Member Reviews
Lovely book! Great pacing, nice love story. And although you know as a romance reader what is going to happen, there is enough tension to keep reading. I really liked the main characters and how the author updated the Cinderella-esque story. Complicated step-family relationships instead of cruelty. Will definitely continue with the series. Mainly closed door romance.
Wow, what a fun read! Julie Murphy provides a fresh take on Cinderella while also serving up a juicy, reality TV drama. Add a plus-sized main character (Cindy) and a few LGBTQ+ side characters, and bingo! A modern twist on a classic tale. I would recommend this book to any friend, coworker, or fairy-tale loving family member looking for a fun and light romance read.
While the plot was fast and the romance gave me whiplash, that's also the nature of most romance reality TV shows, so I'll give it a pass. I did feel this book was lacking on the character development, and could have leaned harder into the looking-for-love-while-fat angle. I deeply loved Cindy as a character, but many of the characters/men in her orbit were flat and archetypal.
I'll be excited to pick up more from Julie Murphy and the Meant to Be series!
I am so mad I waited so long to read this book!!! It was everything I wanted and needed to read at the moment!!!
This was a light, fun and quick read. Reminiscent of the bachelor, you’ll be rooting for our protagonist the entire way through. A delight!
I love subversions of fairy tales and this one is a charming example of that trope. Murphy is a skilled storyteller and her prose and characters sparkle in this one.
Absolutely delightful! Thank you so much for an early copy. Everything about this book made my heart so happy!
I love this take on Cinderella. It was fun see one where the steps are not evil people. It was a fun mix of reality tv and love story with the main girl being a plus size girl. I like the reference to shoes and why she was obsessed with them because it didn't really matter you body size shoes are made for everyone.
What I loved the most about this book was the Plus Size rep. It made me think about One To Watch.
I am personally not a fan of dating show trope so that's an entirely personal op_inion that shouldn't affect the readers if you do like them. I always struggle with finding the connection between two people in this setting and have a hard time believing the romance.
I did appreciate the modern twist on Cinderella, one of my favorite Disney!
I loved "If the Shoe Fits" by Julie Murphy! It was definitely predictable and didn't really do anything new, but I think that was why I loved it! It was like a nice hot mug of your favorite tea. I could just sit back, relax and enjoy the story. This is the second book that I have read by Julie Murphy and I have thoroughly enjoyed both of them. I would love to get around to reading more of her backlist.
#MeanttoBeIftheShoeFits #Netgalley
I truly enjoyed reading this book. It definitely brighten my day up as I continue reading this book. And I'm loving that we are bringing more representation in the book community. Everyone should have representation in the communication. It makes the read so much more relatable.
A fat positive Cinderella retelling? Yes, please!! In case you're wondering why I am now buying all of Julie Murphy's other books it's because this one was absolute perfection!
I loved evey minute of reading this story. I was filled with joy and kept gushing about it to my loved ones. I never thought I would be so obsessed with a story set on a reality tv set since I don't watch reality tv but here we are. I loved the characters, especially Cindy, and the "meet-cute" was so sweet. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars for sure!
An adorable modern day Cinderella story. I enjoyed the plausibility of a prince with many female suitors being likened to a Bacholer-like reality show.
Loved this book. It was a cute whimsical book that kept my attention. It may have been predictable, but it kept me going until the end.
I have really enjoyed Julie Murphy's books, especially Dumplin', and her latest offering may be my favorite yet. If the Shoe Fits is a Cinderella retelling set in a Bachelor-type matchmaking television show. Cindy has recently graduated from fashion school where her focus was shoe design, but with no job prospects, she moves back home to live with her stepmother, two stepsisters, and triplet half-siblings. When the last-minute opportunity arises to appear on the show, Cindy doesn't let herself consider if her curves will make her a target for trolls. Instead, she focuses on the exposure her designs will receive... and the cash prize at the end. It's a risk, but one she's willing to take.
This was an adorable adventure into a very familiar fairytale. The characters were darling and I really enjoyed the relationships between the women. The real world is a bit chaotic right now and this was a sweet escape into fantasy land. I highly recommend you add it to your list of fun reads.
If the Shoe Fits is a modern day Cinderella retelling and part of the Meant to Be series where different authors will recreate fairytales.
I thought Cindy’s story was cute. A plus-size woman forced to be a part of her step-mother’s reality TV dating show similar to The Bachelor. Cindy isn’t doing it to find live though. She thinks this will help launch her fashion design career. However, when Prince Charming turns out to be someone she connected with on a plane ride things may turn out differently.
I love the idea of a plus-size contestant on a dating show. However, I did find this premise a bit too similar to One to Watch which is one of my all time favorite romances. I do think body positivity is important in writing though and loved how Cindy quickly became the fan favorite on the dating show.
I personally felt there were some parts that dragged a bit, but overall I thought this was an enjoyable romcom, and I look forward to seeing what book two in the series brings us.
Thank you NetGalley and Disney Publishing for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book was exactly what I needed when I read it. Full of good humor, body positivity, and relatability. It is a quick read with an immersive story and inspirational character. Her confidence is uplifting and in a totally believable way. The author really makes you feel like its attainable and that is something a reader might not always come across and reading from a plus size point of view makes it that much better! A very creative way to retell the story of Cinderella.
I absolutely loved this story! The characters were extremely relatable and it was such a fresh take on the classic story of Cinderella.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy. All opinions are my own!
I'm a big Murphy fan, stemming from her Dumplin series. I was nervous about how to writing would translate to adult fiction but ended up pleasantly surprised. This was a fast paced and refreshing read- the characters had a lot of representation that you don't see frequently in contemporary romance.
#juliemurphy #iftheshoefits #disneyprincess this is a first in an adult contemporary series. Where each princess will appear in adaption. So this is a twist on #cinderella if you love fairy tales and happy. Pick it up. Get lost. And enjoy. #bookstagram #netgalley #reading #netgalleyreview #bookrecommendations #disneystories #adultprincess
If the Shoe Fits
Meant to Be, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: Looked interesting.
Media Type: eBook
Source: Netgalley
Dates Read: 1/15/22 - 2/17/22
Stars: 4
The Characters:
Cindy Eleanor Woods:
Henry McKenzie:
Erika, Drew and Anna Tremaine, Gus, Mary and Jack Woods (the triplets), Sierra (Cindy’s BFF), Beck
The Story:
I really really enjoyed this reimagining of Cinderella. I loved how the step family was an actual loving and supportive family. The triplets were beyond adorable. I think this is one of the only times I’ve actually enjoyed a reality dating show. Most of the time is just drama and nonsense but this was up close and personal with the contestants and behind the scenes of how a reality show is taped (no idea how realistic that part was but I liked it). The other contestants added personality and I could see some of them being life long friends with Cindy.
The Random Thoughts:
I never figured out if Beck or Sierra was the godmother, what do y’all think?
Challenges:
A to Z Reading Challenge 2022 - I
Prompt Maze - A2