3⭐️

Happy release day to On the Plus Side! Everly Winters is nominated to be on her favourite show, "On the Plus Side" a plus-size makeover show that transforms people's lives in more ways than one.

There were a lot of great aspects of this book, and I loved the representation, and the way Everly finds out different things out about herself along the way.

The cover of the book says "Her love life is about to get a major makeover" but for a majority of the book, Everly is adamant that this makeover is not about her love life. Her relationships do end up taking the stage, and I did enjoy reading about Everly and Logan.

Logan is your typical "gruff", handsome guy, and he immediately falls for Everly's infectious self. It is a bit insta-lovey, and I found it unrealistic that they'd understand each other so well after about a month or so. He did have some great lines though, and there was a good sprinkle of spice throughout.

Everly had some good character development, but I did find her behaviour a bit childish at times. Some of the plot lines were ??? (with her mom especially) and there were a lot of mentions of clothing that were described as "trendy" but were so off-putting I had to imagine something else. Thankfully she was able to achieve some of her other aspirations, which were fun to read about!

Overall this story was quick and cute, and can hopefully resonate with many people when it comes to body image issues. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Her body didn't need an apology tour."

There's no way not to root for Everly Winters as she navigates starring on reality TV with everyone commenting on every aspect of her body, her family and her choices in the uplifting character driven On The Plus Side by romance author Jenny L. Howe.

Someone's nominated receptionist Everly to be on her favorite show On The Plus Side where they're not so much about physical make overs but about emphasizing one's self worth and giving confidence to go after what you really want in life...or so Everly believes when she's cast on it.

Reading and listening to Everly's journey, the writer does a remarkable job of making you feel Everly's doubts and fears. When she says she, "... wasn't ready for her day dreams to become reality," I not only felt her fear of going for your dreams and failing at them; I've lived it.

As we meet her often overbearing mother we feel the absence of her grandma, her champion, whose death has left her beaten down. "Grief was hanging too heavy to fight back." Voice actress Zura Johnson captures Everly's pain, grief and fear with a poignant amount of humanity.

It's not all despair as Everly learns to stand up for herself but when she can't, quiet cameraman Logan does it for her. The flannel wearing, senior dog rescuing, lumberjack looking gentle giant sees Everly through a different lens (see what I did there?). Their chemistry is so strong that viewers start posting about it. All this attention has the producer creating a love triangle to boost ratings. It affects their relationship, their jobs and the future of the show.

There's fun, some steam, and conflict but most of all it's the growth of confidence for Everly that's the plus side of this sweet romance.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this one! Jenny did a great job of making Everly relatable and Logan was such a good guy. I loved the side characters too!

Everly is working as a receptionist at a marketing company and living her life in the 'neutral' zone. Growing up plus-sized with a difficult mother and an absent father, she's decided to blend in as much as possible so she doesn't seem like "too much" for people or demand any extra attention than she already does. She's an artist, but the death of her grandmother who always championed her art and fun personality has left her with a lack of confidence and motivation, so she doesn't step outside her comfort zone often, if at all.

Someone nominates her for her favorite plus-size makeover TV show and she decides to make the best of it, to find her confidence and herself along the way. While the person who nominated her did not do it for a great reason and Everly experienced some embarrassing moments while being recorded for the show, she also found a connection to the gruff cameraman with a heart of gold, Logan.

This was a heartwarming book & I loved how Everly stood up for herself and finally got everything she wanted and deserved. Thank you to SMP Romance, NetGalley, and Jenny for the ARC!

Where was this book when I was younger? I ask that because I have always been on the bigger side and always tried to hide in the shadows versus being in the spotlight. Like Everly, I was the center of teasing and bullying by classmates when I was younger. As such, I would pull back and try to stay out of their sight. It didn’t always work; we all know kids are cruel. We also know that after a while, that kind of bullying gets into your psyche and is hard to get rid of when you are older.

But about the book, the chemistry between Everly and Logan is easy to see from the beginning. There’s no doubt the relationship will happen, or it will get steamy. Speaking of steam, a couple of scenes in the book may be a bit steamier than some people may like. Let’s just say I have a new appreciation for the tumble dryer. LOL!

There are a few complex relationships in the book. One is the relationship between Everly and her mom. Their history is discussed, and as the book progresses, you learn the reasons behind Peggy’s treatment of Everly. Is it a perfect set of reasons? Not at all, but it does help the reader understand who Peggy is.

Another explored relationship is the one between Everly and James, her hot co-worker. While the relationship is relatively one-sided, it explores how shallow some people can be. That’s not to say James is a bad person, but relatively immature.

The one bad person in the book is one you think couldn’t be that bad when you first meet them. But as the story progresses, you can see how toxic they are. And, like me, you will probably rejoice in their downfall.

Overall, On the Plus Side is a fun rom-com! There are discussions about being fat and how that shouldn’t mean you don’t matter, that you can still be the center of attention, and not for negative reasons.

I was delighted by On the Plus Side by Jenny Howe (publication date 12/26/2023)! A romance featuring a plus-size female main character in a reality makeover show has been done before, but never incorporating the tenets of fat liberation so well.

Everly is a receptionist at a marketing firm, having landed there after obtaining an art degree. She has a barely-disguised crush on a Chris Hemsworth-lookalike coworker, but refuses to do anything about it. She lives in an apartment over her brother's garage, and is still grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother a few years before, kind of stuck in stasis. Her brother is married to her best friend, and they are superfans of a Queer Eye-like makeover show--On the Plus Side--that is just for fat people and is not about a weight loss journey.

One day the hosts of the show appear at her office--someone has nominated her to be a guest--and she is thrilled. She's ready to get back into her art and stop feeling and being invisible, realizing that a lot of the reason she stepped into the shadows is because of her grief. What she didn't expect was to be seen so thoroughly--by the cameraman, Logan, who is a gruff lumberjack-type with a soft spot for old dogs.

The author uses the word fat and has a note at the beginning of the book talking about fatphobia (I use anti-fat bias but they're basically the same thing) and how she hopes to write in a way to challenge fatphobia. I think she's done a great job doing so, without perpetuating it. That being said, Everly's mother is the person whose anti-fatness gives her the most trouble and the author portrayed their relationship sensitively, and included some good examples of Everly setting boundaries with her mother about what topics were open for discussion and which ones were not.

Kudos to Jenny Howe for doing this so well--I have already bought her first book, The Make Up Test, so look for a review in 2024. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cute read with an original feeling pairing between the makeover show contestant and the camera man. Logan and Everly were a cute couple and their chemistry felt very natural throughout. Additionally, it was nice to see Everly’s growth as a character, even outside the romance. Good character development, a great romance, and a fun plot. This book was a joy to read.

Thank you so much to @smpromance for giving me a digital advance copy for an honest review through Netgalley ❤️.

This story moved me to tears ! It took me many years to find the confidence Everly shown at the end of this book. The author wrote this narrative so well. The self destructing thoughts we can get when we are different from others and how much it's hard to feel strong when everyone around wants you to be less.

The author reinvents the word fat in this book. It's so hard to read or qualify ourselves with this word when everything out there fills this word with so much negativity. But she did it perfectly, with care and weirdly, I felt safe.

I also love how the author wrote the part where it's us who find our words to describe us. Everly's word was powerful ! I absolutely adore that part of the book. ( I won't say the word, you have to read it to know 😉 ).

This book is not only a romance book, it's a story about healing and finding yourself. And I was all there for it.

Also, a grumpy, giant lumberjack as MMC ? Call me anytime !!!! That's my kind of men ❤️.

Read if you love :

✨ Grumpy X Sunshine ;
✨ Finding yourself journey ;
✨ Reality tv ;
✨ Spice ;
✨ Lumberjack MMC ;
✨ Great banter;
✨ Slowburn.

“People see you the way you see yourself.”

Wannabe artist Everly Winters used to live a vibrant life, bold in both her personality and palette. But when her biggest supporter, her grandmother, passed away, Everly slowly started blending into the background.

So when she discovers she’s been mysteriously nominated for her favorite reality show, On the Plus Side, Everly is hesitant. Although she loves the body positivity program and what it stands for, she’s long put the public yearning part of her to rest, convincing herself she’s content in her low key job as a receptionist. Being featured on the show means exposing herself to not only her worst fears, but possible public humiliation.

The more Everly immerses herself in the experience, the more conflicted she becomes. On one hand she begins to rediscover her voice, her talent, and her beauty. But the process also pulls back the curtain on some of uglier truths of “reality” tv production, with Everly’s reputation an unfortunate casualty. Can she come out the other side self assured, minus the extra baggage?

On the Plus Side is a romance that places importance on loving oneself first and foremost, with a more traditional love story rounding things out. The reality show backdrop served as a unique catalyst for Everly to rediscover her inner worth, despite its disappointing set of ostracized obsessed obstacles.

Fans of modish makeover mashups will likely enjoy On the Plus Side’s many merits… if they decide to try this romance on for size.

Everly Winters, the protagonist of “On The Plus Side,” takes readers on an inspiring journey of personal growth and self-discovery after a public heartbreak. The author, Jenny L. Howe, skillfully weaves a tale of resilience, love, and embracing one’s true self.

The story unfolds as Everly navigates post-grad life, preferring to remain unnoticed. This changes when she’s unexpectedly nominated for her favourite makeover show, “On The Plus Side.” Howe beautifully captures Everly’s internal struggles and her blossoming connection with Logan Samuel, the grumpy but honest cameraman.

One of the book’s strengths lies in Everly’s character development, as she transforms from a person who avoids attention to someone embracing change on a national stage. The theme of personal growth and increased self-esteem is skillfully explored, resonating with readers who appreciate characters overcoming self-doubt.

The romance between Everly and Logan is a highlight, portrayed with a natural evolution that keeps readers engaged. The collaborative approach they take to address challenging issues adds depth to their relationship, making it relatable and heartwarming.

The evolving dynamic between Everly and her mother adds another layer to the narrative, showcasing the importance of familial relationships. Howe captures the nuances of these connections, contributing to the overall richness of the story.

Central to the book is the empowering message of embracing oneself and being the best version possible. Everly’s journey becomes a source of inspiration, reminding readers of the significance of self-love and acceptance.

The inclusion of Reddit posts adds a unique touch, offering glimpses into public reactions to the show. This clever narrative device keeps the reader engaged, providing a broader perspective on how Everly’s story is received by the fictional audience.

In conclusion, “On The Plus Side” is a heartwarming novel that combines elements of romance, personal growth, and family dynamics. Jenny L. Howe masterfully crafts a story that resonates with readers, leaving them with a message of self-empowerment and the beauty of embracing one’s true self.

I received an ARC of the ebook from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

This was such an odd book for me. I have a lot of issues with it but still didn’t totally hate it. I really liked the premise of having a show meant to help people tap into their potential, feel better about themselves. I did have some issues with the main character Everly, while I totally get being insecure about the space you occupy she crossed the line into immaturity and playing victim to things some of which were just wild. As the story went on the relationship she developed with the hosts just felt weird and too attached for TV personalities. My other big issue is with Logan our main male character. Besides having a couple of details about him he remains relatively unknown to the reader for the whole story which is quite disappointing. Character development overall just fell flat to me.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC.

Thank you for this book in exchange for my honest review.
It was hard for me to get into this book from the very first page. I was not invested in the characters or the plot. Therefore, I am giving this book a three out of five. I do not rate any books lower than a three because, as an author, I know what it is to get less than three stars.

I love a good book celebrating not being the typical thin heroine and this one really leans into it! I did find that it launches off really quickly so I didn't have much time to catch my breath with it which is something I didn't even know I needed until reading this. It was fine bordering good! I'd like to check our more from this author

This was an entertaining story showing us the behind the scenes of a makeover reality show. I found the story fun but with hidden depths. The challenges Everly has had in her life that keep her from being herself were realistic. I loved Logan. He was a perfect partner for Everly. The two were a great pair. The other characters provided some good comic relief and some very emotional moments. I enjoyed the story and found the ending satisfying. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

On the Plus Side is a delightful rom-com starring a fat heroine and we are here for it! Everly gets cast on a reality tv show (similar to Queer Eye or the late What Not to Wear) and begins confronting the ways she has quieted her true self in order to not be “too much.” As she revamps her style, shares her art, and gains confidence, she starts standing up for herself at work and even on the show. And, of course, she falls in love.

I think what I enjoyed most about this book was that it was very clearly written by someone who has experience being plus-size. From understanding the “fat tax” of having to shop online only to realize the clothes don’t fit right and having to then return them to portraying self-minimization in attempts to not take up more space, this book felt authentic to the reality of being a plus-size woman in the US.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced digital copy and thank you to Jenny Howe and everyone who is working to bring plus-size stories to the forefront of storytelling!

I might have resonated with the FMC a little bit too much. The fact that her mom, seemingly meaning well, tried to make Everly dim down her personality (be quieter) and be a “smaller” person so-to-speak, the annoyance with the obsession with polka dots and ugly patterns in plus-size fashion, best friends insisting you look good in things you definitely don’t just to avoid mentioning your size, the fear of being too much OR not enough, fear of bar stools and booths. I let out an audible “oof” when Everly’s mom said she hoped the hosts helped her learn how to camouflage her problem areas — that one hit close to home.

Also, need to note how much I loved the epilogue 🥹🫶🏻

I will definitely recommend this, especially to my plus-size friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was refreshing in the way it portrayed plus size women/people, and I really appreciated and related to that!

📖 On the Plus Side
📝 Jenny L. Howe
🗓️ 12/26/2023
💜 Women’s Fiction/Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

As a plus-sized woman, I definitely connected with Everly in a lot of ways.
I found her thoughts and experiences refreshing as she navigated going on the show, and when she expressed how it felt to be in a room with all larger bodies.

This book had me doing a lot of self reflection, on the choices I make and the perspectives I have, what is in my own head and what comes from the society around me.

While I really enjoyed the dynamic and relationship building between Everly and Logan, it definitely isn’t a full romance book - I’d say 50/50 romance & women’s fiction. The story was a lot more about Everly’s growth within herself than her relationship.

Tropes + topics:
🧡 Reality makeover tv show
🧡 Star & camera man
🧡 Friends to lovers
🧡 Grumpy sunshine
🧡 Plus size fmc
🧡 Forced proximity
🧡 Slow burn
🧡 Single POV/3rd person

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe

This is an interesting take on reality TV and how fat people are depicted in media. It does a good job of breaking down the stereotypes and reclaiming the language. I'm not personally aware of any such fatpositive organizations, but I'm sure they exist.
Watching Everly become the person she was always meant to be is inspiring. The grumpy sexy lumbersexual cameraman makes the story dynamic.

I'm not a reality show viewer, with the exception of makeover shows, and SYFY's FaceOff (which is baller and I miss it), so this was right up my alley. My two favorite makeover ones being Queer Eye (the GOAT) and What Not To Wear (when TLC wasn't just a bunch of trash). Additionally, being a #fatgirl myself, this book hit all the right notes for me. I was delighted to be given an ARC of On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe.

A Little Bit of Plot

When she lost her grandmother, Everly Winters, also lost a bit of herself. Her goal, in life and career, has been to disappear into the background. Her receptionist job at a marketing firm hasn't exactly been fulfilling, neither has her not so covert crush on Thor look alike coworkerJames. Suddenly she has been selected to participate in the reality show, On the Plus Side, which is focused on fat acceptance. She immediately connects with grumpy cameraman, Logan, who plays a foil to the overly friendly and quaffed James. When Logan and Everly grow closer, will their relationship take a front seat to her art and personal growth? She agreed to join the show to find herself not a boyfriend.

The Compliment Sandwich
The Top Bun (The Pro)
Everly's Journey

What I loved about this book is that Everly is an 'every person'; there's nothing really quirky about her. Howe has done a fantastic job as creating the perfect cypher for readers to relate to her situation and her interactions. At times, I felt as though I've had similar conversations with people in my own life. I too had a parent that equated thinness to happiness, hence the eating disorder Ive have for over 20 years of my life.

This quote in particular that hit close to home

Everly wasn’t one of those people who could let embarrassment roll off their backs. She was an obsesser. A re-liver. She would replay this moment over and over in her head like a new song she’d just heard until nothing else existed.

I'm not sure about others, but the number of sleepless nights I have relived cringy moments from middle school or the dumb thing I said at work last week.

There are many beautiful scenes in this book, but one in particular that actually made me feel so seen and will lead to my bottom bun.

During her session with Jazzy where they go through her closet and wardrobe, one of the main aspects of this exercise is to delve into what is keeping her back from making progress. It's very personal and emotional.

I was too exhausted and scared to do the Collective without my grandmother. If she had been my mirror, now I was staring at an empty wall. I didn’t know where I fit anymore. The art that had made me so proud looked silly. Weird. I was too afraid people wouldn’t understand what I was doing. I knew it would break my grandmother’s heart to see me quit, to see me give in to my fears, but it felt safer. Disappearing is safer...Then there’s never the chance that I might be all the things I’m afraid I am: too weird, too loud, too awkward.”
Everly had to take a breath before she spoke the last one.
“Too much.”

At some point in my life, I gave up caring what other people thought of me and my idiosyncrasies; however, to be Everly's age and living her struggle, I wish I had this book to let me know it was absolutely fine to be different. Laugh a little louder than others, let my freak flag fly, and just not GAF.

The Meat (The Con)
I felt like the tattoo aspirations were kind of tacked on. And there's something we don't get to see that I'm a bit disappointed in, but I can't share because :major spoilers:

The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
LOGAN

I love Logan so much. I usually don't stunt cast in my reviews, but I'm imagining Chris Evans, with his naturally dark blonde hair and blue eyes and IDGAF attitude (think beginning of End Game style). This is our introduction:

How was this happening? And to Everly of all people. “Holy fuck,” she muttered again. Somewhere nearby, a frustrated groan broke through the shock that had left her ears ringing. “There goes that take.” Everly cut her gaze toward the gruff voice. It came from a guy standing slightly apart from the rest of the group, an expensive-looking camera balanced on his shoulder. He’d angled it to the side so he could judge her with his whole face. Whatever he saw caused his frown to deepen beneath his dark, close-trimmed beard.

Logan is poised to be the critical, super buff, alpha dude that looks down on people like Everly. We quickly learn that he's just grumpy when it comes to getting a good shot and Everly talking down about herself. He's so supportive, that it makes me jealous of his relationship with Everly. The conversation that Jazzy has with Everly that I detailed in my top bun ends like this:

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, out of nowhere, Logan growled, “Fuck that.” His voice was so distinct, so clear, that Everly suddenly understood the phrase “shattering the silence.” It was like something palpable broke against the roughness of his voice. Her eyes cut to his face.
“Hey.” Jazzy waved at him. “Language and the fourth wall and all that.”
“Fuck it. Greg can edit me out. You are not too much.”

His reaction reminds me of that Ted Lasso quote, "I have a hard time hearing people who don’t believe in themselves.". After this interaction, Logan definitely becomes Everly's 'person'. Late in the novel, Logan is given an ultimatum of sorts and he says "to me, you're what matters". He also has a pretty great grand gesture (no third act breakup) that's played pretty low-key, but it's beautiful nonetheless. Logan is up there with my favorite book boyfriends.

Overall, this book releases 12/26 and you should scoop it up. It's a relationship angst free novel that will give you a confidence boost and a sense of hope for culture moving forward.

4.5 stars
This is a fun, entertaining, uplifting read. Logan and Everly are interesting, relatable, captivating, intriguing, entertaining characters. I love Everly’s journey and her character development throughout this story. Their romance is so good and fitting for these characters. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I loved the various characters and the authenticity that they bring to the story and Everly’s journey. This story is so touching and meaningful in so many ways. The writing is easy to read and get into.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

The main character Everly gets nominated to be on a show like Queer Eye but with a focus on plus-sized people. Sounds great right? We love wholesome feel good shows that show growth and bring all the feels. So imagine that type of show but then what if they took a left turn and decided to break bad by dabbling in manipulative ways like The Bachelor to bring drama. Welcome to Everly’s unexpected dilemma, this book immerses you into her world and the constant push for her to be something and someone she isn’t. You will root for her not only on finally finding herself but also to find love. You will want to yell, cry, cheer, smile, and laugh on this roller coaster of a story, and in the end, it will all be worth it. I enjoyed the ride and can’t wait to see more from Jenny L. Howe she hasn’t let me down yet.