Did we need another retelling of the Cinderella story? It turns out, we did. I ended up loving this book so much and I honestly didn’t expect to, but If the Shoe Fits is an incredibly sweet, heart-warming and emotional modern take on a classic tale. I adored it for its representation, its ability to make me smile and fall in love with a shoe-loving Cinderella and her Prince Charming. I also loved that this featured a plus sized lead and that the story didn’t revolve around her body. This is book is too complex to be "just a romance" and the steam factor is on low. I am looking forward to seeing what comes out in the companion novels that will come after.

There were so many things I loved about this book. - it was such a fun re-telling First of all, the plus-sized rep was SO well done. I am a big fan of taking a classic and making it something new, so having the twists with not only a reality show and having a plus-sized lead got me all kinds of excited. Cindy is stylish and funny and gorgeous… and fat. And that is okay. We need more books that show that just the way this one did. This was a quick, fun read. I really love how Julie Murphy writes and is inclusive with her characters.

This was my first Julie Murphy book and it will not be my last. I was familiar with her YA titles but I was thrilled to read her adult romance novel in the new "Meant to Be" series. The nods to Disney's princess fairytales were cute and not stretched thin as I was worried it would become. It always felt natural and just the story. Not ever trying to get the wrong foot in the glass slipper if you know what I mean. I appreciated that the stepmother and stepsisters were not portrayed as the stereotypical "evil" step family and in fact were charming and multifaceted people as they should be.
The romance was sweet and totally PG (appropriate for a Disney Publication) and I didn't mind in this story because the characters were genuine and their romance seemed natural and not forced. As a plus size woman, I loved how her size was acknowledged but never become the entire focus of the storyline or made to be as something to overcome. I appreciated Cindy's confidence and especially how it was never like "how could this hot guy like that fat girl" like it is in so many books. My one negative comment would be in the very beginning, we get that odd story about the free pizza and the delivery driver. Although I understand giving us more of Cindy's backstory with her father/childhood, I was uncomfortable with the emphasis on food and eating right in the beginning of a fat positive romance. It almost fell into a stereotype to me of the fat girl being obsessed with food. I'm glad it didn't keep going with a focus on food and instead on Cindy's career and love/family life.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable read and I will recommend it to my patrons looking for a sweet contemporary romance.

One of my favorite writers took a classic tale and made it plus sized, and I’m HERE FOR IT PEOPLE. THANK YOU Julie Murphy for CONSISTENTLY providing us with characters of all sizes - you are the real MVP. My first girl crush. I adore thee.

I love all of Julie Murphy's books and this was no exception! She always has a positive message and body positivity and this one was no different. This was a cute spin on a Cinderella story and I really liked all of the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

This rom-com steeped in the world of reality television matchmaking was just the type of read I needed to relax. When Cindy, an aspiring shoe designer returns to California to help her stepmother, Erica take care of her triplet half-siblings, she and her two stepsisters get swept up in the new season of Before Midnight, Erica's The Bachelor inspired series. While her daughters Anna and Drew are shoe-ins, plus size Cindy is the "dark horse" and maybe the trend of the moment. Who knew that America would fall in love with her? Even more, who would know that Henry, the eligible bachelor has already met Cindy and the sparks are instant for both of them. But can the pair survive the world of Hollywood production?

It was a very cute story and as a plus-size gal myself, I love that women like me are finally being represented. However, I also hate that we are " the flavor of the moment" in both literature and media. Before I met an amazing guy who just loves me for being me, the dating world was full of those who fetishize us ladies with the thick thighs. Seriously, I used to get messages on my Tinder profile that began with I love them thick and juicy( UGH!).

Overall, I would highly recommend the book to all those romantic hearted people.







Publication 03/08/21
Goodreads review 19/10/21

"Each shoe represents a moment in time for me"

Super cute Cinderella retelling. A modern, bachelorette version, this book was exactly what you'd expect it to be, cute, fun and quirky.

Loved this retelling of a Bachelor style adventure. Cindy is so relatable! Would recommend this to all my friends and can’t wait for her next book.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Cute fairytale retelling with great representation. It was such a sweet romance, definitely a warm and fuzzy read

I’m such a huge fan of all of Julie Murphy’s writing, and this was no exception. If The Shoe Fits was a fun, modern take on a classic tale, with the added twists of reality tv dating shows! While there were certain components I wasn’t a huge fan of (like the walkie talkie!!), it was easy to get sucked into this book and root for Cindy and her sister. Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!

This is such a cute Cinderella retelling set on a Bachelor-esque reality dating show. Cindy just graduated from design school and isn't sure where to go next with her life, when she and her step-sisters get an opportunity to be on the reality dating show Cindy's step-mother produces. To Cindy's surprise, the love interest this season, is the cute guy she sat next to on the plane to LA, so now she's got to figure out what she really wants out of her time on the show.

It's a super sweet romance, and I loved that neither Cindy's step-mother nor her step-sisters were evil in this retelling.

I was lucky enough to meet Julie murphy at a book event. She was the sweetest author and her books portray that. Thank you to netgalley for the early copy for review!

This is a retelling of Cinderella meets bachelor, a lovable plus size women, and I loved it, I was here for it!

I loved the main character Cindy, She was just a character that you live and want to root for. I also loved how she’s close to her half sisters. Even though she was nor your typical skinny girl she was proud of her she was,m and she didn’t care what everyone else thought about her. I loved that shewas really into fashion and her love for shoes.
This was such a cute, fastpiece read, and I didn’t want the book to end! I wanted more which is a good thing LOL

I love a good retelling in the morning.
This is one of those feel-good stories where you as the reader are not meant to see a bad guy, but instead get to enjoy the different characters as they appear and grow together. Also, I love that she designs shoes and I wish I could see a pair of each!

If the Shoe Fits was a cute adult romance about a fat main character who goes onto a Bachelor-style dating show. I really loved that this was a fat-positive romance and that Cindy was confident and so sure of herself. She's an aspiring shoe designer obsessed with fashion, and I loved hearing about her different creations.

I have to admit that I didn't *love* the romance plot line as much as I expected. I didn't feel a ton of chemistry between Cindy and her romantic interest which led to me not feeling super invested in their relationship. This might be because I'm not a big fan of the Bachelor--the set up just didn't make their romance feel natural to me. But I think fans of The Bachelor would absolutely love this book!

What I enjoyed the most was the sisterly relationship between Cindy and her stepsisters. This was a loose retelling of Cinderella, and I really liked that the stepsisters weren't evil--because it's 2021 and we don't need more stories about women being pitted against each other.

Overall, not my favorite Julie Murphy book or my favorite romance, but I will absolutely recommend this at my library!

This book was a total 5/5 for me!! It was a perfect combination of funny and serious and I love the representation in the novel. Would definitely recommend!

I really enjoyed If The Shoe Fits. It was a semi-light-hearted novel with a cool premise and fun characters.
I applaud the author for their inclusivity. I loved the plus-size representation, but at times, the racial representation felt thrown in rather than thought out.
The actual writing was quite good. I felt immersed in the experience; there was not one dull moment. However, the writing did seem like a fanfiction at times, specifically when characters were introduced. Murphy is obviously a great writer, and I hope they are able to work on this.
I must say, the ending was a little lacklustre. Spoiler alert: I loved it when Cindy put the shoe on Henry; it felt very full circle. But, I was expecting something bigger, grander; it is a fairytale retelling, after all.
Overall, I am happy that I had the opportunity to read this book. It was very enjoyable, and I will definitely buy a physical copy!

A take on Cinderella meets the Bachelor. I loved this new Early Adult title from Julie Murphy! I always love her body positivity books, and this one did not disappoint. The take on a franchise that repeatedly discriminates against average sized women was wonderful. I enjoyed the love story and the social commentary. Quick, lovely read.

I really enjoyed this unique take on the Cinderella tale, featuring our plus size heroine, Cindy, recently graduated from Parsons in NYC for design. Her mother died when Cindy was young, and her father died shortly after remarrying Erika, a TV producer with two daughters. As opposed to the Cinderella tale, her stepmom and stepsisters are kind to her, and include her in appearing in a Bachelor type reality show. There are some funny moments, as well as serious moments, as Cindy tries to regain her momentum as a shoe designer, while managing the rest of her life. I recommend this fun take on an old story, and thank NetGalley for the ARC.

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed this modern Cinderella-ish retelling. Cindy, a plus-sized shoe designer works for her step-mother, who produces a reality dating show. When a spot needs filling, Cindy volunteers not realizing how her life is about to change. She becomes the iconic contestant and may even find love...
Thank you Julie Murphy, Disney Publishing Worldwide and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.