On the Plus Side

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.

December 2023 LibraryReads Pick

"Smart and funny...this one's a must read, y'all." -Book Riot

"Howe dazzles with this pitch-perfect rom-com about learning to love oneself at any size...timely, humorous, and heartfelt." -Publishers Weekly (starred)

"Everly is presented as beautiful, capable, and the star of her own story. A romantic comedy that's both cozy and empowering." -Kirkus Reviews

"Folks standing up for what is right always makes for a good story, and the friendship-to-love relationship between Everly and Logan is fun and fulfilling. For fans of All the Feels by Olivia Dade and Curves for Days by Laura Moher." --Booklist

"Featuring a curvy heroine finding confidence while falling in love, Howe's latest is a fun mix of What Not To Wear and Queer Eye. Recommended for fans of Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade and The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun." -Library Journal

Praise for The Make-Up Test:

"Featuring a plus-size heroine, The Make-Up Test provides some much-needed representation in the rom-com genre...Sweet and funny." -USA Today

"What happens when you have to go against your ex for the chance of a lifetime while studying in the same Ph.D program? Tension and sparks, that's what!" -Cosmopolitan

"Jenny L. Howe's comedic timing shines in this debut." -Reader's Digest, Editor's Pick

"Enemies-to-lovers, set in academia, with the pitfalls of imposter syndrome to navigate? Yes, please! A sweet, fresh spin on how the third time's the charm." --Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here

"Original, clever, sizzling...I'll read anything Jenny L. Howe writes!" -Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

"A delightfully sweet second chance, rivals-to-lovers story wrapped up in a cardigan, sprinkled liberally with Beowulf and Chaucer references, and garnished with cat socks." -