Slow Burn by Bethany Rutter

Slow Burn

Bethany Rutter

Candlewick Press · Hardcover · March 3, 2026

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.

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Who it’s for
Ruby takes on a 5K with support from Ollie, while holding onto her body confidence.
Genres
Romantic Comedy for Teens, Eating Disorders & Body Image for Teens, Sports Stories
Published
Candlewick Press, March 3, 2026

About this book

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.

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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.

Ruby’s 5K

Ruby takes on a 5K with support from Ollie, while holding onto her body confidence.

Come here for

  • Ruby’s summer at the skate park and her training for the Dawson Dash
  • A budding romance with Ollie, who offers to help Ruby train

Expect

  • A plus-size teen facing bullying from her brother and PE teacher
  • A body-positive story with romance and the annual Dawson Dash

Where it sits

Romantic Comedy for Teens82%
Sports Stories56%
Eating Disorders & Body Image for Teens42%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Romantic Comedy for Teens
  • Finding Your Footing
  • Track & Field
Authors
Bethany Rutter
Publisher
Candlewick Press
Published
March 3, 2026
Format
Hardcover
Reading lane
Romantic Comedy for Teens