by Megan Mulry
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Second in a sexy, playful new series of women's fiction imagining what it might be like for a modern American woman to fall in love with a British aristocrat, from new author Megan Mulry. Sarah James is an accomplished American woman who heads her own chic shoe company. Devon Heyworth is the rakish, ne'er-do-well younger brother of the 19th Duke of Northrop. When the two meet at the Duke's wedding they embark on a whirlwind weekend romance. And what begins as a casual fling at a royal wedding quickly proves to be far more meaningful. But when a string of misunderstandings threaten to tear them apart, their meddling aristocratic relatives join forces to reunite the star-crossed lovers
When I began If the Shoe Fits I didn’t realize it was part of the Royal Pain series, but it worked well as a standalone. It is the tale of a modern-day American who falls in love with a British aristocrat. Filled with humor, shoes, angst and a delicious romance I enjoyed this romantic tale. Three-word review: steamy, charming and entertaining.
We meet Sarah James a young successful owner of a shoe company who has dreams of having her boutiques all over the world. She is the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding who happens to be marrying the nineteenth Duke of Northrop. At the rehearsal dinner, she meets his very sexy, smooth-talking younger brother Devon Heyworth. They have a whirlwind weekend fling where they agreed to enjoy themselves, no strings attached. Well, we all know how those turn out. The tale is steamy, but as the couple discovers this isn’t a fling things get complicated since these two have zero experience in the relationship department. Devon’s family and Sarah’s forward-thinking Grandma step into the mix and the tale that unfolds was entertaining and at times overly complicated.
Devon is such a player, an aristocratic brat who is bloody brilliant but hides it behind a never care facade. He has never been in a committed relationship and is overwhelmed by his emotions regarding Sarah. Sarah has daddy issues, has managed to start up a successful company and has her future all laid out. Until Devon, she hasn’t even considered a relationship as her business has been her only lover. I loved their interaction and their tryst. Sarah has some secrets and it leads to some mishandling of situations, misunderstandings and some hilarious moments. I really enjoyed watching these two come together and figure out their emotions. I enjoyed the other characters, especially Devon’s mother, and Sarah’s grandmother. Throw in a sexy American, a meddling BFF and her hubby and things get interesting.
The relationship between Sarah and Devon felt genuine and the sexual tension and steamy love scenes were hot and I found myself rooting for them. While I love angst, and twists and turns before a couple reaches their HEA, I felt some of this was overdone making me scream, “enough already!” Devon makes some serious mistakes, and the author does a good job of making us understand his actions even if they were bone-headed. Sarah was also hot and cold at times and reacted over the top since she really had no clue and missed signals. The characters were fleshed out and the tale easy to slip into. We get some interesting back history and side stories but I found myself skimming a few times because of the unresolved angst. This is something I rarely do, which makes me believe some of the stories could have been tightening up. Or maybe I just wanted less talking and more relationship development. LOL! Despite two many conflicts I enjoyed this tale and found myself laughing aloud and turning the pages to get my happily ever after. There is a thread regarding Devon’s younger sister and the author hinted about things which have me curious and I will pick up the next book.
Fans of humor, angst, steamy romances and shoes will find If the Shoe Fits to be an entertaining read. A Royal Pain is the first tale and features Devon’s older brother Max and Sarah’s BFF Bronte. R is for Rebel is the third book and releases in November.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Maida
You had me at shoes! lol ; p This definitely sounds like something I would enjoy, plus I really like the premise for this. Both Devon and Sarah sound like great characters, and I’m glad their relationship felt realistic. I love it when a romance is real! I am going to be picking this up! Glad you enjoyed this! Great review! 😀
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
kimbacaffeinate
hope you enjoy it!
Dani C
Sounds like a perfect book to read this summer! Great review! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Dani this is a good summer read:)
Christy
That’s funny… when I saw the cover I thought “ooo love her shoe!” Then saw that shoes were a factor in the story. This sounds fun!
kimbacaffeinate
Ha, that part was fun and despite all the drama I did enjoy it, thanks Christy:)
Candace
I think this would be a lot of fun, but the overreacting and mixed signals and drama, drama, drama might drive me nutso. Everything else just sounds fantastic though!
kimbacaffeinate
I like a little drama and mixed signals but sometimes it can be overdone:)
Heidi
You can’t complain about an engaging and entertaining romance with a happily ever after. Even if it wasn’t perfect it sounds light and cute perfect for a quick summer read.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, it was a quick summer read, have a nice night Heidi 🙂
Lauren
This sounds like the kind of romance I love reading about, two headstrong people who can’t deny their feelings for each other. I love that Sarah is independent and owns her own business, and that’s been her focus. This sounds like a cool read, I’m definitely adding it to my romance list. Thanks for the awesome review!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lauren, the characters are the best part of the tale.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Hm… this sounds entertaining enough. I’ve also heard of this series and might have to read them in order. (don’t faint) 🙂 I do like humor but I think I’d be with you about the “enough already!” so I’m not completely sure. Might have to be in a mood for it.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I think if you know going in, it will help:)
Aurian
At first it sounds like fun, but all the angst, and the stupid things, no thank you.
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha..thanks Aurian!
Marlene
I’m glad you liked this one. The first one drove both Stella and I nuts at Book Lovers!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh good to know!
Jenea
This sounds like it would be good. and I understand the skimming at point, I have had a few books that I have done that with too. Great review. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I never skim but did so here..LOL
Debbie
Happy Monday Kim, what a great premise plus I love the cover. I think I’m liking cover art more and more maybe because it’s getting more up to date then they used to be.
Thanks for the great review as always.
deb
kimbacaffeinate
Happy Monday to you too Debbie!
Nick
This sounds like such a fun read! I really like the cover and the premise sounds pretty entertaining. I’ll keep this book in mind when I’m in the mood for a steamy and funny adult read. I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest fan of too many twists and drama before the couple has the HEA, but since I’ve been forewarned, maybe it won’t bother me as much.
Glad you enjoyed this, Kim! 🙂
Great review!
Tanja
This idiom I hear a lot, I didn’t know people used it that much until I started reading YA books. Anyhow this might not me my usual read and angst is something I avoid as much as I can. I hope that other books in this series will work better for you. Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Tanja, I do like some angst as I find it adds excitement to the plot and keeps me turning the pages but don’t like overkill. Have a happy Monday!
blodeuedd
I did have the same problem with book 1, so many twists and turns towards the HEA
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad you let me know that!
kindlemom1
I am glad you enjoyed this one even if it was a little over done at times with the angst, it seems a lot of these reads in this genre have that lately and like you said, a little is okay but too much is just…too much.
Great review Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
yeah, I like some but sometimes you want to say enough is enough! LOL