Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail

Sweet, cozy, and a little spicyA lovely lady romance set in small town Oregon. A perfect read for a rainy weekend.

I am a bit conflicted about this book. I swear I really enjoyed it, but there were a few issues that made it less enjoyable than the first book in the series (Delilah Green Doesn't Care).First, Astrid and Jordan both hit soft spots in my heart, and I love them both dearly. My main issue with this book is that both main characters had big, serious personal issues they were dealing with throughout the story. This led to great character development, but it also means a large portion of the story was spent dealing with issues that can only be internally solved, instead of the couple being able to grow together. I just wish there was more story of the couple helping each other through their issues, instead of doing it separately.Secondly, I wish so much time hadn't been spent dedicated to the show aspect of the story. Again, I just felt like it took away from more time to see the couple together.Thirdly, because Astrid is a closed-off, suffer-in-solitude type of person, there was alot less of the found family element that was so great in the first book. It was still there, just less. It makes sense. I just missed the humor and comfort that element brought throughout the story because it was significantly less present compared to the first book.Because of these issues, Astrid's and Jordan's relationship development felt a little rushed to me. The same goes for Astrid's discovery of her sexuality. I just wanted more time and thought-process/explanation behind these things.But I want to be clear that this is still a good story, definitely worth reading. In the end, I loved their love story. Their relationship is sweet and swoony. The spice is good too. Both characters developed tremendously. I feel like the song for this book is Begin Again by Taylor Swift. Astrid and Jordan give each other hope and encouragement through it all. Lastly, all of the plot points came to a perfect resolution which was very satisfying.All in all, I definitely recommend this book, but I did like the first book better. I can't wait to read Iris's story.

wonderful from beginning to end. must read!

I'm reading this series backwards! I read book 3 Iris Kelly Doesn't Date first. I loved it so much I bought the 1st two books, obviously! I love Astrid and Jordan and the enemies to lovers story!Astrid's interior design business has hit tough times. But she's offered the job of being the designer of The Everwood Inn's renovation while being filmed for a home makeover show. On her way to get coffee before the first meeting, she's run into and has coffee spilled all over her dress. She is cold and not nice to the person who caused it.When she shows up for the meeting (in a new outfit), the person who ran into her is Jordan, the owner's granddaughter and the lead carpenter. The two women have different ideas of how they want the Inn to look. But they have to work together.I really love this book! 5 stars!

“- but she was starting to believe you were never too old to feel lonely, to wonder where you belonged in the world.”Not-so-meet cute? ✅Tension between the main characters? ✅HEA…or, in this case, Happily Ever For Now? ✅This cute, sapphic novel, checks all the romance trope boxes. I discovered Ashley Herring Blake earlier this year when I was taking an online romance writing class and I realized I needed to read something more modern than the (very) dated romances in my personal library. I picked up her novel, “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” and loved it so much that I preordered this as soon as I finished.Astrid Parker is not having a great year. She’s broken up with her fiancé and her career isn’t in the greatest place. When she’s given the opportunity to participate in a home renovation program featuring a local inn, she jumps at the chance. She doesn’t get the best start, however, because she and the carpenter are immediately at odds….something the show’s producer immediately asks them to play up. But somewhere along the way, that tension becomes attraction and it becomes harder to maintain the ruse.In the Bright Falls series, Blake has created a fun world with characters I’ve enjoyed getting to know. If you’re looking for a light, fun read give it a shot! That’s not to say there’s no “non-romantic” conflict in these books. In this one, Blake beautifully illustrates the dysfunctional dynamics between Astrid and her mother. It gets resolved…mostly, but I don’t want to spoil it! This series is a keeper!

“For everyone who figured it out a little later in life.”Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail takes readers back to Bright Falls, Oregon for another delightful Sapphic love story. Ashley Herring Blake is one of my favorite authors; characters are written with the utmost compassion, intimacy, and depth.This book was so SOFT. Astrid handles Jordan with such care, reverence, and adoration. The love she feels for Jordan is such a visceral thing you can feel when reading. Jordan gives Astrid support, a soft place to land and the space to figure out her desires. Her words are like a balm to Astrid’s sensitive soul, a warm hug, a safe place to call home.As soon as I finished, I immediately started re-reading via audio. Kristen DiMercurio has narrated both Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail and does an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I am not ready to let this series go, and I am thankful we get 1 more trip back to Bright Falls with Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date releasing Fall 2023.

the book as clearly been read before and has dents

At first I was almost a bit disappointed because Delilah Green Doesn’t Care was soo good, my expectations were high to start, but about 30-40% through the book it got soo good and I couldn’t put it down, finished the rest in one sitting!

The book came with little scratches in the spine/cover, but nothing big.Now the book itself… I didn’t like Astrid in ‘Delilah Green doesn’t care’ at first, then as the story goes you realize she’s a complex person, and at the end you kinda feel sympathy towards her. But with this book you fall in love with her. ♥️ And Jordan is the sweetest, I really loved their dynamics and their tension. My favorite so far ☺️

I loved the way their history together is built, it's delicate and the love of The writter for the book is obvious

Such a good book! Definitely read Delilah doesn’t care first, but awesome book!

Well written and fun would recommend

4,5⭐When I read DELILAH GREEN DOESN'T CARE, I felt sorry for Astrid. I didn't expect to love her this much. We got to see how big hearted she is with the one she loves. Her inner turmoil is so well written, I really felt her identity crisis, whether it was about her admitting being attracted to women, or her constant seeking of approval and love from her mother. It blinds her from doing the right thing for a while or even knowing what she really likes in life.It felt like she was trying to swim with a muscle cramp and keep her head out of the water.Watching Astrid slowly finding her own path after blindly following the one her mother traced for her was really warming.I liked Jordan too though it took me a bit time to warm up to her. I really liked their chemistryWe got to see again Claire, Iris and Delilah and I really liked them being a strong support system for Astrid. The four of them are now a strong core unlike the first book where Delilah was an outsider.Ashley Herring Blake delivers another good rom com in Bright Fall universe; it seems like she likes sweet grand gesture and I am here for it. I really look forward to read Iris's story.