A sweet contemporary YA. As an adult reader well versed in the language of fat activism, this didn't challenge or surprise me in the way, say, similarly fat-positive YA novel Dumplin', did. But I'm not who this book is for, and it will find an enthusiastic audience with teen girls I'm sure.

Let me start by saying that you don't have to be fat or even really suffer with body image issues to appreciate the beauty of this book.
I myself have suffered with body image from a young age, which in turn contributed to eating disorders that I still struggle to maintain control on now. This story was beautiful, amazing, empowering, and gives a message that all girls regardless of age need to heed.

We follow Emily who although happy with her own body is made to feel like she should be ashamed of it, she receives criticism from people at school, from strangers on the street and even her own mother. Her happy go bubbly self is pushed down and taken over my worry, by self doubt, and by a feeling of worthlessness. This then contributes to her overlooking the way she is treated by a guy because she assumes she is just 'lucky' to have any interest in the first place.

Now, I don't care who you are, where you're from, or what shape your body is...as girls, as women we have ALL experienced selling ourselves short because of what we believe we do and don't deserve. We have all stood in that changing room, and suddenly had the urge to burn the place to the ground because 'that top didn't look right' or 'that dressed didn't fit well'. We are a society notorious for judging our women by the way they look, or what size they are; this book was a message to all women that you shouldn't settle for less. That you are beautiful and deserve all the respect afforded to you. You are worth no less than any other woman no matter what size clothes you wear.

I cannot stress enough how nice it was for me to read Emily's inner strength, and her realisation that she was worth more than how she was being treated. I honestly wish that when I was younger I would have had the courage to say "No, I'm worth more, I deserve better!"

I loved this story, and I am so glad I was given an eARC through Netgalley! I really hope this book finds all those girls out there who don't realise how awesome they are!

As a champion of plus-size rights and body positivity, Bethany Rutter is the perfect guide to steer us through the up and downs of teenage confidence crises. This is my favourite young adult novel of the year, and it is cleat that Rutter understands the need for books that emanate positive messages for youngsters. Despite the title, this book is a HUGE DEAL! Emily is the fiercest protagonist I've encountered in some time and the story consists of many uncomfortable attempts by Emily's friends, family and other kids to push her into dieting and changing her appearance. They try to make her see "being fat" as a shameful act that is within your power to change and should be. This takes her on a journey of self-discovery where she comes of age and realises she is happy and content exactly the way she is, and I loved her strength, courage and wit throughout. We would all like to be a bit more like this amazing young woman and stand up against those who seek to change us.

Ask yourself: do I really want to be friends with someone who judges others based on how attractive/unattractive, big/small, fat/thin they are?

This is an inspiring, amazing and highly rewarding read, and the diversity within its pages was on point. The two lesbian girls were beautiful souls and accepting of both themselves and others whilst also raising the LGBTQIA+ flag. This is not a book to be categorised in terms of age but in terms of mindset; those who doubt and have low self-image will gain such a lot from it as it simple radiates positive reinforcement from first page to last. Not conforming to societies "norms" of " standards" should be celebrated rather than shot at. Emily is what really makes the story what it is as she is very easy to relate to and written in such a sensitive but passionate manner. It deserves to be on every school library shelf and in the hands of those with body confidence issues. Touching on themes surrounding fad diet culture, sex/consent, coming-of-age, dating and plus-size fashion, this is a captivating and unforgettable novel. Many thanks to Macmillan Children's Books for an ARC.

I loved so much about this book. Mainly Emily, the MC, who is funny and sarcastic, and so confident and sure of herself, but also Rutter's writing - her voice really coming through in her writing with phrases and language I'm so used to her saying on the podcast she co-hosts - What Page Are You On? When I first picked it up, I thought I might not be able to read it right then because I was having some issues with my own body image and confidence and thought that reading about it might not help. But it turned out this book is magic. Emily is not bothered one iota about her body the way everyone around her is and it's so refreshing to see her tackle that and stay true to how she feels.

Side note - and this is a little spoilery so jump down to Frankissstein if you don't want to know:

At first, I was a little disappointed by the end. I was a little disappointed that in the end it did culminate in Emily still focused on finding love. But then I had to stop myself. Why is it, just because this is a story about a fat girl, does it have to solely revolve around her being fat? I think I'm a little over a lot of YA ending in romance all the time, when there are so many other storylines that could be explored. But, actually, here it's important. Because fat girls are allowed to have romance storylines too - I shouldn't shun that especially when it's so rare that they do find love. So, I reeled myself in and shut up.

