Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

19 reviews

e_riahh's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

cass_ward's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Where was bisexual representation like this when I was a closeted teenager? I’ve been out for years but reading this book took me right back to how it felt to fall in love with my queerness. Astrid and Jordan are cute and awkward and frustrating and incredibly perfect. Getting to know Astrid in “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” and then seeing her truly come to life in this book was such a joy. Wow wow wow. Just wow. I’m so grateful there are stories like this for bi’s like me 🥺

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kendra_taylors_version's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

redefiningrachel's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

3readingcircus's review

Go to review page

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

blewballoon's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this! I really enjoyed the first book in this series Delilah Green Doesn't Care, and I was really looking forward to reading from Astrid's perspective after how that book ended. I think I may have liked this story even more. Astrid and Jordan were both compelling, interesting, and easy to root for. I loved how their romance grew from the awkward situation they started in. I love how Astrid personally grew and rediscovered herself. I was relieved at how well Astrid and Jordan communicated through most of the problems that came their way. One of the best romances I've read so far this year, I'm really looking forward to the next entry about Iris now.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hobbithopeful's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Romance books make everything a bit better, and queer romance makes everything a lot better.
Astrid and Jordan have such great chemistry, the tension whenever they argue had me fanning myself, really it gets heated. (In more ways than one!)
Astrid goes through a journey of self-discovery, not just in coming to terms with her queerness, but also in deciding what she wants out of life. The process that she goes through is so incredibly relatable, the decision to do what makes you happy instead of what is expected of you is impossible for so many people.
Jordan also goes through a similar journey, her finally believing in herself and standing up to her ex gave me so much serotonin. (Though I wish they had popped off on Meredith a bit more!)
I've never dabbled in tarot cards myself, but it was really interesting to see how they tie in with the storyline and are used for symbolism. It reminds me of my favorite illustrator, Yoshi Yoshitani, and Yoshi's' beautiful and diverse tarot card set.
I would hire Jordan immediately to design a space, the Everwood Inn became such a beautiful and warm place after the design, it makes me wish it existed in real life to visit.
I can't pinpoint the reason I didn't quite love this as much as the first book. I think there were a few plot points that happened off page that I would like to have seen depicted. Iris and her relationship wasn't really a surprise, but I wish it was shown on page instead of so much happening off. (Grant just disappeared and I'm like..okay not really surprised but I wanted to see it happen!)
 Why are we forgiving an abuser? Make it make sense. When it came to Astrid's Mom, I really despised how it was handled.
If someone abuses you to the point of effecting your entire sense of self, and you need years of therapy to recover, why are they even in your life? Let's not sugar coat it. Astrid's Mom was abusive. (and still is in this book!) It puts a bad taste in my mouth that nothing was ever resolved in regards to the abuse Delilah suffered either. If someone claims to care about you, but still has a relationship with your abuser that is a MILLION RED FLAGS. Weird excuses were given for the behavior "oh she was grieving". There is no excuse ever for abuse. It says a lot more about Astrid's character that she would allow someone who has shown no remorse for what has been done to Delilah back in her life. But they're family and blood-I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT! If you wouldn't tolerate that behavior from a friend, why would you allow it from your family? Blood relations doesn't equal a free pass to treat you however they want! I know this is probably my hot take, but I say cut them off cut them out. People treat family like it's something to be clung onto, even as the knife it is makes you bleed. Just...why. end rant 
Dare I say I now want to own a clit necklace? Quick someone send me a link!
Another must read book from Ashley Herring Blake!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

fanboyriot's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Read For:
Small Town
Rivals to Lovers
Queer Awakening
Workplace Romance
Coming Out Later in Life

I absolutely loved all the queer rep in this book.  The small-town romance I didn't even know I needed.  The friendships, the side characters, and the setting were all so lovely too.  I love the vibe of Bright Falls and I was happy to read more from this world.  It was also lovely to read more about Astrid and getting to see her find out who she is without her mother controlling everything.  It was so satisfying to see her character development.

(Switching, Third Person POV)
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Rep: Bisexual MC, Lesbian MC, Non-Binary SC, BIPOC SC, LGBTQIA+

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

moonbeam_erin's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readandfindout's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

3.75

Style/writing: 3 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars

Expand filter menu Content Warnings