A Dress the Color of the Sky

Dress #1

by Jennifer Irwin

For too many years, Prudence Aldrich has been numbing the pain in her life with random sexual encounters. Her marriage to cold, self-centered Nick is, not surprisingly, on the rocks. But after several dangerous experiences with strangers, Prudence finally realizes she needs therapy to stop her self-destructive behavior, and so she checks into the Serenity Hills rehab center.

Prudence blames herself for her irresponsible behavior and is filled with self-loathing. She’s convinced she is completely at fault for Nick’s manipulative attitude and believes with therapy, she can return their relationship to its idyllic beginnings. However, her therapist and the other members of her rehab group see the person behind the pain. As Prudence learns more about herself and the reasons for her behavior, including startling revelations about her childhood, she begins to understand the basis for her lack of sexual self-respect. She also learns she is not entirely to blame for the failure of her marriage. With the positive reinforcement of everyone at Serenity Hills, Prudence learns not to define herself by her past. But moving forward would mean letting go of Nick for good, and Prudence isn’t sure she can.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

322 pages, ebook

First published October 17, 2017

About the author

Jennifer Irwin’s debut novel, A Dress the Color of the Sky, was published in 2017 and has received rave reviews, won seven book awards, and was optioned for a feature film. Jennifer’s short stories have appeared in numerous literary publications including California’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction. Jennifer is represented by Prentis Literary and currently resides in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Cynthia Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was intense, on every level. I was so taken in by the writer’s candid style, I waded through the first ten-percent thinking the story was auto-biographical. I was reassured to discover it was a work of fiction; what was happening in Prue’s life was crazy and nerve-racking, not to mention criminal and heartbreaking. But in reality, something influenced the author to write about this complex heroine and what it cost her to push through the horrors she encountered early and often, thanks to the twin curses of beauty and tragically inept parenting.

Even though some of the scenes are quite explicit and often repugnant, I found it impossible not to care about Prue. There’s nothing wrong with her character; she’s kind, smart (intellectually speaking), strong—almost too strong for her own good. She copes with every terrible assault on her life and person with super-human resilience, paying the price for such stalwart bravery by putting the blame on herself for her gross lack of character and goodness. She shoulders the burden of past “mistakes” and manages to hang on to the fraying hopes of redemption, despite the fact that her vulnerability makes her a constant target for further abuses, self-inflicted and otherwise.

The way the author weaves the past—starting with a very young Prue—with her present struggle to rid herself of the destructive behaviors that keep her from having a normal life allows us to experience the emotional struggles and pain ourselves. While that might not sound very appealing on the face of it, Prue’s story and the writing itself are too compelling to turn away from. I take a deep bow to Jennifer Irwin for her courage and the care she took in creating a perfectly believable tale about addiction—no matter what type—the toll it can have on lives, the inner strength it takes to combat it, and those amazing people dedicated to helping addicts reclaim their lives. Bravo, Jennifer!

[Leonard Tillerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Only by acceptance of the past can you alter it.”  (T.S. Eliot)

Undoubtedly, virtually every person on the planet regrets at least one thing that has occurred in their past.  Something which has mortified them and potentially caused shame and embarrassment.  However, in most instances the intensity of these issues are such that a person can leave it behind them and move forward with their life.  Be that as it may, what if the past was so traumatic and tragic that it totally defines a person’s existence?  What if they are unable to overcome the obstacles of the past…even if it means a lifetime of pain and sorrow.  Entirely debilitated and seeking comfort in an unhealthy and often deadly manner.  If such notions have garnered your attention and interest, then A Dress the Color of the Sky by author Jennifer Irwin will be a top reading selection!

Essentially, the book follows the life and struggles of Prudence (Prue) Aldrich.  Married to a sullen and abusive husband by the name of Nick, Prue copes and seeks escape in the form of sexual encounters with strangers.  Recognizing the inherent danger of such a sexual addiction, Prue enters a rehab center by the name of Serenity Hills.  It is here that she seeks to do battle with her demons and hopefully save her marriage and family at the same time.  As the story proceeds, we are taken back through Prue’s past in a series of flashbacks.  We are thus able to gain some perspective about her and why she has found herself at this lowly point.  The reader is able to meet her mother, father, brother and a whole host of friends and abusers.  Her guilt, minimal sense of self-worth and rampant self-loathing all begin to make sense.  Although she attempts to “repair” herself by attending rehab, is Prue simply too far gone to ever truly recover from her tragic and chaotic past?  Or will she manage to find a new strength of character and love for herself which she never really knew existed?

I found the plot of this novel to be absolutely captivating and engaging.  As a reader you will simply melt right into this book.  There are a variety of minor themes which run throughout the story, but the struggle to recover from a traumatic past is the most prevalent motif for this particular reader.  It is all about the strength of the human spirit against what seem to be impossible odds.  Although I can personally identify and connect with Prue’s childhood and the trauma she experienced, such a personal connection is not needed to love this book.  You just have to be human.  The writing flows beautifully and alternates between the past and present in an entirely seamless fashion.  To say I consider this novel to be compelling and enthralling would be a drastic understatement.  In truth, I found it to be magical and it moved me deeply.

For those readers who like to see the protagonist develop in great depth throughout the course of a story, once again A Dress the Color of the Sky will not disappoint.  While there are certainly a variety of characters in the story, they all essentially play a supporting role to Prue.  Her various relationships with them act to uncover and divulge important details about Prue and the nature and depth of her experiences…both negative and uplifting.  Also, the dialogue between them flows smoothly and seems entirely genuine and believable.  The interactions between Prue and the various supporting characters will ignite a whole range of emotions within the reader.  Without a doubt I felt anger, sorrow, joy, contempt and disgust at various points throughout the tale.  Character development at its best!

This book is a must read for a wide variety of reasons.  However, the fact that it is so beautifully written stands out as paramount.  I would recommend it to all adult readers and give it my highest rating.

5 out of 5 Inspirational Stars for this one!  *****

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prudence (Prue) Aldrich is not perfect. She has a problem with addiction, she makes poor life choices and she loves her little boy Christian. In a effort to save her marriage, she finds herself checked in at Serenity Hills for treatment of her sex addiction. We get a glimpse of her behavior, while on the plane, and we are privy to her thoughts on her ride to the treatment center before she checks in.

The story is a big one, swinging from childhood to the present and childhood again, returning back to the present. This is a story about Prue's addiction, but it is also a story abut her redemption too. We live through her traumatic past, an abusive childhood, sexual molestation, rape and her alcoholic husband Nick. We also meet some of her life long friends whom she can count on, especially Lily.

I found Prue to be very likable, rooting for her during her rehab, feeling bad for her when she reaps the consequences of many bad decisions she makes. Some of what she goes through are vivid and emotional, but the sexual scenes were just enough to give the reader a sense of emotion and grasping that Prue experiences. Nothing written here, while emotional, should keep someone from reading this book.

While not a woman, this book did resonate with me, having witness the abuse my mom went through, and experiencing it myself, with my brothers and sisters as we were growing up. Thanks Ms Irwin. There can never be enough books like this, exposing the secrets we all experience.

[Dona's Books]

I don't have anything bad to say about this book, it was just too triggering for me.

I'm going to try again in Spring 2023.

[Kelly Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dress the Color of the Sky is filled with raw emotion from start to finish. How Jennifer put so much life and emotion into 321 pages I couldn't tell you, but she did it so wonderfully! I couldn't put it down, I was to attached to the characters to stop, which means I finished the reading in just a few days and during those days I cried, laughed, "yelled" at a few characters, felt love, and pretty much every other emotion you can think of because Jennifer writes so honestly and accurately. I truly loved this book and can't wait for it to be published, on my shelf, and on the big screen because I can't wait to see these characters brought to life!❤️❤️

[the bookish lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dress the color of the sky - by Jennifer Irwin.
---------5/5 stars-----------

I had to read this book twice to fully understand it, I didn’t want to be unfair and review the book without comprehending it from A to Z. and once i did, boy, I loved every word written in those 315 pages. A dress the color of the sky was one of my favorite reads of 2017. Jennifer did an amazing job writing such an amazing, purely brutal and raw story. It is hard to believe she is a debut author.

Before I star telling you about the story, I just want to throw something out there. THE COVER, oh my goodness, the hardcover edition is beautiful, this book is one of the prettiest ones I own, it is not only “eye-friendly” but also feels amazing! And Do not get me started on the pages, they are large, soft, pall ivory, perfect, just the way I like them.

The story is about Prudence Aldrich, a sex addict who checked into rehab, at Serenity Hills to deal with her addiction, in an attempt to save what was left of her marriage with Nick, and be the mother her teen son deserved. When group therapy stars, the story goes into flashback mode and we met the young Prue, who along with her mother and brother, were leaving her dad to go star their lives away on their own. There she met her best friend for life Lily. However, one of her worst nightmares started, Richard, an abusive man her mother was dating, he was treating both her and her shy brother poorly, calling her names like fat, retarded, stupid, good for nothing, you name it.
In her adult life, Prue suffers from deep self-loathing, believing that everything she went through was deserved. So in order to move on from those three constant feelings lingering on her shoulders, shame, guilt and fear, she has to face her deepest demons from her past.

This was not my first time reading a book dealing with abuse, this genre grew on me so quickly, and I am so proud of people for speaking up and letting the world know what’s hidden behind closed doors.

Again Jennifer did and amazing job, i highly recommend this book. Go grab your copy before the movie comes out.

[Mark Carnelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A five star compelling literary debut.

This is one book I couldn’t wait to finish, though not for any obvious reasons. I have never not finished a book. For me it was an emotional read, every page charged with a soul churning intensity. There was pity, sadness and sorrow. Anger that was only mildly tempered with small doses of joy.
Prue is a rape and abuse survivor, seeking rehabilitation and acceptance in an addiction centre for admitting her condition as a sex addict.
It is a confronting and raw read, with no holds barred. It’s not just acceptance that Prue has to attain, it’s also self worth and love. Rehab itself is not a place for the faint hearted, it’s just as brutal in confronting your addiction and abuse. In Prue’s case it’s one step forward and two steps back as her struggles are intensified by her financial situation and her continued lack of self-esteem which is not helped by her emotionless husband Nick. Her one shining light is her young teen son Christian and she needs her recovery as much for him as for herself.
I’m glad I read this wonderful book, it has opened my eyes to a totally different genre. Jennifer Irwin’s debut novel is a masterpiece of writing that is both touching and utterly compelling. If this novel helps just one abuse victim, then it has succeeded.
Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for a brilliant literary work.

[Ashley Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis sounded different than my usual book choices, so when it was brought to my attention I was excited to delve into uncharted territory. Overall, my experience reading Jennifer Irwin’s debut novel A Dress the Color of the Sky was not positive, but I would like to take a few moments to explain why.

To begin, I want to applaud Irwin for tackling such a difficult and complicated topic for her first novel. She has obviously put a lot of time and research into understanding the various forms of addiction being experienced by her characters. However, I had numerous issues with certain aspects of this book that made my time reading the book unenjoyable. These issues revolved specifically around writing style, dialogue, and written descriptions.

The writing style is fairly abrupt and unfocused. I found it difficult to follow along with the story as it jumped between events with quick succession. When an interesting event would take place (for instance, the sailing race with Prudence and her childhood friend) it would be over so fast that I was left unsatisfied. The story progressed so quickly in both the ‘past’ and ‘present’ chapters that, as a reader, I felt dragged along. After a while, I felt so bombarded with various snippets of Prudence’s life and time in rehab that I felt no emotional connection to any of the characters or plot. It very quickly became boring and predictable.

The next issue I had, the book’s dialogue, was something I disliked from the very first page. While Irwin’s novel has a diverse cast of characters, they were all tremendously two dimensional due to their flat and robotic dialogue throughout the novel. I felt that the author was attempting to insert aggression and anger in the speech of characters such as Richard (Prudence’s stepfather) and Nick (her husband) but it came off sounding forced and corny. The rest of the characters, outside of Alistair (who I will get to in a moment), sounded exactly the same — flat, boring, forgettable. Prudence did not win my heart like she was meant to. I admit that I felt absolutely nothing towards her. How Prudence’s voice was read in conversations was the ultimate downfall of her character’s development. As an example, Prudence didn’t speak any differently between childhood and adulthood. If it wasn’t for her adult chapters taking place in rehab I probably would have confused the two eras in her life. There were no reasons for me to sympathise or connect with her as she simply did not feel real. Poorly written dialogue creates flat, unlikeable, and unrelatable characters. If everyone sounds the same, how can I properly connect with them?

The exception to this was Alistair, who was an issue all on his own. As someone living in England for the past couple years, I feel I have become well versed in British stereotypes versus actual British culture. American media has created a caricature of the ‘prefered’ Britsh man — often influenced by characters played by British actors such as Hugh Grant and Jude Law. They’re usually posh, from London, and speak with an array of overused slang terms (‘bloody hell’ being an offender in this book) and beginning sentences with “one” (ie. ‘one might think’). All of these qualities can be found in the character of Alistair who reads like the typical American stereotype of a Britsh man. It goes without saying that this drove me a bit crazy and felt like incredibly lazy writing. Alistair was my least favourite character (even though I’m sure I was intended to feel this way about Nick or Richard) and I honestly began to skim any pages that he made an appearance on. Another thing that didn’t sit well with me was Prudence and Alistair’s first conversation. After hearing Alistair’s accent, Prudence gawks “Are you from London?” (pg. 57). And of course, being the British stereotype he is, Alistair replies that yes, he is from Kensington. Becuase of course he is. He then goes on to state that it’s “bloody hot” that he wanted to “nip” his addiction before it got out of hand, and how “horrid” something was. And just in case you forget he’s British, there was a “bloody hell” and “cheers” thrown in there for good measure. And this was only over the span of two pages. As he is a fixture in Prudence’s life at rehab, his awkward dialogue made an unfortunately frequent appearance.

The final issue I wanted to highlight was lack of description. This book has very little text that isn’t dialogue. There isn’t enough time spent describing a scene, a smell, a feeling. When I read a book I want to be transported into the same room as the characters. I want to feel like I’m a part of their experience and living in their world. I felt that this was not accomplished through the heavy, poorly written dialogue and could have benefited from more descriptions of the places and people that Prudence interacted with beyond shallow and basic observations. Without successfully painting any of the scenes, the characters all seemed to exist in a vacuum. I never felt like I really understood Prudence’s environments and the places that she lived. I wanted to know more about Prudence’s school and the various homes that she lived in. The story moved so fast that nothing could be fleshed out. The book relied too much on characters speaking to one another in quick, flat dialogue. And it’s a real shame because I feel that if this area of the book was improved upon it would have left a more pleasant taste in my mouth.

Needless to say, I did not finish reading A Dress the Color of the Sky. At page 242 I stopped and never looked back. Because of this, I have awarded this book a rating of one out of five stars.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
A Dress the Color of the Sky is Jennifer Irwin’s heart-wrenching debut novel and the first instalment in The Dress Series. This book is not for the faint of heart. It offers a raw and emotional reading experience, exploring themes of abuse, trauma, and tragedy that have shaped a life spiralling out of control.
Prue Aldrich moves through life but is not truly living. Her past has shattered her, and the untold poor choices she has made—both in the past and present—continue to haunt her.
The captivating narrative alternates seamlessly between past and present as Jennifer weaves a harsh and tragic tale of childhood abuse and the suffering she endures throughout her life, including from her husband and through her dangerous sexual addiction.
As Prue embarks on a journey of reliving and purging herself of self-loathing and a lack of self-worth during her time in rehab, she seeks redemption for what she believes was her fault. This experience is both brutal and honest, leaving readers feeling emotionally drained as they witness her gut-wrenching childhood and struggles.
Jennifer’s compelling tale should not be missed.

[Patricia Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My name is Prudence Aldrich. My friends call me Prue. I am a wife, a mother, and a sex addict. Welcome to my heart-wrenching world of deceptions and adultery-disguised behind the pretense of an ordinary life. This is my story of addiction and recovery”_ Prue.

Jennifer Irwin has written a book that is relevant, raw, brutally honest and absolutely stunning. The characters are so well developed and the descriptions were so well done I could easily imagine myself and all of the other characters in the surroundings. She truly has a gift!

As Prue enters rehab she confronts her own guilt, shame and fears. She calls herself a whore. A slut. She shoulders all the blame and she owns her sexual behavior. Every person at Serenity Hills is here to get help. To recover. From drugs and alcohol to sex addictions. There are no secrets here. No class system here. Everyone is an addict. Everyone is suffering and in pain. As desperately as Prue wants to be a faithful and loving wife and a dependable and good mother she doubts herself.

