If you love enemies to lovers... you will LOVE this book! The banter between them never stops, while also falling madly in love with eachother very quickly (but if you ask them, they will definitely deny all feelings).
This book was cute, but I also think it could have been re-written in parts or maybe some parts completely excluded. At times I felt like it was dragging on just a little.

If you love an enemies-to-lovers story, this one’s definitely worth checking out. And I mean real enemies , these two go at each other hard. Their back-and-forth was so funny and sharp, I was smiling the whole time because I just knew their tension was heading somewhere explosive.

Harper runs her late dad’s construction business, but it’s not easy with her family always interfering. Her mom keeps pushing her to quit and focus on starting a family instead, while her cousin is scheming to take over the company. Harper’s stuck trying to prove herself in a world that doubts her just because she’s a woman.

Reid is a designer trying to bounce back after a tough accident that ended a home renovation show he had with his brother. Since then, he’s been working hard to get his life and career back on track.

Their paths cross when both get hired to work on a brownstone renovation in Park Avenue - Harper as the contractor, Reid as the designer. Their first encounter? Definitely awkward. Reid assumes the contractor is a man and throws an insult Harper’s way without realizing who she is.

What starts as annoyance quickly turns into a mix of fiery arguments and undeniable attraction. As they spend more time together, the line between hate and desire blurs. Once they finally admit what’s really going on, their relationship shifts in the best ways and they start seeing each other differently.

Quote I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE :

"You can't. You can't give up your dreams for
me."
"What if I just figured out you are my dream?" He
asks the question so simply.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I also really appreciated how therapy was handled here - it felt honest and uplifting. Harper’s friends and support network were amazing, encouraging her to really explore her feelings instead of just pushing through the struggles. Watching her finally put herself first and set boundaries with her family was so inspiring. She carried a lot, and learning to let go of those burdens so she could live on her own terms was powerful.

And the twist at the end? Wow, I’m definitely going back to read the earlier books now. I want to know more about Harper’s friends and their journeys.

If you like:
💗 Grumpy x grumpier dynamics
💗Enemies-to-lovers tension
💗Found family vibes
💗 Workplace romance

Big thanks to NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and Lexi Blake for the ARC in exchange of my honest review!

I have not read the first two in the series but after reading this one I want to read the others. I loved how the girls offered tough love to one another but also did not hesitate to stick up for the people they care for. It was found family at its best and those moments were really heartwarming. The snarky banter between Harper and Reid was fueled by their first impressions of one another and it stayed even after they started to develop feelings. Harper’s family made me so mad but I admired how she was able to stand up for herself and for women in her profession at the same time. The conflict with the renovation and an Ex added some drama that had me eager to see how it would play out. It was a quick and fun read.

Thank you @authorlexiblake @1001darknights_blueboxpress @getredprbooks for the gifted copy.

It took me a while to get into at first, but I loved Harper and Reid's story. Harper's character arc from being pushed around by her family despite being the CEO and also working another job, to her standing away from them and choosing her found family... I loved it.

The mystery around Britta and what she held over Reid was interesting and the chemistry between Harper and Reid was great. We did skim a lot of them being together for the narrative, but I didn't mind that.

I picked this book up without reading the others first, it took me a little bit to catch up with who everyone was and how they were linked together. I had no idea who cece, Lydia and Diane were for ages. In fact I'm still not 100% sure I get how they fit in.

Otherwise I loved Ivy, Anika and Harper's relationship together!

This was a no for me. It was coined as enemies to lovers but it also had an instant love/instant lust aspect that felt forced. I also felt like there were chunks missing between chapters 5 and 6. They jump into bed together and then they're suddenly at an event with his ex to cause issues. I really wished there was a build up. I also like the women first aspect of the story, but I would have liked to seen it be less forced---it felt like the book had to have a theme and it was wrapped around the story versus the story carrying the book with the theme.

I appreciate the ARC, this one just wasn't for me.

I loved this book
I love this book so much, my first by this author and it definitely did not disappoint! The banter was on point, humor had me laughing uncontrollably, the heart felt moments really took the experience up a notch, and let’s not forget the spice!! All and all I loved this book! Definitely will be a reread! Can’t wait for more from this author!

I really enjoyed this book! Two slightly grumpy yet good-hearted career-driven people falling in love while arguing over home renovation decisions?? Count me in! This is a rivals to lovers book: Harper is a contractor who is running a stressful family owned construction business and agrees to help out her best friend by being on a home renovation reality TV show. Reid is the designer hired to bring the aesthetic of the house together. When misunderstandings happen and creative visions clash, the tension could be cut with a knife! I was rooting for Harper and Reid from their (rocky) beginning and through all the challenges they faced together! Lexi Blake does such a good job of crafting such real people with depth and character development. The end of the book was so wholesome and I love the found family that was seamlessly woven around Harper and Reids love story.

Built to Last by Lexi Blake is a enemies-to-lovers romance. The tension between the leads is palpable, with good snarky banter. Lexi's skillfully crafts the characters.

The plot twist was a nice surprise, adding layers to the story. The characters journeys are engaging.

Overall, Built to Last is a captivating read that will resonate with fans of romance, character-driven fiction, and sassy dialogue. Lexi Blake's writing is a perfect blend of witty, emotional, and engaging – a winning combination that'll leave you eager for more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a fun quick read and good palate cleanser. If you’re wanting a book that you can binge in a day, has the sweetest found family and a heartwarming ending, this is the one for you!

Premise, I hadn’t read the first two books of the series but I had no problem understanding the story. Actually, now I want to read the other two books as well because I loved this one!

I appreciated several things

Harper is a strong, mature fmc with a determinated character. Even though she often finds herself in difficulty, she always finds a way to solve the problem and move forward as she thinks is best. She’s a person who never gives up and who has a lot of patience.

The found family part is so cute. The relationship with her friends and the other characters that step by step becomes closer and the way Harper realizes that she’s not alone as she thought and that sometimes family is the one we build for ourselves are well described and I felt really involved.

The thing I definitely loved the most was the relationship between Harper and Reid.
Since they met they do nothing but argue and fight but these are the parts of the story that I preferred! I also really liked the mature way they handled the things that happened to them once their relationship started. Both Harper and Reid are fantastic persons.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press and Lexi Blake for this arc.

This was such a fun, flirty ride with all the ingredients of a classic enemies-to-lovers rom-com: banter, tension, and just the right amount of chaos. Their dynamic? I loved watching their verbal sparring evolve into something deeper. The chemistry is palpable and the steam? Definitely delivered. The renovation backdrop and Park Avenue brownstone gave the story a stylish, aspirational feel, and the balance of career ambition and romantic tension was really well done. That said, it did feel a little predictable in parts and wrapped up a bit quickly, but that didn’t take away from the fun.

I really enjoyed this story and the continuation from the previous stories in the series. Although the FMC got on my nerves a lot for getting in her own way, it really shows how some people can be the product of their environment. I always really like seeing the found family trope and that was well done here. I also really love our MMC and how he stand up for and protects his girl above all else. That was a really cute story.

Built to Last is messy, heartwarming, and totally worth the read.
Harper’s life is already in chaos when Reid barges back in, making things even messier—but somehow, there’s a strange beauty in all that mess. 💔🧡

The first plot twist? Completely unexpected. I was shocked—truly shocked 🤣. But I loved the direction the story took from there. Yes, the emotional development was a little fast, but their reconciliation still felt genuine and satisfying. It hit in the right way, just… fast-forwarded.

And ohhh the banter?? SO GOOD. These two are the definition of grumpy and grumpier, constantly snapping at each other with the most delicious snark. I lived for their every snide remark and stubborn little moment—it made their connection feel even more electric.

The chemistry? Undeniable. I found myself completely swept into Harper and Reid’s world, feeling every hurt, every swoony moment, and all the complicated feelings in between.

If you’re looking for something sweet, warm, and emotionally engaging, this is a perfect pick.
Big thanks to Blue Box Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC—this review is voluntary and entirely my own!

I enjoyed it but something was missing...

Harper and Reid really need to figure out how to work together!
Their intense personalities and completely opposite characters make things a bit tricky at work — but absolutely entertaining for the reader!
From the very first page to the last, the book is full of hilarious scenes, fantastic banter, and snarky comments.
Harper’s challenges in a male-dominated profession and Reid’s touching relationship with his brother added depth to the story.
Even though the books in the series can be read as standalones, I’d definitely recommend reading them in order.
I haven’t read the first two yet, but they’re already on my TBR!

For all my enemies-to-lovers fans… this book is perfect for you! And when I say enemies, these two characters go AFTER each other. They thrive on arguments and getting the last word in. I was laughing through all their banter because I KNEW it was the build up to the inevitable.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

<b>Harper</b> is the CEO of her late father’s construction business. You find out early on that she struggles to run the business because her family is very invasive and always feels the need to give their input where it’s not needed. Harper’s mom is stuck with the mentality that her daughter needs to step down from being CEO and start a family so she can fulfill her “womanly duties” and Harper’s cousin is out to straight up steal her position in the company because he wants the power.

<b>Reid</b> is a designer who used to run a show with his brother on how they fixed houses. After a brutal accident with his brother that left Reid injured, the show was shut down and their work slowed down.

