TRUTH OR BEARD – WINSTON BROTHERS #1 by PENNY REID

25 July, 2015

Series Description:
Everyone in Green Valley, Tennessee knows that the six bearded Winston brothers have been imbued with an unfair share of charm and charisma… and are prone to mischief.
Truth or Beard is book #1 in the Winston Brother’s series. Each book is a standalone, full length (120k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the romantic exploits and adventures of one of the six Winston Brothers.

SYNOPSIS

Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my!

Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life. His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…

But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Order.

Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-headed heart is she willing to risk?

´♥ ´♥ ´♥

Reviewed by Jenny & Gitte

✯✯✯✯ 1/2 Stars

“You’re it, Jessica James. And that’s the truth. “

We LOVED Truth or Beard and those Winston Boys!! They most certainly could ‘charm snakes’ and you can bet we’ll be back for each and every one of their stories! We’re eager for more!!

“You take happiness, Duane. You conquer it.” Cletus
“That’s right. Conquer it! Beau

There is something so special about Penny Reid’s storytelling! Her humour flows, her characters are normal everyday folk, her heroines always give the guys a run for their money and the wit, romance, passion and chemistry of her characters leaves us breathless and grinning like a pair of loons.

Jessica James and Duane Winston had been childhood frenemies. They revelled in teasing, tormenting and playing tricks on one another and therein lay the reason Jessica found herself drawn to Duane’s twin Beau, the friendly, quiet against Duane’s moody and sullen ways. Jessica crushed on Beau big time!

‘If Beau’s eyes were the tranquil summer sky, then Duane’s were a tempest at sea – a stormy aquamarine.’

That is until one day, a case of mistaken identity had her locking lips with Duane ‘be still our beating hearts‘ Winston, going all weak at the knees and engaging in lustful naughty thoughts about the bearded, gorgeous, romantic, dirty talking Duane Winston (I Need You Tonight by INXS is looping in our heads)

Duane, you’re being terribly disrespectful.”
“If you’re willing, I’d like to disrespect you all night long.”

Duane Winston…sigh…Oh…we can just see him in those coveralls pulled down to show off his sculpted torso, covered in grease from head to toe, giving that sexy stare……(and….we’re hearing Sex On Fire right about now)…..oh yeah, where were we?

‘His smiles were reserved, secretive, like he rationed them.’

Duane doesn’t mince his words and makes it known that for him, Jessica is it. There’s a stumbling block though – they each have very different views about their future plans. Jessica has wanderlust in her heart and can’t wait to turn her back on Green Valley and see the world. Duane’s feet and heart are firmly planted in his hometown – he has his brothers, his business and has no plans to leave…but….he wants Jessica…badly. Who will cave? Will either of them cave?

“I look at you and I see my future, and it is something great. But I can’t do anything about the fact that our dreams don’t align.”

Duane Winston…..WOW! What a romantic he was and could this guy woo!!! His wooing MELTED us! He wore his heart on his sleeve and when he uttered those words “I think we’re suited.” to Jessica our hearts damn near jumped out of our chests! He was a gentleman to a fault at times…poor Jess…we shared her frustration! We feared she may combust at one stage! (Queue I Touch Myself by the Divinys)

There were a couple of unresolved questions we would have loved answered but other than that there was everything to love about this book. The relationship between the brothers was a lot of fun, especially the mind-melding between Beau and Duane. How these two could have a full on conversation without uttering a word had us in fits. Yep, the Winston’s won our hearts! If you’re after a romance that has a bit of intrigue, a fabulous heroine and swoon worthy rugged mountain men then don’t look past this sweet and sexy wonderfully told frenemies to lover’s story. 1Click now! You’ll be glad you did. Now we NEED MORE OF THOSE FINE WINSTON MEN!

‘The image of her called to me, to the depths of my soul.’

**Reviewed from an ARC copy provided by the author with thanks**

THE WINSTON BROTHERS SERIES
(all can be read as standalone’s – each book features a different brother)

Truth or Beard : Our Review | amazon us | amazon uk
Grin and Beard It :Our Review | amazon us | amazon uk
Beard Science our review | amazon us | amazon uk
Beauty and the Mustache – Winston Brothers #0.5 : amazon us | amazon ukI
In this book you first meet the Winston Brothers and their sister Ashley This can also be read as a standalone

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