My second Jenny Howe book I’ve read and I really do enjoy their voice to ensure that representation of all sizes is show. Great character arc and additional understanding around the main character and their mothers sometimes hurtful comments. The story had enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, however, it was that good cozy cup of tea that you want to sit down and drink while reading. I hope to see more books from Jenny with such unique and fun characters.

The book gets a 2.50 to buy for diversity 2 sub characters. Hit the mark, but would like to see more. The world built was pretty exciting and sequel for the TV hosts.

I will recommend this book to any and all.

I loved ‘The Make-Up Test’, so I was immediately excited when I saw OTPS up on NetGalley.

I love Everly as an MC, and I related to her in a lot of ways. I loved her growth from beginning to end, because she didn’t *change* who she was as a person. She became her truest self- that she knew she was deep down- after struggling with image issues for years. Her relationship with her mother reminded me a lot of mine with my mother, and I got really protective of Everly whenever her mother came on the page.

Jazzy and Stanton were EXCELLENT side characters. They were both well developed enough to not feel like pieces of the background, but not so much so that they fought for MC status with Everly and Logan. We don’t talk about how much I did not trust Sady from the get-go. Everly’s brother and Becca we’re both great supportive side characters without feeling all “white knight”.


Oh my god, Logan. Logan. Logan. Logan. Can I just say that, even as a tall woman, it was so nice to have a love interest who wasn’t a million inches taller than the FMC? He’s just a normal guy. And a grump.

My biggest shoutouts go to Alan and Ravioli, though.

Notes as I read, as I usually do, but now they're all in one place:

-ha! "Our Flag Means Death" reference
-nobody needs so much backstory on the hosts. Their credibility seems solid, but I eventually skimmed over the comic books and fashion blah blah blah
-launch the Mom into the sun 😤
-it's bullshit that the mother's awfulness isn't completely caught on camera. She needs to be tarred and feathered in front of a tv audience. That would be satisfying.
-FFS move it along already!
-she's shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that there is constant filming during a reality tv show. STFU 🙄
-oh FFS first she won't tell her mother how she really feels and now she won't tell James how she feels 😡 wtf is the point?!? Why leave this off the page??? Public shaming for all! We don't get to do it in real life, we should wallow in it in fiction!
-I keep putting this down from boredom. 🥱 Yawn...
-I just got a reminder from Netgalley to finish this up. Argh fine 😐
-I'm fat. I wanted to read this to see this representation in print. I have wanted to like Everly, my fat FMC counterpart, but I don't, I guess. I don't hate her by any means, but god just get on with it! Arrrrgh 🤦‍♀️
-is this 2023? Does awful Lane Bryant and worse Torrid not exist? Those places are trash but the idea that plus-size clothing stores not existing is fucking weird.
-ah cold shoulder tops make an appearance 🤮
-Everly's insistence that this is not really a reality show and that she can somehow mask or control things is laughable and annoying and exhausting by now. 58% in and she still is going on and on about it. WTF girl?
-JESUS FUCKING CHRIST he's kissing her clitoris to orgasm, they're interrupted by a dog and then it's just...over. WTF! no putting the dog in the bathroom, no trying again, just done for now, so she can leave to spend the night alone in a hotel. What. The. Fuck. This is what I mean about this whole thing dragging and dragging. 🤦‍♀️
-god I'm at 65% Time to put on my big girl panties and slog through the rest of this.
-if this author spent as much time moving the plot along as she does into boring detail of the character's 5 senses, we might get somewhere. Everly is apparently a "nose", hyper-smelling everything in her orbit. EVERYTHING. And then inner monologuing it. Ad nauseam. Her pulse is constantly throwing her toward a heart attack. Her skin has got to be blistered by how much she flushes. Her stomach nerves have to cause constant nausea at this point she's a barf monster waiting to happen. Her mind spins at the slightest inference from anyone, it's a wonder she hasn't passed out in every episode.
-oops she's SHOCKED again 🥱
-once again her knees won't work. At any moment, they will collapse from emotion
-oh good, at 82% and after a month of filming, she might, just might, think that the reality show she loves that she is now on, that is fucking with her narrative, might have fucked with other's narratives. Wow, how smart are you, precious 🙄
-finally talking to James... finally
-ok, now Logan has forgotten about hidden cameras!! Really? Have everyone leave the store and then get busy? 10 bucks there are hidden cameras. Hell I'll bet 10 million.
-BINGO! I'M A MULTIMILLIONAIRE! 🙄🤦‍♀️This is so dumb now. Shocked I tell you, will happen in 3...2...1...
-yep shocked. Betrayed. How could this happen on a reality tv show?? Hmmmm I wonder 🤔 dumbasses 😒
-oh good, now we're at the mumbo jumbo therapy speak part of our program.
-Enough. I can't.

