If the Shoe Fits

 

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy (Book 1 of 2:  Meant to Be)   New Adult/Rom-Com

(from Amazon) Cindy loves shoes. A well-placed bow or a chic stacked heel is her form of self-expression. As a fashion-obsessed plus-size woman, she can never find designer clothes that work on her body, but a special pair of shoes always fits just right.  With a shiny new design degree but no job in sight, Cindy moves back in with her stepmother, Erica Tremaine, the executive producer of the world’s biggest dating reality show. When a contestant on Before Midnight bows out at the last minute, Cindy is thrust into the spotlight. Showcasing her killer shoe collection on network TV seems like a great way to jump-start her career. And, while she’s at it, why not go on a few lavish dates with an eligible suitor?  But being the first and only fat contestant on Before Midnight turns her into a viral sensation—and a body-positivity icon—overnight. Even harder to believe? She can actually see herself falling for this Prince Charming. To make it to the end, despite the fans, the haters, and a house full of fellow contestants she’s not sure she can trust, Cindy will have to take a leap of faith and hope her heels— and her heart—don’t break in the process.

(My Review)  

I LOVED this book!  First of all, I have been a Julie Murphy fan for a while - her Dumplin' series is one of my favorites.  I think this is her first non-YA books, and she knocks it out of the ballpark.  Her characters jump right off of the page, and in this book, they truly did.  In The Shoe Fits is a Cinderella story about a a girl, Cindy, who finds herself on a tv dating show (and the bachelor is a guy she met on a plane). There are so many things I loved about this book.  I loved the representation body positivity.  I loved that they did not make the step-family evil.  I just loved the humor and heart of this book, and of course the romance.  I did not want to stop reading it.   I highly recommend it!!  Oh, and yea, I just saw on Amazon, that is is one of two of a series....that another one is on the way (I don't know if it will be the same characters, or maybe sticking to the fairy tale theme).