I went into this thinking that I would love it. However, the awkward writing style and unlikable characters made it very hard to read.

This is a cute romance set in the academic world. I loved the literary references and the college/post-grad setting, but found parts of the story superficial and hard to believe. For example, Colin as the male lead is inexplicably interested in Allison again, after their previous break up. Allison is charming and seems to like his devotion to cardigans (not for me) but there's not enough context to give credibility to their second-chance love story. She seems better than him, so it was hard to see why she would give him another chance. Lastly, and maybe this is just me, but unless a reference to the pandemic is necessary to the plot or character development, could we not talk about it? Covid is exhausting without creeping into our escapist rom-coms. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book!

3.5 rounded up to a four- some of the school stuff just bored me and I skimmed a lot of it. I would have liked more showing that the love interest had changed more, what he does towards the end of the book, while Allison later finds out isn’t as horrible as she first thought, was still pretty horrible considering he could have spent a minute to explain beforehand. I liked how they dealt with the father’s death and how she felt seemed natural considering their relationship, and I’m glad she came to a resolution on that issue with her mom.

I think both Allison and Colin have grown since their first time dating, I’m just not sure that it’s enough for a long term relationship unless they both actively continue to grow.

I've gone back and forth between 2.5 and 3 stars for this book, but for the sake of the rating, I'll settle on 3. The book was fine, and I was interested enough to want to finish it. My biggest issue was with the character Allison and what I think is a distorted view of competition. I don't want to spoil the book or one of the big plot issues, but Allison mentions being competitive several times, but also cannot get past someone beating her out for an award in undergrad. As someone who is also extremely competitive, I understand the desire to win and be the best. But I also know that losing is a big part of competition, and while I will never be unbothered by a loss, I know that you have to take your losses and move on and try to use them to be better in the future. I felt like Allison could not do that and instead dwelled and felt like she deserved the awards and accolades without thinking that someone else might deserve them, too.

Part of my issue with this book might be that I kept forgetting that these students, even though they were in advanced programs, were still in their very early 20s. I think I expected them to act as though they were older, and that's on me.

Overall, I was propelled to finish the book and loved the academia setting. A few tweaks could've made this a 5 star read for me.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

I really wanted to love this but I was a little bored. It was a cute story and I love the premise but it just left me wanting a little more out of it.

This was a nice and charming read! I liked Allison’s character and how she knew her worth and wouldn’t let herself change for anyone. I found it difficult to get super interested in parts of the plot, especially as I don’t know much about medieval literature, but I still really liked Allison and Colin’s relationship throughout the book!

Allison Avery and Colin Benjamin’s college relationship was full of as much competition as love until it came to a crashing end. Now, Allison is thrilled to be in the grad school program at Claymore University, studying medieval literature from a professor she has long admired. Her years of dreaming and hard work have finally paid off! The last thing she expects to see is Colin, accepted to the same problem and being mentored by the same professor. When the professor announces a career-changing research opportunity with only one spot for the two of them, their rivalry comes back in full force. Will the love follow?

This was an OK romance story; I wanted to like it more than I actually did. <spoiler>I was really confused by the competition that broke them up the first time. It was open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Colin, as a senior, beating Allison, as a sophomore, completely destroyed her chances of winning this super-important competition, and she couldn’t just … try again her junior or senior year?</spoiler> Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, but I didn’t really ever feel that this relationship needed a second chance. The side story with Allison’s dad was extremely predictable.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of the Make-Up Test.
I cannot explain in words of how much I loved this book. I devoured this so fast it would be unfair to call that time a sitting. I loved everything about it and can't wait until September 13 so I can pick up a physical copy.
Our story follows Allison who is just trying to achieve her dream of becoming a professor when she is forced to TA her dream class with her ex.
I am not a huge fan of second chance romance, but this book has me doubting because it was so great. My favorite part of the book was Allison she was so relatable and fun. All the relationships were done proper justice. I honestly have nothing to complain about it was simply fantastic and one of my favorite reads of the year.
I will most definitely pick up anything from Jenny L. Howe in the future.

