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Under Construction
Avery has had enough.
Two years into the rehabilitation of the historic Taylor Building—a project plagued by delays and cost overruns—she’d like nothing more than to see the back of the site trailer, and pesky Project Manager Kent Armstrong.
Avery is a no-frills team player who knows her way around a mortar shack and is determined to chip her way through the patriarchal barriers of heritage stone masonry.
Kent is a buttoned-up budget boy with a stony facade. Impossible to please, he’s a cost, scope, and schedule junkie who thinks he knows best and never seems to listen to his expert mason.
When Kent and Avery meet steel toe to steel toe on the scaffold, tempers flare and egos clash. Will she crack his hard exterior? Or will the fissures she hides beneath her carefully honed exterior undermine her own footings?
Sometimes there’s more to people—and projects—than meets the eye.
Two years into the rehabilitation of the historic Taylor Building—a project plagued by delays and cost overruns—she’d like nothing more than to see the back of the site trailer, and pesky Project Manager Kent Armstrong.
Avery is a no-frills team player who knows her way around a mortar shack and is determined to chip her way through the patriarchal barriers of heritage stone masonry.
Kent is a buttoned-up budget boy with a stony facade. Impossible to please, he’s a cost, scope, and schedule junkie who thinks he knows best and never seems to listen to his expert mason.
When Kent and Avery meet steel toe to steel toe on the scaffold, tempers flare and egos clash. Will she crack his hard exterior? Or will the fissures she hides beneath her carefully honed exterior undermine her own footings?
Sometimes there’s more to people—and projects—than meets the eye.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2023
11 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Kate Cole
3 books65 followersSince meeting Mr. Darcy in English 101, Kate Cole hasn’t managed to shake her obsession with all things happily ever after. A sucker for romance, this Canadian bibliophile is a buttoned-up bureaucrat in the street, spicy romcom writer in her desk seat. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s also a wife and mom in suburbia who can’t get enough of Duran Duran or pedicures that match her current reads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
November 1, 2023
So I am definitely biased because Kate is a friend of mine, but also, I wouldn't be friends with someone who isn't awesome, so take that under consideration!
When Kate told me she wrote a book, I was so excited. When she told me it was about a woman working in the trades - I was ecstatic. There's still a huge barrier for women working in trades to be fully accepted, and I think it's so important to have stories that highlight women doing this type of work, but also honestly shows some of the challenges they are up against.
I read the book and one of my first messages to Kate was "Have you seriously never written a book before?"
Under Construction has a full story, hits all the beats, has nuances and callbacks to things said and done in the early part of the book, has character growth, shows how life can be messy and sometimes people make poor decisions with the best of intentions and then have to take responsibility for the consequences, and is sexy.
Avery and Kent are perfectly imperfect. They are both stubborn people, with strengths and weaknesses, but also incredibly loyal (almost to a fault), intelligent, and hardworking. I love them.
I hope that we not only get more books from Kate, but that we get more books that centre women in trades because if her debut is anything to go by, we will all be fortunate to read more of her words.
I hope others enjoy the book as much as I do!
Also..... you'll never look at orange highlighters the same way again. :)
Thank to the author for welcoming me on her Beta team, and for being an amazing friend.
When Kate told me she wrote a book, I was so excited. When she told me it was about a woman working in the trades - I was ecstatic. There's still a huge barrier for women working in trades to be fully accepted, and I think it's so important to have stories that highlight women doing this type of work, but also honestly shows some of the challenges they are up against.
I read the book and one of my first messages to Kate was "Have you seriously never written a book before?"
Under Construction has a full story, hits all the beats, has nuances and callbacks to things said and done in the early part of the book, has character growth, shows how life can be messy and sometimes people make poor decisions with the best of intentions and then have to take responsibility for the consequences, and is sexy.
Avery and Kent are perfectly imperfect. They are both stubborn people, with strengths and weaknesses, but also incredibly loyal (almost to a fault), intelligent, and hardworking. I love them.
I hope that we not only get more books from Kate, but that we get more books that centre women in trades because if her debut is anything to go by, we will all be fortunate to read more of her words.
I hope others enjoy the book as much as I do!
Also..... you'll never look at orange highlighters the same way again. :)
Thank to the author for welcoming me on her Beta team, and for being an amazing friend.
November 20, 2023
I learned about this book from @drops.everything.and.reads and @reads.with.kae and I’m so glad they put Kate & Under Construction on my radar.
Avery battles misogyny and sexism as a mason, so her guard is always up, especially with the project manager, Kent. Their animosity on the worksite is palpable, and yet they’re forced to work together to overcome so many obstacles while completing the rehabilitation of a historic building. There are lots of rom com moments, while also a nod to the ongoing lack of representation and respect for gender diversity in male dominated trades. As romance readers, we always know there’s a very thin line between hate and love, so this enemies to lovers romance definitely provides that sizzle you expect in this workplace romance. I was shocked to learn this was a debut, and it delivers all the steamy rom com goodness while also setting up future books with women shattering glass ceilings (I hope!!).
Thank you to the author for an advanced review copy
Avery battles misogyny and sexism as a mason, so her guard is always up, especially with the project manager, Kent. Their animosity on the worksite is palpable, and yet they’re forced to work together to overcome so many obstacles while completing the rehabilitation of a historic building. There are lots of rom com moments, while also a nod to the ongoing lack of representation and respect for gender diversity in male dominated trades. As romance readers, we always know there’s a very thin line between hate and love, so this enemies to lovers romance definitely provides that sizzle you expect in this workplace romance. I was shocked to learn this was a debut, and it delivers all the steamy rom com goodness while also setting up future books with women shattering glass ceilings (I hope!!).
Thank you to the author for an advanced review copy
November 26, 2023
Debut author Kate Cole delivers a smart, sassy, steamy read that you will not be able to put down. Avery is someone you want to be your bestie and Kent is the perfect mix of hot, frustrating and good with his hands *wink, wink. Side characters like Avery's mom and her boss, Larry leave you hoping for a sequel so you can spend more time with them. Bravo Kate.
May 16, 2024
As soon as I saw ‘A women in trades romance’ I knew I wanted to read this book, and I was not disappointed.
Isabella Avery works in a male dominated trade, she’s a stone mason, a very good stone mason. To her family and friends she is Bella, to her work colleagues she is Avery.
Bella loves her job the only fly in the ointment is the project manager on the current job Kent Armstrong.
Full of banter and an undercurrent of attraction proves to be a great combination, I couldn’t put it down I wanted to find out more.
Told from the view of Avery, a strong, independent women, the growth of the characters on the pages unfolded brilliantly and left me wanting more.
Loads of beautiful quotes,
“I don’t want some curated version of Bella Avery; I want the whole package.”
“It’s like a film came off my world and I finally saw in colour.”
“In the end, we’re all just projects always under construction.”
😍 swoon 🥰🫶
Isabella Avery works in a male dominated trade, she’s a stone mason, a very good stone mason. To her family and friends she is Bella, to her work colleagues she is Avery.
Bella loves her job the only fly in the ointment is the project manager on the current job Kent Armstrong.
Full of banter and an undercurrent of attraction proves to be a great combination, I couldn’t put it down I wanted to find out more.
Told from the view of Avery, a strong, independent women, the growth of the characters on the pages unfolded brilliantly and left me wanting more.
Loads of beautiful quotes,
“I don’t want some curated version of Bella Avery; I want the whole package.”
“It’s like a film came off my world and I finally saw in colour.”
“In the end, we’re all just projects always under construction.”
😍 swoon 🥰🫶
January 14, 2024
Have you ever read a book where you purposely slow down so you can stay in the story for longer and once you finish, you miss the time you spent with the characters?
Kate Cole’s debut novel, Under Construction, was that book for me. It is a fun flirty romance with no shortage of sizzle and emotion. Kent and Avery have chemistry and a connection that kept me wanting more (more sexy bantor, more yoga, and definitely more orange highlighters) I also adored all of the side characters (mom and Larry especially).
This all would be enough on its own, but this book breaks down stereotypes and biases, delves into what makes us imperfect humans and the complexities of relationships. This added depth and interest was just enough prompting to make you think deeper and reflect without being preachy.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC, but you won’t have to wait long until it is released at the end of November.
Kate Cole’s debut novel, Under Construction, was that book for me. It is a fun flirty romance with no shortage of sizzle and emotion. Kent and Avery have chemistry and a connection that kept me wanting more (more sexy bantor, more yoga, and definitely more orange highlighters) I also adored all of the side characters (mom and Larry especially).
This all would be enough on its own, but this book breaks down stereotypes and biases, delves into what makes us imperfect humans and the complexities of relationships. This added depth and interest was just enough prompting to make you think deeper and reflect without being preachy.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC, but you won’t have to wait long until it is released at the end of November.
January 26, 2024
An impressive debut that had me laughing out loud and feeling the steam, and left me eagerly awaiting the next in this series of women in trades!
December 15, 2024
This was a wonderful debut romance, and I’m looking forward to read more women in trades stories!
📖 Under Construction by Kate Cole
⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶️: open door, 2/5
💭 overall thoughts:
I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers workplace romance.
Avery and Kent are both messy, with their own baggage, and I loved reading how they just fit together.
This book was unique for me, reading about a woman working in the trade industry.
Isabella Avery is an expert stone mason, which is a male-dominated field. As such, she feels she needs to hide the more feminine side of herself to be taken seriously (using her last name, Avery, and going by “Bella” with her friends/family).
Avery is a strong woman with a soft side that many don’t have the opportunity to see. Project manager Kent, who she previously can’t stand from working on a building together, somehow finds his way past her walls and tough exterior.
I know nothing about building restoration and I found the information shared fascinating, while not being too much or overwhelming.
I also love a third act breakup that’s justified, and leaves you truly wondering how they’ll end up back together. I didn’t think I could be convinced, but in the end I was 🙃
read if you love:
😡 enemies to lovers
🧰 workplace
⚒️ stone mason fmc
📋 project manager mmc
💙 he falls first
🔗 forced proximity
💗 single 1st person pov
Thank you to Kate Cole for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
📖 Under Construction by Kate Cole
⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶️: open door, 2/5
💭 overall thoughts:
I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers workplace romance.
Avery and Kent are both messy, with their own baggage, and I loved reading how they just fit together.
This book was unique for me, reading about a woman working in the trade industry.
Isabella Avery is an expert stone mason, which is a male-dominated field. As such, she feels she needs to hide the more feminine side of herself to be taken seriously (using her last name, Avery, and going by “Bella” with her friends/family).
Avery is a strong woman with a soft side that many don’t have the opportunity to see. Project manager Kent, who she previously can’t stand from working on a building together, somehow finds his way past her walls and tough exterior.
I know nothing about building restoration and I found the information shared fascinating, while not being too much or overwhelming.
I also love a third act breakup that’s justified, and leaves you truly wondering how they’ll end up back together. I didn’t think I could be convinced, but in the end I was 🙃
read if you love:
😡 enemies to lovers
🧰 workplace
⚒️ stone mason fmc
📋 project manager mmc
💙 he falls first
🔗 forced proximity
💗 single 1st person pov
Thank you to Kate Cole for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
August 3, 2025
I absolutely loved this book, my little nerd heart was happy to read about conservation architecture and stone masonry…my brief stint in uni for architecture gave me the base knowledge to know exactly what Kate Cole had put into the book from a technical perspective.
Avery, the FMC, is a stone mason and a leader in her field. She takes great pride in her work and her reputation, but her approach to do that is to compartmentalize aspects of herself that she thinks don’t fit the mould. Essentially keeping her work and her personal persona separate. Abrupt, fierce, intelligent, and yet afraid to realize that being human is ok. Being human is essential.
Kent, the MMC, our flawed cinnamon roll is hard not to fall for. The project manager for the job that Avery is working on, they butt heads on a regular basis and everyone on the work site has come to expect it. He’s particular, combatant, and will not budge on his expectations. And yet, as you read, you can pick up clues that he is infatuated with Avery. That he cannot get enough of her.
As a series of events puts them in more direct contact…a wedding, mutual friends, a work trip…the tension on the job site revisits itself into the reality of the chemistry between them. Their relationship goes from zero to full-tilt fast, pent up emotions and attraction overtaking everything else.
But being human means they have flaws, and in time those become evident…leading to an abrupt end to their budding romance. Can these issues be overcome? Can they accept their own flaws and realize that they each have things to work on…and that perhaps that will lead to the chance of them reconnecting?
Avery, the FMC, is a stone mason and a leader in her field. She takes great pride in her work and her reputation, but her approach to do that is to compartmentalize aspects of herself that she thinks don’t fit the mould. Essentially keeping her work and her personal persona separate. Abrupt, fierce, intelligent, and yet afraid to realize that being human is ok. Being human is essential.
Kent, the MMC, our flawed cinnamon roll is hard not to fall for. The project manager for the job that Avery is working on, they butt heads on a regular basis and everyone on the work site has come to expect it. He’s particular, combatant, and will not budge on his expectations. And yet, as you read, you can pick up clues that he is infatuated with Avery. That he cannot get enough of her.
As a series of events puts them in more direct contact…a wedding, mutual friends, a work trip…the tension on the job site revisits itself into the reality of the chemistry between them. Their relationship goes from zero to full-tilt fast, pent up emotions and attraction overtaking everything else.
