I’ve really enjoyed Hahn’s YA books and this one didn’t disappoint. She writes characters that are so genuine and good and easy to root for! This was a charming stories of childhood friends to lovers. First love, second chance sweetness. It’s set in a charming midwestern town with a fun group of supporting characters. The only part I didn’t love was the overly cliched snake Lyle Jessup. His part in the story felt cheesy and and like a one-dimensional romcom movie villain. The love between Shelby and Cam was sweet and pure though. Hahn’s storyline are often about redemption and embracing who you are while navigating who everyone thinks you are. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review!

We no longer own a tv, I never watched home improvement shows (except while sitting in a doctor's waiting room) or reality tv, have no interest in the private lives of celebrities or read gossip, so I did not connect with parts of this book. But I have always loved Shirley Temple, and can sympathize with the main characters being child actors growing up in LA. And I really, really, really like Shelby and Cameron. I have also never read a book by Erin Hahn before, but will read more in the future as I became engaged from the beginning of the story.

Shelby Springfield. and Cameron Riggs starred with Lyle Jessup in a tv teen comedy, until Cameron went off to college. Shelby was lost without him and Lyle took advantage. Finally she escapes the LA scene and goes to her father, a contractor in Michigan. There she learns that she loves working with her father flipping houses, rehabbing old furniture and finds satisfaction and contentment. Several years later she receives an offer for a home improvement show, with money that would help her father pay off some medical bills, but it involves starring with Cam and dealing with Lyle. Meanwhile Cam had also been trying to find himself, exploring the world, filming documentaries for National Geographic. He jumps at the opportunity to be with Shelby and they get their second chance, despite Lyle's attempts to mess with them both. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I read an ARC proved by the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s the first book I’ve read from this author and it won’t be my last. The second chance sweet romance was beautiful. Cameron and Shelby were great characters that had flaws and made mistakes along the way, but managed to overcome through those obstacles. The bad guy/ex/ friend was laughable but was needed. I definitely recommend this story.

I couldn't put it down and I didn't want to. This book lived up to every ounce of hype that I had experienced for it. This book is beautifully written; a gripping storyline with strong characters. It ticked all the boxes of my expectations. I would definitely recommend it to others.

I guess I should start off with my personal drama first. In late 2020, we began researching an addition to our house which turned into an entire house remodel. I won't go into the details of how we landed on the contractor we did, but, the contractors themselves had been the financial backing for other projects but not done the work themselves. They hired workers and subcontractors. The workers for their actual crew had experience, but they didn't care enough to do the job right. And well, why would they when their bosses couldn't tell the difference? They could frame a wall, but not have it plumb. They could install a new door, but again not plumb or level. They could cut and nail trim work to the walls but not without 1/2 inch gaps in the corners that required large amounts of caulk. They could lay flooring but had no idea what to do around doors or transitions. They could hang cabinets but not level. They could install an island but not account for the swing of the refrigerator door. And the list goes on. So for me to believe that Cameron had a crash course apprenticeship under a skilled contractor within 2 weeks and actually came out capable of handling a TV show renovating houses, I scoff. There's so much more that goes into contracting than you think. At least in order to do it right. It helps that Cameron had the desire to do a good job. And, of course, Shelby's dad and others were a part of the team, so it is a little more feasible. But I feel sorry for anyone who gets a contractor who only has 2 weeks of experience behind them.

Aside from that completely unbelievable aspect, Built to Last had a lot of language. Why are so many f-words needed? I know some people love curse words. I'm convinced it's only because those people like to buck convention. Or they can't stand being told what not to say. I'm sure they argue that they're just words. Meh. I'm not one to moan about one or two, but sheesh. It felt excessive to me. Also, I'm coming off Georgie, All Along that was full of political statements, so I found some in Built to Last as well. Thankfully, they were more subtle and didn't try to take over the story. But annoying nonetheless.

A few of my complaints out of the way, I like how the story started with Cameron. Usually dual narratives begin with the female perspective. Starting with Cameron helps the reader to be sympathetic to him from the start whereas we might have had a skeptical reaction if we'd picked up with Shelby's perspective.

Shelby and Cameron were child/teen stars. They worked together on a TV show along with Lyle from the time they were about eleven until eighteen. Shelby and Lyle were the main stars, and Cameron played Lyle's character's best friend. We begin the book, as I mentioned, with Cameron coming the second Shelby calls him after breaking up with Lyle. Shelby is a wreck. She's not sober, and even though she comes onto Cameron, he stays strong and leaves without letting anything beyond some kissing take place.

Five years pass. Then we move into the now. Cameron has been working for National Georgraphic filming documentaries. I got the impression he was doing the camera work, but honestly, I don't think it was spelled out. Shelby is helping her dad flip houses, but mostly she restored furniture. Shelby attempted a reality TV show with her dad about the home renovation they do together, but her dad didn't have the star quality the network was looking for. She feels pressure to make sure he's taken care of, so she attempts to do the show but without her dad being her co-star. The network and show runner (namely Lyle) think Cameron would be the perfect fit for the co-host with Shelby.

