I'm really glad that I didn't read other reviews prior to reading this as I might have missed this fun but inspired read. I used to be a serious reality TV junkie (no longer watch much TV at all nowadays) and On The Plus Side is probably one I would have loved. Seeing people who looked like me learning to live their best lives sounds like a winner. But as this story shows you, there are always people in the background trying to change your story. Such us true in real life. Other people's perceptions of you color how you view yourself and learning to be you is not always easy. I got my 2024 word from this story and I'm grateful. My only issue is feeling like Everly needed a man to complete her.

This book was so cute, heart warming and also important in it talking about body positivity and plus sized people.
Giving it a solid 4.3/5
The characters were great, I only scored it slightly lower because Everly was at times really annoying, especially towards her mom.
But definitely felt like I was watching a Queer Eye episode and I loved every minute reading the book.
Definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a different kind of read.

Note: thanks publishers and netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange of an unbiased review.

3.5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an early copy of this book.

This book was good! The first half sort of read like a women’s fiction until the romance picked up around the 50-60% mark.
I loved the female main character’s development and she was really relatable! It’s nice to see different body types represented in female leads!
The ending did feel a little bit rushed, it would’ve been nice to see more of a resolution than what we saw but other than that the storyline was enjoyable and easy to follow!

OMG I related to this book SO. HARD. I absolutely loved it from beginning to end, which is not normal for me when it comes to romance, if only because I'm a bit too cynical to suspend my disbelief as much as the genre requires. But Howe captures the experience of feeling like too much and not enough at the same time so well, I couldn't help but buy in. Even better, the writing and plot did not disappoint. Consider me a fan. I'm putting Howe on my must-read list from here on out!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As far as romance novels about plus-size FMCs go, this one was on the less annoying end of the spectrum. I'm a bigger girlie, I get the struggle. And I want to see more women like myself be the star of the show. But so often I feel like they're just pandering.

On the Plus Side felt like it had some bite to it, though. Mostly you see that in Everly's relationship with her mother. But, that felt real in a way that doesn't usually happen. It's also a unique spin on a reality show themed rom-com to have the FMC fall in love with a crew member instead of a co-star.

This was a sweet, low-stakes romance novel that I think is perfect if you don't want something stressful.

Simply obsessed with this book!!! The color scheme of the cover, the plus size rep (done exquisitely and not cringey), the TWO MMC love interests, the reality show vibes (What Not To Wear meets Queer Eye), the Reddit-esque message board/forum (that made me laugh out loud so many times)

Simply put the vibes of this book were hilarious and immaculate.

4.5⭐️

Happy pub week @jennylhowe 🧡

Special thanks to NetGalley @stmartinspress and St Martin’s Griffin for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion

#ontheplusside #jennylhowe #stmartinspress

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of On the Plus Side to review!
In Jenny L. Howe's second novel we follow a woman named Everly who has just been chosen as the next guest on her favorite reality TV show that can best be described as a combination of What Not to Wear and Queer Eye for plus-sized women (with the show being conveniently titled On the Plus Side). As they start filming Everly begins to experiencing everything that the show promises for their guests: an updated wardrobe, more confidence, and advice on how to make her dream career a reality. However, as the show progresses, Everly is promised more than just acceptance and style but also a potential new relationship with the shows primary cameraman Logan. This is a super cute romance full of love, personality, and learning how to accept yourself unconditionally.
I really liked everything that On the Plus Side had to offer! I loved the reality TV show aspect and as someone who also grew up watching What Not to Wear I could picture so many of the scenes perfectly in my mind. I thought Everly was a great main character and although I initially liked James a lot more than I liked Logan, Logan ended up growing on me in the end. In the beginning James was always very friendly while Logan was basically the complete opposite so it was hard to become interested in the love-interest that I knew I was supposed to be interested in at first because I had a hard time really seeing what was wrong with James. Although both of Jenny Howe's books have plus-size representation, in The Make-Up Test the representation was just an aspect of the main character's appearance while this book included the plus-size representation as a far more integrated aspect of the book. Because of this, I really ended up liking the representation in this book because it felt very educational to someone who doesn't know nearly enough about plus-size discrimination. I also really liked a lot of the open and honest conversations that Everly had with the other characters about her body and how her size often affected her self-confidence and self-worth, among other things. In the end, I thought this was a really great book and I'm looking forward to continuing to read more of Jenny Howe's books in the future.

This book was a really fun read! I grew up loving What Not to Wear and this book feels like a healthy take on What Not to Wear and Queer Eye combined. On the Plus Side (the TV show within the book) takes Everly on her own adventure in learning to come out of her shell. While she starts to become more comfortable with herself, the show isn’t showing her journey, but instead is playing up a showmance with her coworker! Everly really learns who she is with help from the cohosts of On the Plus Side and the handsome cameraman, Logan. The plot of this was just perfect! Some of the writing and repetitiveness was not for me, but I really enjoyed the originality! 4⭐️, 2🌶

I loved this unique and fresh story! I really connected with Everly and loved reading about her experience growing comfortable and confident with herself while in the public eye.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC of this novel. I thought this was super cute and I really enjoyed the confidence evolution of Everly. It felt like a real person reclaiming themselves and an interesting look at some reality TV and how it is not quite reality. The relationship with Logan is very sweet and I loved the end of it. Give this a read! 4 stars.

DNFd at 21%.

Objectively this book is really good and I liked the writing style. Just not for me right now. I didn't feel connected to the characters or anything.

*Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley earlier this month. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to read and review it before its release.

Rate: 4-Starts
Spice: 1.5 Chili Peppers

I really enjoyed this book. As a plus-sized woman, it is always nice to see representation and Ms. Howe did it well. I really enjoyed how Everly bloomed in this book and how she found herself again. From quiet and unsure to funny, sexy, confident, and assured she became. I love her relationship with her brother and sister-in-law/best friend and Logan, wow, and o boy, did I love Logan and how thoughtful and understanding he was and how he wasn’t so blind that he couldn’t see the wrong in what was happening despite trying to be loyal.

Everly relationship with her mom is unfortunately true for so many of us. Even when our moms are plus-size too, they don’t always go about protecting us in ways that don’t hurt us. I hated James and I’m really glad that was a non-triangle.

The spice was minimal and glossed over a lot hence the 1.5 peppers.
This was a cute book and I really enjoyed reading it.

I loved this book! Has it all, characters you root for, relationship growth and evolution, reality tv drama, dogs, and more.

On the Plus Side centers around Everly, with her getting ambushed to participate on a more inclusive version of what not to wear. She's been in a bit of a rut but will the show pull her out? Nothing quite like she expected.

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

I loved this book, it was an honest portrayal of being fat in today’s world. Evelyn Winters is nominated and chosen to be on her favorite reality makeover show, “On the Plus Side”. The show remakes her appearance and wardrobe, showing her how to flatter her figure.
They also help remake your life, by getting into old hobbies and getting out to meet people.

Evelyn always wanted to be an artist but in her mind it wasn't secure. She’s got an online Etsy shop where she sells jewelry, and the show allows her to wear her own pieces

She also has an unrequited crush on a coworker. As the show starts and cameras follow her everywhere, she makes friends with the cameraman, Logan. At the same time, she finds out her work crush isn’t all she thought he’d be.

Evelyn is embarrassed when the cameras catch the growing relationship between she and Logan and she wonders if reality TV is for her, especially when the producers try create a love triangle where none exists.

