A sexy modern plus size body positive adult version of Cinderella with a Bachelor show twist?! This is all that and so much more!

Cindy (see what she did there?) is on a flight from NY back to LA after her fashion school graduation. Her mother and father are dead, and all she's left with is a stepmom and step siblings. She's adrift with no inspiration, no job opportunities and nowhere to be. She ends up sitting beside who else? Prince Charming of course. After a lovely flight, they part ways without exchanging info. In LA, she spends her days caring for her triplet half siblings, until a reality TV opportunity becomes available that's too good to be true. Not looking for a man, but for publicity for her designs, Cindy jumps on the opportunity. The surprise of a lifetime happens, however, when she realizes that she already knows The Bachelor. It's Henry. Her Prince Charming.

An adult retelling of a fairy tale can be tricky. You don't want to make it too close to the original or its not worth writing but you don't want to veer too far off because then you don't see the fairytale in it at all. This book is hands down perfectly done. Cindy is a plus size girl, and she makes it perfectly clear her body is perfect and should be accepted like everyone else's. She strongly advocates for extended clothing sizes for everybody and stand up for herself without apology. And she's a knockout! It's made perfectly clear that Henry loves her body and not once does she apologize for taking up her own space. This was so well done I stayed up late to finish it. I truly loved Cindy and their relationship was the icing on the cake. Cindy chose herself first, and Henry as an addition to her life, not the whole thing. Cindy is role model we all need!!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Publishing, and Julie Murphy for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Okay so I LOVED this book. Sure, the title is a bit of a mouthful, but I adore everything else about it. For starters, Cindy and Henry have the best chemistry I've read in a long time, from the moment they met I was rooting for them to get together. A lot of times I feel like chemistry ends up feeling a bit forced, or just falls flat, but as the book went on, you could really feel a bond form between them.

I also loved how original it felt, despite the fact that it's technically a Cinderella retelling. At times it was a bit more obvious, like Cindy's two stepsisters, Anna and Drew, but for the most part it still had new twists and turns. I liked that Beck and Jay sort of worked as a fairy godmother stand in, but at the end of everything, Cindy was still the one controlling most of the things happening in her story. Stacy and Sara Claire were fun additions to the cast too, I liked that Cindy made friends with her competition, but that the competitive aspect still wasn't gone either. Don't get me wrong, I love great female friendships in what I read, but it was nice to have it still feel realistic since feelings were involved.

Meant to be if the Shoe Fits is more than just a romance though, I love the way it touches on all of the crap fat people have to deal with. Don't get me wrong, it's a pain to deal with, but I liked that Murphy didn't shy away from talking about it, since it's stuff that actually comes up in our daily life. I had forgotten how nice it is to read a novel with a fat heroine. Cindy also actively has to deal with the grief of losing her parents, something she was ignoring for years, and the way she's so unsure of her future. As someone who's trying to figure out whether to just focus on getting a job that pays well vs trying to keep chasing a dream it really resonated with me.

If you're looking for a new take on a Cinderella story, or a fun romance with a dash of reality, definitely try to pick this up! I loved the humor and chemistry, and all of the characters so much.

This was such an adorable book! I loved the main character, Cindy; I loved her attitude and her confidence. One of my favorite scenes was when Cindy was telling the wardrobe person that it was their job to find clothes to fit her. I also thought Henry sounded absolutely dreamy. My only complaint about this book is the lack of spice, if you know what I mean. I know this is a Disney-produced book, but if that was not the case there would hopefully be so much steam my hair would frizz!

If the Shoe Fits was a lovely blend of Cinderella meets The Bachelor. Being a Bachelor fan, I loved it. The book had a wonderful cast of characters, and I really enjoyed the stepsisters being nice to each other rather than awful. The plot was intriguing, but I fell in love with the love story between Cindy and Henry. Their relationship really bloomed throughout the whole book from a chance meeting at the airport to their appearances on the reality show.

I also enjoyed the topic of body positivity. Real life situations come to light from gossip to fitting into designer clothes. Cindy’s wit was fantastic, but she kept her feelings real when addressing these issues. Her confidence radiated right along with her insecurities, and her sassiness didn’t let much slide. I loved how she chose herself and joy over fitting a mold TV and producers expected.

4.5 stars – Rounding to 5 for Goodreads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

NUTSHELL:
A fat girl falls for an eligible bachelor on a dating show.

REMINDS ME OF:
Obviously, Cinderella... but with "The Bachelor."

PLUS SIDE:
+ I really enjoyed this book. If I was the type to enjoy reading on the beach, this would be the best beach read ever. It is fast-paced enough to stay entertaining, but it doesn't demand a lot from the audience, except to fully enjoy yourself in the light dialogue and sexy banter between the two love interests.
+ It was pretty interesting to have a "behind the scenes" look of a reality show love competition. It had a lot of sabotage, ulterior motives, isolating the cast members-type elements that something like the TV show UnREAL had, but.. not nearly as dark.
+ You really like the main character. She has been through a lot, and it really feels like she is only now coming out of it. It was motivating to see someone actively fighting to get back to who they are.

NEGATIVE SIDE:
- I know, in life, it would be good that there wasn't necessarily a very formidable villain, but... in a book... let's just say that this fairy tale felt a little flat because of the (mostly) lack of evil.

FAVORITE WORDS:
[She adored hearing any story about her mother that wasn't her own... They were surprise gems for Cindy to unearth. It was as though her mother was still alive in some reality, creating new memories to be treasured.]

["Admittedly, as a librarian I find concierge back channels deeply sexy."
"That is so very specific."
"Mmmm." She moans dramatically. "That sexy, sexy information."]

["Stanley Tucci is everyone's type."]

(Also posted separately to GoodReads)

I love a good fairytale retelling so this one was right up my alley! I loved the additional aspect of Cindy having a degree in shoe design and her being really passionate about having her own fashion business! I also loved the plus size and body positivity rep. Julie always writes amazing stories and I can’t wait to read more!

IF THE SHOE FITS is the perfect blend of Cinderella and The Bachelor, with a wonderful cast of supporting characters and a closet full of fabulous shoes. Cindy Woods is a recent design school graduate who has grand dreams of becoming a shoe designer in her found-home of New York. After graduating, though, she finds herself back in Los Angeles with her stepmom and siblings, trying to figure out how to make her dream a reality. Her stepmom Erica also happens to be the producer of one of Hollywood’s hottest shows, Before Midnight, a Bachelor-esque reality show where women hope to find true love. When some contestants drop out of the running, Cindy takes a spot on the show, hoping that it’ll help get her name into the spotlight and hopefully jumpstart her career. What she didn’t expect was actually falling in love with Henry, the show’s suitor, who also happens to be the cute stranger she met on her flight home just a few weeks ago.

This book gave me everything that I love in a story: a supporting family, fun secondary characters, an intriguing plot, and—of course—a swoony love story. I was a little weary going into the story that Cindy’s stepmom and stepsisters would be horrible to her (since it’s a Cinderella retelling), but they were just wonderful. Anna and Drew, her stepsisters, are fun and supportive and you can tell that they’re all really close. Erica, her stepmom, is also in Cindy’s corner and you can see that though their relationship isn’t perfect, they’re working through it.

I’m not a huge follower of the Bachelor franchise, but it made for a great premise in the book. The reader is essentially behind the scenes on the show, and I loved being able to read about the hijinks and the friendships that form in that kind of environment, and honestly, it was just a fun ride to be on. I love that Cindy was able to make friends and band together when other contestants weren’t as friendly. I can’t say that I’d personally decide to go on a reality dating competition, but reading about it was entertaining!

Of course, when there’s love, I’m invested, so I loved reading about Henry and Cindy and how their own relationship blossomed throughout the book. From their chance meeting at the airport to recognizing each other when the show starts, to their secret walkie-talkie dates and then secret in-person dates, I was rooting for them the entire time. I don’t want to give too much away, so you’ll have to pick up this book to see how the Before Midnight finale played out…

One thing I will highlight is Cindy’s body positivity in the book. Being a plus-sized woman on the show—and in life in general—she discusses how hard it is for her in society and the rude remarks she gets from others for being “brave” when making certain fashion decisions. I love that clothing obstacles and snarky remarks never deterred her, and that she always felt comfortable in her skin. Pair that with her amazing shoe collection, and her confidence radiated off the pages. It was so wonderful to read! I’d recommend IF THE SHOE FITS for anyone looking for a fun twist on Cinderella and The Bachelor, and anyone who wants to celebrate the notion of choosing yourself and choosing joy.

A big thank you to Disney-Hyperion and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy for review! IF THE SHOE FITS is out now.

An incredibly fun romance with an important message on body positivity! The central romance was powerful and I found myself laughing with them. A charming spin on the Cinderella story that left me smiling from ear to ear.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. The audio is incredible and this one is so sweet. It's also a grief story and hello, I love that! Add in a reality show, a plus sized heroine with amazing fashion sense, wonderful friends and pending life after college - I ate it up! Can't wait for more of this series!

A modern day Cinderella, I loved this one. The beginning took a little bit to get into, but once it picked up I finished in a single sitting!

4, 5 stars out of 5 stars | thank you to netgalley for the arc!


Firstly I thought I have had enough of Cinderella retellings but HECK was I wrong because this was definitely a Cinderella retelling I've needed without knowing.
And you do too!

