coffee addict books: Blog Tour {ARC Review + Giveaway}: Grin & Beard It by Penny Reid

Title: Grin and Beard It
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Winston Brothers #2
Genre: contemporary romance

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?

FLO'S REVIEW

Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 **ranger rides** STARS

“She’d stolen my breath, robbed me of thought and sense. She was a master thief, and I loved her for it.”

Yes, yes, yes...this book was all I have been waiting for. Sweet, hilarious, smart, heartwarming and on top such adorable characters. A win from start to finish. That was hell of a escapism-reading-Saturday. Thank you Ms. Reid. I needed that.

Grin and Beard It is the second instalment in the Winston Brothers series and it tells the story of Sienna and Jethro. The Hollywood actress and the wildlife Park Ranger from Tennessee. Hilarity ensues. ;)

“You’re a movie star. A celebrity with millions of fans.”

“And you’re a wildlife ranger who traps giant, dangerous black bears for a living and acts like it’s no big deal. Tell me that doesn’t sound like a heaping helping of crazy, with bizarre gravy, and a slice of mashed loco for Cocoa Puffs.”

There are some books that just hook you right from the start. This one falls right in the category. Sienna Diaz, actress, comedian, writer and all around Hollywood-Sweetheart is in need for a break and on her quest for a timeout Sienna gets lost in the Tennessee mountains.

Cue in the meet cute...

Jethro Winston, oldest brother of the Winston Clan, redeemed car thief and devoted Park Ranger stumbles upon the directionally challenged damsel in distress and rescues her. Flirting and cases of mistaken/non disclosed identity ensue.

“When an opportunity presents itself, and you have a choice of either living life—risky as it might be—or continuing to do what’s expected . . .You have to grab that regal centaur by the mane and ride it over the rainbow of opportunity.” We finished together, “Or else it might mistake you for a unicorn and try to impregnate you.”

What can I say about these characters? First and foremost, they are adorable. I keep using the word ‘adorable’, but it just hits the nail on the head. Sienna is a very independent, smart and especially confident person. As an A-List actress who happens to be plus sized she has developed a thick skin and a assertiveness that shines above all the celebrity BS. She is truly a remarkable character, a wonderful human being despite being surrounded by soulless human look alikes and she has mad flirting skills. I fell in love with her after only reading 2 pages. No regrets, neither has Jethro.

Jethro is the black-sheep in the family. Five years ago, after some really devastating developments in his life he had decided to walk the straight and narrow path. Go to school, become a Park Ranger and swear off women until the right one comes along. He is the epitome of the bad-boy who turned his life around. If ever there was a swoon-worthy-nice-guy I had to put on my shelf, he would be it. A heart of gold and he also happens to be a capable handsome guy, not even Sienna knew they existed. *wink wink*

All in all, Grin and Beard It was a slow burning mountain escape, with hot mountain guys and beards. Also, Cletus. Just like all the other books that involve the Winston brothers, Cletus is MVP. Matchmaking, scheming and slightly unconventional; I am more than happy to read his book next. Just sayin'.

Most of you who follow my reviews know that Penny Reid can do no wrong in my book, but really this is a good one. Three dimensional characters, laugh out loud humour and a beautiful love-story. Do yourself a favour if you never read her books before, start picking them up.

That's all. Thank you for your time.

“I don’t think I knew what beauty was, until I met you.”

**ARC very kindly provided for the Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

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Giveaway

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Books by Penny Reid, Flo has read:

(click cover for amazon link - reviews below)