Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

84 reviews

cassielaj's review

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emotional funny hopeful medium-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

After reading Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, I did not expect to love Astrid’s story even more, but here we are. I love Astrid and Jordan as characters, their individual development and confidence building as well as their relationship development. I also love AHB’s books for the depiction of female friendship/found family — this series’ friend group is one of my favorites in fiction. Also, the inn renovation aspects of this are so much fun! 

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bookswithca's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25


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booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition

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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

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decklededgess's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

trigger warnings: emotionally abusive parents, death of parents, divorce, cancer mention, panic attacks and anxiety, alcohol, sexual content

I might have to say I love this one more than Delilah Green? And Delilah felt like an AU for my own life so this is a whole other level of OUCH. 

I love a good, mean girl gets her backstory and it's actually a valid one trope. Astrid's bitchy demeanor is dismantled so systematically that by the end of the book you're left wondering if they really were one and the same person. Jordan's adorable ass self really was the glue that held Astrid's fracturing sense of self together and I really loved how they built their bond through physical and emotional intimacy. Also the fact that its a grumpy x grumpy-but-so-much-grumpier-that-grumpy-number-1-seems-like-sunshine trope is just chefs kiss.

I literally could not love this book more, it's perfect.

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