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Red Dust Running
Matters of the heart have always made Annabelle run for the hills – literally. Can a real-life cowboy convince her to compromise for love, or will he be just another man left in the dust?
Matters of the heart have always made Annabelle run for the hills – literally.
After a disastrous relationship effectively torches her personal and professional life in Sydney, Annabelle is back in Brisbane. She’s about to start her dream job launching and curating a First Nations gallery in the city, and this time, nothing is getting in the way of her important work. Certainly not romance.
Everything is going to plan until a birthday trip to the rodeo with her tiddas brings Annabelle up close and (very) personal with Dusty Davies, bona fide cowboy. Opposites may attract, but Annabelle’s not built for the rodeo life. Anyway, Dusty doesn’t take art and activism seriously like Annabelle does. It’s just a country fling.
Can Dusty convince Annabelle to compromise for love, or will he be just another cowboy left in the dust?
Matters of the heart have always made Annabelle run for the hills – literally.
After a disastrous relationship effectively torches her personal and professional life in Sydney, Annabelle is back in Brisbane. She’s about to start her dream job launching and curating a First Nations gallery in the city, and this time, nothing is getting in the way of her important work. Certainly not romance.
Everything is going to plan until a birthday trip to the rodeo with her tiddas brings Annabelle up close and (very) personal with Dusty Davies, bona fide cowboy. Opposites may attract, but Annabelle’s not built for the rodeo life. Anyway, Dusty doesn’t take art and activism seriously like Annabelle does. It’s just a country fling.
Can Dusty convince Annabelle to compromise for love, or will he be just another cowboy left in the dust?
Audible Audio
Published July 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
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About the author
Anita Heiss
37 books559 followersProfessor Anita Heiss – bio
Anita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, and is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors, publishing across genres, including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children’s novels.
Her adult fiction includes Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right, Manhattan Dreaming, Paris Dreaming and Tiddas. Her most recent books include Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms which was longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize and was named the University of Canberra’s 2020 Book of the Year.
The anthology Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia which Anita edited, was named the Small Publisher Adult Book of the Year at the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Anita’s children’s literature includes Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic, co-written with Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. She also wrote two kids’ novels with students from La Perouse Public School - Yirra and her deadly dog Demon and Demon Guards the School Yard, and more recently, Harry’s Secret and Matty’s Comeback.
Anita’s other published works also include the historical novel Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937, non-fiction text Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight) – Publishing Aboriginal Literature, and The Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature, which she co-authored with Peter Minter.
In 2004 Anita was listed in The Bulletin magazine’s “Smart 100”. Her memoir Am I Black Enough for You? was a finalist in the 2012 Human Rights Awards and she was a finalist in the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards (Local Hero).
As an advocate for Indigenous literacy, Anita has worked in remote communities as a role model and encouraging young Indigenous Australians to write their own stories. On an international level she has performed her own work and lectured on Aboriginal literature across the globe at universities and conferences, consulates and embassies in the USA, Canada, the UK, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany and New Zealand.
Anita is proud to be a Lifetime Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and an Ambassador of Worawa Aboriginal College, the GO Foundation and the Sydney Swans.
She is on the Board of the State Library of Queensland, CIRCA and the University of QLD Press. In 2019 Anita was appointed a Professor of Communications at the University of QLD and in 2020 is the Artist in Residence at La Boitte Theatre.
Anita’s website: www.anitaheiss.com
Storytime with Aunty Nita: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/lib...
Anita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, and is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors, publishing across genres, including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children’s novels.
Her adult fiction includes Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right, Manhattan Dreaming, Paris Dreaming and Tiddas. Her most recent books include Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms which was longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize and was named the University of Canberra’s 2020 Book of the Year.
The anthology Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia which Anita edited, was named the Small Publisher Adult Book of the Year at the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Anita’s children’s literature includes Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic, co-written with Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. She also wrote two kids’ novels with students from La Perouse Public School - Yirra and her deadly dog Demon and Demon Guards the School Yard, and more recently, Harry’s Secret and Matty’s Comeback.
Anita’s other published works also include the historical novel Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937, non-fiction text Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight) – Publishing Aboriginal Literature, and The Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature, which she co-authored with Peter Minter.
In 2004 Anita was listed in The Bulletin magazine’s “Smart 100”. Her memoir Am I Black Enough for You? was a finalist in the 2012 Human Rights Awards and she was a finalist in the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards (Local Hero).
As an advocate for Indigenous literacy, Anita has worked in remote communities as a role model and encouraging young Indigenous Australians to write their own stories. On an international level she has performed her own work and lectured on Aboriginal literature across the globe at universities and conferences, consulates and embassies in the USA, Canada, the UK, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany and New Zealand.
Anita is proud to be a Lifetime Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and an Ambassador of Worawa Aboriginal College, the GO Foundation and the Sydney Swans.
She is on the Board of the State Library of Queensland, CIRCA and the University of QLD Press. In 2019 Anita was appointed a Professor of Communications at the University of QLD and in 2020 is the Artist in Residence at La Boitte Theatre.
Anita’s website: www.anitaheiss.com
Storytime with Aunty Nita: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/lib...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 30, 2023
“I am not high maintenance; I am top shelf, and there’s a difference.”
I remember the mantra my girl gang have always used when anyone suggests we can’t keep a man because we’re too much work.
“I am worth the work,” I tell myself.
— 3:35:58 Chapter 8
Anita Heiss’ writing feels like you’re sitting down to coffee and cake with a friend. Her Australian setting, language, and values are familiar and cheeky. Red Dust Running is a romance that plays on the typical Ru-Ro (Rural Romance) tropes while remaining refreshingly prosaic and sharply aware. In addition to that, and the vein of women’s lit, Heiss’ narrative also focuses intimately on the internal dynamics of the leading woman, Annabelle, and her relationships with her “tiddas.” (An Aboriginal word for “sisters” for non-Australians reading this.)
I am unfamiliar with whether the sisterhood Heiss writes of is a common thread in her work, so perhaps this is just blue-sky thinking, but I would love Audible to allow Heiss to explore these women’s lives more. There’s a lot of great opportunity for Heiss to continue developing these characters and investigating their relationships. Anita Heiss’ characters are unashamedly Aboriginal, with discussions and opinions that sometimes counter and even cause tension with the White communities featured in the backdrop. It also seems to challenge a number of readers if the reviews on Audible are anything to go by. However, I think her writing, especially in this narrative, allows for a great reflection on City vs. Country life, the values of different communities, and how your roots change and define you.
Shari Sebbens’ performance as Annabelle navigates her relationships was fun and engaging, bringing Anita Heiss’ saucy storytelling to life. I look forward to reading more of Anita Heiss’ romances in the future and hopefully hearing more of Shari Sebbens.
I remember the mantra my girl gang have always used when anyone suggests we can’t keep a man because we’re too much work.
“I am worth the work,” I tell myself.
— 3:35:58 Chapter 8
Anita Heiss’ writing feels like you’re sitting down to coffee and cake with a friend. Her Australian setting, language, and values are familiar and cheeky. Red Dust Running is a romance that plays on the typical Ru-Ro (Rural Romance) tropes while remaining refreshingly prosaic and sharply aware. In addition to that, and the vein of women’s lit, Heiss’ narrative also focuses intimately on the internal dynamics of the leading woman, Annabelle, and her relationships with her “tiddas.” (An Aboriginal word for “sisters” for non-Australians reading this.)
I am unfamiliar with whether the sisterhood Heiss writes of is a common thread in her work, so perhaps this is just blue-sky thinking, but I would love Audible to allow Heiss to explore these women’s lives more. There’s a lot of great opportunity for Heiss to continue developing these characters and investigating their relationships. Anita Heiss’ characters are unashamedly Aboriginal, with discussions and opinions that sometimes counter and even cause tension with the White communities featured in the backdrop. It also seems to challenge a number of readers if the reviews on Audible are anything to go by. However, I think her writing, especially in this narrative, allows for a great reflection on City vs. Country life, the values of different communities, and how your roots change and define you.
Shari Sebbens’ performance as Annabelle navigates her relationships was fun and engaging, bringing Anita Heiss’ saucy storytelling to life. I look forward to reading more of Anita Heiss’ romances in the future and hopefully hearing more of Shari Sebbens.
May 16, 2025
Rodeos, friendships, not listening to the advice of friends and a strong sense of Queensland.
July 21, 2023
Love supporting First Nations romances - we definitely need more!
June 6, 2025
Fun but thoughtful. A joy to pick up and read. Annabelle is a super relatable character and reading a novel set in your hometown is always cool!
June 24, 2025
Annabelle is quite the commitment-phobe, so a fling with a cute cowboy may be perfect for her. But when that fling continues to message and organise catch-ups, Annabelle thinks it could possibly be more than a brief tryst. There is obvious chemistry but do they have enough in common to make it last?
An interesting take on heart vs head with a different kind of happily ever after. An easy read that had pockets of knowledge and indigenous culture.
An interesting take on heart vs head with a different kind of happily ever after. An easy read that had pockets of knowledge and indigenous culture.
