| Title | : | Beard in Mind (Winston Brothers, #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781942874317 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 393 |
| Publication | : | First published July 31, 2017 |
| Awards | : | Goodreads Choice Award Romance (2017) |
Semi Finalist: Goodreads Choice Awards, Best Romance 2017
All is fair in love and auto maintenance.
Beau Winston is the nicest, most accommodating guy in the world. Usually.
Handsome as the devil and twice as charismatic, Beau lives a charmed life as everyone’s favorite Winston Brother. But since his twin decided to leave town, and his other brother hired a stunning human-porcupine hybrid as a replacement mechanic for their auto shop, Beau Winston’s charmed life has gone to hell in a handbasket.
Shelly Sullivan is not nice and is never accommodating. Ever.
She mumbles to herself, but won’t respond when asked a question. She glares at everyone, especially babies. She won’t shake hands with or touch another person, but has no problems cuddling with a dog. And her damn parrot speaks only in curse words. Beau wants her gone. He wants her out of his auto shop, out of Tennessee, and out of his life.
The only problem is, learning why this porcupine wears her coat of spikes opens a Pandora’s box of complexity—exquisite, tempting, heartbreaking complexity—and Beau Winston soon discovers being nice and accommodating might mean losing what matters most.
Beard in Mind (Winston Brothers, #4) Reviews
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4.25 stars!!!!
I am obsessed with Penny Reid’s books! This woman writes the smartest, most heartfelt stories, and I love them all. Beard in Mind was no exception. My love for all things Winston Brothers is huge! I’ve been wanting to read Beau’s book for the longest time. I’ve thought about this for a while now, and if I were to be an actual Winston brother, I would be a Beau. I know, that sounds sort of crazy since I’m a woman, but it’s true. I’m a Beau. I was anxious to see who Beau would end up with. I wouldn’t have thought Shelly at first, but she truly was perfect for him!
Beau Winston is the nice twin. He’s the friendliest and most gentlemanly brother. He’s the dependable one. When Beau meets Shelly Sullivan at the garage he owns with his brothers, he doesn’t know what to think of her. Shelly is different than any woman he’s known. At first, Beau doesn’t like Shelly. Or maybe he likes her too much? Either way, his reaction to her is unlike any he’s ever had before.
Shelly is an amazing heroine. She suffers from OCD (the extreme version- not the ‘I’m OCD about alphabetizing my book collection’) but she’s working through it. She’s doing her best. When she meets Beau, she wants to be better. She wants him.
“Have you always been?”
“Yes. I’ve always been a gentleman.”
“You should make an exception for me.”
“You don’t want me to treat you like a lady?”
“I am not a lady.” “
You’re my lady.”
“Yes. I’d like to be yours.”
I ADORED SHELLY AND BEAU TOGETHER! They were the most wonderful couple. Their story was stunning and inspirational. Honestly, the Shelly and Beau part of this book was perfection. I loved the progression of their relationship, the growth they both displayed, and how they just fit together. I guess my only issue with this one was the family aspect. I love all the Winston Brothers (and Ashley) and I’m always glad to see them, but there was a huge Winston bomb that was dropped on us and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I do know I feel like it took a little of the focus away from the main couple IMO.
Beard in Mind is another fantastic addition to the Winston Brothers series. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, and I fell in love with this clan all over again. If you’re looking for a sweet, sexy, and smart romance, Reid never disappoints!
“I love you, Shelly. I’ll love you when you break. And I’ll love you when you put yourself back together.”
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1.5 Stars
I love Penny Reid and I love that she wrote a book with a character having legit OCD.
That said, I just didn’t love this.
It took me forever to read it, I had no problem putting it down, and I had to practically bribe myself to pick it back up every time.
I liked both Shelly and Beau, but their romance felt sterile and stale in most areas.
There were also a lot of smaller side stories I felt distracted from the main plot. There was Beau’s issues with Duane, with Christine, with Shelly...Cletus’ issues with Jennifer...Shelly’s issues with Beau and Quinn...it just didn’t all flow smoothly for me.
In short, I was just bored.
Bummer.
But oh well, win some/lose some. -
4.85 stars
Review now posted 22/9/17
Penny Reid:
Did I just fangirl too much???
I was saving Beau and Shelly for a day when I would feel truly down. Because I knew that reading about these two would make my day brighter. And I was right. Hands down the highlight of an otherwise tiring and crappy day.
I do have to apologize for not giving this one the full 5 stars because although I loved it, Cletus is still my favourite. And GoodReads doesn't have decimals or more stars so I've deducted just a tiny bit, as this one didn't reach the complete perfection of Cletus and Jenn (for me) but it did come really close.
I loved how Penny Reid approached OCD and I loved her depiction of Shelly and everything she struggled with. It felt very real to me. I actually found myself counting words at some point along with her. Shelly is a heartbreaker in every possible way. My heart broke for her and I fell in love with her too.
As I said Cletus is my favourite of the Winston Clan and I suspect nothing and no one will depose him. My partiality to evil masterminds and bad boys just ensures him the crown. That said I still really liked Beau even if he wasn't a bad boy. A true gentleman, he endears himself with every thought and action. Even or maybe especially when he needs to fix his "refrigerator".
Another fantastically "flawed" romance from Penny Reid about two perfectly imperfect people finding each other. Do not miss out any of this brilliant authors work. Go back and pick up the first of this series if you haven't already.
Prior to reading
I don't mind which of the brothers is in it. I just want it!
Also I want to know who is rating this book when it doesn't even have a blurb yet. Are you time travellers? If so bring copies back for the rest of us. -
a very different installment in this series
and despite some initial apprehension, i thought this turned out very well! i think the reason for my uncertainty when i started was that the topics handled in this book felt a lot heavier than in previous installments. i think i've said before that i don't love quirky rom coms, and that is absolutely true. but what i don't love even MORE than quirky rom coms are books that can't decide what they want to be. rom coms that throw in really dark/serious subject matter and still try to claim the rom com title. it just doesn't work for me.
but like i've said a few times before, penny reid is a skilled writer. and she was able to have me overlook the decidedly un "com" path she took with this story. (especially after reading her author's note at the end)
if you're wondering what the darker subject matter is in this book, it's the OCD that our heroine suffers from. mental health does not make a book dark, but the gritty exploration in this book is definitely not something i'd call light hearted. you feel like you are in the head of someone having obsessive compulsive thoughts, someone trying really hard to work through it. but it's really hard to read about. (so if that would be triggering to you, certainly avoid this book) ultimately, i appreciated the inclusion. i can't speak to the representation, but it's really clear from reading this that the author did a lot of research into the subject. and i deeply appreciated how even though our main character was suffering, our hero learns that he should not and cannot "fix" our heroine. and he has to learn to deal with his own shit on his own too.
the only thing that kept this book from being a 5 star read from me i think was the way this book was told. unlike the first 3 books, this one was told primarily from the hero's POV and i... didn't love that. i also think that penny reid's attempt to have this book run parallel to the last book resulted in more "tell" than "show" and made the book longer than it needed to be. we get a lot of what felt like Beau rehashing what we saw in Cletus' book that did not add to the story. i think the book could have started after the events of the last one and used that extra page time for more intimate 1:1 moments between the characters. not like sexy times intimate but emotionally intimate.
that being said, i think this book is an important one and i think a lot of people will feel seen by this book. i was definitely not disappointed and i'm excited to read the next one. -
*****4.5 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
She wouldn’t be who she was now without her struggles. Life had shaped her, her fear had formed her, and I wouldn’t have her any differently.
The WINSTON BROTHERS series is fast becoming one of my favorites by Penny Reid. I never thought a bunch of oddball quirky characters would win my heart so easily, but all I can say is that I can’t get enough of these crazy and lovable bunch of characters. I love them so much that I would become an honorary Winston if it were even possible! These siblings are always there for each other and ready to lend a helping hand whenever necessary, and when they find that special someone, they become completely wrecked by love in the most amazing ways! I think Penny needs to create a new Winston brother just for me. BEARD IN MIND coincides with the same timeline as BEARD SCIENCE and although these books can be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading the previous books, if only so you get to experience the awesomeness of this series!!
Beau is considered to be the charismatic Winston twin and the most well-liked by all out of the entire group of siblings. He goes out of his way to say a kind word and to help his fellow town’s people out of a jam whenever necessary. Women fall all over themselves to get his attention and he could be the biggest player if he wanted but Beau is looking to find a special lady to settle down with. Seeing some of his brothers in blissful relationships has his heart yearning for the same type of connection for himself. Beau has never had problems charming the opposite sex but when Cleetus hires a stunningly beautiful mechanic with an abrasive attitude, he just may have met his match.
Shelly Sullivan is Quinn’s younger sister. For those of you who have read the Knitting in the City series, you will be quite familiar with Quinn ‘aka’ McHotPants. Shelly has left her home in Chicago and moved to Tennessee in hopes of getting the help she needs to manage her OCD. For the past couple of years, she has closed herself off from her family because her OCD became almost too much for her to handle and she didn’t want to subject her loved ones to her bizarre behavior. She is not able to initiate physical contact with anyone because she then gets plagued by an overwhelming fear that the person will be in danger. She would then resort to cutting herself to help relieve the anxiety. Since moving to Tennessee, she’s been seeing a therapist and has refrained from cutting for almost a year. When she and Beau first meet, her blunt dialogue and seemingly rude demeanor rubs him the wrong way and Beau is convinced that Cleetus needs to fire her. While he finds her attitude to be annoying his attraction to Shelly is overwhelming him and little does he know she is just as, if not more into him.
When Shelly tries to fight through her fears and anxiety to make a move on Beau, it’s awkward but hilarious as well. Beau then realizes that he may have been a little too quick in judging Shelly and he decides to give in to the crazy attraction that is between them. Beau with his huge heart is not scared off when he learns to the full extent how much Shelly’s OCD impacts her life and her ability to interact with others. He even goes to some of her sessions with her Psychologist and agrees to participate in some new aggressive form of therapy to help Shelly with her inability to initiate physical contact. Sharing something so personal and being intimate with each other as well, has feelings growing with intensity, but while Beau is more forthcoming, Shelly is closed off and reserved. This dredges up Beau’s deeply embedded insecurities which have him believing he’s not good enough to be loved.
Aside from the angsty and steamy bits between Beau and Shelly, there is a huge revelation that impacts the Winston’s and I felt that towards the end of the book it overshadowed the romance between the Hero and Heroine. The ending seemed to wrap up too quickly. Even though this is quite a lengthy novel, I still felt like Shelly’s OCD was a huge issue that the couple needed to find a way to cope with and I would have really enjoyed it if we could have gotten closure with her family.
BEARD IN MIND releases on August 1st! Penny Reid fans are sure to enjoy it. For those of you who haven’t read anything by Penny, this is a series worth checking out.
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I have so much to say about this book and these characters, I don't even know where to start. Beard in Mind features characters so unlike any that I have read about before and I absolutely loved it. Shelly was a very unique person and she had all of my emotions bleeding out of me. I was sad for her, anxious for her, and so happy for her that I sometimes looked like a complete loon for just smiling at my Kindle for awhile. And of course there were times I was laughing out loud and making everyone around me question my sanity."If you were any more inbred, you'd be pastrami."
"What? Pastrami?"
"You know, 'in bread' like pastrami. In a sandwich."
Shelly and Beau were very intricate characters that needed a compassionate author to do them justice, and Penny Reid was the best author to do that. The way she portrayed them and shared their feelings had me ridiculously happy. Shelly did not have an easy go at life and she was trying her best to get through the hard times. Seeing her struggles had me literally crying, but I was smiling while I was doing it. It's not often I come across a book like this one, that makes me want to hunt down the author just to give them a big hug and maybe a basket of mini-muffins as a thank you. And Penny Reid deserves the biggest thank you for sharing Shelly with the world and showing that no matter what you're going through, or what your struggles are, you deserve love and happiness.
I will probably rave about Shelly many more times because I loved her so much, but that does not mean her and her struggles were the main focus of this book. Ms. Reid expertly wove Beau's and Shelly's lives together, the good and the bad, so they both had an equal place in my heart while I was reading. Beau was the "good guy" of the Winstons, the one always trying to do the right thing and help everybody. So when we got those moments that we saw just how exhausting that was for him and the stress that came with him, it made me love him even more.
What really impressed me about Beau was when he finally realized that he can't fix everyone and that sometimes he needed to lean on someone else. That someone else being Shelly, of course. Watching them help each other through the bad times was truly amazing. Neither of them tried to take over and fix whatever it was that the other person was dealing with, instead they were just there for them to hold their hand while they fixed their own problems.
I've probably ranted on way too long about this book so I will leave you with this one last thing. Please read this book, I don't think you will be disappointed.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. -
It was good ... but ...
Well, I have come across the first book in the Winston Brothers series that I think my reading experience was better than the audio. I just think, even with excellent narration, that Shelly is hard to do justice / act out / bring to life. While I really enjoyed the audio and wouldn't dream of changing my rating, I just think my own interpretation of Shelly worked better ... for me.
This is an emotional story that is a beautiful example of love being perfect when you find your right match. Beau and Shelly work so well together and I love that they don't try to 'fix' each other. They each believe that it's a matter of holding the tools to help or fix their problems.
I'm loving this series and I can't help but go on with my audio re-read/listen. Up next, Roscoe and Simone.
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It’s easy to judge at face value...
I probably shouldn’t talk about my family as much as I do in my reviews, but I can’t help compare when I’m reading. Beard in Mind made me think about my son. Not just because I’m his mother (well not only because of it), I can honestly say that my son is strikingly good looking. Has been from the day he was born. He has big green eyes, long eyelashes, full and pouty lips, tan skin and a long and lean swimmers body (not a swimmer, just looks like one). All his life, he has had people comment on his looks. Strangers have walked up to us and made mention of it. He could easily become a model, and we’ve contemplated getting photos of him for a folio. Except, there’s one small problem…he doesn’t like attention focused on him. I’d even say, that he’s not overly confident.
I am the first person (very guiltily mind you) to think…OMG!! You’re so good looking. Why aren’t you the most popular boy at school? Why don’t you smirk at all the pretty girls?
Well, plain and simple, he just doesn’t care about those things. My beautiful son is a…duh…duh…duhhh…GAMER NERD. Sit him in a room by himself with an Xbox, and he’s one happy 14-year-old.
Anyways, I know, with first-hand knowledge, that people can easily judge by looks alone. People expect my son to be confident and outgoing. Don't get me wrong, he's polite and sweet, but he won't initiate a conversation with a stranger EVER.
Shelly Sullivan is one of the most beautiful women around. Then…she opens her mouth. With no filter whatsoever, she will tell you exactly what she’s thinking and those hits can hurt like all buggery. If you didn’t know any better, you could easily mistake her for one of the meanest people in existence. Lucky for her, one of the nicest people in existence looks below the surface.
Beau Winston is absolutely gobsmacked by the beauty of Shelly. At first, like everyone else, he attempts to get to “know” her better. This, unfortunately, does not go well and he crashes and burns. The best way for him to handle the situation is by completely avoiding interacting with her. This isn’t as easy as it seems seeing as they work together and she offends most of their customers. Absolutely frustrated, he starts looking at Shelly a little closer and notices "things".
Shelly has OCD and has struggled for many years with it. She has moved away from her family so that she can be treated by a doctor so she can “fix” herself. I’ll be honest with you here, Shelly is one of my favourite characters that Penny Reid has ever created. I have a huge soft spot for characters like Shelly, who struggle with their need for perfection. Shelly wants to be normal and interact with people as normal people do. It’s not an easy fix, like when you have a toothache and go to the dentist to fix it. With time and patience, Shelly learns to deal with some of her issues. It definitely helps when Beau reaches out to help and his touch soothes her worries.
I absolutely loved Beard in Mind. From the very first page, I was enthralled. Besides getting to see Shelly and Beau’s beautiful connection, we get to catch up with the Winston’s. Beau is struggling with Duane leaving with Jess soon. Cletus is being his usual nutty self. Billy’s on the sidelines, observing, mentoring and protecting. We also get a glimpse of Shelly brother, Quinn Sullivan and his wife Janie. There is a new development that comes to light with the Winston’s connection to the Wraiths motorcycle club. I really hope that Cletus “deals” with those buggers soon. I’m guessing that things may get resolved when Billy gets his story. I REALLY WANT BILLY’S STORY!!
