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A nice story of two child stars, who, after battling and escaping Hollywood, find themselves together as stars of a new house flipping show. And the former stars, now stars, start seeing stars.

I really enjoyed it. It was a light and easy listen. On a romance book spice level it was mild, but enjoyable.

Thank you @netgalley and @orangeskyaudio for the arc of the audiobook.

Themes: ❤️🔺love triangle, 🎥Hollywood, 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨romance, 🗣dual pov

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Cute rom com - based on the love triangle of a group of late twenty something’s who played in a sitcom. Easy read with all the feels.

Great narration.

🔨 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆 🔨

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁
𝗕𝘆 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗵𝗻
𝟯𝟯𝟲 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮

🎧 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:
𝟴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝟯𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗭𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 & 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀

𝑻𝒘𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ • 4/5 stars

•𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀
•𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
•𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
•𝗛𝗚𝗧𝗩 / 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗩 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀

Shelby and Cameron were childhood actors, co-staring on a popular family TV show when they were young. After a Hollywood scandal rocks their young worlds, both stars have moved on with their lives -- separately. Cam works for Nat Geo, filming documentaries around the world. Shelby does house flips with her dad, Daniel. Both have aimed to stay out of the celebrity spotlight.

But when an opportunity to film a pilot for a reality TV home reno show (think HGTV-style) presents itself, Cameron and Shelby are back in the spotlight, together. They're forced to confront their messy past, as well as the feelings they've carried for one another all this time. 💕

This was such a great read!! For starters, the MC and I share a name, which is always fun! 😉 Both MCs are really likeable characters, and I couldn't help but root for them. The chemistry is palpable, and their dialogue was really natural and well written. The drama that unfolds really helped keep me invested. There was the perfect amount of spice here (for me).

I did a combination of audiobook and ebook, enjoying each format equally. The narrators both did a fantastic job! 👏 I love the added layer that's provided by a well-narrated audiobook. Well done!!!!

Overall, this was a very enjoyable, contemporary romance and I definitely recommend!!

Thank you so much to @netgalley
@stmartinspress and @orangeskyaudio for my gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review. 💕
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Thanks to OrangeSky Audio for the copy of this ALC.

I've been very into both the celebrity romance and childhood friends-to-lovers trope this year, and was very excited to see both were in Built to Last, along with home renovation. A combination of so many amazing things, with songs at the start of each chapter creating a perfect playlist to listen to while reading. This was a cute and predictable read and ended up in the middle of the road for me, as it was fine but not something that will stick with me long-term. The audio version was great - I really enjoyed the dual narration!

Built to Last by Erin Hahn features Shelby, Cameron and Lyle, former childhood actors turned reality tv show stars in a house flipping show. I'll be honest, while the house flipping show is supposed to be front and center of the novel, the actual work involved with flipping the house is barely worth a mention.

I enjoyed the relationship and dialog between Shelby and Cameron, but I was a little thrown off by how much emphasis was put onto first sexual encounter at 18 years old. I understand losing your virginity is a big deal and I understood it coming up once, but then it kept getting mentioned over and over again. As a plot point, even within the romance genre, was weird. Otherwise I enjoyed the slow burn and build up throughout the novel. The character of Lyle came across as a character and while it didn't distract from his overall role as the villain, he wasn't enjoyable to read.

While I liked the narrators separately, I didn't like the back and forth switches especially when portions of the book were rehashes in the other characters POV.

Overall I liked the book and I would recommend it. Solid 3.5/5 rounded up to 4 stars.

Thank you OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for giving me access to an audiobook ARC in exchange for feedback!

First of all, I’m a Michigander so my opinion on this book may be slightly biased. I always love when a book describes some of my favorite parts of the state, so I knew this one was going to have a pretty good rating.

I honestly really enjoyed the romance too. I love that they were always there for each other while growing up while not acknowledging their love. I loved how they came back together, guarded, but realizing there were deeper feelings there. I love that he loved her, every single step of the way. Plus, his grand gesture at the end.

Swoon.

🌀Synopsis
Shelby moves back to Michigan to get her life back. After being a child star in LA, she wants to escape it all. She moves to the country, finds her overalls, and gets some chickens.

If there is one thing she misses, it’s her friend Cameron. He’s always been there for her, no matter what. He’s just never been moving in the same direction as her.

When an opportunity arises for the two to do a show together, Cam jumps at it. They throw themselves into a home renovation and their true feelings start to show.

Can finally admits it was always her but he’s finally at a point where he’s ready to settle down with her. They both overcome some family drama that helps them build their relationship. Then, when the next show deal comes through it seals their relationship.

The characters made the story. They were lovable and relatable. The plot and trope are common but the characters stood out to me. It was a lighthearted, easy, HEA read that hit the spot.

Built to Last follows three childhood stars - Shelby, Cameron, and Lyle - years later after life has led them down different paths. Lyle is a TV exec, Shelby works on restoring and renovating with her dad, and Cameron is a cameraman for National Geographic. Although their lives couldn’t be more different now, their shared past reunites them and rekindles old flames. This story was sweet and entertaining, fun to the very end!

OrangeSky Audio and Netgalley thank you for this tender opportunity. It was my big wish to get this book.

When they say it is meant to be. They get together, they get apart. Their communication is more on one level but they build them from friendship and that is the superb combination to succeed. They are at the write place but it is also the write time? They are finally doing something together and will it last.

I think every Erin Hahn book I've read has been between 3 and 4 stars. This might be my favorite of her books I've read - I really like relationships between the characters. Lyle really bothered me any time he was brought up, and each MC had a parent that infuriated me.
I've never been one to enjoy rumors and lying, and that detracted from the plot. But it was really nice to follow a sober character who gave up her fame to do something she loved.

This had some really cute moments. As a Michigander, I enjoyed that this took place in Michigan (although Grand Rapids is not considered northern Michigan lol I could tell the author was from somewhere south in the mitten for that one haha).

For this being about a fixer upper show, not much happened with that part which was a bummer. It was a lot of talking. And a lot of unnecessary drama added in. Which I get that they are former child stars, but it became a little annoying.

This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this book.

Shelby, Cameron and Lyle all starred together as children in what I picture to be a Disney or Nickelodeon type show. Shelby had a bit of a rocky road and left Hollywood behind several years ago and has not looked back. She now has a business restoring and works with her dad, who is a house flipper. She is approached to star in a pilot of a home renovation show. The co-star would be Cameron, also out of the Hollywood scene for years. He is her former co-star and her first love.
Lyle, her other former co-star and significant other of 5 or so years, is the producer. And he seems to have another agenda other than just the show.

Shelby and Cameron were adorable! Despite both of them trying to fight their feelings, that love was still there. Both had some amazing side characters as friends which made the story even more fun.

I adored Shelby! She did not let Lyle, or anyone, tell her how to live her life! She owned her prior mistakes and was determined not to repeat them.

Such a fun, delightful romance.

I'm really hoping Lorelai's story is next, and will definitely be on the lookout for more from ths author!

Many thanks to NetGalley. St. Martin's Press and OrangeSky Audio for an ARC as well as an advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review. Finished this one up in a day!

What a sweet sweet book! I absolutely loved the storyline of childhood "friends" getting their second chance together. The cute idea of having them star in a reality HGTV style show was perfect and created a fun and witty banter. This was my first Erin Hahn book and I loved it!

For friends of second-chance, childhood sweetheart/friends to lovers will eat this one up. Years ago Lyle Jessup, Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs rose to stardom as child actors. Shelby and Cameron had a connection but could never be public about it. Shelby and Lyle went on to have a very public relationship and subsequent split after Cameron left acting. Now years later Shelby is searching for financial security for her father after her mom-ager spent all her childhood earnings. Shelby works with her father rehabbing old homes and her specialty is rehabbing old furniture/woodwork.

When her first audition for a home renovation show flops she gets a second chance but it means re-uniting with Cameron on screen with Lyle calling the shots as the show runner. There is a lot of history to unpack with the three former stars and plenty of sparks still flying between Cameron and Shelby.

I thought this was a cute one with a bit of steam. It had me loving many of the side characters which is always something that ups a book in my mind.

I really enjoyed the narration, especially the male narration by Kale Williams. I plan to take a look at his backlist of narration because its rare I love a male narrator so much.

I received an eARC of this book and really enjoyed it. It was even better in audio! The narrators did a great job! This book was different as it explored the history of childhood actors that have mostly left the business. The unique premise started me to read but the great writing kept me invested for the entire book. I loved Shelby and Cameron and their journey back together. I highly recommend this fun romance. Huge thanks to Netgalley and the audiobook publisher for allowing me to listen to this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

This is a super cute, second chance romance.

Cameron and Shelby were starred on a tv show together as kids. They were each other's first love. Then, suddenly, Cameron quit the show and left for college. Five years later, Cameron came when Shelby needed him after a public break up. Cameron quickly fled though, but told Shelby to leave LA. Another five years go by. Shelby is back in Michigan, where she grew up, restoring furniture and working with her father flipping houses. She was chosen to do a home renovation pilot, but her father refuses to be on camera. So she needs a co-star. Cameron is in-between jobs making documentaries for National Geographic. He agrees to do the pilot episode with Shelby. They both struggle with their feelings as they navigate their new project together.

I thought this was cute. The story is paced well and I very much enjoyed that this story is not focused on the characters repeatedly failing to communicate. While I see no indication that this would become a series, there are several single characters that subsequent books could be written about. I'd totally read them.

I listened to the audio version. Lisa Zimmerman and Kale Williams narrate. (Story is told by dual POVs). I listened at 1.5 speed, as I felt the narration was a bit slow. (I typically start books at 1.25 and adjust.) No complaints about the narration. It was clear and consistent.

I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you sweet baby Jesus for no third act break up.

This was lovely. They were both on a tv show as kids and fell in love. After years apart, they reunite for an HGTV-esque home renovation show and turns out those sparks between them never went out.

I loved that there were no games or miscommunications between them. When things came up, they talked about it and dealt with it. I loved that Cam took everything so seriously and was constantly at the job site trying to make sure he knew what he was doing so he didn’t look ridiculous next to her. He was not a natural at house renovations so I loved that he put in extra hours on his own to learn and get the skills.

When Lyle rolled into town and the whole group met in a bar, I felt my whole body cringing because I just knew he would try to sabotage her sobriety for fun so as soon as she made it clear to the bartender that no matter what anyone says, she’s sticking to ginger ale, I felt my whole body relax. Good on you, Erin Hahn.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

This book is the heart-achingly sweet story of an on-again-off-again, right-person-wrong-time romance between two former child stars. Shelby and Cam's story hits all the right notes for me. Their past missed connection moments don't feel at all contrived (once so Cam can attend college and once when Shelby turns to Cam for comfort and he doesn't want to be her rebound while she's also dealing with a substance addiction). I know some people don't like slow burn, but i thought this was the perfect amount. We got to see them fall in love in the past and present and it was intercut so well that the readers gets to the feel the yearning in the present with some release of tension in the head-over-heels teen flashbacks.
i'm such a sucker for that "finally!" moment, and this book does it so well. (that ending had me bawling like a baby)
Overall, two thumbs way up for Erin Hahn's adult romance debut. I can't wait to see more from her!

Oh my god! I loved this romance! I’m a huge fan of second chance romance and this was sexy, adorable and satisfying. I could feel the chemistry between them immediately.
Being childhood stars had a long list of mistakes, bad parent relationships and painful memories. But when this opportunity comes along everyone believes they can make something of it.
The story felt like stepping out into the sunshine after a storm. I still have a smile on my face. And I loved loved loved Cameron! God he was everything!
I started reading this and when I had to work I listened. I recommend both. I really like reading romance but the narrators were amazing and listening was just as satisfying. I hope you don’t let this one pass you buy. It was good.
Thanks OrangeSky Audio and St. Martin’s Press Griffin via NetGalley.

Shelby and Cameron may have grown up together as child stars, but no one thought they’d end up in Michigan, flipping houses for a home reno show. With their former costar, and Shelby’s ex, Lyle running the show behind the scenes, their past and present collide and it’s hard not to feel the pull of their first love - each other.

This was such a delightful and adorable story! I loved the former child star angle, especially because Shelby and Cameron both went on to succeed off camera before coming back together. Their past was the perfect catalyst for a dramatic pilot episode, and the best backdrop for falling in love again.

The narrators were well suited to the roles, and i fell into this story immediately.

Though I usually love a slow burn, the history between these two made them falling hard and fast work. I’d read another book set in this world for sure!