I love the idea of a show like this to help fat people have a makeover, and gain confidence. Unfortunately I could definitely believe that something like this would happen with the producers trying to cause drama for ratings. I also really empathize with the main character and her mom's relationship. I did love that she was able to pull a hot man and her grandma!

2/5 stars -- just couldn't connect to this one despite loving the premise! Will try this author again in the future!

🎧 Audiobook Review: On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe 🎧

This heartfelt and empowering story by Jenny L. Howe totally won me over! 🎀 The protagonist's journey is full of charm, humor, and a beautiful message about self-love and body positivity. The audiobook narration perfectly captured the emotional ups and downs, making it such an immersive experience. I couldn't stop listening! 😊

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with depth and heart, On the Plus Side is a must-add to your TBR! 💖

#AudiobookReview #OnThePlusSide #JennyLHowe #BodyPositivity #FeelGoodReads #Bookstagram #RomanceReads

DNF at 26%

I liked the premise of the main character being a contestant on On the Plus Side, a makeover show that focuses on plus side people and make them accept themselves as they are.

For me a problem in the writing style was its eccessive deliberateness: the writing articulates how afraid the main character Evelyn is, but I would have preferred to be shown rather than told. This book would have benefitted greatly from Logan’s POV. Unfortunately his looks and and personality can be summarized to: plaid shirts, hunk, his jaw tenses at the sight of our heroine and he’s protective about her. I didn’t feel the spark between them. Also, this book felt very slow to me. It went on and on about the hurts of the heroine while I wished to see her shine more. I didn’t get what were supposed to be the emotional parts which for a romance is a big issue.

This book handles mostly fat representation, I can’t talk specifically if its accurate or not because I’m not fat. Did love that Everly didn’t hate her body, she loved it and who she was. She just lost her light after her grandmother passed away and her how her identity was tied to her grandmothers support. The toxic family in this book made me want to cry, especially when mom are their child’s biggest critics.

This book sometimes felt too much for me. The way Everly is struggling with her identity after the passing of her grandmother made me want to sob most of the time.

I also think that the romance parts of this book made me swoon. They are just these little moments between them and the connection. I was swooning and rooting for them and for Everly to find herself and love herself.

I like the pace of this book, the relationship and the message. I enjoyed this so much.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First- This was furnished through Net Galley for previewing.

Ok, I have a long list of to be read/listened to next along with life’s to do lists as well. Sometimes I am a bit slow in reviewing. That is a problem with audio books since listening is slower than reading. I fit them in when traveling, cleaning and such.

I finally started listening to “On the Plus Side” and was surprised when it didn’t end quite where I expected (I hadn’t paid attention to how long it was).
As the rest of the story unfolded, I was very interested in how the story would be resolved. However, it evaporated today (my bad for being slow) and now I am interested enough to check for it via Amazon or the library to finish it!

Yes, I found the story and reader both worth the listen. It is funny with several twists, challenging concepts of what “normal” should be and acknowledging the feelings of being different from the norm. Even if we are not fat, many of us at times feel “other” than the stereotypical normal and the process Everly goes through in figuring out who she is and wants to be would translate to many of us.

Good story that reminds us it is what on the inside that counts. Everyone has a different body type and each is beautiful in its own way. Landing on a reality tv show because a coworker wants her to switch her interest in him to someone else. Deals with betrayal, parent-child relations, believing in self, and being who you are.

When Everly is the focus of the next season of On the Plus Side (a makeover show), she falls into a surprising friendship with the grumpy but kind cameraman, Logan. When their growing connection is caught on camera, it sends the show’s ratings into a frenzy. Learning to embrace all of herself on national TV is hard enough; can Everly risk heartbreak with the whole world watching?

I enjoyed this a lot! I liked Everly and Logan and their connection. You should listen to the audiobook.

The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life. I enjoyed listening to Everly’s journey through filming the show On The Plus Size and falling in love.

I did feel like the story dragged a little during some points, but overall enjoyed it!

I had a blast both reading and listening to ON THE PLUS SIDE, and love having a character with plus side representation. It was an entertaining story and I loved the grumpy x sunshine trope as well as the reality tv aspects.

*many thanks to St Martins Press and Macmillan audio, Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

If you know me at all, you know I devour books with fat MCs. Also - I rate on vibes.

On the Plus Side follows our FMC, Everly as she ends up the star of her favorite show, a makeover show for plus size people. Who nominated her? Why is the grumpy cameraman kinda cute? Should she pursue her art? Will her mom ever stop trying to change her?

