[ARC Review] If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

Release date: 8/3/21
Format: eARC
eARC provided by: Disney/Hyperion and Netgalley

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Cindy, newly graduated with a degree in fashion design, finds herself on a plane back home to Los Angeles. Cindy’s at a crossroad, and with no job lined up, she’ll be spending the summer in her stepmother’s guesthouse babysitting her three little siblings. But her stepmother is the executive producer of the world’s biggest reality dating show, and when she needs a spot filled at the last minute, Cindy volunteers - not because she thinks she’ll actually find love but because it could be a big career boost for Cindy and her aspiring shoe designs. When the bachelor Cindy will by vying for just happens to be the same guy she made a connection with on her flight back to L.A., Cindy realizes that her plans to do the show without getting her heart involved might not be possible. As the “reality” of reality TV becomes clear, Cindy will have to choose what’s best for her very real feelings when the cameras aren’t rolling.

I thought If the Shoe Fits was a very sweet romance, the first adult romance from bestselling author Julie Murphy. I love how well Murphy writes the “plus-size” character: they’re fierce, they know what they want, and they’re tired of society thinking of them as brave and bold just because they’re living their best life. Cindy is absolutely no exception to this. She knew what type of girl usually ends up on reality dating shows, but she used that to give her strength and, much like in Dumplin’, the audience loved her for it.

I know this is marketed as a rom-com, but I definitely feel that the body positivity aspects far outweigh the romance. Maybe it’s because we usually get YA from Murphy, but If the Shoe Fits is very clean as far as romances go: some kissing and one fade-to-black scene. There was plenty of flirtation between Cindy and Henry, but even the flirting often came across as innocent. For those expecting more adult scenes from this adult rom-com, you will likely find the book lacking. I found the writing to be Murphy’s high-caliber style, with plenty of substance and character growth and humor, but the style is very reminiscent of her YA work. Though, for a second, I thought we weren’t going to get a happily ever after and I was going to be devastated.

Murphy is the queen at giving plus-size realness, but I loved the whole cast of characters. Murphy managed to bring in the usual types you see on reality TV dating shows, but she gave them all distinct personalities with their own backstories and faults. I thoroughly enjoyed diving into Henry’s backstory, family issues, and real reason for agreeing to be on the show; the more we saw beneath the surface, the more I loved his character and wanted to see him and Cindy happy together.

With less rom and more com, If The Shoe Fits is a delightful adult rom-com from an author who has already left her mark in both YA and body positivity stories.