I liked this even more than Delilah Green, and that was one of my romance favorites last year! Maybe I'm projecting too much but I really liked seeing Astrid come into her own as a queer woman later in life like this, it felt very authentic to her character and was written well. I think the folks who are critiquing the writing style and the handling of the TV show plot points are valid but I will still be giving this five stars because I had an absolutely excellent time reading this.

4.5 ⭐️

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” was one of my favourite books earlier this year, so when I got my hands on an ARC copy of “Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail” I was beyond excited. I had such high hopes for this book, and it did not disappoint. I would recommend reading these books in order, because Astrid’s backstory is relevant.

“Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail” follows Delilah’s stepsister, Astrid, a year after she broke off her engagement in “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care”. Astrid’s interior design business isn’t doing so great, so when she gets the opportunity to renovate the Everwood Inn on a national TV show, it seems like exactly what she needs to get her name out there. Unfortunately, things don’t get off to a great start with Jordan, the lead carpenter on the project and granddaughter of the Everwood’s owner, who has some very different ideas for the direction of the renovation.

The rivals-to-lovers aspect of this story was really well done. After Astrid and Jordan’s disastrous first meeting, their conflicting visions for the Everwood only make matters worse. The tension and chemistry between them is palpable! When they do finally connect, I absolutely adore them together. Jordan pushes Astrid a little out of her comfort zone into realizing she’s not super happy with her life, and Astrid makes Jordan realize she deserves to have what makes her happy. And they just have some really cute moments!!!

Astrid’s arc in this book was hands-down my favourite part. She has so much self-discovery not only about her sexual identity, but also her life and career choices in general. She really opens up in this book and we get to see so much more of her dreams and insecurities beneath the cool exterior.

Astrid’s friend group also plays an amazing part in this story. They’re so fun and supportive, and I can’t wait for Iris’s book to come out next year!!

Side note: I just also love when books shoutout other books/media and some of my other faves have a little cameo in this one!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really sad to say I DNF'ed this book at 29%

I found Astrid super intriguing in Delilah Green Doesn't Care, and I mostly liked her in this book, too. The antagonism between Astrid and builder Jordan was so off for me though and by the time I dnf'ed, I just couldn't imagine coming to like Jordan or seeing the two of them together.

Yes, Astrid was unnecessarily mean to Jordan when Jordan spilled coffee on her and ruined Astrid's dress, but then Jordan sets out to basically ruin Astrid's career which seemed way over the top. Because she didn't feel like Astrid's apology was sincere? And despite Jordan's own family not wanting to consult Jordan on the remodel of their inn, Jordan decides she knows best and goes behind everyone's back without even having a conversation with any of them but instead leaving Astrid especially to scramble to figure out how to not look like she's utterly incompetent at her job while there are cameras on her. Part of why Jordan was acting this way could be out of grief as she seemed to still be missing her late wife fiercely but that just seemed like yet another reason she and Astrid maybe shouldn't end up together.

If the book hadn't been wanting to force these two together, I might've kept reading but Astrid deserved better than Jordan and I just didn't care to keep reading about their supposed love story.

I think I might DNF this within 4 chapters, which is a record for me, because:

1) Jordan, the love interest crashes into Astrid and spills 3 cups of hot(!) coffee onto her, ruining her appearance on the day she starts a new job that is her business' last chance to stay afloat;
2) when Astrid understandably reacts badly to this turn of events, she's made out to be the villain. Astrid experiences almost-immediate remorse and tries to apologize for her bad reaction when they're alone, and Jordan responds by cutting her off and jeering at her;
3) The kicker: Immediately after almost reducing Astrid to tears, Jordan thinks about how much she liked Astrid fumbling her apology and how she enjoyed Astrid's distress and discomfort.

(Yes, Jordan cried in her car after the coffee interaction. Astrid saw her tear tracks later and felt immense guilt over making her cry. That's a normal human reaction, as opposed to whatever pleasure Jordan seemed to take in Astrid's distress.)

What on earth. As my wife put it, "if Jordan was a man, this would be instantly recognizable as a huge red flag."

I don't know if I'll keep reading this. I love a morally grey character and unhealthy relationship if that's what they're being portrayed as. This is not that kind of book, so I might stop before I have to endure the author trying to romanticize this. A huge disappointment after enjoying Delilah.

4.5 stars.

The thing I loved best about Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail was Astrid Parker. She’s flawed, falling apart, and oh so emotionally damaged. When she has her “not so meet-cute” with Jordan, I was 100% on her side. I mean, if someone had spilled coffee on my expensive white dress, I’d be expecting them to pay for dry cleaning too. So I was clearly on Astrid’s side and was a little annoyed by how much Jordan got all in her feels.

But Jordan grew on me. I liked learning both her and Astrid’s back stories and I think the side characters gave them so much more life.

Their sexual tension was off the charts and I liked seeing their friendship-slash-relationship evolve. I think the only thing that fell flat for me was their love—I’m still not sure what drew them together beyond attraction. But at the end of the day, I don’t even care and I loved Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail enough without it.

I’m just gonna be twiddling my thumbs here until we get Iris’s story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the review copy.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

​With Ashley Herring Blake’s Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail we’re back with the same magnetic, loving, boisterous & balanced friend group, this time watching Astrid—who feels an imperative to always seem calm, cool, & collected—take on the renovation of a beloved inn before the eyes of the inn’s family members, a tv crew…& as always, her overbearing mother.

Also before the eyes of carpenter Jordan Everwood, the same woman who Astrid had a nasty moment with at the end of Delilah’s book & the beginning of her own, about some spilled coffee & her power dress.

Astrid isn’t someone who is open easily—we see that even with her close circle—& it’s lovely watching her find that safe place to land with the person who she started off so antagonistically with.

Jordan, too, needs that safe place.

As always, my heart cheered for two people finding a home & a refuge with each other, especially when I can relate to one of them in some way (hello self-consciousnesses & fear of failure etc. it’s nice to see you again ).

This book has an interesting tension that strikes at the heart of what both women desire for themselves, heart-grabbing backstories about growing up & in the present, trying to wrestle back an identity & purpose for themselves, & that aforementioned wonderful group of friends.

The “villain” in this story feels a bit obvious & I would have liked a bigger conclusion to that whole storyline, but on the whole, this is another emotional, powerful, sensual read with a great group of characters. Can’t wait for Iris’s book!

4.5⭐️. Out 11/22.

CWs: mother’s manipulation & overbearingness, & there’s a reference to her homophobia. Jordan’s ex wife had cancer & left her soon after learning she was in remission.

[ID: a white woman wearing long orange earrings & a blue “indoorsy” shirt holds the ebook in front of a white bookcase.]

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail is like the steamy, queer, small town romance of our dreams and the perfect sequel in Ashley Herring Blake's Bright Falls series. We follow Astrid and Jordan who do anything but see eye to eye as they are forced to work together on the renovation of Jordan's family Inn creating the perfect amount of tension and banter that we love to see in a rivals to lovers romance. They are total opposites and find each other infuriating and are definitely NOT attracted to each other, especially since Astrid is straight, right? Did I mentioned all of this banter and tension is being filmed for a HGTV like inn renovation show?

After getting to know Astrid through Claire and Delilah's eyes, I was so excited to get to know her more, especially since she is painted as a fairly unlikable character in the first book. Throughout the story Astrid is forced to really explore her identity, both relating to her sexuality and what she is doing with her life in general. It was honestly super refreshing to see that exploration of self from characters in adulthood who don't have their lives all figured out and are still learning about themselves, and we do see that from both Jordan and Astrid. I absolutely loved the beautiful character development we got from the two of them as they learn to be vulnerable both with themselves and the people they care about. I was so happy with how much I loved Astrid and Jordan together. In addition, as with the first book I loved the strong and supportive female friendship between Astrid, Claire, and Iris (and Delilah too) throughout the book. It made me even more excited for Iris to get the happily ever after she deserves.

4 stars for a simply easy to read and fun to read "I really don't like you" to "Wow, I am supremely in like with you" romance. I almost didn't get passed chapter one when the interior designer main character began detailing all the ways she was going to SHIPLAP the haunted, historic Victorian inn she was charged with remodeling, believing the author must be a MONSTER, but thankfully, that was heavily woven into the plot and purposeful. Bullet dodged. Much romance ensued.

