Review: If the Shoe Fits by Megan Mulry

Synopsis:  From Goodreads, "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."

Review:  If you've read Mulry's first novel, A Royal Pain, you know that Sarah is "the best friend" of the character in that novel.  It's definitely not necessary to have read her first novel to understand and love this second novel, and in fact, if you're looking for a continuation story from the first, you won't find that here.  This is really Sarah and Devon's story, as it should be.

To start off, Mulry's novels look like they will be light-hearted and fun-spirited.  I haven't necessarily found them to be that light-hearted.  That hasn't taken away from the story at all for me.  These are playful in the sense that they are a wishful story of "what ifs," but the drama and emotions are pretty high.  

Sarah is pretty much the serious business woman who has been serious most of her life, including in her romantic life.  Now she has found herself a virgin who no longer wants to be one and too embarrassed to admit it at her age.  What better time to "resolve" the issue than at her best friend's wedding with the "rake" that is her best friend's younger brother who seems to be up for anything?  The casual fling, however, doesn't seem to be so casual for him.

In true romantic novel form, Devon--the "rake"--falls for said inexperienced beauty and must find a way to win her heart.  It was discouraging at times, and yet all part of what kept the story moving.  We do tend to like Devon, since he is the one who begins to change, and yet the number of ways these two mess up their communication could make your head swim!  

I loved the fantasy elements of the rich, with their getaways to Paris, fancy several-level homes, and lovely expensive accoutrements.  Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed If the Shoe Fits and think that Mulry has a great way of tapping into strong emotional stories and characters that readers can love.  Although I had moments where I wanted to throttle Sarah for being stubborn and not communicating with Devon, I could see where her fears were leading her.  Still...I wanted her to just TALK!  It was still a great, escape romance that I would recommend to my contemporary romance readers.  It is definitely a romance novel though, so for my sensitive readers who are wary of sexy times, be warned--there are some of those for sure!

For those interested, If the Shoe Fits comes out today!  I definitely recommend you check it as soon as possible, as well as her first book, A Royal Pain.

*FTC Disclosure:  This review was based on a copy of the novel provided by Sourcebooks through Netgalley.