I’ve read a lot of spicy books by this author, and while I always enjoy the steam, this one stood out for being more emotionally grounded and layered. It’s a slow burn with real stakes—both professional and personal.
Harper was not what I expected, in the best way. A woman running a construction company in a male-dominated industry? That felt refreshing and original. She’s smart, capable, and constantly battling to keep her father’s business afloat. Her grit and determination were inspiring, but also heartbreaking at times. You can really feel the weight she’s carrying.
And then there’s her mother… wow. Dramatic, demanding, unreasonable—every scene with her had me grinding my teeth. She added so much tension to Harper’s already overwhelming life.
The dynamic with Reid—the designer on the project—is all delicious enemies-to-lovers energy, full of banter and friction. The first scene honestly made me dislike him a bit, but come on… a guy who loves science fiction and knitting? He definitely grew on me.
It’s a romance, yes, but it’s also about identity, ambition, legacy, and learning when to stand your ground—and when to let someone in.

This book sounded right up and alley and the beginning was solid, I even loved the bond of friendship between Harper, Anika and Ivy. But I just could not feel connected with any of the characters. I also did not feel like there was any chemistry between Harper & Reid. The insta love/lust just ruined their story for me. The entire "renovation" storyline was overdone and I felt like it overshadowed the romance. The OW drama with Reid's ex was also very OTT and unbelievable and Harper's family was horrible too. And, I felt like Reid definitely did not give off main character energy. I felt like his character was too weak and underdeveloped. This story had potential but the execution ruined everything for me and I could not enjoy it at all tbh.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

Built to Last by Lexi Blake is the third book in the Park Avenue Promise series, but can be read as a stand-alone. I haven't read any of the other books and had no problems with any of the storylines or characters in this book.

When Harper Ross is hired by a close friend to do the renovations on a Park Avenue brownstone, she's living out a longtime dream and the renovation is going to be part of a television show, so she may be able to grow her business because of it. The designer hired, Reid Dorsey, is an up and coming star in Manhattan's design world. The two clash upon meeting and eventually fall in love.

Not giving away spoilers, but they may have to make choices between love and work.

The evolution from adversaries to lovers was written very well and pulled me in from the beginning. I'd totally watch this show if it was real and be invested in all of these characters. :) I'm going to go and read the first two in the series because I enjoyed this one so much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

First off, let me start by saying thank you to Netgalley and author Lexi Blake for the eARC copy of this read.
As part of my honest review, I have to say that I'm a little disappointed with this one. As a note, I will admit that this is my first take with this author, and while Built to Last ABSOLUTELY can be read as a stand alone, I get the feeling that reading the first two in this series may have helped a bit. To be frank, while some of the characters were fun (specifically the three ladies), and the banter had it's moments, as a whole I just wasn't sold. Harper and Reid are written to be "enemies to lovers", but there's instant lust, and they're practically together within the first few chapters of the book. Harper herself has a tendency to scream hot to cold with just about everyone she interacts with to the point it becomes a bit much. Her mother (and really all of her biological family), are over the top overbearing without any sort of clue as to how a business should be run, even going to the extent of running her father's business into the ground just to "go back to the good old days" of when Harper's father and uncle did blatantly illegal business things. The book is also only from Harper's POV, so there is no pull from Reid's perspective to help pull us in or give insight as to why he is who he is, and does what he does (We are strictly told all of his side of things). While I am not upset to have spent my time with this book, I didn't feel attached to the characters all that much, and found the pacing to be hard to get through. Truly lukewarm feelings over here, unfortunately.

Harper Ross is all grit and heart, trying to turn her late father’s construction company into a Manhattan powerhouse. Reid Dorsey is her total opposite polished, design-obsessed, and not used to hearing “no.” Their chemistry is undeniable, even when they’re arguing over tile samples and floor plans.

What I loved:
✨ A strong female lead who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty (literally)
✨ Enemies-to-lovers energy with real emotional growth
✨ Found family and female friendships that ground the story
✨ NYC glam meets renovation grit

It’s not just about building a house, it’s about building a future, piece by piece, even when it doesn’t go according to plan.

📖 Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Especially if you love HGTV vibes with a romantic twist and a reminder that dreams can come true… just maybe not in the way you expected.

I didn’t read the previous books but it wasn’t necessary because I could follow along well enough.
Hammer meets the designer as Harper and Reid clash about how to rehab a glorious NYC brownstone.
Of course amid the construction dust the two are hot for each other.
It wasn’t until the end that it finally dawned on me who the buyer was.
I thought Paul and the harpy mother should end up in the same place as Jimmy Hoffa.
I want an Ivy in my life who can hack into anything!
My favorite person was CeCe because she was the master fixer!

Lexi Blake brings us back to Park Place in this enemies-to-lovers romance, Built to Last. Harper finds her time to shine with the Gilded Age rebuild, but not without angst as she clashes with interior designer Reid. The last of the Park Place series, BTL is filled with found family and self-discovery (& some iconic meddling octogenarians IYKYK).

