Slow Burn

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Author(s)

Bethany Rutter

Publisher

Candlewick

Genre(s)

Age Range

12+

Release Date

March 03, 2026

ISBN

978-1536243833

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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.

Editor review

1 review

Body Positivity

September 30, 2025 (Updated: July 26, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

“Slow Burn” by Bethany Rutter takes readers into the life of Ruby, a sixteen-year-old girl who is plenty happy with her body and who she is, even if others have a problem with it. Even her own brother, who himself used to be heavier, gives her a hard time about her weight. She says she’s not bothered by him, but she still wants to prove to him that she can do anything she puts her mind to, despite his protests to the contrary. Her Physical Education teacher is also of no help, making her feel like she is worthless in terms of athletic ability.

When Ruby decides to enter the 5K Dawson Dash to show her brother that she isn’t the lost cause he claims she is, she finds herself thrown together with an old friend, Ollie, who has moved back to town. He offers to help train her for the dash, which he will participate in himself as well.

Ruby spends time with Ollie, her friends, and her family in this story that shows how no matter who you are, what you do, or what you look like, there can always be someone out there who will put you down, but that doesn’t mean that person’s words carry any weight. Feeling good about who you are and what you stand for outweighs any negativity that anyone can throw at you.

Good Points

Ruby spends time with Ollie, her friends, and her family in this story that shows how no matter who you are, what you do, or what you look like, there can always be someone out there who will put you down, but that doesn’t mean that person’s words carry any weight. Feeling good about who you are and what you stand for outweighs any negativity that anyone can throw at you.