Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Beard Necessities (Winston Brothers, #7)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Beard Necessities

(Winston Brothers #7)

Penny Reid (Goodreads Author)

4.44 · Rating details · 2,691 ratings · 512 reviews

Billy Winston’s family is going to see him happy and in love if it’s the last thing they do.

No one deserves a happily-ever-after quite as much as the second oldest Winston brother and his lady love, Claire McClure (aka Scarlet St. Claire). Cruelty and circumstance tore them apart almost twenty years ago. Secrecy and bitterness kept them separated.

But you ...more

Get A Copy

Kindle Edition, 334 pages

Published November 4th 2019 by Cipher-Naught

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Beard Necessities, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Most Anticipated Romance Novels of 2019

896 books — 3,258 voters

November 2019 Most-Anticipated Romances

157 books — 1,872 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.44 ·

Rating details

· 2,691 ratings · 512 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Beard Necessities (Winston Brothers, #7)

Dec 12, 2018 Penny Reid added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: stuff-i-ve-written

Beard Necessities is ALIVE and available all across the internets!!!

**READ THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS **
https://pennyreid.ninja/2019/10/read-...

**ALL PURCHASE LINKS**
https://pennyreid.ninja/book/beard-ne...

flag 343 likes · Like · see review

Oct 11, 2016 Wendy'sThoughts rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Penny Reid Fans, Winston Brothers, Romance

Unlimited Amount of Stars and Hearts
*💖💖💖💖💖*💖💖💖💖💖*💖💖💖💖💖*💖💖💖💖💖*💖💖💖💖💖
Spoiler Free
In 2014, Penny Reid introduced to the world the Winston Brothers in her crossover book, Beauty and the Mustache. She took Ashley from our Knitting in the City group and brought her back to the family home in Tennesse. Little did we all imagine how impactful it would be to our hearts and minds.

And in my humble opinion, I think a lot of other savvy authors took note too because it seemed everywhere I turned to read, there were these sexy men with BEARDS...

Just Sayin'...
But I digress.

The WinsHearts
Spoiler ...more

flag 90 likes · Like · see review

Jun 05, 2016 McGee Magoo rated it it was amazing

Shelves: part-of-series, favorites, i-m-in-love-with-hero, second-chances, 1st-person-2-pov-s

COUNTDOWN BELOW!
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

flag 83 likes · Like · see review

Nov 03, 2019 Pavlina Read more sleep less blog❤❤ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, best-cover, favorites, favorite-boys

❤❤ 5 STARS❤❤

I have no words, sigh this is simply one of the best books I read and one of my favorite in the series!Penny Reid is genius and this one is amazing!There are so many things I loved about this book, the story line the unique characters and all the set up!

description

“You are the architect and artist of my own personal paradise. Now, when I close my eyes, I won’t need to ...more

flag 28 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2019 Dali rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, tortured-heroine, arc-read, published-2019, standalone, second-chance-romance, series, tortured-hero

An epically brilliant conclusion to an incredible series. With Beard Necessities, Penny Reid has produced a soul-warming and captivating story.

The very appealing Winston Brothers all paired up except for Billy who has been in love with Claire McClure for almost two decades. After being separated by painfully harsh circumstances when they were young, their resentment and secrets have kept them apart.

Too much time has passed and their siblings along with their significant others have devised a plan to throw ...more

flag 23 likes · Like · see review

Nov 02, 2019 Curlyhairlass19 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs

10 epic Winston stars for Beard Necessities!

I have no words only this painful lump in my throat, and the tears streaming down my face in the grocery store parking lot in my town. I love this family. Every single person in these books have left their mark on my heart, and I’m afraid it’s permanent. Penny has truly outdone herself with this book, and I can’t imagine the feels that it must’ve given her to finally pen, The End. I didn’t want this to end, but alas, all good things must co ...more

flag 43 likes · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2017 aniryllis marked it as wish-list

Shelves: 11-2019

Edit - Jul 25, 2019:

The waiting is never-ending. It's now for November 2019...
And the expectations keep growing #fml.

Edit - Aug 12, 2018:

After Dr. Strange Beard, only a miracle will save this book for me. And all things considered, only PR can make a miracle happen.

I just hope I don't die before Billy's story.

____________________________________

Edit - Aug 5, 2018:

Well... Now (one year later) it says October 2019... The longest wait was 11 months and it was between freaking Beauty and the Mustache and Truth or Beard, actually two different series.
Now it's 14 months.
The more I wait, the more I'll expect from this book. And you know whastory.
Edit#fml.
Edit ...more

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2019 Lacey (Booklovers For Life) rated it really liked it

Shelves: tbr-2019, arc, adult, review-copy, second-chance-romance, contemporary-romance, dual-multi-pov

Oh, my heart. I couldn’t be happier for Billy and Claire (aka Scarlet) getting their second chance at an HEA. I loooved all the Winston family shenanigans (hello, Cletus!) and that epilogue made me SO damn happy, my heart was bursting. As bittersweet as this finale is, I couldn’t think of a lovelier ending for the Winston Brothers series, but I am also so thankful we’re getting a Cletus and Jenn series later on!

“But Scarlet,” he said my name reverently, gently, like it was a prayer he repe/>

“But Oh, my heart. I couldn’t be happier for Billy and Claire (aka Scarlet) getting their second chance at an HEA. I loooved all the Winston family shenanigans (hello, Cletus!) and that epilogue made me SO damn happy, my heart was bursting. As bittersweet as this finale is, I couldn’t think of a lovelier ending for the Winston Brothers series, but I am also so thankful we’re getting a Cletus and Jenn series later on!

“But Scarlet,” he said my name reverently, gently, like it was a prayer he repeated often, “I didn’t need to see or touch or taste paradise to know how deeply and irrevocably I am in love with you. That hasn’t changed. That is as constant as my soul, which has been, and will always be, forever yours.”

Billy and Claire’s story has been YEARS in the making, which means years of torturous anticipation for their second chance. Penny Reid wrecked my heart in the best of ways with Beard with Me, so when this final Winston Brothers book landed on my kindle, I dove right in with no hesitation. The beginning was slow and a bit frustrating, I’m not going to lie. I was expecting Billy to be full-on pursing the love of his life, but he chose not to. I felt exactly how the rest of the Winstons did, which was wanting to smoosh Billy and Claire and force them to get back together, because we ALL know how meant to be they are.

Thankfully neither Billy nor Claire spend too much time resisting each other or the love that has always burned between them. It takes a lot communication and patience between them, but once the romance picks back up, I couldn’t put the book down! There’s decades-long worth of tension and longing, and when it explodes, it EXPLODES.

“Make no mistake, what just happened between us was momentous for me. My life and heart have been forever transformed. You are the architect and artist of my own personal paradise. Now, when I close my eyes, I won’t need to imagine what heaven feels like. I’ll know.”

Penny Reid takes us on a gorgeous journey around Italy with all of the Winstons. I loved how determined they were (particularly Cletus) to bring Billy and Claire back together, no matter what scenarios they had to come up with. Having this family all together in the Italian countryside is a total RIOT, and I’m a little devastated that their stories are over for now. But Beard Necessities was absolutely worth the wait, not just for this long-awaited couple, but for the Winston family as a whole. Each one has a love and family of their own, and I’ll be forever grateful to Penny for giving us such a lovely, unforgettable cast of characters!

Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review. ...more

flag 30 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2019 Beth Connolly rated it it was amazing

Penny Reid delivers an epic conclusion to an all-time favorite series. My heart is so full it just might burst. After 5 years, 6 Winston siblings, countless extras, teasers, and deleted scenes, the Winston Brothers series reaches the finale in a big way.

To say I was eagerly awaiting Billy and Scarlet's happily-ever-after is a massive understatement. The anticipation and expectations were all extremely high. I mean, how can you explain finally getting to read the story you've been building in yo ...more

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

Aug 31, 2019 FMABookReviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, 5-it-fed-my-addiction-stars, waiting-for-blog, waiting-for-amazon, penny-reid

❝The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts and my soul was still Scarlet.❞

Wow. Just wow! I ended this book with a face full of tears and a tinge of melancholy in my heart. This series is more than “just a series” to me, and as this chapter closes on the Winston clan, I am left an irrational sense of emptiness. I remind myself that these are just characters in a story, but then I laugh at the ridiculousness, because I know I’m lying as I try to deny that they have become like a family to ...more

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

Nov 07, 2019 Starr (AKA Bam Bam) Rivers rated it liked it

Shelves: contem-new-adult-romance

This was getting to be a 5 star book for me when I started it off.

description

The last book

Beard with Me (Winston Brothers, #6) by Penny Reid

was background on the MCs when they were "kids" even tho they behaved twice their age at least. See review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The first 40% or so of this book was very promising, tugged on my heart strings every which way for Billy. Reminded me of the PAIN (I enjoy these heart rending books) in

Pure Awakening (Pure/ Dark Ones 6.5) by Aja James

and

Pure Providence (Pure/ Dark Ones #8.5) by Aja James

. Also about an epic couple who has a past that prevents the ...more

flag 46 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2019 Marivi Sanz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: abusive-parents, dead-ex, family, favorites, heroes-i-love, funny, cute, romance, angst, written-by-women

10 freaking stars.

It's difficult to review a book you've been waiting for a long time. Sometimes the high expectations I create don't match what I get in the book. But this is not the case. Penny Reid's writing is wonderful, and her characters are so varied, colourful, flawed and realistic, that it's impossible not to fall in love with them.

Beard necessities is the last book (insert ugly sob here) in the Winston Brothers' series. It can be read as a standalone, but the em 10 freaking stars.

It's difficult to review a book you've been waiting for a long time. Sometimes the high expectations I create don't match what I get in the book. But this is not the case. Penny Reid's writing is wonderful, and her characters are so varied, colourful, flawed and realistic, that it's impossible not to fall in love with them.

Beard necessities is the last book (insert ugly sob here) in the Winston Brothers' series. It can be read as a standalone, but the emotional impact of Billy's and Claire's story increases a hundredfold if you have read the previous books, starting from Beauty and the Mustache.

I'm not going to enter into details here (I will once the book is published in a few days), but it's everything I expected and more. The conversations between Claire and Billy, Jethro and Billy, Cletus with whomever is around, Claire and Sienna... are wonderful, and painful, and hilarious. Because yes, you'll cry with Billy and Claire, but you'll also laugh. Sometimes at the same time, which has quite some merit.

Watching all these people confront their conflicts and actually solve them without adding more drama than already was there is always refreshing, and penny Reid does it wonderfully. Once you've read quite a few romances, you see that many authors write the same type of characters in most their books. Not Penny. I'm always amazed at how different all her characters are, and how distinct their personalities, yet how recognisable in every book.

There are so many notes in my kindle, that some passages are highlighted for pages, and my notes filled with emojis. Happy ones and sad ones. Also sausages and a goat. But mostly, love.

I could say I'm going to miss the people in Green Valley, but it's not true, because I know I'll keep on re-reading these books for a long time. They are as comforting as a hot coffee on a cold day or coming home, even when it hurts.

Give this series a chance if you haven't done until now. As I said before, Penny Reid's world is something else. I'd love to live inside her brain. ...more

flag 20 likes · Like · see review

Oct 01, 2019 abire rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-ships, second-chance-romance, books-to-buy, favorites

“You are the architect and artist of my own personal paradise. Now, when I close my eyes, I won’t need to imagine what heaven feels like. I’ll know.”

oh god... here we go, and to be quite honest with you, even after putting some thoughts into it, i still can't find words that are big or significant enough to express all i felt reading this book, and, to be quite honest, this entire series. but i will try my best to do it and my feelings justice.

Honestly, where do I start? i have no idea! but i'll ...more

flag 16 likes · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2017 Aisling Zena marked it as to-read

But I'll wait. I'll always be here for the Winston men.

flag 20 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2019 Nicole Emerald Book Reviews McCurdy rated it it was amazing

Emerald Book Reviews

Beard Necessities by Penny Reid

‘But in this moment, more than anything, more than taking my next breath or seeing another sunrise, I wanted to dance with Scarlet. Just once. I wanted to hold her while she moved, I wanted my hands on her body and her beaming smile in my face and her joyful eyes on mine. I wanted her to teach me how to dance.’

You know, when people tell you to be careful with your words because they can leave an ...more

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

Sep 30, 2019 tai rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: loved-it, 2019-releases-read, swoon, romance-read, most-anticipated-2019, november-2019, all-time-favorites, favorites, read-in-2019

"Scarlet was still the color of my soul. But now that we were finally together, she also painted my days and nights in the exquisite spectrum and uncontainable brilliance of her spirit."

How to begin a review about your most anticipated release of the year, about the last book in your favorite series? I guess I could start by saying that I went into it with high expectations, because Billy and Claire were already my favorites every since I finished Beard With Me, and because its Penny Reid, and ...more

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

Nov 01, 2019 Jules rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

How do you even begin to review a book that has been anticipated for years? The conclusion to a family saga that wound its way through Wanderlust, changing your life and embracing something completely new, controlling and learning to walk together, listening to each other, overcoming the past and moving forward, and so so much misunderstanding and grudges held. So, before this even started, it was heartbreaking knowing you had to say "goodbye" to a family that was dysfunctional but always loving How do you even begin to review a book that has been anticipated for years? The conclusion to a family saga that wound its way through Wanderlust, changing your life and embracing something completely new, controlling and learning to walk together, listening to each other, overcoming the past and moving forward, and so so much misunderstanding and grudges held. So, before this even started, it was heartbreaking knowing you had to say "goodbye" to a family that was dysfunctional but always loving, and that invited everyone along. So, for one last adventure, we were allowed to be part of the family.

And now. The Winstons are on a mission - naturally led by the conspiratorially sneaky Cletus. Their mission: Bring happiness to Billy and Claire. Force it, if you have to.

As readers of the Winston series, readers have slowly discovered the backstory of Billy, the grumpy guy who doesn't let anyone close but will take care of everyone. The man who struggled to see the new man his brother had become, when all Billy knew was the pain inflicted in the past. The man who would lend a hand to anyone, but never wanted any recognition. Shouldering everyone's burdens, and going "don't mention it".
We also got to meet Claire. The sweet woman with a tragic past, having lost her husband. Teaching music, being part of the community, having an open ear for her fellow women.

Through 5 books, glimpses were revealed, histories teased, and then Beard With Me was released. The past we knew to be tragic was shown in full, and it hurt. We saw all their pain, carried, shared
in it, and had to see them torn apart by it - as we already knew.

So now, it's time. Time to overcome. Time to heal wounds. Time to eliminate grudges. Time to come clean about lies. Time to leave behind the past and embrace new possibilities.
Of course, after all that has happened, Billy and Scarlett are hesitant, not putting their hearts on the line instantly. But, while going one step forward and two steps back, they are slowly emerging. Not their 14/16-year-old selves, but the current, the present. The ones open to the future.
And of course, Cletus. Meddler extraordinaire has his hands in it, as well as the rest of the family.

I'm making a mess of trying to say what I felt without giving it all away. Ms Reid had the difficult task of bringing together 7 siblings with partners and more family into one book in ways that are realistic and not insane. The much more difficult task, however, is to deliver a book for characters where expectations are not high, but astronomical. And that is no easy task.

Did she deliver? You bet!
This book picked up so many things that had appeared through 6 prior books, it lifted secrets and brought many a nostalgic anecdote back. But it was never trying too hard to be comical. These characters bring that on their own. The romance was sweet, and it fully played off everything that was expected, but in the end, the entire family dynamic convinced me just as much. Bonds built, bonds explored, and past animosities overcome. Connections rekindled, new ones forged.

But Billy and Scarlett's romantic nature, their fate, their neverending love has its own special place. Bringing up memories from decades past, discovering the things the other did they did not know, enduring, shaping their person. Overcoming and slowly exploring the new person in front of them. And then falling in the door, because over all the time, what never changed were their feelings. They show how words can have power, but so can the smallest gestures, and all can hurt, but more importantly also heal. They made my heart sing, made me clutch my kindle in the good moments and the bad, and made me cheer all the way through to the end, rescuing one another and going into the unknown, but bright future. Their never-wavering sweet, unerring, undoubtable love for one another is simply pure, and a privilege to witness.

In the end, I thought some of the conflicts that had happened near 20 years prior, and even those that came up within the last bit were resolved relatively easy, for how important they were and how much baggage they had caused, but I can see how the focus was on family and the things that bind together, rather than those that tear apart. Forgiveness and looking forward were the themes of the book, and they all did that.

In the beginning, I said this was the conclusion to the family saga, and in a lot of ways, it is. But thankfully, as one door closes, two more open. We will get more of Cletus and Jenn.. "the Saturdays of the week if the Winstons were days" (what a beautiful analogy), in the Cozy Mysteries telling us all about the middle bit. And of course the newly opened world to Smartypants Romance authors, adding to and colouring in the edges. ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2019 Tina rated it it was amazing

I finished this book a couple of hours ago and I have lots of feelings. As I listen to my melancholy instrumental playlist in the dark, I think back on the Winston series evolution and mourn that is has come to an end. But I can't help but celebrate in my melancholy state, the stories, the pranks, antics, heartbreaks, and true love found in this series. Penny Reid. Bravo. The Winston Brother's series will always have a special place in my heart!

