[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 Me

If 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. ( )

Oh this book. I have been wanting Scarlet and Billy’s origin story forever. I knew it was going to be painful to read. The motorcycle club in Green Valley is not written as a sweet, romantic thing, and this delved into the backstory of the Winston’s father Darrel, into Scarlet’s abuse at Razor’s hands, and into her homelessness in high school. Lots of triggers in this one. Lots of characters I’m super hoping Cletus kills later in the series! (Maybe that makes me horrible?) The evolution of Billy/Scarlet was slow, sweet and broke my heart. I’m glad I only have to wait a little while for their final book. I loved seeing all the Winston family in this little look back in time. Cletus and Jethro especially. Their relationships with Billy were complex and completely made the book.

Trigger Warnings: child abuse, homelessness, torture/murder of an animal, 19-year-old man in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
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This book..... This book.....
This book is amazing.
It has been commented on as a prequel to Billy and Claire's book but we have been teased throughout the series about their relationship.
We know that at the end of this book they dont find their HEA but we don't know what takes place, despite hints.
I would recommend reading the series in order as although this is described as a prequel to Billy and Claire's book there are secrets discovered in this book that would spoil other characters stories in earlier books.
The author does warn of triggers as there is some violence, it's off page but it's pretty horrific and we get the anticipation of the event and the after effects if not the violence itself.
Jethro or Jet is in a bad place in his life at this point and it's hard to watch.
Cletus is hilarious.
Billy has so much responsibility on his shoulders.
Claire is such a strong young woman undergoing such a horrific life.
So lovely to see their sweet momma, Bethany.
There are lots of questions answered but more raised and it does make you feel like rereading the whole series again.
Ben, I'm not sure about, maybe the next book will help me decide on him.
One thing I was concerned about was the age of the characters, Claire is 14, Billy nearly 17, Ben around 19 but the author doesn't cross the line.
Billy has a girlfriend at the start but things are cooling off for them and it ends before he develops feelings for Claire.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine, just kissing.

Not a HEA but a pause, certainly not a cliffhanger ending but you will need book 7.

Teaser chapter at the end of you choose to read it of Beard Necessities, book 7.

This book has been described as a prequel to Billy and Claire's book but to me it's the foundation of Green Valley.
It introduces little details about things, we know the author is planning on releasing a spin off series plus other authors are writing books about associated characters.
It whets your appetite for those. ( )

Tragic, heartbreaking, tear jerking, story of the horror of Scarlet, Billy and Cletus. Children of dangerous men trapped in their horrendous world. In all this darkness there is a love so strong, so willing to sacrifice everything. I guarantee you'll be crying ( )

I did this all wrong. I started with the Knitting in the City series a few weeks ago and then started the Winston Brothers series. I was trying to pace myself so I got to the last book when it's released on Nov 4th, but it is impossible to put down a Penny Reid book once you've started it and here I am, waiting for the next eight days to pass. I even broke one of my ironclad rules and read the three preview chapters on Ms. Reid's website, something I never do.
All that just goes to show how much I loved Beard With Me. This is such a different side of Billy and it's soooooo attractive. What he goes through to help Scarlet and his family is just amazing. And Scarlet is so young here. It's a little icky in places because of her age though I had more issues with Ben than Billy. Ben is kind of a creeper.
This is a serious story without the fun scenes you get in most of Ms. Reid's books. It deals with important subjects and there's a lot of information and backstory about the entire Winston family. I admit I find it interesting when Ms. Reid inserts little nuggets that call back to the other books in the series (Cletus's remarks about first kisses is one example); I don't know how she keeps it all straight honestly. But I love these characters and now I must wait for Beard Necessities. ( )