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Eleanor Lynn Reads

Eleanor Lynn Reads

If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy: Book Review

September 18, 2021

white hand holds a kindle displaying the colorized cover of If The Shoe Fits in front Cinderella’s castle at Disney World

If The Shoe Fits

by Julie Murphy

Rating: 5/5 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Steam: Closed Door
Publisher: Disney
Pub Date: August 3, 2021
Thank you Disney and NetGalley for my Advanced Copy! You're the best!
Available: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop

If The Shoe Fits Synopsis: Cindy is fresh out of fashion school, but without any job offers and her creative bank empty she moves back in with her stepmom and siblings in LA. With her mother’s dating reality tv show needing an additional contestant Cindy steps in, hoping that she can use this opportunity to show off her designs and land a job. But as the franchise’s first plus-size contestant she becomes a sensation overnight. Now she just needs to make it to the end and not lose her heart in the process.

If The Shoe Fits Review:

When I got If The Shoe Fits in April as an eARC (thank you!!!) I was over the moon excited! A plus size princess retelling published through Disney?!? By a queen herself!?!

I loved this book. I think I’ve read it now four times? But I know this is going to be one that I come back to again and again. It is validating and charming in a way that I’ve personally needed. I cried the first time I read it through, like in a good way. Anyway that you look at this book it is incredibly sweet and such a great read.

Loves:

Cindy is fat. Not a little above the average size like with so many other medias. Nah, she’s fat and she owns it. Cindy makes people use the word fat. She doesn’t apologize for taking up more space. Cindy knows she is just as worthy to be on the dating show as any other contestant. More importantly, she freaking calls out fatphobia throughout this book and honestly that was so freaking refreshing!!

The depiction being fat in society made me feel so seen. I work in the fashion industry and each one of Cindy’s statements about it made me punch the air and go “Yes! That’s so true!”. Everything from wanting good fashion, to shoes, to the accessories statements. 100% true. If you aren’t fat, go ask someone who is on their opinion of shoes and accessories.

The bachelor setting of the book felt good. The women in the show supported each other, but also had that edge of competition. The characters were fleshed out in a way that made them real. I appreciates the well developed characters. There was a lot of diversity within it that developed the story and weren’t just added in a token characters.

Fine tuning the Cinderella story. This book does not follow the typical norm of Cinderella. It’s a warmer retelling. I don’t want to spill any of the details, but it was just so great to not have villainous women throughout the book.

Henry. Oh Henry. You sweet, sweet man. From the meet cute to the end I loved you. You’re funny and caring. I want you in my life. I wish you had been able to have a more involved character arc, but I love you nonetheless. Their romance was sweet, no spice, which was what I had expected from Murphy as she typically writes YA.

Meh:

I had two small problems one fixable the other not really.

The fixable one was that I wish the characters had been able to develop their relationship more. Cindy and Henry could have easily used more time together to really make you cheer them on. Because as the book stand their relationship felt rushed. And I get it. Bachelor/Bachelorette reality TV settings are that way. So it’s not a big deal breaker for me and the book is left in a way that you’re happy with it and believing in them.

The not fixable problem is that it ended. Why did it have to end? I know why, but my heart would have been so much happier with another 300 pages. Even then I’d probably want 300 more, so not fixable for the book and is something that perhaps I should address internally. Maybe. Julie Murphy, just write me a million more books please and thank you.

Long Story Short

Do I recommend this book? HELL YES. READ THIS BOOK. If you’re plus, definitely read it. I cried the good tears. Thank you, Julie Murphy🥺. I don’t even know how else to explain to you that you need this. It’s adorable and cute and positive and reassuring. Loved it.

If You Like This One…

I would highly recommend checking out Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (review here). It also features a plus size woman finding love with a famous man. It’s a lot steamier and just hits the spot in a different way while still giving you the happiness.

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in Book Reviews, Romance # ARC, Cinderella Retelling, Contemporary, Disney, HEA, Plus-Size, Romance

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Hello my name is Eleanor and I'm so glad you're here! I am a self proclaimed bookworm interested in all things happily ever after. I hope that you find some good reads and I can destroy your TBR!

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Just preorder this book. Denise Williams does it Just preorder this book.

