Beauty and the Mustache: A Philosophical Romance (Knitting in the City, #4)

by Penny Reid

There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston: 1) She has six brothers and they all have beards, 2) She is a reader, and 3) She knows how to knit.

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous—local Game Warden, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favorite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophizing in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions— or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands— to himself.

Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee.

Beauty and the Mustache is book #4 in the Knitting in the City series, and book #0.5 in the Winston Brothers series. Each book is a standalone, full length (110k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the misadventures and exploits of seven friends in Chicago, all members of the same knitting group.

• ISBN10: 0989281094
• ISBN13: 9780989281096
• Publish Date: 24 August 2014
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Cipher-Naught
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 298
• Language: English

Reviews

[stacey_is_sassy]

Knitting with the Winston Brothers

I HAD to re-read/listen to Beauty and the Mustache after recently reading Beard with Me. I needed to see those Winston Brothers but I also needed to laugh at them and with them.

Coincidentally, a very good friend lost a loved one right at the same time I was listening to Ash dealing with her family tragedy. I think it hit me a lot harder listening this time and those tears on the train were even harder to hold back.

Penny Reid, you are a marvel. Listening to Beauty and the Mustache definitely made me want to hold my loved ones close and tell them how much I love them.

**********

Everything I hoped for and more

Wow!! I was expecting good things from this story and I wasn't disappointed. Ash Winston is someone I know well. I was initially introduced to Ash from her knitting group, but I really got to know her better from hanging with her brothers. I'm a HUGE fan of those bearded hotties, the Winston brothers. Mixing the two series together made it absolutely epic. Sure, I probably should have read them in the correct order but I kind of think my reading order was better.

This book started off funny, and I was happily chuckling along while catching the train to work. Imagine my embarrassment when my chuckles turned to tears. Hiding my face, sniffling discreetly, I was shocked that my emotions could go to such extremes. To be honest, I found the whole story a lot like that. I was high...then I was low.

Full credit must go to Penny Reid for writing such an amazing story, but I definitely think my experience was enhanced by the talents of the narrator. Her voice was easy to listen to, humorous and adaptable. I always knew when a character was changing and never struggled to understand what she was saying.

Loved Beauty and the Mustache and think this is my favourite in the series so far. Can't wait to listen/read more in the future.

[nitzan_schwarz]

3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this novel, but I was a bit annoyed with the obliviousness of the main characters, especially considering they're both such honest people. So.... BE HONEST WITH EACH OTHER, YO!
But the first novel in the series is still my absolute fave. I just want to re-read it right now.

[leelu92]

So, I have this thing about reading in order. It's not a secret.  Apparently, my resolve is slipping and yet every time I do it, I cuss myself over it.  Am I cussing myself over this book?  HELL NO.

Today (the day you may read this) is my birthday, but honestly?  I feel like I'm giving you the gift.  I already got one from Ms. Reid because this effing book is fanfreakingtastic, with a capital EFF.

This series has been on my radar for MONTHS.  MONTHS.  I remember seeing Ms. Reid at Book Bash in June and thinking, "I need to read those books."  So, I came in on book 4.  I regret nothing.  NOTHING.  (Well, maybe the fact that it took me this long to get to this series)

See, I have a thing for funny and smart books written by super witty/snarky authors.  Let me clarify the snarky part.  There is a certain amount and kind of snark that I appreciate.  Some authors write snarky characters for shits and giggles and to add an OTT edge to a book or characters.  I am not a fan of that kind of snark.  Ms. Reid's snark is my kind of snark, it's the kind of stuff I hear my friends saying and that makes me laugh my ass off.  As for the intelligent stuff? How about a hot Viking guy quoting Nietzsche? And poetry?  Side note: Believe it not, I was an English education major for awhile in college and I have a huge weak spot for poetry.  HUGE.  Walt Whitman totally "melts the butter" off my biscuit.  Drew melted my resolve and gave me hot flashes.  He was just so delicious.  Quiet, caring and protective of the whole Winston family.  I loved him.

Ashley was a trip.  I truly enjoyed her character and she had me laughing from the first few pages of the book.  You are out of your ever lovin' mind if you aren't laughing your ass off within 1%.  I will come hunt you down and it will NOT be pretty.

The Winston Brothers.  Six brothers and six beards.  Did I mention that I have a thing for beards?

 See?  This is the Mr. and he has a beard and there is no shaving of the beard allowed.  Ever.  (And despite the gray in the beard, he is actually  a little younger than me.)

 

Those six brothers have a series all their own coming out in 2015 and I cannot wait!  Winston Brothers series.  As I read this book, I used a graphic that had pics of the brothers for reference.  I had my Kindle in my lap and my iPad next to me, so whenever a brother spoke, I had a visual reference and I'm sharing it with you.  HERE YOU GO.  (You can thank me later for that.)

Oh and thank the baby Jesus for an author that can write southern characters that do not sound like uneducated rednecks or characters from Gone With the Wind.

I wish that this new breed of author would get more attention for the quality of their work.  Penny Reid, you are officially on my list of badass, funny and intelligent writers.  I don't think I'll be able to read the other books fast enough.

 

 

Purchase Beauty and the Mustache Book #4

Amazon // iTunes // B&N // Kobo // Smashwords

 SERIES:

✽Neanderthal Seeks Human (#1)

Amazon // iTunes // B &N // Kobo

✽Friends Without Benefits (#2)

Amazon // iTunes // B &N // Kobo

✽Love Hacked (#3)

Amazon // iTunes // B &N // Kobo