I was delighted by On the Plus Side by Jenny Howe (publication date 12/26/2023)! A romance featuring a plus-size female main character in a reality makeover show has been done before, but never incorporating the tenets of fat liberation so well.

Everly is a receptionist at a marketing firm, having landed there after obtaining an art degree. She has a barely-disguised crush on a Chris Hemsworth-lookalike coworker, but refuses to do anything about it. She lives in an apartment over her brother's garage, and is still grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother a few years before, kind of stuck in stasis. Her brother is married to her best friend, and they are superfans of a Queer Eye-like makeover show--On the Plus Side--that is just for fat people and is not about a weight loss journey.

One day the hosts of the show appear at her office--someone has nominated her to be a guest--and she is thrilled. She's ready to get back into her art and stop feeling and being invisible, realizing that a lot of the reason she stepped into the shadows is because of her grief. What she didn't expect was to be seen so thoroughly--by the cameraman, Logan, who is a gruff lumberjack-type with a soft spot for old dogs.

The author uses the word fat and has a note at the beginning of the book talking about fatphobia (I use anti-fat bias but they're basically the same thing) and how she hopes to write in a way to challenge fatphobia. I think she's done a great job doing so, without perpetuating it. That being said, Everly's mother is the person whose anti-fatness gives her the most trouble and the author portrayed their relationship sensitively, and included some good examples of Everly setting boundaries with her mother about what topics were open for discussion and which ones were not.

Kudos to Jenny Howe for doing this so well--I have already bought her first book, The Make Up Test, so look for a review in 2024. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cute read with an original feeling pairing between the makeover show contestant and the camera man. Logan and Everly were a cute couple and their chemistry felt very natural throughout. Additionally, it was nice to see Everly’s growth as a character, even outside the romance. Good character development, a great romance, and a fun plot. This book was a joy to read.

Thank you so much to @smpromance for giving me a digital advance copy for an honest review through Netgalley ❤️.

This story moved me to tears ! It took me many years to find the confidence Everly shown at the end of this book. The author wrote this narrative so well. The self destructing thoughts we can get when we are different from others and how much it's hard to feel strong when everyone around wants you to be less.

The author reinvents the word fat in this book. It's so hard to read or qualify ourselves with this word when everything out there fills this word with so much negativity. But she did it perfectly, with care and weirdly, I felt safe.

I also love how the author wrote the part where it's us who find our words to describe us. Everly's word was powerful ! I absolutely adore that part of the book. ( I won't say the word, you have to read it to know 😉 ).

This book is not only a romance book, it's a story about healing and finding yourself. And I was all there for it.

Also, a grumpy, giant lumberjack as MMC ? Call me anytime !!!! That's my kind of men ❤️.

Read if you love :

✨ Grumpy X Sunshine ;
✨ Finding yourself journey ;
✨ Reality tv ;
✨ Spice ;
✨ Lumberjack MMC ;
✨ Great banter;
✨ Slowburn.

“People see you the way you see yourself.”

Wannabe artist Everly Winters used to live a vibrant life, bold in both her personality and palette. But when her biggest supporter, her grandmother, passed away, Everly slowly started blending into the background.

So when she discovers she’s been mysteriously nominated for her favorite reality show, On the Plus Side, Everly is hesitant. Although she loves the body positivity program and what it stands for, she’s long put the public yearning part of her to rest, convincing herself she’s content in her low key job as a receptionist. Being featured on the show means exposing herself to not only her worst fears, but possible public humiliation.

The more Everly immerses herself in the experience, the more conflicted she becomes. On one hand she begins to rediscover her voice, her talent, and her beauty. But the process also pulls back the curtain on some of uglier truths of “reality” tv production, with Everly’s reputation an unfortunate casualty. Can she come out the other side self assured, minus the extra baggage?

On the Plus Side is a romance that places importance on loving oneself first and foremost, with a more traditional love story rounding things out. The reality show backdrop served as a unique catalyst for Everly to rediscover her inner worth, despite its disappointing set of ostracized obsessed obstacles.

Fans of modish makeover mashups will likely enjoy On the Plus Side’s many merits… if they decide to try this romance on for size.

Everly Winters, the protagonist of “On The Plus Side,” takes readers on an inspiring journey of personal growth and self-discovery after a public heartbreak. The author, Jenny L. Howe, skillfully weaves a tale of resilience, love, and embracing one’s true self.

The story unfolds as Everly navigates post-grad life, preferring to remain unnoticed. This changes when she’s unexpectedly nominated for her favourite makeover show, “On The Plus Side.” Howe beautifully captures Everly’s internal struggles and her blossoming connection with Logan Samuel, the grumpy but honest cameraman.

