas’ love story—and even more in all the ways Jo learns to love her damn self!! I flew through this one. So excited to see what this author does next!

I just finished Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin, set to release April 2025, and I am blown away that this is a debut novel.

I consume a lot of romance novels, and they often follow a predictable formula. There isn't anything wrong this formula; it works and I find that I typically enjoy the books. Up Close & Personal doesn't really stray from this formula. You have a meet-cute, a secret being kept from one of the main characters, a traumatic situation that brings the main characters closer together, and a third-act break-up. Where Holguin's novel sets itself apart is in her character development. You see Jo and Silas (FMC and MMC respectively) fleshed out as interesting, intricate people. There is a lot of instances of them being with their friends or in their workplaces... the plot doesn't only revolve around their interactions with each other. This not only creates a delicious slow burn, but it made me invested in both their relationship and individual successes.

In addition to great character development, I really felt Holguin did a respectful job of including a main character with diagnosed anxiety. As someone who also suffers from anxiety, I can relate to Jo's habits of being early (maybe not so much after having 4 kids), chewed nails, and the feeling of being judged constantly. Jo seeks treatment from a therapist, medication from a physician, and leans on her friends to sort through her feelings. I respect Holguin for her representation of mental health and treatment options.

I look forward to seeing more books from this author. They will be instant add's to my TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I adored this book, this might be one of my favorites this year. It gives “27 Dresses” vibes, covers serious topics like mental health and is a new plot that was just a fresh scene for me! Right now, the only fault I can find is that it wasn’t long enough lol. This was an easy read and I’m really looking forward to future reads by this author. 5/5!

Mila's Review: Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin

"Words seem to fail my writer" said Johanna De La Cruz, our protagonist. And color me stoked, a couple chapters later words seem to fail ME when writing this review.

In her increible debut, Up Close & Personl, Ana Holguin invites us the readers into a world where personal growth and romance intertwine in 290 pages of pure charm. As I closed my reader on the final page of this story, I found myself not only moved to tears but also inspired to create a handwritten list—yes, i'm talking pen and paper— of things i want to try this oncoming year. This simply act of reflection and "call to action" speaks volumes about the impact of Holguin's storytelling.

Though it was this book's cover what initially drew me in, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that a beautiful exterior is matched by even more beautiful story.

Moreover, Holguin's exploration of romance resonates deeply with me, as a real 'friends to lovers' yearner. The realization that love can blossom not only through shared experiences like a previous friendship but also through just getting to know someone and building something from nothing adds a profound layer to the narrative. This new-to-me portrayal of romance may have just become my new favorite trope.

In conclusion, if it wasn't made obvious by my unending rambling, Up Close & Personal is a remarkable debut. Ana Holguin has put out a story that not only entertains but also inspires readers to embrace new possibilities in their own lives. I, for one, can from the bottom of my soft heart, recommend this book to any readers seeking a story filled with love, friendship, and an abundance of self-discovery.

Gotta love a great debut novel in the Romance genre! The writing was very good, and I appreciated the representation of mental health issues. The characters felt relatable, and I was rooting for our couple from the start.

Would definitely read future novels by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever books for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

This book was so good! An excellent debut. The premise is fantastic, but I’d be down to read anything that was compared to 27 dresses. I appreciate the complexities of the characters. For example, Silas goes into Jo’s class thinking he will hate it and everything it stands for, but Holguin writes nuanced characters that admit when they’re wrong. Cannot wait to read more by this author!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

An adorably heart warming romance with realistic characters and an original plot line, Up Close & Personal was a read I could barely look away from. I loved the NYC setting and found the characters very refreshing especially in their open discussions of mental health. Excited to read more of Holguin’s work in the future!

This was a fun and heartwarming story! The author did a great job capturing the journey between the main leads and their exploration of New York City. The setting was charming, and the writing was engaging. Overall, an easy and enjoyable read!

Ana Holguin writes the most delightful, truly unique, debut romance. Waffling between 4/5 stars and rounded up because this was such a unique take on romance in the world of para social relationships and the anxiety it initiates.

Jo De La Cruz is a top spin instructor at THE NYC based studio with in person classes that are streamed to millions of fan. Jo was in at ground zero and has been dutifully building the company from day one, despite much personal loss. Managing the para social relationship brought on with constant feedback has been overwhelming for Jo. She has kept her circle TIGHT. And, Jo is ready to move on. She feels open to opportunity.

Silas, a NYC based journalist, is described as a part-time hater. His profession requires it. When his boss floats the idea to feature Jo, he is perplexed. Surely, he will bring her down. Off brand model. Spin bike Barbie. He has a list of barbs at the ready before he even begins the assignment.

Silas uses a personal connection to meet Jo, and the two hit it off right away. Silas, an avid runner, is rapt in the studio's community. He adores Jo and her connection to her riders.

The romance isn't unique, but I feel like dealing with these weird para social relationships are so useful to the conversation. Jo and Silas are both a delight as they work through their own unique issues. It is also very edifying that our Jo has the backing of her friends when things get tough.

I adored this debut novel.