Such a fun sophomore novel from Jenny L. Howe, following The Make-Up Test (which I loved). The fat representation is so great in this book! And I knew from the beautiful cover that I wanted to read this as soon as possible. Everly has stopped taking risks and lived a muted life since the death of her grandmother. She wears dark colors to try and go unnoticed. And she's abandoned her dream of being an artist. Her favorite show is On the Plus Side, a makeover show for plus size people that focuses on celebrating their bodies and examining all aspects of their life. When she's nominated to be on the show, at first it seems like a dream come true. But there are a lot of unexpected twists and turns along the way -- including the adorable, grumpy cameraman Logan. The story focused a little more on Everly's evolution as a character rather than the romance. But the chemistry between these characters was amazing! It also helped create a nice balance where Everly gained confidence by doing the work herself and with the hosts of the show...not because a hot guy falls in lover with her.

Thanks Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Amazing. I loved this. Among the new crop of reality-TV inspired romance novels (my new favorite genre, apparently), On the Plus Side is top tier. The characters felt so realistic, and though this book was incredibly earnest and heartfelt, it never felt cheesy. It was uplifting and funny and sexy, all rolled into one. A perfect rom-com.

I really loved this book. It took me a bit longer to read for some reason, but I really loved the message behind it. I loved watching Everly grow into herself and the route the romance went. I recommend picking this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

“Some people have a light. No matter what shitty stuff they’re dealing with, it can’t be snuffed out. You have one of those.”

This story was amazing.

I LOVED getting to know Logan and Everly.

Everly’s transition from pushover who hides in the back to large and in charge boss is *chef’s kiss*.

Their banter in the beginning fueled the flame to their easy transition from enemies, to friends, to lovers.

Seeing myself in a story is something plus size people don’t get a lot of. It was so refreshing to have a story that didn’t fetishize her size or make it about a “weight loss” journey. This story was about self love, self discovery, and finding love in unexpected ways.

I loved this!

I found the characters relatable, funny, and enjoyable! Obviously there were a few I didn't like but that's a given. The character development, especially for Everly, the FMC, was fantastic! While there were a few plot points that were a liiiittle out there, which normally deters me from the plot, I actually enjoyed it more because of the out there plot points.

I loved Everly and Logan. Their chemistry! Omg the steam... How they bettered each other, everything. I love them and want more of them.

I am definitely going to read Jenny Howe's other book now as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jenny Howe does it again! I love her Fat Female Main Characters. Wonderful books. This was a heartwarming feel good book.

I love a good romance with plus size representation! Everly is very much trying to blend in and she had no desire to change that. Unfortunately for her someone nominates her for the makeover show, On The Plus Side where she's forced to take center stage. She has a hard time connecting with the host and being on screen. Luckily for she connects with a cameraman on the crew and things look up for her. On the Plus Side was cute quick read with great representation.

Cute story - loved the plus sized character and her personal growth through the book. I have a feeling that our patrons will really enjoy this one and already pre-ordered a copy for our romance collection. Looking forward to more books by Jenny Howe.

“On the Plus Side” follows Everly, a plus-sized woman who finds herself hiding her true self, her aspirations, and her crush on her cute coworker in favor of hiding. At the beginning of the book, she discovers she was nominated by someone in her life to be on a show that is a mixture of Queer Eye and What Not to Wear called “On the Plus Side.” Everly has been a fan of this show for years, and she has repeatedly been inspired by the show’s commitment to fat people and their authentic stories. She is hopeful this can be her ticket to bettering herself and focusing on her passions, specifically her art.

Everly’s journey is inspirational and fun to watch. Fans of reality TV will likely enjoy the little details included like the viewing parties, figuring out how to wear the mics, car confessionals, and fan reactions after the episodes air. Fans of romance will likely enjoy the inclusion of a few fun tropes, namely grumpy/sunshine, and a love triangle. It is also very refreshing to see a fat heroine who is happy with who she is, not pursuing weight loss, and who learns to love who she is and that she isn’t too much for anybody who matters.

A few things did not work for me. First (and most minor): one of the show host is said to have been named after a Sex and the City character by his mother, a super fan. His name is Stanton. Carrie’s gay best friend on the show (played by the late Willie Garson, may he rest in peace) was named Stanford. But then again… maybe his mom just had one too many Cosmos while watching the show! Second, Everly is constantly knocking things over or running into things or spilling drinks on herself or knocking heads with somebody. A couple of times is cute and relatable. Several times is a liability, especially given that Everly has an interest in being a tattoo artist! I wanted her to come across as just slightly more capable.

