Release Date: October 31stGenre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
He's won the hearts of millions. But is he willing to lose his?
I met the president’s son when we were both young. Matthew Hamilton was handsome, polished, and intelligent. I’d never met a guy like him.
He promised me that he’d never run for president. I promised that if he did, I’d be by his side.
Three terms later, an invitation to join Matthew Hamilton’s campaign is the most exhilarating opportunity I’ve ever experienced. I'm determined to make a difference; he is determined to win.
Focused on his goal, Matt is steadfast, ruthless, and disarming. All eyes are on him and his popularity is surging. But soon, the next possible president of the United States is possessing me in more ways than one—and despite the risks, I'm helpless to resist.
We're stealing touches, stealing moments, and stealing away at night. But our chemical connection is quickly becoming dangerously combustive, putting not only my heart, but Matt's chance at the presidency on the line.
Winning will take everything. Walking away will be the hardest thing of all.
Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world.
Overwhelming chemistry isn't something anyone ever prepares you for. It's not like your mama sits you down and warns you one day you might stumble upon someone impossible to resist, someone who sets your soul on fire. Combustible, explosive attraction is just the tip of the iceberg for Atticus Kelly and Hazel Stone. One touch between them can set them on fire, one word from their lips can send them careening, one look can cripple them to their knees. They are an inferno and they're approaching the end of their wick.
Burning too fast, way too fast.
Except there's nothing to temper the fever.
And the ramifications may be more than they can afford.
Everyone knows when it goes up in flames, there's no saving the kindling.
I looked over at my equally beautiful friend. She was holding Simon’s hand, and I felt so happy for her. I looked down at Atticus’s hands as they swung at his sides. I found myself wanting one of his to take one of mine. My eyes followed up his arms, his shoulders, the side of his neck, over his tattoo of Juniper’s name, and settled on his face. I wonder, I thought, if we could ever be as we were, if it we could ever be simple, if he could ever love me. I wondered many more things as we followed the sinking path toward the open iron gates below, toward the stalactites and the stalagmites, reaching toward each other, desperate to connect, just like Atticus and me. They had much time to wait, though. I could only hope that wasn’t the case for Atticus and me. I didn’t know if I wanted to wait anymore. I was tired. Tired of suffering without him, tired of the weight of how I felt for him, tired of dragging it around with me, heavy, and begging to be lifted.
The sun had disappeared as we nestled deeper and deeper into the recesses of God’s earth and we found each other in the dull light of the scattered lanterns in a part of the caverns where the ceilings were barely eight feet high. Etta and Simon had gone ahead about a hundred yards where the cavern lifted a hundred feet into the air, studying the nature surrounding them more quickly than Atticus and I could absorb it.
We came upon a stalactite and a stalagmite separated by mere inches. They too looked tired to me. We circled them twice, each of us on opposite sides. Atticus bent his head to peer at me through the gap. I leaned forward and smiled at him but the smile quickly fell.
“So close yet so far,” I told him quietly, my whisper betraying me and echoing against the cavern walls. It bounced off our ears over and over.
“At least another thousand years,” his answer repeated.
“Such a long time to wait,” I said.
“They’ll get there,” he said.
“Will they, though?” I asked him.
Atticus’s eyes softened and he stood upright. He followed the base of the stalagmite around until he was standing about a yard away from me. He stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans, his T-shirt straining against his shoulders and biceps.
“You know something, Hazel?” he asked me.
“What’s that, Atticus?”
“When they meet, those two points, when they finally come together after the wars, the battles, the wrong that has surrounded them in the ripples of their existence, after the longing, the misery, the torture of seeing each other as their future complete, that moment, that second, that instant will be their most vindicating time. It will be quiet; it will be unassuming. No one who sees it will be aware of their perfect collision, but it will be an explosion amongst themselves, for only them to know, for only them to feel. It will be proof they can weather anything, absolutely anything that comes their way. Even if it meant the end of the earth, Hazel Stone, it would not mean the end of the world. They are perpetual. They are forever.”
