About The Book
Astrid Parker is determined to turn the Everwood Inn renovation, set to be featured on Innside America, into a career-making success. She didn’t expect to clash with the lead carpenter, Jordan, over her designs. The showrunners encourage the on-screen tension. But as they grow closer, Astrid begins to question what success really means—and whether she even wants the life she’s been chasing.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Zooo2W
My Rating
This is the second book in the Bright Falls series, and I was so excited to get Astrid’s story after loving her in Delilah Greene Doesn’t Care. Astrid, Delilah’s stepsister, is exactly the kind of grumpy character with a heart of gold that I adore. In this book, she’s trying to save her interior design career by managing the remodel of the Everwood Inn, which is not only her biggest project yet but also the focus of a home renovation show called Innside America.
Astrid’s drive to be perfect because failure isn’t an option really stood out, and I loved watching her character grow and discover her sexuality. It’s such a refreshing take to see an adult character experiencing a sexual awakening since, let’s be honest, those realizations can happen at any age.
Jordan, Astrid’s love interest, is a carpenter and the granddaughter of the Everwood Inn’s owner. Their frenemies-to-lovers romance was super adorable and felt so real. Jordan’s messy life and struggle to rebuild after her ex-wife left added depth to her character, and I really enjoyed seeing her find her strength and stand up for herself. And, her and Astrid’s connection felt very authentic and heartfelt.
“Happiness was about purpose, it was about self-awareness and acceptance.”
The pacing of this book was just right. The romance wasn’t exactly a slow burn, but it didn’t happen instantly either. It felt like such a natural progression, and I was fully entertained watching their relationship develop. Another thing I loved was the strong friendship dynamics. Astrid’s relationship with her stepsister Delilah has grown so much since the first book, and we also get to see more of Astrid’s bond with her best friends Claire and Iris. Plus, Jordan’s brother brought a great sibling energy to the story that added that extra something to the book.
Overall, I couldn’t put this book down, it was such a quick, enjoyable read. The characters were likable, and the love story had me fully invested. I genuinely wanted everything to work out for Astrid and Jordan, and the book delivered. Just a heads-up for anyone who would rather avoid spicy scenes—like the first book, this is definitely an open-door romance. If spice isn’t your thing, you might want to skip those chapters or look them up first.
In the comments, let me know if you have started this romance companion series yet. Did you enjoy Astrid and Jordan’s story? Before you go, consider sharing and liking this post. Also, you can sign up for my mailing list. It’s completely free and helps my blog grow.
Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny