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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
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
mrsherrera's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Car accident
lacrimaeignis's review
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
This was a fun ride! It was an enjoyable twist to Disney's Cinderella and had me laughing out loud on occasion. It is a modern day retelling except Cindy is a plus-size freshly graduated shoe designer who is trying to figure out her next steps in life and ends up on a Reality TV Show called Before Midnight that seems to be similar to The Bachelor. I really enjoyed Cindy's interactions with the other characters especially her dynamic with her family and the new friends she makes on the show. Her dalliances with Henry were cute and he had his moments but honestly, he wasn't all that swoon-worthy. I did like his sense of humor and he seems like a decent guy overall but he felt a little flat. I think if the story had been in dual POV, we would have had a more fleshed out male lead. The story honestly kind of sidelines our male lead and instead focuses more on Cindy and her internal confidence and her dreams. It was nice to see a version of Cinderella where the stepmother and stepsisters weren't "wicked" but were actively trying to have a healthy relationship. I did enjoy how the finale for the TV show ended up going but I honestly felt like the producers missed some golden opportunities.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Chronic illness, and Cursing
ashleybeereads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Minor: Cancer and Car accident
bedtimesandbooks's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Classism, Bullying, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Car accident
tashtash93's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Grief
beklovesbooks's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
This rom-com was really fun. Representation matters, and I appreciated how the main character was fat, but portrayed as having a healthy relationship with food, healthy self-image, healthy friendships. Her size came up a lot in practical matters, and occasionally cruelly or stupidly from family and acquaintances and trolls- but it did not seem to matter to her love interest or some attractive friends. So rare.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, and Car accident
missindyrose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, and Cancer
annniina98's review against another edition
3.0
The dead parents and fat main character tropes felt a bit forced at points and the end felt a bit rushed, but otherwise a solid romantic novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident and Cancer