This is a cute romcom book with :

- good & authentic representation and diversity

- an amazing and addictive writing style

- likeable, fantastic and authentic characters

- a storyline basically like 'The Selection' by Kiera Cass (without the Dystopian features)

- all the things you want to read!!


I never thought I would adore this as much as I did!

The only things I've got to criticize are that the love between the main characters felt kind of like Insta love (which I'm not a fan of) and the ending was way too rushed for me.

But otherwise pls SOMEONE NEEDS TO TURN THIS INTO A MOVIE! I BEG YOU!

I received this book from NetGalley as an eARC in exchange for a review.

A romcom based of the Bachelor? With a fat MC? And a bunch of other LGBTQIA+ side characters? I mean I don't watch the show IRL but count me in. This story was so fun and enjoyable. The "game" element of the story really helped push the plot along. I liked that our MC wasn't trying to apologize for her size but rather get the fashion industry to see that fat people deserve to be stylish too. The love interest was a bit boring for me but our MC truly shined.

A Cinderella re-telling featuring a Bachelor type reality TV show, the first plus size contestant on said show, and lots of shoes and fashion.
I do love a good fairy tale re-telling, so I was excited to get my hands on If the Shoe Fits. I'm not going to lie, I almost DNF'd this one based on the first third. Cindy's dialogue just seemed very unnatural and the end of the story became so predictable right away, however I'm glad I kept going because Cindy really came into her own. It was like she became her best self when she was with "the suitor" Henry. The real star of the show was Tracy, the bisexual roller derby librarian - I loved her. I do recognize that books with good representation are important and I loved how Julie Murphy tackled fat-shaming, however If the Show Fits was just okay.
If you're looking for a super quick and cute G rated romance with good plus size rep, check out If the Shoe Fits.
Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great modern retelling of Cinderella. I absolutely love watching anything Bachelor Nation, and if you are a fan of The Bachelorette, you will love this.

If the Shoe Fits is a fun story with a happy ending. I loved that the character was not the typical romance beauty. Julie Murphy knows how to write outside the expectations of a typical romance. I’m happy to see her a non-YA book from her and look forward to the next one.

This Cinderella story's biggest strength is that it features a plus size character, which you don't often see in romance novels.

This was such a fun read! I'm a big fan of the bachelor franchise so it was super fun to read a book with a similar premise! The characters were all amazing and I had a hard time putting this one down!

For fans of Cinderella and The Batchelorette who always wanted to see the protagonist have a little more agency, this is the book for you. A fun, frothy retelling that focuses on size inclusion and healthy body image as well as positive female relationships and dynamics rather than pitting women against each other. Perfect for anyone who loved Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld.

A wonderful modern retelling of Cinderella. I loved the bachelor aspect of the novel and the romance was beautiful!

This has been on my radar for so long. The story was super cute and refreshing! Also, after reading two thrillers back to back, it was high time for me to go back to romance, and If The Shoe Fits was the perfect lighthearted read to welcome me back!

Knowing Cinderella's abusive background, I was a little apprehensive about how Cindy's step-family will be portrayed in the book.

Good thing the author managed to make Cindy's relationship with her family healthier than the source material. I really enjoyed Cindy's bond with her step-sisters, Drew and Anna, as well as the triplets. Her relationship with her stepmother, Erica, wasn't the best but I love the stark contrast from the original story. It was so refreshing and surprising, I have to admit, seeing them be supportive of each other. Of course, Cindy feels a little out of place at times but her family always has her back.

Julie Murphy is one of my favorite authors, although I have to admit that I wasn't able to follow through with her release of Puddin' and Pumpkin which I need to bump up my TBR. I really love the way she makes her protagonists relatable to the core. As a plus-sized woman, I can definitely relate to her adorable characters.

I loved how Cindy always breathes her ambitions. She's very much goal-oriented despite having a little setback with her creative block. Her confidence is totally inspiring! How I wish I could be the same. I really REALLY enjoyed how she always speaks her mind and stands up for herself, especially highlighting how the fashion industry needs to be more inclusive for people of different shapes and sizes.

Another addition to my apprehension was the fact that the plot revolves around a reality TV show. Basically, The Bachelor-style. I'm not the biggest fan of those but I quite enjoyed it here. Speaking of the things I enjoyed, the chemistry and banter between Cindy and Henry were super adorable. I called myself out for falling in love with them not even 5% in the book. I just wish that there was a little more depth in Henry's character. I would've loved to see more layers to his personality.

If The Shoe Fits spins a fun and refreshing twist to the classic Cinderella tale. It was the perfect lighthearted romance that served as an adorable palate-cleanser to my recent spooky run! I love the idea of having these contemporary romance fairy-tale retellings and I can't wait to read more of them in the future!

My issue only stems from Henry's character depth and I guess the book's pacing? I found it a little too fast-paced for my liking. But overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and having to experience the magic of Julie Murphy's writing all over again!