Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - If the Shoe Fits

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

shaunashares's review against another edition

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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

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kwthor's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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chrissandrapherlv's review

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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

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jenni1121's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

An addicting read! And a new favorite! Cinderella meets the Bachelor in a fabulously modern fairy tale!

I loved the airplane meet-cute and sneaking around the production crew of Before Midnight. Cindy's thoughts and struggles are relatable and genuine, making her perspective easy to read.

I really appreciate that Murphy subverts the expectation that Cindy's stepmom and stepsisters would be horrible and cruel. The story didn't need that conflict with the premise of being on a reality TV dating show (which was incredibly exciting!). I'm so glad Cindy had them on her side as she dealt with the grief from losing her parents, especially her dad.

I wish Henry's character was more flushed out - we learn about him but don't really see him in action. I think having scenes from his perspective would have helped a lot. And I would have loved to hear his thoughts when he was on the dates with the other women!

Overall, a great fade-to-black romance!

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laurenordersvu's review

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

The premise was fun and I wanted to love this but it just was anti-climactic and every character felt so juvenile. I listened to some of the audiobook and I cringed my way through it. Too insta-love for me with no real build up so it felt very surface-levely.

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pottersauce's review against another edition

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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.

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carly_the_librarian's review

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lighthearted medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

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