A review by abookishmagpie
If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

challenging emotional funny hopeful tense 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? Yes

5.0

I love this book. Just want to start with that because it will warn you about the gushing I am about to do. I knew going in that I am a fan of Julie Murphy and her writing so I trusted that a story about a fat woman going on a Bachelor like reality show would be done well in her hands. Even better was that it is also a modern day retelling of Cinderella because I am absolutely a sucker for fairytale/Disney retelling. Cindy has just graduated from Parson's and is at a crossroads because her creativity is a bit blocked and she has no constructive plans for her future but nannying for her step-mother. When given the opportunity to be a contestant on a reality dating show she decides "why not?" and takes the risk. Never did she guess the suitor she would be vying for is the handsom man she had briefly met on her flight home. The romance is fun, sweet and so swoon worthy, but what really kills it is the way Cindy uses her experiences as a chance to navigate the challenges she is facing and the ones she has been putting off as well. I immediately want to reread this because I just loved every bit of it.