This was an incredible book. I was not sure how I would feel about a New Adult book from Julie Murphy, but I was blown away. It was a twist on something that we became all too familiar with during quarantine...trash television.

This is the first book in a new series called Meant to Be. This is a romance novel that breaks a few norms. It is loosely based on the Cinderella story, but doesn't follow many of the expected lines. The main character here, Cindy Woods, is a plus-sized beauty. She has just finished her fashion degree at the Parsons School in New York City, specializing in shoe design. Cindy's mom, Ilene, died when she was a kid, and her father Simon remarried to a powerful media producer a few years later. Her stepmom, Erica, has two daughters just slightly older than Cindy, Anna and Drew, and although they ran in different groups in school, they treated each other in a friendly and respectful way. When Simon died suddenly in Cindy's senior year of high school, all three girls were hit hard as Simon was the homebody, the one that provided an anchor and this loss brought them closer. No evil stepsisters here. Anna and Drew are only 9 months apart in age, look like twins, and have begun a career as Instagram influencers. There are also three younger siblings, Mary, Gus, and Jack, triplets that were born through a surrogate planned before Simon's death and carried through after.
Cindy thought she'd done her grieving at the time of her dad's death, but when her stepmother moved house last year, and all the accumulated possessions were gone through, Cindy found herself hit hard again. Her last year at Parsons wasn't as successful as she'd hoped, which is why she hasn't got plans now, other than to nanny the triplets until a more permanent solution is found.
Even before Erica and Simon married, Cindy was a fan of one of the reality shows that Erica produced, Before Midnight, a bachelor-type show where a man was set up with multiple women and sent on dates, narrowing it down through the series to a woman that he would then marry. The new season is about to start production and when a couple of women drop out last minute, Anna, Drew, and Cindy get drafted in to take their places. For all of them, this will give some more media exposure, helpful to Anna and Drew in their Instagram influencer roles, and Cindy to highlight some of her fashion creations. Erica worries about the possibility that Cindy will attract negative attention, but Cindy isn't phased.
Cindy's best friend was her roommate at Parsons, Sierra, and she is already missing her even as she returns home to sort herself out and decide where her career lies. The two women talk often and the sudden decision to join the show means that they won't be able to connect for a few weeks.
When Cindy discovers that the male lead on the show is a man she's met briefly before, things start to get real.
I loved Cindy's character, she's witty and fun, and a caring person, but not one people can walk all over. She makes friends easily and bonds pretty quickly with some of the other women on the show. We see how, despite the rivalry that naturally exists, people make connections and work together on things. I don't watch reality television, or much of any television really, but this felt a lot more interesting when you learn some of the backstories to the characters that have signed up for the show.
The writing pops and there is lots of humour and emotional connections with the plot. A fun read.

This book promised dramatic reality tv merged with a modern day plus-size Cinderella retelling and it did not disappoint! I love fairytale retellings and all things reality television so this was right up my alley.
If the Shoe Fits follows Cindy, a recent graduate from Parsons School of Design in New York City who aspires to be a shoe designer. After a tough senior year, she doesn’t have any job prospects in NYC and decides to move home and take care of her three young siblings for the summer. Her stepmother, Erica, is a producer of a Bachelor-esque dating show called Before Midnight. When three contestants drop out of Before Midnight only days before filming starts, Cindy and her two 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 she needs, but what she gets instead might surprise her.
This was all around such a good book and I think it fully delivered what Julie Murphy set out to achieve. The writing was really inviting and pulled me right into the story from the very beginning. It was a super fast and fun read about a plus-size woman just living her life. It provided great fat rep without making it the sole focus of the book. It was lighthearted while still covering the important topic of body diversity being displayed on TV.
Cindy was an extremely likable character and I was rooting for her the whole time! I liked that the romantic interest wasn’t just a typical one-dimensional Prince Charming type and he actually had his own depth to him.
I’m so excited that this is the start of a new fairytale-inspired romance series. I had such a great time reading this and I can’t wait to see what retelling comes next!
If you enjoyed One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London then I definitely recommend this one to you as well!

