Book Review – On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe – #BookTwitter #BookX #RomanceBooks #BodyPositivity

Adorable Romcom Takes on Fatphobia

Reviewer’s Note: There was a note at the beginning of the book that I will echo here. The author and I, as well as many in the fat community, use the word fat as a neutral descriptor. We are reclaiming the word to take away its power. All of us are at different stages, but the word does not have to be a hurtful weapon and is not used as such by either one of us.

It has taken me a little longer than usual to write this review because to explain in words how much this book means to me is a tall order. But I’m going to do my best to fulfill it.

About the Book

What Not to Wear and Queer Eye meet All the Feels in this sparkling romantic comedy by Jenny L. Howe, in which the new guest on a popular plus-size makeover show has her style―and her love life―transformed.

Everly Winters is perfectly happy to navigate life like a good neutral paint color: appreciated but unnoticed. That’s why she’s still a receptionist instead of exploring a career in art, why she lurks but never posts on the forums for her favorite makeover show, On the Plus Side, and why she’s crushing so hard on her forever-unattainable co-worker. When no one notices you, they can’t reject you or insist you’re too much.

This plan is working perfectly until someone secretly nominates Everly for the next season of 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. Soon Everly realizes that he’s someone she doesn’t mind being noticed by. In fact, she might even like it.

But 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?

“You can’t love yourself until you can actually know yourself.”
Jazzy – On the Plus Side

My Thoughts

When I picked up “The Make-up Test,” Jenny L. Howe’s first novel, in January 2023, I’m pretty sure I thought it was just a nerdy romcom, which is an underrepresented genre I identify with wholeheartedly. And it was. But it also included fantastic fat representation. It was one of the few times I’ve ever read about a fat character who wasn’t trying to diet or apologize for her existence. And, nerdy is hot these days. So, the whole thing was mainstream adjacent. But, fat is still not mainstream at all. Fat is the one thing in our society that people can openly shame you for and many people don’t bat an eye.

Yes, I know about the body positivity movement I’m not living under a rock. But for every person like myself and Howe, at least on the Internet, it seems like you find another five crawling out of the woodwork to tell you why you’re evil for telling children to eat lard. Because that’s totally what we’re doing right? But this sophomore offering, “On the Plus Side,” which is a fantastic pun, is a love letter to every plus-sized person who has ever doubted their worth and huddled in a corner trying to take up less space. This should be handed to every fat college kid who has made it through the brutality that is high school and survived.

I connected with Everly from the start. My mom and grandma put me on every diet known to man while I was a kid and teenager—even diet pills before I was 18. Being a mom now, I’m working hard to break that toxic cycle, so characters like Everly are vitally important in that work for parents like me. I’ve never enjoyed reality shows, but I’m a fan girl. If my favorite celebrities showed up on my doorstep, I’d have just died. And office crushes. A hot guy who seems like he likes you? I always love a good love triangle, and I get why people like the grumpy/sunshine “hurt her, I’ll hurt you” thing now. Also. Lots of puppies!

“If you love it, that’s what matters. You don’t need anyone’s permission to be yourself.”
Grandma Helen

The work Howe is doing is so important. Are her books fun romances, 100 percent? If you’re looking for a super fun romcom to get lost in, this is absolutely an amazing book to pick up. In fact, I think you should also pick up her first novel, “The Make-up Test.” Personally, I’m still pining after the MMC from that one. He was more my type. But these books are also making a difference. By showing plus-sized women who are comfortable with themselves and who aren’t apologizing for their existence, Howe is helping us raise a generation of amazing girls who don’t know what it’s like to be a slave to toxic diet culture, which is problematic no matter what size you are. And, as a fellow writer, an avid reader, a mom, and a woman, I am excited to be even a little part of that.

Thank you Howe for the work you’re doing and for sharing it with the world. Also, thank you, and Netgalley, for a copy of your book. I’m so sorry the review took me so long!

Question of the Day:

What would you do if one of your favorite celebrities (or two) showed up on your doorstep?

Who’s It For?

This is another one of those times that I want to just say, humans! But that’s probably not true. It’s definitely a good read for romcom lovers. If you love a slow burn, pick it up. If you like reality shows, yes. If you want to read about a plus-sized heroine who is unapologetic about her size, this is for you.

Content Warning: Fatphobia, online bullying, emotionally abusive parent, mentions of cancer and death of a loved one, brief mention of death of a pet, adult situations, adult language, betrayal, diet talk,

About the Author

Jenny L. Howe first started scribbling stories into black-and-white composition notebooks with neon pink pens when she was in junior high and never really stopped. In college, she decided to turn her love of books into a career by pursuing a Ph.D. in literature, where she spent the next few years studying bizarre and entertaining medieval romances. Now, as a professor, she teaches courses in college writing, literature, and children’s media. When she’s not writing and teaching, Jenny spends her time buried under puzzle pieces, cross-stitching her favorite characters, and taking too many pictures of her rescue dogs, Tucker and Dale. The Make-Up Test is her debut novel.