This was a cute enemies to lovers romance with Skye being a bit more of the traditional ice queen and Bailey having been burned in the past causing most of her insecurities about relationships. I feel like I learned a good amount about the real estate industry at the same time which was interesting. 4.5 stars ⭐️

Skye is very driven when comes to her work as commercial real estate being the daughter of immigrants she loves that her job give her life she enjoys. Bailey owns a construction company that’s been in her family since her grandfather build it. They both meet when Skye client is using Bailey company to renovating a building and they immediately clash. They both very driven doesn’t leads to having a love life but the do make time for their families. I love how Skye loves getting on Bailey nerves even though Bailey came off as a jerk most times. Love their families how they meddle even though it’s was bit annoying at times but overall good read.




I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Real estate, a construction company and romance - why not?
Bailey Kaczmarek is the big boss at City Beautiful Construction which was started by her grandfather. Skye Kohl is an opiniated hot shot commercial real estate broker with the sole focus of being the best in her field.
I was looking forward to the inevitable clash between the leads then it all fell apart. A bit too much unnecessary drama. Skye was hard to like - Bailey somewhat better. With all the little clashes I couldn't get invested in the story.
What I did like: the descriptions of food and family and the ultimate star - pocket pittie Patsy.
While this read missed the mark for me, I'm sure other readers will really like it.

The constant back and forth at some point just became tiring and superficial. One might think that two grown businesswomen would be much more resolute and willing to find ways to make their relationship work. Or to own who they are without any shame or deceit for that matter.
The last drama between the two MC's was uncalled for and I was honestly annoyed with Skye and how quickly she caved in.
An okay book overall, but not one that I will still remember in a few weeks time.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Skye Kohl is a commercial real estate agent with a hard hitting reputation. Bailey Kaczmarek owns the construction company that Skye's biggest client will be using to complete an office build out. When Bailey meets Skye they immediately clash but they will need to find a way to work together or else they will both lose this client.
I was really impressed with Rivers' first book and this was a great follow up. The character development of the MCs as well as the friends and family around them is great. There is loads of chemistry right from the beginning. Skye's brash attitude and love of getting on Bailey's nerves is so much fun. Their mothers and grandmothers add a lot to the story and I loved them and all their meddling ways. Patsy is adorable too and now I want a pocket pittie for myself. The end was satisfying if a little bit predictable and I'd have loved to have a bit more of an epilogue as that last little bit felt a bit abrupt. This was a lot of fun to read though, these characters make the book great. I absolutely recommend picking it up along with Rivers' first book if you haven't read it already.

Skye Kohl is a driven commercial real estate broker in Chicago. The daughter of immigrants she enjoys negotiating leases which affords her a luxury lifestyle. Bailey Kaczmarek owns a construction company. She is the third generation to run the company started by her grandfather. Both women are busy, with little time to date. Yet, both make time for family, especially their mothers and grandmothers. They keep running into each other at a building Bailey is renovating and which Skye can’t wait to be finished so she can close on new leases. Their first encounters with each other are prickly at best. But then when their mothers meddle and set them up together maybe they can give each other a chance.

I enjoyed this sophomore novel from Rivers as I did her first book. I liked the meddling family members, Chicago being the setting, and of course Patsy the Pitty. It doesn't fall into stereotypes of having Bailey be butch as she is in construction. I like their conversations and passion too. I didn’t think the conflict works well. I It seems like the author pushes in a conflict because it is expected. And Bailey especially comes off looking like a jerk. She gives conflicting answers three times to the same issue of can she delegate in her work to allow for more personal balance. I think an epilogue helps me believe in a HEA ending. Even with my few reservations I recommend this book and will be on the lookout for Rivers next novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's my first time reading g a book by Krystina Rivers, and based on Last New Beginning it won't be my last time.
It's a story of Skye and Bailey, they both have personal history with commitment which hinders their growth and relationship together.
As a character I really liked Skye, she has charm whereas I wasn't too keen on Bailey found her a bit whingy but don't let my though of her put you off this book.
It's a great book, great story line and it you like a few hot scenes, this is good one for you

I really enjoyed this book. It had some genuinely amusing lines, “Bailey was surprised she was twenty-nine. Judging by her youthful face and level of self-absorption, she could’ve been much younger”.
It was perfectly paced and unlike many books of late, I couldn’t wait to get back to it when real life meant I had to put it down. When I read it, even when brushing my teeth, it is always a good sign!

Rivers second book is an enemy to lovers delight. Skye is a no nonsense property broker who plays by rules of the boys club that dominates the business. And she rubs the construction company owner Bailey the wrong way. But there’s more to Skye than meets the eye. As their families start to meddle, Skye and Bailey realise that their attraction may be more than superficial lust. A good plot, great dialogue and steamy scenes make for a great read. The only negative I have is the lack of epilogue. 4.5 stars.
Free ACR via NetGalley

Really good book. The main characters of Skye and Bailey were pretty interesting. I thought at first the character of Skye was going to be very annoying,, but was I ever wrong. I really came to like her a lot, she had a no nonsense take charge attitude especially were business was concerned but with her family and Bailey she was a big softy. Where as Bailey just got on my nerves, with all her idiotic stereotyping nonsense, don't get me wrong I liked her character, but sometimes she rubbed me the wrong way, with how she took some things. I thought the relationship between these two was good and the families of both were sometimes just to much with their meddling. All and all this was a cute story with a bit of drama and angst, and I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family, and I look forward to what's next from this author.

