Title: Beard Science ReRead
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Winston Brothers #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016
I don’t know what it is, but even in the rearead of the Winston Brothers, Cletus and Jenn are still my favourite couple. Probably because they are actually the most insanely manipulative and sneaky. I mean, all of the Winston Brothers have their talents, but these two are intelligent and absolute experts at sliding under the radar. They also have a hilarious love story – starting with blackmail and scheming, but ending in a happily ever after. There’s just something about them that I adore, and even if this was my (I think), third read through, I still absolutely adored them as a couple and completely inhaled the book, almost cover to cover.
Although I love Cletus, I love that Jenn has this incredible backbone that is kind of unexpected. I love that she pulls Cletus in from his slightly evil shenanigans, but not for himself. She does it to make him a happier person, there are so many moments throughout this where Jenn shows her strong moral compass. But, I love that she doesn’t actually put the pressure on Cletus to follow her moral compass. Rather, she encourages him to listen to his conscience and follow that, her influence be damned. She encourages Cletus to be a better person, but not for herself – for his own sense of wellbeing and self.
The big part of this journey, beyond Cletus being a better person, and, not you know, destroying the whole world on a whim, is all about Jenn leaving her abusive family. When you say the word abuse, most people will think of yelling and hitting and really overt abusive acts. But the insidiousness of how her parents treat Jenn made me physically ill at points. It’s easy to see how an “offhand comment” here and there can build and build and build until the reality is so damn horrible. Yet, I love that, even when she manages to escape the toxicity of her family, she is open and willing to be forgiving. The genuineness of her heart and the kindness that she shows is beautiful, and is probably why I love her so much.
As funny and light-hearted as this read feels on the surface, the histories of both Cletus and Jenn definitely stir something deeper. Yes, you could definitely read this as a light hearted, sweet contemporary romance with a bit of angst thrown in. But, for me, it’s a testament to how love can help people rebuild and overcome some of the horribleness of your past. Plus, it just goes to show how talented Reid is – she takes abusive, horrible childhoods (and adulthoods), and talks about them. But then, she is also able to make you smile and laugh throughout as you join in the love and insanity of the Winston Family.
| <- Grin and Beard It ReRead | Beard in Mind ReRead -> |
Earth and Skye 