Review: Beard Science (Winston Brothers #3) by Penny Reid

Hands down Beard Science is one of my absolute FAVORITE books this year. Seriously, 6 stars! I highly recommend it, it’s a must read for sure. :-)

Beard Science (Winston Brothers #3) by Penny Reid

Make a deal with the devil and you might get what you want, but will it be what you need?

Jennifer Sylvester wants one thing, and that one thing is NOT to be Tennessee’s reigning Banana Cake Queen. Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates. Jennifer is officially desperate.

And desperate times call for Cletus Winston.

Cletus Winston is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery covered in conundrum sauce, and now he’s in a pickle. Despite being convinced of his own omniscience, extortion by the exalted Banana Cake Queen of Green Valley has taken him completely by surprise. So… what’s a maniacal mastermind to do?

Likely, the last thing you expect.

‘Beard Science’ is the third book in the Winston Brothers series, is a full-length romantic comedy novel, and can be read as a standalone.

5 out of 5 stars

This was above and beyond, a 6 star read for me!!!! I don’t think I can say enough positive things to explain just how deeply I loved this book and how much it moved me. Book hangover for days!!! The first line in my notes at 14% is "I can't take my eyes off the page. I feel overcome. I don't know how else to explain it." That feeling stuck with me through the entire book. It was so brilliantly written. To me it was perfection. I don't know how Penny Reid does it but I'm so thankful that she does.

Cletus and Jennifer are just so exceptional. Cletus is so much more than he seems - and I knew he would be - but delving into his mind and truly getting to know him and understand him was fascinating. He's got so much depth to him, so many layers that were peeled back as I got to know the real him and I couldn't get enough. Jennifer was remarkable. Learning about her life was so heartbreaking and had me so incredibly angry on her behalf. These two coming together, the subtle progression of their friendship and relationship had me on the edge of my seat. And as that happens, it was like watching Jennifer become a butterfly, become who she was truly meant to be. I feel like Cletus went through a transformation of his own and it was just so compelling and open. It was so extremely well done.

I was so taken with every single detail. The writing, the build, and the character development were a all flawless. The vulnerability and caring. The family bond that the Winston's share. The secondary characters and other outside elements. It was all extraordinary. And it was so incredibly entertaining! All the innuendos were priceless. It had the best one liners, I highlighted so many on my Kindle, it was great. Everything was spectacular. I was so in love with everything and it just got better and better and better!

This is the third book in the series and I loved the other two but this one is hands down my favorite so far. I love the feeling I get when I am so invested in a book that the world around me fades away and somehow I feel as if I'm right there in the middle of the story. That's what Beard Science did for me. Jennifer and Cletus are under my skin. I am thrilled that there are more books to come in the series. I don’t know how it can get better than this!

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

Penny Reid is the USA Today Best Selling 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.