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The Make-Up Test: A Novel
In this smart, swoony, rom-com debut from Jenny L. Howe The Make-Up Test , two college exes find themselves battling against each other—and their unresolved feelings—for a spot in a prestigious literature Ph.D. program.
Allison Avery loves to win. After acing every academic challenge she's come up against, she's finally been accepted into her dream Ph.D. program at Claymore University, studying medieval literature under a professor she's admired for years. Sure, grad school isn't easy—the classes are intense, her best friend is drifting away, and her students would rather pull all-nighters than discuss The Knight's Tale —but she's got this. Until she discovers her ex-boyfriend has also been accepted. Colin Benjamin might be the only person who loves winning more than Allison does, and when they're both assigned to TA for the same professor, the game is on.
What starts as a personal battle of wits (and lit) turns into all-out war when their professor announces a career-changing research trip opportunity—with one spot to fill. Competing with Colin is as natural as breathing, and after he shattered her heart two years ago, Allison refuses to let him come out on top. But when a family emergency and a late-night road trip—plus a very sexy game of Scrabble—throw them together for a weekend, she starts to wonder if they could be stronger on the same team. And if they fall for each other all over again, Allison will have to choose between a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and what could be a twice-in-a-lifetime love.
In this charmingly bookish debut, The Make-Up Test embraces the truth that people can sometimes change and grow, even when you least expect it.
Allison Avery loves to win. After acing every academic challenge she's come up against, she's finally been accepted into her dream Ph.D. program at Claymore University, studying medieval literature under a professor she's admired for years. Sure, grad school isn't easy—the classes are intense, her best friend is drifting away, and her students would rather pull all-nighters than discuss The Knight's Tale —but she's got this. Until she discovers her ex-boyfriend has also been accepted. Colin Benjamin might be the only person who loves winning more than Allison does, and when they're both assigned to TA for the same professor, the game is on.
What starts as a personal battle of wits (and lit) turns into all-out war when their professor announces a career-changing research trip opportunity—with one spot to fill. Competing with Colin is as natural as breathing, and after he shattered her heart two years ago, Allison refuses to let him come out on top. But when a family emergency and a late-night road trip—plus a very sexy game of Scrabble—throw them together for a weekend, she starts to wonder if they could be stronger on the same team. And if they fall for each other all over again, Allison will have to choose between a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and what could be a twice-in-a-lifetime love.
In this charmingly bookish debut, The Make-Up Test embraces the truth that people can sometimes change and grow, even when you least expect it.
590 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2022
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March 9, 2023
✨Knobby, the Stoic Elven Figure✨
Ya hate to see it but this was legitimately A Very Bad Time and I cannot with any part of my romance loving body recommend this book.
I simply do not think this book has ANY of the vibes you are looking for. The main characters are unlikable and incredibly immature. Especially Colin Benjamin. Yes Colin Benjamin nearly every fucking time with his knobby knees and hazel eyes. He was described in the book as a stoic elven figure and I saw god in this Chili’s tonight. He wears cardigans and nothing else. Yes he is described as being buck ass naked wearing only a cardigan. Picture this: Cardigan - Dick Out - Doc Martens. That’s the vibe. Hopefully you don’t want to end this book still loving your cardigans. He cries at the end of horror movies because he’s “so happy the villain is caught.”
✨
*Potential spoilers below*
He stole her accomplishments in the past and came right back to steal them again in the present and made zero smart decisions. There was not one page of this book where I liked that man. The initial description of him was enough for me to understand just how not into him I am. Fucking Ichabod Crane. Literally that was our comparison. Good fucking grief.
He was also just a really shitty person in the past and nothing about present him makes it any better. He actively makes it worse! On several occasions! I hated how in the past he told her to ignore a fatphobic comment at a restaurant and pulled HER out of the restaurant after she defended herself. But in the present he’s her white knight? There was neither an explanation nor any evidence that he made ANY change to that side of his character. It was basically like “he changed.” How? Why? Magic? Deal with the devil? Poor Devil if he’s stuck with Collin Benjamin for eternity.
She actively tried to describe him as “not like other guys” and while I appreciate the sentiment it was incredibly off putting. He seemed neither real nor a good person who I’d want to spend more than five minutes talking to. He has a devil’s advocate personality and that should sum EVERYTHING you need to know about him up. If you were an English major (or other majors but I only speak from my experience), you know the exact type. There’s always at least one in every cohort.
His vibes were giving Flat Stanley. Shove him in the mailbox and send him to a relative I do. not. want. him. She literally called him an isosceles triangle. Idk what’s worse: her calling him that or me already comparing him to that exact triangle at the beginning of the book. I hate to think I’m even a little bit in sync with the inner workings of this book.
✨
Sexy scrabble was not sexy but come on did you really think it was going to be? I suppose you did since Ali Hazelwood calls it sizzling but again did you really think that was going to be the case? No cum was guzzled here by Kylo Ren. There was *sex* but it was vague and he climaxed off the page and I also just didn’t want to see him getting off so I was happy it was basically closed door. Obviously after the sex scene they had so much sex but it was all summed up. Miss me with that wishy washy “there’s sex but also the book is the complete opposite of sexy” tendency a lot of recent contemporaries have.
✨
Half of this book is talking about and close reading medieval texts like we give two shits and I just really can’t fucking be bothered. And that was my favorite section in Brit lit. It really read like you needed to know all of these works coming into the book. It’s interesting in a vacuum but did nothing for half of the book.
The third act breakup was laughably horrible and made me so angry. He straight up fucked her over and made decisions for her AGAIN and was intimidated by her smarts like he was in the past. I short-circuited I really did. His “redemption” was just ridiculous and flat. The romance was half baked and left literally everything to be desired. Or not desired really. I was never turned on.
✨
Overall, the ending absolutely ruined the book even more than I thought possible. There was an attempted redemption of her father that I found wholly expected and unnecessary. I appreciated her dealing with him for some of the book which was nice but it fumbled the pass at the end. I liked the representation of fatness here and I really appreciated Allison’s relationship with her body. The author includes a nice note at the beginning and it felt like a very sincere book if anything. I also liked this line a lot: She wanted to swim in these feelings like a pool of gold.
⭐️/5 🌶🌶/5
A lot of the people in the author’s acknowledgements are YA authors and that tracks because this was totally a YA plot slapped onto an adult setting. The characters were terribly immature and made horrible decisions. I too made a horrible decision in entering a blood oath with NetGalley in order to read this book. I’d love it if they could offer a few take backsies because me DNFing after page five would’ve solved this whole issue right away. Better for everyone involved methinks. The author seems like a lovely person (anyone who dedicates their book to their late dog is good people) and I’m sorry I didn’t like this.
Also please I hate references to the pandemic. They ABSOLUTELY take me out of the story. It was referenced quite randomly here like oh yeah that year we had to stay inside bc of the pandemic. I’m like only a YEAR? What world are you living?
To sum up this book using only quotes from the book:
“I can explain.” / “I don’t care.”
“This was so bad.”
✨Thanks to the publisher for an eARC! All opinions are honest and my own!✨
_______
Ali Hazelwood’s book recs so far:
(books where her blurb appears on the cover)
The Make-up Test: loathe entirely
I’m assuming she recommends it so, The Love Hypothesis: loathe
Go Hex Yourself: meh, it was literally TLH but with magic and more sexy things. Marginally better than TLH. Adam Driver’s face is also on that cover. Someone start giving him royalties.
Love in the Times of Serial Killers: It was great and I was so happy it was a tad steamy.
The Dead Romantics: Loved. Cherished. Cried my heart out. Recommend forever.
Ya hate to see it but this was legitimately A Very Bad Time and I cannot with any part of my romance loving body recommend this book.
I simply do not think this book has ANY of the vibes you are looking for. The main characters are unlikable and incredibly immature. Especially Colin Benjamin. Yes Colin Benjamin nearly every fucking time with his knobby knees and hazel eyes. He was described in the book as a stoic elven figure and I saw god in this Chili’s tonight. He wears cardigans and nothing else. Yes he is described as being buck ass naked wearing only a cardigan. Picture this: Cardigan - Dick Out - Doc Martens. That’s the vibe. Hopefully you don’t want to end this book still loving your cardigans. He cries at the end of horror movies because he’s “so happy the villain is caught.”
✨
*Potential spoilers below*
He stole her accomplishments in the past and came right back to steal them again in the present and made zero smart decisions. There was not one page of this book where I liked that man. The initial description of him was enough for me to understand just how not into him I am. Fucking Ichabod Crane. Literally that was our comparison. Good fucking grief.
He was also just a really shitty person in the past and nothing about present him makes it any better. He actively makes it worse! On several occasions! I hated how in the past he told her to ignore a fatphobic comment at a restaurant and pulled HER out of the restaurant after she defended herself. But in the present he’s her white knight? There was neither an explanation nor any evidence that he made ANY change to that side of his character. It was basically like “he changed.” How? Why? Magic? Deal with the devil? Poor Devil if he’s stuck with Collin Benjamin for eternity.
She actively tried to describe him as “not like other guys” and while I appreciate the sentiment it was incredibly off putting. He seemed neither real nor a good person who I’d want to spend more than five minutes talking to. He has a devil’s advocate personality and that should sum EVERYTHING you need to know about him up. If you were an English major (or other majors but I only speak from my experience), you know the exact type. There’s always at least one in every cohort.
His vibes were giving Flat Stanley. Shove him in the mailbox and send him to a relative I do. not. want. him. She literally called him an isosceles triangle. Idk what’s worse: her calling him that or me already comparing him to that exact triangle at the beginning of the book. I hate to think I’m even a little bit in sync with the inner workings of this book.
✨
Sexy scrabble was not sexy but come on did you really think it was going to be? I suppose you did since Ali Hazelwood calls it sizzling but again did you really think that was going to be the case? No cum was guzzled here by Kylo Ren. There was *sex* but it was vague and he climaxed off the page and I also just didn’t want to see him getting off so I was happy it was basically closed door. Obviously after the sex scene they had so much sex but it was all summed up. Miss me with that wishy washy “there’s sex but also the book is the complete opposite of sexy” tendency a lot of recent contemporaries have.
✨
Half of this book is talking about and close reading medieval texts like we give two shits and I just really can’t fucking be bothered. And that was my favorite section in Brit lit. It really read like you needed to know all of these works coming into the book. It’s interesting in a vacuum but did nothing for half of the book.
The third act breakup was laughably horrible and made me so angry. He straight up fucked her over and made decisions for her AGAIN and was intimidated by her smarts like he was in the past. I short-circuited I really did. His “redemption” was just ridiculous and flat. The romance was half baked and left literally everything to be desired. Or not desired really. I was never turned on.
✨
Overall, the ending absolutely ruined the book even more than I thought possible. There was an attempted redemption of her father that I found wholly expected and unnecessary. I appreciated her dealing with him for some of the book which was nice but it fumbled the pass at the end. I liked the representation of fatness here and I really appreciated Allison’s relationship with her body. The author includes a nice note at the beginning and it felt like a very sincere book if anything. I also liked this line a lot: She wanted to swim in these feelings like a pool of gold.
⭐️/5 🌶🌶/5
A lot of the people in the author’s acknowledgements are YA authors and that tracks because this was totally a YA plot slapped onto an adult setting. The characters were terribly immature and made horrible decisions. I too made a horrible decision in entering a blood oath with NetGalley in order to read this book. I’d love it if they could offer a few take backsies because me DNFing after page five would’ve solved this whole issue right away. Better for everyone involved methinks. The author seems like a lovely person (anyone who dedicates their book to their late dog is good people) and I’m sorry I didn’t like this.
Also please I hate references to the pandemic. They ABSOLUTELY take me out of the story. It was referenced quite randomly here like oh yeah that year we had to stay inside bc of the pandemic. I’m like only a YEAR? What world are you living?
To sum up this book using only quotes from the book:
“I can explain.” / “I don’t care.”
“This was so bad.”
✨Thanks to the publisher for an eARC! All opinions are honest and my own!✨
_______
Ali Hazelwood’s book recs so far:
(books where her blurb appears on the cover)
The Make-up Test: loathe entirely
I’m assuming she recommends it so, The Love Hypothesis: loathe
Go Hex Yourself: meh, it was literally TLH but with magic and more sexy things. Marginally better than TLH. Adam Driver’s face is also on that cover. Someone start giving him royalties.
Love in the Times of Serial Killers: It was great and I was so happy it was a tad steamy.
The Dead Romantics: Loved. Cherished. Cried my heart out. Recommend forever.
September 16, 2022
Oh my sweet lord! I’m melted, swooned, euphoric after reading this sweetest, quirkiest, smartest, most heartfelt romance! I’m over the moon! This is FREAKING AMAZING! I literally devoured it! My favorite tropes enemies to lovers and rivals to lovers blended in fantastic references from medieval literature passages made my nerdy grey cells dance! Those fiery and well approached literature debates between main characters were most delicious symphony for my soul! I fell in love with this book!
Second chances love story perfectly fit with the execution. Avery: who loves challenge, high IQed and EQed heroine, emotionally abused by her own father for her size and academic choices she’s made, is tough, hard worker, doing everything she can to climb the academic ladder, finally accepted to her dream PHD. Program: she definitely deserved it!
But she finds out she assigned to TA for the same professor with her ex boyfriend who hardly forgot. Colin Benjamin: competitive, smart, highly achiever man dumbed her two years ago is back to work with her. She tries her best ignore him because he did unacceptable thing to her and now he acts like her friend. How dare he?
And their professor makes an announcement: there’s a career changing research trip opportunity but only one of them can take this chance. This means they have to compete with each other! Their academic futures depended on this research project!
As they spend more time together, Avery realizes the self involved rivalry changed so much in two years. She cannot avoid him anymore because he works too hard to compensate the mistakes he’s done to her!
Could he really change and turn into a better version of himself? What if there are things he didn’t tell her? Could she open her heart to him at risk of getting broken one more time ?
In the beginning I was really pissed off Colin as soon as you learned about Avery and his shared past but he slowly earned my love by groveling to get his girl back. His character’s evolvement , his efforts to learn from mistakes were well portrayed. I wanted to hug both of the brainy MCs so tight!
Sensitive issues like body shaming, psychological and verbal abuse, parental neglect, dementia were realistically approached.
So many awwws, wows and deep sigh moments later, I dabbed my tears and smiled deeply! I had an amazing reading time!
Overall: I am so happy to add another brilliant author to my reading list! I cannot miss any books this smart author writes! She definitely made my week! Earning my 5 chivalry, medieval stars!
Millions of thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this FANTASTIC digital copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Second chances love story perfectly fit with the execution. Avery: who loves challenge, high IQed and EQed heroine, emotionally abused by her own father for her size and academic choices she’s made, is tough, hard worker, doing everything she can to climb the academic ladder, finally accepted to her dream PHD. Program: she definitely deserved it!
But she finds out she assigned to TA for the same professor with her ex boyfriend who hardly forgot. Colin Benjamin: competitive, smart, highly achiever man dumbed her two years ago is back to work with her. She tries her best ignore him because he did unacceptable thing to her and now he acts like her friend. How dare he?
And their professor makes an announcement: there’s a career changing research trip opportunity but only one of them can take this chance. This means they have to compete with each other! Their academic futures depended on this research project!
As they spend more time together, Avery realizes the self involved rivalry changed so much in two years. She cannot avoid him anymore because he works too hard to compensate the mistakes he’s done to her!
Could he really change and turn into a better version of himself? What if there are things he didn’t tell her? Could she open her heart to him at risk of getting broken one more time ?
In the beginning I was really pissed off Colin as soon as you learned about Avery and his shared past but he slowly earned my love by groveling to get his girl back. His character’s evolvement , his efforts to learn from mistakes were well portrayed. I wanted to hug both of the brainy MCs so tight!
Sensitive issues like body shaming, psychological and verbal abuse, parental neglect, dementia were realistically approached.
So many awwws, wows and deep sigh moments later, I dabbed my tears and smiled deeply! I had an amazing reading time!
Overall: I am so happy to add another brilliant author to my reading list! I cannot miss any books this smart author writes! She definitely made my week! Earning my 5 chivalry, medieval stars!
Millions of thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this FANTASTIC digital copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
October 17, 2021
AMAZING!! this book is the grad school romance of my dreams. it's a perfect mix of coming of age, first love and second chance romance! Not to mention: LOVERS TO ENEMIES TO RIVALS TO LOVERS!! IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING!!! i looooved it and I recommend it SO SO SO HARD!!!!
October 5, 2022
The Make-Up Test was innocuously just-ok for about 85%, and the final 15% reduced me to a pile of incandescent rage. My reviews of other ARCs here speak, I hope, to the fact that I really do try to review books - especially ARCs from debut authors - with an even hand and an open mind. I came to The Make-Up Test with enthusiasm and excitement for the premise. But the conclusion hit really, really close to home by holding up some of academia's most pernicious ideas, in particular glorifying and upholding women's burden to blunt their ambition to stroke the ego of their male colleagues.
The basic premise of this book is that Allison and Colin were academic rivals as undergraduates at Brown. They broke up (for reasons left unnecessarily mysterious to the reader for half the book) only to find themselves, two years later, academic rivals once again in grad school. They are both Medievalists vying for the same position working with a superstar advisor who has (rather unprofessionally, I think) turned her one mentorship slot into a semester-long academic Hunger Games. Colin and Allison both want the slot, and in the course of fighting over it, fall back in love.
Things started out with some winsome characterization. Allison has a lot of very-relatable grad-school anxieties and insecurities, Colin has a few character details (a loud squawky laugh, a penchant for cardigans) that felt unique. However, the treatment of the primary romantic conflict between them quickly lost me. Colin and Allison swung back and forth between hating each other and getting along with very little external or internal motivation for their attitude changes. In the flashback scenes and in the present ones, Colin vacillated between being a pompous self-important jerk, and being so demonstratively soft and vulnerable it felt, in comparison, like an act he put on to seem like a "nice guy." Allison would change her mind about him with little prompting, and neither of them explored at any point where exactly their obsession with academic competition was coming from.
But what started to sneak up on me as I was reading was that... the book was silently omitting a major consideration about Allison and Colin's Competitive Hijinks. Colin is repeatedly presented to the reader as less motivated, less prepared, and less knowledgeable than Allison. Many of his academic ideas are shown, quite rightly, to be under-considered and underbaked. In the past storyline, we learn that he broke up with her in an incredibly immature way because of his own intellectual insecurities. (He at one point whines that he didn't get into grad school initially because he wasn't able to stand out against all the other straight white male applicants, which sounds like a rather pernicious repetition of the bogus idea that it's "harder" for cishet white men to succeed in academia???). Allison's work, by comparison, is presented to readers as careful and incisive, based on nearly a decade of study in a field that Colin has just casually dropped into within the last two years.