The story is told as Prudence enters rehab. And the chapters go back and forth from her childhood to her time at the rehab facility. On paper Prue should have had a great life. But money isn’t everything and instead she gets a couple of damaged parents who bring more chaos and damage to Prudence and her brother.

Living with a mother who is having her own issues, Prue seems to be lost in the chaos constantly surrounding her. Her mother is not the motherly type and has horrible taste in men. Prue is told over and over how she is only good for one thing. She’s awful, she’s stupid, she’s fat. The list is long and painful. Because she is none of those things. She grew up believing that she deserved no better treatment than what she got. And because of that she confused sex with a lot of other things it was not.

No matter how many men she slept with, it never took away that not good enough feeling. As for the sex, the pleasure was fleeting at best and left her with more self-loathing.

I am not ashamed to say this story opened up a lot of scabs that I thought had healed over. I was wrong. You don’t ‘get over’ the things that happen to you as a child. All of those things make you the adult you become and when abuse is all you know you continue abusing yourself through a multitude of ways.

A novel full of what I call ‘feels’. At first I looked at Prue the same way she looked at herself. Then I read her life story and I cried. I ached for the little girl, I wanted to protect her from herself. I cried at how brave she really was. In a culture I know all to well, as long as it looks picture perfect on the outside who cares whats going on inside?

You don’t have to be a sex addict to understand the importance of this novel. Addiction can take many forms. Including the stories you tell yourself. I’m worthless. I’m ungrateful. I’m stupid. The human need to be loved can make us behave in ways even we don’t understand. But I’m rooting for Prue! By the end of the novel, I didn’t want it to end! I wanted to know what happened at home? Did she find her true self and stick to it?

I can only hope that Ms. Irwin gives us a few more glimpses of her wonderful character.

Congratulations Ms. Irwin! I can’t wait for the film!

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An expressive, emotional and captivating read...

If you’ve been around long enough you begin to realize that you cannot escape yourself. Instead, all parts of you that you perceive as flawed must be looked at square in the eye and healed. Each of these healings gets you closer to a more accepting and peaceful life. There are simply no other routes but straight through your own heart and soul.

A Dress The Color of The Sky by Jennifer Irwin is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive adult novel. The author weaves a well-crafted story with emotional highs and lows that will captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. Skillfully constructed, this biographical fiction revolves around the main character Prudence (Prue), set against the backdrop of sexual abuse and addiction.

There’s no doubt that A Dress The Color of The Sky is an exceptionally well-written book. However, it must be said that this story is not for the faint-hearted or easily offended. The author’s script at times is razor-sharp and will cut deep into the emotions of its reader. There are scenes of a sexual nature. Nevertheless, the themes and outcome are just as affecting in the arresting contemporary landscape of sexual addiction.

This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a mesmerizing journey.

Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

[pawsreadrepeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the authenticity and honesty that the author brought to this book. It is raw emotion at the most fundamental level. The topic of sex addiction is serious and causes emotional damage to those we love. While Prue's behavior was often reprehensible, I found myself feeling intense empathy toward her as we learned the "why" behind her addiction. The author did an excellent job of pulling me in from start to finish and an amazing job exploring this topic with care and sensitivity. Thank you @JenIrwinAuthor and @KateRockBookTours for having me on this tour!

[Anna Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars I am but rounding up as I am still unsure how I feel about this book. But it's always a good sign when a book lingers in your mind after finishing--it means one way or another the book touched/grabbed at you. Disclaimer: This book could be too triggering for some people. If you have experienced sexual abuse in your life and are still struggling, this could be too difficult to handle.
(I put that there as spoilers in here, but there really isn't much "spoiling" going on. Just a couple moments described that could be seen as "giving parts away" to some readers)

It took me probably a third of the book to get truly into it. Through no fault of the author though--but because some of the content was personally not my style, so I had a hard time connecting with it. The amount of sexual content was a bit high for me at first, but I understand it's MOSTLY necessary for you to understand Prue and where her sex-addiction truly comes from. Then some of it became downright uncomfortable and traumatizing BUT it was MEANT to be that way! You had to be somewhat traumatized to get it. To get Prue.