Denise Williams does it again writing another favorite book of mine💕💕.

5⭐️ | Contemporary Romance | Explicit

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

Out September 6, 2022

To be completely fair in this review I have absolutely adored everything Williams has written up to this point. And Do You Take This Man is no exception to my Williams love. 

This book was full of character development, steam, banter, and an entertaining plot. Come on it’s ENEMIES WITH BENEFITS!!!

This is the second romance book I’ve read with a divorce lawyer FMC in the last month, and I’m not upset about it. I adored this book. 

RJ is prickly and has her walls up high. I loved her transformation and growth in the book. The fact that she ordains weddings is the icing on the cake for me (hahaha). Her back story through her work relationships are beautiful and the way she is there for her friends is so great to read. I loved RJ but her life would be HECTIC to live.

Lear is one of those amazing MMCs that start off in one place but peeling back each of the layers creates an even better character. He starts as a bit of a prick, but as the story unfolds and you start to get more glimpses of him you understand why and end up fully in love with this sweet man.

While the book is fully centered around a character driven plot and their character arcs, there are enough secondary plots to continuously help propel the story forward while bringing out key elements of the characters. 

It’s incredibly done and you don’t realize how masterful it is until you’ve finished and sat with yourself a long time. Williams is an expert story crafter, and I don’t think myself or anyone else can properly sing her praises.

Do I recommend this book? Yes! 1000% yes I recommend picking up this book. The banter, wit, chemistry, and character development are all top notch in this book and I think it will appeal to almost every contemporary romance reader. 

Highly recommend for those who like Emily Henry, Olivia Dade, or Andie Christopher! An absolutely wonderful book (that I already preordered after reading this ARC because I NEED it in physical form).
Have I mentioned what a HOLD this book has over @u Have I mentioned what a HOLD this book has over @unsuccessfulbookclub and I? I couldn’t help myself with this one. It’s perfect.

Also if you’re uninterested in reading this book even with this info (which is only the beginning of the sheer awesomeness that is this book) idk what to tell you.

Mia and Vander are that couple💕.

#bookishreels #bookreels #EloisaJames #FourNightsWithTheDuke #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalRomanceNovel #HistoricalRomanceReader #RomanceNovel #RomanceBook #RomanceReader #romancestagram #romancestagrammer #RomanceBookstagram #romancebookworm #bookworm #bookreel
I truly believe reading this book has changed who I truly believe reading this book has changed who I am as a person. Mia, Vander, Chuffy, and Charlie will forever hold a piece of my heart. 

Seriously if you want the BOOK RIDE OF YOUR LIFE AND TO MELT INTO A PILE OF GOO READ THIS BOOK!

5 ⭐️ | Historical Romance | Explicit

CW: adultery, fatphobia, emotional abuse (mostly off page), opium use (off page), physical abuse (off page), ableism, and alcoholism 

First and foremost, thank you @unsuccessfulbookclub for this serendipitous buddy read. I am forever in your debt.

Where do I even begin with this book? It starts with a poorly written poem by a lovestruck teen, embarrassment, parental adultery, blackmail, and a proposal scene to top them all. TBH this proposal is perhaps the most entertaining I've ever read.

From here we dive into the heart of the story which does have a lot of plot, but the growth of the characters is where it shines. Peeling back carefully constructed layers and bringing all of the skeletons out of the closet.

Evander Septimus Brody is officially tied with Frank Tripp for favorite book boyfriend. I said what I said. Three points to him: Charlie, the DOOR, the F-ing ending of this book.

Mia is in over her head throughout the book, but is still in control the entire time. She's smart, sweet, and has some serious self-esteem issues.

Charlie and Chuffy are the side characters of your dreams. And Jafeer!

I could go on and on, but just know that Clare and I basically were screaming at each other in delight in our DMs because how perfect this book is. I scared people on the metro giggling. I went to the library to secure a physical copy because I needed it in my hands along with listening. 

I will be buying this book and highlighting it with little hearts like a lovesick teen. It's that good.

All in all, read this book and PLEASE get in my DMs while you do because this is peak serotonin for me.

