REVIEW: Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid

Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid is the fifth story in her Winston Brothers series. Since there are six brothers (and one sister, Ashley, whose story was told in Beauty and the Mustache), we are coming to the end of this fabulously entertaining series. It’s Roscoe Winston’s turn, and this second chance romance features an almost childhood sweetheart and unrequited love, complicated by family and Roscoe’s unrelenting memory.

Roscoe never forgets. His eidetic memory means conversations and stories and people he met years ago are fresh in his memory like yesterday. This is particularly problematic when it comes to his former best friend Simone. They shared so much together, but a night of teenage drinking when she had too much to drink and rebuffed Roscoe’s attempt to tell her his true feelings is burned into his soul. After that point he made an effort to avoid her because it hurt too much to see her. He’s carried the same torch for her all these years and his feelings for her have never changed.

Simone sees things differently. With no memory of the particular conversation that changed everything between them, all she knows is that her best friend since forever ghosted her and disappeared from her life. Even now she can tell he does his best to avoid her. But fate has pushed them together, in the form of an engagement between their families. Plus, Simone has an interest in Roscoe’s estranged father Darrell Winston who has shown up back in Roscoe’s life with a life altering request. They have a chance to repair their friendship, and explore the attraction between them that never went away. When time doesn’t heal all wounds, is there another way to fix broken hearts and make a relationship last?

It’s a challenge to review this unique and entertaining romance without dropping spoilers into the mix and you definitely want to experience those for yourself so I’ll do my best to keep the main secrets safe. My jaw dropped several times in the first few chapters as certain things were revealed that I did not see coming at all. I’m constantly amazed at how every story in this series is a unique entity with characters that are so different from each other – case in point, the Winston brothers. They are not carbon copies of each other and they have complicated relationships with each other that are explored in the stories, yet their closeness as a family is never in question. While each story in the series can be read as a standalone, there are some overall revelations about the family that are told over the course of the series. The relationship of the brothers to their father Darrell is important and Roscoe’s memory makes his devastating in the impact it’s had on his life. It also makes the choices he has to make in this story more critical.

Simone is black, and the author doesn’t shy away from portraying how she and her family are treated in a rural, mostly white area of Tennessee. Everyday racism from law enforcement for example is shown in its ugly truths. Roscoe wants to protect Simone, but also show her he supports her choices by standing behind her or at her side, but not in front of her as a ‘white savior.’ His feelings for her are irrespective of her race, knowing the beautiful and caring friend of his heart is now a gorgeous, sexy woman whom he finally has the opportunity to get into his arms again. It’s a slow burn romance as they have to come to terms with the break in their friendship and resolve the hurt feelings before they can address their mutual sexual attraction. But when they do, the passionate and sexy love scenes more than make up for lost time.

The second half of the story is an action packed whirlwind of emotions and surprises and page turning events that will make you want to rush through it all while not wanting it to be over. Roscoe and Simone have a rocky ride but get to their happy ending, not without mistakes on both sides but with a new understanding of how to move forward together. Billy’s story is waiting in the wings, and it will be exciting and sad to see this series come to an end. On the bright side, there’s a good chance for a spin off series with some of the other characters who’ve appeared throughout. I highly recommend this story and the series as a whole to readers of contemporary romance who like smart, funny, and thought provoking stories.
 

Book Info:

Publication: July 30, 2018 | Cipher-Naught | Winston Brothers #5

Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .