Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid
Winston Brothers #2
Publication Date: May 31, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy
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 heartthrobs. But can she traverse the tenuous trails of Tennessee without losing her head? Or worse, her heart?
Excerpt
I gathered a breath for patience and squeezed Sienna’s waist.
“Here we go,” Drew said as he swapped a knowing look with my sister.
Meanwhile, Beau rolled his eyes and released a disgusted snort. “Not this again.”
“Cletus’s famous sausage is famous,” Jess added helpfully, her eyebrows bouncing. She was already giggling.
Not missing a beat, Sienna asked, “How do you make it? Do you bake it?”
“No way. The heat isn’t right. In order for the sausage to mature, it needs the right type and application of heat. It needs heat on all sides, and wet heat is best.”
“You are the worst,” Billy said, though his mouth hitched on one side.
“This joke never gets old.” Jess was now laughing so hard she’d gripped her stomach, tears leaking from her eyes.
“It does when you have to hear it every month for ten years,” Duane complained, but couldn’t quite manage a scowl.
“My sausage is no joke.” Cletus frowned, wagging his finger through the air like we were all juveniles.
“So you grill it,” Sienna supplied, moving the conversation back on track.
“That’s right.”
“Good.” She nodded once, sounding thoughtful. “In that case, I insist you taste my thighs and breasts.”
These words, so calmly and earnestly spoken, rendered us all speechless.
Even Cletus.
I do believe we stared at Sienna in a collective state of paralyzed suspension, no one quite knowing how to react to her offer.
I felt her shoulders shake, so I shifted to the side, wanting to catch her expression. Her irresistible dimples flashed in full force and she giggled as she explained, “I have a great mojo chicken recipe. We can grill the chicken and sausage together.” Then to Cletus she said, “It’ll help with the wet heat.”
I looked to the heavens, hidden by the porch ceiling. “God, thank you for sending me this woman.”
Meanwhile, Cletus blinked once as though startled, but then a slow grin spread over his typically solemn features.
Beau, holding his hand over his heart, took the bait. “Sienna, I would be honored to taste your thighs and breasts.”
I shot him a warning glare. “Don’t you say that to her.” But I couldn’t keep my face straight either.
“What? What did I say?” Beau tried to sound and look affronted. “I was talking about her chicken. Obviously.” Cletus’s grin had grown into an immense smile as his gaze moved over my woman with plain appreciation. “Well played, Ms. Diaz. Well played.”
My Review
Grin and Beard It has been one of my anticipated reads and it was pure sweetness with a little sass thrown in for good measure. I have fallen for these bearded Winston brothers and Jethro was no different. Add Sienna to the mix and this book was gold star worthy. Told in dual point of view, this standalone addition to the series was Penny Reid's classic giggle worthy and thought provoking pure genius.
Jethro is the eldest Winston brother who has been trying to overcome his dodgy past. Now a park ranger and respected member of the community for the last five years, he's stayed away from all temptation or any kind of addiction. That includes woman. But when he happens upon lost but gorgeous Sienna, he's smitten. Sienna is in town trying to get away from the limelight before starting her new film. Being one of the most recognizable people in the world isn't alway what it's cracked up to be. When she meets Jethro and he has no idea who she is but is still interested in her, she lets the little while lie about her identity go for a bit. At least until she can't hide it anymore. When Jethro realizes who she is to people, he's afraid that his past will taint her future. When one person has never wanted to settle for a predetermined future and the other is afraid of the past, Jethro and Sienna have to decide what is really the most important.
Jethro and Sienna's story was the perfect sweet and easy love story. While not everything about their lives was easy, these two together were most definitely sweet and easy to love. Seemingly opposite, together they were perfect. When they started opening up, it was easy to fall in love with Jethro's determined alphaness and Sienna's sassy openness. Plus getting more of the rest of the brother's was bearded heaven. I can't wait for the next Winston Brother's book.
Reviewed by Paige
★★☆ 4.5 "For Real" Stars ☆★★
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About Penny Reid
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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