As an English major (and a middle school teacher), I really enjoyed Allison's character. Her struggle to be a good teacher and pursue her passionate love of medieval literature. At no point did I ever really like Colin, though. I'm not sure they would have been good together. This book needs an epilogue mainly to prove that.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of The Make-Up Test.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub Date: September 13, 2022

I was so excited for this book, but it left me so underwhelmed. Reading it honestly felt like a chore. The main character, Allison, was so off-putting she made me not want to read this book. Her sense of entitlement, her attitude, and her constant "woe is me" mentality was just too much for me. I'm glad she wasn't in a real PhD program (ie, she was in a fictional one) because she would not last ten minutes in a real PhD seminar. And Colin was such a wet fish love interest. I don't even know why she wanted him, and more importantly, I don't know why he wanted her in this story. She was basically mean and vindictive to him the whole book. And, she treated her parents like literal crap in this book.

I think my issue with the main character started when she felt entitled to win a university wide academic award as a SOPHOMORE, and was petty and mean when Colin (a senior) won the award instead. She never even gave him a chance to explain why he applied, and the miscommunication was just frustrating.

I do think the author tried to do something genuine by writing a story about a plus-sized woman trying to make it in an academic world, but Allison had so many other negative characteristics, her body positive attitude didn't even resonate with me.

This book is just a no from me. I wish I had more positive things to say about it, but I just don't.

I disliked both of the main characters so, so much, and in my romances, I have to like at least one of the characters at least a little bit.

When Allison Avery enters her first Ph.D. class and discovers that her ex-boyfriend, Colin Benjamin, is also enrolled, her dream program becomes a nightmare. When it's evident they are both up for the same Teaching Assistant slot, Allison's competitive drive kicks in. Allison is on high alert since she feels Colin stole the Rising Star Award from her while dating in their undergrad program. She's not about to let him do it again. But, he's changed. Dramatically. He's encouraging. He's supportive. He's warm and loving. The flame is still there. Can she trust him?
I get that Allison has every reason to hate Colin, but I did feel like she dwelled on feeling sorry for herself too much for me to really connect with her. I read what was done to Allison and that she was hurt by it, but I didn't feel what she was feeling. I wish I felt the emotions, both good and bad. She had so many wonderful people in her life, but often it was repeated on those who did her wrong. Others are loving this book, so if you enjoy a rivals to possible lovers romance, you may want to give it a read.

"Better meant there was always more to learn."

I was lucky enough to read an eARC of Jenny Howe's debut novel (thanks, NetGalley!) and honestly, this book was such a delight. Think 'The Love Hypothesis' meets 'Beach Read.' Have I caught your attention? Good.

Allison Avery is ready to start her dream Ph.D. program at Claymore University. She'll be studying medieval literature, and under a professor she admires no less, and there is nothing standing in her way.

Except Colin Benjamin, Allison's college ex-boyfriend, who has also been accepted to Claymore. And to make matters worse? Now they're competing for the same TA position.

What starts as a not-so-friendly academic rivalry turns into a full out war when their professor announces she only has one spot on a research trip that would all but solidify Allison's place in her chosen field — and she refuses to let Colin steal from her again. But will the lines begin to blur as they recount their past and find ways to be there for each other in the present?

This story takes a fun approach to the enemies to lovers trope, adding the former lovers angle and perfectly executing the academic rivalry. It also beautifully explores the idea of second chances and, as Allison says, getting 'better' rather than being the best, because people aren't perfect and there is always room to learn and grow.

Jenny also makes a point to include an author's note, pointing out that while Allison is plus-sized, this is NOT a story about a girl who is looking to lose weight or learn how to love herself in her body. Allison is confident, smart, and struts her stuff. She loves herself, just as she is — and there needs to be space in the romance genre for characters of all sizes to live and grow without their weight being at the forefront of their stories.

The only thing missing for me was an epilogue! It's definitely possible there's an epilogue in the final version, and I hope there is because I really wanted to see what happened to Allison and Colin a few months down the line. I was deeply invested in their story from beginning to end, and I wanted just a little more time with them. But other than that, this is a 4.5 star read for me and I look forward to Jenny's second novel, On the Plus Side, which comes out next year!

Review was originally posted on Goodreads.

Whew. This book. I really loved Allison and Colin and the folks around them. It reminded me so much of my own grad school experiences-both good and bad. I appreciate that Howe’s treatment of academia is pretty unflinching. This isn’t a rosy view. She sets up a very accurate backdrop of what this world is like but uses it to create such a sweet and strong romance between two very smart people trying to be their best. I really loved it.

A cute rom-com about enemies to lovers. Avery and Colin are both competing for a carreer making research trip. Who will win this rivalry?!

This story follows Allison Avery, a determined graduate student who has been accepted into the graduate program of her dreams and working as a TA for a professor she's admired for years. The only thing standing in the way is Colin Benjamin. Aka her ex boyfriend who broke her heart...and also happened to get into the same school, same program and assigned the same professor. They soon learn that they are up against each other for a coveted spot as their professor's TA, in which a battle ensues. Will they battle to the death or will they learn something more valuable than winning?

There's so much to love about this book. I loved the academia setting, the representation of plus size women, and the medieval literature references (even though I was unfamiliar with most). It broke my heart seeing Allison struggle with her relationship with her father, but I loved seeing her stand up for herself. I did think the ending wrapped up a little too quickly, but overall this was such a cute read.

Thank you @netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! I always enjoy an academic romance, and this story was sweet, thoughtful, and nicely done for a debut romance from Jenny L. Howe. Allison is getting her PhD in Medieval Literature, and she’s on track to achieve all her academic dreams through having a great advisor and taking an exciting research trip to Wales. But then her ex boyfriend Colin is in her same program, as well as competing for the same advisor and trip. She is also struggling with aspects of her family and connecting with her best friend, so with Colin and Allison’s attraction re-emerging, can they reconnect amidst the challenges confronting them? This is a sweet second chance romance that does a lot of great things for a debut: great fat representative from the portrayal of Allison, accurate feelings of imposter syndrome in a PhD program, and it’s well written. I did think the pacing was a little slow, and I think the story made a lot of concessions for Colin’s mistakes and miscommunications. But full disclosure, sometimes I struggle with the second-chance romance trope. Overall I recommend this book for fans of contemporary romance, second chance, and academic rivalry.

“Allison Avery loves to win. After acing every academic challenge she’s come up against, she’s finally been accepted into her dream Ph.D. program at Claymore University, studying medieval literature under a professor she’s admired for years. Sure, grad school isn’t easy—the classes are intense, her best friend is drifting away, and her students would rather pull all-nighters than discuss The Knight’s Tale—but she’s got this. Until she discovers her ex-boyfriend has also been accepted.”

There was a lot to like about this one:

A plus-sized heroine who *doesn’t* hate herself and spend the book dieting.
University campus setting, with bonus, teaser discussions about medieval literature.
Lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers trope.
Strong boundaries set with unhealthy parents.

Negatives had more to do with personal tenderness, than actual flaws.

Currently in a similar no-contact situation with my own parent, I simultaneously appreciated her strength, and didn’t want it a part of such a fun read. That plot-point was a little too close for me to appreciate it properly.

7.5/10

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

This book continued to surprise me as I read it. The characters and the connection they had kept me screaming in my head. It was beautiful, and I cannot wait to read more books by this author.

DNF at 70%. The story was very slow and the interaction between Collin and Allison was boring. There wasn't enough supporting characters to add depth to the story.

Thank you the publisher for ALC.

A very unique plot for a second chance romance novel! I loved following the story of Allison and Colin and seeing how they grew as individual people and how they grow together. It’s all about the timing and Jenny captured their story perfectly. I wish I could give this partial stars because it deserves at least a 4.25!

This was SO GOOD. I finished in one sitting because I just could not put the book down. The story-line, the characters, the twists!! I don't usually turn to romance when I want something unexpected, so this definitely surprised me in the best way possible. Highly recommend!

I'M SO SAD THIS BOOK DIDN'T WORK FOR MEEEE. The Make-Up Test is a second chance romance taking place in a school with a competition vibe, you think I would love it!! However it fell flat, I do think this could be a win for new readers of the romance genre.

The Make Up Test fell short for me. While I love a good romance, I hate when smart women do stupid things. There were too many times when Allison didn’t stop to listen or chose not to discuss hard topics with both her friends and Colin. Someone getting a PhD in literature should have more chutzpah. Most of the literary references were way over my head (and I expected that going into the book) but I did enjoy getting a taste of what a person goes through to become a literature professor. I also appreciated every reference to a cat or dog.

This book was so frustrating.

Our girl Allison has worked super hard all on her own for her whole life to get to this prestigious program in grad school, when she ends up being paired with her crappy ex boyfriend, Colin, as a teacher's assistant. Through memories and flashbacks we find that he definitely was a crappy ex. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like he's changed all that much?? Except for the fact that suddenly he's changed his entire life plan to exactly the same plan as hers. He attributes this to her passion for medieval literature making him realize how amazing it is, but truly it just feels like he changed his whole life just to mess with her some more.

As time goes on she just continues to be treated badly by everyone, including cardigan wearing Colin. (Apparently it's all he wears even immediately after sex??? Walking around totally sweaty and naked with a lil cardi around his shoulders? Gross).

At no point did I ever root for these two to get back together, especially after it became clear he wasn't really going to change all that much, and mainly the only change was going to be her acceptance of his bad treatment. The third act breakup/reunion based on lack of communication is a trope I truly abhor and this one was especially frustrating.

The only redeemable quality of this book was the fat main character who isn't actively trying not to be fat or change who she is. Unfortunately, that's not just not enough for me.

This is a charming book that reminds us that sometimes it's worth giving people another chance. The characters are all relatable in their imperfections. Although at its heart it's a basic enemies to lovers story, the gist of the plot is completely unique and original.

Allison Avery loves to win almost as much as she loves medieval literature. When her ex-boyfriend, Colin Benjamin, is also assigned to her dream mentor in their PhD program she is no longer the most competitive person in her program. And with the professor choosing between them for a career making research trip, she is determined to win. But what starts as a battle of wits, quickly brings up old feelings and as they work together, she begins to rethink their rivalry. I expected to love this book (I love academic rivals-to-lovers), but it kind of fell flat for me. It really relied on the miscommunication trope, with every relationship ending argument ending in a simple and easily communicated misunderstanding. I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope so I became really annoyed with the characters. But I did love the plus-size representation and how the main character handled the judgment of people around her.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Jenny L. Howe for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. It was a fun read!

A fun read! The writing style was good and it was easy to connect with the characters. Definitely recommend!