If the Shoe Fits

by Stephanie Rowe

Run hard. Run fast. Just don't try to run in heels. Especially if your name is Paris Jackson and you're fashion-impaired. Designer labels and stilettos aren't exactly Paris's thing. Give her a pair of sneakers and she s a happy woman. That's why she's spending nights designing running shoes for her start-up company, and why she doesn't have time for an ex-husband on a therapy quest, a boyfriend who's changing all the rules, and a confusing attraction to the boss about to fire her from her day job. And now people are telling her the way to succeed is through high-fashion shoes. Those will only trip Paris up. Won't they? She s about to find out.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Literature

325 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Hailed as a "paranormal star!" by J.R. Ward, Stephanie Rowe is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty-five novels. She is the 2018 RITA® winner for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as a five-time nominee for this prestigious award. For more on Stephanie and her books, visit her at www.stephaneierowe.com, or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StephanieRow....

A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.

Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.

Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.

Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.

Reviews

[I ♥ Bookie Nookie (bookienookiereviews.blogspot.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally, I wouldn't have bothered with a book with a rating in the twos. I thought the story sounded cute and I needed something fun and easy to read...and it was. I think I related to the story even more so, because a friend of mine just recently had the man she claimed as "the love of her life" and "the one that got away and broke her heart" reentered her life and she realizes she built him up in her mind and as much she may have once loved him--he just grates on her nerves now. She was sad, but I think it great that she can move on and know they were not meant to be and quit thinking about what might have been. That is a little of what this story is about.

The main story is about going after your dreams and the sacrifices you are willing to make in order to realize those dreams. There are 3 love interest for the main character--interestingly enough, I was rooting for all three men! They were very likable. There was a majorly surprising secret that was uncovered--that was a big twist that help lay groundwork for the path she ultimately chose.

It was a light and easy read--definitely chic-lit. I think this one has really been underrated--don't be deterred by the lower rating. It was cute.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews

___________________________________________________
If you like this type of book, you might enjoy one of these groups. Check us out!

Menage Readers

Erotic Enchants

Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! After the first few pages I thought it was going to be just another typical chick lit book, twenty-something heroine trying to focus on a career and find Mr. Right, though I'd had high hopes becasue I love Stephanie Rowe's Immortally Sexy series. My hopes were very well met, and the more I read the more I got into it. The writing is breezy and amusing, and while on the surface the description above does fit, underneath is a deep story (and this may be a bit of a spoiler so don't scroll down if you hate those)


















about a group of friends still dealing with their emotions and life after the death of one of their own five years earlier.

And usually with a typical chick lit (or typical romance) you know who the heroine will end up with in the end, but our heroine here had three sexy men in her life, and I was kept guessing until pretty close to the end as to which one would be the true love. And when I decided it was one guy, it turned out not to be him!

[Burouj · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want mindless reading - and I stress the word mindless -, it's an okay book. The book is quite simple = she's got a lot of problems and by the end of the book, they all magically go away! yay!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda boring. I struggled to finish the book.

[Ellyn (Mrs. Darcy in my Dreams) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Started out really week and immature. Decided to move on to something else.

[Linda Delapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun read! Perfect for a summer or car ride! Kind of a short ending, but I enjoy the read...anything about shoes! This could be about Cole Haan shoes....which I love to wear!!!!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this light read, it had all the emotions I laughed and I cried

[Jen Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok. She's got some shitty friends in her life. Some other interesting characters. She's questioning "feelings" between 3 different men. Trying to start her own business.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really slow start. But a happy ending. Nothing to deep great mindless read after a long day.

[SW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok this was the perfect book just want I needed a happy Ending a perfect chick Lit book. Although i do agree that her freaking friends just killed me. I mean really Jodie keeping that big of a secret for so long and NEVER telling Paris? And everyone hung up on Seth's death that they can't even move on. What her ex-husband did with Jodie? I wanted to KILL Jodie. I don't think I could forgive a girlfriend if they ever did that me to I mean that's the biggest NO NO ever! Where's the Girl-code Police when you need it!? Which only made me LOVE Lindsey more. Will was the best although I am kinda annoyed that the first sign of disaster with Paris he runs back to She-Bitch... Oh well that's what makes the story juicy. The whole secret thing dragged on for SOOOO long and there were all these excuses for Paris never asking Jodie about it by the time the secret came out; well I wasn't surprised at all. I kinda figured it out. And I hate when the author drags it out for so long I'm able to figure it out myself and ruin the surprise that they built up! But don't get me wrong I loved this I stayed up "reading" it (i listened to the audiobook) just to find out if I was right about Jodie's secret, which I was. I'm happy about the ending. It felt a little rushed; but i'm glad everything ended up tied up with a neat little bow like a good chick lit book is suppose to make you feel. Not something I'd pick up again but it was a good break from my paranormal teenage angst love triangle from hell reading i've been torturing myself with.

[Colleen Scidmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book about a 3.25.

Paris lost her college boyfriend and her ex-husband 5 years ago surrounding a serious tragedy. Since then Paris has gone from a shredded clingy mess to a strong relationship phobic type of woman. She has taken her love of running and is trying to turn it into a profitable business with the perfect running shoe. But she's hit some snags along the way. She can't get financial backing for her SFoam for the running shoes, which she has been working on for four long years. Which means her CEO title to her company doesn't mean squat. Her no strings attached relationship with her business partner and best friend Will is about to implode because her sleaze bag ex-husband Greg has come back into town to work out his baggage with Paris. She's thinking about her boss of her paying job at the bank, Thad as more than just a boss as he stars as the fantasy lover of her daydreams in little more than a bow tie and a leopard thong. And at the same time she's in danger of losing her day job, which is her only means to an income. Her friend Lindsey is set on killing herself with her death defying hobbies and her other friend Jodi seems to have some serious secrets that could affect their friendship as well as working relationship. With some serious drama, a lot of laughs, and some shed tears you get to see if they can make PWJ, their friendship and love lives work.

This was a perfect easy read and is a feel good kind of book where you know it's going to have a happy ending. Which is the perfect kind of reading sometimes!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...probably wouldn't have finished this except I was listening to the book and just kept going (its so hard for me to not finish a book!)

I wanted to like Paris and her friends but they all felt so fake and too mature (though there is plenty of immaturity) for being in their mid 20's.

Summary: Behind every successful woman Is the right pair of shoes. Run hard. Run fast. Just don't try to run in heels. Especially if your name is Paris Jackson and you're fashion-impaired. Designer labels and stilettos aren't exactly Paris's thing. Give her a pair of sneakers and she's a happy woman. That's why she's spending nights designing running shoes for her start-up company, and why she doesn't have time for an ex-husband on a therapy quest. A best friend with a death wish. A mom who has suddenly developed an obsession with funerals and sexy ex-cons, a boyfriend who's changing all the rules, and a confusing attraction to the boss about to fire her from her day job. And now people are telling her the way to succeed is through high-fashion shoes. Those will only trip Paris up. Won't they? She's about to find out.

[Monkeyface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to If The Shoe Fits by Stephanie Rowe. Behind Every Successful Woman Is the Right Pair of Shoes. Run hard. Run fast. Just don't try to run in heels. Especially if your name is Paris Jackson and you're fashion-impaired. Designer labels and stilettos aren't exactly Paris's thing. Give her a pair of sneakers and she's a happy woman. That's why she's spending nights designing running shoes for her start-up company, and why she doesn't have time for an ex-husband on a therapy quest. A best friend with a death wish. A mom who has suddenly developed an obsession with funerals and sexy ex-cons, a boyfriend who's changing all the rules, and a confusing attraction to the boss about to fire her from her day job. And now people are telling her the way to succeed is through high-fashion shoes. Those will only trip Paris up. Won't they? She's about to find out. I though it was funny and I did enjoy it. I give it 3 stars and a 5 an ok read.

[Annice22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in less than a day because I just could not put it down. I had to know what was going to happen with JWP, Inc., whether Paris was every going to achieve her dreams and see her company succeed, and if all the people in her life truly had her best interest at heart.

I know that this is Chick-lit but there was a lot of real world experience that you can take away from this such as: trust your gut instinct, never give up on your dream but don't be afraid to make adjustment, learn to think with your head and not just with your heart, and sometimes you have to take off the rose colored glasses to really see a person.

I would truly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Run hard. Run fast. Just don't try to run in heels. Especially if your name is Paris Jackson and you're fashion-impaired. Designer labels and stilettos aren't exactly Paris's thing. Give her a pair of sneakers and she s a happy woman. That's why she's spending nights designing running shoes for her start-up company, and why she doesn't have time for an ex-husband on a therapy quest, a boyfriend who's changing all the rules, and a confusing attraction to the boss about to fire her from her day job. And now people are telling her the way to succeed is through high-fashion shoes. Those will only trip Paris up. Won't they? She s about to find out.

Casual intercourse and anti-child themes were a bummer. Some interesting person relationships.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like the main character or the story.

This is definitely a chic-lit book. I prefer romance novels. The story is about a woman's stresses and indecisions over work, friends and lovers. I didn't admire or like her. Because of her dream job at night, she was doing a poor job at the bank and that bothered me. No integrity. She would make up sicknesses to get out of work at the bank. I wasn't drawn into the story or other characters that much, except for Will, one of her lovers. I didn't laugh. Nothing surprised or delighted me other than having a happy ending. I would not recommend it.

