4⭐ I listen to tons of audiobooks. The narrator for this one, Zura Johnson, does a wonderful job of giving voice to the different characters in this story. I never felt pulled out of the story by the narrator, so total win!

Everly Winters is happy to navigate life in the background, lurking and unnoticed. Someone secretly nominates her for her favorite makeover show and she agrees to it. Overwhelmed by the extroverted hosts, Everly makes friends with the grumpy camera man, Logan. They grow closer, but one day their connection is caught on camera. Can her budding relationship and her sense of self survive the whole world watching?

OMG. I saw myself in Everly through this whole book. Fantastic job of writing from the headspace of a character who'd rather be invisible most of the time. Beautifully written story, absolutely loved Everly and the relationship with Logan. Fun book, made even better by seeing myself in it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review!

Respectfully, the book is filler. I think this book will be loved by some people who already enjoy romances with a predictable plot, but the characters and writing are not complex, and are not essential to every collection. I would recommend purchasing for at least one library in a consortium, but I do not anticipate a high, long-term demand.

I will start by saying thank the author for her trigger warning and the explanation of the words used in the book. She was detailed and open about why she uses the words she uses throughout the book.

I will also say I enjoy the message of the book and the idea of trying to show a new light on all sizes of bodies.

That being said, this was a DNF for me. The book did not hold my attention. I found myself not reaching to read/listen to this book. I liked the main character Everly and enjoyed her personality but it was predictable. I also found the book to be too slow for me.

I'm a fat person who was a fat kid who grew up watching What Not To Wear and this book was very healing for me.

If you have ever watched what not to wear you know that people are nominated by someone in their lives and the hosts show up and surprise them and then essentially rip them apart for what they're wearing and how they look. There's entire segments dedicated to trashing the contestants entire wardrobe and doing new shopping and then hair and makeup and if you ever watch an episode with a fat contestant, you know and remember how truly damaging some of that was. The focus the entire time is on looking slimmer and finding things that are more flattering and the focus was never on what made that person happy or comfortable.

On the plus side has the set up of What Not to Wear with the energy of Queer Eye. I admittedly have not watched as much Queer eye but I have seen it and I love that they're focus is more on the person and on the plus side goes even farther. They have fat hosts and the whole setup is on making sure that the contestant gets some sort of fulfillment in their life and helps them reach their goals which include wardrobe and hair and makeup and everything but that's not the focus of everything.

So essentially we have Everly who is a receptionist and she's a little bit mousy. She has a well-meaning slim mother who is really fat phobic and has really discouraged Everly from pursuing her own dreams and living authentically.

Our love interest name is Logan and he is a cameraman for the TV show and he is grumpy. So grumpy and I loved him. One of my biggest critiques with this author's debut book was that the love interest was a piece of s*** and that the fat main character questioned herself the entire time throughout the entire book and through the end of it about whether or not she was justified in her own behavior. That's not the case here. We have a grumpy but loving love interest who loves and adores Everly and all of her beautiful fatness and Everly is confident herself. Despite having her mom in the background nitpicking her decisions and her wardrobe, she really learns that she is valuable and allowed to take up space. And not only that she's allowed to take up space that people want her to take up space.

I really really adored everything about this book. I was a bit hesitant because like I said, the author's debut missed the mark for me but this one is easily a favorite.

There were a lot of moments that Everly had on the TV show with the hosts where she was seeing herself fully for the first time that I cried to. Being fat for your whole life is something that I don't think people recognize the trauma of and not because fat is bad but because of the way the world treats fat people. Being told that you need to be smaller and quieter every moment of your existence takes a toll and it is hard to work through and get past. A few of my favorite moments were Everly deciding on the word that fits her best and also about her conversations where she talked about her grandma and I especially loved all of her interactions with Logan. I genuinely just really really enjoyed this book.

This one does have some social media elements where Reddit forms are included and it doesn't always translate super well to audiobook. I don't care how many likes comments shares etc something has and well that can be lost over in a print book having the narrator read out every single time was a bit annoying. And they're not called likes comments and shares are called like sparkles and thumbs downs or something else but you get the idea. That was really one of my only critiques. This is one that I would recommend not only to fat people but also to thin people because I think seeing Everly's journey is really important for everyone and sometimes it can help straight-size people understand that even if they're well meaning, their actions and words have an impact whether or not the fat people in your life have said something to you about it.

