If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

In one of my favourite reads of the summer, If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy is a highly entertaining modern-day twist on the story of  Cinderella.  It’s the first book in the author’s Meant To Be Me series and I can’t wait to read Book 2.

Plot Summary

Cindy has recently graduated with a degree in shoe design from a prestigious New York school.  With no current job prospects, she moves back to Los Angeles to provide child care for her stepmother who is the executive producer of a reality dating show.  When a spot on the upcoming season of the show needs to be filled, Cindy volunteers hoping to get some much needed career-boosting publicity. Her two stepsisters are already cast for the show and are excited for her to join them.

Unlike the other contestants on the show, Cindy is a plus-sized woman. Her belief has always been that fashion should be accessible to all women, regardless of shape and size. During filming Cindy is introduced to the show’s bachelor, Henry,  and she can’t believe it’s the handsome man who sat next to her on her cross-continent plane ride.  Not only was this man good looking, but he was also very charming. Cindy soon finds herself looking for more than just a boost to her career.

Book Review

Have I said I adored this book?  I’m not a young woman by any means and I was absolutely surprised how much I enjoyed this story.  The twist on Cinderella was so cleverly achieved with a storyline I enjoyed just as much as the original.  Cindy is a strong woman who has had a lot of tragedy in her life and she is a survivor. I admire her tenacity and determination to succeed despite the obstacles thrown in her way.

There are several really fun connections to the original story that readers will appreciate, including a nod to the book’s title. The theme of the book is body positivity and inclusivity which make it a great read for those 12 years and up. It should be noted that the stepmother and stepsisters are a much friendlier group than in the original story making this modern twist more appropriate for those with blended families.

Audiobook Review

I chose to listen to the audiobook version of If The Shoe Fits and I’m happy I made this choice. Jen Ponton narrates this book and really provides that sensitive, enthusiastic voice you would expect from Cindy. This is one of my favourite audiobook performances so far in 2021 and I encourage those readers who enjoy audiobooks to choose this format.

What I Liked About If The Shoe Fits:

• The theme of body positivity through a strong female character
• The illustration of inequalities in the fashion industry and beyond to those who are plus-sized.
• The well-written twist on a much loved classic.

I Recommend This Book To:

Those readers who enjoy women’s fiction and romance stories.

My Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Add If The Shoe Fits to your Goodreads shelf

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to my local library for purchasing this audiobook.

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

What If You & Me by Roni Loren

Thanks for reading!  Do you enjoy modern retellings of classic stories? Are there any that you would recommend?  Let me know in the comments.  I hope that you have a wonderful day!