Scan barcode
phastings's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Love the representation!
lexalehnus's review against another edition
3.5
I liked it well enough. 3.5 stars. I liked the idea of it all and I have read a reality TV show/Bachelor set book before, although it was a little different. It was The Charmed Offensive by Alison Cochrun and in this one the main couple was the Bachelor and his handler, so slightly different but same setting. I loved that book and I think a part of it is because it has what I feel like some of what If the Shoe Fits is missing.
mamakbear1116's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Adorable. Read in two sittings and would gladly devour a dozen more books about these characters. A much better done version of the same story, more or less, found in One to Watch.
imaginenat's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll give it 2.5 ⭐️ so I rounded up to 3 mostly because I thought the narrator for the audiobook did a great job. It was a cute, sweet, and easy romance read, but there are lots of great books that fit the same bill that I have enjoyed more. The characters were lacking depth, so most of the story felt very surface level. This modern take on a Cinderella type of story was just different enough to peak my interest, but it was obviously predictable, and everyone felt just a little too “nice”…and the stakes just never seemed high enough for our main characters.
suzesbooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
monalisalisa's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars ⭐
This novel follows Cindy as she offers to take part in her step-mother's reality TV show. That's the basic synopsis that you need going into this novel.
To be honest I was struggling in the beginning to like Cindy but she definitely grew on me. The real issues with me were the male lead and the lack of drama. He felt distant and bland to me, as if he was just there as a prop when he should be the bachelor who you would think has a bigger impact in the story. I felt like Cindy had more chemistry with the girls in the house than she does with him. The main characters entire career on the show basically is supposed to lie in his hands but it felt like he was just there as a puppet. Maybe that was the point to say that reality TV show stars don't have much say in what happens in the show and if that was the case I don't think it was done right in my opinion.
The other thing was that there was barely any drama within the house. If you are going to do a reality TV show book with the main character being a contestant, I would assume there would be more drama than just one person creating the drama (which in the book there was). Whether the drama is created by the producers or the character themselves, Idwouldn't have minded either. They tried to but it just fell flat for me.
Overall it was a nice quick and easy read but I feel like One To Watch did a slightly better execution of this Bachelor/Bachelorette types of books.
This novel follows Cindy as she offers to take part in her step-mother's reality TV show. That's the basic synopsis that you need going into this novel.
To be honest I was struggling in the beginning to like Cindy but she definitely grew on me. The real issues with me were the male lead and the lack of drama. He felt distant and bland to me, as if he was just there as a prop when he should be the bachelor who you would think has a bigger impact in the story. I felt like Cindy had more chemistry with the girls in the house than she does with him. The main characters entire career on the show basically is supposed to lie in his hands but it felt like he was just there as a puppet. Maybe that was the point to say that reality TV show stars don't have much say in what happens in the show and if that was the case I don't think it was done right in my opinion.
The other thing was that there was barely any drama within the house. If you are going to do a reality TV show book with the main character being a contestant, I would assume there would be more drama than just one person creating the drama (which in the book there was). Whether the drama is created by the producers or the character themselves, Idwouldn't have minded either. They tried to but it just fell flat for me.
Overall it was a nice quick and easy read but I feel like One To Watch did a slightly better execution of this Bachelor/Bachelorette types of books.
live_laughlovereading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
boundinspines's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a feel good book. It just made my heart smile.
the_escape_artist_'s review against another edition
5.0
I have nothing but good things to say about this book. It definitely borders on YA and for that reason isn’t the deepest or most challenging of books, but the characters felt authentic, and the story had amazing flow with just enough twists.
Some high points - step sitters step mom not being evil! Murphy perfectly captured that odd feeling of being an adult step child and not knowing exactly how that dynamic works once the bio-parent isn’t navigating the relationship any more.
The relationships between the contestants - despite some mean girls, the relationships between the women felt really authentic and natural. Yes there are jealousies and competition but the majority of their interactions where kind a supportive, which is my experience as a woman
The plus size rep - the back handed compliments, the lack of wardrobe, the resentment by those who had to give her the slightest accommodations, the insecurity popping up despite being a confident body positive person, Julie Murphy does plus size rep like no one else.
I have teen daughters and I will be leaving a copy for each of them. Books that are this fun, but have some meaning are rare indeed!
Some high points - step sitters step mom not being evil! Murphy perfectly captured that odd feeling of being an adult step child and not knowing exactly how that dynamic works once the bio-parent isn’t navigating the relationship any more.
The relationships between the contestants - despite some mean girls, the relationships between the women felt really authentic and natural. Yes there are jealousies and competition but the majority of their interactions where kind a supportive, which is my experience as a woman
The plus size rep - the back handed compliments, the lack of wardrobe, the resentment by those who had to give her the slightest accommodations, the insecurity popping up despite being a confident body positive person, Julie Murphy does plus size rep like no one else.
I have teen daughters and I will be leaving a copy for each of them. Books that are this fun, but have some meaning are rare indeed!
bikuromi3456's review against another edition
4.0
4 i really liked it, i just wish the couple had more scenes together but it was super sweet and i enjoyed the writing style