I hate enemies to lovers books that include hijinks and immature behavior towards each other. I struggled to finish this and was totally let down

Exes to lovers and I am here for it. Allison Avery learns that she has been accepted into her dream Ph.D. program and is thrilled. Until she finds out that someone else was accepted also...her ex, Colin! The heat is on in the classroom and between them when they battle it out against each other. I enjoyed the second chances aspect also. This body includes body sensitivity in a way that is classy and done well.

This was a fun, if slightly forgettable romance. There were some literary allusions that went over my head (and I consider myself pretty well-read) but all in all it didn't take much away from my enjoyment of the story.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

I think we can all appreciate the spectacular job that Ms. Howe has done for plus-sized representation.

I, like many others, have grown up reading about the perfect, skinny heroine who survives an ordeal and gets the guy. Ms. Lowe took my perfect, skinny heroine and gave me someone real, raw and incredibly relatable.

Enemies to lovers against the academic background was brilliant! I am not a fan of second-chance romances but this worked only because of how loveable the characters were.

Anyone who can make Scrabble sexy is a winner in my books!

I do believe the author can mature slightly in terms of her writing and less reliance on the noncommunication trope. That being said I think she has great potential.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review. You can follow me on IG @JessicaReadsIt.

The Makeup Test was definitely a heart warming story. I laugh, I cried and I didn’t want to put the book down.
Jenny Howe is definitely on my favorite authors list!

I should start off by saying I loved the plus size rep!
I just had a very hard time feeling the connection between the pair which made me feel very indifferent about the book as a whole.

it was cute debut but it won't be a memorable read.

A warm, academic, second-chance romance with charmingly neurotic and devastatingly smart characters.

Second chance romance is not my trope of choice, I'll be honest. So take that into consideration if you're reading my review. I kind of think these two were better broken up, yeah I said it. I wasn't rooting for them to rekindle anything. I liked the fighting and sniping, I think they were better as adversaries and maybe eventually friends but I didn't buy them getting back together. And if you can't get behind the romance in a romance novel it makes the rest of the review kind of moot, ya know?

An excellent debut from writer Jenny Howe. Her prose, first and foremost, stands out clearly as the writing of someone who loves writing—and in a book about lit nerds, her style is a perfect fit! The characters are very realistic, with flaws and quirks that make them at times endearing and in other moments frustrating. But the realism of the characters, including the challenges they face in their everyday lives, make them deeply relatable and highlight how well developed they are. Of course, I must mention how wonderful it was to encounter a character like Allison—someone who is unapologetically smart and who celebrates and accepts her body and her self, just as she is. Overall, Howe’s debut is a stunner, and I so look forward to seeing what she writes next.

It was average for me. I didn't get all the feels while reading it, but I didn't hate it. I felt like the story fell flat and drug after a few chapters.

Loved the cover and the premise but unfortunately not the book for me. I had a hard time connecting to the characters- I found them immature. A cute and easy read. Thank you SMP and Netgalley for my copy.

I was really excited for this book, but ended up disappointed. I didn’t like that the book was in 3rd person, but we really only get Allison’s point of view. I thought that was an odd choice that the author made. I also thought that Allison forgave Colin too easily, especially given the grudge she had.

This was fun. I wish it was more somehow. I'm worried it won't stick out in a crowd as someone who reads romances all of the time.

"The Makeup Test" by Jenny L. Howe arrived in my life at the perfect moment, offering a welcome escape from the demands of graduate school. Howe's novel not only served as a delightful distraction but also stood out for its well-thought-out representation of a plus-size main character.

What struck me most was the refreshing and genuine portrayal of the protagonist's body size. Unlike some narratives that tend to either overexplain or awkwardly emphasize a character's weight, Howe navigates this aspect with finesse. The main character's body size is seamlessly integrated into the story, providing a realistic and relatable representation without unnecessary emphasis or peculiar explanations.

The novel serves as a breath of fresh air in its ability to create a character who is authentically portrayed, free from stereotypes or clichés related to size. It's a testament to Howe's skill as an author that she effortlessly weaves a narrative where the main character's body is just one facet of their identity, rather than a defining characteristic.

As a reader juggling the demands of academia, "The Makeup Test" became my much-needed respite. The engaging storyline, combined with the thoughtful representation of a plus-size character, made for a perfect escape. Howe manages to strike a balance between addressing the realities of life and providing a feel-good escape, making this novel a well-rounded and enjoyable read.

"The Makeup Test" stands out as a charming and well-crafted novel, offering readers a much-needed break from the challenges of daily life, particularly for those immersed in the world of academia. Jenny L. Howe's adept storytelling and nuanced representation make this book a standout in contemporary fiction, providing a narrative that is both entertaining and socially relevant.

First off, I loved the cover of this book and the curvy girl representation! However, I was not able to connect with the characters. They are very immature and not very likeable. I found myself bored during this read.. After trying to skim through some of it, I ended up putting it down at about 25%.

This story follows previous lovers Allison and Colin, who by some sort of fate, have come back into each other's orbit, even if it is just becoming TAs and vying for the top spot in their grad program. I could not get enough of this will they/won't they love story for the ages. I couldn't help but see this becoming a Hallmark or Lifetime RomCom someday!

This book was enjoyable. By the end, I personally didn’t feel connections to the characters but I enjoyed their story! I liked the FMC and the MMC pretty equally and I left rooting for their love throughout the book

i thought it was a cute and easy read something u might bring along tot the airport or the beach, overall i liked it! 3.5

The chemistry between Allison and Colin is palpable, and their battle of wits adds an exciting layer to the narrative. As they navigate their shared responsibilities and rediscover their feelings for each other, readers will find themselves rooting for their rekindled love. The author seamlessly weaves in themes of personal growth and the importance of choosing love over professional ambitions. The complexities of Allison's relationships, including her drifting friendship with her best friend, add depth to her character and make her relatable.