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If The Shoe Fits

Meant To Be #1

If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy is a modern and creative re-telling of Disney’s Cinderella. I can’t tell you how many times my daughter watched the 1950 classic as a child. I can still clearly see all the characters, but if you need a refresher, click here.

Ms. Murphy’s cast has been re-imagined with many nods to the original:

Disney Classic CinderellaIf the Shoe Fits
Cinderella, an orphan who is living with her wicked stepmother and stepsistersCindy Woods, an orphan, returning to her step-mother’s house in Los Angeles after graduating from Parsons School of Design with an emphasis on footwear design. Cindy had a rough last year of school due to depression. Without a job prospect, she has agreed to be the nanny to her triplet half-siblings. She is a plus-size woman trying to figure out her next steps.
Lady Tremaine, the wicked stepmotherErica Tremaine, Cindy’s step-mother and the producer of the incredibly popular dating reality show Before Midnight (think The Bachelor). Erica is not wicked and tries to support Cindy the best that she can.
Anastasia and Drizella, the ugly step-sistersAnna and Drew Tremaine, Cindy’s two older and very attractive step-sisters who are social media influencers. They have always been kind to Cindy, even though she only lived with them for three years in high school. In a last-minute need to fill vacant spots, they agree to be contestants on Before Midnight.
The Fairy GodmotherI can think of several characters that acted as Fairy Godmothers to Cindy. My favorite is Beck, the assistant producer of Before Midnight. She convinces Cindy that being a contestant on Before Midnight is a way to promote her talents as a shoe designer.
Prince Charming, the prince who is just trying to make his father happyHenry MacKenzie, the charming “Suitor” on this season of Before Midnight. He works for his mother’s company in New York.
The Mice: Gus (Octavius), Jaq (Jaques), Mary and PerlaThe triplet half-siblings of Erica Tremaine and Cindy’s father, Simon Woods, are Gus, Jack, and Mary. Petra was the surrogate who carried the triplets.
The King, Prince Charming’s father, who insists on throwing the ball so Prince Charming will find a wife.Lucy Mackenzie, Henry’s mother, and a famous fashion designer. Unfortunately, her company LuMac is close to going under. She thinks that it will be a great boom to her business to have Henry on Before Midnight.
Lucifer, the cat who is a bullyAddison, the mean girl contestant on Before Midnight.
The Ball, where Cinderella must leave before midnightThe Ball is the opening event where the girls meet the suitor on Before Midnight.
The Glass SlipperThe Jimmy Choo stilettos encrusted with Swarovski crystals clustered together at the toe that Cindy gets to wear during her one-on-date with Henry on the show.

I am not a big fan of romance novels, but I am trying more of them. I am also not a fan of the television show The Bachelor. Even though it was out of my wheelhouse, I requested this book because it filled a square on my Book Warriors 2021 reading challenge. Plus, the author lives near me, so I thought I should try one of her books. (I still want to watch the movie based on her book Dumplin’, which stars Jennifer Anniston).

Imagine my surprise when I really enjoyed this story. I was entertained by the witty dialogue and interesting characters. I even found myself rooting for Cindy to be chosen by Henry. As a plus-sized person myself, I love the way Julie Murphy advocates for fashionable clothing to be made for larger women.

4-plus stars. If The Shoe Fits is the first of a series called “Meant To Be”. This fun novel will be published on August 3, 2021. Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion Avenue for my advanced reader copy.

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Before Midnight Cinderella First in a series If the Shoe Fits Julie Murphy Meant To Be #1 New York Fashion Industry Orphans Parsons School of Design Prince Charming Published in 2021 Re-telling of a classic Romance Shoe-making Step-mother Step-sisters Texas Author
July 20, 2021

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8 thoughts on “If The Shoe Fits”

  1. Cindy Neusse says:
    July 21, 2021 at 8:10 am

    Clever presentation of this novel and quite descriptive. Sounds like I would enjoy it.

    Reply
    1. kerrinhp says:
      July 21, 2021 at 9:18 am

      Thank you, Cindy. I think you would enjoy it, too. The author lives in Arlington, Texas.

      Reply
  2. Pam Cunningham says:
    July 21, 2021 at 9:55 am

    Great presentation in the review! You made me want to read this one.

    Reply
    1. kerrinhp says:
      July 21, 2021 at 10:02 am

      Thank you, Pam. A table seemed the most logical way to make the comparisons.

      Reply
  3. Wendy Catalano says:
    July 21, 2021 at 11:46 am

    A wonderful review Kerrin! Sounds like one I would enjoy.

    Reply
    1. kerrinhp says:
      July 21, 2021 at 11:51 am

      Thanks, Wendy. It was fun.

      Reply
  4. Paige says:
    August 19, 2021 at 11:50 am

    I loved Dumplin’! Such a great show…I didn’t realize it was a book or that the author lives in Arlington. How Fun! I’m looking forward to reading If The Shoe Fits.

    Reply
    1. kerrinhp says:
      August 19, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      I still haven’t seen the movie.

      Reply

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