I don’t read romance books with the second chance trope often, because I’ve found in the past that I often struggle to feel the connection between the main characters, because their past and their feelings didn’t occur on page. This book did a really good job showing the past relationship between the two main characters.

By explaining so much of Allison and Colin’s previous relationship, I feel like it didn’t show them fixing the relationship as well as I would have liked, in certain aspects. While some texts were shown, mostly about working together, other moments just mentioned when they had texted and I would have liked to have seen that, to see them reconnecting that way and not just been told that it had happened so briefly. But that really is a personal opinion, I’m nosey and like seeing people bonding via text. Of course it was shown when they connected in other ways throughout the book.

I appreciated the inclusion of family in this book. Especially since it wasn’t just a big, happy family storyline like so many other books. It’s real that people don’t always get along with their parents, and I loved that the author didn’t shy away from that. However, I feel like the scene with the secretary took away from that. I understand that it was in there to show that things aren’t always the way it seems and can be better than a person assumes, and honestly, it disappointed me. I feel like it’s so rare to read about a toxic parent and the main character standing up to them, and that doesn’t need to have a ‘happy spin’ to it. It felt so much more real before that.

I didn’t think Allison had a good relationship with her mom, like she claimed. Her mom was obviously better to her then her dad was, but that was a low bar. I didn’t like how she spoke to her when they talked, and she massively crossed boundaries when it came to Allison’s relationship with her dad.

However, I really admired how Allison stood up for herself. I’m general, not only to her parents. She didn’t just let people say what they wanted without her telling them how it made her feel, and that was great.

So all of that being said, you can see that I rated this 3 stars and the biggest reason why is that I don’t think Allison and Colin are people that should be together. I did like them both as characters, but I think they’re toxic for each other. The way they deal with situations in their lives is very different, which is okay, but (for me) it made them incompatible. If you can’t even tell the person you love how you feel, then why are you with them? If you aren’t open to both talking to someone, and listening to them, that’s not someone you should be with. That really bothered me. So unfortunately, I couldn’t love this book because it’s a romance book where I didn’t like the romance.

I enjoyed the academia and teaching inclusion. I feel like that’s something I don’t see often, and it was interesting to read about. The book seemed to end a bit abruptly, but it did have a happy ending, which of course is always enjoyable. I am intrigued to read more by this author, because I did like her writing style.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin & NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

First year PhD Student Allison Avery is competitive to her core. She fought for a spot in the top Medieval Lit Graduate Program in the country, but when she finds out that her dream advisor has only one adviser spot open and two candidates TAing for her this year, Allison will have to fight harder than ever. Which is easy, because the competitor is none other than her ex-boyfriend, turned academic rival, Collin Benjamin. But with family medical situations and forced proximity, will Allison and Collin be able to realize that maybe they’re competing with one another for the wrong reasons?

From page one, I identified with Allison Avery! Her tenacity for her education and desire to succeed in her graduate program and her plus-sized character, all really spoke to me. I loved this lovers to ex-lovers to academic rivals to lovers book and I think I can now be signed up for any academia based romcom that comes out. This book loses a star for me because although I loved Allison and the many journeys of growth she went on in this story, the one journey I wasn’t super convinced on was her relationship with Collin. It felt a bit rushed and I just didn’t get the tension/attraction between them like I’d hoped to. But as a debut novel, I’ll be on the lookout for Jenny Howe’s books in the future - and I’m hoping we get a Sophie and the Viking book!

Check the CWs on this one for fatphobia, parental emotional abuse, death of a parent.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this ARC! The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe is set to be published on September 13, 2022.

I adore this book. It was so lovely to see a fat heroine whose weight wasn't her main hang-up. Was it a point of contention and discussion within the book? Of course, but it wasn't her main conflict. If you are someone who gets frustrated with characters who just refuse to have a conversation, this is not the book for you, but it does all work out. I felt the ending wrapped up a little too quickly, but it still felt complete and was definitely a feel-good book.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed reading a novel set in the world of grad school. It’s a future that I have often envisioned for myself, and it was a lot of fun to explore the possibilities via these characters. It was obvious that the author had done a lot of research on medieval literature, and the advisor, Wendy Frances, was one of my favorite characters.

