Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Cipher-Naught (2015), 370 pages
Description
Falling for the wrong twin never felt so good... From the NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, & USA TODAY bestselling series Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my! Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why perpetually level-headed Jessica James has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can't stand him, and she's pretty sure he can't stand the sight of her... But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane's disdain; therefore she's unprepared for the reality that is Duane's insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. When Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to ris… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member AzureStrawberry
3,5*
Penny Reid is a new author for me. I've recently read her series Elements of Chemistry and I found it delightful even if it is a NA book... a genre that, lately, doesn't leave me with much more than boredom. Anyway, I had high expectations for this adult book that tells the love story of two
The ability of this author to create fully credible characters is undeniable, they are fictional people the reader can love and relate to. More so for the Winston family of six brothers (and only one sister, who is the MC in Beauty and the Mustache, the fourth book in another adult series called "Knitting in the City") which are described with definite and unique traits (besides having a beard) that perfectly define each one of them and make you wish for their own story. Unfortunately, apart for the brothers, I never fell for the couple at the center of the novel.
P.s. Yes girls!! Here we have bearded, muscled, handsome men on the go!
Penny Reid is a new author for me. I've recently read her series Elements of Chemistry and I found it delightful even if it is a NA book... a genre that, lately, doesn't leave me with much more than boredom. Anyway, I had high expectations for this adult book that tells the love story of two
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people who have known each other from infancy and, now that they are grown ups, discover their feelings run much deeper than simple friendship. However, old dreams and new expectations get in the way of their happy ending and they have to work a bit (in the meantime destroing race cars, getting inheritance and so on) to uncomplicate things.The ability of this author to create fully credible characters is undeniable, they are fictional people the reader can love and relate to. More so for the Winston family of six brothers (and only one sister, who is the MC in Beauty and the Mustache, the fourth book in another adult series called "Knitting in the City") which are described with definite and unique traits (besides having a beard) that perfectly define each one of them and make you wish for their own story. Unfortunately, apart for the brothers, I never fell for the couple at the center of the novel.
P.s. Yes girls!! Here we have bearded, muscled, handsome men on the go!
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LibraryThing member hellonicole
**spoiler alert** This ... I ... *sigh*
The story started with a bang, so much so that I immediately put my Kindle down and author-stalked Penny Reid because I just KNEW she was going to be my new favorite author.
Jessica James sees Beau Winston coming her way, they end up hot and heavy backstage,
And then the repetition started. Jessica wants to get hot and heavy, Duane wants to court her all nice and slow. Should be romantic right? Alas, it became super tedious. It also made me wonder just how made for each other the two really were. They continually want different things. Jessica wants to travel, Duane wants to settle in.
I don't know. By the end, even with the anti-climatic biker bar scene, I found myself struggling not to skim. In the end I wasn't a fan of Jessica's, and the writing that had started off with a bang fizzled out.
3 stars because of potential and because despite the flaws, it didn't make me rage!delete the book from my Kindle. And I'm totally willing to give Reid's writing another chance.
The story started with a bang, so much so that I immediately put my Kindle down and author-stalked Penny Reid because I just KNEW she was going to be my new favorite author.
Jessica James sees Beau Winston coming her way, they end up hot and heavy backstage,
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and surprise, it's actually Beau's twin brother Duane. There's also some stuff about Sexy Gandolf, Catastrophic Engine Failure, and the like that had me convinced I was going to love this book.And then the repetition started. Jessica wants to get hot and heavy, Duane wants to court her all nice and slow. Should be romantic right? Alas, it became super tedious. It also made me wonder just how made for each other the two really were. They continually want different things. Jessica wants to travel, Duane wants to settle in.
I don't know. By the end, even with the anti-climatic biker bar scene, I found myself struggling not to skim. In the end I wasn't a fan of Jessica's, and the writing that had started off with a bang fizzled out.
3 stars because of potential and because despite the flaws, it didn't make me rage!delete the book from my Kindle. And I'm totally willing to give Reid's writing another chance.
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LibraryThing member BooksForTheLiving
I admit... the only reason I first added this to my to-read list was because I loved the book cover design. In the end it was a good read for summer, and the brothers made me laugh.