I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at reality tv, especially the roles the producers play. This is a well done romance that you’ll enjoy, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

A little queer eye, a little what not to wear, and a story that was mostly surface level. As everly embarks on her journey on the reality show on the plus side (side note, how could you not see that it was the douche canoe that nominated her! 😆) Overall the aspects of the book that I think were meant to be empowering, instead came across as seeing how many stereotypes could be include. There could have been a lot more depth to the confidences that Everly had, rather than playing up any possible insecurities she might have (like her example of how her and her mom got the same advice from grandma but internalized it in completely opposite ways). I had some high hopes for the romance, but for as much as there were longing glances, there wasn't really a lot of chemistry. Even with the fade to black scenes, there was plenty of chance to play up the steam, and the depth to her growing relationship with Logan didn't quite hit the mark. All that to say though, for the reality tv/lifestyle show lovers, this very well could be the book for you!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review!

This was an adorable and heartfelt story about a woman becoming comfortable in herself and finding love where she least expects it. I enjoyed the pace of the character growth for our lead character. I also liked seeing a more vulnerable side to our male lead character as well. It was sweet and heartwarming. I can't wait for more by this author.

Thanks so much to Jenny, NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review 💕

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book since reading Jenny’s other book, The Make-Up Test, at the beginning of the year. This was so worth the wait!

Everly is happy to hide in the shadows of life, just drifting by and okay with doing so. She lives vicariously through the people on her fave show, On the Plus Side, a plus-size makeover show. When she’s nominated for the show and gets a spot, she’s shoved out of her comfort zone and is adjusting to not only being seen by those around her, but the whole world. Throw in a cute but surly cameraman, Logan, and a cast of fun characters to make her shine, Everly has her hands full with figuring out what she wants out of life and how to get it.

Everly was so much fun to read about, and while I normally prefer dual POV, this one was perfect as is. You really get to see her transformation mentally as she becomes more confident in herself. I also liked that while it was a “makeover” show, it didn’t depend on changing her appearance just because she’s fat. They focused on making her comfortable regardless of what everyone else thinks about her and just improving her life so she’s fully happy and living to the fullest.

I liked Logan since he’s a grumpy yet soft MMC, and I loved that we got more of a backstory for him! He was so supportive of Everly and had his own goals that made him so lovable. They were the cutest together and I wish the slow burn wasn’t as slow so I could have more of them together!

Side note: the dryer scene though? 😮‍💨 Glorious, truly glorious.

I will continue to read more by Jenny, and I can’t wait to see what she has next!

Everly Winters was content in her safe bubble. She’s stayed a receptionist instead of a career in art, she lives in her brother’s garage, crushing on her Thor-like co-worker, and wears plain and shapeless clothes. Until someone nominates her to be the next guest on her favorite show, On The Plus Side. Everly soon discovers that she needs to be free, but this freedom can be a bit much. She finds comfort with the grumpy cameraman, Logan. But thins on the show are not quite what Everly thought, and Everly must decide on what path she really wants her story arc to be.

I loved this cast of characters so much! Everything Everly felt, I felt, and I was so excited to see her standing up for herself more than once. I also loved that neither she nor Logan were down with the “reality show” story arc. If you’ve read any of my reviews, I have a big pet peeve, and I was so happy that the author had the main character try to shut it down very early. This couple is official one of my favorites.

I love the idea of dog sanctuary, and how the world needs more of these. The world, in general, needs more of a lot of things. Having a novel that focuses on Everly and her journey with “fat”, and how she makes her own is STRIKING! I love this word so much! I think everyone should read this book. I think it makes everyone who reads it think twice about the word fat, but that no matter the body shape, everyone has the potential to be beautiful.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

On The Plus Side is the story of Everly, a woman who gets selected to be on a makeover show for plus size individuals. This book was so much fun. Everly was so incredibly likable and relatable and it was impossible not to swoon with the romance. And the reality show characters were such a hoot - they added the laugh out loud moments throughout the book. Such a sweet and inspiring story to love yourself and follow your dreams.

On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe is a book about the makeover of the main character, Everly. Everly has been selected to appear on her very favorite makeover reality show. She doesn't know who nominated her for the show but is determined to make the most of being a guest. She'll be made over physically and mentally to help her escape the rut she's been stuck in. Little does she know what the long-lasting and life-altering effects of her appearance on the show will be. Read and enjoy!