Emily Daly is seventeen years old. She is funny and smart, she likes fashion and music, and she is fat. Emily likes her body and doesn't see why anyone else should have a problem with it, but Emily's mum is obsessed with dieting and desperate for Emily to join in with her newest diet plan, no matter how much Emily refuses. Although Emily knows she doesn't need to lose weight to be happy, doubts begin to crawl in when a boy rejects her at a party, seemingly because of her size, and are intensified when her best friend, Camila, a fellow fat girl, returns from holiday newly confident and newly thin.

Then there's Joe. Joe who likes the music Emily likes, and is possibly the cutest boy Emily has ever seen, and seems to like spending time with her too. Is it possible that he might like her the way she likes him? No matter how confident Emily is, it isn't always easy to ignore the fact that so many people seem to think she'd be happier if she lost weight, or the worry that Joe might not like her unless she does. With this new world of dating comes new insecurities, and the biggest challenge of all - remembering to love herself too.

No Big Deal feels like a UKYA classic in the making. It has the humour, heart, and authenticity that readers can expect from a contemporary YA story set in the UK, and a protagonist it is impossible not to root for, with a cast of friends and family to back her up. It is a fairly short read, with the pace to match, and will, I suspect, be read and re-read again and again by its fans. As a protagonist, Emily is a breath of fresh air: confident, self-assured in her own beliefs, but still with the realistic wobbles that all teenagers, no matter how confident, can certainly relate to. No Big Deal deals with important themes but, perhaps more importantly, it does so in a way that feels fun and, at times, intimate, in a very good way. It would be difficult for any adult to read Emily's story and not remember what it felt like to be seventeen, or for any seventeen year old to read it and not relate to some of Emily's struggles.

Rutter addresses a lot of issues facing teens, and everyone else, in No Big Deal, and, at times, yes, a few of these conversations can seem to have little to do with the plot at large, but they are important conversations to be having, not just for young people, and it is no small thing to see them had in a book for teenagers, at the heart of which is a simple message of loving, respecting, and trusting oneself. No Big Deal is the book I wish I had had as a teenager and Emily Daly is a protagonist all readers should look forward to meeting. The real triumph of No Big Deal is Rutter's ability to reach out, through her words, and tell the reader that they are not alone, and that they do not need to change for anyone. A message we all need to hear once in a while.

This is the kind of novel all teenagers need to read, I am in love with the body positivity in this book! Emily is such a body confident role model, I needed a friend like Emily growing up. This is the kind of media we need to throw at younger generations, body confidence no matter your size or shape!

The story itself is quite simple, the struggles of a teenage girl to find a love interest but it felt very real and modern. There isn't always loads of drama in our lives so why does a teen novel need to have a tragic trope or cliche, it's a very true representation of many teenagers daily lives.

Emily was very wise for her age, as some teens are, she had her doubts and her insecurities but she'd think things through carefully and make positive decisions. She discussed difficult topics surrounding fat people and teens in general, such as the pressure from family members, peer pressure, pressure to have sex and schoolwork stress. Everything was handled very well.

Can I also say I adore the finished copy's cover (not the ARC in the photo), to see a fat person on the cover of a teen/YA book is such good representation, she looks awesome! We need more of this positive rep in teen/YA books. I would recommend this novel to everyone.

The main character's relationship with her mother gave me all the feels and I was rooting for her all the way. This book is a great, fun read for teens with great messages: don't diet and don't suppress yourself for f*ckboys (or anyone).

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't very keen on this book, to be honest. I thought the writing was very meh and could use some workshopping. Sometimes, the narrator sounds quite young for the age range and many of her actions seem unrealistic. Additionally, the minor characters don't, at times, seem believable in what they say or do and there is no tension in this book. I don't root for Emily because I don't feel for her.

I did enjoy seeing a plus-size protagonist and I do think we need more of it but we need to make their stories three-dimensional rather than two. This book completely lacked a B plot and it really brought the book down.

I am always looking for new books about body positivity so when I got the chance to read No Big Deal I jumped at it! I couldn't wait to read another novel featuring a plus size character, and well..I was very impressed!

First things first I was instantly pulled in by the opening scene. This particular predicament that Emily, our main character was in is something that I have had happen several times and for some reason it just made me relate to her from the get go. When a book captivates me from the first few pages I know it's going to be a good one!

The topic of body image is obviously explored a lot in No Big Deal and Emily's attitude towards being larger is admirable, and something that a lot of young girls and boys could inspire to be like. The fact that Emily loves her body and is comfortable in her skin is just inspirational and I wish I had had her confidence when I was growing up. She's sassy, she's bold and she sticks to what she believes in. I found myself relating to her a lot and if I'm being honest she's probably one of the most relatable characters I have encountered in YA for a long while. Emily is a fabulous role model for people of all shapes and sizes who are having trouble accepting their body.