My biggest issue with this book was that the main character, Allison, was often unlikable. She was immature and quick to judge others. She was selfish and lied frequently. There seemed to be a fair amount of growth for her counterpart, Collin, but I’m not so sure about Allison. She seemed to get off the hook very easy in the end.

I enjoyed the romance, but the burn was too slow for me. They had some cute adventures, but I think seeing the story from Collin’s POV would have provided a more well-rounded story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. Unfortunately I couldn't get into this book and ended up setting it aside. at around 50%. I think it would have just been an okay read for me if I finished. I found the main character to be annoying, and I wasn't invested in the romance in this one. Even at 50%, there felt like there was no movement in their relationship or the plot. I would have finished it, but there was a trigger in this for me that I wasn't aware of before I started reading (dad in hospital) so that really led to my decision to set it aside. I did enjoy the grad school setting, and I loved that the main characters were interested in Medieval literature.

I really enjoyed this book. Personally I loved that they talked about her being overweight but it was such a small part of who she was. I loved her confidence. I got quite frustrated with Colin though and even though he was redeemed at the end he was not my favorite character.

There are more and more romances with self-confident plus size young women (“One or Watch” and “If the Shoe Fits” come to mind). But, oh my goodness, these girls still need to escape the toxic friends who can’t defend them. Add in a second chance romance plus rivals-to-lovers tropes and it becomes a struggle to get through all the emotional baggage of lost love, grad school rivalry, and a toxic parent (maybe two). This wasn’t necessarily a “light” read.

Allison is a smart, successful grad student. She says that embraces change and trusts that the people around her can change, too. She is, however, still obscenely obsessed with her overachieving ex, Colin, who unexpectedly shows up at her university wanting to be a superstar in her esoteric field of medieval literature. It’s annoying because when they parted, he had no interest in med lit. And grad school is hard, her divorced mom is struggling financially, her best friend/roommate is drifting away, and her estranged father is now annoying her because he has a “heart thing”. Worse, she’s been paired as a teaching assistant with Colin and suddenly the funds dry up so there can only be one of them chosen to stay.

I usually like the second chance romance storylines, but the chemistry between Allison and Colin never quite clicked into place for me before or after their breakup. Colin really seems like he’s changed, but Allison is so caught up in competition, winning and whining, angry reminiscences and trying to get drunk as a solution. It takes more than a third of the book to get to the reason (her version) of why they broke up and *it wasn’t that earth-shattering* (thank goodness, just a normal breakup story). I wanted to like this book (and Allison, the lead character) more, but I just wasn’t able to. It’s a good debut novel, but I’m only going to give it 3 stars because there was no joy as I read it, only trepidation. Ms. Howe has a second book in the works and I hope she can create a heroine less burdened who gets a clear cut happy ending.

Thank you to St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Of course Colin would have the improbably colored irises (hazel/green) to go with his blond hair.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska):/NO Only the sunflowers on Sophie’s sundress were the most diverse horticultural things mentioned beyond shade trees.

I was super excited about the book based on the premise. It was a second chance romance and rivals to lovers in academia, but I did not find myself enjoying the story as much as I had hoped. I think the main reason I was so disappointed was because of Colin Benjamin. He was an unlikable lead so it made it difficult for me to get into the story and support him with Allison.

The book itself is a pretty straight and simple read, nothing too complex. I also appreciate the themes that are important to shed light on like fatphobia and emotionally abusive parents. I just didn't fall in love with the characters overall.

This was such an amazing read, I’m grateful for NetGalley and St. Martin's Press to giving me a free e-arc. My review is given voluntarily and honestly.

I’d like to start off with expressing how happy I am about having a plus sized character as the main. Now, there’s others out there, but in this book, it wasn’t made a huge deal. Allison was confident with her self image and that was refreshing.