I absolutely LOVED the second book in the Bright Falls series! I already knew I loved these characters from reading Delilah Green, but this book gave me so much joy for so many reasons! The enemies to lovers tension, a home renovation show setting, and all the queer friendships and badassery made this book an easy 5 star read. I will be recommending this series to everyone with eyes and a reading comprehension, because it is the greatest.

First off, the characters are *chefs kiss*. One of my favorite groups of friends in any series. Claire, Delilah, Astrid and Iris are so fun to get to know more and more, and I enjoy getting to see them interact in such a witty and humorous way, but also the "drop everything immediately and support their friend" way as well. The love they all hold for each other is almost palpable. They make me want to be friends with them all. Plus, all the characters we met in this novel, with Jordan and Simon Everwood being the BEST addition to the group. Their twin relationship is so fun to get to know and I'm so excited to hopefully see them more in the upcoming Bright Falls books!

Astrid and Jordan had me smiling to myself so much! I will say in Delilah Green Doesn't Care, Astrid was NOT my favorite, So i went into this book with a hope that I would like her more and more as I read. And I most definitely did. Getting to watch her discover who she is a little later in life, both in terms of sexuality and her career/just general life path, was really refreshing and wonderful. Jordan however was a QUICK favorite character of mine. I loved her so so much and absolutely adored these two so much together!

After absolutely loving Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Astrid’s book and rightfully so. This book was so incredibly good, it’s sweet, steamy, an amazing cast of characters.
Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail is about an interior designer who is called to redesign the town historical Everwood Inn for a popular HGTV show and the owner’s granddaughter Jordan, who happens to be also be the lead carpenter, who despises every modern design.
Filled with rivalry, delicious tension and whole lot of feels, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail is an amazing sequel to Delilah’s book. It was so interesting to be in Astrid’s head and find out that the cold, tight character we met in the first book is anything but.
While this is a romance book, and a great one at that, it’s also the journey of Astrid’s personal discovery and her evolution. Her sexuality, lifestyle, career, and relationships are all important topics throughout the book. I really enjoyed seeing her discover herself and become someone who is happy with every aspect of their life.
Jordan was the best kind of surprise. She’s determined, passionate, hardworking and loving. I loved getting to know her and her side of the story.
I loved the rivalry but what I loved even more was when it started to involve feelings. Basically the part where they hated each other but wanted to screw their brains out. I also can’t help but adore the small intimate moments of almost-kisses and passing touches. Seeing their feeling evolve was like watching fireworks and it was the best thing.
I need to mention the best friend group ever, Claire, Iris and Astrid. These girls are the best. Their continuing support and love they have for each other is something to be jealous of. I loved seeing their group more and I can’t wait to get more of them in Iris’ story.

"An interior designer who is never without the perfect plan learns to renovate her love life without one in this new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn't Care.

For Astrid Parker, failure is unacceptable. Ever since she broke up with her fiancé a year ago, she's been focused on her career - her friends might say she's obsessed, but she knows she's just driven. 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.

However, Astrid never planned on Jordan Everwood, Pru's granddaughter and the lead carpenter for the renovation, who despises every modern design decision Astrid makes. Jordan is determined to preserve the history of her family's inn, particularly as the rest of her life is in shambles. When that determination turns into some light sabotage to ruffle Astrid's perfect little feathers, the showrunners ask them to play up the tension. But somewhere along the way, their dislike for each other evolves into something quite different, and Astrid must decide what success truly means. Is she going to pursue the life that she's expected to lead or the one that she wants?"

Sold at the fake TV show being called Innside America.

Thank you so much to Berkley, PRHAudio, and Netgalley for providing advanced copies of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

After absolutely falling in love with Delilah Green earlier this year, I was insanely excited to continue on in this series. I loved the concept and characters in this addition, however it didn't hit the mark quite the way the first book did.

I really loved getting to explore Astrid's character. She is so unlikeable on the surface, but I loved getting know all the different facets of her. I loved watching her slowly come undone at the hands of Jordan.

And those sex scenes 🥵🥵 Hot damn.

I also really like Jordan as a character. I thought she was sweet and relatable and absolutely adorable.

But I was just never totally sold on their romance together. I didn't think they were a bad match by any means. I understood why they liked each other and how they fit as a couple. But I never felt that spark with them.

