Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail was an amazing follow up to Delilah Green and I can’t wait for everyone to read it.

As someone who figured out their sexuality later in life, it meant a lot to see Astrid go through the same thing.

I wasn’t a big fan of Astrid in Delilah Green, but now she’s one of my favorite characters.

Jordan and Astrid just have so much chemistry and the spice in this book, dare I say better than Delilah Green.

I’m excited to read Iris’s book and to see how things end for this series.

Sadly, this book didn't work for me the way Delilah did. Astrid wasn't a character I even remotely liked in the first of this series. I understand a late in life coming out, but there was an open, loving, community around her of queer women and to NEVER mention it, to see no signs of it at all in the first book, and then shift in this one just didn't work. Her personality is grating, I never got a real feel for the characters, who felt very underdeveloped, and I was disconnected from the story. I understand never feeling good enough. I understand a late in life discovery-because, hello, same. BUT, I just didn't care for the book.

Mentions of cancer are VERY touchy for me, and I hated that I was blindsided by that.

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail was an adorable follow up to Delilah Green. Astrid may have been the 'evil' stepsister, but she truly stepped out of that role with this sequel. This story follows Astrid post break up trying to find a life that isn't influenced by her mother. She meets Jordan, they get off on the wrong foot, but they find their footing as they begin to work together. I love a queer romance and this installment did not disappoint.

I enjoyed this book even more than Delilah Green and i'm not even sure how??? I think it's impossible for Ashley Herring Blake to write a book I won't love.

As someone who realized they were queer at 32, this mean the absolute world to me.

I loved Astrid Parker in 'Delilah Green Doesn't Care' and was really excited to see she was getting her own book! After her disaster of an engagement and subsequent breakup, Astrid Parker is on a mission: design the famous Everwood Inn, have it televised, and finally put herself back on the map. Having her career back on track will surely fix everything in her personal life, even her relationship with her mother, right? Our other lead, Jordan Everwood, has been heartbroken and in a rut for far too long. Recently returned to Bright Falls, she's not about to let her family's historic inn be turned into something bland and lifeless like what ever this Astrid Parker is putting together.

And then there's a fateful coffee spill.

'Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail" has plenty of things to love, starting with our two leads Astrid and Jordan meeting in the worst of ways! From there it devolves into some very fun tropes, with plenty of sexiness and emotion to hit just right. Friendship, family and found family were big parts of Delilah's book and even more so in Astrid's, between Astrid's perilously unsteady relationship with her mother and Jordan's protective family.

I really enjoyed Astrid's exploration of herself and her sexuality and that there's no immediate slapping a label on herself and moving on. The author gives her time to figure herself out, not all on the page. The romance had the chance to mostly stand on it's own outside of Astrid's newly realized sexual preferences.

I loved going back to Bright Falls and can't wait for the next installment. Five out of Five stars!

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

This book was fantastic. I very much enjoyed Delilah Green Doesn't Care, and this sequel was even better! It was such a delight to be back in with these wonderful, charming and diverse characters. The plot in this sequel is cute, and hasthe right amount of head strong stubbornness to keep the anti up and then when we finally have our couple come together it's so natural and flawless! I loved it. I've already told so many people to keep an eye out for this one!

I really enjoyed this book! It took me entirely too long to read, but that's my fault, not the book's.

This book is the story of Astrid, Delilah's step-sister, and while I did really like the story, I didn't like it quite as much as I liked Delilah's book. I don't think that I can point to any one thing that lowered my rating of this one, it just wasn't quite there for me? But it is a strong 4 stars, maybe even verging on 4.5 stars?

Some things that I really liked about this story are:
-there's no gay panic when Astrid starts to have feelings for Jordan. It's more of an 'oh, huh' sort of thing, which I really appreciated
-calling out heteronormative behaviour as being homophobic
-YOUR SONG!!! I won't say more so that I don't spoil it, but honestly this is one of my favourite songs, I love it so much, and that the Ewan McGregor/Moulin Rouge version is mentioned, just did me in *swoon* (I am now listening to that version while writing this review)
-I love how Astrid's friend group is just so accepting and don't question anything. Like, oh, you've figured out this new thing about yourself, great, next.
-just about every character in this book is queer, and it doesn't seem weird. I've read a couple of books where everyone is queer and it feels really off (probably because in those ones every character was a gay man, which doesn't seem very realistic), but this didn't feel off at all. I like that there was a variety of folks, bi, lesbian, enby, it made it feel like something that could realistically happen IRL

Overall, a really solid book that I really enjoyed.

The second book in the Bright Falls series, we now get to learn more about the perpetually perfect Astrid. I loved the continued focus on found family, as well as the female friendships that drive the novel. This book doesn't have as much steam as Delilah Green Doesn't Care, and takes much longer to get to the juicy chapters, but it's well worth the wait. Can't wait for the third book!

I adored Delilah Green Doesn't Care so I had high hopes for the second book in the series and it didn't let me down. This book follows Astrid Parker, the overachiever perfectionist stepsister to Delilah Green who we met in book one. I loved the sort-of enemies to lovers story, the reality tv storyline, Astrid's later in life discovery of her sexuality when she falling for Jordan, the carpenter for the restoration Astrid is designing. And all the banter between them was so good. I can't wait for the next book in the series about Iris (and Simon, I'm guessing)!

I absolutely loved this! I adore an enemies to friends romance, and this didn’t disappoint. I love the way this author develops her characters. The renovation show premise wasn’t exactly my favorite, because it made the story seem less relatable, but I still loved the book.

Thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC!

This book was everything I wanted and so much more. I am absolutely in love with the characters we've met in Bright Falls and I cannot recommend this series enough to anyone. Give me all the Blake books. I cannot wait to read about Iris next.

Also, *spoiler* that closet scene had me dying.

Delilah Green Doesn't Care is one of my top reads for this year. I read that book over and over and I was ELATED that Astrid was going to get her own book and that this was developing into a series. I couldn't wait to dive back into Bright Falls and Ashley Herring Blake did NOT disappoint. I loved everything about this book. I'm obsessed with AHB's writing and her ability to weave a story. This queer romance is everything my heart's wanted for yeeeears. 
After Astrid calls off her engagement, she's exerting control in every aspect of her life. She's always done exactly what's expected of her. She's finally got an amazing opportunity to design the infamous Everwood Inn and have it broadcast on TV with the show Innside America. What an opportunity! She has no intention of letting this fail. What she didn't count on is the lead carpenter and granddaughter of the owner of Everwood Inn, Jordan Everwood. 
Jordan is weaving her life back together after a huge loss. Her twin brother brings her back home, to Bright Falls to work on the renovation of their grandmother's inn. She doesn't expect to clash with the lead designer on the project. 
This is a wonderful story. I loved watching this enemies-to-lovers story unfold. Blake has a stellar ability to write amazing chemistry and such relatable characters. This story had everything I could have asked for, angst, chemistry, so much tension, a beautiful amount of spice, heartwrenching scenarios, and an HEA.

After reading this authors previous book. I knew I had to read this one. Not only does it cater to such a large demand, it also resonated with so many others. I appreciate the way this authors crafts such a beautiful story together , that both brings tears of pain and joy on to my face. The book isn’t necessarily sad at all either, but just reading about two people falling in love and the gradual progression of it makes me want to burst into tears. I adored this so much. 5/5 very happy and emotional stars!

I've been looking to add more Own Voices into my reading repertoire and was excited for ASTRID PARKER DOESN'T FAIL. A friend really liked DELILAH GREEN DOESN'T CARE which I was not aware of until I mentioned ASTRID to them after I was finished reading. Therefore, not knowing it was part of a series, the book stands alone. There is enough background dropped that doesn't leave you wanting in ASTRID.

I love Jordan. She's bright, sassy, dresses with #goals, and seems like someone I would want to be best friends with. I loved there was a non-binary character and it was just a person in the book and not an add-on just because. Astrid's relationship with Delilah and their friends felt real and that's important.

Astrid's slow coming out was a bit halting in that in that she didn't seem to feel she was repressed but rather clues in her past were the path that lead her to recognize who she really is which was nice. And there was no shame to her reveal.

