Read this book if you like: Dual POV, friends to lovers, childhood sweethearts, second chances, celebrities, HGTV vibes, steamy 🔥

Former child star Shelby Springfield has spent the last few years helping her dad flip homes. She had a mediocre pop career, a meltdown widely documented by the paparazzi, and a huge public break up with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. Her other former co-star was the one that got away.

Now she is being given the chance to co-host her own reality TV show flipping houses with Cam. He's been busy filming documentaries and always dips out when things get real. Lyle is the one that stirs the pot, getting the two back in the spotlight with a home renovation show. Cameron wants to come home and set down some roots. Shelby wants to prove to the world she's not the messy party girl anymore.

I really enjoyed this one! This is the author's debut in adult romcoms. She also writes YA romance. I love a second chance romance. I'm a big HGTV fan so this was perfect. I would have liked more show and renovation stuff included. The main characters are incredibly likeable, Lyle not so much. 🤣 The character growth is great. This was funny, sweet, and steamy. 🔥 I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin's Press for the gifted e-book! ❤️

absolutely adored Built to Last!

I've read and loved Hahn's YA novels so was so excited to read her adult romance debut! Plus I love HGTV/DIY so a book about two former children stars who are both trying to redeem themselves and end up filming a home reno show is exactly what I want to read!

Hahn's wonderful writing style and the way she tackles challenging subjects with such grace are why I love her books so much. I love that Shelby and Cameron were down to earth, it was fun to see them fall in love again as adults and of course the home reno aspect.

I'm so excited for the next two books in this series and that will get to read about two of Shelby's friends Maren and Lorelai!

Do yourself a favor and pick up this book and check it Hahn's backlist too!

One of the great things about life is that you don’t have to stay on one path. We are always growing and changing which Shelby and Cameron show in a beautiful story. These two met as kids and became child stars together. They had an immediate connection as kids but doubts and living up to others expectations pushed them in different directions. Shelby is now an accomplished furniture restorer and has a chance to show the world her confident and successful self with a TV show. What she doesn’t expect is for her ex-boyfriend, Lyle, to enlist Cameron as her co-star. Cameron has always loved Shelby but when the show wrapped, he broke away from Hollywood, going to college then becoming a well-known documentarian. He has struggled with staying in one place. When Shelby and Cameron reunite to film the TV show, will they finally be honest about their feelings? What a fabulous couple and a great journey. They both had to deal with family drama as they worked to find their home and happiness. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Second chance romance books seem to be a new sweet spot trope for me, because Built to Last was such a good read!

The entire read, I could feel the chemistry between our two main characters, Shelby and Cameron, really well. I enjoyed their banter, their flashbacks for more history, and I loved how they interacted with basically everyone around them. I felt like I was rooting for them as if I was watching the tv show in real life and these were real celebrities.

I also really enjoyed how there was tiny pieces of drama thrown into the story. It made the finale of the book feel like it was earned, more than something that just happened at an end of a story.

The premise of this story is super cute and this would be an easy read for someone who's starting to dip their toes into the world of Adult Romance genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's, I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Shelby and Cameron.. childhood sweethearts getting a second chance at love. You thoroughly want to root for these two to get together and they do not disappoint. They film a pilot together for a home remodeling show and take us through that process. If this doesn’t get turned into an early 2000’s type of rom com movie.. then what is Hollywood even doing?

This book was such a treat to read. I enjoyed getting to know Shelby & Cameron & watch their relationship develop & blossom. The way the chapters were each told by one of them was a great way to write this story. I also really liked all of the side characters & I'm hoping that the ending was setting up a book about Lorelai. Highly recommend reading this book!

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Ahh so swoony!! This is one you’ll want to read cover to cover in a day!!

Shelby and Cameron, and Lyle 🙄, were child actors. Lyle being the star, Shelby his love interest, and Cam the nerdy best friend. But it was Shelby and Cam that truly connected. Yet, when the show ends, Cam packs up and heads to college, leaving Shelby behind, and Lyle steps right in. Now, years later, Shelby has endured a very public meltdown after Lyle cheated on her and absolutely gaslighted her. Cam has been working all over the world for Nat Geo, never putting down roots. Shelby has built a life in her hometown in Michigan, refurbishing furniture and helping her dad renovate historic homes. Shelby is pitched an idea for a home renovation reality tv show. Lyle weasels his way into being a show runner for the project, and brings Cam in to costar with Shelby. Is the timing finally right for Shelby and Cam and is the spark still there? Together can they navigate the attempts Lyle makes to derail their house flip AND their relationship?

