Lighthearted contemporary romantic comedy of believable characters in a reality tv backdrop (add a healthy dose of fashion). Cindy is a recent fashion design grad who, due to a series of events, is unsure how to put one foot (fantastically-shoed, mind you) in front of the other. She stumbles into a reality dating show as a diversion and just maybe will come out on the other end on her own two feet. Murphy weaves positive body image into the story seamlessly. Side characters are well developed. but don't bog you down. LGBTQ+ represented in multiple side characters. A fun read - you'll miss the characters when you finish.

Modern retellings of familiar fairy tales are never going to go away, but it's the spin that makes them interesting. In this telling of Cinderella, Cindy's stepmother and stepsisters are only evil in the "Hollywood elite" sort of way. They are kind and loving to Cindy, becoming fantastically supportive characters despite their obsessions with beauty, fitness, and the limelight. After their support of Cindy's desire to break into the fashion world as a plus-size designer leading to the encouragement of her appearance on a "Bachelor" style reality show, I found myself rooting for them as much as I did for Cindy.

An early meet cute gave Cindy a leg up on the other contestants, but she didn't press the advantage too much. The other characters were a bit stereotypical of the reality show type, but we again saw some encouragement of DEI in Hollywood.

This is good popcorn fiction, a cute fast read.

What a wonderful read! I loved it! Cindy and Henry are adorable but no so twee that you want to roll your eyes. They both have a layered context to them so that you wanted to uncover each part and find out what happens. I couldn't put the book down at all. I think most readers will really love then ending, it does not follow any predictable pattern, so it was a real treat to read how it all unfolded. I particularly loved the fact that the author did not automatically cast the stepmother in a horrible manner, it was truly refreshing. The author also presented a curvier woman in the fashion industry in a more realistic manner which just added to the whole pacing and story arc. This is a must read for those who love a contemporary love story with an irregular fairy tale theme.

About the book:
Cindy Woods has just graduated from fashion design school without much of a post-career plan - thanks to the grief of losing bother her parents before college finally hitting her months before she gets her degree. Though she doesn't want to leave New York, without a job, she doesn't have a choice. Back home in LA, she plans to take care of her half siblings for her incredibly busy stepmom, who works as the executive producer on reality TV's biggest dating show Before Midnight. When a couple of the contestants fall through, Cindy offers to help. Turns out America has been waiting for a plus sized role model on a show like this, and Cindy is having more fun than she ever imagined - maybe even falling in love too?

TL;DR:
- 4.5 stars
- Content warnings: loss of a parent(s), subtle and aggressive fatphobia
- Julie Murphy can genuinely do no wrong. This was just like any of my favorites of hers, sweet, poignant, true to itself, and adorable. Would recommend this one for anyone who loves a fairytale, likes the bachelor/ette!, or just loves Julie Murphy.

Loved:
- I LOVE Cinderella - growing up she was my favorite princess, so I love any retelling. This was really really loose as far as retellings go, considering Cindy's family was actually incredibly sweet and good to her, which I really appreciated as a welcome tweak to the original story.
- I like the way the portrayal of the reality TV show element felt extremely honest. It felt to me like Cindy felt the same way about the bachelor/ette shows as I do, which is to say, succinctly: it's complicated. Murphy did an amazing job crafting a character who was aware of the pitfalls and benefits of these shows, and who was also aware of how someone fat could suffer the vitriol of trolls on the internet just by existing in a space like that.
- I love (though I don't know it well) fashion, and thought the way that was a big part of the story was so cute. There were some honest discussions of fatphobia in fashion and confrontations of the lack of accommodation for fat people in fashion. That was awesome.
- I also love New York, and thought the scenes that took place there were so so cute. Maybe the pandemic has gotten to me, but imagining a perfectly imperfect date with a cute guy on the streets of Manhattan had me crying at 1AM...
- And finally, I LOVED all the various representation in the book. There weren't many main characters but there was so much diversity in the cast of side characters! I just. Really enjoy that. I could NOT find that in the books I read as a kid and it's really nice to have it just be a given.

Less into:
- I felt like I didn't get to know Henry that much! No real problem with that, because I think this book was more about Cindy discovering herself and going on her own journey, but I do wish I could've seen inside his head a bit. Again, the very smallest complaint about this, really. What I did know about him, I liked.
- There were a couple plot holes/goofs but since this was an ARC I imagine those will all be ironed out by publish!

Overall a classic Julie Murphy tale. I loved it. I can't wait for the rest in the series, and to see whose story she tells next.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved everything about this book!

To start, I love how it's a Cinderella retelling. I was super interested to see how the author would tackle that considering there are already so many different interpretations when it comes to a story as famous as Cinderella, and I would be happy to report that Julie Murphy did a fantastic job of keeping the idea of Cinderella, adding hints here and there based on the original story, but making it completely her own, and doing a fantastic job at it.

I love seeing more representation of plus-sized characters to further be able to diversify MCs in romance books, or any books. Plus, I love the whole reality TV approach to this book as well, it felt like I was watching The Bachelor and sometimes, living through it too.

Read this book! You'll love it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for the earc in return for an honest review.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was okay. I guess my biggest problem was that I didn't really see a connection the Cindy and Henry. There just isn't enough of them together to care about their relationship.
Cindy is a recent fashion design school graduate who has lost her muse. She agrees to go on her stepmother The Bachelor esque show in order to get her name out there and win the prize money.
Henry is only on the show to get brand recognition for his mothers failing fashion empire.
The setup of a who reality show didn't allow the 2 to spend enough time together.
I also didn't like how everything was about Cindy being fat. That was her entire thing on the show. The fat one.
At the end of the day Henry was boring with no personality and Cindy was also 2 dimensional.
Writing this review made me realize how much less I liked this book than I originally thought. 2-2.5 stars.

I’ve always loved Julie Murphy’s work and am so glad to see her jump in to the world of adult fiction! This was a highly enjoyable crushable read. I loved that it didn’t villainize the step family and tackled how messy grief can be head on. Also, as a librarian who is 100% done with the outdated librarian tropes I am CELEBRATING Stacy being a bad ass librarian!! So refreshing!

This was a super cute and feel good romcom. I loved the new take on the classic Cinderella story and genuinely enjoyed every moment of this story. I was instantly enamored with all the characters (that we're not meant to dislike, at least) and it was so nice to see a fat woman who isn't self conscious and calls out fatphobic rhetoric. Truly just a really fun, quick read perfect for anyone in the mood for a good time.

A super fun twist on the Cinderelella re-telling, fans of the Disney movie will be pleasantly surprised to see just how many characters can be found in this book (even the mice - but in the guise of toddler triplets).

Cindy is a newly graduated fashion student with a passion for shoes, but has had a tough final year. After the death of her father, she has just lost the inspiration she used to have in designing her shoe creations. Looking to take a break, she heads home from New York to LA where she moves back in with the step mother and step sisters (who are not at all evil, but really quite sweet and lovely). Step mom is having issues with the casting of her new reality show - After Midnight (think the bachelor) and a few of her bachelorettes have had cold feet. She asks the three daughters if they'd like to sub in, and just like that Cindy is looking at promoting her creative ensembles on tv.

A couple of issues though. Cindy is a plus sized lady, and her step mother is a bit concerned about the public's reaction to her. Also, turns out, Cindy has already had a real life meet cute with the prince charming of the series, Henry.

What follows is a love story set amongst the backdrop of reality tv, and the pitfalls that can come with it.

A really fun story, I enjoyed this re-telling in a much different atmosphere. I especailly enjoyed that nobody really came out as a villian in this story (I've always thought that step families often get too much of a bad reputation).

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in excahnge for an honest review!

I read this super fast. It had so much YA fluff throughout that I couldn’t stop. I loved Erica. I chose her for my most loved character. Not too many stepmothers are like her. Cindy was opinionated in a good way which, was a welcome surprise. Her chosen career designing shoes was different. People talking about her weight was, at times, a downer. I think she was proud of her body shape and size, which is cool, but the author didn't let this define her. The author did a great job shaping her - pun intended- she surprised me a few times. I like Drew and Anna and their dialogue was perfectly written. I could think of a few influencers that I thought would be like them. Think college sandal and that is the sister's I think of. Cute and lovable

The triplets added another portion of cuteness to the book. The way that Cindy felt about them was heartwarming. A great summer read

I fell in love with this book from the start.
Modern, empowering and inclusive, this story is amazing and entertaining.
Love the well crafted characters that makes it so interesting.
Perfect for YA readers.

<b>3 Stars</b>

The main character was charming and I liked the premise. However, the book fell a little flat for me. The first half felt like it was a lot of setup, and the second half of the book picked up with more cute romance scenes, but I wasn't quite hooked on the relationship by the time the book ended.

While there were nods to the Cinderella tale, I wouldn't classify this as a retelling per se. It felt more like a book about <i>The Bachelor</i> tv show with little Cinderella nods here and there. People who have read "One to Watch" by Kate Stayman-London will definitely draw comparisons.

Although this wasn't quite the book for me, it was a cute, quick read, and I can definitely see where it will have its fans.

Another day, another spoof on "The Bachelor" being used for a plus sized protagonist. It does make sense given that this is published by Disney Hyperion, Disney also owning ABC. However, I found this novel a lot easier to digest than say "One to Watch". It doesn't rest on it's laurels as either a spin on Cinderella or the oft parodied reality dating show, but rather blends the two worlds together almost seamlessly, almost as perfect as Cindy's designs.

Cindy is a young woman who has just finished design school and is wondering what she should do next with her life. She returns home to where her stepmother and step sisters live with her little siblings that are triplets and very precocious. I really liked that they were named after three of the mice that existed in the Cinderella version, I thought that was a nice little nod and Easter Egg. Her step-mother is actually really kind and supportive of Cindy, and I thought that was a nice change as a lot of the time it is usually just one of the sisters that are nice to her, and here it seems that the whole family is actually very kind and supportive of each other.

Her step-mother is the producer of a reality tv show called "Before Midnight" and some of the girls dropped out before filming so needing a few fill ins she and her protege ask Cindy and her sisters to step in.

The book is an interesting take at the reality show world and how things are in a blended family. It doesn't villify the family but makes them a part of what makes Cindy herself. She is plus sized, but aside from being upset that the show didn't provide more clothing options for her, there isn't a lot of focus on that like a lot of the books with plus sized heroines have. She knows she's larger and while there are some insecurities she has used that to her advantage and become really good at design and making clothes work for her body.

I recommend this to anyone that loves a good retelling, or some good reality tv. This was a pleasant surprise, and I think that you will be too.

**Thanks to Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for the ARC in exchange for an honest review**

This was just everything I never knew I needed! Cinderella retelling? Check! Bachelorette show? Check! Hilarity, heart warming and wonderful characters? Check! Check! And check!

We truly love a Cinderella x Bachelor/Bachelortte story line! Julie Murphy does not disappoint and I am excited that she is flipping the “princess” narrative by writing this strong heroine stories!

This novel by Julie Murphy kept me reading and engaged the entire way through. Murphy's novel gave me Cinderella type feels early on but quickly evolved into a wonderful story about a new college graduate, Cindy, trying to make her way in the world. Cindy had lost her Mom early in life and her Dad brought in a step-mom and step-sisters a few years later. Unlike Cinderella though Cindy's new family wasn't horrible. As the novel progresses you find that Cindy lost her Dad and never truly dealt with her grief. It all came to a head her senior year in college. Newly graduated with no prospects she heads home where she was to nanny her younger siblings for the summer. Erica, her step-mother, was the head producer of a bachelor/bachelorette show. Several contestants had withdrawn from the show and it was almost time for production. Cindy and her two step-sisters, Anna and Drew, are put into the show last minute with no one to know they are the producers own children.

This is where the main male character Henry comes in to the novel. Anna and Drew were both beautiful slim model like visions while Cindy was cute but a little on the chubby side. It wasn't expected for Cindy to make it very far, she mainly went on the show to get her name out there in the fashion industry by wearing her own work. Henry the reader discovers is part of a very prestigious fashion family. Cindy and Henry may have more in common than first thought. As the television show progresses the audience loves Cindy and the ratings soar. The question is are the feelings Cindy develops real or just a part of the show? How much of Henry's feelings are just part of the script?

With the additional bachelorettes introduced as well as production staff Murphy begins to build a cast of characters that are relatable and truly fun to read about. Throw in a best friend named Sierra and triplet younger siblings which add a lot of fun it is easy to see how this novel is a hit. I enjoyed reading this and would recommend it for anyone who loves Chick-lit, women's fiction, beach reads and reality television. Murphy delighted me throughout the book and I enjoyed watching Cindy truly blossom.

I really enjoyed this book! "If the Shoe Fits" by Julie Murphy is a delightful, entertaining and engaging read that is sure to make you feel good.

After recently graduating from Parsons School of Design, Cindy Woods returns home to her reality showunner stepmom, almost twin step sisters, and triplet half siblings. Not sure what to do with her life, Cindy agrees to become a contestant on the dating show her stepmom showruns, Before Midnight. Her nerves are running high not only because she is the first plus size contestant the show has ever had, but because she can actually see herself falling for this Prince Charming.

This book is a modern retelling of the Cinderella fairytale, but in all honesty if I didn't know that connection, I would've said this was a story all it own. I did enjoy the subtle nods to Disney version of Cinderella, like how Cindy's mother is named Ilene Woods (the actress who voiced Cinderella in the animated version), or the show's name being Before Midnight. Changing the women of the village having to compete for the "princes" affections and putting that it into the world of a Bachelor/Bachelorette dating show, was brilliant. I also really enjoyed how Cindy actually got along with her stepmother (albeit a little awkwardly) and was very close and on good terms with her step sisters. It was refreshing to see them be a family who cared about one another, instead of sisters fighting and a stepmother who treats her stepdaughter poorly.

I am a fan of Julie Murphy. I think her writing style is smart, funny, insightful and always flows really well. You can tell as an author she takes great care in incorporating a lot of details and research into her stories, making her characters and the situations they are in seem all that much real. As a plus size woman, reading a book about another plus size woman I will say I was glad to see Murphy didn't fall into a lot of the pitfalls writers have with writing plus size characters. Cindy is a strong, confident woman, who has her own personality, and doesn't let others dictate how she feels about herself. That's not to say she doesn't have her insecurities and she isn't effected by what people say about her, but it doesn't drive her story or personality. And that is something I really appreciated. I also was a fan of that fact that she didn't constantly bring up being fat. I don't know why writers think we plus size babes just sit around talking about how fat we are, or thinking that everything that happens to us good or bad is because we are fat. We have lives and interests, ya know?

With that said, there were a few things that bummed me out a bit. First off, this is supposed to be Murphy's first adult novel. Her books normally are in the YA genre. I felt that this book was more YA then adult, in my opinion. I am not sure if its because it's through Disney publishing, or if that's just something Murphy needs to adjust, but it still read for a younger audience. Especially in the moments of physical intimacy between Cindy and Henry. I was hoping for some juicy bits, and was a bit let down when it was all behind closed doors. Secondly, I was disappointed with how predictable the story was. Yes it was original and engaging, but I pretty much called the main story points from the very beginning. So it felt a bit paint by numbers for me. I wish we could've gotten into more of the reasons why Cindy and Henry liked each other. They did have some moments of real connection, but majority of their conversations were just flirting. I wish we could've gotten more from both of them why the felt so strongly about each other to justify their actions in the end of the book.

Overall, I think this is a charming (pun intended) and entertaining modern retelling of Cinderella. I am all her for fat representation, especially in unexpected places (like a Disney fairytale!). I would gladly recommend this book to readers. Thank you to Disney-Hyperion and NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy.

This book was a genuine delight - and one I read over the course of one night breastfeeding. It’s a little Cinderella, a little One to Watch, and 100% enjoyable! The characters were fun to follow and I loved Cindy’s career in footwear design. I always enjoy a reality dating show setting and found this one such fun, especially the roommates assigned to Cindy on night one and the producers you meet. I found the love story sweet and believable without being saccharine. I could picture each character and setting and just enjoyed living in this world for a night. I will always read Julie Murphy - she is an author whose voice I love and trust to take me on a fun ride as her reader.

Cute beautiful love story that will have you swooning. A thoughtful romance that you wished the story did not end.

I loved that 1- she removed the evil from the evil stepsisters and stepmother. There's a certain distance between them instead which felt realistic, and removing the abuse and bitchiness felt- almost like applying aloe to a sunburn. Like yes, this is a classic tale, but Julie Murphy is going to do it BETTER.
2- Women supporting women. We need more of this, and Julie gave it to us in spades. *SCREAMS*
3- Body Positivity. There was so much of it, it brought tears to my eyes. She SHINES with this in her books, and my soul needs it. I could not be more excited for a series of adult romance fairy tale retellings with plus-size leads. We DESERVE this.
4. JAY. YAAAAAS JAY. Could've used less Beck, more Jay but Jay may have sparkled enough for both.
5. Slow burn romance. I loooove a slow burn romance and this one felt good.