The plot was something that I'll admit I struggled with at first. Despite loving Emily as a character I found some of her actions towards her love interest to be very insta-love like. As you may know insta-love is a trope that I don't like much in YA, but I didn't let this deter me from enjoying the story as a whole. Whilst reading I also found myself experiencing many emotions. I was laughing one minute, crying the next and then shouting in anger the next. It took me on a journey of ups and downs but it was one that I loved being on. The ending, in my eyes was incredible and I found myself applauding Emily for what she ended up doing. She stuck up for herself and did what she wanted and that is honestly admirable.

No Big Deal was a great feminist read. It brought the topic of body image and body positivity to the forefront of your mind, and it certainly made me think twice about how I feel about my own body. For a debut YA novel it was fabulous and I do hope Bethany continues writing about this topic as it's one that she is obviously truly passionate about, and that shows in this book.

A great book for teens in need of some body posi fiction, an absolute must read for all young people

I have so many feelings about this book.

<I>‘It’s not my body that’s holding me back. I think it’s more of a problem that people tell me my body should hold me back.’</I>

I wish teenage me had had this book so I could have learned to love myself like Emily loves herself. I would have had the confidence to be exactly who I was and not give two fucks about what everyone thought. I would have worn what I wanted and strutted my stuff. I would have understood that being fat wasn't all there was to me. I would have binned off a couple of highschool boyfriends and lot quicker if I'd read this, I can tell you that!

<>‘I am going to tell you this now, without any hesitation, and even though we have different bodies and different problems, I know this is true: never settle.’ She shakes me a bit more. ‘Do not allow into your world someone who thinks you’re second best, who thinks your body is a temporary “problem” that you’re going to solve, who puts you down in any way.’</I>

Do I want to lose weight? Yes I do. But even if I lost four stone I would still be considered chunky and you know what? I'm ok with that.

I'd rather be chunky, it suits me.

<I>I’m not just a tragic fat loser. I’m a cool fat babe.</I>

No Big Deal opens with a very relatable scene. Our main character, Emily, finds herself stuck in a dress in some grubby, hot changing rooms, wondering if the stupid bit of material that she somehow managed to pull over her head will ever come off again: “I’m alone, dripping with sweat, feeling ridiculous, trying to figure out how I got the dress over my shoulders and boobs in the first place. Surely science dictates that what goes on must come off again?”

Emily is intelligent, stylish, no-nonsense, funny and powerful. She is also fat and she is perfectly happy with that: “I’m Emily Daly, and I literally do not worry about my body. I have never worried about my body and I don’t plan to start now.” Through the book she comes to the realisation that it’s not her body holding her back, as other people have told her (notably her Mum who struggles with her own body image issues, as well as a host of boys and men, including her aunt’s hilarious but unbearable boyfriend Dennis). It’s actually “more of a problem that people tell me my body should hold me back”.

Emily is one of the best characters I’ve read in YA recently. She’s believably confident – it’s not unshakeable confidence but she is resilient and stays firm in her beliefs and what she knows to be true. I found her very relatable and had a huge amount of respect for her. I also adored her older sister Katie, who says all the right things at the end of the book. Exactly the sister that Emily deserves!

No Big Deal handles female friendships, complex mother-daughter relationships, all-consuming crushes and body positivity BRILLIANTLY. Bethany Rutter has done an incredible job with her debut YA and I hope, for the good of YA contemporary, that she will continue writing for this audience! It is the uplifting, empowering story about body positivity that I wish I had when I was a teenager and that will be loved by fans of Big Bones and Dumplin’.

I love the author of this book on Twitter Bethany Rutter is a great role model for fat girls and women. I really enjoy her podcasts and Instagram so was really looking forward to reading her first novel.
I enjoyed No Big Deal I thought Emily the main character was great and such a change to have a fat main character in a teenage book that is not forced to lose weight to be happy and get the guy. I'm quite old ! So not the right age for this book but I really enjoyed it and will be looking forward to recommending it in my library. In the words of Bethany It Bangs!

Great body positive & not selling yourself short messages - things reaaders of all ages need to hear.
The main character, Emily, has fantastic taste in music - would definitely listen to those playlists.

