Beards
It’s the 1990s and Roni, Gina, Steven, and Early decide the most logical way they can live happily as a family is through a dual bearded arrangement. They buy a large home and become the supportive family none of them ever had. It’s everything they could have dreamed…until life happened.
Relatives. Children. Careers. And, through the years, a society that gradually starts to become more accepting of homosexuality.
How does a family that is based in secrecy stay together when the freedom to be who they really are is at their fingertips?
Can they even stay together?
Great romance and social commentary
First, Ms. Bishop has created a story with believable characters that I just couldn't get enough of! I kept wanting to know what happened next. I loved the relationships both romantic and platonic. These were a group of people who truly cared about each other. Second, I think I got a taste of what it meant to not be straight during the 90s. How seemingly nice "friends" could be judgemental and the consistent messages sent which led these characters to make some pretty drastic choices. A very good read. Oh and did I mention the fun pop culture references!
Wonderful read
Beards was a lovely read, engaging, thoughtful, and entertaining. Insightful perspective of how societal changes impacted the life of this family. It was highly readable. I had a hard time putting it down.
Wonderful read
Beards was a lovely read, engaging, thoughtful, and entertaining. Insightful perspective of how societal changes impacted the life of this family. It was highly readable. I had a hard time putting it down.
Worthwhile read!
This book was great! The characters were well developed, quirky and completely relateable. It only took me 3 days to read the book because the plot line drew me in and I couldn’t wait to see how the story would end. I highly recommend!
A very unique story with an excellent mixture of humor and drama. I agree with the reviews I read on Amazon regarding the portrayal of society's view of homosexuality and how it must have affected this family during the course of 25 years. Oh, and I love the cover. It almost detoured me from reading it, but mid-way through it made complete sense.
I highly recommend this book. The characters are entertaining yet authentic and the dialogue is delightful. Plus, it's a great love story! Who doesn't love a great love story?!
Tell me a story...
Sometimes you just want to read a GOOD STORY. This book is it! Great characters, engaging story line juxtaposed against the present day 'modern sensibilities'. It's a great read, easy and fun - great humor to balance out the drama. I can't wait to see what Serena comes out with next!
Great story. It grabs you right away.
Great story. It grabs you right away, and carries you all the way through. I am on my second time reading the book, and am just as pulled in as the first time.
I decide on books by repeatedly reading on their synopsis, it is the same with Bishop’s Beards. I thought I knew what to expect, but I was in for a pleasant surprise. Beards is an amalgam of funny dialogues, complex human relationships, good plot and a story well told. This book is beyond my expectations and I love to read more works by this author!
In Bishop's breakout novel, she does an admirable job in developing complex, witty characters you can't help but become quickly invested in. I found myself rooting for these individuals and the unique family they formed. Bishop has crafted a story that displays the perfect balance of drama and romance while simultaneously providing an important social commentary on the difficulties of life as a homosexual in the 1990's.
Wonderful story! Emotional and entertaining, it brings some of the most common relationship hiccups and debacles to life in an understandable and hilarious way. The characters have so much personality it's hard not to get invested in their lives. Great job Serena - can't wait for the next book!