If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer Book Review
If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer is a romantic story about family, faith, and forgiveness. This Cinderella retelling is set in late 1800s Texas and is filled with danger, strong friendships, and family secrets.
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If the Boot Fits
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Pub. Date: Mar. 12, 2024
Series: Texas Ever After book 2
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Pages: 368 pages
Rating: 5 stars
Spice: none
Content Warnings: almost drowning, attempted murder, drunkenness, infertility, infidelity, gun violence, death, & kidnapping
Synopsis:
Determined to prove that cattle king Eli Dearing has no justification for evicting his stepmother and half brothers, Asher Ellis uses the cover of a fancy ball to break into the Three Cedars ranch house to search for proof of wrongdoing. 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 in her honor is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from her 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.
But when Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. And although Asher tries to keep his distance from Samantha for reasons of his own, a series of suspicious accidents befall her, and his protective instincts flare, no matter the cost to their future.
Book Review
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the ARC and gifted copy of If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer. All opinions are my own.
This is my second time reading a Karen Witemeyer book. Last year, I read the first book in this Texas Ever After collection (Fairest of Heart) and really enjoyed it. I was not, however, prepared for how much I would love this book!
Thoughts
Karen really blew me away with If the Boot Fits. It’s a loose Cinderella retelling set in late 1800s Texas. It has romance, danger, faith, and lovable characters.
Samantha was a great main character because she was likable and constantly trying to improve herself and her relationships with others. She had a servant’s heart, and I love that she didn’t let all the negative aspects of her life leave her bitter.
The relationship between Samantha and her father was so great to see because it felt realistic, and I liked how much effort they put in to repair it.
Asher as the love interest was so sweet and protective of both Samantha and his family. He was a man of integrity, and I loved how he sacrificed so much of his time for others.
The romance between Samantha and Asher was so sweet. I loved how Asher took care of Samantha and how much Samantha trusted Asher and saw the best in him. They didn’t jump to conclusions about each other, so I really appreciated that about them.
I also loved how their Christian faith played a role in this story. It felt natural, and it really improved their character growth.
The characters in this story felt real and all had issues of their own. I liked how the author included difficult topics and didn’t shy away from things like consequences of sin.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I would recommend this book if you like historical romances that are exciting and sweet.
Where to Read & Purchase
You can purchase a copy of this book at the following retailers:
Bookshop.org (supports independent book stores) [affiliate]
Libro.fm (audiobooks that support independent book stores) [affiliate]
→ get a free audiobook when you start a membership
Amazon [affiliate]
Books a Million (BAM) [affiliate]
AbeBooks [affiliate]
Have you read If the Boot Fits or any other books by Karen Witemeyer?
I would love to hear your thoughts! Comment down below.
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