A Philosophical Romance (Knitting in the City Book 4)

This book ranks among my favorites of the series. The strength of it comes in the creation of a whole world in Green Valley, Tennessee. Upon entry we are introduced to Ashley's family. Like all of Penny's books I had to invest time to get the payoff. This is not another modern bodice ripper, but Drew is a classic romance hero - quiet, morose, wounded, and hot as all get out. Ashley is blind to his feelings for her, but she's wrapped up in grief and struggling to adjust to a home and family she no longer knows.

I loved this book because I could read it again and again, always seeing something new. To be fair, I read Truth or Beard first and then circled back to this one. It was hard to read only Ashley's perspective after having the insight into both sides of her brother's story. But this is the genius of this work - as curious as I am about what Drew was thinking, the story works so much better when we see only Ashley's side.

If you crave a smart, complex, well-written romance set in a thoughtfully crafted world, then read this book. Fast, hard, explicit sexy times, this does NOT yield. However, you do get a heavy does of all the feels, a new book boyfriend, and a great intro to the Winston brothers' series - so still hot.

I laughed. I cried. I laughed again. I cried again.
Ashley is a strong woman with a wide sensitivity streak.
Drew is quiet with a poets heart.
I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between these two but the story of them getting there was great.
I did notice that towards the end of the book, Ashley stopped being concerned about how Drew would see her (pretty face, nice piece of ass, backwards ignorant trash) even though they never talked about it.
I also noticed that Penny Reid used the formula of writing a romance novel that Ashley hated in her romance novels (the heroine waits until the last 30 pages of the book to pull her head out and realize she is in love with the hero).
Ashley's brothers are hilarious. I actually laughed out loud several times reading their antics.
Touching and funny story. Well worth the price.

'With you there are only two distances that matter: Here. Not Here. You are not here.'

I am fairly certain that this is the favourite quote of anyone who reads this book.

This is the sweet and touching story of Drew and Ashley. Ashley has returned to Tennessee after an 8 year long absence to tend to her terminally ill mother. There she meets Drew, a local Game Warden who is friends with her mother and six brothers and has been given power of attorney over her affairs. Adjusting to life with her brothers in the midst of the emotional turmoil of her mother's illness, Drew becomes for her a stalwart support. When all is said and done, will she be able to return to her life in Chicago without leaving her heart behind?

I loved this book. It's a story where all emotions are on display - fear, surprise, tenderness, sadness, humor, love, yet the end result is a positive romantic story with one of the sweetest heroes ever. Ashley is a strong, confident woman who is devastated by her mother's illness and is determined to be there for her in her last days. What I found particularly enjoyable was the different relationships she had with each of her brothers, and her realization that they had matured and become men while she was gone, a fact that had escaped her during her long absence. Each of her brothers is unique and the descriptions of them and their antics provided much hilarity and thoughtful touching moments through the course of the story. Drew is a quiet bear of a man, introspective, smart, of few words in public but oh, so eloquent and rich in private in his written words. He falls in love with Ashley but knows that she is not in a frame of mind to return those affections and so he is determined to support her in any way that she needs and not add to her burdens by expecting anything in return. Drew's journal is almost another character in the story on its own and when we find out what he's written in it I dare anyone to say that they don't feel their heart twist.

Though this story takes place outside of Chicago, Ashley's knitting circle of friends make several appearances and add their usual hijinks to the story. Most importantly they offer the support of true friendship and make one wish to have friends like them in their lives. Also, even though this is a part of the Knitting in the City series, it must be said that each and every book to date has been completely different, reflecting the fact that each of the women involved is so different and that has been a part of the joy and delight of the series.

To sum up: If you haven't already picked up this story, don't waste anymore time. Just do it. You won't regret it. And you will forever more wish that you had a Drew in your life to write you poetry.

And read the other Knitting in the City books (especially Lovehacked).

And I know I'm tired of reading crap.

And this is the complete and total opposite of crap. It's thoughtful and realistic while still romantic and emotion-stirring.

This is a romance for those of us who are intelligent. "Stupidity in a woman is unfeminine."

And it's funny. Like really funny. And sad, really sad, because there's a death that we have to live through with Ashley and her family. And if you've ever lost your mom, you'll know why I started crying as soon as the first chapter finished.

And Penny Reid has a meme somewhere that has some of THE hottest men with facial hair who are supposed to represent Ashley's brothers. I saved it and sigh every so often when I look at it. They melt the butter off my biscuits.

And then there's Drew, Ashley's adversary and eventual love interest, the Viking Cowboy who I've imagined to be like Charlie Hunnam, Travis Fimmel, and Alexander Skarsgard rolled into one. Sigh. "He was both scary and swoony. I wanted to braid his beard."

And yeah, he's swoony all right. "Since I first saw you. Since I first laid eyes on you and felt sorry for every beautiful thing that was made no longer resplendent - nullified by your being." Holy WTF swoony.

And there's also a significant amount of sexual and romantic tension which is handled really well. She's grieving and falling in love at the same time.

And our knitting ladies are back and Sandra still makes men cry (I love it!).

And I want more of fictionally handsome Drew and I want more Ashley. "Everyone knows that in real life, fictionally handsome men are vacuous vessels of Satan."

And there are just too many more funny and swoony quotes to post here. Just read the damn book, write a review, and tell your friends to buy this book.

And I will cry if there isn't a spin off series about these 6 men who are apparently single, got their crap together, and grew up to become good men. Sexy men. Sigh.

Thank you Penny Reid for writing a romance for the rest of us.

I began reading this newest novel by Penny Reid because I was in desperate need of a mindless, fluffy, feel-good read. I've enjoyed the rest of her Knitting in the City series, so I felt fairly sure that Beauty and the Mustache wouldn't disappoint.

Imagine my surprise when the author herself commented on my status telling me to, "ABORT! ABORT!"

You see, this story was not quite as light as the others.

Ashley Winston has six (SIX!) brothers. She left them and her beloved momma behind in Tennessee to begin a new life for herself in Chicago when she was eighteen. She never looked back.

Only now, eight years later, she returns home because of some devastating news- Her momma is dying. As she cares for her momma during her final weeks, she slowly gets to know the grown-up, bearded versions of her brothers. They're not nearly as bad now as they were back then.

Ingratiated into her family is the infuriatingly handsome game warden, Drew. Her whole family accepts and trusts him, but he rubs Ashley the wrong way. Or rather, she'd rather have him rub her the right way, if you know what I mean. She lusts/hates the man, but cannot deny that he is a rock for the whole clan during this painful time.

Add in an evil father who will stop at NOTHING to get what he wants, and you have a seriously crazy story on your hands that is anything BUT light and fluffy!

I will admit- I cried. I also laughed, swooned, and gasped in fear. Beauty and the Mustache is a great read, even though it wasn't exactly the fluffy story I originally wanted.

There were a few flaws in the novel. I felt that some of the brothers' personalities were a little cliché. Sometimes they seemed a little too neat and tidy, as far as packaging their personalities go. Even though this made them sometimes seem a tad bit unbelievable, they were still immensely likeable!

Another issue I had was how Drew seemed too good to be true. This brooding, super intelligent, sexy as hell, poetry writing, compassionate guy truly was, as the MC put it, "fictionally hot." I couldn't really believe him as a real life character.

These minor items did not mar the flow of the story for me, surprisingly enough. This, I feel, is credited to the witty dialogue and hysterical descriptions Ms. Reid uses in all of her novels, but shone especially bright here. I loved the Nietzsche quotes sprinkled throughout conversations, and even the quotes before each story chapter. I feel like with every new book she writes, Penny Reid gets a little sharper. I'm definitely a fan!

5 ++++ Stars for Beauty and the Mustache!
(It could be 10 stars, really!!)

I received an ARC copy and here's my spoiler-free little review:

Penny Reid is a very gifted author. I have loved every book in the “Knitting in the City” series. And this book did not disappoint, it gave me a ton of “feels!” In modern language, to BatM, I would say, “I love you like a love song, baby,” OR that you are “poetry in motion.” Yes, Penny’s writing is THAT good!

At the beginning of every one of 29 chapters, there’s a quote. I loved this! There’s even a quote from Game of Thrones thrown in.:)

“I have learned that to be with someone I like is enough.” --Walt Whitman

I don’t want to give the book away, so I’ll just do little bit on Drew and Ashley. Ashley goes home, after 8 years away, to the mountains of Tennessee to care for her mother who is sick. She has 6 bearded brothers who all live with dear mom. I won’t call mom old because she’s only 47 in the book! (That was sobering…) Drew is very close to the family, but Ashley had never met, nor heard of him. Likewise, Drew had thought that Ash was the name for another brother, NOT a girl! Ashley describes Drew like this:

“…he was so ruggedly sexy I’m sure my mouth fell open to protest the unfairness of his existence.”

“He was tan all over like a grease stained surfer or a Viking marauder who spent all of his time at sea shirtless.”

“He was both scary and swoony. I wanted to braid his beard. I also wanted to run away.”

This book was so expertly crafted that I found myself laughing out loud on repeated occasions. Then I would get the googly eyes from my spouse and would have to recount a passage. He definitely thought I was an “odd possum.” I was up until 4 a.m. because I couldn't put it down. I’m not going to relay any more of Ashley and Drew’s story, so you’re going to have to trust me that this is one you don’t want to miss.

In Beauty and the Mustache, Penny describes reading “like breathing” and “akin to masturbation for my brain.” If you do not get this book you will miss out on EPIC awesomeness! It releases September 9th, 2014. Go add it on Good Reads NOW!

**This book is not really a stand alone. I would recommend reading the previous books in the Knitting in the City series.

I am reading the Winston brothers series and figured out this was the prequel...and it worked as a good way to get me into the "knitting circle".
It was a nice tease for all her girlfriends in the knitting in the city series, as well as a bit of an introduction to her brother's & their town.
I like the "meta" metaphor of Ash wishing to be in a romance novel with a romance novel boyfriend as she stars in a romance novel. And she and Drew had some great literary banter to showcase how well-read they both are.

Beautiful, funny, sad, sexy, smart, and real, I fell in love Beauty and The Mustache. It was everything I have come to expect from a Penny Reid book. I laughed out loud, I cried, I highlighted like crazy. I felt connected to the story. She writes the some of the best female characters out there. They are smart, strong, and quirky, I have loved them all. I loved Ashley and Drew. I loved Ashley's interactions with her fellow members of the knitting group. I always come away wishing they were my friends too. I LOVED Drew and his poetry, his own strangeness, he has become one of my favorites too. And fell in love with her strange, crazy bearded brothers. They definitely felt like people I know. And the Meet Drew epilogue...... one of the most beautiful I have ever read. I highly recommend this book and all of her others!!

Me thinks me fell in love! LOL

This book, unsurprisingly, was AWESOME. I loved reading this. It was one of those stories that you just love to read and don't want to end.

I loved the H. He was amazing, recluse and intelligent. He had a huge heart for this whole family, even before the h, Ash, came into the picture.

The h, was exceptional. She had a rough past with her family. Her mother and her have always been close. But, her brothers never relenting torcher helped chase her from Tennessee to Chicago.
Her father is a whole other story and a mess nor she or anyone else want anything to do with.

Right from the start I was hooked on this book. The author is witty, a great story teller and awesome at keeping the story flowing.

Her brothers have grown up and miss their baby sister. I fell in love with all of them and REALLY hope they get their own story!

This read was LOL (literally, just ask my husband and kids) funny. I couldn't get enough of the story developing in these pages.

I, of course, recommend this read. I also, while I wouldn't recommend IT, can say you could read it without reading the others before it. The author does a good job of character introduction/follow up of other characters, so you wouldn't be lost if you hadn't "met" them before. But, I think you'd be missing out on some series funny times and great character connections.
Excellent read! Very romantic, fun, sexy and entertaining!

I was curious about the origin of the bearded wonders that are the Winston Brothers. I wasn't sure how I'd feel since I'd already seen Ashley and Drew in the Winston Brothers books. I am so so so glad I went back and read this one. I loved seeing the boys from their sisters perspective. I loved getting to know Ashley more. And Drew? Holy moley. I wasn't expecting much from him, but he was hot, smart as hell, and sweet. This book is a definite must read!

God bless you Penny Reid. This book was unbelievable. I completely devoured it and then I reread it after wallowing in a week long book hangover.

This book delivered the perfect blend of humour, romance and depth. There were real life situations and flawed relationships that I think we can all relate to. This is by far my favorite book of the series thus far. That is pretty impressive considering how amazing the other ones are.

Drew is a Viking of a man. He is tall, strong and dashingly handsome. Best of all, he has unruly hair and a beard. I don't think any man can compare! He's seems so quite and unassuming at first but as the story goes on you get to see how big his heart really is. He is a deep thinker, educated and a true master of words. He actually left me breathless at times. The love between Drew and Ashley is a beautiful thing.

I was a little shocked at Ashley's character. From the previous books I had expected her to be a introverted book worm. However, she is a total spit fire. I loved her attitude and her big heart. She is a total sweet heart, and I adore her. I loved seeing how her relationships developed with her brothers. The Winston boys are a highlight of the book! The brothers were just so wonderful. I cannot wait to read more about the Winston boys in the future!!!!!!

Go buy this book immediately. You will not be disappointed.

Another excellent example of what a fantastic author Penny Reid is! Beauty and the Mustache bridges two of Penny's series - Knitting in the City and The Winston Brothers. In this book we meet those bearded boys of Tennessee and catch up with the Knitting in the City crew. Ashley goes home after several years to see her Mom who is seriously ill. We have a hilarious case of mistaken identity, a rabid raccoon, 6, make that 7 bearded hunks who can be as devious as they are delicious when situations warrant it - not too mention some soulful poetry proving that the quiet ones are indeed the ones you want to watch out for. Figure on spending lots of time reading because once you read this one you will want to read all the Winston Brothers & Knitting in the City books. Believe me - it will be time well spent!

Penny Reid does it again with her series and this one must be the best of them all. Reid writes with elegance and wit but in this novel, she uses a wonderful philosophical twist that enriches the story and elevates romance to its highest peak. What a joy to read Beauty and the Mustache instead of the tired old tropes that often are a staple in romance. I would love to read more from this author. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Thank you.

You're officially my new favorite author. You speak my language!! ?
Fellow readers,
If you're looking for something that will twist your heart and make you laugh too, this is the book you need to read.
I don't want to give anything away, but cancer hits close to home with me. So does being a southern girl from poduck nowhere who leaves to grow into herself.
Ashley, her brothers and the Viking (Drew) have me hooked and I'm only 10% into the story.

This was my first experience with a Penny Reid book and it not only sucked me in to this story, it started me down the full rabbit hole of all of her books. She is able to create characters that are both swoon-worthy (Drew, the Winston brothers) and people you want to be best friends with (all the Knitting ladies). Not only did a laugh out loud (the bathroom schedule), I also cried over the scenes with her mother and with her brothers (Billy putting his foot down). Having lived through hospice care with my own mother, Penny nailed all of these dynamics. If you aren't sure whether to start with the Knitting and the City series or the Winston Bros, this is a great choice to introduce you to both. You can still go back and read the previous KITC books and this is the launch for the rest of Ashley's brothers.

An auto read author for me. A continuation of Ms. Reid's hilarious and heartfelt "Knitting in the City" series. Ashley, a pediatric nurse, fled TN 8 years ago to escape her southern roots and family situation. She has settled into a life in Chicago filled with work, friends, culture and knitting every Tuesday night. She is forced to return when she cannot reach her beloved Mom and her 6 brothers are unable to clue her in on what is going on. What follows is a richly detailed plot filled with vivid dialogue and wonderfully imagined characters. Ashley is stunned to discover that her 6 deliquent brothers are law abiding and solvent adults and saddened to discover that her Mom is in the hospital with terminal cancer and only has 6 weeks to live. While she has been gone her Mom has befriended a local park ranger, Drew; a poetry loving Viking like wonderman, and has brought him into the family. There are special guest appearances by our beloved Knitting group regulars and their spouses. What I loved the most about this book is the language, how well written it is and I enjoyed so much the adventure of reading it. The epilogue is all Drew and it is wonderful. There were moments in the book that brought me to tears and laughter....sometimes within a paragraph of each other. Thanks Penny. Wonderful addition to an addictive series.

How is Penny Reid so amazing? She creates characters that are so awesome, you can't help but fall in love with them. I've read all of the books in the Knitting in the City Series and I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I think this one was my favorite. I absolutely loved the first book in the series and out of all her couples, Janie and Quinn were my favorite. But now Ashley and Drew are really giving them a run for their money. The premise of Beauty and the Mustache begins around Ashley heading back home for the first time in eight years. She has to deal with her sick mother. From there you get to meet her six brothers who are all very different, but all lovable in their own way. And then there is Drew. He's probably one of the most romantic male leads I have ever read in a book. What is so great about this book is that it is just so realistic (except I don't think men are really that romantic). Other books in this series have had some silly scenes and crazy antics. You don't get that here, but you still get a ton of humor and angst. If you haven't read the Knitting in the Series books, do it. They are hilarious and heartwarming. Do it so you can read this book which is so awesome it leaves me speechless.

Beauty and the Mustache might revolve around the characters in this series that we know and love, but it is very different. The humor is toned down, but the emotions are revved up. Ashley returns to her Tennessee childhood home, one she left eight years earlier, to care for her mother, the only family member she kept in touch with, calling every day and taking on vacation each year. She reunites with her six bearded brothers, who she remembers only as boys that made her young life miserable. Now she has to reconcile her childhood images with the men they have become. And she meets Drew, a Park Ranger/poet/beautiful soul and hottie to boot, who seems to have become a new family member. This is a beautiful story of Ashley finding her place again in her family and in her Tennessee home. The writing is beautiful - Penny Reid must be a poet at heart. If you are a fan of the series, you will still get to see and enjoy the other knitters, and there is still plenty of fun. Loved this book!

I truly enjoyed this book. While Ashley is returning home for a somber reason (mother is seriously ill and then dying), I feel like the author had a good balance of humor, relationships and budding romance. It balanced out and created a heartwarming story. I liked Ashley even more after reading this book (as she appears as a supporting character in other books in the Knitting in the City series). You do not need to read the other books to enjoy this story.

This series never disappoints. Every time I read the newest book I think it's my favorite. Then a new one comes out and becomes my new favorite. As I've said before there is nothing cookie cutter or cliche about this series (except for how good-looking everyone is). Ashley is another strong, flawed female character and Drew is a completely unexpected male lead. It's funny how many preconceived notions I have after reading romance for so long and he didn't fit any of them. I think I enjoyed this book so much because the only obstacle isn't about getting these two people together but also the illness and death of Ashley's mother. There's also Ashley's relationships with her six brothers which are each unique and needing repair. There is much hurt, loss, healing, laughter and love here. I believe all of the characters in Penny Reid's books and am charmed by them all. This book made me cry, laugh out loud and sigh with relief. I already can't wait for the next one!

Every one has choices in life. Some are temporary ones like jobs & hobbies. More permanent choices are family & friends......although family isn't a true choice one's relationships with them happens to be one. Ashley learns all this while grieving her beloved mother's impending death and her protection of her family from husband/father beyond the grave. Rebuilding sibling relationships she finds love when she wasn't looking. This story made me laugh and cry and bite me lip with distress then sigh with relief. I think just about everyone would like this story.

What a lovely surprise ! This book made laugh out loud several times. The dialogue is witty and sharp. Its well written and smart. The heroine is brave and likeable and while she does have a few moments of having her head up her ass (as in most romances) she does have justifiable reasons. The banter and those brothers and that whole family makes me want to read more and I'm so glad to see there are other books in the series. I'm not ready to give up on this crazy family just yet. I hope the other books are as witty and sharp as this one.

This is definitely a "philosophical romance" with a swoon-worthy, poetry-writing hero who is hard to resist. It's also a beautiful story about family and second chances. Although you can read this as a standalone, it is the middle of the Knitting in the City series and the perfect bridge to start Penny Reid's Winston Brothers series. All of the characters are so delightful in their own quirky ways that you'll want to read everything you can about them.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The last month has been filled with reading Reid's series with the Winston brothers. As soon as I saw there was a book dedicated to the adorable Ashley and studious Drew, I knew I had to have it.

While I was reading, I found myself drawn into Ashley's sorrow, confusion, and longing. This book pulled my heart strings while also rejuvenating me with some steamy romance.

This latest installment of the Knitting in the City continues exceeded my expectations. The facts: 1) it can be read alone or part of the series 2) it has a HEA & and some steamy scenes 3) it does NOT have a hot billionaire who falls for the heavy, homely, but great personality, girl ( as if!). What does it have? Thoughtful, intelligent characters whose personalities the author takes the time to develop. The story is believable & insightful ( "fear don't count if you really want something") and at times hilarious ("if those are field notes I'm a one-eyed Cocker Spaniel with halitosis") . You will laugh and cry as our heroine Ashley faces a family crisis all the while learning more about herself with the help of her knitting buddies and our mystery man, Drew. I love this series so much! If you like reading books that surprise, excite, and make you laugh (and let's not forget those steamy love scenes) this is the books for you. Don't cheat yourself, read the whole series and prepare for some 5 star reading!

I discovered Penny Reid by reading the Winston Brothers first couple of books and I thought I knew Ashley's story. I was so wrong. What a wonderful love story in the midst of family loss and adult bonding. I loved the characters that are from The Knitting in the City series so that will be next on the list once I read all the Winston Brothers books.

I read ferociously but never wrote a review. The book was a heart and mind grabber the from start to the finish . The landscape was just beautiful. I was in the book that' there wise loving people to have as and your friends are true.Reading is a wonderful thing the book took me in fast. I would recommend this to all who have a safe place to go mostly in our minds and that's a very good thing.If your looking to be someone else for just a little minute read this book you won't be sorry .

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After reading a Penny Reid novel, because that's what they are, I just feel smarter. These novels aren't just reading about friendships, which are awesome, they are about learning things you never knew and can be things you should know even if it's just minutia. Minutia is awesome. Little known facts that no one knows but when you're gathered around friends and family and you start spewing all these, mostly unknown to the general public, facts, you just feel smarter. People start calling you because they know you know the answer. So this is what I love about Penny Reid novels. Enough gushing about my, let me list the ways, love of Penny!!
I loved BATM. It left me feeling whole and complete. The way she brought Ashley and Drew together was phenomenal. The way her mother had a hand in it was beautiful. Even though they wouldn't get to share their union with Ashley's mother, Bethany played a huge role and for that, she will always be with them and the reason for them being together. There were so many quotes in this book that could be highlighted, but I quickly found that I could highlight the whole book. In its entirety! That's how wonderful this book is. Penny's books I will re read for the rest of my life. These are books that when my daughters are of age I will share with them. They will receive wisdom through the pages of her books that I'm not sure I could ever give to them On my own. BATM left me feeling happy, whole, complete, and a lot more smarter. I loved the poetry in this book, Drews and the famous poets. Penny, you are brilliant, you are amazing and you are word writing Ninja.

Penny Reid has joined a very small, select group of my favorite authors. After reading the first in this series and Elements of Attraction, I have pledged to buy any book that has her name on the cover. I didn't think it was possible to love her more, but I was wrong. Beauty and the Moustache is simply, gloriously beautiful. The characters are remarkable and unique. I'm always one for the bad boy, but Drew showed me how wrong that is w/ his romantic, gentle, empathic poet soul. Just wow! I'm not a swooner, but he made me gladly drown in the swoons. And sweet Ashley, so smart and compassionate and real. I felt for her in every way. And her brothers! I just can't wait to read more about them in Penny's next series. And her Mom...you just need to read this sweet story about real people finding love and friendship. I can't recommend this and Penny Reid enough.

I really, really loved this book. It was definitely a departure from the previous Knitting in the City novels, but Ms. Reid made that abundantly clear in all of her discussions prior to the release of the book. Anyone who reads this book with the expectation of being immersed in the same wit and snarkiness as Ms. Reid's earlier books has only her/himself to blame if those expectations are not met. I think it is wonderful that Ms. Reid is stretching her creative wings and gifting her readers with a different type of story. Fans of her books and blog should know how important family & friends are to Ms. Reid and this idea is the backbone of a deep, intense novel that details complicated family relationships as well as portraying a beautiful love story. I, personally, think Ms. Reid truly shone with this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a real love story.

Another phenomenal read by Penny Reid. I'm going to start calling her Phenny Reid (Phenomenal and Penny combined) :-) This book has everything - laughter, tears, friendship, love, loss, family. Phenny's infusion of comic relief amongst the sad tone of the book is nothing short of genius. The Winston boys steal the show with their quirky personalities and hilarious one-liners. I can't wait for more on those boys! Drew, of course, is an enigma. You cannot help but fall hard for him. Ashley grows from a stubborn girl who resents her family to a women who discovers a whole new level of love and forgiveness with them. I don't like spoilers or reviews that recap the high points of the story. Let's just say if you enjoy Phenny Reid's other books, you will love this one as well. If you haven't read anything from her yet then what are you waiting for? She is phenomenal! She is Phenny!

Beauty and the Mustache is stunning. As you read it, Penny Reid's heart, soul, intelligence and humor are there, fully on display for the entire world to see. That's a level of bravery not everyone has. I loved this book for that very reason.

I need to go back to each of the previous KitC books and revisit Ashley. Because, I want to see the hints of this amazing character that were there all along. I was just so focused upon the main plots that I overlooked her -- a huge mistake. Her story germinates from her family -- specifically a mother who loves her so deeply to give her the time and space to become the woman she needs to be. She is beautiful, she is smart and has 6 brothers. Ashley Austen Winston is a certified bad ass.

Drew Runous has probably ruined me for all heroes that will come after. He is a man of action -- showing rather than saying . But those words created for and repeated by this character will make your heart skip beats. I won't even get into the whole Nietzsche thing.

There is also a supporting cast of characters who are amazing each in of their own rights. We meet each of the brothers as Ashley does -- she has not seen them in 8 years. Bethany Winston is at the top of my book mom list. She is the dazzling golden thread that is woven throughout this book.

I honestly do not believe that I have done this book justice. But just trust that it needs and deserves to be on your TBR and read immediately.

I follow the author on Facebook, and she kept saying that her betas were saying this book was very different than the other books in this series. They were right. I really enjoyed all the rest of the books in this series as well, but this one seemed to have more depth of emotion between the characters. Drew is the strong, super silent type with an incredibly romantic soul. And if he's supposed to look like Charlie Hunnam but way bearded, even better. Ashley, with her Southern Belle looks, but messed up self-awareness and crazy family, made you really see who she is (or as far as you can see a person in a fictional character). This book had a lot of the same humor I've come to know in this series, and made me laugh out loud, but some of the other parts put me on the verge of the ugly cry, which is a good thing, as It made me feel so much. This book will be put back with the rest of the series to re-read, which is one of the greatest compliments I can give an author.

Let me start be saying I absolutely adore Penny's writing. She is the only author I've come across that I have not once been disappointed with. Now on to this book.
I knew going in that it was going to be a bit different from the rest of the series, but I had faith and Penny did not disappoint at all. This book was perfect. I laughed and cried and completely enjoyed every single minute of it. I thought nobody could come along to top Quinn but wow, Drew! I loved Ashley and all that she discovered about herself. I loved each one of the Winston boys and I am really thinking about just uprooting and moving to Tennessee! Might also have a serious obsession with bearded men know too! Again, excellent book and Thank you Penny!

Be prepared with plenty of tissues. I have enjoyed this series but this by far was my favorite. (had nothing to do with me being a Tennessee girl, born and raised in Knoxville) The poetry, known and new, was very nice and unexpected. Reading the excerpts from Drew's "book" makes a girl swoon and wish to have a man that has feelings such as those. One of the best lines ever "You underestimate how deeply you cut when your intentions carry no knives".

Can I say I'm really glad there are so many characters (brothers) in this family? I am! More stories to look forward to!

I love all books Penny Reid, absolute truth. But Beauty and the Mustache is my favorite hands down. They all appeal to me because of the peculiarities of her characters, that at first sight seem unreal but to me are all absolutely factual.
Having said this, Drew is now at the top of my BestBookBoyfriends list. This book is more angst and introspection than comedy, but without loosing the wonderful and characteristic sparkle of Ms Reid's writing. And don't get me started on the shattering thou majestically lean poetry....it melt my butter!!! Prepare for an epic read and enjoy feeling

I absolutely loved this book and we continue with the Knitting series and are introduced to the Winston Brothers. Penny makes you feel like you know them all. Drew and Ash are dynamic together but will either of them show the other their true feelings? I will definitely recommend this book, series, and author to others.

Penny Reid has quickly become one of my favorite writers! Her loyal band of knitters are quirky, intelligent , hilarious, multi layered characters who I adore! Their fellas are sexy smart weirdos (in the best way possible) who know how to love their women! Every new book in this series is as unique as the couple in its center; at the same time so grounded and comfey like catching up with dear friends.
I have relished all of the Knitting in the City Series; and I'm thinking I LOVED BEAUTY AND THE MUSTACHE THE BEST!! Tennessee was a beautiful landscape with it's own lingo, history, and traditions. Drew is a delectable brilliant reserved hero; and I could write write about Ashley's huge heart and brain; her brothers and momma; her evolution through coming to terms with her past, present and growing brave enough to face her future.
THANK YOU PENNY for your hard work, hilarity and huge heart and brain-- and for giving me so many hours of can't put down entertainment!!!

Although there is a similarity about the heroine's in Reid's Knotting in the City series, they are individuals with different histories and personalities. These novels are a pleasure, leaving a warm resonance. It's like (vicariously) spending time with old friends. Ashley we know, Drew is a different kind of hero. Still tall and gorgeous, but reclusive, a man who enjoys philosophy, music and the arts. Unlike Alex and Quinn, he does not flirt with danger. I'm sorry that I have read all the books by now. I counsel you to read them in sequence if you can. It makes a difference.

I was not happy with Drew, initially. He was being a jerk. I don't know how Ashley had any problems ignoring him.
The dialogue was a bit weird. Ashley had both her funny expressions, and those that were way overused.
Drew, he was definitely an odd possum. Especially in his epilogue rantings.