This is my first Julie Murphy and my first solid romance in a few months. I went in a bit wary I'll be honest but this was very CUTE. And adorable and lovely and I read it in a single sitting.

The romance was precious and I was genuinely smiling reading their interactions. A very well-done adaptation of a classic with the best changes. I really loved the relationship between Cindy and her step-family and I'm so beyond thrilled it wasn't completely antagonistic.

Such a lovely, kind and body-positive brilliant rom-com.

4.25 stars

Retellings tend to be hit or miss for me, but I enjoyed this one. I really wasn’t sure what to expect going into it- I’m not big on reality TV myself, but the plot still interested me. It was a good, contemporary twist on a classic story. I loved the plus-sized protagonist and appreciated the writer’s attempts to include characters of diverse identities. It was a quick, light, and fun story with a little bit of tension before the guaranteed happily-ever-after. I think I did expect a bit more conflict between the protagonist and other characters, particularly those in the “evil stepfamily” roles. It’s not that I object to people getting along, but I am inclined to agree with another review that mentioned how some of the characters just seemed way too nice to feel totally believable. In some ways, this book did remind me of Kate Stayman-London’s One to Watch, but it wasn’t by any means a carbon copy. All in all, it was a fun read, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. This was my second book from Julie Murphy, and it won’t be my last.

Kudos to Julie Murphy for her fresh and funny take on the Cinderella story! #MeantToBeMineIfTheShoeFits pleasantly surprised me with it's plot twists and turns. The characters are varied, well fleshed out and likeable. This rom-com version of an old fairy tale is a great way to leave the real world behind for a few hours of pure joy.
Thanks to #Netgalley for providing this ARC in return for an honest opinion!

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

From the beginning till maybe the second to last chapter, I was a fan of the book. But I really wish the secondary characters were more developed and it didn’t really feel like your typical Cinderella adaptation (which is fine but I feel like maybe it would’ve added more to the book?) The entire plot of the book just felt like a season of the Bachelor which was actually tastefully done, but I feel like there could’ve been more slow burn aspects. I also felt that the book ended very abruptly without paying any heed to the secondary characters. Either there needs to be an epilogue or a second book.

I loved this book! I haven't read a contemporary romance in a while, and I was honestly a little hesitant, as I've been tired of the YA ones I used to read a lot. But I genuinely couldn't put this book down. I started and finished it in the same day (and may have ignored some responsibilities in the process...). I had my ups and downs with how I felt about it, but overall the story kept me guessing and I was really happy with it.

As someone who doesn't watch reality TV or shows like The Bachelor, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about that part of the romance. But the book keeps it very real in terms of how much is fake and how much Cindy is surprised by, etc. I also loved all the representation in terms of queer, gender non-conforming, and characters of color. It felt intentional without feeling forced, and definitely added to the story.

Other aspects I loved, in no particular order: the way the book treats Cindy's fatness, the good but realistic relationships Cindy has with her step-family, the way the "why didn't they just say how they felt" moments had realistic explanations that kept me from feeling too frustrated at the characters. And the little Cinderella nods and details were very clear without being too on-the-nose.

I'm really grateful I had the chance to read this book! I want to read more of Julie Murphy's work (and maybe some more romance novels) as soon as i can.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for the chance to review this ARC.*

4++++ stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Julie Murphy does it again. Mash up Cinderella and the Bachelor with a full sized heroine and you got a great romp of a read.

Cindy just graduated from Parsons School of Design with a focus on shoe design. After losing her mother at a young age, and her father her senior year of high school, Cindy's remaining family is her step mother, two step sisters a year older than her, and young triplets half siblings. Good news, Cindy and her step mother/sisters get along. Cindy ends up joining the cast of her mother's show Before Midnight.

I love how Julie Murphy addresses issues of how society judges people. Cindy is a confident beautiful person and I loved her spunk. I highly recommend reading If the Shoe Fits and I can't wait to read more from the author.

