Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

8 reviews

clara_h39's review against another edition

funny lighthearted 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

4.5

LOVED this sequel to the Bright Falls series. In Delilah’s book, I definitely wanted to know more about Astrid, and this was such a wonderful way to get to know her. In addition to having a dual perspective with the new love interest Jordan Everwood!! Hot but realistic smut, brief relationship angst but ends totally happy, lovely discovery of sexuality. I can’t wait to read more in this series!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Sexual content

Moderate: Biphobia and Homophobia

Minor: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, and Alcohol

llfcposterchild's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Classism

thaliareads's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

This was a re-read for me, and the book was just as good the second time around. I love Astrid's journey of trying to figure out her identity and how that fits into her views of herself and how others have viewed her. I also love Jordan's journey of learning what love can look like again and learning to trust herself and her feelings. Also you can't go wrong with a renovation as the backdrop of the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

justreads93's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.0

I think this is a great follow up to Delilah Green. I love Astrid’s development throughout the book and I love the perspective of someone having a queer awakening later in life. I also love the complicated dynamic she has with her mom. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity and Terminal illness

Minor: Death of parent

naomidanae's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Minor: Cancer

fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

ladythana's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Lesbophobia

mandaraffe's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol

Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness

Minor: Mental illness and Death of parent