I couldn't quite figure Lyle out. In some ways, he seemed angry at Shelby and Cameron. The characters seem to think he's out to get them. And I can see why. Yet he seems to spur both Shelby and Cameron into reconciling with each other and with some other broken relationships. Was he being manipulative and seeking to hurt them? Or was he playing puppet master and trying to force them into fixing past hurts? I don't feel like this was clear.

And I guess that's another complaint. I felt like I was missing information in more than one piece of the story. Cameron's involvement in the renovation process versus his involvement in the show as co-star and co-host. The business side of the show and what different people were trying to accomplish. And although I hate to do this, I've finished 3 books since I finished this one, and any time I read more books before writing my reviews, I start to forget things I wish I hadn't.

Favorite quotes:
-The sound strikes me right in the solar plexus--where I collect all my inconvenient feelings...

-"I can't be contained by a mere belt."

I guess ultimately for Built to Last I had more complaints than I have found positives for. Even though I liked Shelby and Cameron. I liked how both had past they had to work through to move forward. I liked how miscommunication and words not said between them caused problems. But I didn't like the language, descriptive scenes, subtle political statements, or story elements that were unclear. I guess I finally land on a 3.5 Star rating. Have you read Built to Last? What did you think? Let me know!

Shelby is a former child star, along with Cameron & Lyle (she dated both of them). Years later, she has gotten into renovating homes. Lyle wants to film a pilot staring Shelby & Cameron and the three of them are reunited again. Drama, twists and love ensues. This is a cute book that made me want to keep reading and find out what happens next.

Unfortunately this one just didn’t work out for me.

▪️ This moved a lot slower than I personally like, and the extreme slow burn compounded the issue further. The delicious tension usually present in slow burns was missing in this.

▪️It was very predictable and I kept hoping more was going to happen to keep me engaged.

▪️Though Shelby insisted she was more grown up I felt like there was no change from her past 18 year old personality and her present 29 year old personality. Same.

This made a great effort, but just wasn’t as enjoyable for me as I had hoped.

Thank you to Netgalley fir providing this ARC

Built To Last follows two former childhood stars that once starred in a television series together. Year later when they are in their late twenties, they reunite for an upcoming restoration and fixer upper show. There's a bit of insta love between the two after being apart for many years. The characters were likeable and plot was steady.

This sounded like a super cute read but unfortunately I had to DNF at around 20%. The characters and the writing seemed juvenile compared to what the age of the characters are supposed to be. I don’t mind YA fiction at all, if know what I’m getting myself into. If the characters has seemed older I would have greatly enjoyed it! Thanks anyway!

As an avid watcher of HGTV, I loved this romance novel! So cute! I think it would make a great lifetime movie.

This book was so cute! I wish it didn’t take me so long to pick it up. I was hooked right from the start and finished it in one day, I found myself not wanting to put it down. I find whenever I read one of Erin Hahn’s books, I love them and end up binge reading them.

This book is a second chance romance. I found myself just wanting them to hurry up and get together! They had the best chemistry and banter. I also loved how their relationship felt so real and genuine. I also really enjoyed the home renovation theme in this book. If you’re looking for a quick, fun, and easy romance book to read, I highly recommend checking this one out!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a typical romance.

I thought it was unique with the home reno/childhood TV show background.

I just felt like it didn’t really dig too deep or pull me in too far. It was a good book, but left me wishing for more details and a deeper story.

I’ll be posting my full review for this on my Bookstagram (Bookmarkedfavs) on Thursday 3/2!

Shelby a former pop star now restores vintage furniture.
Her childhood sweetheart has always been her go to when she needs something and the one who got away
When Shelby breaks up with Lyle, and it's very public, Cameron comes running to save the day.
He doesn't stay long because he catches feelings too so he takes off.
But returns to help Shelby film their new show.
Lyle is trying to drive a wedge between his childhood friends, but will it work?
Who doesn't love a good second chance at love

I just reviewed Built to Last by Erin Hahn. #NetGalley

DNF at 21% :( I just didn't feel invested in the characters or storyline. I thought it was quite juvenile for an adult book. The story was barely moving along by over 1/5th of the way through and I didn't feel like continuing.

Thank you anyway to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Slow burn romance that builds over the years between famous child costars Cameron and Shelby. Time and again these two find themselves with missed opportunities for love to bloom. There wasn't much in the way of steamy scenes until the last third of the book, but the sweet way they look out for each was endearing. .

I really enjoyed this one! At first I did NOT like Shelby, but I loved how we got to learn more about her and her story! Cameron Riggs (what a dreamy name 🥰) was so loveable, but not without his flaws! Definitely loved the premise of this book and how everything unfolded!

Enjoyed this but didn’t love it. Sometimes these cartoon covers are hit or miss for me. Overall okay

I loved the premise of this book but found that it was lacking in plot.

I did like the fixer upper vibes and the steamy sex scenes.

I look forward to trying this author again in the future.

This is a second (third?) chance romance between Shelby and Cameron. The former childhood sweethearts who stared on a hit kids show together are now working together for a home rehabbing reality tv show.

What I liked:
-it’s set in my home state.
-open communication between the two MCs
-The female MC is secure in herself and where she is in life. She’s not pinning for a relationship.
- dual POV


Second chance isn’t my favorite trope, but this one is well done. One party didn’t really wrong the other, the timing just didn’t work out before.

I was excited of the premise of Built to Last, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.