DNF at 67%

It was pretty good actually. It just keep losing my attention and I don't know if it because I'm not in a romance mood or what.

Narration at 2x speed didn't cause any issues. Easy enough to distinguish the two MCs, but many of the other characters were a bit harder to tell apart.

Everly ends up on a tv show that focuses on helping fat (their word) people feel their best, most confident, most authentic self. While Everly wants to focus on her art, showrunner Sadie can't resist playing up a romance...and then love triangle...instead. While Everly fights to tell her own story, she's challenged by cameraman Logan, show hosts Jazzy and Stanton, and her family at home.

The story was pretty predictable. Everly comes off as very confident, even when she doesn't feel it. The tropes were easy to spot. The ending was written pretty much from page one. I don't mind predictable, but at least one curveball would've been nice.

This is a nice reminder to everyone to just be kind and accepting, regardless of someone's looks.

Overall: 3.5 stars

I'll tell my students about: language, sex, alcohol, parental death, animal death

**Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for an ARC.

This was so cute and such an enjoyable read. I love seeing plus size/fat representation in books. I loved Everly and Colton’s story. Their characters worked so well together! This was my first by this author and will not be my last.

Everly works as a receptionist when she really would rather be working on graphics and design work. She is used to being hidden and wants to stay that way until someone nominates her to be on the next season of On The Plus Side where they help people change their lives with new wardrobes and address fears they haven't yet. She had the biggest crush on her coworker until she met Logan, who is the grumpy cameraman who follows her around. Their connection gets picked up by another person filming the show and becomes a running storyline in her season. Everly is scared to let the world see her connection with Logan so she tries to hide it.

I love books that have plus size representation and more specifically characters who love each other for who they are as a person and not for fetish reasons. Logan's grumpy attitude seemed so broody and how he was able to open up for Everly and show her who he really was was adorable. There was some open door spice so be prepared for that. Overall, I thought it was a really cute, easy read!

3.5 stars.

I enjoyed "On the Plus Side" by Jenny L. Howe for the most part! I loved the overall message of this novel, that being plus-sized and fat doesn't mean you shouldn't take up space or be who you are, that you should honor and cultivate who you are and your self-esteem based on your *own* standards, not the standards of others or what society dictates. I liked watching main character Everley's growth throughout the story. While she makes leaps and bounds in discovering who she wants to be and what she wants to do with her life, I will admit, she is sort of an exhausting character. I enjoyed Zura Johnson's narration of this character. She makes Everly feel authentic and lived-in as a person. I liked all of the reality show elements that get integrated throughout the novel. I don't watch much reality television, but I found this aspect to be fun, interesting, and compelling, especially the way that people get manipulated into doing things for ratings. I also love how Howe navigates tough topics like abusive parents, grief, loss (human and animal), and online hate and integrates them seamlessly with the more humorous, self-reflective, and entertainment-driven elements. Try as I might to get over it, it rubbed me the wrong way that, at first, Everly felt like she needed to be small and "take up as little space as possible." I get that she changes her mindset throughout the story, but this is something that fat people are taught to do over and over again by society! She should have gone the other way and taken up more space! She was clearly capable of doing that! I also feel like the ball was dropped where Logan is concerned. He felt like he was just *there,* and I didn't absorb a whole lot about him and his life apart from the basics. We know he's a cameraman for the show, that he has a tight-knit relationship with one of the other people working on the show, that he loves and adopts elderly dogs and gives them a comfortable home before they die, and that he wants to open a dog sanctuary. That's about it. I feel like Howe could have gone deeper with this character. I unfortunately didn't feel much of a spark or any chemistry between Everly and Logan. I *really* wanted to, but I just didn't. Their romance feels underbaked and frequently forced (and not just because of their forced proximity). I disliked the third-act conflict, but appreciate how Everly and Logan actually talk through their issues instead of ignoring them (even though they shouldn't have existed in the first place). Still, this book can be frequently lovely, funny, and charming. It's not too long and is not overly preachy (though Howe is preaching to the choir with me, so some readers might disagree).

Thank you to NetGalley, Jenny L. Howe, Spotify Audiobooks for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.

Jenny L. Howe's "On the Plus Side" is a delightful contemporary romance, skillfully narrated by Zura Johnson, that blends the charm of "Queer Eye" with the relatable journey of "The Princess Diaries." This book gracefully tackles themes of fatphobia and body acceptance without ever feeling preachy, weaving a heartwarming story that's both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

The protagonist, Everly, is a lovable and relatable character, instantly drawing listeners and readers into her world. Howe expertly crafts Everly's narrative, allowing us to empathize with her struggles while celebrating her strengths. Zura Johnson's narration brings Everly's personality to life, adding depth and authenticity to the character.

The banter between Everly and the main love interest exudes a delightful 'grumpy x sunshine' trope many readers love in romance books without feeling forced or over done. Their exchanges are light, fun, and playful, adding a layer of engaging chemistry that keeps readers and listeners invested in their budding relationship.

However, the story falters in its portrayal of the "villain," who comes across as very one-dimensional. The lack of insight into their motivations leaves the character feeling shallow and underdeveloped. Additionally, the introduction of conflict late in the book feels rushed, leaving a sense of incompleteness and leaving readers and listeners longing for more depth and exploration.

Despite these drawbacks, "On the Plus Side" remains a cozy and enjoyable contemporary romance. Howe's skillful handling of themes related to self-acceptance, coupled with Johnson's expressive narration, creates an engaging experience. The novel's message of embracing imperfections and navigating societal pressures resonates authentically.

Overall, this audiobook is a satisfying option for those seeking a fun and heartwarming contemporary romance to scratch that literary itch. It's a cozy read that balances humor, relatable characters, and genuine moments of self-discovery, making it a worthwhile addition to your bookshelves.

Disclosure: A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided for review purposes.

4 stars

I read Howe's debut novel last year and while the love interest in that book was absolutely horrendous, I loved Howe's writing and the characterization of her main character enough to know that she would only grow from there. On the Plus Side absolutely proved that!

It's absolutely insane how much I feel like Howe is writing for me specifically. Beyond just the way that she captures what it is like to live in a fat body so succinctly, I have been weirdly in the exact same career circumstances as her main characters at the moment that I picked up each book. That coincidence has made the process of reading her books absolutely addictive, almost as if I can use them as a how-to guide on how to live my life. The characters and the situations that they find themselves in always feel true to life and on top of that, they are just downright entertaining.

The best part about this novel is how much the writing of the romance blossomed with the introduction of a fantastic love interest. Logan is a protective and grumpy man with a mouth on him and I was OBSESSED. It absolutely proved that the romance in The Make-Up Test was just a fluke and I couldn't be happier about it.

The only thing that made this book not a five star was that it was 50 to 75 pages too long. Other than that, this was an absolutely delightful romance and I need more people to put this on their radar.

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Jenny L. Howe's "On The Plus Side," is a delightful romantic comedy that breaks from traditional characters with Everly Winters, a plus-sized, lovable protagonist, who is navigating life's challenges. She brings refreshing authenticity to the narrative.

The novel has a unique structure, told mostly through Everly's eyes, but we also have the lens of the show and online forums which sets it apart from other books in the contemporary romance genre. While Everly's journey is relatable and inspiring, the shifts in her career choices could be more realistically portrayed.

The heart of the story lies in the budding friendship between Everly and Logan, the grumpy yet kind cameraman. Logan adds depth, and the unfolding romance, especially told from his camera lens, is both touching and different. "On The Plus Side" is more than a love story; it's a tale of courage to reach your full potential and live your life authentic to yourself.

Fans of relatable characters and reality TV drama will need to read this book and releasing it near the holidays makes it the perfect read in a time where society pressures weight loss... just in time to make your New Year's resolution.

I absolutely adored this book, which says a lot as I abhor most reality TV. I do like the author so gave it a try. So glad I got to read Everly’s story. Everly is a smart, beautiful woman who spends most of life in hiding because she felt both not enough and too much all of the time. She’s in a job for which she is tremendously overqualified, has very little self worth or confidence, is dressing in clothes so she fades into the background and is the one to find the corner in a round room to stay off everyones radar. Such a shame, but having spent a lifetime of being told by her own mother as well as most of the world who she is is not good enough, it was who she became. When she gets secretly nominated to be on her favorite show, On the Plus Size her world changes. She is hoping to find herself as well as help others. From some ugly lows to incredible amazing high her road to finally being comfortable with in her skin, actually loving herself, letting love in and so much more is an emotional feel good story with a great happily ever after.

