From the Boots Up & From the Hat Down

By: Andi Marquette

Narrated by: Paige McKinney, Abby Craden

Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Meg Tallmadge is a veterinarian at a clinic in Laramie, Wyoming. She’s got a great job, great friends, deep ties to the family ranch, and big plans for her vet future. Sure, there are bumps in the road, like her mom’s continued denial about who Meg is and her painful and infuriating attempts to make Meg a “proper” woman. Then there’s Meg’s recent breakup with a girlfriend, which has her wondering why she can’t seem to open up to relationships. But Meg knows that life is messy, and sometimes all you can do is get through and shake it off. What she can’t seem to shake off, however, is her past.   

It’s been almost 10 years to the day since she met the love of her life, and about eight since she let her go. Meg has a hard time admitting that maybe she didn’t really let go, and that maybe some things you never really get over, no matter how hard you try. But her past is half a world away, caught up in her own life, relationship, and journalism career, and Meg isn’t one to chase the ghosts of past relationships. Even if they send you a birthday card and nudge what you thought were the closed-off parts of your heart. After all, second chances are the stuff of fantasies and movies where the good guy always gets a happy ending. You can’t count on something like that.   

Or can you?

©2013 Andi Marquette (From the Boots Up) 2014 Andi Marquette (From the Hat Down) (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Moonshine, Booger’s & Bugger Off

How do I start this? I was so busy listening to these book a lot of house work didn’t get done today. These books were just entertaining and emotional, I laughing, I cried & let this adventure put me to sleep. The last chapter I heard, I go back 2, to get up to speed. I cried in the last chapter, Awesome Sauce! Off to my next adventure. Thanks.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Awesome story

This was an amazing story. The narrators were awesome. I love this story, I will listen to this again.

Fabulous

Just the fact these two books are narrated by Abby Craden and Paige McKinney made them an amazing tread for me. The story is sweet and talks about second opportunities, and real love. You will not be disappointed with these two stories. Well done Audible!

amazing

Andi has a way of drawing readers/ listeners in and us never wanting the story to end. this is a great story of love, discovery, loss and that undying torturous or fabulous thing called hope. this and all her other books are amazing and you should do yourself a favor and fall into them.

why did I wait? why is is over?<br />

took me a while to get to this story but I am glad I did, not only are the voice actresses voices perfect but they whisper sweet heaven into your ears! one word EAR-OGASM. but the story is fun, well paced and sometimes down right silly. The connection that all the characters have to each other is awesome!

Loved it

Saw this recommended by Gaby Mourinho on LezReview Books. Have gotten some great recommendations off there, so decided to try it. What a pleasant surprise. Part 1 was a really sweet romance set on a Wyoming ranch. Meg is a real cowgirl type, studying to be a vet, and working part time in the family business. A reporter comes to write a story about them, with unexpected consequences. Thoroughly enjoyed this part.
Enjoyed Part 2, From the hat down, even more. It follows the same characters about 10 years down the line, when things have turned out rather differently to what we expected.
I loved the 2 main characters and the various family members and friends surrounding them, were interesting and added much colour to the story. Meg's life as a vet treating mostly large animals, was fascinating. In fact, there was just so much to this story that made it a joy to listen to. It's sad in places, makes you think, makes you laugh, is pretty hot a couple of times, and overall is super entertaining.
Narration of part 1 is good and part 2 is great. Part 2 gets 5 stars, part 1 gets 4 and a bit. I would happily have paid full price if this wasn't on Audible Escape.

Great book

This was a great book and the narrations was so on point. I love how both Paige McKinney and Abby Craden narrate and together they were a dream to listen to. I loved to follow the ups and downs of these two women and couldn't wait till they found their way back to themselves and each other. I will recommend this book to my friends. I can't wait for more of Andi Marquette's books to make it to auidobook

Awesome combination between Paige/Abby!

The chemistry between the two main characters wonderful.
Andi you got my attention great story.

It’s Gonna Take Some Time!

What I realized after completing this book was that it in fact was two books! I wondered why there were two narrators, since the story never changed point of view. From the Hat Dow was narrated by Paige McKinney, not my favorite narrator though I’ve tried. Her voice is too sing-songs and upbeat always. The story was good as it allowed the MCs, Meg and Gina, to meet. Andi Marquette illustrates well the meeting, instant attraction and disappointment of watching that stranger part ways only to later meet up and allow sparks to fly.
From the Boots Up is the second part of the story. It’s about reevaluating your life, overcoming insecurities, and taking chances. This part was narrated by Abby Craden, who could read a dictionary aloud and make it sound good. She’s just an ingenious narrator.
While the story could probably have been a bit shorter, I would still recommend it.

Beautiful! Is this a true story?

This book surprised me in the best way. (Disclaimer what I write might give off some spoilers.)

Admittedly, I nearly stopped listening with the first book. The narrator sounded as if she was a pre-school teacher reading to little ones, making the writing sound cheesier than it needed. I kept shaking my head, laughing how ridiculous some of the dialogue went. I felt like Andi made this story quick and perhaps a bit unattached(?) Because by the second one, there was so much heart and soul. THANK the Goddesses I kept listening. Holy hell was the second book so freaking good.
I can’t begin to describe what the second book did to me and FOR me. The parallels of Gina’s life and my life are pretty freaking uncanny. Side note, I want to thank Andi and this book for reconnecting me with an old friend/first love. Not romantically but as friends. The book helped me get over some harbored negative feelings I once had for her and make amends. Throughout listening to the book we were texting. Which we haven’t really talked in, yes you guessed it 10 years, and haven’t seen a each other in 5. Life is indeed too short. I’m happily married now to my twin flame, and even listening to the end just made me revisit my wedding day. (Swoon).
This book was so well written and written with so much care and detail, which at times got tedious when describing every movement of what Meg was doing. I felt it charming though. I liked it that way because when it came to the emotional aspect of Meg, Gina, friends and family, you really could empathize and feel as if you were there. It really hit home for me with things. Which got me thinking, as a writer myself and author of two lesfic books, I write what I know. I definitely feel this is a beautiful true story. If not some stories combined. I’d love to pick your brain about this Andi Marquette! Not only was the writing well done but the narration was INCREDIBLE - by Abby, I’m assuming? Whoever did the second one. Her voice was butter and super sensual at times. Like the sex scenes whoa. I listened to this whole story on my flight to Australia and Back to LAX and man did it get me shifting in my seat, laugh, cry and just smile. I never wanted it to end.
Ultimately, I’d recommend this to any one of my friends. It’s so beautiful. Thank you Andi for writing this masterpiece for not just lesbians, but cis-gender and religious family members who have a queer daughter or son. Must read.

Omfg

This books was brilliant, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters and storyline were amazing and the narrators did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. I would highly recommend this book and author.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful