A review by smalltownbookmom
Astrid Sees All by Natalie Standiford

4.0

3.5 rounded up - This was a bit of a dark read but I loved the 1980s club scene vibe as we follow 23 year old Phoebe trying to make it on her own in the big city. Sort of a gritty mix between Girls and Sex and the City, Phoebe is dealing with grief over her Dad's recent death, feeling betrayed by her best friend, drug abuse, unwanted pregnancies, affairs with older married men, etc. There's a lot going on but interspersed are lots of fun 80s references - my favorite was to the old Disney movie Darby O'Gill and the little people!! (I had that on VHS and it's the best LOL). Eventually Phoebe turns her fake psychic party trick using old movie ticket stubs into an advice column for a city paper and gets her feet under her but it is a bumpy journey getting there! The narrative does jump around a bit in time without warning and I found that confusing at times, but overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend if you're in the mood for some 80s nostalgia.

CW: abortion, drug abuse, death of a parent