Good book that I will recommend, especially to someone who loves a Cinderella retelling! It felt a bit gentler than the original story and some other retellings for YA audience which I really liked.

Disclaimer: I got this book in exchange for an honest review.

THIS IS A CINDERELLA RETELLING WITH A PLUS-SIZE PROTAGONIST!!! Julie Murphy's first adult book and I'm in love with it. It's always a hit or miss when an author makes the jump from YA to Adult (imo) and Julie Murphy did a fantastic job of doing something fresh with a classic fairytale. I was just thinking the other day that I don't know how many more Cinderella retellings I'd want to read but when I saw that Julie Murphy wrote one I knew I had to read it! This one involves a reality show called Before Midnight and it's a relatively fun read! I was expecting the classic Cinderella tale where she has an awful stepmother. But, Cindy actually gets along with her stepmother and stepsisters even when she's not always sure why they act the way that they do.

If you love a good retelling of Cinderella, this one if for you, The main character, Cindy, is relatable and fun. Throughout the book she goes on a journey of self-discovery with the help of her family and friends.

I've been waiting for this book for over a year, and so, I'd like to say a massive thank you to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for this advanced galley. Julie Murphy, who's smashed the YA game with her "Dumplin," "Puddin", and "Pumpkin" novels, is kicking off a new series, titled "Meant to Be" of modern fairytale adaptations and romances with body-positive leads. I love seeing more diversity of any kind in romance, and Murphy is a master at authentically writing plus-size characters. That plus since it's a Disney fairytale retelling, this book has everything I want in a romance read. From the first couple of chapters, I can already tell it's juicy, engaging. fun, and totally unputdownable.

Here, Cindy's just graduated with a degree in shoe design and trying to get her career off the ground. So, she takes a job nannying for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer on the popular reality show "Before Midnight." When a spot on the show opens at the last minute, Cindy volunteers in the hopes it could help jumpstart her fashion career or give her something to do while her classmates land high-fashion jobs. Being the only plus-size competitor on a dating competition show makes a big splash and her a body positivity icon. The only thing she didn't expect was to find inspiration and love in this crazy process.

I'm immediately drawn into this world, just as I was in Murphy's previous books, and it's just so fun and makes me want to keep reading and find out what would happen next. As time goes on, it gets cheesy cute that gives me butterflies, and I swear I feel my heart turning all swoony as the feelings between Cindy and the suitor Henry grow and develop. This read was so hard for me to put down because I just didn't want it to end! Initially, I wasn't sure if this was a 4 or 5-star situation, but after finishing it, I think it's definitely a five-star *romance* read and I'll definitely be reading this one again when I have the chance. Murphy has delivered her next series post "Dumplin," and I'm pleased to report that whenever the rest of this series drops, I'll be first in line to order a copy, too. And if Cindy+Henry pops up and still have their HEA, all the better.

This book was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it! Julie Murphy is incredible, and this book was no exception.

I expected this book to be an outright Cinderella retelling, but it is more than that. It was so loosely connected that I forgot.. Cindy has a loving relationship with her step-family. Her step-mom is a huge support in her life, and her stepsisters are her best friends. I love that the female-on-female hate was 100% eliminated.

Cindy is a fresh-out-of -college grad who loves fashion and has a passion for designing and creating footwear. He ends up on the show Before Midnight-- a The Bachelor-esque dating competition-- after her step mother (the producer of the show) suddenly needs contestants before the show starts to air. Cindy looks at it as a way to jump start her career. Things turn unexpected, as she makes friends and falls for the suitor for the season. She is stuck between deciding what is most important to her, and the journey is a wonderful one.

I am so glad to see a fat heroine kicking a** and taking names on a dating competition. She is kind, wonderful, and goal-oriented. She is not the likely candidate for the show, and I am thrilled to see this representation. Julie Murphy is such a bada**.