And it started to occur to me that.... well, it's a bit odd that we are never asked to consider whether Colin's ability to constantly outcompete Allison - in her own field - for institutional accolades might be based on how others react to him as a conventionally attractive cishet white man? And to her as a young, plus-sized woman? This dynamic particularly comes through in the teaching scenes. Allison's recitation students often act openly dismissive of her, talk over her, and generally ignore her expertise. The students all, in contrast, think Colin is a genius intellectual rockstar. If the text had given us an example of their differing teaching styles, I might be able to buy this dynamic. But their actual skills don't factor into the narrative at all. And... I just... there is extensive research into gender bias in the classroom and how it affects student reception of teachers. But the book never presents that as a possible explanation?
Still, I was ready to chalk this up to a plotting omission. Maybe the book had just forgotten to show me whether Colin was, in fact, earning his superstar reputation?
And then the ending happened. And I... dissolved into a pile of rage.
(I'm going to get a bit spoilery here, so look away if you don't want to be spoiled.)
Essentially, Colin and Allison have to give a big presentation that is going to help determine which one of them gets the coveted graduate mentorship. Allison has been working on her presentation - about beauty as beastliness - for the better part of a year. She enthusiastically shares her ideas with Colin, and then asks him to share his. He has approximately 2.5 unoriginal and underdeveloped ideas, and she (very patiently, and with extreme care for his feelings) explains based on her expertise that most of those have already been done, encourages him to explore the least awful idea. He instead rocks up the day of his presentation (which takes place before hers) and opens his PowerPoint to reveal that he has stolen the TITLE AND TOPIC OF ALLISON'S PRESENTATION. At which point she storms out. Understandably.
We then go through a series of narrative contortions where it's suggested that this blatant plagiarism is actually a good thing for Allison, because it will force her to think of new and even BETTER ideas. Ideas that she has to stay up all night preparing while at her father's funeral. Hands up, women in academia, if you've ever had to take on additional labor because some dude couldn't be bothered to do his own work!
Later it comes to light that Colin actually analyzed a slightly different text than Allison planned to analyze. And the book actually, sincerely, suggests we blame HER for jumping to conclusions and storming out of his presentation before she could realize the slight differences in their approach. I mean, come on. He stole her title. And her topic. And she texted him multiple times as he was preparing, to ask why he had been distant. (His only explanation is that his grandfather was sick, and that... I kid you not... he knew building off her original idea was the only way to "level the playing field" and have a chance against her). And with very little discussion, she not only takes him back, but spends a long time beating herself up for not giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Anyway, this, right here, is the sentence that sealed it for me. This is what Allison says to Colin after he stole her idea, and then failed to tell her about it, and then harassed her to get back together with him:
Yes, that's right. It's Allison's fault. For not sufficiently stroking this man's ego while he stole her ideas. I could probably write a thousand more words about how absolutely toxic this is. How this book glamorizes the emotional labor of reassuring cishet white men of their genius. But honestly, this book doesn't deserve that much of my time.
I will mention a couple different things in passing that readers might want to be aware of if they pick up this book: it's set in a "post-COVID" future, though that really only shows up in 2-3 parentheticals where Allison looks back and thinks about the pandemic, glad that it's over (*sob*). There is a subplot with Allison's emotionally abusive father, who constantly criticizes her weight and her career choices. While Allison does finally set some boundaries, the narrative mostly undermines them by having his secretary show up at the funeral to tell Allison he actually said nice things about her. At his office. Where she couldn't hear them. "Your abusive parent was secretly nice about you behind your back" is not a plot point I have any time for.
Anyway, maybe I went in too hard on this book. I will fully admit to it hitting some personal areas of sensitivity. But, you know, those of you reading this might share some of those! So, if you've ever been a woman in academia, as I am, and felt like you had to work two times as hard for half the recognition, if you've ever watched a male colleague rake in teaching accolades while you're dinged for being too "moody" or not "cool" enough, don't worry: this book is here to tell you it's your fault, actually, for not encouraging his mediocre ideas enough.
*sigh*
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
The basic premise of this book is that Allison and Colin were academic rivals as undergraduates at Brown. They broke up (for reasons left unnecessarily mysterious to the reader for half the book) only to find themselves, two years later, academic rivals once again in grad school. They are both Medievalists vying for the same position working with a superstar advisor who has (rather unprofessionally, I think) turned her one mentorship slot into a semester-long academic Hunger Games. Colin and Allison both want the slot, and in the course of fighting over it, fall back in love.
Things started out with some winsome characterization. Allison has a lot of very-relatable grad-school anxieties and insecurities, Colin has a few character details (a loud squawky laugh, a penchant for cardigans) that felt unique. However, the treatment of the primary romantic conflict between them quickly lost me. Colin and Allison swung back and forth between hating each other and getting along with very little external or internal motivation for their attitude changes. In the flashback scenes and in the present ones, Colin vacillated between being a pompous self-important jerk, and being so demonstratively soft and vulnerable it felt, in comparison, like an act he put on to seem like a "nice guy." Allison would change her mind about him with little prompting, and neither of them explored at any point where exactly their obsession with academic competition was coming from.
But what started to sneak up on me as I was reading was that... the book was silently omitting a major consideration about Allison and Colin's Competitive Hijinks. Colin is repeatedly presented to the reader as less motivated, less prepared, and less knowledgeable than Allison. Many of his academic ideas are shown, quite rightly, to be under-considered and underbaked. In the past storyline, we learn that he broke up with her in an incredibly immature way because of his own intellectual insecurities. (He at one point whines that he didn't get into grad school initially because he wasn't able to stand out against all the other straight white male applicants, which sounds like a rather pernicious repetition of the bogus idea that it's "harder" for cishet white men to succeed in academia???). Allison's work, by comparison, is presented to readers as careful and incisive, based on nearly a decade of study in a field that Colin has just casually dropped into within the last two years.
And it started to occur to me that.... well, it's a bit odd that we are never asked to consider whether Colin's ability to constantly outcompete Allison - in her own field - for institutional accolades might be based on how others react to him as a conventionally attractive cishet white man? And to her as a young, plus-sized woman? This dynamic particularly comes through in the teaching scenes. Allison's recitation students often act openly dismissive of her, talk over her, and generally ignore her expertise. The students all, in contrast, think Colin is a genius intellectual rockstar. If the text had given us an example of their differing teaching styles, I might be able to buy this dynamic. But their actual skills don't factor into the narrative at all. And... I just... there is extensive research into gender bias in the classroom and how it affects student reception of teachers. But the book never presents that as a possible explanation?
Still, I was ready to chalk this up to a plotting omission. Maybe the book had just forgotten to show me whether Colin was, in fact, earning his superstar reputation?
And then the ending happened. And I... dissolved into a pile of rage.
(I'm going to get a bit spoilery here, so look away if you don't want to be spoiled.)
Essentially, Colin and Allison have to give a big presentation that is going to help determine which one of them gets the coveted graduate mentorship. Allison has been working on her presentation - about beauty as beastliness - for the better part of a year. She enthusiastically shares her ideas with Colin, and then asks him to share his. He has approximately 2.5 unoriginal and underdeveloped ideas, and she (very patiently, and with extreme care for his feelings) explains based on her expertise that most of those have already been done, encourages him to explore the least awful idea. He instead rocks up the day of his presentation (which takes place before hers) and opens his PowerPoint to reveal that he has stolen the TITLE AND TOPIC OF ALLISON'S PRESENTATION. At which point she storms out. Understandably.
We then go through a series of narrative contortions where it's suggested that this blatant plagiarism is actually a good thing for Allison, because it will force her to think of new and even BETTER ideas. Ideas that she has to stay up all night preparing while at her father's funeral. Hands up, women in academia, if you've ever had to take on additional labor because some dude couldn't be bothered to do his own work!
Later it comes to light that Colin actually analyzed a slightly different text than Allison planned to analyze. And the book actually, sincerely, suggests we blame HER for jumping to conclusions and storming out of his presentation before she could realize the slight differences in their approach. I mean, come on. He stole her title. And her topic. And she texted him multiple times as he was preparing, to ask why he had been distant. (His only explanation is that his grandfather was sick, and that... I kid you not... he knew building off her original idea was the only way to "level the playing field" and have a chance against her). And with very little discussion, she not only takes him back, but spends a long time beating herself up for not giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Anyway, this, right here, is the sentence that sealed it for me. This is what Allison says to Colin after he stole her idea, and then failed to tell her about it, and then harassed her to get back together with him:
"Colin. You're every bit as smart as me. And a hundred times more charismatic." She sighed. "It's my fault you don't feel that way."
Yes, that's right. It's Allison's fault. For not sufficiently stroking this man's ego while he stole her ideas. I could probably write a thousand more words about how absolutely toxic this is. How this book glamorizes the emotional labor of reassuring cishet white men of their genius. But honestly, this book doesn't deserve that much of my time.
I will mention a couple different things in passing that readers might want to be aware of if they pick up this book: it's set in a "post-COVID" future, though that really only shows up in 2-3 parentheticals where Allison looks back and thinks about the pandemic, glad that it's over (*sob*). There is a subplot with Allison's emotionally abusive father, who constantly criticizes her weight and her career choices. While Allison does finally set some boundaries, the narrative mostly undermines them by having his secretary show up at the funeral to tell Allison he actually said nice things about her. At his office. Where she couldn't hear them. "Your abusive parent was secretly nice about you behind your back" is not a plot point I have any time for.
Anyway, maybe I went in too hard on this book. I will fully admit to it hitting some personal areas of sensitivity. But, you know, those of you reading this might share some of those! So, if you've ever been a woman in academia, as I am, and felt like you had to work two times as hard for half the recognition, if you've ever watched a male colleague rake in teaching accolades while you're dinged for being too "moody" or not "cool" enough, don't worry: this book is here to tell you it's your fault, actually, for not encouraging his mediocre ideas enough.
*sigh*
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
November 5, 2022
**Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Jenny L. Howe for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 9.13!**
CALLING ALL EMILY HENRY FANS!
If you also enjoy all things literature, a second-chance romance, representation of all sorts, and have an affinity for corgis, you are the PERFECT CANDIDATE to take The Make-Up Test!
Allison Avery has always had to claw her way to success. Studying medieval literature was a brave career choice, and after many long hours and much perseverance, she has gotten into the grad program of her dreams at Claymore.
...Unfortunately, she winds up SIDE-BY-SIDE (quite literally) with her ex, Colin Benjamin. The boy she met in undergrad at Brown, before he not only broke her heart, but snatched a Rising Star award right out from under her. Of course, he is poised to upstage her once again when the two end up competing for a spot on an upcoming overseas research trip. Colin has far from lost his acerbic tongue, and Allison is already battling with her father's health struggles (her father, who has essentially fat shamed her for most of her life) and a drifting relationship with her roommate and bestie Sophie, will Allison be able to pursue her academic dreams AND possibly rekindle her romance? Or will she be forced to sacrifice one dream for the other...or will she, like a lost manuscript, be left feeling permanently unfinished?
Howe is a debut writer and an English professor with a (surprise) love for medieval literature, and as an English student, I was LOVING all of the nerdy English major jokes. There are the obvious references to Chaucer etc. but Howe tosses in some sly nods to Jane Austen (YES I saw that!) and my bookish heart was very, VERY happy. I feel especially connected to the world of academia after recently working at a college for a couple of years, so it was a pleasure to dive back into that world. The students Allison deals with were all very authentic and fun characters (and of course, the couple requisite jerks were present) and the friendship between Allison and Sophie was heartwarming and sweet. Howe also imbues the narrative with plenty of fat positivity, but nothing gratuitous. Allison is a balanced character, sweet, smart, thoughtful, and unfortunately a bit unsure of herself.
...Which brings me to my only quibble with the book...the character of Colin Benjamin himself.
To start, he isn't likable. He hints at all of this lingering affection for Allison, but doesn't really seem to own his past behavior or SHOW Allison that he appreciates and respects her. As time wears on, this fades a bit, but at 84%, I had a JAW-DROPPING moment with him that almost had me writing off the character for good. While he does redeem himself to an extent, I think there was a missed opportunity for some more WORDS from him to explain his behavior would have been welcomed.
After skimming a few other early reviews, it seems some other readers are so disgusted with this character overall that they actively disliked the entire book. I don't know as though I can say THAT, because as someone who only reads romance occasionally, I'm not married to any certain trope, or interpretation of a trope, etc. Does Colin DESERVE Allison? No, maybe he doesn't. But like in life, sometimes one partner is 'better' than the other in certain respects. I don't think he's an out and out deplorable character, so for me, if he made ALLISON happy, that was what was important to me as a reader. We don't know how he will continue to evolve as a person in this relationship, so it's anyone's guess if he will learn from his mistakes. I don't need to necessarily fall in love with the protagonist myself to thoroughly enjoy a romance story (though it's always a plus!) so for me, not a deal breaker. This IS a second (or possibly third) chance story, so know that going in!
Despite its flaws, The Make-Up Test kept me engrossed, smiling, (and at one point almost crying!) and cheering Allison on from start to finish!
And the best part? If you're anything like me, you'll be page flipping so quickly, it'll only take a couple of KNIGHTS to read it!
😉
4 stars
CALLING ALL EMILY HENRY FANS!
If you also enjoy all things literature, a second-chance romance, representation of all sorts, and have an affinity for corgis, you are the PERFECT CANDIDATE to take The Make-Up Test!
Allison Avery has always had to claw her way to success. Studying medieval literature was a brave career choice, and after many long hours and much perseverance, she has gotten into the grad program of her dreams at Claymore.
...Unfortunately, she winds up SIDE-BY-SIDE (quite literally) with her ex, Colin Benjamin. The boy she met in undergrad at Brown, before he not only broke her heart, but snatched a Rising Star award right out from under her. Of course, he is poised to upstage her once again when the two end up competing for a spot on an upcoming overseas research trip. Colin has far from lost his acerbic tongue, and Allison is already battling with her father's health struggles (her father, who has essentially fat shamed her for most of her life) and a drifting relationship with her roommate and bestie Sophie, will Allison be able to pursue her academic dreams AND possibly rekindle her romance? Or will she be forced to sacrifice one dream for the other...or will she, like a lost manuscript, be left feeling permanently unfinished?
Howe is a debut writer and an English professor with a (surprise) love for medieval literature, and as an English student, I was LOVING all of the nerdy English major jokes. There are the obvious references to Chaucer etc. but Howe tosses in some sly nods to Jane Austen (YES I saw that!) and my bookish heart was very, VERY happy. I feel especially connected to the world of academia after recently working at a college for a couple of years, so it was a pleasure to dive back into that world. The students Allison deals with were all very authentic and fun characters (and of course, the couple requisite jerks were present) and the friendship between Allison and Sophie was heartwarming and sweet. Howe also imbues the narrative with plenty of fat positivity, but nothing gratuitous. Allison is a balanced character, sweet, smart, thoughtful, and unfortunately a bit unsure of herself.
...Which brings me to my only quibble with the book...the character of Colin Benjamin himself.
To start, he isn't likable. He hints at all of this lingering affection for Allison, but doesn't really seem to own his past behavior or SHOW Allison that he appreciates and respects her. As time wears on, this fades a bit, but at 84%, I had a JAW-DROPPING moment with him that almost had me writing off the character for good. While he does redeem himself to an extent, I think there was a missed opportunity for some more WORDS from him to explain his behavior would have been welcomed.
After skimming a few other early reviews, it seems some other readers are so disgusted with this character overall that they actively disliked the entire book. I don't know as though I can say THAT, because as someone who only reads romance occasionally, I'm not married to any certain trope, or interpretation of a trope, etc. Does Colin DESERVE Allison? No, maybe he doesn't. But like in life, sometimes one partner is 'better' than the other in certain respects. I don't think he's an out and out deplorable character, so for me, if he made ALLISON happy, that was what was important to me as a reader. We don't know how he will continue to evolve as a person in this relationship, so it's anyone's guess if he will learn from his mistakes. I don't need to necessarily fall in love with the protagonist myself to thoroughly enjoy a romance story (though it's always a plus!) so for me, not a deal breaker. This IS a second (or possibly third) chance story, so know that going in!
Despite its flaws, The Make-Up Test kept me engrossed, smiling, (and at one point almost crying!) and cheering Allison on from start to finish!
And the best part? If you're anything like me, you'll be page flipping so quickly, it'll only take a couple of KNIGHTS to read it!
😉
4 stars
Want to read
February 20, 2022ALI HAZELWOOD LOVED IT SO I WILL BE READING IT
dnf
January 7, 2025Personally i would bully colin bejamin not fall in love with him
June 16, 2023
3⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Publication date ~ September 13, 2022
Page Count ~ 332
Audio length ~ 11 hours 30 minutes
Narrator ~ Stacey Glemboski
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, grad school, characters in their 20's, scattered flashbacks, enemies to lovers, second chance, fade to black, miscommunication
Content warning from the author ~ there is expressed fatphobia by characters and in flashbacks, including by a family member, and the story deal with death and loss
We begin with an author's note that tells us all about why she chose to write this book with a fat main character. "Fat people are more than their bodies. We deserve happily-ever-afters, both romantic and otherwise."
Allison & Colin are up against each other for a TA position, but it's not the 1st time they've competed with one another.
Although, I liked Allison's work ethic and how she loved herself and didn't care about eating donuts, sometimes you just need a donut ya know?, I didn't care for her character. In fact, I didn't like anyone really. Colin was a bit of a tool. Her mother was pushy. Her father was awful, but written well to make the reader hate him like we should, but what's up with what was said by his secretary? makes no sense.
I never really felt the connection between them either. I mean she kept his contact name in her phone as Unknown Number for the whole book, so what does that tell ya? Not meant to be in my opinion. We've got the typical miscommunication, which I'm come to expect when reading enemies to lovers, but I still hate it. They both have a lot of growing up to do, but they are in their 20's, so they'd better get cracking on that.
Overall, I was not a super big fan, but it was decent~ish as a debut.
I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes ~ I don't have any complaints with Stacey's skills.
*Thanks to the author, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Publication date ~ September 13, 2022
Page Count ~ 332
Audio length ~ 11 hours 30 minutes
Narrator ~ Stacey Glemboski
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, grad school, characters in their 20's, scattered flashbacks, enemies to lovers, second chance, fade to black, miscommunication
Content warning from the author ~ there is expressed fatphobia by characters and in flashbacks, including by a family member, and the story deal with death and loss
We begin with an author's note that tells us all about why she chose to write this book with a fat main character. "Fat people are more than their bodies. We deserve happily-ever-afters, both romantic and otherwise."
Allison & Colin are up against each other for a TA position, but it's not the 1st time they've competed with one another.
Although, I liked Allison's work ethic and how she loved herself and didn't care about eating donuts, sometimes you just need a donut ya know?, I didn't care for her character. In fact, I didn't like anyone really. Colin was a bit of a tool. Her mother was pushy. Her father was awful, but written well to make the reader hate him like we should, but what's up with what was said by his secretary? makes no sense.
