Books that deal with reality TV shows are always so interesting. They take an extra amount of editing skill which is ironic because stories about reality TV often are a commentary about how manipulative editing can be. Yet, in order for a book about a reality TV to land, it must be masterfully edited and structured. Balancing layers and subplots and characters, figuring out what parts to skip over which parts to spend time on – this is really tricky and I’m always always amazed when it works out well.

“On the Plus Side,” by Jenny Howe L. Howe is about a fat woman who goes on a reality TV show similar to Queer Eye.

The book had many successful sections, but there were some parts that were a little rockier. I feel pretty mixed about this book. I liked the fat representation; it’s really nuanced, but overall positive and well thought through. Howe has clearly spent time examining body positivity, neutrality, and anti-fat bias, and I really appreciate that.

Where I wasn’t as satisfied was with the love interest. He wasn’t as flushed out as I wanted him to be. I never got a read on who he was and what he wanted. We learned a little bit about his insecurities, but its almost nothing compared to what we learn about Everly. Logan, the cameraman she falls for, is self-conscious about his body too. Except he’s straight sized and that did not work for me at all. I wish he just would’ve had completely different insecurities than her. Do we really have a skinny person complaining about their body issues to a fat person? (Disclaimer that I am not fat, and so I defer to others regarding how effective this representation is. This is my reaction.)

Not to be too hard on Logan, he had dogs though that’s always really endearing to me.

The reality TV stuff was, overall, interesting. As mentioned earlier, I thought Lowe did a wonderful job with a lot of it. However, there were significant parts of the show mechanics that did not fit with my understanding how reality TV is made. Specifically how the show is happening in real time. Narratively I understand why that has to happen because the story isn’t as compelling if there isn’t active feedback from the audience, but almost no reality TV show that I know of is like that. (This actually isn’t the first reality TV book I’ve read that has a show structured this way.) But in shows like Queer Eye and What Not to Wear etc., that just isn’t done.

It sounds like I didn’t like this as much as I did, but I really enjoyed reading On the Plus Side!

Not only did this story give me all the warm and fuzzies and a MFC I couldn't help but to root for but it also gave me something so impactful - a fat/plus size character whose story does not boil down to "happiness through weight loss." This one is for all those girlies who've ever been told to that they are too loud, too much, too anything and who were...

Personally I don't put much stock into how similar to me the MC is - it's all about whether I'm invested in the story and the characters. And On the Plus Side made me care about Everly and her story. And I most certainly could relate to the overall topics of size and how our bodies are judged and discussed in the world. And I loved how the book explored these topics and Everly's journey. But of course, the romance arc was my favorite part. Prepare to develop a new book crush!

Grab this one if you're a fan of:
- Grumpy/sunshine
- super protective MMC
- reality show storyline
- healthy female friendships
- awesome fat rep

A huge thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

On the Plus Side is the first book I've read by Jenny Howe, and it has me wanting to go back and read her debut (which has been on my tbr since before it released lol). The cute cover (I know there's been much debate over cover styles and marketing and whatnot, but I'm a fan of these illustrated covers) drew my attention, and the premise sounded so fun. I've watched my share of reality TV, although I don't watch many shows these days, so I was curious to see how it would be portrayed through this book.

The premise of the reality show central to this book makes it sound like a show I would watch, as I too watched What Not to Wear back in the day. I love a good makeover, but more than that, On the Plus Side's concept sounds so lovely, building self-confidence and acceptance and humanizing fat people, opening people's eyes to widespread fatphobia in society. I really enjoyed going along for the ride as Everly, the main character, re-learns how to feel like herself again, to stop hiding from the world and being afraid of taking any risks, to do what she loves for a living. Everly opening up to the viewers of OTPS and to Logan and her mother made me so proud.

Everly's relationship with her mom plays a pretty big role in OTPS, as we learn that her mother played a large part in Everly hiding herself, with her constantly criticizing Everly for being herself, causing Everly to try to blend into the background, in conjunction with Everly's grief over losing her biggest cheerleader in her grandmother. Grandma Helen and Everly's mother had very different parenting styles and approaches to the world, and my heart hurt when Everly had her heart-to-heart chat with her mom. It doesn't lessen the impact of years of harsh criticism and fat-shaming, but it warmed my heart nonetheless that Everly is so understanding and that her mother truly took what Everly told her to heart. That scene made me tear up (reading on the plane, too).