*Sigh* here's the thing. I love the idea of this book. I like a lot of things, but the pacing increasingly made me dislike it; if there wasn't soooo much space taken up with Everly's every stomach gurgle, if it just got to the motherfucking point. Things dragged and then stuff that could be interesting about the perks of being on a reality show were one sentence. Everly's angst is universal for anyone on a show, but let's get to it! The author has many things to say, good things, poignant things, but it dragged for me until the end. The energy of the last 3 chapters should have had the same energy at least dotted through the first 30.

I don't think I'm the right person for this book. I also don't think I'm the right person for ARCs. I'll just keep checking out freshly published digital books from the library again. I am grateful to NetGalley and St Martin's for the opportunity to figure this out.

After reading "On The Plus Side", I'm putting Jenny L. Howe on my auto-buy list. This book managed to be laugh-out-loud funny, heart-grippingly romantic, painfully realistic with the complicated and at times strained family dynamics, as well as charming, witting, fresh, and possibly most importantly inclusive and full of representation. This was all done with the utmost respect and consideration, and for being "just a rom-com", it was wildly powerful. Let me put it this way: if you're new and wanting to venture into the world of rom-com's, do not start with this book because it will set your expectations too high.

There were characters of all shapes and sizes, of all colors and cultures, from all walks of life. True, in a book featuring a fat main character, I expected inclusion of bodies of different sizes, but what I didn't expect, and was excited to find, was how Howe described the areas where the weight was carried on different individuals. Not all bodies are the same, and this is true for fat bodies, too. Some characters were described with round hips and small breasts, or soft tummies but toned arms. That kind of detail was unexpected but very welcome. I was able to read this and relate the differently shaped bodies to my friends, my family, and myself. That was a new feeling.

Moving on from the incredible representation and onto the plot, I have really no complaints. There's complicated characters and relationships, handled with just enough realism to make it relatable but still entertaining. While the content of the book may be sensitive for some, it never seems to feel heavy. The pacing is over about 2 months, and while the initial attraction between the main characters Everly and Logan happens quickly, they take time to talk and get to know each other, resulting in a satisfying medium-burn that follows a timeline similar to relationships I've had myself. Some readers may find it a bit annoying that there are certain phrases repeated, like how Everly worries she's too loud, too much, too whatever else, but to me this was more serving to show how Everly viewed herself and how her anxieties manifested. It's normal to think the same critiques about ourselves frequently, so Everly does, too.

Reading Everly's journey, which is as much about self-acceptance and re-discovering passions for hobbies and life as it is about the blooming romance between her and Logan, was a joy. I loved watching her go from actively trying to blend into the background to being unafraid to laugh because who cares if she's loud? Logan doesn't "fix" her, or in any way detract from Everly's journey. He's supportive, but stays comfortably on the sidelines while she works on her dreams, offering to help only when asked and when appropriate. We should all be so lucky to have a Logan! In a lot of ways, he reminded me of Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls. Maybe it's all the plaid... Although Luke Danes famously tells Lorelai he is "all in", and Logan echoes that same phrase.

"On the Plus Side" concludes with a satisfying epilogue, tying up a few loose ends and wraping what might be my favorite book this summer. This is a very, very strong four stars. The only reason it didn't make five stars is because I generally only give five stars to books that invoke an exceptionally strong emotional reaction. I enjoyed this immensely and can't say enough good things about it. I highly recommend it, I'd buy it and read it again, I hope to god it gets a movie adaptation, and I want to buy Howe's other book and any future books.

Bonus: the names of the pets in this book are incredible. I don't want to ruin it for you, but they're often named with people names or named after food! Its a super cute touch, because we've all met a cat named Alexander or a dog named Meatball at some point in our lives.

4⭐️

Everly and Logan absolutely stole my heart, and I loved it so much.

I have never felt so seen by a book in my life. I know that a lot of people don’t like when an FMC is insecure or self-conscious about her weight when she’s plus sized, but I feel an even stronger connection when that’s the case. I am that person in real life, so reading about someone who shares my struggles is comforting in a way, knowing you aren’t alone in your feelings.

Everly’s self-discovery throughout this story is beautiful. I love that she comes into her own and that she doesn’t need a man to do so. And Logan? Look. There is something about a jealous grump who doesn’t smile except on rare occasions that I go feral for. I loved their banter and their natural progression into a relationship.