August 4, 2023
Fabulous audiobook. Great story and narrated well. Free on Audible. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 29, 2023
This was so cute! I am so glad I came across it on Audible. My first Anita Heiss book and not my last. I loved the narrator, Shari Sebbens, too. It was such a quick read (listen). I have Dusty the cowboy permanently ingrained in my brain now, forever. I was happy with the ending and was happy with Annabell’s decision.
April 8, 2025
Is romance the highest selling fiction genre in the world? Yes, it is. And why is that? It’s because there’s nothing readers like more than a good comfort read, some hilarious rom-com, and a dash of loving. Author Anita Heiss knows this as well as anyone, and while she also writes non-fiction, historical fiction and children’s books, she has the most fun with her contemporary rom-coms. Her latest, Red Dust Running (Simon and Schuster 2025) is a wonderful romp complete with cowboys, blinged jeans, too-tight boots, rodeos, awesome hats, romance / desire / passion, and a fabulous group of tiddas who love nothing more than an adventure and a cool time with a hot man.
Annabelle has moved back to Brisbane after a relationship gone wrong in Sydney left both her personal and professional life in tatters. She’s starting again, in a dream job curating First Nations art in a city gallery. Annabelle is whip smart (if not always self-aware), elegant and charismatic. She loves running, living the good life (the finest hotels, delicious food, cocktails, glamorous evenings) and spending quality time with her best friends Angel, CJ and MJ. (She also has a soft spot for Charles, but he’s ‘mechanical’, so very easy to have around.)
She moves into her apartment and almost immediately has not one but three handsome, attractive and potentially boyfriend-material guys on the scene. The first is Daniel, a local First Nations artist, who impresses Annabelle so much with his talent that she decides to showcase his art front and centre at the gallery exhibition opening. The second, Dusty, is Daniel’s brother, although he couldn’t be more different. He’s a fair dinkum cowboy, very comfortable riding bulls and campdrafting in the middle of the red dust of western Queensland. And the third is Michael, Annabelle’s new neighbour, who quickly becomes her daily running partner and a good friend. You could say Annabelle is spoilt for choice – her friends certainly think so, and they waste no time in scheduling her life and recommending which man she should spend time with and why (or why not).
But the most important thing to know about Annabelle is that she is first and foremost a professional, dedicated equally to both her art and her activism. Will either of these pursuits get in the way of her dream man?
One aspect of the writing of Annabelle I admire is Heiss’ commitment to making her main character full of flaws, self-doubt and anxieties. Annabelle questions her choices and her decisions but she also reflects on her own characteristics, wondering at various points whether she is too opinionated or set in her ways. She has a way of looking at the world and tends to shy away from (or try to change) people who don’t agree with her, but as the narrative progresses, there are a few key moments when she realises that ‘different people, different life experiences and journeys mean different priorities’, even if values are aligned.
No matter what genre Heiss writes, one aspect is guaranteed – her devotion to truth-telling, respect for Elders, acknowledgement of the connection of First Nations’ people with the land, the wisdom of stories and culture and the importance of family. These themes run consistently through all her books, sometimes in a subtle way and sometimes discussed with the fervour of conviction.
And I think that’s one reason why her rom-com novels are so popular. Not only are they a great, easy, light-hearted read (with plenty of romance and the occasional blushing sexy bit too) but they don’t shy away from contemporary Australian discourse on reconciliation and the traditional owners of the land. However, she manages to weave this through her books with the lightest touch, so that these issues are discussed in casual conversation between characters, and demonstrated through actions (or inactions) rather than simply preached about. In this way, I feel sure that even readers who are here solely for the romance will close this book being a little more knowledgeable or aware or empathetic towards the history of this country and the waves from colonisation that still ripple through contemporary society.
Annabelle has moved back to Brisbane after a relationship gone wrong in Sydney left both her personal and professional life in tatters. She’s starting again, in a dream job curating First Nations art in a city gallery. Annabelle is whip smart (if not always self-aware), elegant and charismatic. She loves running, living the good life (the finest hotels, delicious food, cocktails, glamorous evenings) and spending quality time with her best friends Angel, CJ and MJ. (She also has a soft spot for Charles, but he’s ‘mechanical’, so very easy to have around.)
She moves into her apartment and almost immediately has not one but three handsome, attractive and potentially boyfriend-material guys on the scene. The first is Daniel, a local First Nations artist, who impresses Annabelle so much with his talent that she decides to showcase his art front and centre at the gallery exhibition opening. The second, Dusty, is Daniel’s brother, although he couldn’t be more different. He’s a fair dinkum cowboy, very comfortable riding bulls and campdrafting in the middle of the red dust of western Queensland. And the third is Michael, Annabelle’s new neighbour, who quickly becomes her daily running partner and a good friend. You could say Annabelle is spoilt for choice – her friends certainly think so, and they waste no time in scheduling her life and recommending which man she should spend time with and why (or why not).
But the most important thing to know about Annabelle is that she is first and foremost a professional, dedicated equally to both her art and her activism. Will either of these pursuits get in the way of her dream man?
One aspect of the writing of Annabelle I admire is Heiss’ commitment to making her main character full of flaws, self-doubt and anxieties. Annabelle questions her choices and her decisions but she also reflects on her own characteristics, wondering at various points whether she is too opinionated or set in her ways. She has a way of looking at the world and tends to shy away from (or try to change) people who don’t agree with her, but as the narrative progresses, there are a few key moments when she realises that ‘different people, different life experiences and journeys mean different priorities’, even if values are aligned.
No matter what genre Heiss writes, one aspect is guaranteed – her devotion to truth-telling, respect for Elders, acknowledgement of the connection of First Nations’ people with the land, the wisdom of stories and culture and the importance of family. These themes run consistently through all her books, sometimes in a subtle way and sometimes discussed with the fervour of conviction.
And I think that’s one reason why her rom-com novels are so popular. Not only are they a great, easy, light-hearted read (with plenty of romance and the occasional blushing sexy bit too) but they don’t shy away from contemporary Australian discourse on reconciliation and the traditional owners of the land. However, she manages to weave this through her books with the lightest touch, so that these issues are discussed in casual conversation between characters, and demonstrated through actions (or inactions) rather than simply preached about. In this way, I feel sure that even readers who are here solely for the romance will close this book being a little more knowledgeable or aware or empathetic towards the history of this country and the waves from colonisation that still ripple through contemporary society.
July 5, 2025
A city girl, a rodeo cowboy, and a whole lot of red dust between them.
Red Dust Running by Anita Heiss is a fun, sexy opposites-attract romance wrapped in community, culture, and country.
Annabelle is back in Brisbane after a personal and professional disaster, determined to focus on curating a First Nations gallery and not get distracted by romance. Not her new neighbour, Michael. And definitely not Dusty Davies, the way too charming and handsome cowboy she meets on a trip to the rodeo. What starts as a fling starts feeling like more… but can they bridge the gap between their worlds?
This book was a joy to read—genuinely light, cheeky, and full of heart. The Aussie setting, language and valves all felt so familiar and grounded. I loved that the romance kept me guessing (there’s more than one love interest 👀) and even though Annabelle and Dusty felt miles apart at times, their dynamic was handled with maturity and real affection. I do wish we got a few more chapters at the end to let the emotional payoff fully land, but it still felt satisfying.
Annabelle herself is messy in a very human way—stubborn, judgy, and often ignoring perfectly good advice from her tiddas! But she’s also passionate, kind and warm. I adored the dynamic between her and her four tiddas. They were fun and supportive. I loved the scenes with them all together. There’s something joyful about this whole cast that’s downright infectious.
The real standout for me was the First Nations perspective. The Aboriginal characters are unashamedly themselves—full of love for culture, land, and community—and Heiss weaves in truth-telling, reconciliation, country vs. city identity and doesn’t shy away from contemporary Australian discourse on reconciliation and the traditional owners of the land. It’s all done with such a light, confident touch. Even if you’re not usually a romance reader, there’s so much to take away from this.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Shari Sebbens really brought this book to life. So would recommend the audiobook!
Reading Heiss feels like sitting down with friends for a yarn over drinks. Laid-back, funny, full of love—and never shying away from the truth. I really enjoyed my time with this book and will read more from Anita Heiss.
Red Dust Running by Anita Heiss is a fun, sexy opposites-attract romance wrapped in community, culture, and country.
Annabelle is back in Brisbane after a personal and professional disaster, determined to focus on curating a First Nations gallery and not get distracted by romance. Not her new neighbour, Michael. And definitely not Dusty Davies, the way too charming and handsome cowboy she meets on a trip to the rodeo. What starts as a fling starts feeling like more… but can they bridge the gap between their worlds?
This book was a joy to read—genuinely light, cheeky, and full of heart. The Aussie setting, language and valves all felt so familiar and grounded. I loved that the romance kept me guessing (there’s more than one love interest 👀) and even though Annabelle and Dusty felt miles apart at times, their dynamic was handled with maturity and real affection. I do wish we got a few more chapters at the end to let the emotional payoff fully land, but it still felt satisfying.
Annabelle herself is messy in a very human way—stubborn, judgy, and often ignoring perfectly good advice from her tiddas! But she’s also passionate, kind and warm. I adored the dynamic between her and her four tiddas. They were fun and supportive. I loved the scenes with them all together. There’s something joyful about this whole cast that’s downright infectious.
The real standout for me was the First Nations perspective. The Aboriginal characters are unashamedly themselves—full of love for culture, land, and community—and Heiss weaves in truth-telling, reconciliation, country vs. city identity and doesn’t shy away from contemporary Australian discourse on reconciliation and the traditional owners of the land. It’s all done with such a light, confident touch. Even if you’re not usually a romance reader, there’s so much to take away from this.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Shari Sebbens really brought this book to life. So would recommend the audiobook!
Reading Heiss feels like sitting down with friends for a yarn over drinks. Laid-back, funny, full of love—and never shying away from the truth. I really enjoyed my time with this book and will read more from Anita Heiss.
March 4, 2024
This is an Australian rural romance by Wiradjuri woman Anita Heiss. She takes the city girl meets cowboy staple and adds a few twists of her own.
Sassy and smart art curator Annabelle has just started running with her safe, reliable neighbour Michael when she and her tiddas (sisters) go on a road trip to the rodeo. She and CJ, MJ and Angel get dressed up in boots, akubras and blingey jeans and head out for an adventure. For Annabelle the adventure starts when she meets hot Indigenous cowboy Dusty. Despite all the warnings her friends give her that he has nothing in common with her sophisticated artsy city lifestyle, her pulse is racing and she is captivated. Do opposites really attract or will her friends prove right?
This was a short and light chic-lit romance. I loved the banter and friendship between the woman, and the uniquely warm and joyful blackfella humour. This felt like it could easily be the start of a series exploring the other girls’ stories also. The audio narration was excellent. My only complaint was it finished too quickly and the frequent references to veganism and animal liberation seemed slightly at odds with a book enjoying a rodeo romp. I wondered whether this was just part of the trend of modern books to need to tick as many issues on the list as possible to seem woke enough and to pacify all the haters. I also felt the cowboy was clearly portrayed through a city lens, in a kind of exotic but boorish way, which made me a little sad.
Overall an enjoyable easy read and wonderful to have some Indigenous romances out there, hopefully she will write more!
Sassy and smart art curator Annabelle has just started running with her safe, reliable neighbour Michael when she and her tiddas (sisters) go on a road trip to the rodeo. She and CJ, MJ and Angel get dressed up in boots, akubras and blingey jeans and head out for an adventure. For Annabelle the adventure starts when she meets hot Indigenous cowboy Dusty. Despite all the warnings her friends give her that he has nothing in common with her sophisticated artsy city lifestyle, her pulse is racing and she is captivated. Do opposites really attract or will her friends prove right?
This was a short and light chic-lit romance. I loved the banter and friendship between the woman, and the uniquely warm and joyful blackfella humour. This felt like it could easily be the start of a series exploring the other girls’ stories also. The audio narration was excellent. My only complaint was it finished too quickly and the frequent references to veganism and animal liberation seemed slightly at odds with a book enjoying a rodeo romp. I wondered whether this was just part of the trend of modern books to need to tick as many issues on the list as possible to seem woke enough and to pacify all the haters. I also felt the cowboy was clearly portrayed through a city lens, in a kind of exotic but boorish way, which made me a little sad.
Overall an enjoyable easy read and wonderful to have some Indigenous romances out there, hopefully she will write more!
March 28, 2025
Red Dust Running by Anita Heiss
Recently, I've been adding some chick lit to my crime, mystery and thrillers intake. So when I saw a new romance by Anita Heiss come up for review on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. Red Dust Running is a lot lighter than the previous book I read by Anita Heiss, which was Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams), which I liked a lot. I've also got Dirrayawadha (Rise Up) on my TBR pile.
Red Dust Running is the classic romance trope of girl overlooks solid, dependable (but still hot) boy next door for a sexy, bad-boy rodeo rider until girls gang of tiddas work their magic.
I love that most (all?) of the central characters are Aboriginal, and the way that First Nations language and culture is dropped into the narrative, alongside the characters and their experiences. As someone who didn't grow up in Australia, I'm aware that I have many gaps in my knowledge in this aspect. I loved the banter, respect and friendship of the tiddas.
If you like fun, feel-good chick lit or rom-coms that are fun and easy to read, you'll like this one. Thanks to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Australia for giving me a copy of Red Dust Running for review.
Thumbs up 👍
Go read a book!
Body count: 0
Recently, I've been adding some chick lit to my crime, mystery and thrillers intake. So when I saw a new romance by Anita Heiss come up for review on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. Red Dust Running is a lot lighter than the previous book I read by Anita Heiss, which was Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams), which I liked a lot. I've also got Dirrayawadha (Rise Up) on my TBR pile.
Red Dust Running is the classic romance trope of girl overlooks solid, dependable (but still hot) boy next door for a sexy, bad-boy rodeo rider until girls gang of tiddas work their magic.
I love that most (all?) of the central characters are Aboriginal, and the way that First Nations language and culture is dropped into the narrative, alongside the characters and their experiences. As someone who didn't grow up in Australia, I'm aware that I have many gaps in my knowledge in this aspect. I loved the banter, respect and friendship of the tiddas.
If you like fun, feel-good chick lit or rom-coms that are fun and easy to read, you'll like this one. Thanks to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Australia for giving me a copy of Red Dust Running for review.
Thumbs up 👍
Go read a book!
Body count: 0
April 7, 2025
Gosh I was so disappointed in the ending of this book!
First off, I liked it- at last a three star this year after a run of ones that didn’t quite do it for me. This was a fun, quick read and really excellent in inhabiting the space of Indigenous people living in modern day Australia. It’s great to have these characters framed as normal people, facing everyday prejudices. It is excellent in that regard.
I also really loved Dusty and Annabelle together and felt their problems were so realistic and really challenged the stereotypes of the interests and occupations of indigenous people. And therefore I was gutted when they didn’t end up together. Here’s my frustration with the book, the novel gears so much towards Dusty and Annabelle working or trying to work and being good people putting in the effort- if it doesn’t work, fine. But out of nowhere Michael waltzes in to fill the gap. Michael’s character felt very much like an afterthought and kept hanging as a potential other lover for Annabelle but when it happened I felt we knew nothing about him or how either of them had a connection other than lust. It was so rushed, that ending took place over about 6 pages! Crazy! Worth a read but the ending needed to be longer.
First off, I liked it- at last a three star this year after a run of ones that didn’t quite do it for me. This was a fun, quick read and really excellent in inhabiting the space of Indigenous people living in modern day Australia. It’s great to have these characters framed as normal people, facing everyday prejudices. It is excellent in that regard.
I also really loved Dusty and Annabelle together and felt their problems were so realistic and really challenged the stereotypes of the interests and occupations of indigenous people. And therefore I was gutted when they didn’t end up together. Here’s my frustration with the book, the novel gears so much towards Dusty and Annabelle working or trying to work and being good people putting in the effort- if it doesn’t work, fine. But out of nowhere Michael waltzes in to fill the gap. Michael’s character felt very much like an afterthought and kept hanging as a potential other lover for Annabelle but when it happened I felt we knew nothing about him or how either of them had a connection other than lust. It was so rushed, that ending took place over about 6 pages! Crazy! Worth a read but the ending needed to be longer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2025
When I was a kid, I used to read romances all the time! But then personal experiences happened and I stopped reading romances completely. Lately I’ve been only reading romance as a sub-genre and have been enjoyed getting into it. So technically, this book was my first proper one! And I really liked it! The author has really combined certain issues of Australia with the modern cultural aspects creating this really cute outback cowboy-inspired romance.
Annabelle like all of us ran back to the comfort of her home town after she ran into some serious trouble in her artistic career. Then to celebrate her besties birthday she goes to a rodeo and meets this handsome cowboy. Alternatively she also has a hot neighbour who just would be her perfect partner. What happens next?
This was a really cosy romance with fun characters.
My only criticism would be, I would have loved for the last romance (iykyk) to have developed a little bit more as that would have just sealed the deal! Would recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Au for providing me with an ARC copy of this cute book!
Annabelle like all of us ran back to the comfort of her home town after she ran into some serious trouble in her artistic career. Then to celebrate her besties birthday she goes to a rodeo and meets this handsome cowboy. Alternatively she also has a hot neighbour who just would be her perfect partner. What happens next?
This was a really cosy romance with fun characters.
My only criticism would be, I would have loved for the last romance (iykyk) to have developed a little bit more as that would have just sealed the deal! Would recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Au for providing me with an ARC copy of this cute book!
July 8, 2025
It’s not every day you read a book set in your own backyard and that’s exactly what made Red Dust Running such a refreshing and special read. Seeing familiar Brisbane landmarks and local references woven into a heartfelt, funny, and empowering cowboy romance made this story hit even closer to home.
Annabelle is smart, fierce, and understandably guarded when it comes to love, especially after her last relationship left both her heart and her career scorched. But a fresh start, a rodeo and a cowboy brings along some love interests.
Yes, this book has the slow-burn sparks and opposites-attract tension we all love in a romance, but it’s also rich with deeper messaging, about self-worth, cultural identity, and finding strength in your convictions. Annabelle’s passion for curating a First Nations gallery and standing strong in her values brought such power to her character.
This isn’t just a cowboy romance, it’s a story about knowing who you are, what you deserve, and learning when it’s okay to let someone in or go.
