Book Review: Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail (Bright Falls #2) by Ashley Herring Blake
The Details
Media Type: Kindle Book
Title: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy
Author(s): Megan Bannen
Publisher: Orbit
Pages/Length: Kindle, 453
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Source: Purchased
Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop
An interior designer learns to rebuild her love life from the ground up with zero blueprints 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’s just driven. When Pru Everwood asks her to be the designer for the Everwood Inn’s renovation that will be broadcasted on a popular home improvement show, Innside America, Astrid knows this is the answer to everything that is wrong with her life. It’ll be the perfect distraction from her failed love life, and her perpetually displeased mother might finally give her nod of approval.
However, Astrid never planned on Jordan Everwood, Pru’s granddaughter and lead carpenter for the inn’s 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 a little light sabotage, ruffling Astrid’s perfect little feathers, the showrunners ask them to play up the tension. But somewhere along the way, their dislike for each other turns 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 she wants?
The Review
Ever since I read Ashley Herring Blake’s first Bright Falls book, I knew that I would be eagerly waiting for more. The way that she writes such realistic and loveable characters just truly blows my mind. To say that I was excited for Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail is an understatement. More accurately, I was vibrating with anticipation! When my turn finally came to read the library book, I immediately dropped everything and snapped it up. I am so pleased to report that I was not disappointed in the least.
We meet Astrid sometime after the happenings of the first story. Now, if you haven’t read the first book in this series fret not! You can absolutely read this as a standalone. However if you have read the first book, you’ll be able to snuggly settle into the lives of the characters as if you never left. Astrid is trying to get things back to normal. She’s working hard on the mantra “fake it until you make it” and somewhat succeeding. Of course it helps that she has her besties around her to prop her up. Armed with her favorite outfit for one of the most important meetings of her life, she heads out to face the day and…. well… no spoilers so you’ll have to read to find out.
As much as I loved Delilah, I identified more with Astrid. It was so easy to understand her prickliness and why she was so afraid to let anyone push her off the path she had her sights on. That is, until Jordan enters the picture. Oh Jordan Everwood, how do I confess my love for thee? Jordan is everything I wish I could be. Witty, handy, full of life and love. I wasn’t sure how the dynamic between her and Astrid would work but oh, my friends, I was so pleasantly surprised. Do you love a good grump and sunshine story? Well, you’ll enjoy this.
I will happily admit to you that this story is also much higher on the “steam level” than the last as well. So if you’re looking for some spicy scenes, they’re here waiting for you. I’m always happy I listen to audio books on my headphones because sometimes I’ll just be sitting on the bus like oh, OH dang. Yes, this qualified for that moment.
Anyway I’m rambling, but suffice it to say that I very much enjoyed this story! Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail was the perfect mix of sweetness, sassiness and just all around good character writing. I had a blast with it and, although I didn’t love it quite as much as the first book, I did give it a shining four star rating. If you were also waiting eagerly for the next book, wait no more! It’s worth your time.
