Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - Astrid Parker nunca falha

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!

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

4.25

“Sexuality is complicated. It’s not static. People change and sexuality can change too.”

➽ Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail takes up back to Bright Falls! This time we follow Delilah's stepsister Astrid and I was so excited to finally get her perspective, especially as we mostly saw her in a negative light before. I have to admit that I liked this even more than the first book. Astrid is such a well-written character. She's got high standards for herself and has worked hard to be a successful designer. After ending things with her toxic fiancé Astrid is ready to move on with her life and stop second-guessing herself. She decides to join the redesign of the Everwood Inn which will be televised for a renovation show! There she has to work together with the owner's granddaughter Jordan Everwood, who has some very different expectations for the Inn!

➽ I loved the characters and romance so much! Astrid and Jordan are such different people and immediately clash. However, they have to work together for the sake of the show and grow closer together despite their differences. I liked that the story explored Astrid discovering her sexuality, it's so important to show Adults unsure about their orientation and taking the time to find out how they are. Astrid has got a great support system with her friends and a rekindled relationship with her stepsister Delilah. It's even more important in the wake of her mother. She's super controlling and constantly obsessed with their image. It feels suffocating to Astrid and she has to find out if her happiness aligns with what her mother wants.

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

After breaking up with her fiance in "Delilah Green Doesn't Care," ice queen Astrid Parker is struggling to regain her footing. Her interior design business is faltering, her uber-judgmental mother is looming larger than ever, and her nerves are frayed. Which almost explains her struggles to remain polite, aloof, and professional around Jordan Sherwood, the lead carpenter on the historic inn renovation project that is the key to securing Astrid's success and her mother's approval.

The Sherwood Inn has been in Jordan's family for generations and in her own heart for decades. She's recovering from heartbreak and grief and can't seem to do anything right anymore, but she can keep the inn from getting modernized into blandness by the predictably uptight Astrid.

A little light sabotage and a few power struggles raise more than the resident ghost at the inn in this enemies-to-lovers romance that features a later-in-life queer awakening and the excellent ride-or-die friends from the first book. Even though it has allllll the right vibes and backstories to appeal to me (historic inn! hot carpenter chick! perfectionist unraveling! implementing healthy boundaries!) the story and development just didn't flow for me. I'll definitely still check out Iris's story coming in book 3, though!

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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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