Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits is a fun, funny closed-door romance for fans of The Bachelor and readers who enjoyed One to Watch. A reimagined Cinderella story, this novel follows Cindy as she attempts to launch her footwear design career by participating in a reality television dating competition. Cindy is fat and it's fine; while other characters may occasionally have something to say about it, Cindy's size isn't the entire plot of this story, making this novel a body positive tale that gives readers what they want to see: a romance about a fat girl looking good, living her life, and falling in love. Murphy presents a character cast that includes queer, genderqueer, and POC characters to create an open, accepting world when it comes to gender and sexuality that unfortunately seems to suffer from tokenism when it comes to racial diversity. It hits all the classic Cinderella high notes, but in its own way-- fairy godmothers look like producers and wardrobe designers, the evil stepmother and sisters are not so evil at all-- with a likeable Prince Charming and a happily ever after ending.

This was an adorable book with a similar inspiration as One to Watch.

I thought this book was better however. The main character, while plus size, seemed much more angry at the lack of fashion choices than how people would treat her. She readily accepted that she was worthy of love and fashion, and I found her complete confidence great.

The book also focused on the fact the main character, Cindy (the whole book is a nod to Cinderella), had talents and interests other than finding a prince. I thought the book was fluffy and fun, and really had no complaints about this entertaining, fun beach read.

What a fun read. Loved Cindy and loved the aspects that reminded me of Cinderella without actually going there. Loved Henry, especially how they met. Murphy has another winner on her hands! It was a fun, giggle inducing read that was very diverse in it's characters, with lots of "inclusivity" thrown in as a reminder to treat others as you wish to be treated...all while not being "preachy" in the least.

Thanks to Hyperion and NetGalley for the ARC!

Some books come at the perfect moment (kind of like the plot of this book, huh?), but then there are Julie Murphy books, which always come at the perfect moment! I stayed up until 2AM finishing this novel in one sitting after work last night— it felt that magical. I’m sure there will be comparisons to ONE TO WATCH, but they felt very different to me, and that missing something I felt from the latter I found here. I felt like so much more for this character and for the way Murphy draws relationships, especially between women. I would have loved more time/development between the heroine and the hero (but hey so would the heroine!)— but this book was really charming, touching, uplifting, emotional and fantastical in the way my reader’s soul needed at this moment!