This series is my craic. I think I have a soft spot for these bearded fellas because I have a bearded fella myself. I love their differences in character but their unfailing support of each other as well. I cannot get enough…I WANT BILLY’S STORY!! Not impatient at all. 😉
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
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4 stars!
“People, all people, are blinded by their own expectations.”
Beard in Mind is the fourth book in the Winston Brothers series and can be read as a standalone novel. This book follows Beau Winston, twin brother of Duane from the first book, and Shelly, sister of Quinn from the Knitting series. Beau and his brothers Duane and Cletus own and run a mechanic shop in town. With Duane leaving the country soon to travel with his girlfriend, Cletus hires a new mechanic, the beautiful and cold Shelly Sullivan.
Right off the bat, due to a misunderstanding, the two don’t get along. Beau doesn’t like Shelly’s demeanor toward him and her unfriendliness toward customers. Shelly is highly intelligent and Beau had insulted her. But, at the end of the day, Beau is a good and friendly man and he makes the effort with her, discovering her secrets and becoming her friend. But eventually they both want more, and Beau’s brother Cletus stands in the way of that.
“I don’t think Beau Winston would purposefully hurt anyone.”
I know when it comes to a Penny Reid novel, I can always expect the unconventional romance. You don’t get the same old story when you read one of her books, you get something unique, and something special. It’s why she’s an auto buy author for me, the woman has never let me down. In a time where many authors are spitting out repetitive and unoriginal stories, Penny Reid offers something more to readers with her work.
This book made a few observations about society without being preachy about it. The most obvious, being the cultural norm of how we perceive OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder, and the misunderstanding of what the actual disorder it. The heroine, Shelly, has it, and it’s an everyday struggle that she has to conquer, that she works hard at, but it makes her misunderstood to those around her. It has something interesting for the reader to take away and think about, maybe not use the phrase so casually in conversation.
The second one I noticed, which is less obvious, is the subject of rape culture. Shelly is a beautiful woman, and because of that, many men think it’s okay for them to hit on her/assume they have the right to do so, and it isn’t. Just because someone is beautiful, doesn’t mean it’s okay to assume you can make advances on them or touch them without permission. Granted, Shelly’s sharp wit and intelligence proved no match for whatever man came her way, but just because she can handle herself still doesn’t mean it’s okay.
I liked Shelly and Beau equally, neither one of them drove me crazy or made stupid decisions. They each had some issues to work on and work through, and they made the decision to include each other in their problems. It doesn’t mean that being together solved everything, but now they had someone to support them throughout what was happening. As a couple, they didn’t seem to have that spark between them. Personally, while I liked them together, I didn’t feel the attraction between the two like I had for other couples in this series. And at times, I felt this book was more about the side characters than them as a couple. Which is fine, I loved the side characters, but to me, something lacked.
If you haven’t read the Winston Brothers series yet you need to. If you haven’t read a Penny Reid book yet, I can’t even with you right now. The series only has two books left, making me just one book closer to my love Billy!!! I need Billy ASAP!
“Don’t let anyone in your life who isn’t the best, and don’t hesitate walking away from a person who can’t give you what they need.”
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
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Could I love Penny Reid more? I didn't think it was possible, until I read Beau and Shelly's story. Brave, as always, Penny steps out of the boundaries of conventional romance and provides us romance readers with the much needed breath of fresh air that is Shelly. When I heard we were getting Shelly's story I was excited - how would Penny tackle her character?
Well, the answer is with care, intelligence, sensitivity and realism. Shelly's story is close to my heart and Penny nailed it. I cried, I laughed, and I loved every minute of this beautiful story. And let's not forget Beau! I want a Beau! He utterly charmed me. I have never cried at a happy ending before. I cried at the end of Beard in Mind, it was that gosh darned lovely.
Thank you, Penny, for another spectacular read.
I love teacups. -
4.5 We Are All Too Human Stars
* * * *1/2 Spoiler Free
In this life, all of us have our own issues...some more intense than others. But to each of us... they are our Own Issues, so how can we judge whether ours are more than another's...People are not perfect... it would be so boring if we were... It is our ability to overcome obstacles which make us... It makes us Brave, Strong, Courageous, and Beautiful in the doing of it.
Penny Reid has taken us on a journey where the obstacles to overcome are equally immense, intense, heartbreaking and gratifying...but also so very human. She does it in her very special way of lacing an intricate story with our beloved Winston Brothers and with all the insight, humor, pathos and reality of real-world life, as only she can do it.
What I love so much about Reid is how she thinks. How she guides us through the tale...taking us by the hand and showing us the way all obstacles in life can be addressed...It may sound simplistic...but in my reality, she does just that.
Reid will give us markers... Quotes to help us frame what we are experiencing. She will give her characters' hearts so big and strong, they are able to work through the hurdles Reid throws at them. She also gives us amazingly beautiful nuggets...things that harken back to past moments in the series...
Moments which I will never forget...And by her just giving these references... they do not leave readers who may not have read the other books out in the cold... No, they give new readers insight to the heart of these characters...
But oh, for those who have read every single one of these Winston Brothers Books... They give just the right amount of remembrance... of a moment we had and how profound it was...
Now, this particular entry is about Beau... and he has always been the "Charming" Twin to Duane's Angsty Twin. Beau is naturally handsome, has that gift of making everyone feel good and wanting to do it naturally...But he also has many hidden layers others do not see.
This is his story and he is dealing with his twin leaving town with his new lady love...It has him feeling off and out of sorts. There is also another thing that has his dander up...
The new mechanic Cletus has hired without consulting him!
This Shelly Sullivan is something else. She is staggering beautiful...more than any woman has a right to be...She is a genius with cars, forging her own parts when necessary and making the cars hum and purr...
But as wonderful as she is with the machinery, she is equally as horrific when it comes to dealing with the people who own these vehicles. This is Tennessee, after all. People are friendly and nice...Not blunt and cold as ice...
Beau is tied up in knots...because as much as this woman irks him...he is also drawn to her more and more...
Shelly Sullivan is a genius... she is a world-renowned artist who does huge metal works commissioned by Corporations, Cities, and Countries. Her works are amazing. She also can do anything with metal... and loves working as a mechanic. She left Chicago for a very specific purpose and she is working through her own obstacles which have overrun her life.
These kind of issues Shelly is dealing with are not easy at all. They color her thoughts every waking moment. They have kept her from experiencing so much and she is now working very hard to "fix herself".
Meeting Beau, seeing him and his way of being so wonderful was not in Shelly's plan...She is a prisoner of her thoughts and she is trying so very hard to stay away from Beau.
Thank goodness for Shelly and Beau... she does not...
Thank goodness for us... they do not.
This is a romance book with a Happily Ever After...but with so much more...
With Reid you get life lesson in everything she writes... but with everything she writes, there is vast amounts of humor, heart, chemistry, plot and wanting...
Wanting from the couple involved to figure out things so they can have their Happily Ever After...
AND WANTING FROM US TO JUST HAVE MORE...
So like I seem to be saying quite a bit these days, please take a look at all the other reviews if you want more information about this tale...There is so much talent out there and you will get something from each every review.
The great news is this series is not over by a long shot... which makes my heart go pitter-pat. Penny Reid has created a family of unique qualities... and I am grateful every time I read about it.
Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City4/
Winston Brothers, #0.5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Truth or Beard (Winston Brothers, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Grin and Beard It (Winston Brothers #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Beard Science (Winston Brothers #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Beard in Mind (Winston Brothers, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dr. Strange Beard (Winston Brothers, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Beard with Me (Winston Brothers, #5.5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Beard Necessities (Winston Brothers, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And the series that started it all:
Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Neanderthal Marries Human (Knitting in the City #1.5)
Friends Without Benefits (Knitting in the City #2) 
Love Hacked (Knitting in the City, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City, #4; Winston Brothers, #0.5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Happily Ever Ninja (Knitting in the City, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dating-ish (Knitting in the City, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Marriage of Inconvenience (Knitting in the City #7)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Oh, Beau... I think you may have meet a match...
Someone who does not swoon when meeting you...
At least not so that you can see...
Two people...and oh, the fun we will have...
Thank you Penny Reid... and I am just starting this!
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Oct 11, 2016
Beau, you have that spark...
I just know if I met him in person...
His charm would hit me straight to my heart and other areas...
Penny Reid, give it to me...
Give me Beau's desire...the one who captures his heart...
I will wait here patiently....
Beard in Mind (Winston Brothers, #4) July 2017
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We are back in Green Valley, Tennessee, y'all! And let me tell you, I'm happier than a pig in a peach orchard.
When we ended Beard Science, we knew Beau and Shelly had a connection, and we needed to know how the easy-going charmer and the odd, cold, curmudgeon got past their instant animosity.
Add to the knowledge that Shelly had unresolved issues with her family, and the wait for this became nearly unbearable.
WE NEEDED TO KNOW!
Now that I've read it, I know things. BIG things. I'm freaking out.
But let me back up and tell you about the brilliant story telling. BIM is the 4th book in the series (Technically the 5th, if you count the crossover, Beauty and the Mustache--book 0.5 in The Winston Brothers and book 4 in the Knitting in the City series). Because it's smack dab in the middle of a rich, detailed, beautiful family series, there's a lot happening. There are siblings and their ongoing stories, there's town folk with their own promising possible stories, there are secrets and backstories and simultaneous story lines playing out and two series' worth of characters blending together. Even with all of that, the story of Beau and Shelly is captivating, sweet, sexy, sumptuous and complex.
Shelly is unlike the other heroines of the series. She's unlike most romance heroines. She's deep in the midst of a near-crippling case of OCD. Her mind is tormented all the time. She struggles with her limitations and her past weighs on her, but she's working hard to cope--for herself, her future and the love of her family. She's brave, she's smart and she's determined. She's also hiding such an intense love and need deep beneath her aloof exterior, that it's almost painful to witness.
I would have presumed she was unhappy to see her brother. But now I saw her stillness as something quite different. She was happy to see him, I could tell by how her eyes hadn't left his face since he'd walked in. She drank in his presence, basked in it, even as she held herself away.
(Oh my god, Quinn, hug her! Hug your sister!)
Once Shelly lets Beau Winston in--puts her trust and hopes into his gentle hands-- they embark on a romance that is heart wrenching and beautiful.
Beau and his life aren't as smooth and charmed as it seems. He battles with his own insecurities and unexpected drama that shakes him to his core. We get to know Beau--down to his bones. We get to know his dreams and his fears and see the warring within himself at losing his twin to the wonders of the world.
Everything about this story is emotional and bountiful.
This installment deviates from the norm just a smidge, with its slightly different narrative M.O. And, while the other books in the series have worked as standalones, I don't think BIM does. The backstories and strength of the emotional scenes wouldn't be nearly as interesting without having read the previous books (I would add that having read Neanderthal Marries Human is important too, for maximum enjoyment).
But for fans of these series', burning questions will be answered, more will be raised. Nuclear drama bombs will be detonated and toe-curling love will be made. This is not-to-be-missed.
ARC of Beard In Mind generously provided by the author.
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Looking for a fresh and original, sexy, sweet and incredibly touching and heartwarming story? Anything written by the very talented, quirky and ingenious Penny Reid it is practically guaranteed to be that and more because she brings so many elements together that make me want to both devour the story whole and savor it bit by bit.
I smiled, snorted, swooned, was touched, and that’s just by going over my highlights while trying to decide which to share. There’s just so much to talk about this book but let’s see if I can try to do just ten reasons why you should read Beard in Mind.
1. An enemies-to-lovers romance fan? Beard in Mind is a beautiful love story between two people who can barely stand each other but once they get to know one another they’ll discover just how wonderful being imperfect together is.“This woman was going to be the death of me. How was it possible to both dislike and admire a person this much? To want—no, crave—so badly to be in her company and be rid of her at the same time?”
2. Shelly might seem like a porcupine but she’s an absolutely fascinating and adorable heroine. I loved the patience with which Penny unravels her complexity. You don’t just understand her, Reid makes you want to carve a special place in your heart for her.“Yeah, she was beautiful, She was also smart, clever, a brilliant mechanic. And… complicated. And mean. I shouldn’t forget mean. Super, super mean.”
3. Beau isn’t perfect either, but he wears his flaws well. He’s looking for someone and isn’t completely sure what he wants, but he’s the sweetest, nicest, most charming and gorgeous man ever. And the way he sees Shelly’s inner beauty, supports and loves her is flat out swoony.“It would be easy to look at her and only ever see the shell, be blinded by her form. But her flaws, her resilience in the face of her struggles, her strength of character and honor, that’s what made her who she was. She was exquisite to me and I loved her because I knew her.”
4. In true Penny fashion we get a levity that’s guaranteed to make you smile and balances the seriousness that accompanies the issues presented.“I’m here to listen and hold your tools.”
I hoped that last bit was an innuendo.
“Not that tool.”
Damn. “What do you mean then? Hold my tools?”
“Bounce ideas off me, go through scenarios...."
5. Oh my goodness those Winston brothers are absolutely fascinating, I love getting to catch up with them and can’t wait to read about every single one and their best friends too! Since I know 10 won’t be enough, I’ll take advantage of mentioning that Cletus story overlaps with Beau’s and we get some fun scenes from Beau’s perspective.“Cletus had instructed Duane to put his concerns in the suggestion box. Of note, Cletus had labelled the shredder in the upstairs office suggestion box.”
6. I just love it when authors put in “extras” in their books. In Penny’s case, I love reading the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. Sometimes their informative, sometimes they’re inspiring or funny and sometimes they just are.“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ~ Aristotle
“I shall take the heart. For brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.” ~ L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
7. And speaking of lists, Shelly’s lists of things she’s thankful for are awesome.October 29
1. Beau
2. Long walks
3. Autum
8. When the hero wants to write poetry to the heroine… you can bet you’ll be getting a romance with all the feels!“I was also tempted to write poetry. To Shelly. From me. I was going to tell her all the ways she was amazing, epic, and extraordinary.”
9. Love banter and chemistry? You’ll certainly be getting sass and humorous wit along with the delicious chemistry between Shelly and Beau.“You’re a good kisser.”
“I practice.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. With my pillow. And a watermelon that one time.”
9 ¾. I knew ten wouldn’t be enough! I haven’t told you about Shelly’s foul mouth parrot, or how much I like Beau’s best friend Hank and I hope he gets his own book, and that this book is about fixing refrigerators… errr... seriously, it's about overcoming fears, about accepting ourselves and being perfectly imperfect, and... ok, I’ll wrap it up.
10. Mostly Penny Reid wrote it, so you should read it because you know you’ll be getting a unique and awesome story.
Beard in Mind is book #4 in the Winston Brothers series by Penny Reid. It is a standalone full length contemporary romance. A wonderful story in an already great series. Told from both points of view and has a happy ending.
5+++ stars
Amazon ->
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* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Social Butterfly PR. The excerpts taken are from that copy. *
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➦Ah, Winston brother and their beards... Don't you just want to...
➦I have so many questions. Is it soft? How would it feel? You know, in places that shall not be named...
➦If I actually manage to get my mind out of the gutter I might be able to produce a somewhat sensible review here. Now, what's the bear doing?
➦Yeah, we all know what you thought. ANYWAYS. I loved this enemies to lovers story with very peculiar characters. Beau, the hero of the book, has to work side by side with Shelly, a new female mechanic. She is closed off but when she talks she is blunt to the point of rudeness.
➦Naturally, being a nice do-gooder, Beau is pissed off to no end with such behavior on her part. Once he starts digging, however, he realizes that there is a reason for Shelly's rude demeanor. Will finding out the truth help him understand Shelly better and pursue a relationship with her?
➦I have to say that I really enjoyed the complexity of the characters - they are unique and fascinating, especially the heroine. The transition between enemies and lovers was very well done, albeit a bit too slow for my taste. But I suppose it was fitting given the situation.