I really enjoyed this book. I love shoes and so I had a common interest with the main character. I also liked that the stepmother wasn't a terrible person, she was actually trying. I felt the characters were reasonably realistic for the setting and liked that she did feel like her sisters cared about her.

This has a similar plot to another book and I like this one better because the character isn't so hostile towards everyone.

Great book and I will recommend it to others!

I've been in a bit of a reading funk and this snapped me right out of it. I started reading yesterday and couldn't put it down. This modern mix of Cinderella, The Bachelor, and Dumplin' (written by @andimjulie Julie Murphy, author of Dumplin') is a fun, endearing, slightly spicy tale of a recent Parsons graduate who joins a reality dating show to further her career. And, yes, there are glass slipper-esque heels and a Prince Charming.

I believe this is the first of a new series and I am here for it. Can't wait for more. ❤️👸🏼🤴🏻 Thanks to @netgalley and @disney_hyperion for the advanced ebook!!

I love a good Cinderella retelling and I love Julie Murphy so this was a no brainer to request from netgalley and I LOVED IT! The romance, the fun, the swoon worthy moments, the self acceptance and the whole story set with the backdrop of a reality show like the Bachelor? Fantastic and fun and I can't wait for the next one! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

LOVE! Such a fun read for us plus size girls who love the reality dating shows. It was a perfect escape during this pandemic and a joy to read Julie Murphy in an adult rom-com with a retold classic twist.

I love everything Julie Murphy does and this was no exception. My favorite thing about her writing is the relationship you have with the characters. It takes about a page and a half for her to feel like she is someone I know or could be friends with. If you liked One to Watch you will also love this book!

I stayed up ‘til 2:00 AM to finish this book. And honestly, it was just what I was hoping for. Fluff that featured a plus size heroine, without it explicitly focusing on her relationship with her weight. Cindy doesn’t have to “come to terms with her plus size body” or “build confidence to be the best she can be” or any of those other plus size tropes, and it was a relief. Just a woman in a body I can identify with fighting for love on a Bachelor-esque show. I loved it. I went in a little hesitant that I’d be comparing this to One to Watch the entire time I was reading it, and I can honestly say that I didn’t find them similar at all. If you love plus size leading ladies, fairytale retellings, or romances light on spice and heavy on fluff, this is the right choice for you.

A generally fun homage to Cinderella. Even though the story took place in the real world, some aspects felt too smooth. The stepsisters were really nice when I thought there should have been a little meanness to uphold the trope.

Cindy Woods, recent Parsons Design graduate and stepdaughter to a reality show powerhouse producer and step sister to two daughter her same age, and three young step siblings (triplets, no less), has left her beloved New York to return to California and her loving family to figure things out. Her career as a an up and coming shoe designer has hit a fallow period, and she needs to find a new direction. The curve ball is that she ends up on her step mom’s latest reality show, Beyond Midnight. But before her planes lands, she’s ‘met cute’ with a guy so cute he could have stepped out of central casting. As a plus size woman, she’s used to being overlooked by the Prince Charmings of the world, but this guy seems different, and ….interested. The biggest curve ball of all is that Henry turns out to be the bachelor contestant on Beyond Midnight, and Cindy’s amidst hot competition from a bevy of other women, all of whom are after one thing – Henry. From California chateaus to Mexican villas and beyond, Cindy navigates the ups and downs of reality show competition with wry humor, a reemerging sense of design, and at the last, a refound sense of purpose. Will that include Henry? Julie Murphy handles a complex set of characters with ease, bringing Cindy to life with all the foibles and strengths you’d want to find in a BFF – a BFF you end up cheering for to go the distance.

Love this! If you are a fan of reality TV, this is a book for you. I do not watch reality TV, but I still really enjoyed this Julie Murphy's Cinderella twist in Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits. A young woman does not only seek out romance, but also comes to terms with the only family she has left in this lovely twist on a timeless classic. No evil stepmother here. #netgalley