Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail

The people were right: this is even better than Delilah Green doesn't care, which I almost didn't think was possible, but here we are

BUT, where is my hot soft butch carpenter girlfriend???? And where is my cute and fluffy and fucking sexy love story???? I'm jealous, to say the least

(also, I am Astrid Parker, Astrid Parker is me... which was kind of scary, tbh)

recommended reading ambience: https://youtu.be/HIfc9O8cd84?si=XsjxqsAEmgx7UrA2

Content Warnings

aileron's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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bookswithjess's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoy Ashley Herring Blake's writing, and I really enjoyed this companion novel to Delilah Green Doesn't Care! I cannot wait for Iris's story, just because we've met her in two books now and she's already a character I adore and is well-developed, but anyway, onto Astrid's story!

Reading about Astrid was lovely, you got to see who she actually is rather than who she is told she needs to be. She goes through self-discovery struggles, and she does her best, even if she doesn't feel up to it.

Jordan was a tougher perspective for me to get into, because the reason this novel got a 4 instead of a 5 is because of her, and her actions! Not that I didn't love her character - her experience was unique (to the books I've personally read) and something I was not anticipating. Spoiler: Cancer Mentions in the book, I do wish I knew of that prior but it wasn't a big part of the story, but it was mentioned a couple times. Still, the way Jordan thought of it and how it affected her life (spoiler: she was not the one with cancer) felt well-thought out and cared for.

Ashley Herring Blake has an amazing way of making the stories so enriching, it's not just about the two main characters but she's able to flesh out the surrounding characters as well. There was more to this book than just a love story, and I really loved that! I like seeing characters grow outside of the relationship that they're going to be in.

So the reason I can't really give this book five stars is because of how Jordan went with the renovation in the beginning of the book. I really didn't like how she went on about it; her grandmother got a loan for this renovation, to pay Astrid, and how she meddles with the design seems really disrespectful. She wasn't considering what anyone else but herself wants and not taking anyone else into consideration, even if she does think she knows better but it's not really her place.

I do understand that she has big feelings over the renovations, since it means a lot to her and she has a lot of lovely memories there, but the issue is she didn't even try to voice her concern to her grandmother, her brother, to Astrid, to the producers, she just decided it's "my way or the highway" and started going behind their backs and did whatever she wanted, and just complain about Astrid's design instead of actually communicating?

In the end, when Astrid told everyone the truth it was Astrid who got blamed; however, it was actually Jordan's fault, in my opinion. They wouldn't have been in that situation if Jordan hadn't meddled or voiced her concern in the beginning.

Also, I think the author missed an opportunity by not outwardly getting Astrid (Jordan too, but mostly Astrid) into therapy after everything went down.

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rickireadss's review against another edition

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5.0

I LOVED THIS!!! i loved delilah & claire so much, so i was afraid i wouldn’t like astrid’s book as much but i was WRONG. i related hardcore to both astrid and jordan so much. i loved them both individually & together! seeing astrid grow from delilah’s book and to this one was amazing. also this was HOT - just like book 1. that closet/pantry scene???? WHEW 🥵

⚠️: cancer, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, alcohol, grief, death of parent, homophobia, infidelity

Content Warnings

ekalmusla's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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megwilli's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

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fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! I think I liked it just as much or more than Delilah Green. It dealt with lots of things but also had some really sweet moments!

HOWEVER

At about 50 pages in, the author has the main character, Astrid, fake a migraine as an excuse to get out of seeing friends. She claims that her friends won't accept that she needs to be alone after a bad day, but they won't question if she 'has her first migraine.' Astrid then proceeds to have a glass of wine and go on her laptop to check emails and various things. I had to put down the book for a few minutes to sort out my emotions. As someone who has suffered from migraine for just over a decade, this stereotype feels so insensitive. I don't fake migraines. I live in constant fear that I am going to have to cancel plans because of one or experience one when I am out somewhere. There is a guilt when you have to cancel or ruin plans because of it.

I'm not letting that ruin my enjoyment of the book, but it definitely tainted my enjoyment.

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