If you're craving a romance with substance, heart, and heat Red Dust Running belongs on your TBR.
Annabelle is smart, fierce, and understandably guarded when it comes to love, especially after her last relationship left both her heart and her career scorched. But a fresh start, a rodeo and a cowboy brings along some love interests.
Yes, this book has the slow-burn sparks and opposites-attract tension we all love in a romance, but it’s also rich with deeper messaging, about self-worth, cultural identity, and finding strength in your convictions. Annabelle’s passion for curating a First Nations gallery and standing strong in her values brought such power to her character.
This isn’t just a cowboy romance, it’s a story about knowing who you are, what you deserve, and learning when it’s okay to let someone in or go.
If you're craving a romance with substance, heart, and heat Red Dust Running belongs on your TBR.
July 20, 2025
Red Dust Running is a charming, engaging story that blends romance, cultural pride, and friendship. It follows Annabelle, an Australian First Nations art curator who returns to Brisbane after a complicated relationship in Sydney leaves her reputation—and priorities—in need of a reset. Back in Brisbane, she lands her dream job launching a First Nations gallery and is surrounded by her close-knit circle of tiddas, a loyal group of friends and family who bring humour, grounding, and warmth to the story.
There’s a gentle romantic tug-of-war woven through, as Annabelle navigates her feelings between Michael, her kind and steady new neighbour, and Dusty, a rugged cowboy she meets on a girls’ weekend to the rodeo.
While the story is full of heart and cultural resonance, the ending didn’t quite deliver. It felt rushed and a little incomplete, as though the emotional threads were tied off too quickly but left hanging.
Still, Red Dust Running is a feel-good read with a proudly First Nations voice and a strong sense of place, even if it leaves you with a few lingering questions.
There’s a gentle romantic tug-of-war woven through, as Annabelle navigates her feelings between Michael, her kind and steady new neighbour, and Dusty, a rugged cowboy she meets on a girls’ weekend to the rodeo.
While the story is full of heart and cultural resonance, the ending didn’t quite deliver. It felt rushed and a little incomplete, as though the emotional threads were tied off too quickly but left hanging.
Still, Red Dust Running is a feel-good read with a proudly First Nations voice and a strong sense of place, even if it leaves you with a few lingering questions.
February 19, 2025
This is the story of Annabelle, who moves to Magandjin (Brisbane) to curate a new First Nations gallery.
Written in first person single POV, it is very much focussed on Annabelle’s relationships with her friend group as well as rodeo rider, Dusty, and neighbour, Michael.
I would not call this a romance. I would also have appreciated more descriptive text. The locations and landscape are so gorgeous and could have really added to the story.
I really enjoyed that this book totally centered on the First Nations characters and their life experiences.
Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for supplying this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Written in first person single POV, it is very much focussed on Annabelle’s relationships with her friend group as well as rodeo rider, Dusty, and neighbour, Michael.
I would not call this a romance. I would also have appreciated more descriptive text. The locations and landscape are so gorgeous and could have really added to the story.
I really enjoyed that this book totally centered on the First Nations characters and their life experiences.
Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for supplying this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
July 31, 2023
The Australian cowboy rom-com I didn’t know I’d been waiting for. Determined that nothing will stand in the way of her career, Annabelle starts her dream job curating a First Nations gallery in Meeanjin (Brisbane). But she’s about to meet cowboy, Dusty Davies at a country rodeo, who will turn her world upside down and force her to look at life and love from a different perspective. Written by @dranitaheiss and narrated by @sharileesebbens the combination of voice and story is enthralling, full of heart and purpose. Thoroughly entertaining.
April 15, 2024
This was a solid 3.5 stars
It's very charming with a lovely narration.
I simultaneously was very into the progressive political position (and learning all kinds of new things) but also found that it was a bit on the nose sometimes - taking away from the power of the message by being so unsubtle.
The romance was interesting and surprising and while I think the final outcome is a bit underdeveloped, points for being a less common resolution than one usually reads.
Totally recommend as a nice quick listen.
It's very charming with a lovely narration.
I simultaneously was very into the progressive political position (and learning all kinds of new things) but also found that it was a bit on the nose sometimes - taking away from the power of the message by being so unsubtle.
The romance was interesting and surprising and while I think the final outcome is a bit underdeveloped, points for being a less common resolution than one usually reads.
Totally recommend as a nice quick listen.
October 2, 2023
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: fiction - chick lit, Indigenous authors
Does the blurb reflect the plot: yes, it gives a good taste of what’s to come.
