Hunches, horse races, and heartbreakTen years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe Winston remembers everything – every look, every word, every single unrequited second – and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone … encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .
Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.
But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .
Dr. Strange Beard is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a stand-alone, and is the fifth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Winston Brothers series.
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When the first Winston Book came out I really didn’t get the urge to start diving into the series right away. In fact it took awhile for me to warm up. But these lovable but uniquely weird in their own way brothers just pulls you in to their world with no way out. Five books in and I really can’t get enough of their family and romantic lives. In Dr. Strange Beard, youngest brother Roscoe, finally gets the girl, after dealing with a pesky eidetic memory, a psychopath father, a brother who gave them everything, a brother who basically annoys and loves him at the same time (Cletus that’s you) and the other brothers and a sister and their own other halves. And Simone, his other half , also has her own personal stuff to deal with as and her family.
So basically its a wacky but heartfelt, utterly swoonworthy romance that will make you addicted!
3.5 stars
I have adored every book that I have read of Ms Reid’s so far, and I have been impatiently awaiting the release of Dr Strange Beard and more of those Winston Brothers.
It pains me to to say this, however Dr Strange Beard just didn’t come up to the heights of the other books in the series to me.
It felt like that for the first 75% of the book, Roscoe and Simone seemed to be in a loop, where they would start to get together, push away, ignore each other and then do it all over again. Nothing much really happened at all for 2/3 of the book.
Once we hit about 70% of the book though, things gathered pace and took a turn for the funny and romantic that I was missing. I thoroughly enjoyed it from this point on.
I know this makes it sound like I didn’t like this book, but that’s not the case. I did like it, I just didn’t love it like the previous books. My paperback is jetting its way to my shelf as we speak.
I adored seeing a bit more of the Winston guys and gals throughout Dr Strange Beard
And whilst this one was a bit of a miss for me, I am impatiently waiting for the next books in the series.
Every time I pick up a Penny Reid title I know I will be in for a treat! Dr Strange Beard is no exception. Penny has crafted a unique and captivating title that is sweet, sexy and emotional. Roscoe and Simone’s tale is a beautiful and heartfelt story of secrets, lies, trust, betrayal and love, that centres around family.
If you are a fan of the Winston Brothers series, Dr Strange Beard is five years in the future from Beard In Mind. If you haven’t started this series, I highly recommend reading the previous titles before diving into Roscoe’s story.
Simone and Roscoe grew up the best of friends, doing absolutely everything together, until one day Simone found herself completely ghosted by the one who she thought knew and understood her best of all. Roscoe had his reasons for distancing himself and avoiding Simone, but the space effected them both. Even ten years on Roscoe avoids Simone at any cost, until she makes it impossible, and seems to always be just around the corner.
Penny Reid has a knack for crafting characters that are not only complex and well developed, but have personalities and traits that make them not only unique but memorable.
Roscoe Winston may be the baby of the Winston family, but in this title he’s all grown up. He’s incredibly endearing, he’s sweet, sensitive, kind, and considerate. He has a heart of gold, and will go out of his way to make those around him feel good about themselves. Roscoe has an unbelievable memory which is much a gift, as a curse and he struggles to move past hurt and heartbreak as it’s so vivid in his minds eye.
Simone is such a wonderful heroine, she’s strong, vibrant and outgoing. I love that she’s incredibly intelligent, strong willed and independent. When she has a goal in mind she’s dedicated, determined and will persevere no matter the cost.
The Winston’s are fun, quirky, loyal, loving and for anyone who is familiar with the previous titles in the series, you also get a glimpse into their lives.
I was completely captivated and enthralled with this title, loving the fact that as well as having heat, heart and humor there was an undercurrent of angst, and an element of intrigue and suspense that kept me completely glued to my kindle.
I will be eagerly awaiting Billy’s story next, after returning to Green Valley I’m even more eager to read his story.
Penny Reid continues to be one of my go-to authors, and Dr. Strange Beard simply validates this life decision. While I’m a few books behind on the Winston Brothers, I was able to pick this book up and catch right up with the clan (although now I need to make time to go back and read the missed books–can someone take over all my responsibilities for me so I can make this happen?). Dr. Strange Beard is smart, witty, thought-provoking, and most of all, swoony. I’m not even a beard type of woman, and Roscoe–well, he’s got me thinking impure thoughts. Simone is the heroine we all want to be. I mean, undercover FBI agent? Yes please, with a side of ass-kicking awesome.
If you like books with smart characters who make you laugh and fall in love, as well as keep you way up past your bedtime, then I highly recommend Dr. Strange Beard.
