I listened to the audio version and while I liked the narrator, I did not like the book. The author focused so much on the main character’s weight that the story was boring. I didn’t like the characters and I stopped reading after 30%. I’m sure others will love it but this was not the book for me.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC of The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. It was sweet and romantic and the perfect rainy afternoon book. The main character is lovable, and even though she is flawed, you can't help but root for her anyway. I would also die for Colin, full stop. Although a bit misguided at times, he is earnest and romantic and so so sweet.

I also loved the fat representation in this book. I do think it's worth noting -- as Howe does a phenomenal job in talking through some of the issues and prejudices that fat people face. I thought it was handled extremely well and the representation was great to see.

5/5 stars for me, would read again. What a stunning debut by Jenny Howe and I can't wait for her next book!

Unfortunately I had to stop reading after a few chapters in. The way the heroine is talking and more so, talking out about the hero is full on bullying and then she’s the one that won’t accept being fat shamed? I have a big issue with this type of stuff and while I thought this will be a quite empowering story, and it might redeem themselves in the end, I can’t carry on reading it.

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Unfortunately this book was not enjoyable for me. There were too many issues and I struggled getting through it. I will have a full review on my Goodreads, but here a few highlights of things that didn’t work for me..

▪️There were terrible descriptions of Colin. Lanky, Bony, Knobby kneed. These were constant throughout the entire book and got old real fast. Mostly coming from Allison, whom didn’t like being fat shamed yet she couldn’t stop pointing out Colin’s bodily flaws.

▪️Allison insulting Colin’s looks one moment and in the next breathe trying to convince us he’s sexy. This did not work for me l, and I was so turned off by Collin because of that.

▪️ Being able to disconnect how terrible Colin was to Allison the first time around. He didn’t even have a good excuse for why he did what he did. Why she would even want to be with someone like this again was confusing. There was nothing redeemable about him.

▪️The literature writings that just were endless torture. If you have no prior knowledge of the specific writings mentioned (which most won’t) you will be totally lost.

▪️The toxic behavior Allison showed throughout the entire book. Her desire to win and be better than everyone around her was all consuming.. It was ugly and I got tired of her blaming all her issues on everyone else.

There was more, but I’m going to leave it at that. There really wasn’t much I liked about this book.

I loved that this book took place in academia. The subject matter was medieval literature, how quaint.
I loved,that Allison was a TA and in love with books but struggling with teaching.
I could relate to so much in this book. Academia is my profession and although I don’t reach literature, it’s so comforting to read about scenarios I have encountered, including having to be a TA with an ex for the same class.
I couldn’t buy into the Colin-Allison romance, however, I didn’t like Colin, I thought he was a condescending jerk for most of the book and that Allison was just settling.
Get your letters on and read this book.

A cute read about post-grad academia and severed connections that surprisingly re-appear.

Allison's heart was broken by Colin years ago and she is, to say it mildly, shocked to find him on campus as she starts her time in grad school.

Balancing her professional aspirations, personal growth, family troubles, and more - this is one thing she doesn't need to focus on... I liked the pacing of the read and how different relationships Allison had changed in different ways - sometimes awkward but isn't that life?

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and to Netgalley for the ARC.

Its been a while since I have stayed up late to read a Rom Com, but Jenny L. Howe's The Makeup Test changed all that. I adored this book. The characters, the story. I'm not ashamed to admit that I even teared up at one point (NO SPOILERS).
This book also came along at the perfect time, as I've been having a little bit of a inner battle and really needed a book I could get lost in. The Make-up Test was just that!

Bravo Jenny Howe. I loved it!!

Thank you #Netgalley

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. I enjoyed how this book is body positive. I absolutely enjoyed Allison and Sophie's characters. This romance is set in Claymore College and it is fast paced. I am enjoying this authors writing style and I am planning on reading more books by the aithor Jenny. L. Howe. This book will be in stores on September 13, 2022 for $16.99 (USD).

3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐💫

Let me just start with saying that the tropes in this book were top-tier — academic rivals and second chance romance!!

The Make-Up Test follows Allison and Colin who are reunited at Claymore University where they are both pursuing PhDs in literature. Allison is thrilled to find out that she has been placed under the mentorship of her dream professor, studying medieval literature, until she realizes that she and Colin have been assigned to TA for the same course. Their relationship history is complicated after he broke her heart two years ago and they must now figure out how to manage working together while simultaneously dueling for a career-changing research trip opportunity. How will their academic rivalry play out this time?

I really enjoyed the majority of this book and I just loved the academia setting. Although I know literally nothing about medieval literature, I really liked how evident Howe's knowledge about the topic was throughout the book - I loved getting to see snippets into what they were learning about and the lessons to the point where I was genuinely interested by the course material 😂 Allison's passion for the topic was so evident throughout and she was a very lovable character. I also liked that although she is plus-sized, the story did not revolve around her losing weight in any sense; rather, she fully embraces who she is but we still get to see some of how the comments she receives and her appearance affect her which I really appreciated.

Now, here is why I ended up bumping the book down a little bit. Although I did really like the main characters together, Colin's character was definitely a bit frustrating at times. There were quite a few things he did that I just felt were a bit toxic and should have been communicated way better.

Would I recommend? Yes! I still really enjoyed this novel and the writing overall despite a few bits that I did not love as much - a great debut novel if you want a fun read though :)

I've been wanting to read an academic rivals to lovers aimed at adults for AGES AND I HAVE FINALLY RECEIVED WHAT I ASKED FOR. But you know what made this even better? The fact that this was also a second chance romance! i didn't think I'd fall for them as a couple because it's a one sided extremely biased narration and I definitely wanted to punch Colin in the face multiple times throughout... and yet it still gave me happy fuzzy feelings!

I especially think that the whole experience was enhanced by the fact that they were in the literature field so we got to see some great wordplay-- fore(word)play?-- and just some really fun medieval things!

Of course the romance and friendship were done really well. we gradually get to see the romance bloom. The friendship was done really well, especially because I related to that drifting away as you chase your dreams kind of feeling. I feel like this captured that feeling really well.

It also captured the feeling of guilt while also wanting to be free of toxic family members really well. It tugged at my heartstrings and had me really taking my time with the book despite wanting to read it all in one sitting.

Overall, would HIGHLY recommend!

Many thanks to St. Martin's for an early gifted copy of this book.

I had high hopes for The Make-Up Test. Plus size woman author, plus size woman main character, plus size woman on the cover! Unfortunately, I had some issues with the plot of the book itself.

First let's talk about what was done well. Anything about the main character's weight was handled really well. I loved when Allison was ready to stick up for herself and does. She sets boundaries well when it comes to her weight and overall, I loved how it was handled. I also loved the dogs and the way Allison handled the situation with her father.

What I didn't like. Colin. I hated him. I don't think the man has ever had an original thought in his tiny little brain and his inferiority complex was infuriating. GO TO THERAPY DUDE. I mean it was briefly mentioned that he had a therapist so that's good. I also hated how every single person in Allison's life had no faith in her. The gaslighting this poor woman had to deal with. And maybe that's what it's like to be a woman in academia but dear god, it was uncomfortable to read and I really just wanted her to burn it all to the ground.

I loved the professor and I want more of Sophie. Overall, I just had a hard time with Colin and all the miscommunication. So much could have been avoided if he had not hemmed and hawed about things and just been up front. But I never forgave him for anything he did and I'm mad that Allison did as well.

I do look forward to more from this author in the future and I hope her next male MC is a lot more tolerable.

2.5 stars

Comes out on September 13 and is available for pre-order now wherever you buy books.

Overall, I didn't love or hate this book. It was a rough third to plow through, but a solid 3 out of 5. I enjoyed the academic world and a not-so-perfect romance and main characters. There's a hint of enemies to lovers, but that enemy is also an ex-boyfriend. The plot follows Allison as she navigates her PhD coursework, TA assignment, her ex/enemy as her co-TA, the challenges of growing up with changes to parental and friendship relationships all while trying to earn a spot for her dream job opportunity. No pressure right?! Colin (the ex) was not that likable of a character since I was never sure if he should be trusted or just ignored. In the end, he wasn't so bad and won me over somewhat. Some of the plot just seemed to drag (the middle section), so that's the reason for a 3 instead of a 4. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC

The Make-Up Test is a second chance/academic rivals debut novel by Jenny L Howe. I wanted to love this book, but it fell a little flat for me. The hero hero did nothing to redeem himself and failed and therefore I struggled with some of the heroine's choices. I think I just wanted more all around, and it didn't completely deliver in the ways that I anticipated. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had so many wonderful elements: academic rivals, second chance romance, lots of nerdy literary analysis, and soft cardigans. I really expected to love it, but unfortunately it wasn't for me.

Allison is a great main character and I enjoyed spending time with her. Unfortunately, I found the rest of the characters to be either one-dimensional or unintentionally unlikeable. While I appreciated Colin's quirkiness and having a love interest that wasn't the traditional romance "hero", I found that he was quite awful to Allison in ways I couldn't forgive. The most important thing in a romance is to root for the couple, and I couldn't help feeling they'd be better off without each other.

That said, I could really feel the author's passion for the characters and subject matter coming through in the text. I hope this book finds people who love it, and I look forward to reading whatever Jenny L. Howe writes next.

Unfortunately, The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe just wasn’t for me, and I really wanted to love it.

I wasn’t a fan of the characters or the relationship dynamics.

The third act breakup could have easily not have happened if Allison and Colin properly communicated. And their “happily ever after” just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for an advanced digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for review

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for an advanced copy!

I love me a good academic romance and this one was such a good read, especially for those of us loving history and literature. Allison shows up to her new PhD program only to find her ex has also been admitted and through the course of the novel we learn more and more about why they were in love and how it got screwed up, all while Alison deals with a toxic father and changing relationships with her friends and family.

I really loved Alison as a character. She is fat-positive, lives in her full body, and is on her journey of knowing her self-worth. Colin, on the other hand, I was lukewarm about. He eventually explains his past actions, and I get the sense that he has changed, but I think I wanted to show him actually making more change. He is constantly not conveying his thoughts or communicating his actions and he KNOWS that Alison is triggered by so much of what he does and yet he can't get out of his own head to be a better partner. I almost wanted this to be Dual POV to hear more of why he was the way he was, but in the end, I'm glad the author stuck with Alison.

The plot of the story feels a little low stakes, except that it's academia where something like this plot is decidedly NOT low stakes, its everything, and I appreciated that those not in academia don't dismiss Alison and her anxiety about her future. The toxic father storyline felt a little under developed and I felt like I never got a sense of whether or not Alison understands she is beautiful to people other than Colin. She mentions other past relationships, or at least sexual partners, but her hyper focus on Colin left me wishing she would talk more about how she feels about literally anyone else or whether she feels attractive in relation to other people on campus or in her life (please note, I'm making the assumption that other people ARE attracted to her, because why not, she sounds like a delight).

Overall, I really liked this book for its themes and heroine, I think the hero could have been a little more, but this is also a debut novel and I'm excited for what Howe has next. I'll definitely be reading it.

Allison is very excited to begin her PhD journey with her academic idol in Medieval literature when she is confronted with the fact that Colin, the man who betrayed her and broke her heart 2 years ago, is also in her program. And the hits just keep coming when the university changes the rules about advisor/advisee relationships and her professor can only take on Allison OR Colin as an advisee, a role that would basically make their careers. So now, not only is she confronted with heartbreak past, but she's in competition with Colin for the position for which she has worked for years. On top of all of that, her asshole, fatphobic father may or may not be dying and her mom doesn't seem to understand why Allison isn't falling all over herself to be by his side.

Have you ever read a Romance where you're hoping that an alternate love interest will show up at the 11th hour because the actual love interest is so terrible? Yeah, that's the feeling Colin brought out in me. He was vile to Allison in college (and his reasons and lack of real apology were not enough) and he's only marginally less awful now. Allison definitely has her own issues, but she deserves better. The writing was great and, with a different love interest, I think I could have really enjoyed the story, given that I was an English major myself. But I just couldn't get past hating one of the two MCs so very much. CW for emotional abuse by a parent. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC. Available 9/13/2022.

Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. It may be for some but it just wasn't for me. There's a lot of literature talk since both characters are academics, TA-ing a college class, and I just wasn't interested in all the lit talk. Allison was constantly focused on winning and always being the best and since it's not dual POV, we only see Colin through her lens. It was hard to form my own view on Colin since I only saw him as she did. Overall, just not the right fit for me- but some may love this one!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I really would have liked to like this book but I just didn’t :(
I really loved some of the tropes in it but I just didn’t like the layout and I didn’t really care for Allison’s and Colin’s relationship. I wish we would have actually saw more growth with Colin. The miscommunication trope did not have my heart.

So I did not like the two main characters. They was not likable at all. I did like the story and like the ending of the book. But half of the book I was hating both of the main characters.