3.5 rounded up because you come to this kind of book for a light, easy read and it was enjoyable.

Premise - a plus sized woman facing a crisis of confidence goes on a reality makeover show and falls in love with a grumpy, stoic camera man with biceps.

Things I liked:
- the plus sized heroine doesn’t want to change her body (so many plus sized heroines spend their whole book moaning about how they dislike their bodies for being larger and that feels like it defeats the whole point)
- the MMCs aren’t aggressive possessive Neanderthals
- the FMC feels like a real person with a good head on her shoulders

Things I disliked:
- there’s a lot of talk of fashion… but all the outfits described sound very unfortunate
- it was unrealistic that her mom had never mentioned that she used to be heavier, especially since dieting is such a cornerstone of her lifestyle and their conflict
- the reality show producer wouldn’t actually be able to play porn on tv when throughout the story they emphasize how she has to clean up her language because profanity isn’t allowed on air
- there was no chemistry between any of the romantic interests. This would have been better as women’s fiction without the romance storyline.

This read like a debut - messy with some definite areas for improvement, but overall charming and fun. I’ll look for more from this author as she develops!

Thanks, NetGalley and Griffin, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a breath of fresh air! I adore the plus-size rep and characters that I would love to have as friends in real life.

Logan is the ultimate book boyfriend, and I knew the second he talked about adopting elderly dogs that I was going to lose a piece of my heart to him forever. The chemistry between Everly and Logan is undeniable, making is extremely enjoyable to watch their relationship grow through her transformation.

I'd gladly watch On the Plus Side if it was an actual tv show! The writing perfectly allows the reader a behind-the-scenes view of a reality show, where you're not sure how it will all play out. I couldn't put this book down once I started, and it left me with a huge smile on my face. Don't let this book pass you by!

This story was overall meh, to me.

I liked the FMC enough, but I didn’t really buy the chemistry between her and the MMC. I feel like the messaging for this book is there, but which is nice, but it just fell flat for me.

The narrator was not what I was expecting. I wasn’t a fan of that either.

I liked this book a lot! I thought the fat representation was excellent and honestly a lot of what Everly was dealing with was incredibly relatable and I think will resonate with a lot of people.

The growth Everly goes through in finding herself and pursuing her dreams was lovely to see. The relationship between her and Logan was very sweet and I absolutely loved them together and could see their chemistry. The way he helps her stand up to her crush who has been taking advantage of her kindness was wonderful. And I loved that there wasnt a third act breakup and the conflict was resolved by the characters actually communicating with each other!!

Read this for:
- Fat representation
- Makeover show thats about so much more than a makeover
- No third act breakup
- Cute dogs!

I thought Zura Johnson’s narration was fantastic! She had distinct voices for both main characters that were effective

Thank you to Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to netgalley for this arc. This is my opinion!*

I wanted to like this book so much because I think romances need to be more size inclusive. However, I couldn’t get fully invested into this plot. 2 stars :(

I'm a sucker for a good reality television show romance and this one was EXCELLENT! I loved the FMC, Everly, an unapologetically fat woman who is still trying to find the confidence to chase after her artistic dreams and overcome the toxic relationship she has with her mother.

Everly is also crushing on her work colleague, who unbeknownst to her nominates her for a reality makeover show for plus size people. Willing to take advantage of the show to help up her fashion game and achieve her life goals, Everly goes all in but finds herself falling for cinnamon roll hero cameraman Logan rather than her work crush the show tries to push her towards.

A slow burn, friends to lovers with a strong female lead, this was both heartfelt, funny and full of great emotional depth. I absolutely loved it especially all the talk about the challenges of finding clothes that fit fat people and the toxic nature of the fashion industry.

Great on audio narrated by Zura Johnson and recommended for fans of books like One to watch by Kate Stayman-London. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!

Steam level: open door