Being a huge Dolly Parton fan I couldn't wait to read this book. AnnieLee is a desperate runaway who dreams of making it big in Nashville and she's lucky enough to be taken under the wing of a huge country music superstar, Ruthanna Ryder. Every time Ruthanna was mentioned all I could see was Dolly as I'm fairly sure the character was based on her and she certainly emcompasses Dolly's philanthropy aligned with her trademark glitz!

The thriller part of the story was OK but probably unnecessary as the depiction of the Nashville scene was completely absorbing. I imagine it would be even more so if listening to the accompanying album at the same time. Also, the audiobook is being narrated (and I imagine sung) by Dolly Parton and Kelsea Ballerini so I really think that that would be the best way to experience the story.

Having said that, I enjoyed the book and it was an added bonus having the songbook at the end.

I couldn’t resist the combination of one of my favourite singers and one of my favourite authors. I was a bit concerned that it might be a bit of a one sided effort, but no worries, Dolly’s authenticity shines through. In this tale AnnieLee is a girl with a past and a future she dreams of as a big country star. The past keeps catching up with her, and not in a nice way.

I enjoyed this book, with Dolly’s voice definitely coming through loud and clear. It had me from the first chapter, always good, and I loved AnnieLees’ character, tenacity and obvious talent. Her chemistry with both Ethan and Ruthanna is great and the story moves along at a really nice pace. At times the way the story was heading was a bit obvious, and I would have liked more detail at the end, it felt over a bit too quickly. I’d like to know what happened to AnnieLees’ sisters, but I’m sure that could be another collaboration between the co-authors. There’s obviously a film in this too, with a readymade soundtrack. Overall a really enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

3.5 rounded down

AnnieLee Keyes has been writing tunes and singing since she could talk and now she is leaving home and heading east to Nashville. She arrives at the Cats Paw saloon and asks for a chance to sing on stage. Ethan Blake, a musician who works with Ruthanna Ryder, the Queen of country music, hears AnnieLee singing and persuades Ruthanna to come and hear her. The novel focuses on these three characters whose lives become connected and entwined. Each of the main characters is carrying baggage of some description which has shaped them and made them what they are.

I think it’s fair to say that the co-author Dolly Parton shines through the book and gives it an air of authenticity especially on the ins and outs of the music business. The characters are good with AnnieLee being the most colourful (some self-portrait there maybe??! Certainly in that she’s a pint sized!!), she is very funny, smart which is seen through the dialogue, she is brave, gutsy, talented and very ambitious and oh yes, a bit of a firecracker! Cue, song! Ruthanna and Ethan are extremely likeable to and I enjoy the way they look out for AnnieLee and bend over backwards to help her.

Whilst I wouldn’t necessarily describe this as a mystery thriller, there is a decent mystery surrounding AnnieLee and this does build to a good ending. There is some tension and excitement but as for being a thriller, no, it has thriller and elements as there are some pretty dark sections but it’s not your typical thriller.

I do feel the novel follows a fairly predictable path which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but on occasions it does feel a bit cliched. I’m not entirely sure why I got irritated with some of the Songlines which kept getting repeated but some I do like as they fit in with the narrative . Perhaps it’s because you don’t hear the melody that they don’t resonate so much.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read. It’s well paced with chapters that are short and sharp which works well.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone/Century for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

AnnieLee Keyes is a young, beautiful and talented country music singer. She's determined to make a name for herself so heads to Nashville looking for her big break. AnnieLee is broke so has to sleep rough, busk and beg at bars to perform. Luck is with AnnieLee when she's allowed to perform at The Cat's Paw. What AnnieLee doesn't realise is that the bar is owned by retired country music legend Ruthanna Ryder. It looks like AnnieLee's fortune is about to change when Ruthanna takes a shine to her, however she hasn't told people that she's on the run from a past that is determined to track her down.

Run Rose Run opens with a tense prologue that immediately grabs you, leaving you wondering where the story can go from such a definitive opening. The reader is then transported eleven months back in time to introduce our lead character, AnnieLee Keyes. We discover that AnnieLee will stop at nothing in her quest to perform.

Along the way Annielee meets retired music legend Ruthanna Ryder and session musician Ethan Blake. However things are not as simple as they seem, we soon discover that everyone is hiding secrets. I really wanted to be invested in the characters but felt that AnnieLee, Ruthanna and Ethan were all too similar - independent, tough, stubborn. As the story progresses each characters secret unfolds, however AnnieLee's was a bit too drawn out.

As a "rags to riches" story this works well, showing that fame doesn't come overnight. The story will appeal to true country music fans as there are lots of references to artists and songs but for the general reader these references add nothing to the story. The story contains a number of songs written for the novel and there will be an accompanying album of those songs.

I was excited to get an advance copy of Run Rose Run, not least because Dolly Parton is an international treasure for her philanthropy, much of which is based on supporting children to read.

AnnieLee makes her way to Nashville with limited belongings but a great deal of talent and a big voice. She persuades the manager of the CatsPaw Bar to allow her an open mike slot … which changes her fortunes and her life for the better. However, AnnieLee appears to be in danger. There are shady men hanging around the edges of her life and they threaten her potential success.

Run Rose Run is mainly a story about making it in the music business. It’s light and hugely entertaining, if not a little over worked. The thriller element is thin and obvious but it keeps the plot moving.

If you are after a twisty thriller, this one isn’t for you. However, if you’d like a light fun read about the music business and an underlying plot, this fits the bill.

Thanks to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for an ARC.

Run Rose Run follows a young dreamer, AnnieLee Keyes, on the road to country music superstardom... with a little mystery and a bit of thriller thrown in.

Beautifully written, I fell hard and fast for these characters and AnnieLee's journey. I wasn't sure the elements of thriller were entirely necessary and it felt like the ending was a bit rushed, but the story of a young girl headed to Nashville and finding her dream was a really lovely read.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! I could definitely tell dolly’s influence but I always enjoy a James Patterson book! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for early access and now I will wait for my signed edition to read again!

In what is destined to be the biggest collab of 2022, legendary Country singer Dolly Parton and the world’s biggest-selling writer James Patterson, have joined forces to write “Run Rose Run”, the emotional and gripping tale of a young singer who tries to achieve her dreams by running away from her past, only to find it catching up with her.
I’m a big fan of both Dolly (who isn’t?) and James Patterson, and while this may seem an unusual mash-up, they have come together to write a wonderful story that is both redemptive and inspiring.
The chapters are short, lending the book a page-turning pace, which is Patterson’s forte, and Dolly has created memorable characters in Rose, Ruthanna and AnnieLee. The book also includes a Songbook with the full lyrics of songs featured in the story.
This isn’t your typical James Patterson novel, but with his skill for creating excitement and tension, and Dolly having poured her heart and soul into the story and characters, “Run Rose Run” is a glorious, exciting and tearjerking triumph.

How can you resist a book when it's written by Dolly Parton. I really wanted to like this book, I felt that the combination of Dolly and James Patterson would make it an enjoyable read. Unfortunately this was not the case. The book is disappointing on so many levels. It is advertised as being a thriller, it isn't. AnnieLee travels to Nashville to make her dream come true of being a singer but the secrets she is running away from are not going away. The story is mostly taken up with descriptions of AnnieLee's rise to success. The "thriller" element is a small part of this and quite mild and the tale feels rather clichéd. The character of AnnieLee is supposed to be tough and independent but she just comes across as an unlikable and ungrateful brat. And finally, the writing style lacked finesse. Oh dear! I'm sorry Dolly, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

This is a novel about a young singer and songwriter, running away from her past. It is written by James Patterson and Dolly Parton, and they make a great combination. I would give the novel ten stars were it possible, but I am restricted to five. This is a highly recommended novel, and very emotional in parts. Altogether brilliant.