Dr. Strange Beard: A Small Town Romantic Comedy

One of the things I constantly reinforce when promoting reading for pleasure is how reading creates empathy and understanding especially with regard to the situations we ourselves may not encounter but others have to face on a daily basis. Penny Reid should be commended for her portrayal of how people are treated based on the colour of their skin. I had never realised the extent of the divide until Penny's depiction and characterisation enabled me to put myself in that position. Can you imagine having to talk to your children about remaining calm and respectful in the face of prejudice, even when being deliberately provoked - seriously mind-blowing that the extent of racism still exists in what is supposed to be the age of diversity and acceptance.  Dr Strange Beard is set a few years after Beard in Mind, which was a little disorientating to begin as a lot of changes had occurred within that time frame for all of the Winstons. I loved being able to catch up on all of their lives and the progression and additions to their relationships.  Roscoe and Simone were best friends throughout school until Roscoe wanted more. Following an emotional but ill-timed declaration and subsequent miscommunication, Roscoe ghosted Simone breaking both of their hearts in the process. Skip ahead 10 years and they find themselves pushed together due to events larger than their relationship. I completely adored Roscoe and his uniqueness, he is right up there with Cletus in my affections (but don't tell Cletus I wouldn't want him to be upset). I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in Roscoe's position and admired the way in which he dealt with his baggage. As you can probably tell he is very self-aware and endearingly oblivious to his own appeal 💝 On the other hand, Simone prides herself on how well she thinks she knows herself. Something she has to address throughout the narrative, to say she learns a lot about herself would be an understatement 😍 There is a LOT going on within the plot, threads from the series continue and are added to in unexpected ways creating a manic desperation to know the outcome (BILLY!!!!!!) along with plot twists so unexpected they will leave you reeling. Seriously, with each Penny Reid book I read my admiration for her talent grows. Dr Strange Beard is a must read for all Winston Brothers fans, for those new to the series - I know it can be read as a standalone but do yourself a favour and read them in order - you won't regret it 💝💞😍

Another triumph for Penny Reid as I fell in love with Roscoe, and all his quirks. Simone was perfect for him, and watching them circle around each was hilarious. Penny’s book have everything, a great storyline, wonderful characters and for the reader fulfillment. Roscoe and Simone were inseparable as children, up to the age of sixteen. When they were drunk, Roscoe had confessed his love, and Simone brushed him off. Unfortunately she doesn’t remember, so she was heartbroken when Roscoe started to avoided her. That was TEN years ago, so when Roscoe pulls up at her mother’s doughnut bakery to buy a box to take home. He sees Simone, who is not usually there when he comes home to visit. This book has everything, as Simone is undercover for the FBI, so one of their informants can pass info she is working for her mother instead of her Lab in DC. As Roscoe spends his time avoiding her he turns to go without. When suddenly his father is standing in front of him. That’s the beginning of the story, this book has so much going on, but I not telling. Its great catching up with some of his siblings, it was entertainment all the way. I loved every minute, it was a pleasure to read.

4.5 stars--DR. STRANGE BEARD is the fifth full-length instalment in Penny Reid’s contemporary, adult WINSTON BROTHERS romance series focusing on the Winston siblings. This is twenty-six year olds, FBI agent Simone Payton, and veterinarian Roscoe Winston’s story line. DR. STRANGE BEARD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion. Told from dual first person perspectives (Roscoe and Simone) DR. STRANGE BEARD follows the second chance relationship between twenty-six year olds, childhood friends and sweethearts, FBI agent Simone Payton, and veterinarian Roscoe Winston. Ten years earlier, at sixteen years old, after professing his love to the girl that he loved, the youngest Winston sibling Roscoe walked away without explanation leaving a grieving Simone Payton to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. Fast forward to present day wherein Simone, now an undercover FBI agent, returns to her hometown of Green Valley, Tennessee as part of a sting operation to take down the local MC believed to be involved in a string of murders and missing men. Enter veterinarian Roscoe Winston, the man who destroyed her heart, and the man with whom she is still in love. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Roscoe and Simone, and the potential fall-out as the sting operation comes to a head placing our story line couple in the direct line of fire. For close to five years, Roscoe Winston has avoided Payton’s bakery owned and operated by Simone’s mother but a chance encounter found Roscoe face to face with his past when he and his father squared off the bakery parking lot, as Simone played interference between the cantankerous duo. Still reeling from the events ten years earlier, Winston is constantly on the run to avoid a confrontation with the woman he loves. Throughout the story Penny Reid offers up bits of information from the previous story lines including the dysfunctional Winston family dynamics, as well as the on-going history of the local MCs. The Winston siblings are a tight knit group held together by their tormented pasts including their futile relationship with the man they called dad. The relationship between Simone and Roscoe is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people torn apart by misunderstanding and miscommunication, and the betrayal of heart break and pain. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. Most of the Winston siblings are present and accounted for including the long suffering eldest brother Billy Winston whose own personal life is spiralling out of control. We are re-introduced to Simone’s parents Daisy and Trevor Payton, and her siblings Dani and Poe. The requisite evil has many faces including Roscoe’s father Darrell Winston, and MC member Razor Dennings. DR. STRANGE BEARD is a well-written, infinitely detailed, and intelligent story line focusing on family, friendships, second chances, murder, betrayal and race. The premise is energetic and animated; the characters are colorful and spirited; the romance is dramatic and edgy. DR. STRANGE BEARD is a suspenseful, impassioned and palpable tale about the destructive nature of secrets, lies, power and greed.