Everly is shocked to find out that someone has nominated her to be on her favorite makeover show, "On The Plus Side." Overwhelmed by the show’s extremely extroverted hosts and how much time she’ll have to spend on screen, she finds comfort in a surprising friendship with the grumpy but kind cameraman, Logan.

Honestly? I was very skeptical going into this book because I didn't like the other book by the author. But it's safe to say that all my fears were illegitimate because I really liked & enjoyed this book.

Everly was such a great & wholesome character. I loved her confidence when it came to her body & how she didn't take any BS from anyone.
Logan & Everly's chemistry was tender, hot, & comforting. I loved how they supported each other throughout and stood for each other when times were hard. The ending was super satisfying.

<i>Thank you Netgalley & Publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review..<i>

I chose to apply for the opportunity to read On The Plus Side mainly because of the cover. Yes, yes… I’m that girl who picks books by the cover. However, it definitely paid off!!! This book is absolute perfection as far as plus sized female main character representation goes. I found myself relating to Everly’s words and thoughts very often! The fact that it had the added bonus of a reality tv show setting just added to my love for this book. I loved that while Everly was trying to get to her core soul and happiness, she still struggled with the outside forces and thoughts that come from society when you live in a bigger body. It wasn’t all glitter and rainbows and that made it far more relatable and enjoyable for me!

This book drops on 12/26 and you better add it to your TBR!!!!!

I was given the privilege of reading this novel as an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this romance a lot - I do enjoy plus-size romances. This one fits the bill. The narrator, Zura Johnson, was fantastic. Everly Winters is a plus-size woman with dreams and aspirations; however, she sometimes holds herself back. She is selected to be on her favourite show, and this is her chance to go for the opportunity to showcase her art and do things she has been too scared to do
Meanwhile, the show portrays her in a way she doesn't want, and she has to find her voice while falling head over heels in love with the camera director, Logan.

I couldn't put this book down; I had to know how it would end. The villain in this book was not the most hated person until the end.

Her coworker was the worst, mostly because he played innocent while knowing the hurt he could cause

I enjoyed this read - and I would do it again.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. A full review that may contain spoilers will be available on GoodReads.

I want to first state that Jenny L Howe is an incredible author. I read her first book “The Makeup Test” earlier this year so when I saw that she was releasing another book, I was over the moon. Jenny really cares about inclusion and that is something that will keep me coming back to read her books time and time again. I cannot wait to purchase a physical copy of this book when it releases this month so that I have a personal copy to annotate.

As a “fat person”, these types of books are so important. While I do not want to see a toxic, fake, body positivity trope, I do want to see more of myself represented in all forms of media. Jenny delivers on this in this book. She was able to find that balance and execute it beautifully.

Everly is all of us. She may be one of my favorite FMCs of the entire year. Her authenticity is important to her and she stands up for that. I want to be like Everly when I grow up! I want to embrace being “too much” and not water myself down for the sake of comfort for others.

The writing in this book was intricately beautiful and I could not put it down! Thank you, Jenny, for a book that easily is going to be a favorite for a long time to come!

First let me thank Net Galley, the author and publisher for allowing this review.

“Tune in to next season of On The Plus Side where we will meet Everly, a twenty-something receptionist who just wants to live her life and not rock the boat.”

Jenny Howe leads us into the world of reality TV by following Everly Winters in her quest to be made over, in attitude, style, career, and love. This is your usual girl meets boy and is too shy and insecure to do anything story. But as in all good tales, there is a catalyst, once that is uncovered life starts to happen…
Or is it orchestrated. Follow Everly as she takes the steps to take her life back with the help of the “OTPS” cast and crew and following a once loved dream

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.