One of the book’s strengths lies in Everly’s character development, as she transforms from a person who avoids attention to someone embracing change on a national stage. The theme of personal growth and increased self-esteem is skillfully explored, resonating with readers who appreciate characters overcoming self-doubt.

The romance between Everly and Logan is a highlight, portrayed with a natural evolution that keeps readers engaged. The collaborative approach they take to address challenging issues adds depth to their relationship, making it relatable and heartwarming.

The evolving dynamic between Everly and her mother adds another layer to the narrative, showcasing the importance of familial relationships. Howe captures the nuances of these connections, contributing to the overall richness of the story.

Central to the book is the empowering message of embracing oneself and being the best version possible. Everly’s journey becomes a source of inspiration, reminding readers of the significance of self-love and acceptance.

The inclusion of Reddit posts adds a unique touch, offering glimpses into public reactions to the show. This clever narrative device keeps the reader engaged, providing a broader perspective on how Everly’s story is received by the fictional audience.

In conclusion, “On The Plus Side” is a heartwarming novel that combines elements of romance, personal growth, and family dynamics. Jenny L. Howe masterfully crafts a story that resonates with readers, leaving them with a message of self-empowerment and the beauty of embracing one’s true self.

I received an ARC of the ebook from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

This was such an odd book for me. I have a lot of issues with it but still didn’t totally hate it. I really liked the premise of having a show meant to help people tap into their potential, feel better about themselves. I did have some issues with the main character Everly, while I totally get being insecure about the space you occupy she crossed the line into immaturity and playing victim to things some of which were just wild. As the story went on the relationship she developed with the hosts just felt weird and too attached for TV personalities. My other big issue is with Logan our main male character. Besides having a couple of details about him he remains relatively unknown to the reader for the whole story which is quite disappointing. Character development overall just fell flat to me.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC.

Thank you for this book in exchange for my honest review.
It was hard for me to get into this book from the very first page. I was not invested in the characters or the plot. Therefore, I am giving this book a three out of five. I do not rate any books lower than a three because, as an author, I know what it is to get less than three stars.

I love a good book celebrating not being the typical thin heroine and this one really leans into it! I did find that it launches off really quickly so I didn't have much time to catch my breath with it which is something I didn't even know I needed until reading this. It was fine bordering good! I'd like to check our more from this author

This was an entertaining story showing us the behind the scenes of a makeover reality show. I found the story fun but with hidden depths. The challenges Everly has had in her life that keep her from being herself were realistic. I loved Logan. He was a perfect partner for Everly. The two were a great pair. The other characters provided some good comic relief and some very emotional moments. I enjoyed the story and found the ending satisfying. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

On the Plus Side is a delightful rom-com starring a fat heroine and we are here for it! Everly gets cast on a reality tv show (similar to Queer Eye or the late What Not to Wear) and begins confronting the ways she has quieted her true self in order to not be “too much.” As she revamps her style, shares her art, and gains confidence, she starts standing up for herself at work and even on the show. And, of course, she falls in love.

I think what I enjoyed most about this book was that it was very clearly written by someone who has experience being plus-size. From understanding the “fat tax” of having to shop online only to realize the clothes don’t fit right and having to then return them to portraying self-minimization in attempts to not take up more space, this book felt authentic to the reality of being a plus-size woman in the US.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced digital copy and thank you to Jenny Howe and everyone who is working to bring plus-size stories to the forefront of storytelling!

I might have resonated with the FMC a little bit too much. The fact that her mom, seemingly meaning well, tried to make Everly dim down her personality (be quieter) and be a “smaller” person so-to-speak, the annoyance with the obsession with polka dots and ugly patterns in plus-size fashion, best friends insisting you look good in things you definitely don’t just to avoid mentioning your size, the fear of being too much OR not enough, fear of bar stools and booths. I let out an audible “oof” when Everly’s mom said she hoped the hosts helped her learn how to camouflage her problem areas — that one hit close to home.

Also, need to note how much I loved the epilogue 🥹🫶🏻

I will definitely recommend this, especially to my plus-size friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was refreshing in the way it portrayed plus size women/people, and I really appreciated and related to that!

📖 On the Plus Side
📝 Jenny L. Howe
🗓️ 12/26/2023
💜 Women’s Fiction/Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

As a plus-sized woman, I definitely connected with Everly in a lot of ways.
I found her thoughts and experiences refreshing as she navigated going on the show, and when she expressed how it felt to be in a room with all larger bodies.

This book had me doing a lot of self reflection, on the choices I make and the perspectives I have, what is in my own head and what comes from the society around me.

While I really enjoyed the dynamic and relationship building between Everly and Logan, it definitely isn’t a full romance book - I’d say 50/50 romance & women’s fiction. The story was a lot more about Everly’s growth within herself than her relationship.

