Lexi Blake has done it again! I couldn't put this book down! It reached down into my chest and pulled out some emotions I forgot I even had the ability to feel. I held my breath half the book, and the other half I spent (gasping for air, lying on the floor, making the book read itself to me) anticipating what was to come! An excellent continuation to the Park Ave Promise series! Harper and Reid and the enemies to lovers trope have me all twisted up inside.

"Built to Last" is the third book in Lexi Blake's "Park Avenue Promise" series, each of which is set in the famous architectural world of New York City. "Built to Last" is centered around Harper, a home renovator, and Reid, a famous TV personality and interior designer. When these two stubborn and hardheaded people have to work together, the sparks fly. While they hate each other at first, they quickly realize there's more between them than just hatred.

"Rivals to lovers" is one of my favorite romance tropes and I really wanted to like this book too. However, the banter between the two was more hateful than electric and I just didn't find either of the two main characters to be worth rooting for. I finally found myself just skimming through the book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my opinion on NetGalley

A contractor hired by her best friend to help renovate a historical mansion and a designer with a deep dark secret and a failed tv show. What could possibly go wrong?

Lexi Blake takes this beloved trope and gives it a unique twist in “Built to Last” by turning the “grumpy x sunshine” into “grumpy x grumpier” - and it WORKS! The hate-hate (but not really hate) between Reid and Harper makes for some amazing banter and some laugh out loud moments.

There are a few parts in the book that did do such a complete turn that left me scratching my head going “huh?” But overall it was a very enjoyable read. I really do wish I had read books 1-2 first, although this can be read as a standalone.

If you want wit and excellent banter then this book is for you. The FMC and MMC have so much chemistry that you cannot put the book down waiting for the will they, won't they. A found family that I want to be a part of in real life and I am totally going back to read their stories because I love this group of people!

A really incredible found family which left me longing for 'sisters' like Harper. There are a few sub plots going on for each character which added so much depth.
I love the field in which Harper is in and how it addresses the challenges she receives because of it.
Reid and Harper's love showed that it can sometimes be fiery but at the end of it all they have one another's backs.
Only thing I would have liked to have seen, considering it was book 3 would have been an epilogue.

“Built to Last” by Lexi Blake is an interconnected romcom.

I read up to 50% of the book and realized that even though the story is well written, the characters and the plot are not for me. I ended up skimming through the remaining chapters in the book until I got to the very end.

Even though the characters and the plot didn’t land with me, I still recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a angsty romcom with a guaranteed HEA.

My rating is based on the first 50% of the book I read prior to skimming the remaining chapters.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read “Built to Last” in advance.

Thank you to NetGalley @GetRedPR and @BlueBoxPress for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Enemies-to-lovers with Park Avenue charm and all the HGTV vibes

Built to Last by Lexi Blake was such a fun read! If you’re into slow-burn romance, bickering leads with undeniable chemistry, and just the right touch of emotional growth—this one checks all the boxes.
Harper Ross is one of those characters you root for right from the start. She’s tough, smart, driven—and maybe just a tiny bit stubborn. She finally gets the chance to renovate a gorgeous brownstone on Park Avenue (the same dream home she once fantasized about with her friends), and it’s a huge deal for her family’s construction business. Everything would be perfect... if not for him.

Enter Reid Dorsey: high-end designer, perfectionist, and Harper’s new work nemesis. Their banter? Top-tier. The tension? Chef’s kiss. These two butt heads at every turn, but underneath all the snark is a really sweet, satisfying arc where they slowly start to see each other—not just as colleagues, but as people who want more than just a finished product.

What I really loved was how much Harper grows over the course of the story. She starts to realize that she doesn’t have to carry everything on her shoulders, and it was so rewarding to see her loosen her grip a bit and step into a future that’s hers, not just the one her family needs from her.

This book hit all the right emotional notes without feeling heavy. It’s fun, heartfelt, and the perfect blend of work tension and romantic payoff. And now I’m extra excited to see how the rest of the series wraps up—I need all the friends to get their happy endings, too!
4 Stars!
#NetGalley, #BlueBoxPress, #ValentinePR, #BuilttoLast, #LexiBlake, #GetRedPR, #ParkAvenuepromiseseries

This was an enjoyable read in which the two main characters were grumpy and grumpier. Reid and Harper clashed from the start, although it was really more on her part as she was reacting based more on past experiences than how Reid was actually treating. But even as they were arguing there was a definite sexual tension between them. Besides their relationship, the story also follows the friendship of Harper and her two friends who are actually more of a family unit than her blood family.

Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Built to Last is my favorite romance read so far this year! If I could give it 6 stars, I would. It is the third book in the Park Avenue Promise series, but I read it as a standalone. This workplace rivals to lovers romance has everything you could ever want. Full of fierce friendships, found family, banter, chemistry, tension, tears, and laughter.
Harper Ross is a contractor and CEO of her family's construction business. Her father passed away and left her with the majority share of Ross Construction and holding the bag for years of tax evasion and misallocation of company funds. On top of that, she has a cousin vying for her job, family members with their hands out, and a mother that just wants her to be a dutiful wife/human incubator. This renovation is her dream job.
Reid Dorsey is a Designer, coming off a hit tv show with his brother, Jeremiah. They had a rough upbringing with an absentee father, lingering injuries from a recent accident but lots of money to spare- until he didn't. So this is his big shot.
Reid and Harper are tasked to work together on Banover Place, a Manhattan Brownstone, and bring it back to all its glory - except that each of their vision for the space do not align. To add insult to injury - a lot is riding on this renovation being a success, for not only themselves, but their friends- and an entire country.
There were so many facets of this book that I loved. The grumpy and grumpier trope, the overarching feminist tone, and the moms that added love, guidance, and levity to the story.
What was really hard to read, but essential to the plot, was the way Harper's family talked to and treated her. It hit me on a personal level and many times felt like ragebait. Im so glad I pushed through because this book is everything im looking for in a contemporary romance.

Built To Last by Lexi Blake was an engaging and very fun read. I loved our two main characters, Harper and Reid. I loved the grumpy and sunshine dynamic between these two, I will always love that trope and I think Lexi Blake executed that trope perfectly in this. The feminist in me was loving Harper which was a breath of fresh air because sometimes in romance books, the FMC gets so consumed by the MMC and forgets everything she has ever stood for, so I’m glad she was able to develop as a character but still didn’t lose sight of what mattered to her. I appreciated Reid’s character growth, and overall the romance between these two was electric. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves the grumpy and sunshine trope, and a strong FMC. The dynamics of friendship and romance with hints of humour in between made this book an enjoyable read. Thank you Lexi Blake, Blue Box Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was fortunate to be selected for this book through NetGalley and I fell in love with the plot and the characters.

I found myself in Harper’s shoes when it came to a dysfunctional family relationship, and how relatable it is to how I treat my romantic relationships.

The story flowed so beautifully and ended on a good note. I also enjoyed how technically this is a series regarding the same chargers, but can be read as a standalone.

Built to Last is the third and (I believe) final book in the Park Avenue Promise series, which follows three best friends who made a pact in high school to always be friends and "make it" in NYC together.

In the third installment of the series, Harper has taken over as CEO of her family's construction business after the death of her father and uncle. Even though she has prepared her entire life for the role, her family's poor business decisions have left her to clean up all of their messes. Taxes? Who really needs to pay those anyway? Buying a family member a new boat with company funds just because they want a new one? Of course! NOT. Juggling her family's crazy requests and her cousin, Paul's bruised ego after getting passed over for the CEO role is a full time job, which leaves Harper with little to enjoy for herself.

Enter Anika, who is about to marry a literal king, after meeting and falling in love on a reality TV show. Anika and Luca have decided to start their own production company and renovate the historic building where the girls made their pact and Anika and Luca fell in love. After Ralavia (Luca's literal country) dealt with tragedy and is in a place to rebuild, this show is how they hope to shine a light on the monarchy but also a way to finance more repairs after the sale of the renovated building.

And while Harper is thrilled to be able to join the project as the contractor as a passion project, she has to work with the Dorsey brothers, designers a la Property Brothers. Jeremiah is sunshine embodied in a person, while Reid had an unfortunate initial interaction with Harper, turning them into fast enemies.

I really enjoyed this one. Reid and Harper are both a little grumpy, which only made them falling for each other that much more enjoyable. I always love a little bit of Found Family and this book was no exception. I'm definitely going to go back and read the other two, having been gifted an ARC of this one and going in blind.

And a big thank you to Blue Box Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Harper is a contractor and her friend Ani gets her to bring back to life and time the historic brownstone Harper has loved all her life. But she has to deal with Reid, the interior designer, and being in camera because Anika pitched a reno TV show for it.

Poor Harper does not deserve how her family treats her or the company she is trying to run for her father after his passing.

Reid is such a good brother to Jeremiah It's sad that he has to cover that secret by being blackmailed constantly. I did not like the ex-fiancee at all.

I wish there had been more focus on the house renovation and I wasn't very invested in the relationship, even though it was sweet and fun. I really still love the feeling group and how they call each other "sister" because family isn't always blood.

(4.5 stars rounded up where needed) BUILT TO LAST is the third and final book in the PARK AVENUE PROMISE series by Lexi Blake. This is the final book in a series about three best friends, so close they are sisters of the heart. They had promised themselves that one day they would make it big in Manhattan. Harper Ross, CEO of her family’s construction company, had always dreamed of working to restore a historic brownstone, and one of her best friend’s brand new production company had purchased the very home they had dreamed of as teens. She hired Harper as contractor for a reality television series restoring the home. Her only problem was the designer on the project, Reid Dorsey. He was happy that he and his brother would have the opportunity to work on a Gilded Age property, but he wished they had hired a contractor who didn’t argue with him about everything. Harper and Reid started as enemies, but as they worked together they began to see different sides of each other. When their project is threatened, they might have to choose between their jobs and the beautiful future they might share. This enemies to lovers, found family, contemporary workplace romcom was a really great story. I totally fell for Harper and Reid. Both had toxic childhoods and plenty of family baggage, but the support of Harper’s best friends, their significant others, and extended found family made a huge difference in their lives. I was fortunate to review the second book in this series, and was already fond of the hodgepodge group of people who made up this group, but this story truly emphasized what a positive role found family can have. This was an expertly written story full of snappy banter, spicy chemistry, and well crafted characters that would keep me coming back for more. The narrator, Kitty Bang, did an amazing job with this single POV audiobook, enhancing the reading experience even further. I definitely recommend this audiobook/book for readers who enjoy snarky banter, se%ual tension for days, and guaranteed laughter which are always included in a romcom by this author.

I received a free ALC/ARC via Valentine PR, Netgalley, Brilliance Audio,and Blue Box Press.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

If you’re looking for banter, tension, chemistry with all the workplace & forced proximity vibes and it takes place in NYC, this one’s for you. Plus throw in found family vibes and the best girl gang, how can you so no. I read this one as a standalone but it is book 3 in the series. I definitely need to go back and read the other 2 friend’s stories as I fell in love with the group of friends!

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Harper inherited a portion of her father’s construction company and to save it she became CEO. The business was a mess and owed major money in taxes due to some shady business practices. However the family doesn’t appreciate her hard work and the ethical business approach she’s taken to keep them profitable and grow the business.

So when her bestie offered her the chance to work on a tv show renovating the house of her dreams, she said yes! This means a small sabbatical from CEO even though she prolly ended up having to work both jobs.

The only issue she didn’t foresee when saying yes, was working with the designer brought on to this project, Reid. She is grumpy but he is even grumpier. Where she wants to save the historical integrity of the house he wants to modernize it. To say they are going to clash during this project may be an understatement. But all tension snaps at some point and you don’t want to miss this one unfolding!

Check it out when it releases in May 27th, 2025

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚𝐬:

“You can’t. You can’t give up your dreams for me.” “What if I just figured out you are my dream?”

“But the way he held me. Like I’m something precious. Something he truly doesn’t want to let go. The way he smiled after. A pure, joyous smile, like he did something amazing and the amazing thing is me.”

