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carlisbookshelf 's review for:
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail
by Ashley Herring Blake
Starting off by asking myself: WHY do I do this to myself? (“this” being; put off books that I know I’m going to love as much as the books this series and then hate myself for not reading it sooner?) Because Ashley Herring Blake does it AGAIN baby. This story made me feel all the feels and brought me back to the beginnings of my own coming out journey and my figuring things out.
Okay, first thing’s first: I didn’t like Astrid at all after reading Delilah Green Doesn’t Care last year but, boy, did that change after this. (Which, I suppose is the point. Obvi). So having a whole book centered around Astrid and her self-discovery was a wild ride that had me relating to her journey in an almost spiritual way because her and I have similar outlooks on success (SIMILAR — not identical, just saying I relate!) The way that Astrid and Jordan both, at the root, felt like failures in their own lives but had completely different life approaches to their perceived failure was such a nuanced take on the whole opposites attract trope that’s all too common. Their chemistry alone is and should be enough of a reason to read the book because who doesn’t love an enemies to lovers trope? But, the most beautiful part of the whole journey was just watching Astrid discover herself and deconstruct her old habits and views on what happiness means to her. The same could be said about Jordan’s own journey snd finding her self-worth as well.
I don’t want to dip into spoiler territory, but there’s so much to love about this book if you love modern, LGBT-centered romcoms. After reading Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, my new goal in life is to find a girlfriend who radiates Ashley Herring Blake character energy because A. She knows how to write impeccably realistic, hilarious, and amazing queer characters and B. Because her writing restores my faith in/makes me believe in love, man.
Okay, first thing’s first: I didn’t like Astrid at all after reading Delilah Green Doesn’t Care last year but, boy, did that change after this. (Which, I suppose is the point. Obvi). So having a whole book centered around Astrid and her self-discovery was a wild ride that had me relating to her journey in an almost spiritual way because her and I have similar outlooks on success (SIMILAR — not identical, just saying I relate!) The way that Astrid and Jordan both, at the root, felt like failures in their own lives but had completely different life approaches to their perceived failure was such a nuanced take on the whole opposites attract trope that’s all too common. Their chemistry alone is and should be enough of a reason to read the book because who doesn’t love an enemies to lovers trope? But, the most beautiful part of the whole journey was just watching Astrid discover herself and deconstruct her old habits and views on what happiness means to her. The same could be said about Jordan’s own journey snd finding her self-worth as well.
I don’t want to dip into spoiler territory, but there’s so much to love about this book if you love modern, LGBT-centered romcoms. After reading Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, my new goal in life is to find a girlfriend who radiates Ashley Herring Blake character energy because A. She knows how to write impeccably realistic, hilarious, and amazing queer characters and B. Because her writing restores my faith in/makes me believe in love, man.