If The Shoes Fit

by Pauline Lawless

'Calling All Shoe Addicts', said the advertisement that triggered a response in four very different women, each at a difficult time of her life. Niamh, at 23, the mother of a five-year-old and twin girls aged four, is desperate to have a home of her own. She longs to escape the house of her vicious mother-in-law but her charming, irresponsible husband and the mountain of debts they have makes this seem ever more unlikely. Amber, former air stewardess whose husband Dermot left her for a younger woman, has lost all her confidence and is drowning her sorrows with alcohol. Tessa, beautiful former model, paid the price for living life in the fast lane when she almost died from a heart attack. Her reliable friend, George, persuaded her to come and live with him in Ireland. She now realises that she's made a dreadful mistake. Rosie, recently widowed, can't come to terms with the loss of the man she loved so much. Life without him doesn't seem worth living. All of them, needing a way out, find it with the Italian designer shoe company, 'If The Shoes Fit'. This leads them to a new career, great friendships and a life-changing experience.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks, Ireland, Amazon

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basic premise of the book is pretty standard fare for the genre - disparate group of women brought together by circumstance or location, form a support network with each other and then go on to vastly improve their lots in life. My initial issue with the book is the nature of the business the women are employed by - direct selling of designer shoes at a bargain price, from the descriptions of the shoes and their truly designer counterparts I am pretty sure they contravene all copyright, intellectual property and trademark laws. This really did spoil the book for me as I was waiting for them all to be arrested for counterfeit goods.

That aside and you are left with the plot which is a little bit confused as we jump from person to person and it takes you a while to figure out which one is which - Tessa and Amber are particularly bad for this. This isn't helped by the main cast of 4 - Rosie, Tessa, Amber and Niamh - and then the subcast of 3 - Phoebe, Lesley and Val. Just as you settle in to which lady we are with we jump on to another one, this is fine when they are all together but it does become a bit wearing; especially as so many of the tales feel the same. I love that the women are initially super successful in the business as well, mainly because the author goes to great lengths to show that this is achieved through their industry and hardwork rather than anything else. I am sure sales would be good just before Christmas but it would have been interesting to see how they coped with the January/February slump notorious in retail.

It is testament to the author that I can remember all 7 of the main characters names, shows that she managed to write pretty memorable people. However, whilst some are multi-faceted (Tessa and Amber) others are two dimensional (Niamh and Rosie) and even worse the 3 sub-characters are completely one dimensional caricatures of women. The events in their personal lives are relatively believable with relationships beginning and ending, issues with the spouse and children.

An okay book that passed the time in an entertaining manner. Too many issues with the business side of things (Honestly recruiting 60+ reps to direct sell for one person within a couple of months - what balderdash) for me to really get invested in the people and their situations. If you like your Chic-Lit with complete fantasy then this will work for you; if not you may just find yourself muttering under your breath from time to time.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really expect this to be more than just a light "Chick Lit" read. I was wrong. The four main women learned a lot about themselves and each other while transforming their lives through their new jobs with a shoe company.

[Linda Mainville · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about an Italian shoe company who hires 7 Irish women to sell their product line in their local areas. There were a lot of characters, but it didn't take long for me to keep them all straight. It was a fun romp, but the way the women were fleshed out was very black and white. The four main characters were all good and became instant friends whereas the other three women were horrible and never redeemed themselves. There's a little gray in all of us, so that was a bit unrealistic.

I would say it was predictable, but they did throw in some unexpected twists and then wrapped everything up in a pretty bow. Also, since it took place in Ireland, many of the words and phrases were unfamiliar, along with the towns that they often cited.

The frequent sex scenes elevated it from a young adult genre, which I appreciated, but could turn some people off.

But if you're looking for a fun summer read, I would recommend it.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If The Shoes Fit

This fits right in with the kind of genre that I love and like to think of as Wives Club fiction—very women focused and driven, largely dealing with day to day life. It was a little underwritten and could’ve had more showing than telling, but I still really liked it. Niamh is an angel and I’m so glad thinks worked out so well for her!!!!!! She was easily my favorite character

[AXJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted something light since I seemed to be reading nothing but books about murder but this book was pretty bad. It was all over the place and none of the characters were people you cared about one way or another.

[Atheinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would've thought that because of a shoe advertisement, a priceless friendship is born? That's how four women found each other, each struggling with a dilemma in her stage of life. Having a unique set of personalities, Tessa, Amber, Rosie and Niamh creates a bond that unites them in their newfound career.

If The Shoes Fit by Pauline Lawless is a delightful read. It oozes with posh, sophistication and elegance. Not only that, but also, these books screams girl power! Because of that, I enjoyed the journey of meeting the four women in this book.

Niamh had become my favourite character in this book. Although shy, she has a strong character and she's a hard-working young woman. Despite in the middle of a difficult situation in life, she finds ways to get through them. Her perseverance in life is admirable and I salute her for that.

I think this book has a feathery feel to it because of how soft the story feels. I felt like I was walking through a field of dandelions with their seedheads flying with the wind. I'm in a never-ending curiosity of whether this is a good thing or a bad thing but it felt too soft that if I stumble, I think I'd be perfectly fine. No injuries. No heart-wrenching moments. No thrill. No heart-racing feeling. It's a literal light read. Ironically, I enjoyed it.

If The Shoes Fit is a light read and if you're in the mood to relax and simply chill, then I recommend to you this book.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well...I liked the book up until 3 characters appeared that ruined it for me. So...I left it unfinished. I gave it 2 stars just because I did like the 4 main characters...and the way their stories were told. Clever writing...

[Michele Amedee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started this and quit. I liked the premise but too much smut in the storyline.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 women (6 actually), each with her own reason for signing up with a (networking-like) business of distributing shoes. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, sales strategies, fears, and men problems. I loved the way the ladies portrayed a possible facet of our lives at any point. Found myself missing the marketing world, the thrill of hitting your goal, hopeful when pushing for a sale, or being down when you have none. Makes you wonder, what is it with women and shoes?

[Angel Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself was okay, but it was disconcerting to read for quite a few chapters. Just when I would get into the character, time for a new character. This goes on for a number of chapters. The dialogue is extremely stilted. In my opinion, much of this book was more about tell, rather than showing.

Phoebe, Val, and Lesley were simply unlikable. In every way. When you see how the original 4 (Amber, Tessa, Niahm, and Rosie were chosen, you wonder why the other three were picked to be part of the team. The reason given later, just doesn't ring true to me.

The whole idea of selling designer shoes like Avon, just...not really. It sounds like a huge pyramid scheme.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm surprised that a book like this, which I consider the lightest of chick lit, has an almost-4-star average. The characters were nice (most of them), but conversations were too structured to sound natural, situations too perfectly set up or sticky-sweet to be real, story overall very simple-minded. A pyramid-scheme business selling shoes is not much of a plot.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a typically girly story and I enjoyed it although it wasn't anything too new or unique. Plus, it really needs a proper editing job done on it. I have another by her downloaded, too, and will try that as well but I won't be rushing to read it in the next week or two. I do prefer my murderation and just pick up one of these chicklit tales as some light relief from time to time.
She created some likeable characters and I found myself wanting them to do well along with wanting those who deserved it to get their comeuppance and I was pleased they did. So it was all tied up nicely with no loose ends. I was a little irritated that Tessa kept her dog outside because her chap wouldn't have him indoors......I know who I'D have sleeping in the shed !!
Those mistakes, though...there were a few rogue hyphens slipped into words that don't need them-under-stand/inter-viewing/accomplish-ments though alsorealised NEEDED a space, speechmarks were missed, then fullstops, then commas, misused the odd apostrophe, too....there was also a LOT of additional spacing that wasn't needed.
Financial Institutions didn't need capitalising, she spelt caput wrong but then got it right further in, spelt doddle as doodle, she went for the American spelling of a**hole but at other times went with the English version, which I'd expect them to utilise in Dublin, used rearing and not raring, freesia not freesias, Sylvan and not Sylvanian, dove not drove.....
This sentence is self-explanatory, "She'd had really had high hopes...." yet this one lost a word, ".....couldn't face into work." Even in her description of another book at the end a quotation mark was also missed off. So all in all, pretty slapdash and could do with a lot of improving.

[Mahita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short Take: Mixed feelings!!

If the Shoes Fit is a brain wave of Grace, who wants to start a designer shoe enterprise in Ireland with a group of people who are passionate about shoes and are willing to publicize the shoes by wearing them and recruiting sales reps to sell them in their designated areas. Four women, in various stages of their life needed a change to feel alive and fulfilled and on an impulse apply for the job. Among various applicants, these four along with few more get selected. The novel is about how these people go along to market and sell the shoes to people. Each individual in there had some traits that can be related to within us and it is depressing to read books that force us to choose between family and career. Why in the age of female leadership on the rise, do women still lack support on home front for having a successful career is something I cannot understand. And the book really did not help in understanding it either. So it left me frustrated ! :) While I enjoyed the eventual success, I did not like reading about the annoying traits of the so-called 'family'. And hence the mixed feeling!!

[Pam K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is what I loved about the book... I loved the characters. I thought they were well written and enjoyed them, including the villains. They were all well thought out and mostly believable. If you were from somewhere other than England, you didn't have to try to figure out what they were saying. It's pretty universal even though they are from England.

Now to what I didn't like, their job is based on the pyramid scheme. If you are from the US, think Tupperware, Amway, Avon or many others(the list is endless). The one spends all her time recruiting, while another one spends her time selling shoes and not recruiting. Most of the boyfriends or husbands are lowlifes. The one thing that did bother me about the women is they all seemed to lack self-confidence at the beginning. I find it hard to believe that selling shoes could change these women into very confident women, think Al Bundy.

[Shannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've ever read from Pauline Lawless, and it was charming and fun to read, though a bit rambling in places, which is why it is not a full five stars. The main characters were interesting and varied, but it wasn't always clear how they fit together or why they mattered to the story. Lawless did tie everything up well by the end of the book, but sometimes I wondered why she'd go to such lengths for a character who could've been cut out without losing much in terms of the narrative.

There were several great things about this book: it was a fun and easy read, it was set in an interesting locale, and it told an empowering story of women taking charge of their lives. All of these things made the book worth reading, despite the minor drawbacks. I loved the focus on the women, and that the men in their lives didn't overwhelm them or take away from their stories.

Overall, I found the book delightful and engaging, and would recommend it!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun enough chick-lit story set in Ireland about a group of women who manage to change their lives selling shoes from Italy in a pyramid type marketing scheme. I was a bit concerned that the shoes seemed to be direct knock offs of famous brands, which seems like a violation of patents and trademarks, but setting that aside, the only real quibble I have is that it had so many characters that it was hard to keep track of who was who as the book jumped from one woman's story to the next. Some of the women were likable, and others were the sort you love to hate, but either way, their interactions certainly kept you reading. I find it a bit hard to believe that so many of them succeeded so well and so quickly in this sort of direct marketing scheme, but hey, it's fiction! And it is nice to see women bettering their lives through their own efforts.

[Donna Feibusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Book!!!

I absolutely loved reading If The Shoes Fit!!!! All about seven woman who answered an ad to sell designer shoes to the masses in Ireland. So each women was given a territory within Dublin. They could recruit other women to sell the shoes by becoming representatives and also have parties. This was a new concept and Carlo & Grace were from Italy they had done massive research and knew the premise had merit, but weren’t sure it was sustainable. Read about the seven rep, and see if in fact women really purchased shoes by mail!!! The author wrote an amazing story!!! The characters are to die for, each women embraces this business in a rather unique way!! Lots of emotions, and plenty of laugh out loud moments, as well as a few moments where you want to reach out and smack somebody!!! Definite Read!!!!

