Dr. Strange Beard (Winston Brothers, #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.

• ISBN10: 1635763517
• ISBN13: 9781635763515
• Publish Date: 30 August 2018 (first published 24 July 2018)
• Publish Status: Transferred
• Out of Print: 13 April 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Diversion Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 350
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

Penny Reid made me cry! But, not for long.

These two had such a complicated past, and even if they were not brought back together by the best circumstances, I was glad they finally found their way back to each other.

Simone was an incredible heroine. Her love for science and her lab obviously appealed to me, and I adored her family too. And, Roscoe, wow! He had such a beautiful, tender heart, and he had me swooning and aching over here.

Another fantastic Winston Brothers book!

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[Linda]

Dr. Strange Beard is my favorite Winston Brothers book! (Yeah, I know I say this same thing after each book! But I really mean it this time ;) )
Roscoe is just so swoonworthy! He thinks of everybody else before he thinks of himself. And in some ways, there's a good reason for that. Simone just made me love her from the get-go! She's got it all. Brains, smarts, humor, common sense, intelligence, and beauty.

[Romance Schmomance]

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There is just so much love for this series and Penny Reid can absolutely do no wrong with our favorite bearded brothers! Dr. Strange Beard is book 5 in the Winston Brothers series, yes, it can be read as a standalone, but don't deprive yourself of the awesomeness that is the Winston brothers! For the first time, I found myself connecting very easily to the hero, not saying that I didn't love the heroine because she is an awesome one to admire. But my goodness, his character really pulled out the feels and it was downright heartbreaking sometimes. It'll keep you wondering how Roscoe and Simone well get their second chance at love especially when Simone is just so against it in the first place.

Now I consider myself fairly new to Penny Reid's book, maybe within the past couple of years or so. So, I'm still learning her writing style. But it's very distinct. I've noticed it more with her recent work, I love and always look forward to her quirkiness, but also the fact that she touches on real-topics. You know, some that are pushed underneath the rug, she goes there, and it needs to be done more. Like I've said, Penny Reid can do no wrong with her writing.

It has been a while since I've read a duo like Roscoe and Simone. Roscoe and his super memory, it seriously broke my heart when a lot of memories about Simone brought him so much pain. He remembers every little thing and to come face to face with that pain, it's not easy for him at all. And then we have Simone, a different kind of heroine that I truly admired, but love just wasn't for her. And let's not forget the little secret she's keeping from Roscoe or well a pretty big one. One that could probably hurt Roscoe even more.

As you read further and further into the book, I loved seeing Simone really question her feelings when it came to Roscoe. There's definitely a little bit of a misunderstanding between the two of them and watching them coast around it is actually pretty entertaining.

Gosh, I love this book to much and well this series, shoot, I love Penny Reid as well. I always look forward to everything that she writes, the quirkiness, how unique and different it is, she just creates love stories that are unforgettable.

SO yeah, Dr. Strange Beard is a must read and a favorite for the year! I am beyond ready for Billy's book!

[stacey_is_sassy]

***Head to my blog - there's a GIVEAWAY...and stuff.***

http://www.staceyissassy.com/review-dr-strange-beard-by-penny-reid/

Penny Reid’s words move me…

***4.5 Stars***

I’ve met Penny Reid and she is a bright and bubbly person who was a pleasure to talk to. I’ve read Penny’s words outside of her books and I like the way her mind works. I’ve been immersed in Penny’s worlds through her books…and her words move me. She has a voice that I wish was mine. Her ideas, beliefs and feeling shine through in her characters. The strength in their thoughts and words makes Penny Reid someone I admire.

I found myself marking pages as I read Dr Strange Beard. I collected those pages because they touched me. They were words that I’m sometimes too scared to say out loud. I even marked a page to show my boys when they get older…*How to dress for a date* (my words, not Penny’s). Penny’s words make my heart…stutter…spasm…do that little fluttery thing. Her words move me.

It's obvious to me that Penny does her research and due-diligence when creating characters and giving them thoughts, opinions, careers and issues. By creating Simone, Penny has given me a new insight into an issue that is a world-wide problem. Sometimes it's better to ask the person facing a drama or issue how they want it handled instead of fixing the problem for them. I also found the titbit at the end of the story explaining the extent of a person having a "good memory" interesting. Then again, all Penny's titbits are interesting.

I don’t always love Penny’s characters. For instance, Roscoe as a 16-year-old needed a good kick to the behind. OK, maybe I can understand his 16-year-old brain fart…BUT A 10 YEAR LONG BRAIN FART!!! How on earth everyone just accepted that they were friends no longer is beyond me. Especially considering those Winston’s, it’s not like they know how to keep out of each others business. So many years wasted.

I may also have a wee bit of a problem when a character I love goes undercover. Sure, they’re doing good deeds and all, but geez I hate the deception and when the truth comes out, someone always gets hurt. That would be one of the hardest jobs in the world and I imagine that it would be almost impossible to have a serious relationship while doing undercover work. Cudos to those good men and women sacrificing for us.

Honestly, I was getting a bit nervous up to the halfway point that Dr Strange Beard wasn’t going to work for me. I know, I know, it’s romance and it has to all work out. BUT…these two just weren’t communicating, getting together or connecting the way I wanted them to. O ye, of little faith (rolling my eyes at myself). I just needed to be patient and wait for the right time.

I think Dr Strange Beard was one of Penny’s steamiest books. Holy Shamoly, I was getting all kinds of hot and flustered reading this one. A lot of readers are going to LOVE this one and it has a lot to do with Roscoe…and his words…and his touch…OMG!!

Loved catching up with all the Winston’s and I am DESPERATE for Billy to find his happy place. I need him to add some laugh lines to his frown lines. There’s a certain redhead I’m hoping will be his happy place.

Simone’s parents Daisy and Trevor were amazing and I loved getting to know them and seeing the wonderful example they set for their kids. Daisy’s welcome home party…of the scary kind, is something I can relate to. My mother never meant to scare the bejeezus out of me, it just happened and I think she got a wee bit of pleasure out of it.

Plenty of laughs, a few tears and some big old sighs as well. Dr Strange Beard was a fantastic read and I will be sad when this series is over.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[leelu92]

3 to 3.5 stars

I really struggled with this one. As individual characters, I loved Roscoe and Simone. But the relationship was so muddied by the underlying plot that has been running through and building up throughout this series.

I always enjoy reading Penny Reid and always have to elevate my reading brain and that's a good thing. But for this book, all of the pieces of the puzzle didn't come together for me.

I still love this series and the Winstons and I can't wait to more!