a television transformation to true love

Everly Winters was just sitting at her desk in reception, answering the phone for the marketing firm she worked for, when two of her reality tv heroes came through the front doors. Stanton and Jazzy were the hosts of On the Plus Side, the makeover show that helps overweight individuals find the ways they hold themselves back from what they want and transform their lives. It’s not about losing weight, it’s about being proud of who you are, where you are, and going after your dreams.

Everly had been a fan of the show since it premiered, and she lurked on the message boards where the superfans shared their thoughts. She never thought that she would be on the show, but as she thought about what it could do for her, Everly wanted to be on the show. She wanted to get back to her artist roots. She wanted to do more for a job than answer phones for other creative people. Everly wants to put her graphic skills to work for her, to create logos or book covers or maybe even design tattoos.

Everly had been all set to be a part of an artists’ Collective several years ago, but her greatest cheerleader, her grandmother, had succumbed to cancer weeks before Everly was going to put her art out there for everyone to see. But she had lost her nerve, and she’d been hiding ever since. She work dark colors. She worked as a receptionist. And while she flirted with a guy from work, she would never dream of asking him out. The show could change all of that.

But as the days go by, and the episodes start to air, Everly realizes that she was hoping they would be focusing her episodes on her art and recovering her voice and her space in the art world. However, they seem to be focusing on her crush on her coworker. She tries to tell them she wants to make her story about her art, but the chemistry she is having with cameraman Logan is hard to miss, and it gives another layer to the potential love story.

But in the end, it’s all up to Everly to decide how to use this opportunity. She’s the one who will still be there when the show moves on. She is the one to decide what happens in her relationship with her mother, with her brother, with her best friend, with her art. And it will be up to Everly to decide whether she has room in her life for love, and if so, which guy will be the one to win her heart.

On the Plus Side is a fun look at reality makeover shows and how they choose to tell their stories. And it’s also a look at what it means to be overweight in a world where most of the media acts like being fat is a moral failing. The story is interspersed with comments from the message boards and articles about the show, adding real-life commentary about what is going on in Everly’s life and what goes on in the daily stories of anyone who struggles with being different.

I’ve been “plus-sized” for a long time, so I know what’s it like. I loved Everly’s story of reconnecting with her authentic self and building her confidence to find the life she wanted. I enjoyed how fat-positive the story was, while staying true to reality (there will always be internet trolls), and I thought that the ending was particularly satisfying. There are lots of clothes and several dogs, and so much heart to On the Plus Side. If you’re a fan of reality makeover shows and want to be on the inside, then this will be a must-read.

Egalleys for On the Plus Side were provided by St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley, with many thanks.