➦Did I think some things were a bit drawn out? Sure. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that I enjoyed this book very much. There were some elements consisting of family drama and that's generally not my cuppa. But other than that this book revolved mainly around the slow build up of a relationship between two main characters. Take that plus some unexpected laugh out loud moments and you got yourself a great enemies to lovers romance with unique characters that you're unlikely to forget anytime soon!
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4.5-5 stars <3
Omg my heart <3 Unique,emotional and intense !!! I loved everything about this story.
Beau was everything I wanted him to be and even more.Sweet,funny,understanding and he was willing to help Shelly.Shelly is a little weird but we learn why she is like that but apart from this she is also clever, so intense and she was feeling lonely.My heart was aching for her.
I adored this story and I freaking love this series, each one of Winston's brothers take a place in my heart!If you haven't read this series please read them,Penny's writing is phenomenal her characters lovable and her words beautiful.I can't get enough of her stories.
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BLOG TOUR + EXCERPT
✮✮✮ ALL THE STARS ✮✮✮
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
When it comes to Penny Reid's books I associate words like warm, smart, wonderful and one-of-a-kind. These are her stories. These are her characters. And with each book I'm becoming a bigger fan. I have no idea how she does it but her stories draw me in, grab me by my black heart and won't let go. With each story I learn something, something that makes a substantial difference in my life and that's how I love my stories.
In Beard in Mind we get Beau's story. You see, he reeeaally doesn't like Shelly, his new co-worker who was hired by Cletus while Beau was on a business trip. She's rude, stand-offish and tells him that his face is crooked. Now, the charming Winston brother DOES NOT like to hear that and he's fuming and contemplating a plan how to get rid of her...but somehow...this woman sneaks under his skin and he finds himself completely charmed by her quirks. When he learns about Shelly's condition he is nothing but supportive and helpful. He comes up with solutions that might help this amazing and strong woman deal with her lot in life.“Do you feel sorry for her, Beau? Is that why you want to help?
“Hell, yes, I feel sorry for her.”
“That’s not a good basis for—”
“But mostly, I feel sorry for everyone else. Because from what I’ve seen, the glimpses of herself she’s shared with me, it’s a damn shame no one else gets to see it. It leads me to suspect that what we see of her on the outside has nothing on the beauty of the inside.”
But Beau also has some burden to carry. One of them being his twin brother leaving for a long journey - he really struggles with that. Plus, with almost everyone in his family having somebody to lean on he feels like he is being left behind.
Oh Shelly...Her isolation and loneliness caused by her condition is heartbreaking. She has learned to put an impenetrable facade in place that keeps her from getting hurt. Too much emotional pain comes from her disorder. She works so incredibly hard to learn to live with it, to improve her life's quality. And then Beau comes along and lifts her spirits and becomes a fixture in her life and gradually teaches her that the OCD doesn't define her as a person. He is somebody she can lean on and who lifts her burden. Who also learns in return that she is strong enough to be there for him when he needs it. Shelly was such an amazing heroine - she made it to one of my top favorites.
Shelly and Beau's love story is full of warm, tender moments but also some very steamy ones.“Shelly.”
“Yes?”
“Look at me.”
���Why?”
“I love how it feels.”
I loved that they didn't want to change one another. Especially Beau was completely accepting of the woman he loved, he saw perfection in her disorder, her quirks. Talk about quirky, we get to see the whole bunch of Winston brothers and one of the funniest laugh-out-loud-scenes came from, who else could it be, the ingenious Cletus Winston.
I have so much love for this book. As always we get an unorthodox, singular story with a lot of cleverness and humor from Penny Reid. She is becoming one of my favorites fast and, God, can we have Billy's story soon? I will not so patiently wait for this author's next release and while I do I will go through major withdrawals because that Penny Reid? Totally got me hooked.“I love you, Shelly. I’ll love you when you break. And I’ll love you when you put yourself back together.”
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Title: Beard in Mind
Series: Winston Brothers #4
Author: Penny Reid
Release date: August 1, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
I loved Beard in Mind for all of the usual Winston brother reasons and more. This book was more. I've read and loved every single book in this series so far, but this one holds a very special place in my heart. For me, the storyline was the perfect package tied in an unconventional bow. The romance was beautifully raw and real. The humor was as razor sharp as ever, and the town welcomed me with warm and comforting arms. This book was over 500 pages and not for a minute was I bored or tempted to skim over anything. On the contrary. I didn't want to leave these characters, and I was stubbornly dragging myfeeteyes as I approached the end.
One thing I loved about this story was how unexpected both characters were. Beau was pleasantly so much more than the flirty, lovable brother we believed him to be. But Shelly...she was concealing so much under that cold facade that keeps everyone at a distance. She seemed to be aggressively battling, tooth and nail, anyone she came in contact with. But the true war was within herself.
She didn’t want to be rude, to be cold, to be exhausting. But maybe, more than that, she doesn’t want to be a victim.
Beau was the perfect match for Shelly. Kind, empathetic, and most importantly, a people person. He could get along with anyone, and he'd give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. That doesn't mean that they were instant friends. No, they started out hilariously as adversaries (much to his chagrin).
She was strange. I knew people. Intrinsically, without much thinking about it, I knew what made them tick. I knew how to charm them, make them happy, and make them feel special. My read on Miss Sullivan as an arrogant and vain human-porcupine hybrid had been reinforced with every single interaction since we’d met.
As he peeled away her hidden layers, he discovered that her prickly pieces didn't equate to her sum total. She was ripe with so many hidden talents and love that she was aching to share. And she may not have had the power to do that yet, but she was acquiring the tools and putting the work in to be able to do so. Beau didn't hold her sword and conquer her battles for her, but stood behind her and gave her a safe place to fall so she could fight another day. And that was the beauty of their relationship. He had his own unpredictable struggle to overcome. One that took me completely by surprise and crushed me because of the twist his life had taken. Through it all, she was a partner who was just as strong and solid.
Shelly was a tangled mess of beautiful human contradictions. So very vulnerable, yet strong and courageous all at the same time. She spent so much time inside her own head that she couldn't easily relate or interact with other people. And though there was no easy or convenient solution for everything she struggled with, she quietly faced it all with intelligence and maturity. No matter what new obstacle was thrown at her, she would find a way to leap over it.
Her fear wasn’t beautiful. But her strength, her resolve, her brilliance and goodness were. She wouldn’t be who she was now without her struggles. Life had shaped her, her fear had formed her, and I wouldn’t have her any differently.
I loved Beau and Shelly, and how they complimented and counteracted each other's strengths and weaknesses. They were both heard, seen, and valued for who they really were. I wouldn't have wanted to change one sentence. Not one word of it, because none of it should have been spared in sharing Shelly's struggles and victories. Or seeing Beau accept his devastating loss, and his precious gain.
Penny always explores characters and themes that are not typical in your average romance and that's what appeals to me most about her books. Who wants average? She really outdid herself with this one, however. It was passionate, touching, and so exquisitely done. Prepare to be entertained through it all, because even with the heavier tones it's composed of, it will lift you up and give you a perpetual smile that won't go away.
Recommended for: EVERYONE! Read it!
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Although it would be pretty tough for one of the Winston men to beat out Cletus in my heart, I must admit that Beau came amazingly close. There’s just something about these simple men with their purity of heart and soul that leaves me in awe every single time. At first glance, Beau comes off as flirtatious and real easy-going, but once you dig below the surface, that’s when the true wonder of his depth becomes clear. Beau was amazingly beautiful, in mind, body and soul. He was a man that any girl would be lucky to have. You know, if he were real. Funny enough, he felt quite real to me. This man had so much going on and most of it was unbeknownst to him. This story had plenty of drama and surprising revelations that I’m sure will be felt for more books to come.
As for his lucky lady...
"How could I forget about her? How could she be anywhere other than the forefront of my thoughts?"
Oh. Em. Gee!! Don’t you just love it when you read a book and can identify yourself in it? That’s what happened for me when I read Beard in Mind. It’s like Penny Reid sat there and observed me for the entirety of my life and decided to write a book about what she’d seen. I am Shelly and Shelly is me. Now we may not be identical… and there were quite a few differences between our disorders… which is typical for everyone diagnosed with OCD… but I saw so much of myself in her that it was so easy to love this woman HARD!! The author gave me so much to admire, in both Shelly and Beau. I loved their strength, their confidence, and even their insecurities. These two were flawless in their flaws. And the way they shored each other up and the way they fell together was the stuff of dreams. I loved these people so much and I can’t get enough of this series of books. Give me more Winstons!!
Release Date: August 1, 2017
Genre: Romantic Comedy
POV: Dual - 1st person (primarily male voice)
Steam: 3.5 out of 5
Type: Standalone - Book 4 of the Winston Brothers series with character crossover -
My Thoughts
"5 -Let me hold your tools when they're too heavy to carry Stars!"
This book.... it wrecked me.
This is nothing like anything Penny's written before, and I think it's her best work yet.
The characters are raw.
They're real.
They're amazing.
What an incredible story.
What an incredible journey.
This is my favourite book this year.
So many thoughts ... and all of them good.
If you want to read a book that has fascinating, unique characters, excellent writing, and a wonderful story-line, then this is the book for you!
"I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the author."
Release Date: August 1, 2017
Beard in Mind is an all new standalone in the bestselling, romantic comedy Winston Brothers Series by Penny Reid.
**Add to your Goodreads to be read shelf**
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
**Blurb**
All is fair in love and auto maintenance.
Beau Winston is the nicest, most accommodating guy in the world. Usually.
Handsome as the devil and twice as charismatic, Beau lives a charmed life as everyone’s favorite Winston Brother. But since his twin decided to leave town, and his other brother hired a stunning human-porcupine hybrid as a replacement mechanic for their auto shop, Beau Winston’s charmed life has gone to hell in a handbasket.
Shelly Sullivan is not nice and is never accommodating. Ever.
She mumbles to herself, but won’t respond when asked a question. She glares at everyone, especially babies. She won’t shake hands with or touch another person, but has no problems cuddling with a dog. And her damn parrot speaks only in curse words.
Beau wants her gone. He wants her out of his auto shop, out of Tennessee, and out of his life.
The only problem is, learning why this porcupine wears her coat of spikes opens a Pandora’s box of complexity—exquisite, tempting, heartbreaking complexity—and Beau Winston soon discovers being nice and accommodating might mean losing what matters most.
**Buy Links**
(Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Amazon US:
http://amzn.to/2f53VN9
Amazon UK:
http://amzn.to/2uRxDdZ
Amazon AU:
http://amzn.to/2u0lZPk
Amazon CA:
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**Meet Penny Reid**
Penny Reid is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. When she’s not immersed in penning smart romances, Penny works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.
Connect with Penny
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Twitter: @ReidRomance
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FINALLY my turn at the pornbrary came up for this highly anticipated Winston Brothers story. Please don’t get it twisted – I, along with hundreds of other horny housewives, resemble something much like this at the mere mention of “Billy” . . . .
But seeing as his book doesn’t come out for another seventeen thousand years I had to make do with this one and thank the tiny 8 lb. 6 oz. Baby Jeebus (don’t even know a word yet) that Beard In Mind lived up to my high hopes. If you are familiar with these stories – or if you have two brain cells that cooperate with each other – you can figure out that this series focuses on a bunch of brothers. Thus was the case here with brother Beau, the charmer of the group. The difference this time? I could really give a rat fart about him because it was all about the leading lady. Meet Shelly. She has some personality traits that might seem a tad familiar . . . . .
Wrapped up in a package something like this . . . .
Her milkshake most definitely brings the boys to theautoyard where they be all . . . .
That is until they have an interaction with her, at which point they’d probably be more like . . . .
Now I’m sure there are a plethora of horny housewives who will be ever-so-offended by Shelly and say people with her diagnosis aren’t really like that and blah blah blah. You’re all entitled to your opinion. Just don’t come here and tell me that I’m a jerkoff for enjoying a fucking PORNO because if you do, you know what you can do with your comment????
Shelly kicked ass and this book had all the things going for it:
1. Shelly;
2. She was the dirty talker and that made me giggle;
3. Shelly;
4. It ran in the same timeline as Cletus/Banana Cake Twat’s story;
5. Shelly;
6. The “drama” was of a different variety that could have really put a kink in the works when it comes to Billy and Claire’s story if things went a little differently;
7. Shelly;
8. We got a glimpse of Roscoe’s love interest and a taste of what the trope will be for the next book;
9. Shelly;
10. And last but most certainly not least . . . . .
“Do not stop doing that.”
“Can I do other things?”
“Yes. All the things. Do all the things.”
Which led to . . . .
#splooooooooooooooooooooooooosh!!!!
4 Stars. Definitely my fave so far. Until next time . . . .
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Beau Winston. What a guy. He is sweet, sexy, and funny. But what I loved most about him was his loyalty. Not only to his family but to Shelly. I think his story will end up being one of my favorites of the series. ❤
There are so many wonderful reviews already written for Beard in Mind. But of course I’d like to add my two cents in. :) Penny Reid has come to be an author that I can return to at any time and know that I will enjoy her writing. I love her creativity and the care that she takes with her characters and story lines.
In Beard in Mind I found the story line to be a little heavier than usual. Because of this I found there to be fewer moments of laughter and more moments that had my heart feeling heavy. Please don’t interpret this as my not enjoying Beau and Shelly’s story because that would be the furthest from the truth. I appreciated their story being told.
Shelly’s life battle was one that couldn’t be fixed. It was something that made her equally strong and fragile. It took some time but Beau would see this inner beauty that not many saw. Once he had a taste of this beauty there was no turning back for him.
I loved the imperfections of Beau and Shelly’s relationship. I loved the imperfections of each of them. I loved their story. I will be honest though. There is a twist that takes place that I did not see coming AT ALL! When I first finished the book I was a little miffed at PR for doing this. Still am just a tiny bit. But after thinking on it, I think I get it. Of course I am looking forward to the next installment!!
I loved the set up each chapter. I had thought I would add in one of those quotes here but there was a moment in the book when Beau was thumbing through one of his mom’s poetry books and came upon this poem. It was a turning point for him and I loved it.
**ARC kindly provided by PR ~ THANK YOU!** -
4.5 out of 5 stars!
"When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain."
Beauford Fitzgerald Winston. "Holy Moly Moses." So far, you are my favorite Winston brother. 4.5 stars!
The sweet charismatic hard-to-irritate man. Simple and straightforward on the surface, but layered underneath it all. I loved reading and discovering his own complexities and refrigerators as he have himself faced with multifaceted issues.
Unlike the rest of the books before this one, this brings a heavy topic into the table. It tackles a neuro-cognitive disorder that, before reading this, I never thought of its intensity. I'm thankful for this book for bringing me into this light. I will always love how when books teach me a lot. Thank you again, Penny Reid! You are a gift.
What must that be like? To be a prisoner of your own mind? To have your actions and desires held hostage by irrational fear.
🧔 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the gravity of its truth
(Not something advertisable. Like how sometimes I hear some of my
friends/acquaintances nonchalantly proclaim about themselves without taking into
hand the actual gravity of the diagnosis.)
🧔 Hero that charms everyone
🧔 Heroine that irks everyone
🧔 Total polar opposites trope bonanza! (But, are they? 🤔)You've seen me at my worst, and you love me anyway.
Shelly Sullivan. Awesome mechanic, but with a not-so-awesome personality. Woman with a perma-scowl or perma-glare. Icy. Working in the Winston autoshop, it is common for her to bite the head off of her costumers, may it be a kind and polite old man or an Iron Wraiths big guy (She even sneers on one of the babies of the customers!). She tells the truth, even when that truth is laced with meanness.
Beauford Winston. As we know, he is the perma-smile guy. Ever-kindhearted. Charming. Never unkind. Never impolite. Never vexing. (Except with his brothers & sister, of course.) He is good with peopling. Working with the biteful Shelly, he does his best to be as accommodating as possible. Does his best to be the tolerating guy that he is. But there's just so much he can do until an Infuriating woman infuriates him. Not to mention a very beautiful woman with note-worthy skills in the field of car mechanics (And shockingly sweet to her dogs and AN AWESOME DRIVER! Sexy.) Beau discovers what set out Shelly to become who she is and in this, he also discovers truths about himself. And I liked the scrutiny, the journey. The Refrigerator talks.
