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A review by booksdogsandcoffee
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Astrid Parkers Doesn't Fail to meet and exceed every expectation I had for Blake's sophomore Adult Romcom.
Astrid has always been perfect, from the men she has dated to her career. She has never deviated from the path her mother has always sought out for her. That is how she ended up Designing for Bight Designs, and how she becomes lead designer for a renovation at Bright Fall's coveted Everwood Inn, which is to be featured on a popular HGTV show Inside America.
Jordan's life has been in shambles. The only good thing about her life is being head carpenter for her Grandmothers renovations at their family inn. Well, it was good until she runs into the cold hearted designer who is leading the project. Jordan grew up in the Everwood inn, and see its history. While Astrid just wants everything clean and modern.
The two butt heads at every turn, from the wood of the cabinets to the color of the walls. The tension is hight, but at some point that heated tension turns into heated lust.
I loved everything about this book. Being able to see all the old characters from Delilah Green was perfect. I enjoyed seeing Astrid and Delilah work on their relationship through out the book as well. The best part of the book for me was that is a later in life coming out story, Throughout the novel we watch Astrid deconstruct the image of herself that she, more like her mother, has made for herself, and find out who she is and what she wants out of life.
Without giving much away, I thought Jordan's storyline was heart wrenching and relatable as well. Ashely wrote these characters so well and really made you feel for them every time something happened to them. I also enjoy reading Ashley's work because these characters are queer and in their 30's, which isn't very common in romcoms. It is usually younger people, and I love seeing everyone at any age getting a happy ending.
Overall this was well written, witty, medium spice and a relatable af. I would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone looking for a great romcom.
rep:
Lesbian MC, Bi or possibly pan MC, bi, lesbian, queer side characters, side biopic rep
cw
grief
emotional abuse
sexual content
homophobia
cancer
alcohol use
Astrid has always been perfect, from the men she has dated to her career. She has never deviated from the path her mother has always sought out for her. That is how she ended up Designing for Bight Designs, and how she becomes lead designer for a renovation at Bright Fall's coveted Everwood Inn, which is to be featured on a popular HGTV show Inside America.
Jordan's life has been in shambles. The only good thing about her life is being head carpenter for her Grandmothers renovations at their family inn. Well, it was good until she runs into the cold hearted designer who is leading the project. Jordan grew up in the Everwood inn, and see its history. While Astrid just wants everything clean and modern.
The two butt heads at every turn, from the wood of the cabinets to the color of the walls. The tension is hight, but at some point that heated tension turns into heated lust.
I loved everything about this book. Being able to see all the old characters from Delilah Green was perfect. I enjoyed seeing Astrid and Delilah work on their relationship through out the book as well. The best part of the book for me was that is a later in life coming out story, Throughout the novel we watch Astrid deconstruct the image of herself that she, more like her mother, has made for herself, and find out who she is and what she wants out of life.
Without giving much away, I thought Jordan's storyline was heart wrenching and relatable as well. Ashely wrote these characters so well and really made you feel for them every time something happened to them. I also enjoy reading Ashley's work because these characters are queer and in their 30's, which isn't very common in romcoms. It is usually younger people, and I love seeing everyone at any age getting a happy ending.
Overall this was well written, witty, medium spice and a relatable af. I would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone looking for a great romcom.
rep:
Lesbian MC, Bi or possibly pan MC, bi, lesbian, queer side characters, side biopic rep
cw
grief
emotional abuse
sexual content
homophobia
cancer
alcohol use
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia