Miri is an overweight teen who learns that she must be in 2 family weddings. Worse yet, frenemy Tiffany's sister will be marrying Miri's half brother. Tiffany and her sisters are blonde and glamorous so Miri feels like a real lump in comparison.

She grows emotionally during the difficult days before the weddings, enduring fittings and ugly dresses yet learning to appreciate new people and new ways. Whoever would have thought that Tiffany was actually a lot like her and would become a good friend? Or that unappealing Jacob, her sister's fiance, was a strong and gifted man?

I will advise my students that this is a quick and humorous read, but also to be aware that it has a lot of British slang that they'll probably have to look up.

A quick and fun read. Nothing too exciting or fancy but for kids, it is good, has nice lessons and is easy to read. A suggestion would be to define the step siblings relation more in the beginning, so that it's easier to understand for the younger lot.

**A thoughtful, fast-paced read about growing up, self-image, and standing up for yourself.**
Miri is 14, her body is changing, her confidence is wavering, and now she’s about to be a bridesmaid—*twice*. One wedding includes her longtime nemesis, the picture-perfect Tiffany. But as the story unfolds, readers see beyond appearances, diving into themes of body positivity, family, religion, and unexpected friendship.
Though just 138 pages, *Say No to the Dress* manages to explore a lot: puberty, tradition, sibling relationships, and finding your voice when it’s most uncomfortable to use. Keren David captures the awkward, often painful in-between stage of adolescence with honesty and wit. Miri’s growth—especially her evolving friendship with Tiffany and her acceptance of her siblings’ choices—feels genuine and heartwarming.
That said, the short length did limit some of the emotional depth and left a few plot threads underdeveloped. Still, it’s a sweet, relatable story that younger YA readers will connect with—especially those navigating their own feelings about body image, self-worth, or changing family dynamics.
**A great pick for readers who enjoyed** *Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret* and *Judy Blume-style contemporary coming-of-age stories*. A lovely, compact read with heart and humor.
(3.5 ⭐ rounded off to 4.)

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.

It was a super interesting book. Honestly, it leaves us thinking that we have to be ourselves without any kind of fears. Wear what you want and be who you want to be. It's a quick read and suitable for younger readers. 3 stars.

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?