While reading, I had fun. I was enjoying it and had a great time. But, as I sat down to write the review I realized I could think of a lot more negatives than positives for this which is not the reflection I want to have while looking back on a book.

Not having read Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, I came into the book not knowing any of the characters. So, I had no background other than what was in this book.

Astrid is a character I was off put from at first, but at some point that switch flipped. I adored Astrid. Her character was one that I found relatable. Some of her thoughts felt like they had been plucked right out of my head. I imagine that a number of readers would be able to relate to her people pleasing tendencies and that struggle of pushing yourself to please a parent.

Jordan is someone whose development was rather simple. Readers get her backstory and that’s a repeat performance throughout the novel. To the point where it didn’t feel new. There wasn’t a building on her issues with her ex-wife, just repeated in different ways that didn’t expand the problem or showcase how Jordan was healing from it.

Throughout the story, a number of things felt rushed - a large number.

The romance is one that felt rushed. Starting off, this feels like the perfect chance for a good slow burn enemies to lovers. The plot easily leads to this. Astrid the designer for the HGTV type show who really wants to go a more minimalist approach while Jordan is angry about it and really wants to keep the personality that is already there. It’s setting up for battles and fights. Tension did build between them and then they were admitting there was something there and were together.

A rushed romance isn’t he end of the world if the chemistry is there or really built. Yet, the chemistry wasn’t there. One scene comes to mind where I felt like Astrid and Jordan were connecting with one another and really getting to know each other. That was it. There relationship felt more like it was built on lust or exploring than a connection which is not something I usually jive with in my romances.

There are multiple aspects to the ending that felt rushed. For one, things with Astrid’s mother. While it as nice to see and did offer hope, the whole thing felt out of character for her mom. it really felt like it came from left field.

This novel does have the third act break up, but it also felt like it happened so late that things couldn’t get resolved. There is a line that talks about how they discussed everything that happened and that’s the resolve readers get. With the lack of deep conversations the readers got to see Astrid and Jordan have, not having that one seemed to highlight their struggling chemistry and surface level depth.

As I mentioned at the beginning, while reading, I enjoyed getting caught up in the story and being swept away. So, if you are looking for a quick read to take your away from real life for a bit, give this one a shot. I just wouldn’t think a lot about it otherwise I think that’s where it starts to fall apart.

This enemies-to=lovers story was so sweet! I loved the details of the project itself, and both characters were so well drawn and endearing. I've recommended this book in the series to a lot of people.

I loved this book, perhaps a bit more than the first one. While I enjoyed Delilah and Claire and loved their relationship, there was always something about Astrid. I love older characters finding out their sexuality and exploring and falling in love.

This was cute and lovely and so much fun.

Also! Jordan? *Swoon!!*

This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. After book one, I wasn't sure how'd I'd feel about Astrid's book given how much I didn't care for her in Delilah's story but, MAN, was I pleasantly surprised. The vulnerability and tenderness displayed throughout this story was almost too much for my heart and I had tears in my eyes through a lot of this one. Four bright, shiny stars!

I LOVED this book so much. I really appreciated gaining this closer perspective on Astrid and how she really is. I loved watching the ice queen melt and how she slowly opens herself up to Jordan. I also loved seeing their dynamic w the added cameos of iris, delilah and claire. I can’t wait for Iris’s book!

Ahhh I loved being inside Astrid's head!!! I was able to figure her out in the first one, but it was so nice to actually see how her brain works. I also very much lived Jordan and I think the story developed very nicely. Can't wait for the third!

LOVED this follow up and reading more about Astrid and getting inside her brain. Also I feel that the realization she went through a out her queerness was believable as well as what she did to try to make sure she could be a good giver as well as receiver. This was a great development into the story and, after this one, I am looking forward to Iris's story.

This book is a masterclass in how to write an unlikable protagonist who eventually learns to be a better person. Astrid is not my favorite person by any standard. She is incredibly rude and annoying and demanding, and somehow, I managed to like her by the end of the book. But the real highlight of this book for me was Jordan. What can I say? I love a woman who is incredibly competent. All in all, beautiful love story, amazing setting, and I seriously can’t wait to read Iris’s book next.

If you aren’t familiar with the sapphic Bright Falls books, Ashley Herring Blake has written two so far, beginning with Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, which I LOVED, and the newest, just released, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, another big love. If you are a fan of Alison Cochrun’s books, these are a must-read, too. And if you really like the “com” and witty banter with your “rom,” then look no further.

The home improvement show/interior design angle always intrigues me, and Astrid and Jordan were so fun to watch and each lovable and authentic. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. I also enjoyed Delilah’s cameos. This is a treat of a series, and I’m so grateful it’s continuing with Iris’s story next! Be ready for the steam. 🔥

About the book: “An interior designer learns to rebuild her love life from the ground up with zero blueprints in this new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn't Care.”

I received a gifted copy.

Ashley Herring Blake knocks it out of the park again! This enemies to lovers romance novel was an absolute joy to read, and more importantly, I feel like the character of Astrid was so fascinating to see grow and change over the course of the book. I identified a lot with her so I found this book to be so reassuring and wonderful. The romance was fun and believable and perfect for the two characters. Also I can never say no to a home renovations project, even if its just in text.

When I heard this gave Schitts Creek vibes, regardless of the fact i was already going to read it, I knew it had to go up higher on my tbr list!! This was another enjoyable read from Ashley Blake! An Interior Designer and Carpenter renovate an Inn for a popular home improvement show and they are constantly butting heads on how it should be. Jordan insists on keeping the history at the Inn while Astrid wants to give a more modern take on it. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, despite my aggravation towards their stubbornness towards each other and their own decisions to not fail.

It took me way too long to get to this one (it was published in Nov 2022) BUT I'm so glad I finally picked it up because I forgot how much I love Ashley Herring Blake's writing! Astrid and Jordan were a delight and it was really fun to watch them grow on their own and together. This was also the perfect mix of drama and HGTV content - it reminded me of Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey in this way. Sometimes love and heartbreak takes us by surprise but things can still turn around if you're willing to work for it. I loved this and I'm very excited to read the story of Iris next!

I've read both of the titles in this series, but I doubt I'll be reading another. Which is a shame because I do like the characters. However, I find myself rolling my eyes so often at the writing. There was so much attention to ceratin aspects of queer culture that it came across as preachy and redundant. I'm queer, so perhaps it read it differently, idk. Anyway, I have adored Blake's middle grade and YA books, but the lack of subtlety is so cringe in these adult attempts. And I'm not referring to the sex, just in the writing itself. Maybe that's the problem - these Bright Falls books read like YA books, which is fine for actual YA books. But mine is obviously an unpopular opinion and our patrons love these books. I'm not unhappy I read this one, but I won't be reading Iris's story next year.

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail and Ashley Herring Blake Doesn’t Miss — another sapphic story from them that has blown me off my feet! The power that they hold in creating lovable, flawed characters and having me on the edge of my seat reading their story is immense. I’ll never tire of this series, that’s for sure and certain!

I loved this book. I wasn't sure how the series could be stronger than Delilah Green Doesn't Care, but this book lived up to the hype and more. It really made me care about Astrid as a person, and the feelings of imposter syndrome and familial tension were so easy to relate to. Ashley Herring Blake is now on my insta-buy list and I can't wait for the third book in the series!

This felt very performative at times, like really trying to prove that the author is Unproblematic and Woke. There’s a whole paragraph of a group of characters announcing what their pronouns are, simply because there was one non-binary character. It felt clunky and awkward and unnecessary. Beyond that, I was just kind of…bored reading it.

I don't know that this worked as well as the first one. I appreciated that this is a universe with characters that make appearances in every book (although I would have sworn the next book was about Iris and Simon, soooooo I definitely guessed incorrectly). To me, I'm not sure that Astrid in particular gets any development, for it being her book I don't know that I like her?

OH GOD, sorry it took so long to do this.

I think what slowed me down was that Jordan seemed childish with her underhanded redesign of Astrid's (albeit boring) interior decorating of Jordan's grandmother's B&B. During filming of a reality show no less! That didn't scream "appealingly sexy lumberjane" to me. But, you know, for romance reasons, Astrid and Jordan grow closer despite Jordan's sabotage.

It's nice to see Astrid develop more from the first book, and her coming to terms with her sexuality and who she really is. (And with lesbians in my family, I definitely understood Jordan's "I'm not a sexual experiment" concern and not wanting to get her heart broken; it happens quite frequently in the dating world.) The steam level is high in this and very well written. Despite the long pause, ultimately I enjoyed this book and the next book in this series (involving Iris) was clearly set up here.

As soon as this book was announced, I was chomping at the bit to read it. I got an eARC from NetGalley for it, and then life got in the way and I didn't have a chance to read this until very recently. It was just as amazing as I'd hoped it would be.

In the previous book, I felt somewhat bad for Astrid, especially after it all came out that so much of what she (and what Delilah) thought was simple misunderstanding, but oof, this book. Ouch. Everything about Isabelle Parker-Greene is awful, and as far as I'm concerned, she is irredeemable. That said, Astrid goes through a lot of growth in this book, and I cannot tell you how much of Astrid's sexual orientation realization I could relate to.

Jordan's entire arc is just. Sad. I hate how beat down she is, and she just deserves so much better. I'm glad that she starts to see and believe that by the end.

However, I was 100% here for the burgeoning sisterly relationship between Astrid and Delilah, and I love the way they interact, and how Astrid depends on her to tell her the truth even as her bffs try to sugarcoat things. Absolute perfection.

I absolutely adored this story - from the friends and family, to the journeys both women had to undergo, to the discoveries along the way. Ashley Herring Blake draws me right into this small town and makes me feel like I am living right alone aide this gorgeous coven.