Starting Roscoe and Simone’s book felt a bit, well, strange, when so much of the talk leading up to the release was about Billy and Claire. I’m relatively new to Penny Reid, having binged on all her titles during April. All of them. All month. So I didn’t have a few years, like most of her fandom to chew over what was happening. I was excited to read about the youngest Winston brother, and I was not disappointed.
Roscoe and Simone have a long, tortured history, but I was grateful to see it in snippets as opposed to chapter long flashbacks. It helped to show that Roscoe and Simone, still dealing with issues in the past, weren’t stuck there. There is a line in the book delivered by Simone that says, “I don’t know how to be Simone without ‘and Roscoe.’” That quote summed up the nature of this story. It wasn’t so much a story about two people coming together, but about two people who had always been together. They just spent some of that time apart.
Naturally, Roscoe had me swooning page after page, but he’s a Winston. Those boys are natural charmers. Though, he did have a surprising dirty side. Now that was a lot of fun to explore. It was Simone who caught me off guard. I didn’t expect to love her as much as I did. She was sweet and sassy and had just the right amount of attitude.
Reid didn’t gloss over the interracial relationship between Simone and Roscoe. In fact, it was at the forefront of the story and was handled with precision. We witnessed their struggles and rejoiced in their reunion. I can’t remember the last time I felt so connected to two characters. I was so immersed in their story, I felt a part of it.
Most of the story arc of Dr. Strange Beard needs to remain a mystery, and that’s because there were a ton of moments I gasped out loud, and frantically highlighted passages so I could revisit it. I would hate for you to be spoiled in any way. So you won’t find spoilers here. But you can take with you my love of these characters and this series. As always, Reid’s writing is flawless, and her ability to weave a story puts her in a league of her own.
Now we wait for Billy….
Favorite Quotes:
All men are fugly as soon as they demonstrate an inability to carry on a conversation about issues that matter… Or if they poop with the bathroom door open. No one wants to see that. Even I—ye old goddess of crime fighting—have accepted that some mysteries in life are better left unsolved, such as the facial expressions associated with a boyfriend’s constipation. Hard. Pass.
…the element of surprise was my favorite, even if it wasn’t on the periodic table.
Roscoe was a man-maiden. That’s what he was. A fair man-maiden, with a beard so dark and eyes so blue, a tall specimen of manly greenness, innocent and untouched.
Clowns, in my experience, are like cats. They can sense when a person isn’t into them and then go out of their way to interact with that person. Once, in my case, I’d had a clown follow me around a co-worker’s child’s birthday party, trying to foist balloon animals on me (I thought they all looked like genitalia, but what did I know?)
My Review:
Penny Reid is da bomb! It was an instant freefall into this skillfully adept wordsmith’s compelling vortex and I gleefully smirked my way through her captivating and cleverly amusing tale. Written in my favorite dual POV, the storylines were lively, well-crafted, and stacked with unexpected twists, and unique conundrums. Ms. Reid’s own special blend of brainy humor and cunning wit amuses while simultaneously enlightening with interesting factual tidbits. Roscoe’s eidetic memory was fascinating and I and appreciated the humanizing and thoughtful observations illuminating the advantages and disadvantages for those bearing such a trait. I have adored this series and the uniquely peculiar little community of Green Valley, Tennessee, which appears to be populated with oddly beguiling and magnetic characters brimming with idiosyncrasies and intriguing quirks.
Coming home holds different emotions for everyone. For Roscoe Winston – return trips to his hometown are met with family gatherings and familiarity. What Roscoe didn’t plan on was crossing paths with Simone Payton. It’s a rarity for the girl that stole Roscoe’s heart to visit her family. When Simone does visit, Roscoe has become a master at avoidance. Until a chance encounter has them ‘meeting for donuts’.
While Simone and Roscoe were inseparable growing up, Simone has no idea why her friend ghosted her years ago. Through a series of events, Simone now finds her hometown a bit more enticing, and is staying for an extended amount of time. Everywhere Simone looks, Roscoe seems to be there, and this grown up Roscoe is even more enticing that teenaged Roscoe!! Emotions are running rampant whenever Roscoe is placed into Simone’s path. Resulting in a push and pull that neither is ready for.
It’s getting harder for Roscoe to ignore Simone. The more that the humble Winston sibling tries to push Simone out of his life, the more fate pulls them together. What Roscoe doesn’t know is Simone is keeping a secret that has the ability to explode once it’s revealed. The only question is where does that fit into this tangled web that Roscoe and Simone have created around their attraction?
Another Winston sibling has graced the cover of my reader!! Providing some very interesting glimpses into the lives of my favorite Tennessee family. Roscoe is by far the most humble Winston. Proving that his past definitely has shaped him into the man that we read about today. Simone is proving to be quite the match for our beloved veterinarian.
Penny Reid has once again taken her novels to epic heights. Not only do readers get a beautiful romance between the covers of Dr Strange Beard, but there is also the obvious tackling of controversial topics. Racism is faced head on in this story, and it is certainly tastefully portrayed throughout the tale. One thing you can count on in Penny’s writing is that no subject matter seems to be ‘forced’. The topic and plot flow together with the ease of butter….well…maybe in Jennifer’s cakes. Seriously …Penny definitely knows how to blend realism into her novels with such eloquence. I commend the author for the unique way her writing reminds you to look at different views.
Roscoe and Simone are definitely quite the pair. Make sure you add the latest Winston installment to your reader today!! As always….those Winston siblings will provide readers endless moments of adoration in this novel. I simply cannot get enough!!
“In love, everything was nonsense.”
I’ve yet to read a Penny Reid romance where I didn’t fall head over heels IN LOVE almost instantly! I knew Dr. Strange Beard was going to be EPIC. I just didn’t realize how much…how much it would speak to my heart and soul…how much these characters have come to mean to me…how much this author can hold your heart and mind hostage until the end when she pulls everything together and makes you feel ALL THE THINGS! Reid writes smart romance, on that we all can agree. But she brings so much more than brains to her writing and to her stories. She brings so much damn heart. She brings so much emotion that I can’t even function for a good 30 minutes after I finish the book. She brings power, boldness, and meaning to every single one. I just can’t get enough!
Roscoe and Simone…Simone and Roscoe. I freaking ADORE these two! They are a mess and a half, but when they are together it just makes sense. Roscoe may be trying to replace memories from the past and Simone might be denying her feelings of the heart; but once these two beautifully stubborn characters rise from the rubble from the walls that once wrapped around their hearts, everything will become clear. They will unlock an even deeper connection they never knew existed. No spoilers here people. Fans of this series, of this author, need to experience this book on their own and in their own way. When they do, they will experience the true talent that Penny Reid brings to every single page, chapter, and story.
You think you know Roscoe Winston? You have no idea what you’re in for. This character, along with our wonderfully stubborn heroine, Simone Payton, will surprise you in the best possible way. Enjoy the ride guys. This is one you’re going to want to devour over and over again.
I loved this book. The story and the characters are all just perfect. This has just been another great story, in this wonderful series. I can’t recommend it enough. So read this book, this series ,and this author’s work, you won’t be disappointed.
4.5’s
I can not get enough of these Winston brothers and folk. I firstly want to express how much I enjoyed hearing about what each sibling has been up to, because I miss them like family!
I was looking forward to Roscoe’s story as being the baby of the group, he sometimes was miss judged or overlooked. I wanted to know more about him and what was his take on his whimsical kin. I just knew he had a sense of humor but I was delighted to learn he had a very sensitive side too. His vulnerability and inexperience only made him more adorable. Of course he was extremely protective of what’s his and that too was admirable.
Simone was Roscoe’s childhood bestie, but she was also his mothers besties daughter. Therefore they spent a lot of time together from kids to teens. Miscommunication always leads to trouble and that was what happened to split these two up. Simone moved on, moved out and only came home sporadically over the next ten years. She and Roscoe never crossed paths in that time. She had followed her dreams and became a Forensic Science Researcher. Roscoe also followed his aspirations of becoming a vet. Now she is back home working in the diner her mother owns and she runs into her long lost friend. She has a task to fulfill and Roscoe is not making her job easy.
I loved being inside Simone’s head and seeing her quirky aspect. She was quite comical. The same for Roscoe, learning about his abilities and memory recount was fascinating. I have to say I am slightly envious! The thing I found hard to reconcile with these two was the time frame apart and their reconnection. Multitude of things can happen to a person in these years detached that could change their demeanor and who they were. I felt they needed more time to discover each other’s personalities again before their HEA.
This is a standalone contemporary romance told in dual POV. Although if you want the full effect of this series, it is best to read in book order to keep in the time sequence. It is definitely a series not to miss and I bet, like me, you’ll be re reading them over and over. I am excited for the next installment for this clan with Billy’s tale. His is going to be heart wrenching I feel.
Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid is Winston Brothers book #5. Roscoe Winston was best friends with Simone… until he wasn’t. Or at least that’s what it seems like to her and ten years later she wants to know why. Roscoe can’t forget what happened between him and Simone. Literally. He has a memory condition that won’t let him forget.
