Review: Dr. Strange Beard (Winston Bros #5) by Penny Reid

Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten 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 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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~My Review~

This pains me to say but this may be my least favorite of all Penny Reid's books. I had no problem relating to Sienna Diaz, as her character was pure fun right from the beginning. With Reid writing as Simone Payton, it didn't sound quite right to me. Even in the story, when race factors in and Simone tells Ashley Winston to let the person of color voice their fear, their concerns, and to let them speak up instead of relying on this "white savior" narrative. Or perhaps that's just how I took it, as a person of color with the knowledge and experiences of what marginalized people have to go through on any given day. I love you, Penny, but I truly didn't need to have someone like you, a white woman, tell me a story, nay, a lecture on race issues. It sounded forced, and hollow and I didn't need to be a part of that narrative. I GET that, and even my own experiences as a "token Asian" in a mostly Caucasian small East Texas neighborhood pales in comparison to how I know my black friends are treated daily. 
That being said, I tried to finish this book with an open heart, because I REALLY LOVE PENNY REID. In typical Reid style, hilarity, miscommunication and swoon worthy lines from Roscoe ensues. What kept me turning the pages were some of the action sequence and our lovely Winston brood. I just tried to block out some of Simone's internal monologue, and mostly listened and lamented with Roscoe. 

NOTES: there is a time jump so it was a little confusing in the beginning. Even if I didn't like this book, you still need to get this, as I believe there are a couple little "easter eggs" for Billy's upcoming story!
I'm super excited for Billy and absolutely can't wait for his happy ever after! And I believe I shed a tear or two during a conversation with Billy and Roscoe. 

​​***I received an advance reader copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

My Rating: 2.5/5

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About the Author

Meet Penny Reid:
Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.


Connect with Penny:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/
www.pennyreid.ninja

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