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 😊

This is a good romance story. I love that one of the main characters Allison is a full body woman who is allowed to find real love and that the love between the Allison and Colin is warm and fuzzy, but starts with a struggle from personal issues, and shows up again latter in the story.
I found the anxiety of the characters very realistic and a good reasons for all the doubt that comes out in the story because when someone belittles you when your young one has trust issues with anyone else. I also like that Colin is dealing with insecurity about being accepted to college and that he cares so much about his grandfather, it made him into a feeling human. I like that very much.
I also like all the added characters like Sophie, Mandy, and the professor Wendy who sets up the challenge that creates the struggle between Allison and Colin. They rounded out the main characters lives and helped out when things went wrong, especially when Allison jumps to conclusion and breakup with Colin because she thinks he stole her presentation and causes a lot of heartache, but at the end love conquers all.

I want to thank St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for this lovely romance.

this one’s for you true book nerds and romance fans

Our heroine, Allison Avery, has worked her whole life to end up exactly where she wants to be - in grad school, on track to get her phD and become a professor after being mentored by one of the best medieval literature experts.

Too bad her college ex-boyfriend, turned academic nemesis, Colin Benjamin shows up at orientation. And he is also enrolled in the medieval literature track. Oh, and the dream mentor can only take on one new student so now Allison and Colin have to compete again. And this time Allison will do anything to avoid losing to Colin Benjamin again.

Interestingly though, Colin has changed a lot in the two years since Allison has seen him. He seems to have matured quite a bit, and is as attractive as ever.

Who will win the coveted mentee position? And will it cost Allison and Benjamin their relationship, again?


Allison was one of those heroines that I just wanted to shake. It took her a little longer than I would have liked to realize the love and relationships that had formed around her. I also found the writing a little disjointed in places. But overall, I enjoyed the story and as always, I am glad that Allison got her Happily Ever After.

Romance readers will absolutely love The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe. This is the perfect read for anyone who loves a second chance romance plus enemies to lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

Not the biggest fan of this boook, but I think that it has a lot of potential. It’s second chance romance but also enemies to lovers IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING. I just wasn’t too intrigued by this book despite these tropes that I fucking love. I also really enjoyed the character development and the way abuse and fat shaming was talked about. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style but overall not bad. I think I would recommend it??

Thank you netgalley for providing me this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

There are many great themes in this book, but the one of change and second chances is amazing. I think I’m so struck because my personal feelings on giving a relationship a second chance are not very positive. It was very nice to read a situation in which this works out for the main characters. They obviously have a great connection and chemistry and have grown and matured tremendously. Allison’s relationship with her parents, and also her best friend, very realistically show how much a person can change in just a few years. The character’s admit what they need to still work on and improve! A very fresh insight in a book that’s not often seen! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

There was a lot that I liked about this book.

+ Allison Avery is one of my favorite plus-size heroines in a while. As a fat woman, I feel like sometimes fat women aren't depicted as honestly as they could be. Allison reflects a lot of the same feelings I have about my body and how others see it. Body acceptance is a complicated process that never ends and I feel like Howe really lets that idea shine with beautiful honesty through Allison.

+ I loved the overall arc of the story line. The second-chance, rivals to lovers to enemies to rivals to lovers of it all is excellent.

+ Complicated family relationships. Allison has a complicated relationship with both of her parents for different reasons. But I liked the way it shows fat-shaming from two different sides.
Allison's mother has a similar body shape and size to Allison. However, her mom has a poor body image and projects her insecurities onto her daughter. She insists that Allison remain in contact with her father, despite Allison's wishes.
Jed, Allison's father, basically fat-shames her during every interaction and down plays her achievements. He's a bit of a two dimensional character, as you only really see him as this gruff man who doesn't need anything from any body. You see a bit at the very end, but it isn't really sufficient to cause the reader to re-evaluate their opinions on him.

Now for the the things I didn't especially care for.

- I wanted to ultimately like Colin Benjamin - the love interest in this story. I love a nerdy guy in a cardigan most of the time. However, I found I had less and less sympathy for him the more information about him and the reasons behind his choices were revealed. His change in focus for graduate school to the same as Allison's seemed like a weird choice (and no one can tell me that he wasn't aware of where she was going to school. He seems like he would internet stalk her, 100%) - especially since they're attending the same school and she's been into medieval literature all the time he knew her. He needed to be doing about 150% more groveling over the entire length of the book and instead he was deliberately competing with her without communicating with Allison in an effective way - even at the end. He has a weird, sketchy vibe that I am just not super into.

- The ending didn't feel like enough for me. I couldn't enjoy Colin showing up on her porch. There was nothing he did that showed he was actually willing to make a change - especially if he is looking for a third chance, essentially.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with an eARC of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Jenny Howe gives us an amazing second-chance love story set in the cut throat world of grad school in The Make-Up test. It’s a quick and easy to follow read that not only gives us a redemption love story, but delves into the world of a plus sized protagonist and the relationships she has with her body, stereotypes, shaming and marginalisation that comes with being labelled “fat”. I appreciated that Lowe acknowledged through the protagonist that the initial relationship between Allison and Colin was toxic, and I appreciated more that there was character growth and development so patterns of the previous failed relationships weren’t fallen into again.

*Storyline spoilers*

I also really liked Lowe’s portrayal of the relationship between Jed and Allison, after treating her poorly and trying to shame her for weight her whole life, I appreciated that she didn’t cave to her mother’s guilt trips to create or fake a relationship that wasn’t really there while Jed was sick. I found myself getting frustrated with her mother’s pushiness for Allison to care for someone that had, in Allison’s eyes, never loved her. I do think Lowe did resolve this well with the talk between Allison and her mother after Jed’s death, giving us Allison’s mothers perspective really made this more realistic and easier to understand.

The Make-Up Test is a second chance romance set in the cutthroat world of a medieval literature grad school program. Intense, right? That's how I'd best describe the main character, Allison, as well: intense. She is comfortable in her plus sized body, which I appreciate, and tackles every obstacle with unrelenting passion. The problem for me as a reader was in connecting with Allison. She's supposed to be a recent college graduate who went straight into a PhD program, making her like 22-23. Nobody that age is ever as self-assured as Allison. Like nobody. Even when she's flailing, she is still somehow absolutely sure of herself and seems to get over the issues fairly quickly. The only exception is her relationship with Colin, which has concerns she can't get past so easily. Which brings me to the second thing I had a lot of trouble with as a reader: the romance. There was a lot of reliance on a shared past, and a lot of touting how things were so much different and better now. But the chemistry was never really there for me, and Colin felt like an absolutely inscrutable mishmash of personality quirks. I think I would try another book by Jenny L. Howe in the future, but this one wasn't it for me unfortunately.

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book reads well and quickly. The story is easy to follow and the dialogue sometimes funny and witty. The protagonist just rubs a bit wrong though. Often she seems entitled and unsympathetic. In the end, it only works because she gets her way. It doesn't have the same feel good finish, with her self centeredness.