Swooooon! I loved reading this book. I enjoyed knowing Everly and Logan's story together and as individuals. It was a delight seeing Everly's character development and I adored Logan's knack for saying the right things at the right time, every time.

I have an ebook of the ARC so my cover is not the same as the book so I pretty much went in blind reading this except for knowing that it is inclusive and it's a romance novel. The first time the main characters interacted in the book, I literally said, "oop!" because I felt chemistry.

It is so refreshing to read a book with no miscommunication, or where the characters don't just assume things. They're mature and are fantastic communicators who address things right away. Thank you, Jenny Howe for not making me feel frustrated reading this! Did I see the "We should fix that," line coming at that moment? I definitely did not.

I usually rate books by how much I do not want it to end and if it made me feel things. I laughed, giggled, cried, gasped and had all the feelings reading this book. The romance part was *chef's kiss*.

I'm a sucker for a good reality television show romance and this one was EXCELLENT! I loved the FMC, Everly, an unapologetically fat woman who is still trying to find the confidence to chase after her artistic dreams and overcome the toxic relationship she has with her mother.

Everly is also crushing on her work colleague, who unbeknownst to her nominates her for a reality makeover show for plus size people. Willing to take advantage of the show to help up her fashion game and achieve her life goals, Everly goes all in but finds herself falling for cinnamon roll hero cameraman Logan rather than her work crush the show tries to push her towards.

A slow burn, friends to lovers with a strong female lead, this was both heartfelt, funny and full of great emotional depth. I absolutely loved it especially all the talk about the challenges of finding clothes that fit fat people and the toxic nature of the fashion industry.

Great on audio narrated by Zura Johnson and recommended for fans of books like One to watch by Kate Stayman-London. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!

Steam level: open door

I was approved to read this ARC today, started around noon, and literally could not put the book down until I finished it this evening. On the Plus Side was everything I wanted it to be. As a plus sized person myself, this made me laugh, cry, feel seen, and feel very much not alone. The female main character, Everly, made me think about what I want my own life to be and feel empowered to really look at what I want. I am pretty happy with my life, but I think this book and Everly's story really reinforced that I want to make sure I am supporting myself and don't forget to love myself. I do occasionally struggle with that, and this story was just wonderful at reminding me to be kind to myself.

I loved the storyline of this. With the reality TV backdrop, the family dynamics, workplace goals, and relationship aspects, I think it was easy to see Everly as a whole person with a whole complicated life. She was not just a stereotype, but was a whole person. I found the show dynamic to be a perfect way to explore a lot of issues and ideas. I also loved the male main character, Logan. He was interesting and their dynamic was wonderful. He actually reminded me a little of my husband in all the very best ways.

The only thing I wish is that this book had gone on a little longer. The ending was good and satisfying but felt a little quick.

I definitely look forward to more from this author and hopefully more books with a body positive, self-love, and generally wonderful vibes.

This was DNF was just not for me I wanted to like it and came back to it a few times but just wasn't the book for me. Would still recommend for people to read it and give it a try just a miss for me. Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolute perfection. It was funny, romantic, spicy and full of tension despite not having a third act breakup. That's right: there was no third act breakup and although sometimes that leaves me wanting to more conflict, it worked in this case. The conflict felt very realistic. Wonderful body positivity. Finally, there were Easter eggs all over the book with names of other authors and even a cameo of the MCs from the author's debut.

This book was a struggle for me. I enjoyed the author’s previous book, but this one borderline was a disappointment to me, and I nearly DNFed a few times. I found that I could not identify with the main character at all - Everly did not come across the page very well. She was somehow simultaneously diminutive and overbearing. I found her desire to hide and be small offensive, since it didn’t come across as either she was or wanted to be, plus her real goal was to actually be too much. Also, both her best friend and mother were rude and disrespectful, which I was actually offended by personally. And not to pile on, but the whole romance with the cameraman didn’t feel authentic, and the conflict with her mother and showrunner felt too easily resolved. Overall, this one wasn’t for me, but since I enjoyed the first book so much, I’m still looking forward to seeing what the author writes next.

This was such a fun read! I loved Everly’s banter with everyone. She had such a fun loving personality. The sparks between her and Logan were perfect- I did struggle with fat being used so much - but that was the whole point of the story. Quick , fun read! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing for an advanced digital copy.

I found this book a delightful and easy read. The character of Everly is fabulously funny and the comments that slip from her mouth are so good it is hard to hold the laughter in when she says them. Also, Howe tackles the sensitive topic of fatphobia - all the self doubt, learning self confidence and understanding that a person is enough just being themself. Everly embodies all of the fears, the doubts plus the deep desire to change all of it - not just for herself but for others. When she is accepted on a TV reality show empowering plus sized people she meets people who are like her and have the confidence she is looking for every day. And with each step on the show Everly finds herself and dares to do all the things she hid away from before. There are plenty of twists in the story and some wonderful romance. Overall, I really liked this book and recommend it for reading!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
🌶️🌶️

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
- Body Positivity
- What Not to Wear/Queer Eye
- Reality TV
- He’s a Grump

Super cute and enjoyable - perfect for anyone who loves reality tv. Goodreads user Anniek describes this one as “basically Dumplin’ for adults, or a mash-up of Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade and Queer Eye”.