3.5/5 stars

I love Julie Murphy's writing and was really excited to see this pop up. The book was very enjoyable and a quick read. I would've like the plot and characters elaborated on more as I often felt that plot lines or characters were dismissed without good resolution. Despite that, it's a good read, nice and fluffy and easy to breeze through.

I would've liked to see more of the secondary characters (in particular Stacey or Sierra, although maybe they're getting sequels). While I liked the two main characters, I wanted to also see friendships and family dynamics and I think that got a little lost along the way (it was definitely there but I wanted even more). That being said, I did appreciate a Cinderella retelling that made the step-family nice!

Overall, it was a good book and a really quick read.

<spoiler>
The ending was a little too abrupt for me. It felt like everything resolved really quickly and without much issue. While I like a happy ending as much as the next person, I was surprised to see that it didn't matter that Cindy had lied about her family connections to the show or gotten a job at a rival company.
</spoiler>

A feel-good Cinderella retelling with a plus-size character? YES PLEASE!

This is the perfect light, fluffy, beach read that summer is made for. I love the reality tv setting and Cindy owns it. She's true to herself (I seriously love that she ditched the show for a job interview!) and embraces herself without being ashamed of who she is.

Also, I quite enjoyed a retelling where the stepmother and stepsisters weren't evil. Their relationship was a bit odd (I kept waiting for the backstabbing but NOPE! didn't happen) but it was refreshing to see a story where the family actually gets along and there's no drama between the siblings.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

Thank you @disneybooks & @andimjulie for this fun read!

Cindy is a recent Parsons grad that, without promising job prospects, moves home to help her stepmother with her siblings. Her stepmom, however, is the producer of Before Midnight, a Bachelor-style reality dating show, and after a series of casting hiccups, Cindy & her two step sisters find themselves as contestants on the show. But, as another twist, Cindy happens to be the only plus size contestant, and her relatability quickly makes her America’s sweetheart on the show. The real question is, is reality TV actually where she’s going to find her Prince Charming?

Things I liked about this book:
-the stepmom/stepsisters/Cindy relationship is a loving one! The mean step-family storyline always makes me sad so I was so happy to see this one as a positive blended family
-There are a few Project Runway type moments that I was absolutely here for
-I wasn’t lost despite never having watched an episode of the Bachelor 😹
-there are some fun Cinderella references, including some helpful little mice/stylists and a fairy godmother producer 😘

I enjoyed this sweet book and I can’t wait to see what is next in this brand new series of romances from Disney Books. Available for pre-order now, If the Shoe Fits will be released on August 3, 2021 👠🏰

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Super cute retelling of Cinderella from the perspective of a woman going on a “Bachelor” type of show. This reminded me of “One to Watch” a lot but I still enjoyed it! I didn’t read Dumplin by this same author, but I loved the movie and this book, so I might need to pick it up.

I am such a Julie Murphy fan even though I am way older than her targeted audience. Her books are just easy to fall into and just the perfect escape from reality.

Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits is a wonderful escape for me. Cindy finds herself with the opportunity to appear on the dating show (think Bachelor) that her step produces as a last minute fill in (along with her two Stepsisters). of course its a modern day spin on Cinderella (Cindy!) but such an adorable spin at that.

I 100% without a doubt adored Cindy. Her confidence level is through the roof and we need more full figured heroines with that sort of confidence.

Thank you so much to #Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book kept me engaged even though I am not in the proper age bracket for it.

I am so unsure of how to rate this book and what audience this story was going for. I don't know if this was considered a young adult or even a bit younger of an audience. There was making out, and any sex to be had was behind closed doors and just hinted at. There may have been some moderate swearing, but I honestly don't remember any.

This was supposed to be a sort of remake on the 'Cinderella' theme...I saw it, but it just didn't fully read that way to me.

This was also a very 'woke' novel; most ethnicities were portrayed and pointed out. I'm not too sure about the gender identity issue; to be precise, a non-binary person. I had no problems with that whatsoever; what I did find confusing (and this is probably my age speaking) was the usage of pronouns and determiners (they and their) being used instead of the person's name. It made for a bit of a challenge for me.

The story itself was very fast-paced, nearly to the point that the falling in love bit didn't quite ring true. I will repeat myself-no matter what issues I had; I still enjoyed the story; I loved that body issues are being addressed in such a fun way. Unfortunately, our heroine did have other issues besides her body, which was a tad depressing for me.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

My first book by Julie Murphy since I’ve not read her YA series. Cindy & Henry we’re really cute to whether, and while the machinations of reality TV can be obnoxious, it wasn’t as bad as I was afraid it would be. LGBTQ+ representation as well as diversity in terms of gender identity, but Cindy seems to be the only character with a “fuller figure” as she describes herself. Loved that she had such a strong sense of fashion and had joy in her body and finding/designing clothes that made her feel awesome. Really enjoyed this modern interpretation/adaptation of the Cinderella story, especially since there was no “evil” stepmother and stepsisters! Recommend for fans of the author, fairy tale adaptations and sweet (behind closed doors) romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy!

Meant to Be: Id the Shoe Fits is a contemporary retelling of the age-old classic Cinderella if the title is not glaringly obvious about this. Cindy is an aspiring shoe designer who comes home after college to her reality TV producer step-mom, Erica. The production of Erica's hit show, Before Midnight, is in trouble. Several women cast can't be in the show, and Cindy finds herself competing on the show to promote body positivity and hopefully give her career a push.

And who should be the Prince Charming on The Bachelor-esque show, but the man Cindy flirted with on her flight home... High jinx ensue as Cindy competes for his love in a see of perfect Cinderellas.

To be completely honest, this book was hard to read. The dialogue is so contrived, and there is an attempt to write descriptively about characters; race that is just clunky and awkward. It misses the mark of being woke to downright cringy. I am a huge fan of modern retellings of fairy tales and this one did not do it for me.

Man I love a Bachelor dating style premise book! I thought this one was awesome. I loved the twists and relationships in this one, not just with the “Prince Charming”, but the step-sisters, step-mom, and friends. I couldn’t put it down!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!!

A Cinderella Retelling mixed in with The Bachelor. Cindy is fresh from fashion school and trying to find her place in the shoe design world. When her step-mother takes her stepsisters and puts them on her show Before Midnight ( a reality show that is essentially The Bachelor) Cindy realizes she could promote her designs and win the money to help start her career. After a plan ride with a mysterious guy who definitely reminds her of Prince Charming... she soon finds that her Prince Charming is the actual suitor of the show she’s landed in. Cindy is a plus size gal and she wants the chance to not only jump start her career but to show that reality tv can have plus size gals on them. Soon Cindy and Henry find themselves falling for each other... but the real question... is is it real? or is it all for TV?

A sweet retelling of a classic in a fun new way! I really liked Cindy. She’s sweet and fun and I loved her body positivity. Henry was charming, and I mean he is essentially Prince Charming. The story is sweet and perfect for anyone looking for a sweet romance read!

*Thanks Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book--Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy.. I enjoyed reading this funny and delightful, yet predictable book. Cindy, a recent graduate with a degree in shoe design, goes on a show similar to The Bachelor as a way to get exposure for her fashion designs. Her stepmother is the producer of the show and Cindy is doing her a favor as a contestant has backed out at the last minute. Cindy, a plus sized woman, adds a unique spin to the contest. Of course, Cindy gets caught up in the love aspect of the show and ends up falling for the bachelor. I was entertained by Cindy's escapades in her journey toward love and I love the body positivity shown in the book as Cindy is plus sized but completely happy in her body. All in all, this book won't be a surprise but it is a fun and comfortable book that provides you with all the warm fuzzies.