Overall, this book was very cute, and I just love how it ended. I think it floundered a tiny bit in the middle and could have been a little shorter but it has so many great points and a lot of heart. I think the author has a lot of promise, and I’d definitely be open to reading more of her books. I’d place this as a very solid 3.5/5 stars.

I enjoyed this heartwarming feel-good read. I liked the man characters - Everly and Logan. I liked the vulnerability of both characters. Obviously the book was from Everly's perspective but the reveals of Logan's insecurities and his level of honesty were refreshing traits in a male lead character. The build up to their feelings was diverting and engaging. I liked following Everly on her journey of rediscovery and loving herself again. Everly's inner dialogue was funny and relatable.
I didn't particularly care for all the social media and reality TV side blurbs, but I understand their purpose.
Overall, a funny, optimistic read. I would recommend to friends for feel-good read.

3.5 Stars for On the Plus Side

I decided to read this book because I liked the title. After reading the synopsis I was super excited to know the storyline would be based around reality tv.

The characters, and there were many each played an integral part in bringing the storyline full circle. The author does a fantastic job of describing each and every character. In do so it makes it easy to understand their thoughts and actions. I felt this really enhanced the reading experience.

While I was disappointed that I didn't connect with the lead character, I will say that she was vibrant, creative, and these traits sparkled throughout the story. I did feel a very strong connection with both male leads. While I admit in the beginning I was a bit suspicious regarding both their actions, the farther in I read, the less suspicious I became, well at least until one surprising factor popped up toward the end of the book.

The family aspect as well as the co-worker aspect was written with spot on reality. While at times it may have been hard to swallow, I applaud the author for keeping the emotions that all these characters brought forth, real.

On the Plus Side is a fun, fast past story. It combines disappointment with excitement. Heartbreak with tenderness. Surprise with satisfaction and dissatisfaction. It showcases how we view ourselves and how others view us. It allows the characters to feel which in turn allows the reader to feel as well. It's a story of never giving up on your dreams or yourself. Of letting go of the past and going into the future with fierce determination.

This book was phenomenal! I loved Everly's voice and character. Her emotions felt raw and real. My favorite thing about Everly was her vulnerability. It was great having the opportunity to read about a plus size main character. Jenny Howe wrote Everly with grace and particularity, and that attention to detail was reflected throughout the book. And the tension between her and Logan was to DIE for!

I also loved the concept! On the Plus Side is such a fun idea for a TV show, and I loved the little nods to Queer Eye. It made it even more fun that Everly was a fan of the show before she was invited on as a guest.

Overall, I really enjoyed this! Howe's writing was fresh and contemporary. This is definitely a must-read!

4*

I really enjoyed this book. Everly was a delightful lead character, strong and vulnerable in all of the right ways. Her growth, love, and acceptance throughout the novel was a perfect contrast to Logan's grumpiness and the hard truths about being a fat person in today's society.

In a word, this book was striking.

ON THE PLUS SIDE by Jenny L. Howe comes out December 26, but your girl here read it early because I am an Influencer. (Not really; it was available as Read Now when I popped over to put in a request (ymmv)).

Okay, so this is a book about Being Fat. I am all for positive fat rep in romance books. I am ESPECIALLY in favor of books where the male main character is also normal looking and not a gigantic Adonis sculpted from imported marble. Gimme all those normcore blandies!

I love books where characters just *are* fat, without that being the point of the story. I also think there is absolutely a need for books that address fatphobia, including internalized fatphobia. Possibly the only hope we gave of people not being absolute jerks to fat folk is if something makes them realize "oh, they have feelings and this hurts them." That's what's so great about fiction! Empathy! Walking in someone else's shoes!

There is some painful stuff in here (the fatphobia is coming from inside the house, mom!) but it is also a delightful romance, with a grumpy, taciturn lumbersexual love interest. It's very cute!

"On the Plus Side" features Everly Winters, a plus size receptionist at a marketing firm. She has long been obsessed with the reality TV show that bears the same name as the novel, and when someone anonymously nominates her to appear on it, her life is turned upside down. I loved the positive nature in which being fat was discussed in this novel. It is very body positive while being up front about the differences in how fat people are treated within society. The romance with Logan was well written and hot without taking over the overarching theme of the novel. Just as Everly did not want her appearance on "OTPS" to be about romance, this book isn't either, really. It's about loving yourself and being your true self, regardless of the chorus of voices around you.

It was a delightful read that I will definitely recommend to my audiences.