I never really felt the connection between them either. I mean she kept his contact name in her phone as Unknown Number for the whole book, so what does that tell ya? Not meant to be in my opinion. We've got the typical miscommunication, which I'm come to expect when reading enemies to lovers, but I still hate it. They both have a lot of growing up to do, but they are in their 20's, so they'd better get cracking on that.
Overall, I was not a super big fan, but it was decent~ish as a debut.
I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes ~ I don't have any complaints with Stacey's skills.
*Thanks to the author, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
April 28, 2022
When the publisher offered me this ARC, I had extremely high hopes. I’ve spent a decent bit of time in the English literature side of academia, and while I’m now studying a different field, I do still very much miss it. And on top of that, we’ve got an academic rivalry going on! In the end though, while this book does deliver on a lot of what I was expecting from it, it entirely fumbled the ending, and there were also a few writing choices/quirks that kept frustrating me throughout.
For the majority of this book, the only thing that frustrated me was certain aspects of the writing style. The biggest issue I had here was the random use of Covid-19/a pandemic, with references sporadically mentioned throughout the book. It was such a rare occurrence that it was entirely unnecessary to even write the pandemic into this book’s story world, in my opinion, as the only times it was even brought up were to mention that the MC’s junior year sucked due to it, that she still carried a mask ‘just in case’, and that her dad considered it just a flu and that everyone else had overreacted. It added absolutely nothing to the plot and only served to take me out of the story, as I tried to ponder the timeline of the book and the necessity of these references. For other readers, these small lines will be enough to not even bother reading the book (fairly), as it can remind them of the traumatic events they might have experienced during the pandemic. Additionally, seeing a story world that is safely beyond the pandemic can be frustrating for readers, because we ourselves are still stuck in it. It’s better all-around to simply not even mention it if there is literally no point (and there isn’t!) to these small mentions, as a lot of us read romance to escape, not to be reminded of the struggles of our own real worlds. On top of this, there are also many moments where the writing style feels overly opinionated, which serves to push away readers that don’t agree. This might sound a bit like nitpicking, but when this genuinely caused me to put the book down and text the people around me for their opinions, I feel like it’s a valid complaint. (Some examples of these texts: ‘Do you consider Dr. Martens to be boots?? Because this author seems to not?’ and ‘Wait do people generally not like the actor for Anakin Skywalker in the prequels? Because I’d always assumed people generally liked the guy in the Star Wars fandom and yet this random love interest hates him enough to rant during an entire movie about it’). All of these are throwaway lines that add absolutely nothing to the plot or characters in any way at all but occurred frequently enough that I kept being taken out of the story. It just was not something I’d really encountered this frequently in a story like this before, and just kept frustrating me.
Honestly, for most of this book, I was sitting at around 3 to 4 stars rating, 4 when I was feeling nice and enjoying the banter, and a 3 when those writing quirks were just especially taking me out of the book. I was still having a genuinely nice time, seeing all these literary references (even if I was never into medieval lit myself), and watching the characters grow together despite their rivalry. But then, I hit the final 20% of this book and it just, collapsed for me. I think it’s largely due to too much going on that by the end, it was impossible to properly tie everything up in the space left. Most of the side plots suddenly felt like they had a bow stuck on top of them and all was good now (especially true for the friendship and father side plots), and the rush made some wrapping up feel more ridiculous than sweet or cute (namely the romantic plot resolution). The worst part was that all of this was happening at a funeral, the presence of which felt sudden enough on its own, and logically it did not make sense that everyone came to the funeral to wrap up all these story plots. We just kept having a resolution occur only for it to be quickly shoved aside, just so the next thing could be resolved, all the while the MC is accepting condolences? And lastly, I was just extremely frustrated with how the romantic relationship broke apart and was fixed in this last bit, and personally it relied just way too much on the MC just plain ignoring the love interest, and the love interest being, very not smart in the way he chose to do things, even if he’d seen how things had gone down similarly before.
Overall, I had really high hopes for this book, and it just didn’t end up working for me in the end. While there were aspects I enjoyed, especially the academic settings and references + having a fat MC where the focus wasn’t on her losing weight, and she loved herself as she was, they were overshadowed by, everything else. I may give another book from this author a chance in the future, but this one just wasn’t for me!
For the majority of this book, the only thing that frustrated me was certain aspects of the writing style. The biggest issue I had here was the random use of Covid-19/a pandemic, with references sporadically mentioned throughout the book. It was such a rare occurrence that it was entirely unnecessary to even write the pandemic into this book’s story world, in my opinion, as the only times it was even brought up were to mention that the MC’s junior year sucked due to it, that she still carried a mask ‘just in case’, and that her dad considered it just a flu and that everyone else had overreacted. It added absolutely nothing to the plot and only served to take me out of the story, as I tried to ponder the timeline of the book and the necessity of these references. For other readers, these small lines will be enough to not even bother reading the book (fairly), as it can remind them of the traumatic events they might have experienced during the pandemic. Additionally, seeing a story world that is safely beyond the pandemic can be frustrating for readers, because we ourselves are still stuck in it. It’s better all-around to simply not even mention it if there is literally no point (and there isn’t!) to these small mentions, as a lot of us read romance to escape, not to be reminded of the struggles of our own real worlds. On top of this, there are also many moments where the writing style feels overly opinionated, which serves to push away readers that don’t agree. This might sound a bit like nitpicking, but when this genuinely caused me to put the book down and text the people around me for their opinions, I feel like it’s a valid complaint. (Some examples of these texts: ‘Do you consider Dr. Martens to be boots?? Because this author seems to not?’ and ‘Wait do people generally not like the actor for Anakin Skywalker in the prequels? Because I’d always assumed people generally liked the guy in the Star Wars fandom and yet this random love interest hates him enough to rant during an entire movie about it’). All of these are throwaway lines that add absolutely nothing to the plot or characters in any way at all but occurred frequently enough that I kept being taken out of the story. It just was not something I’d really encountered this frequently in a story like this before, and just kept frustrating me.
Honestly, for most of this book, I was sitting at around 3 to 4 stars rating, 4 when I was feeling nice and enjoying the banter, and a 3 when those writing quirks were just especially taking me out of the book. I was still having a genuinely nice time, seeing all these literary references (even if I was never into medieval lit myself), and watching the characters grow together despite their rivalry. But then, I hit the final 20% of this book and it just, collapsed for me. I think it’s largely due to too much going on that by the end, it was impossible to properly tie everything up in the space left. Most of the side plots suddenly felt like they had a bow stuck on top of them and all was good now (especially true for the friendship and father side plots), and the rush made some wrapping up feel more ridiculous than sweet or cute (namely the romantic plot resolution). The worst part was that all of this was happening at a funeral, the presence of which felt sudden enough on its own, and logically it did not make sense that everyone came to the funeral to wrap up all these story plots. We just kept having a resolution occur only for it to be quickly shoved aside, just so the next thing could be resolved, all the while the MC is accepting condolences? And lastly, I was just extremely frustrated with how the romantic relationship broke apart and was fixed in this last bit, and personally it relied just way too much on the MC just plain ignoring the love interest, and the love interest being, very not smart in the way he chose to do things, even if he’d seen how things had gone down similarly before.
Overall, I had really high hopes for this book, and it just didn’t end up working for me in the end. While there were aspects I enjoyed, especially the academic settings and references + having a fat MC where the focus wasn’t on her losing weight, and she loved herself as she was, they were overshadowed by, everything else. I may give another book from this author a chance in the future, but this one just wasn’t for me!
September 2, 2022
Jesus, and I can’t stress this enough, fucking Christ
This is going to be very short because there isn’t a single thing I liked in this book but since it was an ARC, I pushed myself to finish it.
You know that awful ex boyfriend that was terrible to the heroine in the past and/or present in romance books? The one that, if we’re lucky, gets punched in the face by said heroine or her love interest? Well, this book has that ex boyfriend… and it is the hero. Colin Benjamin is the definition of mediocre white male. GOD. How can someone be so awful? And that’s not the most important question here, that one should be why is Allison giving him another chance? Another TWO chances? Girl. That sounds like self loathing to me. MOVE ON. FIND SOMEONE BETTER. IT WON’T BE HARD.
Everyone in Allison’s life was so awful to her. Her mother forcing her to have a relationship with her shitty father even though she constantly told her she didn’t want to have anything to do with him? Her father calling her fat all the time, underestimating her job, but then after he dies it’s revealed that he had her on a pedestal at work? Her best friend getting defensive when Allison tells her it hurts that they’re drifting apart?
Allison, babygirl, you should have given everyone the middle finger by Chapter 3.
TW: Fatphobia, death of a parent
Thanks to St. Martin Press and Netgalley for my ARC.
This is going to be very short because there isn’t a single thing I liked in this book but since it was an ARC, I pushed myself to finish it.
You know that awful ex boyfriend that was terrible to the heroine in the past and/or present in romance books? The one that, if we’re lucky, gets punched in the face by said heroine or her love interest? Well, this book has that ex boyfriend… and it is the hero. Colin Benjamin is the definition of mediocre white male. GOD. How can someone be so awful? And that’s not the most important question here, that one should be why is Allison giving him another chance? Another TWO chances? Girl. That sounds like self loathing to me. MOVE ON. FIND SOMEONE BETTER. IT WON’T BE HARD.
Everyone in Allison’s life was so awful to her. Her mother forcing her to have a relationship with her shitty father even though she constantly told her she didn’t want to have anything to do with him? Her father calling her fat all the time, underestimating her job, but then after he dies it’s revealed that he had her on a pedestal at work? Her best friend getting defensive when Allison tells her it hurts that they’re drifting apart?
