Beard in Mind (Winston Brothers #4)

There is something very unique about a book that asks you to acknowledge that you are wrong, and then strives to educate you as to why. There are a multitude of misconceptions flying around the central issues in Beard in Mind and the characters within. The word I would use to describe this book would be illuminating.

As a fan of Penny Reid and the Winston Brothers series (as well as the Knitting in the City series), I thought I knew Shelly Sullivan. I thought I understood her surly disposition and her indifferent ways. I really thought I knew Beau Winstonthe charming flirt with a strong family support system. I was complacent in the idea of their story because I thought I knew where everything was going. But I was wrong. In typical Penny Reid fashion, there is no formula. There is no standard trope, and there are a few curveballs thrown along the way.

Throughout the story we get to know the real Beauford Winston and the real Shelly Sullivan. And these are some of the most complex characters that Reid has written. We learn about the inner turmoil faced by both main characters. Beauthe face of the easy-going twin whose charm is likened to a habit formed and solidified over time. Shellythe woman so consumed with fear that her outward appearance reflects none of her emotions.

We are also shown the unexpected inner desires of these characters and that is where the relationship begins to form. Its how these two can move past the antagonism and conflict to form a lasting bond and partnership. Beau is ready for commitment after seeing the transformation of his siblings and their significant others. Shelly is similarly motivated by her family. She is desperate to confront her fears and anxiety head-on in order to play a more prominent role in the lives of her loved ones.

Beau and Shelly not only surprise the reader, but they surprise each other, too.
Penny weaves her unique storytelling in a way that makes these characters known. Its obvious and imperative that she explain Shellys struggle and behavior. That she corrects assumptions and generalizations about Shellys actions. Beau goes from a simple character with a singular focus to a layered and complicated individual.

I loved this book for the characters and the journey they take. I loved the way Beau and Shelly come together and find their way.

One the hardest and best things about this book is how it breaks down your assumptions. I mean, the first line says it all “People–all people–are blinded by their own expectations”. I assumed Beau was one way when he was clearly multi-dimensional. I assumed a lot about Shelly, and was wrong. I assumed I had a basic understanding of OCD, and was ridiculously wrong. I loved how dedicated Penny was to battling the generalizations surrounding OCD. I am guilty of ignorant references to obsessive behaviors and calling them OCD. I won’t do that any more. Smart and emotional writing all the way around. So good.

This is a story about what its really like to love someoneto support them, to be their partner. I think this book has the most heart of any Penny Reid book. While that is a difficult quantity to measure, its more of something you just have to feel. And Beard in Mind made me feel a lot.

4.5 Stars

This book took longer to read than any other of Penny’s books for me. Not because it was boring or uninteresting but because it was a lot to take in and in order to keep up, it was necessary for me to pace myself.

The way that this book ties into Beard Science, because their story lines run simutaniously, was one of my favorite things. I like idea of getting the multiple POV’s about what was happening and how different they were. Plus, more of Cletus is always a good thing!

This whole series is much more than just individual romantic relationships. With each new book more pieces of the Winston family puzzle are revealed and I fall in love with how the families deals with them together.

Penny’s books have always made me think but this one also made me a little uncomfortable. Not a disturbed kind of uncomfortable but in a way that made me have to evaluate my thoughts about Shelly and her OCD and the idea of Beau falling in love with someone like her. Uncomfortable about the ease at which I flippantly refer to my need for organization as my “OCD”. Overall, this was an uncomfortable topic to tackle but Penny did it in a way that seemed effortless but not careless. She made me see, not only how, but why Beau could fall in love with Shelly and how they were perfect for each other.

From the very first time I read about Beau Winston, I was intimidated by him.
I know you’re thinking, how can someone be intimidated by a book character? Much like people in real life, I was intimidated by his charming personality, how he wasn’t grumpy or agitated, not to forget good looking. All those things combined made me put off reading his story. And probably because all my attention has been focused on Cletus, since book one.
But out of all Pennys characters Beau and Shelly felt more real than the others. Their story wasn’t about flashy lavish gifts or outsmarting someone. Those were way in the background as I read their story, because in this book, Beau and Shelly were center stage, center mind.
Their story was more about real love. Just more real. Unnerving, practical, and freaking beautiful. I was capture by raw emotion, tangled in their mindsets, and engrossed by the feelings unfolding like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon. Often times, I found myself pausing to think, did Duane or Billy make an appearance? They did, but I was so fascinated with Beau and Shelly, I didn’t even realize other past characters were in the book. My mind centered around them.
By the end of the book, I was more in love with Beau than I had been in book one of this series. I fell in love with how both characters needed each other, but also needed to learn to cope without one another. To me, that is what makes Beard in Mind one of Penny’s best books. It’s simplicity resonates emotions leaving the reader not only educated about something that isn’t talked about in books, but also it leaves a mark of wholeness that just because someone has a disorder doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of finding love. Our world is a big place, filled with lots of people, and while we often think that we are a selfish society, somewhere in our world is a Beau waiting for his Shelly or vice versa.

Another brilliant read! Beau is a car mechanic and works with his brothers. His twin is about to go travelling with his girlfriend and so Cletus has hired Shelly. She is a beauty with some odd traits that irritate Beau to the extent that they argue all the time and worst of all he cant seem to stop thinking about her. He eventually finds out she has severe obsessions and is in therapy. When they finally get together he sees his future with her and is terrified that she may go back to Chicago. Its an unusual story which is how Penny Reid writes. The whole series is a mixture of laugh out loud, sexy times and oddness!

At first glance its easy to peg Beard in Mind as an Enemies to Lovers romance. Shelly Sullivan is the newly employed mechanic to the Winston family run auto shop and immediately clashes with Beau. Hes affronted by her hostility to not only himself but to the shops customers. Hes a genuinely easy going individual but theres something about Shelly that raises his hackles.

Speaking of Shelly, it would take me a while to think of the last time I came across a character as complex as herself. Credit to Penny, she took care and attention with her in the way she was written. In some ways I think she used Beaus character as a device to ask the questions I as a reader and person wanted know.

The revelations in this story are not Shellys alone; Beau too experiences some life changing moments and in these moments of Beaus vulnerability, its wonderful to see Shelly blossom and showcase personal develop.

Im in awe of Pennys ability to write a swoon worthy romance whilst concurrently tackling serious current issues. Beard in Mind is conscientious and thought provoking romance which was nicely balanced by its comedic value and heart fluttering feels.

I cant get enough of this band of bearded brothers and am looking forward to whats in store next.

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