Wowowowow I hated this book. I wanted so badly to like it but I just couldn’t. I loved Astrid but Jordan was so deeply unlikeable that I didn’t want her to be happy. I also think Blake has an uphill climb for her next book because Iris has been objectively terrible for two books now

Loved Astrid and Jordan and the entire Bright Falls gang! Sapphic series that keeps hitting all the marks I love in a romance novel.

I don't know enough about design to understand why Astrid and Jordan couldn't share the lead design title, felt like a contrived controversy.

What I love most about Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail is how Blake took an EXTREMELY difficult character from a prior book, and completely humanized her. Astrid's abrasive exterior hides a lot of wounds stemming from her emotionally neglectful mother. Blake does a great job tapping into that, without overwhelming the feel-good aspect of a cute small town love story. Both characters in this romance were fully realized and engaging, and the supporting cast was delightful.

4 stars - Great!

I enjoyed this - the characters, the story, the romance, the individual journeys for both women. I haven't read a lot of LGBTQ+ romance, so this reading experience felt different for me. And at the same time, all of the features I enjoy in heterosexual romances were there - a fun friend group where different characters have or will get their own books, animosity that turns into love, an engaging plot that sets up some of the relationship moments as well as conflict, etc..

I have not read the first book in the series, but I think fans of that one will find a lot to love here. And I can't wait to see what happens in book 3! (Language, sex. A thread about tarot cards and tarot reading spans the book)

If you haven’t read Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail yet, I am begging you to sprint to your nearest bookstore and buy it because this. was. so. good.

I wasn’t expecting to love Astrid and Jordan as much as I loved Claire and Delilah, but their story was even better. I loved Astrid’s character development from the closed-off imitation of her mother to her true self that she had been hiding and how Jordan helped bring that side of her back to life!

Would also 100% hire Jordan Everwood to design my house because green cabinets and dark statement walls are all I want in life.

thank you NetGalley and and Berkley for this arc i loved every minute of it!

This was such a cute book, a grumpy x grumpy wlw book that every lgbtq person needs in their life. I can say that Ashley Herring Blake nailed “Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fall”. There was so much hype surrounding this book and it honestly deserved it. There was SO MUCH lgbtq representation, I felt like I was in a dream!!

A coworker started it and was so appalled by something that happened in it that she would not continue. It was unforgivable to her, and our tastes are very similar, so I will not read this. This is unfortunate because I liked the first book very much.

I enjoyed reading about Astrid more than I thought I would, which is funny since she intrigued me the most in Delilah's story. Astrid is such a complex, interesting character and it was great to have a book mostly from her perspective, as she rediscovers herself following her breakup with her fiancé and rekindling a relationship with her step-sister. There was so much growth both for her and her love interest, Jordan, from the start of the book to the end. It was lovely to experience that with these characters, and see some insight into Astrid's relationships with her friends and family firsthand. There was so much emotional depth and growth, I absolutely adored it and I'm stoked for Iris' installation of this series.

Ashley Herring Blake writes the sapphic romances of my dreams. Not only are the covers always so cute... but the content in between the pages are just *chefs kiss* I love how stuck up Astrid is. There is something about people with harder to crack shells who break (in the right way) for the right person that makes me so happy. I also love her journey in discovering her worth and what she should accept from people. She wasnt my favorite in the first book, but I am so glad she had her moment to shine. This book was spicy, it was sweet, and overall I wish I could remain in this world a little longer.

A stunning sequel to a beautiful debut!

While Astrid was probably my least favorite character of the last book, in this, she shines. I loved reading about her growth and learning! Not to mention to flirting was a plus!

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake is the much anticipated sequel to Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and it’s so nice to be back with the squad in Bright Falls. After her breakup a year ago Astrid gets an opportunity do to a home renovation for Pru Everwood (I was getting kind of Oprah vibes?) that will be broadcast on a home improvement show. She throws herself fully into the work but doesn’t expect to be distracted by Pru’s granddaughter Jordan, who happens to be the carpenter on the project.

I’ll leave it at that - this was fun, rompy, and quick. Combines the best of design shows and queer romance - what’s not to love?

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the Arc. This book is out now!