I loved every character in this book (well, not Lyle) and adored Shelby & Cam’s connection. I felt so many feelings, and found Shelby just so relatable and down to earth, even having been a child star. Her friends, Maren and Lorelei, were so fun! Every supporting character was well written, and the whole town just seemed so idyllic. I loved watching Cam and Shelby get to know each other as adults and reconnect, and to navigate their relationship on this new level. This is such a well done friends to lovers & second chance romance!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press / St. Martin’s Griffin for the advanced reading copy of Built to Last, receipt of which did not impact my review.

You know those books that you love so much, you’re afraid to see them end? This is one of those books for me. I loved it SO MUCH.

Shelby Springfield is a former child actor who struggled with fame and consequences of not having someone looking out for her for years. However, now she’s doing great - working with her Dad in Michigan to renovate homes and furniture.

A second chance at getting funds to help out her Dad arrives in the form of a potential reality show about home renovations. The kicker? The show runner is her awful ex-boyfriend, Lyle, from the worst time in her life, and her co-star would be her first love and the one that walked away - Cameron Riggs.

Through weeks of home renovation and conversations, the chemistry that was always there sparks back to life between Shelby and Cameron. But secrets and lies are lurking in the wings, just waiting for them to crumble and run once more.

Built to Last was a great story of second chances - both in life and in romance - and fighting for who you are and what you deserve.

I adored it and cannot wait to read more from Erin Hahn in the future!

3.5 Stars. Shelby and Cameron are childhood friends and loves who were child co-stars. When the opportunity comes up, Shelby invites Cameron to join her in the production of a home renovation show and he agrees. The producer behind the show is Shelby’s ex boyfriend which complicates things. Shelby and Cameron still have feelings for each other but with their long history there is a lot to overcome.

This book took me a bit to get into. I was brought in by the prologue and then I felt like nothing happened for about half the book. After the half way point things picked up and I finished the book quickly. I liked both Shelby and Cameron. Both characters were well thought out and I liked that I truly understood both of their motivations. I was a bit more confused by Lyle’s character as his actions did not make sense given his position in the show that Shelby and Cameron are starring in. The whole semi-live triangle thing felt very young adult, so I was not surprised to see that the author comes from the world of YA. This also may have been a factor with the book being fade to black rather than open door. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just an observation.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Built to Last is a second chance, friends-to-lovers romance. It did take me some time to get into it, but once I did, I enjoyed it.

Cameron Riggs and Shelby Springfield were eleven year old actors when they first met. They were co-stars on a show called "The World According to Jackson" and they had a lot of success. Not only that, but Cam and Shelby were one another's first loves albeit in secret. Shelby made headlines with another young man named, Lyle, who was also on the show with them.

Shelby has been working with her Dad flipping houses. They were hoping that they might get a TV show out of it, but the showrunner, who is ironically, Lyle, doesn't think that's the way to go. He's got another idea - bring in her former co-star Cam to team up with her. Will that work after the two haven't seen or spoken in a decade? Will other sparks fly too?

The friendship between Shelby and Cam was great. It took some time for me to buy into their relationship, but in the end it was an enjoyable story.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

For being the first adult romance book for the author, Hahn has hit it out of the park with this swoon worthy second chance romance. I immediately fell in love with both the story and the writing.

Shelby Springfield was a child star with a mediocre pop career until a meltdown that was widely publicized by the paparazzi during her break up to co-star Lyle Jessup. Since then Shelby found her true calling as a vintage furniture restorer working with her father in his home flipping business. She is happy with her new life, even if she is still trying to forget her other co-star and first love Cameron. That's until Lyle stirs the pot and gets the two stars back in the spotlight working all together on a home renovation show. For Shelby it is the perfect opportunity to show the world how she has grown, for Cameron it's an opportunity to finally put down some roots, but Lyle intentions aren't as positive and he doesn't plan to make it easy.

This book has everything I love in romance,
Second Chance love...check
Dual Perspective...check
Super Strong Chemistry and Banter...check
Laugh out Loud Humor...check

I loved, loved, loved the chemistry between the two main characters, it was cute and sweet but sexy when called for. The growth of both characters personally and together as a couple was really well written. I would have loved a couple more throw back scenes from when they first were together on set, but there was enough to anchor the storyline.

I also love a dual perspective and I enjoyed both perspectives. In more dual perspectives there is usually one I prefer over another, but I loved both.

What completely won me over for this book though is the writing. It is so well crafted and so funny. There were so many parts that made me laugh out loud not from the scene itself, but in the way the author writes it. I cannot wait for more adult romance from this author.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this gifted copy of this great story.

Do you like second-chance, low-stakes romances with lovely character development and characters you want to root for?

Built to Last was such a delightful and lovely read - getting to watch former child stars Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs find each other again. Shelby is back home in Michigan getting her life back after years in the Hollywood limelight battling a mother who only used her, an ex who cheated on her with a friend and a world that let her get away with her worst impulses. Now older and sober, Shelby is working with her father to flip houses. Her mostly quiet life is uprooted when her ex comes back into her life with the idea of a house-flipping reality show where she will be paired up with the one who got away, Cameron Riggs.

This is a dual pov story and both Shelby and Cameron have journeys to go through in this book, mostly with their past and how they want to move forward with people surrounding them who they love and who support them. Shelby and Cameron have instant chemistry when they are reunited but there is a lot of hurt there they need to work through.

The drama here is mostly on the periphery and although they have had some miscommunications in their past, Shelby and Cameron are able to navigate them in a mature way I appreciated. If there was anything about this book I wanted more of it was more of them as teens. I would have loved some flashbacks to their time on their show together, falling in love in the past as it ties together with their present.

I'm excited Hahn is writing in this space and I'm excited to see what she writes next.

Thank you so much to St. Martins publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love home renovation shows so I was excited for this book! Overall it was an enjoyable read, but I wished there were more home reno scenes featured- more time with Shelby and Cameron working together side-by-side.
There were a few parts and characters (Shelby's mom and Lyle- their former castmate from their childhood show) which made me cringe and get annoyed. But that was also the point of the author writing it that way!
If you love home reno shows, friends to lovers, and second chance romance, then you should enjoy this one too!

3.5 stars, rounded 4

Shelby is a ex-child star turned furniture restorer. Cameron ran away from his childhood stardom and now works behind the camera with Nat Geo, but he is tired of having no where to settle down. When their mutual co-star Lyle is show running a home improvement show that could change Shelby and her fathers life, Cameron doesn't hesitate to be her co-star after her dad is lack luster on screen. Old feelings emerge and Lyle's jealousy stirs up a ton of drama. Can Cameron and Shelby get through Lyle's antics unscathed? Will their show be picked up for a full series? Will the finally take the plunge on a real relationship?

Oh my goodness! This book was just so sweet and enjoyable. I want more! The redemption story was so delicious. I loved the second chance romance and the love triangle from the past is so juicy. The drama packed a punch without it being over the top or excessive.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 10/18!

I absolutely loved this book! This book has some of my favorite tropes, second chance love & friends-to-lovers, and I really loved the home reno aspects. Cam is the ultimate book boyfriend! His interactions with Shelby were so kind, caring. and loving, I couldn’t have asked for more as a male lead in this one! Shelby was so strong, independent, and intelligent. I loved how she found her passion in life and lifted up everyone around her with kindness and meaningful connections. The sexual tension between the main characters was jumping off the page and those open door scenes were steamy friends!!

The scenes involving HomeMade were so fun, I love home reno shows and this one felt like I was experiencing one in real time! I really liked the community aspect the book brought and the way their families and friends had a part in the renovation. I loved the connections Shelby and Cam had with their friend group, it was nice to see how much they had grown from their LA years to finding their people and purpose in Michigan. Can’t recommend this book enough!!

Rating: Absolutely Loved It, 5 stars!

I absolutely adored Built to Last by Erin Hahn. In this we follow Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, two child actors on a children's TV show where they fell in love. However, they fell apart and fell back together over the years, both eventually fleeing Hollywood for a life of their own. Now, they are full grown adults: Shelby restores antique furniture and works with her dad flipping houses, and Cameron a successful nature documentarian (?) for National Geographic. Their old co-star and Shelby's ex, Lyle Jessup pulls them in to star in a new home renovation reality show. Obviously sparks fly, and an HEA ensues.

I absolutely adored all the tropes in this one: childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance, home renovation, reality tv, small town romance, dual POVs, and two sunshine souls (not sure if that's a real trope, but I still love it)

I loved the characters in this. I felt like they each were fleshed out and had their own personality, and I loved them both. I was rooting for both of them so much throughout this book. I one hundred percent bought them as a couple and was just so thrilled every time their romance progressed. It was a very slow burn type romance with them both dancing around their feelings for a while, but I thought it was totally worth the wait.

My favorite part about this was that there was no true third act drama, which I LOVED! There is a little bit, but it made sense and didn't make me hate the characters.

I also really loved their friends in this book. Kevin already has Beth, but I'm excited because I'm pretty sure we will get to see Lorelei next, and then perhaps Maren? I'm hopeful at least. I just loved all the little pieces woven throughout this book, and I felt like this was excellent, especially for an adult debut. I will definitely continue to follow Erin Hahn and this (hopefully) series. I highly recommend if these tropes sound like they would work for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Built to Last releases October 18, 2022.

This is a fun quick read. Two former child stars are reunited to film a pilot for a house flipping show. Shelby and Cameron along with Lyle grew up on tv series with singing and dancing. Shelby and Cameron have only seen each other once in the last ten years and that was five years ago after she left Lyle for him cheating on her with her best friend. She moved back to Michigan and joined her father in his house flipping business. In the last ten years, Cameron went to college and has been working filming documentaries. I loved how it all worked out.

I received a free copy of this book to review through NetGalley.

