Book Review: Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

‘Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail’ by Ashley Herring Blake was released in 2021. It is the second of her series set in Bright Falls. However, it can be read as a standalone. I reviewed the first book in the series last year, you can read my review here! All three books of her series: ‘Delilah Green Doesn’t Care’, ‘Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail’ and ‘Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date’ are available to purchase via Amazon!

This story was incredibly poignant and highlighted many important issues. In the fallout of her broken engagement, Astrid Parker is at her wits’ end. Her business is barely surviving, and if she doesn’t absolutely smash her upcoming project, renovating the historic Everwood Inn, then she’s done for, and she’ll have to close up shop.

I loved the way that Astrid and Jordan’s relationship came into being, and what starts as an attraction to a presumed bitch, turns into something so much more. Their dynamic is fantastic, and there were so many incredible things to giggle at that get revisited throughout the story.

I loved how incredibly different Jordan’s backstory was from Claire, the previous love interest in Delilah’s story, since love interests can potentially seem similar when you read so much romance. Jordan was incredible, and her story was devastating, I wanted to take a sledgehammer to her problems, just like she did and the fallout was delightful.

The way that this series navigates the idea of trauma, miscommunication and family disfunction is incredible. I loved seeing that although Delilah and Astrid are healing their relationship, they are evidently still not quite there, and you know what, that is so much more realistic! I loved seeing how, although Astrid, Claire and Iris now include Delilah in their social circle, they’re still finding their feet as a foursome and learning how best to help each other as they go through their respective problems.

This book had me beyond excited to read the sequel! I cannot wait to read more from Ashley Herring-Blake!