Tahleen reviews: "The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" by Ree Drummond

Title: The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
Author: Ree Drummond
Publisher: William Morrow, 2011

Rating: 4 stars

I've been a longtime fan of The Pioneer Woman, whose cooking blog is outstanding (as is her cookbook that I own, The Pioneer Woman). She is funny and personable, and just a friendly type of gal from what I've read. I have always wondered about how she ended up on a ranch in Oklahoma, since she has often hinted that she grew up in or near a city and wasn't born into this life of ranch work. When she published her memoir, I got really excited because now I could finally find out!

Her story starts when she is 25 and single, just moved back into her childhood home with her parents. One night while out for a drink with friends, she spots a cowboy across the bar and goes up to talk to him. And thus begins the rest of her life.

I loved this account. It's full of her whirlwind romance with her husband, whom she lovingly calls Marlboro Man (we never know what his real name is, probably because he doesn't want it known by the world), as well as all the pain and joy they experience together throughout the journey. Drummond goes through some really rough times during their courtship, and things continue to be painful and a bit rocky in the first year of their marriage. But through it all, the love they feel for each other is so evident and palpable that it's clear why she gave up the life she knew to spend it with her husband in the middle of nowhere.

Drummond has this way with words that just hooks you. She writes with a lot of humor, which constantly had me smiling as I read. I usually find I take a long time to read nonfiction or memoirs, but not with this one. I flew through it. Another added bonus is the inclusion of a number of recipes she references during her story at the back of the book. This is really just a feel-good story—if you're in need for something funny and romantic with a few dashes of drama, this is a great book to seek out.

Disclosure: This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.