If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer
Series: Texas Ever After, Book 2
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 17, 2024)

If the Boot Fits is the second fairytale retelling with a Texas twist in Karen Witemeyer’s Texas Ever After series. The story opens when Samantha Dearing returns home from Finishing School to learn her father intends for her to marry—soon. Not long after, a dance is held in her honor with all the eligible young men in the area in attendance. Although the evening ends without Samantha finding her one true love, she does manage to catch someone sneaking around her father’s property.

Asher Ellis is a down-on-his-luck cowboy whose family has been evicted from their home by Samantha’s wealthy father. When Asher gatecrashes the dance to hunt for evidence that his family has been illegally kicked off their property, he’s nearly discovered by Samantha. After dodging a few harrowing pitfalls, Asher manages to escape but leaves one of his distinctive boots behind.

One of Witemeyer’s strengths is creating characters that leap off the page into the reader’s heart. Asher is such a great hero. He’s kind, selfless, protective, swoony, and he loves his stepmother & half brothers. Samantha is a wonderful match for Asher in heart and spirit, though her family life is a bit more complicated. I admired her determination and pluckiness, and I really loved her character growth over the course of the novel. Some of that growth involves reconciling what she’s perceived to be true with what is actually true, resulting in heartfelt discussions of family, faith, and forgiveness.

“No one enjoys adversity, but nothing can draw a child of God closer to the Father. It is easier to rely on His strength when we’ve been weakened. Easier to trust His guidance when we know we are lost. Easier to seek His presence when pain makes us crave His comfort.”

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

The plot also contains a Texas-sized tangle of suspenseful and surprising twists. Although there is no wicked stepmother in Witemeyer’s Cinderella retelling, someone is out to harm Samantha and quickly Asher is called to help her thwart her mysterious enemy before harm befalls her.

If the Boot Fits is laced with the author’s trademark wit and sigh-worthy romance. With a cinder-fella cowboy hero, a spunky ranch heiress, a kind-hearted stepmother, and a secret villain with murder in mind, If the Boot Fits is just plain fun to read. I give this novel five well-deserved fish!

I listened to this novel on Audible. The narrator, Barbara McCulloh, is one of my favorites making this an excellent choice for those inclined toward audiobooks.