#EloisaJames #FourNightsWithTheDuke #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalRomanceNovel #HistoricalRomanceReader #RomanceNovel #BookReview #RomanceBook #RomanceReader #romancestagram #romancestagrammer #RomanceBookstagram #romancebookworm #bookworm #bookish #massmarket #Romance #ReadThisBook
Welcome to my new series called: Romance Tropes & Welcome to my new series called: Romance Tropes & Country Throwbacks🤠

Long story short I was listening to old country and realized how well it paired with a trope. Then imagine me masterminding about 15 songs with tropes🫣-thank you @unsuccessfulbookclub for helping me with this rabbit hole. 

So buckle up, because we’ve got some book recs and throwbacks!

Trope: Second Chance Romance
Song: Austin by Blake Shelton

Second chance romance might be *that* trope for me. There’s something about finding love with the same person at the right time that I love. Plus it’s always so angsty and I adore it!!

Books Shown in Reel:
Every Summer After by Carly Fortune
To Have and To Hoax by Martha Waters
The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren
Saint by Sierra Simone
Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas
A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria
Coming Home to Seashell Harbor
An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire by Manda Collins
An Heiress to Remember by Maya Rodale
Unwritten Rules by KD Casey
The Hellion and The Hero by Emily Sullivan
Sliding Home by Jaqueline Snowe
First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel

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#HistoricalRomanceReader #EmilySullivan #MayaRodale #RomanceBooks #Bookstagram #BookRecommendations #RomanceReads #BookReel #BookStack #HistoricalRomance #bookworm #romancestagram #romancestagrammer #SecondChanceRomance #TropesAndThrowbacks #RoniLoren #MandaCollins #AlexisDaria #MirandaLiasson #ForeverPub #BerkleyRomance #SajniPatel #KDCasey #MarthaWaters #JaquelineSnowe #CarlyFortune
Ugh I really wanted to like this book. I mean I Ugh I really wanted to like this book. 

I mean I pretook this photo because the cover is gorgeous and the premise!!! (Hence this review bc I’m not letting this photo go to waste)

The premise of this book is amazing. A plus size black woman having to be the model for lingerie and also is the creative director of it and falling in love with her rival!?!?

But honestly I DNF’d about 80% through because I couldn’t do the last roughly 60ish pages.

Where did it go wrong? Well first of all when is a 36D plus size? Boo, you can get lingerie easily… (which btw why is this lingerie described as Torrid (🤢) to the extreme???)

But beyond that the timeline is constantly jumping so pacing feels way off. Reid (mmc/li/rival) does some questionable agreements with the lingerie brand that are hard to get over AND IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE. Like I would never forgive him if I were Cassie (fmc).

I can read through bland relationships in romance but SOMETHING has to make up for it. The friendships didn’t seem genuine at all and felt inconsistent.

I WILL say that I am going to give Jackson another try if another of her books is published because I did like her writing. I thought it flowed easily and I really liked her voice. Just the plot and the characters not so much.

And yes I’m counting this is my reading count for the year because that ~80% was EARNED💁🏻‍♀️.

Also this is my PSA to let you know DNFing is good for you. There are too many better books for you to read. (Unless you’re enjoying your hate read—which then go forth!)

Typically I try not to be too negative and I’m a pretty easily pleased by books but I couldn’t. 

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#TheAccidentalPinup #BerkleyPublishing #BerkleyRomance #Berkley #RomCom #RomanceNovel #RomanceBook #ContemporaryRomance #RomanceReader #romancestagram #RomanceBookstagram #BookReview #bookstagram #bookish #BooksAndCoffee #DNF #bookworm #bookgrammer #BookBlogger #EnemiesToLovers #plussize
💕ARC Book Review💕 5⭐️ | Historical Roma 💕ARC Book Review💕

5⭐️ | Historical Romance | Explicit

Ummm, hello my favorite book😍. I’ve seriously been here with all my emotions with this book since March (thank you @readforeverpub !!!) and it is time.

Do you like second chance romance? Persuasion vibes? Starchy ex naval officers turned body guard with a sexy cane? A society woman determined to run her factory ethically? Monte Cristo? BATHTUB AND CARRIAGE scenes —and a bed scene that is 🤌!!!

