ON THE PLUS SIDE

After years of hiding her shine, a woman adjusts to life in the spotlight when she’s a guest on a plus-size makeover show.

Everly Winters would rather blend in than stand out—after all, she spent years listening to her overly critical mother tell her she was too loud, too bold, and too much. It’s easier to hide and live life on the sidelines, preferably while wearing neutrals. But then she gets nominated to be a contestant on On the Plus Side, a Queer Eye–type makeover show that only showcases plus-size people. Instead of trying to hide their bodies, the contestants are encouraged to believe in themselves and their inherent fabulousness. Everly is wary of being in the spotlight, but she loves hosts Jazzy Germaine and Stanton Bakshi too much to say no. But this means she has to not only face her fears but do so on camera. Everly can barely admit to herself that she wants more out of life than her role as a receptionist at a marketing firm—she wants to work in the design department. Most important, she misses the woman she used to be before she took her mother’s words to heart and started dressing to blend in. The show’s producer also nudges her to admit her feelings for her Chris Hemsworth–doppelgänger coworker, James—someone Everly assumes would never be into her. Everly expects it to feel difficult as she breaks out of her comfort zone, but one thing she doesn’t expect is to develop a crush on Logan, the cameraman who follows her everywhere. He’s gruff and seems to dress exclusively in flannel, but the more she gets to know him, the more she sees that underneath his grouchy exterior is a deeply kind (and kind of sexy) interior. Everly is a relatable character, and her bravery and persistence in chasing the life she wants creates a satisfying arc. Howe balances Everly’s insecurities with her newfound belief in herself—while her mother may shame her, the novel never does, and Everly is presented as beautiful, capable, and the star of her own story.

A romantic comedy that’s both cozy and empowering.