Blake recently posted on Twitter that the third and final book in the series has been completed but no ETA on publication date but I'll be sure to read it once it comes out!

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail is the second Bright Falls book and follows Delilah's stepsister Astrid! I so excited seeing another great cover and who it was about. I really enjoyed this one, but I liked the first better. This one felt a bit more out of control/unrealistic but also made for some funny moments. The smut in it was again really good. I liked the TV aspect and there's a character with they/them pronouns! I loved getting to see more of Delilah, Claire and Ruby. The highlight of this book for me were the she-ra references.

Another solidly good F/F romance from Ashley Herring Blake. This one made me tear up a few times, which doesn’t normally happen when I read romance novels!

In this second in her Bright Falls series, we see the fallout from Astrid’s breakup with her fiancé in Delilah Green Doesn’t Care. And she’s not doing great. But, thanks to the first book in the series, we know the source of Astrid’s ice queen demeanor and the vulnerability beneath that icy exterior. Observing Astrid emerge from a lifetime of controlling behavior from her mom and find love with the adorable Jordan was lovely on so many levels.

I love that the author — white herself — provides each character’s race/ethnicity when she introduces them; no whiteness by default here. And seeing how Delilah and Astrid’s relationship has grown since the last book.

The much anticipated follow up to “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care”, has Ashley Herring Blake cementing herself as a go-to adult romance author.
“Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail” the second in the “Bright Falls” romance series but easily holds it’s own as a standalone novel as well. I loved that I feel confident recommending this book to someone who hasn’t read the first book in the series.
This novel follows Astrid Parker, the step-sister to Delilah Green from Blake’s first book. Astrid Parker is a driven interior designer armed with impeccable fashion, snark, and some serious mommy issues. When she gets the opportunity to renovate and modernize Bright Falls most renowned Inn she jumps at the chance to kick her career up a notch. Astrid expects to excel and succeed as always, and get her foot in the door with a famous TV designer. What Astrid doesn’t expect is Jordan Everwood, her construction lead for the renovation and the confident and stubborn granddaughter of the Inn’s long time owner Pru Everwood. Jordan and Astrid have very different ideas of what the Inn needs during the big renovation, and get off to a less than stellar start as co-workers. With Astrid and Jordan butting heads, they need to decide whether they can work together to help save the Inn and navigate the growing feelings between them that may not be as hostile as they first thought.
Astrid taking the spotlight let’s the reader see behind the uptight and at times snotty Astrid that was characterized for so much of Blake’s first book. The cast of characters in this novel are funny and heartwarming, and it’s easy to see a whole series spanning out with these characters in Bright Falls.

Astrid Parkers Doesn't Fail to meet and exceed every expectation I had for Blake's sophomore Adult Romcom.

Astrid has always been perfect, from the men she has dated to her career. She has never deviated from the path her mother has always sought out for her. That is how she ended up Designing for Bight Designs, and how she becomes lead designer for a renovation at Bright Fall's coveted Everwood Inn, which is to be featured on a popular HGTV show Inside America.

Jordan's life has been in shambles. The only good thing about her life is being head carpenter for her Grandmothers renovations at their family inn. Well, it was good until she runs into the cold hearted designer who is leading the project. Jordan grew up in the Everwood inn, and see its history. While Astrid just wants everything clean and modern.

The two butt heads at every turn, from the wood of the cabinets to the color of the walls. The tension is hight, but at some point that heated tension turns into heated lust.

I loved everything about this book. Being able to see all the old characters from Delilah Green was perfect. I enjoyed seeing Astrid and Delilah work on their relationship through out the book as well. The best part of the book for me was that is a later in life coming out story, Throughout the novel we watch Astrid deconstruct the image of herself that she, more like her mother, has made for herself, and find out who she is and what she wants out of life.

Without giving much away, I thought Jordan's storyline was heart wrenching and relatable as well. Ashely wrote these characters so well and really made you feel for them every time something happened to them. I also enjoy reading Ashley's work because these characters are queer and in their 30's, which isn't very common in romcoms. It is usually younger people, and I love seeing everyone at any age getting a happy ending.

Overall this was well written, witty, medium spice and a relatable af. I would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone looking for a great romcom.

rep:
Lesbian MC, Bi or possibly pan MC, bi, lesbian, queer side characters, side biopic rep

cw
grief
emotional abuse
sexual content
homophobia
cancer
alcohol use

I enjoyed this book. This is the second book in the series, and I did not read the first book (yet - I am going to). This is the first book that I had ever read by this author, so I went in with an open mind. I had no idea what to expect. It was cute! Disclaimer: I read this book on the beach with a margarita in my hand. I had a delightful time. I was so in love with life and love and just living my best life. It made me more likely to love everything, I think. Normal at home Sho might have liked it a bit less. I have notes. 

The characters were cool. I liked Astrid and Jordan equally. I felt like "these are people I might know". They were easy to identify with. I liked Astrid's friend group. I enjoyed the pacing of the story. I enjoyed the tension of them remodeling a house together and disagreeing. The tension was good. I enjoyed it. I loved the "perfectly put together" meets "beautiful disaster" of it all. I enjoyed reading this book. I will almost certainly revisit this author. 

Now, on to the notes: A lot of this book felt like the author wanted to check all of the inclusion boxes. I'm not sure if reviews for the first one asked for more representation or if someone gave her notes that just saying "women" is limiting, but something clearly happened. The author says "women and nonbinary people" roughly as many times as S. Meyer says "it rains in Forks" the first chapter of Twilight. It does not make sense, and just felt out of touch for me.  It made it feel like she meant to say "trans women" or "female presenting" or something separately from "women" (red flag for me) and her editor was like, NOPE! Cant do that! (Of course, this is rank speculation. I'm trying to rationalize it in my mind. It does not make sense.  

The author also described the race of every character immediately. This is probably just a preference for me, but I'd rather you just describe what a person looks like than slap me with a bullet point list about them. I'll figure it out. It almost felt like every new character could have started with them having a baseball card stuck in the page. Astrid Parker: White. Cis Female. Straight (or is she? - Repressed Lesbian? Bi?). Blonde. Perfect. You can tell me all of these things without this awkwardness. If this was a first book or a very early book, I would chalk it up to "still figuring out her voice", but this author seems to have many books out, most of them with excellent reviews, so I do not really know what happened here. 

I also did not really enjoy the TV aspect of it all. I read two queer books on vacation and somehow they were both centered on TV shows that I absolutely could not get into. This isn't THAT big of a deal for me. Just a personal preference. I don't need to love every aspect of the story, I knew there was a TV show involved going in, I expected it to be exactly as it was. It was not badly done. I just wasn't into it. 

All that being said, I did enjoy reading this book. I will probably read the first book in the series. I am interested in Delilah's story. This review is already too long, so I will wrap it up. I enjoyed it. I probably would have enjoyed it less if I was any less happy in my situation. 

Trigger Warning: Jordan's ex went through cancer. She is still living and in remission, but the cancer is talked about quite a bit.

ASTRID PARKER DOESN'T FAIL was an absolutely incredible follow up to DELILAH GREEN DOESN'T CARE. With Astrid being my favorite character from the first book, I had high expectations going into this book, and they were exceeded!

What's the opposite of a meetcute? Whatever it is, that's what Jordan and Astrid have: Jordan runs into Astrid (literally), spilling coffee all over her expensive dress. Astrid screams at her and demands she pay her dry cleaning bill. Astrid is trying to revive her career as a designer by working at an inn being featured on a television show. The job becomes super awkward when she realizes the inn belongs to Jordan's family, and Jordan is working on the renovation with her.

This book is SO cute, and I can't stop thinking about it days after finishing! The tension between Astrid and Jordan is incredible, and it's such a good hate-to-love storyline. Astrid has some incredible personal development in many areas of her life - her sexuality, her career, and her relationship with her mother. Her gay panic was delightful! I love watching an uptight character spiral out of control and have to rebuild her life, so this was such a fun storyline to me. It also has some great spice scenes - how does a scene with no skin to skin contact manage to be SO hot?! I adored every minute of this book, and I know booktok will love ASTRID as much as DELILAH if not more.