Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

What Not to Wear and Queer Eye meeting All the Feels (an amazing book by Olivia Dade - check it out!) where the makeovers are for plus-sized folx? Fantastic, sign me up. Having Jenny's debut book I was excited for this one, though a little hesitant since her debut didn't quite hit all the marks for me, but this is the perfect example of authors growing, different topics hitting better for some folx than others, and not writing off authors based on one title. While it is completely fine to say that "I didn't like X book by author, so I am not going to read Y book" (and I have done this exact thing), I am so glad I didn't do that for this book. This book follows Everly as she finds her confidence and voice in a world that has done everything it can to shut it down. She is relatable and a well-rounded character, and the cast of characters that surround her are also diverse and interesting. I love Queer Eye and What Not to Wear, and this book took the parts of those shows I love & fixed/addressed the things that rub the wrong way. It is an easy read, making it hard to put down, but nothing feels overly rushed. This is a book of someone finding out who they are in the midst of the world trying to dull their shine. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait for others to get to read it when it comes out!

I loooove Queer Eye, so when I heard this book featured a reality show with a similar premise, I was sold! On the Plus Side is a romcom about a woman who finds herself on a makeover show whose goal is to increase confidence in plus-sized people. And if along the way she finds love, well who’s complaining? (Not me, ofc!) 😍

This book was a delight from start to finish. As a fat person myself, it was refreshing to see a romcom written about someone who looked like me. I loved that the show Everly (the main character) was on helped her find herself more and love herself for who she was instead of trying to change her.

Not to mention the swoony grump of a love interest 😍 imagine a man so stubborn he wears a plaid kilt and a different plaid shirt—that’s Logan for ya. 😂

While I did thoroughly enjoy this book, I didn't give it five stars because it almost felt like the romance fell to the side. The narrative was very focused on fat positivity, which I absolutely LOVED, but I really found myself craving more intimate moments of Logan and Everly getting to know each other and falling head over heels. The ones that were in the book were amazing, but it didn't feel like quite enough to me personally.

Despite that, I'd still highly recommend this book! On the Plus Side comes out on December 26! Be sure to check it out and preorder (it’s the perfect holiday gift for your romance-loving friends and family!). A huge thanks to @netgalley & @stmartinspress for giving me the chance to read before publication. ❤️

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

Large, thin, whatever - I don’t love books that have whiny self-pitying main characters. I get why maybe there is some self-doubt but Everly just has a victim mentality. The explanation and back story to why she supposedly tries to make herself invisible (which wasn’t executed super accurately) is lacking. Everyone is out to get her and it’s weird when she’s surprised a reality show would want to use all dramatic video footage they acquire. Literally the point of and mission of every reality show. This is 2023, who doesn’t know reality shows splice footage and audio and do things to fit their narrative. In reality, the show would have aired the footage Everly didn’t want seen and ratings would have skyrocketed. The proof is in every other reality show out there.

I don’t fully understand why she thought James nominating her for the show was so horrible. He seemed to have good intentions and it’s not easy when someone has an obvious crush on you and you don’t feel the same. She got to be on her favorite show and grow as a person. I don’t really see how it was about embarrassment. Maybe there just wasn’t a good enough job at making him seem evil when she was gushing about him at the beginning of the book?

Also, can we talk about how unprofessional Logan is? Interfering multiple times, letting his jealousy affect his job… there’s no way this would be allowed in real life. I don’t even think it was well established what he saw in Everly. All of a sudden they were just super into each other because of her sob story when he’s done this for two years already? She ran away like a 12 year old after the first kiss and then while he is supposed to be working, after he interferes yet again, he kisses her. I feel like there would be a production rule that they couldn’t get together during filming.

Everly’s mother was not great but you’re telling me they NEVER had the conversation about her mom’s weight in high school before? Her grandmother never told her? It’s amazing how something could have been cleared up and made better by simple communication. When parents or people in your life are truly toxic, it is when you have spoke up and they still continue their behavior. It’s weird to me, especially when she was so “confident” when her grandmother was living, that she’s never said anything or had a talk with her mom before about her remarks.

Overall I just couldn’t root for Everly or Everly and Logan. Or care if she “found herself.”

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the ARC.

This was a cute read, a solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the diversity in the cast, the plus size representation, and the story line. I really loved the bond that was formed between Everly and Logan and I did enjoy seeing Everly grow into a stronger person. I would say my biggest hang up on this story is that it was a little dragged out with all the self doubt from Everly. As a plus size woman, I completely understand dealing with fear, self doubt, and insecurities. But I felt like no matter the progress she made, the next page or two was spent on her focusing on how she didn’t feel good enough. This is probably a very personal opinion, as someone who has dealt with similar feelings, so many readers probably won’t have a similar hang up as I did on this. But I just felt like the story could have been shortened and cleaned up a bit if we weren’t constantly reminded that Everly thought so little of herself.