This book was delightful, low drama, and made me squeal with happiness. Oh there’s also a lot of dogs which is always a plus.

P.S. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the premise of this book was great and loved the inclusivity of it and acceptance. There was great character development of the main character, Everly. At the start of the book she played her life "safe" and it was lovely seeing her evolve and grow into someone who was confident and took chances to go after her dreams.

There was a lot going on in this book with many story lines that didn't necessarily need to be included. I had a hard time staying grasped by the book in the middle but the ending was great.

I absolutely love the idea behind On the Plus Side. As a curvy woman myself, it’s not typical that you find FMC’s to relate to. This book starts off strong. I loved Everly from the first chapter!
Towards the middle I feel it started to drag some and the chapters are a bit long for my personal preference. There was a lot of detail about most of the filming that it made the ending seem rushed.
Overall, the character development and story line are great. I just wish it was a little more condensed!

ARC Review✨

On The Plus Side
By Jenny L. Howe
Pub Date: 12/26/23
My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC of On The Plus Side in exchange for my honest review.

This is a cute read with refreshing characters who bring fatness to a compelling storyline and many swoon-worthy moments ( their first kiss outside the bar-perfection).

I like the author's intent on not trying to change Everly's outer appearance but her confidence instead. Everly's feelings are relatable and I enjoyed her journey throughout the story. From questioning her self-worth and just wanting to blend in, to going after what she wants and sticking up for herself, this is a journey many women can relate to.

I know the story focuses on Everly and her journey but I wanted a little more development of Logan. He's such a likeable character that I wanted more of him in the story.

Overall, a fun, cute read with realistic characters and relatable emotions. If you're looking for a book about a reality show with a plus-size, fun FMC, grumpy/sunshine trope, with some cute animals named after food then this book is for you

Everly Winters is sleeping through her life. She had dreams of following her dreams, but is stuck underemployed, without a boyfriend, and while she may be comfortable in her plus sized body, her Mom and society are not. Suddenly, Everly is nominated to be a part of a reality makeover show. The show promises to help her make over all aspects of her life (Think Queer Eye!) including helping her land a dream job and finally make a move on her coworker crush. But when filming begins, and Everly learns that reality isn't quite real, it gets her thinking about what she really wants out of life and how she can help herself get there.

I enjoyed how this book realistically took someone plus sized who is comfortable int heir own skin and showed how difficult it can be to maintain that in the face of societal pressures. Everly was a likable main character who you couldn't help but cheer for. Readers who enjoy reality shows, will love all of the pop culture references sprinkled throughout the book. This was a fun, quick read that pop culture phenoms and rom-com lovers will enjoy! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!

3.1 The premise for this book really caught my eye. I am a lover of all makeover shows, and particularly, I have been watching a ton of clips of Curvy Brides' Boutique, which is an Essex-based store that caters to fat brides. I enjoy that show for reclamation of beauty for people of all sizes. Because of that show, I've watched many people experience the difficult emotions that come with having a body and leave the show with a beautiful dress and a smile on their face.

All that said, I was excited to see if On the Plus Side could deliver a similar insight into feeling shame about our bodies and how that can affect us on a daily basis and hopefully bring our heroine, Everly Winters, out on the other side of it. And it does that successfully! Although the book sometimes slips into the cheesy, corny lines that are commonplace when it comes to self-love, the story itself is intriguing and maintains a freshness. It has caused me to absolutely fear reality television, but I appreciate that Everly, in the end, gains literal control over her narrative. This book is full of full circle moments.

I don't rate this book particularly high because I could have used more nuance in the love interest, Logan. He felt pretty one-dimensional the entire novel. When the author tried to create some tension or doubt by having Everly question him, I felt none of it. This man was designed specifically to be her admirer and cheerleader, which is fine, but it doesn't make for a very interesting read. You know from the first forceful outburst about how amazing Everly is that this guy is toast, and he doesn't even put up a fight.

Ok, I really liked this one, BUT. It’s. It about what it says it’s about, the book says that Everly has had a big heartbreak but there was NO mention of it, and her grandmother dying doesn’t count. Also, the scene btn her and Logan that gets caught on camera happens at the end, by that time they’re already together,

Otherwise I really liked it. Solid plus size representation, Logan was dreamy, the tv show was a nice hook.