Cindy is heading back to LA from New York as a graduate of fashion design, but she’s lacking in inspiration that could start her career. Meanwhile, two contestants drop out of the reality dating show her stepmother produces, and this could be the perfect way to get her name out there.

Have you ever read a Cinderella retelling where the stepmother and stepsisters genuinely love and care about Cinderella? (Also the second I realized that the triplets were the mice, I legit squealed) It was so refreshing to see them have a genuine connection and love for each other, and it was something I appreciated so much.

Cindy was a fun character, and I loved her reactions when the resident mean girl makes a snarky quip about her size. (Pro-tip: calling someone brave for wearing an outfit is NOT COOL. You are essentially telling us that you wouldn’t leave the house looking like we do. And that’s a shame, because we are killing the game 💁‍♀️) overall, I thought she was relatable and I enjoyed watching her navigate the world of reality television. You don’t see women who look like me, or Cindy, in shows like The Bachelor, so all the issues she runs into as a plus size woman on the show feel so real. Watching her advocate for herself and earn the respect she deserved was such a delight.

And I didn’t even touch on the romance! I rooted for the two of them, and my heart was so full watching their relationship develop.

I wish we got to dive into more of Cindy’s designs and that it was a longer story because I want more! I’d definitely recommend picking this one up!

What a wonderful adult debut novel from Ms. Murphy! I really enjoyed that Cindy was plus-sized--that's a rare thing, especially in romance. Henry was also a wonderful Prince Charming. I thought it was interesting to set it on a reality dating show. It shows behind-the-scenes, and that was an interesting way to contrast the romance in the story.

The only issue I had with the book was the descriptions of the characters. I think there might have been too much physical detail given. The characters seemed to only be what they looked like and what they were wearing. I feel like that would've been fine in a YA novel, but in an adult romance, I was expecting more intricate descriptions.

Other than that, I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the book. It was a fun rom-com and I can't wait to read her upcoming books!

Thank you Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for the advanced reader copy of this lovely retelling.

This was such a fun retelling! I am a big fan of taking a classic and making it something new, so having the twists with not only a reality show and having a plus-sized lead got me all kinds of excited. I really enjoyed it. This was a quick, fun read and doesn't really need to be described to the masses in a review, like I would usually do. It's a Cinderella retelling, you know? I will say that I didn't feel the "evil" in the step-family and that might have been intentional. Maybe Julie wanted to humanize them, I'm not sure. But all in all, fun read. I really love how Julie Murphy writes and is inclusive with her characters. She helps me, not a stick thin person and someone who loves bread, feel seen and I am so thankful for that.

— Okay, y’all! I’m sure you already know this, but Julie Murphy is the QUEEN of inclusivity & dialogue! —

Thank you to @netgalley & @disneybooks for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: August 3rd, 2021

You all know how much I loved One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (if you don’t know…I LOVED ONE TO WATCH!!! now you know)! This is One to Watch meets CINDERELLA! Hello, what’s not to like?!

This is so modern and fresh, you forget that it is a Cinderella retelling! This retelling has a plus-sized Cindy & a relatively nice step-family! Cindy has had a hard life and has had to continue to grow up during times many would quit. THEN we have the added bonus of reality tv being a major plot point and hello! here we are LOVING Cindy and her “I am who I am” self!

Also — I think this is the first book I’ve read that has a nonbinary character & I LOVE them! I feel like I can see them in my mind and I would want to be their best friend because they are F A B! It was a beautiful way to include any and all pronouns.

Read this book! Especially if you already love Dumplin, Puddin, or any other Julie Murphy gems. This is the 1st book in a Meant to Be series!!! I can’t wait for more!

Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits is a super cute update and twist of an old fairy tale. I found the main character, Cindy, to be extremely relatable and likable. A definite good read!

Review coming soon. Thanks to Julie Murphy, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC; the opinions are mine.

Pub Date 8.3.21