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 Cinderella | If the Shoe Fits |
| Cinderella, an orphan who is living with her wicked stepmother and stepsisters | Cindy 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 stepmother | Erica 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-sisters | Anna 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 Godmother | I 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 happy | Henry 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 Perla | The 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 bully | Addison, the mean girl contestant on Before Midnight. |
| The Ball, where Cinderella must leave before midnight | The Ball is the opening event where the girls meet the suitor on Before Midnight. |
| The Glass Slipper | The 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.
Clever presentation of this novel and quite descriptive. Sounds like I would enjoy it.
Thank you, Cindy. I think you would enjoy it, too. The author lives in Arlington, Texas.
Great presentation in the review! You made me want to read this one.
Thank you, Pam. A table seemed the most logical way to make the comparisons.
A wonderful review Kerrin! Sounds like one I would enjoy.
Thanks, Wendy. It was fun.
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.
I still haven’t seen the movie.