Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Astrid Parker Não Falha

Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

Astrid Parker Não Falha by Ashley Herring Blake

65 reviews

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:

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.

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author2223's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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eamily's review against another edition

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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

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alexisgarcia's review against another edition

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emotional funny relaxing medium-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? Yes

3.75

originally, i really liked this. however, after reading all the reviews and seeing the complaints about Jordans character and also the issues with the certain terminology used by the author, i started to agree and change my mind about my original rating. i agree with those saying Jordan is slightly frustrating in that she always gets what she wants in the end and kind of makes Astrid the villain when it is not all of her fault. it was frustrating seeing Astrid take all of the blame and Jordan taking all of the credit. I wish Astrid would have gotten a slightly different love interest. aside from this, i really enjoyed Astrid's storyline. I loved how she came into her sexuality and started living her life for herself.

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imstephtacular's review against another edition

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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

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hellowildflower's review against another edition

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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

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sdupont's review against another edition

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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.

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librariangeorgia's review against another edition

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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!

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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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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.

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caseythereader's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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? No

4.0

Thanks to PRH Audio for the free advance copy of this book.

- I adore Ashley Herring Blake's women. They are messy and complicated and full of love. I love that there are real reasons for why they act the way they do, and not simply just to introduce obstacles into the plot.
- In particular in ASTRID PARKER DOESN'T FAIL, I loved that Jordan didn't fit neatly into a butch or femme stereotype. She wore overalls and had short hair and also wore bold lipstick. I'm here for expanding the kinds of queer women who appear in books.
- This series is so much about family, both blood relatives and found family, and how important those supports are. I already can't wait to see them all return for Iris' book.

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