I just really enjoyed this. I love anything "Bachelor" related & love a real size woman in these stories (if only the real show would do the same) - but love the ease of Julie Murphy's writing & I was here for every detail of the story. I was anxious to get the "Cinderella" portion & have Cindy mistreated by her family but nice to see the twist of the support of her family. I really enjoyed Cindy as a character & really enjoyed Henry not being focused at all on her weight or making it an issue. YES - need more of that!

Pub date: August 3
⭐️⭐️⭐️

👠Having just graduated from Parsons, Cindy is hoping to jumpstart her fashion career by going on a “Bachelor” type show as the only plus size contestant.

👍🏼This is a great palate cleanser if a book. The characters are fun and enjoyable and a setting in reality tv is always going to bring the juicy drama.

👎🏼The characters were fun but super under developed. The plot wasn’t always believable and the pacing felt off sometimes.

✅It’s a Disney novel, it makes you happy and is a fun beach read. Suspend your disbelief and just go with it. It’s not as good as One to Watch but still worth the read if you’re in the mood for something light and fun.

4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
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This was a really good adult rom-com with a cheeky spin on the classic fairytale. While I wouldn’t say this is a Cinderella retelling, it is clearly inspired by it, and what can I say? I’m a sucker for Disney princesses. The book was flirty and fun, and I really appreciated how we not only experienced a reality dating show from a contestant’s perspective, but also got to peek behind the scenes at the hidden shenanigans. The characters were all very endearing and I instantly connected with them. Speaking of characters: I loved Cindy! She’s a real showstopper, and she knows when to go all out when she needs to. I also loved her relationship with Henry; it was lighthearted, but also had some touching moments... as well as a few stolen make-out sessions and secret dates! It was fast-paced enough to never have a dull moment, but I wish it paused to have a more long-lasting cast of characters, as well as take its time lingering on some more touching scenes. The book was great, but it was over all too quickly! I mean that in both an “I want more” sense and a “maybe the plot went too fast and could have afforded to have things like more descriptions”. Overall, a very cute read: 4 stars!

Okay, I really, really enjoyed this book! It's a retelling of Cinderella, but is still its own story. I love, LOVE that the MC is a plus size girl, but she is comfortable in her own skin, and isn't apologizing for her size. I really appreciated that the author's depiction of a plus size life was so true. The struggle to find clothes that fit, that make you feel good, not a moo-moo, that hit home for me. I know it's a silly love story, but I really appreciated reading about the MC in this light.

The romance was lovely. I loved the secrets and the struggles.

I highly recommend this if you enjoy rom-coms and retellings!

The cover looks a bit like YA, but the MC is out of college and there is a bit of adult action in a very non-descript way.

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What can I say - I'm a sucker for romance. A sucker for the underdog comes out on top. I LOVED the heroine is a regular sized woman. In a sea of skinny minnie women - she's got a little more junk in her trunk. I'm here for it.

This book would be the perfect beach read. It's light, the storyline was solid and the writing was really sharp.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author! If you like a good chic lit beachy escapist read - run and grab this!


#MeanttoBeIftheShoeFits #NetGalley

Meant to be: If the Shoe Fits, by Julie Murphy is a modern retelling of Cinderella. And it’s awesome! When they say it’s a modern retelling, they mean it. It’s fresh, full of pop culture and diverse characters, and a plus-sized heroine. I loved it all.

Cindy just graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City and aspires to be a shoe designer. After a rough senior year, she doesn’t have any job prospects in NYC, so she decides to go home and take care of her three young triplet siblings. Her stepmother, Erica, is a producer of a reality dating show, very similar to The Bachelor, called Before Midnight. When three other contestants drop out of Before Midnight, only days before filming starts, Cindy, and her two older stepsisters, fill in the empty spots. Cindy is hoping to jumpstart her shoe design career, and a bit of television exposure is just what she thinks she needs.

As the first plus-sized contestant on the show, her popularity soars, but so does her attraction for the “suitor”, the son of a prominent fashion icon.

