Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid

Beauty and the Mustache (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.

Reviewed by stacey_is_sassy on

5 of 5 stars

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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.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 28 September, 2017: Finished reading
  • 28 September, 2017: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 28 September, 2017: Reviewed