Harper and Reid meet when they both are hired to work on a brownstone in Park Avenue—one as the contractor, the other as the designer. Except the first meet doesn’t exactly have the smoothest start. What starts as attraction, immediately switches to hatred as Reid unknowingly insults Harper straight to her face when he complains about the contractor for the project because he assumes it’s a man.

As they continue working alongside each other and constantly butting heads, they realize that maybe there’s a reason they are always at each others throats… there are more than sparks of anger between them—there’s MAJOR attraction that’s being denied as well. And as soon as they decide to act on those feelings, all of a sudden they start to see different sides to each other.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

<i>”You can't. You can't give up your dreams for
me."
"What if I just figured out you are my dream?" He
asks the question so simply.</i>

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

<b>I absolutely loved how therapy was portrayed in this story and how beneficial it can be to those who experience it.</b> The support the side characters had for Harper was otherworldly. I love how open the communication was when they encouraged her to look deeper into why she was reacting and feeling certain ways. And my favorite part was how Harper finally took a stand for herself and put herself before her family that was dragging her down. She had so much on her shoulders and slowly learned how to let go of other people’s burdens so she could live HER life.

Also the plot twist at the end… I am definitely going back to read the first two books in this series because I NEED to have a closer look on Harper’s friend’s lives.

Tropes:
found family✨
workplace relationship🩷
enemies-to-lovers✨
grumpy x grumpier🩷

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press and Lexi Blake for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

From enemies to love interest, this book had me on my toes happy and excited to see what was coming next building a home together but not on the same page, to understanding each other in another light. But when something comes up they must choose. And they did. This gave me all the hallmark cozy vibes with more. Will definitely be buying the book for my shelves

🔨 🩷 Book Review 🤍🔨

𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻 @authorlexiblake
The Park Avenue Promise Series #3

🔨Thank you so much to @netgalley for this amazing ARC! This was my first book by Lexi, but will definitely be reading the first two books in this series! This was definitely one of my favorite enemies to lovers scenarios, and I so much enjoyed grumpy x grumpier. 🤍

✨Harper Ross has always dreamed of working on one of the magnificent brownstones of Park Avenue. Now one of her closest friends has bought the house of her dreams and hired Harper to do the construction work. She wants to showcase the renovation on a television show for her brand-new production company. It’s the same grand home she and her friends promised themselves they would be able to afford one day. Working on it isn’t the same as living in it, but it’s all a part of Harper’s grand plan to grow her father’s construction business into one of the biggest in the city. The only obstacle—the designer on the project.

✨Reid Dorsey believes in the balance between beauty and functionality. As one of Manhattan’s new voices in design, he’s excited to get to work on a true Gilded Age property. If only the owner had selected a contractor he enjoyed working with. Oh, Harper was brilliant and her work was excellent, but she has an opinion on everything—and it’s usually the opposite of his.

✨Over the course of the job, these enemies start to see different sides of each other, and suddenly their fights don’t seem so bad. But when the project is threatened, they might have to choose between their jobs and the beautifully designed future they could share.

An enemies to lovers story will have plenty of situations to overcome along the way.
Three friends made a pact in high school their dreams included renovating a beautiful brownstone on Park Avenue.
Old secrets will have to come to light to guide Harper and Reid to their future together.
Part of a series to check out the other characters in this story.
A lovely story about friendship can last a lifetime and how they can become your real family.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
🛠 Workplace romance
🫂 Forced proximity
😤 Grumpy x grumpy
😠 Enemies-to-lovers

Honestly, I wasn’t feeling the first half of this book. I don’t feel attached to the characters and the first meeting between Harper and Reid was just not it. Maybe I just can’t make the connections I am supposed to be making because some parts left me confused. Like, I get the main plot that Harper is a constructor and Reid is a designer which means they have to work together to renovate Banover Place that holds a sentimental feeling to Harper. But, within this main plot, there’s so much going on - family drama, stereotypes, work tensions.

But I pushed through and the second half is much better in my opinion. I can feel the tension between Harper and Reid much better and you know what they say about the fine line between hate and love - well, they are both between that line for sure. Also, I love Luca, he is such a great husband to Anika - slay king! The book is so-so for me, but maybe I need to read the previous two books first to feel more attached.

P.S. Thank you to NetGalley, Lexi Blake and Blue Box Press for giving me this ARC!

Built to Last by Lexi Blake delivers an engaging enemies-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of Manhattan’s elite design scene. The tension between Harper and Reid crackles with witty banter, making their dynamic both frustrating and irresistible. While their clashes keep the story lively, the novel ultimately offers a comforting read, blending romance with themes of ambition and second chances. A satisfying mix of sparks and heartwarming moments for fans of contemporary romance.