I’m not always a fan of fairytale retellings, in large part because there isn’t much that can be done with the story, so as much as I love Julie Murphy’s writing, I wasn’t expecting to get a Cinderella retelling that is refreshingly different. I immediately fell in love with Cindy and her family (no evil stepmother and sisters here!!), and while I knew the story would end with a happily-ever-after, I really enjoyed how different it all is.

It centers around Cindy, a recent fashion grad who loves shoes and one day dreams of launching her own shoe line. Without any job prospects immediately after graduation, she moves back home to live with her stepmother, stepsisters and half-siblings to nanny for the summer, and just figure out her life. However, when a spot opens up last minute on her stepmother’s Bachelor-esque dating show, Before Midnight, she jumps at the chance to step in and suddenly finds herself a viral sensation as the first and only fat contestant on the show, as well as actually falling in love with the suitor.

This super cute story is a loose retelling of Cinderella. It was a fun read from start to finish but I was left feeling like something was missing. I wanted more swoon worthy moments at the end.

Cindy agrees to go on a reality dating show hoping it might jumpstart her fashion career. She's the only plus sized contestant, which ends up being more difficult than she expected. Cindy is a great character and I really rooted for her from the start, she deserved a happy ending. I wish we had gotten some chapters from our hero Henry's point of view, even just one or two would have given us insight into his motivations and made him more likable.

While this is a sweet, funny read, it also tackles some heavy topics such as grief, blended families, and familial obligation. Ultimately it's about being true to yourself, especially when that's difficult.

I recommend this one for readers of romance, though it reads more like YA than adult.

I really enjoyed this book, and was totally invested in it until the end. I'm a sucker for a good twist on a classic fairy tale, especially if it's one where they put the female character in charge. This was a twist on "Cinderella," but utilizing a Bachelor-esque realityy TV show, 2 very lovely and kind stepsisters, and a woman who just loves shoes, and designs them for a living.

I was even able to look past some of the plot holes because I enjoyed the characters so much. Definitely a great read!

Review available shortly on www.saharsblog.com and instagram.com/bookvsbaby! Thank you for the ARC, it was a lovely and relaxing read!

This is everything and more that I wanted from a fat-positive romance and more! I appreciated that the stepmother and stepsisters in this "Cinderella" retelling weren't evil.

The blurb calls this a retelling of Cinderella, but it is a very, very loose retelling if it is one at all.

Cindy is an orphan with a stepmother and two stepsisters. That's pretty much the only comparison. We have shoes in the story, and two instances where shoes are slipped onto feet. Well, yeah, I guess that is kind of Cinderella-esque. Otherwise, nothing like the story of Cinderella. It's not even a Cinderella story, as this young woman isn't coming from nothing, she isn't looking for someone to save her, not counting on a lucky break....

I do think this is one of the most body positive, female positive, family positive, everyone positive books I have read in recent memory. People are described in detail, and not just non-white characters. It is common to read "she was a statuesque Black woman with long, curling hair" but less common to read "she was a petite white woman with short, brown hair." Because, it seems, the default is white. No, it's not. The default is also not heterosexual, and this book offers plenty of non-heterosexual characters, too. It's a kaleidoscope of characters who represent the actual people in the real world--even if the world they are in is totally fake. It's a novel about a reality TV show. It can't get more fake than that.

As for body positivity, Cindy, the main character is fat. She calls herself "fat" most of the time, and only uses words like "large" or "plump" when she doesn't feel like explaining to people that "fat isn't a four-letter word." She is happy in her fat body and, for the most part, doesn't let anyone make her feel bad about not being a sample size, even though she works in the world of fashion.

The highlights I have in the book are all about Cindy's sass regarding the way fashion is geared toward women who are all smaller sizes. She gets increasingly annoyed when she can't find clothing on the reality show she is participating in even though they know she is there and they know she is a plus size. It's great to see this in print and used to expose the fashion industry for its short sightedness. As she says, offering larger sizes isn't about politics, it's just good business.

The book also explores depression and the way it can impact creativity and ambition. Cindy is mentored a bit on that by a designer she admires, allowing her to get her mojo back as she works through her issues surrounding the death of her parents.

Finally, while Cindy does fall in love (it's a romance) she chooses herself over chasing romance. She chooses to follow her dream of a career. This is totally refreshing. We know she will get her HEA. But the way she gets it is so much more satisfying.

This is a "young adult" romance--no sex, really sweet. It could be appropriate for teens as well. But it is clever and smart. I found it refreshing after reading so many "contemporary romances" that felt compelled to fill the pages with graphic sex instead of more intellectually satisfying explorations.

The first in a series (Meant to Be), I'll be looking for more by Julie Murphy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney/Hyperion for this ARC and a chance to offer an unbiased review.

I did not finish this book. From the blurb it sounded like it would be a great read, but I feel like the blurb was kind of misleading. I wanted to like Cindy, but she was so self-critical that up until the point that I got I just kept liking her less and less. I felt like they wanted the character to be someone that didn't care what other people think, and up until the point that I read it was kind of true, but in a negative way. Everyone around Cindy seemed to think that she was beautiful and talented, but Cindy didn't believe anyone and chose instead to feel fat and like she was a failure. On the other hand, she cared so much about what others thought that she needed to get out into the fashion business on her own instead of accepting the help that her stepmother offered her. In reality though she did use her stepmother's show (and her stepmother in a different way) as a stepping stone to launch her career. So I just feel like for me Cindy was a stereotypical "plus-size" girl (who was really barely plus-size and only appeared that way next to women who were size 0) that didn't like herself because she wasn't supermodel thin. Maybe by the end of the book she ended up liking herself, but for once I want to see a plus-size main character that is really plus-size and that owns it. Show all the women and girls out there that you don't have to be a size 0 or even a size 12 to have a happy fulfilling life.

Adorable. Loved it. I love Cinderella retellings and anything with a reality TV spin has been holding my attention lately. Highly recommend!

A very, very fluffy take on Cinderella starring a plus-size shoe-obsessed heroine who goes on a Bachelor-esque show. Enjoyable with a few swoony moments.

DNR. Computer broke down with Kindle app and couldn’t recover nor download again. My apologies. I would have liked to have read this.

I have enjoyed Julie Murphy's teen books and was excited to see that she has written an adult book. And who doesn't like a retelling of Cinderella and shoes? This book was charming and entertaining. A great read.

I adore Julie Murphy, and this book was a hoot. Although, I think maybe I would have found it funnier if I watched shows like the Bachelor? But in any case, if you love her comic, intelligent female characters, you won't be disappointed.

I wanted to love this more than I did. I'm a huge Julie Murphy fan. But this fell a little flat to me. I just didn't connect with any of the characters.

I thought this was cute, and it was a pretty quick read. It is one of three books about a Bachelor-style dating show that I have read lately, and I’d have to put it in 3rd place. I didn’t really see the similarities between this and Cinderella - Cindy had nice stepsisters - although it is marketed as a reimagining. It definitely read more YA than adult romance to me.

Thanks to @NetGalley, Disney Publishing, and Disney Audiobooks for my ARC!

Sometimes a book just hits right. This was one of those books. Love when authors create plus size representation that doesn't feel like they are creating what I like to call.... "Pity Characters". Murphy continues to give me girls that my heart feels so akin to and I will continue to love her work over and over.

i.... did not like this like i thought i would. i don't like the bachelor at all, but i thought because i liked one to watch (i know, different author), and loved dumplin, that i would love this one. but i didn't. something about the writing missed the mark for me, some of the bad guys/conflicts were very over the top cartoon villain moustache twirly ridiculous, and the romance was super lacklustre and i did not connect at all. it was a quick read - though it technically took me a month to read, i read it in two sittings - and wasn't completely awful, but i would definitely recommend one to watch over this one.

This was a fun Cinderella retelling. I enjoyed the representation and the slight twist on the tale. However, I was not super captivated or convinced by the romance part. I almost feel like I would have enjoyed this book more without it.

This was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. Many have done a spin on Cinderella, but this is one of the best that I've read. The family dynamics were real and surprising, and I loved that she did not fit the typical mold of a thin, blond, beautiful model. I recommend this book to anyone that has ever doubted themselves and for anyone that just wants a fun romance.

I love fairy tale retellings and this one was a great one! Cinderella meets The Bachelor, LOVE IT! Ms. Murphy's writing always leaves me with a smile on my face. It was the perfect summer read. It's sweet and entertaining. This reality TV junky really did love this story. Absolutely a must read!!

Just graduated out of Parsons, with nowhere to go, Cindy returns home to her stepmother and stepsisters to be a nanny to her half-siblings, until she figures out where to go next. Her dream? To have her own shoe line, and be a fashion icon for the plus-sized community. However, Cindy's stepmother's reality show, Before Midnight, hits some trouble, and Cindy decides to step up and appear on the show. This way, she can wear her designs, and gain good publicity. And that is exactly what happens. Being the only plus-sized candidate on the show, Cindy becomes an inspiration to women around the world. The issue is, Cindy didn't expect to catch real feelings for the reality show's suitor, Henry aka Prince Charming. After the little meet-cute they had on the airplane BEFORE realizing they were going to be on the same reality show, Cindy just cannot forget about Henry. Whatever happens though, Cindy will not forget to stay true to herself. Her dreams and her goal to be an inspiration will always come first. Definitely a strong novel that gives powerful messages about self-love and confidence. Can we have a moment to appreciate Sierra, the greatest best friend out there? As well as Drew and Anna, the most supportive stepsisters you'll ever meet. AN AWESOME BOOK PEOPLE.