If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
4 Stars
The Book At A Glance
A modern Cinderella retelling with a rom-com twist. Cindy, a shoe-loving, plus-size fashion grad, finds herself cast on Before Midnight, the hottest dating reality show. Overnight, she becomes a viral body-positivity icon—and maybe even finds her own Prince Charming. With humor, heart, and plenty of sparkle, Murphy delivers a story about self-love, second chances, and happily-ever-afters that actually fit.
Bookish Thoughts
I’ve always been a little Disney-obsessed, so a retelling instantly caught my attention—and this one was right up my alley. Add in my guilty pleasure for reality TV, and a modern Cinderella story set against the backdrop of a Bachelor-style dating show felt like the perfect mash-up. The concept hooked me right away, and the cute cover sealed the deal. For fans of fairytales, reality TV drama, body positivity, and rom-coms with that classic ’90s charm.
Book Review
Cindy is a fashion-obsessed young woman who moves back home with her stepmother, Erica Tremaine, the executive producer of the world’s biggest reality dating show. Living under the same roof with Erica and her two stepsisters, Cindy suddenly finds herself convinced to step into the spotlight as a contestant on Before Midnight. What starts as a chance to showcase her love of fashion quickly turns into something bigger—Cindy discovers new confidence, unexpected fans, and maybe even a shot at real love.
This modern Cinderella retelling keeps some of the magic of the original while adding fresh twists I really enjoyed. The iconic shoe theme shines through Cindy’s love of fashion and footwear, while her stepfamily—often painted as cruel—comes across as loving and supportive this time around. And of course, there’s still a Prince Charming and a happily-ever-after, but with a reality TV spin. Instead of a kingdom-wide shoe hunt, we get Bachelor-style drama, dates, and just the right amount of chasing.
I loved the whole Bachelor-style reality TV concept, and I thought it was written perfectly. We get a peek behind the scenes at what contestants really go through—the perfect reality-show villains, the drama on camera, and the drama that happens when the cameras stop rolling. As someone who’s obsessed with reality TV, this angle had me hooked. I especially enjoyed seeing how the girls interacted both on and off camera, and watching Cindy grow more confident with each chapter was such a rewarding part of the story.
Another part of this book I really enjoyed was how Julie Murphy weaves in themes of self-love and body positivity. Cindy’s time on the reality show gave her a chance not only to shine in her fashion career but also to showcase styles that embrace all body types. I also adored the romance between Cindy and Henry. From their first meeting to the way their relationship blossomed throughout the show, it was sweet and charming. I especially loved Cindy’s little jealous moments when other contestants tried to get Henry’s attention, and the way the two of them found clever ways to secretly communicate amidst the chaos of reality TV. Overall, this novel was such a fun read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a rom-com with a Disney twist.
“Choose what makes you happy. Things, places, people. Only choose the ones that bring that delight to you. Don’t be a hostage to duty or obligation. I didn’t carry you and birth you and raise you to waste your precious life on anything except unbridled joy. Choose joy.”
Julie Murphy
Shelf To Table
The perfect food pairing for this novel is White Chocolate Rose Macarons. Roses are the ultimate symbol of The Bachelor—handed out to the contestants the lead wants to keep. To match that theme, I think white chocolate rose macarons are the perfect pairing for this book. They’re delicate, colorful, and elegant, capturing the romantic, fairytale vibe of Cindy’s story. They also feel like the kind of treat you’d find at a glamorous cocktail party or a Bachelor-style date. Plus, their chic, bite-sized charm ties in beautifully with Cindy’s fashion obsession—stylish, sweet, and totally Instagram-worthy.
White Chocolate Rose Macaroons
Delicate pink macarons with crisp, flaky shells are filled with a luscious white chocolate buttercream, then drizzled with more silky white chocolate and topped with dried rose petals.
Book Club Bite
Pizza and wings are the perfect foods for a book club discussion of this novel. With its fast-paced, reality-TV-like drama, the story pairs perfectly with indulgent, greasy comfort foods—easy to grab, fun to share, and just the right kind of messy for a binge-worthy read rom com.
“I think fairy tales might be more like cautionary tales than anything else. And fate is just an excuse for people to be inactive participants in their own lives.”
Julie Murphy