I also thought this plot meandered a little too long. I loved the home renovation aspect of this. As well as the enemies to lovers side of their romance. But I felt like we were rehashing a lot of the same beats over and over again here.

But the biggest thing that took me out of the story was how on the nose the author was at times. There were great discussion of pronouns, sexuality, gender, queer culture, etc. But there were multiple moments where it felt like the story came to a screeching halt so that we could discuss why 'asking pronouns is important' or 'discovering your sexuality later in life is okay'. It was so jarring at times that I couldn't help but be pulled out of the story.

I love how inclusive AHB's romances are - in YA, MG, and adult. But this was the first time I felt like the discussions didn't flow naturally into the story.

Overall this was just FINE for me. Especially coming off of book 1 which I absolutely adored. I definitely will continue on with this series, it just wasn't my personal favorite of the group.

This was lovely and fun and very, very queer.

This is a story of self-discovery and growing into your own self and coming out as queer later in life. As someone who is not queer myself, I don't feel knowledgeable enough to discuss how this was presented in the story. From an outsider's perspective, I liked seeing Ashley's journey and felt convinced in her happiness in the end of the book.

This is an opposites attract kind of kind of romance where a buttoned up, closed-off heroine meets am open and self-confident heroine. Both of them are in difficult stages in their lives, trying to hide the fact they are basically falling apart from everyone. For Astrid this means being perfect in everything - the perfect daughter, the perfect friend, the most successful designer. For Jordan it means not sharing her dreams and hopes and fears with her closest people anymore and finding a new direction in life.

Just like in book 1, I felt the characterisation was really good - both Jordan and Astrid stand out as real people to me.

I liked how well-rounded the whole story and how in synch all the different elements in it were - there is lots of humour and funny dialogue, great sexual tension, supporting friends (Astrid's) and family (Jordan's).

Astrid's relationship with her mother is especially fraught. They do reach some reconciliation but there is no magic cure - it takes time and effort on both sides.

I have mixed feelings re Jordan's ex-wife. I can't help but feel she is a terrible person. She did try to help Jordan but at the same time she was completely ignoring Jordan's wishes/boundaries, speaking and acting over her on numerous issue. Her actions were the nudge Jordan needed in her career but I just can't let go of all the hurt she caused her before.

Finally there is a bit I don't feel very competent to comment on but feel it should be mentions and it's about the language regarding gender and attraction used in this book. I felt there were one too many instances of "women and non-binary people". It is most often used by Jordan to describe the people she is attracted to but sometimes it read like equating non-binary people with women and I am not a fan of that. I could be reading things wrong but a couple of instances really stood out to me. I would recommend checking reviews by queer, especially non-binary and trans, readers for their take on these instances.

Iris' book is next and there was a whole plotline with her that I found unnecessary and superfluous to this book but still I am very much looking forward to her finding her own HEA/HFN.

You’re right, Astrid Parker doesn’t fail… to make me go CRAZY over her story!!!

I loved the Delilah Green story, but this is beautiful all on its own. Astrid was a character I was on the fence about in the first book but now I love and cherish her greatly.

Ashley Herring Blake has done it again! She has provided a cute, funny, and sexy queer romcom that shows the true power of friendship, self-discovery, and self-love. Astrid’s personal development into who she is (not just in terms of sexual discovery) was so raw and true to the queer experience for many. As for Jordan, I was able to sympathize with her and love her from the beginning. The way Blake formed her character shows past tragedy in a way that isn’t fully consuming, meaning that Jordan is not pitied all the time and is seen as more than her past.

The whole idea of a designer and carpenter going head to head in a tense situation for a reality TV show was also a fun way to raise the stakes.

