Built to Last is a great story about second chances after cleaning up your act. In Shelby's case, she's worked hard to recover from losing her way as a child star, a very public breakup thanks to her cheating slimy ex (boyfriend and co-star), Lyle, and firing her nightmare of a mother manager. Shelby has kicked her bad habits and found her happy place refinishing old furniture pieces for her dad's home renovation business back home in Minnesota when she receives a call from Lyle with a new renovation show opportunity for her and Cameron, her first everything and also a co-star from the past. Cameron will do almost anything for Shelby which is why he's there just in case, even though he despises Lyle too. They agree to shoot a pilot, which keeps Cam in one place for a time instead of his usual running from place to place shooting documentaries all over the world. He's mentored by Shelby's dad and after facing severe self-doubt in his ability, finds a talent and love of renovation. Will Cam follow his new love of renovation and build a life with Shelby or run for the hills again? Read the book - Cam is swoony and you'll be glad you did. Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

Let me start off by saying - I am a sucker for celebrity romances. Especially ones that include home renovation and second chance love. I realize that this is a very specific niche, but this book fits it so well! I also devoured this book in no time at all. Erin Hahn’s writing was so smooth and easy to read. I just connected to this story and fell in love with Shelby and Cameron!

There wasn’t much to NOT like about this book! Save for f*cking Lyle. I simply adored the banter between Shelby and Cam and the chemistry between the two on and off set was electric. The characters in this story were so well thought out and each left their mark. I could read another twelve books about these people and I wouldn’t get bored.

Overall, I recommend this one! If you want to read an unputdownable romance that’ll make you swoon, sweat, and swear, this one is for you!

Built to Last was published on October 18, 2022.

Thank you to Erin Hahn, St. Martin's Press (@stmartinspress), and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. I really enjoyed the characters and the story was unique. It kept me reading and enjoyed it all the way through.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Shelby is a former child star, but after spending the last ten years out of the spotlight, she's reluctant to consider going back. Her former co-star Lyle broke her heart all those years ago, but now he wants her help for a new show. Cue their friend Cameron, who also starred alongside Shelby and Lyle, to join their latest project. He's the best friend and the one who got away, so who knows what will happen...

I requested this because I read Erin Hahn's most recent book and loved it, and was excited to read an adult romance from her!

Shelby and Cameron are the embodiment of America's sweethearts with their romance. They're cavity-inducing sweet, and the ending really solidifies that. If you need some sweetness in your life, this is it!

CW: alcohol use, infidelity, strained parental relationships

In Built to Last by Erin Hahn, a second chance at romance sparks between former child reality stars and childhood sweethearts Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs as they reunite as co-stars to film a home renovation show pilot. So, because my mom watches nearly all of the HGTV house flipping/renovation shows, I recognized the names of all the couples Shelby’s ex-boyfriend lists when trying to sell them on the pilot. That’s a cool moment. Not only is Built to Last a friends-to-lovers romance, but it starts with them as childhood friends, which I love even more. Even though you see just a bit of them as kids, those moments are powerful, enhancing Hahn’s development of Cameron, Shelby, and their complicated but beautiful connection/relationship.

Sometimes you are lucky enough to have that person, or people, in your lives who, no matter how much time passes between the last time you see them, it’s like nothing changes. You fall back into your friendship and the warmth and comfort of that connection with ease, like no time has passed. Cameron and Shelby’s relationship is like that. I love, love, love Cameron and Shelby’s friendship and relationship—it’s sweet and sexy—and I love how they support each other and make each other laugh. Their fiery chemistry and intense connection continue to grow stronger over time. I love all the pining! And their desire for each other is intense, creating some hilarious moments, especially from Shelby’s viewpoint. There’s even eye f@*#ing, which took me by surprise!

Vivid and detailed description; humor; wit; lively and natural-sounding dialogue; a captivating story, and complex and charming characters drew me into the novel from the first scene. Hahn deftly develops and evolves her relatable, multifaceted, imperfect characters, some of whom are lovable and others downright loathsome—Lyle, I’m looking at you! Cameron and Shelby are so down-to-earth and relatable that you can’t help but root for them to work their stuff out and live happily ever after together. I had to take a break and pick the novel back up later because I feared things would be too dramatic and angsty, and I wasn’t feeling that at the time. I love that Hahn lets them deal with their issues and learn to communicate without a lot of mess or drawing things out just for the sake of drama. That’s not to say that they don’t have other drama in their lives to deal with while learning to relate to each other as adults and dealing with their feelings and attraction to one another. because they totally do. In addition to Lyle’s games, Shelby’s mom is a hot mess, she has unresolved issues with both parents, and Cameron’s estranged from his parents and brother. Hahn makes every page of the book a compelling and entertaining journey.

