Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Starting quickly with a revealed love triangle, this book will have you fast picking sides and cheering for certain endings. And the heartbreaking start accurately portrays the twisted way in which Hollywood can bleed child actors/resses dry. Told from multiple viewpoints, I had to recheck the chapter heading especially in the beginning. The book is cute, but a little slow. This is where I typically crave witty banter, light laughs, and great writing to move the plot along.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a cute book - think Hollywood meets HGTV. Shelby is a former childstar who has retreated from public life after her ex humiliated her by cheating on her and then releasing a song about her. Cameron is her co-star from the past but also the one she's always secretly loved, the one who got away.

Her ex does some evil machinations behind the scenes and offers both Shelby and Cameron an HGTV renovation pilot to see if it works well or not. This isn't completely out of nowhere as Shelby works with her father on some renovations but also does amazing custom pieces that customers pay a lot for.

These two have some major chemistry together and I liked seeing them work together on the houses and to show a united front against her ex. There's some angst due to both of their parental relationships but it's minor. I loved the friends they both have. One runs a bar and cracked me up with the commentary on everything. Another is a previously hot Country singer who has Shelby's back no matter what. I enjoyed all of their dynamics when together. I felt major sequel vibes from Shelby's singer friend.

Overall, this was a cute second chance romance. 3.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last was such a cute rom com but don’t let the cartoon cover fool you!! The story follows Cameron and Shelby who were childhood stars turned lovers turned strangers to friends to lovers again ( it’s a rollercoaster!!) While navigating their relationship they have Lyle who is a thorn in the side and also an ex of Shelby when Lyle, Shelby and Cameron worked together.

Lyle is the Hollywood producer who creates a show called “ Homemade” that follows house flips in a small, Michigan town where Shelby and Cameron were the main stars. Through filming the pilot, Shelby and Cameron decide to give their relationship any other go without the pressure of the cameras. Cameron is head over heels for Shelby and one of my favorite quotes is by Cameron when he says “ I had you first and I’ll have you last. It’s only fair , I’ve been yours since the moment I saw you”.

This book has spice 🌶🌶, interesting family dynamics, growth through therapy and getting older, funny banter and it was a very fun read!

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last is my first book by Erica Hahn and I really enjoyed it. I found the plot to be different and I liked that it took place with Hollywood as the background. The book was very charming and I found myself laughing many times. I'm also a huge fan of the second chance romance trope and this was a great addition to the trope.

Was this review helpful?

This book was a quick, easy, & lighthearted read that I enjoyed. The book was a second chance & small-town romance which I very much enjoy, it was between two child stars that have grown up now that didn’t seem to have good timing or good communication throughout their relationship over the years lol. Beginning with the book characters both main characters were easy to like Cameron & Shelby were very kind, selfless & loving. I really enjoyed Shelby’s growth from the very beginning she was ready to love Cameron without hiding or being influenced by others. Cameron seemed to have trouble communicating what he felt towards Shelby but this time working alongside her seeing her passion & selflessness I believe helped him make the decision to stay in one place. I loved their weekend getaway at the B&B haha the one bed…. I also loved the friends both characters had giving their support & encouragement throughout the couple’s journey. The things I felt the story needed more of was drama & backstory, such as why Cameron left when they had last seen each other after Shelby’s breakup with Lyle. I feel it needed more detail how did both characters not contact one another after that?? Nevertheless, this was a cute book that had me smiling & giggling throughout the entire time. Also, I would have loved Shelby’s playlist included I mean Michael Bublé & Josh Groban chef’s kiss**!! Thank You, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin for allowing me to read this book & give an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

Former child stars and childhood sweethearts Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs find themselves reunited as they are both put to work on their former co-star’s (and Shelby’s ex) new home improvement show. As they work together to restore old homes, they also find themselves restoring their fractured relationship and proving that this second chance at love is built to last.

Built to Last is a sweet, low-angst summer rom-com. The storyline flows smoothly and engagingly, and Shelby and Cameron are easy characters to root for. There are a few moments when the characters read a bit younger than their actual ages (late 20s), but overall, Built to Last is a charmer, and fans of HGTV and her YA series will find a lot to enjoy in this one. 3.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

This was cute. I wanted to like it a lot more than I did (Hahn’s You’d Be Mine is one of my faves), but parts of it just fell kinda flat. The premise was fun and unique and the writing was wonderful, but I wasn’t feeling much from the characters’ chemistry. Mostly I wasn’t buying anything that Lyle did - are there really people like that? And why did Shelby date him for so long? Cameron was sweet and definitely book boyfriend material, and Shelby grew into someone relatable - you wanted to cheer for them. I give it 3.5 stars - would recommend for a cute and quick beach read.

Was this review helpful?

I seriously loved this cute friends to lovers/second chance contemporary romance! So cute and such Hallmark movie vibes, but in the best possible way. Shelby and Cameron are two former childhood stars who briefly dated when filming a Disney Channel type show. After years apart, they both reunite in their home stare of Michigan to film a Fixer Upper type reality show.

The main characters are so sweet and have the foundation for a strong relationship since they started out as former costars and friends. I enjoyed the overall heartwarming energy and lightheartedness throughout. I’m excited to read more from this author including the upcoming spin-offs featuring Shelby’s friends Lorelai and Maren. Read this if you like the escapism of HGTV and cute second chance romances!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Erin Hahn doesn’t just write books, she writes love letters to her craft. This author is so talented, she’s going to be an auto-buy author for life. Built to Last is her first adult contemporary romance and I am so glad she made the jump. She was meant to write swoon worthy, sassy, steamy, tension-filled romances.

This second chance romance has a little bit of drama, a lot of personal growth, and so many feeeeeelings. Shelby and Cameron are first loves who had to separate to grow into their adult selves, and then come back together in a dramatic fashion: reality tv costars! They manage their last feelings to balance their current feelings in such a beautiful way, it doesn’t feel like flashbacks. It feels like you’re with them every step of the way.

I love Erin Hahn and will read anything she writes.

Was this review helpful?

Erin Hahn's Built to Last is such a sweet second chance friends to lovers story. The main characters are adorable and I enjoyed the small town setting. I want their friends to be my friends and I'll take some chickens too! The plot is a great concept and the book is well-written. I didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Hahn's work.

Was this review helpful?

This book was charming and fun, an easy romcom read!

Shelby and Cameron are former child stars, former best friends, former sweethearts—a lot of "former" labels. They haven't seen each other in 5 years, since Shelby's ex/other former child star, Lyle, cheated on her, and Shelby went running to Cameron for comfort.

Now, Lyle is roping them both into an HGTV-type reno show. Shelby wants to do it so her dad will have enough money to retire, Cameron wants to do it to be close to Shelby. It's an endearing second-chance story. There's little to no miscommunication, and the conflict doesn't arise internally so much as externally, which is refreshing.

I wasn't wildly invested or attached, but it was still a solid read. I'd give it 3.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

This was everything, everything, everything I could want in a contemporary romance. Cameron and Shelby’s chemistry was off the charts perfect. From the very beginning, Erin Hahn made me feel like I too grew up watching (and shipping) the two of them on television. And that feeling only grows throughout the novel. I’ll definitely be rereading this one.

Was this review helpful?

"Built To Last" by Erin Hahn is like HGTV meets Hallmark! Fun and Entertaining book! You have a trifecta of former child TV Stars; Shelby, Cameron and Lyle! Shelby years later, leaves the craziness of Hollywood behind her along with her first Love, Cameron! She has a passion for a simpler more fulfilling life doing Home Renovation projects with her Father! When Cameron's time in the limelight fades he travels the world with National Geographic. Lyle stills loves the drama and being the center of attention for all the world to see. That's how the three of them come back together to create a HGTV style show HomeMade! This is Shelby's dream transforming houses with Cameron while falling back in love. There is only one catalyst that could derail everything and he goes by the name of Lyle!! Will Lyle's desire to relive the past destroy Shelby's desire to create a future Build To Last?

 💫 THANK YOU to the Author, Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for e-ARC of this book for an Honest Review!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐

#BuildToLast
#NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Such a cute romantic comedy. Lighthearted and heartwarming. I loved the storyline, the character development! Very well-written and looking forward to reading more from this author.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Griffin for this advanced readers copy .

Shelby Springfield is a former child star who fled Hollywood after a very public meltdown, Cameron Riggs is also a former child star who fled Hollywood to pursue college and a job at National Geographic. What they have in common: they were each other’s first love. Shelby now works with her dad flipping houses and making furniture and is participating in a new home renovation show…which her ex-boyfriend (and reason for public meltdown) Lysle Jessup as her producer . There is a catch: she has to work with the one that got away Cameron. As the two work closely together, will things rekindle and ignite, or will their own selves get in the way.

