3/5 stars

I enjoyed this cute rom-com and the multiple POVs and the author's writing. The tropes within (somewhat of a love triangle, the hollywood tie-in) were just not my jam. Otherwise, good storyline.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Everyone loves a second chance at their first love trope. Erin Hahn’s Built to Last tells the memorable story of child actors Shelby and Cameron who find themselves thrown back together on a reality TV show a la Chip and Joanna Gaines.

Erin Hahn’s first foray into adult romance from YA definitely shows in the dialogue here as the first half of the book is a little hard to get into - the second half promises better as her character development and story ARC really come into their own.

I would have loved to know more about Cam and Shelby outside of short flashbacks, but all in all - this is an easy read. Not sure if it’s memorable, but definitely worth the perusal if you’ve got the time.

Thanks to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and Erin Hahn for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Read if you like:

+ Magnolia / Chip & Jo
+ Childhood sweethearts
+ Celebrity inspired romance

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved Cam & Shelby’s story and the second (or third) chance nature of their love. I liked the setting of reality TV (but make it cozy) and child stars growing up successfully.

A home improvement shows has young people putting it on and the ups and downs going along with it plus the romantic twist that is set up as well. the characters are good along with the story.

Shelby and Cam grew up in front of the cameras as two of the three child stars of one of the most popular teen shows of their time. Cam eventually left Hollywood behind to travel the world making documentaries for NatGeo. Shelby let her mom use and push her until a bad breakup ends up breaking her and she retreats to help her dad with his contractor business.
Years later, after accepting that they were maybe not meant to be, they find themselves brought together for a home flipping reality show. A show being produced by the third former child star of their past, who also happens to be Shelby's ex and is convinced that she cheated on him with Cam.
It's a sweet, slow-burning coming together for two souls that had to do a little growing up and finding themselves before they could find their happily ever after. The fact that it's all taking place while the vindictive ex is doing his best to make their working experience as painful as possible is extra emotional perfection.
I love stories that show scenes from the point of view of both people in the romance. Hahn does a great job of giving Shelby and Cam very distinct voices so it really sounds like you're getting the thoughts and opinions of two very different people that just happen to complement each other.
I also enjoyed that it's obvious from the very beginning that we're going to get the HEA, but the plot keeps throwing obstacles in the road for the couple to surpass, be it together or as individuals.
Overall, it's a great second-chance romance with fun Hollywood elements and great supporting characters that puts the emphasis on growing into oneself before getting into a relationship, and I will always support that message.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this upbeat, second-chance romance read!

I liked this book - fast moving plot, good characters, and fun to read. The author did a great job with the story, plot, and setting. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

Shelby is a former child star who is out to live a normal life and prove she is no longer who she used to be. She's grown up, capable, and a strong woman who does not need a man to succeed in life. I loved how she turned out normal despite her crazy childhood.

My only complaint is that the timelines jumped around to tell both Shelby and Cameron's backstories. And there is a lot of backstory when you have stereotypical child star mom Ada Mae and bad boy Lyle in your lives. It was 100% predictable on what was going to happen there.

Thanks to @Netgalley for an advance copy.

I sort of loved this one 🥰 Y’all know I’m a fan of “right person, wrong time” trope (AKA second chance) so when I discovered “Built to Last” incorporated my favorite trope into the storyline, I was S O L D!

Shelby and Cameron grew up together while starring in a kids sitcom. Along for the ride is their co-star Lyle who, now years later, is Shelby’s cheating, no good ex. When Hollywood star turned TV producer Lyle offers Shelby and Cameron an offer they can’t refuse — a home renovation show of their own — the duo is given a second chance to star in their own happy ever after.

I think I was the problem when it came to this book! I just was not in the right headspace for a slow burn romance and that really affected my attitude. This is a classic second chance, friends to lovers with some forced proximity action and had all of the makings of a wonderful romance! I think I just wanted a little more action and a lot sooner. I loved that this book focused on renovating a house- and it gave a fun little nod to all of those shows on HGTV that we absolutely love and that made it super fun! Overall, if you like low spice, just super sweet romance books, this one is definitely the one for you!

3.5 rounded to 4. Ready for more celebrity romance? It was definitely my most read troupe of 2022. So many were published.

Shelby is a former child star who is out to live a normal life and prove she is no longer who she used to be. She's grown up, capable, and a strong woman who does not need a man to succeed in life. I loved how she turned out normal despite her crazy childhood.

My only complaint is that the timelines jumped around to tell both Shelby and Cameron's backstories. And there is a lot of backstory when you have stereotypical child star mom Ada Mae and bad boy Lyle in your lives. It was 100% predictable on what was going to happen there.

GOODREADS 1-LINE : Two childhood sweethearts find a second chance at love in this adult romance debut from a critically acclaimed young adult author.

READ IF YOU LOVE:
• HGTV and all their home shows
• celebrity, second chance, childhood friends-to-lovers romance comedies
• dual point of view narrations

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Built to Last is Erin Hahn’s debut Adult RomCom. I am unfamiliar with this author's YA backlist, so she was entirely new to me. I will definitely be picking up more of her books. Shelby and Cameron are the perfect couple. They are so in sync and the way their long-term friendship is reflected in their relationship is wonderful.

This was such a cute book and a very fast read for me, Erin Hahn did a great job on this debut into adult romance. It had just enough spice without being too intense and the characters were so good together. I really liked getting to see glimpses into their pasts together. I do feel that there could have been a little bit more character development and plot development to make me a little bit more emotionally attached to the characters and storyline.

As an Interior Designer I loved everything about this sweet story, home makeovers for the win! It was a slow burn for me but still intriguing!

Want a cute cozy love story about two childhood friends? Definitely the book for you. Shelby Springfield, Lyle Jessup, and Cameron Riggs were former child tv stars who grew up together and ended up becoming close in real life. Shelby and Lyle were the couple everyone loved, but Shelby and Cameron were close too, putting her in the middle of a love triangle. After a disastrous relationship, Shelby left showbiz. Now, they have all grown up, and grown into their own paths, yet they end up meeting again when Lyle pitches a home renovation tv show starring Shelby and Cameron.

This was such a cute love story to read, I loved every second of it. You get to watch as two old friends slowly grow to become more, with all the sweet moments you could ever want. The friendships in this book are also very wholesome, and are perfect examples of healthy, close friendships. Even though I don’t know much about home renovations, the descriptions and the passion that Shelby exudes made me want to learn after I finished this book!

This was a really cute romance novel. Definitely perfect for fans of reality and acting type romances. A second chance romance, feuds with resentful exes, and making up and growing up.

A fairly easy breezy rom-com with an HGTV twist. Be warned as there are some toxic relationships throughout the book - specifically a very unhealthy maternal relationship. But, overall it's a great afternoon read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I...didn't love this book. The story revolves around two child stars who were each other's first loves, coming back together to film a home renovation show. I didn't end up caring about or connecting with either character. The MMC, Cameron, left the FMC, Shelby, with no word and it's supposed to be okay when they meet again because he's a good guy? There's a "villainaous" character who gets no comeuppance. Also, we didn't get to watch the MCs falling in love at all. We're thrown into the book where the characters obviously have history and while I love a pining MC, I also need to know whyyy these characters fell for each other and there's none of that here - a lot of telling, very little showing.

HGTV vibes, child stars and hometown vibes from this book. it was a great read. Lighthearted. Would definitely recommend.

I liked this book, but it got a little long in the middle and I stopped reading for a month while I read other books. I decided not to give up on this book and did like the ending. The author does a nice job of wrapping up the story at the end.

The idea of two teen movie stars doing a home improvement show doesn't seem really original since there are HGTV shows similar to this. This book does include a lot of their earlier scandal and their love story though.

This book would make a great Hallmark movie!

I really loved this. I forgot it was a second chance romance. I loved seeing the pair fight their feelings and finally get their shit together long enough to be together. The sec scenes were pretty steamy.