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.

The third and final book of the series gave me all the feels. I loved Harper from the first book and watching her learn to live and stop being treated like garbage was so gratifying. Reid and Jeremiah were great and as always CeCe was spectacularly CeCe. I’m sad the series is over!

Built to Last is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance with all the charm of a home renovation show and the emotional depth of longtime friendship. Harper and Reid’s enemies-to-lovers dynamic sparks with witty banter and genuine tension, but it’s their gradual understanding and shared passion for their work that makes their connection feel authentic. Lexi Blake weaves in themes of ambition, loyalty, and legacy with ease, and the backdrop of Park Avenue brownstone glamour adds an extra layer of appeal. While the pacing lags slightly in the middle, the payoff is well worth it in this feel-good third book in The Park Avenue Promise series.

3.75 stars ⭐️

i honestly really enjoyed reading this book but reminded me of Property Brothers with romance mixed in. I do love the found family aspect of the book since i can relate to that. i did not however like how Reid would get these anger flashes sometimes and “take them out” on Harper. I do also think that some aspects of the book seemed too “fake” and all the pop culture references got to be a bit much.

Overall, i did enjoy reading this book and thought that the plot and the storyline did flow very well together. The author does a good job of drawing you into the story and keeping you reading and wanting more.

This was such a cozy romance. I didn’t read the first two books, but it still worked fine as a standalone. Harper was a strong FMC, and I loved seeing her take on a renovation project that actually meant something personal. The chemistry with Reid was instant, and their banter was one of my favorite parts. The family drama added a good bit of tension, though at times I felt like it slowed things down a little in the beginning. What really stood out was the found family, Harper, Ivy, and Anika felt like real sisters, and I loved that connection. It made the story feel richer and more emotional. I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early. I’m sharing my thoughts voluntarily and with genuine appreciation

Thank you to Get Red PR and NetGalley for the ARC of Built to Last by Lexi Blake.

4.5 stars.
This can be read as a standalone but is book three in the park avenue promise series.
Harper is our FMC in Built to last and the two previous books are about her best friends who are most like sisters.
I suggest reading them in order. This book was definitely my favorite of the three.
Harper is the CEO of her father’s construction company and is taking on a project that is super indulgent for her. She’s working on a historical home that has been significant to her and her two best friends.
She gets the opportunity to renovate it while she films a show for her new production company.
The designer for the home, Reid, is known as a celebrity in the designer world. He comes with baggage as he’s dealing with a super model ex girlfriend.
Harper and Reid find instant attraction to one another that serves as a bit of a problem while working in close proximity. However, that will be the least of their problems as Harper’s family constantly hounds her for more more more and Reid’s ex is up to no good.
This book is filled with family drama, secrets of the past, found family, hard working women, and streamy romance.
I had such a fun time reading it and I’m sad to see the series end. Definitely recommend!

Thank you Lexi Blake and Getred PR for the eARC of Built to Last! This was my first book from the author and I definitely can’t wait to read more! While this book is the 3rd in the series, I was able to read it as a standalone! I never felt lost and enjoyed the involvement of the characters from the previous books which I will be checking out! Reid and Harper had the best banter and I loved their chemistry! The entire book was super cute and it had the best surprise ending!

oh this was such a woman supporting woman win. it was so good for everyone though. all sexes. i loved though the focus on how woman could and do do hard things and the work men can. the company hiring woman was a masterstroke for me.
also the hard friendships formed and kept. it was brilliant.
not only that but it also showed love can happen and does happen. its not "hating" on men to support a lift woman. it never was or never is.
so this book shined on all fronts throughout. it was a delicious romance front and centre. all im adding in is that the added woman strength to it only added much needed touches to it.
i adored the dynamics between the group. and the house Reno parts were so good especially when our two enemies to lovers starts their interactions. who doesnt love a program or story on house remodelling. im a sucker for it.
the two brotherly interactions was on point and a delight. this book really did have moments of all types. moments to make me swoon. moments that made me laugh and smile. moments that made me wonder just where it could or would go and be anxious for our pair!
it was a heartfelt and heart warming book. loved it. Lexi has a way with words that are so sharp and clever but can be just as good at those tender and soft moments.

Thank you GetRed PR and publishing teams for review copies! Thank you Brilliance Audio as well for the audiobook copy.

