Start Us Up (The Park Avenue Promise, Book 1) by Lexi Blake
Narrated by Kitty Bang
First standalone in an interconnected series. Women’s Fiction/Romance.
I received Start Us Up by Lexi Blake in a swag bag at a book con last year and finally got around to reading it after getting it signed at another book con in Montana this year. To me, Lexi Blake is synonymous with the Masters and Mercenaries series that’s all sexy alpha males. Start Us Up is not that. It’s a unique, smart romance featuring strong, capable women and a Golden Retriever–type hero.
Ivy Jenson has returned home after her successful start-up collapsed because of a huge mistake made by her ex, which he pinned on her. Her once-promising career tanked while his star rose. She’s a coder and works in tech, but her real strength is taking start-ups to market and securing investment. Start Us Up focuses on female friendships and business as much as the romance, and I genuinely enjoyed that.
Ivy’s two best friends give her tough love, but they’re truly supportive. One of them introduces her to Heath, who’s building an app and needs guidance. Heath is working on an AI matchmaking app modeled after his grandmother’s real-life matchmaking business. Heath’s grandmother, Ivy’s difficult mother, and Ivy’s wild, wealthy mentor all add to the fun cast of characters and the layered relationships explored alongside the romance.
After years in the industry and the worst betrayal by her ex, Ivy is jaded AF and refuses to get involved with a colleague ever again. But Heath is everything. He’s supportive, steady, and refuses to let her push him away no matter how hard she tries.
“I realize I’ve spent the last year so focused on getting back to the top that I haven’t let myself want anything else. I want him. I want everything he can give me.”
The story is told only from Ivy’s POV (first person), and it’s as much a journey of personal growth and her relationships with the women in her life as it is a love story.
Likes:
- A smart and unique storyline.
- The world of high-tech start-ups.
- Her realistic friendships.
- The tenuous relationship with her mother.
- I loved Nonna the matchmaker.
- Her crazy, rich mentor.
- How could you not love Heath.
- How Heath refused to let her push him away.
Dislikes:
- It leaned more toward women’s fiction than straight romance, which is fine, but worth knowing ahead of time.
- I wanted a little more of Heath’s POV.
- The average romance reader might get bored with the business focus, but I love high-tech start-ups so it worked for me.
The Narration:
Kitty Bang was perfect for Ivy. She sounded smart and matter-of-fact, and I thought she really brought the story to life. I did find that I had to listen a bit faster than usual though.
The Down & Dirty:
Start Us Up was so unique. Set in the high-tech start-up world, this is not your typical alpha-male romance. Leaning more toward women’s fiction, it explores the heroine’s relationships with friends, family, and mentors just as much as her relationship with the sweet, supportive hero. There’s a lot of business start-up talk and I found it all really interesting. If you’re looking for Lexi Blake’s usual style, this isn’t it. But if you want a smart, original workplace romance, this delivers. I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
Rating: 4.25 Stars, 2.5 Heat, 4 Narration
Purchase Start Us Up by Lexi Blake
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