While I didn't love this book, I do love Astrid Parker! Getting into her character was my favorite part of the book and she deserves all good things, especially after everything that went down in Delilah Green Doesn't Care. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same love for Jordan. From the initial meet ugly I was basically Team Astrid, and I feel like all the drama that eventually explodes was down to Jordan's interference and unprofessionalism. And then Astrid ended up taking the fall for going along with it. So yeah, I spent a lot of the book feeling frustrated with Jordan. However, that's me and other readers will have different reactions/views! I did enjoy the fluffy moments and romance (the silent movie date was my favorite). I also liked seeing more of Delilah, Claire, and Iris. Overall, I totally enjoyed the Astrid character growth and I'm happy with the ending.

Astrid Parker has always been driven to succeed and if that drive has been kicked into high gear towards her fledgling design business after breaking up with her fiancé a year ago, it's not because she's obsessed...she just needs a win. And her newest project, renovating the Everwood Inn being featured on Innside America could be the life win she needs to boost her confidence, impression her mother, and save her business. She's ready to knock it out of the park, but then she runs into Jordan Everwood (literally). After an awful first impression, Astrid is facing a hostile Jordan nearly every day as she is owner of the Inn's granddaughter and lead carpenter on the project. Jordan, whose had a rough year of her own, needs this project pull her out of a work, life, romantic funk. But the two butt heads on the best way to save the Everwood Inn and soon the tension both on and off the show is heating up. Can the two women overcome their differences to save the end and perhaps each other?

I absolutely adore the community that Ashley Herring Blake has created in Bright Falls. I loved Delilah Green Doesn't Care and Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail was just as good.

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail and it was a great follow-up to Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and an excellent continuation for the Bright Falls Series.

What I loved about this book is that you get both Astrid’s POV as well as Jordan’s, it completely leveled up the book. A year after Astrid’s failed engagement, she feels like she is not living to her fullest potential and her career feels stagnant. She then has an opportunity to be part of a televised renovation show, but she butts heads with lead carpenter, Jordan, who also happens to be part of the family that owns the home. Astrid has never failed at anything; she has always done what she has been told to do and this will not be the first time she fails.

Ashley Herring Blake has become an auto-buy author for me. She has written a magical queer romance that completely exposes the raw beauty and emotions of finding yourself and allowing yourself to be honest within. Even if it means figuring out your sexuality later on in life. I think rivals to lover’s trope is difficult to truly when capture when there really is not a reason to support this feeling. However, with the home renovation being the backdrop of the story, it is completely felt and believed.

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy, all opinions are my own.

The second book in Ashley Herring Blake’s Bright Falls series, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail revisits the town of Bright Falls, this time following perfectionist Astrid Parker.

A year ago, Astrid broke up with her fiancé, refocusing on her design career and diving headfirst into as many projects as she can. Change comes when Astrid is asked to be the lead interior designer for the beloved Everwood Inn; even better, the renovation will be filmed for the show Innside America, which will prove once and for all Astrid still has it together after all. Except Jordan Everwood, granddaughter of Everwood Inn’s owner and carpenter hates every decision Astrid makes, and while the producers love the animosity and want it played up for the cameras, it eventually turns into something much more complicated than design disagreement.

Astrid was my favourite character in Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, so when I heard she would be the focus of her own book, I was over the moon. Getting to peel back the layers of complexity behind Astrid’s polished front was an emotional, engaging journey full of catharsis. Her flaws were as highlighted as her strengths and it made her a compelling character to follow. It’s always a pleasure for me to read books where a character comes into their queerness later in life and that part of Astrid’s journey was so well handled.

Jordan was great as well; her character arc took some surprising turns as it was revealed, which is rare for me in romance novels. Her headstrong personality and soft center really worked for me. I appreciate that she felt like a strong character in her own right and didn’t compromise on her visions.

A few things weren’t for me in this. What I loved about Delilah Green was the complex friend and family relationships, but in Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, they didn’t get nearly as much screen time. I was looking forward to more interaction between Astrid and Delilah in particular, especially given the way the last novel ended, but it was pretty lacking. There was also—stop me if you’ve heard this one before—a bit too much reliance on miscommunication for my liking as far as the central romance conflict.

Overall, this was a heartfelt, sweet, and spicy romance read that I still highly recommend. I can’t wait to see what else Ashley Herring Blake brings us in the Bright Falls universe.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail started out strong, with lots of tension, but ultimately fell flat for me. I was excited to read about Astrid, since she was one of the characters I was most curious about in DGDC, I normally enjoy the stuck up, gotta have everything under control side character, but I’m not even sure how I just lost interest in her story this time around. I also wasn't a fan of Jordan, who was still harboring strong resentment towards her ex-wife, sometimes projecting her insecurities onto Astrid. so that didn't help. If anything, I found the initial portrayal of the love interest to be somewhat misleading. Delilah Green Doesn't Care had a lot more depth in both main characters and family dynamics, which I appreciated. This one had none of the two and characters were explored more or less through one aspect of their past. While main issues were addressed, I felt that a lot was swept under the rug and never brought up again. It was still enjoyable for the most part, but not nearly as much as Delilah Green. Comparing it to the first book certainly didn't help either.

