“There’s not a better Southern author writing today than Lisa Patton. Funny, touching, and full of twists and turns. I couldn’t have loved it more.” – Fannie Flagg, New York Times bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café Rush is recommended by… Atlanta Journal Constitution as a Southern Beach Book SouthernLiving.com as a 2018 Beach Read Deep South Magazine’s Summer … SouthernLiving.com as a 2018 Beach Read
Deep South Magazine’s Summer Reading List
Southern Independent Bookseller’s Alliance as a SUMMER 2018 OKRA PICK
Modern Mrs. Darcy Fall Lineup
Set in modern day Oxford, Mississippi, on the Ole Miss campus, bestselling author Lisa Patton’s RUSH is a story about women–from both ends of the social ladder–discovering their voices and their empowerment.
Cali Watkins possesses all the qualities sororities are looking for in a potential new member. She’s kind and intelligent, makes friends easily, even plans to someday run for governor. But her resume lacks a vital ingredient. Pedigree. Without family money Cali’s chances of sorority membership are already thin, but she has an even bigger problem. If anyone discovers the dark family secrets she’s hiding, she’ll be dropped from Rush in an instant.
When Lilith Whitmore, the well-heeled House Corp President of Alpha Delta Beta, one of the premiere sororities on campus, appoints recent empty-nester Wilda to the Rush Advisory Board, Wilda can hardly believe her luck. What’s more, Lilith suggests their daughters, both incoming freshman, room together. What Wilda doesn’t know is that it’s all part of Lilith’s plan to ensure her own daughter receives an Alpha Delt bid–no matter what.
For twenty-five years, Miss Pearl–as her “babies” like to call her–has been housekeeper and a second mother to the Alpha Delt girls, even though it reminds her of a painful part of her past she’ll never forget. When an opportunity for promotion arises, it seems a natural fit. But Lilith Whitmore slams her Prada heel down fast, crushing Miss Pearl’s hopes of a better future. When Wilda and the girls find out, they devise a plan destined to change Alpha Delta Beta–and maybe the entire Greek system–forever.
Achingly poignant, yet laugh-out-loud funny, RUSH takes a sharp nuanced look at a centuries-old tradition while exploring the complex, intimate relationships between mothers and daughters and female friends. Brimming with heart and hope for a better tomorrow, RUSH is an uplifting novel universal to us all.
more
There’s not a better Southern author writing today than Lisa Patton. Her delightful new book is a modern look at what is perhaps the most sacred of all Southern rituals: sorority rush at The University of Mississippi, ‘Ole Miss.’ And happily for us, Miss Patton captures to absolute perfection the hilarity, hysteria, and heartbreak of it all. Funny, touching, and full of twists and turns. I couldn’t have loved it more.
Lisa Patton’s characteristic wit and sass along with richly drawn and authentically Southern characters are brilliantly showcased in RUSH. Patton places a magnifying glass over the glorified institution of sorority rush in the South, giving the reader an enlightening and lively look at all the goings-on, highlighting the good and the not-so-good aspects of Greek life. Part social commentary on race and economic differences, and part heartwarming and hear-tugging family drama, RUSH is ultimately a story about finding one’s personal source of strength to fight the status quo, and about finding forgiveness in the most unexpected places. A fun and invigorating read — I highly recommend!
You are in for a treat as astute, hilarious, and true grit author Lisa Patton takes you on a hayride through sorority life in the American south. Written with humor, reverence and enough treachery to make it real, RUSH is a magnificent story about mothers and daughters, legacy and tradition and the abiding strength of the sisterhood. Grab the punch bowl and the mixed nuts as this animal house goes animal crackers. You will love it!
What a beautiful, haunting novel. In addition to being an engaging, lush portrait of the phenomenon known as sorority rush, RUSH tackles some of the most serious injustices in the south. Lisa Patton’s work personifies “be the change”. You have to read this book, and share it with everyone you know.
RUSH transports us smack dab into the middle of the secret world of sorority rush. We find ourselves behind the scenes with a provocative peek into the world of sorority sisters and the beloved House staff who work tirelessly on their behalf. Lisa Patton has penned a powerful and relevant story infused with raw emotion and the beating heart of her sassy humor. I adored this unforgettable novel that will both surprise you and capture your heart.
I finished RUSH by Lisa Patton and yes I loved it and will give it a 5 star. This was a different review for me to write though. My daughter lived this book. I know people in real life that could be the characters in the book. Some of them very nice and some not so nice ones that you will meet if you read the book, which I highly recommend.
As to the subject of racism that is covered in the book. Does it exist, sadly yes. Is everyone from the South, Ole Miss or any SEC school racist, ABSOLUTELY NOT. Does racism exist only in the South, of course not.
