No Dress, No Idea

by R.A. Stephens

Graduation is just over a year away, but all Tarni can think about is her Year 12 formal. The shoes, the makeup, the car, the photos and most importantly, the dress!

But Tarni’s perfect dress is a whopping $950, and she will have to save every cent to get it.

Tarni checks each item off her list, one by one, but by the time she’s saved enough money, the dress has disappeared!

Can she find her perfect dress—and in the right size? And what will she do when she graduates?

128 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

R. A. Stephens is a teacher by day, writer, editor and publisher by night. She is passionate about the written word, what stories can do to take a reader to a new world and open our eyes to love, compassion, the bigger picture and much more. When not working, teaching or writing, she enjoys living in the country and spending time with her kids and cats. R. A. Stephens is a teacher and careers advisor and works with teenagers to help them think about their career past school. She is working on a large range of stories for children with a focus on science, mathematics and investigation. R.A. Stephens lives in country Queensland and writes from the experience of both city and country life.

Reviews

[Ruth Bonetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author knows adolescent girls and their absorption in end of school formal, the dress, shoes, makeup, accessories. Tarni knows exactly the dress she wants, saves to afford it and overcomes obstacles when the mail order proves a disaster. R.A.Stephens has captured the obsession with understanding in an easily read short novel. Highly recommended.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertainingly fast and easy read

[Catriona McKeown · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Dress, No Idea tells the story of Tarni who is totally obsessed with her graduating school formal! Starting in Year 11, she starts looking online. Finding the perfect dress and not caring about the cost, the battle then begins to save save save, while finding the perfectly matching accessories. Tarni’s crazy quest for the perfect formal causes all sorts of problems along the way, while the biggest problem of all looms in the back ground - whatever will she do with her life after school!?

No Dress, No Idea will be a super-fun read for girls who love fashion, up-cycling, creating something new out of something not quite working, or for those girls who simply cannot wait for their own formal in the future!

For reluctant teenage readers, No Dress, No Idea will give teens confidence to be able to finish reading a whole book is just a few hours. And for those who may struggle with reading, the easy language will help give them the confidence to know they can read a YA book, and enjoy it at the same time.

As a fellow writer of the Rhiza Shorts listing, I’m excited about this novella, the third book in the Rhiza Edge Shorts listing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to receive a free copy of this book for being a member of the beta reading team.

[Lellie Lopter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think No Dress, No Idea by R. A. Stephens beautifully captures the mix of excitement and anxiety that often comes with a school formal. I loved watching Tarni’s countdown to the big event in the cute illustrations at the start of each chapter too. They really added to the feeling of Tarni counting down the days to the big night. Tarni's hopes for the perfect dress, and the pressure to get everything just right was realistic and timeless. The story moves with a steady, easy-to-read rhythm, which is perfect for teens too busy studying for a longer book but still wanting to read something just for fun.

What I liked most about this one was how Stephens doesn’t turn the story into a shallow ‘glamour or nothing’ narrative. Instead, she shows the value of resourcefulness, self-worth and accepting that sometimes things don’t go to plan. The honesty and relatability of ‘No Dress, No Idea makes this such a worthwhile read for anyone who’s been caught between big dreams and a harsh reality.

[Ausjenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

This is an easy read that flows well and an interesting concept. Tarni can only think of her final year formal but her mother has said not talk about it till 365 days away. She is looking for the perfect dress and finds it way out of her budget. Tarni is someone who has lists with all she needs for the formal and paying to get her driver's licence.

I like seeing the count down to the formal and the how her list and finances are progressing. She also has a good friend group. I like how Tarni has a goal even if a little obsessed with the perfect dress but that she sticks to her plan. Then when she almost has her dream there is a curveball. As the book goes one so do some of her goals for the positive. I like how the book plays out and how the character grows.

I would recommend it for teens its wholesome and a positive read.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarni faces a series of dilemmas - first she's got to earn the money to buy the dress of her dreams for the formal she's been obsessing about for years, but that won't be enough. There are shoes, make-up and jewellery to be factored into the outfit, not to mention the need for a senior jersey, not to forget driving lessons, not to... well, so many other things.

One by one the expenses mount and one by one, Tarni rises to the challenge. But then the dress is gone from the online website, a discontinued line. Her friends help her ring around the stockists... but the chain of disasters is only just beginning...

[Shelby Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one! Was genuinely invested in Tarni's story and felt so bad for her when things went wrong. I remember being her age and getting ready for formal so there was a lot to relate to here and I imagine this will be a very relatable read for teens currently experiencing their senior year of high school. The best part was Tarni's determination and how, in the end, she gets everything she wanted through hard work and patience, which is a nice message to send. Highly recommended for teen readers.

[Frances Prentice · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Dress, No Idea will appeal to all those girls who are wondering how they can possibly get everything organised in time before the all-important Year 12 story. With a gentle hint of a love story, and the usual friendship ups and downs of high school, R.A. Stephens book is very relatable for 15-17 year old girls. As one of the original beta readers it was lovely to read the final version and see how the story all came together in the end. An interesting climax and satisfying conclusion.

[Haylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored No Dress No Idea! It’s funny, warm, and written with an authentic voice that it feels like chatting with your friends! The main character is incredibly relatable, and I loved following her journey of self-discovery and resilience. A gorgeous, feel-good read with plenty of laughs along the way.

[Deborah Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and accessible read that teens girls especially will find enjoyable and relatable. The characters are real-Tarni has to work hard to raise money herself for the formal dress, rather than it all just being paid for by Mum. I also liked the link between her interest in fashion and a potential career direction. 5 stars.

[Linda Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could imagine myself in Tarni's boots - the ones she finally finds for her school formal, and easily relate to the two consuming quests in her life. 'No Dress No Idea' is a relatable and easy-to-read book for young readers, showing how resilience and good friends can help us through tough spots.

[Bethany Loveridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and authentic story. It's easy to read and totally relatable for senior students more interested in formal dresses than final exams!

Thanks for the advance reading copy!

[Rochelle]

I really enjoyed this one. Full review to come soon.

[Brenton Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teens will love No Dress, No Idea (a book in the Rhiza Shorts series, short YA novels with minimal words but maximum impact) and the relatable high school themes: obsession over formal, picking out dresses and suits, who to dance with, what your friends are wearing, and saving money for all the expenses. In the hands of author R.A. Stephens, the story barrels along at a great pace. We as the reader empathise and sympathise with Tarni's plight to find the perfect formal dress - and save up the required $950 - and when things go wrong, we feel for her. The characters are well-drawn and the situations in the book are fresh and realistic. No Dress, No Idea leaves readers satisfied at the final page, with a good, relatable story well told. Perfect for readers 10 and up.