Beauty and the Mustache

On a total Penny Reid binge, I picked up the next book in the Knitting in the City series. I was a bit doubtful when reading the blurb. I'm not big into 'redneck' romances plus I tend to get Ashley mixed up with Marie (so far). But Ms. Reid has not let me down so far.
Ashley returns home to her Smokey Mountain family when her mother becomes ill. She has six brothers (all bearded) who teased her unmercifully in her childhood, one of the reasons she hasn't returned home much. But her mother's diagnosis means Ashley will be staying for a while. She's confused by the constant appearances by another bearded guy, Drew Runous, who is a good friend to her brothers and her mother. He's inserted himself into their lives in a way she doesn't show more understand. She also doesn't like the way he constantly quotes Neitchze to her.
Penny Reid's magic is that she can make a wonderful romance out of two characters who don't seem to fit (on paper) with a story that doesn't seem to fit the romance category. This book is sad and funny and just lovely.
And of course, now I have the Winston brothers (who are all intriguing) series to read after I finish this one. show less

If you like poetry wielding Vikings, then hold on to your horses because this books will make you swoooooooooooon.

This is the story of Ashley, her family, and a deeply sensitive, extremely well-read, gentle man named Drew. As a late discoverer of Reid’s work, I read the Knitting in the City Series out of order. My first Reid book was Truth or Beard, which is a spin-off of Beauty and the Mustache, and tells the story of Ashley’s brother Duane Winston and his lady love. So when I read Ashley’s story, I was already familiar with the Winston family. Whether you read them in order or not, you need to read them all!

The Winston family has my heart. They’ve had their difficult times. Ashley has pretty much been estranged from her show more brothers for the past eight years. She left her small Tennessee town to attend college, and happy to escape her horrible father, and delinquent brothers, she stayed away. Ashley still had a very close relationship with her mother, Bethany. They had frequent visits, and spoke on the phone daily. But when Bethany falls ill, Ashley returns home to figure out what is going on, and ends up staying to take care of her.

Since Ashley had been away from home for so long, and didn’t keep in touch with her brothers, she was astonished, flabbergasted, even confused, to see how much these no-good boys she had known, had grown into responsible men. I loved her interactions with her brothers. For those of you who aren’t familiar, there’s Jethro, Billy, Cletus, the twins Duane & Beau, and Roscoe. (Duane’s book is Truth or Beard, Jethro’s is Grin and Beard it, and Cletus’s is Beard Science - again, READ THEM ALL!!!!). Due to circumstances in the book, we get to see all the brothers together and I loved every minute! If it weren’t for their mother falling ill, I’m not sure Ashley would have spent the time needed to repair her relationships with her brothers. So while it is bittersweet, I’m so happy they had the opportunity.

Now, onto the incredible romance of this romance book. Drew. He is probably the most romantic hero I have ever read about. He recites poetry like it’s his second language. He’s fluent in it, and I could listen to him speak all the live long day. He isn’t an open book, which at times was a bit frustrating, I’ll admit. I just wanted him to open up to Ashley earlier on, or at least be clearer with her in some aspects. There was some miscommunications I think could have been avoided, had the two of them just been more vulnerable with each other. But being vulnerable is difficult. Especially with what these two people had dealt with in their pasts. I don’t blame either one of them for being a bit guarded with their hearts. In that aspect, they felt like very real people to me.

What I love most about Reid’s books, and Beauty and the Mustache is no exception, is that they are smart. The characters in this one quote Nietzsche for goodness sake! I’d heard of the guy, but didn’t know anything about him. This book got me to look him up and in turn made me a smarter person! Also, the heroines in Reid’s books deal with real issues and problems. They are educated and smart, but also funny, vulnerable, and imperfect. Her heroes aren’t perfect either. When everything goes right in a book, or everything is perfect in the end, I have a difficult time relating to those stories. I need my romance books to hold some semblance of reality to keep me coming back. Reid’s books do that for me. Not everything is perfect in Ashely and Drew’s world. The people in their life aren’t perfect. They aren’t perfect. Not everything goes according to plan. But they make it work. They work together. And they try every day to be the best possible version of themselves. Even if they fail sometimes.

Reid has the uncanny ability to make you laugh one second, cry the next, then hit you square between the eyes with some prose that will change your life. This one in particular in Beauty and the Mustache did that for me: “Apathy between family members makes the blood they share turn to water.” I’ll let that sit in now…

While the subject matter is a little heavier than some of the other Knitting in the City books, I still found myself laughing and truly enjoyed every minute of this book. If you are looking for an inspiring, funny, smart, heart-wrenching, sweet, swoony, romance read… Beauty and the Mustache is the one for you. show less

If you haven't started these series stop reading here and get to it. These are the best romcoms, filled with fabulous characters, bits of life wisdom and smexy times. So go get started Kitting in the City and the Winton brothers series. The characters mix and mingle so you will want to read both. :P
I love the redneck bearded Winton brother, adore their sister Ashley but Drew stole my heart away from them all. Drew the reluctant poet who sings, cooks, looks like a viking and he's a man of nature. Where do I get one or two of these ? Holy smokes Ms. Reid you are ruining me, how can I ever love another fictional man after Drew ? You have your work cut out for you !!!
The there are the ladies of the knitting club, and a man or two. Amazing show more women, funny, smart, strong of not but always behind each other. Their friendship is something we should all have in our lives.
The story, this one had a sadness that could have been horrendous to read but it wasn't. The author handled one of the hardest times in life beautifully she had me in tears and smiling at the same time. Death, jerky relations and unspoken feelings, all painful. As in all her books we end with a HEA, phew ! It's a new favorite, I will re-read it. show less

Penny Reid's characters are always extremely appealing. I love every one of the girls in the knitting group. Janie, Elizabeth, Sandra, and now Ashley have all had their stories told and I can't wait for the next one! Ashley was perfect as the only daughter of 7 children who goes back home to Tennessee to tend to her dying mother. We see her at her most vulnerable moments and we see how family and true friendship can keep you going in even the darkest of times. It was beautiful to see her friends rally together in her time of need and to see her begin to bond once again with her brothers. The brothers themselves were a hoot. True southern bearded rednecks who were both adorable and hilarious. Just visualizing a family photo with them all show more surrounding Ashley makes me chuckle. Then, of course, we have our main man Drew. And he is dishy, if that is a word. I wasn't sure I would be attracted to this character because of the whole facial hair theme but Drew was hot. I was able to completely overlook the fuzz.

The plot was engaging. There was the serious side when dealing with Ashley's dying mom and then her deadbeat dad, the romantic relationship that developed with Drew, and the always present snarky humor that has me laughing out loud every time I read one of these books. From yarn hoarding issues to panty parties, these books are the perfect getaway. You will close every one of them feeling fantastic. show less

I have been so waiting for this one! We finally get to the Winston Brothers and Ashley, the sole Winston sister’s story. The comparison of Snow White and her bearded dwarf brothers is quite apt. What it must be like to grow up in a house with so many boys. You can sympathize with her for escaping rural Tennessee with the roosters and dead car parts littering the yard for civilized life in Chicago. And yet the way everything is described is so endearing and homey, you can’t help but fall in love. I adored the relationship between her and Drew, who is very closed off and private, a hunky park ranger, and especially seeing the relationship heal between her and her brothers.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

4.5 out of 5 start read. First, I think that Penny Reid is one of the most fabulous authors in my Humorous Contemporary Romance bookshelf. Any author who quotes Jane Austen is a keeper in my book. This doesn’t disappoint, however its sub-story is actually not humorous at all. So this Heroine’s journey there is sub- plot that delves into the passing of a beloved parent. This secondary story separates from Ms. Reid’s normally fun time reads for me into something real, closer to home. If you have read any of the Knitting in the City serials, you’ve met the heroine, Ashley. However, as this story is told, I don’t believe you need to read the other books to be in tune with the characters. This book can stand alone for the reader. show more

Ashley comes home after a mysterious hospitalization of her mother occurs. After an eight year hiatus, she is spring boarded into the lives of her six brothers and one very close family friend, Drew. With Ashley being absent from the day to day, she no longer knows her brothers or the importance of this friend. Thrown into a situation that she feels out of control, it doesn’t suit her that she is wildly attracted to Drew. Through revealing conversations, the reader learns that Drew was likewise inconveniently attracted to Ashley. The story eventually moves to the HEA. But it does so with real life problems, death, and beautiful poetic Hero.

This review is coming on the heels of a Reid-Along I have participated in prior to the release of the next Winston brother’s book, Truth or Beard. I had originally given the book a solid 4 stars. In my re-read, I had to reflect on why. I had a very difficult time with connecting to the heroine. I felt her actions for most of the book were judgmental. Yes, she did have some baggage, but not so much to realize that teenagers/young adults grow with maturity. I felt she clung to that judgment and so I had a harder time connecting. Whereas the hero has an equally life event that colors his opinion, he seems to be able to be open and willing to see beyond first impressions. However, my fascination with this character and ancillary characters is what drove me to be immersed and delighted.

This is a definitely recommend if you are looking for a slow building romance; more story lines other than another dating book. This covers family dynamics around childhood versus adults, death and finding what you really want for yourself to be happy. show less

Joint review with Victoria

With you there are only two distances that matter:

Here.

Not here.

You are not here.

- Drew

Karina:

What a glorious read, ladies and gents! I always thought that I'd stay a fan of Janie and Quinn forever, and no other characters will move me as much as they do. Well, I was wrong.


It only took one bearded, banjo playing, Nietzsche quoting poet with a deep love of nature and one fearless nurse with Amazon one-click twitching finger and yarn hoarding tendencies to win me over. In other words, Drew and Ashley were amazing! I laughed, I cried and I lost a piece of my heart to this book.


How about you, V.?


Vika:

I'm with you on this one, K.! For me, it wasn't as much Janie and Quinn, but Sandra and Alex whom I absolutely show more adore, and though they might still be a number one couple in my book, Ashley and Drew come in at a pretty close second. This book really made me laugh and cry. It was every bit full of life - with its ups and downs, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I think it's truly another gem from Penny Reid and everyone should add it to their must-read-list.

Karina:

I think, Penny's writing went to a new level of awesome. From romantic comedies to something more poignant and touching.

I am always entertained when I read her books, but Beauty and The Mustache was different. All the silliness and laughter were a muted background. Instead it was a homecoming story, a story about coping with loss and re-inventing yourself, about reconnecting with your family and fighting old demons.

And poetry, God! It was slaying me along with Ashley herself. The girl just didn't have a chance against it. For me, this is one of reading highlights of the year. Please, ladies and gents, READ IT. 5 stars

Vika:

Indeed! High praise all around. Now, I'm just curious how Penny Reid will top it off next time, but I have no doubts in her talent. I've already told Karina how thankful I am to her for having turn me onto Penny's books because they are truly delightful and entertaining. And if you are looking for a great contemporary romance series, please look no further and discover these books for yourself - you won't regret it, I promise.


So grab a box of tissues and chocolates and prepare to meet a cast of amazing ladies and their incredible men. It's 5 stars for me as well.

Happy reading! show less