The way this book has my soul. Georgiana and Henry met 8 years ago during the season, then due to ~circumstances~ they didn’t end up together. Georgiana got married to an awful man and Henry went into Naval Intelligence. Now the gangs back together because Georgiana’s being threatened.

Seriously though, the character development, the steam, the plot, literally everything about this book I love. The flashbacks to the past are perfectly placed too. I cannot wait to hold a physical copy in my hands. I’ve reread it countless times now. 

So thank you Emily Sullivan for crafting this MASTERPIECE. 

This is the third book in the series, I highly recommend at least reading the second one before this one as there’s character overlap, but if not I still think you could get the plot and characters, just not all the details.

PS expect me only to become more insufferable about this series because y’all need to read it.

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#TheHellionAndTheHero #EmilySullivan #RomanceBooks #HistoricalRomance #ForeverPublishing #HistoricalRomanceNovel #historicalromancereaders #historicalromancebooks #ARogueToRemember #TheRebelAndTheRake #RomanceReader #RomanceNovel #ARC #NetGalley #romancestagram #romancestagrammer #romancebookstagram #romancebookstagram #romancenovels #romancereads #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookstagrammer #bookflatlay #bookpics #bookworms #bookworm #KindleFire
I love historical romances, but like I don’t alw I love historical romances, but like I don’t always want a 18-22 year old virgin heroine…

Here is a small compilation of historical romances with experienced leading ladies😘:

Esme: The Return of the Duke by Lorraine Heath
Beatrice: An Heiress to Remember by Maya Rodale
Reagan: Tempest by Beverly Jenkins
Florence: The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe
Helena: A Lady Tempts an Heir by Harper St George
Sylvia: The Rebel and The Rake by Emily Sullivan
Georgiana: The Hellion and The Hero by Emily Sullivan
Serena: Say You’ll Be My Lady by Kate Pembrooke
Margery: A Duke Worth Fighting For by Christina Britton
Spring: Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins
Violet: A Lady’s Formula For Love by Elizabeth Everette
Letitia: A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everette

Ones that I forgot that I’m throwing in after making the reel😵‍💫:
Sesily: Bombshell by Sarah MacLean
Deliah: Lady Derring Takes A Lover by Julie Anne Long

Let me know which ones I’m missing/need to read!!

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#HistoricalRomanceReader #JoannaShupe #EmilySullivan #HarperStGeorge #MayaRodale #ChristinaBritton #ElizabethEverette #BeverlyJenkins #RomanceBooks #Bookstagram #BookRecommendations #RomanceReads #BookReel #BookStack #HistoricalRomance #bookworm #romancestagram #romancestagrammer #LorraineHeath
⚾️Book Review⚾️ 4.5⭐️ | Contemporary ⚾️Book Review⚾️

4.5⭐️ | Contemporary Romance | Explicit

Shout out to this book keeping me company in ride lines💕. I read this entire book in Disney it was that good!!

It’s the second in the Out Of the Park series by Jaqueline Snowe, and I do recommend reading them in order. It’ll help.

I ADORED this novel. It’s a second chance romance that has all of the feels. Michelle and Brooks used to be a thing 2 years ago but she suddenly called it off. Now he’s back playing for the professional baseball team and wants her back. Yeah, it’s that kind of book👀🔥.

She’s the grumpy one and he’s little mr romantic. And their dynamic is so perfect. The chemistry is phenomenal from page one and ugh it pulls on your heart strings. Plus it leads to the steamier scenes which are 10/10!!!

There is a lot of heavier themes like Alzheimer’s, drug abuse (off page), child abuse (off page), neglect (off page), and emotional abuse (mostly off page, some questionable at the end).

All in all I highly recommend this book and also recommend bringing your kindle to amusement parks😂.

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#BaseballRomance #RomanceBook #RomanceNovel #Baseball #SportsRomance #SlidingHome #JaquelineSnowe #OutOfTheParkSeries #OutOfThePark #KindleBook #KindleRomance #RomanceReads #RomanceNovel #RomanceBook #RomanceReader #RomanceReadersOfInstagram #NewAdultRomance #SecondChanceRomance #SecondChance #bookstagram #bookreview #BookRecommendation #romancestagram #BookBlogger
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