Allison, babygirl, you should have given everyone the middle finger by Chapter 3.
TW: Fatphobia, death of a parent
Thanks to St. Martin Press and Netgalley for my ARC.
September 16, 2022
The Make-Up Test by Jenny L Howe
Contemporary NA romance. Second chance, enemies to lovers troupes.
Allison is working on her PhD and wins the coveted teacher assistant assignment she worked for. To her surprise, Colin, her ex-boyfriend, also wins the spot and the two will need to compete against each other for their career goals.
Competition and stress can make people do unhealthy things. She lied to Colin about how her first class went. Then she expanded the lie with intricate details to make it believable. And she doesn’t stop. She lies a lot.
Colin has his issues too. He simply doesn’t communicate. So the two really don’t connect in any meaningful ways.
The story adds additional emotional elements in the last 20%. It made me sappy and wanting to like the couple.
Lots of classic literature mentioned and quoted and theorized as part of the story.
Up and down plus the angst of non-communication. Happily, they get it right in the end.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary NA romance. Second chance, enemies to lovers troupes.
Allison is working on her PhD and wins the coveted teacher assistant assignment she worked for. To her surprise, Colin, her ex-boyfriend, also wins the spot and the two will need to compete against each other for their career goals.
Competition and stress can make people do unhealthy things. She lied to Colin about how her first class went. Then she expanded the lie with intricate details to make it believable. And she doesn’t stop. She lies a lot.
Colin has his issues too. He simply doesn’t communicate. So the two really don’t connect in any meaningful ways.
The story adds additional emotional elements in the last 20%. It made me sappy and wanting to like the couple.
Lots of classic literature mentioned and quoted and theorized as part of the story.
Up and down plus the angst of non-communication. Happily, they get it right in the end.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
July 29, 2022
3.5 stars
As you may have gathered from the title and cover, The Make-Up Test is an academic rivals to lovers romance for fans of books such as Beach Read. Although I never really fell in love with the author's writing style, the characters, premise and tropes were all very loveable, making this a truly enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to contemporary romance readers.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC!
As you may have gathered from the title and cover, The Make-Up Test is an academic rivals to lovers romance for fans of books such as Beach Read. Although I never really fell in love with the author's writing style, the characters, premise and tropes were all very loveable, making this a truly enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to contemporary romance readers.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC!
July 19, 2022
(free review copy) I wrestled a lot with whether to give this 3 stars instead of 2 on account of the writing itself being quite good. But then I decided no. I did not enjoy a single second of the romance or family storyline in this book and wanted to quit reading so so many times — the only not reason I kept going is so I could rate and review it. The only character I liked in the book was Wendy (advisor) and she was a minor character. The romance made me livid and I’m sorry to say, some romances don’t deserve a second chance much less a third ~ BLECH. Allison needs a boatload of therapy and Colin SUCKS. Also, yes for fat rep but major warning re: fat shaming by other characters. So, there you have it. Good writing and a story that depressed me - not a great end result for a romance.
May 17, 2023
This was a cute second chance romance. Normally I’m not a huge fan of this trope but this was so damn cute. Allison is quite literally the reason I gave this 3.5 stars. I absolutely loved her personality, loved how she was plus sized and radiated confidence like I wish I had this girl’s confidence. Colin on the other hand… love that we got a happy ending but also I just personally didn’t like him that much. Over all such a cute fast read. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
April 5, 2024
Leider konnte das Buch meine Erwartungen nicht erfüllen. Okay vielleicht hatte ich hier dank der Bücher von Ali Hazelwood auch einfach zu viel erwartet, das muss ich der Fairness halber zugeben.
Das Setting mit der Uni und die Prämisse des Doktoranden-Programms fand ich wirklich toll. Die Universität wurde zwar nicht ausschweifend beschrieben, dennoch hat mich das Setting direkt in meine eigene Uni-Zeit zurück katapultiert. Genauso wie die Sorgen und Ängste unserer beiden Protagonisten Allison und Colin. Bis hierhin: top!
Der Rest konnte mich dann aber leider nicht mehr so begeistern oder abholen. Ich hatte so meine Probleme mit unseren Protagonisten, hierbei vor allem mit Allison. Ich hatte nicht unbedingt das Gefühl eine reife, starke Frau auf ihrem Weg zu begleiten. Dafür fand ich ihr Verhalten zum einen irgendwie zu sprunghaft bzw. inkonsistent und zum anderen wirkten die Beziehungen, die sie unterhält alle irgendwie leicht toxisch.
Colin mochte ich eigentlich sogar ganz gerne, auch wenn er mir im ganzen etwas zu blass wirkte neben Allison. Aber es hat mich einfach genervt, dass die beiden nicht besser/offener miteinander kommuniziert haben. Drama, welches aus dieser Situation entwächst finde ich immer meeehhhh.
Generell nahm mir das Drama grad in der zweiten Hälfte des Buches zu sehr überhand. Das hätte die Story gar nicht gebraucht, da ich den Grund-Plot nämlich echt gerne mochte und lieber noch mehr über diese universitäre Rivalität gelesen hätte!
Das Setting mit der Uni und die Prämisse des Doktoranden-Programms fand ich wirklich toll. Die Universität wurde zwar nicht ausschweifend beschrieben, dennoch hat mich das Setting direkt in meine eigene Uni-Zeit zurück katapultiert. Genauso wie die Sorgen und Ängste unserer beiden Protagonisten Allison und Colin. Bis hierhin: top!
Der Rest konnte mich dann aber leider nicht mehr so begeistern oder abholen. Ich hatte so meine Probleme mit unseren Protagonisten, hierbei vor allem mit Allison. Ich hatte nicht unbedingt das Gefühl eine reife, starke Frau auf ihrem Weg zu begleiten. Dafür fand ich ihr Verhalten zum einen irgendwie zu sprunghaft bzw. inkonsistent und zum anderen wirkten die Beziehungen, die sie unterhält alle irgendwie leicht toxisch.
Colin mochte ich eigentlich sogar ganz gerne, auch wenn er mir im ganzen etwas zu blass wirkte neben Allison. Aber es hat mich einfach genervt, dass die beiden nicht besser/offener miteinander kommuniziert haben. Drama, welches aus dieser Situation entwächst finde ich immer meeehhhh.
Generell nahm mir das Drama grad in der zweiten Hälfte des Buches zu sehr überhand. Das hätte die Story gar nicht gebraucht, da ich den Grund-Plot nämlich echt gerne mochte und lieber noch mehr über diese universitäre Rivalität gelesen hätte!
October 19, 2022
3.5/5 (rounded up)
I have been on a bit of a romcom kick lately, so what better way to keep that streak going than with debut author Jenny L. Howe's The Make-Up Test. She gets the point across that Colin is a gangly specimen of a man, as well as that he REALLY loves his cardigans. I think this story would have benefited from having his viewpoint as well as Allison's, but alas that is not the route Howe decided to take. I did like Allison's character most of the time, and I thought this had a very strong and entertaining start. It also held my attention the entire time, and I was curious as to why Colin ended up in a field of study that he hadn't been interested in prior to being with Allison and their ultimate breakup.
There is very little steam in The Make-Up Test, so if you are a closed-door romance fan like me, this aspect should be perfect for you. I also thought the audiobook was done really well and I loved Stacey Glemboski's narration as well as her voice, so I would highly recommend it. The story is on the lighter side, but there is also plenty of substance, especially when it came to Allison with her dad and something going on in Colin's life. I did become pretty frustrated with Allison at the end of the book and wanted to tell her to stop her mouth and actually listen to what Colin was saying though. The Make-Up Test did not have my favorite 2 characters nor was it the funniest thing I have ever read, but it was an enjoyable debut, and it had an adorable corgi that made me swoon more than the actual storyline. I will be sure to check out whatever this author writes next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have been on a bit of a romcom kick lately, so what better way to keep that streak going than with debut author Jenny L. Howe's The Make-Up Test. She gets the point across that Colin is a gangly specimen of a man, as well as that he REALLY loves his cardigans. I think this story would have benefited from having his viewpoint as well as Allison's, but alas that is not the route Howe decided to take. I did like Allison's character most of the time, and I thought this had a very strong and entertaining start. It also held my attention the entire time, and I was curious as to why Colin ended up in a field of study that he hadn't been interested in prior to being with Allison and their ultimate breakup.
There is very little steam in The Make-Up Test, so if you are a closed-door romance fan like me, this aspect should be perfect for you. I also thought the audiobook was done really well and I loved Stacey Glemboski's narration as well as her voice, so I would highly recommend it. The story is on the lighter side, but there is also plenty of substance, especially when it came to Allison with her dad and something going on in Colin's life. I did become pretty frustrated with Allison at the end of the book and wanted to tell her to stop her mouth and actually listen to what Colin was saying though. The Make-Up Test did not have my favorite 2 characters nor was it the funniest thing I have ever read, but it was an enjoyable debut, and it had an adorable corgi that made me swoon more than the actual storyline. I will be sure to check out whatever this author writes next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 1, 2022
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year because I adore all of the tropes! It has: a second chance romance and academic rivals to lovers. It also has plus size rep and a cardigan wearing hero. I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately it missed the mark for me.
Allison Avery is a hard-working grad student pursuing a TA position with a professor who teaches in her dream field of medieval literature. It seems like everything is falling into place until it’s announced that there will be two TA’s, the second being none other than Allison’s ex, Colin Benjamin. Allison and Colin dated during undergrad but Colin’s competitive nature led to a (much needed imo) breakup.
