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Say No to the Dress
Join a bridesmaid's hilarious journey to the altar in this sharp-witted story of family, friendship and embracing your true self, no matter what you’re forced to wear. A pitch-perfect teen read from bestselling author Keren David.
Miri is fourteen and in the last year she’s been mugged by puberty. She’s grown several inches, expanded in all directions, her breasts are out of control, and she’s prone to random eruptions of spots. Life already feels like a nightmare and now she’s been asked to act as a bridesmaid for two of her siblings.
Two weddings and two bridesmaid dresses – could things get any worse?
Miri is fourteen and in the last year she’s been mugged by puberty. She’s grown several inches, expanded in all directions, her breasts are out of control, and she’s prone to random eruptions of spots. Life already feels like a nightmare and now she’s been asked to act as a bridesmaid for two of her siblings.
Two weddings and two bridesmaid dresses – could things get any worse?
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2022
2 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 25, 2022
Thank you, Barrington Stoke, for the advance reading copy.
I would say the book is a crazy entertaining book which deals with chaotic family members but also focusing much on the insecurities and taboos of body image from a younger character's perspective.
The writing is fun and easily accessible. I would say it's perfect for beginners as well as for the young readers.
As it is a book from the perspectives of younger characters and fitting them more in the scenario, I can understand that most parts of the book talks about what these characters feel and say rather than what the other older characters have to do or say.
However, I still wanted more involvement of the adult characters as the later half of the book deals more with planning weddings and such.
I wanted a better closure of the main issue of the main character regarding her thoughts on their body image. As much as the ending does a fairly good job on it, it felt a little rush considering the insecurities expressed by the character in most parts of the book.
Overall, a good fun short read.
I would say the book is a crazy entertaining book which deals with chaotic family members but also focusing much on the insecurities and taboos of body image from a younger character's perspective.
The writing is fun and easily accessible. I would say it's perfect for beginners as well as for the young readers.
As it is a book from the perspectives of younger characters and fitting them more in the scenario, I can understand that most parts of the book talks about what these characters feel and say rather than what the other older characters have to do or say.
However, I still wanted more involvement of the adult characters as the later half of the book deals more with planning weddings and such.
I wanted a better closure of the main issue of the main character regarding her thoughts on their body image. As much as the ending does a fairly good job on it, it felt a little rush considering the insecurities expressed by the character in most parts of the book.
Overall, a good fun short read.
July 10, 2025
ARC for review. To be published January 13, 2026.
3 stars
Midi is 14 and in the last year her body has changed in all kinds of ways. Now she’s going to have to be a bridesmaid in both her brother’s and sister’s weddings, and her brother’s includes her nemesis Toxic Tiffany, She does NOT have a body built for bridesmaid dresses, but, of course, Tiffany does! Can she survive all these weddings and dresses?
ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET can rest easy, but this was a simple little book covering both body issues and religion.
3 stars
Midi is 14 and in the last year her body has changed in all kinds of ways. Now she’s going to have to be a bridesmaid in both her brother’s and sister’s weddings, and her brother’s includes her nemesis Toxic Tiffany, She does NOT have a body built for bridesmaid dresses, but, of course, Tiffany does! Can she survive all these weddings and dresses?
ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET can rest easy, but this was a simple little book covering both body issues and religion.
April 10, 2022
May I be rude?
I don't know why this book was written and I don't even see the point of it to had been written!!!
Say No to the Dress is for young adults but I don't recommend for anyone; I know this sounds overly dramatic but the message that this story pass aren't a good one (especially for teens that are growing up).
Basicaly we receive this ''beautiful'' message for most of the book that is fine to judge others by how they look, however isn't as fine if others judge you by how you looks too.
➛ 1,5 stars
I don't know why this book was written and I don't even see the point of it to had been written!!!
Say No to the Dress is for young adults but I don't recommend for anyone; I know this sounds overly dramatic but the message that this story pass aren't a good one (especially for teens that are growing up).
Basicaly we receive this ''beautiful'' message for most of the book that is fine to judge others by how they look, however isn't as fine if others judge you by how you looks too.
➛ 1,5 stars
February 25, 2022
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Miri has had to deal with quite a lot recently. Being a teenager during covid wasn't easy, especially as she caught it and has developed long covid, as well as being hit by all that puberty can throw at you. So when her two half-siblings both announce they are getting married this summer, and want her to be a bridesmaid, she is horrified. Having to wear dresses, and go through all of the wedding chaos is a nightmare, especially as one of her fellow bridesmaids will be her archnemesis, Tiffany.
This was a really quick read, one I think would be perfect for the younger YA audience. I liked Miri, and she seemed really relatable, and like teenagers I see today. The story was good, and I liked seeing how different wedding traditions were explored, and we saw from different family dynamics too. The only real issue I had with this book was how quick it was. It's only 128 pages, so I felt like there wasn't enough time to explore all of the plot points, so some felt rushed, or under-developed. All in all, though, a decent YA read.
Miri has had to deal with quite a lot recently. Being a teenager during covid wasn't easy, especially as she caught it and has developed long covid, as well as being hit by all that puberty can throw at you. So when her two half-siblings both announce they are getting married this summer, and want her to be a bridesmaid, she is horrified. Having to wear dresses, and go through all of the wedding chaos is a nightmare, especially as one of her fellow bridesmaids will be her archnemesis, Tiffany.
This was a really quick read, one I think would be perfect for the younger YA audience. I liked Miri, and she seemed really relatable, and like teenagers I see today. The story was good, and I liked seeing how different wedding traditions were explored, and we saw from different family dynamics too. The only real issue I had with this book was how quick it was. It's only 128 pages, so I felt like there wasn't enough time to explore all of the plot points, so some felt rushed, or under-developed. All in all, though, a decent YA read.
March 6, 2022
3.5/5🌟
Say No To The Dress by Keren David is a short, relatable, easy to read book for young readers. It is told from the perspective of a fourteen year old Miri, who suddenly got hit with puberty, which led to changes in her body that made her less confident. And then she finds out that her two siblings are getting married and she is going to be a bridesmaid in both the weddings which leads to a whole lot of other things. It explores themes like body image issues, changing friendships, acceptance, puberty, jealousy, family and weddings. It also touches upon growing up during covid a little. I really liked how all of this was addressed from a young person's perspective.
I felt that the book was a little rushed. It could have been much better if everything was developed more & explored in a detailed way. The themes explored are great and i am glad that the author targeted it at a younger audience. I am sure many people would be able to relate to it.
Say No To The Dress by Keren David is a short, relatable, easy to read book for young readers. It is told from the perspective of a fourteen year old Miri, who suddenly got hit with puberty, which led to changes in her body that made her less confident. And then she finds out that her two siblings are getting married and she is going to be a bridesmaid in both the weddings which leads to a whole lot of other things. It explores themes like body image issues, changing friendships, acceptance, puberty, jealousy, family and weddings. It also touches upon growing up during covid a little. I really liked how all of this was addressed from a young person's perspective.
I felt that the book was a little rushed. It could have been much better if everything was developed more & explored in a detailed way. The themes explored are great and i am glad that the author targeted it at a younger audience. I am sure many people would be able to relate to it.
July 20, 2022
I was really disappointed in this one. On paper, it's a perfect comp title for my book: young plus size girl, asked to be a bridesmaid and struggling with her identity. Except the fat phobia in this "body positive" book was rife.
Other than the few instances where Miri feels "powerful" whilst boxing, she is constantly putting her own self worth down due to her physique. Understandable, when literally everyone around her thinks its okay to comment on her size. She spends more time forcing herself into clothes that don't fit, than enjoying clothes that do. And the final "gown" she gets to wear rips five minutes before she's walking down the aisle.
I understand that 14yr olds struggling with their physicality and identity, and that being body positive is a messy process. But this book failed in its one task of empowering the reader to feel good in their own skin.
And the whilst the relationship between Miri and Tiffany was so incredibly toxic - it did at least resolve itself in an authentic arc. It was one of the few good things about this books. (The boxing being another. Honestly, if you're a plus size woman, give an impact sport a go - it's fun, first and foremost. And great for the confidence).
Other than the few instances where Miri feels "powerful" whilst boxing, she is constantly putting her own self worth down due to her physique. Understandable, when literally everyone around her thinks its okay to comment on her size. She spends more time forcing herself into clothes that don't fit, than enjoying clothes that do. And the final "gown" she gets to wear rips five minutes before she's walking down the aisle.
I understand that 14yr olds struggling with their physicality and identity, and that being body positive is a messy process. But this book failed in its one task of empowering the reader to feel good in their own skin.
And the whilst the relationship between Miri and Tiffany was so incredibly toxic - it did at least resolve itself in an authentic arc. It was one of the few good things about this books. (The boxing being another. Honestly, if you're a plus size woman, give an impact sport a go - it's fun, first and foremost. And great for the confidence).
February 18, 2022
„Say No To The Dress“ is a fun and realistic book for young readers!
The book is about the fourteen year old Miri. During her puberty her body changed and isn’t any longer the small on and she doesn’t know how to deal with it. And now she is the bridesmaid for two of her siblings but for her it doesn’t feel right to wear fancy dresses.
I really enjoyed the book and it felt really realistic to me. A lot of teenager grow during their puberty and this book shows that it’s okay and that you don’t have to be ashamed by it.
But sadly the book was a bit short for my liking. Between the two weddings didn’t happened a lot which was a bit sad because in the beginning I thought that it would happen a little more. In general the ending felt very rushed. I would have liked it a bit better if a bit more happened between the weddings or after the second wedding.
This is a book I really would have loved with fourteen! Now I am slightly older but I still really enjoyed and I think it’s a really nice book for young and old readers.
I want to thank Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishers for providing this ARC to me for an honest review.
The book is about the fourteen year old Miri. During her puberty her body changed and isn’t any longer the small on and she doesn’t know how to deal with it. And now she is the bridesmaid for two of her siblings but for her it doesn’t feel right to wear fancy dresses.
I really enjoyed the book and it felt really realistic to me. A lot of teenager grow during their puberty and this book shows that it’s okay and that you don’t have to be ashamed by it.
But sadly the book was a bit short for my liking. Between the two weddings didn’t happened a lot which was a bit sad because in the beginning I thought that it would happen a little more. In general the ending felt very rushed. I would have liked it a bit better if a bit more happened between the weddings or after the second wedding.
This is a book I really would have loved with fourteen! Now I am slightly older but I still really enjoyed and I think it’s a really nice book for young and old readers.
I want to thank Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishers for providing this ARC to me for an honest review.
August 30, 2022
Genuinely lovely. Fun as well as providing lots of good life lessons.
March 8, 2024
HELLOOOOO THIS WAS ON MY KINDLE SO I READ
I CANT DO THIS THIS WAS MY FAV BOOK WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
KILLING MYSELF
I CANT DO THIS THIS WAS MY FAV BOOK WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
KILLING MYSELF
July 5, 2022
Really lovely book about accepting yourself, blended families and the importance of friendship
January 8, 2026
Say No to the Dress- 4/5 stars
*This was sent to me by Keren David and Barrington Stoke via NetGalley for an honest review; thank you so much for the opportunity*
Trigger/ Content Warnings
Mention of COVID pandemic and Long COVID
Depictions of disordered eating, extreme dieting and excessive exercise
Body insecurities
Fat shaming
Controlling/toxic parental figure
Mentions of person's measurements/ weight talk
Review
This book follows 14 year old Miri as she not only adjusts to a post-COVID norm but also puberty and her changing body. As a younger child, she was a gymnast but after suffering from Long-COVID and going through puberty, she is naturally bigger than before and thus struggles to come to terms with no longer feeling athletic. I thought this was incredibly relatable for me, as I was diagnosed with my chronic illness at 10 which was the same time I started going through puberty and went from being very small to suddenly having very broad shoulder, large hips and breasts that impeded activities. Thus her inner monologue serves as a mirror to real experiences children and teens face and confronting the ugly thoughts that come with sudden change and societal pressure. Thus, I thought the outlet of the contrasting wedding parties (Adam/Scarlett and Alice/Jacob) was a brilliant way to explore these themes!
Firstly, her half-brother Adam was marrying Scarlett who happens to be the sister of Miri's least favourite human Tiffany. Their wedding planning consists of mostly of toxic mother-in-law drama which is hard to read only because of how accurate the character of Joanne (the aforementioned toxic mother-in-law) is. The sheer number of Reddit AITA stories goes to show how unfortunately common this stereotype is and thus her inclusion helped flesh out the other characters due to how they reacted to her. Unfortunately, Joanne is the also the main reason for content warnings about weight talk as she is caught up in toxic diet culture, yoyo dieting and seeking her idea of perfectionism over the couple's ideas and happiness. As such, she is the character that allows Miri to express her frustration over her body and acts a warning as to how that obsession with weight can ultimately harm someone. Adam himself was a nice character as he was the one to give Miri the idea for boxing (something I'll talk about in a bit). Then Scarlett was a sympathetic character, someone who clearly knew her mum's triggers and tried her best to work around them for her own happiness!
In contrast, Miri's half sister Alice was marrying Jacob who is a successful Jewish theatre director with a welcoming family. Despite Miri and Alice's step-dad not being Jewish, Jacob's family welcomed them all regardless into their new blended family which was lovely to see. I know little about Jewish culture so I cannot speak to the accuracy of the traditions the couple and family uphold, but it was definitely interesting to read! Jacob was definitely my favourite side character as he was sweet, funny and it was clear he cared about Miri's happiness during her bridesmaid role. Working with his costume designer, he was able to make her a beautiful dress that made her actually feel confident unlike the tight pink dress in the other wedding party. I wrote in my notes he was the best character and I stand by that!
There was also the plot point of Miri's close friendships which without spoiling I thought were lovely and helped go to show sometimes first impressions of people aren't always correct as well as how you never know what someone is going through at home.
Lastly, I wish more boxing was shown! I think it was a lovely and empowering thing for Miri as she was able to see her body as a powerful tool rather than focusing on her insecurities. I just wish there was maybe just one more scene of her practicing to develop that part of her identity more.
Overall
Overall, this is a quick, easy and accessible read for any young adult who is struggling with adapting to a new normal. Be it because of the COVID pandemic, body issues, complicated blended family dynamics or more, this is a perfect book to help adjust thanks to how relatable the main character Miri feels! I would definitely recommend this to teen readers!
My Links!
Instagram | TikTok | Blog
"I realize, that loads of people feel self-conscious about how they look. Even men."
*This was sent to me by Keren David and Barrington Stoke via NetGalley for an honest review; thank you so much for the opportunity*
Trigger/ Content Warnings
Mention of COVID pandemic and Long COVID
Depictions of disordered eating, extreme dieting and excessive exercise
Body insecurities
Fat shaming
Controlling/toxic parental figure
Mentions of person's measurements/ weight talk
Review
This book follows 14 year old Miri as she not only adjusts to a post-COVID norm but also puberty and her changing body. As a younger child, she was a gymnast but after suffering from Long-COVID and going through puberty, she is naturally bigger than before and thus struggles to come to terms with no longer feeling athletic. I thought this was incredibly relatable for me, as I was diagnosed with my chronic illness at 10 which was the same time I started going through puberty and went from being very small to suddenly having very broad shoulder, large hips and breasts that impeded activities. Thus her inner monologue serves as a mirror to real experiences children and teens face and confronting the ugly thoughts that come with sudden change and societal pressure. Thus, I thought the outlet of the contrasting wedding parties (Adam/Scarlett and Alice/Jacob) was a brilliant way to explore these themes!
Firstly, her half-brother Adam was marrying Scarlett who happens to be the sister of Miri's least favourite human Tiffany. Their wedding planning consists of mostly of toxic mother-in-law drama which is hard to read only because of how accurate the character of Joanne (the aforementioned toxic mother-in-law) is. The sheer number of Reddit AITA stories goes to show how unfortunately common this stereotype is and thus her inclusion helped flesh out the other characters due to how they reacted to her. Unfortunately, Joanne is the also the main reason for content warnings about weight talk as she is caught up in toxic diet culture, yoyo dieting and seeking her idea of perfectionism over the couple's ideas and happiness. As such, she is the character that allows Miri to express her frustration over her body and acts a warning as to how that obsession with weight can ultimately harm someone. Adam himself was a nice character as he was the one to give Miri the idea for boxing (something I'll talk about in a bit). Then Scarlett was a sympathetic character, someone who clearly knew her mum's triggers and tried her best to work around them for her own happiness!
In contrast, Miri's half sister Alice was marrying Jacob who is a successful Jewish theatre director with a welcoming family. Despite Miri and Alice's step-dad not being Jewish, Jacob's family welcomed them all regardless into their new blended family which was lovely to see. I know little about Jewish culture so I cannot speak to the accuracy of the traditions the couple and family uphold, but it was definitely interesting to read! Jacob was definitely my favourite side character as he was sweet, funny and it was clear he cared about Miri's happiness during her bridesmaid role. Working with his costume designer, he was able to make her a beautiful dress that made her actually feel confident unlike the tight pink dress in the other wedding party. I wrote in my notes he was the best character and I stand by that!
There was also the plot point of Miri's close friendships which without spoiling I thought were lovely and helped go to show sometimes first impressions of people aren't always correct as well as how you never know what someone is going through at home.
Lastly, I wish more boxing was shown! I think it was a lovely and empowering thing for Miri as she was able to see her body as a powerful tool rather than focusing on her insecurities. I just wish there was maybe just one more scene of her practicing to develop that part of her identity more.
Overall
Overall, this is a quick, easy and accessible read for any young adult who is struggling with adapting to a new normal. Be it because of the COVID pandemic, body issues, complicated blended family dynamics or more, this is a perfect book to help adjust thanks to how relatable the main character Miri feels! I would definitely recommend this to teen readers!
My Links!
Instagram | TikTok | Blog
August 12, 2022
This is a brilliant and funny story about a teenager who has some self confidence issues and really doesn’t want to be a bridesmaid. Fourteen year old Miri used to be a gymnast and was fit and skinny, but after puberty and a long illness she’s now ballooned in size and doesn’t like wearing any dresses as they make her look fat. But soon she’s asked to be a bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding, and not long after that she’s asked to do the same for a brother’s wedding too, which means she’ll have to wear a dress for both events, in the summer, and be seen by everyone, what could go wrong?
This is a great book which I really enjoyed and related to straight away. Miri’s a typical teenager although her weight is certainly something that has caused her to lose confidence in how she looks. Miri hates to be in the spotlight, and so when both her brother and sister ask her to be a bridesmaid for their weddings, it’s a nightmare for Miri. I have to admit to also ballooning around the time of puberty due to some health issues myself, so I instantly connected with Miri’s character as she struggles to find any clothes that fit and look good on her.
Miri’s family is a complex one, with both her sister and brother being half-siblings to her, but I like how lovely her whole family is and how funny the story gets, especially when we find out who her sister and brother are marrying. The story is funny throughout with lots of silly things happening with the wedding planning. I like how Miri grows in confidence over time and how she ends up saving the day more than once. There are some interesting things about Jewish weddings that I didn’t know about which take place in this book, and I like how some things are explained from Miri’s point of view and how things go for all of the characters.
This book has a lot of funny moments which get more funny towards the end of the book with even a disaster happening that I wasn’t expecting during a wedding. This novel is a great story where Miri grows, becoming more confident in herself and I love how she’s changed by the end, but still so relatable and likeable too. Her relationship with family and friends is good too and I like how things go between her and Tiffany especially.
The book is a special dyslexia friendly book which means there are thick pages of larger than usual text which has a special font and separated paragraphs. The book is also printed on pages which are yellower in colour making it an easier read on the eyes for dyslexics and anyone with visual difficulties who can benefit from this. The story is also quite short, the book being only around 130 pages long which makes it great for reluctant readers too.
This tale is quite a simple one but I like how honest it is about the things that can affect teenagers and I wish I had read this when I was a young teen as none of the books I read back then ever featured a teen who was overweight or had spots and other teen problems. I would recommend this book to any teens who want a funny read with some great characters, and especially for anyone who has confidence or weight issues (or both) as Miri is a great character and I couldn’t help but love her and the situation she ends up in.
-Thanks to Barrington Stoke for a free opy.
This is a great book which I really enjoyed and related to straight away. Miri’s a typical teenager although her weight is certainly something that has caused her to lose confidence in how she looks. Miri hates to be in the spotlight, and so when both her brother and sister ask her to be a bridesmaid for their weddings, it’s a nightmare for Miri. I have to admit to also ballooning around the time of puberty due to some health issues myself, so I instantly connected with Miri’s character as she struggles to find any clothes that fit and look good on her.
Miri’s family is a complex one, with both her sister and brother being half-siblings to her, but I like how lovely her whole family is and how funny the story gets, especially when we find out who her sister and brother are marrying. The story is funny throughout with lots of silly things happening with the wedding planning. I like how Miri grows in confidence over time and how she ends up saving the day more than once. There are some interesting things about Jewish weddings that I didn’t know about which take place in this book, and I like how some things are explained from Miri’s point of view and how things go for all of the characters.
This book has a lot of funny moments which get more funny towards the end of the book with even a disaster happening that I wasn’t expecting during a wedding. This novel is a great story where Miri grows, becoming more confident in herself and I love how she’s changed by the end, but still so relatable and likeable too. Her relationship with family and friends is good too and I like how things go between her and Tiffany especially.
The book is a special dyslexia friendly book which means there are thick pages of larger than usual text which has a special font and separated paragraphs. The book is also printed on pages which are yellower in colour making it an easier read on the eyes for dyslexics and anyone with visual difficulties who can benefit from this. The story is also quite short, the book being only around 130 pages long which makes it great for reluctant readers too.
This tale is quite a simple one but I like how honest it is about the things that can affect teenagers and I wish I had read this when I was a young teen as none of the books I read back then ever featured a teen who was overweight or had spots and other teen problems. I would recommend this book to any teens who want a funny read with some great characters, and especially for anyone who has confidence or weight issues (or both) as Miri is a great character and I couldn’t help but love her and the situation she ends up in.
-Thanks to Barrington Stoke for a free opy.
June 9, 2022
This book tells the story of a girl who is suddenly a bridesmaid in both of her siblings' weddings, in the same summer! Miri is going through those awkward teen years where nothing fits right and her body doesn't look the way she wants it to, she also really feels like dresses are not her style and will never feel comfortable and look right on her - this is a major problem for a bridesmaid! She's also not so sure about the partners her siblings have chosen to suddenly have shot gun weddings with int he coming months, especially because her brother's fiancee is the sister of one of the meanest girls in school! Through the course of the novel, Miri learns that it is ok to love your body for what it is, that there are different styles and clothes out there for all body types, that you don't need to go to bootcamp three times a week or starve yourself to feel good about your body and that you really can't let anyone else treat you in ways that make you feel bad about your appearance. She also learns that true love and weddings do not require perfect appearances and rushing something as importance as a wedding isn't healthy for a relationship. In general I think that the messages in this novel are ones that pre-teen and teen girls need to hear! I also love that there are a variety of blended families and relationships represented to give readers a chance to see what a healthy relationship/family may or may not look like.
I was confused when I saw the age rating for this one, so I thought it might be helpful to share my thoughts on that. This book would definitely appeal to the young adult/teen crowd. There is talk about high school drama, siblings getting married, fashion and diet culture, things that would feel relevant for teens. That being said, the content is totally appropriate, and would be something that preteens could read, if they were interested. As a grade 3 teacher, I think my students are a bit young, but in the past I have definitely had grade 4s and 5s who are ready for something a bit more "high school" without all of the content that YA books can have. I think that more mature preteens who are interested in the themes in this book would really enjoy reading it and I would have no problem recommending it to them. So my age range recommendation would probably be 10+ or so.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
I was confused when I saw the age rating for this one, so I thought it might be helpful to share my thoughts on that. This book would definitely appeal to the young adult/teen crowd. There is talk about high school drama, siblings getting married, fashion and diet culture, things that would feel relevant for teens. That being said, the content is totally appropriate, and would be something that preteens could read, if they were interested. As a grade 3 teacher, I think my students are a bit young, but in the past I have definitely had grade 4s and 5s who are ready for something a bit more "high school" without all of the content that YA books can have. I think that more mature preteens who are interested in the themes in this book would really enjoy reading it and I would have no problem recommending it to them. So my age range recommendation would probably be 10+ or so.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
July 14, 2025
ARC Review
*Say No to the Dress* by Keren David is a sweet, witty, and surprisingly layered read that captures the awkwardness and quiet courage of being fourteen and caught in the middle of everyone else’s big life moments.
Miri is stuck being a bridesmaid—twice—in the span of one summer. Her brother’s wedding is a grand affair with a "perfect" bridal party, including her longtime nemesis Tiffany, while her sister’s celebration is more intimate but equally overwhelming. Miri’s growing discomfort with her changing body is a central thread throughout the book—her chest has developed more than she’s ready for, and the world doesn’t seem to know how to treat her anymore. She feels out of place, awkward, and invisible and yet too visible all at once. These moments are written with honesty and empathy, and her voice feels authentically young without ever being overly simplified.
Despite being only 128 pages, the book manages to tackle complex topics like puberty, sibling rivalry, religion, cultural expectations, and the confusing mix of envy and admiration that can come with teenage friendships. Miri’s evolving dynamic with Tiffany was a highlight—what begins as tension softens into something more tender and supportive, showing how easy it is to misjudge others when we're too wrapped up in our own insecurities.
The pacing does move a bit fast, and I do wish certain emotional arcs—especially around Miri’s relationship with her family and her inner confidence—had a bit more space to breathe. Some plot points feel lightly touched on rather than fully explored. But that also makes it accessible and digestible for its target audience: younger teens who are still finding their voice, their confidence, and their place in a constantly shifting world.
This would be a great read for readers just entering YA, especially those dealing with self-esteem struggles, changing friendships, or the feeling of being “too much” in a world that constantly tells you to shrink yourself.
It’s funny, thoughtful, and gently empowering—reminding us that it’s okay to take up space and that sometimes, saying “no” is the most powerful thing you can do.
Genre: Contemporary YA (Younger end)
Themes: Body image, family dynamics, friendship, self-esteem
(3.5⭐“Originally reviewed on Fable. Cross-posted here for visibility.”)
*Say No to the Dress* by Keren David is a sweet, witty, and surprisingly layered read that captures the awkwardness and quiet courage of being fourteen and caught in the middle of everyone else’s big life moments.
Miri is stuck being a bridesmaid—twice—in the span of one summer. Her brother’s wedding is a grand affair with a "perfect" bridal party, including her longtime nemesis Tiffany, while her sister’s celebration is more intimate but equally overwhelming. Miri’s growing discomfort with her changing body is a central thread throughout the book—her chest has developed more than she’s ready for, and the world doesn’t seem to know how to treat her anymore. She feels out of place, awkward, and invisible and yet too visible all at once. These moments are written with honesty and empathy, and her voice feels authentically young without ever being overly simplified.
Despite being only 128 pages, the book manages to tackle complex topics like puberty, sibling rivalry, religion, cultural expectations, and the confusing mix of envy and admiration that can come with teenage friendships. Miri’s evolving dynamic with Tiffany was a highlight—what begins as tension softens into something more tender and supportive, showing how easy it is to misjudge others when we're too wrapped up in our own insecurities.
The pacing does move a bit fast, and I do wish certain emotional arcs—especially around Miri’s relationship with her family and her inner confidence—had a bit more space to breathe. Some plot points feel lightly touched on rather than fully explored. But that also makes it accessible and digestible for its target audience: younger teens who are still finding their voice, their confidence, and their place in a constantly shifting world.
This would be a great read for readers just entering YA, especially those dealing with self-esteem struggles, changing friendships, or the feeling of being “too much” in a world that constantly tells you to shrink yourself.
It’s funny, thoughtful, and gently empowering—reminding us that it’s okay to take up space and that sometimes, saying “no” is the most powerful thing you can do.
Genre: Contemporary YA (Younger end)
Themes: Body image, family dynamics, friendship, self-esteem
(3.5⭐“Originally reviewed on Fable. Cross-posted here for visibility.”)
March 9, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Miri is a 14 year old who has found herself in a really difficult place. She's grown a ton in the past year, now towering over her mom and with curves for days-- not exactly the body you hope for as a 14 year old in today's culture of stick-skinny models. Her much older step-brother and step-sister each announce impending nuptials in the same summer, and both want Miri to be a bridesmaid. Just perfect for a kid dealing with body issues and things not fitting how you want them to!
Adding to the stress, her step-brother's fiancee is the older sister of Miri's nemesis, Toxic Tiffany. Now on top of trying to be a bridesmaid in 2 weddings in 2 horrible dresses, she also has to make nice with her least favorite person-- the perfect, blonde, skinny, Tiffany.
This was a sweet story about growing up, learning to love yourself, making new friends, and finding your voice even when it isn't necessarily what your friends and family think you should be saying. I enjoyed watching Miri grow throughout the story with her new friendship with Tiff and her acceptance of both her siblings' fiancees.
I did feel like this book had quite a bit of fatphobia in it that wasn't challenged enough. Miri is struggling with her body being a new size and shape and people continue to talk to her about diets and exercising for the purpose of losing weight. They also buy her clothes in sizes that are both too big and too small. This is SO not okay, and I'm really disappointed to see this in a book targeted to middle grade readers. This knocked off a full star for me.
I would cautiously recommend this book to middle grade readers, but only if it were paired with parental/guidance discussion about what is and isn't okay to say about people's bodies and how we should treat others.
Miri is a 14 year old who has found herself in a really difficult place. She's grown a ton in the past year, now towering over her mom and with curves for days-- not exactly the body you hope for as a 14 year old in today's culture of stick-skinny models. Her much older step-brother and step-sister each announce impending nuptials in the same summer, and both want Miri to be a bridesmaid. Just perfect for a kid dealing with body issues and things not fitting how you want them to!
Adding to the stress, her step-brother's fiancee is the older sister of Miri's nemesis, Toxic Tiffany. Now on top of trying to be a bridesmaid in 2 weddings in 2 horrible dresses, she also has to make nice with her least favorite person-- the perfect, blonde, skinny, Tiffany.
This was a sweet story about growing up, learning to love yourself, making new friends, and finding your voice even when it isn't necessarily what your friends and family think you should be saying. I enjoyed watching Miri grow throughout the story with her new friendship with Tiff and her acceptance of both her siblings' fiancees.
I did feel like this book had quite a bit of fatphobia in it that wasn't challenged enough. Miri is struggling with her body being a new size and shape and people continue to talk to her about diets and exercising for the purpose of losing weight. They also buy her clothes in sizes that are both too big and too small. This is SO not okay, and I'm really disappointed to see this in a book targeted to middle grade readers. This knocked off a full star for me.
I would cautiously recommend this book to middle grade readers, but only if it were paired with parental/guidance discussion about what is and isn't okay to say about people's bodies and how we should treat others.
March 2, 2022
A novel I wanted to like, but found far too unsubtle. Puberty hit our heroine Miri like a rock, and now she looks like one – or at least that's what she might say, in embarrassment at her new body shape and how dresses look nothing like they should on her any more. With a choice of T-shirt and jeans or some old, old, riding-up shorts for her birthday, she finds her BBQ party ruined anyway when her step-sister brings an ageing hipster type to it, declaring they're going to get married in the summer, only for her step-brother to drag his fiancee along too – who so happens to be the older sister to her school's bitchy beauty queen type.
What this all means, then, is not one but two bridesmaid dresses are called for. What it results in is a comedy of embarrassment, a social commentary on how body obsessed the world is – with her future step-half-mother-to-be-in-law-once-removed (or whatever) manically trying to get everyone to have personal trainers, lipo, fat freezing and hen dos in spa resorts left, right and centre. And I know this is a book designed to be readable for older tweens with less than perfect reading ability and experience, as it's from Barrington Stoke, but I found the whole mix of adults being inane and how thuddingly obvious it all was, well, rather childish and inane.
Not for the first time I longed for Louise Rennison to still be with us, an author who could bring so much more realistic comedy and joie de vivre to material like this. I mean, it has things that are definitely interesting – the fact one of the weddings is to be Jewish, and some flash of theatre improv games – but the whole is done with the very broadest of strokes. I suppose I should be grateful that the concluding scenes are more of the heartwarming type than yet more body obsession, but by then the damage was done.
What this all means, then, is not one but two bridesmaid dresses are called for. What it results in is a comedy of embarrassment, a social commentary on how body obsessed the world is – with her future step-half-mother-to-be-in-law-once-removed (or whatever) manically trying to get everyone to have personal trainers, lipo, fat freezing and hen dos in spa resorts left, right and centre. And I know this is a book designed to be readable for older tweens with less than perfect reading ability and experience, as it's from Barrington Stoke, but I found the whole mix of adults being inane and how thuddingly obvious it all was, well, rather childish and inane.
Not for the first time I longed for Louise Rennison to still be with us, an author who could bring so much more realistic comedy and joie de vivre to material like this. I mean, it has things that are definitely interesting – the fact one of the weddings is to be Jewish, and some flash of theatre improv games – but the whole is done with the very broadest of strokes. I suppose I should be grateful that the concluding scenes are more of the heartwarming type than yet more body obsession, but by then the damage was done.
June 11, 2022
Say No the Dress encapsulates all the angst of being 14 years old and hitting puberty with a thud. This short novel (just over 130pages) grabs you emotionally - it is humorous and moving as the protagonist Miri navigates some of the biggest moments of her adolescence. Miri lives in a blended family. Her parents had both been married before and each had a child in those marriages before coming together and having her. The result is two wonderful older siblings. Then on HER birthday the focus comes around to them as they simultaneously announce engagements and a flurry of wedding plans begins. The problem is that the slim, athletic Miri of 12yrs of age has been replaced after 2 years of lockdown, a bout of long covid and the entrance of puberty with a 14year old body that has sprouted out and sprouted spots and she is uncomfortable in her skin and lacking in confidence. It doesn't help that her best friend has starting hanging out with her arch enemy and her sister is engaged to Miri's brother. The drama! Worse still....Miri has to be a bridesmaid, bit once, but twice in one summer. She has to take of the black tent jumper and black leggings she hides in and sport some hideous dress. While she loves to watch Say Yes to the Dress on TV, her whole brain is shouting Say No to the Dresses proffered to her. It is a summer of friendship and relationship highs and lows. Can Miri and her family navigate the rollerciaster and all live a happy ever after? A superb book for 10+. #saynotothedress #kerendavid #toppsta #adolescence #puberty #youngadult #teen #tween
September 24, 2025
Thank you so much to Union Square and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
Miri isn’t comfortable in her own skin, her life changed after hitting puberty and she’s uncomfortable with who she became. Now her half brother and half sister are both engaged and planning weddings, what’s worse is that she’s bridesmaid in both weddings.
I really liked the journey that Miri went on with her self discovery and finding her confidence within herself again. Everything about herself had changed and it’s understandable she felt uncomfortable and unhappy with it all, but I liked how she eventually grew within herself, when she stopped worrying constantly and freed herself.
It was a great story about two crazy weddings both so different and about family dynamics, friendships and typical life drama. I liked how it showed different types of relationship and how every couple has their own way of working together. I also liked that Miri became the middle man, the one that everybody went to solve the problems, it helped her figure out who she really could be.
A great teen read, perfect for dyslexic readers and a beautiful story of love, kindess, life, friendship, self love and confidence in yourself and your choices. I really liked reading this and seeing Miri go from an incredibly unsure girl to a blossoming confident young woman.
Miri isn’t comfortable in her own skin, her life changed after hitting puberty and she’s uncomfortable with who she became. Now her half brother and half sister are both engaged and planning weddings, what’s worse is that she’s bridesmaid in both weddings.
I really liked the journey that Miri went on with her self discovery and finding her confidence within herself again. Everything about herself had changed and it’s understandable she felt uncomfortable and unhappy with it all, but I liked how she eventually grew within herself, when she stopped worrying constantly and freed herself.
It was a great story about two crazy weddings both so different and about family dynamics, friendships and typical life drama. I liked how it showed different types of relationship and how every couple has their own way of working together. I also liked that Miri became the middle man, the one that everybody went to solve the problems, it helped her figure out who she really could be.
A great teen read, perfect for dyslexic readers and a beautiful story of love, kindess, life, friendship, self love and confidence in yourself and your choices. I really liked reading this and seeing Miri go from an incredibly unsure girl to a blossoming confident young woman.
April 11, 2022
Thank you so much to the author, Barrington Stoke, and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC!
This review contains my honest and unbiased thoughts and opinions. 🌸
Say No to the Dress was a quick, easy read that explores themes such as body image, acceptance, puberty, family, friendships, pretty much everything tween/teen girls (and guys!) deal with every day. I do feel the writing is more towards younger readers (tween/early teen) than the typical young adult books but I actually appreciate the author targeting the younger teens with these important topics. Tweens/Teens need more books that really explore these topics in such a relatable way. The main character, Miri, is fourteen and she is a fourteen year old that others in that age range can actually relate to.
Miri has quite a bit to deal with! She's suddenly hit puberty and is dealing with all the fun body changes that come along with it. She's trying to deal with and accept how these changes impact areas of her life such as sports and of course the big struggle, clothing. Oh how we all can relate to the clothing struggles! Miri is trying to deal with her best friend being friends with her "archnemesis" as well as another nemesis during all the wedding chaos.
The book is short and I did feel it was a little rushed. I feel things could have been developed and explored a little more, add a little more to it to round it out and help it flow just a little better. I will note though, trying to "read" the book from my daughter's perspective, while I still think things are a little rushed and not explored quite enough, I also feel the book as is works best for her. Easy to read, short, important topics that are covered just not dived deeply into, a great MC to relate to, an overall enjoyable read for someone my daughter's age (and especially for someone who struggles with reading, short and to the point is always best).
Definitely an interesting book and one that I'll add to my daughter's bookshelf because I do feel she would like Miri quite a bit.
This review contains my honest and unbiased thoughts and opinions. 🌸
Say No to the Dress was a quick, easy read that explores themes such as body image, acceptance, puberty, family, friendships, pretty much everything tween/teen girls (and guys!) deal with every day. I do feel the writing is more towards younger readers (tween/early teen) than the typical young adult books but I actually appreciate the author targeting the younger teens with these important topics. Tweens/Teens need more books that really explore these topics in such a relatable way. The main character, Miri, is fourteen and she is a fourteen year old that others in that age range can actually relate to.
Miri has quite a bit to deal with! She's suddenly hit puberty and is dealing with all the fun body changes that come along with it. She's trying to deal with and accept how these changes impact areas of her life such as sports and of course the big struggle, clothing. Oh how we all can relate to the clothing struggles! Miri is trying to deal with her best friend being friends with her "archnemesis" as well as another nemesis during all the wedding chaos.
The book is short and I did feel it was a little rushed. I feel things could have been developed and explored a little more, add a little more to it to round it out and help it flow just a little better. I will note though, trying to "read" the book from my daughter's perspective, while I still think things are a little rushed and not explored quite enough, I also feel the book as is works best for her. Easy to read, short, important topics that are covered just not dived deeply into, a great MC to relate to, an overall enjoyable read for someone my daughter's age (and especially for someone who struggles with reading, short and to the point is always best).
Definitely an interesting book and one that I'll add to my daughter's bookshelf because I do feel she would like Miri quite a bit.
November 4, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
Short version of my review: I was really looking forward to reading this book and it was cute, but not for me. I think because this was a book that was intentionally brief and aimed at a young demographic I needed to read it with a different mindset, and unfortunately I had a hard time staying in the appropriate mindset to read it. This is not the fault of the book/author/publisher, but because I kept being annoyed with the kids being kids, it made it hard for me to enjoy this book. While I really enjoy reading YA, I find myself reading YA where the main characters are 16+, and so I think reading a middle-grade book where the characters are 12-14 means I needed to put myself in their shoes a bit more, think how they would think, and remember how I would respond to situations at that age. I struggled with that and that unfortunately bled into my enjoyment of the book. This was a nice book about figuring out friendships, finding out how to be more true to yourself, and learning to love yourself when life is hard at a tough age. I definitely think kids at the appropriate age should read it, but alas, not my jam.
Short version of my review: I was really looking forward to reading this book and it was cute, but not for me. I think because this was a book that was intentionally brief and aimed at a young demographic I needed to read it with a different mindset, and unfortunately I had a hard time staying in the appropriate mindset to read it. This is not the fault of the book/author/publisher, but because I kept being annoyed with the kids being kids, it made it hard for me to enjoy this book. While I really enjoy reading YA, I find myself reading YA where the main characters are 16+, and so I think reading a middle-grade book where the characters are 12-14 means I needed to put myself in their shoes a bit more, think how they would think, and remember how I would respond to situations at that age. I struggled with that and that unfortunately bled into my enjoyment of the book. This was a nice book about figuring out friendships, finding out how to be more true to yourself, and learning to love yourself when life is hard at a tough age. I definitely think kids at the appropriate age should read it, but alas, not my jam.
August 8, 2023
2.5 stars, I received an arc copy in exchange for my honest review. For most this book it was kinda meh, I felt the mc was too judgemental but hated to be judged and in my head I was like grow up. But the thing is she’s a teen who just hit puberty it’s not a fun time, you tend to hate everyone and yourself so you judge anyone and anything. I feel like something I forgot while reading this is her age, yes was she childish, judgmental and stand-offish yeah but most teens are at that age and that’s a part of life that I feel we forget as adults. As the story progresses she starts to mature and see that others no matter age, gender, looks etc can feel like they don’t belong or that somethings wrong with them etc which was nice to see in her development. I definitely wasn’t the target audience for this book but I thing teens her age would really find this interesting and learn how to view the world in a new way. So yes this was an okay read that I starting like to the end but again it’s not for me. So you teen out there that hates their body, or life etc read this book and hopefully it helps you realise that many people feel the exact same and that judgement is everything and the book cover isn’t always as it seems.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
I normally enjoy the Barrington Stoke/ Union Square titles, but this one fell a bit flat for me. Miri is very uncomfortable in her own skin, adopting a uniform of leggings and oversized, usually black sweaters, because she feels she is heavier than her contemporaries, like golden girl Tiffany. When both of her older stepsiblings get engaged, her brother to Tiffany's sister, she is plunged into a whirlwind of getting ready for two weddings. People around her are trying to lose weight, and Miri has to wear a dress, which she just can't stand.
The blended family was quite interesting, but the messages felt very mixed. Miri wants to be accepted for who she is without changing herself, but she is very judgemental about her sister's fiance, who is older and bald, and also rather nasty about Tiffany, who seems to try very hard to be nice to her.
I don't personally understand the objection to dresses. Certainly, "body con" dresses aren't friendly to anyone, but a nice loose dress can be very comfortable and forgiving.
Short, realistic fiction about modern family dynamics that has all of the great Barrington Stokes dyslexia friendly adaptations. Just not for me.
I normally enjoy the Barrington Stoke/ Union Square titles, but this one fell a bit flat for me. Miri is very uncomfortable in her own skin, adopting a uniform of leggings and oversized, usually black sweaters, because she feels she is heavier than her contemporaries, like golden girl Tiffany. When both of her older stepsiblings get engaged, her brother to Tiffany's sister, she is plunged into a whirlwind of getting ready for two weddings. People around her are trying to lose weight, and Miri has to wear a dress, which she just can't stand.
The blended family was quite interesting, but the messages felt very mixed. Miri wants to be accepted for who she is without changing herself, but she is very judgemental about her sister's fiance, who is older and bald, and also rather nasty about Tiffany, who seems to try very hard to be nice to her.
I don't personally understand the objection to dresses. Certainly, "body con" dresses aren't friendly to anyone, but a nice loose dress can be very comfortable and forgiving.
Short, realistic fiction about modern family dynamics that has all of the great Barrington Stokes dyslexia friendly adaptations. Just not for me.
February 14, 2022
This was a very quick and enjoyable read, the story surrounds Miri a fourteen year old who is struggling with self confidence, body image, friendship jealousy but then she forced into becoming bridesmaid for both of her siblings weddings.
The story itself is very relatedable to the struggles that teenagers face during puberty and the pressures that they face during this time. However, I feel like the story would benefit from having the characters being more fleshed out as they do feel a bit 2d which does disconnect the reader from the character. Also some of the struggles that Miri faces feel like they are glanced over then suddenly solved a little bit too quick which makes it feel a bit unrealistic.
I do understand that this book is edited in a simplistic way to be more inclusive for all readers and I applaud the author and publishers for this as reading should be accessible to all and I hope others will follow in your footsteps.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishers for providing this ARC for review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are completely my own.
The story itself is very relatedable to the struggles that teenagers face during puberty and the pressures that they face during this time. However, I feel like the story would benefit from having the characters being more fleshed out as they do feel a bit 2d which does disconnect the reader from the character. Also some of the struggles that Miri faces feel like they are glanced over then suddenly solved a little bit too quick which makes it feel a bit unrealistic.
I do understand that this book is edited in a simplistic way to be more inclusive for all readers and I applaud the author and publishers for this as reading should be accessible to all and I hope others will follow in your footsteps.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishers for providing this ARC for review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are completely my own.
March 13, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Teen for providing this free eARC.
This hi-lo (high interest, low ability) book is perfect for young readers who want to enjoy a great story at a lower reading level.
The story is fast paced and easy to follow. It’s short enough to be accessible to slower readers, while still being packed with a great story, humour and relatable characters. Miri, the main character, is especially relatable and, as a plus sized gal myself, I could empathize with many of her struggles.
Girls of all ages will be able to relate to Miri’s struggles with her body image in a world that expects all women to conform to a specific type of body shape. At the same time, the story also shows how important it is not to judge people based on their looks - just because someone does seem to fit society’s mold, doesn’t mean they don’t have any problems.
I also loved the weddingy theme of the story, which accurately shows the stress and pressure it puts everyone under.
Ultimately, this is a beautiful story about confidence, getting to know the person behind their appearance, and finding your place in this world.
This hi-lo (high interest, low ability) book is perfect for young readers who want to enjoy a great story at a lower reading level.
The story is fast paced and easy to follow. It’s short enough to be accessible to slower readers, while still being packed with a great story, humour and relatable characters. Miri, the main character, is especially relatable and, as a plus sized gal myself, I could empathize with many of her struggles.
Girls of all ages will be able to relate to Miri’s struggles with her body image in a world that expects all women to conform to a specific type of body shape. At the same time, the story also shows how important it is not to judge people based on their looks - just because someone does seem to fit society’s mold, doesn’t mean they don’t have any problems.
I also loved the weddingy theme of the story, which accurately shows the stress and pressure it puts everyone under.
Ultimately, this is a beautiful story about confidence, getting to know the person behind their appearance, and finding your place in this world.
Read
April 14, 2022Thanks @netgalley for the arc!
Miri is fourteen and in the last year she’s been mugged by puberty. She’s grown several inches, expanded in all directions, her breasts are out of control, and she’s prone to random eruptions of spots. Life already feels like a nightmare and now she’s been asked to act as a bridesmaid for two of her siblings.
Two weddings and two bridesmaid dresses – could things get any worse?
This book was a nice and short read. Miri has been through a lot. She got covid and then went through puberty. Her body has changed completely and she feels insecure about it. This book follows Miri's journey of embracing her true self and body positivity while dealing with the stress and chaos that is wedding planning. I enjoyed Miri's fun chaotic family and her friends. The only thing I didn't like was how Miri was too quick to judge her friend's other friend Tiffany. They did clear the air afterwards and were able to become friends, which was nice. I also felt the book was a bit rushed.
Overall, this is a great read for young readers to learn about body positivity that I think they would enjoy.
Miri is fourteen and in the last year she’s been mugged by puberty. She’s grown several inches, expanded in all directions, her breasts are out of control, and she’s prone to random eruptions of spots. Life already feels like a nightmare and now she’s been asked to act as a bridesmaid for two of her siblings.
Two weddings and two bridesmaid dresses – could things get any worse?
This book was a nice and short read. Miri has been through a lot. She got covid and then went through puberty. Her body has changed completely and she feels insecure about it. This book follows Miri's journey of embracing her true self and body positivity while dealing with the stress and chaos that is wedding planning. I enjoyed Miri's fun chaotic family and her friends. The only thing I didn't like was how Miri was too quick to judge her friend's other friend Tiffany. They did clear the air afterwards and were able to become friends, which was nice. I also felt the book was a bit rushed.
Overall, this is a great read for young readers to learn about body positivity that I think they would enjoy.
August 23, 2022
Miri feels like her body has been kidnapped over the past two years. At 12 she was thin, flat chested and happy in her own skin. Then puberty hit along with Covid 19, and then long Covid on top of that.
Now she has breasts that she would rather hide, and is larger everywhere than she'd like to be. Another disaster comes calling.
She is to be a bridesmaid for two of her siblings. Miri prefers leggings and sloppy hoodies and tees, not brightly coloured fitting dresses and heels! She also likes to stay in the background and out of view completely if possible.
To make things worse, her best friend has made friends with Miri's school bully, vowing she's a really nice person. With no way out Miri is forced to grin and bear the expectations of dress styles and fittings, weight loss boot camp and trying to please everyone involved. Will she survive the attention and self imposed shame?
A fun read for reluctant and dyslexic teens, with body image, self confidence and multi-layered-blended-family-dynamics as key themes.
A friendship triangle increases the tension amongst wedding chaos and indecision.
Great read.
Author - Keren David
Age - 13+
Now she has breasts that she would rather hide, and is larger everywhere than she'd like to be. Another disaster comes calling.
She is to be a bridesmaid for two of her siblings. Miri prefers leggings and sloppy hoodies and tees, not brightly coloured fitting dresses and heels! She also likes to stay in the background and out of view completely if possible.
To make things worse, her best friend has made friends with Miri's school bully, vowing she's a really nice person. With no way out Miri is forced to grin and bear the expectations of dress styles and fittings, weight loss boot camp and trying to please everyone involved. Will she survive the attention and self imposed shame?
A fun read for reluctant and dyslexic teens, with body image, self confidence and multi-layered-blended-family-dynamics as key themes.
A friendship triangle increases the tension amongst wedding chaos and indecision.
Great read.
Author - Keren David
Age - 13+
December 8, 2025
3.5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the ARC!
Say No to the Dress is a fun, quick story about Miri, a plus-size teen dealing with the pressures of being a bridesmaid. This book is on the younger end of YA, and is probably best for tweens and older.
I enjoyed the Jewish representation in this book, and I was really surprised to see that the main character has Long Covid. The plus-size representation was also really great to see, but it was very heavy on the negative thoughts about fat bodies (in character).
This book does have a disconnect between the message and the story. For a book about letting go of judgement and accepting differences, Miri spends a lot of time judging herself and others. It was lovely to see her grow, but I don’t think the book spent quite enough time with her positive side.
I think this book should have been longer. It rushed through a lot of the conflict resolutions, and I wanted a little more time for the characters to feel things.
If you’re looking for an easy, fun read for tweens, this book is a good pick.
CW: fatphobia & body shaming
Thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the ARC!
Say No to the Dress is a fun, quick story about Miri, a plus-size teen dealing with the pressures of being a bridesmaid. This book is on the younger end of YA, and is probably best for tweens and older.
I enjoyed the Jewish representation in this book, and I was really surprised to see that the main character has Long Covid. The plus-size representation was also really great to see, but it was very heavy on the negative thoughts about fat bodies (in character).
This book does have a disconnect between the message and the story. For a book about letting go of judgement and accepting differences, Miri spends a lot of time judging herself and others. It was lovely to see her grow, but I don’t think the book spent quite enough time with her positive side.
I think this book should have been longer. It rushed through a lot of the conflict resolutions, and I wanted a little more time for the characters to feel things.
If you’re looking for an easy, fun read for tweens, this book is a good pick.
CW: fatphobia & body shaming
April 2, 2022
🎉 1000th review! 🎉
I adored this wholesome book! It addressed and highlighted so many important issues all through an engaging story that many will be able to resonate with. The representation is wonderful; a plus-sized protagonist, mixed ethnics marriage, Jewish customs and more.
I love how this book discusses and challenges social norms such as the traditional family unit and conventional beauty standards. It also explores body image issues and shows how insecurities exist not only in adolescent girls but even among adult men with successful careers.
The backdrop of wedding-planning chaos made this an even more appealing read. Showy affairs, traditional ceremonies, no weddings — there's no right or wrong decision and what matters is that you are happy. Now, that's my kind of book!
I would have loved to hear more about/from some characters e.g. Predatory Librarian but overall, this is a really enjoyable YA novella that's so worth picking up!
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I adored this wholesome book! It addressed and highlighted so many important issues all through an engaging story that many will be able to resonate with. The representation is wonderful; a plus-sized protagonist, mixed ethnics marriage, Jewish customs and more.
I love how this book discusses and challenges social norms such as the traditional family unit and conventional beauty standards. It also explores body image issues and shows how insecurities exist not only in adolescent girls but even among adult men with successful careers.
The backdrop of wedding-planning chaos made this an even more appealing read. Showy affairs, traditional ceremonies, no weddings — there's no right or wrong decision and what matters is that you are happy. Now, that's my kind of book!
I would have loved to hear more about/from some characters e.g. Predatory Librarian but overall, this is a really enjoyable YA novella that's so worth picking up!
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
May 18, 2022
I write this review from the perspective of an educator (I teach children from the ages 10-13):
I think this book would be a wonderful gift to readers who don‘t like long books and who might find reading difficult.
It uses simple language, is written in rather large font, is printed on thick paper and has less than 150 pages.
There‘s next to no world building and everything is very straight forward, there is no reading between the lines. Yet it is written in an engaging way and it deals with important issues many young people, especially girls between 10 and 15, might relate to.
I highly recommend it to libraries and educators who are looking for books appealing to students who are slow readers / have difficulties reading.
There are few books out there which deal with issues older kids/ younger teenagers find appealing yet are written in a way that is suitable for readers with reading difficulties. This book actually is. Well done!
Edit: I consulted their website and found out that all books published by Barrington Stoke are dyslexia-friendly. So again: Well done!
I think this book would be a wonderful gift to readers who don‘t like long books and who might find reading difficult.
It uses simple language, is written in rather large font, is printed on thick paper and has less than 150 pages.
There‘s next to no world building and everything is very straight forward, there is no reading between the lines. Yet it is written in an engaging way and it deals with important issues many young people, especially girls between 10 and 15, might relate to.
I highly recommend it to libraries and educators who are looking for books appealing to students who are slow readers / have difficulties reading.
There are few books out there which deal with issues older kids/ younger teenagers find appealing yet are written in a way that is suitable for readers with reading difficulties. This book actually is. Well done!
Edit: I consulted their website and found out that all books published by Barrington Stoke are dyslexia-friendly. So again: Well done!
July 3, 2025
Thank for to NetGalley and Union Square and Company for the arc copy of this book for my honest review.
1st person pov/ 5 out of 5 stars
Say No to the dress gives an honest take on what it's like to be a girl growing up in the world. Miri is fourteen and her body is changing and she has no clue how to grow into her own skin. Clothes can be your best friend or your worse nightmare. Miri is now the bridesmaid to not one but two weddings.
This book is for any person who has struggled in the dressing room to find the right outfit. For the person who has society push how they should look. This book not only tells you the viewpoint from Miri's body issues but you see it in her friends and the older women around you.
How do you gain confidence in your looks when everyone is telling you should do something different?
This book is targeted for a younger audience but the message is such an important one. How to embrace your true self in a world designed for you to hate how you look?
1st person pov/ 5 out of 5 stars
Say No to the dress gives an honest take on what it's like to be a girl growing up in the world. Miri is fourteen and her body is changing and she has no clue how to grow into her own skin. Clothes can be your best friend or your worse nightmare. Miri is now the bridesmaid to not one but two weddings.
This book is for any person who has struggled in the dressing room to find the right outfit. For the person who has society push how they should look. This book not only tells you the viewpoint from Miri's body issues but you see it in her friends and the older women around you.
How do you gain confidence in your looks when everyone is telling you should do something different?
This book is targeted for a younger audience but the message is such an important one. How to embrace your true self in a world designed for you to hate how you look?
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