'No' is the first thing I ever said. It was actually the only thing I said in my first speaking months. Like most children, I was born with an innate ability to set boundaries for myself. 'No.' 'Mine.' I intuitively knew how to practise self-care and self-preservation. Then, at some point, just like my ability to shuffle across the floor on my butt, I forgot how to say no... Traumatic childhood sleepovers, stressful social occasions, unrealistic demands at work, unwanted second dates and endless offers of cake, in her memoir, award-winning writer Stefanie Preissner leaves no NO unexplored. From the issue of consent, and what happens when a whole country comes together to say Yes, Can I Say NO? is one woman's honest and hilarious take on how re-learning one small word can pave the way to saying YES to who you really are.

'Witty, shocking in parts and written with real heart ... has something to say to everyone' Sunday Times 'Honest, witty and poignant observations on life that are both heart breaking and heartwarming' Amy Huberman As a child, being in new places made Stefanie Preissner ill, which was why her family holidayed in the same apartment on the same island off the Spanish coast for nine years in a row. And why, at Christmas, she wrote lengthy letters to Santa (note: letters, plural) begging him not to bring any surprises. She hated change. Of all descriptions. But change happens, no matter what we do. Here, in her first book, Stefanie looks at the ways in which her life has changed. From birthdays, to friendships, to Christmas homecomings, to social media (she's more JOMO than FOMO), to the importance of asking WWNSD? (What Would Nicole Scherzinger Do?) when faced with big decisions, to the changes you can't prevent like when someone breaks up with you, Why Can't Everything Just Stay the Same? is the hilarious and honest account of one woman's journey through the biggest change of all: adulthood. It's Stefanie's life, but her struggles are universal. Insecurity? Check. Anger? Check. Weight issues? Big fat check. Stefanie shines a light on human frailty and human strength, proving they are not opposites, but often walk hand-in-hand. Her clear-headed compassion rings true. We all "have demons way deeper than donuts", but we can control our fate. We can choose to eat or sweat. Stefanie lets us see her sweat-both literally and figuratively-and the result is an inspiring, thoroughly enjoyable book. Nell Scovell, creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch

For most of her life, Stefanie Preissner was a people-pleaser. From hair-raising sleepovers and endless offers of cake to unwanted second dates and unrealistic work demands, she said yes to everything - even if it scared her or made her uncomfortable. Until, one day, she realised that her life had become more about agreeing to other people's decisions than making any of her own. What did she want? And how would she figure this out? So Stefanie made a decision: she would start saying no. To everything. Hilarious and honest, Can I Say No? follows Stefanie through managing her fear of disappointing people, the thrill of setting boundaries, and finally coming to understand that she was worth more than the sum of her yeses. But is 'no' always the right answer? And what's the secret to finding the right balance so you can say YES to who you really are? 'What Stefanie captures so beautifully is that our value and worth are not tied to saying yes to everything that's asked of us' Arianna Huffington

'Honest, witty and poignant observations on life that are both heart breaking and heartwarming' Amy Huberman As a child, being in new places made Stefanie Preissner ill, which is why her family holidayed in the same apartment on the same island off the Spanish coast for nine years in a row. And why, at Christmas, she wrote lengthy letters to Santa (note: letters, plural) begging him not to bring any surprises. Change was the enemy. But, as it turns out, one Stefanie hasn't been able to avoid. And, in spite of herself, one she has sometimes invited into her life. Here, in her first book, Stefanie looks at the ways in which her life has changed. From birthdays, friendships and how she celebrates the festive season, to social media (no FOMO here), the importance of asking WWNSD? (What Would Nicole Scherzinger Do?) when faced with big decisions, and her career as a writer, Why Can't Everything Just Stay the Same? is the hilarious and honest account of one woman's journey to and through adulthood, coping (sort of) with the terror, inevitability and beauty of change. 'It's Stefanie's life, but her struggles are universal. Insecurity? Check. Anger? Check. Weight issues? Big fat check. Stefanie shines a light on human frailty and human strength, proving they are not opposites, but often walk hand-in-hand ... an inspiring, thoroughly enjoyable book.' Nell Scovell, creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and author of Just the Funny Parts