Beard with Me

So if you've kept up with the Winston's thus far, you know that they've had not such a great upbringing with their violent criminal father and his motorcycle club buddies. You know that Claire aka Scarlet and Billy Winston have history and that it likely was a messy one from the tension that still exists between them. So when Penny Reid announced an origin story for these two, you were probably pretty excited.

I don't want to say I am disappointed in this because that doesn't feel like the right word, but I didn't love it. From Claire/Scarlet's and Billy's interactions (or lack there of) in the previous Winston Brothers books, I was expecting this great love story that somehow went horribly wrong and I don't feel like I got that?? The horribly wrong part was definitely there but the build-up to that point wasn't what I was hoping for. I also still have so many unanswered questions that hopefully will be answered in Beard Necessities.

[b:Beard with Me 36268443 Beard with Me (Winston Brothers, #6) Penny Reid https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566904168l/36268443.SY75.jpg 57924135]Reid is a Rock Star!!!! The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts. ― Penny Reid, Beard with MeIf I have learned anything in 2019 it's that I love Penny Reid. I have to admit that rereading her Winston Brothers series is one of the best decisions I have made regarding books this year and this along with Dr. Strange Beard is my favorite of the bunch. Who hasn't been intrigued and fascinated by this couple from the beginning? I know I have been dying to know more about the enigma that is Billy Winston Well, finally, I get all my answers, who Billy and Scarlet are, what shaped them and what the hell happened to Billy Winston and Scarlet St. Claire/Claire McClure that separated them. Why they can't seem to find their way back to each even though a blind man can see they belong together. “I knew, with absolute certainty, I'd dream of her and her spirit and her voice for the rest of my life. The belief was soul-deep, in my bones and muscles and skin, but particularly in my heart.”This story is hard, make no mistake. Penny Reid does not pull any punches with these two and sadness does not even begin to describe what Billy and Scarlet are going through. My heart was DEVASTATED for them. Scarlet's resilience and spirit, her prickly and yet sweet personality, her courage, strong will, and kindness will break your heart. I can't begin to express how much she captures me from page one until the very last. The things she has endured to appease her father are horrid and the strength and resilience she portrays are truly breathtaking. I went on an emotional roller coaster with her where I wanted to hug her, save her, hide her and in the end cheer her on. No one does a strong scrappy female lead like Penny Reid. But there is Billy, her nemesis, that jerk. With his deep-rooted honesty, his protectiveness, his rare smiles he makes her drop all her walls in a week. I loved Billy, how he put everything before his wishes and dreams. How as a sixteen-year-old he was able to be a fierce go-getter to make sure his family and ultimately Scarlet was protected is an attribute that all boys/men who fall in love should have. There are parts of his journey that will leave your heart in your throat while you are gasping for air. In true Winston Brothers fashion, Ms. Reid does infuse the book with lighter, funnier moments and Cletus, sweet, wicked, wily and cunning Cletus is the main provider of those which you wouldn't expect anything less from him after so many books I know I don't. However, this isn't the fuzzy, warm read that we are used to from this series. It's not a typical romance and it doesn't have a happily ever after although we get the heart-achingly sweet bloom of first love between two strong and honorable characters who have so much more story to tell. It is intended as a prequel that will give you an insight look into Billy and Scarlet's past and puts you firmly in their world where - you can't help but be in their corner and root for their happily ever after. Think of it as a perfect first date with your dream man and when the next book comes out the relationship will go into full bloom. I am not going to lie I am completely torn to shreds with this one. It breaks your heart and gives you life all in the same breath. I am lucky that the next book is already out and I can sink my teeth into this one as soon as I head to the book store which will be in the first two weeks of 2020.

Can I love a romance even though I know it will end in heartbreak? Going by this book the answer is yes, yes, and heck yes! I was gobsmacked by how much I was invested and destroyed by a brief teenage love affair which I knew was going to go nowhere, not even a HFN.

Billy & Claire/Scarlett have featured prominently in the Winston Brothers series and this first installment of their story doesn't disappoint. Sure, you might ball your eyes out, but you'll also feel love in different iterations: young love, familial love, love for friends. The events in this book take place prior to those in the first book in the series (strictly speaking the MC are YA) but in spite of being a big fan of chronology I think telling/reading Billy & Claire's story last works better. The previous books serve like layers of this goodness cake.

I did the audio and I'd urge you to do the same. It's brilliant.


complaints/niggles:

1) Though throughout the series the author has tried to show Bethany(?) Winston as a good woman who found herself trapped in bad circumstances I can't find it in myself to completely absolve her. The things she allowed/allows to happen to her children are just monstrous. I know where she's coming from, I know she was a victim too but ... just no. I would've been wearing orange.

2) I had to revise my crush on Jethro, his armor was a bit tarnished