This book was adorable! I thoroughly enjoyed it from the literary references, sassy crossstitch, cute pets & so much more.

This was a no for me. I didn’t like any of the characters and Allison drove me nuts the entire book.

I thought the medieval literature aspect was interesting but it was referenced a lot and if the reader didn’t have any background it in it was easy to get lost. Personally I’m not a fan of medieval literature so that didn’t help.

The romance between Allison and Colin just didn’t make any sense and the reason for their breakup just left me more annoyed at all the characters

I almost DNF this one but I pushed through and sad to say it wasn’t worth it for me which is disappointing. I usually love books about books or writing but this just missed the mark for me.

The MCs were both cute and endearing, but also both kind of annoying. When I’m reading contemporary romance, I end up thinking, “Could I be friends with this character?” And I’m not sure I could be with Allison and Colin. This book does, however, make me so glad that I never pursued a career in academia.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

I was really torn on this book - as someone who did a PhD, I love the premise, but it also felt way too real and problematic - a guy stealing a woman's ideas and taking credit for them? Backstabbing to get ahead in the academic job market? Yep.
I wanted to fall for Collin by the end, but he was just problematic throughout.
I did like Allison, especially as a plus-size heroine - until she lets Collin 'win', of a sort.
If I wasn't in academia myself, I may have been able to overlook this more.

Unfortunately just couldn't get into this book. I think I came back to this book maybe 3 times after putting it down for another book... I don't know what it is, but it just didn't draw me in. It sounds like a good concept though, and I usually like academic tropes, but I just felt like it was a little bit blah. I'm hoping to come back and give it another shot in the future because other people have spoken so highly about it.

This book was cute, but wasn’t overwhelming. It was not one of those, I can’t wait to read at the end of the day or during nap time kind of books, but at the same time, I did enjoy it. The characters were cute, the storyline was enjoyable and the interactions between the characters were fun. It was an enjoyable read, just not one that I can rave about. Overall a great message about loving yourself, and giving people the chance to grow and change.

Allison is in her dream Ph. D. program after years of hard work. She is on cloud-9 until she discovers that her ex-boyfriend, Colin, was accepted to the same program. When they find themselves working (and competing) for the attention of the same professor, Allison refuses to let Colin win. After a family emergency, she begins to wonder if they would be better off working together - and maybe getting back together.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copies.

3.5 stars

Profane cross-stitches, dogs, good friends/food & books = so many of my favorite things in one book!

I really enjoyed the FMC, Allison, that she stood up for herself, and was a plus-size woman. She was strong, didn't do what was expected of her if she didn't want to and it was fabulous. However, I really didn't love the second-chance romance with her ex, Colin. It did not feel like he changed at all from their past and the miscommunication!!! Are they in university or high school?!

It probably didn't help that I have no interest in medieval literature and that was a huge part of the book.

All that aside, the writing and narration of the audiobook were very well done. I'll definitely be giving Howe's next book a shot!

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press & OrangeSky Audio for advance copies in exchange for an honest review!

I listened to the audio version and while I liked the narrator, I did not like the book. The author focused so much on the main character’s weight that the story was boring. I didn’t like the characters and I stopped reading after 30%. I’m sure others will love it but this was not the book for me.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC of The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. It was sweet and romantic and the perfect rainy afternoon book. The main character is lovable, and even though she is flawed, you can't help but root for her anyway. I would also die for Colin, full stop. Although a bit misguided at times, he is earnest and romantic and so so sweet.

I also loved the fat representation in this book. I do think it's worth noting -- as Howe does a phenomenal job in talking through some of the issues and prejudices that fat people face. I thought it was handled extremely well and the representation was great to see.

5/5 stars for me, would read again. What a stunning debut by Jenny Howe and I can't wait for her next book!

Unfortunately I had to stop reading after a few chapters in. The way the heroine is talking and more so, talking out about the hero is full on bullying and then she’s the one that won’t accept being fat shamed? I have a big issue with this type of stuff and while I thought this will be a quite empowering story, and it might redeem themselves in the end, I can’t carry on reading it.

Read Now title

Unfortunately this book was not enjoyable for me. There were too many issues and I struggled getting through it. I will have a full review on my Goodreads, but here a few highlights of things that didn’t work for me..

▪️There were terrible descriptions of Colin. Lanky, Bony, Knobby kneed. These were constant throughout the entire book and got old real fast. Mostly coming from Allison, whom didn’t like being fat shamed yet she couldn’t stop pointing out Colin’s bodily flaws.

▪️Allison insulting Colin’s looks one moment and in the next breathe trying to convince us he’s sexy. This did not work for me l, and I was so turned off by Collin because of that.

▪️ Being able to disconnect how terrible Colin was to Allison the first time around. He didn’t even have a good excuse for why he did what he did. Why she would even want to be with someone like this again was confusing. There was nothing redeemable about him.

▪️The literature writings that just were endless torture. If you have no prior knowledge of the specific writings mentioned (which most won’t) you will be totally lost.

▪️The toxic behavior Allison showed throughout the entire book. Her desire to win and be better than everyone around her was all consuming.. It was ugly and I got tired of her blaming all her issues on everyone else.

There was more, but I’m going to leave it at that. There really wasn’t much I liked about this book.

I loved that this book took place in academia. The subject matter was medieval literature, how quaint.
I loved,that Allison was a TA and in love with books but struggling with teaching.
I could relate to so much in this book. Academia is my profession and although I don’t reach literature, it’s so comforting to read about scenarios I have encountered, including having to be a TA with an ex for the same class.
I couldn’t buy into the Colin-Allison romance, however, I didn’t like Colin, I thought he was a condescending jerk for most of the book and that Allison was just settling.
Get your letters on and read this book.

A cute read about post-grad academia and severed connections that surprisingly re-appear.

Allison's heart was broken by Colin years ago and she is, to say it mildly, shocked to find him on campus as she starts her time in grad school.

Balancing her professional aspirations, personal growth, family troubles, and more - this is one thing she doesn't need to focus on... I liked the pacing of the read and how different relationships Allison had changed in different ways - sometimes awkward but isn't that life?

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and to Netgalley for the ARC.

Its been a while since I have stayed up late to read a Rom Com, but Jenny L. Howe's The Makeup Test changed all that. I adored this book. The characters, the story. I'm not ashamed to admit that I even teared up at one point (NO SPOILERS).
This book also came along at the perfect time, as I've been having a little bit of a inner battle and really needed a book I could get lost in. The Make-up Test was just that!

Bravo Jenny Howe. I loved it!!

Thank you #Netgalley

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. I enjoyed how this book is body positive. I absolutely enjoyed Allison and Sophie's characters. This romance is set in Claymore College and it is fast paced. I am enjoying this authors writing style and I am planning on reading more books by the aithor Jenny. L. Howe. This book will be in stores on September 13, 2022 for $16.99 (USD).

3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐💫

Let me just start with saying that the tropes in this book were top-tier — academic rivals and second chance romance!!

The Make-Up Test follows Allison and Colin who are reunited at Claymore University where they are both pursuing PhDs in literature. Allison is thrilled to find out that she has been placed under the mentorship of her dream professor, studying medieval literature, until she realizes that she and Colin have been assigned to TA for the same course. Their relationship history is complicated after he broke her heart two years ago and they must now figure out how to manage working together while simultaneously dueling for a career-changing research trip opportunity. How will their academic rivalry play out this time?

I really enjoyed the majority of this book and I just loved the academia setting. Although I know literally nothing about medieval literature, I really liked how evident Howe's knowledge about the topic was throughout the book - I loved getting to see snippets into what they were learning about and the lessons to the point where I was genuinely interested by the course material 😂 Allison's passion for the topic was so evident throughout and she was a very lovable character. I also liked that although she is plus-sized, the story did not revolve around her losing weight in any sense; rather, she fully embraces who she is but we still get to see some of how the comments she receives and her appearance affect her which I really appreciated.

