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Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits
Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
From #1 New York Times best-selling author Julie Murphy comes the first in a brand-new adult series inspired by the classic fairy tale stories we all know and love, perfect for adult readers who crave contemporary, escapist rom-coms. After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America's favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion. Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn't expect? That she may just find inspirationand lovein the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own.
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Kshakal
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Eggs Excellent 👌🏼 3mo
31 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

#ReadAway2024 #SeriesLove2024

Read for #Roll100 (#59) in May (I‘m catching up with reviews) & this was a fun take on The Bachelor. Not much of a Cinderella retelling as advertised other than the MC being named Cindy & having (not evil) stepsisters/stepmother, but it‘s a cute body-positive rom-com book. I had a #OnceUponABookClub box for it & got gifts to open which made it fun. This is part of a Meant To Be fairytale series by different authors.

TheSpineView Fantastic! 6mo
DieAReader 🥳Awesome! 6mo
49 likes2 comments
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Zoe-h
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

While this was an amazing book, calling it a Cinderella retelling is a bit of a stretch. Sure, the beginning and ending go pretty well, but the middle had almost no ties to Cinderella. I loved that Cindy actually had a good relationship with her step mom and sisters. I wish that Jay had been in it a little more! 5🌟

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kissmehardy
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

This was fun! It kind of felt more like a self-discovery novel than a strict romance, but Cindy and Henry had the BEST chemistry, so I'll allow it. And I loved the updates to Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters! Murphy really thought about her storytelling here. #contemporaryromance #retelling

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NikkiKey94
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

I hate that this book was on my TBR for so long because I really enjoyed it. This was such a cute read and I definitely can‘t wait to read the other books in the Meant To Be series! Each book in the series is a retelling of a fairytale and I love that! This one was a retelling of Cinderella.

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keepingupwiththepenguins
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

A sweet romance with a nostalgic vibe, probably a good pick for fans of UnReal (I‘m guessing, I only ever saw half of the pilot episode) and people with fond memories of watching Disney‘s Cinderella as a kid. If you get a kick out of hate-watching The Bachelor and critiquing the patriarchal messaging, you‘ll probably enjoy it, too. Full review here: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/if-the-shoe-fits-julie-murphy/

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AshRaye
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

I honestly wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. I was on the mood for something light and fluffy and this hit the spot. This was so cute. I feel like it ended too soon, I would have loved more to the story. I loved it.

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BriannaT
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Pickpick

Drowning my sorrows in a romance book. Chubby girl finds love on a dating show after realizing the suitor was a charming stranger she met on a plane a few days before. A Cinderella story, but I liked how the stepmom and stepsisters weren‘t actually mean. Also, the ended gave me “Colton jumping over the fence on the Batchelor” vibes

13 likes1 stack add
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Brooke_H
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DebinHawaii
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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#ArtfulAugust

8 #RomCom novels from my #TBR stack that I hope to get read one of these days. 💛💛💛

Eggs Enjoyed The Bodyguard!! 2y
42 likes1 comment
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amma-keep-reading
Pickpick

Fun twist to the Cinderella story.

7 likes1 stack add
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Zuhkeeyah
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

A heart-warming re-telling of Cinderella full of reality tv-show drama. Cindy, a recent fashion school graduate, returns home to her stepmother and stepsisters to figure out her next career steps. An unexpected contestant vacancy on the reality show Before Midnight, which is run by her stepmother, results in Cindy being added to the roster. I enjoyed every single nod to Disney‘s Cinderella. The body positivity added to the magic of the story.

Graciouswarriorprincess I enjoyed this book. You need to read the second book in the series. 2y
Zuhkeeyah @Graciouswarriorprincess I loved By The Book! I read it before realizing it‘s part of a series. Little Mermaid is next right? (edited) 2y
22 likes1 stack add2 comments
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behudd
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️💫This is-very lightly-Cinderella inspired. The nods were cute, but also rare, so that was lacking a bit for me.This was a cute Bachelor-esque story, tho the ending felt super rushed, which dropped it down a bit. I liked Cindy‘s confidence, and I appreciated that we didn‘t have to watch her stepmom & sisters bully her - I hate that part of the Cinderella story, and I was glad Murphy chose to leave that out.

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behudd
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Do you think we‘ll read any books at Disney World? No.
Did the 3 year old & me still bring our piles? 100%
(Pray for me, y‘all. It‘s so hot 🤪)
#tbr #vacationtbr

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Sarahreadstoomuch
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

And I actually finished my #bookspin book this month! Such a fun book too - a modern day Cinderella story set on a reality dating show…. Oh and she‘s not some skinny something either. I needed this! #bookspinbingo now I can make my June list! lol

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
27 likes1 comment
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kimmypete1
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

Fun, flirty and featuring a plus size woman. I really enjoyed this.

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Graciouswarriorprincess
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Books 25-27 for the year.

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julieclair
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Pickpick

Fun romcom with some quirky nods to the Cinderella fairy tale. I loved the body positivity and the strong (and so lovable) female heroine. I was rooting for her the whole time. The insights into the worlds of fashion and reality tv were fascinating. The ending was a bit different than I expected, which was a refreshing surprise.
#FairyTaleReadingChallenge #Cinderella @Charityann

BookBosomed1 I didn‘t expect to like this book as much as I did! 3y
julieclair @BookBosomed1 Neither did I! That‘s why I love reading challenges. They encourage me to read books I wouldn‘t normally pick up. 3y
19 likes2 comments
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GondorGirl
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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I almost never pause mid-book, but this last week has been rough and I need something light and fluffy. Two chapters in and I think it's going to be a nice distraction.

TheBookDream Hope things get better! 3y
DinoMom Hope your week gets better ❤️ 3y
Chrissyreadit Fluffy is good ❤️ 3y
Branwen Hang in there, friend! *hugs* I hope your week gets better! 💕 3y
Andrea313 Sending you good thoughts and a thumbs-up for reading what you need in this moment! 👍❤️ 3y
57 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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La_Cori
Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐+
This was a lot of fun! I'm not a "retellings" fan, but the premises of this book sounded good and I was in the mood for something sweet and with a solid happy ending!

This was my #doublespin for December @TheAromaofBooks and I think I'm all done for my 2021 spins/doublespins. Thanks again for organizing this game every month ??

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 3y
40 likes1 comment
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La_Cori
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Busy day ahead, so I'm squeezing some reading time into breakfast ☕🍩💕
Have a nice day, Littens!

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Smartypants
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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This year I started a new job so my reading goal was 50 books for the year. Thankful this book was an easy, light read as I finished it in 24 hours and met my 50 book goal for 2021! Great #chicklit from the woman who created ‘Dumplin‘, a hit movie on Netflix.

keys_on_fire That‘s awesome!!! Congrats! 🎉🍾 3y
Smartypants @keys_on_fire thank you!! Going to increase to 100 in 2022! Happy New Year! 🎆 3y
17 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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This was delightful! Loved it so much! I stayed up past midnight to finish it. #tbr #wintergames2021 #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick

29 likes1 stack add
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BarkingMadRead
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Starting this one next! Working towards a 3rd #bookspinbingo #ouabc #ouabcvip #wintergames2021 #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick

Clwojick ❤️❤️💚❤️❤️ 3y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Professional_Book_Dragon
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

A cute Cinderella retelling meet the bachelor with body positivity. I loved that she didn‘t belittle Cindy‘s body and long for something different

35 likes1 stack add
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Mollyanna
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

A light pick. A Cinderella retelling. It was a quick, fluffy read.

My first finish for #20in4

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 3y
26 likes2 comments
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Sharpeipup
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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What better place to read a Cinderella #retelling?! 👠

33 likes1 stack add
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sebrittainclark
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Pickpick

4/5

This is such a cute Cinderella retelling set on a Bachelor-esque reality dating show. Cindy just graduated from design school and isn't sure where to go next with her life, when she and her step-sisters get an opportunity to be on the reality dating show Cindy's step-mother produces.

It's a super sweet romance, and I loved that neither Cindy's step-mother nor her step-sisters were evil in this retelling.

SeaToSkyes Glad you enjoyed it! It's one of my favorites from this year so far ☺️ 3y
36 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MaggieCarr
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

Haven't read a Julie Murphy yet that I didn't fall in swoon with. I do say this splash into the adult market is perfect for the readers who enjoyed Disney growing up and will see so many mixed Cinderella vibes in the novel. Assuming the series will be stand-alone titles (by varying authors?) but grouped as reimagined fairy tales, maybe. Anyway read 90% in one sitting and had I not had to be at work would have finished it, it's that good!

MaggieCarr Already recommended it to my sister who is equally a fan of The Selection and Disney so this one will definitely have a market for closed-door rom com readers. (Found and tagged the second book) 3y
39 likes1 comment
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Grizzlan
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Pickpick

5 🌟
A quick, inclusive read. This book is the typical modern romance with the twist of inclusiveness. A plus size female lead character and a side cast of characters with different sexualities, orientations, ethnicities and careers. I enjoyed this book immensely!

13 likes1 stack add
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BookBosomed1
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Pickpick

This is a modern take on Cinderella. The parts of the original story that I disliked (women vs women) are not as prevalent in this heartwarming tale. It is an empowering story about body positivity, nontraditional families, gender fluidity, LGBTQ+ relationships, & female empowerment. Also, the writing is quirky, quippy, & honest. I laughed, finger snapped & sniffled. If you are in need of a pick-me-up, choose this book and see if the shoe fits.

BookmarkTavern Well, I‘m sold! Off to check the library! 💙 3y
BookBosomed1 @ozma.of.oz Yea! If they don‘t have it, I can mail you the copy I have. I have to go to the postal office this week anyways. 3y
BookmarkTavern Thank you for the offer, but they had an electronic copy I put on hold! Thanks again! 💙 3y
BookBosomed1 @ozma.of.oz awesome! 3y
13 likes1 stack add4 comments
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BookBosomed1
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One and a half more days until the big event I‘ve been planning is in the rear view mirror. In the mean time, I‘m grasping for my quiet, wind down nights. Loving the background Hogwarts Ambience YouTube videos, and this book is surprisingly good!

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Roary47
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Pickpick

All✨ I devoured this book! It was so engaging, the characters were relatable, and the reality tv show plot line was fun! Cindy made this book. I loved everything about her. I can‘t really express much more than that without spoilers. So good! #onceuponabookclub

8 likes1 stack add
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Roary47
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Currently devouring! Be back in a bit with my review. 🤩🥰 #onceuponabookclub

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Roary47
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I‘ve been dying to read this since I opened it in my #onceuponabookclub box. So hooked already! I absolutely adore Cindy‘s character and this plot line. 😍

14 likes2 stack adds
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LibrarianRyan
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4 ⭐
Love a good Cinderella story? Then you need to pick up this book. Cindy is a plus sized wonder who loves shoes but has not had it easy since her father died. There is no wicked stepmother in this story. In Fact the Stepmother is pretty awesome. There are a few issues between her and Cindy, but they are made more by Cindy, or by stepmom not wanting to treat her plus sized stepdaughter any differently than her own children. ⬇

LibrarianRyan And I love the step sisters. They are true sisters any girl would love to have. But every Cindy needs a prince, and she thinks she finds him on a plane from NYC to LA. Boy is she in for a surprise when she finds this same prince is the new bachelor in a TV Dating show. The same show in which she will be the first ever plus size contestant. This story takes us through the show‘s production and after to the consequences. 3y
LibrarianRyan It was a laugh riot. And I am very happy to see that I am not the only person that has said “Moo, Bitch, MOO!” to some person calling me a cow. Loved everything about this book. It‘s fluff, but it‘s happy-go-lucky fluff.
3y
51 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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BayouGirl85
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

This was super cute. Cindy was very relatable and real.

September Book 20/25 #LitsyLove #bookspinbingo

29 likes2 stack adds
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WanderingBookaneer
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Pickpick

I‘ve been having a tough time reading lately and have had a string of 2-star reads; but this one was cute and satisfying (if a bit predictable, but that is to be expected from this genre). ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gissy It came in one of my book subscription boxes. 3y
Bookzombie I hope it gets easier for you and you have a string of satisfying reads! 💕 3y
74 likes2 comments
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fredthemoose
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Pickpick

Sigh… this is a pick despite myself. Not my usual genre, at times I found the narrator overly gushy/dramatic, and there were a couple of decisions characters made at the end that I wasn‘t sure I really understood/bought, but I also found it engrossing and hard to put down, and if that doesn‘t get a pick, I don‘t know what does. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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BookDragon25
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this book its a great Rom Com
This autor is easily going to be my new favorite
Gotta check it out 😁

10 likes1 stack add
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Nessavamusic
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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Mehso-so

This was cute, but just ok. I do like that it‘s a Cinderella story with a good relationship with the stepmom and stepsisters. However our hero is bland, there is no steam and this has a more YA feeling. This is the authors first adult book. I would put this more in the chick-lit shelf then romance. Easy light read though. #bookspin read done!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
45 likes1 comment
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Bookish_Gal
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Mehso-so

Don‘t get me wrong, premise was wonderful. But didn‘t stand up to its hype. Felt like it was forcing itself to much to be Cinderella. Might‘ve been better as a simple meet cute the whole way. Might also be just that I don‘t care for dating game shows at all. Do not understand them at all. Did love everything about Cindy; choosing her joy over everything. Wish for more female camaraderie, since convos were really only about the suitor
#ouabc

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Bookish_Gal
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This does not feel like a Cinderella story. Not in any way expected, at least. On basic terms maybe, but I don‘t think I‘d ever come up making the connection myself. I do love the sisters camaraderie between them, same for the stepmom. I think they would‘ve been better without that expectation over the stories head. I do like Cindy a lot, for going after her dream of fashioning shoes. Fashion is still not my thing thou
#onceuponabookclub #ouabc

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Tattooedteacher
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Please accept this scroll 📜 and join us next Saturday for a Chapter 11-20 discussion. Anyone is welcome to join.

