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Slow Burn
A sporty, feel-good, body-positive rom-com pits a plus-size teen against her bullies to prove what she already knows—that she has exactly the right stuff.
Sixteen-year-old Ruby has worked hard to be happy in her body, even when other people—including her brother and her PE teacher—insist there's something wrong with her for being fat. All Ruby cares about is hanging out at the skate park this summer with friends. But her brother’s bullying words get under her skin, and in order to prove to him (and her impressionable little sister) that fat girls can do anything, Ruby finds herself signed up for the annual 5K Dawson Dash. There’s just one problem: She can’t run. The cute new boy next door can, however, and when Ollie offers to help her train, Ruby takes him up on it, even if it means he'll see her at her sweatiest and most vulnerable. Young athletes of all stripes, especially those marginalized in sports due to body differences, will find a hero in good-humored Ruby. With its all-audience appeal, her joyful story delivers upbeat romance and affirmation that our bodies are just right, just the way they are.
Sixteen-year-old Ruby has worked hard to be happy in her body, even when other people—including her brother and her PE teacher—insist there's something wrong with her for being fat. All Ruby cares about is hanging out at the skate park this summer with friends. But her brother’s bullying words get under her skin, and in order to prove to him (and her impressionable little sister) that fat girls can do anything, Ruby finds herself signed up for the annual 5K Dawson Dash. There’s just one problem: She can’t run. The cute new boy next door can, however, and when Ollie offers to help her train, Ruby takes him up on it, even if it means he'll see her at her sweatiest and most vulnerable. Young athletes of all stripes, especially those marginalized in sports due to body differences, will find a hero in good-humored Ruby. With its all-audience appeal, her joyful story delivers upbeat romance and affirmation that our bodies are just right, just the way they are.
- GenresRomanceYoung Adult
Paperback
Published March 3, 2026
5 people are currently reading
4700 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Rutter
9 books204 followersHi! I’m Bethany Rutter. In my day job I am social editor at navabi, a women’s plus size fashion brand. On the side, I am a writer, editor and podcaster, and I still occasionally update my plus size fashion blog.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 9, 2026
Slow Burn is a young adult story about a teen named Ruby…who is fat. And that’s okay. Ruby uses that word to describe herself and knows that fat people can live happy and fulfilling lives doing whatever they want to do. If only the rest of the world believe what Ruby and her friends know to be true. In an effort to spite her fatphobic brother and her self-conscious chubby sister, Ruby signs up to run her school’s 5k. Along the way, she enlists her new neighbor Ollie to help coach her…who happens to be super cute. And he just might like her too.
Let me begin by saying that this is the best book with fat representation that I’ve EVER read. Seriously…ever. And I read a lot of books featuring fat characters. There are body positive characters, there are body neutral characters, but Ruby is the first truly fat positive character that I’ve encountered in a story. And wow…that representation means more than I can possibly express. Bethany Rutter portrays teenage life in a fat body (and life in a fat body in general) in an incredibly realistic way. Ruby’s experiences in gym class and with her gym teacher made me sob because it was so similar to my own experience as a fat teen. Yes, there are gym teachers that DO treat fat students like crap. And yes, no one hates fat people more than a formally fat person, as Rutter shows us all too well through Ruby’s brother Jake. Even Ruby’s little sister being made to feel about her body at 10 years old…is all unfortunately so real in today’s society.
There’s a big moment at the end of the book where I cried massive ugly tears because I felt for Ruby so much. I have been Ruby in that moment so many times. And now I’m crying as I write this because I’ve never, ever read a story that so heartbreakingly summarized the internal and external pressures to conform our bodies into something that people respect. How difficult it is to love your body in a world that tells you every single day how wrong it is. How difficult it is to be told that we just need to exercise and then be shamed when we can’t do it well enough or look too fat doing it. Rutter truly gets it, and she expresses it in a way that I’ve never seen before– even among fat authors who write fat characters.
Aside from all of my emotional attachment to this book, it was also just a great story. The cast of characters is fun, and the multiple subplots made this story feel quick but also well-rounded and fleshed out. This 1st person story is told from Ruby’s pov, so we really only ever get to see her thoughts and character development. She is by far the most dynamic character, but it didn’t bother me. Ruby’s story is just as much about her own internal issues as is it is about the romance or even the big race.
This is a great book for all readers of any size. The representation is important to fat and plus size bodies, but the fatphobia and off handed hurtful comments Ruby experiences will be eye-opening to straight sized people who don’t spend much time with larger bodies. And of course, this is extra, extra, extra important for young adults. They need books with badass fat characters who are fat positive and live their best lives without having to change themselves for society. And Slow Burn does a great job of illustrating the fact that fat doesn’t mean unhealthy or lazy.
Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this alc copy of Slow Burn. This book was quite literally life-changing for me and will be a favorite book forever.
Let me begin by saying that this is the best book with fat representation that I’ve EVER read. Seriously…ever. And I read a lot of books featuring fat characters. There are body positive characters, there are body neutral characters, but Ruby is the first truly fat positive character that I’ve encountered in a story. And wow…that representation means more than I can possibly express. Bethany Rutter portrays teenage life in a fat body (and life in a fat body in general) in an incredibly realistic way. Ruby’s experiences in gym class and with her gym teacher made me sob because it was so similar to my own experience as a fat teen. Yes, there are gym teachers that DO treat fat students like crap. And yes, no one hates fat people more than a formally fat person, as Rutter shows us all too well through Ruby’s brother Jake. Even Ruby’s little sister being made to feel about her body at 10 years old…is all unfortunately so real in today’s society.
There’s a big moment at the end of the book where I cried massive ugly tears because I felt for Ruby so much. I have been Ruby in that moment so many times. And now I’m crying as I write this because I’ve never, ever read a story that so heartbreakingly summarized the internal and external pressures to conform our bodies into something that people respect. How difficult it is to love your body in a world that tells you every single day how wrong it is. How difficult it is to be told that we just need to exercise and then be shamed when we can’t do it well enough or look too fat doing it. Rutter truly gets it, and she expresses it in a way that I’ve never seen before– even among fat authors who write fat characters.
Aside from all of my emotional attachment to this book, it was also just a great story. The cast of characters is fun, and the multiple subplots made this story feel quick but also well-rounded and fleshed out. This 1st person story is told from Ruby’s pov, so we really only ever get to see her thoughts and character development. She is by far the most dynamic character, but it didn’t bother me. Ruby’s story is just as much about her own internal issues as is it is about the romance or even the big race.
This is a great book for all readers of any size. The representation is important to fat and plus size bodies, but the fatphobia and off handed hurtful comments Ruby experiences will be eye-opening to straight sized people who don’t spend much time with larger bodies. And of course, this is extra, extra, extra important for young adults. They need books with badass fat characters who are fat positive and live their best lives without having to change themselves for society. And Slow Burn does a great job of illustrating the fact that fat doesn’t mean unhealthy or lazy.
Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this alc copy of Slow Burn. This book was quite literally life-changing for me and will be a favorite book forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really enjoyed this super sweet, body positive, YA novel! It was joyful and inspiring and a book I wish was around when I was a teenager.
Ruby is a plus-size sixteen year old who just wants to enjoy the summer with her friends and set a good example for her little sister, who already appears to be worrying about her body. After being bullied by her PE teacher and her brother, she sets out to prove she can run in her school's annual 5K Dawson Dash. Her new (cute) neighbour, Ollie, offers to help her train for it. 👟🏃♀️
I just loved the upbeat humour and the sweet romance between Ruby and Ollie. The romance was definitely a subtle part of the overall story. There was more focus on Ruby's relationships with her family members, her friends, and herself, which I appreciated. She's only 16, so a relationship with a boy didn't need to be the main theme - but they were totally adorable!
As someone who has struggled with eating disorders since entering high school (growing up in the 90s with its toxic diet culture definitely affected me) - I just loved the messaging in this book. It's ok to not always love the size & shape of your body but it's also ok that we all have our own variations in body types. There's no "wrong" body size.
This book really hit with me and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a quick, light YA read!🩷
Ruby is a plus-size sixteen year old who just wants to enjoy the summer with her friends and set a good example for her little sister, who already appears to be worrying about her body. After being bullied by her PE teacher and her brother, she sets out to prove she can run in her school's annual 5K Dawson Dash. Her new (cute) neighbour, Ollie, offers to help her train for it. 👟🏃♀️
I just loved the upbeat humour and the sweet romance between Ruby and Ollie. The romance was definitely a subtle part of the overall story. There was more focus on Ruby's relationships with her family members, her friends, and herself, which I appreciated. She's only 16, so a relationship with a boy didn't need to be the main theme - but they were totally adorable!
As someone who has struggled with eating disorders since entering high school (growing up in the 90s with its toxic diet culture definitely affected me) - I just loved the messaging in this book. It's ok to not always love the size & shape of your body but it's also ok that we all have our own variations in body types. There's no "wrong" body size.
This book really hit with me and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a quick, light YA read!🩷
March 4, 2026
This was definitely a body-positive, feel-good read. I think this young adult book should be in school settings, because so many teens constantly second-guess themselves and how they look. It sends an important message: if you put your mind to something, you really can do it.
The story follows sixteen-year-old Ruby, who has worked hard to be comfortable in her body—even when people around her, including her brother and her PE teacher, make her feel like something is wrong with her. All she wants is to enjoy her summer at the skate park with her friends. But after her brother’s hurtful comments get to her, Ruby signs up for the annual 5K Dawson Dash to prove that fat girls can do anything.
The only problem? She can’t run.
With help from the cute boy next door, Ollie, Ruby starts training—facing her fears, insecurities, and vulnerable moments along the way. Her journey is relatable, encouraging, and uplifting, especially for young people who feel marginalized in sports or judged because of their bodies.
Overall, this was a sweet, sporty rom-com with a strong message about self-love and confidence. It wasn’t a favorite, but I really appreciated its positivity and heart. A solid 3½-star read for me.
The story follows sixteen-year-old Ruby, who has worked hard to be comfortable in her body—even when people around her, including her brother and her PE teacher, make her feel like something is wrong with her. All she wants is to enjoy her summer at the skate park with her friends. But after her brother’s hurtful comments get to her, Ruby signs up for the annual 5K Dawson Dash to prove that fat girls can do anything.
The only problem? She can’t run.
With help from the cute boy next door, Ollie, Ruby starts training—facing her fears, insecurities, and vulnerable moments along the way. Her journey is relatable, encouraging, and uplifting, especially for young people who feel marginalized in sports or judged because of their bodies.
Overall, this was a sweet, sporty rom-com with a strong message about self-love and confidence. It wasn’t a favorite, but I really appreciated its positivity and heart. A solid 3½-star read for me.
March 5, 2026
This was the cutest. I loved how Ruby challenged herself to run the race to prove to everyone who doubted her that she could do it. She refused to let her little sister grow up hating her body. I really loved the moment when her brother finally understood her. I had such a good time reading this.
March 9, 2026
I started Slow Burn with no expectations, and I finished it on the same day. It’s one of these easy and fast-paced reads that you can’t stop reading until the last page. In the end, it leaves the reader with the feeling that I feel better about myself.
The whole setup is relatable (used to be plus-size). Ruby finds herself signing up for the annual 5K Dawson Dash race after a conflict with her brother. Her brother is all about being fit and exercising to be healthy and slim. Ruby wants to prove him wrong, not only for her sake but also for their little sister, who is only 10 years old, but she has been told not to eat this or that by their brother to lose weight. Ruby is upset with the body shaming action from their brother, and that’s how old begins.
Her dad and brother won the race, and the stake is high. Despite this, she meets the cute boy next door, old familiar face Ollie, who helps her with her training. The vibe is top-tier. Ollie moves back after some difficulties his parents are facing.
I loved the fluffy romance. I’m a sucker for this. Apart from body-positivity vibes, it shows how children are facing their parents' messy divorce and the familiar that becomes an unfamiliar situation. It’s a joyful book and lifts the spirit. I did enjoy it.
The whole setup is relatable (used to be plus-size). Ruby finds herself signing up for the annual 5K Dawson Dash race after a conflict with her brother. Her brother is all about being fit and exercising to be healthy and slim. Ruby wants to prove him wrong, not only for her sake but also for their little sister, who is only 10 years old, but she has been told not to eat this or that by their brother to lose weight. Ruby is upset with the body shaming action from their brother, and that’s how old begins.
Her dad and brother won the race, and the stake is high. Despite this, she meets the cute boy next door, old familiar face Ollie, who helps her with her training. The vibe is top-tier. Ollie moves back after some difficulties his parents are facing.
I loved the fluffy romance. I’m a sucker for this. Apart from body-positivity vibes, it shows how children are facing their parents' messy divorce and the familiar that becomes an unfamiliar situation. It’s a joyful book and lifts the spirit. I did enjoy it.
March 8, 2026
I want to Thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC (Advanced Listener Copy). These are my own and honest opinions.
This was a cute YA story that centers on body positivity. As someone who grew up as a plus-sized girl who was bullied by a brother, Ruby’s story felt very real to me. Her experiences with PE especially hit close to home as well. I remember how humiliating those moments felt, so I completely understood her.
I really appreciated watching Ruby push back and prove that she was capable. It is sad that she felt like she had to prove herself to others in the first place, but it was satisfying to see her silence the people who doubted her. Sasha was so cute! I’m glad Ruby not only stepped up for herself but her sister.
The relationship between Ruby and Ollie was also very sweet and super cute. It made the book even more hopeful.
This was a cute YA story that centers on body positivity. As someone who grew up as a plus-sized girl who was bullied by a brother, Ruby’s story felt very real to me. Her experiences with PE especially hit close to home as well. I remember how humiliating those moments felt, so I completely understood her.
I really appreciated watching Ruby push back and prove that she was capable. It is sad that she felt like she had to prove herself to others in the first place, but it was satisfying to see her silence the people who doubted her. Sasha was so cute! I’m glad Ruby not only stepped up for herself but her sister.
The relationship between Ruby and Ollie was also very sweet and super cute. It made the book even more hopeful.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! This was a really sweet YA romance with body positive rep. The MMC in particular was super sweet. I will say I do wish that the main relationship had a bit more depth and time to build-their ending unfortunately felt a bit rushed. I also found that it a bit hard to keep track of all of the FMC's friends-especially since one of them had a very similar name to her sister. Overall, though, this was a sweet and fast-paced palette cleanser! I would recommend this to readers of the genre!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! This was a really sweet YA romance with body positive rep. The MMC in particular was super sweet. I will say I do wish that the main relationship had a bit more depth and time to build-their ending unfortunately felt a bit rushed. I also found that it a bit hard to keep track of all of the FMC's friends-especially since one of them had a very similar name to her sister. Overall, though, this was a sweet and fast-paced palette cleanser! I would recommend this to readers of the genre!
March 7, 2026
First of all, Thanks alot Netgalley and Publisher for this audiobook of Slow Burn.
Secondly, As always i didn't read the description just saw the cover and requested for that, not saying it disappointed me but title felt misleading for me. I get it okay there was cute little tension between them but 2-3 month of interaction? I don't count that as SLOW burn especially when FMC purpose was different. Its not like she started running because she had a crush on ML.
.
The story itself was really cute and fun to listen but it irritated and annoyed me alot whenever she tries to justify her opinion and thoughts to others. She should've just stop talking about it and work on it more.
Secondly, As always i didn't read the description just saw the cover and requested for that, not saying it disappointed me but title felt misleading for me. I get it okay there was cute little tension between them but 2-3 month of interaction? I don't count that as SLOW burn especially when FMC purpose was different. Its not like she started running because she had a crush on ML.
.
The story itself was really cute and fun to listen but it irritated and annoyed me alot whenever she tries to justify her opinion and thoughts to others. She should've just stop talking about it and work on it more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A big-hearted YA story about a fat British teen girl who decides to enter a community marathon with her brother to prove to him and her younger sister that being fat isn't bad and she can do anything her brother can. I really loved the body positivity of this story, the sweet romance and the determination of the female protagonist. Good on audio and highly recommended for fans of authors like Julie Murphy. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an audio ARC of Slow Burn by Bethany Rutter thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the representation in the book and how it showed a very accurate portrayal of fatphobia and shame. I appreciate that the main character has doubts but is ultimately comfortable with herself. It is the type of book that young girls should read. It also shows that just because of your body shape/weight does not mean that you can't do certain things. Determination is really all you need.
I loved the representation in the book and how it showed a very accurate portrayal of fatphobia and shame. I appreciate that the main character has doubts but is ultimately comfortable with herself. It is the type of book that young girls should read. It also shows that just because of your body shape/weight does not mean that you can't do certain things. Determination is really all you need.
March 5, 2026
Ruby is set to win the 5K Dawson Dash, to prove the world, including her big brother and her PE teacher, that she is fine just the way she is and is happy with her plus size body. In her journey to train for the challenge she finds new friends, a love interest and the chance to prove that life is so much more than the size of your wardrobe. Beautiful and challenging story. The audiobook with Ella Lynch makes the story ten times better. Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape media por the ALC. this is my honest review.
March 7, 2026
This was a cute, quick read! Ruby was such a likable and relatable character. I loved the body positivity and her relationship with her younger sister. The romance subplot was super sweet too! I loved how Ollie supported Ruby in her determination to run the 5k. They were very cute together!
If you are looking for a sweet, body positive romance, then I definitely recommend picking up this cute YA rom-com!
If you are looking for a sweet, body positive romance, then I definitely recommend picking up this cute YA rom-com!
October 21, 2025
I was excited to get to read this ya romance about a heavy-set girl wanting to run a race that her family has been known to win. Her brother, who everyone loves, is so mean to her, as well as the PE teacher. I got really mad reading this book, because I thought everyone was too mean and unfair to Ruby. I liked Ollie though. 3.5/5
March 8, 2026
This book was a quick, easy read. I know that it’s YA but I wish there had been a little more chemistry between the FMC and the MMC. Besides running together they never hung out or really had anything else in common so it seemed a bit forced. I didn’t love the title for the book. I think there could have been better. But overall it was a good read.
March 7, 2026
What a sweet little book. This is more fiction with a romance subplot. Great story about body positivity. Narrator did a great job. I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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