Such a fun sophomore novel from Jenny L. Howe, following The Make-Up Test (which I loved). The fat representation is so great in this book! And I knew from the beautiful cover that I wanted to read this as soon as possible. Everly has stopped taking risks and lived a muted life since the death of her grandmother. She wears dark colors to try and go unnoticed. And she's abandoned her dream of being an artist. Her favorite show is On the Plus Side, a makeover show for plus size people that focuses on celebrating their bodies and examining all aspects of their life. When she's nominated to be on the show, at first it seems like a dream come true. But there are a lot of unexpected twists and turns along the way -- including the adorable, grumpy cameraman Logan. The story focused a little more on Everly's evolution as a character rather than the romance. But the chemistry between these characters was amazing! It also helped create a nice balance where Everly gained confidence by doing the work herself and with the hosts of the show...not because a hot guy falls in lover with her.

Thanks Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Amazing. I loved this. Among the new crop of reality-TV inspired romance novels (my new favorite genre, apparently), On the Plus Side is top tier. The characters felt so realistic, and though this book was incredibly earnest and heartfelt, it never felt cheesy. It was uplifting and funny and sexy, all rolled into one. A perfect rom-com.

I really loved this book. It took me a bit longer to read for some reason, but I really loved the message behind it. I loved watching Everly grow into herself and the route the romance went. I recommend picking this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

“Some people have a light. No matter what shitty stuff they’re dealing with, it can’t be snuffed out. You have one of those.”

This story was amazing.

I LOVED getting to know Logan and Everly.

Everly’s transition from pushover who hides in the back to large and in charge boss is *chef’s kiss*.

Their banter in the beginning fueled the flame to their easy transition from enemies, to friends, to lovers.

Seeing myself in a story is something plus size people don’t get a lot of. It was so refreshing to have a story that didn’t fetishize her size or make it about a “weight loss” journey. This story was about self love, self discovery, and finding love in unexpected ways.

I loved this!

I found the characters relatable, funny, and enjoyable! Obviously there were a few I didn't like but that's a given. The character development, especially for Everly, the FMC, was fantastic! While there were a few plot points that were a liiiittle out there, which normally deters me from the plot, I actually enjoyed it more because of the out there plot points.

I loved Everly and Logan. Their chemistry! Omg the steam... How they bettered each other, everything. I love them and want more of them.

I am definitely going to read Jenny Howe's other book now as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jenny Howe does it again! I love her Fat Female Main Characters. Wonderful books. This was a heartwarming feel good book.

I love a good romance with plus size representation! Everly is very much trying to blend in and she had no desire to change that. Unfortunately for her someone nominates her for the makeover show, On The Plus Side where she's forced to take center stage. She has a hard time connecting with the host and being on screen. Luckily for she connects with a cameraman on the crew and things look up for her. On the Plus Side was cute quick read with great representation.

Cute story - loved the plus sized character and her personal growth through the book. I have a feeling that our patrons will really enjoy this one and already pre-ordered a copy for our romance collection. Looking forward to more books by Jenny Howe.

“On the Plus Side” follows Everly, a plus-sized woman who finds herself hiding her true self, her aspirations, and her crush on her cute coworker in favor of hiding. At the beginning of the book, she discovers she was nominated by someone in her life to be on a show that is a mixture of Queer Eye and What Not to Wear called “On the Plus Side.” Everly has been a fan of this show for years, and she has repeatedly been inspired by the show’s commitment to fat people and their authentic stories. She is hopeful this can be her ticket to bettering herself and focusing on her passions, specifically her art.

Everly’s journey is inspirational and fun to watch. Fans of reality TV will likely enjoy the little details included like the viewing parties, figuring out how to wear the mics, car confessionals, and fan reactions after the episodes air. Fans of romance will likely enjoy the inclusion of a few fun tropes, namely grumpy/sunshine, and a love triangle. It is also very refreshing to see a fat heroine who is happy with who she is, not pursuing weight loss, and who learns to love who she is and that she isn’t too much for anybody who matters.

A few things did not work for me. First (and most minor): one of the show host is said to have been named after a Sex and the City character by his mother, a super fan. His name is Stanton. Carrie’s gay best friend on the show (played by the late Willie Garson, may he rest in peace) was named Stanford. But then again… maybe his mom just had one too many Cosmos while watching the show! Second, Everly is constantly knocking things over or running into things or spilling drinks on herself or knocking heads with somebody. A couple of times is cute and relatable. Several times is a liability, especially given that Everly has an interest in being a tattoo artist! I wanted her to come across as just slightly more capable.

Overall, this book was very cute, and I just love how it ended. I think it floundered a tiny bit in the middle and could have been a little shorter but it has so many great points and a lot of heart. I think the author has a lot of promise, and I’d definitely be open to reading more of her books. I’d place this as a very solid 3.5/5 stars.