Just another enemies to lovers romance trope. Usually I am all for this, but unfortunately I had no desire or care for these characters. The story war just ok... But the audiobook was great!

*Thank you @stmartinspress for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because less than 4 stars or DNF.*

Writing a book is hard work, and it’s clear that the author poured herself into the read. If you love books about big girls who are unashamed and highly successful, this is the read for you.

This one only gets three stars from me because, if I’m being honest, I was annoyed with the heroine at many points in the book. The heroine gets offended when someone insinuates that she is fat. Yet when she describes Colin, she uses a reference like lanky or scrawny. It felt like hypocrisy to me. If name-calling isn’t cool, it isn’t cool. Period.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5/5 stars. 1.5/5 spice.
Loved the setting of academia. Loved the fat FMC. I don’t love the trope of second chance romance which hindered my enjoyment of the book. I would read another book by this author given it was a different trope

This wasn't my favorite book, but it was definitely a good audiobook as I drove across Texas! I look forward to reading more of Howe's books.

The Make-Up Test is a rom-com that has enough sentiment to make me cry, but not ugly cry. It is witty and intellectual (lit academia!) and sexy and deals rather well with the topics of integrity and decency. Allison and Colin took me a bit to warm up to, but after the 25% point I was all in, rooting for them together and as individuals. It hit all the right marks for what I look for in a romantic comedy without being surface level. It has emotional meat to it, you know? And it was funny and it normalized people being people (they fall down, they make messes, they have insecurities, they lie, etm). I enjoyed it - I took off half a star since it truly took me to the quarter way point for me to not hate the characters.

Also, is it too soon for Sophie’s story? Or Mandy’s?

I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. The reviews are mine alone.

This was an enjoyable romance set in an academic setting. Allison and Colin had dated while at Brown but are now working on their Ph. Ds. They are bitter rivals, especially as they are both assigned to TA the same class under the professor that Allison wants to be her academic advisor. Allison and Colin attempt to have a relationship despite everything being against them, but they still have several obstacles thrown at them. Eventually, their romance succeeds. There are several triggers, though, such as fatphobia, the death of a parent, and emotional abuse.

Definitely will not be a favorite of mine. I’ve genuinely kind of forgotten what even happened in this story? I guess it was fine but nothing memorable

I started this book literally so long ago and I just could not get into it. I have never liked second chance romances and i think going into this book it just felt like everything i didnt like about second chance books. i put it down and kept telling myself I would pick it back up but i never did and I just do not want to give it a second chance.

While I have gotten away from reading romance in order to focus on horror, I absolutely love this book. The Make Up Test showcases a size inclusive narrative where the fat girl gets the guy. The academic rivalry is tense but fun to read, and pets named after cheese add an additional element of humor.

The Make-Up Test was a cute quick new-adult romance that I highly enjoyed reading. Although the plot and character arcs were predictable it was a well written book that I devoured in one sitting. I loved the plus-size representation and Allison's story. Definitely would recommend as a quick fun read!

"The Make-Up Test" by Jenny L. Howe is an enjoyable read that explores the complex dynamics of high school friendships and relationships. The characters are relatable and well-developed, with authentic teenage voices and struggles.

However, I found the plot to be predictable and at times cliché. While the writing is strong, there were moments where the dialogue felt forced or unrealistic.

Additionally, some of the conflicts and resolutions felt too neatly wrapped up, leaving me wanting more depth and complexity in the story.

Overall, "The Make-Up Test" is a decent young adult novel, but it doesn't stand out from other books in the genre. If you're looking for a quick and easy read about high school life, this might be a good choice, but don't expect anything too groundbreaking.

OK I liked the writing and I thought the premise was really interesting but I HATED the love interest and I could not get past that so DNF😕 I will definitely pick up the next book from her, though!!

I'm normally all in for an academia themed novel, but unfortunately The Make-Up Test just didn't resonate with me. I was hoping for something along the lines of The Love Hypothesis + One To Watch, but found the characters unreliable and unlikeable. It just didn't seem feasible to me that Allison would want to be with Colin for any reason at all. Although I think Allison was written to be a strong, intelligent woman, I felt that the relationships she was surrounded by in the book - from Colin to her parents to her friends - didn't allow her to grow or really be showcased as she could have been. Unfortunately it was a miss for me!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.

I’m still super confused about everything. Also their relationship reminds me of Zach and Irina from LIB and absolutely not, no thank you. DNF at 20%.

this was fun rivals to lovers story. LOVED the setting and the characters. it was such a quick, easy fun read! Loved Jenny's writing!

This was a sweet read. I enjoyed the characters and that the main character was a plus size woman.
I would have liked to have seen more of the history between the characters on page instead of being told everything. I enjoy the meet cutes and build up details in romance novels so I felt like I was missing that. Other than that, it was good story and tied up nicely.

Allison Avery loves to win. After acing every academic challenge she’s come up against, she’s finally been accepted into her dream Ph.D. program. Sure, grad school isn’t easy, but she’s got this. Until she discovers her ex-boyfriend has also been accepted. Colin Benjamin might be the only person who loves winning more than Allison does, and when they're both assigned to TA for the same professor, the game is on.

What starts as a personal battle of wits turns into all-out war when their professor announces a career-changing research trip opportunity—with one spot to fill. If they fall for each other all over again, Allison will have to choose between a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and what could be a twice-in-a-lifetime love.

This is a contemporary, new adult, enemies to lovers, and second chance romance. The characters were enjoyable. I also really liked the writing style of the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Griffin for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Allison and Colin have a rocky past. They met in college, fell in love, and then Colin unexpectedly dumped her with no real explanation.

And then Colin shows up at the same grad school that Allison is attending - a program that she has always aimed to be in. Will they rekindle their romance? Will they be able to get past their competitive side? When tragedy strikes, will they be able to help each other through it or will they fall apart?

This book is a second chance love story. It’s super cute!

Unfortunately, The Make-Up Test didn't work for me. I couldn't get invested in the characters and did not feel the romantic chemistry. I applaud this book for the positive body representation though! Thank you to @netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately I had to DNF at 10%. I tried to get into this due to the promise of body positivity and the academic setting, not to mention the rivals aspect. However it was so chaotic at the beginning of the novel that I couldn’t focus or connect with the story. I wasn’t sure whether to focus on the TA assignment, the rivalry between Allison and Colin, the descriptions of the school, or the past vs the present.