In the book she delves into her demons through therapy at the rehab center. At times I felt like even though she was diving deep into her emotions, I myself couldn't feel them with her. Other times she had me crying and seething with anger. The times I felt like Prue was being truly vulnerable were magical. The flashbacks were my favourite parts as they felt the most raw and real. And her relationship with Lily was the most powerful one of the book to me. It always felt genuine and true.

For the most part each character felt alive, yet with one relationship in particular I felt left out--I couldn't feel the growth and yet it claimed to be there. Alistair remains an anomaly to me; I just don't get it. Besides Alistair the patients at Serenity Hill were each captivating in their own way. I found myself wishing each patient had a mini-corresponding book of their own so I could dive into their demons, too.

All in all, for a first novel Jennifer did very well. Her rhythm is good, and you can tell it will just get better with later novels to come. I would be interested in seeing how her writing style progresses! Thank you for this amazing opportunity to read this new novel! I hope others find both joy and pain between these pages and find appreciation Prue and her story. Enjoy future readers!

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dress The Color of the Sky is a deep dark look into the life of Prudence, a sex addict in recovery.

This was a very emotional and depressing story. Told in present tense with glimpses into the past, you experience the raw, real and heartbreaking life of Prudence. The choices she made as a result of her past.

Much of the story takes place in a rehab facility, with many characters suffering and trying to rid their lives of demons.

This is an enlightening book, and my heart truly broke for her. It was a good reminder to be kind to ourselves, be compassionate and understanding and most importantly forgiving.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was well done for a first novel. I particularly liked how the author jumped between the past and present throughout the story. There was no confusion and it flowed very well.

There were definitely uncomfortable scenes in the book. While I am ok with stories making me think and making me a bit uncomfortable, I found some of the scenes too explicit for my taste.

I do think that some of Prudence’s experiences with men from her past were unbelievable. The abuse from her stepfather would have caused more than enough mental trauma to carry the story. That being said though, Prudence was a well developed character and you can’t help but root for her and feel sad for her and her experiences.

Great work Jennifer. I wish you all the success for this book and for your future work!

[Leyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dress the color of the Sky - Jennifer Irwin.

Wow!..... I really mean it, WOW!

It's been an absolute privilege for me to have the chance to read an advanced copy of this book.

This story is so much more than I ever expected. I feel like I've been through a therapy all of my own. I have been torn apart and put back together again. My own reading journey mirroring the journey the book takes.

I am reluctant to spoil it for anyone else. Suffice to say, this book will not disappoint, it is so very different from any book I've read before. Yet, it is all of us. This writer dares to venture where others would not. Prue is a mess and a masterpiece. Amazingly written. Perfect!

I loved it!

[L.H. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy that I got the chance to read this book.

It is so completely different from any other book that I've read. This story will grip you from start to finish. Prudence is an amazing character to follow. There are so many details it feels like you are actually in the story.

Congratulations Jennifer! I can't wait to read any other stories you conjure up.

[Sandra Fitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

This book should be on every book club list! Beautifully written with a subject that needs more attention! Fabulous first book!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dress the Color of the Sky is book one of The Dress Series. I had the pleasure of reading book two earlier this year and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. The author seamlessly moves through Prue's past and present, making you feel all kinds of emotions. If you're in the mood for a heavier read, I highly recommend this book! Jennifer is a brilliant author and her writing is incredible!

[Kirsty Wenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two timelines weave together to form the present and the past of the main character, Prudence, who is a sex addict undergoing treatment in a rehabilitation center in the present. As she goes through the program, stories from her past raise their ugly heads and reveal the reasons behind her addiction and low self-worth. I found this book to be incredibly raw and, at times, quite disturbing, as Prudence was a victim of sexual abuse as a child.

Prudence's mother offers no protection for her daughter, and I found it very interesting to see a correlation between the behaviour of Prudence's mother and Prudence's own behaviour when she is a mother later on in life. There is a theme of history repeating here. Very memorable for me was the fairy tale Prudence's mother tells her when she is a child, about the dress the colour of the sky. It brings meaning to the story.

As treatment progresses, there are many scenes in the book which detail various sexual encounters throughout her life, as the circumstances of Prudence's life become more desperate. The novel also explores Prudence's relationships with her husband, Nick, and her son, Christian. Not surprisingly, Nick treats Prudence exactly how she expects to be treated. His use of her name Pru-dense made me dislike him immensely. He is not a nice man. I was saddest for Pru's son, who didn't like to be left alone when Pru was out with men. Christian broke my heart the hardest.

I thought the detail about Pru's life was quite detailed and it does a good job in making the reader feel uncomfortable and horrified at what she has been through. But I felt that the scenes at the rehab centre could have been more rounded, with Pru's own personal revelations as well as her relationships with her fellow treatment patients. I couldn't quite grasp the essence of these secondary characters or the relationship which was apparently developing between Pru and Alistair. I think this is because there was not enough time spent with those characters for them to feel three dimensional.

One aspect of rehab that I liked was when Pru told the nurse what emotions she was feeling. This was a recurring theme throughout the book, and these occasions made me feel a wide array of emotions along with Pru. Overall, I felt moved by Pru's raw and emotional journey. It leaves me with a bittersweet aftertaste and I hope she is able to forge ahead with her life and repair her relationship with her son.

[What Angie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was like nothing I've ever read before, and that is a good thing. I did have a hard time getting into it but once I did, it was amazing.

There is a lot of stories about AA, NA etc but never about SA. I don't want it to start a trend because I think that Jennifer's book should be unique.

I had the honour of recieiving this book from the author in exchange for my honest review, and that is what I am giving. I have never felt more compelled to give a book a higher rating that this one.

Prue was a character that I couldn't relate to, but I was rooting for her. I took my time with this one, truly trying to understand her struggle. I am glad I did.

There was a few triggers that I could have done without, but it was part of the story and necessary. Jennifer lets us know that trauma can carry over as an adult and that was an important realization. Sometimes we do not see the bigger pitchure when it comes to things talked about in the book. (I won't spoil it further).

The switching back and forth from Prue's current situation and her past explains a lot. It was a journey that I am glad I was able to take with her, as the reader.

In my head I pictured Prue as someone I could be friends with. I kept thinking it would be a great netflix series (but just read that it actually will be a movie!). I see Jennifer Love Hewitt as the role for some reason.

Thanks for letting us into the life of sex addict, something I wouldn't have ever thought I'd ever enjoy being part of.

5 stars Jennifer!

follow my reviews on YouTube (I will be putting up a complete spoiler review there soon) www.youtube.com/aeroangie (What Angie Reads)

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Dress the Color Of the Sky" is a raw, unflinching look at a road to redemption that doesn't always come out like a fairy tale or with a magical cure. Instead, it's about the honesty of making a true discovery of yourself and learning to move forward into an oftentimes scary unknown.

Prudence Aldrich has an addiction to intimacy. When she finally seeks help, she enters a rehab facility in Arizona that forces her to confront the events of her past. Told in alternating chapters of time, Prue's life is a devestating hit after another but through her work in the rehab center, she can finally put into perspective what drives her, what defines her - and confront her painful past.

This book is so well-written and the author shows her care for her main character Prue. With every chapter, the character grows into one you want to root for, one who will get through to the other side of her life now and find happiness.

Irwin has tremendous ability to show that a personal evolution can be revolutionary one step at a time. It's often times messy, it's often a lonely road, but through connection, through shared experiences, through grace - we can all find our path again.

It's a tale of forgiveness, certainly ones we need from other people, but it's the forgiveness for yourself - the ability to give yourself permission to grieve for what was and what is and remain hopeful for the future - that's the most important.

It's been a joy seeing Irwin's success and following her story as an author. A genuine writer, she's also a geniuine person who has wisdom and clarity to share. There is a sequel to this work being released soon.

[Bookworm Adda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DRESS the color of the Sky.
What should I say about this book?
Beautifully written novel.
Jennifer has ventured in to a subject where only few authors dare to write about.
Prudence Aldrich a strong and beautiful women sharing her secrets and her heart wrenching story of her life. Prudence a mother, wife and sex addict who you takes you to reality and current happenings in the world. The way the author has put across the words gives you Goosebumps.

I am so honored that I got chance to read the book before it's release.
It's a must read to every women out there as this book will change your life.
Thank you so much Jennifer Irwin for such a beautiful Story.

[Shantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so honored to have been chosen to read and review this beautiful debut novel. Jennifer has created a character who you laugh with, cry with and root for throughout her entire journey. The matter-of-fact way in which earth-shattering events are relayed, the seamless jumps between the past and the present...so impressive. I cannot wait for others to meet Pru and hear her story, and I can’t wait to see these characters come to life in the upcoming movie!

[Susan J. Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super-fast read. I loved Jennifer Irwin’s succinct prose and this was a fascinating insight into rehabilitation. Prue is strong, but seems irreparably damaged. Her five-week rehabilitation programme is challenging and uncomfortable. I loved the way her past life was interwoven with her rehabilitation experience - it was perfectly balanced. Don’t be fooled by the sweet cover - this book has hidden depths.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well written, poignant book about a woman who is working through her issues. It gets pretty heavy, but the characters are compelling as is their journey.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply emotional story of a woman facing the childhood trauma that turned her into a sex addict

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the second book in this series, 𝐀 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 back in July and loved it.

Now I got to go back to the beginning of Prudence’s journey. Prue, a married woman with a teenage son, has just checked into Serenity Hill Rehab Center. Her drug of choice is sex.

The story jumps back and forth between Prue’s time in rehab and her traumatic, abused, and self-destructive past.

Stories about addiction, trauma, and abuse are rarely feel-good reads, but Jennifer Irwin writes in such a way that you get attached to these characters. I was glad to see familiar faces from book two and discover how they first met.

There are many triggers: drug use, alcoholism, rape, infidelity, abuse, and more. But like I mentioned in my review for book two, Irwin nails it when it comes to the subtle things that can affect an addict. And Prue’s self-talk, shame, guilt, and the daily battle make her struggle palpable and heartbreaking.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @jenirwinauthor for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Maria Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unraveling Addiction

Prudence Aldrich is a sex addict. In the throes of a toxic and dysfunctional marriage, she hits a major crossroads in her life and recognizes she needs help. She decides to admit herself into an addiction treatment facility in order to address her problems head on and perhaps to save her marriage to Nick. At the time, she is fraught with money concerns so one of the questions that did come up for me is how is Prudence able to afford her weeks-long stay in a posh facility in the first place? I do not recall it being addressed in the book.

The story alternates back and forth between present day and Prudence’s past as a child. Born into a wholly dysfunctional family and utterly losing the parental jackpot, she and her brother Henry move away with their mother after her parents are divorced during her preteen years, a critical time in her development. Her mother is a largely absent and disinterested parent who has plenty of gender boundary issues of her own. Prudence endures horrific sexual abuse with no one to stand up for her save maybe an older woman who owns the house Prudence and her family rent but who has major problems of her own. It is easy to see how Prudence ends up using men as a way to cope with the lasting damage of her circumstances. The situations that she finds herself in as a child through no fault of her own are heartbreaking and the author does a good job of garnering sympathy for her character in spite of her later choices where Prudence is in the driver’s seat but where the effects of her trauma are clearly running the show.

During a trip with her mostly estranged father, a drug addict and sexual deviant, Prudence meets Nick, an over-privileged alcoholic who has no impulse control. Against the advice of her far-wiser friend, Prudence marries Nick and they have a son named Christian.

Prudence continues to make horrendous choices for herself and her child who loves and adores his mother in spite of her issues. She realizes that she is failing her child as well as herself but seems powerless to stop. She maintains an overriding sense of self-hatred that she viciously attacks herself with at will.

The story’s format helps to create sympathy for this character who might easily be hated and reviled. The writing is concise and well-developed as is the plot line. The story delves deep into the topic of addiction and what drives the addict’s behavior at its root. Understanding where Prudence comes from and why she makes the choices she does instead of only focusing on her shocking behavior goes a long way toward wanting something better for herself and for her son. She is shown time and again that there are good people in her life rooting for her though she struggles to see what they see in her. Ultimately, she deems herself as unworthy and that is the real tragedy. Its far-reaching consequences can be summed up in a child having to navigate the world without his mother.

The fact that addiction is a journey rather than a destination is reflected well throughout the book as well as in the ending. Irwin does a great job of spreading awareness and insight into the complexities of any addiction and the driving forces behind human behavior.

BRB Rating: Read It.

[Naty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just not my style. It is quite nice and entertaining, but the plot and main character didn't really interest me personally.