[Sarah]

The story moved very slowly. I listened to more than I expected to, because I kept waiting for something to happen; for the story to start. It seemed to be mostly back story and filler. By the time the plot started, I had decided I hated the main character. She was shallow, whiny and annoying.

According to the summary, I didn't make it to a lot of the story. I never met her mom, or learned anything about high-fashion shoes. I did get a lot of whining about how Paris' start-up company was failing, how hot her boss was, and how evil her ex-husband is. Not much plot, and definitely not enough to keep me interested.

[CMG (Mac) · Rating 1 out of 5]

among the worst books ever. needs an editor. for example, I took a gulp of my wine. Our drinks arrived. Sparkling water for me. No wine, I needed a clear head for this night. huh? another example, talking on the phone... he says: dinner? I nod my head. huh? These could be forgivable if there was a decent plot or logic. if she says "i'm in" for a death wish adventure, why is she surprised when the trip becomes adventureous. (This is not a spolier.) I keep trying to give it chance but I'm going to have to toss this one in the garbage. I don't care how it ends. (For context, there are only three books out of thousands I've never finished-I feel compelled to finish books, not this one.)

[Slone · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the main character kind of whiny, and backsliding, and indecisive. The "secret" was very guessable, although the author made it kind of a wacky stack: Yes, that happened, but this even more dramatic thing happened, too! (I didn't guess the topper.) And then climax kinda made me sick. Almost as though the author disliked her as much as I did and decided to try to kill her ... but couldn't quite go through with it. Frankly, I wish she had died. If I felt confident Paris would maintain her growth, I'd feel more kindly toward her, but ... she has a history of waffling.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the last remaining books in my "loaner" pile. Not my preferred genre but it held my attention surprisingly well. I have about 50 more pages and I just want to choke some sense into the main character. She gets on my last nerve and this Jodi secret better be juicy. With that said, I'm pretty sure this is the last Stephanie Rowe book I'll read.

I'm done now. Still three stars and the big secret was pretty obvious. It was a decent read but since the main character was so annoying for so long I gave it a generous three stars.

[Michelle Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I'd given up on chick-lit for quite a while now. Maybe OD'd on it for a while there. But this was a great story. It may be Chick Lit and cover the same types of character issues, but I liked the characters an they were STONG not too girly or goofy, or dizzy, or "blonde". Strong independant women, taking chances and making decisions that cause them to feel nervous, afraid, and needing to rely on the faith of their friends to be brave enough to follow their own paths!

[Amitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, breezy chick lit, though at times I had to suspend my disbelief. She started a running shoe company without knowing anything about shoes? She didn't notice her boyfriend studying hard to get into med school despite the fact they spent so much time together? (and you don't take the GMATs to get into med school but I suppose I'll let that one go). And the end wrap-up chapter was a little...strange. But I enjoyed the story nonetheless.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was predictable, BUT ... it also had a decent plot that surrounded the love-story. There were a couple of points that the characters had to deal with life issues/questions that I have asked myself before. Was actually a pretty good book! I would read a second on the series if there was one! I will likely see what other books I can get of hers.

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books reads like the author never decided if it should be chick lit or a more serious look at the protagonist's career and the stages of grief, and as a result it doesn't really succeed at either one.

[Dana (Dana and the Books) · Rating 1 out of 5]

A really unbelievable novel with an unrealistic interpretation of life.

I hated the main character. She whined and relied on her friend and didn't have the ability to think for herself. Her friends were equally stupid aand self centred.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun "girl book" that was a quick read. I was guessing who'd Paris would end with in the end, almost until it was revealed. Not a complicated read, nor one that makes you think, but sometimes it's nice to read something quick easy and light ;)

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was not the best book. I like how it was written with a bit of attitude, like you were really in the head of the character. The book had a lot of boring parts, and parts where I felt very frustrated by way what going on. Like the ending, but I think it could have been better.

[Guinevere · Rating 3 out of 5]

A both annoying and entertaining main character - I could see how this book could swing one way or another as far as likability for different readers. Still, it was something a bit different, for me at least, and it made me want to read more by Stephanie Rowe.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really good but there were some characters and incidents that just really frustrated me. And I wish she had written into the story Paris and Jodi talking after everything was all said and done. I feel like there wasn't quite closure yet between those two.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good women's fiction kind of book. One of those heartwarming and heartrending romances. There were some moments that I considered rather tangential to the main themes of the story, but they can be forgiven. Overall it was a fun, light read.