Grin & Beard It (Winston Brothers #2) by Penny Reid

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Sienna Diaz is everyone’s favorite “fat” funny lady. The movie studio executives can’t explain it, but her films are out-grossing all the fit and trim headliners and Hollywood’s most beautiful elite. The simple truth is, everyone loves plus-sized Sienna. 

But she has a problem, she can’t read maps and her sense of direction is almost as bad as her comedic timing is stellar. Therefore, when Sienna’s latest starring role takes her to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park she finds herself continually lost while trying to navigate the backroads of Green Valley, Tennessee. Much to her consternation, Sienna’s most frequent savior is a ridiculously handsome, charming, and cheeky Park Ranger by the name of Jethro Winston. 

Sienna is accustomed to high levels of man-handsome, so it’s not Jethro’s chiseled features or his perfect physique that make Sienna stutter. It’s his southern charm. And gentlemanly manners. And habit of looking at her too long and too often. 

Sienna has successfully navigated the labyrinth of Hollywood heart-throbs. But can she traverse the tenuous trails of Tennessee without losing her head? Or worse, her heart? 

Review:

Penny Reid does it again. She writes these characters that I fall in love with and so wish I knew in real life. I wish I could go hang out with the Winston Brothers and their crew. It would be so much fun being surrounded by such amazing people. Oh well, I suppose I will just have to be happy going into their world whenever I can. 

Grin & Beard It is the story of Jethro and Sienna. If you have read prior books in the series, or Beauty & The Mustache, then you already know Jethro a little bit. Boy am I glad I got to know him even more. He is definitely a new favorite character. He is so sweet and kind and caring and I love love loved him! I know he has a bad past, he is not proud of how he used to be or the things he did, but he has been trying to be better. Trying to fix his past mistakes. He realized what he was doing, how he was hurting other people and the destructive things he did. He still doesn't like that he has that past, but he owns up to it. He never once blames it on anyone else even though that would be easy to do. He was such an amazing person. A real gentleman. So kind and caring and considerate. I really loved him. 

And Sienna? Normally I don't care as much about the female characters as I do the males. Sure I like the girls as well, but they are usually not what sticks with me. They are usually not who makes the story for me. But Penny usually changes that. I just wish I knew so many of these female characters that she creates. I wish I could be friends with them in real life. I wish I knew Sienna in person. She was incredible. So funny and fun, kind and caring, strong and spectacular, just an amazing person. I loved how her mind worked. How she joked around and said such wonderfully strange things at times that really endeared me to her. Yes, she is a movie star and yes, that normally I don't like famous people in my stories, but I couldn't help but love her. She was just so sweet and kind and such a strong person. She was simply amazing.

Jethro and Sienna were so cute together. At first he doesn't know who she is, and really he doesn't even know any movie starts names so it is not a big deal to him. He just likes her and wants to see if they have what it takes to make it to forever together. Since he has been trying to be a better person he hasn't dated at all. No sex, no making out, no kissing, nothing until Sienna comes along. He doesn't want to lead anyone one, but right from the start he knows Sienna is different. That he could see himself with her in the future as long as that is what she wants. 

Oh that first part of the book where they both wanted each other, but couldn't be together because Jethro thinks she only wants a fling? I loved it! I loved that tension, that wanting a person but not being able to be with them, oh it was great. And Cletus? Jethro's brother? He was amazing! I loved him and can't wait for his story. I can't wait to get to know Cletus and his sausage (that scene in this story? If I had not loved Sienna already I would have been won over with that scene. She fits right into this fun, crazy group). I know Cletus will be all kinds of fun! He is also a great brother and friend to have. He tries to help Jethro and Sienna find their way as he is a good person (as long as you don't get on his bad side...). Fun times. 

I want to mention one of Jethro's other brothers as well - Billy. I never really thought much of him, but you get to know him a bit more and there was one scene with him that made me almost tear up. He is the one who has been having the hardest time forgiving Jethro for all that he has done on the past, but they start to mend some fences. He was really sweet and I can't wait to read his story either. I have a feeling I am going to fall in love with him as well. Oh these Winston brothers and their big hearts! 

So yes. This story was amazing. Fun and sweet and heartbreaking and wonderful. Jethro and Sienna are perfect together. It was heartbreaking to read at times as you are not sure if everything will work out, but definitely worth it in the end. Another fantastic read from the amazing Penny Reid.

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★1/2

Excerpt:

I don’t know why, but I inserted myself between Cletus and Jethro. “Tom, this is Jethro and Cletus

Winston. Cletus, Jethro, this is Tom Low.”

“Mr. Low,” Cletus said, not looking at him. “I enjoyed your film, The Wall Street Connection.”

“Thank you,” Tom responded, shaking each of their hands in turn. He scrutinized them both. Cletus kept his eyes on the grass, whereas Jethro met Tom’s gaze directly and gave him an easy smile, seemingly unaffected by the movie star’s presence.

Tom clearly noticed Jethro’s polite indifference to his star status. I watched with mounting trepidation as my costar affixed his narrowed glare on Jethro.

“Do you want an autograph?” he asked with forced graciousness. “I’m afraid I don’t have a pen.”

“That’s not necessary, sir.” Jethro waved off his offer with a friendly smile, but it was still obvious

Jethro had no idea who Tom was. Nor did he care.

Tom studied Jethro for a beat longer, dislike evident in his expression, then turned his attention to me.

“Sí-sí, I’m so sorry about Smash-Girl.” He clicked his teeth. “Do you know why they changed their minds?”

“Uh . . .” my eyes flickered to Jethro then back to Tom, “I think they’re looking for someone shorter.”

Tom’s gaze slid down then up my body and I sensed Jethro stiffen. The ranger took a step closer, shifting his weight to his foot behind me.

“Have you thought about asking the production staff for the low-carb option? Both Elon and I are

having our meals delivered to my trailer, and they’re honestly not bad. Well, not bad considering where we are.”

I gathered a deep breath for patience just as Jethro’s chest brushed against my back. I don’t know if he meant to do it, but it felt reassuring, as though he were silently communicating I’ve got your back.

“No,” I said, “I haven’t asked for the low-carb meals.”

Tom’s attention flickered to my boobs then back to my face. “You should. Just give it a try. Maybe they’ll reconsider you for Smash-Girl.”

Before I could respond with a subject change or an excuse to leave, Jethro asked with a hint of irritation, “How’s eating low-carb going to make Sienna shorter?”

Tom blinked once, his glare shifting to Jethro, the muscle at his jaw ticking. “I’ve been thinking of giving that look a try.” He lifted his chin toward Jethro. “Do you have any tips?”

Jethro’s chest pressed more fully against my back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Where I’m from,” Tom tilted his head to the side, “they call your kind a hipster or a lumbersexual, with the beard and flannel and such.”

Without missing beat, Jethro responded, “Ah. See, where I’m from, they call my kind a man.” Jethro gently placed his hand on my upper arm. “And this here is a woman, and so is that.” He pointed at Elon.

“Ha ha, you’re funny.” Tom’s voice lacked humor, and his grin resembled an aggressive baring of teeth. “What do they call my kind? Movie star, right?”

“No, sir.”

“Well then what?”

“I’d tell you, but you wouldn’t like the word.”

About the Author:

Penny Reid is the USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. When she's not immersed in penning smart romances, Penny works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She's also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

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