I really liked the main characters and their individual stories, however the plot was too fast and choppy, and didn't really flesh out their story enough. Would have loved to see it develop a lot more, especially with their each character's past and current issues.

Really enjoyed the concept of mates for life. The references to that throughout the book were sweet. I did find it a little slow and thought there could have been more depth to the freakout regarding travel and really wanted her to actually start personal training, maybe with him or Victoria. The relationship between their friends didnt track for me. It felt like it came out of nowhere. By the end, I couldnt even remember when they had met.

I was really looking forward to DEEPLY PERSONAL based on the blurb, but unfortunately, it just missed the mark for me. I had difficulty connecting with the characters, who felt underdeveloped at times, and their lack of chemistry made it hard to get invested. The fake dating trope didn’t feel necessary, and without much of a real plot to drive it forward, the romance fell flat. Overall, it didn’t live up to my expectations.

It was a nice read overall, however I had some difficulty connecting with the characters and find them a little underdeveloped at times, but I can see severall people really enjoying this book.

I was really looking forward to this back based on the blurb, under the impression that Paul would be training Jess and Jess would be helping Paul. Unfortunately, this book just missed the mark for me. The characters were lacking chemistry and the fake dating trope didn't feel necessary. There was way too much focus on their work life and just not enough moments of them being together. The way they got together was not satisfying. It kind of just happened. It was hard to like the main characters but I did like Lenny, Jess' brother.

(I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review)

I absolutely enjoyed this one. This is the first time I have read anything by this author, and I was not disappointed. This was such a beautifully written love story that hooked me from the beginning, and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more from this author. I definitely recommend this to other romance readers.

Thank you Net Galley, Splitrail Publishing, and Suzanne Collier

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.

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.