But ah here I am focusing on the negative… let’s get back to what I liked. I LOVE seeing size representation in stories! I’m so tired of reading about skinny, fit, beautiful, perfect (according to unrealistic beauty standards) heroes and heroines in stories. I am dying to read stories that showcase normal bodies & I am so happy authors like Jenny give us that!

I also loved that this story gave us a plus size FMC that forms a relationship with a man who is considered more fit or “out of her league”. A woman can be larger than her partner. We shouldn’t need stories to “normalize” that! But until we live in that perfect world, I’m glad to see these scenarios get some spotlight in books like this! And even more so, I love how Logan, the “fit and handsome” guy, had his own body image issues. It just goes to show how complex these situations can be, no matter your size. I thought that was a power piece to be included & probably one of my favorite moments in the whole book!


Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is basically Dumplin' for adults, or a mash-up of Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade and Queer Eye. I really enjoy romance books about reality tv, and this is a great one. I found it very hard to put down, and it was such a feelgood read despite Everly dealing with fatphobia as well.

In Jenny L. Howe's previous book, I didn't like the love interest, but here I absolutely did. It's impossible not to love Logan. He's supportive of Everly and acts like an anchor in the chaos that is filming a reality show, and his best trait: he LOVES dogs. Actually his background story about his love for dogs made me tear up.

“to me, you’re what matters.”

ugh this was just the sweetest thing! when i saw this on netgalley, i remembered seeing a tiktok about a scene from it and i instantly thought i would enjoy this book, and i’m so glad i was right!

everly was such a relatable character, as a fellow plus size babe, and it was really refreshing to see and understand where she was coming from with her struggles! the representation was *chef’s kiss* phenomenal, and i love the concept of the tv show from this book, even if the director was a little sus 👀

but i thought that everly’s journey was really inspiring and i loved seeing her grow back into her personality and chase her dreams! not to mention her romance with logan, who has to be the cutest man i’ve ever read about for real. i loved his humor and the subtle ways he looked after everly while on the show. their romance was too sweet!

overall this was such a great read- i was into it from the very beginning and i really enjoyed falling in love with the characters and the story!

huge thank you to netgalley and st. martin’s press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I really appreciated, and related to, the parts of the book that were about the protagonist learning to be less afraid of change and trying new things. There we also some very delightful moments throughout the book and some very likable characters. That said, some of the aspects just weren’t for me. This is the the third romance book I have read with a Reality TV setting and I just don’t think they click for me. Also, there was an ongoing storyline about the protagonist not wanting her whole story to be about a developing romance. Somewhat ironically, I felt that the book made this story too much about the romance.

The BEST plus size representation I have ever read in a romance book.

I loved Everly so much. It was a breath of fresh air to see an FMC so focused on their own personal growth and finding love along the way. Everly is funny, talented, honest, and I felt like we could be best friends, I loved watching her explore her style & call out the weird trends in plus size fashion (looking at you cold shoulders!) Everly's relationship with her mom is handled so well. It was a great look into how older generations handle body issues and how progress is often made slowly,

Logan was the perfect love interest. I was giggling with every joke he made & swooning every time he stood up for Everly & made her feel seen. He has redefined the Grumpy/Sunshine trope for me. Grumpy usually just means asshole, but somehow Logan was both grumpy & a cinnamon roll. I also love that we got enough od his backstory that he felt like a real person not just a prop.

All the side characters were incredible, I loved the show and how it really helped make the plot move in a way that made sense as a reader. Also pets! All the pets have the cutest names! I 100% recommend this book!

I completely fell in love with this book and took my time reading it because I didn’t want it to end!

Everly is content blending in; in fact, all the clothes she wears makes it so she is never noticed. She works as a receptionist at a marketing firm, even though she really loves art. As a member of the plus size community, she follows the reality TV show “On The Plus Side” on online message boards. Always a lurker and never a participant. One unexpected day, the hosts and cameraman from the show come to her office to surprise her! She’s been picked for the show from a nomination by someone else. The hosts are nice, but a little overwhelming. The cameraman, Logan, is a grump! She softens to him and they have an undeniable connection – which is caught on camera. The show’s frontrunner starts airing segments in a not so honest way. It’s a lot for Everly to handle.

I connected with Everly so much. Growing up, I was overweight. I started gaining weight when my dad left. My mom started to make derogatory comments to “help me.” Everly’s mom did the same (though for a somewhat different reason). I literally cried when she expressed how she felt because it was the exact way I had felt.

The plus size representation in this book was very realistic. It was written as if it was from someone who was plus size. I have read other books with plus size rep, and the rep felt very underwhelming. This didn’t just focus on her size and whether or not she was comfortable in her skin. It focused on her personality and how she felt she had to hide and be small.

Now.. Logan. Never in my wildest dreams did I think two words could make my heart skip a beat! “F that.” He saw Everly for who she really was and he supported her. He was the perfect MMC. And what I liked even more is that there was no third act breakup.

Lastly, the ending… it was *chef’s kiss* – PERFECT!

This is truly one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a hot minute! Everly is nominated and chosen to be featured on her favorite show "ON THE PLUS SIDE" in hopes to take up space after spending years making herself smaller for others. I loved the concept of this story and most of the characters were so incredible. The natural chemistry between Everly & Logan was great and so sweet. We love a grump who is only sweet to his girl! I loved the character development in the book and it never felt over the top. It really is a super comfy cozy story, with powerful messages. There is open door spice without being too detailed. I loved that it didn’t distract from the story at all, it was so well done. I hope y’all pick this one up on December 26th!

This was a good read! Everly works as a receptionist but hides her true self from everyone but her brother and bestie. One day, the two stars of the hit TV show On the Plus Side barge into Everly’s office and tell her she will be on the show. The show reminded me of Queer Eye, but for plus size gals. Cute variation of the typical novel.

A wonderful romcom about a plus size woman going on a reality show to rediscover herself. She finds love in the process!

I love the plus size representation! Everly is very relatable to many women!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are incredibly well written and the message hit very close to home. It's a plus size romance, but one that would speak to so many different people on so many levels. Definite shades of Olivia Dade in the best way possible.

I’m not an enormous fan of romances, but I enjoy them when they have a ‘hook’ I’m interested in - in this case, a reality TV makeover show. I liked Everly and Logan and found myself enjoying them finding their happy-ever-after.

Everly Winters' story is a beautiful and perfect plus-size main characters journey to self-love and empowerment because the goal is not weight loss, it is setting out to do what is uncomfortable and she is rewarded handsomely. When she goes on her favorite 'Reality' T.V. show On The Plus Side she is forced to step out of her comfort zone in every aspect from her wardrobe, career path, passions, and bonus- her love life. This book gave me all the comforts and butterflies I love to see in a contemporary romance and I go bananas over a grumpy/sunshine trope. This was a 5/5 and the HEA had me in tears of joy!

I really enjoyed about 68% of this book.

As other mentioned, the body representation was really inspiring.

The romance was really cute.

The conflict and last 20% of the book felt so weirdly paced. It dragged and rushed at the same time.

Also, the naivety of Everly was frustrating. She’s supposed to be in her mid?-twenties but it’s shocked when a reality show crafts a specific narrative??

I’ve yet to find an author that does plus size romances justice beside Talia Hilbert.

Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher for an early copy of this book. It's coming out December 26, 2023.


https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/6d0bf708-b2fd-44f5-822d-f26e4c644447

On the Plus Side is real, relatable plus size representation, with a main character I could really see myself in. Everly's journey back to herself warmed my heart and made me cry serious tears, and her romance with Logan was a balm for the soul. With warm and loving/lovable side characters, extremely believable family dynamics that I could absolutely relate to, and a third act conflict that did not have me throwing my tablet across the room in frustration, this is a book I'll be returning to in the future when I need an emotional lift. Thank you, Jenny L. Howe, for writing such a beautiful book!

3.5 rounded up. I really liked the message and background cast in this, even if I found the romance to be a little weak. I also don’t love how Everly focused on “too” much, even her mother comments on it and I think personally she would burn out from it all, but I guess it makes her story more intriguing. I like this better than the author’s first novel and would definitely tune in to more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank yo Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

BTS reality television with a sassy plus size protagonist lead and a grumpy DP who has a love of dogs: How can you go wrong? I definitely enjoyed the story and the side characters. The mother of the protagonist was DEFINITELY complicated, but I'm happy that the two were able to eventually make their way forward instead of the constant toxicity. I liked the message and it was overall an easy read. I would read Ms. Howe again. (Warning: the author attempts to take back and empower the word fat to the point that it was getting a bit redundant for me and I'm a plus sized woman. So it may not be for your if it's not your preferred word of choice.)