Slow Burn

Bethany Rutter

Book cover for Slow Burn
Book cover for Slow Burn
Image for variant 9781536243833
Image for variant 9781536251647
Book cover for Slow Burn
Book cover for Slow Burn
Image for variant 9781536243833
Image for variant 9781536251647

Slow Burn

Slow Burn

Bethany Rutter

View full details

Description

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.

About the Author

Bethany Rutter is a writer, podcaster, and author of novels for young readers and adults, including No Big Deal and Melt My Heart. Cohost of a podcast about all things books, What Page Are You On?, Bethany Rutter lives in Southeast London.

Critical Reviews

Bethany Rutter delivers on big feels and big swoons! I raced through every page!
--Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Dumplin'

Publishing Information

Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Pub date: 2026-03-03

The Allstora Membership

Membership Perks:

  • Save 30% on all online store purchases
  • Exclusive access to author's content
  • You pay less, but authors still earn double

Membership Terms:

First Month: $0.00
Monthly price: $5.00
  • To access membership discount simply log in and add to cart, discount applied automatically.
  • One month free trial, cancel anytime. Membership renews on the 15th of each month.