Roary47 Awww man. I‘m not sure I can get there that fast 3y
Tattooedteacher @Roary47 we‘d love to have you ! 3y
SeaToSkyes I read ahead because I got so sucked into the story! Lol I got over halfway through within the first day! 3y
dimedgirl I like the book so far!! I‘m getting distracted by all the other books I have to read this month, so I‘m glad we reading in chunks I can manage 💛 3y
fredthemoose Started yesterday after seeing this post. ☺️ I didn‘t love it at first, but it‘s growing on me as I‘m getting to know Cindy. 3y
39 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Tattooedteacher
This post contains spoilers
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“Fitting” seems to be a theme that runs through the story. Fashion, family... where have you noticed “fitting” as a recurring theme? #septbuddyread

SeaToSkyes How Cindy feels like she doesn't fit in with the other women participating on the show 3y
dimedgirl In Ch.6 Cindy couldn‘t fit in clothes in store that only offered plus sizes online. I hate shopping for clothes online because I never know what fits, and I can only imagine the struggle for those who wear plus sized clothes cause selections I‘ve seen in stores are minimal. I thought the commentary that those sizes are only online for publicity sake is a sad state of how some companies only fake being supportive. 3y
9 likes2 comments
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Tattooedteacher
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Ok let‘s talk about the elephant in the room: reality TV. It‘s a fun and modern spin on a prince searching for his princess in the original Cinderella. Cindy shares the behind the scenes actions and decisions that producers make on reality shows. What are your thoughts about reality TV? How “reality” are they? #septbuddyread

SeaToSkyes I have never particularly cared for reality tv. One of the few shows I did watch was Catfish. I just don't see how they can be classified as "reality" when they are partially scripted and events are planned to happen in the show. 3y
dimedgirl I deliberately avoid them because I know I‘ll get sucked in ? They all feel so fake and absurd, but the drama can be interesting enough for me to follow. I‘ve seen clips of shows like 90 Day Fiancé or RuPaul‘s Drag Race that certainly make me either laugh or happy I‘m not personally dealing with their problems ? The only show I watched when I was younger was Say Yes to the Dress because I loved seeing wedding gowns ? 3y
30 likes2 comments
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Tattooedteacher
This post contains spoilers
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Cindy refers to her friends at school as her chosen family. What are your thoughts relating to the theme of friendships vs family in the book so far? #septbuddyread

SeaToSkyes I feel like Cindy does love her step-family, but also feels like she doesn't fit in with them (also goes along with the "fitting" theme). Her step-siblings do seem to love her like family though. 3y
dimedgirl @SeaToSkyes I agree! I was actually surprised how nice the siblings were to C (maybe the cinderella retelling made me think they would be meaner?). I think it‘s also important to show how important friendships can be, and although sad she doesn‘t fit in with her actual family as well, she found belonging with her friend. 3y
SeaToSkyes @dimedgirl I was afraid that would happen, too. I was just waiting for it! I'm glad it didn't turn out that way! 3y
9 likes3 comments
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Tattooedteacher
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Murphy begins the story with a prologue showing Cindy as a young girl. How did that impact the way you viewed Cindy as an adult? Could Murphy have started the story without it? #septbuddyread

SeaToSkyes I don't really think it was necessary honestly. The only way I can see it fitting in with the adult Cindy is to show how feisty she is as a child that continues on to her adulthood. 3y
dimedgirl I think it was a good way to introduce C‘s relationship w/ her father and start her origin story with shoes. Is it necessary? Probably not. I could definitely understand the story without it, but it sets the tone for the next chapters. Maybe even a flashback later on in the book to this scene would be nice for me to guess why she loves shoes so much. 3y
36 likes2 comments
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Roary47
If the Shoe Fits | Julie Murphy
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I‘ve been holding onto this a while, but finally had time to open it. My next #onceuponabookclub box. I‘m really excited to get reading!