Shelby renovates and restores furniture and works with her father renovating and flipping houses. A former child star with a brief pop career, she’s spent ten years struggling to overcome her past, all of which the paparazzi widely documented. She’d love to forget all about her public meltdown and huge public breakup with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. But she secretly holds the memories of her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron—the one who got away—close to her heart. Cameron doesn’t make it easy to forget him because he comes whenever she needs him and calls him. Unfortunately, he takes off ASAP to continue making documentaries around the world because he’s afraid to admit what he genuinely wants. So, of course, when Lyle stirs the pot, thrusting them back in the spotlight with a home renovation show, Cameron’s once again right where she needs him, agreeing to do the show. The show is Shelby’s chance to prove she’s not the messy party girl anymore to everyone, and Cameron’s to come home and set down some roots. Lyle lives to torment Cameron and Shelby because of their connection as kids and having more chemistry than he could ever dream of having with anyone.

Hahn’s secondary characters are just as nicely developed as Shelby and Cameron. I really liked Lorelai. And want to know more about her story. An intriguing character and supportive, encouraging friend to Shelby, she reveals Shelby’s character and growth, helping her stay grounded and holding her accountable. As much as I loved Lorelai, Shelby’s father, Cameron’s friend Luke, and their cast and crew, I couldn’t stand Lyle. But the cool thing about his character and his manipulations is how that reveals the strength and closeness of Cameron and Shelby’s relationship—one of my favorite things about the novel. I love how they support each other and give one another an outlet to let off steam for their feelings about life’s frustrations, disappointments, and stresses.

Hahn wonderfully explores themes of childhood/family baggage, parental approval, parent/child relationships, self-discovery, self-identity, self-acceptance, finding your soulmate, belonging, and discovering your passions. Charming, funny, sexy, sweet, romantic, steamy, and slightly angsty, Built to Last is an entertaining read for childhood sweethearts/soulmates, home renovation/design, small-town, and second-chance romance fans.

Advanced review copy provided by St. Martin’s Griffin via Netgalley for review.

Shelby and Cameron were both former child actors. They have hots for each other or more like destined to be together from the start. But like everybody, young as they were, they never thought those feelings last or their paths will again crossed. But now they are adults, and like magnets they are pulled to get close once again with each other.

Built to last got the good romantic vibe. Something that a Hallmark Channel can feature. It has strong topics that were big factors in defining the plot of the story but still it stayed light and easy read. Not big on drama and the characters were all very likable. I like it just enough to finish the book but not love it.

Thank you St.Martin’s Griffin, SMP Romance via Netgalley for an Advance e-copy in exchange of my honest review.

Built to Last is the first adult novel by YA author Erin Hahn. This is a story of new beginnings, second chances, and coming into one’s own. The three main stars of children’s show Jackson’s World are reunited when Shelby Springfield proposes a reality home restoration show to help her Dad, Daniel, as he recuperates from an accident. Shelby would also like to show the world that after her widely documented retreat from Hollywood that she is no longer the party girl of her former reputation, but an accomplished restoration expert.

Shelby is excited when she gets the call for a meeting to discuss a pilot for her show. She is much less so when she discovers Lyle Jessup, who had played Jackson in the show, is the show runner for the pilot. And Shelby is stunned when she sees Cameron Riggs, another costar and teen real life love, has been brought in to work with her.

Cameron, who left Hollywood for college, then used his degree to make National Geographic documentaries, is losing the wanderlust and would like to spend time at home in Michigan, where Shelby also lives and the show will be filmed. When they get the go ahead, Cameron relocates, Daniel takes him on as an apprentice to learn the trade, and they begin by choosing the home to restore. But with cast and crew running smoothly, Jessup throws multiple curves at them.

This is such a fun story. I very much enjoyed the characters, the settings, and the sweet conclusion. I do recommend this book!

I loved the cute unique story that blossomed in this book. The characters were strong and I connected to the vibrant details.

Thank you for this ARC given to me to review for NetGallery, St. Martin's Press, and Erin Hahn.

Shelby, Cameron, and Lyle all starred on a tv show together when they were children. Shelby and Cameron were romantic towards the end of the show, but Cameron left to go to college and Shelby ended up with Lyle. However, during a very messy public breakup Cameron came back to Shelby's aid, not knowing Shelby's true intentions for a rebound. Again, Cameron left Shelby, but helped encourage her to leave the public eye.
Five years later, Shelby has a fantastic career restoring furniture in her home state of Michigan and Cameron is traveling the world documenting for National Geographic. An opportunity arises to do a home makeover show, the only problem Lyle is the show runner. Lyle decides to get Cameron on board, but attempts to sabotage the show throughout the pilot.
Can Shelby and Cameron work together to outsmart Lyle? Will Shelby and Cameron reconcile their relationship? Will the show get past the pilot?

I adored this book. I love home make over shows and loved this book too. I cheered for Shelby and Cameron the entire book and got so frustrated with Lyle's jealousy. As a Wisconsin girl, I love that this book is set in the Midwest. I didn't love how much emphasis was put on losing their virginity to each other and didn't love that some parts of the book were talked about again from the other POV. Overall, this book is a must read!

Built to Last by Erin Hahn was the first book of hers that I read. This book had everything that I look for in a debut adult romance: interesting characters, steamy romance and characters with internal conflict. I will definitely be picking up more books from Erin Hahn's backlist and recommending this book to other romance readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of Built to Last by Erin Hahn in exchange for an honest review.

This was cute. These were characters who knew their limits and what they were willing to accept from people, and I loved that for them. I like that they found every way imaginable to tell Lyle off and that they stood up for each other no matter what. Their original relationship may have dissolved due to miscommunication, but it was put back together through character growth and communication. I appreciated that there was no third act breakup and that they were able to resolve their issues and be a solid couple.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for this eARC!

dnf at 53%. the trope sounded really interesting but it wasn't for me. i would definitely recommend it to others though.

LOVED so much! This story started off in a way I didn’t imagine, and then I grew to love both main characters so quickly! This book was full of characters that were easy to love (and a few that were easy to hate). I hope this is a series so I can see more about some of the side characters!

A big thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an e-ARC of Erin Hahn's "Built to Last". My opinions are my own and uninfluenced.

Built to Last is an adorable friends-to-lovers-to-exes-to-lovers story between two former child stars working on a home renovation show together. That is as exciting as it gets - any tension through the book comes from a previous ex of Shelby's (Lyle), who is an asshole for the sake of being an asshole. Otherwise, it is sweet and quickly throws away any doubts or worries that our couple may not get together. I personally prefer a bit more "will they, won't they" in my stories, so I am giving this a 3/5 rating. However, it is really sweet and the few spicy scenes are A+. Pick it up if you enjoyed Tessa Bailey's "Fix Her Up".

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of Built to Last in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED this book!!! SO. MUCH!!! I am coming to realize that I looooove a second chance romance, and this one is no exception! We got second chance, forced proximity, and the best part of all...amazing communicators. It's no secret one of my least favorite tropes is the miscommunication trope, and for a hot second in this one it looked like that's where we'd end up. BUT THEN, like mature adults, they COMMUNICATED and my oh my I have a new kink.

I loved Shelby and Cameron's love story. They grew up together on the set of a teen coming of age show, and then drifted apart. Or more aptly, Cameron continued to run away. Now as adults they are thrown together on the set of a home flipper show. They both must confront family trauma, meddling ex-friends/partners, and their own insecurities to flip their own happily ever after.

No happily ever after comes without effort. Or spice. THIS BOOK! You could feel the chemistry between Shelby and Cameron. They were so into each other, they couldn't stay away, oh it was SO good.

The side characters in this one were also amazing. I felt like I would fit right in with Shelby and her girlfriends, Maren and Lorelai. The way they supported and understood Shelby was just beautiful. Kevin and his wife were GOALS, they were so sweet and fun. I loved Shelby's relationship with her dad and the way he also looked out for Cameron.

All in all, I loved this book and immediately went out and bought myself a physical copy. 10/10 recommend, and can't wait to see what else Erin Hahn writes!

This was great! It was a little slow at first, but the second chance romance drew me in. I really like the home renovation aspect of this book; it felt like I was watching HGTV in the best way. There was no big miscommunication and breakup toward the end of the book, which is usually one of the issues I have with romance books. This one was heartwarming and really cute.

Super cute, fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed! A good time and a book I will gift or recommend to friends and family that prefer plot to spice. The cover is adorable.

Eat your heart out HGTV, Shelby and Cameron are here to overshadow anything you could ever produce. Skip the home renovation shows and pick this up instead, you'll get all the house flipping you could want with a romance you can't look away from. And while they suffer a bit from the whole "if they just talked, everything would be fine," it's all to an understandable degree, considering they're not confident in themselves, and not sure if they can trust what they're building yet, pun intended. I'm definitely looking forward to further companion novels, I already know Lorelei's story is going to be phenomenal.

Built to Last is a second chance romance, set against the backdrop of a home renovation show. Shelby and Cameron grew up as child stars together and find themselves reunited in adulthood. While Shelby and Cameron have both pursued passions outside Hollywood, their third co-star Lyle is still firmly ensconced in the world of TV. With family depending on them, Shelby and Cam will need to avoid Lyle’s drama to make their show a success. And possibly rekindle love along the way?

Built to Last was an enjoyable read. I appreciated how Erin Hahn wove in so much of their childhood history and the pressure of being child stars. Lyle was really annoying (as he was supposed to be!), but I loved that Shelby and Cam had good people surrounding them and supporting their dreams. I wish I could have seen photos of what they were doing to restore the house! Built to Last is perfect for people who love home renovation shows, a second chance plot, and slow burn romance. Thank you to Erin Hahn, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute childhood friends to lovers rom com with an ode to home renovation shows. Shelby and Cameron grew up together on set and were closer than anyone realized until one day it all changed. Now a decade later, both have grownup but can they work together again on the set of a new reality tv show complete with power tools?

There’s no denying the connection Shelby and Cameron share and it hasn’t diminished in the years they’ve been apart. They both had to grow and mature at their own pace and in their own time to be able to give their relationship a real shot this time around. They both owned up to their past mistakes and really strived to be completely honest with each other moving forward putting them both in a much healthier space. Lyle is still a jerk trying to manipulate Shelby and Cameron even after all those years but together they saw right through his act and came out better. I really hope we get a book about Shelby’s best friend Lorelei cause you just know there’s more to her story.


Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.