Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail

By: Ashley Herring Blake

Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

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?

©2022 Ashley Herring Blake (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Loved This Book!

If you loved Delilah Green Doesn’t Care you’ll love this follow up. Honestly, I wasn’t sure about a wlw story for Astrid Parker. She’s a character that’s wound pretty tight. But damn! Astrid came undone! In the best possible way. No spoilers. Just enjoy the unfolding of a well written tale about discovering who you are, what you truly want (step-mothers be damned), and standing on your own.
And the spicy scenes are chef’s kiss.
10/10 Highly recommend.

Worth the wait!

When I first started the book it was hard to listen to it. It took me a couple of days to get into the book, but when I did it was hard to stop. It made me so happy to see Astrid get her happiness and home in Jordan. Especially after dating spencer in the last book. Jordyn's storyline was a complete twist and kept my attention. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and I can't wait to see what else the author puts out 😁

Just lovely

A simple yet lovely story! Worth the listen. Thank you to the narrator for the great work!

Another lovable story!

I’m so glad we got to see Astrid get a happy ending. I loved everything about this book and it definitely holds up to Delilah Green.

Surprisingly cute

I was iffy on this book. After reading Delilah Doesn't Care, I didn't know if this one would be good. I was mostly worried about how the transition from the only straight character into the unlabeled character she became would be. but I loved it! I loved how Astrid immediately took notice of Jordan, but didn't know exactly what it meant, kind of wrote it off.

Good story, good read.

Worth The Wait

Astrid had her own book after the first one because she is such an interesting character and we get so much and yet not enough of her in book one! I needed to know what she was thinking and how she viewed the world around her. And watching her fall in love with a woman and get the happy beginnings she deserves was truly worth watching/hearing. I loved watching her walls crumble and get built up anew. I can wait to see what happens with my girl Iris next! And again the narrator killed it! She just doesn’t miss! I love how she voices each character!

I like this author but….

As a soft femme reading this book, I don’t understand why Jordan could not have just been portrayed as a masc lesbian or butch. Why the lipstick?! Totally ruined the image of her for me. The author totally could’ve had fun with a little butch/femme action and missed out completely.

Love Ashley Herring Blake’s work!

The tension between Astrid and Jordan hooked me in this one; I was invested in finding out who Astrid Parker really is. I enjoyed getting a deeper look into Astrid and seeing a little of life from her eyes, after being introduced to her in Delilah Green Doesn’t Care. I’m curious to see if we’ll be getting an Iris story next! Looking forward to what Ashley Herring Blake has for us next and am so grateful to have discovered an author who writes characters that represent me and the people I love!

I think Kristen DiMercurio does a great job with the narration and characters’ voices, too.

Charming

This is the sweetest romance novel. Amazing to get to listen to the characters from “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” again!

Great book

Loved the story line, Jordan should get a toaster, she is a wonderful character.
Narration was excellent.