Beverly's Reviews > Beauty and the Mustache

5 Bless it… Stars



“Fear don’t count if you really want something.”

Let me start by saying this is one of the most beautiful, well written stories I have ever read. From the very beginning I was hooked and it wasn’t because there was a crazy twist or suspenseful plot, no it is because Ms. Reid had me falling in love with her characters.

A little bit about me. I actually live near where this book is set. My dad was in the military so I grew up all over the place, but since my dad retired in my teens I have lived in Knoxville, Tennessee. This book is actually set an hour outside of Knoxville near The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. So I thoroughly enjoyed and was able to relate to all the Southern references, lingo, and descriptions.



We first meet Ashley Winston when she is on her way to Tennessee due to a family tragedy. Ashley is one of seven children and the only daughter. She left home as soon as she graduated high school hellbent on overcoming her raising. Ashley grew up in a backwoods hollar, yes that is how we say hollow here in Tennessee, in a place where everyone knew you and your business. Now that isn’t always a bad thing, but when you are constantly running from a stereotype it can be unbearable. Ashley’s mother is a wonderful person and loved by everyone, but her father is a con-artist who is constantly leaving damage in his wake. Ashley is beautiful like her dad, but she is also caring, intelligent and compassionate. In her opinion people only see a piece of trash with a pretty face.

Since leaving Tennessee Ashley has worked to prove she is more than what meets the eye. She has built a terrific life for herself in Chicago, has a great job and friends, but still doubts people see her as more than a hot piece of ass. Regardless of all her success she has isolated herself from her family. She still has daily chats and takes vacations with mother, but hasn’t been back to Tennessee since she left.

Coming home is never easy, especially to six brothers. When Ashley arrives back home she is immediately submerged back in her old life. Within hours of arriving she is woken by a loud engine roaring. With only a few hours of sleep she storms out the house to face down her brothers. That is when she meets Dr. Andrew Runous. Drew is her brother Jethro’s boss and a family friend.

The meeting between Ashley and Drew is humiliating for Ashley and had me laughing out loud at her antics and inner monologue. From this moment on I was completely sold. First, I loved how Ashley and Drew’s relationship started. This is not a case where two people were at the right place and right time and fell in love, no this relationship took time. The developed a relationship where she could trust, rely on and be herself with Drew.



Drew and Ashley know their time together is temporary since Ash will be returning to Chicago eventually. However, he just wants to be there for her and take care of her. Seeing the two of them fight what they think is right and their desires is heart wrenching. This isn’t a case of someone not manning up, it is about someone sacrificing their happiness for someone else.



The love story of Ashley and Drew will always be one of my favorites. Their love for each other was selfless, protective, and passionate. Their conversations where intelligent and witty. Drew saw the real Ash and was impressed with her. He didn’t want to change her, he loved her independence, quirkiness and spunk.



This story is so unique because as I much as I loved the story of Ash and Drew, I also loved the story of her and her brothers catching up and redeveloping their relationships. I loved the moments Ash shared with her mother, and her words of wisdom. The Beauty and the Mustache broke my heart, made me laugh, and swoon.

So this year I read 330 something books. There is no way I could rank them all, but this book is definitely in my top 10 for 2014. I highly recommend it!