Everly is a great FMC who is inspiring and really reminds you that shape doesn’t define you! She has struggled with some confidence in the past and has a mother who, in her eyes, has struggled with Everly’s body. There is much more to this issue in the book and I enjoyed peeling back the layers of the relationship between Everly and her mother.

Logan is our Roy Kent-esque grumpy cameraman who you can’t help but fall in love with. The side characters of the reality show’s hosts added the perfect support system for Everly and had me smiling throughout the books.

On The Plus Side is a feel good story that I hope many of you pick up!

I enjoyed this book even more than Jenny's first! I thought the reality TV backdrop was really cool and interesting and I really enjoyed the journey of both Everly and Logan. Logan is a perfect book boyfriend, but what really stood out to me was Everly's self acceptance journey. It was so cool to see her re-find her self love. Overall, such a great read!

What Not to Wear and Queer Eye meet All the Feels in this sparkling romantic comedy by Jenny L. Howe, in which the new guest on a popular plus-size makeover show has her style—and her love life—transformed.

The overall premise of this book had me hooked - a plus sized FMC who gets nominated for a lifestyle makeover show specifically aimed towards those 'on the plus side' and then she catches feelings for the grumpy cameraman? Of course, sign me up!
But unfortunately for me, I thought this story fell short. Obviously I'm rooting for Everly but she came across as immature and indecisive - in and out of the workplace. Then the romance storyline fell flat - we barely learned anything about our cameraman Logan other than that he looks like a lumberjack and that he likes dogs. I didn't feel the connection between the two of them and it felt icky when he was agreeing to push their relationship into the show to get ratings up. 
I appreciated how the story handled the topics of body image and fat representation, grief, and family relationships. I wish we had more books with different body types represented!
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

On the Plus Side 🎥🧡

This one is for everyone but especially for the plus sized girlies 🫶🏻

We met our FMC, Everly, struggling with self doubt, trying to hide herself, desperately trying to not be noticed, and all around dulling her sparkle. After getting nominated for her favorite reality show, that centers fat bodies, she embarks on a journey of self discovery and self love.

This book has so many wonderful elements:
🎥Reality TV
💕Self Love
🫶🏻Plus Sized Rep
☀️Grumpy x Sunshine
👗Fashion & Design
⭐️He Falls Harder

I related a lot to Everly, being fat myself. It’s something that causes me to question myself, my worth, and sometimes feel shame in different areas of my life. Seeing some of my own thoughts and feelings on the page gave me a deep sense of connection to this story.

We get a classic gruff and grumpy MMC in Logan but sadly he lacks a depth I was hoping to see. Overall, the reader just doesn’t get to know much about him. However, he has some swoony moments I was LIVING for.

Fatphobia is so steeped into our culture it can be hard to recognize sometimes. This story navigates grief, self doubt, fat shaming, difficult family relationships, & more.

3.75⭐️ rounded up
Overall, a fun and delightful rom-com that comes out next month!
Pub date: December 26.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

ON THE PLUS SIDE is a book I truly wanted to love. Its message, its female main character, and its premise were all things that were right up my alley when I requested to read this book. Who doesn't love a character development romance novel where the FMC begins to love herself, gains confidence, and a person who accepts her for who she is day one? BUT, unfortunately, this was not the book for me for a variety of factors and I do not believe I was the best intended audience for this novel.

The one thing I loved about this book is its body positivity and message that your size is not a defining characteristic of who you are as a person. Everly, when we are first introduced to her, is quite shy and introverted. She does not want to take up space and, instead, is comfortable letting life pass her by. To see her grown into a more confident individual was spectacular and a really enjoyable part of this book.

BUT the way this character development is done, the romance, and the plot itself was just not for me. The character development is great, but I found it exhausting to be in Everly's head. There is a lot of internal monologuing going on and a lot of back and forth on every day choices in which the book became repetitive. Additionally, A HUGE pet peeve of mine is when two relative strangers just unleash their deep dark fears on each other almost immediately, and it ends up being a therapy session between the two. This is what this romance felt like. It just felt like trauma dumping. ANNND the plot was chaotic. Too much was happening and yet not enough, The parts that I wanted to focus on the most, like the every day build up of Everly's confidence, were just not there and the end felt rushed and underwhelming.

Overall, I don't think I am the intended audience for this novel. For many, this book will make them feel SEEN AND HEARD, and that, ultimately, is what books are about. My problems with this book could be someone's favorite part, especially if they have felt like Everly at any point in their lives. I would say you should read this if you are looking for a body positive, character development novel that highlights the realities of being a plus sized individual with a bit of romance thrown in.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NeGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

On the plus side

By Jenny L Howe
Release day: December 25th

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️

Everly Winters is a receptionist at a design and marketing firm whose favourite colours to wear are grey and navy. Everly has spent years avoiding and disappearing into the background because people have said she is too loud, too much and too fat. Then one day, the hosts of her favourite outer and inner makeover show one into the office to tell her that she is their next project. Everly is hopeful that the program “On the Plus Side” will allow her to chase her career dreams, push her outside of her comfort zone, and help her rediscover who she is after years of hiding. The problem is that once episodes start to air, the show seems more interested in her office crush, James, and creating a false love triangle with the adorable lumberjack cameraman, Logan, who has been her shadow for all of Everly’s episodes on the show.

I really loved this book and how it dealt with its overweight mfc. The makeover show doesn’t tell her to lose weight to be happy or wear things that will conceal her lumps and bumps. It really tries to encourage her to wear what she loves and what makes her feel good. It was so refreshing. The love triangle piece (not normally my favourite trope) was well done and non-traditionally, and Logan is absolutely book boyfriend goals!

I related so much to so many of the things that Everly is going through in the book. I have certainly walked into many shops and known right away that nothing was going to fit me. Im glad that our society is moving away from only carrying straight-sized clothes, but as Jenny L Howe tells us in this book, there is absolutely more work to be done.

It was a great read for plus-sized and straight-sized people and was written really well.

Read this book if you enjoy:
Makeover shows
Co-hosts who banter
Adorable lumberjacks
Books about body image issues
Books about self-discovery
Books with no third act break up!!!!!
Plus-sized positivity
Dogs (so freaking cute)
Workplace romances

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the free e-arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

'On the Plus Side' introduces us to Everly Winters, a character who, after losing her grandmother, has always preferred to stay under the radar. But her life turned unexpectedly when she was picked for a reality TV makeover show, 'On the Plus Side.' The journey that follows, under the guidance of the show’s vibrant hosts, a crafty showrunner, and Logan, the moody cameraman, is one of self-discovery and embracing her uniqueness. Everly's growing feelings for Logan complicate matters, especially with the prospect of revealing her transformation on national television.

Everly and Logan, as the main characters, are relatable and well-developed. Everly's internal battles, especially with being told she's too much, make her an incredibly relatable character. As the love interest, Logan is given ample depth, exploring his motivations and challenges. Their romance is beautifully written, unfolding naturally on the page without the typical third-act drama, showcasing how well they complement each other.

Thank you to St Martin's Press for the eARC!

This was such great read! I enjoyed getting to know Everly and all that she represents. Even though she has been trying to hide her true nature of being loud and dressing in things that normally a larger person might not wear, her true colors tend to come out. She seems like someone I would love to meet and would love to get some of that confidence. The development of the reality show and how it is behind the scenes seemd to be pretty realistic. Thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Everly Winters is perfectly happy living her life unnoticed. That is until someone secretly nominated her to be in the next season of her favorite makeover show "On The Plus Side." Her quiet life has now turned upside-down and will soon become very public. Overwhelmed by the reality of being in a reality show, she forms an unexpected friendship with grumpy, plaid-loving cameraman Logan Samuel.

I found Everly's character relatable and admirable. It wasn't easy for her to get out of her comfort zone, what more show it on reality TV, but she braved through the process. She found her confidence and learned that she isn't too much. It was a bonus she also found love. Logan is a definite book boyfriend. Underneath the grumpy exterior is a kind and wholesome cinnamon roll.

Overall, an enjoyable read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC! This book was so much fun. The story was powerful and resonated so much with me! The romance was adorable and the banter of course was hilarious. I highly recommend this book!

On The Plus Side is my first Jenny L. Howe but it won’t be my last. The story follows Everly who is picked to be on her favorite reality show: On The Plus Side. It’s all about plus-sized people getting a makeover but not in the way you might imagine. The two hosts help them tackle their insecurities and unlock their inner confidence.

While Everly can’t imagine why she was picked, she makes the most of it while trying to gain some of her inner confidence back while dealing with a work crush, a stagnating career, and the grief of losing her grandmother. Of course, things get even more hectic when she starts to develop feelings for a cameraman for the show.

This book ended up surprising me in a lot of ways as it tackled so many different issues. When it came to Everly, she was dealing with rejection on all fronts but she didn’t let it define her. She did need a bit more confidence but she gained that internally versus a relationship. It was just so great to watch her blossom as a character.

In addition, the romance between her and Logan was so sweet. These two had chemistry from the very beginning and I couldn’t get enough. These two had a friends-to-lovers vibe going on and it was a delight. I also adored Everly’s best friend Becca and the two hosts of the show as they were so great.

Honestly, the third-act conflict wasn’t too bad but it did annoy me a lot. While I do know it probably does happen, it made me so angry. Then again, some reality show elements can be hit-or-miss so that might have been a me problem. Either way, I ended up enjoying this one and I think On The Plus Side is a great one to either pick up before the new year or add to your spring TBR for 2024.

ON THE PLUS SIDE

Cuuuuuuute. That’s how I would describe this. Body positivity and learning to love oneself. Sunshine working with a grump. Fairy godmother style hosts.

It felt like a hug, a Hallmark movie, and body positivity had a baby…who also fell in love, but I suppose that would be covered by the Hallmark movie component.

And art! A passionate main character who has to overcome her mother and her own limiting beliefs to access her dreams.

Cute, cute, cute.

Solid 4.