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting great literature but I'm afraid this strained my incredulity to the limits. The various characters might start out with problems in their lives, but somehow the four main ones encounter few, if any, problems in their new business venture of direct-selling designer shoes. It simply didn't read like real life - in this day and age, what bank manager would (or could!) offer a mortgage to a young mother with no credit history and an unemployed husband? Totally unbelievable.......

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I liked the idea of the story of how "one pair of shoes could impact 4 people differently", it could do with another round of editing. Things are repeated, sentence construction in several places is awkward, the perspective seems to change from sentence to sentence, and there in general just is not a good flow within each of the characters stories, and traversing across the various characters.

I also thought the concept of MLM and how they advertised for the position was a bit... bizarre, and quite frankly somewhat disappointing from what I was hoping for.

[MARY JANE CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book

It's always nice to take a break and read something light. As a former "party plan" director, I found this a wee bit farfetched....but I love the concept! The characters are sweet, with the requisite villain, the outcomes are happy, the plot pretty non-existent but it was a lovely escape on a long, boring drive through the Midlands. I will remember this author when I want something soothing yet not overly romantic.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chick lit at it's best! A quick and easy feel good book. We meet four women from all different styles of life. Each one has their own baggage, but a tenacity to make their lives better. And then a business opportunity arises that throws them all together. As they struggle and triumph we see how each woman handles it. And the ride is great! First book I've read by this author, but definitely not my last!!

[Judith Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

When women work together they can accomplish anything!

Seven women, who for various reasons, decide to try to sell beautiful shoes after seeing an advertisement. Four of these women meet during the screening process and when they learn that they each got the job, became fast and loyal friends. The other three women were jealous of the four women 's friendship and ultimately their success. Definitely feel good story!!

[Robin Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

What a fantastic idea for the plot and it was handled very nicely. The different characters and personalities mesh together well. You really root for everything to go well for the ladies. I liked the depth of personality each character had and how they ended up being strong, take charge women and worked hard to achieve their dreams. I would recommend this book to any adult reader, not just the ones who love shoes!

[Jean Holtof · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need a shoe room! A lighthearted read with some dramatic characterizations and circumstances. Shoes being the common denominator between women looking for something in their lives. Lots of action of the catty kind... some beastly interactions. Which lasts longer, shoes or sex... There are certainly some stories in among the story and Pauline Lawless has woven them into the whole. An entertaining read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly lovely read. So many characters to follow but as you move from Chapter to Chapter you connect with each one of them. It had everything in this book, sadness, happiness, very funny moments too. I can't wait to read more of Pauline Lawless books. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for the others.

[Bernadette Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One size does not fit all

Fab book, so many characters looking to change their lot in life. From having too much of one thing and not enough of another. Females being such hard people to put together but when a set just gels the right way it can work wonders. Well worth a read, i could not put it down.

[Bridgefsu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

If The Shoe Fits was a good story but it could have been a little shorter. I found myself skipping or skimming parts to get through it faster. I liked the characters and found them (mostly) relatable though. I also felt like this story had a lot of characters to keep up with.

[Stephanie Watkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright

The story line was pretty good and I enjoyed reading about the various women and the friendships built. However, it would have been much better if the author left the sex scenes out. Although, not graphic, the scenes felt not only like an after thought but were NOT needed.

[Andrea Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can honestly say that I'm not sure why I read this so quickly, because it was really rather hard to follow the characters and the writing had multiple flaws. It was a bit high school with all the sexual content and everything worked out a bit too perfectly, yet I didn't seem to want to stop reading. I will have to give the author another try and see what happens next time.

[Teresa Perrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

Loved this story of love, lost, divorce and overcoming all complications that come with them. Through in some women that had never met until they answered an ad and the friendships that come from that. Plus the jealous family members that will go to any lengths to get what they want but has a shock coming to them, then you definitely need this book.