Now to get for the part I love the most, the romance. Colin and Allison’s relationship is furthest from perfect, but watching them struggle with their past and over come challenges together was also refreshing. There is the miscommunication trope, but I feel like it was used in a way where it actually makes sense.

I feel like Jenny L. Howe did well with adding depth to these characters. I was actually able to relate to Allison and even felt really connected to her. My like for Colin changed as Allison’s did. Obviously this is a romance, so I knew it was going to work out in the end, but I found myself agreeing with the main character with her hesitation and worries about him. Yet again, both of their depth was remarkable.

Jenny L. Howe is a great writer and I’ll definitely will be keeping an eye out for her books in the future. I’d also love to see spin offs from the other side characters, like Sophie and Mandy.

What would you do if you start grad school only to find that the man who broke your heart is now not only in your program but also competing with you for a spot with the advisor you have wanted to work with for years? That is the situation Alison finds herself in as if life weren’t already complicated enough. An academic set second chance romance with a plus sized heroine who is smart and driven is right up my alley. I liked Allison and enjoyed reading about her experiences navigating the start of grad school. Allison is strong but she doesn’t have it all figured out and I so appreciated her many layers. Colin was a harder sell to me. I never warmed up to him and couldn’t forgive him as easily as Allison kept seeming to. I was more interested in everything else going on in her life. This was a strong debut and I am looking forward to what the author writes next.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It wasn't... great. I didn't love it. I liked the voice in the beginning and then I realized that I truly did not like any of the characters. And the ones I could've liked either didn't have enough characterization or time for me to care.

But yeah! This is a book about two characters finding each other after the male love interest dumps the female love interest in undergrad. Surprise surprise - they not only are in the same focus for their PHD program, but!!!! they also have to teach with the same professor for the chance to get to go on a super important trip for their careers.

Where do I continue.

The Male Love Interest annoyed me at every turn. I don't mind second-chance romances, but wow! He was annoying! He would do things and then spam text her like "Wait let me explain" like, maybe twice? Three times??

Her dad was just almost like cartoon villain evil. Like throw the whole man away.

The Female Love Interest was... fine. Allison. Allison was fine and I liked her but her act got really old really quick.

I did really like how the author went in depth with the subject the character studied. I always love when authors clearly know their stuff and it shows in their work............. but it wasn't enough to keep me interested.

Alas! I think I came up with an answer - I was hovering between a 2 and a 3 and I think I will settle into a 2.5.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the chance to read in exchange for an honest review.

thank you to @netgalley & @stmartinspress for my advanced reader’s copy of this book!

Allison Avery is newly enrolled in a competitive Ph.D. program, studying medieval literature with her dream professor. after working hard to get this far as a scholar, she should be on cloud nine; but unfortunately, Colin Benjamin throws her for a loop when he shows up to her school, enrolled in the same program.

Colin and Allison are college exes who are both fueled by competition and success. after a messy breakup following a heartbreaking betrayal, Allison is less than thrilled to have Colin back in her life—and what’s worse, they have both been assigned to TA for the same professor.

while they try to keep the peace and remain cordial, the two exes are once again forced to show their competitive sides after receiving news that only one of them can continue to be mentored by their professor. in the midst of all this, the exes face obstacles in their friendships, family emergencies, and some heavy-duty competitive (and romantic) tension. along the way, Allison and Colin must decide what they’re more willing to fight for: academic success, or a second chance at love.

i thought this was your typical cute, predictable romance novel, but it didn’t really hit the mark for me. i appreciated the immense notes of body positivity, diversity, and inclusivity throughout. the author included characters of different races and sexual preferences, and also made several characters pretty vocal about their opinions on culturally-relevant topics. the main character is also plus-sized and is a great role model for self-love and acceptance, along with finding one’s confidence using positivity & affirmations. unfortunately, I’m not a huge fan of medieval literature though, so all of those references fell flat for me & made me lose interest at times.

if you’re a fan of lighthearted romances with enemies to lovers/second chance tropes (+ bonus points if you’re interested in medieval lit), this would be a good book to put on your reading list!

out to the public on 9/13/22 😊