Scan barcode
A review by donnicakelsey
The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
+plus-sized heroine
+academic rivals
+second-chance romance
I wanted to love this book. The premise had me hooked. I especially loved this section from the author's note: "The word fat doesn't have to be ugly. But to make that so, we need to disempower it. I believe that stories are such a crucial first step to this. Fat people are more than their bodies. We deserve happily-ever-afters, both romantic and otherwise. I am so thrilled that I get to give Allison one."
After reading that, I was locked in, but this wasn't a happily-ever-after. There is nothing Jenny L. Howe wrote that made me believe, Allison, our leading lady, wasn't settling. Nothing in this book made me think the love interest, Colin, wasn't a complete douchebag. I hated this character, and there's no way he deserved a second-chance-at-love with Allison.
Throughout the book, which I forced myself to complete (though I strongly contemplated DNF'ing around 30%) I was hoping Allison grew a backbone, gave Colin the middle finger and kept it moving, focusing on her academic goals. Realistically, I know women who let men walk over them or easily excuse their behavior because they had a reason, but I didn't want that for this character. So, I found myself getting increasingly frustrated at the relationship and the immaturity of these characters.
+academic rivals
+second-chance romance
I wanted to love this book. The premise had me hooked. I especially loved this section from the author's note: "The word fat doesn't have to be ugly. But to make that so, we need to disempower it. I believe that stories are such a crucial first step to this. Fat people are more than their bodies. We deserve happily-ever-afters, both romantic and otherwise. I am so thrilled that I get to give Allison one."
After reading that, I was locked in, but this wasn't a happily-ever-after. There is nothing Jenny L. Howe wrote that made me believe, Allison, our leading lady, wasn't settling. Nothing in this book made me think the love interest, Colin, wasn't a complete douchebag. I hated this character, and there's no way he deserved a second-chance-at-love with Allison.
Throughout the book, which I forced myself to complete (though I strongly contemplated DNF'ing around 30%) I was hoping Allison grew a backbone, gave Colin the middle finger and kept it moving, focusing on her academic goals. Realistically, I know women who let men walk over them or easily excuse their behavior because they had a reason, but I didn't want that for this character. So, I found myself getting increasingly frustrated at the relationship and the immaturity of these characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Death of parent