I really enjoyed "Delilah Green," but it seems like Ashley Herring Blake really hit her stride in this book! I loved this story and the characters -- the love story was swoonworthy, and I was rooting for them until the very end. Can't wait for more in this series!

In this follow up to last year's "Delilah Green Doesn't Care" we get to see the real Astrid Parker that was such a big part of the first book. We start "Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail" roughly a year after the fallout of her called off marriage. Her life is in upheaval and becoming lead designer on a national recognised show feels like the perfect way to get back on top. Cue Jordan Everwood. Both women clash starting from the very moment they, quite literally, run into each other. Jordan is just as invested in the design and renovation since the house is her family's legacy and without this publicity, they will have to sell the house. With two totally different personalities and styles, the Everwood Inn becomes a battleground with no room safe. That is until both women realise they have a little more in common than initially thought.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Bright Falls series. As someone who wasn't able to articulate their sexuality until they were much older, I saw bits of myself throughout the story. the scene where Astrid borrows Iris' queer romances brought back memories of reading WLW for the first time and having puzzle pieces fall into place. I loved watching Astrid deconstruct her up bringing and, honestly, would have loved to see more of that dynamic. Jordan's arc really hit me in the feels and without getting too much into it, when she finally revealed what happened with Meredith, I think I was more heartbroken than if things had gone another way. I can't wait to get little snippets of Astrid and Jordan's life when Blake releases Iris' story.

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail is the second installment in Ashley Herring Blake’s Bright Falls romance series. When I first met Astrid Parker in the first installment, I’ll freely admit that I couldn’t stand her. Blake worked her magic though and had me loving Astrid by the end and wanting to know more about her.

When the story opens, Astrid has taken over her overbearing mother’s successful interior design business. She is struggling to make a go of it though and, desperate to bring in new business, Astrid agrees to be the designer for the renovation of Everwood Inn, a once successful, but now dated, inn located in town. Not only will she serve as the lead designer, but the entire renovation is being featured on Innside America, a popular home improvement reality TV series.

I’ve really been enjoying the trend of incorporating reality TV series into romance books, and its use here was a winner for me as well, as Astrid’s love interest is closely tied to this renovation project. Jordan Everwood not only grew up at Everwood Inn, but she is also serving as the lead carpenter on the project. Jordan is not overly excited about this renovation because she finds Astrid’s designs impersonal and devoid of any of the charm that makes the inn such a special place. Some of the funniest moments in the book stem from Jordan plotting to sabotage Astrid’s designs. Talk about sparks flying! It was so much fun watching their relationship evolve from being at odds over everything to finally coming together to make things happen.

What I especially loved about Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail though is that not only did I get to know Astrid better, but Astrid also learns so many things about herself. She realizes that most of her struggles to take over her mother’s business stem from the fact that she actually has no passion for interior design and has only taken over the business because it was expected of her. I enjoyed this journey for Astrid as she slowly realizes that if she wants to be happy and successful in life, she has to strike out on her own and figure out what she’s truly passionate about.

Astrid’s journey of self-discovery doesn’t stop with her career and with stepping out of her mom’s shoes though. Her journey is also one of sexual awakening. When she and Jordan first literally run into one another, Astrid doesn’t really understand the feelings she is experiencing because she has always considered herself solely attracted to men. Once she realizes she truly is attracted to Jordan, she reflects back over her life and realizes she has always been bisexual. I thought Blake did a wonderful job portraying this aspect of Astrid’s personal journey in a very realistic way.

I loved the balance between the hilarious moments, witty banter, and steam that I come to expect from rom-coms coupled with the more serious elements of self discovery that Astrid experiences. It was also just great fun to be back in this world and to see Delilah and the rest of Astrid’s friend group again. Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail is definitely a solid installment in the Bright Falls series.

I just love Ashley's writing. Astrid was very interesting in the first book and I was happy to read a late-in-life bi awakening. The love interest was super cute, and I liked the inn setting. Can't wait for book 3!