P.S. I have actually placed Beau as my fave Winston brother and we'll see if there are changes after reading about the next brothers. *happy dance* -
★★★★ 4 Stars ★★★★
I absolutely adore this series, I am SO happy that this fourth title in the series was a winner for me.
Beau is a brother that I have been dying to get my hands on, he's the friendly one, the one who is popular with the ladies (more so than the others), and he is always putting other people first.
Shelly is the new mechanic at Winston Bros Autoshop, and she is a strange one to say the least, Beau can't seem to work her out at all. She is rude, abrupt, and all kinds of tetchy - but something keeps him coming back, and he can't help but see her brilliance underneath her cool demeanour.
Penny Reid is a genius in my eyes, she writes unique storylines that are both romantic, and clever. This story really opened my eyes on how blase we really are when joking about OCD, and it was so interesting to see how people can really suffer with this horrific disorder. I really felt for Shelly, she was an amazing character, and I loved so much how Beau loved her for all her oddities and was a true supporter throughout.
This series gives me all the feels, I can't recommend it enough!
Beard in Mind is part of a series of standalone contemporary romance novels, told from dual POV's
ARC gratefully received in exchange for an honest review
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Disraeli once said: "I feel a very unusual sensation - if it is not indigestion, I think it must be gratitude."
And that pretty much sums up how I feel towards Beard in Mind, because every time I read a Penny Reid book I'm blown away at how she takes the ordinary—in this case enemies-to-lovers—and creates something extraordinary by grabbing hold of a subject by the short and curlies and giving it the justice it so deserves. And she knocks it out of the park with Beau and Shelly's story.
"I was plagued with increasingly inconvenient thoughts about this woman I couldn’t stand."
Beau has always come across as the sweetheart of the Winston boys: the happy twin to Duane's grumpy, the charmer who never has a bad word to say about anyone and the one who the ladies love. Until Cletus employs Shelly Sullivan, a beautiful, talented mechanic with a gift of rubbing Beau up the wrong way with her caustic comments.
"This woman was going to be the death of me. How was it possible to both dislike and admire a person this much? To want—no, crave—so badly to be in her company and be rid of her at the same time?"
As you would expect there is so much more to Shelly and, as the story unfolds we discover a complex woman who is fighting her own battles and simply trying to navigate her way through life the best she can. There were times when my heart broke a little for her, but watching Beau support her whilst falling hard, and equally Shelly supporting him, as in many respects he's as complex and this is as much his story, was something special.
As a reader I feel that Penny Reid gets me: that may sound crackers of course she doesn't, but how she steps away from the norm, taking real issues and creating beautifully, flawed individuals who are that little bit broken yet aren't, combining it all with fabulous humour and romance, is magic. I have so much love for this series and, whilst Cletus is still my favourite of the brothers (so far), this story will hold a special place in my heart, partly because I have experience of OCD firsthand with family, but also because it was just fabulous (and has a bloody marvellous epilogue).
Everyone needs the Winston brothers (and sister) in their life.
Copy received courtesy of Social Butterfly PR for an honest and unbiased opinion.
*Stock Image -
Let me cut right to the chase. I. Loved. This. Story. All the books in the Winston Brothers series are highly entertaining, but I think this one might be my favorite. Beard in Mind contains all the humor that I associate with the series; however, at the center is a complexity that is marvelously atypical.
One of the main characters has OCD. We’re talking about a serious mental disorder, not the flippant “I’m so OCD about arranging my clothes by colors” variety. The respectful way in which it’s explored is both enlightening and stirring, and a key reason why I loved this book so much.
Beau Winston is the easygoing identical twin of Duane from Truth or Beard. Everyone in town loves Beau and his naturally charming ways—everyone except Shelly Sullivan. Shelly is new to the small town and the new mechanic at Beau’s family auto repair shop. To say she’s rude to literally everyone she encounters would be a massive understatement. The two clash immediately, but despite his uncharacteristic irritation, Beau can’t help wondering what makes Shelly so cold.
As my kids would say, I totally shipped these two. I was in awe of Shelly’s strength, creativity, and determination. I found her blunt honesty to be endearing. I could swoon over Beau all day. How could you not be drawn to his seemingly bottomless well of love and honor?
Beard in Mind is a relevant, poignant, and compassionate tale featuring multifaceted characters and a simply gorgeous love story. The heart-melting epilogue is absolute perfection and left me greedily wanting more.
I’m in awe that Penny Reid has created six eccentric brothers who are distinctly unique and equally appealing. The ribbing and love between the men and their sister Ashley is such a joy. I’m already dreading the end of the series, but thank goodness there are still two more Winston brothers who need their moment in the spotlight.
Recommended for fans of:
Large, eccentric families
Honest exploration of mental illness
Odd numbers**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
Review & Excerpt ➔
http://readingfrenzyblog.com/beard-in-mind-penny-reid/
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4.5 We're All Broken Stars
I like unconventional heroines and Shelly is that in spades. It’s nice to see a love story when one person is struggling with an issue and the other love interest doesn’t make them feel lesser for it. While Shelly and Beau’s story might not be for everyone because of Shelly’s extreme OCD it was a great love story for me.“Have you considered that there’s someone out there who might not consider these things about you crazy? That someone might take the time to understand your disorder, take the time to understand and therefore appreciate you?”
I shook my head. “No.”
Shelly moved to Green Valley because she was seeking help from her OCD addition and the therapist was close to there. We met her briefly in the last book when she came to work at the shop and Cletus thought for a minute that they might suit. But it is Beau that met her first and might have mistaken her for a stripper starting them off on the wrong foot.
I loved Shelly for a few reasons. She is broken, but trying to get better. She is brilliant, but sometimes gets hyper focused and says the thing she is thinking out loud. She is very inventive in her comebacks and put downs.“You are as bright as a black hole and twice as dense.”
She struggles every day, fights battles with herself every day and gets a little bit better every day. That said it is going to take a special kind of man to see her and take the time to really get to know her.
Beau might seems like a player and he does have half the women in the town wrapped around his finger, but he really is just a nice guy who likes to flirt and is looking for the right woman now that a few of his brothers have fallen in love and he can see how happy they are. Shelly did not seem like that person, until the day she did.
Shelly is the first girl that Beau hasn’t just been able to charm and it is putting him off of his game. She insulted his face and when he mistook her for a stripper instead of the new mechanic, she called him stupid. They were off to a great start. Still there is something about Shelly that Beau just can’t stop thinking about. She is absolutely fantastic with cars and makes some of her own parts. When he starts to see deeper behind all the quirks and things that make her seem rude, he sees some of the struggles she is having and is ready to jump in and help.
I loved how this book tackled mental health and dealing with problems. Not just on Shelly’s side but on Beau’s too. He likes to help other people with their problems but not tackle some of his own. With Shelly he comes to realize that is also unhealthy and that he needs to work on his own problems instead of focusing on hers.“All people are broken, Shelly. No one is perfect. Some seek help. Some don’t. But no one is ever fixed by another person. We can only work on ourselves. We are—using your analogy—our own refrigerators, no one else’s.”
I really enjoyed this story and how the relationship developed between Beau and Shelly. How each brought something worthwhile to the table for the other person and how as a couple they made each other stronger.
As always, I enjoyed the banter between all the siblings and how Beau needled Cletus a little while he was not chasing after and falling in love with the Banana Cake queen.I tossed a thumb over my shoulder. “The toilet is acting funny.”
“Like what? You mean satire?” This question came from Cletus, not bothering to glance away from where he was reading at the table. He was still in his pajamas, his curly hair a mess.Nevertheless, I was surprised to see him up so early.
“No, I mean—”
“I hope it’s a dark comedy,” he added, still not removing his attention from the newspaper.
“Cletus. That’s disgusting.”Sitting across from Cletus, Duane’s tone was reprimanding.
Finally, Cletus tore his eyes from the paper. “What?”
“Dark comedy?” My twin lifted his eyebrows.“Meaning poop?”
“No, Duane.” Cletus paired this with a suffering sigh.
“That would make it a shitty comedy,” I piped in, adding fuel to the conversation fire as I was prone to do, feeling more myself as I smiled.
