What a totally CHARMING book! Julie Murphy's writing is so entertaining and I loved reading this fun rom-com by her! This Cinderella retelling meets The Bachelor with a dash of Project Runway was a delight!
Chock-Full of fabulous dialogue, great style, body positivity, and swoony moments - I couldn't put the book down! I loved routing for Cindy and the rest of the awesome characters. I don't watch the Bachelor, but I really enjoyed reading about the fictional reality show at the center of the book, "Before Midnight".
This a closed door romance where most the action fades to black but it still was wonderfully steamy at times!
Thanks to NetGalley and Disney for an ebook version to read, thoughts and reviews are my own!

I loved Dumplin', both the book and the film, so I was happy to see a new book by Julie Murphy! Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits, is a contemporary romance with so much added depth, because it explores the issue of body image and promotes body-positivity, specifically when it comes to fat-shaming. A fun read that takes place on the set of a "Bachelor" - like reality show, with Cin, the main character, the first and only plus-size contestant. Looking forward to recommending this wonderful book.

*Review will be posted to my blog on 7/22/21*
**3.5 STARS**
Likes:
*I love this modern twist on the Cinderella story. Instead of a girl who cleans and slaves away for her stepfamily, we have a curvy girl who is trying to jumpstart her fashion career – her particular love being…shoes. Instead of an evil stepmother and stepsisters, we get a supportive family, which was actually really refreshing.

*The reality show/Bachelor inspired storyline mixed with the fashion industry worked for me and I have never watched The Bachelor! It even had a tiny of Project Runway moment which was fun. Having Cindy and Henry build a relationship on the reality show brought in suspicion, hope, and so much insecurities for Cindy.

*Cindy is a great character – being plus size doesn’t stop her from living her life, looking good in the clothes and shoes she wears. She’s confident even when she doesn’t feel it and even when she feels insecure, she doesn’t let it hinder her from her goals. I love that she became an inspiration to people in the public through her appearance on the show, even if it was all rigged.

*Henry and Cindy are a great match. I love how they meet but wow, I’d never be able to like someone and watch them kiss all these other women for a show! So I’m actually glad at Cindy’s decision in the end, I thought it was awesome how she put herself first since there was no guarantees on how’d everything work out after the show. It does work out in the end though.

*I enjoyed the side characters like Sarah Claire and Stacy, would love books about them too! I loved her stepsisters and the triplets. Even the crew was crazy yet fun like Beck and Irina.

Random Notes:
*Because Henry and Cindy are on this reality show, they don’t get a lot of time together until their one date and I guess I was hoping he’d pick her for more private dates but as we find out, everything is set and rigged for tv ratings.

*It does feel more like a young adult book than New Adult or Adult.
This would make a cute rom-com movie.

Final Thoughts:
I found If the Shoe Fits a fun, quick read. I wasn’t expecting to finish it in one night but it was fast-paced with The Bachelor inspired storyline which meant something was always happening to Cindy or the other girls going after Henry. I loved that it features Cindy, a plus size girl and a Cinderella retelling where her family isn’t vicious but supportive. I found Henry and Cindy’s building romance to be sweet and yet as realistic as it can be in a reality tv setting. I loved them more when there were no cameras around. I think many romance lovers will find this one an enjoyable read.

This was a super cute, light, and fun story. I loved Cindy’s stepfamily dynamic and I thought her love of shoes was a cool take on Cinderella. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

I should have known better, but when I saw “Julie Murphy” I just couldn’t stop myself from clicking the request button. The funny thing is I was denied <i>Pumpkin</i> and that will probably end up being a huge winner for me. But whatever. The NetGalley gods – they are a fickle.

So the problem here is I really don’t like Disney princess stuff and I would also rather stick my head in the oven rather than endure even one episode of The Bachelor. Why did I think I would like this again? Oh yeah, because Julie Murphy is a QUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN. But I think she’s a queen of YA and this foray into contemporary/adult romance was a bit of a miss. It also didn’t help matters that <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3364789379?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1">One To Watch</a> just came out about 12 seconds ago so there’s an obvious apples to apples comparison right at the forefront of my brain. I already have my name on the waiting list for <i>Pumpkin</i> so we’ll simply call this a glitch in the Matrix.

<i>ARC provided by NetGally in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!</i>

Delightful, satisfying fluff!! Just what I've come to expect from a Julie Murphy book, plus I love any ~behind the scenes of reality television story. Chef's kiss!

Thank you to publisher for allowing me early access to this title via NetGalley!

Oh. Em. Gee. I am in love. 5/5 stars right off the bat. I read this is one day, I couldn’t put it down and it was just so good!

Plus size girl, reality dating show, amazing meetcute and secretly knowing the bachelor beforehand... check check check

I absolutely loved the main character, I loved how real she was, and I loved the fact she was plus sized. I loved how they called out the fashion industry for not being all inclusive in the book, including the stigma attached to plus sized girls on reality shows, TV, fashion, everywhere.

The main love interest was adorable and I loved him, and I loved the two of them together!! The banter, the chemistry, the secret relationship. Just yummmm loved it!! So adorable and such a good mood lifter of a book!

Julie Murphy brings everything I love about her YA novels to the adult world. If The Shoe Fits has great characters, a vibrant world, and all the emotions that made me hug this book to my chest and swoon. No matter what she writes, Julie Murphy remains an auto-buy author for me, because she delivers every single tie.

This book was an unexpected delight. I hadn't read this author before so I didn't quite know what to expect. I love a Fairy Tale retelling, but am not a fan of The Bachelor at all - never even watched an episode. I was, however in the mood for a light and fluffy romance and I absolutely INHALED this and couldn't put it down. Cindy was pretty great, young and fun and confident. Her Prince was pretty great too, though I have a hard time getting over a guy dating a bunch of women at the same time (hence my problem with the Bachelor show in general). What really made it for me though was the most decidedly UN-wicked stepmother and step-sisters. They were all so great and I absolutely loved their family dynamic. I really also enjoyed some of the friendships she made along the way. The balance of it was really great for me. Yeah, it was a romance, but there was just as much about friendships and all the other positive relationships in her life and I really enjoyed that - probably more than the actual romance.

Unfortunately, this was a total miss for me. I love a good fairy tale retelling but the idea of riffing off The Bachelor has consistently left a stale taste in my mouth. For fans of One to Watch, this is for you. However, if you are plus-sized and looking for representation, proceed with caution.

I wish authors writing plus-size characters would focus less on “I never miss a pizza” and more on Fat Liberation ideals. This felt as disingenuous as the show it was portraying.

Thank you NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Julie Murphy does it again!! I loved Dumplin’ and Puddin’ so I was really excited as to what she would do in the adult fiction world. I was very pleased with the result. Julie Murphy is a fantastic writer! I admire her ability to write witty dialogue that makes me laugh!

If the Shoe Fits is a fantastic mix of Cinderella and the Bachelor. Although I would say this is really loosely based on Cinderella. I am not a fan of the Bachelor and don’t think I have ever watched an episode. With that said, I was able to follow the story even without being that familiar with the Bachelor. There is also the premise for a made up TV show in the book that I would totally watch if it was a real show.

I love that Julie Murphy’s main characters are always full figured women who are just real. They aren’t looking to change and they are proud of who they are. In a world were the media tells woman that we are supposed to be a size zero, I love a strong female character who is not afraid to be a size 18 and flaunt it for the world to see. We need more characters of different sizes, race and sexual identity. And Julie Murphy manages to seamlessly tie in all those things into the story.

This is a fun story that was fast for me to read. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and cannot wait to buy a copy when it comes out! Thank you Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for the chance to read this book!

Omg I loved this book!!!
First, I love a fairy telling retelling. Julie Murphy made one big change to the Cinderella plot that made the story even better. In this book, there was no evil stepmom or evil stepsisters. Instead, Cindy was surrounded by a loving and supportive family which was amazing and a really positive change.

I loved the bachelor-like tv series that Cindy and Henry take part in. I felt like it showcased some of the realities behind reality tv (both good and bad). It also made a good for setting for the exploration of important topics like female friendships, body image, and grief.

This book also had great representation. There were characters of different sizes, races, and sexualities. Besides Cindy’s size which was a major point in the story, none of the diversity was used as a plot point, it just was which was very refreshing.

Now onto the romance. I loved Cindy and Henry. Their relationship felt real and believable. I love how much both characters grew throughout the story while embracing who they truly are.

Overall I adored this book and would highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for the ARC.

A fairytale reimagined for modern times crossed with “The Bachelor” reality show! It was so lighthearted and fun, and the characters kept you wanting more. It’s important for readers to see themselves reflected in their reading, especially for the curvy teen girls who are feeling overlooked, and this book nails it. Another Murphy masterpiece!

I loved this fun take on Cinderella! Cindy is an endearing and entertaining heroine. Her love story with Henry feels genuine. I love that she is a plus size main character who finds love, instead of being relegated to the sidelines as a supporting character.

The first book in a new series from Julie Murphy.
Cindy is a creative soul who has experienced great loss early in life—having lost both parents by the time she’s in college.

I am not a fan of using a term like “grumpy spinster” to describe oneself. In the context, it was used in a derogatory way which is entirely unnecessary. There’s no reason to make it seem like being single makes someone less than those who are not single. Later, a 32 year old character seems to suggest that at her ADVANCED age, going on this reality show is her last chance for love, marriage, and children.

Overall, very reminiscent of One to Watch.
The love interest remained a flat character throughout the book, as did many of the secondary characters. I kept waiting for development that never came.
I did enjoy this book and would love to read a companion book when one is published.

5 stars

Cindy’s dad dies when she is a senior in high school and she when she heads off to NYC to Parsons to be a fashion designer, she starts a new life. However, grief hits her during her senior year and she barely makes it to graduation. She goes back to LA to live with her stepmom and nanny her triplet siblings.

Things begin to look up when she bumps into Prince Charming at the airport and they get to know each other on the 5 hour flight. The chemistry is on fire. After landing they go their separate ways, but pleasantly bumps into him when she surprisingly joins the cast of her stepmom's hit reality show, Before Midnight.

This was the perfect light-read for me. I think it is a great chick-read, and one you can recommend for those readers who love a retelling of a classic fairy-tale, or loves watching reality tv! .I was concerned about another “Cinderella” story, because the evil step-mom and sisters still make me uncomfortable even in my 30s! However, Julie changed the plot to make them likeable, even admirable.

Thank you for the ARC netgalley and Disney-Hyperion!

Cinderella has always been one of my favorite fairy tales, but what Julie Murphy did with Cindy was just perfect. Cindy's story was romantic, kismet, real, heartbreaking at times but most of all it was beautiful.

A chance meeting on a flight and then again on a reality tv show, what are the odds or could it just be fate. Henry and Cindy seem to belong together they get all the feels you should feel when you belong with someone. Their interactions were great and entertaining. I was rooting for Cindy from the very beginning. I laughed with her, swooned with her, cried with her. Everything just felt so real.

I loved the fashion story line, the romance tv competition story, the talk about all the fabulous shoes. This was like all of my favorite movies mashed up into one beautiful story that just gave you everything you could ever ask for.

I can't begin to give enough praise for everything about this book, I loved ever second of it until the very last word. If the shoe fits is a fabulous book to dig into. Enjoy it, love it. Relish in all the feels, you will not be disappointed.

If The Shoe Fits is an absolute master piece.
I have read dating show books before, I have read books with a plus size lead before, I’ve even read a book about a dating show with a plus size lead before, but If The Show Fits does something different: gives us a lead that believes in herself, truly loves herself, and is surrounded by people who support her.
In this is a modern day Cinderella retelling, rather than staying perfectly true to the beats of the original, Murphy makes this story a true modern day fantasy from start to finish. Cindy’s step mother and step sisters all trying their best to make her part of the family and show their love. She has a best friend who reinforces how talented and deserving Cindy is. Her knowledge and belief in herself are the only fairy godmother she needs to achieve all her dreams.
This is the first time I have seen a plus side lead who is never self conscious, she does not self doubt, and when something in the world doesn’t fit her, her first reaction is to blame the creator of the object for not making things for normal people.
Besides my absolute gushing about Cindy, this is a romance, with ups and down, and charismatic love interest. The dating show set up keeps you guessing what is going to happen and what is real, and just when you finally think you figured it out, you’re wrong.

HUGE thank you to Disney-Hyperion for providing my with an ARC. This was an absolute honour and a joy to read

Brillant Brillant! This book was sooooo cute! I loved it! Literally my favorite book I have read in a long time. Looking at the title you would think it is a Cinderella spin but it actually is not. This book has some similaritiesfrom the movie Cinderella but they are not exactly the same. I was pleasantly surprised with how this book turned out. I would definitely recommend this book to someone as I would give this book a 10/10. In rom-coms the main characters are always picture perfect which is unrealistic, so the fact that the author made the main character an overweight girl that isnt perfect allowed the book to be relatable to more readers. I also liked how it reminded be of the tv show the bachelor and it was interesting to read about how the author had her own spin on the tv show. Very relatable to todays social society.

I binge-read this in a DAY! It has all of the wit, charm, and happy endings you would hope for from a Cinderella retelling.

There were a few laugh-out-loud moments as I read and I truly loved that the stepmom and stepsister weren't awful like in typical Cinderella stories.

There were a few mild swear words, implied sex, and a character who goes by "they" instead of "him" which had me incredibly confused for a while.

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