Logan, Everly's love interest, is a true cinnamon roll, and I love how sweet and supportive he is of Everly, and his entire backstory about the dog shelter. I got all teary-eyed when Logan told Everly about Sundae, the best boy (Sundae truly sounds like such a sweetheart of a dog). Also, the dog names are so fun! Bagel, Ravioli, and Sundae (and Alan, who has a human name but should still be mentioned), I love all of them. I got worried there would be big drama or something in the middle because of how much Logan trusted the showrunner, but I'm so glad my fears were unfounded. Logan truly pulled off the grumpy cinnamon roll and was actually honest and mature in his discussions with Everly and determination to get through everything together with Everly. He said he was all in, and he really, truly, 100% meant it.

Everly makes for a compelling main character, as she feels so real and relatable, even as a straight-sized person (I didn't know that was a term until this book either! I'm pretty uneducated on fashion lol). OTPS made me think of things I hadn't had to think about when it came to clothing sizes available in stores, furniture design and overall people being assholes, but it also made me so happy for Everly to see her pursue her passions and gain confidence in her art, to see herself the way that the people who love her most see her. I highlighted a line that resonated with me on kids being taught that they will have to pursue one career forever when they grow up, because, as I learned upon adulting for the better part of the last decade, that is utter bullshit. Maybe some people really get it right and find that they want to do one thing forever and are lucky enough to get to do that their entire career, but many of us don't always know what it is that we want to be doing for work and may want to try different things (it's me!). It really is scary to not know this mythical "one true job," and to have to put yourself out there in trying something different, but Everly's journey really gives me some courage to try to do that myself.

Howe has crafted a deeply compelling and uplifting story about finding yourself and all of the lovely people and things that come with that.

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

I didn’t love this book but I also didn’t hate it. I loved the concept of the book. I love books that have plus size representation and I feel like it was handled with care in the book. I enjoyed it but wish I loved it more.

This is such a great book about a plus-sized character finding her sparkle, learning it’s okay to take up space, and that she’s not too much. There is some fat phobia directed at the main character, but it’s really such a beautiful read. Hope to see more plus size protagonists from Jenny Howe and others!

Thank you to NetGally and Jenny for giving me the opportunity to read this book before it's release, I absolutely LOVED it!!! As a fat woman, I've come to realize our experience living life is wholly unique and seeing someone like me as the center of a romantic story was cathartic and wonderful - even if uncomfortably at times only because it hit so close to home. From the first page, Everly was so relatable and someone worth rooting for throughout the book. She was strong and self-assured and while lacking confidence, she was a reminder that you don't have to be what you think other people want you to be, that being who you are is more than enough and the people worth it in your life will recognize you for you and love you all the same. Logan, while a perfect grump was one of the most exciting love interests I've seen in a while, his admiration and attraction for Everly clear and strong throughout the book and the exclusion of a third act break up warmed my heart. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

Love this book! The premise is a lot of fun (reality tv show in the style of Queer Eye but for plus-sized people) and I really like how the focus wasn't on Everly, the FMC, losing weight, but on finding her joy in life again. Finding her purpose, her humour, and love for herself. It just so happens that on the way to doing that, she finds love with the cameraman, Logan. The banter between Everly and Logan is spot on.

I really liked that there was no third-act breakup, and instead, the conflict Everly and Logan had to overcome - together - only brought them closer together.

I'll definitely be reading more of the author's books!! Well written, funny, full of heart. Great book!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of the book. All opinions are my own.

On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe is the heartening story of Everly Winters who is part of a reality show makeover. Everly's story is a fun romantic read and the background of reality television makes for a topical setting. I appreciated having a plus sized heroine and Everly is a charming character. All in all a fun read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a plus size person myself, I was drawn to this book that features a plus size main character. I really love the positive outlook it has for people of all sizes, stressing pride in who you are and not being afraid to show your true self. There are several plus size characters, so it gives our main character, Everly, a place to feel seen and like she belongs. The show she is on concentrates on both fashion and life changes, so it was great to see her embrace her art and look at how she could make a career out of it. Everly was a character that I could really relate to, and I loved watching her grow over the course of the story.

