I love it when a book surprises me and this one did for sure. It started out good with a grumpy/grumpier workplace romance but quickly morphed into a deeper story. The undying drama played out nicely and didn’t feel overwhelming which does sometimes happen. Harper and Reid are so perfect together and I really enjoyed the way their relationship progressed, and especially the way they fight for each other. I am looking forward to going back to the first two books of them series.

Kitty Bang narrated this as a solo narration and she did an amazing job giving every character their own unique voice and personality. I usually listen at 1.8-2.0x but for this one I had to speed it up a bit more and ended up at 2.5x for a comfortable listen so if you’re having trouble with the timing you may need to play around with it a bit. I encourage doing so because this book gets better and better as it goes!!

OMG, I devoured the ALC of Built to Last by Lexi Blake, and I am obsessed! This book is the perfect blend of heart, hustle, and just the right amount of enemies-to-lovers tension to keep you up way past your bedtime (guilty 🫣).

Right off the bat, I was hooked by the premise: three best friends chasing their Manhattan dreams? Yes, please! Harper Ross is such a boss. She’s fierce, driven, and knows her way around a power tool, what’s not to love?! Watching her fight to grow her dad’s construction business while working on the brownstone they dreamed of in high school gave me all the nostalgic, feel-good vibes.

And let’s talk about Reid Dorsey. Ughhh, I wanted to smack him and kiss him all at the same time. His snarky back-and-forth with Harper is chef’s kiss perfection. The way their relationship slowly shifts from butting heads to brushing hands? Total slow-burn magic. Their chemistry is undeniable, and you feel it in every scene they share, whether they're fighting over crown molding or falling for each other in the middle of a renovation disaster.

The backdrop of Park Avenue, the glam-meets-grit of restoring a Gilded Age home, and all the sparkly, aspirational vibes of making it big in NYC just make this story pop. Lexi Blake totally nails that blend of strong female friendship, career ambition, and swoony romance.

Built to Last isn’t just a love story, it’s about chasing dreams, building legacies, and finding love in the mess of it all. I’m counting down the days until the next book in The Park Avenue Promise series drops. If you love strong women, banter-fueled romance, and the magic of second chances, run (don’t walk!) to get this book in all formats! 💕🔨✨

10/10 recommend. Your TBR pile just got better.

This was a really great book. I love a romance expecually when it comes between two characters that outwardly seem to be very different. The writing was done well I didn't realise this was apart of a series when I started it witch is a error on my part. Overall I did really enjoy it thought.

Harper and Reid have my whole heart! I loved the story and these characters but I have to give so much credit to my love of this story to Harper (fmc). She was beyond strong and hard working. The feminist in me felt proud to be a woman and wanted to be in her world to cheer for her and take on my own business.

(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 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.

Thank you to NetGalley 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

I enjoyed this book so much! Easy 4-star, probably closer to 4.5 stars for me!
#womenoftheworkforce #bossbabe
I realize this book is part of a series, but I read it as a standalone and was fine.
However, I will go back and read books 1 and 2 because I love the way Lexi Blake writes.
The characters were developed. The relationship between the three women and their fierce friendship is cozy and safe. Like some of those friendships that are your safe place, and you are completely 100% comfortable being yourself, and they will love you.
The found family aspect was fabulous.
I loved that Harper was such a tough girl, but then she finds her person to love and have that vulnerability with. Seeing that part of her development was great.
I loved the Banter between Harper and all the characters, but the banter between Harper and Reid was superb.
Harper's self-discovery and breakthroughs were so good!!
Also, the setting and premise of this story! So good & fairly unique! Think reno show on HGTV!
The plot was well structured, and the pace was perfect.
I would add this to your summer TBR. This book gives you all the feel-good!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lexi Blake for the opportunity to review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

This was such a fun audiobook to listen to! I didn’t realize it was a series, but you don’t need to have read the other books to enjoy this one.

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.

3.5 ⭐️'s rounded up to 4.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kitty Bang. She did a good job overall.
This is the third book in the series but is a stand-alone. I haven't read the other two, but I did not find this to be an issue. It's about three close female friends and each of their lives.
This is the story of Harper Ross. She is the CEO of her late father's construction company. It is a mess that she is trying to turn around even though her family is making that very difficult. Then she can work on the brownstone she and her two friends always wanted to live in. She won't be living in it, but she will remodel it.
The problem is the grumpy designer, Reid Dorsey. They immediately don't get along. What ensues is a story of personal growth and acceptance and how to set healthy boundaries. Overall, I really liked the story. It just had some inconsistencies that may be fixed before it comes out.

Such a sweet conclusion to the series. Yes, at points, it was cheesy, and I definitely guessed the big mystery early on, but it didn't take away from the overall enjoyment