My heart pounded. He took a step closer to me. Another. Another. Until the chasm between us matched theirs.
“I have missed you more than you could possibly comprehend, Atticus.”
His eyes filled with something, an emotion. “I think I could,” he revealed.
Tears spilled over my cheeks. “But I don’t deserve you.”
He shook his head back and forth slowly; the backs of his fingers found my cheeks and dragged across. I turned my head into his skin, desperate to feel him for as long as possible. “No, I don’t deserve you.”
I shook my head in disagreement, tears coming stronger. “But I pushed you away.”
“You were trying to protect yourself, protect Juniper. I don’t blame you for any of it, Haze. It was what it was and it made us who we are.”
I nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. “Can you forgive me, still?”
“Only if you forgive me?”
“Of course. Of course I do. You know I do.”
He placed my face in the palms of his hands. “All is forgiven. All of it. All, Hazel.” He took a deep breath.
“Do you still hate my face?” I asked him.
His head lolled softly side to side. His thumbs started at my forehead and dragged down the sides of my face. “No, Hazel, I no longer see my pain there. I only see my future happiness, our future hope.”
I let out a groan of emotion, unable to hear that without a physical reaction. “I feel guilty admitting this—”
“Don’t. Juniper wouldn’t want that for us, Haze.”
I nodded. “I don’t feel the despair anymore. I feel calm now. I feel the memory without the searing pain. I think— no, I know it’s because of you.”
Atticus brought me into him, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, and I wrapped mine around his neck.
“You’re my best friend, Hazel,” he whispered to me.
“You’re mine, Atticus, my favorite friend, my forever friend."
From USA Today bestselling author Meghan March comes another dangerously sexy alpha hero…
The only permanent thing in my life is the ink I put on my clients.
I drift form city to city, in and out of beds, from one tattoo shop to the next.
Every time I start to put down roots, I rip them up.
Until New Orleans.
Until her.
She’s everything I’m not.
Full of fire and life. An innocent where I’m a sinner.
I want to consume her. Protect her. Keep her.
But first, I have to escape from beneath these shadows.
Beneath These Shadows is a STANDALONE romance set in the world of the Beneath series. You DO NOT have to read any other books in the series to enjoy it.
“You ever broken the law before this, Eden?”
I expected a quick and unequivocal no, but it didn’t come as fast as I thought it would.
“I don’t think so. I mean, I’m sure I have by accident sometime. I’ve jaywalked. But I’m not some kind of criminal.”
Well, that makes one of us, I thought.
My anger from earlier started to fade and be replaced by the heat of the knowledge that Eden’s naked tits were only inches from my chest, separated by water I could see right through. Last time I’d seen them under her pink bra, she’d been too fucked up for me to take advantage . . . but tonight she was completely sober.
I raised my gaze from her chest, expecting her cheeks to be red when she realized I was staring at her nipples, but she wasn’t watching my face. She was staring down at my body.
“Like what you see?”
That got her attention.
Eden jerked her head up to meet my eyes, and the blush colored her skin like I’d timed it.
“You’re . . . big.”
A booming laugh broke free from my throat at her unexpected response, and her cheeks flamed even brighter.
“No, that’s not what I meant. I mean . . . everywhere. Not just, in the . . .” She looked down, then jerked her gaze back to mine. “I’m going to shut up now.”
That kind of awkward and fumbling response couldn’t be faked, and protectiveness rose in me again. Eden was no con artist. She was a girl who couldn’t even say the word cock without turning red.
“Ain’t no shame in my game.”
She reached out a hand and covered my lips with her fingers. “Stop. You’re just making it worse. I wasn’t checking out your . . . package. I mean, I did before you got in the pool, but that’s only because I thought you’d have underwear on because who doesn’t wear underwear?” The babbling continued, and so did my laughter.
Hell, I hadn’t laughed this much since Delilah had given in to a customer’s request and tattooed a flexing veined eggplant cartoon on a client so he could send pictures of it instead of dick pics.
Eden pulled her hand back and covered her face. “I’m going to stop talking now. I seriously can’t be trusted to say anything that’s not completely humiliating when you’re standing this close to me naked.”
“I disagree, and since I’m not ready to get out and put my clothes on, you’re going to have to deal with it.”
She mumbled something under her breath.
“Come again?”
Eden pressed her lips together for a beat before saying, “I don’t know how to deal with it. This isn’t something I’ve ever dealt with before.”
A crazy thought popped into my brain. “Are you a virgin?”
If there was a red brighter than fire engine, that was the color of Eden’s cheeks. “No! Of course not. Really. I’ve touched a dick before. I mean, just the one, but it still counts. Well, I didn’t really touch it. Except, you know, inside me. Oh my God, I’m just going to shut up now.”
Realization dawned on me as her babbled protest silenced. “You’ve had sex with one guy? Once? How old are you?”
Eden turned to bolt, but instead smashed her tits into my arm. I stepped close enough so that only an inch of water separated us.
Her gaze went skyward. “This is so humiliating.”
That’s where she and I had differing opinions. “Why? Because you haven’t fucked every guy you’ve ever met? What’s wrong with that?”
Eden’s gaze snapped down to mine and her brows drew into slashes. “Hey, whoa now. You can toss that double-standard crap right in the trash. What if I had screwed every guy I ever met? Would that make me less of a person? I mean, it’s not like you probably haven’t been with dozens and dozens of women. I’m not judging you. Except for maybe that Kitty girl. I mean, really? You’ve got to have some standards.”
My laughter boomed out again across the courtyard. “Cupcake, just because I can get most any pussy I want, doesn’t mean I do it.”
“Still, double standards are—”
When she started on another tirade, I decided to silence her the best way I knew how.
I leaned down and covered her lips with mine.
About Meghan March:
Meghan March has been known to wear came face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered books, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She’s also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she’s ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.
I became a fan of Meghan March's books after reading the first book in the series Beneath This Mask. I haven't read a ton of her books, but still I know that when I pick up one of her stories I'll be getting some guilty pleasure reading in. Her specialty is dirty talking alphas and once again she has delivered those goods. If you like inked, protective and possessive man-bunned men, Bishop will be right up your alley. As with the rest of the series, the book is set in the heart of NOLA. It was fun to experience the city during Mardi Gras and see it through Eden's innocent eyes.
Eden is crime boss Dom Casso's daughter. You may recognize him from the Dirty Billionaire Trilogy or the Dirty Girl Duet. She did a series crossover with him. Dom is obviously powerful, corrupted, and dangerous. So it goes without saying that he has a lot of enemies. In order to keep Eden safe from harm, she lives completely surrounded and shielded from the world. Living with bodyguards and restricted from venturing out much from her apartment, she yearns for the freedom to explore the world and travel. When unknown troubles arise, she must assume a new identity and flee her gilded cage. For her, this was a blessing in disguise. She chooses New Orleans as her destination and her adventure begins.
Eden is finally able to make her own choices and see all of the things she has always dreamed of. But she wasn't anticipating the world to be quite so unaccommodating. Her protective bubble has been popped and she's about as far from street smart as you can get. This girl was like a magnet for mishaps and danger. She would walk right into risky situations like a lamb to slaughter. She just wasn't my favorite type of heroine. I do feel like her personality was fitting for being so sheltered for so long. You can't really fault her for being inexperienced, but at the same time, I would have liked to have seen her been more assertive in taking charge of herself. I was hoping to see some fire in her, to see her evolve more quickly. I will say that there is some unknown factors that come to light later and it helped me understand her propensity for her "damsel in distress" nature. Just not enough to make me love her.
Bishop is just what you would expect from a Meghan March hero. He was broody, alpha, and possessive as hell about this woman that stumbled into his life. It doesn't take long for his caveman instincts to come into play, and from that point on, she didn't stand a chance.
Protect. Defend. Claim. I hadn’t felt that fucking primal in years— and I needed to lock that shit down.
He tries to fight his attraction. They're complete opposites in pretty much every way-she's innocent and pure and he's seen things you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. But he can't seem to keep her out of his thoughts. Not to mention, without his help, she would have fallen victim to more than one unsavory person to cross her path. If anyone is man enough for the job though, it's him.
“You getting sick of rescuing me, Bishop?” I tried for flirty, but his face lost all traces of humor. “Never.”
He starts toying with the idea of putting down roots for the first time in a long time. He has a secret from his past that holds him captive. Guilt, fear, and uncertainty govern his inability to stay put. But this woman makes him want to make himself a real home and face whatever ghosts from his past that may come his way. If only he could find out what her secrets are.
These two spent a lot of time hiding their true selves, and their secrets. He knows that she isn't coming completely clean about who she is, but he has no idea how badly her truths will leave him floored.
When it comes down to it, the heroine just wasn't to my particular taste and I felt as if aspects of the resolution were pretty convenient, and not the most realistic. However, this book was enjoyable for the most part, I enjoyed revisiting this group of characters from the tattoo studio. If you're looking for a fast paced book with an edge of suspense and steam, this could be the book for you.
Lark Wainwright used to be fearless. Her life was a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her recent overseas adventure was one too many. Now she’s home and in one piece. Mostly. But her nights are filled with terror.
When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers’ markets, Lark jumps at the chance to spend fall in Vermont. But her nightmares don’t stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much.
Zachariah is a survivor, too. It’s been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He’s found a peaceful existence on the Shipley’s farm, picking apples and fixing machinery. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn’t always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he’d never watched TV or spoken on the phone.
Actually, there are a lot of things he’s never done.
Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they’d planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he's good for much more than farm labor.
Even the safest place in the world felt more elusive after you’d visited some of the ugliest ones.
I didn't know what to expect with Keepsake other than the fact that I would get more quality time in with the lovable Shipley family on the farm. And that was enough for me. Zach has always been quite the mystery so far. We know that he's had an unconventional upbringing (to say the least), and he's a virgin. He's that one in the corner, quietly observing but not giving too much away. But he's fiercely loyal, and works harder than anyone, no questions asked. I was ready to discover what made this unique man tick. I was certainly not disappointed. If you're looking for:
A) an alpha
B) an asshole
C) a manwhore
D) all of the above
Then you're out of luck. He's one of the good guys. Just good, down to his soul. Zack was wonderfully unique and one of the most genuine and solid characters I've come across. It was really fascinating to peel away all of his many layers. What I loved so much about him was his ability to see the world as a place of opportunities. He has a lack of bitterness or anger, or even resentment over the fact that he was abused as a child. In fact, his exit from the religious cult where he grew up is thought of with sadness, but mainly just a sense of relief that he was able to have a life without the constant fear that he once endured. He maintained much of his innocence of the modern world because of being sheltered, but he's intelligent enough to know that he's not limited to the stricture and regulations put on him in his younger years. Everything was deemed a sin, even hugging and reading books.
When Zach found his way to the Shipley farm four years ago, after helping on a neighboring farm, he found himself a home and a family in every sense that matters. He was accepted with open arms, and he's still learning and adjusting to the real world.
When he meets May Shipley's best friend Lark, he's immediately taken with her. But he holds his feelings close to his chest and she walks right out of his life again into terrifying circumstances that will change her terribly. The once adventurous, brave girl has returned with a heavy burden and painful memories. She's holding the pieces of herself together by a thin thread. Smiling, while inside...she's anything but. She's barely surviving.
I would smile and act normal for as long as it took. Until acting normal seemed normal again, and the dragons in my heart forgot to blow their fire.
Frequent nightmares and fear are chipping away at the person she once was, but she doesn't know how to move on, to recover. Like Zach, she focuses on taking care of others and she doesn't want to upset her parents or the Shipleys by admitting how deeply she had sunk into anxiety. But as you probably know, feelings can't be pushed down in our deepest recesses forever. Sooner or later, they escape more powerful than ever.
Zach was absolutely beautiful in his care for her. In the bunk house they shared, he became her rock. There through every desperate cry in the dark. Willing to be her silent shoulder to lean on. The connection these two had was as real as you can get. They had a lot in common. Both sought out refuge on the Shipley farm after having their lives turned upside down. They were both survivors, but not embittered over their experiences.
When her horrible experience was fully revealed I hurt so much for everything she suffered. She was completely broken by it and not surprisingly so. I really appreciated the fact that Sarina Bowen addressed Lark's issues with honesty and respect. They weren't treated lightly or healed simply because she found a wonderful man who told her everything was all right. Life doesn't work that way. For every victory over her trauma that tormented her, she had to choose to work for it. And Zach was patiently waiting for the day she was free of her ghosts and in a healthy place.
These two had an amazing passion, Zach's lack of sexual experience didn't make him unsure of himself or insensitive to what she needed. And you could feel with every breath he took, his devotion to her, and his desire to make her his.
When I looked into her big-eyed gaze I saw my own desperation reflected back at me. The need we had for each other was bottomless.
I loved this book so much. I feel like both of them grew and became better people together, but also learned to stand on their own two feet and find the courage to make a better life for themselves. My only reasoning for taking off a star was the fact that the book could be slow paced in parts and took me longer than usual to read through. In no way am I saying that it was boring, yet there was something that prevented a fast flow for me. All in all, the story was beautifully written as always, and I really loved the journey Zach and Lark brought me on.
A lot of bitter things happened to you this year, but without them we wouldn’t be sitting right here.”
This is the third installment to the True North series, but can be read as a standalone. A must read!
Beautiful and sassy, Liv Preston constantly has guys falling at her feet. Guys break you though, they use you and spit you out, leaving you a broken mess on the floor. No, Liv is much too smart to let that happen, instead choosing to go down the route of the ultimate female player.
Handsome and arrogant, Noah Travers is the ultimate catch. The star quarterback with a Greek God physique, he's too young and there are way too many girls out there for him to commit to one relationship.
When Liv moves from Atlanta to the tiny town of Franklin to live with her Dad, she has no idea that her life is about to change. The second Noah claps eyes on his new step-sister, its love at first sight. Now all the reformed former player has to do is convince his beautiful, yet broken new step-sister that he's the guy for her. All Liv has to do, is trust her hot as hell new step-brother not to break her.
Can their relationship survive secrets that have been hidden for years though? Can it survive the enemies that seem to lurk around every corner?
Families will be tested, secrets revealed. Will it all be worth it for Forever Love?
Author Bio: As a passionate reader and writer, Jade Whitfield loves nothing more than a good cup of coffee and a sweet romance. A fan of 'Happily Ever After', she believes that everyone should find their own forever love and is committed to telling stories to inspire that.
A fallen hero reborn
Theo Taggart lost everything the night he died. His family, his beautiful Erin, and worst of all, he lost himself. A twisted doctor brought him back from the brink of death, but reprogrammed his identity to serve her will. Rescued by his brothers, he must fight to reclaim the man he was and the life, and love, that were stolen from him.
A love worth fighting for
Erin Argent thought she'd lost Theo forever. When he walked back into her life, it was nothing short of a miracle. Months of torture and conditioning at the hands of Dr. Hope McDonald have done damage to Theo that may never be mended. He has no memory of her or the life they shared. Breaking through to him, and helping him rediscover all he lost, will be the toughest mission she's ever faced. Luckily for Theo, Erin loves a good fight.
Their reunion under siege
Unfortunately, Hope is far from done with Theo Taggart. Obsessed with her prize experiment, she will do anything to get him back. If the only way to finally break him of his past life is to kill Erin and his son, then she's only too happy to oblige…
Theo took the stairs as quickly as he could. He knew where he was going, but he wasn’t going to think about it. For the first time since he’d gotten home, he didn’t care about his past or figuring out who he’d been. He wanted. He wanted something right now and that felt good.
She’d been right. There wasn’t a place for guilt here.
He strode up the stairs, her weight comforting in his arms. Yeah, he wasn’t going to think about that either. He was going to enjoy it, not wonder why his body remembered her when his mind would not.
“Hey, is everything okay?”