Of course, with this book being a romance, we know going in that there's going to be a relationship that blossoms through the story, which I really enjoyed as well. There are definitely some ups and downs along the way, but it was great to see Everly find someone who truly respects her for who she is. It was a heartwarming story that made me feel like I could learn some things about myself along the way.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the free advance copy of On the Plus Side! All opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.

Thank you so much to St Martins for an advance copy of this book!

This is the follow up to Jenny Howe's debut The Makeup Test and honestly I love this one even more! I didn't realize that I was a reality trope girlie until I am constantly reading romances with this and I always love them.

Sigh Everly and Logan.
I loved seeing their relationship grow and how subtle it started until it wasn't subtle at all. I really enjoyed his character and like that Howe mentioned the male's insecurities in his body which I feel like we don't normally see in books. I was okay with this being kind of an instalove trope due to the nature of how they met and how much time they spent around each other. I also love how he had a little bit of an arc from being very close with the showrunner to how their relationship changed by the end.

"Disappearing is safer. Then 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."

There were definitely aspects of Everly story that I could relate to as a fellow plus size woman. The quote above resonated with me as often times I feel like I come off as too much but it stems from just being awkward and wanting to fit in. I also appreciated the complicated relationship mothers and daughters have with one another especially when the mother is putting so much weight pressure on the daught. I know my mom would say things here and there and I know some of her views towards her image came from her mother. I thought the conversation Everly had with her mother was very honest and vulnerable but very much needed. I am glad that Everly was able to stick up to her mother.

Now I will say I do love the color black, it is my safe color BUT I also am not afraid of prints and bright colors. And don't get me started on sparkly tops - I want them all!

I am so happy there are more and more plus size representation coming out in mainstream. I had reached out to Jenny after reading to let her know that her acknowledgements made me emotional. I love that she praised other authors who are writing plus size characters and for inspiring her and then plus size community that is out there. It just meant a lot to know there are others out there like me.

Check this book out if you like What Not To Wear mixed with Queer Eye!

PS - As a Pennsylvanian, I love the Gritty shoutout!

Synopsis: This romantic comedy blends the makeover dynamics of "What Not to Wear" and "Queer Eye" with heartfelt emotions in "On the Plus Side." Everly Winters, content with blending into the background, finds her life and love life transformed as she's unexpectedly nominated for the makeover show she secretly adores.

As a receptionist steering clear of the spotlight, Everly's world changes when thrust into the extroverted realm of the show and forms an unexpected bond with the gruff yet kind cameraman, Logan. But as their connection blossoms, the spotlight threatens to expose their growing romance, forcing Everly to decide whether embracing her true self on national TV is worth the risk of public heartbreak.

Review: I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, tender, full of quick wit, and the banter between Everly and Logan was top tier. I didn't really feel like I knew a lot about the characters or the connections they had with each other at the end. It was almost there, though. A little too much tell, not enough show. I think it could have benefitted from different povs, but overall this was a really fun, yet meaningful, read.

A body positive book.
Every is nominated to go on her favourite TV show. It should be helping her gain confidence, but not all is as it seems on reality TV. Add it Logan the grumpy cameraman and will Every realise who she wants?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of "On the Plus Side" by Jenny L. Howe for my ARC!

This is the story of Everly Winter, a fat girl who has lost her confidence and spunk after the death of her beloved Grandma Helen four years ago. Everly is working a job she is overqualified for, crushing on a coworker who isn't interested and generally feeling stuck in her life. The one bright spot in her day is visiting the online forum for her favorite reality show, On the Plus Side. When Everly gets the chance to be a guest on the show she jumps at her chance to use it to change her life as it has for so many others she has watched before him. Everly's life begins to change immediately as an attraction builds between her and the handsome and grumpy cameraman, Logan Samuels. But can Everly embrace romance while also working on her own self-confidence and life?

This book was a very witty read, but I was left wanting a little more. I actually think it was the ending that frustrated me most. The whole book Everly talked about wanting her journey on the show to be about her art and finishing what her Grandma wanted for her, but then that never happens. I don't want to spoil it too much so I won't say why it doesn't happen, but it felt like her journey turned into a love story only.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the advanced readers copy of On The Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’m not a big fan of “reality” television, but there were a few shows that I occasionally watched when we had cable. One of them was What Not to Wear. On the Plus Side features a Everly, an unapologetically fat woman who is still trying to find the artistic career of her dreams. She’s also got a crush on a coworker and a toxic relationship with her mother. She’s definitely lacking in self-confidence.

Unbeknownst to her, she’s nominated for one of these makeover shows, one that she’s been a big fan of because they concentrate on plus-size people. She lurks on a fan chat room, never misses a show with her bestie (who also happens to be her brother’s wife), and gladly signs up. When she meets the hosts, she’s thrilled that they are just the same in person. She’s also thrilled, and a little twitterpated when she meets the handsome yet gruff “lumbersexual” cameraman, Logan.

And we’re off with a slow burn, friends-to-lovers trope that reaches below the surface and displays real emotion, but that doesn’t mean this is deeply serious book; there’s plenty of fun moments and some heartfelt ones, too.

I loved the concentration on body positivity regardless of size and the challenges of finding clothes that fit if you’re not a size 0, the fact that much of “reality” TV is anything but, and finding confidence in your abilities and oneself even when loved ones drag you down. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author. Highly recommend!

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This is my first book by this author, but I don’t think it will be my last! I really enjoyed all of it! As someone who had become a bigger/fat woman at this point in my life, it was great to read this and see myself in the main character. All the things that the story talked about, the things that Everly was dealing with and pushing for the reality show to actually portray were things that I either don’t think about even though I want, or things that I don’t think other people realize.

Now it did take me a bit to get into it, but I’m blaming that on the dog that I was watching for two weeks when I started reading this. The times I was able to sit and just read with no interruptions I was completely absorbed in the story. I did get what the producer was trying to show, that a “fat” woman could attract a “hot” guy. People are so negative that it can’t happen. There’s even a woman I follow on TikTok that is in that very situation and she gets horrible comments from people, and her husband I guess even gets women in his DMs offering to take care of him.

So all of the stuff in this story was real and just worked. I loved that even though the tagline and that this is a romance makes you think that is all it is, it is more. It is about Everly realizing her own self worth, NOT because of a guy being interested in her, but because she is talented and is worth all she wants. I did have a little inkling that part of the “hot” guy’s reveal/secret was what it was. I did not get the whole idea. But I am totally with her in how annoying it is when guys do things that seem more than nice, but then when you think they like you, they say they don’t. I get that some people are just more flirty than others, meaning nothing, but it’s harder for some of us to deal with when other people are so standoffish or rude in how they treat us because of our looks.

A wonderful story and I highly recommend it! Also, I wish I could get on a show just like this!

firstly, thank you to netgalley for this eARC! and jenny l. howe for writing this.

plus size rep is always going to make me happy - i truly loved being lost in this book and just feeling exactly the way everly described: being around other fat people or just seeing them represented to you makes you realize we’re just normal humans in a world that doesn’t care about us existing.

i think everly had a great journey, and i loved the idea of this awesome lifestyle show (as a fan of queer eye it was very easily imagined while i was reading). i related to her struggle as a fat woman, as a woman who’s only supporter was her grandmother, and a woman who finds it better to be safe and comfortable. her “season” wrapped up quite nicely, i think, and i found myself so proud of her by the end of the book for becoming who she wanted to be and fighting to resolve her conflict. she was a very lovable FMC. and, logan!!! that man was so sweet and kind and i need him in my life. i was so upset it took them half to the book to ever kiss!!!! ah.

my only con: the large conflict happening at the last…20% of the book made me feel some type of way. like i wasn’t mad but it just made it all feel a little rushed, i guess? i don’t know.

i just need to say again, MORE FAT BITCHES IN BOOKS!!!! i’m here for it. and you should be too. read this book!

I loved this book. As a fat person, I find reading books with fat FMCs to be a hit or miss. This was a hit!

