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Book Review of If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be, Bk 1)

If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be, Bk 1)
VolunteerVal avatar reviewed on + 645 more book reviews


I've wanted to read a Julie Murphy novel for years, so when I heard her speak about If the Shoe Fits, her first novel written for adults, I was excited to be given access to a review copy - thanks Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley.

This is the first Meant To Be novel, a series featuring updated and contemporary takes on classic Disney princesses.

From the title and cover, it's obvious this story reimagines Cinderella. In this delightful book, she is a plus-size shoe designer named Cindy who's exploring the next chapter of life after graduating from the Parsons School of Design in NYC. She unexpectedly finds herself competing on a Bachelor-like reality show, and her body positivity generates lots of interest among viewers.

I have zero interest in (or respect for) the Bachelor franchise so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. I appreciated the smart humor, witty banter, strong writing, and clever nods to the source material.

I related so much to the challenges Cindy experiences as a plus-size women, like buying only for accessories and shoes while shopping with friends because most clothing stores don't carry your size or the embarrassment of requesting a seat belt extender while flying.

I look forward to reading By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, the second Meant to Be novel.