Fairly straightforward,typical story of a girl dreaming of fame in Nashville. The characters are interesting,the story has a few twists.

There were some interesting criticisms of the music industry and the media, and I also liked the journey through Nashville's honky tonks.

As a collaboration between James Patterson and Dolly Parton this was defiantly a book I was looking forward to reading.
When Val McDermid said this book is like having Dolly in the room with you, she wasn’t wrong. This book has a strong Dolly influence with all the detailed country music business and Nashville coming alive. It has an enjoyable rags to riches story with a bit of a thriller thrown in to the mix.
This is not like Patterson’s other books, the thriller storyline is not as strong or detailed as his other novels. I had the impression the thriller part would play a bigger part. The conclusion to the thriller story came quite fast in the last chapters.
This is an enjoyable read, if you don’t like thrillers I would still recommend this book.

Dolly Parton is a hugely admirable musician and philanthropist who can turn her hand to so many things… and here, she presents us a with a novel, co-written with James Patterson, that takes us right into the heart of wholesome, musical Nashville but also into the entrails of a more dangerous, deceptive Nashville that feeds itself on human desperation. The novel brings together penniless singer AnnieLee Keyes who has arrived in the city to make her fortune and retired country music star Ruthanna Ryder, who decides to mentor AnnieLee. An obvious chemistry also develops between AnnieLee and one of Ruthanna’s studio musicians, Ethan Black. But whilst he soon confides in AnnieLee, she keeps her back story firmly to herself. At times, this makes her appear a less-rounded character than the other two, exacerbated by her obvious talent for everything she turns her mind to. Although the thriller element is secondary to the characterisation and criticism of the country music scene, the novel remains enjoyable throughout and the songbook included is a wonderful bonus. Run Rose Run is recommended for all Parton, Patterson, and thriller fans. My thanks go to the publishers and NetGalley for the free ARC they provide in return for this honest and unbiased review.

A Fair four-star read. I don’t know if I was simply expecting too much from this one, or what. I adore James Patterson and Dolly Parton separately so thought that together there would be magic, but it missed the mark. Annie needed more depth to her, she didn’t feel real to me, almost like life happened to her rather than she had a life. It is a good story overall, but missed some depth in places.

I raced through this book! I totally fell into the country music world and could see, hear and feel all the emotions that AnnieLee was going through. What a brilliant character, and fully believed the relationship she built up with Ruthanna. It felt so immersive witnessing the creation of multiple songs that were woven throughout the story. That music biz insider knowledge felt just as thrilling, if not more if I'm honest, as when the action ramped up a gear and AnnieLee was put in jeopardy. I'm not the hugest fan of violence on the page but all that was here felt necessary to the story, and had a satisfying resolution. Would absolutely recommend and genuinely excited to hear the album that accompanies this!

James Patterson and Dolly Parton - this was one book I had to read. I may have squealed when my request was approved on Netgalley - thank you so much Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century. I have been a long time James Patterson fan and who doesn't love Dolly right. This was a lovely story, with a strong influence from Dolly. There is going to be a 12 song album of song that Dolly has written just for the book and I cannot wait to hear it when the book comes out in March.

As always with Patterson reads, I was up until very late reading until the very end. And I am not sorry about it all. This book will appeal to more than the regular James Patterson readers which makes me really happy.

Our main character is young AnnieLee Keyes, a singer with a big dream and a big voice. She arrives in Nashville to become a star, and to escape her past. She arrives with a small backpack and the determination to succeed. The music business is not for the weak and she makes some strong connections and friends with a legend of the country music scene who sees her potential. She is finally getting everything she has ever wanted, but she is tired of looking over her shoulder all the time. Her secrets are always there are are threatening to destroy her.

Bravo James and Dolly. This is on heck of a book and it deserves to be a bestseller. Released March 7th, 2022

I enjoyed this book, even though I only requested it because of Dolly Parton's input! It's a real page turner, with an engaging set of characters, especially the central character AnnieLee. I loved the detail of AnnieLee's (improbable but gripping) progress in the world of country music, and I would definitely recommend this book to cheer up a wintry evening.

What a refreshing change this is. A simple love story, a rags to riches, talent-will-out story, with a bit of thriller stuff thrown in( the James Patterson parts) and it really works. I would like to encounter Ethan Blake any day and Annie-lee and Ruthannie are great characters. It is a Dolly Parton song as a novel and I really enjoyed it.

On the day I began reading this book, the BBC ran several programmes about Dolly Parton’s life and music. I must confess I am a big fan of Miss Parton and the programmes prompted me to play her music while reading this book. Like most of James Patterson’s books, this is a quick and easy read with short chapters and a very fast plot. It tells a story of a young girl coming to Nashville with her head full of dreams, the usual down on her luck hillbilly type person with a heart of gold. So far, so cliché. As a fan of country music, I enjoyed the name checking of other country artists and the song lyrics that were peppered throughout the story. I have to admit, though, that I was disappointed with the lightweight plot and several large plot holes that occurred throughout. Miss Parton’s fingerprints were all over the references to country music and they were very well done. However, the thriller element was clumsy and haphazardly inserted. At times, the plot jumped from one place to another with no logical explanation of how the characters got there. I feel that Miss Parton was not well served by Mr. Patterson and, at the end of the day, an opportunity to have produced a very good country and western based book was wasted.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

AnnieLee Keyes comes to Nashville to be a star, she hitches a ride into Nashville with nothing with her other than a backpack and a dream, can she make it happen and will anyone help her on the way???

If you love country music then this is the story for you after so many artists being mentioned throughout the book, personally for me it got a bit tedious, i know Dolly was part of the writing process but i was under the assumption it was a thriller, it felt more like a name dropping exercise and the story was pretty weak.

You know that AnnieLee is running from something and that she is not using her real name but when you get to the chapter where it all comes to ahead it was pretty anti climatic with the details still left pretty vague.

This didn't feel like a James Patterson story as not enough details and more a fictional story on how to become a star in Nashville.

The combination of writing talent that we didn’t know we needed! Yes, this is really real. Dolly Parton and James Patterson have co-written a book. It’s difficult to see who wrote which bits and who was the biggest influence… but if you’re expecting Patterson’s usual style you will be disappointed. This is co-written for a reason! It’s a story that needs to be told and it needed the knowledge and experience of Dolly to combine with a writer who knows how to write. This worked well and the partnership has achieved what it needed to.

Nashville came alive in this book through the songs that the main character, AnnieLee, writes, as well as the bars and venues that she visits and the journey that she goes on. I really loved that. I fell in love with music again. Dolly Parton’s own experiences perhaps shine through more than anything else and give this an air of authenticity. Reminiscent of Britney Spears book that she co-wrote with her Mother.

I also encourage you to listen to Big Dreams and Faded Jeans by Dolly Parton - part of the inspiration/link with the book.

I was drawn to this book because I love the writing of James Patterson and was intrigued about the partnership with Dolly Parton. But wow what a partnership, this is such a brilliant read that pulls you in from page one. The mystery surrounds AnnieLee who is obviously running from demons in her past. She is a great main character hungry for a better life, being prepared to sleep rough and go hungry to follow her dream of being a country singer. The retired, famous country singer Ruthanna Ryder hears her sing and realising her talent takes her under her wing but AnnieLee has difficulty trusting others especially Ethan who is determined to protect her if only he knew from what.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book as, while I have read dozens of James Patterson books, I am not a great follower of country music. It is a slow burner and it takes a while to connect to the charactersas a result, but it is well worht the time because, as the story unfolds and the dark past of its main characters slowly emerges, it becomes increasingly gripping and the later stages race along at pace towards the satisfying ending.

Loved this Mash-up two idols come together and make a book that is just wonderful the story is gripping about a young wannabe country singer making it in the world of showbusiness but her past has a way of finding her again. I was swept away and will be reading it again alongside listening to the music it was a really cool concept and one I hope will happen again thanks so much for my copy Netgalley and for the opportunity to read this

Was t sure what to expect from this but I really enjoyed it. If you loved Nashville you will love this. Amazing characters and well written I would highly recommend.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this talented pairing!
It was a good read, I loved the characters and the way it was written seemed to bring Nashville alive, but it was less thrilling then I expected. James Patterson books are normally more fast paced and thrilling, but I still enjoyed it.
Loved the song book at the end.
If you liked Nashville you will love this!
I wonder if there will be another collaboration. Hope so!
Thank you netgalley

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advance copy of Run, Rose, Run, a stand-alone thriller set in Nashville.

AnnieLee Keyes comes to Nashville to fulfil her dream of being a country and western singer, but she’s also fleeing her past and it wants her back.

I thoroughly enjoyed Run, Rose, Run, which is an atmospheric romantic suspense novel. I wasn’t sure at the beginning as the suspense part, which is my main interest, is slow to start, but I soon found the novel hypnotic and I got so invested in AnnieLee and her friends that it wouldn’t have mattered if there was no thrill in the novel. I like the concept of a novel with an accompanying soundtrack and I wish that I had bought and played the soundtrack while reading the novel as I think it would make for the ultimate atmosphere.

Much of the novel revolves around AnnieLee’s meteoric rise to stardom. Obviously for the purposes of the novel the experience is condensed, but it doesn’t dilute the experience or dampen the atmosphere. I found it informative and eye opening, and I got the sense that Ms Parton was revisiting some of the choices she had to make in her career in a better way. AnnieLee is well able to look after herself career wise, and while she gets what she wants it doesn’t always seem likely. Of course, being mentored by one of the industry greats always helps. This mentor, Ruthanna Ryder, is small, always dressed to the nines and has a quick tongue, not that I’m drawing any inferences. I really like the characterisation as the women are strong and the wit quick. Ethan Blake, the love interest, is more of a stereotype, self effacing and gentlemanly.

The secrets and thrills are shoehorned into the end of the novel. I did feel my pulse pounding then, but it’s almost like an afterthought.

Run, Rose, Run is an easy read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Cornerstone, Random House UK, for the eARC of Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. This was given to me in exchange for an honest review so these are my thoughts.
I live in the UK but do really enjoy Country music although I guess my tastes are for more modern country music. But I really wanted to read this book because - Dolly Parton! She’s just amazing, especially with all the ways she give back. And I like reading so this just seemed like a good idea to me.
I recognised some of the names of Country artists throughout the book but wished my knowledge was better as there were many I didn’t recognise too and I didn’t know songs mentioned. Some were possibly made up, this is fiction after all, but I just felt like my lack of knowledge perhaps held back a bit of enjoyment somehow.
I did really enjoy this book though. A little bit predictable/cheesy in places perhaps but I can forgive that. It was an easy, entertaining read.

The title is apt. Rose as is her real name is running from unspeakable damage done to her as a young woman. She is trying to get away from all that by launching herself into a country music career as a writer as well as a singer of songs. She has a number of lucky breaks not least being mentored by Ruthanna, a famous country music star of bygone years. Through her she meets Ethan Blake who becomes her bodyguard and helps her to sort her past. The background of country music gives the book great charm particularly when it has Dolly Parton as a co-author. The story is, as you would expect with James Patterson’s involvement, well written with the reader wondering how the problems will be resolved. The book ends with a collection of songs in the country music genre. I recommend the book.