I DEVOURED this book. From our sassy main squeeze, Everly, to our grumpy lumbersexual, Logan -- I couldn't read it fast enough.

I loved the concept of having Everly walk through her growth journey with a plus-sized version of Queer Eye. But make her super relatable and so normal that she's unsure why the show even picked her to be on ... because she doesn't have a "compelling story" or hook to splash across promos. Isn't that all of us?

And the juxtaposition of wholesome cuteness (I mean, can you even with a dog named Ravioli?) with the spice was just *chef's kiss* all around.

Reading Everly's adventure of growth -- as she goes from her safe bubble to taking chances and pursuing dreams she didn't even know she had until she got a little nudge to expand her thinking -- was just breathtaking.

Seriously, go read this book.
12/10 would recommend. 10/10 would read again.

As a plus size person, it was refreshing to read about people our size in a positive way. I think we all have a little bit of Everly in us. The old and the new. This book was a little slow for me. I’m not sure how I felt about the whole book about a reality TV show, but those aren’t really my thing in general. But this was a cute book! Striking even!

Absolutely loved this contemporary romance featuring a fat FMC. Everly is chosen to be on "On the Plus Side," a reality TV show in the vein of the most recent Queer Eye but featuring fat people. Everly is an OG fan of the show, and she's both excited and anxious to have been selected as a guest. She's nervous that the show will lose its magic since she gets to see behind the curtain ... but she's also hoping that the magic will work for her.

I really liked Jenny Howe's focus on Everly not as someone who needs a makeover to minimize herself, but as someone who needs help embracing all that she is and can be. She needs to show up as herself in life. Howe's emphasis on Everly finding herself again, rather than changing herself, is just lovely. And let's not forget this is a romance: Everly falls for the show's primary cameraman, Logan. She can't ignore his presence, and his compassionate perspective is a joy to read. Howe's choice to make the relationship conflict an external one made me a very happy reader. I love avoiding a 3rd act breakup in a natural way. And it's just so much nicer to read about a couple on the same side of an issue, who talk about it and decide what to do together, than it is to read about an antagonistic couple. (At least, for me!)

In sum: the writing is great, Everly is a wonderful character through whose eyes we experience the book, Logan is a supportive and understanding MMC, and I had a great time reading this. You should pick it up, especially if you like reading about reality TV shenanigans!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

On the Plus Side is a very affecting story about a plus size woman hiding herself physically and emotionally who breaks out of her confinement. Everly is an endearing and complex FMC. Logan is a lovely MMC and love interest. As a fat woman, I was touched by and identified with a lot of Everly’s experiences. This book has stayed with me long after I closed it.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the advance reader copy. All opinions are solely my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for the E-ARC. I really enjoyed this book and the concept behind it of a reality show. I enjoyed seeing Everly grow throughout the book.

Is the Plus Side a makeover for Everly or a push to find her bliss? Everly and her BFF (who is also her sister in law) have watched every episode of the show which follows the "makeover" of a plus size woman and then pow- Everly is picked to appear. She's been working below her capability, is in lust with he coworker James. and mourning her grandmother so this should be the impetus to start on her her true path. But what is that? This focuses as much on the cringy and inappropriate relationship with James and with what becomes one with Logan, the hot cameraman as it does on her journey to artist. The makeover parts- the fashion in particular- are fun, Logan is a good (albeit trope-y) hero (who rescues dogs), and Everly's family is about what you might expect. I kept wondering what her boss thought about her taking off on this adventure (and bringing cameras in) but the only person we meet at her work is James (whose work she's actually doing). It's a good read for the representation and there's humor. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This is for fans of Olivia Dade, For the people who feel they are too loud. For the souls who think a bigger body means they need to try ti blend in, this book is for you. You are not too much. You are perfect as you, and you deserve to be seen and valued. And this books will do that. You will feel seen, and valued, and enjoy a wonderfully written story about Everly. The fat girl you’ll love, and be reminded to love yourself as well.

Thank you to Jenny L. Howe, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love seeing plus-sized representation in books. So that is a plus, but I couldn't connect with Everly, and truthfully, at times I found her immature. She also victimized herself multiple times and I just didn't like it. Just wasn't a fan of this one.

I have chosen to withhold my review of On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe in accordance with the boycott of reviewing and platforming titles published under St. Martin’s Press and associated imprints. As a company, St. Martin’s Press has yet to meaningfully acknowledge and address the harm caused by an employee who perpetuated Islamophobic sentiments against those of Palestinian descent specifically, and has a documented history of discriminating against readers of Arab heritage in general.

Once action is taken by St. Martin’s Press as a company to address the harm caused with a detailed plan of action, I will upload my review of On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe.

This was such a good one! I love Queer Eye, so when the hosts of On The Plus Side stormed into Everly's work place I could perfectly picture how overwhelmed she was.

I think a lot of readers will identify with the body-positive messages of the On The Plus Side TV show. Howe tackles a lot within this book, but every point is seamlessly blended into the story. I loved the romance aspect--Everly and Logan were the perfect match. I loved that they actually communicated and that there was no silly third-act breakup.

I loved how the author snuck at least one friend of hers into the Reddit forums--such a fun easter egg for anyone who caught on! Thanks Jenny for an awesome read--I can't wait to see what you write next.

This was a great read - not dissimilar to When Grumpy Met Sunshine in that we have a very sunshiney but wallflower-like leading lady, Everly, and our leading man Logan who is gruff, flannel-covered and hiding behind the camera of her favourite tv show - the one she’s now a star guest on for its third season.

This book was chock full of action from the first to the last page which I like BUT I also found myself looking down at the status bar on my e-reader and seeing 30% and feeling like so much had already happened! Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. I loved the mingling of online forums and news-like reporting mixed in with the prose (this was very a prospos) and enjoyed the single POV (although it was great to hear from the other voices in the mixed-format).

Everly has been struggling with finding her arc for so long and being a guest of hit reality show On the Plus Side (OTPS) is her chance to really find it for good. Except that even then, reality isn’t always what it seems and Everly has to take the reins to make sure her arc is well and truly hers.

ON THE PLUS SIDE by Jenny Howe was meant to be made for me - a plus size woman who is always looking for representation of realistically beautiful bodies in modern, contemporary romance. However, that representation can backfire when authors manage to write characters as insufferably dull as Everly.

The social media/reality TV element didn't entirely work for me. And don't get me started on the conflict at the beginning of the book between Everly and herself as she tries to gain the attention of her platonic coworker. The secondhand embarrassment was bringing on clinical level symptoms.

The cover alone convinced me to pick up this book. Although I adored Evelyn, I wasn't all that fond of the book's plot. But nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

A wonderful story about learning to love yourself and show the world that size doesn’t matter. Everly was a breath of fresh air: shy and uncomfortable in the spotlight but then growing into the person she was meant to be. I loved the transformation she goes through and how shows like this can be both positive and negative. The writing drew me in from the beginning and kept me glued with Everly’s humor, vulnerability, and her relationships with her family. A great tale about accepting who you are and thriving rather than trying to be something you’re not.

I am participating in the St. Martin's Press boycott. I will not be publicly reviewing this title until St. Martin's Press addresses reader concerns.

this was such an inspiring and moving story, but wasnt too heavy. such a sweet love story and i absolutely loved these two. so easy to read and get lost in this book. their dynamic was great and just loved reading their story! definitely recommend this one!

I thought that the main characters were great and they had amazing chemistry together. I also really enjoyed seeing Everly go through the motions and gain her confidence back. Seeing her do this through the reality show was fun and the hosts of the show were great.

A triumphant celebration of fat women!

This book, YOU GUYS, I am literally BEGGING you to read this book if you’re a contemporary romance lover.

The chemistry between Everly and Logan LEAPED off the page. It was quippy, fun, swoony and guess what? GOOD COMMUNICATION. No games. No miscommunication. Just honesty and vulnerability. They’re so hot for each other physically and emotionally.

Beyond the romance aspect is Everly’s identity as a fat woman. I LOVE that this book opens with a woman who is fat and self-assured in her fatness. It isn’t her relationship with her body that is the pain point, she’s already done the work to dismantle her internalized anti-fatness. No, this is a woman who has other insecurities that are so damn relatable and will speak to many and I felt soooo seen as a fat woman who isn’t interested in altering my body, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t grapple with the way the world sees and treats me for being in a bigger body!

I hope people of all sizes read this book because what Jenny has done here is expertly craft a fun, flirty romcom that also educates about anti-fatness and microaggressions towards fat people in a way that just makes sense. This book is a celebration of fatness, and I want my straight sized friends to not only enjoy the love story, but that fat celebration too!

Fat-friendly? 💚 I think it’s obvious that this isn’t just friendly, it’s celebratory! I always have a little trepidation going into a fat FMC book that it’s going to be one that only furthers anti-fat bias or really misses the mark (like - yeah I’m fat because I eat a lot, but #bodypositivity - that ain’t it)…but this book was such a smart, empathic, and empowering representation of fat folks! I have no notes.

Cheers Jenny! What a masterpiece!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

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

This was an enjoyable book however it wasn’t my favorite. Loved the character Everly but the plot was just OK to me.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for this ARC.

I regret reading this. I did not like the first book I read by this author and I hated this one even more. This story felt childless and I really found my self not caring. I do like the plus size representation. But other than that I did not like this one.