My monitor is also hugh. And maybe it's the fluorescent lights that bug me...
I say, do it, girl. It's not cheating, it's smart. Just don't drop the other plot entirely.
Maybe her friend the nice oddball could critique for her?
Ooh, yeah, that could work, too!
They aren't friends yet...but she'll come around. He's darling, if a little kooky.
It's a drag falling for your own characters.