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A review by valeriabee
If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
The Good:
Swoon-worthy. Low-key forbidden romance 👀, but mostly just very secretive. Reality TV. A fat protagonist!! And she is desired! And it's not in spite of her size! I think what is really important to me is that while her size is brought up a lot - as it is an unavoidable aspect of her life in fashion and now shes being styled for a reality dating show - Cindy's size is never brought up romantically. Henry never comments on it and it's never the conversation between them. Is the fact that she's a plus-size protag relevant to the plot? Yes, absolutely. Is it relevant to the romance? Not in the slightest. I love that for them.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book, and the series it is kick-starting, is in official partnership with Disney. I dont whether "retelling" or "adaptation" is the most accurate word, but the book stays true to Cinderella without hitting you over the head with it. Or perhaps I simply became too immersed in this world Julie Murphy has created.
The Bad:
While I wasnt particularly upset by it, I do think people would be disappointed to find that it is not dual pov. The audience loves to see the love interesents thought process and watch them swoon over the protagonist.
The Ugly:
The ending. It resolved in the last ten pages and was giving me major anxiety that I would not get my Happily Ever After. I was stressed because it was prolonging the thing I wanted and it doesnt happen until the very very end. I need at least one more chapter, a few more pages, of the happily ever after. Give it to me slightly sooner. I understand the desire for the drama of it all but I'm impatient. Give me more.
Swoon-worthy. Low-key forbidden romance 👀, but mostly just very secretive. Reality TV. A fat protagonist!! And she is desired! And it's not in spite of her size! I think what is really important to me is that while her size is brought up a lot - as it is an unavoidable aspect of her life in fashion and now shes being styled for a reality dating show - Cindy's size is never brought up romantically. Henry never comments on it and it's never the conversation between them. Is the fact that she's a plus-size protag relevant to the plot? Yes, absolutely. Is it relevant to the romance? Not in the slightest. I love that for them.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book, and the series it is kick-starting, is in official partnership with Disney. I dont whether "retelling" or "adaptation" is the most accurate word, but the book stays true to Cinderella without hitting you over the head with it. Or perhaps I simply became too immersed in this world Julie Murphy has created.
The Bad:
While I wasnt particularly upset by it, I do think people would be disappointed to find that it is not dual pov. The audience loves to see the love interesents thought process and watch them swoon over the protagonist.
The Ugly:
The ending. It resolved in the last ten pages and was giving me major anxiety that I would not get my Happily Ever After. I was stressed because it was prolonging the thing I wanted and it doesnt happen until the very very end. I need at least one more chapter, a few more pages, of the happily ever after. Give it to me slightly sooner. I understand the desire for the drama of it all but I'm impatient. Give me more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Body shaming