Now, here is why I ended up bumping the book down a little bit. Although I did really like the main characters together, Colin's character was definitely a bit frustrating at times. There were quite a few things he did that I just felt were a bit toxic and should have been communicated way better.

Would I recommend? Yes! I still really enjoyed this novel and the writing overall despite a few bits that I did not love as much - a great debut novel if you want a fun read though :)

I've been wanting to read an academic rivals to lovers aimed at adults for AGES AND I HAVE FINALLY RECEIVED WHAT I ASKED FOR. But you know what made this even better? The fact that this was also a second chance romance! i didn't think I'd fall for them as a couple because it's a one sided extremely biased narration and I definitely wanted to punch Colin in the face multiple times throughout... and yet it still gave me happy fuzzy feelings!

I especially think that the whole experience was enhanced by the fact that they were in the literature field so we got to see some great wordplay-- fore(word)play?-- and just some really fun medieval things!

Of course the romance and friendship were done really well. we gradually get to see the romance bloom. The friendship was done really well, especially because I related to that drifting away as you chase your dreams kind of feeling. I feel like this captured that feeling really well.

It also captured the feeling of guilt while also wanting to be free of toxic family members really well. It tugged at my heartstrings and had me really taking my time with the book despite wanting to read it all in one sitting.

Overall, would HIGHLY recommend!

Many thanks to St. Martin's for an early gifted copy of this book.

I had high hopes for The Make-Up Test. Plus size woman author, plus size woman main character, plus size woman on the cover! Unfortunately, I had some issues with the plot of the book itself.

First let's talk about what was done well. Anything about the main character's weight was handled really well. I loved when Allison was ready to stick up for herself and does. She sets boundaries well when it comes to her weight and overall, I loved how it was handled. I also loved the dogs and the way Allison handled the situation with her father.

What I didn't like. Colin. I hated him. I don't think the man has ever had an original thought in his tiny little brain and his inferiority complex was infuriating. GO TO THERAPY DUDE. I mean it was briefly mentioned that he had a therapist so that's good. I also hated how every single person in Allison's life had no faith in her. The gaslighting this poor woman had to deal with. And maybe that's what it's like to be a woman in academia but dear god, it was uncomfortable to read and I really just wanted her to burn it all to the ground.

I loved the professor and I want more of Sophie. Overall, I just had a hard time with Colin and all the miscommunication. So much could have been avoided if he had not hemmed and hawed about things and just been up front. But I never forgave him for anything he did and I'm mad that Allison did as well.

I do look forward to more from this author in the future and I hope her next male MC is a lot more tolerable.

2.5 stars

Comes out on September 13 and is available for pre-order now wherever you buy books.

Overall, I didn't love or hate this book. It was a rough third to plow through, but a solid 3 out of 5. I enjoyed the academic world and a not-so-perfect romance and main characters. There's a hint of enemies to lovers, but that enemy is also an ex-boyfriend. The plot follows Allison as she navigates her PhD coursework, TA assignment, her ex/enemy as her co-TA, the challenges of growing up with changes to parental and friendship relationships all while trying to earn a spot for her dream job opportunity. No pressure right?! Colin (the ex) was not that likable of a character since I was never sure if he should be trusted or just ignored. In the end, he wasn't so bad and won me over somewhat. Some of the plot just seemed to drag (the middle section), so that's the reason for a 3 instead of a 4. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC

The Make-Up Test is a second chance/academic rivals debut novel by Jenny L Howe. I wanted to love this book, but it fell a little flat for me. The hero hero did nothing to redeem himself and failed and therefore I struggled with some of the heroine's choices. I think I just wanted more all around, and it didn't completely deliver in the ways that I anticipated. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.