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bzliz's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Edit: almost a year later, I’ve changed my rating from 2.75 to 3.5. While it had some flaws, I’ve decided I was a little harsh previously. I liked the first book more but this is by no means a bad book, nor is it an incredible, life changing masterpiece. It’s just good old fashioned queer fun.
Original review:
I liked the last book enough to give this one a read and it was kind of a let down. Our main characters are Astrid- a closed-off, Type A designer still being micromanaged by her mother- and Jordan- a carpenter who only knows her self worth in very specific situations.
They’re filming a TV show about renovating Jordan’s family’s inn, for which Astrid is the designer. She follows the plan set forth by Simon and Pru (Jordan’s twin brother and grandmother, respectively) but Jordan hates it for being so White Lady Chic and goes rogue by painting a room blue.
I found it hard to suspend my disbelief on how this show was being filmed. I’m not an expert by any means but there’s no universe in which this very important designer host lady is spending all day every day on the set, nor would (spoilers for the end)the production company lose out on the money spent filming just to scrap the whole thing so close to completion. They absolutely would have just tossed in a scene where Jordan and Astrid admit it was Jordan’s design but she was afraid to speak up about it because she thought her family would only like it if it was someone else’s work. While I’m spoiling things, I hate Astrid’s ending. She should have opened a bakery, without question. Becoming the inn’s manager who does the baking sometimes feels pretty similar to the nonsense of PTSD-ridden Harry Potter becoming a wizard cop instead of a teacher.
I’m probably going to be skipping the next one since I don’t much care for Iris.
Original review:
I liked the last book enough to give this one a read and it was kind of a let down. Our main characters are Astrid- a closed-off, Type A designer still being micromanaged by her mother- and Jordan- a carpenter who only knows her self worth in very specific situations.
They’re filming a TV show about renovating Jordan’s family’s inn, for which Astrid is the designer. She follows the plan set forth by Simon and Pru (Jordan’s twin brother and grandmother, respectively) but Jordan hates it for being so White Lady Chic and goes rogue by painting a room blue.
I found it hard to suspend my disbelief on how this show was being filmed. I’m not an expert by any means but there’s no universe in which this very important designer host lady is spending all day every day on the set, nor would (spoilers for the end)
I’m probably going to be skipping the next one since I don’t much care for Iris.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
fanboyriot's review against another edition
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+
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Grief, Abandonment, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Cancer, Death of parent, Death, Vomit, and Homophobia
thebigq's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Astrid's mom was really hard for me to read, although I knew it would all work out by the end. Lots of tenseness for a romance; glad I made it to the end because some unexpected twists happened along the way!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity and Cancer
bellebookstitch666's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Cancer, and Cursing
jessereadsthings's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity
ka_ke's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Ashley Herring Blake is becoming one of my favourite cozy authors. I love her characters, the settings, and the sociology that is incorporated in her explanation of queer culture.
Although predictable, sometimes thats what you need.
Although predictable, sometimes thats what you need.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
things100's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
I loved this book, as someone like Astrid who came to terms with being into women later in life, I really related to her and loved reading about her getting her happily ever after
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
bookishwondergoth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Absolutely loved this book. It spoke to me as a bisexual woman raised to be straight by default only to then fall hard and fast for a girl and have it take me by complete surprise.
Ashley Herring Blake is a brilliant writer who creates wonderful characters I truly cannot help but love. Astrid was one of my favourite characters from ‘Delilah Green Doesn’t Care’ and so I was instantly invested in her romance and felt very protective over her as she clashed heads with Jordan. Jordan is a really endearing and lovable love interest. I love her and Astrid together and the way they navigated their issues.
Absolutely cannot wait for ‘Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date’!
Ashley Herring Blake is a brilliant writer who creates wonderful characters I truly cannot help but love. Astrid was one of my favourite characters from ‘Delilah Green Doesn’t Care’ and so I was instantly invested in her romance and felt very protective over her as she clashed heads with Jordan. Jordan is a really endearing and lovable love interest. I love her and Astrid together and the way they navigated their issues.
Absolutely cannot wait for ‘Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date’!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia and Cancer
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Death of parent, Alcohol, Cancer, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
dwoht's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
i didn't expect to like astrid so much like her story made her likeable to me because she's just misunderstood you know? i'm not the biggest fan of her partner and their love story, but it's gay and cute at the end of the day. looking forward to the next book in the series, i hope iris' story is good!
i still stand by my review from the first book that all of the characters will benefit from seeing a therapist.
i still stand by my review from the first book that all of the characters will benefit from seeing a therapist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cursing and Cancer