This book was a really fun and enjoyable read. The characters were relatable and had great depth. I definitely recommend it and will be ordering copies for my library.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

- mild spoilers below -

From the beginning, this book was not right for me however I’ll begin with the positive aspects of this book before moving on to the negatives.

The chapter lengths and writing style of this book make it enjoyable and an easy read, I managed to finish it in just under 3 days despite not necessarily enjoying it at all. The book flows easily and I personally found it easy to tell between the different POVs and enjoyed the different point of views instead of it being from the main protagonist. That’s where my enjoyment ended.

Red Dress looked like a comfort self-help book with the cover instantly making me interested since it alongside the description seemed motivational and something lighthearted to read that wouldn’t be depressing. I was /extremely/ wrong, this is why people say not to judge a book by its cover.

/All/ of the protagonists were insufferable, with very little redeeming points and although that might be preferable for some, it doesn’t work for me. Katy, the female protagonist came off as a higher class, irritating ‘cool’ mom who feels oppressed because her relationship with her husband has fallen apart and turns to soul searching and therapy to find what she’s supposed to do. The husband Richard, is a stereotypical businessman with a misogynistic outlook that he’s the master of the house and needs attention from his wife. And finally, Tony, the blast from the past who is barely fleshed out and his entire arc felt like some badly paced action movie.

The characters aren’t /terrible/ but the pacing of Red Dress doesn’t do them justice, all of them seem to be constantly whining about things not going right in their life and then expecting them to magically mend themselves. Most of the plot could have been solved if Katy and Richard just tried to actually talk without expecting each other to start.

However, one of the major downfalls of this book is the dialogue. It is so awkward and downright awful at times, it made me consider whether the author has actually had a conversation with a teenager or child or other people at all. It was fine at the beginning, but as the novel progressed it just became even more awkward if possible and despite having so much interest in thought processes and fate, none of this was conveyed through the dialogue: everything felt robotic and fake.

Finally, another one of my pet peeves with this book was the use of terminology as well as putting too much with too little explanation, there was so much obvious extensive research about self-help and the Aura-Soma practices etc yet not much of it was explained clearly so that non-experts could enjoy it as well. Luckily, I already had some knowledge about soul searching topics but for others, it could become really confusing.

Although the book is an easy read, the fast pace of the novel as well as the awkwardness of the dialogue and the bad characterisation makes it really hard to enjoy however, this makes it a little humorous which adds to the experience.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This book initially was captivating to me. But later on, sadly, that's really not my type of book

Katy is a career mum in her 40s who’s stressed out, time-starved, and disenchanted with her successful life. She has a handsome husband, a house in London, and two teenage children. Her therapy practice in Harley Street is thriving, but she feels empty and lost. She’s forgotten who she is and what makes her tick. An impulsive decision sets in motion a domino effect that changes her life. A series of events, a meeting with someone from the past, and a sequence of numbers send her on a rollercoaster ride to finding herself. With some trepidation, Katy embarks on a path of spiritual awakening and embraces a new way of thinking.

Sections that were jumping between Richard and Katy were confusing as there wasn't a definite gap between the scene changes and I was left having to re-read to work out where I was. Also, what's up with those mirror things?

The blurb and the cover had me really wanting to read this book but I’ll admit I was left feeling disappointed. There is a lot of heavy spiritual talk that I found really hard to follow and uninteresting, to the point I was skim reading these parts. Katy, the main character is likeable, but her story isn’t finished. Is her husband having an affair? Does she find out? Does she leave her husband for Tony? Do they end up together. Who knows because the story abruptly ended with no conclusions whatsoever. I feel really disappointed that I read it to get nowhere. I have given 2 stars because, heavy spritualism aside, the storyline was good but it I was wonder what the point in reading it is if there is no ending? Won’t be recommending.

This was a book about how you can find your way mid-life if you are falling. I was initially attracted to it by the cover-which was warm, friendly and inviting. I immediately related to Katy, the lead character, mid-life, children growing up, always stretched in a million directions. I enjoyed learning about her and Richard's relationship-and it was very realistic as she described how it crumbled. Terrific insight into how affairs develop. For both Katy and Richard. I am not a Health, Mind & Body category follower, so the bits about her connecting with the voice which was the mirror, the number philosophy and communication with Shanti did not hold my interest. I had a feeling the balding man was going to be Tony-and I enjoyed his character and feel that Katy and Tony may have a chance. The funniest line in the whole book was when he said he did not recognize her because of her hair and she thought same! (due to his baldness.) I thought that the book had a terrific story line, and flew through the last 30% of the book-which held my interest intently. As an American, I always enjoy books by the English, too. Nice job!

This book is readable, but a little trite and artificial. I feel like it’s a ‘Seth book’, you know, a higher power talking to you directly, we’re all connected, follow your dreams etc etc. it will certainly be someone’s cup of tea but just not for me.

The main character has the perfect life on the surface- attractive successful husband, 2 kids and successful therapy practice. In reality, she is very unfulfilled in a marriage with no communication or understanding g. She tries a number of new wave therapies to improve her life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

When I first read the blurb, I have to say that I was not expecting to reach such a story.
While adding spirituality to a book can also add real depth, I found it a bit over the top here and that it was preventing me to fully enjoy the story.
Because I did enjoy reading about Katy, struggling in her marriage and going through a life and identity crisis. And I was also interested when Tony and his own issues were introduced.
I thought however that the spiritual, and mystical side was getting in the way. I found myself repeatedly skipping paragraphs when Katy was having conversations (sometimes with herself/the Voice) about the True Self, numerology and other concepts, hoping we would soon go back to the story.

I would recommend this book to people who absolutely enjoy reading about spirituality, soul contracts, twin flames, and similar notions.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an honest review.

What an interesting story. Really makes you think about life decisions. Great read.

This book initially was captivating to me. Katy’s life as a busy 40something mom juggling home and career is of interest to me. Unfortunately the mystical elements and the mirror talk made me dislike the book. It’s just not my cup of tea. I wanted a more traditional story about a mom trying to balance home and career demands which this book did ok in the beginning but then the narrative kept going into all these mentions of new age practices and mysticism. I’m not into that stuff. I do yoga and have tried and failed to get good at meditating. But this book was heavily into that and as a result I didn’t really enjoy it as much. But for someone else who is into the new agey practices, this would be a good book to read. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to read and provide an honest review.

Unfortnately this one was not for me.

At first the family life of Katy and Richard seemed to hit home and I could feel myself connecting with the overwhelming lifestyle that accompanies motherhood and that precarious balance of work and life that Katy was juggling.
But when Katy starts talking to the mysterious light in the mirror - things took a turn for me.
The dialogue of existential crisis between Katy and the energy was arduous and lent more in the "telling" not "showing" the story - and to be honest i was skimming it and still getting the gist.

Sections that were jumping between Richard and Katy were confusing as there wasn't a definite gap between the scene changes and I was left having to re-read to work out where I was.

Things with Tony and Katy were interesting, and gripping - but then left me wondering as it was clipped and no real conclusion.

This book was wonderful!! The story will make you think, make you feel, and make you want more! So well done and a perfect read.