Skye Kohl is a no nonsense high stakes realtor getting what she wants to be successful. Enter Bailey Kaczmarek a busy tough as nails hard working contractor.
Now the two have met on a property that Skye is leasing and needs to make it the picture perfect location. There will be a lot of friction as they don't always agree on what's best. As they continue to butt heads they'll also start to find personal sparks are flying between them. Then their mothers get involved, what could possible go wrong or right?
This is a great fun read with some delicious romance.

Thank you #NetGalley #BoldStrokesBooks for this ARC

Enemies, or at least two women starting off not liking each other, to lovers. Skye and Bailey meet through work. Both are involved in the leasing/interior decoration of the same areas in an office building so they keep meeting. As they get to know one another they feel a spark. Their interfering families get involved too. The usual misunderstanding of actions, fear of commitment transpires but all is resolved. You just have to read the book to find out what and how it all happens. It’s quite a nice story to read. No real angst so a fairly relaxing read.

Wow, what a wonderful sophomore contribution from Krystina Rivers. Last New Beginning features Bailey Kaczmarek, a commercial construction company owner, who lives in Andersonville, a Chicago suburb, and works in the city. She has a very demanding job and really only has time for that job, her dog, Pasty (Cline), and her Polish heritage family.

Skye Kohl is a commercial real estate broker who has a bright career ahead of her in Chicago. She uses her wits, her connections, and her beauty to get ahead in a male dominated industry. Skye is from a Ukrainian family who lives the Ukrainian Village part of Chicago, while Skye lives in the city proper.

One day Bailey and Skye meet on a new real estate project where Bailey is asked to supply an estimate for potential work and Skye wants to sell/rent the property after the work concludes. Neither is very impressed with the other person and Skye especially comes off as a bit of a snob and quite aggressive. They get off on the wrong foot, but continue to encounter each other in the work environment. Eventually some personal interest sparks between the two women.

I loved this book and would highly recommend it to others. The chemistry between Bailey and Skye was electric and was evident in their physical, intellectual, and emotional attraction. A few standout scenes that demonstrated this intense chemistry included their time on the Navy Pier after the charity event, the balcony scenes at Skye's penthouse, and the balcony scenes at the charity event ballroom by Navy Pier.

Another thing that stood out to me about this book is the sweet families of both Bailey and Skye. They were sweet yet somewhat trying to push the two women together. I also enjoyed learning more about their respective Polish and Ukrainian backgrounds and food. My only wish for the book is that the happily ever after ending could have been a bit longer after Bailey and Skye reunited. I think an epilogue chapter would have served a nice purpose in that regard. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bailey was annoying the majority of the book. the last drama was super uncalled for and felt like she was accusing Skye way too much. nevertheless, I actually enjoyed reading it. I also liked Skye growth tho the author was not developing Bailey as much to the point where I think Skye outgrow Bailey but since she's the main character there's no other option. and I wished for epilogue.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I will never say no to an enemies-to-lovers storyline. However, this predilection has led me done a poorly written rabbit hole before.

Author Krystina Rivers pulls off the seemingly impossible task of keeping me all in with her chracters by creating truly unique details to alter my expectations. Kudos.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I really, really enjoyed this book. The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my favorites and I loved the way it was done in this one. I thought the writing and pacing were well done. I was especially a big fan of how the conversations unfolded throughout. I'm a sucker for well done dialogue. Although one of the main characters seemed a little wishy-washy and the other seemed to be putting forth more effort than the other, the author did a good job at highlighting the insecurities both characters felt that really helped explain the dynamic between the two. I enjoyed this author's first book too, they're definitely moving up the ranks to my "will always read" list of authors. I didn't notice anything that really stood out as taking away from an excellent reading experience besides the usual romance formula of drama near the end (a bit rushed on the ending) and I think an epilogue would have really set this book over the top. But whatever, I thought it was really good and definitely recommend.

This has been a pretty nice romance, which breaks some stereotypes like the fact that the owner of the construction company, Bailey, is quite femme instead of butch and the initially most aggressive one, Skye, is the apparently very feminine real estate broker.

And in addition to this, the two of them did not start their relationship well, since Skye's aggressiveness and apparent snobbery bothered Bailey from the first moment.

But neither of them was totally what they appear to be and it is the nuances that made them feel curious and although they reluctantly tried to take a step forward in a more personal relationship. Even if it was only to please their relatives, who on both sides had the same goal: to find their better half.

This approach has given rise to creating very romantic situations for the reader, although the two of them have done the impossible not to give it that look. But the result has been really nice.

It did not lack its share of tension and drama, acceptable in any case, it complemented the story quite well.