Beard Necessities jumps right into the drama and t ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2019 Patricia Wonderland rated it it was amazing

THIS BOOK IS WHY I LOVE TO READ !!!
This story is everything i expect when i open a book.
We forget where we are, who we are, all our problems. We enter a magical world created only with words (admirable!), a whole new world we never want to leave. We feel what the characters feel, we live what they live, our hearts beat with theirs...
We are part of the Winston family.

We are SCARLET, crazy in love with the ridiculously hot and selfless Billy. Hurt and traumatised by Razor the monster. Con ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Nov 03, 2019 Lady Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: indie-author, love-the-author-a-must-buy, adult, penny-reid-winston-brothers, 2019-release, arc-to-review, fiction

"5 - Sometimes the only way to win is to surrender- Stars!"

I want to start out by congratulating Penny Reid for writing this series and this story.

Through the arc of the series, we've seen bits and pieces of Scarlet and Billy dancing around one another. The obvious attraction and history is evident, but the reader doesn't know what happened to cause such a love/hate relationship between these two characters.
(read Beard with Me for the beginning).

There is so much miscommunication and misunderstanding between Scarlet and Billy that at times I thougcharacters.
(read ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2019 A rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, arc

I voluntarily reviewed an early copy of this book :) I sincerely hope you have a moment of free time cause I certainly have quite a few thoughts and feelings to share about this book... after all, it's an end of a certain era with a conclusion to the Winston brothers series, which is definitely one of my all time favourites :) although if we're being perfectly honest, I was more than a bit hesitant going into this novel... not only it is the big conclusion, but it has a second chance romance tro I voluntarily reviewed an early copy of this book :) I sincerely hope you have a moment of free time cause I certainly have quite a few thoughts and feelings to share about this book... after all, it's an end of a certain era with a conclusion to the Winston brothers series, which is definitely one of my all time favourites :) although if we're being perfectly honest, I was more than a bit hesitant going into this novel... not only it is the big conclusion, but it has a second chance romance trope which I am not the biggest fan of... why read the book then, you ask? that IS a great question, and I will answer it straight away :) I have two main reasons :) #1 it's Penny's book, and I will always give her a chance, because she already surprised me in the past in the best possible way with another trope I am not a fan of :) #2 it's the last book about I think the brother we know the least about and I was sooooo curious to see how his story will go... so I picked it up and couldn't be more happier that I gave it that chance cause man oh man... *sighs happily* it was such a wonderful book... my thoughts are still a bit scattered so I hope you will be understanding if this review will be a bit chaotic... plus, this is the conclusion of a series, but I am still determined to make it spoiler free and safe to read even if you are completely new to the series, so I might have to be a bit vague in certain places... ok, let's get into the review :)

Winston brothers series takes place in fictional town of Green Valley in Tennessee and each novel (with one exception that I will mention in a minute) concentrates on a different sibling in a family of seven :) Ashley's story, which can be considered a sort of prequel, cause it's a part of Penny's other series, is the first one, and then we have all of her six brothers :) and as much as most of them can be read as standalones, I highly recommend you to read them in order to see how certain relationships change over time... when it comes to this last installment, you really should at least read some of the other books before diving into this one... preferably all of them :) but you absolutely have to read "Dr. strange beard" (Roscoe's book) and "Beard with me" (a sort of origin story about Billy and Scarlet and how they initially fell for one another while still in school) :) ok, now that we have some basic informations out of the way, let me try to explain all the reasons why I adored this novel :)

This book is a happy ending twenty years in the making... as I mentioned before, I am not a fan of these types of stories... it is entirely connected to my own life experiences and personal preferences when it comes to books... I have no problem with authors who write these kind of stories and readers who love them... I just feel the need to express that this sort of novel needs to be truly exceptional for me to fall in love with it... and this one was... for oh so many reasons... so let's start with our main couple... since I couldn't decide who to talk about first I flipped a coin and Scarlet it is :) I know that the majority of you know her as Claire, but after reding that origin story book and this one, I can't think about her in any other way but only Scarlet :) she had such a horrible life... such a hard one... starting straight away with being raised in a motorcycle gang headquarters as the daughter of the president... becuase I promised you a spoiler free review, I will only say that after that, a lot of other hard things hppened to her and around her and it all lead her to life full of guilt and shame... fortunately, and I am always trying to mention it when I read about it in stories, she finally sought out professional help and is seeing a therapist to help her deal with all of the unhealthy coping mechanisms she had in her life... and even though she's a fictional character I was so proud of her for seeking that help and working towards getting better... then we have Billy... *sighs* ever since I started this series I knew that his story will be the one that will not only break, but completely shatter my heart before putting it all back together again... and I was soooo right... for me he's the epitome of the saying "still waters run deep" because there's just sooo many things beneath the surface with him... the second oldest in the family, for the longest time he was the man of the house... taking all that responsibility took its toll on him... again, because I don't want to spoil you things if you haven't read the rest of the series, I can't get into more details... so let's jump into my feelings about their relationship...

