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.

Oof, was hoping for something like Amy Lea-esque with body positivity and a loving MMC who sees the FMC as beautiful no matter what her body looks like... but definitely didn't find that here. Both main characters deal with their own issues separately, some of which are undercover so to speak. I also think the story could have gone with the self worth and self improvement, but this story just skimmed that on top and was just superficial overall. I also really disliked the romance scenes... they just didn't feel romantic to me, moreso forced or just like the characters were there but not involved. I was disappointed with this story overall, especially with how it was written sadly. THanks for the opportunity to read otherwise.

I left this romance, I love both characters personal growth. I loved the epilogue at the end, just overall it was a really wonderful romance. Five stars!

A great read, the story of Jessica and Paul. They are not looking to meet anyone, but will they give each other a chance anyway? I liked how it was told from both points of view. Would love there to be a book for Tony next.

It isn’t often that you read a book without a full blown 3rd act breakup and it actually be good! Paul and Jessica were characters I felt I could relate too. They had struggles that they learned to overcome and work around. And the way Suzanne brought us full circle with the epilogue? Are you kidding me?! Loved it!! Now while the romance wasn’t really the driving force in this book, I still loved the growth that these characters showed and the way they came together at the end.

This was such a beautifully written, fun read! I laughed so hard, while also experiencing many heartfelt moments. I really wanted to root for Jessica and her relationship with Paul. The characters were relatable and well-defined, it had a great balance of romance and comedy, and it tackles modern issues along with themes of health, personal growth and vulnerability. Would definitely recommend and would read more from this author.

Okay, this book had me at Turkey Trot disaster! Jessica literally faceplants into the cutest meet-cute ever when she passes out mid-race and gets rescued by Paul, the sweet and charming personal trainer. From there, it’s a slow-burn delight filled with fake dating shenanigans, emotional growth, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments.

Jessica’s journey to open herself up to love again while navigating her new heart condition and running her business was so heartfelt. And Paul? Not only is he building his personal training business, but he’s also trying to set boundaries and convince his adorable grandparents to move into assisted living. The dual perspective really let us see their struggles and growth on both sides.

Now, while I loved the tension-filled build-up and fake dating trope, I do wish we got more of Jessica and Paul as a couple once the sparks really flew. That said, the ending was beyond adorable and left me with the biggest grin.

Thank you to Splitrail Publishing and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for my honest review!

I don't know how to feel towards this book, it was good at some moments but it was very underwhelming and some times things were happening way too fast in it. I also don't know how to feel towards the characters, they were good but i didn't particularely liked them or felt any attachment toward them.

Deeply Personal is the first novel that I’ve read by Suzanne Collier. This novel is a feel good rom-com that takes place in Nashville, Tennessee. Jessica Chandler is an interior designer who has spent a lot of time building up her company, Chandler Interiors, and has recently been hurt by a past relationship. Paul Brady is a personal trainer who was raised by his grandparents and also struggles with putting himself out there after being hurt by a previous relationship.

Jessica and Paul’s first encounter starts out in a very unique way. Jessica collapses at the Turkey Trot fun walk and Paul comes to her rescue. Jessica and Paul also run into each other later on that day, at Frothy Monkey, and exchange phone numbers because Paul needs his home re-designed and Jessica needs personal training due to neglecting her overall health.

Jessica goes to Paul’s home and helps him with his re-design. After talking for a while, they decide to go on a few fake dates in order for Jessica to gain a very important client who is also one of Paul’s clients. The chemistry that Jessica and Paul have is undeniable. After a couple of fake dates, both characters start to fall for one another. Suzanne did an incredible job with explaining how hard it is to run your own business as well as balance a personal life. Both require a lot of time and attention.

Overall, I thought that this book was a fun read! However, there are a couple things that I would have wanted more of. The first thing that I would have liked was for Jessica and Paul’s romance to develop on a deeper level because I felt like both of them kept their work life very separate from one another. It would have been nice to see how they could have let the other person into that aspect of their world. The other thing that I would have liked was for Paul to give Jessica a few personal training sessions since she helped him with his home design, which is how the book originally started - they had agreed to swap skillsets.

Thank you so much Netgalley, Splitrail Publishing and Suzanne Collier for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Deeply Personal by Suzanne Collier is a charming rom-com with all the right ingredients. It has a dual POV, it’s a fast paced book that’s easy to read, and the main characters have a sweet and authentic connection that will leave you smiling.

Jessica is an interior designer while Paul is a personal trainer. Both are driven individuals but have struggled when it comes to personal romantic relationships. They fake date for a bit, but soon learn that they both have real feelings for each other. Jessica and Paul learn to trust in one another and their feelings. I loved the main characters’ connection and their growth throughout the book. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and I thought the author incorporated it so nicely in this storyline.

This book will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. It’s the perfect book to read if you are looking for a sweet romance with real and relatable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Splitrail Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

2,5*

This book promised more in the synopsis and even in the beginning than what it could deliver, sadly. overall it wasn't too bad but predictable and plain

Did not finish. So sorry. Tried 4 chapters and was cringed out by the plot unfortunately. The fmc was too quirky in the beginning and it just bothered me. Definitely a me problem

"Deeply Personal" by Suzanne Collier is a quirky, feel-good rom-com that starts off with a fun and unexpected twist. Jessica Chandler, a 32-year-old interior designer, collapses at a Turkey Trot in Tennessee from dehydration, only to be swept up by the very handsome Paul Brady, a personal trainer who rushes her to safety. There's an instant spark between them, and for Jessica, it feels like fate. She’s been too focused on her work and neglected her health, which has led to some serious heart problems. But it turns out, the man who literally carried her to safety might also be the one to help her heal in more ways than one.

On the surface, the idea of a personal trainer and interior designer teaming up is super fun, but what really stood out to me was how these two opposites started connecting. Paul might have a great body, but his condo is a complete mess. And when Jessica sees it, she knows she can help—if only Paul can let go of his weird aversion to buying furniture. Their “fake dating” plan to help Jessica land a big client and get some exposure felt like the perfect setup for some light-hearted fun, but things got a little more complicated (in a good way) as they spent more time together.

But honestly, while the setup was cute and the chemistry between Jessica and Paul was there in bursts, I didn’t quite feel the emotional depth I was hoping for. Jessica's heart condition, which is a huge part of her character’s arc, almost felt like it got pushed aside a bit too much. She’s constantly being reminded to take better care of herself, but she keeps ignoring it, and that was a little frustrating to me. Paul, on the other hand, had his own baggage with commitment, but the way that storyline unfolded felt a bit… underwhelming. Like it had potential but didn’t go as deep as I wanted it to.

The fake dating element, while fun, didn’t quite feel essential to the story. At times, it seemed more like a way to move the plot forward than something that naturally developed from their connection. Also, there were some odd moments towards the end that kind of threw me off. There’s this random focus on Jessica’s relationship with her twin brother at her wedding, which felt a bit out of place and took away from the romance I was invested in.

All in all, *Deeply Personal* is a quick, light read with some sweet moments, but it didn’t quite deliver on the emotional payoff I was hoping for. I enjoyed the humour and the playful vibe, but the lack of real chemistry between Jessica and Paul kept me from fully connecting with their love story. It’s definitely fun if you're looking for something light and easy, but if you’re after a more heartfelt, deep romance, it might leave you wanting more.

i really wanted to like this one, but the characters just felt so bland and one dimensional - i didn’t get any chemistry, any tension and i felt like the plot was just bland - it wasn’t anything that i would remember or recommend to anyone unfortunately!

it was okay, the writing was just really hard for me to get through. i feel so bad saying that, it just wasn't my style :(

📖Review: Deeply Personal by Suzanne Collier

💗 Rated: 5 Stars!

🍾Characters: Paul and Jessica were absolutely adorable! I've always been a sucker for fake dating trope in the romcom world! The chemistry was the perfect balance with all the hilarious moments playing out! The pace of the book describing the characters emotions has me thinking of a Netflix film!

💖Details: Two people who come to realize that they can help each other out by fake dating! A pretty fast and quick paced read which is what we need sometimes! Sometimes books that move too slow make you question what's going to happen next. But the author did a great job layering everything out like a deck of cards and playing a good game!


🎁 Extra Compliments: If I really like a book I'm going to start casting characters in my head! And even from the first word in the first chapter I was already thinking of multiple actors to play all the characters! Major props to the author for making ink to pen enjoyment!

Bravo! 🥳

It was a cute rom com I was a bit unsure why the issues with Jessica's heart weren't focused on more I feel like heart issues are serious?

Thank you to NetGalley and Splitrail Publishing for providing the eARC of *Deeply Personal* by Suzanne Collier in exchange for my honest review.

1.5 stars rounded up - Deeply Personal had a few redeeming moments scattered throughout the book, but unfortunately, they couldn't outweigh the issues I had with the story. There was just too much going on, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Jessica, an interior designer, frequently goes on long tangents about furniture, fixtures, colors, and other design elements, as though the average reader would be familiar with these specifics. Additionally, Collier tends to over-explain everything—what the characters are wearing, listening to, and even their physical appearance.

The story begins with Jessica experiencing a heart issue during a race, and she's saved by Paul, the male main character, a personal trainer. You would think he would play a key role in helping her with her heart problem, but instead, the narrative takes an unexpected turn. They end up "fake dating" to help Jessica land an interior design contract, which feels disconnected from the initial setup.

On top of this, there's an undercurrent of disordered eating and an unhealthy fixation on food and health that left me feeling uneasy. I generally consider myself a gracious reviewer, and I tend to enjoy most of what I read, but unfortunately, Deeply Personal didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped. I rarely rate books low, so for what it's worth, this one just wasn’t a good fit for me.