Okay so normally I don’t go for the second chance romance tropes, but this one was adorable . Shelby learned to really put herself first and go after what she wanted. She didn’t let her mom or Hollywood tear her down and she ended up finding her passion . Shelby was written as a strong willed woman with an endless capacity to love.

Cameron is definitely added to the book boyfriend list because he’s super cute. He spent most of his life running and not feeling like he was good enough to be anyones choice , specifically where Shelby was concerned.

Their relationship was really fun to watch. It went from circling around each other (because they didn’t know if the feelings were mutual) to their banter and eventually their romance. It was always there for them, but both were too blind by their own insecurities which lead to some pretty big misunderstandings. I was worried that Lyle would completely get in the way and mess it all up, but their connection with each other kept him out and in check. I loved this Author and will read her again. This book gets 5 stars from
Me.

Was this review helpful?

This book in 3 words: Cozy. Sweet. Enjoyable.

Shelby and Cameron, both child-stars and sweethearts, reunite for the filming of a HGTV-esque home flipping show. What happens when they leave LA and end back in Michigan?

YOU. GUYS. I thought this one was so fun! A light read when my heart was heavy and it fit so perfectly. Quick notes:

1. Built to Last is my first read by Erin Hahn... now excuse me as I immediately add the rest of her work to my immediate TBR.

2. MICHIGAN. I'm from this mitten. Naturally... this just clicked for me.

3. Dual POV that doesn't make you want to bang your head against a wall. All jokes aside, the characters are rich and wonderful.

4. Let's take a minute to call out the loser that is Lyle.

5. Fresh pacing and story flow. Sometimes when I read romance, I feel like I know exactly where everything is going all of the time... this has some surprises and I loved that.

6. SONGS INCLUDED AT THE START OF EACH CHAPTER. WE LOVE A PLAYLIST.

This one releases on October 18. Get it on your TBR, request it from your library, try to get an advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

What is with the bearded lumberjack in every contemporary romance lately? I swear that the last 3-4 romances I’ve picked up have had the supposedly-sexy bearded man and I just don’t get it. Someone explain to me why this is a thing, please.

Anyway…This was fine and entertaining but minus the home-reno angle, very forgettable. The second chance romance trope isn’t my favorite and I’m not clear on why Shelby and Cameron fell for each other in the first place nor what made them fall for each other all over again ten years later. Well, apart from admiring each other’s body, I suppose. I did appreciate that the characters have solid friendships surrounding them and the home renovation aspect was interesting and a little different than usual. I can’t say I would pick up another by this author but it was a light summer read so I guess it somewhat served it’s purpose.

Was this review helpful?

Shelby Springfield is trying to forget her past and he old castmates Lyle and Cameron. As Shelby is offered a way to spotlight her dads business and secure their future, she can't resist the call back to Hollywood. She walks right into a trap set by her ex. Of course she isn't going to entertain the offer, no way. Or is she? Watch the drama unfold as the castmates get back together for one last project. Her chemistry with one of them is off the charts. Her best friends Lorelai and Maren are amazing and I hope there are follow up books about their lives.

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last is a story about redemption and second chances. It follows the story of Shelby Springfield, a childhood TV star, and Cameron Riggs, her old co-star.. For the last ten years Shelby has been trying to reconstruct her image, from a party girl to a respectable furniture refurbisher. Cameron is also trying to reevaluate his present, and future, finding the nomadic lifestyle of a documentary videographer taxing. With the chance to work together in a home renovation show, Cameron and Shelby both recognize that this is a life changing opportunity. As filming for the show commences, readers are provided with insights into construction of a home, as well as the reconstruction of a new(ish) relationship between Cameron and Shelby.

The writing of this story was engaging and entertaining. I enjoyed the characters - Cameron was so SWOON worthy. At times the plot did drag, and there were some cliche aspects. But sometimes we need those cheesy romances! Overall, the book was a pleasant surprise. It is my first book by this author, and is a great addition to anyone's romantic comedy tbr lists. Also I love a good book with a playlist! Each chapter has a song that fits the plot. Loved this!

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last is Erin Hahn adult debut novel. It is former child actors reconnecting to do an HGTV home type show and they are also two childhood sweethearts.The romance is believable with good chemistry and solid tension that builds.
Overall, a gentle, kind-hearted love story about two people who are absolutely perfect for each other.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?