But being human means they have flaws, and in time those become evident…leading to an abrupt end to their budding romance. Can these issues be overcome? Can they accept their own flaws and realize that they each have things to work on…and that perhaps that will lead to the chance of them reconnecting?
May 4, 2025
There was just so much to love about this book! I knew I wanted to read it after seeing Kate's Instagram page. A strong woman in a male dominated field? hell yes. The FMC, Avery was excellent and so well rounded. She's fiesty, intelligent, hardworking and a wee bit stubborn. The MMC, Kent.. well I hated him 😂 He got under my skin and never reeeeally made a full comeback. I think had we had his POV it would have helped. He definitely had some redeeming moments but more from his perspective would have made the love story feel more realistic. Larry was THE man of this book for me. I absolutely love him. And the main relationship for me? was the one between Avery and her Mom, it was beautiful and blossomed so nicely on the pages. For a debut novel this was really really good, and I can't wait to see what else Kate builds for us.
Read Canadian Bookclub Pick! 🍁
Read Canadian Bookclub Pick! 🍁
October 15, 2025
~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
~Under Construction~A Women In Trades Romance #1~Kate Cole~
~Duet Narration~Allie Martina & Gideon Frost~
~Production~High Gravity Production~
"It feels like settling into a warm bath. You know...if a warm bath gave you orgasms."
♡This was my first read by Kate Cole & I loved it! Avery & Kent's story was a mixture of great banter, slow burn spice, & a great workplace romance. I'm excited to continue this series!
The duet narration for this audiobook was fantastic! Allie is a new to me narrator & did a great job bringing Avery our strong & independent FMC to life. Gideon did an amazing job bringing Kent our broody cinnamon roll to life! The narration flowed super well & these two sounded great together!♡
~As Always Happy Reading~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
~Under Construction~A Women In Trades Romance #1~Kate Cole~
~Duet Narration~Allie Martina & Gideon Frost~
~Production~High Gravity Production~
"It feels like settling into a warm bath. You know...if a warm bath gave you orgasms."
♡This was my first read by Kate Cole & I loved it! Avery & Kent's story was a mixture of great banter, slow burn spice, & a great workplace romance. I'm excited to continue this series!
The duet narration for this audiobook was fantastic! Allie is a new to me narrator & did a great job bringing Avery our strong & independent FMC to life. Gideon did an amazing job bringing Kent our broody cinnamon roll to life! The narration flowed super well & these two sounded great together!♡
~As Always Happy Reading~
December 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
I love the idea of this series. Each book features a female main character who is a badass woman who works in a trade that typically not a lot of women work in.
I enjoyed this book. Bella and Kent were sizzling hot together! I didn't love the conflict in the third act. I won't reveal what it is, but I felt like it was a red flag and maybe something I couldn't get over.
I love it when audiobooks are in duet style! Both narrators did a fantastic job...especially Gideon Frost with Kent's erotic talk. It was A+ work!
I received a complimentary audiobook from the author.
I love the idea of this series. Each book features a female main character who is a badass woman who works in a trade that typically not a lot of women work in.
I enjoyed this book. Bella and Kent were sizzling hot together! I didn't love the conflict in the third act. I won't reveal what it is, but I felt like it was a red flag and maybe something I couldn't get over.
I love it when audiobooks are in duet style! Both narrators did a fantastic job...especially Gideon Frost with Kent's erotic talk. It was A+ work!
I received a complimentary audiobook from the author.
April 19, 2025
I really really wanted to love this because it was such a fresh, unique idea for a romance novel, but it fell sort of flat for me.
The romance felt rushed and there wasn’t really much to the development from their enemies to lovers phase. We could have really benefited from a dual POV here to understand the development of their dynamic on both sides.
Ultimately what turned me off was how #girlboss it was. I have worked within blue collar fields and absolutely faced discrimination and even sexual harassment, but it felt just so on the nose here, and pretty cringe.
The romance felt rushed and there wasn’t really much to the development from their enemies to lovers phase. We could have really benefited from a dual POV here to understand the development of their dynamic on both sides.
Ultimately what turned me off was how #girlboss it was. I have worked within blue collar fields and absolutely faced discrimination and even sexual harassment, but it felt just so on the nose here, and pretty cringe.
June 29, 2025
I finallly got to this book lol but This is my first reading from Kate Cole. This book was amazing to read and its really awesome to see women in trades and its something i have not read in a good before. Kate did amazing in writing of these two awesome characters. Could not put this book and wow the spice was hott. At the end of the book i was like nooo i want more to read. lol Can't wait to read the next one in this series. Love it!!!
October 16, 2025
Gah! What a fantastic read! A badass woman in a ‘typical’ man’s world! She holds her own and wipes the floor with them!
I really enjoyed the audio for this. The narrators did a fantastic job!
I really enjoyed the audio for this. The narrators did a fantastic job!
December 7, 2023
Under Construction is a debut book by Kate Cole and I was absolutely blown away by Avery and Kent’s story!
This steamy read was one I couldn’t put down, and I am so excited to see where this author goes from here in the next book!
This steamy read was one I couldn’t put down, and I am so excited to see where this author goes from here in the next book!
June 24, 2025
I ate this book UP!! I loved everything about this. The characters, the growth, the development. I can't believe this hasn't been picked up by traditional publishing..
Kate Cole fills a glaring gap in contemporary romance by representing strong and powerful women in trades and male dominant professions. Showing the challenges and misogyny that women in these professions experience on a daily basis, while also tapping into the internal struggle of fitting into perceived boxes in different parts of life. Highly recommend this book and I'm VERY excited for Hot Work to release next month!!
Kate Cole fills a glaring gap in contemporary romance by representing strong and powerful women in trades and male dominant professions. Showing the challenges and misogyny that women in these professions experience on a daily basis, while also tapping into the internal struggle of fitting into perceived boxes in different parts of life. Highly recommend this book and I'm VERY excited for Hot Work to release next month!!
November 24, 2023
"Then I grab my latest romance novel and settle in for an escape."
📌 Some of the Troupes:
* Enemies to Lovers
* Workplace Romance
* Witty Banter w/ main characters
📋 Under Construction introduces us to Avery, a sassy stone mason and Kent who is a pesky Project Manager that are working together for two years now on the historic Taylor building. Avery wants to be done with this project soon although Kent doesn't seem to be content about a lot of the work in the building. After having to work on this building for so long, it's only a matter of time before the both of them start butting heads as Avery feels that Kent doesn't seem to listen to her expertise and is becoming harder to please. With the two of them trying to keep everything professional, it does get hard to keep things from getting personal.. or maybe things are about to get too personal?
💭 Thoughts:
I had so much fun reading this novel, I did have to stop myself from reading it at times because I wanted to prolong the experience with Kent and Avery's storyline. I do find it funny that Avery and Kent are both stubborn people. The both of them just always seem to want to be in charge which makes their dynamic pretty interesting, like, who will give up first? Then the witty banter just adds a little more of that anticipation which makes me say "keep going!" or "don't back down!" in my head.
