I have some mixed feelings about this book. There were parts I really enjoyed but other parts that gave me the ick lol.

I loved the main character, Everly, I thought she was sweet and well written. I really enjoyed the first part of the book where we get to see some of the first few reality show days of filming and how everything works. I really liked the hosts of the show and how joyful and supportive everyone was.

The love interest was not developed at all, I didn't think they had much chemistry and while I get how their feelings for each other could have developed I feel like we didn't actually get to see it happen, it just was, so I wasn't really feeling it. I skipped all the spicy scenes which is usually a sign I'm not feeling the romance and I definitely wasn't in this case. There was nothing wrong with it but tbh I think the book would've been better if it was just about Everly finding herself and her joy.

Taking the romance out also would've helped with another issue which is that I felt this book was too long for what it was.

Overall, I'm glad to have given it a chance and there are some parts I really liked, but it's not something I'd really recommend to romance readers. If you're looking for a book specifically about self love and growth and are willing to live with the lame romance you could be happy with this.

Advanced copy provided by Netgalley

Everly, a receptionist has the hots for her coworker James. Everly spent lots of her free time on forums connected to, On the Plus Side a lifestyle makeover show. While Everly was at work one day the cast of OTPS show bursted into her office to let her know she would be featured on her favorite show. Logan, the camera man has caught her eye. Everly starts filming and is full of nerves. Everly wanted nothing more but to setup an art booth at the Collective. I feel like the FMC is looking for something to fill a void. Will the show Everly reach her full potential? Give this a read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

***** I have received and read an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for giving my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.*****

Cute and easy read, and it's always nice to see plus size characters as more than a best friend role.

It's nothing new, but it's one that's nice to read anyway.

Dumplin' 2.0 with Queer Eye and a dash of spice.
This is very cute and enjoyable read. I love to see plus size representation in books, although pretty surface level characterizations. Learning to stand up for yourself and what is right, is always a good read.

I loved this book. I loved how the author worked hard at representation of lots of communities without it feeling forced (queer folks, bipoc folks, financial status, etc. I loved both main characters and most of the supporting ones too. I loved the premise of the story, and wished that there was really a reality show for fat people to help them achieve their dream. Even though it had a grumpy/sunshine storyline, which I sometimes don't like, I loved the way it supported the story. I found the writing clear, easy to follow and well copy edited. I've only rated a few books 5 stars, and this one so deserved it. Bless you, Jenny L. Howe and please keep writing! I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this premise! I related to the character so much. I didn’t love how it ended so happily ever after actually! The reality show piece was great I thought!

Everly is shocked to find out that someone has nominated her to be on her favorite makeover show, "On The Plus Side." Overwhelmed by the show’s extremely extroverted hosts and how much time she’ll have to spend on screen, she finds comfort in a surprising friendship with the grumpy but kind cameraman, Logan.

Honestly? I was very skeptical going into this book because I didn't like the other book by the author. But it's safe to say that all my fears were illegitimate because I really liked & enjoyed this book.

Everly was such a great & wholesome character. I loved her confidence when it came to her body & how she didn't take any BS from anyone.
Logan & Everly's chemistry was tender, hot, & comforting. I loved how they supported each other throughout and stood for each other when times were hard. The ending was super satisfying.

<i>Thank you Netgalley & Publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review..<i>

I chose to apply for the opportunity to read On The Plus Side mainly because of the cover. Yes, yes… I’m that girl who picks books by the cover. However, it definitely paid off!!! This book is absolute perfection as far as plus sized female main character representation goes. I found myself relating to Everly’s words and thoughts very often! The fact that it had the added bonus of a reality tv show setting just added to my love for this book. I loved that while Everly was trying to get to her core soul and happiness, she still struggled with the outside forces and thoughts that come from society when you live in a bigger body. It wasn’t all glitter and rainbows and that made it far more relatable and enjoyable for me!

This book drops on 12/26 and you better add it to your TBR!!!!!

I was given the privilege of reading this novel as an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this romance a lot - I do enjoy plus-size romances. This one fits the bill. The narrator, Zura Johnson, was fantastic. Everly Winters is a plus-size woman with dreams and aspirations; however, she sometimes holds herself back. She is selected to be on her favourite show, and this is her chance to go for the opportunity to showcase her art and do things she has been too scared to do
Meanwhile, the show portrays her in a way she doesn't want, and she has to find her voice while falling head over heels in love with the camera director, Logan.

I couldn't put this book down; I had to know how it would end. The villain in this book was not the most hated person until the end.

Her coworker was the worst, mostly because he played innocent while knowing the hurt he could cause

I enjoyed this read - and I would do it again.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. A full review that may contain spoilers will be available on GoodReads.

I want to first state that Jenny L Howe is an incredible author. I read her first book “The Makeup Test” earlier this year so when I saw that she was releasing another book, I was over the moon. Jenny really cares about inclusion and that is something that will keep me coming back to read her books time and time again. I cannot wait to purchase a physical copy of this book when it releases this month so that I have a personal copy to annotate.

As a “fat person”, these types of books are so important. While I do not want to see a toxic, fake, body positivity trope, I do want to see more of myself represented in all forms of media. Jenny delivers on this in this book. She was able to find that balance and execute it beautifully.

Everly is all of us. She may be one of my favorite FMCs of the entire year. Her authenticity is important to her and she stands up for that. I want to be like Everly when I grow up! I want to embrace being “too much” and not water myself down for the sake of comfort for others.

The writing in this book was intricately beautiful and I could not put it down! Thank you, Jenny, for a book that easily is going to be a favorite for a long time to come!

First let me thank Net Galley, the author and publisher for allowing this review.

“Tune in to next season of On The Plus Side where we will meet Everly, a twenty-something receptionist who just wants to live her life and not rock the boat.”

Jenny Howe leads us into the world of reality TV by following Everly Winters in her quest to be made over, in attitude, style, career, and love. This is your usual girl meets boy and is too shy and insecure to do anything story. But as in all good tales, there is a catalyst, once that is uncovered life starts to happen…
Or is it orchestrated. Follow Everly as she takes the steps to take her life back with the help of the “OTPS” cast and crew and following a once loved dream

I DEVOURED this book. From our sassy main squeeze, Everly, to our grumpy lumbersexual, Logan -- I couldn't read it fast enough.

I loved the concept of having Everly walk through her growth journey with a plus-sized version of Queer Eye. But make her super relatable and so normal that she's unsure why the show even picked her to be on ... because she doesn't have a "compelling story" or hook to splash across promos. Isn't that all of us?

And the juxtaposition of wholesome cuteness (I mean, can you even with a dog named Ravioli?) with the spice was just *chef's kiss* all around.

Reading Everly's adventure of growth -- as she goes from her safe bubble to taking chances and pursuing dreams she didn't even know she had until she got a little nudge to expand her thinking -- was just breathtaking.

Seriously, go read this book.
12/10 would recommend. 10/10 would read again.

As a plus size person, it was refreshing to read about people our size in a positive way. I think we all have a little bit of Everly in us. The old and the new. This book was a little slow for me. I’m not sure how I felt about the whole book about a reality TV show, but those aren’t really my thing in general. But this was a cute book! Striking even!

Absolutely loved this contemporary romance featuring a fat FMC. Everly is chosen to be on "On the Plus Side," a reality TV show in the vein of the most recent Queer Eye but featuring fat people. Everly is an OG fan of the show, and she's both excited and anxious to have been selected as a guest. She's nervous that the show will lose its magic since she gets to see behind the curtain ... but she's also hoping that the magic will work for her.

I really liked Jenny Howe's focus on Everly not as someone who needs a makeover to minimize herself, but as someone who needs help embracing all that she is and can be. She needs to show up as herself in life. Howe's emphasis on Everly finding herself again, rather than changing herself, is just lovely. And let's not forget this is a romance: Everly falls for the show's primary cameraman, Logan. She can't ignore his presence, and his compassionate perspective is a joy to read. Howe's choice to make the relationship conflict an external one made me a very happy reader. I love avoiding a 3rd act breakup in a natural way. And it's just so much nicer to read about a couple on the same side of an issue, who talk about it and decide what to do together, than it is to read about an antagonistic couple. (At least, for me!)

In sum: the writing is great, Everly is a wonderful character through whose eyes we experience the book, Logan is a supportive and understanding MMC, and I had a great time reading this. You should pick it up, especially if you like reading about reality TV shenanigans!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

On the Plus Side is a very affecting story about a plus size woman hiding herself physically and emotionally who breaks out of her confinement. Everly is an endearing and complex FMC. Logan is a lovely MMC and love interest. As a fat woman, I was touched by and identified with a lot of Everly’s experiences. This book has stayed with me long after I closed it.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the advance reader copy. All opinions are solely my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for the E-ARC. I really enjoyed this book and the concept behind it of a reality show. I enjoyed seeing Everly grow throughout the book.

Is the Plus Side a makeover for Everly or a push to find her bliss? Everly and her BFF (who is also her sister in law) have watched every episode of the show which follows the "makeover" of a plus size woman and then pow- Everly is picked to appear. She's been working below her capability, is in lust with he coworker James. and mourning her grandmother so this should be the impetus to start on her her true path. But what is that? This focuses as much on the cringy and inappropriate relationship with James and with what becomes one with Logan, the hot cameraman as it does on her journey to artist. The makeover parts- the fashion in particular- are fun, Logan is a good (albeit trope-y) hero (who rescues dogs), and Everly's family is about what you might expect. I kept wondering what her boss thought about her taking off on this adventure (and bringing cameras in) but the only person we meet at her work is James (whose work she's actually doing). It's a good read for the representation and there's humor. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This is for fans of Olivia Dade, For the people who feel they are too loud. For the souls who think a bigger body means they need to try ti blend in, this book is for you. You are not too much. You are perfect as you, and you deserve to be seen and valued. And this books will do that. You will feel seen, and valued, and enjoy a wonderfully written story about Everly. The fat girl you’ll love, and be reminded to love yourself as well.

Thank you to Jenny L. Howe, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love seeing plus-sized representation in books. So that is a plus, but I couldn't connect with Everly, and truthfully, at times I found her immature. She also victimized herself multiple times and I just didn't like it. Just wasn't a fan of this one.

I have chosen to withhold my review of On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe in accordance with the boycott of reviewing and platforming titles published under St. Martin’s Press and associated imprints. As a company, St. Martin’s Press has yet to meaningfully acknowledge and address the harm caused by an employee who perpetuated Islamophobic sentiments against those of Palestinian descent specifically, and has a documented history of discriminating against readers of Arab heritage in general.

Once action is taken by St. Martin’s Press as a company to address the harm caused with a detailed plan of action, I will upload my review of On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe.