Most known for her novel All the Bright Places, Jennifer Niven has written some amazing novels. Holding Up the Universe is an exception. The story follows Libby and Jack. Libby who has a reputation for being overweight and Jack who is popular but can’t remember faces. 

The plot of this story was very weird. It becomes confusing quickly with Jack not being able to identify anyone because the reader struggles to follow who Jack was talking to. On top of that, Niven makes Libby’s whole personality about her weight. In the end, because both Libby and Jack differ, they end up finding something in the other to make them feel seen.

Niven wrote this novel very poorly. She could have changed a few details and made this so much better than it was. Do not go into this expecting the same as All The Bright places because they are nothing alike and this will be a huge let down. A prime example of not to judge a book by its cover. 

I give this book a 3/10