Scan barcode
kylieqrada's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
*face palm* Another five star romance in the last week of 2022. I really loved Delilah Green, but Astrid Parker was EVERYTHING. Not only was it such an HGTV moment, but the themes of finding yourself and trauma just hit me right in the feels. Also, if Iris Kelly isn't poly, I will riot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cancer, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Infidelity
erinoco's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Homophobia, and Grief
bisexualwentworth's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
I did NOT like Astrid in Delilah Green Doesn't Care, so I was definitely a bit wary of this book, which is focused on her finding love and figuring herself out. Fortunately, Astrid comes to life as a very complex and sympathetic character in this book, and I loved it.
Some more things I loved:
Some more things I loved:
- Jordan! Such a good love interest. Just the right balance of trauma and passion. Sensitive and understanding without compromising her own boundaries or needs.
- The reality TV show plot was actually very fun. I liked Natasha Rojas and her team. And at least this book has actual named people of color in it, unlike book one.
- Yay for queer siblings and all-queer friend groups!
- This is very much a romance book, but it's much more internal than most romances, and Astrid's personal growth and journey of self-discovery is very much the main thing going on here, and I love that a lot.
- Baking bi
Sapphics going into business together! - Jordan's character arc/career trajectory was also really satisfying to read
- Love that Ruby and Josh are still characters in this book and that Josh's character development from book one carried over
- Very happy that we spent more time with Iris in this one. I feel like I'll actually care about her when we get to her book.
- Clit necklace
- The first two sex scenes are SO GOOD
- The clear references to other popular sapphic romance books in Iris's library were really cute
- I liked whatever was going on with Iris and Simon's dynamic as well. They were fun.
And I'm glad that Simon got a bit of development and his own romance, even though it happened off-page - I just generally thought that the character dynamics and general story structure were even better in this book than in Delilah Green Doesn't Care
Things that I did not like:
- The opening was really rough
- I know it was thematically significant, but the love confession stuff got a bit too woo woo for me (and I say this as someone who does own a tarot deck)
I NEVER want to hear about two characters "rubbing their pussies together" and then spontaneously orgasming together ever again. That's not how anything works, and it was especially weird when the earlier sex scenes felt so realistic in the very best way. Letting the audience think that Meredith had DIED OF CANCER for over a third of the book was a very odd choice and I was not a fan - I am once again BEGGING Ashley Herring Blake to just say "lesbian" and "sapphic" instead of constantly saying "women and nonbinary people." This book was better about that than the first one (like Jordan is actually described as a lesbian at least once and some of the books were actually described as sapphic), but it was still weird and I wish authors would just use the very useful labels that already exist to describe their characters' queer identities. It's smoother and better and doesn't make it seem like you have something against the word "lesbian."
Misc thoughts:
- FUCK YOU MEREDITH
- FUCK YOU JILLIAN
Anyway, if you like antagonists to lovers sapphics with a small-town renovation show setting and a large dose of self-exploration, you should definitely pick up Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Alcohol, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
eamily's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Vomit, Cancer, and Death of parent
imstephtacular'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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Cancer
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Vomit, Eating disorder, and Bullying
nefariousbee's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As far as romance books go, this is a great one. Truly. It has great characterization, the pacing is tip top, the amount of sex scenes just the way I like it (high). Maybe the character voices could use some further distinction but hey, nobody is perfect.
It also bares saying the author is very clearly new to being queer which isn't a bad thing, but it's a thing worth noting for potential readers. As well as the characters are all white, middle class cis women, but I think that's less because the author is somehow prejudiced and more because she clearly writes from her personal experiences.
The thing that annoys me is the badly executed tries to be trans people inclusive. I appreciate the sentiment. But having all your lesbian characters always say they're attracted to women and nonbinary people and saying nothing else comes off as these people seeing nonbinary people as women lite. I am sure this was not the intention. Similarly with the question for the seemingly cishet woman about her not being with anyone who wasn't a cis man. If she were with a trans man, it doesn't make her any less straight, and these comments do suggest otherwise.
It is clear the author tries to be inclusive of the whole of queer community. But these are details someone was supposed to notice and point out, but no one did, so I'm speaking up.
I am happy to report that at least the word lesbian isn't treated as a dirty word in this book as opposed to the first one. I hope for great things for the third novel.
It also bares saying the author is very clearly new to being queer which isn't a bad thing, but it's a thing worth noting for potential readers. As well as the characters are all white, middle class cis women, but I think that's less because the author is somehow prejudiced and more because she clearly writes from her personal experiences.
The thing that annoys me is the badly executed tries to be trans people inclusive. I appreciate the sentiment. But having all your lesbian characters always say they're attracted to women and nonbinary people and saying nothing else comes off as these people seeing nonbinary people as women lite. I am sure this was not the intention. Similarly with the question for the seemingly cishet woman about her not being with anyone who wasn't a cis man. If she were with a trans man, it doesn't make her any less straight, and these comments do suggest otherwise.
It is clear the author tries to be inclusive of the whole of queer community. But these are details someone was supposed to notice and point out, but no one did, so I'm speaking up.
I am happy to report that at least the word lesbian isn't treated as a dirty word in this book as opposed to the first one. I hope for great things for the third novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Sexual content
torikate7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
I pretty much love everything Ashley Herring Blake writes, and this was no exception. An adorable storyline with such great characters. I think Ashley’s writing for an adult audience (as opposed to her usual YA and middle grade) has really improved from the first installment in the Bright Fall’s trilogy (which I also loved, but the writing at times felt a little awkward - this seemed way better). Couldn’t get enough of Jordan’s character and the whole friend group truly has great banter and chemistry. Super fun, witty, romantic story that I would definitely re-read and recommend to others!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Cancer
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, Grief, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders
sdupont's review against another edition
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
4.25
I really enjoyed this book! I was so excited when I found out Astrid was getting her own book. I think this book did a good job or showing all the sides of her character especially her vulnerabilities around perfection and failure. I thought the premise of Astrid and Jordan working together on a renovation show was fun. I felt this sequel was more well rounded than the first book (which I did enjoy). I would recommend this read for fans of HGTV and workplace romances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Cancer, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
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
4.5
I think it’s safe to say that this is my new favourite series - which is unusual for me since I don’t usually go for romance books.
I have to say, I didn’t expect it to go down the path that it did - I was expecting Astrid and Jordon to co-own Bright Designs with Isobel being bought out of the business.
I loved the Astrid/Iris/Claire friendship yet again, plus the addition of Delilah and Jordon. I liked how Delilah and Claire’s relationship from the previous book continued to be a part of the story.
The only negative was that the way some characters reacted in certain situations were a bit over the top but I guess the drama was needed…
I am so looking forward to reading about Iris in the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Death, Homophobia, Death of parent, Sexual content, Cancer, Grief, and Infidelity
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
I could just keep reading about this little group in Bright Falls forever. Blake has created such a realistic cast of characters, all struggling with their own things, and I love them. They've created their own little queer oasis in this small town in Oregon, and I am here for it. Plus, getting to see familiar characters from the first book is just a fun time.
You don't necessarily have to read [book:Delilah Green Doesn't Care|54756850] to get the happenings in this book, but it does give you a good background on some of the other characters that we meet. Blake gets to build on Astrid's character in this book, as she unpacks a bunch of stuff she learned growing up and finally learns to be happy. There is great chemistry between her and Jordan, and I enjoyed the way their relationship evolved throughout the book. Jordan also has her own things to work through. Astrid and Jordan help each other work through their anxieties, their trauma, and make each other better for it.
If you're looking for some adult sapphic romance to read, I definitely recommend this series! I've loved both books I've read so far, and can't wait to get Iris's story next fall.
You don't necessarily have to read [book:Delilah Green Doesn't Care|54756850] to get the happenings in this book, but it does give you a good background on some of the other characters that we meet. Blake gets to build on Astrid's character in this book, as she unpacks a bunch of stuff she learned growing up and finally learns to be happy. There is great chemistry between her and Jordan, and I enjoyed the way their relationship evolved throughout the book. Jordan also has her own things to work through. Astrid and Jordan help each other work through their anxieties, their trauma, and make each other better for it.
If you're looking for some adult sapphic romance to read, I definitely recommend this series! I've loved both books I've read so far, and can't wait to get Iris's story next fall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cancer, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Homophobia