After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America’s favorite 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 doesn’t expect? That she may just 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.
Title: If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be, #1)
Author: Julie Murphy
Publication Date: August 3, 2021
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Genres: Adult, Romance, Contemporary
It took me forever to finally get to this book, which I hate, because I ended up really liking it! It’s a Cinderella retelling with a curvy FMC and a plot set against a reality dating TV show. Can you really ask for more?
Cindy was the best FMC. She was strong, a genuinely good person, and a curvy girl! We love to see it. Her journey in this book wasn’t focused on her body or loving herself which I was really happy about since many curvy rep books have to do with body image. Instead, she was focused on finding her inspiration to design again. She was so cool throughout the book and I found myself wanting to be best friends with her.
I wasn’t in love in love with Henry, but I did really like him. It’s always hard to see the MMC dating other people as he was as the bachelor in this reality dating tv show. He proved himself in the end which, thank goodness for, but it was hard sometimes in the middle.
I think because I didn’t trust Henry completely (going back to him dating like 10 other girls), it was hard for me to commit to the romance in this book. There were some really cute moments towards the end of the book which helped improve my opinion and thoughts on the romance, but it was hard at the beginning.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The romance could have been fractionally better, but I’d still recommend this book. Also, I’m really excited to read the other books in this series! What a fun concept.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating
To check out my other reviews, click here. Or to check out more books by Julie Murphy, check out her GoodReads profile or go to her website.
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