I loved this book. It combined my love of reality TV with plus size representation. I was also falling hard for lumberjack Logan. The narration was fantastic!!

4.5 stars from me!!

Recommended if you like:
-plus size rep
-reality TV
-makeovers
-grumpy/sunshine
-no 3rd act breakup
-puppies!
-spice, but mostly fade-to-black

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for my ALC copy. On the Plus Side is out now!

TW: fatphobia, strained mother/daughter relationship, being filmed without consent/hidden camera

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

On the Plus Side was a must read for me as I can relate to being plus size and having overbearing people in my life. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the message the author was trying to share, but I just didn't love it. I wanted more than just a typical romance sunshine to grumpy novel.

I did listen to this on audio and the narration was done will with a clear book and proper emotions.

Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.

4⭐ on 🎧

Review withheld due to St Martin's Press boycott please see Readersforaccountability on Instagram for specific requests

This enchanting contemporary romance is a delightful treat for the heart. Released late last year, it shines brightly with its remarkable portrayal of plus-size representation. Everly's journey unfolds against the backdrop of the captivating reality makeover TV show, "On the Plus Side." Much like a blend of "Queer Eye" and "What Not To Wear," the show specializes in empowering plus-size individuals, guiding them through wardrobe transformations and helping them discover their true selves.

Everly, previously accustomed to blending into the background, finds herself thrust into the spotlight alongside the exuberant hosts of the show. Amidst this whirlwind, an unexpected connection blossoms between Everly and Logan, the cameraman, who becomes her steadfast supporter. As their relationship blooms, it ignites a spark that captivates not just the show's audience but the nation at large, prompting questions about the true motivations behind the skyrocketing ratings. Can Everly navigate the complexities of newfound fame and keep her burgeoning romance shielded from prying eyes?

This charming tale embraces beloved tropes of grumpy/sunshine dynamics and the allure of reality TV, weaving them seamlessly into a heartwarming narrative. Above all, it delivers poignant messages of love, acceptance, and self-worth, resonating deeply with readers. My heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to dive into this ARC, which left me thoroughly enchanted and uplifted.

This was such an enjoyable book! It brought back so many memories of watching What Not to Wear when I was younger and the of internalizing the negative and fat-shaming takes on how people should dress. I loved, loved, loved Jenny Howe's modern, inclusive spin on that show. Everly was one of my favorite characters I've read in a while. Everything that makes her "too much" made me love her even more. And I loved how Logan feels the same and admires her for exactly who she is.

The audiobook narrator was a perfect choice for this book.

Just an all around great read!

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Adorable read, and more about someone finding them selves than just the romance which I appreciated. The narrator did a great job.

Absolutely adored this one!! I loved the reality show setting (especially the portrayal about how it can be exploitive!) and the main character was my favorite. Highly recommend the audiobook!

This was actually so much fun! <i>Queer Eye</i> meets Olivia Dade (<i>Spoiler Alert, All the Feels</i>) in this refreshing rom-com that manages a satisfying climactic conflict with NO third act breakup. I was pretty shook that Howe was able to pull that off, but she did. The themes of this book were also on point. Watching Everly learn to love her true self and stop trying to blend in, all while healing from generational trauma, was so gratifying to witness.

My sole critique that knocked off one star to my rating is that I found myself not as connected with the main characters as I wanted to be. Everly and Logan were cute, but didn’t have me swooning or squealing like other rom-com couples I’m obsessed with. I have to attribute some degree of this to the fact that I wasn’t super emotionally invested in either character, regardless of the fact that they had both exhibited moments of vulnerability and grew from them. Still, this was so much fun and definitely is worth the read!


<b>Audiobook Review:</b>

Zura Johnson’s narration was pretty standard overall, but I found myself enjoying her performance! Not a must-listen, but this book was a definite must-read regardless of the medium in which you consume it.


<b>OVERALL RATING:</b> 4 stars.


<i>A big thank you to Netgalley and the publishers, OrangeSky Audio and Spotify Audiobooks, for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!</i>

Summary: Everly Winters was nominated to star on the show On the Plus Side. She doesn't know who nominated her for the show. It helps Everly find herself and stand up her herself. She also finds love.

My thoughts: Zura Johnson did a good job narrating On the Plus Side.
The concept for the story was interesting but fell short on execution. It was still a nice listen but could have been better.