A review by alisonreadsitall
The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe

emotional funny informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ St. Martin’s Griffin for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Allison Avery is living her best life: rooming with her best friend and  just started the elite graduate program she's worked so hard to get into. Imagine her surprise when her ex shows up as the other TA competing for a once in a lifetime placement. Being forced to work closely together, will she be able to resist how much he has changed?

Overall, I really liked Allison. She loved herself as a fat woman, and didn't try to make herself smaller (physically or emotionally) to fit in or please others. She was intelligent, confident, and always had a plan for worst case scenarios. However, she suffered from the inability to cope with failure and jumped to false conclusions often driven by her anxiety.

SpoilerI have mixed emotions about Allison and Colin together, because honestly, their communication was just terrible. Yes, Colin was in the wrong in their previous relationship, but Allison always jumped to the worse conclusions to protect herself without allowing his explanations.
Even though I was annoyed by the lack of communication, there were some hilarious and swoon-worthy moments in between it all. (I can't with the cardigans. 😅)

While I didn't love this one, I really did enjoy it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I'm looking forward to more of what Jenny has up her sleeve as an author!

Tropes: second chance romance, rivalry to lovers, forced proximity

The book will be published September 13, 2022!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings