Dolly Parton has been a beloved icon for years I couldn't wait to get into this book and im so glad I did. Her life has been truly remarkable she has really worked hard to make a name for herself. Her humble beginnings have shaped this woman to what she is today. What touched me was her honesty through her storytelling.
If you’ve ever liked Dolly Parton even a little, this book will make you love her. And if you already loved her, it will remind you exactly why.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this amazing ARC!

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading memoirs- while we see all the things that famous people like Dolly Parton have done, we don’t know how they got there or what they’re like as a person. Dolly gives off warm, genuine vibes and this book reiterated in my mind that she truly seems like a wonderful, generous person. It’s incredible to hear her story- how she grew up with so little and managed to achieve her dreams with grit and determination.

Something about the book felt just slightly off- while I loved reading about Dolly, the storytelling felt a little flat and I felt like it could’ve been more engaging. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why I felt this way (when the story is so interesting!) but it definitely felt a little dry.

A powerful and engaging portrait of Dolly Parton that really highlights not just her incredible career, but the struggles and resilience behind it. I loved how this biography blended personal stories, cultural history, and never-before-seen details to show the full scope of who Dolly is—an artist, a businesswoman, and a philanthropist who’s touched countless lives. It’s a larger-than-life story about a larger-than-life woman, but told with warmth and heart. Highly recommend for Dolly fans and anyone who enjoys an inspiring life story.

Set to release this December, Ain’t Nobody’s Fool is a captivating and meticulously researched biography about Dolly Parton. Ackmann’s writing flows effortlessly, making this a fast yet deeply engaging Five Star read.
As a lifelong Dolly Parton fan, I loved revisiting her music, her partnership with Porter Wagoner, and her extraordinary career spanning more than five decades. But what makes this biography shine is how it goes beyond the music. It’s a powerful tribute to a woman who defied expectations, rose from poverty, and used her success to lift up the very community she came from.
Dolly’s creativity, talent, faith, and unwavering loyalty - to her ideals, her family, and her roots - are beautifully highlighted here. Ackmann shows us not just the superstar, but the resilient, groundbreaking woman who has paved the way for so many others.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this incredible biography. Kudos to Martha Ackmann! I’ll definitely be picking up her other works.
#aintnobodysfool

Ain’t Nobody’s Fool is a well-research biography of Dolly Parton. I was immediately immersed in Dolly’s life story, starting with her childhood. I particularly enjoyed reading about who and what influenced Dolly to become the legend she is today.

Dolly is a household name, and she certainly isn’t anybody’s fool. She is kind-hearted, extremely talented, and very generous. Her career spans 60 years and includes 50 albums. She is a country legend, known not only for her angelic voice, but also for her philanthropy. Among her vast collection of charity organizations, she is involved in the Dollywood Foundation that helps reduce high school dropout rates, and the Imagination Library that provides free books to children.

This particular biography, Ain’t Nobody’s Fool, is a must-have for all Dolly fans, because it really helps you understand the person behind the legend. How did Dolly get so talented? Why is she so generous with others? The answers are found in this book.

From Grandpa and Grandma Owens, Dolly learned dedication and a deep desire to succeed. They were devasted by a terrible flood, but saved what they could of their meager belongs, and worked real hard to get back on their feet again. From a childhood neighbor, Martha Williams, Dolly learned hospitality and generosity. Martha was fond of the Partons, and welcomed them into her home for mouthwatering gingerbread and corn bread hoecakes.

These are just a few of the many influences over this superstar’s life. Learn about them and others, and how they helped form this iconic, kind-hearted star. Brilliantly written and filled with a plethora of new details about Dolly’s life, this is one biography you don’t want to miss!

Dolly is truly an inspiration—from her humble beginnings to everything she’s accomplished, there’s so much to admire. This book was an absolute joy to read and made me appreciate her even more. Her strength, kindness, and authenticity shine through every page. I found myself smiling, tearing up, and feeling genuinely uplifted. It’s a reminder of the kind of person I strive to be every day. A must-read for any Dolly fan!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read "Ain't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton" in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am incredibly moved by this book about a woman that I have long admired. A woman from a strong line of women, a family of survivors, growing up in difficult times and turning her success into a way to help others.

Dolly is a generous, good person, who always remembers where she came from and the people that helped her along the way.

Especially moving is her devotion to literacy projects like her Imagination Library that gives a free books every month to children from birth until they start kindergarten. Dolly realizes the importance of reading and the worlds that a single book can open for a child. She equally supports scholarships to keep young people in school and healthcare projects.

She is such an inspiration and I absolutely recommend this book to fans of Dolly, fans of country music and truly wish I could give it 10 stars.

I found this to be a very thorough and precise writing about the origins and life of Dolly Parton. The amount of references and cite notations were astounding, but goes to show how much research was involved. Dolly’s interactions with people she met along the way shows she has fierce loyalty and lifelong connections. I grew up loving her music and seeing her in the movies, so it was a treat to learn how those events came to be. I had tears at the end and am so happy to know that I am lucky enough to be on the same planet as such an amazing, yet down-to-earth angel. Not just her music, but also her humanitarian work has touched so many lives. I am very happy to have read this book. I’m hoping the published book will also contain pictures. That would make it a treasured work, for sure.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the ARC.

I really enjoyed this biography of Dolly Parton. It takes you from her early years all the way to the present day and is packed with good research (there are lots of footnotes showing where the author got their info). Even with all that detail, it never felt bogged down or overwhelming—it’s actually a pretty fast, engaging read.

What I loved most was how much of Dolly’s personality came through. I walked away feeling like I l got to know her better and understand how she became the incredible, beloved woman she is today. If you’re a Dolly fan or just curious about her journey, this is definitely worth picking up. #netgalley

She’s more than rhinestones and one-liners—she’s a powerhouse, a survivor, and a genius in glitter heels.

This biography gives a deeper look at Dolly Parton’s incredible life—from the Smoky Mountains to Dollywood, country music charts to COVID vaccine funding. It’s rich with behind-the-scenes moments, rare photos, and the tough truths behind her sparkle.

Was it a little dense at times? Yes.
Was it still absolutely worth the read? 100%.
Because Dolly is that iconic.

If you love:
🌄 Appalachian grit
🎤 Women defying the odds
📚 Nonfiction with heart
💫 Real-life queens who never quit

Then this book will make you fall in love with Dolly all over again. She’s not just a legend—she’s a lesson in resilience. And y’all… she ain’t nobody’s fool.

I love Dolly but who doesn’t. This book is informative but I have to say the footnotes just ruin it. Put them all together at the back rather than after each chapter. Dang!
Thank you NetGalley for the added readers copy arcane of course the publisher. Really take my advise and move those annoying footnotes and this book is great. But the subject is wonderful. She is one of the most likable real talented people out there and just an fyi I M NOT a country music fan but dolly is so darn lovable.