Reviews

Beard Science by Penny Reid

willa_reads_books's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

love the characters and their development

kliddleb's review

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Could not do audiobook 😬

september_red's review

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I really loved the first 65% or so of this book, but then the ending just felt kind of… flat? I was so convinced it was going to be a five star read for me but I felt like everything the book had built to kind of fizzled out with a whimper by the end. There wasn’t really a satisfying ending for anything they’d set up at the beginning of the book.

Also,
this is the first romance I’ve read where they didn’t have actual sex until the epilogue, and that kind of out of place by the end. The momentum was already gone by that point imo.

yodamom's review

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4.0

Cleatus is one sexy big ole bear of a man and deserves his baked goods :P

asmittenreader's review against another edition

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3.0

I listened to this via the Libby app.

Jessica & Cletus 
I liked this story a lot, except I hated the female narrator. I'm so sorry. Her voice was so nasally, and she sounded legit sick. 😭 

The story is excellently written
The jokes are amazingly funny 
The banter is witty & light
The underlying drama with Jessica's parents is riveting
The way Cletus is involved in trying to take down the local M. Gang, it was also exciting to hear about it. 



Jessica is a sheltered, virgin heroine, often misunderstood by the townsfolk. Everyone just knows her as the *Banana Cake Queen*. Her parents don't pay her an hourly wage for her time working at the family bakery. They control her wardrobe, relationships, activities, etc. 

Cletus is one of the many Winston Brothers. He works at the auto shop and is always wheeling & dealing with the townsfolk. He knows everyone's business. 

Jessica catches him doing some dirty business in the police station and blackmails him into teaching her how to date. This is always fun. He ends up helping her break free from the hold that her parents have on her. I enjoyed the way she changed a little at a time to defy her parents & to gain self-control 

Parts I found super enjoyable 

The Deli scene where Jessica tries to order sandwiches & Misses Simmons is being rude. I love how Cletus knocks her down a few pegs. 

When Cletus confronts Jess's dad about his cheating ways.

When Cletus & brothers go to Jess's Moms house to collect a bag for her, they demand the bag be packed WITHOUT a yellow dress or heels. I love that they listened to her likes/dislikes and demanded they also be heard by her Mother. 

During the epilogue when they talk about the acceptable times to use the word "moist", and Jess talks about how her cake is only moist because of the banana inside. omg the innuendos are so amazing.

Again this story is so well written, I just didn't like the narration.

stephshoff88's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

sam_gartley91's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

londibie's review against another edition

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4.5

I love Cletus.  That is all.

lissalou09's review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

limeykiss's review against another edition

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5.0

LOVED this book. Cletus is the best beta hero- he has his shit together, he understands his feelings, and he is so freaking supportive of Jennifer. I love that he supports her and gives her the space to find herself, and recognises when he's trying too hard to control things. Also a great book if you love baking--I've been so inspired by the mentions of various banana and lemon-flavoured delights in this book.