With a fifth book in a series its like a comfortable old shoe, but Dr. Strange Beard is also it’s own unique and special book. Roscoe’s hurt and his ways of dealing with it really get you and Simone’s strength, wit, and independence make her a force to be reckoned with. This was kinda a friends to lover’s mixed with a second chance romance, but there were so many added layers as to make it it’s own thing. The characters are vivid and complex and Ms. Reid makes you feel for them in a real way.
Overall Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid is definitely one to pick up and I recommend it and all the books in the Winston Brother’s series. Digging into the mystery of the past between these characters and seeing them build something real and create a deeper connection that was incredibly romantic and passionate was something really special.
(I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book I received for free in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)
The Winston Brothers series revolves around six bearded brothers who are completely distinctive, wonderfully complicated, and equally endearing. And the award for the sweetest, most sensitive Winston brother goes to Roscoe Winston. In Dr. Strange Beard he gets a chance to pursue his happily ever after.
This is an unrequited friends to lovers story fraught with misunderstandings and intermingled with fond childhood memories. Roscoe is every bit as charming as his brothers, but he’s introspective and his eidetic memory makes him extremely perceptive. This sounds kind of corny, but his good manners made me swoon. He’s also a veterinarian which is super attractive because… puppies and kittens. Basically, Roscoe is totally irresistible to every man, woman, child, and animal in town—everyone except Simone, his former best friend and one true love. Simone is single-minded, with her career being her only priority. There’s no room in her life for love or mushy sentiments. She can be harsh, but I loved her wit.
Roscoe and Simone have a wonderful shared history. Unfortunately, the end of their friendship left lingering hurt feelings on both sides. Communication is not their strongest suit, and I grew antsy waiting for Simone to wake up and smell the freaking coffee and for Roscoe to stop running away. Several times I wanted to lock them in a room and not let them leave until they hashed out all their baggage. It would have prevented so much frustration and repetition.
Most of the Winston brothers have now fallen in love and moved out of the family homestead. I’m a bit homesick for the days when they all lived together with their crazy smorgasbord of personalities, but Penny Reid faithfully reunites them. Would any story be complete without Cletus and his sausage? The answer: no.
The book is filled with Reid’s brain tickling humor, and I also enjoyed the elements of mystery and suspense. There are several loose ends left at the end, which sets up Billy’s story quite nicely. I’ve got a soft spot for Billy, so I already have a date planned with Beard Necessities.
***5 ‘The Stories Never Fade’ Stars***
I love the Winstons.
I do.
It always makes me a very happy camper to dive back into their unique and quirky world and get wrapped up in the goodness that is the Winston clan and Dr. Strange Beard gave me all of that and more up until the very last words.
I’ll readily admit that Roscoe hasn’t been one of the Winston’s that I focused on, which isn’t surprising considering Cletus and Beau, but I was all about getting to know the youngest Winston and I found him to be all kinds of sweet and fascinating. He’s quite precise in how he views things and his little…not quirk, but unintended talent was really interesting to learn about and see how it shaped him and his world view.Simone is a firecracker. She’s sweet, stubborn, determined and snarky and while not necessarily the best at being sneaky, she can think pretty quickly on her feet and I loved how she took the bull by the horns when it really mattered.
Roscoe and Simone’s journey was a fun, it was, but boy did these two dance around each other for a while, even when the opportunities arose to at least clear up all that had happened in the past. But once they shake off most of their issues, they were a lot of fun together. The bond they had as kids was easy to see and I really enjoyed watching as they got to know the adults they had become. The roadblock that pops up in their journey wasn’t a surprise, but I did like how it was exposed and how they were brought back together.
This one had a lot going on that I wasn’t expecting, but made for a fun ride as the secondary storyline played out and came to a very interesting conclusion of sorts. But as I said at the beginning of this review, I just love spending time with the Winstons as a whole. I love how they interact with each other and, even when irritated, accept each other for who they are. And now it is time to practice patience for Billy’s book because there were some things that happened in this one that are certain to play apart in his and I cannot wait to see how all of that goes down.
~ Copy provided via Social Butterfly PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
I absolutely love the Winston family! True southern gentlemen and woman with a twist! Even though this is a series, you can read this as a standalone, easily! But once you start with this family, you won’t stop until you have read them all!
Dr. Strange Beard is about the youngest Winston, Roscoe and Simone.
I admire Penny’s thoroughness in her research. Between Roscoe’s gift (or affliction as he describes it) and the diversity of Simone. It was an honest, real feeling story!
Friends for years, and because of some miscommunication on both parts, Roscoe feels the need to stop all communication with Simone. For his own sanity.
Simone is a kick-ass character! I love her spirit, her loyalty and her honesty. She is a beautiful person both in and out!
I loved reading glimpses of the other members of the Winston family! It was like a family reunion, seeing what everyone is up to!
I also admired the sensitivity Penny has when writing about Simone and Roscoe. As a mixed race couple and what Simone goes through as a African American woman. It was a learning experience for me.
This story has mystery and intrigue! As with all of Penny’s stories that I have read, once you pick it up, it’s almost impossible to put down. I was sad to see this story end, but end they must!
This is definitely a must read! I have yet to read a Penny Reid book that I haven’t loved and so will you!
Simone and Roscoe may be circling each other but they have captured my heart full stop! Simone came after ten years under the guise of helping in her family diner, but this lady wants some answers. Her best friend left her like a bad habit and she wants to know why. Roscoe’s heart has never particularly healed from the blow Simone inflicted on it, which is why he’s become adept at hiding from her whenever she’s been home. This time though it seems she is dogging his very steps and haunting his mind. They say closure is key, but sometimes things aren’t meant to be closed rather flung open and barreled through!
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book
Penny Reid has done it again with this witty and entertaining romance! Roscoe may just be my favorite Winston brother, and Simone is definitely my favorite heroine of the series. I loved it!
I was given a free advanced copy of Dr. Strange Beard in exchange for an honest review. This is a non-spoiler review.
This is a well executed second-chance romance. We get to see how beautiful Simone & Roscoe’s friendship was as kids; it is super clear why Roscoe left; there is a good reason they started seeing each other again; and their new, adult relationship isn’t just based on “what used to be”. As adults they fit together in new necessary ways that bring in the fun of their childhood connection, and the depth of who they became in their time apart. (I get judgy of 2nd chance stories if the characters lean to heavily on what was — what works as 16 is not what will keep 26 year-olds together — know what I mean?)
The winning point of this book is that we get to see how one’s experience of living in Green Valley,TN is very different depending on one’s skin color. It was cool that the Winston family achieved a level of “woke” — that with all their family troubles because of their dad, their whiteness protected them from having to think about certain dangers. Simone and her family show us how, even though their family has had higher social and economic standing than the Winston’s, they need to operate with a certain level of caution that affected daily and big-life choices they made. And, I like Simone’s gentle lessons to her white allies, Roscoe and Ashley, on how to best support her.
This is another great book in this series that continues to consistently give characters a chance to grow (including secondary characters. We do get to see the rest of the Winston family, obviously, and more characters I’m looking to get to know better in future books). Reid is able to tell a story with “big ideas” like: race, memory difference, second chance at love, duty, older siblings, youngest siblings…but in ways that are so specific to the characters, families, and town that it never feels preachy, or like I’m learning a “very powerful lesson”. It’s just another opportunity to join my family in Green Valley and get to love them all the more as they move imperfectly in the world toward finding the courage to pursue their happy.
My heart is so full of love for Roscoe and Simone! There is so much that happens in this book that I can’t help but love it all! It was a ride I tell you. Why can’t I be apart of this fantastic fictional family?!
I was going in blind with this one. I didn’t read any teasers and I just kept on scrolling whenever I saw someone talking about them. If you think about it, we don’t really know a ton about Roscoe. Sure he’s in the previous books, but to me, he’s a veterinarian man of mystery. As I was reading, I was feeling a little torn because I wasn’t really digging him at first. He’s a runner. Avoid and deny and all of that. Now there’s reasons and the why behind it all, but I was kinda shocked that he was like that. But as the story went on and there’s a scene with him and puppies….omg I’m in love! Turned my feelings right around and won me completely over.
Now for Simone. Biggest girl crush ever!! I highlighted a bunch of her parts, they were just so good. And I agree, she is absolutely awesome.
“I wasn’t one to force my company on folks who didn’t want it.
Their loss, because I was awesome.
I’m so awesome, I’m magic.
Jazz hands.
MAGIC!”
Heh, jazz hands and magic. Cracks me up.
I liked how she thought that “feelings were the worst.” Yes, yes they are. I so agree. Sometimes I’d rather not have them. She’s such a fantastic character and I really related to her. Especially with what happened between her and Roscoe’s friendship and how it all went down.
“Best friends don’t ghost best friends.” Nope, they shouldn’t. It’s heartbreaking and hurtful.
All I can say is that this another fantastic story and I’m so glad these characters are in her head.
Oh I want to add, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter really made me stop and think. Some of them are pretty powerful. Okay, I’m done rambling and being all over the place!