Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake is every bit a queer coming out story as it is an enemies-to-lovers romance, and it works beautifully on both levels. As the second entry in the Bright Falls series, it builds on the world we already know while giving us a character I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy this much.
I didn’t love Astrid in the first book. She was the last person I thought I’d want to spend an entire book with, but AHB pleasantly surprised me. Astrid’s struggles in this book struck a chord with me. Not JUST the late bloomer parts, but coupled with navigating identity, and juggling complicated familial relationships, all while feeling like everything is falling apart around you. It’s messy, vulnerable, and extremely relatable.
The romance is fun and full of tension. There’s a lot of banter and friction to keep you invested, but it has a deeply emotional core. This isn’t just a love story between Astrid and Jordan. It’s a story about Astrid learning how to love herself, too.
Less Hallmark-y than it’s predecessor, but equally full of heart, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail is the type of book you’ll enjoy if you want to ride an emotional rollercoaster of self-reflection and a budding romance.
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