This book totally surprised me. It’s fun, entertaining, and relevant. If you are a Disney Cinderella fan, you’ll notice many references to the old outdated movie, but updated to fit into today’s world. Instead of a pumpkin chariot, it’s an orange minivan that takes her to her date with the Suitor (Henry), and it’s a shoe, bejeweled with crystals instead of a glass slipper, and so many other references.

I loved the heroine, Cindy. She’s tough, confident, and not afraid to speak her mind. She knows she’s plus-sized, but she doesn’t make any excuses or let herself feel bad about her size. She doesn’t diet or fret about her size, and instead, she accepts herself and is happy in her own skin. The book is full of diverse characters and modern settings and situations.

I’m not a fan of the show The Bachelor, and I liked the fact that this book did not put a “positive spin” on reality TV. Yes, Cindy and Henry fall in love during the filming of the show, but the book also highlights the drawbacks and the downsides to reality TV and especially the emotional toll shows like this take on the contestants. Cindy and Henry fall in love IN SPITE of the show, and the filming, not because of the show.

This book is fun, entertaining, and romantic, and I highly recommend this book to all romantics out there!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*3.5 stars
Cinderella retelling with a plus-size main character? YES PLEASE. This book was an absolute joy to read. The fast-paced writing and lovable characters combined make the perfect fluffy romance. After graduating design school Cindy agrees to be on her stepmother’s dating show with hope that it will jumpstart her fashion career. I loved Cindy as a character, she was funny, confident and owned who she was. I was also a fan of the healthy portrayal of Cindy’s family and rather than going with the bitchy stepmom trope you were able to see that Cindy’s stepfamily genuinely cared about her. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you’re looking for a quick fluffy hilarious read I highly recommend checking this one out

Super cute book. Loved the story. It was so cute and light. A definite one to add to your to be read list if you enjoy the quintessential chick lit book.

I was so excited to score this ARC! If The Shoe Fits was an absolutely phenomenal read!

Straight out of college and back in her stepmother's home, fashion major and shoe addict, Cindy, is at a crossroads. With no job prospects and still grieving the loss of both her mother and father, Cindy has to decide what to do with her life. For now, Cindy has agreed to come home and help her stepmother, Erica, take care of her triplet siblings. On the flight home, Cindy meets her very own Prince Charming, Henry. They only exchange minimal information, like their first names, but Henry leaves an impression on Cindy. He's charming and sweet and Cindy regrets not at least attempting to get his number or more information about him to find him on social media.
At home, her stepmother, and a friend/fellow producer, Beck, are working hard on Erica's hit reality tv show, Before Midnight, where a suitor looks for love with 25 women vying for his affection. The winner gets a proposal from the suitor and a hundred grand cash prize. Two of the selected women have dropped out of the show last minute. Beck suggests adding Erica's three daughters to the show. Erica agrees to have her two daughters, Anna and Drew, on the show but not Cindy. Cindy doesn't mind, though she's concerned about Erica's reasons why it was an automatic shut down. Cindy is plus size and there has never been anyone like her on the reality show before. When she approaches Erica about why she shot down Cindy, Erica tells her that she loves Cindy and thinks she'd be a wonderful candidate for the show, but she knows how sensitive Cindy is and how hurt Cindy could be by the media and others with horrible opinions. She tells Cindy she didn't want to disappoint Cindy's father by having her on a show that could potentially damage her heart and sweet personality. Cindy agrees that it was probably for the best, and is relieved to hear it wasn't because of her size. Beck, however, approaches Cindy again and tells her that as long as Cindy knows who she is - she has nothing to fear, the show will bring exposure to her fashion and shoe designs and that can only bring job opportunities, and if she wins the show, she could get a hundred grand cash prize to help her start her dream fashion line. It was a win win either way. Cindy agrees with Beck, and decides to go on Before Midnight. Beck and Cindy approach Erica, who after hearing her pitch, agrees that it would be a good idea and adds her to the show. Cindy then goes on a whirlwind of preparations for the show, new wardrobe, hair and makeup, and learning lines! Yes, not even reality tv is all real! But the real shock is when Cindy steps out of the limo and meets Before Midnight's suitor! Cindy struggles with new friendships, catty women, no phone, strict Before Midnight rules, wardrobe issues, and her true feelings as she navigates her standing in Before Midnight.
I won't say anymore for spoilers, but this is definitely a must read!
Cindy was a completely relatable character! She's a little lost after losing both her parents, worried about how to get her career jumpstarted since finishing college, and her confidence waivers but she never leans too insecure or overly confident. Cindy wasn't afraid to speak her mind and she was completely fierce! Cindy was the kind of role model I needed as a kid, and that I still need as an adult! Our hero, Henry, is wonderful. He's sweet and charming and I really enjoyed his interactions with Cindy. It was refreshing! The step sisters, Anna and Drew, were awesome and I loved how they always had Cindy's back! There were mentions of Cindy and the sisters having issues when they were growing up/in high school, but none of that drama carried over, and it was a refreshing take! Cindy's relationship with her step family was pretty much drama free. They all cared about each other and looked out for each other, especially after Cindy's father's death. The half-sibling triplets were adorable and I almost wish there were more scenes with them! All of the characters are well developed and diverse, there's a non binary character who is referred to with proper pronouns.
There were a few errors in names during reading that need to be edited, as this was an ARC, that was to be expected. For example, Cindy is talking to Sarah Claire about a fellow contestant, but then Sarah Claire's name changed to Chloe. I had to go back to check that Chloe hadn't dropped into the conversation, she hadn't. It was still Sarah Claire speaking, but the wrong name was written. This happened again later with Wes and Zeke. Zeke was caught with a contestant, then later Cindy refers to Wes as the being the one caught with the contestant, then back to Zeke. I don't know if the author switched up names and characters and these were mistakes, or added in new characters and forgot to make all the changes, but it took you out of moments and had you re-reading the scenes because they didn't make sense. They were minimal and certainly didn't ruin the story, but it made me do a double take.
As a whole, I could have easily read a hundred more pages with these characters! I was so caught up in the story that I lost track of time! I really enjoyed If The Shoe Fits and can't wait to read what's next in the series! Julie Murphy created a modern day fairy tale that will resonate with everyone! Do not miss this one!

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced ebook copy.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Oh this was great. I really enjoyed this one. I appreciated the plot line and that the climactic point did not extend extremely long. I could have used an epilogue but otherwise extremely pleased! I really like the characters and the story.

3.75 Stars

Super cute romantic quick read based on Cinderella. I found this book very enjoyable and a great light read after reading some heavier material.

Absolutely loved the relationship build between Cindy and Henry. Even with the reality television angle the writer found very cute ways for them to actually fall for each other.

Thanks to Net Galley for an advanced reader copy!

If you love reading fairy tales dressed in modern clothing, you will enjoy reading “If the Shoe Fits.” Large-sized gal, Cindy Woods has just graduated with a degree in fashion with aspirations of being a footwear fashion designer. Because she is without any job prospects and a bit out of touch with her creative muse, she returns to California to help out her stepmother in carrying for her half siblings. Her stepmom produces reality shows, including a show called "Before Midnight" (the novel’s version of “The Bachelor.) A contestant drops out at the last minute, and Cindy has a chance to join the show as the token plus sized girl. But at the same time, it’s great exposure for her future shoe line and who doesn’t want the $100,000 if she wins?

If you read that synopsis and think this novel will bombard you with cliches, change that mindset right away. First of all, Cindy gets along with both her stepmom and half siblings. Nor should you expect the prince to save the day. While I enjoyed this perspective, I felt the author could have spent more time developing Henry, the love interest, though Cindy was quite likable and not at all apologetic about who she was. I also appreciate that while Cindy was plus-sized, it wasn’t because she was the shy girl who drowns her sorrows in cupcakes nor did the story end with her losing a lot of weight (or wanting to). But the novel is based on a fairy tale (the publisher IS Disney), and most fairy tales do have a lot of glimmer without any substance (though the author bends over backwards to be very diverse with her cast of characters).

Overall, I’d give this three and half stars.

Thank you to the Julie Murphy Disney Hyperion Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Julie Murphy takes a contemporary retelling of Cinderella to the next level in Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits. Cindy is a shoe designer fashionista and recent grad of Parsons School of Design and she isn't quite sure what to do with herself now that she is on the job hunt and creatively blocked. When she returns home to her stepmother's house in Los Angeles, she finds herself reluctantly accepting a last minute casting on her stepmother's production of a reality dating show along side her two elder stepsisters. When prince charming ends up being someone Cindy already knows, her life takes an interesting turn!

I enjoyed the diversity in this book. Not only is it body positive, but it also is inclusive of all genders and the LGBTQ+ community. The beginning of the book was a bit difficult for me to get into because there are so many characters introduced at once, but once I got into the main plotline of the story, the reality dating competition, I found that the pacing picked up and I was rooting for Cindy's character to get everything she ever wanted. I was hooked and couldn't wait to watch the drama unfold! It was a fun reading experience and I recommend it to anyone who has a soft spot for finding your perfect fit in life!

Content warning: grief after loss of parents

The Bachelor meets Cinderella in a clever and creative modern day fairy tale by the author of Dumplin’. Murphy does a great job updating the story for contemporary American culture. Cindy Woods is a nuanced, and complex plus-size Gen Z Cinderella—ambitious and feisty but still grieving her father’s death. After a rocky final semester of design school, her priority is the prize money and job opportunity, not romance, which means that she actually has a lot in common with the suitor, the scion who’s trying to revive a once-hot, now failing fashion empire founded by his mother. The stepfamily also gets a modern makeover. Cindy’s stepmom Erica is a driven TV executive. but she and Cindy’s stepsisters are just image-conscious not evil. Their blended family is supportive and loving. The rituals of reality tv datinng shows are also skillfully faithfully recreated on the page. The one thing that doesn’t quite work is the romance. Just as with 2020’s One to Watch, the dating competition rituals take substantial time away from the central relationship. The glimpses of a love story readers get are sweet, but a little few and far between.
3.5 stars

This was the perfect retelling of Cinderella. Cindy's mom passed away when she was young, once she got to middle/high school her dad had found someone new and and her step mom treated her as one of her own kids. She dad sadly passed away when she was a senior in high school. After Cindy moves back home after college, she someone winds up on Before Midnight a dating show and it turns out her suitor is the guy she flirted with on the plane ride home.

I’m an absolute sucker for reimagined fairy tales, and I always have been. Don’t even ask me how many times I’ve re-read Ella Enchanted. When I saw Dumplin’ author Julie Murphy had a Cinderella-with-a-twist novel coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. I was not disappointed!

Cindy has always loved shoes. So much so that she followed her passion all the way to design school, and she has designed some seriously swoon-worthy shoes. But her spark of creativity is doused when she loses her remaining parent, and she’s struggling to remember who she is and find where she belongs. When her TV-producer stepmother needs someone to fill in on a reality dating show, Cindy leaps at the chance to get her name as a designer out there by participating. She chose to go on the show Before Midnight to help her find her footing as a designer, but soon she finds herself presented as a body positivity icon with more stake than her shoes.

There is so much to love about this book. The voice is perfect, the characters well developed, the plot nicely paced and engaging– all of which adds up to an un-put-down-able book. But what really put it over the edge for me is the representation. I love when media reflects our real world, with people of all sizes, shapes, and hues. Julie Murphy is well-known for plus-sized representation, and If the Shoe Fits fits the mold perfectly.

Cindy is confident in her beauty, which is something I love to see in characters. She’s a wonderful designer, she has a great relationship with her peers and her teachers, and she’s just an overall lovable gem working through her grief. She has an adorable meet-cute with a handsome guy at the airport, who later assists her with a problematic seat mate, and it’s all rom-com gold. Spending time in Cindy’s head is a delight, as her comedic train of thought observes the world around her as she tries to find her place in it.

What I love about how Cindy’s size is represented is that it isn’t treated as a flaw, an illness, or a problem. The only time it’s a plot point is when it’s weaponized to use against her, or when she struggles to find clothes because plus sizes aren’t frequently carried. Instead of treating it as something to be ashamed of in these cases, Cindy uses the opportunity to educate the characters (and the reader) about issues in the fashion industry and the ripple effect it has on women of all sizes. This novel is incredibly inclusive, and I’m here for it.

What if Cinderella’s step-family wasn’t awful? I loved this component of the story. From the supportive but uncertain what to do stepmother to the we-will-fight-for-you stepsisters, to the adorable four year old triplets that trail Cindy like puppies, Cindy’s family is wonderful, odd, and quirky in the best ways.

All of the characters are well developed, the kind that an image immediately enters your mind and your brain recalls it each time they’re mentioned without any prompting or reminding. I loved how the relationships with the other contestants were difficult, because they wanted to uplift other women but they were also all in competition together. That situation and mindset was perfectly described and believable. The representation of various backgrounds, sexualities, and sizes was a refreshing dose of reality in fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley, Disney-Hyperion, and Julie Murphy for an advanced copy of this book so that I can review it.

If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be #1) will be available August 3, 2021.

I wanted to enjoy this but I found myself yawning at the story and the characters.... this just was not for me.

Review to come closer to release date. Thank you to Disney Publishing and Julie Murphy for this ARC.

Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy has the perfect balance of dedicated friendships, unexpected romance, and personal growth. The heroine, Cindy, is a plus sized woman with much to offer the world. She has a kindness and beauty about her, with a style that showcases her gift of shoe design. This is pegged as a Cinderella story and if by Cinderella you have a evil stepmother, evil stepsisters, and obstacles to finding your Prince Charming I guess this hits a few of those qualifications but it is truly an original.

I will not provide a spoiler, but this book is far from a guaranteed happily ever after. What it does guarantee is you will find love for yourself whatever size your jeans happen to be. Cindy has body positivity in spades and inspires others as she ends up on a Bachelor type dating show called Happily Ever After. Her polka dot dresses, wild shoes, and redesigned couture clothing makes her a viral household name. This was her original purpose in going on the show, but we soon wonder if she will find her own Prince Charming in bachelor Henry or if he will stick with the status quo.

This book provides the perfect blend of dramatic interest, amusing hijinks, and pushing away your previously held beliefs. The gyrations between Cindy and Henry will have you rooting that they can find their own happily ever after, but it is far from a sure thing.

I will leave you with this endorsement, you know how when you close a book and you just sigh because it was so satisfying? That is exactly what happened with Meant to Be for me. Murphy has a true gift like Jennifer Weiner in writing those characters that exude body positivity and the truth that love is not dependent on the size of your jeans. I am not overweight, but I fully support this idea.

Meant to Be hit all my must haves by engaging the reader, tugging at my heartstrings, and keeping me guessing plus a huge sense of satisfaction at the conclusion.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Disney Publishing Worldwide Disney - Hyperion in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

Calling Bachelor Nation - I’ve got a book for you! IF THE SHOE FITS (A Meant to Be Novel) by Julie Murphy was such a sweet romcom that gave me everything I needed (even if the last few seasons of the Bachelor franchise did not…)

Cindy’s stepmother is the executive producer for the famous reality dating show, Before Midnight, and they need another contestant at the last minute. So, Cindy, a fashion school graduate and shoe lover, finds herself packing her backs and heading for the “chateau.”

You can expect all the drama, romance, and female friendships you would get from a Bachelor episode - with positive fat representation from our leading woman.

IF THE SHOE FITS is out on August 3, so definitely preorder now!

CW // fat phobia; slut-shaming