Things I think this book did well (may include spoilers):
- Everly doesn't hate the way she looks. I think this book gave a great representation of body neutrality which to me made Everly so much more relatable because that's the space I'm in most of the time.
- The hot guy she's crushing on at work isn't grossed out by her and doesn't shame her appearance. He's not into her and that's ok but he doesn't make her feel shitty about herself.
- There was only a brief moment where Everly questioned Logan's place during the conflict and even then it was more of a question of if he was more loyal to Sadie than Everly. I loved that there wasn't any big miscommunication between them. Bless you for not playing into the miscommunication trope 🙏🏻
- Logan was the "hot one" from the outside perspective but he was the one with more body insecurities which is unheard of in romance (also he wasn't ripped and ten feet tall we LOVE short king representation)

All around OTPS was a fluffy but uplifting and empowering romance. Loved it!

4.5 Stars!

Years ago, when shows like What Not To Wear and Say Yes To The Dress were super popular, TV screens were filled with young, pretty, and thin “contestants.” Hardly ever were plus-sized people represented on-screen, and even now the characters in shows that are a bit heavier, are usually delegated to be the side kick to the much thinner and socially acceptable main protagonist of the show/movie.This is not to say that shows and movies with plus-size characters do not exist (I’m looking at you through my still tear-streaked eyes, This Is Us…), but one would really have to look for one.

In books, plus-size representation has been much more widely accepted. Or maybe it is just the books I read, but I can list a bunch right off the top of my head. Take the Dani Sisters series by Talia Hilbert, for example. Or Bet On It by Jodie Slaughter. On The Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe fits nicely into this box as well.

In On The Plus Side, we meet Everly, who goes from being a spectator of her favourite show to being an active participant. Much like What Not To Wear, contestants, all plus-size, receive a complete make-over, inside and out. The most inner feelings get explored, what drives the person and how dreams could be achieved. For Everly, who has been doing her very best to hide herself from everyone, this comes with a lot of challenges. Logan, the grumpy camera man for “On The Plus Side”, is trying his hardest to coax Everly out of her shell.

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet, while also being stacked with so many heartwarming moments. The side characters are so loveable (except for one. Once you read it, you’ll know) and the story flows very well. If you are looking for a cute read with some spice and well-written banter, On The Plus Side is for

Being chosen to participate on On the Plus Side is a dream come true for Everly. But sometimes, reality TV isn't all about reality.

This was an interesting romcom that tackled some big issues. Everly struggled with self-image her whole life and that causes her to stumble in her romantic life. I truly felt bad for her a few times, especially when it came to her coworker whom she had a crush on. So many of those interactions made my heart hurt. I also loved seeing her come into her own and realizing that she is good enough for anything or anyone. The reality show aspect was fascinating as well. Seeing how unreal reality is was a good side plot.
Logan was a good addition to the story as well. I just wish I knew more about him. The romance is where I honestly wanted more. Logan seemed too good to be true at times.
The spicy scenes were well put together and had good placement in the plot. I appreciated that it wasn't closed door!

All in all, a solid romcom with a good message about body positivity.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. My reviews are always honest.

I have Jenny L. Howe’s debut book in my audio library and meant to listen before starting On the Plus Side, but didn’t manage to make it happen - though she writes very well and I will go back very soon to do that!

I enjoyed this book a lot, with the very positive fat girl representation throughout the whole thing. As a girl on the bigger side myself, for my whole life, doing yo-yo diets to try to feel better and fit in and fit into clothing made for tiny people… this book is written for us! I loved the storyline about the TV show (called the title - On the Plus Side), with hosts Jazzy and Stanton who are just like Stacey and Clinton from TLC’s What Not to Wear - this show is very much like that… mixed with Queer Eye, I guess (I never watched that one, but loved the other). Everly gets a plus-sized life makeover to wear clothes that make her feel like herself and be comfortable in her body, help to figure out her “thing” - which is something art-related she’s been scared to do, and help her tell her story about losing her grandmother and stand up to her mother to stop making snide remarks about losing weight.

The romance side-story completely changes from the first page to the last, and is just such a beautiful storyline. I loved watching this transformation as well of the grumpy male character and learning his whole backstory! And - the dogs! Oh, my heart!

You’re all definitely going to want to get yourselves a copy of this book right away - if you’re plus sized, you need this to know you’re not alone, and you do not need to change much to be yourself - maybe just some clothes that show off those curves and give you confidence! Very well written! 4.5 stars.

I received an copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), and this is my honest opinion.