Review: A Merry Little Meet Cute

I was so incredibly excited about Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone’s Christmas book, A Merry Little Meet Cute, that I actually read it really close to its publication date. Which was, um, September 20. And here we are in *checks calendar* December and I’m finally writing about it. Oops. I’ve been shouting about to everyone who will listen though (and even some who won’t…) because I found this holiday offering so entertaining!

Here's the book’s description:

Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldn’t ask for more. But when Bee’s favorite producer casts her to star in a Christmas movie he’s making for the squeaky-clean Hope Channel, Bee’s career is about to take a more family-friendly direction.
Forced to keep her work as Bianca under wraps, Bee quickly learns this is a task a lot easier said than done. Though it all becomes worthwhile when she discovers her co-star is none other than childhood crush Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Nolan’s promised his bulldog manager to keep it zipped up on set, and he will if it means he’ll be able to provide a more stable living situation for his sister and mom.
But things heat up quickly in Christmas Notch, Vermont, when Nolan recognizes his new co-star from her ClosedDoors account (oh yeah, he’s a member). Now Bee and Nolan are sneaking off for quickies on set, keeping their new relationship a secret from the Hope Channel’s execs. Things only get trickier when the reporter who torpedoed Nolan’s singing career comes snooping around—and takes an instant interest in mysterious newcomer Bee.
And if Bee and Nolan can’t keep their off-camera romance behind the scenes, then this merry little meet cute might end up on the cutting room floor.

Personally, I’ve been describing this book as a sex-positive, fat-positive, holiday rom com with A LOT OF STEAM. It’s light on the actual Christmas celebrations and heavy on the sexy times. Prepare your reading mood appropriately.

Is this book perfect? Oh, definitely not. I didn’t get a good enough sense of Nolan and the two characters’ voices just didn’t quite seem distinct enough. The whole premise is laughable if you think about it too much (so I suggest you don’t – that’s part of the fun). But it’s so damn entertaining that you can’t help but love it, at least a little. That’s why I’ve been recommending it to so many people. It’s fun and a really great escape for a hectic time of year.

What also helped was I really liked both Bee and Nolan. They were great main characters, and I was deeply invested in their lives – both together and as separate people. Murphy and Simone created two people who were flawed, who had to fight against their circumstances, and were just such a joy to read about.

Anyone who enjoys festive-lite reads that are smart, funny, and sexy must pick up A Merry Little Meet Cute. Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone have created a novel that’s delightful and fun but also full of heart and important topics. The novel doesn’t take itself seriously but it’s not a joke, either. It’s so much fun and perfect for curling up with this holiday season.

*An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: If the Shoe Fits

If the Shoe Fits was my first ever Julie Murphy book. I know, I know! I've been hearing rave reviews of all of her books since Dumplin' was just about to release way back in 2015. I just hadn't read her books since YA isn't my go to anymore. Cue her latest novel, just published on August 3, which featured a new grad in a Cinderella-esque story. I was all in. And when I read it? I was the heart eyes emoji personified the entire time. I loved it.

Here's the book's description:

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 inspiration-and love-in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own. 

This novel was too much fun and had characters I completely fell in love with. I was rooting for Cindy the entire time and it's no surprise viewers of Before Midnight loved her too. She was smart and funny and I wanted to hang out with her and her best friend, Sierra. Cindy was floundering, as one does when one has lost both their parents and is dealing with finishing up college with no real idea how things will go after graduation. Her grief is real but it didn't define her or her story. Murphy created a heroine who was so real and and layered. Reading as Cindy learned how to write her own Happily Ever After was wonderful.

Murphy found a great balance of poking fun at the Bachelor(ette) franchise while also not alienating anyone who enjoys the show. As someone who used to watch it all the time, I appreciated that balance so much. It is ridiculous but, as Beck, Cindy's stepmom's protege, explains, it's a massive platform that can be used for good. Like having a plus size woman trying (and maybe succeeding?) to win an eligible bachelor's heart on national television. The behind-the-scenes scenes were so good and helped remind the reader that reality tv really isn't reality. 

I really liked that this was a kind of sort of but not really Cinderella type story. Given I have my own evil stepmother (who, thankfully, hasn't been part of my life in eons), this can sometimes be a trigger (which is a problem when I love Cinderella stories...). Sooo I was really happy when the relationship between Cindy, her stepmom and stepsisters was rock solid. Plus, being a lover of Disney's Cinderella, I thought it was TOO CUTE that one of Cindy's triplet half-siblings was named Gus! 

I'm absolutely thrilled that If the Shoe Fits is the first in a series and I cannot wait to read the next book. The first installment was so funny and smart and also swoony and had an ending that I thought was absolutely perfect. I'm definitely going to try to make some time for Julie Murphy's backlist sooner rather than later.

*An egalley was provided by the publisher, Disney Books, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*