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.

2.75/5 ⭐️
2/5 🥵

The Make-Up Test was a good read! I really enjoyed the midievil literature references and the academia setting. I also enjoyed every side character in this story, (except for the misogynistic guy who’s name starts with an E but escapes me).

Anyways we are brought into the fold with our FMC Alison’s start at graduate school, focusing on Midievil literature. She’s plus size, intelligent and beyond excited to mentor under her favorite professor. The only catch is that her ex, is also in the same program after a 2 year hiatus. Colin’s insufferable, haughty, and loathsome. After competing in an award and beating her, then breaking up with her, it’s obvious who the villain is. Always so charismatic and people thinking he’s so great, except for her.

But as their Teacher Assistant program goes along maybe they can come to a truce to make things bearable while they are working Together. But of course funds are cut and only one of them will be continuing in the program with their mentor. As things heat up, so do things between our two characters. Will it survive the tests in store for them during this semester?

Honestly this book had all the makings to be great, but I really didn’t like the main characters. I felt Allison lacked depth. Her character did have trails and struggles and opinions. But I felt she was kind of self centered, obsessive and a little toxic. I do feel that the dynamic between her and her parents was spot on. But her dynamic with Colin upset me. Constantly competing and lying. It was very juvenile. And trivial. I like how she was about her body and how she wore pretty things and still was not ashamed to be fat. She wasn’t going to let anyone shame her body and I was all for that.

Colin wasn’t much better. Again love his dynamic with his grandfather and the fact that this character showed more growth than the main character was notable. I almost wish this book was a dual pov. I think it would have given insight into the characters and shed them in a more romantic, positive, or genuine light? More character development would be nice. Also I know the characters are in grad school but I felt like everyone was getting drunk and the main interactions for the first third of the book were drunken ones and it got old.

The Make-Up Test is a great second chance almost enemies to lovers, because lets be real, the very last thing Allison wanted was Colin back in her life. In the beginning I was actively rooting against them getting back together. Their rivalry was amazing, full of so much banter and tension. As the story progressed and we learned more about what happened during their time apart things fell into place and made a lot of sense (although it does not excuse the behavior). They are simply two flawed humans trying to find their way and place in the world just like the rest of us. I love how it touched on so many topics and wove some tragedy in without being overwhelming. Not every little detail was wrapped up perfectly in the end, but that's ok, it didn't leave any holes or feelings of incompleteness. I definitely enjoyed this read.

The amount of angst in this book is actually palpable. Cute and easy read, although I do believe the MC's were a bit immature for me. I loved the grand gesture of love by Colin at the end and I am a sucker for a HEA. 3/5 stars.

Rating : 3 out of 5
Blurbs :

In this smart, swoony, rom-com debut from Jenny L. Howe The Make-Up Test, two college exes find themselves battling against each other—and their unresolved feelings—for a spot in a prestigious literature Ph.D. program.

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 at Claymore University, studying medieval literature under a professor she’s admired for years. Sure, grad school isn’t easy—the classes are intense, her best friend is drifting away, and her students would rather pull all-nighters than discuss The Knight's Tale—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 (and lit) turns into all-out war when their professor announces a career-changing research trip opportunity—with one spot to fill. Competing with Colin is as natural as breathing, and after he shattered her heart two years ago, Allison refuses to let him come out on top. But when a family emergency and a late-night road trip—plus a very sexy game of Scrabble—throw them together for a weekend, she starts to wonder if they could be stronger on the same team. And 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.

In this charmingly bookish debut, The Make-Up Test embraces the truth that people can sometimes change and grow, even when you least expect it.


Thoughts :
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. This is a funny, witty, and cute romcom. Not the best romcom but it's still pretty enjoyable. I know some people will either like it or just not like them in general. I like it just fine but again not my favorite book but I still highly recommend this book for any romance readers out there!

This book was everything!! As someone that left her own PhD program in her second year of coursework because I was putting so much pressure on myself both Allison and Colin were so easy to empathize with. This book gave me all the feels and I will be raving about it to anyone that will listen for a long time to come!

Will it be a second chance romance for Allison and Colin, or will be break her heart again. I liked their sparring but I would have liked.something from his point of view.

I loved this book!!

LOVED the medieval lit aspect and the graduate level college vibes.

Loved these two and the relationship. Enemies to lovers/Second Chance Love/Academic Rivals = Pure Bliss

The plus size rep was amazing! She was not trying to change her body but simply loved it as she should.

Also, there are not one, but two cute doggos.

I was an English major in college and the English department and aspects of it felt true to me.

This book truly had all the things I love from plus size rep, cute dogs, enemies to lovers paired with second chance romance AND English/medieval lit??

I loved it. ❤️🤓

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!