A review by foxandbooks
Astrid Sees All by Natalie Standiford

3.0

This was an interesting book! It is based in the late 70's, early 80's in New York City. During that time it was all about the music, drugs and sex... especially for Phoebe. Phoebe is young, around 22/23 and trying to survive in the city. Phoebe gets some bad news and hurries home to Baltimore. Her Dad is sick and passes away. She stays as long as she can but New York is calling and she feels the need to get back and try to make it there. She hooks up with her friend Carmen and they get lost in the drug/art scene of that time. Phoebe gets a job telling fortunes at a club on New Years Eve. She tells fortunes by shaking a box of ticket stubs from movies she has seen, and uses those to tell her customers their "future". Phoebe calls herself Astrid the Star Girl and she turns what was supposed to be a one night gig into a more permanent job.

Phoebe continues to spiral out of control so much so that she hurts her friend Carmen and puts herself in harm's way. Phoebe has spent so much time running...running from her dad's death and running from herself, and finally she has her moment of clarity.

This book is New York of the 80's. From the people, JFK Jr., to the clubs and the drugs, it is just as gritty as it sounds. Good, fast read and sometimes you just need a gritty book! 3.5 ⭐

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the eARC and hard copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.