Damn it. Case was standing at the top of the stairs, obviously having come out of the privacy rooms. His wife was at his side, her face flushed. Mia had sex hair. Good for them. Red was about to have sex hair, too. Lots of filthy sex hair. “Everything’s great. Night.”
Case put a hand on his shoulder. “Whoa. I thought you were going to take this slow, brother.”
“If you don’t get your hand off him right this second, Taggart, I am going to ensure that you never have children,” Red said, her eyes narrowing on his brother. “You won’t be able to cock block anyone because you won’t have a damn cock. Am I clear?”
Case’s hands came up immediately as though he knew that tone and was not going there. “Trying to help.”
“Three is clean and has plenty of condoms. We’re taking a monitor turn up here. I checked all the rooms.” Mia grinned at him. She actually was helpful. “Have fun and we’ll see you at home.”
He didn’t bother to look back. Case could give him a lecture later. He wasn’t waiting anymore. He’d waited forever. Even when he couldn’t remember her face, he’d known she was there. He’d felt her, or rather he’d felt her absence.
Could he truly be with a woman whose name he couldn’t think without hurting her?
It didn’t matter. He wasn’t making those decisions tonight. He was enjoying her. His sub. He was bringing her pleasure and he probably should do a good job of it because his sub was fucking mean.
And fragile. He’d seen the moment she’d thought he was rejecting her. He’d watch her skin flush and her body start to turn in on itself. She was such a mix of strength and need. It was intoxicating. He wanted so badly to be the man who gave her what she needed.
Affection. Pleasure. Comfort.
Love—he wasn’t thinking that word tonight. Nope. Pleasure was way better.
He kicked out lightly at the partially open door number three. It looked like Mia had done her job. The room was perfectly clean, the lighting soft and romantic. The best thing about this room though was the complete lack of any of his friends or family being here.
It was him and her, and that was exactly what he wanted. No Ian. No Li. No Kai asking them hundreds of questions. Him and her and the night.
He tossed her on the bed and stood back, looking down at her. “Tell me why you thought I was rejecting you.”
The instant she hit the bed, she was up on her knees. So graceful. So deadly. What the hell was this woman like out in the field? She moved like a predator, but the look on her face was pure sarcasm. “Uhm, your words. That’s what sealed it for me. ‘I don’t want to do this’ is generally considered a rejection.”
Somehow she managed to put an unsaid “dumbass” on the end of her sentences. Not all of them. She’d been perfectly sweet most of the night, but she could turn it on when she wanted to. “I didn’t mean that. When I said the words, I watched you change. Why? You’re good at slapping people down. I wouldn’t have said that until today.”
“Because I’ve been careful around you,” she admitted.
“Why? You think I’m delicate?”
Her lips curled up. “I don’t think you’re delicate. I think I’m a lot to take, but I also am starting to believe I was wrong. You like me rough.”
“I like you a lot.” More than he could ever tell her.
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Claire Fortune arrives in Boston with an old notebook and her best friend’s dying wish – to finish the scribbled bucket list that Hope didn’t have time to complete. Moment by moment, Claire builds a life she never dreamed of – until Theo walks into the coffee-shop one crisp September afternoon, and her careful plans scatter on the winds.
Sometimes a chance meeting can change a life forever.
Sometimes fate knows exactly what we need.
Perfect for fans of ‘Me Before You’ and ‘The Fault in Our Stars’, ‘The Promise’ brings together two people searching for a love that can overcome tragedy. A heartbreakingly romantic novel that challenges us to live – and love - every day as if it were our last.
Author Information
Hi! I’m Melody Grace, author of the bestselling Beachwood Bay series. Some things about me:
1 I’m a small-town girl turned California beach lover.
2 I spent my childhood with my nose in a book before deciding to try and write one myself. I love all kinds of genres – from thrillers to YA and mystery – but romance has always been a passion of mine.
3 I love pistachio ice-cream, vanilla lattes, bad action movies, and Grey’s Anatomy (yes, I’m still watching… I can’t quit!).
