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nutmegvotour's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It gives me what I wanted when I read another book based on a plus sized contestant in a dating show.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, and Fatphobia
onthesamepage's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a classic case of "should've picked this up sooner". It spent a couple of years on my shelves, because every time I thought about picking it up, something made me hesitate, and honestly, it was unwarranted. This was a really fun read, and I found myself gravitating towards it and wanting to pick it up once I'd started. Cindy quickly endeared herself to me. I loved her moments with Henry, and I'm just a sucker for a good Cinderella retelling anyway.
The ending did feel a bit like a letdown. There is a third act conflict, and I think the couple spent a bit too long apart with not enough payoff at the very end. Other than that, though, I'd definitely recommend this if you're in the mood for something fun and light.
The ending did feel a bit like a letdown. There is a third act conflict, and I think the couple spent a bit too long apart with not enough payoff at the very end. Other than that, though, I'd definitely recommend this if you're in the mood for something fun and light.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, and Fatphobia
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I wanted to read this book because I wanted to read more work from authors that I've enjoyed previously. I love the Dumplin series by Julie Murphy and when I saw this book, I immediately added it to my TBR. However, this book was on my TBR for way too long before I read this. I enjoyed this book; I just wanted it to be longer.
This book is based on Cindy, she has just graduated with a degree in shoe design and trying to get her feet on the ground. In the meantime, she is working for her stepmother who happens to be the executive producer of America’s favourite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion. Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she didn’t expect? That she may find inspiration and love in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own.
I really enjoyed this book mainly because I was able to relate to it. Self-confidence is still a massive issue of mine and I have been working on it. Seeing someone like Cindy being able to be on a reality TV show and not have the public rip her to part (because if it was based in the UK, she would have been). I loved her journey and how she was standing up for herself and that she is this badass who chooses to decide on her future. I liked that the stepmother and the stepsisters weren’t evil unlike the original story of Cinderella, it was so refreshing to see that her adopted family cared about her and didn’t see her as a burden.
Even though it was based on a reality TV show, I hate reality TV and the whole challenges and petty girls and challenges were slightly annoying. I would have loved this book to have been more in-depth especially with the ending, we don’t get a happy ending expect for Cindy and Henry reuniting. I wanted them to go on dates as themselves without the reality TV aspect.
I’ve seen that this is a series with different authors, and I cannot wait to carry on with the re-telling and hopefully, the books are longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer and Car accident
shaunashares's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Fatphobia
chrissandrapherlv's review
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Infidelity
erinkellyreads's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
3.75 stars for this cute romp. I appreciate a plus size heroine who never makes herself small because of her size! The romance grew on me over time, and I really loved many of the queer side characters. The Cinderella nods were a little too obvious for me, but when he put the Jimmy Choo on her in New York, I did have a good butterfly-in-the-stomach moment. A nice palate cleanser after some heavy books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
pottersauce's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
🍦💋
A sweet romance that is a fairytale retelling! The characters are well rounded and so interesting. The narrator did an awesome job! I loved that Cindy was obsessed with shoes to explain a modern day version of the glass slipper. But they didn't follow the fairytale exactly, in just the right ways, I think. I would occasionally forget that's what this was, it was somewhat subtle.
A sweet romance that is a fairytale retelling! The characters are well rounded and so interesting. The narrator did an awesome job! I loved that Cindy was obsessed with shoes to explain a modern day version of the glass slipper. But they didn't follow the fairytale exactly, in just the right ways, I think. I would occasionally forget that's what this was, it was somewhat subtle.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Death of parent
carly_the_librarian's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
abookwormspov's review against another edition
Loved the take on Cinderella especially with relationships with step family, but wasn't in the mood for the toxicity of the dating show. Undecided on chemistry with love interest.. Maybe will pick up again, going to try other books in series first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Death of parent
queeniebee3's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Car accident, and Death of parent