There was also a pretty big revelation involving the twins that was pretty interesting and makes me think there mother was more of a saint than I already thought she might have been. Their dad is still a jerkface though and I’m just waiting for Cletus to get revenge for the family against him.
Another great tale in the Winston Brothers series. I’m loving the family, the humor and every other quirky thing that is happening in these books. I can’t wait to see how Roscoe fairs in the next one since all of his advice thus far has been completely awful. -
There is something very unique about a book that asks you to acknowledge that you are wrong, and then strives to educate you as to why. There are a multitude of misconceptions flying around the central issues in Beard in Mind and the characters within. The word I would use to describe this book would be illuminating.
As a fan of Penny Reid and the Winston Brothers series (as well as the Knitting in the City series), I thought I knew Shelly Sullivan. I thought I understood her surly disposition and her indifferent ways. I really thought I knew Beau Winston—the charming flirt with a strong family support system. I was complacent in the idea of their story because I thought I knew where everything was going. But I was wrong. In typical Penny Reid fashion, there is no formula. There is no standard trope, and there are a few curveballs thrown along the way.
Throughout the story we get to know the real Beauford Winston and the real Shelly Sullivan. And these are some of the most complex characters that Reid has written. We learn about the inner turmoil faced by both main characters. Beau—the face of the easy-going twin whose charm is likened to a habit formed and solidified over time. Shelly—the woman so consumed with fear that her outward appearance reflects none of her emotions.
We are also shown the unexpected inner desires of these characters and that is where the relationship begins to form. It’s how these two can move past the antagonism and conflict to form a lasting bond and partnership. Beau is ready for commitment after seeing the transformation of his siblings and their significant others. Shelly is similarly motivated by her family. She is desperate to confront her fears and anxiety head-on in order to play a more prominent role in the lives of her loved ones.
Beau and Shelly not only surprise the reader, but they surprise each other, too.
Penny weaves her unique storytelling in a way that makes these characters known. It’s obvious and imperative that she explain Shelly’s struggle and behavior. That she corrects assumptions and generalizations about Shelly’s actions. Beau goes from a simple character with a singular focus to a layered and complicated individual.
I loved this book for the characters and the journey they take. I loved the way Beau and Shelly come together and find their way. I love that my preconceived notions were quietly broken.
This is a story about what it’s really like to love someone—to support them, to be their partner. I think this book has the most heart of any Penny Reid book. While that is a difficult quantity to measure, it’s more of something you just have to feel. And Beard in Mind made me feel a lot.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title generously provided by the author.*
Here's where to find it:
Amazon US:
http://amzn.to/2uRBpEm
Amazon UK:
http://amzn.to/2uRxDdZ
Amazon AU:
http://amzn.to/2u0lZPk
Amazon CA:
http://amzn.to/2whOBQB -
Even though BEARD IN MIND by Penny Reid is a Romantic Comedy, Beau and Shelly's story RIPPED ME TO SHREDS! This storyline will break your heart, mend your heart, and then at the end of it all, it will make your heart soar to places you never knew were possible. Believe it or not, this is the first book I've read in this series...I know, I know, don't throw stones okay? I have read others from the amazing Ms. Reid, so I know what all the hype is about. Her writing is absolutely INCREDIBLE! The writing is so smart, so quick-witted...honestly, I've never read anything like her style anywhere else. So I did go into this a HUGE FAN of this author, but when I turned the very last page, with tear tracks down my cheeks, I knew that if I wasn't a fan already, I definitely would be one now. Heart-wrenching, beautiful, comical...BEARD IN MIND had EVERYTHING! This is book four in Ms. Reid's Winston Brothers Series, but beware, reading this book first will only lead to heavy binge reading of the prior books in this series. This was an easy TOP PICK choice for me, and I think it will be for you as well.
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******GIVEAWAY ALERT*****
***AUSTRALIAN READERS INCLUDED****
I'll be perfectly honest and say that the only Penny Reid book I've ever tried and DNF had safety issues, but a lot of my friends love thus author's books so I'll give a chance to this one!! Here is the link to the giveaway, I think the whole globe was included and this is always a joy. We are all people, we all love giveaways and book deals! No need to discriminate readers!
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/en...
These are the countries included
US, CA, GB, AU, AF, AX, AL, DZ, AS, AD, AO, AI, AQ, AG, AR, AM, AW, AT, AZ, BS, BH, BD, BB, BY, BE, BZ, BJ, BM, BT, BO, BA, BW, BV, BR, IO, BN, BG, BF, BI, KH, CM, CV, KY, CF, TD, CL, CN, CX, CC, CO, KM, CG, CD, CK, CR, CI, HR, CY, CZ, DK, DJ, DM, DO, EC, EG, SV, GQ, ER, EE, ET, FK, FO, FJ, FI, FR, GF, PF, TF, GA, GM, GE, DE, GH, GI, GR, GL, GD, GP, GU, GT, GG, GN, GW, GY, HT, HM, VA, HN, HK, HU, IS, IN, ID, IQ, IE, IM, IL, IT, JM, JP, JE, JO, KZ, KE, KI, KR, KW, KG, LA, LV, LB, LS, LR, LY, LI, LT, LU, MO, MK, MG, MW, MY, MV, ML, MT, MH, MQ, MR, MU, YT, MX, FM, MD, MC, MN, ME, MS, MA, MZ, MM, NA, NR, NP, NL, AN, NC, NZ, NI, NE, NG, NU, NF, MP, NO, OM, PK, PW, PS, PA, PG, PY, PE, PH, PN, PL, PT, PR, QA, RE, RO, RU, RW, BL, SH, KN, LC, MF, PM, VC, WS, SM, ST, SA, SN, RS, SC, SL, SG, SK, SI, SB, SO, ZA, GS, ES, LK, SR, SJ, SZ, SE, CH, TW, TJ, TZ, TH, TL, TG, TK, TO, TT, TN, TR, TM, TC, TV, UG, UA, AE, UM, UY, UZ, VU, VE, VN, VG, VI, WF, EH, YE, ZM, and ZW. -
4.5 Stars!
Beau Winston lives in Tennessee & comes from a family of seven kids. He has a twin & is very close with all his siblings. Beau is known in Green Valley as everyone's favorite Winston brother. He's kind, charismatic & has a heart of gold. He'd give anyone the shirt off his back, and is always helping those in need. He's just a really good person. He's also easy on the eyes. Women everywhere flock to the gorgeous, bearded hottie.
Beau owns and runs Winston Brothers Auto Shop with two of his brothers. One of them is planning to move soon, so they need a new mechanic. They hire someone without his input. Suddenly there's a woman that looks like a supermodel working in their garage. She's stunning on the outside, but when she opens her mouth Beau isn't so impressed anymore. She's rude to him & the customers. She's bad for business, and he wants rid of her as soon as possible. She just isn't a nice person. Everyone seems to like Beau Winston except this woman. Her name is Shelly Sullivan. She's recently moved to Tennessee from Chicago. The longer Beau works with her, the more he feels he's being tortured daily. She's become a thorn in his side. This strange woman he keeps trying to avoid is getting under his skin. He hates how attracted he is to her. She's become a constant distraction & it's driving him crazy.
-Gorgeous didn't come close to what this woman was.
-Even though I didn't like the woman, meeting her eye still sent my wits straight out of my brain.
-The strange truth was, despite her oddness- and moodiness, and rudeness, and unpredictability- I liked the woman.
-I wanted to know her better.
As Shelly & Beau work together they bond over their separate personal issues. Beau takes the time to really get to know her, & learns there's so much more to her than what's on the surface. A connection forms & soon she's invading his thoughts and dreams. He can't quit thinking about her. Something beautiful grows between Shelly & Beau, and they quickly become essential to one another.
This was a touching story about two people who find their missing piece. The person they are meant to be with. It delivers a beautiful message & is extremely unique. I fell hard for Beauford Fitzgerald Winston! Put aside the fact I adore gingers, this man's heart was breathtaking! If you love the Winston brothers like I do, omg... get ready to swoon hard over Beau Winston!
-I was seeing her now, the real her, this starving creature she kept locked up tight.
-I wanted her. Essential. Madness. Need. All consuming.
-"Where you are, that's where I want to be."
