Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Red Dress is a portrait of career-oriented women in the '80s and '90s when being successful in their careers was the most important thing and having the perks that come along with the positions. Every woman had difficulty finding a balance between the office and home, work and family, mother and lover, provider but submissive if needed, and the list goes on. There still are many Kathys in the world and hopefully, they are being able to find their inner balance in a more straightforward way than women in the past. I totally identified with the story and still see much of the dilemma among friends. ~ Claudete Takahashi (Reviewer), NetGalley

Like many novelists, Bridget Finklaire loosely based Red Dress on her own life. This is the first in a trilogy and follows Bridget’s spiritual journey, through the footsteps of her fictional heroine. It’s been compared to Eat, Pray, Love and teaches as it entertains. Men and women on your gift list will enjoy copies of this book. ~ BuNEKE Magazine, Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This book is fantastic! I was carried in to England and more so into the thoughts and feelings of the characters. It was a perfect book to get swept away from the humdrum of daily life. ~ Stephanie Lairson (Reviewer), NetGalley

Red Dress provided an interesting blend of spirituality, metaphysics, and mystical aspects combined with the realistic experiences one woman goes through while navigating her modern world. Katy appears to “have it all” with her husband, Richard, yet as with most things in life, looks can be deceiving. Behind closed doors, she feels as though she’s an accessory for her loved ones; someone who is around to tend to their needs, yet no one tends to hers. It’s a big reason she branches out and looks into other ways to gain more fulfilment, and that’s where the mystical aspects come into play. I felt like I was getting a refresher course in various subjects I’d been interested in decades ago. When Katy learns from something she refers to as “the Voice,” I absorbed the information right along with her! Over time, she starts to see changes in her outlook and the way she perceives her situation in life, but even with that, she fights against it. It was obvious how torn she was between her duty and responsibility to her family, and the newfound respect she’s found for herself–and Richard’s personality and his own secrets made it more than easy as a reader to encourage Katy to stand up for herself and maybe even walk away. The introduction of someone from Katy’s past was really surprising. Even with the massive green light in allowing the past back in, something kept niggling at my brain, like it was a red flag showcasing major caution. Even though the relationship is described as a “twin flame,” I kept encouraging Katy to slow everything down and be careful. Which I know sounds strange, considering Katy is a character within the pages of Red Dress, but that’s how engrossing it got for me. I wanted to reach right in and grab her by the shoulders, and tell her to tone it down a couple of notches! I appreciated the unique perspectives from Katy and the other characters in the book, which led to her spiritual awakening. FULL REVIEW: http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2022/01/review-red-dress.html ~ Chick Lit Central, Review

In what is, quite easily, one of the most pleasingly quick-witted, funny, highly intelligent, and even spiritually insightful books to come out for many a year, Bridget Finklaire’s Red Dress is a book that perfectly embodies the phrase “page-turner.” Embedded throughout, for the most part, with a sense of spiritual development and self-awareness, Red Dress is an honest and extremely relatable book that breaks the, at times, spiraling tension with perfectly placed pockets of both wisdom and humor. Trust me when I say that if you are anything like me, you will quickly become immersed in Katy’s life, her struggles, her bouts of self-evaluation, her search, coming out the other end with her as a changed, fresher, more confident and self-approved loving version of yourself also. FULL REVIEW: https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=244 ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

A well-written fictional book with many life lessons interwoven. I found I related to so much of Katy's story. Many ah-ha moments and some interesting new perspectives. This book is for anyone who is intrigued about their life and how to make positive changes. It's witty, honest and relatable. Totally loved it! ~ Jana Jenkinns [BookishWiccan] (Reviewer), NetGalley