4 I have an uncanny sense of direction. I once drove halfway across Canada without GPS or a map!
5 I have two adorable rascal cats named Bucky and Steve, I rescued them as kittens, and yes, I spoil them rotten.
6 I’m allergic to chocolate 🙁
7 I love sexy, heart-felt reads with strong heroines and swoon-worthy men. Why don’t you check out a couple of my books and meet your new book boyfriends?
Make a deal with the devil and you might get what you want, but will it be what you need?
Jennifer Sylvester wants one thing, and that one thing is NOT to be Tennessee’s reigning Banana Cake Queen. Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates. Jennifer is officially desperate.
And desperate times call for Cletus Winston.
Cletus Winston is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery covered in conundrum sauce, and now he’s in a pickle. Despite being convinced of his own omniscience, extortion by the exalted Banana Cake Queen of Green Valley has taken him completely by surprise. So... what’s a maniacal mastermind to do?
Likely, the last thing you expect.
'Beard Science' is the third book in the Winston Brothers series, is a full-length romantic comedy novel, and can be read as a standalone.
By now everyone knows how obsessed I am with Penny Reid's books. You're probably sick of hearing me talk about all of the books I've read and loved. So it will not come as much of a surprise that I fell hard for her latest addition to the Winston series. Going in, I will admit that though I was looking forward to reading this, I wasn't quite as excited as most. I know this will make me a bit of an outcast for saying this but...
wait for it...
Cletus was not my favorite brother. You read that right, I'm not kidding. Yes, I found Cletus to be funny, but it was always Billy who fascinated me the most. Maybe it's the fact that I want to get to the bottom of his history with the woman who has him in such turmoil. Or maybe it's his evident longing and heartache that I want to see assuaged. Regardless, I started this book knowing I would get something worthwhile, but Penny has really outdone herself. Cletus is one of the quirkiest and diabolically genius characters I've come across, and he completely won me over. His unique idioms and personal standards to live by were absolutely hilarious. Ones such as this:
"I only had time for twenty-four people (tops) in my life, and I already had six siblings. Twenty-four people was an average of two birthdays a month. Ain’t nobody got time for more than two birthday celebrations a month."
He's so unapologetically wicked and shameless.
I don’t like to judge people. I love it. Writing people completely off was liberating.
He's also stealthy and devious-in a good way. Up until this point I didn't know it could be a good thing, but underneath his wily ways is a heart of gold. Cletus is one of those people who can quietly plot a revolution or maneuver people like chess pieces and no one suspects a thing. Well, with the exception of his family. They've been controlled unwittingly by his machinations one too many times to not take notice. And that is what Cletus is all about. Always enigmatic, looking at life in an objective way.
...he was always in control of himself, never losing his temper, never displaying anything but premeditated emotion. Control was his comfort zone.
So when Jennifer Sylvester comes to him with a shocking request, and demolishes all of his preconceived notions of her, he's suddenly lost. How could this quiet, unassuming girl have this kind of fire inside of her? How could he have missed it? From the outside, she's the girl who is to be pitied. Controlled and manipulated by her parents, she's easily dismissed as someone not worth his time. I myself didn't understand her at first. I couldn't explain her loyalty and obedience to the two people who cut her down and make her feel worthless. But as Cletus unraveled her secret desires, and her hidden depths, I did as well. I began to not only root for her to come out of her shell and find independence, but discover the self worth that was damaged. And it was a beautiful process, seeing her grow in strength, all while Cletus adjusts to his unexpected feelings for her.
I loved her both rationally and irrationally. And I wanted her with a ferocity that had kept me awake at night and tortured during the day.
*swoony sigh*
I don't think there was anything I didn't love about this story. Without a doubt, it's one of Penny's best books to date. Beard Science is an intelligently written book with everything you could ask for in a romance. Richly developed characters, a layered storyline, laugh out loud humor, and passionate, achy love. Even if you haven't read any in this series yet, don't miss out. These are all standalones and can be read independently. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. You're going to want to acquaint yourself with these The Winston Brothers, they're not to be missed.
