Name: If the Shoe Fits
Rating: 3.9765625 (128 reviews)

Julie Murphy

"In this modern-retelling of Cinderella, plus-size Cindy dreams of becoming a shoe designer. But when a spot opens up on her stepmother's famous reality dating TV competition, Cindy is thrust into the spotlight in ways she never thought possible"--

If the Shoe Fits

rushed endings and lack of depth make tilly a sad sad girl

tilly ✨

Syrina

chloe rae

*3.5

Such a blast! A great little twist on the Cinderella story (though I honestly forgot moments in that it was supposed to be inspired by Cinderella in the first place). I'm not a fan of The Bachelorette/Bachelor AT ALL so was very wary this wouldn't be for me. However, I was wrong! The setting was so fun and addictive. I found the reality TV bits to be interesting and I feel like it brought something so unique to the story.
This was my first Julie Murphy book and God, she writes fat rep SO WELL. I felt so seen in her writing: and it was so refreshing how our main character Cindy's size was dealt with in this novel. It was so real and nuanced; every interaction that had to do with her weight was handled so expertly. Also, I love how her weight was basically never once mentioned with Henry. Speaking of....I adore him! SO MUCH. Ugh, and when the crew ends up flying to New York for a few episodes of the show? Best part of the whole book. I'm definitely bias since I live here and am also obsessed with Bryant Park, but hands down the best part of the novel.
I feel like this story was just missing so much more depth. It felt very surface level. I felt like things were skimmed over or referenced only once: we didn't spend a lot of time getting to know really anyone but Cindy. And even then, she had some great moments but they could've been even BETTER. The ending was such a let down for me. The big dramatic scene happens at the end, and then there was like one chapter after that, and then The End? So weird. I think our couple deserved more.
Overall, a great summer read. Perfect to read in-between all the non-fiction I've been loving lately. Can't wait to pick up more Julie Murphy in the future!

Kenzi Linton

This was another book that my best friend recommended to me and let me borrow. I’m glad she did! I love how this book was cute and romantic, funny and sweet, but it also had some drama, some hurt and heartache. I think that makes the best kind of book because there is no such thing as constant happiness. I highly recommend everybody give this book a chance. It’s a great read, a great way to put a smile on your face and it allows you to laugh. There are some sad moments too, with the mentions of Cindy’s parents, but I think that adds to the beauty of it.

brooke lynn

LOVED the representation. I was taken aback but in a good way??? it was refreshing to hear descriptions of people that were not fit and white. The spin on cinderella with the added bachelor take was super cute and the acknowledgement of the misogyny was an added touch!!!!

this was super cute!! really great plus size representation, cinderella retelling, in a bachelor nation-esque universe!

Lindsey Davis Blanchard 

Margaret McFarlane

This was very sweet and cute. Cinderella has never been my favorite fairytale but Julie Murphy managed to adapt it for reality TV which IS my favorite. So this is a big W in my book. Even though If The Shoe Fits is a romance and a fairytale (two genres that I think are fairly predictable), Murphy still managed to surprise me, and I love her all the more for it.

This was so freaking amazing and this has to have a movie deal or else I will just die!!!!

I loved every single aspect of this book and I could not put it down! Since this was a Cinderella-retelling, I was prepared to hate Erica and Anna and Drew but guess what? I love them so much! 

The chemistry that Henry and Cindy have both on and off camera is just so wonderful and I adore it so much! First the airport meet cute then all those sweet moments on the show? My heart can’t handle it.

Heartbroken when I found out about the deal with Sara Claire. But, what can I say? Do I really expect nothing to turn up in the last 100 pages? 

Also Henry disappearing from the show because he knows that he was meant to be for Cindy and basically turning up when he needs her the most. My heart is dead, deceased. Also the part where he tries on the shoe that Cindy designed (basically a reverse Cinderella type). I just loved this so much and would VERY HIGHLY recommend to everyone!

Gabriella Parker

This was so freaking amazing and this has to have a movie deal or else I will just die!!!!

I loved every single aspect of this book and I could not put it down! Since this was a Cinderella-retelling, I was prepared to hate Erica and Anna and Drew but guess what? I love them so much! 

The chemistry that Henry and Cindy have both on and off camera is just so wonderful and I adore it so much! First the airport meet cute then all those sweet moments on the show? My heart can’t handle it.

Heartbroken when I found out about the deal with Sara Claire. But, what can I say? Do I really expect nothing to turn up in the last 100 pages? 

Also Henry disappearing from the show because he knows that he was meant to be for Cindy and basically turning up when he needs her the most. My heart is dead, deceased. Also the part where he tries on the shoe that Cindy designed (basically a reverse Cinderella type). I just loved this so much and would VERY HIGHLY recommend to everyone!

Sophia Rabon

so much representation. so freaking good. and i love the whole bachelor inspired trope more than i thought i would! just the cutest!!!

Megan BV

Quick and sweet read. A fun take on the original story. Endearing characters and an entertaining storyline 

Taylor Crampton

It was cute! I liked the way this author wrote the plus sized character’s feelings - it was so raw, real, and accurate, and it was so refreshing to have such a fresh perspective. The love story was cute, but didn’t wow me, and the ending was a little bit abrupt.

"If the Shoe Fits encompasses everything I love about rom-coms. I laughed, I swooned, I smiled. Another hit for Julie Murphy!" —Colleen Hoover, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Hopeless If the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own. Cindy loves shoes. A well-placed bow or a chic stacked heel is her form of self-expression. As a fashion-obsessed plus-size woman, she can never find designer clothes that work on her body, but a special pair of shoes always fits just right. With a shiny new design degree but no job in sight, Cindy moves back in with her stepmother, Erica Tremaine, the executive producer of the world’s biggest dating reality show. When a contestant on Before Midnight bows out at the last minute, Cindy is thrust into the spotlight. Showcasing her killer shoe collection on network TV seems like a great way to jump-start her career. And, while she’s at it, why not go on a few lavish dates with an eligible suitor? But being the first and only fat contestant on Before Midnight turns her into a viral sensation—and a body-positivity icon—overnight. Even harder to believe? She can actually see herself falling for this Prince Charming. To make it to the end, despite the fans, the haters, and a house full of fellow contestants she’s not sure she can trust, Cindy will have to take a leap of faith and hope her heels— and her heart—don’t break in the process. Best-selling author Julie Murphy’s reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is an enchanting story of self-love and believing in the happy ending each and every one of us deserves.

A Meant to be Novel

Courtney Baker

Charming modern-day retelling of Cinderella. Very niche pop culture references that I absolutely adored throughout the story. A perfect afternoon romcom!

Katarina Preamble

So stinking cute! Great audio book. Feel good story. Fun twist on a common idea

Julia Seiser

Cute book overall and very much a great way to write a cinderella story. But as with the other cinderella stories they really felt 2D and lacked a lot of chemistry that one looks for in love stories.

Bailey Sawka

How cute and charming! I love that there was some representation! Now if only The Bachelor or Bachelorette could follow suit. I loved this it was absolutely adorable!

If the Shoe Fits

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