✨ Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail ✨

Anyone else an Ashley Herring Blake superfan after reading her two adult novels?!

When I read Delilah Green Doesn’t Care last year I fell in love with Blake’s writing. I binged the book and couldn’t get enough of the characters, setting, and storylines.

Astrid’s book is *almost* as good. Another 5 star read, but I think Delilah might have a slight edge. Astrid is one of those characters that I wanted to simultaneously shake some sense into while also wrapping her up in a big hug.

Astrid and Jordan…whew!! The angst and build up in this book was chef’s kiss! (I know there is great dislike for that phrase, but it’s the perfect description!) My anticipation as a reader was super high as their enemies to lovers story unfolded.

This book is just as steamy as Delilah and there are scenes that have been living rent free in my head ever since I read the book. 🔥🔥🔥

The parts of the story that show us how supportive female friendships can be had me loving the book almost as much as the romance did. The family relationships added something extra too. Blake really has a way of beautifully depicting relationships in all the forms they take.

I need to get on reading the author’s YA and Middle Grade backlist. I’m so excited for Iris Kelly’s story next!

Astrid Parker has a big gig, designing an old inn on a TV show. But what happens when it turns out that the lead carpenter doesn't like her modern design? Everyone loves her modern designs. Things get more complicated in the small town of Bright Falls and Astrid tries to figure out how she really feels about Jordan, the lead carpenter.

I really enjoyed Astrid's path to her future, and the enemies to lovers trope here. But I do think what made it stand out was both Astrid and Jordan's personal journeys, which allowed for some mistakes and really big failures that they did find ways to come back from (of course!).

Excellent enemies to lovers romance that looks at suppressed queerness and late coming outs. Herring Blake has found an excellent niche for adult romance and readers of Tessa Bailey and Emily Henry will enjoy this queer romance.

I really enjoyed Delilah Green doesn’t care so imagine my surprise that I enjoyed Astrid’s story just as much! I thought the use of tarot cards was clever and fun. I look forward to the third one.

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail" by Ashley Herring Blake is a heartwarming young adult romance that explores the themes of self-discovery and personal growth.

The author crafts a well-paced narrative with authentic characters and believable conflicts. The story of Astrid and Jordan's love-hate relationship is engaging and will leave readers rooting for them to overcome their differences.

The novel also tackles important issues such as the pressure to succeed, the weight of expectations, and the courage to follow one's dreams.

Overall, "Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail" is a delightful and inspiring read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance and coming-of-age stories.

After reading Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, I did not expect to love Astrid’s story even more, but here we are. I love Astrid and Jordan as characters, their individual development and confidence building as well as their relationship development. I also love AHB’s books for the depiction of female friendship/found family — this series’ friend group is one of my favorites in fiction. Also, the inn renovation aspects of this are so much fun!

I am a sucker for home renovation shows so when I found out this one would revolve around the characters working together to renovate an old Inn I was all for it!

I loved Delilah Green and was more than happy to request and read this next installment in the series. Astrid has grown up trying to please her mother at every turn. After her father, and stepfather, passed away when she was a child her mother became colder and more determined on Astrid succeeding in life. When Astrid gets a job as lead designer on an HGTVesk show, she knows that nailing it will gain so much approval from her mother. What she didn't account for was Jordan, the carpenter and granddaughter of the Bed & Breakfast she's set to renovate.

Jordan has been living in a depressive state for over a year and when her brother tells her about the failing B&B they grew up in, she decides it's time to get out of her funk and make sure the design for the Everwood will be exactly how it should be and not what outside designer thinks will be best for it.

I enjoyed the enemies to lovers or opposites attract tropes in this adult rom com. The constant tension and back and forth banter between Astrid and Jordan made for an entertaining read! The setting, characters, and romance was perfectly done! There's definitely some steam so don't go into this thinking it's going to be all hand holding and sweet kisses.

I will recommend Delilah and Astrid's story's to all the romance readers!! Also, I will be picking up any other books by Ashley Herring Blake in the future!

The worst part about this book is how much potential it had to be one of my favorite things I've ever read, but instead turned into something I truly disliked. Astrid deserved better than ending up with someone who blew up her life. I get that Astrid allegedly wasn't happy, but it should have been her choice and her decisions that led her away from interior decorating. Instead, her new girlfriend sabotaged her approved plans (which were apparently really dull for someone who was supposed to be good at this???) and was a secret interior design wizard who got the TV spot and the publicity and everything Astrid wanted. I saw the underlying "but Astrid is great at baking and loves to do it!" storyline and it bothered me so much because I knew that it was going to be turned into her new entire life. Why couldn't Astrid be good at both? Why can't baking just be a hobby? I was so frustrated by the end because Astrid deserved to make those choices for herself and not be shoved into them.

This was great! My only gripe is that I didn't feel like Astrid and Jordan's chemistry was as hot as Delilah and Claire's was in the first book of the series. I loved getting to know these two characters, and particularly getting Astrid's perspective on what went down in Delilah's book. Can't wait for the third book!

I didn't like this book as much as the first one. The main character isn't as likeable; it took half the book just to redeem her from her damaged character from the first book. I'll still read the next book though.

I had no idea this was the second book, but regardless I loved it. I loved everything about this book, It was cute funny, enjoyable, just all around amazing. I will be going back read book one and the other books in this series.

I love a good "buttoned up princess" who realizes that what she needs is to relax a little. In some ways this felt like a queer version of The Wedding Planner!

This book was sweet in the long run but took a long time to warm up to. Jordan is not a likeable character, I understand her motives but most of the story she is honestly insufferable. She can't accept that Astrid is just doing the job she was asked to do even if she doesn't like it, she takes it out on Astrid instead of talking to her brother or her grandmother about it. Astrid also for a character with so much potential (especially after her previous appearance in Delilah Green) and with such a interesting past she falls flat. Towards the end of the book she definitely gets more interesting but in general I wanted so much more. I was happy that in the end the two did work it out and come together, giving Astrid the career and future she actually wanted instead of the one she was forced to have. It was definitely spicy which I do appreciate but I just wish this would have held up to Delilah Green a little bit more. 3.5 stars and an enjoyable read, I'm hoping the next Bright Falls book about Iris is a little stronger and has some more depth.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Another fantastic story for Ashley Herring Blake - are we surprised? This sequel to Delilah Green Doesn't Care follows Astrid, Delilah's stepsister, as she navigates life after breaking up with her fiance and gets the opportunity to renovate Everwood Inn for a tv show as an interior designer. However, interior design really isn't her passion - it's something she's doing to seek her mother's approval. On the flipside is Jordan Everwood who is the owner's granddaughter and lead carpenter for the project. Unfortunately, the only interaction the two have had before they find out they're working together is when Jordan accidentally ran into Astrid and ruined her dress the day she was interviewing for the tv show. It's a meet cute gone wrong + hate-to-love situation which I love. I love angsty romances! I enjoyed both POVs and the struggles throughout the book. I like that even when communication breaks down, it's not a miscommunication deal - which is one of my least favorite tropes. I especially enjoyed the friend group and am very excited for Iris's book. My only qualm was the subplot with Jordan's ex who was an easy person to not like.

I went into this with the hopeful expectation I had when I finished book 1. I loved Astrid, I had rooted for her to leave her obnoxious fiance and find love. Coming into Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail I felt like she lacked the depth I was hoping for. I enjoyed the read- and loved the moments when you got snippets into Delilah's life. It wasn't a bad read--but I felt like I was left wanting more.

I fell in love with the first book in this series and I have to be honest I was a bit hesitant about starting this one because I had mixed feelings about Astrid. However, I was happily surprised! It was really cute and I really enjoyed all the new characters. And Astrid’s character arc was wonderful to read.

Why did it take me so long to listen to this amazing book by Ashley Herring Blake??? Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail was such a great book! I must admit, I have not read Delilah's story yet, but after listening to Astrid's story in a day, I feel compelled to get my hands on any other books by Ashley Herring Blake!

Astrid Parker is determined to succeed and part of that pressure comes from her relentless, prim and proper mother. Berkley provided synopsis, "When Pru Everwood asks her to be the designer for the Everwood Inn’s renovation, which will be featured on a popular HGTV show, Innside America, Astrid is thrilled. Not only will the project distract her from her failed engagement and help her struggling business, but her perpetually displeased mother might finally give her a nod of approval." What she didn't anticipate was how Pru's granddaughter, Jordan made her feel. Forced proximity may be one of my favorite tropes and in this book it worked extremely well. Parker and Jordan are forced to work very closely with one another.

Themes in this book explore identity, intersectionality, familial pressures, success versus failure, and ownership and responsibility. From my bookish friends, I have frequently heard folks say they preferred Delilah's story, and while I got glimpses of her, without having read it, I really enjoyed this book. It can function as a stand-alone, but be aware it will provide spoilers for the previous book.

Thank you so much PRHAudio, Berkley Romance, and Netgalley or providing me a copy of Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail.

Absolutely phenomenal. I loved Astrid's growth, loved her finding and understanding herself. Standing up to her Mom. I loved JORDAN - she was so hot and funny and grumpy. I loved the friendships and the relationships. I didn't love the cancer storyline with Jordan's ex, felt like it could've been something else, but overall a great read and cannot wait for Iris.

I read this because I loved Delilah Green so much and this was super fun. It was nice to follow Astrid's story. I did see another review who said it was unfortunate she was pitted as the villain in her own novel which is accurate was a bit disappointing.

This romance was relatively engaging, a bit steamy and an overall serviceable. It's your typical meet ugly, with a brief foray into rivals to lovers territory, but to put it plainly this is simply a book that failed to convince me. I was unconvinced by the romantic chemistry or the idea that this is a viable soulmate level pairing like the book wanted me to believe. The home renovation plot felt more and more contrived the further the story went and the characters (both main and side) felt weak and a bit aimless to me, ultimately arriving at "character development" that felt a bit unearned and in some ways totally out of left field, particularly with regards to Astrid's career aspirations. I just felt that things didn't fully come together with the ease and earnestness that I found myself loving from the first book in the Bright Falls series. A perfectly fine way to pass some time, but I have many qualms, and a level of dispassion for the story that I think earns it a solid 2.5 star in my opinion.