While I loved Allison and was invested in her journey to cut ties with her toxic father, Colin was not my favourite for the majority of the book. We see Allison and Colin’s relationship play out in flashbacks and I found it hard to forget the Colin of the past when reading about the current version. I would’ve liked to see some actual growth from Colin instead of the heroine insisting that he’s “changed” when readers saw none of it.
This book has the miscommunication trope in the third act. I adored the grand gesture Colin did to win back Allison but it felt too rushed for me. I needed more grovelling to get on board with Allison forgiving him.
Overall, this book has some fun tropes but my dislike for the hero overshadowed it. I spent the entire book focused on Allison’s personal journey and not the romance, which fell flat.
2.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Allison Avery is a hard-working grad student pursuing a TA position with a professor who teaches in her dream field of medieval literature. It seems like everything is falling into place until it’s announced that there will be two TA’s, the second being none other than Allison’s ex, Colin Benjamin. Allison and Colin dated during undergrad but Colin’s competitive nature led to a (much needed imo) breakup.
While I loved Allison and was invested in her journey to cut ties with her toxic father, Colin was not my favourite for the majority of the book. We see Allison and Colin’s relationship play out in flashbacks and I found it hard to forget the Colin of the past when reading about the current version. I would’ve liked to see some actual growth from Colin instead of the heroine insisting that he’s “changed” when readers saw none of it.
This book has the miscommunication trope in the third act. I adored the grand gesture Colin did to win back Allison but it felt too rushed for me. I needed more grovelling to get on board with Allison forgiving him.
Overall, this book has some fun tropes but my dislike for the hero overshadowed it. I spent the entire book focused on Allison’s personal journey and not the romance, which fell flat.
2.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2023
Ali Hazelwood blurbed this as "tHe bEsT tHINg eVEr," and I think she needs to make reparations for that.
I should have stopped reading when there was a throwaway comment about the pandemic. Huge ICK!
I recognize the author put a lot of effort and love into writing this book. I completely respect that. I'm holding accountable all the other authors and editors who read this and provided feedback, and yet, this was the final publication? I'm in complete shock.
Colin Benjamin (two damn first names, of course!) is one of the most foul male leads I've ever come across. I want him to suffer <3
Full rtc when I'm awake and coherent.
I should have stopped reading when there was a throwaway comment about the pandemic. Huge ICK!
I recognize the author put a lot of effort and love into writing this book. I completely respect that. I'm holding accountable all the other authors and editors who read this and provided feedback, and yet, this was the final publication? I'm in complete shock.
Colin Benjamin (two damn first names, of course!) is one of the most foul male leads I've ever come across. I want him to suffer <3
Full rtc when I'm awake and coherent.
January 10, 2023
this book made me irrationally angry idk can’t explain it.
Read
August 27, 2022I enjoyed The Make-Up Test! It was a good debut book and I am excited to see what's next for Jenny L. Howe.
I loved the academic setting so much. It's clear Howe knows what she's talking about, because everything felt so real. You know that I love me some academic rivals to lovers, so I was hands down so excited for this book. When I started reading it, I felt like it gave YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER vibes??? Like the enmity between the characters, but really only from the heroine's side, the hilarious moments between them, the bickering that led to intense sexual tension. I enjoyed all of that.
As other reviews have also said, the relationship they had before, the first time they were together, was so very... toxic. Like I wouldn't want to return to that someone if they did all of that. Their relationship has a lot of miscommunication even AFTER they both have grown and have reunited after two years apart. They still have miscommunication even if they've said they are different people. I was like tired of that at some point in the book tbh. Like I understand the miscommunication trope is so very real and I believe in it, and I actually really love it in books. But this was way beyond what I can understand?
This is also a very heavy book. Please be careful, read the trigger warnings before starting it. There's death of a parent, psychological and verbal abuse, fatshaming, sick parent. To be honest, I expected the vibe to be something else, but this is a very heavy book. It does has its moments of comedy and all, but I think it has more heavy, intense bits than anything else. I even want to say it is a bit women's fiction.
Colin is hard to love. These two will make you go on a roller coaster of emotions. But I don't know if I fully believe he has changed, that this relationship could be something for them, that another chance could be different. Maybe I needed that extra chapter, the epilogue, to come full circle? It just left me hanging at the edge of a cliff and I had to get down by myself lmao.
It's hard to rate this book.
I loved the academic setting so much. It's clear Howe knows what she's talking about, because everything felt so real. You know that I love me some academic rivals to lovers, so I was hands down so excited for this book. When I started reading it, I felt like it gave YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER vibes??? Like the enmity between the characters, but really only from the heroine's side, the hilarious moments between them, the bickering that led to intense sexual tension. I enjoyed all of that.
As other reviews have also said, the relationship they had before, the first time they were together, was so very... toxic. Like I wouldn't want to return to that someone if they did all of that. Their relationship has a lot of miscommunication even AFTER they both have grown and have reunited after two years apart. They still have miscommunication even if they've said they are different people. I was like tired of that at some point in the book tbh. Like I understand the miscommunication trope is so very real and I believe in it, and I actually really love it in books. But this was way beyond what I can understand?
This is also a very heavy book. Please be careful, read the trigger warnings before starting it. There's death of a parent, psychological and verbal abuse, fatshaming, sick parent. To be honest, I expected the vibe to be something else, but this is a very heavy book. It does has its moments of comedy and all, but I think it has more heavy, intense bits than anything else. I even want to say it is a bit women's fiction.
Colin is hard to love. These two will make you go on a roller coaster of emotions. But I don't know if I fully believe he has changed, that this relationship could be something for them, that another chance could be different. Maybe I needed that extra chapter, the epilogue, to come full circle? It just left me hanging at the edge of a cliff and I had to get down by myself lmao.
It's hard to rate this book.
September 3, 2022
I have a lot of conflicting thoughts about this one, that's for sure.
Allison Avery is determined to earn her Ph.D. in medieval literature. But it seems history is repeating itself when in walks Colin Benjamin, the ex-boyfriend who majorly disrupted her goals two years prior.
First of all, I loved this academia setting. It was filled with history that gave a cozy vibe to this rivalry romance. While Allison is incredibly smart and driven, Colin had the charisma with students, and initially I really enjoyed their insecurities with wanting what the other had.
I was completely into this story ... until the third-act conflict. I adore stories with realistic, flawed characters, but with repeated toxic behaviour, these two were simply not ready for a happily-ever-after. I'd say lots of growth still needed to happen both individually, but especially Colin. Oof.
With that said, the writing was solid. I love the way Jenny L. Howe incorporated heavier topics into the story, with Allison experiencing fat shaming and emotional abuse from her father. I'd definitely give Jenny L. Howe another try in the future. The story was great, but this particular romance had too many red flags for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Allison Avery is determined to earn her Ph.D. in medieval literature. But it seems history is repeating itself when in walks Colin Benjamin, the ex-boyfriend who majorly disrupted her goals two years prior.
First of all, I loved this academia setting. It was filled with history that gave a cozy vibe to this rivalry romance. While Allison is incredibly smart and driven, Colin had the charisma with students, and initially I really enjoyed their insecurities with wanting what the other had.
I was completely into this story ... until the third-act conflict. I adore stories with realistic, flawed characters, but with repeated toxic behaviour, these two were simply not ready for a happily-ever-after. I'd say lots of growth still needed to happen both individually, but especially Colin. Oof.
With that said, the writing was solid. I love the way Jenny L. Howe incorporated heavier topics into the story, with Allison experiencing fat shaming and emotional abuse from her father. I'd definitely give Jenny L. Howe another try in the future. The story was great, but this particular romance had too many red flags for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
January 30, 2023
Review coming soon.
September 2, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book. I love the idea of an academic setting and a curvy female MC. Allison is a really strong main character. However, I found the love interest to be really frustrating in this one. I didn't see Colin's appeal at all and there were some moments that really pulled me out of the story. The second chance romance trope isn't always my favorite and it just didn't work for me in this story.
I had high hopes for this one but it let me down a bit.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I had high hopes for this one but it let me down a bit.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
March 26, 2023
Allison liebt mittelalterliche Literatur und freut sich schon auf die Zusammenarbeit mit der bekannten Professorin, wegen der sie sich überhaupt für diese Universität für ihr Promotionsstudium entschieden hat. Doch dann macht ihr ausgerechnet ihr Exfreund Colin einen Strich durch die Rechnung, denn er ist ihr Konkurrent um die begehrte Stelle als Mentee.
Allison ist eigentlich selbstbewusst und wenn es um Literatur geht, dann ist sie voll in ihrem Element. Mit ihrem Vater versteht sie sich nicht besonders gut, denn dieser ist niemals hilfreich, aber beleidigt sie immer wieder, indem er ihr Gewicht kritisiert, und ihre Probleme mit ihrem Vater machen ihre Mutter traurig, was wiederum Allison belastet. Außerdem merkt sie, dass ihre beste Freundin und Mitbewohnerin ihren eigenen Weg geht und sie nur noch wenig Zeit füreinander haben.
In dieser Zeit taucht dann ihr Exfreund Colin wieder auf, der sie hintergangen hat und Allison ist sowohl wütend als auch verletzt. Obwohl es so aussieht, als hätte er sich geändert und wollte sich mit Allison vertragen, weiß sie nicht, ob sie ihm wieder vertrauen kann. Denn Colin war schon immer perfekt und beliebt, außerdem ist er ehrgeizig und nimmt nicht einmal Rücksicht auf seine Partnerin, wenn es darum geht, seine Ziele zu erreichen - zumindest aus Allisons Perspektive.
Jetzt müssen Allison und Colin zusammenarbeiten und Zeit miteinander verbringen, obwohl so viel zwischen ihnen steht. Neben dem Vertrauensproblem haben sie auch ein Kommunikationsproblem, denn wenn Allison sich erstmal eine Meinung gebildet hat, will sie nicht mehr darüber reden und gibt Colin keine Gelegenheit, sich zu erklären. Doch gleichzeitig redet Colin auch ungern über die Dinge, die ihn beschäftigen, denn trotz seines selbstbewussten Auftretens ist er im Kern sehr unsicher.
Fazit
Allison, Colin und ihre Kommunikationsprobleme haben mich auch mal frustriert, aber ich mochte ihre Leidenschaft für die Literatur des Mittelalters und auch, wie Allison langsam beginnt, Colin wieder zu vertrauen, denn sie sind schon ein süßes Team.
Allison ist eigentlich selbstbewusst und wenn es um Literatur geht, dann ist sie voll in ihrem Element. Mit ihrem Vater versteht sie sich nicht besonders gut, denn dieser ist niemals hilfreich, aber beleidigt sie immer wieder, indem er ihr Gewicht kritisiert, und ihre Probleme mit ihrem Vater machen ihre Mutter traurig, was wiederum Allison belastet. Außerdem merkt sie, dass ihre beste Freundin und Mitbewohnerin ihren eigenen Weg geht und sie nur noch wenig Zeit füreinander haben.
In dieser Zeit taucht dann ihr Exfreund Colin wieder auf, der sie hintergangen hat und Allison ist sowohl wütend als auch verletzt. Obwohl es so aussieht, als hätte er sich geändert und wollte sich mit Allison vertragen, weiß sie nicht, ob sie ihm wieder vertrauen kann. Denn Colin war schon immer perfekt und beliebt, außerdem ist er ehrgeizig und nimmt nicht einmal Rücksicht auf seine Partnerin, wenn es darum geht, seine Ziele zu erreichen - zumindest aus Allisons Perspektive.
Jetzt müssen Allison und Colin zusammenarbeiten und Zeit miteinander verbringen, obwohl so viel zwischen ihnen steht. Neben dem Vertrauensproblem haben sie auch ein Kommunikationsproblem, denn wenn Allison sich erstmal eine Meinung gebildet hat, will sie nicht mehr darüber reden und gibt Colin keine Gelegenheit, sich zu erklären. Doch gleichzeitig redet Colin auch ungern über die Dinge, die ihn beschäftigen, denn trotz seines selbstbewussten Auftretens ist er im Kern sehr unsicher.
Fazit
Allison, Colin und ihre Kommunikationsprobleme haben mich auch mal frustriert, aber ich mochte ihre Leidenschaft für die Literatur des Mittelalters und auch, wie Allison langsam beginnt, Colin wieder zu vertrauen, denn sie sind schon ein süßes Team.
May 30, 2022
I was so ready for this academic to lovers romance. These troupes are one of my favorites and I iked the synopsis of this one. But unfortunately this was just an average read for me. I wanted to dnf because I wasn’t invested in the story enough but this ARC so I kept going. I liked Avery and setting, but I felt nothing towards romance while Collin was just annoying me.
All in all, this book was pretty disappointing because of the expectations I had, but if you’re looking for a nice, simple and easy read, this is it.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
All in all, this book was pretty disappointing because of the expectations I had, but if you’re looking for a nice, simple and easy read, this is it.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2022
2.5-3 stars. I was expecting more from The Make-Up Test, as I often found it a little cheesy. Overall, this was a cute, quick read that I think many people will enjoy if they’re in the mood for a second chance romance. I also really appreciated the author’s note at the beginning of the book!
September 11, 2022
We really hesitated on the rating for this one. Why is that? Well, there are a ton of things that we liked:
1. Allison is a great heroine. She's intelligent and she knows it, but she's also afraid of failure. She's fat and confident about her looks, but she also experience moments of self-doubt the way all of us do.
2. The academic setting felt authentic and vibrant. Allison and Colin are thrown together as co-advisees, make up most of their social circle with the other first-year PhD students, and generally just roam a (post-pandemic) campus.
3. The writing is clear and fun. Although nearly all of the characters interact in an academic milieu (see point 2 above), the prose doesn't get bogged down with too many technical terms. That said, it doesn't feel like it's been dumbed down for a reader who's not familiar with them, either.
But... it was just really hard to get into the romance between two people who didn't feel like fully-formed adults. Allison just finished undergrad and went straight to grad school, while Colin graduated two years earlier. And (did we forget to mention?) this is a second-chance romance. So the reader is supposed to believe that a forever love between two undergrads (that was interrupted by the absolutely heinous behavior of one of them) is right on track only two years later?
Howe doesn't gloss over Colin's terrible actions, but both Allison and the reader are expected to forgive him a little too easily. (SPOILER: )
We're settling on 3.25 stars because of the elements we mention above. Also because we were obviously emotionally invested even if maybe it was in the wrong way...
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
1. Allison is a great heroine. She's intelligent and she knows it, but she's also afraid of failure. She's fat and confident about her looks, but she also experience moments of self-doubt the way all of us do.
2. The academic setting felt authentic and vibrant. Allison and Colin are thrown together as co-advisees, make up most of their social circle with the other first-year PhD students, and generally just roam a (post-pandemic) campus.
3. The writing is clear and fun. Although nearly all of the characters interact in an academic milieu (see point 2 above), the prose doesn't get bogged down with too many technical terms. That said, it doesn't feel like it's been dumbed down for a reader who's not familiar with them, either.
But... it was just really hard to get into the romance between two people who didn't feel like fully-formed adults. Allison just finished undergrad and went straight to grad school, while Colin graduated two years earlier. And (did we forget to mention?) this is a second-chance romance. So the reader is supposed to believe that a forever love between two undergrads (that was interrupted by the absolutely heinous behavior of one of them) is right on track only two years later?
Howe doesn't gloss over Colin's terrible actions, but both Allison and the reader are expected to forgive him a little too easily. (SPOILER: )
We're settling on 3.25 stars because of the elements we mention above. Also because we were obviously emotionally invested even if maybe it was in the wrong way...
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
September 10, 2022
I had such high hopes for this one. A second chance romance set in academia? Yes please.
What I got was not exactly that.
She spent so much time angry at him for doing totally normal things that fell into his job responsibilities. He took the classes he was TA-ing seriously, well he must be undermining her. He throws credit to her for ideas that came out of a private conversation in front of the students and their professor; well he must have forgotten that he was directing praise toward her.
Yes, they had a kind of ugly break up in undergrad but I would hope that people have grown since then. I just never really saw it from her and it started to tank my mood for the entire book. She has a complicated relationship with both of her parents and I found myself not really caring when what was clear was going to happen with her dad, did.
I feel awful giving this book a low rating because there was very important messaging here but unfortunately the story just didn't hold it up. The writing was solid and this was this author's debut but sadly I did not enjoy the majority of this one.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
What I got was not exactly that.
She spent so much time angry at him for doing totally normal things that fell into his job responsibilities. He took the classes he was TA-ing seriously, well he must be undermining her. He throws credit to her for ideas that came out of a private conversation in front of the students and their professor; well he must have forgotten that he was directing praise toward her.
Yes, they had a kind of ugly break up in undergrad but I would hope that people have grown since then. I just never really saw it from her and it started to tank my mood for the entire book. She has a complicated relationship with both of her parents and I found myself not really caring when what was clear was going to happen with her dad, did.
I feel awful giving this book a low rating because there was very important messaging here but unfortunately the story just didn't hold it up. The writing was solid and this was this author's debut but sadly I did not enjoy the majority of this one.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
September 11, 2022
DNF at 30%
Let's just get this outta the way right up front: I'm a stingy-star bitch who reads romance partly for the fantasy element....but I also like flawed characters. Now, as a plus size woman I freaking LOVE a plus size heroine. But in my infinite hypocrisy, I want my plus size heroine to get together with a freaking model. A bastion of male physical perfection. I'm an asshole like that.
Sadly, I don't have a lot of interest in reading a plus-size heroine get back together with a tall, gangly, Ichabod Crane who is described as being boney and having a "flat ass". The reader also learns early in the book that he puts on JUST A KNIT CARDIGAN immediately after sex because it makes him feel "protected". Can I switch this guy out for a cocky, ab-ridden fire-fighter, please?
So, based on my supreme hypocrisy, where I want to root for a plus-size female lead,—but I only want her to get together with a physically perfect male lead—THE MAKE-UP TEST just didn't work out for me.
If you are all about a more realistic love story with two physically atypical (for romance books, anyway) leads then you might really love this book and you should definitely add it to your tbr.
Me and my shallow male-beauty standards are just gunna find a different book.
April 1, 2022
Jenny L. Howe what a great story. All ages will love this book. I had such a connection to Allison. The fat rep is authentic and moving. I can barely find the words to describe how much I enjoyed going through this journey with her. I felt all the stresses of Allison's life. I deal with inadequacies and anxiety myself so I could almost feel her emotions. The fatness, the complicated growing-up part of friendships, the even more complicated family relationships. And every dip down into the bad was accompanied by a shot up into the good. I loved the academic rivalry romance. Allison fought with all of her heart's desires. She gave Colin a good run. Highly recommend. A heartfelt story. Waiting for your next great book Jenny Howe.
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