I could go on but then I’d have a whole page just for this review. So… 5 STARS

The word failure is not in interior designer and impeccably put together Astrid Parker’s vocabulary. At least, it didn’t used to be. After a failed engagement over a year ago, Astrid has been focusing on nothing but her career—and it might just all be worth it when Pru Everwood hires her to be the designer of the Everwood Inn’s renovation, which is slated to be featured on a popular HGTV show. With the opportunity of a lifetime that might just finally gain her the approval of her displeased mother and make up for the failings in her personal life, Astrid couldn’t be more thrilled. That is until she butts heads with the lead carpenter for the renovation, none other than Jordan Everwood, Pru’s granddaughter. While Astrid is determined to modernise the inn, Jordan wants to preserve the history of her family’s legacy to distract herself from her own life that’s in shambles after Jordan’s wife broke her heart. When the show’s producers ask the two to play up their little tiffles on screen— since nothing sells better than tension—Jordan and Astrid’s animosity slowly morphs into something more when the cameras are off. But with outside factors creeping in and old issues coming back to haunt the women, Astrid will have to ask herself what it means to be truly successful—and whether love’s worth a failure or two in the long run.

What a pleasure to return to Bright Falls and its one-of-a-kind inhabitants! While the queer collective—Claire, Delilah, and Iris—are a bit less prominent in this installment to give Astrid her time to shine (and her bisexual awakening that no one deserve more), lovers of the first book Delilah Green Doesn’t Care will have a blast reconnecting with their favourite supportive gang.

I’m a sucker for a good rivals-to-lovers dynamic and Jordan and Astrid truly delivered on that account. From their first meet-ugly to their opposing opinions on nearly every design decision, I loved how both of them had their reasons for their choices. While Jordan wants to keep the charm of the inn alive, Astrid is pressured to both satisfy the inn’s owner, the HGTV show hosts and somewhere along the line also please her mother’s aesthetic. Following the ladies as they morph from bitter rivals to something more is a joy to behold, especially since Jordan’s snark and Astrid’s seemingly cool demeanour clash so wonderfully that their interactions feel like a tennis match where you don’t know who to root for. That is, of course, in great parts due to the greatly fleshed-out characters.

Blake excels at creating characters that feel so real they almost jump off the pages and straight into your heart. Not without their faults, these women are dealing with so many complex emotions that you wish you could give them a hug and make the bad world disappear for a moment. Both Astrid and Jordan have their own severe hang-ups that influence their choices and leads to unexpected situations, yet they also have to stand up for themselves and face the consequences of their actions. Astrid, in particular, goes through a lot of growth in this novel. Not only with her sexuality and realising that there might be more to the fleeting thoughts she has had about women in the past, but even more in terms of her relationship with her mother—and her own fear of failure because of said relationship.

While there were hints in the first novel about Astrid’s mother’s hold over Astrid, in this book, we really get to see just how much choices can be influenced by what kind of environment we grew up in. Astrid has a lot of toxic behaviour and thought processes to unlearn and Jordan’s own past isn’t easy to overcome, either. Yet their snarky, steamy and in turns even sweet interactions balance out the heavier topics of their romantic journey. While the dreaded third-act-induced break-up was a bit too formulaic, the pacing flows seamlessly otherwise. From the heightened stakes of the inn’s renovation (which acts as a sort of Hail Mary to save the family from bankruptcy) to Astrid and Jordan’s romantic entanglement that eventually makes Astrid come to terms with the unattainable expectations she has put on herself, the pages fly by as you root for the two stubborn women to get their happily ever after.

Finally, we get a glimpse at the upcoming final instalment in the Bright Falls series—Iris’s story—that is sure to be a knockout of a novel if Iris’s badass appearances in this novel are anything to go by.

Delivering an emotionally complex yet upbeat rivals-to-lovers romance with two headstrong women at its core featuring relatable themes that are sure to make millennials feel seen like never before, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail is a welcome addition to the queer adult romance genre!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who absolutely adored Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, I was very excited to return to Bright Falls in this book, and it certainly delivered another delightful, swoon worthy queer romance. While I never loved Astrid as a character as much as Delilah, she definitely grew on me more in this book, where I could see more of her inner world and motivations. Seeing her finally grow into her own and find herself was so beautiful to read.

I’m really looking forward to Iris’ story, especially after reading the teaser for it in the back of this book! I think we can now safely say that this author can just go ahead and take my money whenever she releases a new book.

⭐️ Book Review ⭐️

This story is the second in the Bright Falls series, though I do believe you could read this as a stand-alone. It does mention the characters from the first, so if you haven’t read it, potential spoilers!

The story follows Astrid Parker, an interior designer who feels failure is unacceptable, as a super controlling mother, and is picking her life back up after a failed engagement. She has a crash meeting with Jordan Everwood, lead carpenter for the renovation site that Astrid is the interior designer for.

The chemistry, the dialogue, and the spice were perfect! I enjoyed the real life situations, picking yourself back up from rock bottom, wine nights with friends, and the love story. I loved every second of this book and I flew through it in a day! 5⭐️ read!

I will post my review on Instagram one week before the pub date! Thank you for letting me review and read this book early!

DNF before publication date. I am assuming its just as delightful as the first in this series. I just ran out of time before the publication date. Love the setting and characters in this world Ms. Blake. has built.

I enjoyed Astrid Parker's story! Astrid's paralleled journeys of self-discovery with her identity and her sense of self and greater plans for her life had a heavy impact and helped the story's realism. Jordan's emotional processing of her anger and grief was also written in such a lovely, heartfelt way. Their professional and romantic relationship dynamics were engaging and delightful.
I did struggle at the beginning to get into the narrative. Characters felt flat and it took me quite a while to be invested in the relationships. The other aspect of the writing I didn't enjoy was the pointed queer references and inclusive to the point of redundant phrases. It didn't feel natural and reading "women and nonbinary people" fifteen times got obnoxious.
Thank you NetGalley for the digital arc! I am looking forward to the next one.

4.5 stars

Thanks to Berkley (via NetGalley) for the ARC!

Ashley Herring Blake has another hit on her hands with this book. For Astrid's story, we return to Bright Falls, Oregon, where things aren't going great for Astrid. She's been chugging along since she ditched Spencer, but she's not entirely happy. She doesn't have a partner, and she's been feeling uninspired in her design job. She's hoping the televised job with the Everwood Inn will turn things around for her. Then she and Jordan run into each other. Literally. It's a disastrous first meeting with coffee stains and harsh words. Astrid doesn't know who Jordan is, only that she's never seen her before. Jordan has moved backed to Bright Falls after her marriage fell apart to help revive her family's dying inn. The very same Everwood Inn that Astrid was hired to design. 😱

I really loved this book. I was very excited to read Astrid's story, because I knew that after the dramatic end of her relationship with Spencer in Delilah's book, there was still so much she needed to figure out about herself and her relationship with her mother. She'd been through a lot, but she still needed to come into her own. And she really did in this book.

Jordan was the perfect counterbalance to her as well. She had her own problems she work on throughout the course of the book, but she also pushed Astrid. They challenged each other (even before they got together) and made each other better and were super supportive of each other when they needed it.

Astrid and Jordan start out as rivals because of a silly mistake--the aforementioned coffee spill--and the romantic and sexual tension between them as they begin to realize their feelings for each other is just *delightful.* It's so well done especially once both of them realize how petty they were being. Astrid tries so hard to be in control of everything and Jordan wants nothing more than to push all of Astrid's buttons and make her pop and that rivalry on the renovation show blends perfectly into their actual romantic chemistry.

One of my favorite things is that Astrid is 30 and is just now figuring out her sexuality. She's never been with a woman before, never stopped to think about her feelings towards women before, and even though she is literally surrounded by queer women, they've never pressured her to do anything like that. Astrid comes to the realization in life that she is queer (and doesn't ever really decide on a label), and no one gives her any crap about it. In one of my absolute favorite scenes in the book, Astrid comes out to her friends by telling them she's with Jordan, and they are completely, 100% supportive of her. Iris does tease her a little bit because she sensed the chemistry between them, but it's all in good fun. It was just the perfect scene because so often bisexual, pansexual and queer people who come out later in life are doubted or questioned about their feelings and if they're true or not and met with things like "why did it take you so long??" so this scene between Astrid and her best friends in the world was truly one of my favorites. I also liked how Jordan was respectful of Astrid's exploration of her identity while also protecting herself from being hurt. It was a delicate balance of wanting to explore her feelings for Astrid but not wanting to be hurt or wanting to be an experiment, and I think that was done really well.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I hate to compare it to Delilah, but I think I felt more of a connection to the characters in that book, which is what's preventing me from giving this a full 5 stars. I still really loved it and have (of course) already pre-ordered it, though. And I am really excited for Iris's book, which I got to read a preview of at the end of this. I think her book will be lots of chaotic fun!