“ I’m going to have to play a role I never thought I would play. Sunshine. My grump is anxious and needs some optimism. The good news? I’m feeling optimistic. “Then we’ll figure them out. Together.””

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Grumpy & Even Grumpier
* Forced Proximity- Enemies to Lovers
* He’s the Designer & She’s the Contractor
* CEO of Family’s Construction Company
* He Falls First & Hard
* He Designs as it’s the one thing he could control
* Toxic Family Situations
* Evil Ex - Blackmail & Secrets
* Supportive Friends Group
* New York City
* Slow Burn 🔥 w/ Spice

🛠️🧰 👷🔥 🛠️🧰 👷🔥 🛠️🧰 👷🔥🛠️

Thank you to GetRedPR, Lexi Blake, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

This is my first book from Lexi Blake, and it didn't disappoint. I did not realize at first that this was the 3rd book in the series. I read it as a standalone and did not feel like I had to read the two before this one in order to enjoy this one. I will, however, be going back to read them soon because I did enjoy this one.

Harper is the CEO of the construction company she partially inherited from her Dad. He left her with quite the mess to handle at the company, so when she was presented the opportunity to work on her dream project with her best friends she took it. She did not realize it would require her to work with a grumpy designer who had very different ideas than what she did for the space.

I loved the banter in this book and the friendships the girls had.

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Workplace Romance
Slow burn
Forced proximity
Grumpy and grumpier
Found family in a way
Toxic family dynamics
Friendships

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶

Harper Ross never planned to spend her life cleaning up her family’s mess, but that’s exactly where she’s landed-running the construction company her relatives nearly ran into the ground. She’s sharp, capable, and out to prove she can save the business on her own terms.

Her latest project is a high-stakes renovation of Banover Place, a crumbling relic from the Gilded Age. It’s ambitious, expensive, and complicated by the fact that she’s been paired with designer Reid Dorsey. Reid, once a TV renovation star alongside his brother, is still piecing his life back together after a career-halting injury. He’s not exactly thrilled to be back in the field- and Harper doesn’t make it easier.

Their working relationship is all sparks and static. From the first meeting, it’s clear they rub each other the wrong way-but neither of them backs down. As they trade jabs and struggle for control over the vision of the remodel, something unspoken builds between them.

This isn’t just a workplace drama or a romance in disguise. It’s also the final piece of a friendship trilogy centered on three women-Harper, Ivy, and Ani-who once made a promise to chase big dreams and hold each other up no matter what.

Beneath the job site and business pressure, Harper’s also carrying the weight of a strained family history…especially with a mother who never gave her the support she deserved. That emotional wreckage runs deep, making her determination to stand on her own even more urgent. Built to Last is about rebuilding-careers, homes, trust, and ultimately love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️ — 3.5/5
🌶️ — 1.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and the author for my copy of this book — all thoughts in my review are my own.

As a child of a mom who lived vicariously through families on renovation shows, the blurb of this book got my attention immediately. Built to Last was the first book I’ve ever read by the author and, while it is third in a series, I was able to read it as a standalone. I never felt like I was missing important details about the other characters, though I did find them interesting and will likely go back and read the others in the series in the future.

I found this story to be a fun, flirty read. It was pretty predictable for me, but still a good, undemanding read. There are some emotional points without it being too heavy, and the tension is pretty palpable without overwhelming the rest of story. Overall I did enjoy this read and have added the author’s other books to my TBR.

✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ forced proximity
✔️slow-burn
✔️ set in NYC
✔️ home renovation tv show
✔️ friends that are family

This book was just so easy to get lost in. I completely got lost in the story and I just loved getting to see these new characters come together. I just absolutely love this story and I just didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Harper Ross is given a once in a lifetime restoration project on a mansion she has loved since her childhood. The downside is she has to work with the Dorsey brothers as the designers. What Harper doesn’t see in her future is having to deal with all the demands of her family along with falling for Reid Dorsey.

I enjoyed the banter between Harper and Reid. I also like the seeing how her relationship with her family evolves and she realizes who her true family really is in her life. This story was a cute contemporary romance and I enjoyed the read.