.....This is not something I read everyday! But I enjoyed this story very much. A wonderful and very nicely written story about a woman feeling trapped by responsibility, while hoping for freedom from a bad marriage. ~ Vee Ahya (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Four people in the same family , living in the same house yet totally disconnected . Each one concerned about their own wants and needs never considering the others. Each child off in their way space and thoughts never once acknowledge their parents or each other. Two parents focused on their careers and goals neither one coming up for air to see the other or even care. Discontent and feeling lost within herself Katy who is a therapist feels that she needs more than helping her clients and dealing with her family. The main characters are not likeable, and their goals do diverse you wonder how they manage to lice under the same roof. Each person has their own point of view and with the help of her therapist Katy learns more about her inner self, gets a soul contract, spiritual readers and then hears a voice that comes from above helping to guide her on the right path. Throughout the novel Katy and Rich vie for the attention of others and when we read about her and how the voice directs her actions telling her how to explore her options and what she wants to be, Rich is now dealing with someone at work and coming home he emits a scent that should alert Katy so why does she ignore it? Added in she is going to meet with Tony a person from her past. Katy seems aloof at times, not a great mom and has no idea about her children, their wants, needs nor do they take time to talk with her at all. Rich does not communicate with her, and she decides to turn to spiritual searching, therapy and hopes to find herself. Concerned about his business and not really giving her attention spearheads what happens when Tony comes into the picture. There are many scenes where we get a closer look at Rich and might even realize why he is so distant from Katy. Her children are dysfunctional and have no reason to spend time with either parent unless they can do something to benefit each one. Even when Freddie was sick he did not want Katy to stay home with him or take him to the surgery and she leaves. Tony and Katy become an item and she confides in her own therapist and some others, but should they be trusted? Throughout the rest of the novel, we can hear her voice, listen to what she relates to others, finds time for Tony and panics when Rich wants to spend time with her and yet in reverse he finds it hard to give up what he wants to do. Will they remain together and when Tony asks her for an answer as to whether they will split from their families her response surprises him and the reader wonders if he is just a passing fancy. Throughout the novel we see different shades of both Katy and Rich each sharing their own thoughts and goals. When we learn about Katy at work and his she compartmentalizes her day it seems as if she’s creates what she thinks is a perfect day and often predicts the outcome as he does. Things progress in her own mind never realizing they Tony’s wife was on their radar and justifying her actions yet not agreeing to leave Rich. Rationalizing her thinking yet undermining others Katy envisions the outcome in her own mind. The voice sends her in one direction and her therapist and spiritual guides in another not knowing that someone else is getting advice from the same person. The ending is open-ended and two family’s fate not revealed as numbers, colors and soul contracts and more will eventually determine the cast of Red Dress. Characters that are self-centred, self-absorbed and you wonder how they ever got together each one justifying their own thinking and never looking at the big picture. Katy, Rich, Tony Lauren what’s next? Fran lewis just reviews ~ Just Reviews, Review

Katy is in her 40s and has it all, a good husband, loving kids and a successful career. But she finds a little to no time for herself. This book walks Katy's journey, finding herself, her purpose for life and her higher self. The plot deals with the spiritual development and motivation. The self evaluation and the purpose of life. I liked reading it. ~ S.S Bandeli (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Red dress tells the story of Kathy - a therapist, wife and mother feeling so overwhelmed and dissatisfied with her life so she goes on a spiritual journey to discover herself whilst connecting with an old flame. I thoroughly enjoyed this book especially Kathy's growth and I will say I learnt a lot from this book. I would totally totally recommend this book for anyone ~ Dee A. (Reviewer), NetGalley

This is a story of woman who had it all, husband, kids, career where she is her own boss, but yet she keeps searching for her purpose, path and way to connect with her higher self. It is a memorable story of self evaluation and I liked all the spiritual, psychological lessons the writer was able to weave into the story. ~ Ramani Pakalapati (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 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. ~ Kelsey Bunker (Reviewer) , NetGalley

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! ~ Blayne Helmering (Reviewer), NetGalley

What an interesting story. Really makes you think about life decisions. Great read. ~ Ellina Doroshenko (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 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. ~ Amanda Yates (Media), NetGalley

Engaging, light-hearted and deeply touching, this book deals with universal themes: alienation, exploration and the quest for reconciliation - with who you were, where you are and what you want to be. ~ Jane Bailey Bain, Author, Lifeworks, Author. UK

Having been a therapist, journalist and filmmaker for 30 years, I have had a rather demanding and hectic life and I met Bridget when she came to train with me as a hypnotherapist. Her ability to learn very quickly made it easy for her to take on the complicated issues of her clients. It was obvious from the start she had a knack for working with people’s minds. Bridget’s ability not only to tell her stories but also to write with such a natural flow is a rare combination, which sets the stage for a fascinating book. Once I started reading her book, I could not put it down, as it’s a compelling page-turner. I am already looking forward to her next one, as I know there will be. We became friends over the years as I watched her intriguing life unfold. In my experience, there are a few people who have the most adventuresome lives. In fact, as an author, this is the type of person we look to interview for our own books. Bridget is definitely one of those people. ~ Valerie Austin, International Therapist, Journalist and Filmmaker, USA and UK

I loved this story. The kind of enlightened romantic drama Shakespeare would have written if he were alive today. ~ William Whitecloud, Author, The Magician’s Way, Author. USA.

Bridget's book takes you on an engaging romp through the protagonist's spiritual and personal transformation. As a behavior specialist, I found her characters to be relatable and authentic. As a reader, I found myself hungry for more... ~ Marc Cooper-DiFrancia, CEO and Founder of Creative Self Mastery.com, Creative Self Mastery Mentor, Coach and CEO, USA

A story of awakening. Deeply relatable for anyone who has felt the inexorable pull of the search for greater meaning. This book explores the uncomfortable, magical journey into an expanded version of ourselves. Poignant, vulnerable and real - I was gripped as if by the telling of my own story. ~ Helen Ludwig, Conscious Leadership Consultant, South Africa