After reading the start to the Texas Ever After series, Fairest of Heart, I had to find out what Karen Witemeyer had in store for her readers in the second installment, If the Boot Fits. Oh my goodness, this Cinderella meets the wild west story was a delight to read. It was so much fun meeting Asher and Samantha. Their little 'fairy tale" was beyond entertaining that had me smiling all throughout.
If the Boot Fits gets a well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean, sweet, and heartwarming historical romance. I am eagerly to get my hands on the next installment from the Texas Ever After series.
I received a paperback copy of Kare Witemeyer's If the Boot Fits from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

4.5 stars!

This was such a cute story! Samantha is the daughter of Cattle King Eli Dearing. Asher Ellis is looking for proof of wrongdoing against his Stepmother and breaks into the Dearing household to find it. They chase after him, and after saving Samantha's younger brother from drowning he leaves behind a boot. This story is really good, and I really liked it! I thought Samantha and Asher's relationship was great and I loved their siblings. I was a little disappointed, because I thought it would be more like the first book in the series that was so like the fairy tale it represented. This story didn't feel very Cinderella ish to me. I would have liked to see more. However, if you take the Cinderella part out of the story it is still a great story. And I did like the "Cinderella" ending.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Well, that was adorable and everything I wanted it to be and more! If the Boot Fits is the second book in Karen Witemeyer’s Texas Ever After series of fairytale retellings set in Texas! We’ve got a bit of a role reversal on Cinderella- Asher Ellis is the one who leaves his boot behind, with Samantha Dearing determined to find who it belongs to. There are overt nods to Cinderella and very subtle ones, all of them charming and well done. Nothing felt forced. Such a sweet faith-filled romance with a bit of suspense and mystery thrown in! Books with all three- history, romance, and a bit of suspense are always favorites for me. There are all kinds of twists and surprises, things that made me laugh and things that kept me guessing. I loved the character growth- especially in Samantha and her father’s relationship and a bit of self discovery for both Samantha and Asher. I didn’t want the story to end!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the author and publisher and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.

Another great western fairytale, if I can call it that. What a fun twist on the “missing slipper.” It was the perfect second book in this series, and like the first I found it fun and interesting. I was invested in all the characters and the leading man was such a great guy that I couldn’t help hoping everything would work out for him. There were a couple twists I certainly didn’t see coming and the story kept me coming back throughout, never getting tiring. Excited for the next in this series!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this Cinderella retelling. I loved how it kept all the elements of a Karen Witemeyer book that I loved but had it loosely based on a fairytale which I also loved. I loved Samantha and Asher and their strong personalities. I also loved how much they cared for the people in their lives. I loved how they lift each other up and make each other better. I also liked that there were twist that I was not expecting. I thought this was a beautifully written story with wonderful characters and wonderful messages.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I loved this twist on the classic tale Cinderella. Samantha Dearing's father is trying to find a match for her much to Samantha's dismay. On the night that her father throws a ball to introduce her to all of the eligible bachelors an intruder breaks into her father's study. What kind of thief though would stop to save a person from drowning? The only thing that identifies who the intruder could be was that he left a boot behind.

Asher's family has been kicked out of the house they were living in by Samantha's father. But that hasn't stopped Asher from rescuing Sam when someone tries to kill her. Who is trying to kill Samantha, and why are they trying to kill her? As far as she knows she hasn't any enemies. Will Asher be able to figure out what is going on before another attempt is tried to rid Samantha from this earth?

I loved the story and loved the relationship that Asher and Samantha developed. I also loved how Samantha had her world rocked by talking to her father and finding out his motives behind his actions rather than assuming she knew what he thought and why he did things. I loved how that relationship developed. Eli Dearing turned out to be a wise man and I liked his character too. I love author Karen Witemeyer's writing and her books so I definitely highly recommend IF THE BOOT FITS.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the ARC and gifted copy of If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer. All opinions are my own.

This is my second time reading a Karen Witemeyer book. Last year, I read the first book in this Texas Ever After collection (Fairest of Heart) and really enjoyed it. I was not, however, prepared for how much I would love this book!

Karen really blew me away with If the Boot Fits. It’s a loose Cinderella retelling set in late 1800s Texas. It has romance, danger, faith, and lovable characters.

Samantha was a great main character because she was likable and constantly trying to improve herself and her relationships with others. She had a servant’s heart, and I love that she didn’t let all the negative aspects of her life leave her bitter.

The relationship between Samantha and her father was so great to see because it felt realistic, and I liked how much effort they put in to repair it.

Asher as the love interest was so sweet and protective of both Samantha and his family. He was a man of integrity, and I loved how he sacrificed so much of his time for others.

The romance between Samantha and Asher was so sweet. I loved how Asher took care of Samantha and how much Samantha trusted Asher and saw the best in him. They didn’t jump to conclusions about each other, so I really appreciated that about them.

I also loved how their Christian faith played a role in this story. It felt natural, and it really improved their character growth.

The characters in this story felt real and all had issues of their own. I liked how the author included difficult topics and didn’t shy away from things like consequences of sin.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you like historical romances that are exciting and sweet.

If the Boot Fits was a refreshing and spiritual read. I loved how the word of God was in woven into the story and how it ties into the ongoing lives and purposes of the characters in the book.

"If the Boot Fits" by Karen Witemeyer is a delightful retelling of the Cinderella story set in the charming backdrop of the Texas frontier. Fans of Christian historical romance will find themselves swept away by the determined heroine, Samantha, and the mysterious Asher, whose paths collide at a grand ball.

Witemeyer's signature blend of humor and faith weaves seamlessly into the narrative, creating a heartwarming and entertaining read. With its classic fairy tale inspiration and unique Western twist, "If the Boot Fits" is a perfect escape for readers seeking a feel-good story.

Please note: This book is not yet released, but based on the information available, it appears to be a charming and enjoyable read.

Fairy tales and westerns are proving to be a wonderful combination! I’ve always adored Karen Witemeyer’s books, and If the Boot Fits is a cute take on the classic Cinderella. Even if I thought I knew a few twists, there were still more turns that Witemeyer took readers down that kept surprising me. I NEED Clint’s story, and I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing Samantha and Asher in future books. If you enjoy faith-based books with strong characters and an intriguing plot, you won’t want to miss If the Boot Fits. 4.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Readers who enjoy Cinderella stories will like this twist with a western flair. The boot is on the other foot -- Asher's. Spunky Samantha and Hero Asher make for a wonderful telling of family and mystery. A twist at the end will surprise readers. Heartwarming.

Her duty was to seek God first and walk in righteousness.

What a fun storyline flipping the fairytale of Cinderella into a wonderful account of a Cinderfella. Asher Ellis has spent much of his life scrimping and making do with what he had available, giving as much as possible to take care of Mama Bess and the boys. With the plan to discover if she had been evicted without grounds he found himself in a compromising situation. Should he step forward and tell the truth?

Samantha Dearing is a gentle soul who wants to do what God has for her, not be auctioned off just because she is a heiress. With plenty of dangerous happenings, it is obvious that someone wants her dead. Will she live long enough to convince her father that she should be able to marry for love?

An ARC was received through Bethany House Publishers, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher through LibraryThing and NetGalley. The following is my honest review.

4.5 stars

I loved this retelling of Cinderella. The characters are so deep. At first, I really thought that the main character, Samantha, was a little spoiled and pouty. Her father seemed distant and stubborn, but we soon saw why their relationship was rocky. It was lovely to see how much they loved each other. The hero (who is also "Cinderella") is Asher Ellis who is an absolutely wonderful man.

The conversations and dialogue were witty. Also, I appreciated that I didn't guess the ending until far along in the book.

Even if you don't typically go for westerns or fairytales, take a chance on If the Boot Fits, because it was brilliantly done.

A sweet romance between Asher and Samantha. Samantha has been away from home for several years and has come home to find that her father is already trying to marry her off. He is having a ball with eligible bachelors, and she is not going to have her father running her life. She doesn't care if a man has lots of property or a big bank account, she wants a man who will love her. Asher has been working in another county to help his family after his father's death. He finds out that his family has been evicted from their home by Samantha's father. Asher is looking for evidence that he evicted them unfairly, but he is almost caught. As he is running away from their house, Samantha's little brother follows him and falls into the pond. He doesn't know how to swim, and Asher can't let him drown. After saving Clint, he runs away and drops a boot. Samantha spends a lot of time looking at men's feet to see if she can find the man who broke into their house. Asher is ashamed, but he has his family to think about. Asher and Samantha seem destined to keep meeting, and they realize that they are destined to be together. Will Asher come clean? Will Samantha's father put him in jail if he does? She comes from a wealthy family and his is very poor. Will she accept him as he is?

I enjoyed If The Boot Fits so much that I used some PTO and left work at noon to go home and read. Karen Witemeyer wrote a very good story loosely based on Cinderella with Asher being the male version of Cinderella and Samantha the princess. The characters were strong and endearing, the plot delightful and the characters faith was strong. I highly recommend If The Boot fits to all who love Happily Ever After Stories.

So grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a fantastic read.

I was given a copy of If The Boot Fits with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Karen Witemeyer's second book in the Texas Ever After series is a page-turner from beginning to end!

Asher Ellis is convinced that Eli Dearing has wrongfully evicted his stepmother and half-brothers, so he breaks into Dearing's home to find evidence. When he tries to make his getaway, he hears the cries of a young boy who is drowning and rushes back to save him.

Samantha Dearing sees the whole thing, and when she notices that the mystery man has left behind a boot, she hides it to protect him from her father. In the coming days, Samantha and Asher are thrown together. While Asher has good reason to keep his distance, he can't help falling for the blue-eyed beauty.

I loved this book! While it was loosely based on Cinderella, it was nothing like it at all. Asher's stepmother and brothers were not horrible, and Samantha did not comb the land looking for eligible young men who would fit the boot. Although that would have been hilarious! She did, however, wind up tutoring his younger brother, and soon all thoughts of her mystery man vanished while she fell for Asher.

This sweet romance also had a mystery thrown in, as someone was trying to harm Samantha. Asher steps up and becomes the ultimate Prince Charming when he rescues her from danger more than once.

If you like historical romances with fairy tale endings, you will love If the Boot Fits!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.

If you like sweet Western romances, then this book is for you. Karen Witemeyer has penned a retelling of Cinderella. In this story, the hero loses his boot while escaping a ball that he trespassed into. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because of the wonderful characters, mystery, suspense, and romance. This book has it all! Mostly, I appreciate the Biblical inspiration the author sprinkles throughout. I highly recommend it!
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. This is my honest opinion.

Samantha Dearing has scarcely had time to settle in back home in Texas after spending two years in Boston before her cattle baron father throws her a party. And not just any party, but an elegant ball filled with potential suitors. As each dance partner shares his net worth and qualifications to court her, Samantha feels like a heifer at the auction house. No shrinking violet, Samantha calls her imposing father to task. Unwittingly unleashing her tongue in the presence of a beleaguered cowboy hiding under the sofa in Eli Dearing’s office.

Cooling off after the encounter, Samantha and her little brother Clint reconnect outside near the lovely pond and three tall cedar trees that give their ranch its name. When a man drops out of the office window above them and takes off across the garden, her brother gives chase. The shortcut he chooses leaves him marooned in the middle of the pond—and he can’t swim. The thief turns back around, saves her brother, and disappears into the night, leaving a fancy cowboy boot and a castle full of dreams in Samantha’s head behind.

As Samantha works to help her community and follow God’s path for her life, she meets the handsome older brother of one of the boys she tutors. And the more she gets to know Asher Ellis, the more she admires his compassion, honesty, and desire to follow God’s will. When his act of daring saves her life, she has even more reason to admire him.

Asher Ellis shows up at the Dearing ball uninvited, hoping to find evidence that Eli Dearing unfairly evicted his stepmother and brothers from their ranch. Instead, he hears an earful of a private conversation and discovers Mama Bess knew about the rent raises long before she told him.

During his precipitous escape, Asher returns to save a youngster from drowning and loses one of his favorite boots. When the pampered Miss Dearing starts tutoring his brother, Asher does his best to avoid her when he realizes her identity. He knows he needs to confess his crime, but he hasn’t found the words yet. He discovers Miss Dearing might look like a princess, but she has a heart for service that Asher finds beautiful.

When an unknown shooter threatens Samantha’s life, the men in her life (including Asher) vow to protect her. But how can a man with a dishonest deed hanging over his head have an honest relationship with a woman he’s falling in love with?

What I Loved About This Book

In her second installment of the Texas Ever After series, author Karen Witemeyer crafts a clever reverse Cinderella story. Along the way, she explores how young adults must come to terms with their perceptions from childhood. Readers will relate to Samantha as she struggles to reframe the picture of her stern father and perfect mother. The plot twists and turns keep the story anything but predictable. If you love happily-ever-after tales, you’ll love If The Boot Fits (and the first book, Fairest of Heart). Fans of Jen Turano and Regina Jennings will enjoy this book.

#BookReview : IF THE BOOT FITS by Karen Witemeyer

Set in 1889 Texas, this Cinderella retelling blends faith, action, and romance, showcasing healthy relationships and offering life lessons along the way.

I particularly enjoyed Samantha's interactions with her family, including her brother, father, aunt, and uncle, as well as her friends. Samantha’s bond with her brother Clint was so sweet. At 10 years old, he was already protective of her. Samantha’s relationship with her father was estranged, but efforts to understand him showed the enduring presence of a father’s love.

Asher’s family were a good bunch too. They may not have earthly riches but they care for Samantha. Mama Bess and Aunt Regina showered Samantha with such nurturing care, highlighting her deep need for a motherly presence. The romance was sweet but was heightened with a twist in the story that made it more engaging. The proposal was a fun and unique one. I could imagine their laughter as they cheered on Samantha and Asher. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Rating: 5 ⭐
Pub date: 12 March 2024

Thank you Bethany House Publishers and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a wonderful and creative western remake of the Cinderella story. Filled with faith, romance, action, and healthy life lessons this was a book I’d definitely read again.

Samantha is a headstrong young woman raised in a life of privilege on her family’s cattle ranch. I soon found she was much more than her surface. She had a deep love for her family, and for those in need. I liked how her character developed from that of a bit of a spoiled princess to a woman of depth, able to look beyond herself to what lay beneath the actions of others.

Asher started out with a chip on his shoulder against Samantha’s father but soon learned there was more to the man than he first assumed. His attraction to Samantha was something sweet and he grew into who he was meant to be through hardship and conviction of soul. He sacrificed for his family and in the end God gave him the desire of his heart.

All of the side characters in the book added to the overall excellence of the story. I liked how Eli’s relationship with is daughter grew as he took time to be honest with her about his feelings. The kids in the book made me smile, especially Clint’s efforts to protect his sister and be a man. Asher’s entire family is one I’d love to get to know better. Each one endeared themselves to me.

Overall this was a great book I highly recommend. I was given a copy courtesy of Baker House through NetGalley. This is y honest review.