I wanted to love this, I really did. A plus size MC on a dating show? How fun right? Unfortunately I didn't vibe with the whole Cinderella retelling aspect of this book. This is second Julie Murphy I just didn't vibe with and I'm starting to think she may not be my style. I love that she gives plus size girlie's their spotlight and really wish I enjoyed it more

2 stars.

I’m quite late to getting around to reviewing this. I did not enjoy this book. A lot of what makes a Cinderella retelling actually a Cinderella retelling was gutted out of this one. The characters either had little dimension or were stereotypes. Some of the rep made me side eye it. And the romance… what romance? There was a teeny bit of chemistry but it seemed to mainly be lust. They never properly got to get to know each other. For a show that supposedly been around for about a decade the production was an absolute mess and laughably incompetent. I cannot tell you how annoying it was that at the 75% mark Cindy suddenly goes “I think I like him!” when nothing has actually changed about how she thinks and feels about Henry and then for the rest of the book goes “but what if he doesn’t like me back?” “No he likes me!” “Oh no does he actually like me?” “He does like me!” “Production revealed they planned for Henry to pick a different girl from the start! So he must of never liked me and would be incapable of changing his mind! Let me just ignore how he only had eyes for me this whole time and everything he has said and done that says he likes me.”

Julie Murphy’s If the Shoe Fits is a delightful modern twist on Cinderella, bursting with charm and empowerment. Following Cindy, a plus-size shoe designer, as she navigates the world of reality TV, the novel combines humor, romance, and important themes of self-acceptance.

Murphy’s writing is witty and engaging, bringing to life a cast of vibrant characters that make you root for Cindy every step of the way. The chemistry between her and the love interest is genuine and heartwarming, making their journey together a joy to read.

With its celebration of diversity and body positivity, If the Shoe Fits is not just a fun romance but also an inspiring tale of finding your place in the world. A must-read that will leave you smiling! Five stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Was not able to get into the story. Just fell flat for me in terms of the characters and the overall story wasn’t for me.

This was a four-star read for me, but my review was succinct: Satisfying, if predictable romance. (Even with the added introduction my review was still too short!)

I loved this book. It's basically just The Bachelor with Cinderella in novel form. There were no real surprises as it is your true Romance book. I know there are books from the Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants, but there's something about having the fictionalized version that is so intoxicating. I stayed up way to late to finish this book because I just loved Cindy so much. She's your every woman which we don't typically get in these type of shows or stories. I liked her genuineness along with the fact that for the most part all of her weight issues were simply inside of her own head. No one judged her for her size aside from the horrible Addison, but that truly seemed to be more about her just being mean than really caring about Cindy's size. This is a fun book and a quick read.

s a fan of Julie Murphy's previous works, I was eager to dive into "If the Shoe Fits-A Meant To Be Novel." The modern twist on Cinderella set in the world of reality TV dating was a refreshing take. I appreciated how Murphy reimagined classic fairy tale elements in a contemporary setting, blending romance with issues of self-acceptance and societal expectations.

However, while the storyline was engaging and the characters well-developed, I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in certain aspects. The pacing felt rushed at times, particularly in the resolution of conflicts, which left me wanting a more nuanced exploration of the characters' motivations and growth.

That said, Murphy's writing style remains as enjoyable as ever, filled with witty dialogue and heartfelt moments that kept me turning the pages. Fans of romantic comedies will likely find "If the Shoe Fits" a charming addition to their reading list, despite its occasional predictability.

I loved this darling read by Julie Murphy. I am not a fan of The Bachelor or Bachelorette tv shows, but I really enjoyed this novel. It is a quick and charming read that gives you all the feels. I love being behind the scenes of the show and a very relatable main character. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of this book.

Amazing book, Julie Murphy knows how to write a great romance mixed with humor. I loved how she takes the well known Cinderella story and makes it her own.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

I live th story of Cinderella, so I had to read this book.

It was a cute read! However, I wanted more from the story. I wanted more depth. I felt it was lacking and should've been longer .

This was adorable! I enjoyed every minute of it. It was an interesting POV of the "Bachelor" style dating show. I never think of the behind the scenes and even though this is fiction it seemed like what it would be like.

Cindy is adorable! I love her and her love of shoes so much. She's a great MC portrayal of Cinderella. I enjoyed the fact that her stepmother and sisters weren't cruel to her. It was a nice twist to the traditional story we're all used to. I would have loved to hang out with Cindy and all her siblings!

I definitely recommend this one to all the romance readers!

A fabulous whirlwind romance set during the recording of a Bachelor type reality show contest! Body positive representation!

A Cinderella retelling with plus size representation and a reality tv show is a book you probably never thought you would need on your shelf but it is a must.

If The Shoe Fits is a bachelor version of Cinderella with nice stepsisters (which I loved!) and a sort of good stepmother. As a slightly bigger person myself, I thought that Cindy was a perfect representation of the plus size community. I have felt that fear of walking into a store and knowing that they don’t have anything for me and Cindy really is the inspiration that she is made out to be. Henry is the Prince Charming that you want him to be and love at first sight is very real for these two. If you are a fan of Cinderella 3, you will for sure love Anna and her ending. That little nod made me so happy.

It would have been nice to see a little bit more of the couples ending but the book is all wrapped up with a little bow. At times, it felt fast paced and others felt drawn out but the connection between Cindy and Henry was undeniably and I was definitely tearing up a little about Cindy running away before Midnight, more than I have for other Cinderella retellings.

For my Disney fans, this is the perfect modern YA to NA read that will fulfill all of your reality TV needs.

Cute, not as entertaining as Dumplin but still worthwhile reading, cute Romance story, ending was a little predictable

Incredibly cute Cinderella meets The Bachelor meets project runway! Seriously, this was a fun read. Not a 5 star read simply because nothing completely unexpected happened, but it ticked all the rom-com boxes and I would definitely recommend it to romance book lovers everywhere!

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

This book was so sweet I couldn’t put it down! I loved the spin on Cinderella and was happy to see a nice and support step family. I don’t watch dating shows but this was a fun behind the scenes and I loved the different backgrounds of the contestants. Henry was dreamy and I loved all the New York content.

Julie Murphy's books always aim straight for the reader's heart. Her aim is true and by the end of the book, you just want to read another one. If you've not read Dumplin', I feel sorry for you. IF THE SHOE FITS is the first in a series of books. The series has the same goals in mind but different characters for you to fall in love with in each one. If the story convinces just one person that their self worth is not tied to their body shape or they are worth less because of their color or gender, she has duplicated the miracles she hits with each new title. So, read her books and join her growing fan club.

Absolutely delightful! Thank you so much for an early copy. Everything about this book made my heart so happy!

This was such a fun retelling by Julie Murphy! Her character voices are always pitch-perfect, and the swoony romantic moments never miss.