Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 3,813 ratings

Price: 17.72

Last update: 12-18-2024


About this item

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?


Top reviews from the United States

  • Layla Todd
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Holiday Gift
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024
    I bought this as a gift for a friend and she absolutely loved it! A light-hearted whimsical read.
  • Amber
    4.0 out of 5 stars I recommend Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2023
    I am a bit conflicted about this book. I swear I really enjoyed it, but there were a few issues that made it less enjoyable than the first book in the series (Delilah Green Doesn't Care).

    First, Astrid and Jordan both hit soft spots in my heart, and I love them both dearly. My main issue with this book is that both main characters had big, serious personal issues they were dealing with throughout the story. This led to great character development, but it also means a large portion of the story was spent dealing with issues that can only be internally solved, instead of the couple being able to grow together. I just wish there was more story of the couple helping each other through their issues, instead of doing it separately.

    Secondly, I wish so much time hadn't been spent dedicated to the show aspect of the story. Again, I just felt like it took away from more time to see the couple together.

    Thirdly, because Astrid is a closed-off, suffer-in-solitude type of person, there was alot less of the found family element that was so great in the first book. It was still there, just less. It makes sense. I just missed the humor and comfort that element brought throughout the story because it was significantly less present compared to the first book.

    Because of these issues, Astrid's and Jordan's relationship development felt a little rushed to me. The same goes for Astrid's discovery of her sexuality. I just wanted more time and thought-process/explanation behind these things.

    But I want to be clear that this is still a good story, definitely worth reading. In the end, I loved their love story. Their relationship is sweet and swoony. The spice is good too. Both characters developed tremendously. I feel like the song for this book is Begin Again by Taylor Swift. Astrid and Jordan give each other hope and encouragement through it all. Lastly, all of the plot points came to a perfect resolution which was very satisfying.

    All in all, I definitely recommend this book, but I did like the first book better. I can't wait to read Iris's story.
  • secibel fornaris
    5.0 out of 5 stars swoon worthy
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2024
    I enjoyed Astrid and Jordan’s story way more than i anticipated I would. Loved seeing the character development for both of them and how the overcame their hang-ups with their self worth in the end. I especially geeked out with the She-Ra references! 10/10.
  • rtennant1016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, cozy, and a little spicy
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2023
    Sweet, cozy, and a little spicy
    A lovely lady romance set in small town Oregon. A perfect read for a rainy weekend.
  • Lea Mclemore
    4.0 out of 5 stars A cute, sapphic novel that checks all the romance trope boxes
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2022
    “- but she was starting to believe you were never too old to feel lonely, to wonder where you belonged in the world.”

    Not-so-meet cute? ✅
    Tension between the main characters? ✅
    HEA…or, in this case, Happily Ever For Now? ✅

    This cute, sapphic novel, checks all the romance trope boxes. I discovered Ashley Herring Blake earlier this year when I was taking an online romance writing class and I realized I needed to read something more modern than the (very) dated romances in my personal library. I picked up her novel, “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” and loved it so much that I preordered this as soon as I finished.

    Astrid Parker is not having a great year. She’s broken up with her fiancé and her career isn’t in the greatest place. When she’s given the opportunity to participate in a home renovation program featuring a local inn, she jumps at the chance. She doesn’t get the best start, however, because she and the carpenter are immediately at odds….something the show’s producer immediately asks them to play up. But somewhere along the way, that tension becomes attraction and it becomes harder to maintain the ruse.

    In the Bright Falls series, Blake has created a fun world with characters I’ve enjoyed getting to know. If you’re looking for a light, fun read give it a shot! That’s not to say there’s no “non-romantic” conflict in these books. In this one, Blake beautifully illustrates the dysfunctional dynamics between Astrid and her mother. It gets resolved…mostly, but I don’t want to spoil it! This series is a keeper!
  • Carolyn Hawkins-Young
    3.0 out of 5 stars A little too slow
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2023
    This book was good but there was a good chunk of the middle that was so boring that it didn't pull you in. I had to keep forcing myself to read because I knew the potential of the author. It got better towards the end.
  • VLL
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic enemies to lovers love story!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024
    I'm reading this series backwards! I read book 3 Iris Kelly Doesn't Date first. I loved it so much I bought the 1st two books, obviously! I love Astrid and Jordan and the enemies to lovers story!
    Astrid's interior design business has hit tough times. But she's offered the job of being the designer of The Everwood Inn's renovation while being filmed for a home makeover show. On her way to get coffee before the first meeting, she's run into and has coffee spilled all over her dress. She is cold and not nice to the person who caused it.
    When she shows up for the meeting (in a new outfit), the person who ran into her is Jordan, the owner's granddaughter and the lead carpenter. The two women have different ideas of how they want the Inn to look. But they have to work together.
    I really love this book! 5 stars!
  • Lauryn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Renovations to dating to something more
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2024
    If I could give this more stars I would. My first time reading Ashley Herring Blake books it was so good. I love Astrid's friend group. Astrids awakening was so well done. Jordan and Astrid's date night was perfect. I loved this book. I will be reading the other 2 books too.

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