I'm 20% into this book and I'm already in love. it's giving me big One To Watch

I finished this book and it was absolutely amazing. I love the way it ended. Now I have a book hangover. This is definitely a book that I would pay full price for. ( )

Book Review: On The Plus Side
Stare: 4 x 5
Author: Jenny L. Howe @jennylhowe
Publisher: St. Martin‘s Griffin. @macmillanusa
Thank you @Netgalley for the ARC

On The Plus Side is Reality TV show for plus side makeovers. Everly Winters is a plus side girl who gets nominated to be on the show. Everly is a sweet introvert who wants to stay out of the limelight. She loves this shows and knows that it will help he come out of her shell and pursue her dreams of becoming an artist. Everly currently works as a receptionist at a marketing design firm. She accepts the invitation to be on the shows and her life is turned upside down. She first has to meet everyone. Sadie the Show- runner/Boss
Jazzy the stylist/makeup artist/host
Stanton the Host/event guy
and Logan the grumpy camerman

Then there is Everly’s family, her mother and brother and her best friend Becca who is married to her brother. Her mother is quite something. Seems that she is always putting Everly down and comments about her weight constantly.

As the shows start to film, Everly had cameraman Logan following her every move and she is not too happy about it. But as the shows starts to progress the fun banter between her and Logan evolve. The show also tries to exploit the relationship and between Everly and her coworker James buy making it appear to be more then it is. This doe not sit well with Everly. As time goes by Logan and Everly become closer and closer.Sadie the show runner sees this attraction as does the audience. The shows also shows other aspects like Jazzy and Everly going though all her clothes and then Everly trying on new clothes. It even shows Everly getting a tattoo. It not only provides new wardrobe and styling for Everly but it also has events and projects for Everly to do that will help her become more confident. So the big question is as Everly and Logan start to become a due will the call off there budding romance or will it bloom in full?

This book doe not focus on the “fatness” of Everly but it focuses on the person who needs help embracing who she is and what she wants. A person’s shape should not define you and stop you from going after what you want. As a plus size person, it was so nice to read about a topic being plus size in today’s world.

On the Plus Side by Jenny L Howe
Contemporary romance, or women’s fiction with romance. Plus size / fat shaming fighting back.
Everly Winters is perfectly happy wearing dark colors, living above the garage of her brother’s house and working as a receptionist. Since her grandmother died, and her mother’s constant reminders to lower her voice or questioning her eating choices, Everly prefers to have the focus pointed elsewhere. When her favorite television hosts appear at her desk and tell her she’s been nominated for a makeover of On The Plus Side, Everly realizes she is going to have to figure out what she really wants to do in life. Does she want to explore a career in art? How is this tv show going to rebuild her confidence? They seem to have focused on a male coworker as the main story but that is not what Everly thinks is important or really even relevant to her makeover.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook coy and an audiobook version. The narration is performed by Zura Johnson who does a phenomenal job of distinctive voices between Everly and Logan as well as other supporting characters. The tempo is a smidge slow. I listened at 1.5 which is the most comfortable conversational speed for me. I clearly heard Everly’s surprise, and frustrated moments during the performance as well as her mother’s seemingly disapproval and Everly’s BFF’s support. Jazzy especially came across as enthusiastic.

The storyline itself was a bit concerning initially but a restart helped me to focus on Everly, and not my own goals or life choices. (I’m happy, really!) The topic was handled well and while I thought the mother’s “helping” may be bit of a cliche, I’ve personally experienced it and seen it with friends so believe it played true.
The followers support of Everly’s post on the forum was immediate and super supportive. The kindness of the fans had me crying it was so nice.
A story of learning to be confident in who you are regardless of size, gender, race etc.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and publisher Spotify Audiobooks / @OrangeSkyaudio. ( )

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. ( )

On the Plus Side was an absolute joy. I’m also a plus size person and I loved Jenny L. Howe’s representation of the day-to-day challenges and insecurities facing plus size people. Not only that but it was a delightfully sweet romance with a hot, loveable male MC.

This book isn’t released until December, but I couldn’t wait to read it. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin's Griffin for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ( )