‘Beard With Me’ is the origin story of Billy Winston and Scarlet St. Claire (aka Claire McClure) and is just the beginning of their epic love story. No one is better at surviving than Scarlet St. Claire and making the best out of circumstances beyond her control is Scarlet’s specialty. In an apocalyptic situation, she’d be the last person on earth, hermitting like a pro, singing along to her CD … singing along to her CD Walkman, and dancing like no one is watching.
Scarlet is clever, Scarlet is careful, and Scarlet is smart . . . except when it comes to Billy Winston.
No one is better at fighting than Billy Winston and raging against his circumstances—because nothing is beyond his control—is Billy’s specialty. In an apocalyptic situation, he’d be the first person on earth to lead others to safety, overcome catastrophe, or die trying.
Billy is fearless, Billy is disciplined, and Billy is honorable . . . except when it comes to Scarlet St. Claire.
COMING SEPTEMBER 2019
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Beard With Me is a prequel, of sorts, of Billy and Scarlet/Claire’s story. It takes place when Scarlet is 14 and Billy is 16.
Scarlet’s story is so heartbreaking. Her parents are abysmal and she has lived a lot in her short life; you just want her to succeed.
When Billy and Scarlet find themselves together, it’s beautiful yet awful at the same time. As the reader, you KNOW something bad is going to happen, but desperately wish that something will happen to fix it. And yet, you can’t stop reading, even knowing that pain is coming. It’s a heartbreaking but beautiful story.
I thought I would have wanted to throw this book across the room, but instead it just whetted my appetite for more.
Penny Reid never fails to write an amazing story. This book has been advertised as “not a romance” but it is. Young love and the protection, admiration and mutual respect between these two teenagers was romantic. I romanticised the hell out of their relationship anyway.
I knew going in that the ending wouldn’t necessarily be happy and it did slay me, but I was also relieved. My heart and soul were torn, warring with the sadness and relief.
My heart hurt for both Billy and Scarlett and I know that the possibility of what could have happened between then should circumstances been different would have been epic. A love story for the ages.
It was so nice to see a young Winston family and I can’t express how much I adore Bethany. Her wisdom, her patience, her love and calm spirit. Is it weird that I miss her after knowing her from when the kids were younger?
For those who love the series and Penny’s quirky yet lovable characters, Beard with Me is definitely one for your TBRs!!
There is no other way to describe this book but to say it’s EPIC! If you have been following this series like I have, you will know all about the brooding Billy. You will also know that there is a back story between him and Claire McClune / Scarlet St Claire. Tension has been so thick with them in the previous books that you can’t help but need to know what happened surrounding their tale. This edition is the whole background and lead up to their love story. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but it will leaving you with plenty of longing and wondering how can it all be fixed. It’s starts from the very begging of all the siblings stories and it ties them all in together with snippets linking each book / sibling. I loved that, they way Billy was integral in all their lives in such a positive way.
One thing you should be warned about, and will know this fact if you’re a fan of this series, is that Scarlet and Billy both suffer at the hands of their fathers who are in a MC. And it’s brutal and sad. It is told to us in a remarkable way that you have this undying compassion for them as it’s so tragic. It gives you plenty of insight as to the young adults they were and how it has shaped their later lives.
I have always adored Billy for his loyalty and family values but this book cements my opinion solid. He is simple the best person you would want on your side. It is why all the other siblings look up to him for guidance and reassurance. Scarlet was a sweet teen with difficult circumstances that had aged her into adulthood early. She knew she was raised differently but still took pride in where she was going in life. She was an extremely strong young woman and I’m eager to read more about her in the next book. I have cherished each of these brothers for so many distinctive reasons but Billy will now be my favorite Winston. I’m hurting but I know this next book will ease all my worries and I’m betting this couple will have their HEA in the end and it will be valorous.
5 Stars!
Scarlet St.Claire lives in Green Valley, Tennessee where she’s a sophomore in high school. She was dealt a crappy life from birth, but it hadn’t dulled her spirit. She was smart, brave, funny, and sweet, but usually alone. Her life was about trying to survive the horrible circumstances that were beyond her control. She’d learned the hard way that the only person she could count on is herself. Then a boy she’s known her entire life surprises her when he shows her kindness when she needs it the most.