I now have a special place for Avery in my heart. I love her sas, her understanding, her motivation to work out and her cat! I cannot get over the fact that Avery is a romance reader! For some reason I like reading this information whenever I AM reading a romance fiction.. like girl same!
Kent surprised me a bit. I did not expect some of his lines which I highlighted the heck out of.. or in his words, "annotating the best parts" (screaming!). But that is all I'm gonna say about him for now.
I would like to thank Kate Cole again for giving me a chance to read and review the ARC to Under Construction 💕
📌 Some of the Troupes:
* Enemies to Lovers
* Workplace Romance
* Witty Banter w/ main characters
📋 Under Construction introduces us to Avery, a sassy stone mason and Kent who is a pesky Project Manager that are working together for two years now on the historic Taylor building. Avery wants to be done with this project soon although Kent doesn't seem to be content about a lot of the work in the building. After having to work on this building for so long, it's only a matter of time before the both of them start butting heads as Avery feels that Kent doesn't seem to listen to her expertise and is becoming harder to please. With the two of them trying to keep everything professional, it does get hard to keep things from getting personal.. or maybe things are about to get too personal?
💭 Thoughts:
I had so much fun reading this novel, I did have to stop myself from reading it at times because I wanted to prolong the experience with Kent and Avery's storyline. I do find it funny that Avery and Kent are both stubborn people. The both of them just always seem to want to be in charge which makes their dynamic pretty interesting, like, who will give up first? Then the witty banter just adds a little more of that anticipation which makes me say "keep going!" or "don't back down!" in my head.
I now have a special place for Avery in my heart. I love her sas, her understanding, her motivation to work out and her cat! I cannot get over the fact that Avery is a romance reader! For some reason I like reading this information whenever I AM reading a romance fiction.. like girl same!
Kent surprised me a bit. I did not expect some of his lines which I highlighted the heck out of.. or in his words, "annotating the best parts" (screaming!). But that is all I'm gonna say about him for now.
I would like to thank Kate Cole again for giving me a chance to read and review the ARC to Under Construction 💕
October 31, 2023
Very fun read. I like how the conversational nature of it just reads so well. Steamy, smart and full of witty banter. Loved it!
November 26, 2023
Kate Cole’s debut delivers a smart, banter filled, relatable romance about two people who at times get in their own way. Both Kent and Avery are easy to root for and their chemistry is palpable on their shared job site. The pair goes from enemies to lovers to friends after a series of coordinated interactions and I loved the connection they built through that discovery. I loved reading the support Avery found in both her mom and her boss. They both see beyond the exterior she presents and help her navigate blending her life. Throw in a beautiful grand gesture and another shot at forced proximity and this book is sure the tug your heart strings! After all, aren’t we all under construction in our own ways?
If you’re looking for tropes, this one has a ton - enemies to lovers, forced proximity, miscommunication, workplace and hidden romance…. Thanks to the author for an advanced copy and an early glimpse of this incredible group of people! I can’t wait to see whose story is next in the Women in Trades series!
If you’re looking for tropes, this one has a ton - enemies to lovers, forced proximity, miscommunication, workplace and hidden romance…. Thanks to the author for an advanced copy and an early glimpse of this incredible group of people! I can’t wait to see whose story is next in the Women in Trades series!
January 28, 2025
Kate Cole has blown my mind, and has made smashing the patriarchy so sexy.
Avery, a fierce and well-known stone mason, has spent years fighting in a male-dominated field. The aeons-long project at the Taylor Building is finally wrapping up, and Avery will no longer have to deal with Foreman F*ckface (Kent). He's a Project Manager who has done nothing but make things difficult through the whole project. They are like oil and water.
An unexpected meeting outside of the job site launches these two into a messy situation. The resulting banter, swoony text messages, and spicy hot scenes left me wanting more. Plus, Gherkin approved!
These two characters, and this book, are so supremely relatable that I forgot I was reading a fictional story. They communicated, they expressed when they were hurt, and Kent's feminism kink was sexy as heck. When sh!t goes sideways, Avery's first instinct is to run, but the tries to listem to Kent's side.
Perfect for each other in their imperfections, Kent and Avery showed that, even when 'under construction', beautiful things can happen.
Also, orange is my favourite colour. Glad it's Kent's too.
Avery, a fierce and well-known stone mason, has spent years fighting in a male-dominated field. The aeons-long project at the Taylor Building is finally wrapping up, and Avery will no longer have to deal with Foreman F*ckface (Kent). He's a Project Manager who has done nothing but make things difficult through the whole project. They are like oil and water.
An unexpected meeting outside of the job site launches these two into a messy situation. The resulting banter, swoony text messages, and spicy hot scenes left me wanting more. Plus, Gherkin approved!
These two characters, and this book, are so supremely relatable that I forgot I was reading a fictional story. They communicated, they expressed when they were hurt, and Kent's feminism kink was sexy as heck. When sh!t goes sideways, Avery's first instinct is to run, but the tries to listem to Kent's side.
Perfect for each other in their imperfections, Kent and Avery showed that, even when 'under construction', beautiful things can happen.
Also, orange is my favourite colour. Glad it's Kent's too.
October 29, 2025
Under Construction by Kate Cole, narrated by Allie Martina and Gideon Frost, is a smart, sassy, and steamy debut novel you won't be able to put down. This is the kind of book you purposely slow down for just to stay in the story longer, and once you finish, you miss the time you spent with the characters. Two years into the difficult rehabilitation of the historic Taylor Building, Avery—an expert, no-frills heritage stone mason—has had enough of the delays, the cost overruns, and the pesky Project Manager, Kent Armstrong. Avery is determined to chip her way through the patriarchal barriers of her male-dominated trade, so her guard is always up, especially with Kent. He's a buttoned-up, stony-faced "budget boy"—a cost, scope, and schedule junkie who thinks he knows best and never seems to listen to his expert mason.
When they meet steel toe to steel toe on the scaffold, tempers flare and egos clash. Their animosity on the worksite is palpable, yet they are forced to work together, leading to lots of rom-com moments and an undeniable undercurrent of attraction. As romance readers know, there’s a very thin line between hate and love, and this enemies-to-lovers workplace romance definitely provides the sizzle you expect. The question becomes: Will Avery crack Kent's hard exterior, or will the fissures she hides beneath her own carefully honed exterior undermine her own footings?
Told from the view of Avery, a strong, independent woman who is Bella to her family and friends but Avery to her colleagues, the growth of both characters unfolds brilliantly. Kate Cole delivers all the steamy rom-com goodness while also providing a nuanced nod to the ongoing lack of representation and respect for gender diversity in male-dominated trades. This added depth delves into what makes us imperfect humans and the complexities of relationships, prompting readers to reflect without being preachy. Avery is someone you want to be your bestie, and Kent is the perfect mix of hot, frustrating, and good with his hands. The wonderful side characters, like Avery's mom and her boss, Larry, are so well-written they leave you hoping for a sequel so you can spend more time with them. This book has fun, flirty romance, no shortage of sizzle and emotion, and a connection between Kent and Avery that kept me wanting more (more sexy banter, more yoga, and definitely more orange highlighters!). The narration was so good it brought the story to life and really kept me captivated. Bravo, Kate—this book is an absolute must-read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When they meet steel toe to steel toe on the scaffold, tempers flare and egos clash. Their animosity on the worksite is palpable, yet they are forced to work together, leading to lots of rom-com moments and an undeniable undercurrent of attraction. As romance readers know, there’s a very thin line between hate and love, and this enemies-to-lovers workplace romance definitely provides the sizzle you expect. The question becomes: Will Avery crack Kent's hard exterior, or will the fissures she hides beneath her own carefully honed exterior undermine her own footings?
Told from the view of Avery, a strong, independent woman who is Bella to her family and friends but Avery to her colleagues, the growth of both characters unfolds brilliantly. Kate Cole delivers all the steamy rom-com goodness while also providing a nuanced nod to the ongoing lack of representation and respect for gender diversity in male-dominated trades. This added depth delves into what makes us imperfect humans and the complexities of relationships, prompting readers to reflect without being preachy. Avery is someone you want to be your bestie, and Kent is the perfect mix of hot, frustrating, and good with his hands. The wonderful side characters, like Avery's mom and her boss, Larry, are so well-written they leave you hoping for a sequel so you can spend more time with them. This book has fun, flirty romance, no shortage of sizzle and emotion, and a connection between Kent and Avery that kept me wanting more (more sexy banter, more yoga, and definitely more orange highlighters!). The narration was so good it brought the story to life and really kept me captivated. Bravo, Kate—this book is an absolute must-read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 30, 2023
Under Construction is a sexy, banter-filled enemies to lover read that I couldn’t get enough of!
Kate hooked me in instantly with the set up of a workplace rivalry filled with tension. The banter is instantly funny and smart. Under Construction tackles misogyny, sexual harassment and uncomfortable workplace situations for both men and women with grace and humour. Although the topics sound heavy, this book is really sharp and not preachy. Isabella has a strong sense of self worth and is an incredible role model for women, in my opinion. She knows her worth, and won’t give in, but is also aware of her flaws and willing to work through her weaknesses to better herself. Also, as a weight lifter, I love seeing a woman who lifts in books. We aren’t all cardio bunnies!
Speaking of working out, cough cough, Kate is a fabulous and descriptive writer who builds some serious tension filled scenes. There’s a couple of workout scenes that I highly enjoyed, including a jaunt through a hot yoga class. Isabella Avery and Kent Armstrong are my new favourite power couple. I love a good workplace romance and Under Construction tackles head on the complex power dynamics of a modern relationship in the workplace. Isabella is strong, both physically and mentally, and used to dealing with shit in a male-dominated workforce. Kent Armstrong is strong, smart, successful and has a total weakness for gorgeous and strong women. These two are relationship goals for me. They aren’t perfect, both of them need to work on themselves and put work into a relationship. Isabella has a strong support group of both a group of girlfriends (who all work in construction, fingers crossed there’s more stories to come) and her fabulous mom and dad who give advice but never judge.
The book is told from Isabella’s perspective only, which I really enjoyed, actually. I liked learning about Kent from her perspective and from what he showed or told her. He’s a bit of a golden retriever with his love and it was really realistic to watch her struggle with him so openly showing his emotions and cards as a woman who’s used to guys playing games. I don’t think it would have been so impactful if we saw his side.
This is a stellar debut, and I can’t wait to get my hands on more of her writing. Kate is now an autobuy for me!
Thank you to Kate Cole for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
Kate hooked me in instantly with the set up of a workplace rivalry filled with tension. The banter is instantly funny and smart. Under Construction tackles misogyny, sexual harassment and uncomfortable workplace situations for both men and women with grace and humour. Although the topics sound heavy, this book is really sharp and not preachy. Isabella has a strong sense of self worth and is an incredible role model for women, in my opinion. She knows her worth, and won’t give in, but is also aware of her flaws and willing to work through her weaknesses to better herself. Also, as a weight lifter, I love seeing a woman who lifts in books. We aren’t all cardio bunnies!
Speaking of working out, cough cough, Kate is a fabulous and descriptive writer who builds some serious tension filled scenes. There’s a couple of workout scenes that I highly enjoyed, including a jaunt through a hot yoga class. Isabella Avery and Kent Armstrong are my new favourite power couple. I love a good workplace romance and Under Construction tackles head on the complex power dynamics of a modern relationship in the workplace. Isabella is strong, both physically and mentally, and used to dealing with shit in a male-dominated workforce. Kent Armstrong is strong, smart, successful and has a total weakness for gorgeous and strong women. These two are relationship goals for me. They aren’t perfect, both of them need to work on themselves and put work into a relationship. Isabella has a strong support group of both a group of girlfriends (who all work in construction, fingers crossed there’s more stories to come) and her fabulous mom and dad who give advice but never judge.
The book is told from Isabella’s perspective only, which I really enjoyed, actually. I liked learning about Kent from her perspective and from what he showed or told her. He’s a bit of a golden retriever with his love and it was really realistic to watch her struggle with him so openly showing his emotions and cards as a woman who’s used to guys playing games. I don’t think it would have been so impactful if we saw his side.
This is a stellar debut, and I can’t wait to get my hands on more of her writing. Kate is now an autobuy for me!
Thank you to Kate Cole for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
November 5, 2025
Kate Cole’s Under Construction caught my attention right away it’s such a unique, refreshing concept for a romance novel. A love story set against the grit and tension of a heritage construction site? That alone makes it stand out. Between scaffolds, stone dust, and power tools, Avery and Kent���s story promised a solid mix of enemies-to-lovers tension and emotional depth.
The Story
Avery is a skilled stonemason determined to break through the barriers of a male-dominated field. Kent, the no-nonsense project manager overseeing her restoration project, is as rigid and precise as the structures he manages. Their clashes on the job are fiery, their chemistry undeniable, and their connection when it finally breaks through feels both inevitable and long overdue.
While I loved the setup and the world Cole built, the execution didn’t quite land for me. The story had all the right ingredients, but the emotional progression between Avery and Kent felt a bit rushed. I found myself wanting more of that gradual, layered transition from frustration to affection—the kind of slow build that makes enemies-to-lovers stories so addictive. Still, the concept itself remains strong, and there’s a lot of heart and potential in this debut.
What I Loved
✔️ A fresh and original setting in heritage restoration
✔️ Avery’s strength and quiet determination
✔️ Kent’s soft edges beneath his grumpy exterior
✔️ A dynamic power balance that keeps their interactions interesting
✔️ A confident debut voice with lots of promise
🎧 Narration
The duet narration by Allie Martina and Gideon Frost is a total standout. Allie captures Avery’s confidence and subtle vulnerability beautifully, while Gideon delivers Kent’s calm control and warmth with ease. Together, they’re perfection balancing tension, emotion, and heat in a way that pulls you right into the story. Their chemistry behind the mic gives the book an energy that lingers long after the final chapter.
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Workplace romance
✔️ Opposites attract
✔️ Grumpy/Sunshine energy
✔️ Strong heroine in a male-dominated field
Final Thoughts
Under Construction is a debut full of originality and spark. Even if the romance itself didn’t completely click for me, the premise, setting, and narration kept me engaged. It’s an inventive take on the workplace romance that shows real potential for what Kate Cole can build next and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on her future projects.
The Story
Avery is a skilled stonemason determined to break through the barriers of a male-dominated field. Kent, the no-nonsense project manager overseeing her restoration project, is as rigid and precise as the structures he manages. Their clashes on the job are fiery, their chemistry undeniable, and their connection when it finally breaks through feels both inevitable and long overdue.
While I loved the setup and the world Cole built, the execution didn’t quite land for me. The story had all the right ingredients, but the emotional progression between Avery and Kent felt a bit rushed. I found myself wanting more of that gradual, layered transition from frustration to affection—the kind of slow build that makes enemies-to-lovers stories so addictive. Still, the concept itself remains strong, and there’s a lot of heart and potential in this debut.
What I Loved
✔️ A fresh and original setting in heritage restoration
✔️ Avery’s strength and quiet determination
✔️ Kent’s soft edges beneath his grumpy exterior
✔️ A dynamic power balance that keeps their interactions interesting
✔️ A confident debut voice with lots of promise
🎧 Narration
The duet narration by Allie Martina and Gideon Frost is a total standout. Allie captures Avery’s confidence and subtle vulnerability beautifully, while Gideon delivers Kent’s calm control and warmth with ease. Together, they’re perfection balancing tension, emotion, and heat in a way that pulls you right into the story. Their chemistry behind the mic gives the book an energy that lingers long after the final chapter.
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Workplace romance
✔️ Opposites attract
✔️ Grumpy/Sunshine energy
✔️ Strong heroine in a male-dominated field
Final Thoughts
Under Construction is a debut full of originality and spark. Even if the romance itself didn’t completely click for me, the premise, setting, and narration kept me engaged. It’s an inventive take on the workplace romance that shows real potential for what Kate Cole can build next and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on her future projects.
July 15, 2025
My friend gave me this book and told me that someone told her that it was an Ali Hazelwood book but in trades.
But it’s not. They are leagues different. Now before I tear into the book I will say some caveats. One, I recognize that romance novels aren’t going to have the best plots—if I wanted a plot I would read a fantasy book—but I still can hope for character depth. Two, maybe the author is just really private but I googled and it doesn’t seem like she has any experience in trades.
What makes Ali Hazelwood compelling?? Her world building. Why the romance might be cheesy and riddles with tropes, she does a great job telling people about what it is like to be a women in STEM. And I’m not just talking went to undergrad and got a bachelor in biology. She depicts what life as a grad student, post doc, and academic faculty can be like because she has a PhD. That’s why her books work! That’s why I keep reading them. As someone who goes to grad school, while I cringe enormously at the romance at times, it is nice to see grad school x science represented accurately. (that being said omg pls work on the plot—why does Bride have the best one)
Anyway Hazelwood tangent aside, this whole book fell flat. The main girl never had any growing opportunity. She was already confident. She was already knowledgeable. There was nothing she wanted, except maybe a partner but honestly, why should I care? There wasn’t even anyone who opposed the relationship making the last 100 pages pointless. You had your “big revelation” but you made it big with no build up. I had to claw through those last pages and in the end all I felt was relief.
To make matters worse, clearly there is going to be a continuation with main girl’s friends (not the bad part) but the author refused to develop them in any way to save it for their own book. It’s lazy writing and not even the smut can save it. It is soooo repetitive.
Also, the chemistry they claimed to have all felt sexual so when they broke up I couldn’t justify why they should get back together.
I would not read this book again and I hope that no one gifts me another.
As a concept, I like it.
1/5 (all the points come from the concept and intention even though it went splat)
But it’s not. They are leagues different. Now before I tear into the book I will say some caveats. One, I recognize that romance novels aren’t going to have the best plots—if I wanted a plot I would read a fantasy book—but I still can hope for character depth. Two, maybe the author is just really private but I googled and it doesn’t seem like she has any experience in trades.
What makes Ali Hazelwood compelling?? Her world building. Why the romance might be cheesy and riddles with tropes, she does a great job telling people about what it is like to be a women in STEM. And I’m not just talking went to undergrad and got a bachelor in biology. She depicts what life as a grad student, post doc, and academic faculty can be like because she has a PhD. That’s why her books work! That’s why I keep reading them. As someone who goes to grad school, while I cringe enormously at the romance at times, it is nice to see grad school x science represented accurately. (that being said omg pls work on the plot—why does Bride have the best one)
Anyway Hazelwood tangent aside, this whole book fell flat. The main girl never had any growing opportunity. She was already confident. She was already knowledgeable. There was nothing she wanted, except maybe a partner but honestly, why should I care? There wasn’t even anyone who opposed the relationship making the last 100 pages pointless. You had your “big revelation” but you made it big with no build up. I had to claw through those last pages and in the end all I felt was relief.
To make matters worse, clearly there is going to be a continuation with main girl’s friends (not the bad part) but the author refused to develop them in any way to save it for their own book. It’s lazy writing and not even the smut can save it. It is soooo repetitive.
Also, the chemistry they claimed to have all felt sexual so when they broke up I couldn’t justify why they should get back together.
I would not read this book again and I hope that no one gifts me another.
As a concept, I like it.
1/5 (all the points come from the concept and intention even though it went splat)
October 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ALC Review
Sometimes an audiobook just hits different and Under Construction is one of those. I was provided an ALC by the author and High Gravity Productions, and honestly, I might never recover from how good this duet narration was.
Allie Martina and Gideon Frost were absolute perfection together. Allie embodied Avery’s grit, confidence, and quiet vulnerability so seamlessly that I forgot she was performing and not actually living this story. Gideon, on the other hand, was smooth cement over rebar... steady, strong, and unexpectedly tender in all the right ways. Their chemistry in duet form was electric. Having a male narrator voice Kent’s dialogue made every scene feel authentic, immersive, and a little too real for my daily commute. I actually found myself sitting in the car, not ready to turn it off.
