I enjoyed this retelling of Cinderella mixed with "The Bachelor." It was a quick and fun read and I loved the diversity of the characters, size wise. It was not a typical "HEA" which I enjoyed - it wasn't as predictable as some other Cinderella tales!

Take Cinderella and mix it with the Bachelor and that is the premise of this book. My favorite takeaway is how the main character, "Cindy", has the support and love of her stepmother and stepsisters. Although Cindy's parents have both died, her stepmother was like a parent to her instead of the Disney version where Cinderella was made to sleep in the attic and be a caretaker of the whole family. Women should be supporting women so this was a surprising way to start this book. This ROM COM shows a non-traditional lead (Cindy is on the heavier side) find love with the Bachelor. I couldn't wait to see how it ended so if you want a sweet fairytale mixed with a modern storyline, this is your book.

Due to hospitalization and health issues I cannot review at this time. Will review at a later time when convenient.

4/5

Modern romance gets a fairytale twist in Julie Murphy's latest novel about a college graduate turned reality TV show contestant. All Cindy wants is to propel herself into the world of high fashion, but with few connections in the industry, she has little to no options on how to go about doing so. Working for her stepmother, the executive producer for one of America's most renowned reality dating shows Before Midnight does have its perks though, ones that Cindy can leverage. When a spot opens up for a contestant on the latest season, Cindy volunteers, thinking that it will at least keep her busy for the time being and perhaps help her career finally take off. The last thing she expects is to become a body positivity icon as the only plus size person on the show, nor find love itself. The funny thing about reality TV is that a lot can happen in one season, and you'll for sure want to tune into this one.

If the Shoe Fits is simply put, one of those romances that accomplished everything it set out to initially. This being my first book by Julie Murphy I can honestly say that I wish I had read more by her sooner because it was all in all a freaking delight. Cinderella retellings may have been reinvented more times than the wheel, but Murphy provides a fresh and modern perspective to a story that was in desperate need of it. Rather than play off the rehashed stepmother trope, If the Shoe Fits ditches that narrative for a different familial relationship between Cindy and her step-family. Not going to lie, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop in regards to this (pun intended), but am so happy that Murphy decided to take this route with the characters. All of the relationships within the family were so real and complicated, which I loved watching play out throughout the story. My favorite part of the novel was definitely the dating show portion, it made for such a page-turner and a deeper look into the characters. There was drama, emotion, and high stakes on both sides of the camera that had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for more. The reason why this romance didn't hit the mark for me exactly was the pacing and general length of the novel. While I think that every aspect aforementioned in the synopsis was executed strongly, the overall speed of the story hindered it from being stronger. I was enjoying this so much that what I really wanted was for it to slow down a bit. This tends to happen a lot with romances when they try to wrap everything up so quickly, and it was certainly the case here. Regardless of that, this really was a charming fairy-tale romance. With a plus sized lead and wholesome relationships, this is a reality TV show worth giving your time to.

Trigger Warnings: Fatphobia

Can I just say that I am so happy that Julie Murphy has transitioned into writing adult novels because I really am. I've been disappointed by the last few books she's written in younger genres (I liked them but I wasn't in love with them), but this is seriously a great example of not only how she's grown as a writer but a dang good plus-size Cinderella retelling. I truly loved the romance, the setting, and the story, but I really, really loved the fact that her stepmother and stepsisters weren't these mean, evil spirited jerks! I've never seen anyone flip that trope from the fairytale on it's head and I truly feel as if Julie doing that added some extra oomph to the story. I see that this one has been marked as a #1 so I'm assuming (and hoping) there will be more!

Overall, this was a very fun and cute book. I had a wonderful time reading it. The sotry follows our lead, Cindy, as she heads home after graduating to figure out her life. Her step-mom is the creator of a Bachelor-esque show, Before Midnight. Cindy ends up competing for her Prince's heart, but will she be able to win?

I had a great time reading this modern-day Cinderella re-telling, with a character that was quite relatable. Cindy was a fun character to follow and I'm glad we got some plus-size rep. I wish we had more but it's a start! In terms of romance, I think this was a bit of a miss. It could have been a lot better, though since it was Julie Murphy's first adult romance, it was okay. We definitely needed some more romance to make the story more enjoyable.

I appreciate the start of this series and I am looking forward to Jasmine Guillory's installment next. If you need a quick, magical read, look no further than Julie Murphy's "If the Shoe Fits". A huge thank you to Net Galley for a copy of the ebook. All opinions in this review are solely mine.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy is a fun twist on the Cinderella story. The main character is enjoyable, and her willingness to take risks is admirable. The reality TV show setting is also a perfect backdrop for a retelling.

Cindy is the type of character that is easy to relate to. She is kind, energetic, and while she hasn’t lined up her dream job yet, is very ambitious. Her step-family is also a lovely and welcoming aspect to the story, which is a nice change from the classic tale. It is quite enjoyable to read about this loving, boisterous family that has each other’s backs.

❀ CONFIDENT MAIN CHARACTER

The story mostly takes place on the set of a dating reality show and I loved how Cindy is able to dive headfirst into the challenge. She is such a confident character and even though she originally went on the show to gain some attention for her fashion skills, she is also a fierce competitor.

❀ QUICK AND LIGHTHEARTED

If you enjoy contemporary retellings, If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy is one to try. It is a quick and lighthearted read that is perfect for those last days of summer. I am looking forward to the next instalment in this series.

I saw somewhere that this was a Cinderella retelling. I am not sure if that was accurate and if it is, then it is a very very loose retelling. I loved this book! The characters are well developed. The book makes me laugh and it is still serious. The setting of a reality show is what intrigued me because I enjoy that peek behind the scenes and this book did an awesome making me feel like I was a part of the show too. I highly recommend that is all.

I wanted to love this book so much. I adore all of her other books, but this one just missed the mark for me. The premise seemed forced and didn't make sense. The idea was cute, but the execution was flawed.

When Julie announced this on Instagram I was over the moon! I grew up watching A Cinderella Story as a kid and I’ve always dreamed about being Cinderella, but growing up plus size, Cinderella never looked like me. Julie brought my childhood dreams to life in If The Shoe Fits.

I loved seeing everyone’s different spin on the classic tale and Julie gave it such a unique twist. This is Cinderella meets The Bachelor which I was a bit apprehensive about because I’m not the biggest Bachelor fan, but I really enjoyed it in this book because it highlights more of what you don’t see on camera when they’re filming these shows. Julie also incorporated the characters from the original tale (stepmother, step sisters, fairy godmother, etc.) without villainizing anyone or making it too cliche.

Being a part of the plus size community, I am always on edge about how a character will actually be betrayed when they are described as plus size in previews and teasers. I’ve read a lot of plus size romance books where the issues they face or internal thoughts they have make me cringe because they’re so far from reality, but I couldn’t help but think, “girl same” so many times throughout this book. Julie does a great job of showcasing the issues Cindy faces as a plus size woman without making it her complete existence.

The romance in this book is not as prevalent as I normally would like in a book. The moments we did get were super sweet, but I feel like this book could’ve been a bit longer to develop the connection even more. Overall I loved the representation in this book and the message it sent. It’s a bit light on the romance but still very enjoyable!

Julie Murphy is a queen. Her books are readable, representative, SO much fun and this one was absolutely more of the same. I loved the Disney-twist of this concept, and found myself rooting for these characters the entire way through. Cindy is a fresh take on her namesake, and now I just want more Julie Murphy fairytale retelling forever. So great!

I loved reading about a plus sized protagonist! It's what you'd expect it to be -a cute Cinderella story re-telling.

Cindy barely made it through her senior year in design school. She filled her portfolio with old shoe designs while all of the pent-up grief from her father's death just before college finally caught up to her. Even now, as a fresh college graduate, Cindy is completely uninspired. No wonder she has no industry job prospects.

Leaving her chosen home in New York City to return to California to nanny her much-younger triplet siblings could be a much-needed chance to refocus. The plan starts to sound even better after Cindy has a meet-cute on the plane with dreamy Henry who could easily pass for Prince Charming.

Adrift and not sure how to restart her creativity, Cindy makes a surprising choice when she volunteers to appear as a contestant on her step-mother's popular reality dating show. Sure, it's unexpected. But it will give Cindy a chance to showcase her work and get some exposure. Plus she'll be appearing with her other step-sisters so it's not like Cindy will be on her own. She knows she won't win the Suitor. But maybe she'll land a job.

When the producers decide it would make more sense if Cindy has no connections on the show, she's worried. When the show's suitor turns out to be a certain charmer that Cindy got to know on a plane, she's concerned--what are the rules for dating someone you already know while on national television?

Just when Cindy is ready to go home, she finds out that the show's viewers have embraced her as the first plus-size contestant pushing body positivity one group date at a time. She has to stay for her new fans. As the sparks fly between her and Henry and her inspiration slowly returns, Cindy might have to stay for herself too in If the Shoe Fits (2021) by Julie Murphy.

Find it on Bookshop.

If the Shoe Fits is Murphy's first novel written for adults. The book is also the start of Disney's Meant to Be series of romances which will retell different Disney classics. Being a Disney property, this novel is high on the swoons while being light on the steam.

Fans of Murphy's previous novels will appreciate Cindy's no-nonsense first person narration as well as her comfort in her own skin as a fat woman who isn't afraid of being called fat. That doesn't mean Cindy doesn't have to confront fatphobia throughout the novel as the show's stylists refuse to stock clothing in her size and, during one group date, Cindy is forced to cobble together an outfit out of designer clothes from a label that doesn't make anything in her size. Rather than becoming pain points for Cindy or readers, these moments showcase Cindy's ingenuity as a designer and underscore the book's continued message of inclusivity.

Cindy and Henry are white. There is diversity among the show contestants, staff, and designers met along the way including one of my favorite secondary characters, Jay, who is a non-binary style icon.

While comparing If the Shoe Fits to the original Cinderella is a stretch in some respects, fans of the original will recognize key details from the original including Cinderella's squad of helpful mice, beautiful shoes, and even a reimagining of the Disney princess's iconic outfit. Obvious chemistry between Cindy and Henry along with their smile-inducing banter move the story along even when it gets bogged down in the conventions of the dating competition--a show that fans of The Bachelor will immediately recognize.

If the Shoe Fits is a Cinderella retelling replete with positivity in a story that centers romance and magical moments without any of the toxic feminity inherent to the original as Murphy reinterprets Cindy's relationships with both her step-mother and her step-sisters. A must-read for Disney fans and romance readers alike.

Possible Pairings: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall, Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert, Natalie Tan's Books of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim, Charlie Glass's Slippers by Holly McQueen

*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*

I adore good retelling of classic fairytales and Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy is a fun, more modern version of Cinderella. When Cindy joins a reality tv show that her step-mother is producing, her motivation is to jump start her career so that she can finally get somewhere. Her two step sisters also join the show. As a plus sized woman, Cindy unexpectedly becomes a popular success on the show . But will an unexpected romance throw her off track for her own goals and dreams?

I loved this sweet and spicy romance story, and Cindy is my favorite character. She does not let haters slow her down!!! Well done on the writing, Julie Murphy!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Publishing and author Julie Murphy for this digital, free, temporary advance review copy for me to read and enjoy. As always, my opinions are mine and my reviews voluntary.

This was such a sweet read!! I really loved Cindy and the concept of going on a reality television show!! Henry was just dreamy and I loved all the supporting characters!! I really loved how Cindy was a curvy girl who loved herself the way she was. Definitely would recommend this one!!

A delightful Cinderella themed story with a reality TV dating show. I enjoyed the fashion references, puns and the shoes! I wish there would have been more insight into what Henry was thinking. We didn’t find out his thoughts until the very end. Nevertheless, If The Shoe Fits was a quick, fun read.

What a delight this book was! I’ve enjoyed the works of Julie Murphy in the past but this new series takes the cake. I read If The Shoe Fits in one afternoon, and it was the perfect light-hearted fun rom-com that I didn’t know I needed. This spin on the Cinderella story takes all the good parts of the classic and spins it with a modern Bachelor-esque twist.

This was billed as the first book in an adult romance series, but the tone felt very YA to me. And I don't like YA. So it was a struggle for me, personally, to get invested in the love story. This will likely appeal to younger readers, and I appreciate the plus size heroine and unique tone of the book. It just wasn't for me, and ended up being a DNF.

I have read ALL of Julie Murphy's books and this was not my fave, but it was so fun and I love that she was chosen by Disney to create an inclusive and supportive spin on the classic Cinderella story.

This is such a cute retelling of Cinderella, but honestly a more adult version where the main character has graduated college and she's looking for a job/working. I think having your own personal goals and achieving that along with the romance is more fulfilling in a story. I also think it has some parallels to the new Cinderella movie on Amazon with Camilla Cabello.