On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe is a great read. I really enjoyed reading about a main character who wasn’t perfect and wasn’t trying to be perfect. As someone who is fat – and why would I be afraid to use that word, because well, I AM fat – it was refreshing to read the story where that isn’t something to be ashamed of – it just is.

Everly was a character that anyone (regardless of size) could relate to – she had her insecurities about certain things and was trying to overcome them to feel better about herself. When she is chosen to go on her favorite TV show, she has to stop hiding and being introverted to attain the life she wants.

It was easy to fall into the store and root for Everly as she navigated her journey. Through the crush on her co-worker, James, to finding someone who could like her for herself – in whatever form that was – in Logan.
I really enjoyed watching Everly find her voice and her way. Jenny Howe made me laugh, see myself in the characters, and cheer when Everly goes for the life she wants.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

As a plus sized person, the title "On the Plus Side" and the book cover jumped out at me. I couldn't wait to read this book and it did not let me down. I would give this book 5/5 stars! I could relate, I cried and I even got to a point where I wanted to disown a few characters from my new fictional "book family"! Jenny is an absolute wonder with words and I could find myself being in each part of the book with all the characters. It's a blast to read!

Everly lacks the confidence and strength in herself that she once had. After the loss of her Grandma, she is struggling to find the old her. She battles with family trauma, insecurities and finding her inner voice. Everly is nominated to be on a show called On The Plus Side which she just so happens to be a super fan of. She runs the emotional gambit as she slowly breaks the walls she put up around herself.
I wish that it was a real show because I would absolutely love to have the Co hosts in my life! Jazzy and Stanton are amazing characters that absolutely compliment the whole book. Does Everly have what it takes to be On the Plus Side or will she always remain a lurker as a super fan?

Picked to be the next contestant on a What Not to Wear/Queer Eye inspired reality make-over show, Howe's protagonist is a fat heroine finding her self-confidence while also falling in love. While I read and adored The Make-Up Test, On the Plus Side turned out to be more of a really great sibling.

Everly is a fully developed lead who, as the novel unfolds, begins to gain back the self-confidence she's lost after the death of her grandmother while also developing her career aspirations and falling for a cinnamon roll camera operator. The conflicts felt natural to both the overall plot and the world the show created. While some characters felt a bit one-dimensional, they were still given appropriate motivations to which Everly got to understand and react. Objectively this was a really fun romance from one of my favorite authors, but I think I enjoyed the academic setting and second-chance romance of The Make-Up Test more and so found myself comparing Howe to her own work the entire time I was reading.

If you're looking for more reality tv romance, check out One to Watch or The Charm Offensive.

On the Plus Side is a lovely contemporary romance that will appeal to readers who:
*like size diversity in story worlds
*like stories of found family and people helping others
*are interested in "reality" TV
*are looking for a main character who gives off major Roy Kent vibes
*have experienced constant criticism from loved ones
*like to see characters learn to stand up in tough situations
*like to see appropriate consequences (positive & negative--I'm trying not to give spoilers here!) for actions

Everly and Logan are easy to root for as a couple, with their charming mix of snark and loyalty and attraction. Logan is the lead cameraperson for a reality show that aims to help fat contestants assume their rightful place in the world, overcoming the obstacles put in place by a fat-phobic world, encouraging contestants to follow their dreams and achieve their life goals. Everly is nominated--without her knowledge--by someone in her life and is thrilled when she finds out she's been chosen, because she is a die-hard fan of the show and its two public personalities/consultants (Jazzy and Stanton, who are fat and delightful and funny and kind and who, respectively, help contestants find their own confident style and take significant steps toward their career goals).

Participating in the filming of the show is eye-opening for Everly in many ways, good and bad, helping her get back in touch with the braver girl she used to be, speak her mind and heart to people who have caused her pain, and identify and pursue the life she wants. Oh, and meet and fall in love with a hunky plaid-draped cameraman who growls whenever anyone disrespects her. Logan's not without his own scars, though, and in Everly he finds someone who can soothe those wounds and make him feel seen and appreciated too.

There's a lot more I could say but I'm DETERMINED not to be spoilery. You'll just have to read this satisfying book for yourselves.

(Thank you, NetGalley and publisher and author, through whom I received an advance review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.)

I really enjoyed this book, giving it a great representation of plus size women. The wholesome banter between Everly and Logan was perfect. There was even a little add drama that helped add to the story. I love how the story was centered around Everly learning to love herself for who she is while throwing in the romance with Logan. As a reader who also is on the plus side, Everly learning to love herself for who she was and not simply what she looked like was very inspiring. This message is definitely a great take away from the book.