Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home

Circle C Adventures

By: Susan K. Marlow

Narrated by: Annette Romano

Twelve-year-old "Andi" Carter attracts trouble the way her palomino horse, Taffy, attracts flies on a hot summer day. Lately, she can't do anything right, from forgetting important chores to putting herself in danger with her brother Chad's wild stallion. After a particularly scary incident where Andi gets in trouble once again, she wonders if her family would be better off without her. So she saddles up Taffy and leaves the Circle C ranch.

But her escape quickly leads to frightening encounters with a horse thief and a vicious young lady. Turns out life on her own is downright terrifying!

Home is where Andi belongs, but how can she go back without her beloved mare?

Susan Marlow's captivating characters have even more to say in this newly expanded anniversary edition of one of her classic Andi tales.

©2005 Susan K. Marlow (P)2018 Susan K. Marlow

Good story but … 😕

The narrator is okay, but she makes Andy sound very immature,whining and speaking in an arrogant, and disrespectful way Andy seems more like a spoiled child then a maturing young girl. I do like the story but I would rather read the book then listen to it.

An engaging story for listeners of all ages

I first read the Circle C Adventures when I was around Andi's age. I loved Long Ride Home even then, but now, as a 22-year-old grad student, I found myself loving it even more as the fabulous narration of Annette Romano brings Andi's story to life. I'm a big fan of audibooks, and as a narrator Romano does not disappoint -- she does a great job using different voices for the different characters, and her Spanish accent for the Spanish-speaking characters is pretty authentic. Even though I could vaguely remember what happens, between Susan K. Marlow's storytelling and Romano's narrating, I was riveted from the first seconds to the last. A story well written, and a story well read!

Funny enough, I also found myself identifying more with Andi this time around, from her messy room and forgetfulness to her irresponsibility and sometimes thoughtless decisions. Listening to Andi's story reminded me of what's expected of me and how I need to take responsibility and do right. Moral of the story: no matter your age or position in life, you'll get something out of Long Ride Home, even if it's just the satisfaction of reading (or listening to!) a clean story with uplifting morals. :)

Outstanding Rendition! Delightful Tale!

Yee haw! Saddle your horse and jump into this lively adventure featuring twelve-year-old Andrea Carter. A tomboy at heart, Andi loves her life on the Circle C Ranch – most of the time. California in the 1880’s is filled with adventure, daring deeds and sigh – rules of behavior for a proper young lady. Andi would rather ride her beloved horse, Taffy, than clean her room or try on a frilly dress. Proper young lady? Forget it! Andi is fun loving, horse loving and an unintentional mischief maker. Much to her dismay, her family and the rest of the Circle C family treat her like a pesky little kid. Or so she thinks. . .

After one impetuous decision, Andi jumps into a frightening situation out of her control. She and Taffy run away, certain the family will be better off without them. Andi soon learns, to her dismay, that being in charge of your own life means having to face the consequences of your decisions – right or wrong. To say more would give away the plot of this delightful story. It’s perfect for tweens or even as an engaging family read aloud. This book is a promising start to the whole series of Andrea Carter stories. Each book takes the reader on another fun-filled adventure. The Long Road Home would make a terrific listen along on the road to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving or even with a pair of ear buds while flying off on vacation .

Annette Romano’s narration is a delight! Even though I’d read the print book, I was soon caught up again in the life of Andi Carter and her rambunctious romp through the Old West. Ms. Romano’s rendition gave a new depth and interest to this tale. Well worth five stars – or more!

Love the whole story and how it always kept me interested!!

So fun to listen to I could hardly put it down!! The adventures sound so interesting!!

What a Narrator!

Annette Romano is fantastic! Crazy over Mrs. Marlow's Andi books, I leaped at the opportunity to get one of her audiobooks, and boy, I haven't once regretted it! Annette Romano has a way with drawing someone (like me) in and keeping her hooked! She can do amazing things with her voice and have you exploding in gales of laughter one moment and then keeping you in breathless suspense the next. I'll say it again: Annette Romano is fantastic!

A pleasure to listen to such an enjoyable story.

In The Long Ride Home, author, Susan Marlow draws you into the compelling story of experiencing, like we all do, the consequences of our mistakes. With expertise Susan makes you feel what Andi, the main character, feels, and we can identify with them. It was a pleasure to listen to narrator, Annette Romano, as she skillfully brought Andi's story to life.

Not really a long ride

This is the first book in the series. I wish I had known that because I read book #2 first.

The character of Andrea "Andi" should be very likeable. Instead Andi is spoiled. We have a character who constantly finds herself in trouble but never learns from her mistakes. Any consequences Andi might face is either evaded or minimized so that really isn't a consequence. For example right near the start of the book Andi rides off in a huff and falls asleep and sleeps most of the day out in the sun. Does she get a sun burn? Nope. She missed all three meals and yet her stomach simply growls at her. The fact that she Andi never completed the assigned punishment of mucking out the stalls for failing to do a simple chore has no impact.

Andi's room is forever "unclean" and she hopes that the housekeeper would, maybe, look in and see the state of andi's room and take some time to clean and organize it.

This book also sets a trend where non-white girls of Andi's age are "good" while white girls of Andi's age are "mean/bad" or at best unimportant.

I was looking forward to an adventure but there wasn't much adventure to be found in this book.