Avery is the kind of FMC I can’t help but root for: a woman literally carving her place in a male-dominated field, skilled, unapologetic, and sharp as a chisel. And Kent—oh, Kent—is that rare mix of competence and cinnamon roll softness that makes you want to hand over your hard hat and have him ravish you against the scaffolding. Their tension was slow-burn perfection, all buttoned-up control meeting fierce independence until…well, things get deliciously unbuttoned.
The setting, a heritage masonry site, was surprisingly fascinating, though I’ll admit, a few of the restoration details went over my head. But instead of losing me, they grounded Avery’s expertise. This wasn’t a woman pretending to be good at her job; she is that good.
Kate Cole’s writing style is equal parts witty, sensual, and deeply character-driven. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, sexy without trying too hard, and filled with quiet moments of respect and connection that make you sigh instead of roll your eyes.
The narration elevated this story into something memorable. High Gravity Productions really outdid themselves with this one.
If you’re into slow-burn, workplace tension, and blue-collar heroes who actually listen, this one’s for you.
Tropes:
♡ Workplace Romance
♡ Slow Burn
♡ Grumpy x Sunshine
♡ Blue-Collar Hero
♡ Strong FMC
♡ Mutual Respect
♡ Banter & Tension
Sometimes an audiobook just hits different and Under Construction is one of those. I was provided an ALC by the author and High Gravity Productions, and honestly, I might never recover from how good this duet narration was.
Allie Martina and Gideon Frost were absolute perfection together. Allie embodied Avery’s grit, confidence, and quiet vulnerability so seamlessly that I forgot she was performing and not actually living this story. Gideon, on the other hand, was smooth cement over rebar... steady, strong, and unexpectedly tender in all the right ways. Their chemistry in duet form was electric. Having a male narrator voice Kent’s dialogue made every scene feel authentic, immersive, and a little too real for my daily commute. I actually found myself sitting in the car, not ready to turn it off.
Avery is the kind of FMC I can’t help but root for: a woman literally carving her place in a male-dominated field, skilled, unapologetic, and sharp as a chisel. And Kent—oh, Kent—is that rare mix of competence and cinnamon roll softness that makes you want to hand over your hard hat and have him ravish you against the scaffolding. Their tension was slow-burn perfection, all buttoned-up control meeting fierce independence until…well, things get deliciously unbuttoned.
The setting, a heritage masonry site, was surprisingly fascinating, though I’ll admit, a few of the restoration details went over my head. But instead of losing me, they grounded Avery’s expertise. This wasn’t a woman pretending to be good at her job; she is that good.
Kate Cole’s writing style is equal parts witty, sensual, and deeply character-driven. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, sexy without trying too hard, and filled with quiet moments of respect and connection that make you sigh instead of roll your eyes.
The narration elevated this story into something memorable. High Gravity Productions really outdid themselves with this one.
If you’re into slow-burn, workplace tension, and blue-collar heroes who actually listen, this one’s for you.
Tropes:
♡ Workplace Romance
♡ Slow Burn
♡ Grumpy x Sunshine
♡ Blue-Collar Hero
♡ Strong FMC
♡ Mutual Respect
♡ Banter & Tension
November 1, 2023
🔨 Under Construction by Kate Cole 🔨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Characterization: 5/5
Plot/Storyline: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
🔨 - Bella Avery, stonemason extraordinaire, is forced to work in close quarters with Kent, a project manager, and it’s clear from page one, they don’t exactly get along. Her knowledge and his snobbery seem to clash in an surprising shocking way. However, the more the converse and compare life notes, the more they realize they have more in common than would first appear.
🔨 - Bella Avery is a badass. Simply put. Kent Armstrong is… well, he’s something. He’s privileged, intelligent, and entitled to some extent. However, the dynamic between the two is fabulous. The tension and the passion are perfectly well balanced throughout the storyline. And Larry might be the unsung hero - but you’ll have to read and tell me your thoughts on that.
🔨 - The overall plot of enemies to lovers is an interesting one. There is some in the name of love stupidity happening throughout, which adds to the overall tension and suspense in the story. The side characters add to the storyline in good ways, and I honestly love that we only have single perspective storyline happening.
🔨 - There are some hilarious meta-romcom moments in the novel. My favorite is the calling out of the “one bed” trope and it’s beautifully hilarious. Dare I say the writing is all that, a bag of chips, and a chocolate chip cookie. The entire text had snark, wit, and sass embedded into most pages, which makes the entire story really resonate with my reading (and real life) personality. Above all, I love that the story featured a woman in a physical labor position and as a FMC narrator, Bella keeps it real.
Final Recommendation: Absolutely read! It releases at the end of the month! Great to read over the fall holiday.
💕 Thank you to Kate Cole for an ARC of this novel to review in exchange for honest and thorough review! 💕
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Characterization: 5/5
Plot/Storyline: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
🔨 - Bella Avery, stonemason extraordinaire, is forced to work in close quarters with Kent, a project manager, and it’s clear from page one, they don’t exactly get along. Her knowledge and his snobbery seem to clash in an surprising shocking way. However, the more the converse and compare life notes, the more they realize they have more in common than would first appear.
🔨 - Bella Avery is a badass. Simply put. Kent Armstrong is… well, he’s something. He’s privileged, intelligent, and entitled to some extent. However, the dynamic between the two is fabulous. The tension and the passion are perfectly well balanced throughout the storyline. And Larry might be the unsung hero - but you’ll have to read and tell me your thoughts on that.
🔨 - The overall plot of enemies to lovers is an interesting one. There is some in the name of love stupidity happening throughout, which adds to the overall tension and suspense in the story. The side characters add to the storyline in good ways, and I honestly love that we only have single perspective storyline happening.
🔨 - There are some hilarious meta-romcom moments in the novel. My favorite is the calling out of the “one bed” trope and it’s beautifully hilarious. Dare I say the writing is all that, a bag of chips, and a chocolate chip cookie. The entire text had snark, wit, and sass embedded into most pages, which makes the entire story really resonate with my reading (and real life) personality. Above all, I love that the story featured a woman in a physical labor position and as a FMC narrator, Bella keeps it real.
Final Recommendation: Absolutely read! It releases at the end of the month! Great to read over the fall holiday.
💕 Thank you to Kate Cole for an ARC of this novel to review in exchange for honest and thorough review! 💕
May 17, 2024
I loved this romance, it was a bit different to the normal ones I think. A workplace romance that seemed to start off as an enemies-to-lovers but they stopped being enemies very early on which made me wonder what could possibly happen during the rest, but I thought it worked really well because of the added workplace complications, there was plenty more story to get through in the rest of the book. (Although there were spicy scenes it wasn't just that we got through all the story in 20% so that it could have 60% of just spice before a 20% story ending.)
The idea for the women in trades series is such a cool one, I loved the fact that Avery (Bella?) was a stone mason and reading about the difficulties she faces as a woman in a "man's job". Okay some of them weren't so great to read about because they're infuriating but you know what I mean. I don't really know anything about stone masonry so to begin some of the technical terms she talked about I had no idea what she meant, but it wasn't hugely important and throughout the book they made more and more sense which was really cool. For example mentioning a dutchman repair, I had no idea what that was but it didn't particularly matter, I just needed to know that it needed redoing. But by the end of the book I could at least vaguely explain the difference between a dutchman repair and a mortar patch (I think?).
I loved her relationship with her parents, they were lovely, and the strong focus on the fact that not everyone is perfect. Not all romances are fairytale romances, and yes Kent definitely made some questionable decisions but nobody's perfect. A great debut and I'm looking forward to seeing which of her trade women friends will be getting their story told in book 2.
The idea for the women in trades series is such a cool one, I loved the fact that Avery (Bella?) was a stone mason and reading about the difficulties she faces as a woman in a "man's job". Okay some of them weren't so great to read about because they're infuriating but you know what I mean. I don't really know anything about stone masonry so to begin some of the technical terms she talked about I had no idea what she meant, but it wasn't hugely important and throughout the book they made more and more sense which was really cool. For example mentioning a dutchman repair, I had no idea what that was but it didn't particularly matter, I just needed to know that it needed redoing. But by the end of the book I could at least vaguely explain the difference between a dutchman repair and a mortar patch (I think?).
I loved her relationship with her parents, they were lovely, and the strong focus on the fact that not everyone is perfect. Not all romances are fairytale romances, and yes Kent definitely made some questionable decisions but nobody's perfect. A great debut and I'm looking forward to seeing which of her trade women friends will be getting their story told in book 2.
May 8, 2024
Just want to say a huge thank you to buddyreadbooknook for gifting me a copy of Under Construction as part of their book tour! 🫶
✨RATINGS✨
✨✨✨✨/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
✨REVIEW✨
I believe this is Kate Cole’s first book and what a good book it was!
The plot was soo good! There was some moments were I was giggling at the banter and some moments were I was upset. I love how this was a work romance and I loved how everything was set. It wasn’t too fast paced but it also wasn’t slow!
The main character Avery was a really funny character but also really well done! She was great at the banter and she was also very fun to read! I loved her especially with how she interacted with other characters especially loved the scenes with her and her girl friends. There were some fun and cute moments.
Kent who is the love interest is my ideal kinda guy not going to lie 😂 although I don’t like he’s choices we discover later on in the book, I did really like him. I loved his banter with Avery and I also loved how he knew he missed up and was willing to do anything to fix it and be the man he wanted to be for Avery and hi mom.
Overall I think this was a great read. I think the characters were really good and the plot was really nice. I do love that it is a woman in trade book as someone who wanted to be an Architect it was really cool considering I don’t see books that involve construction!
Definitely check this out if you enjoy work romances, banter and some great scenes 🤭
P.S highlighters have a new meaning to me now. Specifically orange 😏
✨RATINGS✨
✨✨✨✨/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
✨REVIEW✨
I believe this is Kate Cole’s first book and what a good book it was!
The plot was soo good! There was some moments were I was giggling at the banter and some moments were I was upset. I love how this was a work romance and I loved how everything was set. It wasn’t too fast paced but it also wasn’t slow!
The main character Avery was a really funny character but also really well done! She was great at the banter and she was also very fun to read! I loved her especially with how she interacted with other characters especially loved the scenes with her and her girl friends. There were some fun and cute moments.
Kent who is the love interest is my ideal kinda guy not going to lie 😂 although I don’t like he’s choices we discover later on in the book, I did really like him. I loved his banter with Avery and I also loved how he knew he missed up and was willing to do anything to fix it and be the man he wanted to be for Avery and hi mom.
Overall I think this was a great read. I think the characters were really good and the plot was really nice. I do love that it is a woman in trade book as someone who wanted to be an Architect it was really cool considering I don’t see books that involve construction!
Definitely check this out if you enjoy work romances, banter and some great scenes 🤭
P.S highlighters have a new meaning to me now. Specifically orange 😏
October 17, 2025
Under Construction by Kate Cole
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
Standalone * Single POV * Contemporary Romance * Workplace * Women in Trades * Forced Proximity * He Falls First * Enemies to Lovers * 302 pages * 🎧7h57
I received this one as an audio from High Gravity Productions, and it was beautifully narrated by Allie Martina and Gideon Frost. I was new to both of them, but from the first chapter, I was hooked.
Our FMC, Avery, is not your typical delicate heroine. She’s a strong, muscular, no-nonsense woman who’s spent years proving herself in a male-dominated trade. An expert mason! How cool is that?
She’s confident, sassy, and refuses to be walked over, even when dealing with the daily misogyny and sexism that so often pushes women out of trades. Honestly, I adored that about her. And to every woman out there working in trades, I see you, and I’m proud of you. It’s long past time those barriers came down.
There’s instant tension between her and Kent, the project manager on site. The chemistry is off the charts and the banter was deliciously sharp. And as the story unfolds, you get a secret romance full of emotion, heat, and just enough turmoil to keep you glued to your headphones.
Both characters are deeply layered and flawed in beautifully human ways, they make mistakes, they grow, and they learn. And that realism made me love them even more.
And can we take a second to appreciate that this is Kate Cole’s debut novel? Because it does not read like one. It’s polished, emotional, and perfectly paced. I can’t wait to see what she builds next.
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
Standalone * Single POV * Contemporary Romance * Workplace * Women in Trades * Forced Proximity * He Falls First * Enemies to Lovers * 302 pages * 🎧7h57
I received this one as an audio from High Gravity Productions, and it was beautifully narrated by Allie Martina and Gideon Frost. I was new to both of them, but from the first chapter, I was hooked.
Our FMC, Avery, is not your typical delicate heroine. She’s a strong, muscular, no-nonsense woman who’s spent years proving herself in a male-dominated trade. An expert mason! How cool is that?
She’s confident, sassy, and refuses to be walked over, even when dealing with the daily misogyny and sexism that so often pushes women out of trades. Honestly, I adored that about her. And to every woman out there working in trades, I see you, and I’m proud of you. It’s long past time those barriers came down.
There’s instant tension between her and Kent, the project manager on site. The chemistry is off the charts and the banter was deliciously sharp. And as the story unfolds, you get a secret romance full of emotion, heat, and just enough turmoil to keep you glued to your headphones.
Both characters are deeply layered and flawed in beautifully human ways, they make mistakes, they grow, and they learn. And that realism made me love them even more.
And can we take a second to appreciate that this is Kate Cole’s debut novel? Because it does not read like one. It’s polished, emotional, and perfectly paced. I can’t wait to see what she builds next.
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