After reading "Beard with me" I have to say I just couldn't understand it... seeing what exactly happened between Billy and Scarlet all those years ago I just couldn't see how that would justify all those years of complicated feelings, yearning and resentment... but in this book we learn that quite a few other things happend between that book and the first one in this series... and all I can say, I get it know... not only I get it, I absolutely understand it... in fact, my heart went out to both of them so many times during this novel... what life threw at them, how they handled it... there is just so much past... so much baggage... so many issues... just soooo much everything they need to handle and unpack to find their happy ending... I was seriously worried how it will happen in a healthy way so I can root for their happy ending... I'm very happy to report I loved the way Penny Reid told their story... the way she showed two flawed and complex people... who made decisions in the past, some of them bad and unhealthy that had so many consequences... how they were able to find their way to a happy ending and to each other... with a little help but more about that in a moment ;) mostly I was absolutely impressed by the way Penny portrayed them... and not only them but also some other people... how important it is to remember that no one is perfect and even the best of us can make mistakes, even when they believe they are doing what's right... how our perception of certain people is connected to the way we remember them and how time can change our perspective on things... how sometimes we need a lot of time to truly see and admit to ourselves that people weren't as good as we remember them... I know I'm being vague, but I really don't want to spoil you stuff so be patient with me ;)

Because there is so much history and stuff between them and the more time passes the harder it is to deal with, the family decides it's time to intervene... and by family I mean Cletus decides it's time to help them :) he summons the rest of the family and shares his plan to finally speed things along :) what comes after is a whole lot of shenanigans, some of them more and some definitely less subtle... ;) but all of them so much fun :) so don't worry... yes, this book touches upon some very serious topics, but it's also full of absolutely hilarious scenes :) the sole reason why I am not diving into more informations about all of the siblings and their significant others is because if I would start we all would be here for days... yes, days... as in plural, cause I wouldn't be able to stop :) I already feel like I've been rambling for a while, so let's try to wrap this thing, shall we? :)

If it would be another installment in the series, the story about Billy and Scarlett would probably be 4,5 stars one for me... but because it's the very last one and has so many scenes with other family members I just had to bump it to full 5 stars... and even if I had some doubts before the end, then the epilogue came... and it was such a beautiful cherry on top of an absolutely wonderful cake of a story that I just couldn't stop smiling when I was reading it... now that I know what happened in the past and how everything ends...how all of the siblings find their happy ending I am for sure gonna reread all of those books in the future... and by future I mean probably the second half of next year... with the knowledge I have know I would love to read all those stories and see them with a bit of new eyes... Penny Reid is an incredible author and I have to bow down to the way she told this particular story... and to the way she tells all of her stories... they are always different from one another, with characters that are complex and flawed... and I honestly think that now that I am a bit older I think I might feel differently about some of them... as in I might appreciate them more with a bit of a new perspective I have now... she's one of the very few authors I love to reread and I can't wait to experience the wonderful world of Winston family again in the future... have no worries, this conclusion was absolutely worth the wait... all those books, all the anticipation building over the years... this was the perfect conclusion to the series and an absolutely wonderful happy ending for Billy and Scarlet... *happily bows down* :)

XOXO

A ...more

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2019 Escape into a Booksite rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle, favorites

*5 Stars*

I voluntarily read an early copy of this title.

I don't even know where to start with this review. I loved this book. It gave me ALL. THE. FEELS. Some totally unexpected ones too. I think because I was expecting all the emotions in BWM, and then not so much in this. Whoops, silly me!

I loved the character development with everyone in this one. We get so much of the whole Winston family, and ALL OF THE CLETUS THAT EVER DID CLETUS, along with both Billy and Scarlet too.

Scarl ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2019 Jeannine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hells-yeah-my-favorites, ahmahgah-awesome-story, top-fave-author, oh-the-feels-gah, arc, read-in-2019

Oh my heart! It’s Billy and Claire, y’all!!! Whoo hoo so much excitement! I want to put all the exclamation points!!!! The time has finally come for these two and I am here for every single word.

This is my most anticipated book of the year and it did not disappoint! I truly believe Penny saved the best for last. Thank you so much for your wonderful words. If you’re a Winston fan, this book is everything! There’s so many emotions and funny moments in the story, hello Cletus. I feel I got long aw ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Jan 30, 2017 BookScavenger rated it it was amazing

Been waiting for Billy's book since book 2 only to find out that it will be the last one! I guess Ms Reid has decided to save the best till last?
Edit: just read Billy's love note and ARGHHHH. I NEED THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW.

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Nov 02, 2019 Bex | TotallyBex.com rated it it was amazing

Shelves: second-chance, 2019-november, slow-burn, cute-kids, foreign-setting, series, arc, family-saga, smart-romance

It’s the end of an era, folks. After seven books, the Winston Brother series draws to a close—but fear not my gentle readers, Penny Reid truly saves the best for last. With an epilogue that will soothe your weary soul after reading Beard with Me , she uses kid gloves and makes the inevitably bittersweet ending as painless and as uplifting as possible. And for that, I am grateful.

Thankfully, Beard Necessities isn’t as heartbreaking as Beard with Me . Yes, there are some painful exchanges, but there’s also family bonding and humo It’s the end of an era, folks. After seven books, the Winston Brother series draws to a close—but fear not my gentle readers, Penny Reid truly saves the best for last. With an epilogue that will soothe your weary soul after reading Beard with Me , she uses kid gloves and makes the inevitably bittersweet ending as painless and as uplifting as possible. And for that, I am grateful.

Thankfully, Beard Necessities isn’t as heartbreaking as Beard with Me . Yes, there are some painful exchanges, but there’s also family bonding and humor to provide levity. Of course, Cletus’s evil genius is on full display, but so are the admirable skills and traits of the rest of the family. For instance, Sienna is a faithful confidante, Jethro is the voice of reason, and Jenn provides insightful observations and gentle nudges. Shelley, Ashley, Drew, Beau, and Duane are also on hand to fill in where needed and each played their part perfectly.

I just have to say, the Winston family’s meddling skills are truly Olympic-level in Beard Necessities. It's the most Winstonest book to ever Winston. With hidden truths, Billy’s martyrdom, and Scarlet’s guilt in the way, they needed to find their way back to one another and the entire family made it happen. The fact that the book is set (mainly) in Italy makes it the perfect backdrop for the family shenanigans and the forced setups. These two have been through hell and back, so a picturesque countryside seems fitting for their potential reunion and a safe haven for the revelations that need to be shared.

After all is said and done, I am so happy to have been along for the ride over the course of this family saga. Beard Necessities answers the questions that have been swirling around Billy and Scarlet since the beginning and it’s the sweetest, not to mention the most perfect, endcap to the series. I will miss this family.

▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.

▸ Purchase: Amazon

▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.totallybex.com

...more

flag 30 likes · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2019 Jacqueline rated it really liked it

Shelves: author-arcs, rare-2020-edinburgh

#swoonfest 4.5 stars

I had high hopes for this, especially after its prequel, Beard with Me, didn't quite hit the spot. This one more than did.

Happily the angst is dialled down and the feels are high. What I also loved was the warmth and wit in this. A true comfort read.

So the entire family is together in a fancy mansion in Italy. While all of the family members feature in this, it's very much Cletus and his sneaky machinations that drive the story forward, wit #swoonfest 4.5 stars

I had high hopes for this, especially after its prequel, Beard with Me, didn't quite hit the spot. This one more than did.

Happily the angst is dialled down and the feels are high. What I also loved was the warmth and wit in this. A true comfort read.

So the entire family is together in a fancy mansion in Italy. While all of the family members feature in this, it's very much Cletus and his sneaky machinations that drive the story forward, with him conspiring in ingenious and outrageous ways to get Billy and Scarlet together. Subtlety sometimes isn't his strongest suit:

"You should see the way she looks at you, like you're one of my sausages."

Cletus ' wit was perfectly pitched to prevent this story becoming too angsty; Billy and Clare have a long history and they're both stubborn, refusing to have conversations they need to have, so rather than grinding my teeth and willing them both to get over themselves and get on with it, Cletus was right there in the thick of the action, pushing them together. Literally.
After waiting for a book and a half for them to get together, the glorious sexual tension was high, but it was swoonworthy too:

"My life and heart have been forever transformed. You are the architect and artist of my own personal paradise. Now, when I close my eyes, I won't need to imagine what heaven feels like. I'll know."

*sighs* This is why I love to read romance.

I must admit, I have the worst memory so even though I've devoured every book in this series, not all of the characters have stayed with me. I had a hard time keeping track of the huge cast of characters, and this was further complicated by the presence of their various offspring. While I adored the family dynamic, I can't lie, I had to pause a few times to try to place that brother or that sister in law which was a bit distracting and the only reason this wasn't a five.

It's been written as a standalone, but you'd miss so much by not reading the others so don't deprive yourself.

A fab end to the series. Recommended.

**thanks to the author for my arc.** ...more

flag 16 likes · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2019 Mari rated it it was amazing

This book made me love the Winston siblings even more and to think this was Claire and Billy's story. They're awesome too but I have to note the role the family played a big role in things. Also if I thought I couldn't love Cletus anymore this proves me wrong. That guy as wackadoodle he is at times is just so darn endearing and hilarious. His scheming may not be favorable but it works. There is method to his madness. But without him Billy would continue his martyr ways and being stubborn.

After ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Jul 27, 2019 Rachel marked it as to-read

I will not be reading this one if Billy has been with any other women. That does not scream love to me if you love someone else and can be man enough to get her.

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Nov 02, 2019 Happily Mary After rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-november

Beard Necessities is the sixth and final book in Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series, and it’s a beautiful and deeply satisfying ending to this extraordinary compilation of stories and memorable cast of characters.

In Beard Necessities, Billy and Scarlet/Claire get their much-deserved and extremely hard-fought happily ever after, and I cannot put into words how heartwarming and emotional it is to witness their reconciliation. They are the epitome of star-crossed soulmates, whose love has been t Beard Necessities is the sixth and final book in Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series, and it’s a beautiful and deeply satisfying ending to this extraordinary compilation of stories and memorable cast of characters.

In Beard Necessities, Billy and Scarlet/Claire get their much-deserved and extremely hard-fought happily ever after, and I cannot put into words how heartwarming and emotional it is to witness their reconciliation. They are the epitome of star-crossed soulmates, whose love has been thwarted by time, outside forces and even themselves, and they finally have their moment… with the help of the Winston siblings and their partners. Their yearning for one another is palpable throughout all of the previous books and now, and this final installment of their epic love story is beautifully messy, heart-wrenchingly real and perfectly imperfect. I loved every moment.

While Billy and Scarlet’s romance is the focus of Beard Necessities, the central love story throughout the series concludes — the Winston family’s. The Winstons love fiercely and without reservation, and readers have been on an incredible journey with them as their feelings for one another and their relationships with each other have been tested and reinforced throughout the years. Penny Reid brings authenticity and relatability to their love as they do what families do—make mistakes, both big and small, and celebrate successes, both big and small. I did not anticipate how profoundly I would be affected by their happily ever after. It made saying goodbye all the more difficult, but it also made letting them go a little bit easier.

Well, I did decide as soon as I finished Beard Necessities that I’d read all the books again but back-to-back this time. I want to wallow in the emotionally sumptuous, charmingly quirky, laugh-out-loud hilarious and utterly unforgettable Winston Brothers series for just a little longer.

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
Recommendation appeared on Frolic on November 6, 2019. ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Nov 02, 2019 Jenny - Book Sojourner rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e-arc, romance, read-in-2019, favorites

All the Stars!
This book was everything. For all their years apart, I was truly worried about Billy and Scarlet's story. So many secrets, so many misunderstandings, so many years. But never doubt Cletus and his mad, meddling skills. And boy did Billy and Scarlet need some meddling. Fortunately, when the Winstons set their minds to something, especially intervening for two people they love, amazing things happen.

I loved the shenanigans and evil genius workings to get Billy and Scarlet toget ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
YA Buddy Readers'...: Beard necessities (#7 Winston brothers series) by Penny Reid - starting November 4th 2019	28	25	Nov 11, 2019 05:46AM
Sharks of Awesome: Write-In Option Choice Awards 2019	4	41	Nov 05, 2019 08:35AM
Billy and claire's story	2	87	Jan 19, 2018 10:47AM