I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

I live th story of Cinderella, so I had to read this book.

It was a cute read! However, I wanted more from the story. I wanted more depth. I felt it was lacking and should've been longer .

This was adorable! I enjoyed every minute of it. It was an interesting POV of the "Bachelor" style dating show. I never think of the behind the scenes and even though this is fiction it seemed like what it would be like.

Cindy is adorable! I love her and her love of shoes so much. She's a great MC portrayal of Cinderella. I enjoyed the fact that her stepmother and sisters weren't cruel to her. It was a nice twist to the traditional story we're all used to. I would have loved to hang out with Cindy and all her siblings!

I definitely recommend this one to all the romance readers!

A fabulous whirlwind romance set during the recording of a Bachelor type reality show contest! Body positive representation!

A Cinderella retelling with plus size representation and a reality tv show is a book you probably never thought you would need on your shelf but it is a must.

If The Shoe Fits is a bachelor version of Cinderella with nice stepsisters (which I loved!) and a sort of good stepmother. As a slightly bigger person myself, I thought that Cindy was a perfect representation of the plus size community. I have felt that fear of walking into a store and knowing that they don’t have anything for me and Cindy really is the inspiration that she is made out to be. Henry is the Prince Charming that you want him to be and love at first sight is very real for these two. If you are a fan of Cinderella 3, you will for sure love Anna and her ending. That little nod made me so happy.

It would have been nice to see a little bit more of the couples ending but the book is all wrapped up with a little bow. At times, it felt fast paced and others felt drawn out but the connection between Cindy and Henry was undeniably and I was definitely tearing up a little about Cindy running away before Midnight, more than I have for other Cinderella retellings.

For my Disney fans, this is the perfect modern YA to NA read that will fulfill all of your reality TV needs.

Cute, not as entertaining as Dumplin but still worthwhile reading, cute Romance story, ending was a little predictable

Incredibly cute Cinderella meets The Bachelor meets project runway! Seriously, this was a fun read. Not a 5 star read simply because nothing completely unexpected happened, but it ticked all the rom-com boxes and I would definitely recommend it to romance book lovers everywhere!

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

This book was so sweet I couldn’t put it down! I loved the spin on Cinderella and was happy to see a nice and support step family. I don’t watch dating shows but this was a fun behind the scenes and I loved the different backgrounds of the contestants. Henry was dreamy and I loved all the New York content.

Julie Murphy's books always aim straight for the reader's heart. Her aim is true and by the end of the book, you just want to read another one. If you've not read Dumplin', I feel sorry for you. IF THE SHOE FITS is the first in a series of books. The series has the same goals in mind but different characters for you to fall in love with in each one. If the story convinces just one person that their self worth is not tied to their body shape or they are worth less because of their color or gender, she has duplicated the miracles she hits with each new title. So, read her books and join her growing fan club.

Absolutely delightful! Thank you so much for an early copy. Everything about this book made my heart so happy!

This was such a fun retelling by Julie Murphy! Her character voices are always pitch-perfect, and the swoony romantic moments never miss.

I received this book for free through Netgalley for my honest review. 4.5 rounding up to 5. Wow, a mixture of bachelor nation and Cinderella! Felt super duper predictable but in a way that I loved and needed. The only reason for the half star instead of a full 5 is because I felt the ending was rushed and I just wanted more from it. I loved the writing and the way I just couldn’t put this book down. I love the idea of the princess connection for this series and written by different authors. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

This was a really cute retelling of the Cinderella story with a novel premise. Cindy, our heroine, enters a Bachelor-esque dating show in order to get exposure for her fashion career. A chance meeting throws this all into question. First, let me say that I liked the plus-size representation. While it felt a little heavy-handed at times, I particularly liked that Cindy's weight never factored into the romance aspect. Her weight really only came up when other characters made assumptions or weren't as inclusive as they could have been. It was really nice to see a fat main character who didn't have to justify her weight or view it as an obstacle to be overcome in her romance. Second, I really liked Henry the love interest. And more importantly I really liked that there was never any true miscommunication between Henry and Cindy. The conflict from the story comes in the form of a meddling production company. Both main characters are able to be honest with each other throughout the whole book, which was something I really liked. It went a long way toward furthering their relationship in my opinion. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a cute contemporary romance novel, particularly if they're interested in a plus-size main character.

This was my first book by Julie Murphy and I’m so excited to read adult romance from her. I loved that this was more inspired by Cinderella and not a retelling, especially how the stepfamily was supportive of Cindy. Also, I’m a big fan of The Bachelor inspired romances.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my chance to review.

Cinderella style meets The Bachelor.
Being plus-sized myself, I’m always ecstatic about reading plus size heroine representation and this one was a super cute story. I really enjoyed this one from beginning to end, finished it in one sitting.

• ‘Cinderella’ inspired
• Airport Meet Cute
• Supportive Family
• Plus-SIze Representation
• Shoe Obsession
• ‘The Bachelor’ Show Style

• New Adult

I adored this Cinderella retelling!! No evil step mother/sisters. This story was set almost a reality tv show which aren’t my thing but I REALLY enjoyed this story. About family, love and finding yourself.

Romance -
It's always great when an author turns convention on its head. Murphy does that here with a retelling of Cinderella. She also has a main character with a plus-size body. How refreshing.

Cindy ends up on a reality tv show, when her stepmother (the producer of the show) needs contestants at the last minute. Cindy has just graduated from Parsons School of Design and come home to LA where she lives with her stepmother, 2 stepsisters, and 3 half siblings. With minimal career prospects and not much else going on in her life, she and her stepsisters agree to go on After Midnight - think The Bachelor.

Cindy hits it off right away with the suitor. They met on her flight back from NYC and had some chemistry. They didn't exchange much information, so she is shocked when Henry turns out to be the man, they are all competing for on the show.

Shenanigans ensue with the contestants, the crew and her stepsisters. Through it all Cindy and Henry continue to deepen their relationship. The author adds in some characters that are bi-sexual and LGBTQ+ as well for some added dimension.

It's a romance and a retelling of Cinderella, so I'm not revealing any spoilers when I say that the guy and girl get together. There is some alterations to the original story here as well. Murphy does a great job with contemporary stories of all kinds and this is no exception. The only negative I really have about the novel is that Cindy doesn't really have many conflicts to overcome - yes she is fat and gets some of the typical reactions etc, but other than that there wasn't that much depth to her.

All in all, a better than average retelling of a classic fairytale. Thank you to the publisher for my copy of this novel.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy is a delightful modern retelling of a beloved fairy tale that combines romance, self-discovery, and body positivity. With a charming protagonist, a captivating romance, and a dash of magic, this book offers an enjoyable and empowering reading experience.

The story follows Cindy, a talented shoe designer who is chosen to participate in the reality TV show "Meant To Be." As she competes for a coveted position in her dream fashion company, Cindy navigates the challenges of competition, friendship, and love. Along the way, she learns important lessons about embracing her true self and following her dreams.

One of the strengths of this novel is the well-developed protagonist. Cindy is a relatable and likable character who is smart, witty, and fiercely independent. Her journey of self-acceptance and self-discovery is inspiring, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.

The romance in If the Shoe Fits is beautifully crafted and adds a heartwarming element to the story. The chemistry between Cindy and a certain someone is palpable, and their interactions are filled with tension, humor, and genuine emotion. Their relationship evolves naturally, and it is refreshing to see a love story that embraces individuality and challenges societal expectations.

Julie Murphy's writing style is engaging and captures the essence of the fairy tale setting with a contemporary twist. The pacing is well-balanced, keeping readers engaged and eager to turn the pages. The inclusion of diverse and well-rounded secondary characters adds depth and complexity to the story, enhancing the overall reading experience.

What sets this book apart is its emphasis on body positivity and self-acceptance. The author tackles important themes surrounding body image, societal pressures, and the beauty of embracing one's unique qualities. Through Cindy's journey, readers are reminded of the importance of self-love and embracing one's individuality.

If the Shoe Fits is a feel-good, empowering novel that celebrates authenticity and self-discovery. It reminds us that true happiness comes from embracing who we are, regardless of societal expectations. With its charming characters, engaging romance, and positive messages, this book is a delightful escape into a world of fairy tale romance and personal growth.

Disclaimer: This review is based on a copy of If the Shoe Fits - A Meant To Be Novel provided by the publisher.

I was going through my list and didnt even realize that I was approved for this book. I read it early this year, because I got it from a book box. So here is the review.

This was my first Julie Murhphy book that I have read and I really enjoyed it. After finishing the book I immediately bought the next book in the series. After ready Never Ever Getting Back together I started really enjoying the bachelor vibes in these book. I don't care for the show, but reading it in book form was good for me.

Overall, I gave this book 4 stars, and can't wait to read more by this author.

This was cute. Sort of a Cinderella x The Bachelor combo. I really liked Cindy, but I couldn’t get on board with Henry. My mind kept picturing Henry Cavill for whatever reason and he just does not do it for me.

Also I half listened to this on audiobook and the narrator drove me nutssss. She sounded kind of like Kristen Bell but in a bad way????