The Recommended Reading Order for the Winston Brothers
Step into Green Valley, Tennessee, a fictional small town filled with bearded auto mechanics, local conspiracies, biker clubs, and plenty of heart. Author Penny Reid launched the Winston Brothers series in 2015 as a spin-off of her popular Knitting in the City series. While each novel is structured as a standalone contemporary romance focusing on a different sibling, the family dramas, local mysteries, and character arcs build on one another. To avoid spoilers and enjoy the natural progression of the town's dynamics, we highly recommend following the chronological reading order, which incorporates the essential companion novellas.
Here is the recommended reading path to get the absolute most out of Green Valley:
- Book 0.5: Beauty and the Mustache (2014) – While technically Book 4 of the Knitting in the City series, this is where we first meet the Winston siblings. It focuses on the brothers' sister, Ashley Winston, and her romance with Drew Runous. Reading this first provides the perfect introduction to the family dynamics and set the stage for the spin-off.
- Book 1: Truth or Beard (2015) – The official launch of the series follows Duane Winston and Jessica James in a steamy, mistaken-identity, childhood-crush-to-lovers story.
- Book 2: Grin and Beard It (2016) – A delightful opposites-attract romance pairing Jethro Winston, a park ranger with a complicated past, and Sienna Diaz, a famous Hollywood actress who gets lost in the Tennessee mountains.
- Book 3: Beard Science (2016) – The fan-favorite Cletus Winston, known for his mischievous scheming and love of banana cake, meets his match in Jennifer Sylvester, the local Banana Cake Queen who blackmails him into helping her gain independence.
- Book 3.5: Beard in Waiting (2016) – A holiday-themed short story featuring Billy Winston and Scarlet St. Claire, which acts as a bridge between the third and fourth novels.
- Book 4: Beard in Mind (2017) – Beau Winston, Duane's charismatic twin, deals with his intense attraction to Shelly Sullivan, a brilliant but prickly new mechanic at the shop who is secretly battling obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Book 4.5: Beard in Hiding (2021) – A companion novella focusing on the romance between Diane Donner (Jennifer's mother) and Jason "Repo" Doe, a finance specialist tied to the local motorcycle club.
- Book 5: Dr. Strange Beard (2018) – Roscoe Winston, the youngest brother and a local veterinarian with an memory block, fights for a second chance with his childhood best friend, Simone Payton.
- Book 6: Beard with Me (2019) – A prequel novel that dives deep into the teenage years of Billy Winston and Scarlet St. Claire. Unlike the other books, this is a tragic, emotional origin story that sets up their eventual adult reunion.
- Book 7: Beard Necessities (2019) – The grand finale of the main series picks up where Book 6 left off years later, bringing Billy and Scarlet back together as adults for their hard-won happy ending.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For the main novels, the publication order and chronological order are identical. However, the timeline gets interesting with the novellas and the final two books. Beard in Waiting was originally released as a short scene in December 2016 before being expanded into an audiobook in 2019. It fits chronologically between Books 3 and 4, giving readers a valuable glimpse into the background tension of the series.
The most important sequencing decision involves Beard with Me (Book 6) and Beard Necessities (Book 7). Because Beard with Me is a flashback detailing Billy and Scarlet's teenage years and contains an emotional cliffhanger, it must be read immediately before Beard Necessities to appreciate the depth of their decades-long romance. Reading Beard Necessities without the context of Book 6 will significantly lessen the emotional impact of their reconciliation.
Understanding the Green Valley Universe Spin-offs
Penny Reid's Green Valley has grown far beyond the original eight Winston family books. If you fall in love with the town and its quirky inhabitants, there are several official spin-off series and imprints to explore:
Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries
For readers who cannot get enough of Cletus Winston and Jennifer Sylvester, this cozy mystery spin-off series follows the couple as they solve local crimes in Green Valley. Key books in this series include Engagement and Espionage, Marriage and Murder, and Home and Heist. It is best to read these after finishing the main Winston Brothers series, specifically starting after Beard Science (Book 3).
Good Folk: Modern Folktales
This companion series focuses on other colorful residents of Green Valley. Key titles in the line-up include the prequel Just Folking Around, followed by Totally Folked, Folk Around and Find Out, and All Folked Up. These books expand on the local lore, introducing new couples while letting beloved Winston family members make cameo appearances.
Smartypants Romance Imprint
In 2019, Penny Reid launched the Smartypants Romance imprint, a collaborative universe where indie authors write authorized romance novels set in the Green Valley universe. This imprint features dozens of books, offering fans an almost endless supply of small-town Tennessee romance.
What to Know Before You Start
The Winston Brothers series is celebrated for its mix of southern charm, witty banter, and deep, often heavy emotional themes. While the books are filled with humor and quirky small-town activities, Penny Reid does not shy away from serious issues, including mental health struggles, toxic family dynamics, organized crime, and grief. Reading the books in order allows you to see the brothers grow from protective, isolated siblings into emotionally mature partners who support one another through life's hardest challenges.
If you are looking for a place to test the waters, Truth or Beard is the natural starting point, but many fans also recommend Beauty and the Mustache as a great prologue to understand where the family's journey begins.