If the Boot Fits

Author: Karen Witemeyer
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Texas Ever After #2
Pages: 368
Release Date: March 12, 2024
Publisher: Bethany House

One fateful night will change their destinies forever. . . .

Convinced that his stepmother and half brothers have been wrongfully evicted by cattle king Eli Dearing, Asher Ellis uses the cover of an extravagant ball to break into the Three Cedars' ranch house to search for proof. On the verge of discovery, he flees, but a boy's cry compels him to make a daring rescue.

Spunky and independent Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother's life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind--his boot--and resolves to find him herself.

When Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. Asher values family above wealth, a rare trait that opens her heart. Afraid she will discover his past misconduct, Asher tries to keep his distance, but when a series of suspicious accidents befall her, he vows to protect her, even though saving her life could mean losing her love.

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Reviewer: Billi Varela

I was so excited for this book. I have read many retellings of Cinderella, but never before like this. I like the switch of characters. Pretty clever.

I liked that this book was a Western retelling and not a regency. The Western was what drew me in more. 

I liked the characters, Samantha and Asher. I thought their first meeting was funny. Well, not their first meeting. It was when we first met Asher that I thought it was so funny. From then on, Asher kept my interest. I don’t really like a quick-falling-in-love story, but this one didn’t even seem like it. 

You will not regret picking up Karen Witemeyer’s second book in her Texas Ever After series. If you haven’t read the first one, it’s fine. I love Karen Witemeyer’s books, and this is a second favorite of hers. 

This was a clean read, free from any inappropriate content or language.

I received this book from Bethan House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Katelyn Sponaugle

If the Boot Fits was a fun nod to Cinderella, with a spin. It was filled with characters every bit as loveable as the classic, and perhaps more so since we get to know the prince, er, Cinder-fella as the case may be, even better than in the fairytale!

I thought the book was a very pleasant read, even with a little predictability. I enjoyed it and looked forward to picking it up each night before bed. I found it to be a gentle but fun read that kept my interest but didn’t steal my sleep. I did guess whodunit very early in the book and predicted some aspects of the back story long before they were revealed, but I didn’t find it diminished my enjoyment of the book at all.

Initially, Samantha’s estrangement with her father was confusing and almost frustrating. He was obviously so likable, and the grounds given didn’t match the feelings described. However, the picture becomes clearer as the story progresses, and by the end, I found the thread of fractured and healed relationships added depth to the plot. In that vein, Samantha’s loyalty to those she loved, even as their faults and secrets were exposed, was my favorite trait of hers.

All in all, If the Boot Fits is a satisfying and pleasant tale filled with faith, fun, family, top-notch characters, and a sweet romance that definitely deserves a spot on your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Kimberlee Sams

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer is an example of both historical and Christian fiction at their finest. As an added bonus, there's a tie-in to the classic Cinderella story.

The story opens with the typical Cinderella elements (a ball, someone fleeing, and an abandoned piece of footwear). There's a brief bit in which our heroine tries to match feet with the boot-wearer, but it's not a key part of the plot. There's a nice scene at the end linking the story back to Cinderella as well. I enjoyed these elements and thought they fit into the book perfectly. However, don't go into this expecting a true Texas retelling of the fairy tale!

For the most part, the book centers on the evolving relationship between Samantha and Asher. I found the slow-burn romance to be very authentic. The author includes enough scenes of the two together, talking and getting to know one another, that the reader can easily believe that their feelings are genuine. Since the course of true love never runs smoothly, the couple is hampered by Samantha's father's influence, Asher's family's financial problems, and some unknown villain attempting to kill Samantha.

I enjoyed reading about each main character separately, as well as the two of them together. The relationship between Samantha and her father, in particular, was well-written, and I liked getting glimpses into their past as well as witnessing their present-day interactions. Revelations about Samantha's long-deceased mother come to light. These are interesting in their own right and also affect Samantha's understanding of her father.

I appreciated the faith aspects as well. As Samantha navigates the twin challenges of her blossoming romance and the attempts on her life, she grows in her faith and learns to rely more fully on God. All in all, she has a lovely personal growth arc in her faith, in her familial relationships, and in her romance.

In conclusion, I have to say that this book has everything: romance, history, danger, and faith.

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Raechel Helwig

The cover of this book really pops! I love the color contrast and the hints at the story inside.

If the Boot Fits is a charming fairy-tale retelling of Cinderella—a reverse Cinderella story set in Western times, that is. And it was very cleverly done.

The characters were endearing and strong enough to come across the page and get to know them well. My favorite part was how important faith and God were throughout the story. It never felt out of place or like a sideline thread. It was very much part of the novel, and I loved that. It is encouraging to discover books like that, because I fear they are getting harder to find.

Each of the characters relied upon the Lord and grew in Him, and it was done realistically too. The family relationships were strong, which I also appreciated and enjoyed seeing.

The beginning started off a little slow for me but picked up a lot towards the middle, and the end was definitely easy to keep turning those pages to see the conclusion of the mystery. 

I don't read a ton of Westerns simply because it's not generally my favorite genre, but I did still enjoy this one, and I am very glad to add this book to the recommendation list for any reader. My sister in particular will love this one, I have no doubt!

Potential spoiler alert: I also really appreciate that the stepmother in this story wasn't actually portrayed as wicked, mean, or cruel in any way. She was truly gentle hearted and I really liked her character. 

This book was provided courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Karen Witemeyer's second book in the Texas Ever After series is a page-turner from beginning to end!

Asher Ellis is convinced that Eli Dearing has wrongfully evicted his stepmother and half-brothers, so he breaks into Dearing's home to find evidence. When he tries to make his getaway, he hears the cries of a young boy who is drowning and rushes back to save him.

Samantha Dearing sees the whole thing, and when she notices that the mystery man has left behind a boot, she hides it to protect him from her father. In the coming days, Samantha and Asher are thrown together. While Asher has good reason to keep his distance, he can't help falling for the blue-eyed beauty.

I loved this book! While it was loosely based on Cinderella, it was nothing like it at all. Asher's stepmother and brothers were not horrible, and Samantha did not comb the land looking for eligible young men who would fit the boot. Although that would have been hilarious! She did, however, wind up tutoring his younger brother, and soon all thoughts of her mystery man vanished while she fell for Asher.

This sweet romance also had a mystery thrown in, as someone was trying to harm Samantha. Asher steps up and becomes the ultimate Prince Charming when he rescues her from danger more than once.

If you like historical romances with fairy tale endings, you will love If the Boot Fits!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Kristina Hall

A Western twist on Cinderella!

Even though If the Boot Fits is the second book in the Texas Ever After series, it can easily be read as a standalone. There was no connection, as far as I could tell, other than that both the first and second books in the series were fairy-tale retellings.

Asher and Samantha were both well-developed characters. I appreciated Asher's devotion to his family and Samantha's desire to help her friend. I did think Asher had a bit of a bland personality, and Samantha frustrated me at times. The side characters were probably my favorite part of this novel. Eli Dearing, Mama Bess, and Ida Mae were great. I think Eli and Bess would make a great match. Just saying!

The plot had plenty of action and twists and turns. One of those twists and turns was a little weird to me, but it had to be in there for the plot. I appreciated that Karen Witemeyer kept both the romance and language clean.

Overall, I found If the Boot Fits to be an interesting read that I'd recommend to those who love Christian fiction, historical romances, and fairy-tale retellings.

I received this book free from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

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