Beard With Me: A Small Town Romantic Comedy

Beard with Me by Penny Reid is the sixth book in her wonderful Winston Brothers series. An emotional roller-coaster backstory of the teenage versions of Billy Winston and Claire McClure or, Scarlet St. Claire as she was known back then. Painful and emotional - This book ripped my heart open for all the things that COULD have been for these two but never were. This had me going back through the previous FIVE Winston books and searching for mentions of Claire and re-reading the interactions with Billy as adults. Definitely a love story but definitely not a romance. I was rocked to my core by the depth of suffering these two went through. Seeing the younger stoic Billy Winston and understanding why he is the way he is. Marveling at the progress Claire has made in her life to not only return to Green Valley after what she suffered at her fathers hands but to thrive and live and be an active member of society. Just... WOW! I was excited and eager for Billy's book, Beard Necessities, before but now, after reading this backstory, I am on tenterhooks waiting for November to roll around. If you are a Penny Reid / Green Valley fan this book is a must read. Enjoy!

I adore Penny Reid and would worship at an altar of her discarded printer ink cartridges. Her writing has a distinct and perceptive eloquence with a perfect blend of entertaining levity, thoughtful insights, compelling drama, heart squeezes, looming peril, and extra quirky and highly endearing characters. She gives each unique character a profound depth, which illuminates their strengths as well as exposing their vulnerabilities. Beard With Me ranks as one of her best and is one of those rare books that warrant a ten-star rating, despite the lack of closure for the main characters’ storyline. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

There is no other way to describe this book but to say it’s EPIC! If you have been following this series like I have, you will know all about the brooding Billy. You will also know that there is a back story between him and Claire McClune / Scarlet St Claire. Tension has been so thick with them in the previous books that you can’t help but need to know what happened surrounding their tale. This edition is the whole background and lead up to their love story. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but it will leaving you with plenty of longing and wondering how can it all be fixed. It’s starts from the very begging of all the siblings stories and it ties them all in together with snippets linking each book / sibling. I loved that, they way Billy was integral in all their lives in such a positive way. One thing you should be warned about, and will know this fact if you’re a fan of this series, is that Scarlet and Billy both suffer at the hands of their fathers who are in a MC. And it’s brutal and sad. It is told to us in a remarkable way that you have this undying compassion for them as it’s so tragic. It gives you plenty of insight as to the young adults they were and how it has shaped their later lives. I have always adored Billy for his loyalty and family values but this book cements my opinion solid. He is simple the best person you would want on your side. It is why all the other siblings look up to him for guidance and reassurance. Scarlet was a sweet teen with difficult circumstances that had aged her into adulthood early. She knew she was raised differently but still took pride in where she was going in life. She was an extremely strong young woman and I’m eager to read more about her in the next book. I have cherished each of these brothers for so many distinctive reasons but Billy will now be my favorite Winston. I’m hurting but I know this next book will ease all my worries and I’m betting this couple will have their HEA in the end and it will be valorous.