This book does a great job of showing that most people in the South are many things but racist is not one of them. They are kind, caring, helpful people. That everyone gets along very well on a daily basis. Sadly the national media and many others that do not live in the South don’t seem to understand that. As Oprah once said, “you are your zip code” if you don’t live there you don’t have any idea.
I hope all my friends will read this book, I especially hope all my Ole Miss friends and SEC friends will read this book and I really hope all Moms with daughters that went through sorority RUSH/recruitment or will some day will read it. It should be required reading for all parents, and students that are considering a sorority or fraternity. I hope everyone that just enjoys a great book will read it, as it truly is a great one.
I so enjoyed this southern tale of the heart of the south by Lisa Patton. Having never been in a sorority myself, but having a bonus-daughter in one it was fascinating to see some of the inner workings of the southern culture especially of sorority life. It was spun with laugh out loud humor and a little intrigue and captivating story. I don’t get much time to read for pleasure anymore, so this was a delight.
I loved this book. It took me back to my late 70’s sorority days and the amazing comradery, comfort and safety I found there. Lisa Patton also explored some important and relevant social justice issues to be addressed within the Greek system. I loved the characters and found it hard to say goodbye – I’m hoping a sequel might be in the works!
Equal parts compelling and heartfelt, this novel bravely addresses the beloved traditions and surprising perspectives of a southern institution. In RUSH, Lisa Patton does what every great storyteller should — raises thought-provoking questions while thoroughly entertaining her readers.
Southern fiction done right! At first I didn’t think this book would work for me, because I just could not relate to sorority sisters or Rush, as I never experienced this on college. But I was so drawn in by story and characters! The writing is superb Southern! Thanks to net galley for advanced reader copy.
I knew southern sororities were a different world, but wow, I had no idea how it really is during Rush, and pledging, and whether you’re a legacy or not. I mean, I knew about it, but I guess not to this southern extent. See, I was in a sorority for a hot minute. I was pinned, I went to couple of things, but in the end, I was asked to leave. I couldn’t commit to the meetings and events because I was working two jobs at the time and just didn’t have all that extra time to give to sorority things. It wasn’t a good fit for me and I thought that experience was a little crazy. RUSH showed me there can be so much more.
But this book is not just about joining a sorority in the south. It’s about the young girls coming to Ole Miss, their families, and the people who run those houses. The hardworking people who work their asses off to care for the girls who come to live there.
If you liked The Help, then RUSH is a book for you. Set in a modern day world, we are shown that racism is still prevalent in our world and if we don’t work to fight against it, it will just continue on with each generation. RUSH is a story about a young generation who want to make a difference, who have a heart, who have a strong moral compass pointing in the right direction, and who are going to fight for change.
The story is told from multiple points of view: a couple of the girls, wonderful Pearl, and Wilda. I will admit Wilda grated me like you wouldn’t believe because of her lack of backbone, but I came to admire her in the end. And Pearl more than made up for it. I wish I knew a real Pearl; they’re definitely a rare find anymore…
I received an advance copy. All opinions are mine.
I could hardly put this book down. It was really good.
Lisa Patton wrote a book that proves you can be more and break free of what was dictated and passed on by your ancestors. She brought to light the continued and out of date teachings of racism that still exist not only in the south but all over. I believe using the sororities of a southern university was an awesome storyline. But I also believe that this story could be set in just about any university in any city in the United States. I enjoyed the book and I thought the growth of the characters throughout the book was excellently told in a manner that was educational not accusing.
it was a good read, with engaging and realistic characters.
This book took me back to my college days—and reminded me why I would not want to relive them.
It was an interesting depiction of the South and its casual racism. It ended up being a feel good story, but a realistic telling of how we are insulated in our white world without thinking about how our actions affect others.
This author has zeroed in on Southern women, the bitchy ones. The contrast with the normal, kind ones is superb. There may be Northern women just as bitchy, but the “flavor” is somehow different in the South. A great read anytime!
I really loved this book. Eye-opening as far as sororities go if you’ve never entered that world. The storylines were wonderful and I was engrossed from beginning to end. My first from this author and looking forward to the next book!
Lisa Patton hits the “southern-sorority-life” nail in the head! If you’ve lived it you’ll get it; if you haven’t… you’ll be amazed! The characters are so “real!” The hope, joy, heartbreak and pain are palpable… in a hilarious way!
Rush has been on my TBR list since it’s release a year ago. I thought back to school time was the perfect time to dig this one out and read. I am so disappointed that I didn’t read this book sooner! I loved it! I’ve seen comparisons to The Help and although I can see similarities, Lisa Patton blazes her own trail to classic southern fiction. Rush is definitely a must read!
8 likes