ARC via NetGalley

Goodreads review

I loved this series so much - it’s hard for me to write a review without spoilers so I won’t.. I would just say to start with Start Us Up. These women and their men are some of my favorites!

This was a cute story of hate to love. It was a bit hard to get into at first but the second half was easy to read and entertaining. The plot twist was good towards the end - something a little different compared to many of the romance novels I read.

I really liked that this book was not only a love story in finding true love but also a love story for the power of friendship/sisterhood. Both main characters found their people and although they weren’t relatives the love and compassion they shared for one another was unmatched. Harper and Reid were both so let down by their childhood and their families. It was nice to see their happily ever after not just between themselves.

Overall the story was good. I think if I had read the first two I would have enjoyed it even more - I didn’t realise it was an interconnected series.

Enemies to lovers is one thing, but this book missed that mark and swerved into just meanness from the FMC. The MMC apologized multiple times for the first impression he gave, and each of those times was rejected for no real reason. It was a miss for me because of that. I saw one twist coming early on, but the other did surprise me. I’m not upset I read it since I had read the other two books in the series, but I wouldn’t recommend this as a standalone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for this ARC!

Loved reading the amazing and awesome romance story. When Harper overhears Reid putting her down without even meeting her, she confronts him, and there's chemistry between the two of them. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story by the fabulous author, Lexi Blake.

An enjoyable read with brilliantly written characters and a plot that had me hooked. The development of this enemies to lovers workplace romance was enjoyable and I loved the connection that formed between the characters.

This was a solid, enjoyable read. It’s the third book in the Park Avenue Promise series, but works just fine as a standalone if you’re jumping in fresh.

This one features a workplace rivals to lovers setup with Harper Ross, a contractor trying to keep her late father’s construction company afloat amid financial messes and family drama, and Reid Dorsey, a designer looking for a comeback after a fall from TV fame. They’re forced to collaborate on a high stakes brownstone renovation in Manhattan, all while butting heads over every creative decision.

There’s a lot to like here: witty banter, moments of real emotional tension, strong themes of friendship and found family, and even some layered commentary on gender roles and expectations. I especially appreciated the “grumpy vs. grumpier” energy between Harper and Reid, and the side characters (especially the moms) added some heart and humor.

That said, the pacing dragged a bit for me in places, and while the family drama added depth, it also got repetitive and frustrating. I didn’t always feel fully invested in the romance,it was good, just not the kind that left me swooning.

Overall, Built to Last was a decent contemporary romance with some standout moments. Not a favorite, but definitely worth picking up if you enjoy workplace tension, flawed-but-determined characters, and a touch of HGTV chaos.

This was a solid, enjoyable read. It’s the third book in the Park Avenue Promise series, but works just fine as a standalone if you’re jumping in fresh.

This one features a workplace rivals to lovers setup with Harper Ross, a contractor trying to keep her late father’s construction company afloat amid financial messes and family drama, and Reid Dorsey, a designer looking for a comeback after a fall from TV fame. They’re forced to collaborate on a high stakes brownstone renovation in Manhattan, all while butting heads over every creative decision.

There’s a lot to like here: witty banter, moments of real emotional tension, strong themes of friendship and found family, and even some layered commentary on gender roles and expectations. I especially appreciated the “grumpy vs. grumpier” energy between Harper and Reid, and the side characters (especially the moms) added some heart and humor.

That said, the pacing dragged a bit for me in places, and while the family drama added depth, it also got repetitive and frustrating. I didn’t always feel fully invested in the romance,it was good, just not the kind that left me swooning.

Overall, Built to Last was a decent contemporary romance with some standout moments. Not a favorite, but definitely worth picking up if you enjoy workplace tension, flawed-but-determined characters, and a touch of HGTV chaos.

This was the last story in this trilogy of three old friends, with Harper working to film a TV show about restoring a Golden Age mansion that had special meaning for all three women. Enter Reid who was the designer who felt they had to make compromises in what each of them wanted for the structure.
Harper fought him, not knowing there were other considerations involved, until they finally realized they each had valuable contributions to give and making concessions was the way to accomplish their end goal. The characters and the dialogue are wonderful and I love how Ms. Blake always weaves such a creative tale. Highly recommended.

5 ⭐️- This was literally the perfect conclusion to the Park Avenue Promise Series. I mean, I didn’t think I was going to feel all the feels and warm cuddly bubbles in my chest at the end, but I sure did! The fighting between Harper and Reid honestly made me laugh a little because it’s obvious they’re attracted to each other - but I’m here for it. I loved watching them work through their problems together and have their found family support them through it. Also, the side romances?! Ugh loved! I’m so happy I read this series. I’m so happy with how this ended, it was so cozy and heartfelt. I’ll be back for more Lexi Blake!

** Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review **

Thanks to Lexi Blake, Blue Box Press and Net Gallery for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Harper is the CEO of her families construction business and has undertaken a project to renovate a historic building for her best friend. However she has to work with a designer as part of the project which is being recorded for a tv show. In enters Reid, a celebrity designer. Harley's giant impressions aren't great when Reid assumes she's part of the tv crew and that the contractor H Ross must be a man.

I enjoyed the book. I found the rivals to lovers story line was done well. The way they pushed each others buttons increased the sexual tension between them with sparks flying which lead to the eventual hook up.
The found family aspect was really well done in this book. Harpers own family are very much money grabbing, trying to use her as an atm while her mum tries to emotionally manipulate her. So it was nice to see she had such a strong found family around her to help with her trauma. I love how supportive, protective and funny her friends are. The 3 women have such a strong friendship despite the different stages of their lives and romantic relationships (not to mention one is now a queen!)

Reid has his own trauma he has to deal with along with his brother Jeremiah (who i found to be funny, calling Harper and Reid Grumpy and Grumpier). So when Reid and Harper get together, they support and build each other up which I really liked.

Such a nice quick read. I read as a standalone but this is #3 in a series and I will definitely read the other 2 about Harpers friends Anika and Ivy.

“Grumpy and grumpier can find a way.”
Lexi Blake rounded out the Park Avenue Promise in such a perfect way with Harper and Reid.

Harper is the CEO of her family’s construction company but taking a much needed break for a passion project. She has dreamt of renovating a historic brownstone in Manhattan. She wants it to be perfectly restored, but when she discovers that her designer has different plans they immediately butt heads.

Reid is a celebrity designer. He has been hired to design the brownstone for a specific buyer and that does not mean keeping everything historically accurate.

I loved the banter between Harper and Reid. They knew how to push each other’s buttons so perfectly! I also loved all of the side characters, especially Jeremiah. Jeremiah was hilarious and complex, just what this crew needed!
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @authorlexiblake for the ARC!

In Built to Last, Lexi Blake trades spies for spackle and delivers a rom-com with emotional heft, delightful banter, and a heroine you’ll root for from blueprint to final reveal.

Lark Hastings is not having a good week. Fired from her TV job, dumped, and blindsided by betrayal, she turns to the one place she’s never felt safe: home. But with her estranged sisters and a home renovation project waiting, she's about to find that demolition may be the easy part.

Enter Zeke, the charming contractor who’s all muscle, morals, and maddening restraint. Their chemistry crackles like faulty wiring, but both are carrying wounds that might not be so easy to patch over. Watching them navigate grief, pride, and passion is as satisfying as seeing an old house brought back to life.

This book nails the found-family vibe and adds an emotional core that sets it apart from standard rom-com fare. The setting feels cozy yet lively, and the pacing hits that sweet spot between breezy and heartfelt.

Perfect for readers who love:

Home renovation & HGTV vibes

Sisters reconnecting

Second chances (with a twist of slow burn)

Small-town charm meets New York grit

Lexi Blake builds a solid foundation for a new series—equal parts witty and warm, Built to Last reminds us that sometimes the best things in life need a little reconstruction.

Built to Last by Lexi Blake
📚 Book 3 in the Park Avenue Promise series
📅 Releases May 27, 2025 | Blue Box Press
#ARCreview #BuiltToLast #LexiBlake

Enemies-to-lovers tension? ✔️
Historic brownstone renovation? ✔️
Swoon-worthy contractor + designer pairing? DOUBLE ✔️

Lexi Blake absolutely nailed this HGTV-meets-heartstrings rom-com. Built to Last is a perfect mix of sharp banter, emotional depth, and slow-burn romance that delivers all the feels 🧡

Harper Ross is a powerhouse construction CEO with something to prove. Reid Dorsey is the designer with a modern vision and zero patience for Harper’s opinions—until sparks fly 🔥 Their bickering over bricks and backsplash turns into serious chemistry, and watching them fight their way into love? SO. SATISFYING.

What made this story extra special:
💔 Jeremiah’s emotional subplot—heartbreaking, raw, and beautifully handled
🏠 The found family vibes—Harper deserves the world and I loved seeing her get it
🖤 Reid’s cinnamon-roll energy beneath all that grump
📺 And yes, I’m low-key obsessed with fictional renovation shows now

This was my first Lexi Blake book, and I dove right in without needing to read the others first—though now I need books 1 & 2 immediately because I’m so invested in this friend group!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 but we’re rounding UP for the perfect blend of heat, heart, and home-reno tension)

#EnemiesToLovers #GrumpySunshine #FoundFamily #WomenInConstruction #InteriorDesignRomance #HomeRenovationLove #RomComReads #Bookstagram #LexiBlakeBooks #BookReview #RomanceRecs #ReadMoreRomance #booklover #romancebooks #literaryhavocreviews #mustreadromance #advancecopy #comingsoon #renovationromance