Billy Winston is every girls dream guy, and Scarlet’s childhood nemesis. He’s the star quarterback of the football team, and as close to perfection as you can get. He was fearless, disciplined, honorable, and loved his family something fierce. His focus was always on his momma, his siblings, and football. Time was something he never seemed to have enough of.
Nowadays Billy and Scarlet tended to avoid and ignore one another the best they could. Then their paths cross and everything changes. They start spending time together and an unexpected connection forms. The always in control, responsible Billy begins unraveling as he tries to fight his growing feelings for Scarlet. He knew she was off limits but he felt helpless against their chemistry when she was near. As things begin to shift between them Scarlet realizes his inside beauty matches what’s on the outside. Billy Winston has one of the most beautiful hearts she’s ever encountered, and her greatest wish is for it to be hers.
Beard With Me by Penny Reid is an all new installment in the Winston Brothers series that can be read as a standalone. It’s Billy and Scarlet’s tragic, forbidden origin story. The foundation on which the rest of the Green Valley world is built, where we get a look into the past, and see the characters you already know, but younger. It’s the beginning of Billy and Scarlet’s (aka Claire McClure) epic love story. It’s heartbreaking, beautiful, and unforgettable. Billy Winston is swoony perfection, and easily my favorite Winston brother!!! This story touched my heart and will stay with me. I can’t wait for more of this couples story in Beard Necessities!
Oh my me, Ms. Reid…this origin story set in the Winston Brothers universe is just everything.
This is story tells us more of the beginnings of the Winston family, it tells the heartbreaking story of Billy Winston and Scarlet St. Claire.
This is not heart and flowers and happily ever afters. This story made me cry and made me appreciate Ms. Reid’s writing even more than before. Ms. Reid writes a smart, sad and such a believable world that I can actually picture myself there in Green Valley. I can “see” the forest which poor Scarlet has to live in. Ms. Reid writes so beautifully that you can feel the characters anguish, excitement and struggles like they are your own.
Ms. Reid brings some levity to the story by way of the Winston siblings, especially Cletus! I fell in love even harder with him throughout this story. Now I have read all of the Winston Brothers series up until this point, but trust me if you haven’t yet read any of theses stories (And why haven’t you?!?) you can definitely start with this story and go forward from there.
I cannot gush enough about Ms. Reid’s epic talent at storytelling! She is gonna squeeze your heart hard with this story…it’s gonna put your feelings through the wringer in the most phenomenal way.
Wow, its kinda cool to see the Winston kids in High School! SO MANY UNEXPECTED THINGS THAT I DIDN’T SEE COMING! Omg, and what Billy does to for his family and Scarlet. So much is put on his shoulders, physically and mentally. Billy’s and Scarlet’s background story sure is tragic, but it sure pulls out all of the emotions out of me. I seriously can’t wait until the Winston series Finale that will come out with Billy’s book Beard Necessities (Expected publication: November 4th 2019) which I think its going to mostly be set in present time. I’m sure it will come by really fast. Oh gosh and that last sentence…
“If the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts, then my soul was Scarlet.”
LIKE SERIOUSLY, that’s some epic poetry right there <3 It makes me want to go back and re-read some scenes right now.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
*5 Stars*
I voluntarily read an early copy of this title.
Well, well, well. Where on earth do I start with this review? The Winston Brothers series is the series that got me into Penny Reid’s books, and those boys hold a special place in my heart. Of course, we know of Billy and Scarlet, and from the glimpses of their interactions in the previous books, it’s obvious that they have some kind of past or history, or some reason for the way they act around each other. This is something that we all, as readers, have wanted to get to the bottom of.
Beard with Me is their origin story. It can be read as a standalone, so you don’t need any prior knowledge of these guys. If you have read the others in the series though, lots of little bits and pieces will really start to fall together, and to remind you of what we’ve seen in the previous books.
Now, if you’re like me, I have some trouble remembering all the little details because of the volume of books I read, but there are so many pieces of the Billy and Claire puzzle that really start to come into play here.
I LOVED these guys. Both of them. They’re both amazingly strong, kind and wonderful characters. The things that they go through at the hands of their fathers, and that damned MC club. Lord almighty, I want to smash Razor and Darrell in the face even more.
I cannot wait to get the next instalment, and the current day story for these two, because I need more answers, and they both really deserve to get their HEA.
We get plenty of our old fave Cletus in this one too, and whilst his teenage attitude annoyed me at the start, I fell right back in love with his quirky character. And whilst we get some of the rest of the family in this too, another stand-out for me was Bethany Winston.
I was hooked on this book right from the authors note at the start, and even though I was constantly on edge waiting for things to happen (because lets face it, we know the likes of the Wraith’s from the previous books, for those who have read them) I did not want to put this down, and I was determined to get to the bottom of this story and find out what would happen.
The wait until the next book seems way too long, and I can’t wait for the conclusion to this story. I think Billy may become my favourite Winston brothers.
Beard With Me is a unique literary fiction with bittersweet feelings tinged with a healthy dose of hope and humanity. A soul searing story weaving its way under your skin in an unapologetic way.
Penny Reid makes you feel every single word you read. This book consumes you from the very beginning to its end, leaving you so stunned you become momentarily silent. No cliffangher here but just a profound need of quiet, solace and tissues. For me it was Brie cheese as comfort food, a cup of peppermint tea and an evening under my duvet.
Beard With Me is “the origin story for the entire Winston Brothers Series and the beginning of Billy and Scarlet epic love story”.
Scarlet is only 14 but she reached a level of maturity beyond her actual age. Life has not be gentle with her. She had to survive, to fight, to be cautious. She’s a lonely girl wishing nothing more but a real home and feeling safe. She comes from hell but remained an angel.
“Always eager to laugh, to help […], to search out out and cling to the bright side, to find reasons to smile and charm and make other folks happy.”
Billy is 16 but too mature too. He’s serious, honorable, reliable, immensely selfless. Always eager to help, to protect, to make people he loves feel safe and happy, to make their life easier. He feels responsible for his family and sometimes he’s more a father than a brother.
I really like being in his head and have an insight of his feelings, his needs, his concerns. He has the same ones as an adult and it was kind of heartbreaking.
Scarlet and Billy didn’t have a common childhood. They are not teenagers but young adults and i can’t express how in awe i am of them. So wise and still so young (i loved the Marcus Aurelius’ quotes). They understand each other like no one else and find solace in each other.
Billy is the perfect hero, in every sense of the word. He’s ready to do everything in his power to protect his family and Scarlet. Even the biggest sacrifices. My heart belongs to him.
He and Scarlet proves we don’t need much to be happy. Just laughter, kisses and songs.
BWM is only the beginning of their epic love story…
“It felt like the beginning of something terrible and beautiful and dangerous and wonderful.’ Scarlet couldn’t be more right.
Beard With Me is also the beginning of the Winston family. We have glimpses of each brother, of Ashley and of Bethany (i swear this woman is a saint!!!). Each one of them has a unique personality and a role to play in the family dynamics. We see a side of Cletus we just heard of before, but even at 15 he’s too smart and funny.
We also have glimpses of the main inhabitants of Green Valley.
It feels like the pieces we had in each book of the WB series are finally put together (and i need to re-read them). I fell in love with Green Valley and its characters once again.
You don’t have to read this novel in order to read the rest of the series… but believe me it’s useful. It explains a lot of things. A LOT !
—> Beard With Me is like a bittersweet symphony, your heart will be broken, shattered in pieces… but Billy and Scarlet love is sweet and pure and beautiful. Too young hearts singing in unison. And we hold onto hope of their HEA in Beard Necessities.
“She’d become my angel in hope and despair.”
Wow, simply wow. I can’t recommend this book enough. This is a wonderful love story, and I can’t wait for the next book. I definitely recommend this book, this series and this author
The whole series is great! Must read!!