Sum it up: Published only as an audiobook, Red Dust Running is a fun and happy read that is very well narrated by Shari Sebbens. The plot features the time old tale of the safe, reliable and boy next door Michael, who our protagonist Annabelle goes running with; and sexy bad boy Dusty, who is all sorts of trouble, seeks his thrills in the rodeo and who has Annabelle gushing like a school girl. Unlike most books that run this story and are simply fluffy pieces, there’s a really good plot line here. Heiss has given us a decent amount of substance and I liked her references to Indigenous culture. The characters are just as good and bring the plot to life as they are well developed, interesting and relatable. Add in an ending that will bring a smile to your face and you’ve got yet another highly recommended read from Heiss.
Who should read it: Those who like chick lit, contemporary fiction and fun and easy reads that make you feel good.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
Genre: fiction - chick lit, Indigenous authors
Does the blurb reflect the plot: yes, it gives a good taste of what’s to come.
Sum it up: Published only as an audiobook, Red Dust Running is a fun and happy read that is very well narrated by Shari Sebbens. The plot features the time old tale of the safe, reliable and boy next door Michael, who our protagonist Annabelle goes running with; and sexy bad boy Dusty, who is all sorts of trouble, seeks his thrills in the rodeo and who has Annabelle gushing like a school girl. Unlike most books that run this story and are simply fluffy pieces, there’s a really good plot line here. Heiss has given us a decent amount of substance and I liked her references to Indigenous culture. The characters are just as good and bring the plot to life as they are well developed, interesting and relatable. Add in an ending that will bring a smile to your face and you’ve got yet another highly recommended read from Heiss.
Who should read it: Those who like chick lit, contemporary fiction and fun and easy reads that make you feel good.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
May 4, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Australia, and the author for the chance to read this book.
I enjoyed this story - although Annabelle was frustrating when she repeatedly asked for advice and opinions even though she had no intentions of listening to any of it.
The story had some political elements and some heavy topics but was still relatively light-hearted and an easy read to get through.
I enjoyed this story - although Annabelle was frustrating when she repeatedly asked for advice and opinions even though she had no intentions of listening to any of it.
The story had some political elements and some heavy topics but was still relatively light-hearted and an easy read to get through.
April 25, 2025
When four friends decide to go to a rodeo for a birthday weekend, no one expected that a hook up meant more than they expected.
The more the fun happens the more emotions get mixed up and peoples feelings are tested. Especially when you question your own feelings and your friends tend to give advice as well.
A fabulous story that makes you question feelings.
The more the fun happens the more emotions get mixed up and peoples feelings are tested. Especially when you question your own feelings and your friends tend to give advice as well.
A fabulous story that makes you question feelings.
May 17, 2025
The character development in this was fantastic. I loved how Anabelles' deep friendship with her tiddas was so pivotal to her story. The settings were so interesting while also being meaningful to the storyline. I couldn't help reading this and thinking how wonderful it would be to see this on screen.
August 13, 2024
This is honestly one of those stories that literally has so little conflict I didn’t know what to do with myself! Pure romance, through and through, with only happy endings all around. Easy recommendation!
March 22, 2025
Whilst this has been available as an audiobook for a while, a print version is being released by Simon & Schuster on April 2nd. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this advanced copy for an honest review.
I’ve read some of Anita’s books before and have thoroughly enjoyed them and this was no different. Focusing on the character of Annabelle who has moved back to Brisbane and is living near her friends again this story follows her building up a neighbourly relationship with Michael who I loved as a character. Then there’s brothers Dusty and Daniel, who are polar opposites except in their looks. I didn’t mind those two characters, but the whole way through I kept waiting for Annabelle to open her eyes and realise what is in front of her, or more accurately who is in front of her.
I’ve read some of Anita’s books before and have thoroughly enjoyed them and this was no different. Focusing on the character of Annabelle who has moved back to Brisbane and is living near her friends again this story follows her building up a neighbourly relationship with Michael who I loved as a character. Then there’s brothers Dusty and Daniel, who are polar opposites except in their looks. I didn’t mind those two characters, but the whole way through I kept waiting for Annabelle to open her eyes and realise what is in front of her, or more accurately who is in front of her.
March 24, 2025
This was an easy light read although I was a bit put off by some of the political elements. I enjoyed other books by this author more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2023
Light read.
Read
October 22, 2023I gave up on this for the moment….didn’t catch my interest enough…maybe try again later if still available
January 10, 2025
Listened to this book with Shari Sebbens reading. She did a great job and I loved my first First Nations romance story.
January 28, 2025
A fun, easy romantic read.
In my 20s I thoroughly enjoyed the Mr Right & Dreaming books by Dr Anita Heiss.
Now in my mid-30s I enjoyed this just as much.
In my 20s I thoroughly enjoyed the Mr Right & Dreaming books by Dr Anita Heiss.
Now in my mid-30s I enjoyed this just as much.
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