The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story

By: Ree Drummond

Narrated by: Ree Drummond

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

"That's when I saw him—the cowboy—across the smoky room."

"I'll never forget that night. It was like a romance novel, an old Broadway musical, and a John Wayne Western rolled into one. Out for a quick drink with friends, I wasn't looking to meet anyone, let alone a tall, rugged cowboy who lived on a cattle ranch miles away from my cultured, corporate hometown. But before I knew it, I'd been struck with a lightning bolt... and I was completely powerless to stop it.

"Listen as I recount the rip-roaring details of my unlikely romance with a chaps-wearing cowboy, from the early days of our courtship (complete with cows, horses, prairie fire, and passion) all the way through the first year of our marriage, which would be filled with more challenge and strife—and manure—than I ever could have expected.

"This isn't just my love story; it's a universal tale of passion, romance, and all-encompassing love that sweeps us off our feet. It's the story of a cowboy.

"And Wranglers.

"And chaps.

"And the girl who fell in love with them."

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Ree Drummond (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Real Life Romance and Humor

This is the story of Ree Drummond, a city girl with big city plans, swept off her feet by "Marlborough Man" to a home on a remote cattle ranch in Oklahoma complete with all the eye-opening moments such a major life change entails. I'm a big fan of Ree's Pioneer Woman blog- a delightful spot for country cooking, gorgeous photography, and humorous anecdotes. Her audio book is just as much fun as her blog, and best of all, it is read by the author herself.

I was too old to for this book!

I feel bad giving negative reviews but on this one I have to do it. I admire the fact that she created a popular blog and then a book from it and it did have it's humorous aspects but I think there must be much more substance to this story that we didn't hear about or the relationship would never have worked out. The substance didn't quite reach the book though.

I was way too old to for this book! It is a pure romance novel and the entire 11 hours or whatever was way too long to listen to her moon over "Mr Marboro's" muscles, smile, eyes, whatever and hearing about them kissing by the hour. At my age, I know that most of these improbable, whirlwind romances don't work out in real life and I'd advise anybody who isn't married yet, and is looking for a husband to avoid this book-just as you'd avoid watching Cinderella.

Ree says she and Marboro man (would have been nice if she's switched to his name somewhere along the line) spent hours and hours talking but apparently they never talked about any thing practical-like what it was like to live on a ranch. She married him not even knowing what her life would be like and what would be expected of her. She said herself, she was pretty selfish and self-absorbed. I've lived on a farm and watched my mom work herself to beyond exhaustion, which most city loving girls would have a hard time with. Love doesn't necessarily conquer all.

I wondered too (showing my age) if the author moved back in with her parents and proceeded to do nothing but moon over Marboro man for months on end and let her parents foot the bill? Her original plan was to move to Chicago so I guess I could see why she didn't get a job but what about the months afterward?

Unless you are really into romance novels with not much plot, I wouldn't advise you get this one.

Could not finish

The story was really self absorbed. And really I could only listen to her go on about his arms so many times. I thought she was adorable from the food network, now not so much... But that's just my opinion.

truly terrible!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Maybe her die hard fans who will overlook its failings just to hear her story.

Has The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

What didn’t you like about Ree Drummond’s performance?

Very flat....it sounds like she is reading. Not a good thing in this case.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

Any additional comments?

Ree has a talent for writing funny blog posts, but this book is really an embarrassment. She comes across as very shallow and narcissistic. Repetitive, and mind numbingly boring. I can't believe I thought it would be entertaining based on her early blog entries. The writing is almost childish.

I really enjoyed this book!

Would you listen to The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story again? Why?

Ree Drummond's writing style is so engaging. She is funny and self deprecating which makes her very likeable. Follow her true life story of introduction into her husband's cattle ranching life was fascinating, and their love story is incredibly sweet.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the tension she builds with the the little cliffhangers along their way to marriage. Even though I knew that they would end up together, she made me feel the real emotional experience of falling in love.

Which character – as performed by Ree Drummond – was your favorite?

Obviously I love Ree, but, through Ree's eyes, it's impossible not to fall in love with Marlboro Man along the way.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and I would have if I could have.

Any additional comments?

For me, it was very important to have the author also narrate the story. It added a lot to the experience for me.

Cute - cute - cute.

Ree is believable, self depricating and her love story was beautiful. She did a good job explaining the heels to tractor wheels and understood, but did not always appreciate the importance of herself on the ranch. Loved it.

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

Ree Drummond now has a tv cooking show with the same title "The Pioneer Woman" which is much better than this book. This was the worst bot I have ever listened to. The narrator has a nasally, whiney voice. Throughout the whole story she refers to her partner/future husband as Marlborough man - which might have been cute once or twice but hundreds of times is beyond irritating. The worst thing about this is the story - it goes nowhere.

For Fans of Ree Drummond only!

Oh dear. I was expecting maybe a cute, chick-lit, based on real events type story. I was hoping to get some insight about how people so different in background and expectations would navigate their differences and partner in building a succesful life. I waded through thinking something of substance was maybe right around the corner, trying to ignore the millions of times Ree referred to the object of her affections as The Marlborough Man, cementing him into the one dimensional character he was doomed to from the start, the repetitive and most often insignificant details, and poor writing. Substance never rose up from the pile of words, sadly. In addition, it could not be called narration, just a straight through read. I hate to give a poor review, I really do, but I hope this stands as a warning for those other than Ree Drummond fans looking for a sweet substantive story, narrated well. My 2 star rating was generous.

I loved it :)

What made the experience of listening to The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story the most enjoyable?

I listen to her show on Food Network

What did you like best about this story?

her way of description

What about Ree Drummond’s performance did you like?

her description

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she fell in love

Incredibly Awful!

Way too many words for the subject matter. I got really bored. She is very descriptive but she winds up saying the same things over and over and I found myself saying...get to the point! I found this very boring and honestly a bit unrealistic. So she was living in LA and decided to go home for a bit before moving to Chicago...What was she doing in LA, did she have a job, when she got to OK it seemed as if she was on a year long vacation, did she ever work except for at her dad's office? For goodness sakes, an educated 25 year old should have a job and if they don't they should want one. She kept saying how worldly she was at that age but really no job? When she got to Chicago, what was she going to do? She really came off as a spoiled little girl who took advantage of her parents. I got the audio version and I was really taken aback at the voice she used to portray her developementally disabled brother...that was absolutely NOT necessary, very disrespectful and almost mocking.
I liked the blog, I liked the cookbook and I even liked the Food Network show but this book ruined all of that for me. I found out that I don't really like her all that much anymore and now can't stomach any of her other outlets.