Tropes + topics:
🧡 Reality makeover tv show
🧡 Star & camera man
🧡 Friends to lovers
🧡 Grumpy sunshine
🧡 Plus size fmc
🧡 Forced proximity
🧡 Slow burn
🧡 Single POV/3rd person

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe

This is an interesting take on reality TV and how fat people are depicted in media. It does a good job of breaking down the stereotypes and reclaiming the language. I'm not personally aware of any such fatpositive organizations, but I'm sure they exist.
Watching Everly become the person she was always meant to be is inspiring. The grumpy sexy lumbersexual cameraman makes the story dynamic.

I'm not a reality show viewer, with the exception of makeover shows, and SYFY's FaceOff (which is baller and I miss it), so this was right up my alley. My two favorite makeover ones being Queer Eye (the GOAT) and What Not To Wear (when TLC wasn't just a bunch of trash). Additionally, being a #fatgirl myself, this book hit all the right notes for me. I was delighted to be given an ARC of On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe.

A Little Bit of Plot

When she lost her grandmother, Everly Winters, also lost a bit of herself. Her goal, in life and career, has been to disappear into the background. Her receptionist job at a marketing firm hasn't exactly been fulfilling, neither has her not so covert crush on Thor look alike coworkerJames. Suddenly she has been selected to participate in the reality show, On the Plus Side, which is focused on fat acceptance. She immediately connects with grumpy cameraman, Logan, who plays a foil to the overly friendly and quaffed James. When Logan and Everly grow closer, will their relationship take a front seat to her art and personal growth? She agreed to join the show to find herself not a boyfriend.

The Compliment Sandwich
The Top Bun (The Pro)
Everly's Journey

What I loved about this book is that Everly is an 'every person'; there's nothing really quirky about her. Howe has done a fantastic job as creating the perfect cypher for readers to relate to her situation and her interactions. At times, I felt as though I've had similar conversations with people in my own life. I too had a parent that equated thinness to happiness, hence the eating disorder Ive have for over 20 years of my life.

This quote in particular that hit close to home

Everly wasn’t one of those people who could let embarrassment roll off their backs. She was an obsesser. A re-liver. She would replay this moment over and over in her head like a new song she’d just heard until nothing else existed.

I'm not sure about others, but the number of sleepless nights I have relived cringy moments from middle school or the dumb thing I said at work last week.

There are many beautiful scenes in this book, but one in particular that actually made me feel so seen and will lead to my bottom bun.

During her session with Jazzy where they go through her closet and wardrobe, one of the main aspects of this exercise is to delve into what is keeping her back from making progress. It's very personal and emotional.

I was too exhausted and scared to do the Collective without my grandmother. If she had been my mirror, now I was staring at an empty wall. I didn’t know where I fit anymore. The art that had made me so proud looked silly. Weird. I was too afraid people wouldn’t understand what I was doing. I knew it would break my grandmother’s heart to see me quit, to see me give in to my fears, but it felt safer. Disappearing is safer...Then there’s never the chance that I might be all the things I’m afraid I am: too weird, too loud, too awkward.”
Everly had to take a breath before she spoke the last one.
“Too much.”

At some point in my life, I gave up caring what other people thought of me and my idiosyncrasies; however, to be Everly's age and living her struggle, I wish I had this book to let me know it was absolutely fine to be different. Laugh a little louder than others, let my freak flag fly, and just not GAF.

The Meat (The Con)
I felt like the tattoo aspirations were kind of tacked on. And there's something we don't get to see that I'm a bit disappointed in, but I can't share because :major spoilers:

The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
LOGAN

I love Logan so much. I usually don't stunt cast in my reviews, but I'm imagining Chris Evans, with his naturally dark blonde hair and blue eyes and IDGAF attitude (think beginning of End Game style). This is our introduction:

How was this happening? And to Everly of all people. “Holy fuck,” she muttered again. Somewhere nearby, a frustrated groan broke through the shock that had left her ears ringing. “There goes that take.” Everly cut her gaze toward the gruff voice. It came from a guy standing slightly apart from the rest of the group, an expensive-looking camera balanced on his shoulder. He’d angled it to the side so he could judge her with his whole face. Whatever he saw caused his frown to deepen beneath his dark, close-trimmed beard.

Logan is poised to be the critical, super buff, alpha dude that looks down on people like Everly. We quickly learn that he's just grumpy when it comes to getting a good shot and Everly talking down about herself. He's so supportive, that it makes me jealous of his relationship with Everly. The conversation that Jazzy has with Everly that I detailed in my top bun ends like this:

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, out of nowhere, Logan growled, “Fuck that.” His voice was so distinct, so clear, that Everly suddenly understood the phrase “shattering the silence.” It was like something palpable broke against the roughness of his voice. Her eyes cut to his face.
“Hey.” Jazzy waved at him. “Language and the fourth wall and all that.”
“Fuck it. Greg can edit me out. You are not too much.”

His reaction reminds me of that Ted Lasso quote, "I have a hard time hearing people who don’t believe in themselves.". After this interaction, Logan definitely becomes Everly's 'person'. Late in the novel, Logan is given an ultimatum of sorts and he says "to me, you're what matters". He also has a pretty great grand gesture (no third act breakup) that's played pretty low-key, but it's beautiful nonetheless. Logan is up there with my favorite book boyfriends.

Overall, this book releases 12/26 and you should scoop it up. It's a relationship angst free novel that will give you a confidence boost and a sense of hope for culture moving forward.

4.5 stars
This is a fun, entertaining, uplifting read. Logan and Everly are interesting, relatable, captivating, intriguing, entertaining characters. I love Everly’s journey and her character development throughout this story. Their romance is so good and fitting for these characters. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I loved the various characters and the authenticity that they bring to the story and Everly’s journey. This story is so touching and meaningful in so many ways. The writing is easy to read and get into.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

The main character Everly gets nominated to be on a show like Queer Eye but with a focus on plus-sized people. Sounds great right? We love wholesome feel good shows that show growth and bring all the feels. So imagine that type of show but then what if they took a left turn and decided to break bad by dabbling in manipulative ways like The Bachelor to bring drama. Welcome to Everly’s unexpected dilemma, this book immerses you into her world and the constant push for her to be something and someone she isn’t. You will root for her not only on finally finding herself but also to find love. You will want to yell, cry, cheer, smile, and laugh on this roller coaster of a story, and in the end, it will all be worth it. I enjoyed the ride and can’t wait to see more from Jenny L. Howe she hasn’t let me down yet.

While I wish books featuring fat people were not about them fat, I do like what this one did. It’s almost meta. I didn’t know where it was going toward the end and I liked that story arc. The writing was enjoyable, and so were the characters for the most part. I wish the FMC would have went deeper with her mom and explaining why her behavior was so deeply unacceptable.

On the Plus Side is Jenny L. Howe's sophomore novel, and she created a blockbuster with this one! Definitely a 5 star read for me.

As a female who has been big/fat/curvy/overweight/obese for almost her whole life, it's nice to finally see a female main character with those same traits now that I'm in my mid-40s. These kinds of books are way overdue. Especially with a protagonist who isn't trying to lose weight or using self-deprecating humor to deflect from herself.

Everly Winters has just found out she's been chosen to be on her favorite reality TV show, On the Plus Side. A different kind of makeover show, its focus is on fat people and helping them to find the clothes that make them feel comfortable and confident, and helps them to focus on their dreams and how to get there. Everly doesn't hate her body, she just wants to blend in and be invisible...but the show hosts Jazzy and Stanton aren't going to let that happen. When cameraman Logan starts following her around, she can't help but talk to him, breaking the fourth wall. He's grumpy about it because Everly is supposed to act like he's not there, but it's so hard when he's RIGHT THERE. She's trying to focus on herself and where she wants her life to go, but she can't help but think about the man behind the camera.

All of the characters are fully fleshed out and wonderful. They each have their own personality, and the entire novel was extremely well-written. There were a couple of times where it hit a little too close to home for me and I teared up, which is probably the best compliment that I can give.

All in all, this is a great sophomore novel from Jenny L. Howe. A relatable main character with family issues, romance, and a work rut. So Everly is a normal woman. If you enjoy rom-coms or the grumpy/sunshine trope, then you will definitely binge this one!

Thank you to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for a digital copy for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.

Everly finds herself on her favorite makeover show. She's unsure eventually, but decides she wants to use this opportunity to refocus on her art and uncover her passions. Unfortunately, the show runner seems interested in her apparent crush on her coworker while Everly is maybe actually falling for the hot cameraman.

This gets 3.5 stars from me because it was an enjoyable read, but I found the MMC, Logan, underdeveloped - yes, it was clear that he found Everly amazing but there was just a little something missing.

I loved that Everly stood up for herself and began to be seen again, rather than fade into the background as she had done. I love that her friends are there for her and that she makes new friends along the way. In that way this reads almost as women's fiction because Everly is focused on her journey first (as she should be) and the romance second.

If you like makeover shows like What Not to Wear and empowering fat people, this is a solid read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book so much. Although I am not what would be considered plus sized, I could relate to the main character Everly on so many levels. Wanting to blend in and not stand out in a crowd is something that is not often talked about but affects many. The author did a great job using the reality show as a backdrop for a glimpse into the reasons why Everly doesn’t believe in herself. The book had me going out to buy tops that weren’t black! If you have ever struggled with self esteem this is a terrific read no matter what your size is.