On the Plus Side Review

by Jenny L. Howe

Rating: 4.5/5

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?

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Content Warning: Emotional Abuse

After the last reality TV plus size book I read that I didn't quite love, I'll admit I was a bit wary going into this one that has a similar premise. But I was still very much intrigued. As a fellow plus-size girly, I'd love to see more plus-size MCs, and this premise still sounded fun and cute to me! 

And oh my goodness! This was so much better than I expected! I had so much fun reading this one.

I found Everly super relatable. I could see a lot of myself in Everly, not only in how she saw herself as a plus-size person but with her passion for art too, especially as a graphic designer myself. Seeing her want to test out a variety of design areas and art avenues to see what she likes the most couldn't have felt more real for me. I felt very similar when I first started out as a graphic designer. Even to this day, I enjoy trying out new projects and seeing what new things I can create. This part was by far my favorite part of the book to follow, seeing all the art. It just made my designer heart so very happy!

Apart from the art and design, I loved watching Everly fall in love! Though she wasn't looking for love and pushed the show to focus on her art and not sexualize her, I still enjoyed watching her find love. 

Speaking of the show, as I mentioned, I was wary to see how this premise would play out based on the last plus-size reality TV romance I read. But I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns. I didn't find this book predictable, which is often something I see when it comes to romances. Everything I thought might happen, it was like the opposite happened instead. I never knew what to expect. But I found this to be so entertaining to follow and read!

If you enjoy books set around a reality TV storyline and enjoy plus-size MCs, I highly recommend picking this one up!