LibraryThing member MickyFine
Jessica James has moved back to her small home town in Tennessee after college to teach at the local high school. Her goal is to pay off her student loans and save enough in the next two to three years to finally pursue her dream of traveling the world. What Jessica did not expect was to fall hard
Sadly, despite the utterly adorable cover on this self-published romance, the content failed to deliver. The book obviously suffers from the lack of an editor and the plot feels a bit too long and slightly convoluted. There are also some rather "quirky" turns of phrase that a good editor would have likely had the author replace (for example, using "sex cartwheels" to describe a relatively run-of-the-mill romance novel sex scene was just odd). Not recommended and I definitely won't be picking up any of the author's other novels.
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for Duane who drove her crazy as a kid and teen and has grown up into a truly enticing hunk of man.Sadly, despite the utterly adorable cover on this self-published romance, the content failed to deliver. The book obviously suffers from the lack of an editor and the plot feels a bit too long and slightly convoluted. There are also some rather "quirky" turns of phrase that a good editor would have likely had the author replace (for example, using "sex cartwheels" to describe a relatively run-of-the-mill romance novel sex scene was just odd). Not recommended and I definitely won't be picking up any of the author's other novels.
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LibraryThing member Pepperwings
It's more between 3 and 4, but better than a 3.
A tale of intrigue, biker gangs, and fairly traditional men in Tennessee, this story was not what I expected. I enjoyed it, I didn't expect the directions it took, and it was a bit steamy in places, but that wasn't the main thrust of the story. I'm on
A tale of intrigue, biker gangs, and fairly traditional men in Tennessee, this story was not what I expected. I enjoyed it, I didn't expect the directions it took, and it was a bit steamy in places, but that wasn't the main thrust of the story. I'm on
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the fence about whether I'll read more in the series, but it was fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member rabidgummibear
Okay I won't be a liar and say I wasn't immediately drawn to this book because of a bearded dude. It's my weakness as far as hotness.
This is such a cute friggin romance! I found myself completely hooked. To the point that I now have to go read other Penny Reid books.
Her writing is totally just on
Also good old southern boys have me swooning with this series!
This is such a cute friggin romance! I found myself completely hooked. To the point that I now have to go read other Penny Reid books.
Her writing is totally just on
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point for a romance with all the points needed. A few spots could have been developed with the biker gang, but I'm hopeful it continues in the next book.Also good old southern boys have me swooning with this series!
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LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
My friend Jessica said I had to read this. It was a must. Now years later I have finally gotten to it, and I wonder, why is this book so popular. I must admit, I did enjoy it. I listened to it on a long car ride across states. It was interesting enough to keep it playing. But it was so predictable
First off, I wonder if the author did any fact checking because things don't add up right to me. The catalyst for much of the action is a truck with “catastrophic engine failure” but at one point they state that it was a broken timing belt. That is not catastrophic. Plus the damsel in distress should have have some signs that this catastrophe was coming. That one bugged me all the way through. Plus what teacher can pay off all their student loans and save up enough to travel the world in two years. Especially a teacher in a small town down south where educational salaries are known to be dismal. There were a few others that at this moment in time I am forgetting.
This book was nice for a brainless listen, but great literature it is not. However, for escapism reading it works. I might even listen to the next one on my next road trip.
#Readharder
#NancyDrewChallenge
#KillYourTBR
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and full of cliches. I rolled my eyes at least once an hour. And my guy listening in the car with me had much the same reaction. First off, I wonder if the author did any fact checking because things don't add up right to me. The catalyst for much of the action is a truck with “catastrophic engine failure” but at one point they state that it was a broken timing belt. That is not catastrophic. Plus the damsel in distress should have have some signs that this catastrophe was coming. That one bugged me all the way through. Plus what teacher can pay off all their student loans and save up enough to travel the world in two years. Especially a teacher in a small town down south where educational salaries are known to be dismal. There were a few others that at this moment in time I am forgetting.
This book was nice for a brainless listen, but great literature it is not. However, for escapism reading it works. I might even listen to the next one on my next road trip.
#Readharder
#NancyDrewChallenge
#KillYourTBR
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LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Duane Winston has been in love with Jessica James for most of his life, but she idolizes his identical twin brother Beau. When she mistakes him for his twin, he takes the opportunity to make her see him instead. He's determined to marry her and settle down in Green Valley, Tennessee, but she's
I just finished the Knitting in the City series and loved it. Ashley, one of the knitters, is the sister of the Winston brothers and we met them all in her book. So it was only natural to move into this series. Duane isn't my favorite brother and I thought Jessica was immature, but they do both grow up during the course of the book and learn to finally communicate. Despite their initial mistaken groping in the community hall, this is a slow burn romance as Duane wants to prove his feelings for Jess.
It's a good start to the series.
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always planned to travel. Throw in some bikers, a crazy ex-girlfriend, and stolen cars, and you have a funny and touching story.I just finished the Knitting in the City series and loved it. Ashley, one of the knitters, is the sister of the Winston brothers and we met them all in her book. So it was only natural to move into this series. Duane isn't my favorite brother and I thought Jessica was immature, but they do both grow up during the course of the book and learn to finally communicate. Despite their initial mistaken groping in the community hall, this is a slow burn romance as Duane wants to prove his feelings for Jess.
It's a good start to the series.
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LibraryThing member moxamoll
Truth or Beard, by Penny Reid, is a book that I picked up because of the title, to be honest. It's been languishing on my ereader for ages and last night, unable to sleep, I decided it seemed like a good one to start. The first chapter or two didn't inspire a lot of confidence, but I still couldn't
If you like to read series in order, then don't start here. It looks like you would need to read at least Beauty and the Mustache, if not the whole Knitting in the City Series, to be completely "in the know". However, I found that although it was evident that there were earlier events being referenced, I didn't feel like I was missing anything that would really contribute to this story.
I laughed a lot through this reading - or at least chuckled under my breath, trying not to wake up my partner. Despite all the self-styled hill-billies running around, the humour was a bit dark and a little intellectual at times, just my favourite. There was just enough drama to keep the plot moving and I could have applauded when Jess chose to act like a grown-up and sidestep the opportunity to have drama for drama's sake.
This will definitely be a book that I re-read, if nothing else but to experience it in a more lucid state of mind, but I don't think that will change my mind about enjoying it. I've giving it four stars on Goodreads, but I feel like I might upgrade that to five later. I will definitely be adding more works by this author to my TBR.
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get back to sleep so I persevered. And I'm glad I did, because I didn't get any more sleep, but I did end up getting sucked in and finishing the book.If you like to read series in order, then don't start here. It looks like you would need to read at least Beauty and the Mustache, if not the whole Knitting in the City Series, to be completely "in the know". However, I found that although it was evident that there were earlier events being referenced, I didn't feel like I was missing anything that would really contribute to this story.
I laughed a lot through this reading - or at least chuckled under my breath, trying not to wake up my partner. Despite all the self-styled hill-billies running around, the humour was a bit dark and a little intellectual at times, just my favourite. There was just enough drama to keep the plot moving and I could have applauded when Jess chose to act like a grown-up and sidestep the opportunity to have drama for drama's sake.
This will definitely be a book that I re-read, if nothing else but to experience it in a more lucid state of mind, but I don't think that will change my mind about enjoying it. I've giving it four stars on Goodreads, but I feel like I might upgrade that to five later. I will definitely be adding more works by this author to my TBR.
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LibraryThing member karenhulseman
Truth is always the hardest to say and hardest to hear. Duane and Jessica don't start out on the right foot. Since childhood, the characters are at odds with one another. Yet, through all their pranks there is a very huge case of unrequited love on one side and other a huge case of annoyance.
"I
Penny Reid really touched me with Duane and Jessica's love story. The reader is once again immersed into the Winston Family; all the brothers make an appearance to dole out their helpfulness as only they can. Ms. Reid again takes a storyline, childhood unrequited love, and turns it on it's very funny ear. Both main characters are lovable and relatable. I cheered them equally on to their HEA. The journey to HEA was pitfalls of being truthful. Duane and Jessica both are equal believers in honesty. This leads to difficult conversation and unexpected reactions. But never over the top or seemingly over reactionary in the execution to move the story along. I found as the reader rooting for each side to persuade the other to really listen, a perfect balance of fumbles by both parties.
Although this book could stand alone as Ms Reid does give ample background to the main and peripheral characters, I do hardly recommend the first book in the series, Beauty and the Mustache, to be read first. If you aren't familiar with Penny Reid's writing, she weaves a funny, always believable HEA story. Perfect blend of a smile on your face romance you may need for your day.
"I
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was always running after her, but this time I wasn't going to let her get away." Penny Reid really touched me with Duane and Jessica's love story. The reader is once again immersed into the Winston Family; all the brothers make an appearance to dole out their helpfulness as only they can. Ms. Reid again takes a storyline, childhood unrequited love, and turns it on it's very funny ear. Both main characters are lovable and relatable. I cheered them equally on to their HEA. The journey to HEA was pitfalls of being truthful. Duane and Jessica both are equal believers in honesty. This leads to difficult conversation and unexpected reactions. But never over the top or seemingly over reactionary in the execution to move the story along. I found as the reader rooting for each side to persuade the other to really listen, a perfect balance of fumbles by both parties.
Although this book could stand alone as Ms Reid does give ample background to the main and peripheral characters, I do hardly recommend the first book in the series, Beauty and the Mustache, to be read first. If you aren't familiar with Penny Reid's writing, she weaves a funny, always believable HEA story. Perfect blend of a smile on your face romance you may need for your day.
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LibraryThing member TheYodamom
The Winston Brothers = Swooning moments
Six red hot brothers, the Winston boys are the men everywoman wants living in her town. This Duane's story. He's tall sexy, honest, hard working, a mechanic, a car racer, and has a red beard. I have a thing for tall sexy and mechanical, with his added
Jessica grew up with the Winston boys. Duane was the thorn in her side the rock in her shoe the one who did all the dirty ticks on her. Beau was the kind one the friend the one who was always there. When she came back to town after college she had dreams of romance with Beau, and when he dragged her off into a secluded area she jumped him and did all kinds of things she dreamed of for years. Too bad, it wasn't Beau she dragged off.
I'm not spilling anymore of the story. It's funny, sweet romantic, fantastic characters, great lines, smoking sexy moments, and just enough conflict to make me stay up all night reading. I already bought book 2 before I even finished this one.
Six red hot brothers, the Winston boys are the men everywoman wants living in her town. This Duane's story. He's tall sexy, honest, hard working, a mechanic, a car racer, and has a red beard. I have a thing for tall sexy and mechanical, with his added
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sensitive, honest, big hearted moves and I was a goner. Oh and he's an identical twin, his brother Beau is a bit of a player. His other brothers are as different as can be all smoking hot in different ways.Jessica grew up with the Winston boys. Duane was the thorn in her side the rock in her shoe the one who did all the dirty ticks on her. Beau was the kind one the friend the one who was always there. When she came back to town after college she had dreams of romance with Beau, and when he dragged her off into a secluded area she jumped him and did all kinds of things she dreamed of for years. Too bad, it wasn't Beau she dragged off.
I'm not spilling anymore of the story. It's funny, sweet romantic, fantastic characters, great lines, smoking sexy moments, and just enough conflict to make me stay up all night reading. I already bought book 2 before I even finished this one.
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LibraryThing member JulesGDSide
Funny, sexy and lots of beards.
LibraryThing member DianaTixierHerald
This is definitely not your traditional romance. When Jessica returns to her small Tennessee town as the new high school calculus teacher, she thinks she has run into Beau, her long time crush, but it turns out the guy she was kissing (and groping) is actually her crush's identical twin brother,
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Duane, her lifelong nemesis. Jessica is not looking for a serious relationship. Her dream is to travel to distant lands...as soon as she pays off her college loans. Cars, bikers, and pie all figure into this delightfully sexy laugh-out-loud romp. Show Less
LibraryThing member AKBouterse
This was fun and kind of crazy! A lot happened in a very short time in this book. I didn't read anything about this book before I read it. I picked it up because I had seen it around as a popular romance and assumed from the cover it would be a small town romance, which it with a ton more added in.
I liked the relationship between Duane and Jessica. At first, I was unsure about it because it seemed like it was moving a bit quickly (and not just because of the opening Halloween scene). Jess and Duane knew each other as children and sometimes that plot line makes me feel left behind because so much of the relationship development happened before the story even started. However, once their relationship really started in this book, it was pretty slow burn. I appreciated this because it meant that the story didn't rely solely on the relationship they already had as children.
The plot of this book was much more than I was expecting. This book was longer compared to some romance so I thought the pacing was pretty okay even though there were so many turns, but it definitely felt like some plot lines were left hanging a bit. We find out halfway through the book that the person Jess thought was her aunt was actually her birth mother and it became pretty clear that her birth father is a member of the motorcycle club that is also blackmailing Duane and his twin Beau into running their chop shop. Then there's also the fact that Winston brother's father was a member of that club and was abusive. I was not expecting this book to have so much plot. This isn't a complaint exactly. I like plot heavy romances and like I said, the pacing here is pretty good. The only thing that made me pause is the fact that this book starts on Halloween and all but the last chapter finish by Thanksgiving so all the plot threads of this book happen in less than a month which makes everything slightly more unrealistic.
There were a few other things I really liked about this book. I found some parts of this to be genuinely quite funny. This book definitely had a more humorous tone and at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it but I grew to really enjoy the style of writing. I also really liked all the side characters. I absolutely want to read the other books in this series because I was really charmed by all the brothers in this family and I want to see what happens in their story!
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I liked the relationship between Duane and Jessica. At first, I was unsure about it because it seemed like it was moving a bit quickly (and not just because of the opening Halloween scene). Jess and Duane knew each other as children and sometimes that plot line makes me feel left behind because so much of the relationship development happened before the story even started. However, once their relationship really started in this book, it was pretty slow burn. I appreciated this because it meant that the story didn't rely solely on the relationship they already had as children.
The plot of this book was much more than I was expecting. This book was longer compared to some romance so I thought the pacing was pretty okay even though there were so many turns, but it definitely felt like some plot lines were left hanging a bit.
There were a few other things I really liked about this book. I found some parts of this to be genuinely quite funny. This book definitely had a more humorous tone and at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it but I grew to really enjoy the style of writing. I also really liked all the side characters. I absolutely want to read the other books in this series because I was really charmed by all the brothers in this family and I want to see what happens in their story!
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LibraryThing member bookworm12
I’ve heard about this series for years and finally picked up the first book on vacation. It was fun, predictable, steamy, and silly. It was just what I was in the mood for on a beach vacation. I’m sure I’ll continue the series at some point. I loved the relationship between all of the Winston
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brothers. Jessica was a bit annoying, but the spark between her and Duane made up for that. Cletus was my favorite of the brothers. Show Less
LibraryThing member Madison_Fairbanks
Truth or Beard by Penny Reid
Winston Brothers #1. Contemporary romance. Spin off of a prior series which does. It have to be read to enjoy this book.
Jessica has had a crush on Beau since grade school. A sexy costume and kiss from Duane has Jessica rethinking everything.
Fun twin story as Jessica
Loved the heroine’s bravery of accepting the dare to skinny dip in the cold pond.
This book is the start of a big trend that is recognized mostly by the cross stitch cover which the author created herself.
Winston Brothers #1. Contemporary romance. Spin off of a prior series which does. It have to be read to enjoy this book.
Jessica has had a crush on Beau since grade school. A sexy costume and kiss from Duane has Jessica rethinking everything.
Fun twin story as Jessica
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learns more about the brothers and family. We also learned more about the family of brothers which will lead to the future books. Thought the motorcycle club was a bit heavy handed but that was only a small part of the story. Loved the heroine’s bravery of accepting the dare to skinny dip in the cold pond.
This book is the start of a big trend that is recognized mostly by the cross stitch cover which the author created herself.
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Language
Original publication date
2015-07-21
Local notes
Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life, whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle.