Built to Last by Erin Hahn
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Second chance romance! Former child star Shelby Springfield has spent the last few years helping her dad flip homes. Now she is being guven the chance to co-host her own reality TV show flipping houses. Her co-host? Cam Riggs. Her former co-star and first love.
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This story was super cute and I loved it. Shelby and Cam were both such like able characters from the start. I couldn’t help rooting for them in both their romance and their everyday lives.

I loved the home renovation show aspect to this! It made me rethink that I need to start watching those shows.

And I loved all the side characters!! Beth and her Viking, Shelby’s dad, and Lorelai!!! (I am REALLY hoping that there will be a book about Lorelai one day 🥺)

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 If you love sweet romances then be sure to pick this one up.

Hallmarkie Romcom Within HGTV model. This is a Hallmark type romantic comedy where 90 min+ of movie (or, in this case, 300+ pages) could probably be condensed to about 15 (min or pages) if the characters would just *be honest with each other*. So if that kind of thing irritates the Hades out of you... know up front that this is the kind of story you're getting into here.

For everyone else, this is actually a smart and fun (and yes, steamy - again, if you don't like being in the room with characters having sex... not the book for you either) tale that name drops quite a bit from real-world Hollywood, including National Geographic, Chip and JoAnna Gaines, and several other HGTV home reno type couples. If you enjoy those types of shows and wish you could see more "behind the scenes", particularly as the couple first got together... this is going to be pretty much your ideal romance tale.

Overall this really was quite an enjoyable read, and seemed to read faster than its 300+ page count would generally indicate. Very much recommended.

The following review will be posted on my blog, Sunday, October 16th, 2 days before publication. It will be shared on Twitter and Instagram between that day and the day of publication, and has already been posted on Goodreads. The blog post includes links to order the books and to its Goodreads page, so readers can add it to their to-be-read books.





“On Sunday, I cut off all my hair.
Lyle said trim, so I get a bob. Not just because of Lyle. I wanted a definitive way to show the world I wasn’t that girl anymore. I don’t cry on cue, I don’t take shots of tequila in club bathrooms, I don’t flash my underwear on the red carpet, and I no longer let men make my decisions for me.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Deals with alcoholism, insecurities, cheating, parental neglect, and Hollywood trauma.

“Built To Last” follows Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, two childhood costars and lovers, after they’re reunited years later to take part on a home renovation show that’ll change their lives. Since their childhood show (and their breakup), Shelby hit rock bottom and moved back to Michigan to help in her father’s home reno business, while Cam got his college degree and joined Nat Geo, traveling around the world all alone. When their other former costar, Lyle Jessup, calls in to pitch them HomeMade, a new home renovation show, they don’t say no to that pilot, but aren’t too sure about everything else. Working closing with your ex you still love? Kind of a slippery slope to travel—but they’re set on tackling it.

This second-chance romance is the sweet break you’ve been waiting for. With some close proximity and mutual pining, Shelby’s and Cam’s love story is a somewhat slow-paced one, but one that’s worth the wait.

This is the first time I’ve read the “one room/one bed” trope where, in fact, they don’t end up sleeping in the same bed, and nothing actually happens throughout it. It was weird, and perhaps refreshing, being so sure something would happen, and then it didn’t.

The one thing I didn’t like about this book was it’s spicy content. The intimate scenes were weird and climax kept being described as a feeling of bonelessness, and that just really threw me off. Not that Shelby and Cam don’t have chemistry, because they do, it’s just those moments felt weirdly described to me.

All in all, I really enjoyed this read. I would recommend it specifically if you’ve enjoyed other reality tv show-ish books, like “For Butter or Worse” by Erin La Rosa, or if you just like those kinds of show in real life. But even if you’re not the biggest fans of these kinds of shows, like me, “Built To Last” is a cute, relatively short, lighthearted, second-chance romance with a HAE that’s definitely worth grabbing for this fall season.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 18, 2022

What a delectable childhood sweethearts turned second chance romance! Hahn has become an auto-buy author for me, so I was BEYOND excited when I received an eARC of Built To Last on NetGalley. This book had me smiling every time I sat down to read it; it is beyond perfect.

As a reader, I am very character-driven and this book was jam packed with the best characters. Not only did I love them all (except those two - iykyk) at face value, but their depth and development had me obsessed. Though they were childhood co-stars, I really liked the fact that Lyle, Shelby and Cam all took very different paths following their show and yet, found themselves back together again many years later. I think it made for a diverse story, as we learn about their journeys, and also allowed the story to come to conclude with a full circle. Shelby and Cam’s connection was so stinking cute and I look forward to possibly having some updates about their relationship when Hahn publishes Shelby’s BSFs stories!

I also must mention, because it was a detail that I very much enjoyed… Hahn named all her chapters after popular song titles and I ate that shit right up! Not only did it give a little clue as to what that chapter had in store, but it also provided me with an internal playlist as I read. And I love, love, LOVE her overlap of book characters! To me, when author’s do this, it makes their stories that much more real in my head. If a character from a previous book I read, lives within the pages of another, unrelated book, it helps me to keep them alive forever!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress @smpromance for putting this book in my hands before it’s publication!

DNF 80%.

I think this is more a me being in the midst of the worst reading slump ever but I just couldn't finish this. I couldn't fully connect to the characters and I didn't care that they got together. They were fine together and separately, but nothing was setting me on fire to know what happened next.

That being said, I will continue to read Erin Hahn's work as I have loved her past three books.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and Erin Hahn for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Can you feel that? That is the chemistry between Shelby and Cam. I absolutely love them. And the banter! Oh gosh, I loved it, Did I wish for me? Yes, but this is not me complaining. I promise. There were so many sweet moments, that I was left smiling ear to ear. I wish there was more to this book. I wasn't ready for it to end.

Erin Hahn you are NOW a auto read author - First it was Never Saw You Coming and now Built to Last.

This love story is years in the making, from their first encounter as kids on the set of their TV show to years later on the shores of Western Michigan. Shelby and Cameron come together to shoot a pilot for a home renovation show, only problem their nemesis is running the show and calling the shots.

Shelby escaped the Hollywood scene by coming home to Michigan landing a job with restoration work in older homes with her father. She's finally found her niche. Cameron has been living his best life since abruptly walking away from LA, jet setting across the world with National Geographic. His travels have kept him away from home, and this TV show gives him the perfect excuse to head back to Michigan to visit his mother.

This romance had adults facing years of hidden attraction, and finally admitting said love to each other. They communicate with each other, work through issues and DON'T break-up to make-up like many romance novels do at the end. The secondary characters are simply the best - we need a fandom to make the music video from Lorelai Jones!

Thank you St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for the advance reader copy.

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

I really wanted to like this, but it missed the mark for me. I am super picky about my second chance romances, and this just was not done right for me. There was no real conversations about the issues of the past, and it felt a bit glossed over when they got together.

We are told so many times how much chemistry Cam & Shelby have, but we’re never really shown the chemistry between them. I liked them separately, but I truly did not like them together or believe in their relationship.

Second-chance romances are typically a win in my book. This story was a fast read with wanting to see what would happen between Cameron and Shelby; throwing Lyle in was a good twist. I also love it when romance books give us a dual POV.
I would not recommend it for classrooms due to the sexual content in it.

A great read. Shelby and Cameron were child stars together but haven't seen each other for years. Will now be their second chance of will.interference from their other old co star ruin everything.
Hoping that Lorelei and Marem healthier own books next.

“There’s no exit plan, here. And yet, I can’t think of another place on earth I’d rather be.”

I’ve been lucky enough to receive an ARC of every one of Hahn’s books, and I always close her books feeling so happy.

Shelby is funny and caring, and she’s a world away from the girl she was in her youth. So when fate, in the name of her slimy ex-boyfriend, throws Shelby together with Cameron, her world might change yet again. When the trio worked together in their teens, Shelby and Cameron were drawn to each other like magnets. But life has a way of getting in the way, so even though Shelby and Cameron had one night, they’ve always yearned for more.

Poor Shelby. Users surrounded her entire youth. From her mother to Lyle, no one wanted what was best for Shelby. Now grown up, working a fulfilling career, she’s happy and settled, if single. I liked her instantly. I completely understand having people in your life that deny that a person can go through personal evolutions. We aren’t who we were yesterday, let alone a decade ago. It’s worse for Shelby because the entire nation is judging her. And really, Shelby was way too kind to some of these toxic people. Camera or not, I wouldn’t have put up with half of what she did, but that goes to show her true character.

This is a sweet read with some steamy times. It weaves the present and past together to show a love that can withstand time. I love the small-town vibe because it feels like home. That Shelby loved to restore furniture and Cameron got to work with her restoring houses was the icing on the cake. Thank you, St. Martin’s, for sending this along.

If you are looking for a sweet romance with child star + home reno vibes, "Built to Last" by Erin Hahn checks all those boxes! 4⭐

Shelby and Cameron were child stars together in Hollywood and had their first kiss together on screen. They fell apart with a bang and their lives moved on without each other. Years later, they've both done some growing up and they are given a chance to work together again (for their childhood nemesis, who is the producer). Together with Shelby's dad, they are going to renovate a house in her hometown with the cameras watching.

I love that Shelby's role as a carpenter is so central to the show they're making, and she's not just a pretty face on camera. Cameron was humble enough to learn a new skill of how to be a contractor, and there are many cameos from both of their family members that bring in some drama and lots of emotion.

I liked the ending - it was fun and felt realistic. It wrapped everything up in a bow but also set the stage for a possible sequel to tell Lorelai's story.

This book felt familiar in so many ways, like I had read it before but in a good way. It reminded me of "Birds of California" meets "Tools of Engagement," with a touch of "Every Summer After."

Thank you @smpromance and @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Shareability: fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Farrah Rochon, Abby Jimenez, & Rachel Van Dyken will like this one.

Tropes: second chance romance, it was always you, pining

Spicy: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Pairs well with: a thermos of coffee ☕ and a raspberry Danish

Cute romance about two former teen stars who once secretly dated as kids and reunite as adults. There is a lot of good humor and one liners, and we’ll rounded cast of secondary characters, and plenty of chemistry. A fun one to read.

I enjoyed the unique story line for this novel, following former child stars as they reconnect for a home flipping reality show. It has tropes of friends to lovers, second chance, and slow burn. I would recommend this for romance readers who like light spice. I enjoyed Shelby's character development.

Shelby, Lyle, and Cameron spent their teen years together acting both on tv and for the paparazzi. Now, though, they're grown up and Shelby for one has built (literally) a good life back home in Michigan working on houses that she flips with her dad. What does she do when Lyle, who was meant to be her beau in their teens, comes roaring back to her life with a proposition- that she star in a home renovation show with0 wait for it- Cameron. Ah the second chance romance ! Shelby and Cameron make slow moves toward one another but Lyle is always there in the background because he's not as happy with what he's done. I liked this as much for the other characters and the behind the scenes look at television as I did for Shelby, Cameron and Lyle. Not too many twists and it won't be a spoiler to say that all ends as it should. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.

Two things I seriously loved about this book:
1. Cameron. What a sweet cinnamon roll. I seriously adored everything about this character
2. The home reno. I can’t get enough of this theme!

I just struggled to feel there chemistry and found their connection to be a bit unbelievable after a decade. Then, I found myself thinking, “just get together already!!” Overall a cute romcom, but not my fave.

Shelby and Cameron are old flames and ex-child stars that were part of an über popular tween show with their ex-friend Lyle (also Shelby’s ex-boyfriend). It’s been 10 years since the end of the show and both Shelby and Cameron have residual scars but have found personal success.

Shelby fled L.A. to go back home to Michigan and started a furniture refinishing business; Cameron became a Nat Geo documentarian. They’re brought back together by Lyle to make a house renovation show a la HGTV. Amidst Lyle’s continued jealousy from a decade ago and all the roadblocks that he puts in their way to sabotage them, Shelby and Cameron manage to rekindle their love.

This was such a great book and I loved every bit of it. The secondary characters were just as special as the main characters. The second chance love trope is strong and the chemistry of Shelby and Cameron is lovely to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can’t wait to read the rest of the series about Shelby’s friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC. Built to Last comes out October 18, 22.

A fun read about growing up and realizing love. This is a nice romance about two child stars who liked each other as children and get together as adults to film a home renovation show. A well written account of Shelby’s and Cameron’s journey to realizing they should be together. The characters in this book are all very relevant and enhance the story. Not only did Shelby and Cameron find romance, but Cameron found another career. Many people over the years interfered in their getting together, but finally, as adults they realize that they do love each other, always have, and nothing is going to keep them apart. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of this book.

Thank you to SMP Romance for sending me an e-ARC of this book to read and review. I loved this book so much and I thought the second chance romance was done so beautifully. There was no third act breakup which was perfect because Shelby and Cam had already fought so many obstacles in their life that it wasn't necessary. I thought their healing from their past was beautiful and it was great to see them love each other at so many different points of life. The home renovation plot was top tier and I thought it was so wholesome to see all the work go into the houses as well as the relationships. I thought the dual POV's were great. This book was insanely cute and swoony with some spice sprinkled in and I adored this one.

BLURB: "Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like the rough spots on the vintage furniture she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a widely documented meltdown and huge public break up with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. It’s also hard to forget her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs--the one who got away."

The former stars of a hit television show come together after ten years after its ending to form a renovation HGTV -type program. Shelby now renovates homes with her dad--a fabulous character on his own; Lyle is still 'in the business'; Cameron is a famed photographer for such as Nat'l Geographic. The craziness that ensues is entertaining, laughable, and heartbreaking. Through much angst and miscommunication the false aspects are laid bare to expose the truth. Can the relationships be saved?

There are open door situations and cursing. My first Erin Hahn book, but it will not be my last.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #BuiltToLast, @ErinHaun,and #St.Martin'sPress for granting my request for an ARC to read and review. I enjoy reviewing books for followers and friends.