Built To Last was a very quick, entertaining read. I love the setting. The two child co-stars get together to film a home renovation show. This HGTV viewer gobbled up those home restoration pieces.

This is a second chance romance. Main characters of Built to Last, Shelby and Cameron are each others firsts. After being apart for 10 years and one missed connection they finally get it right this time around. They both have their own issues. Shelby is trying to prove herself as a house flipper (with her dad) after growing up in front of the cameras as a child and leading a somewhat scandalous life in her early twenties. Cam exists the acting scenes years ago, goes to college and become a documentary maker but he comes running because he cannot resist the opportunity of helping her. Shelby has a nightmare of a mom and terrible ex who happens to be the showrunner of Shelby and Cam's show. Cam doesn't have the smoothest relationship with his dad,

What I liked about this book
-there was no unnecessary third act drama. It took some time for them to admit their feeling for another but once they were together they were good to go.
-how supportive Shelby's dad and her friends were.
-the setting. furniture restoration, antique market shopping.

What I didn't like
-how comically the bad characters (The ex Lyle and mother Ada Mae) were written.
-the author made Cam into a home renovation expert in no time. I would have enjoyed him stumbling down and struggling a little bit
-Cam bowed out of his documentary career waay to easily. National Geographic would be a tough gig to walk away I'd assume
-Cam's tree trunk thighs! Shelby is obviously obsessed with them because she repeated that about 10 times. I know men's forearms is common attraction object in romance novels but thighs? This must be new. Cam is a bearded lumberjack so he seems to fit right into the romance hearttrob role.

Overall I thought this was an entertaining read but sadly it was not very memorable.

This was a really cute romcom! I really enjoyed the relearning that Cam and Shelby went through when reconnecting, and they were so cute together with how they clearly doted on each other even before they were in a relationship. The fact that there wasn’t a ¾ conflict between the two was super nice since they had already been struggling with repressed feelings and mixed messages the whole book. One pet peeve for me was the nickname “Shelb” that was used, but that’s just a personal thing because I have the same name and cannot stand it. :) The supporting characters were all really nice, and I enjoyed the journey they all went on, even though it felt like there needed to be a bit more of a resolution with the Marcella storyline. It was exactly as described, and I really liked reading it!

Built to Last, the adult rom-com debut by Erin Hahn, is the kind of romance you can relax into. A quaint rural setting and two enigmatic former child sweethearts make this dual point of view second chance romance refreshingly fun! I found myself reading for pure enjoyment, forgetting that I would actually need to review it, as well. And those are the best kinds of books.

Romances with the celebrity or ex-celebrity trope can often be hit or miss for me, so I went into this one with a little bit of trepidation. But I so enjoyed Hahn’s previous young adult book Never Saw You Coming, that I had faith in Hahn’s writing and storytelling. While Never Saw You Coming dealt with some heavier subjects, Built to Last never dives too deep beyond relationship issues, but I found I was okay with that. It was refreshing and positive. Our main characters aren’t wallowing in their past mistakes, they’ve learned from them and become more well-rounded people as they’ve grown up.

It felt like Hahn had fun writing this novel, and it’s reflected in the characters and story.

Our main characters are Shelby and Cameron, both originally from Michigan. They met when they were children working on a juvenile television series in L.A., along with fellow actor Lyle. Shelby and Cam were each other’s first loves, but when the show ended as they turned eighteen, Cam went away to college. As often happens with young love, they both assumed things about the other and didn’t speak. Shelby fell into a very public relationship with Lyle, and when things ended badly, she left the Hollywood life (thanks to some encouragement from Cam) to return to rural Michigan, giving up acting and singing for a business restoring furniture alongside her father. Cam finished college and began working for National Geographic, following his stories around the world. The two have only seen each other once in the past ten years, but they still care deeply for one another.

When Lyle decides to stir up some trouble, getting the trio back together, he deceives Shelby and Cam into a meeting, proposing a home improvement show they can’t resist agreeing to do. Shelby would like to clear her name and prove to the world she’s changed and Cam would like to put down some roots near his family. And near Shelby.

What ensues is a delightful romance with plenty of hi-jinks from Lyle, a fun cast of side characters, and a love story that is oh so spicy and sweet.

I also enjoyed the musical infusion into the story. Like many young actors, Shelby, Cam, and Lyle all dipped into music, as well, so there might have been a memorable karaoke scene in this one. And it took me a few chapters to notice, but each chapter title is a song title, as well, which is always fun to find in books.

Pick up Built to Last prepared to be entertained and romanced. Enjoy the wonderful side characters, some of whom deserve their own books. (I feel like Hahn was preparing the readers for a sequel centered on Shelby’s best friend Lorelai, and I can only hope that it comes to fruition.) Delight in the picturesque country setting, and let this second chance romance charm your socks off!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

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