Who Would Like This Book:
If you love slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers sapphic romance with a dose of HGTV-style home renovation drama, this book delivers all the cozy vibes plus a dash of small-town charm. Astrid and Jordan are both prickly on the outside, navigating professional rivalry and personal discovery, making for a heartfelt journey of growth, self-acceptance, and steamy tension. Fans of character-driven stories with found family, supportive friendships, and genuine emotional moments (along with a bisexual awakening arc!) will definitely eat this up. It's especially great for readers who enjoyed the first book, "Delilah Green Doesn't Care," or anyone craving queer romance with real emotional stakes.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the focus on internal personal struggles left less time for the couple to grow together on the page, with much of the healing happening separately rather than as a duo. For others, the home renovation and reality TV subplot took up too much space at the expense of deepening the romance and side characters. A few were frustrated by how harshly Astrid's character was treated by other characters - and sometimes the narrative - feeling she was unfairly blamed. If you're hoping for lots of lightness, banter, and escapism, this might feel a bit heavier or more introspective than expected.
About:
In "Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail," readers are taken back to Bright Falls, Oregon for another Sapphic love story, focusing on Astrid Parker's journey of self-discovery and growth. The book delves into Astrid's realization of being stuck in a pattern that doesn't make her happy, her process of finding herself, and her developing relationship with Jordan. The story is described as captivating, funny, heartwarming, and romantic, with a focus on themes of coming to terms with one's identity, learning to live authentically, and finding love and support in unexpected places.
The book explores the dynamics between Astrid and Jordan, as they navigate their relationship amidst personal challenges and growth. It also touches on themes of family relationships, self-growth, chosen family, and the importance of supporting and uplifting one another through hardships. The narrative is praised for its tenderness, character development, and the resolution of plot points that deliver a satisfying conclusion to the story.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers/content warnings include themes of mental health struggles, grief, and interpersonal conflict.
Has Romance?
The romance is a central element of the story, with a strong focus on the relationship between Astrid and Jordan.
From The Publisher:
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?
Ratings (33)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (18) | |
Liked It (7) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (50):
Read It (35) | |
Want To Read (11) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (3) |
What can you read after
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail?
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