A fun and emotionally satisfying end to this series! Built to Last works as a stand alone but it's a strong complement to two previous books that explore the other 2 main characters in the friendship triad, recommend them all. :)

Lexi Blake offers a well developed romance that is also about friendship and growth and with added depth from a sibling relationship for the male lead (Reid and Jeremiah, I really loved them both and their story and character development made this a stronger read). Built to Last is a cozy inviting read that has layers, a story that unfolds in interesting ways as the plot develops and the characters open up to the reader and to each other. The read for me had a bit of a slow start but once I got into the story and saw how the connections were coming together, I could not wait to see how Harper and Reid came together.

I enjoyed this story of friendship, love, and renovation. Harper, Ivy, and Anika are more sisters than friends and have the opportunity to renovate a property in Manhattan that is important to all of them. The renovation is a dream project for Harper and she will be the contractor for it as part of a tv show. The Dorsey brothers, Reid and Jeremy, are the decorators and stars of the show and Harper will have to work closely with them. Sparks fly as soon as Harper and Reid meet. Will Harper be able to balance the demands of her family construction company and get along with Reid? Harper, Ivy, and Anika are the epitome of found family which immediately drew me in. The connection and spark between Harper and Reid was fun to watch especially as it grew. This was a book where I connected with the characters and I was angry at Harper’s family for the way they treated her. At its core this is a book that celebrates found family and renovating your life to make it what you dream of. Now that I have read this book I need to go back and read Anika and Ivy’s stories. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy romances filled with found family and make hard choices to build the life of your dreams.

Ambitious contractor Harper and renowned designer Reid clash while renovating a Park Avenue brownstone for a reality TV show. Their professional rivalry gives way to attraction, but a threat to the project forces them to choose between their careers and a potential future together.

I love the light tone of this book. The enemies-to-lovers chemistry is off the charts. The book is smart and emotional with a bit of spice.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed the premise of this read! I really loved that the fmc was involved in architecture because you usually only see the mmc in this field. I enjoyed reading about Harper and her dreams. They felt so real and something that could be achievable in real life. I loved her scenes with her sister and her friends. The friendships kind of remind me of Sex and the City or Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. All about girlhood. I really enjoyed Reid and Harper and the romance between the two. It was a perfect add to the plot of the story!

This book is part of a series but can totally be read as a stand alone book. This is the first book that I’ve read in the series and I enjoyed it.

It was giving #bossbabevibes.

I really liked getting to know the cast of characters. There was a lot of drama and problematic relationships. I enjoyed seeing the growth of the characters.

There was also an element of mystery when you find out a pretty big secret which added another layer of intrigue to this one.

I can see myself reading more books in this series.

Built to Last by Lexi Blake

This is the third book in the series.

First, I'm a big fan of Lexi Blake, but I've not read the other two books in this series. I would recommend reading them in order as you'll definitely know the outcome of the previous books. This book is much more.... wholesome?...lighthearted, than the other books I've read by Lexi. But she still does a great job of drawing you in and so giving you a bit of intrigue in the otherwise mundane works of home improvement TV.

Harper is finally doing something for herself in being part of the restoration project. Yes, she's still dealing with her obnoxious family and putting it fires at the family construction company. And she's accepted that maybe she can have more.
Reid is trying to get back to what he loves. He never expected to fall for the contractor at his newest project. They butt heads on decisions, but they have more in common than they think. And when faced with secrets being revealed, they truly learn the meaning in family and support.

I hadn’t read the first two books in the series, but I don’t think it was fully necessary, it works well as a standalone. I loved the cover for this one, and I really liked Harper and Reid. Harper has a lot on her plate with her family’s construction company, plus the renovation/restoration project she takes on working side by side with Reid and his brother, who are basically this universe’s version of the Property Brothers.

She and Reid DO NOT get along at first, and their banter was really fun to read. I love how strong Harper is as a main character, especially in a field where she’s surrounded by men. She doesn’t need Reid to fight her battles for her, she’s more than capable of standing up for herself, and Reid is the perfect foil for her.

The ending was a bit predictable, but it didn’t stop me from tearing up reading it anyway! It was well executed and Lexi Blake did a really great job making me care for these characters in such a short time.