This book is a breath of fresh air, for years I have read books with an overweight heroine which is portrayed negatively. It was so refreshing to read about a sassy, empowering heroine who is fabulous and everything I wish I was at 17. This book is perfect for a light summer, feel good read and believe it will empower many people who read its pages. Thank you Net galley for providing me a copy of this book

I've been following Bethany on Twitter for a number of years and have always known her to be a skilled, passionate and wildly funny writer. So, it's no real surprise that her first Young Adult novel, 'No Big Deal' is an absolutely fantastic read. I picked this up on a Saturday morning and tore through it in the space of a couple of hours, laughing and sympathising with Emily the whole way through. It's the kind of book that this 36 year old fat woman needed in her life right now and I really wish it had been available to me when I was Emily's age.

Emily is everything I wanted to be when I was 17. She's funny, she's attractive and she knows what she wants. Her utter unwillingness to compromise over the life she wants to build for herself is inspiring. She knows she's hot, irrespective of whether she's fat or not. Why should she change to make other people like her? I loved her complicated relationship with her Mum too and her Mum's inability to understand why Emily was so resistant to losing weight or attending diet clubs. It reminded me so much of my own (similar) relationship with my mother. You know that they both love each other deeply, they just have to both work to attain a place of mutual understanding. I would have really liked to have gotten to know her sister a bit better, but this a really minor quibble.

The burgeoning relationship with Joe - the love interest -is also really skilfully done. What I particularly liked is how he's not presented as being the answer to all of her problems. If anything, he's a distraction from the things Emily really wants to figure out in her life, such as where she's going to university. The whole thing from start to end is handled so well and while the ending took me a little by surprise, I was left feeling like it was the best outcome from everyone and handled in a way which is mature without being preachy.

And did I mention this music? This is a book full of bangers - I see many *many* Spotify lists being collated of all of Emily's favourite tracks.

'No Big Deal' is everything a Young Adult book should be. It's utterly charming, whip-smart and relatable. It deserves to be huge (pardon the pun.)

3 stars. Whilst this book didn't have me hooked and had some tropes I don't usually go for, I think the overall message of the book is something which is important for its target audience. Full review to follow

I received a free copy of this book in order for an honest review

Such an important message for young people about loving and respecting yourself. I wish I’d had something like this when I was younger.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Daly, a stylish and hilarious seventeen-year-old who is about to start her final year at school, is ‘fat’ and absolutely loves herself. She’s witty, she’s an amazing advice giver and she has a great friend group who support her no matter what.

Before school starts, Emily can’t help but feel like she’s missing out on love so when she meets Joe at a house party, he instantly becomes her every thought. She’s completely enamoured with him and will do anything to bump into him again at the record store he helps his parents run.

Emily can’t help but be on cloud nine when the two finally spend time together, but it isn’t long before the doubt starts to creep in. When Joe act’s strangely when the two are in public Emily starts to wonder whether its her body that’s holding him back. To add on top of her internal struggles her mother is constantly starting fad diets every week and pressuring Emily to lose weight.

Emily is fighting a constant battle to stay true to who she is and not change for anyone but it’s hard when people are basically telling her that her body is holding her back.

I honestly didn’t realise how much I needed a book like this in my life. It was everything I wanted and more. Emily is such a strong character and has an amazing personality that it’s almost impossible to love her. As a big girl myself I connected so much with Emily and honestly wish I had her mindset, she loves herself and is so confident in her own skin.

This book is at times hard hitting and I felt myself tear up while reading it. Emily is struggling with what every girl at one point suffers from. Doubt. Doubt that you’re pretty enough, doubt that you’re not skinny enough because that’s what the media has implanted in everyone’s head. This is a book about self-acceptance that every young person needs to read.

I honestly loved this book so much and even read it in one sitting because I found it impossible to put down. My only qualm with it is I wish I had read it when I was seventeen, this is a book my younger self really needed.

Another thing I really loved with this book is how Bethany Rutter touched on the fact that these doubts carry on from being a teenager into adulthood. Emily’s mother is incredible self-conscious about her weight, constantly trying different diets in order to lose weight because she isn’t happy in her own skin.

I honestly do recommend reading this book. This is a story about loving yourself and never settling for anything less then what you deserve. It’s a lesson that everyone should learn no matter what size you are.

So another book I read in one sitting last night all, & @bethany_rutter has nailed it. I was going to say how I wish I’d had this book when I was 17 (as Emily, our protagonist of the tale, is) but to be honest I need it just as much now at 35! A young woman navigating through difficult times in her life while also having to deal with how culture dictates she should be feeling about her body & the fact it falls outside the made up margins of acceptable. This shows up those weight loss campaigns that advertise ‘battle the bulge’, as Emily demonstrates that really we need to battle that bullshit!
@panmacmillan