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.

Former child stars join forces in a home renovation show in this second-chance romance novel. Shelby Springfield, Cameron Riggs, and Lyle Jessup were teen stars in a popular kids’ sitcom. Shelby and Cameron were secret childhood sweethearts, but when the show wrapped, Cameron left for college and Shelby and Lyle ended up together.

When it fell apart, Shelby did, too–in a big, public, embarrassing way. Now, a decade later, Shelby is happy, living a quiet life, refurbishing furniture in Michigan. But Lyle has returned with an offer she can’t refuse: a home reno show, with Cameron as her co-star. The two feel the old pull to one another and fight to make the show a success, while finding their way back to each other–despite Lyle’s meddling.

This was a sweet romance and is a great choice for both previous fans of teen shows and current fans of home renovation shows.

As a fan of second-chance romance and HGTV I adored this as my first read of the New Year! The romantic tension between Shelby and Cameron throughout the book was delightful! Shelby and Cam were childhood TV starts when they first met, which gave me Topanga and Shawn vibes since Cam played the best friend of the start of the show. Shelby had always been able to depend on him, so why would now be any different when they're both asked to film a home renovation pilot - years after both left the spotlight. Such a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance between two child star actors with lots of baggage and a steamy history?! Sign me up!

Shelby was a child actor who retreated to a quiet life on Lake Michigan, refurbishing homes with her father. Five years later, she reunites with childhood co-star Cameron for a pilot show renovating homes and sparks are re-ignited. Throw in an ex-boyfriend, a super-supportive father and a quirky cast of characters and you have the perfect sweet made-for-tv read. Fans of HGTV will especially enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Erin Hahn for an advance copy of the book for an honest review.

I loved this ‘we never got a real chance romance’. It was delightful to read about two used to be famous child stars in the pitfalls of adulthood coming back together to do a home makeover show . The history they have brings them together and the author tells a beautiful, real love story about what happens when timing may actually be on your side.

Shelby is my kind of main character. Real, not here to impress anyone (especially her past flames) and not caught up on who she used to be; only excited about what she has become. Cameron was the respectable man you want and the guy who grew up and learned sometimes it pays to stay.

This was such a fun book and I adored every minute. Even f***ing Lyle.

A delightful read. I really like Erin Hahn's writing and her social media presence. I wish her all the success as she continues publishing. A recent twitter thread of hers made me respect the work she puts into her stories even more.

such a great romcom. I really enjoyed the relationship that grew throughout the book. it left me always wanting more. I couldn't get enough and I never wanted it to end. I highly recommend of you're looking for a more complex romcom.

I found myself fully engrossed in this novel straight from the beginning.
Shelby and Cameron are childhood friends who find a way back to each other after being apart for most of a decade. Both have gone through changes in career but Shelby also fell into the inevitable pitfalls you would associate with fame, Hollywood, and the pop industry. I loved that Cameron never hesitated for a second when he got a call for help from her out of the blue. The pair were destined to be together they just needed to figure that out for themselves.
It is billed as a rom-com but it reads more serious than that with a sprinkling of comedy mixed in. Shelby didn't have a supportive family growing up and she was manipulated into working from a young age by her mother. Her father wasn't a big part of her life until she made the decision to leave LA and began working with him in his home renovation business.
Shelby has a close-knit group of friends who are very supportive and invested in her friendship and potential romance with Cameron. The townspeople love Shelby and it was heartwarming to see them interacting with her, especially the older people for whom she restores furniture with such great care, expertise and respect.
Shelby isn't the only one with nice friends. Cameron's friend Kevin knows all his history with Shelby. There is great banter between the pair with a lot of teasing and funny moments. Cameron also develops a close bond with Shelby's Dad. He also mends his relationship with his brother and dad.
Some of the humour comes from the villains in the story- Shelby's mother is a piece of work as is Shelby's ex-boyfriend and her former friend. I just loved watching Shelby stand up for herself with these people and do so with humour and class.
The swoon-worthy romantic ending was super sweet and satisfying. It also left me wondering about Shelby's friend Lorelei and if there is a sequel in the making.

Two child stars with history and plenty of baggage reunite in this second chance romance. Fans of HGTV will love this story of reinvention, renovation, and reality TV.

I loved the synopsis for this one, but unfortunately it just didn’t work for me. I didn’t enjoy the characters and didn’t feel the chemistry between them. I wasn’t invested in their story at all. I’m in the minority on this one, and I’m open to reading more from this author in the future and giving her another try.

This was great! I enjoyed the characters and storyline and didn't want it to finish! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, I highly recommend adding this to your list to read in 2023!

Shelby Springfield was a child actor who made some very public mistakes in her young career. She's retreated to the quiet life on the shores of Lake Michigan, refurbishing homes with her dad. Cameron was her co-star and the one person she could always count on. He was always there when she needed him, for the moment, but then he'd disappear chasing his stories....or running from his truths. Lyle, co-star and ex is always there too...only to stir the pot and cause Shelby grief. But unfortunately he also hold an opportunity that can provide financial stability, not only for Shelby but for her father and community. A pilot show, featuring Shelby renovating a home ... but co-starring Cameron. Lyle is banking on disasters to be the highlight of this show.
This was a sweet second chance romance! Shelby and Cameron have each other's backs throughout this story...its the conflicts from Lyle and others that actually bring them closer to each other. Loved the secondary characters - Daniel, Lorelai and Kevin!
This was a feel good uplifting book with the right amount of sweet romance, steam and angst!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this story, but I know that I really enjoyed it. I usually don't like second chance romances, but this one felt different from the beginning. I fell in love with Cameron from the moment he hopped on a plane to Shelby at the beginning. Shelby is such a strong woman and I love her. This was such a fun story and a joy to watch them fall in love..
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

A cute friends to lovers second chance romance that I devoured! Cameron and Shelby have known each other since they were young kids, and have never told each other their feelings!!! There are times where I screamed, I just wanted them together so badly!!

Shelby had her fair share of messed up relationships and they are evident in this one. (yes love triangle, but not terrible!). She goes through many breakups, but through them all she is still in love with Cameron. Five years after this fiasco Cameron and her are reunited for a reality TV show, and the sparks fly again!

I liked this one, simple and sweet but could have done without Lyle, who you will have to read to find out about!
4/5

Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

Unsure if it was me or the book - but I was never truly invested in the story or the characters. However, I ultimately loved the way the story turned out, the home improvement background, and the spicy scenes.

Ultimately, I think second chance romances aren't for me - there is too much emotional longing.

However, I still enjoy Erin Hahn's work and am eager to see if she continues writing in the adult realm, versus her YA stuff.

Another decent contemporary, second-chance romance. I loved the rehabbing/upcycling antique pieces that the heroine worked on, and the fact that the two main characters were roped into working on a reality HGTV type show, but the romance wasn't the strongest for me. Definitely a case of me, not the book - I would still try it if it sounds like something you'd like.