This was my first Erin Hahn novel, and it will not be my last. "Built to Last" is an adorable rom-com book with lovable characters and an overall cute story with some depth. I enjoyed the reuniting of the main characters, Shelby and Cameron, and how they had to work on their own individual issues to be able to help them grow to a successful relationship together. While it was a pretty predictable and very easy read, it was also realistic and not over the top cheesy. I recommend this for anyone looking for a light and fun read who loves a good second chance love story.

This was a cute read. I loved the second chance romance as well as the whole home renovation style of it. I did like lack of communication was a big factor in this book which made me feel kind of iffy about it. It would have been so much easier if they were just open and honest with each other but I understand that the plot needed it.
Overall it was a cute read that's full of heart, small towns and lots of home reno's.

This is my first Erin Hahn book but definitely not my last! There’s a little bit of everything in this perfect love story-childhood friends, unrequited love, reality TV, have-your-back friends, dysfunctional family dynamics and evil exes! What more can you ask for? Shelby and Cameron’s relationship is a fun read! Is Lorelai’s story up next? I really, really hope so!

I really enjoyed this book and was able to get it done in about a week, reading any moment I could get. I really liked Shelby and adored the second chance lovers trope. MY HEART! Shelby and Cameron are so cute!

Cute story, very original. I’ve never read a book about a home reno tv show! Especially not one featuring child tv actors as the renovation team. Shelby and Cameron were once child actors on some peeteen/teen tv show. Cameron left that world to attend college, Shelby stayed and self destructed as child actors sometimes do. Both main characters had issues of their own to deal with and I imagine these might be common issues that honestly I’ve never thought of before. Each had one parent move with them during the show’s life time and had another parent stayed home in their normal life. As adults they both make their own way through life outside of celebrity and are successful. They may not have ever reunited except for the fact that Shelby, now working with her father in a house flipping business, wants to do a home renovation show with her dad to secure his financial security after he’s injured. The only problem is that her dad isn’t star material and the guy in charge of the show wants Cameron and Shelby as the stars. To say old sparks are reunited is an extreme understatement. Cameron and Shelby have major steamy moments - not my thing so I skipped the several pages of that. Problems occur as they do in these shows and the teams on again / off again romance also threatens the success of the show. Add in outside forces trying to ruin everything and you’ve got a very interesting story.

The only downside was I felt the story was kind of predictable and although I love a good authentic conversation between characters who seem real there were so many F bombs… plus the over the top sex scenes were REALLY drawn out. I get it they’re young and hot but wow. I give this book 4 stars. It was entertaining over all and I got through it pretty quickly.

Built to Last by Erin Hahn follows child stars and past loves, Shelby and Cameron, as they reunite years later to embark on a new home renovation show. Sparks have always been present between the two, but the timing has never been quite right. Now, as they're forced to handle crazy family and a vindictive producer, maybe things will finally come together for them. Or maybe their newly reignited flame will extinguish under all that stress.

What I loved:
- This book wasn't all about the drama in the relationship but rather the drama outside of it. I really enjoyed that facet and respected that. So often we read books that have every miscommunication possibly and the couple spends the entire time on the rocks and has one final will-they-won't-they twist. It was refreshing to encounter a stable couple that understood and supported each other through out.
- I loved the supporting characters. Shelby's friends were so great!
- The growth of the main characters.

What I didn't love:
- It took me a bit to get into it. I think this was more of a me problem (I read romance novels maybe every other month?) than a problem with the book.

This was a fun and light hearted romance. I recommend it to all fans of the genre!

oh geez, i wanted to like this book. I've heard great thing about it, but it did not do it for me. it fell so flat and i'm kinda sad about it but also, like, every book doesn't work for every person, so. thanks netgalley for the e-arc!

Erin Hahn's dependably excellent YA writing transitions beautifully to the adult market in Built to Last, a sweet, steamy, second-chance, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance.

Three-sentence summary: Shelby Springfield defied the odds when she left the glitz of Hollywood -- and her hot-mess, party-girl reputation -- and found her calling restoring historical homes and furniture in rural Michigan. But when Hollywood comes knocking with an opportunity to film a home-reno reality-TV pilot, Shelby can't say no -- especially when Cameron Riggs, her former co-star and first love -- signs on to the show alongside her. With the second chance they've both longed for finally at hand, Shelby and Cameron have to face down their complicated history and decide, once and for all, if their love is built to last.

This was a feel-good romance that feels wholesome despite the adult content. Hahn's tone is lighthearted even in heavier moments, and the reality-TV setting keeps the external plot humming along. It's as compulsively readable as HGTV is watchable: it might not plumb the depths of human experience, but it'll keep you glued to the page to the very end. There's a similarly "surface-level' vibe to the emotional development between Shelby and Cameron; they love each other from the start, they know they love each other from the start, and the decisions they have to make to act on that love aren't especially soul-shattering. All the same, it's nice to see it all unfold.

I hope we see more adult romance from Erin Hahn in the future -- and that she'll dig as deep as she does in her YA books for the emotional punch she's more than capable of delivering.

Thank you to SMP for the advance copy. #SMPinfluencer

Erin Hahn knows how to write a romance with characters you are just dying to see succeed, and this one is no exception!

This story is about a second opportunity with a childhood sweetheart really hits. They have the ideal chemistry together. I enjoyed watching how the feelings between them grew and thought their banter worked wonderfully. The only thing we really didn't get was a flashback to when they were kids. If I had been able to see that, I would have loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Built to Last was a cute read! I found the chemistry fun to dive into. Cameron and Shelby were fun to root for, and I love the history they shared. There were times I found their voices a bit annoying if I’m being honest, but the further I read the more I grew to like the characters.

3.5 carpentry stars

It took a while for me to warm up to the characters in this romance book. We have a love triangle with three former child TV series stars. Shelby Springfield had a highly public relationship with her co-star Lyle and a spectacular breakup – at least according to the paparazzi. But does her heart truly belong to her other co-star Cameron?

The trio has been apart for ten years, Shelby escaping to her hometown in Michigan, working with her dad in construction, Cameron traveling the world making documentaries, and Lyle is a TV executive.

Shelby decides that she wants to tackle a TV series again, but this time with her dad on a homebuilding show. Testing shows that the two don’t have quite the right chemistry and I’ll bet you can guess what comes next! A repeat pairing of Shelby and Cameron.

Can the duo bring sparks to the screen and their personal life? Or will Shelby be reunited with Lyle? Will their TV series be a hit or a dud?

I did end up rooting for Shelby and Cameron in the second half of the book. I think there might be a sequel coming with some of the characters in this one and I’m hoping that author’s writing starts off strong in that one.

Built to Last could feel like another recycled version of home makeover shows featuring couples. I don't watch those shows and I still recognize the couples! But there's something really sweet about this story about Cameron and Shelby, a pair that worked together as child stars that leave Hollywood behind, and are brought back together under the Hollywood lights when an opportunity to work on a show together presents itself through none other than the third (and awful) member of their childhood trio. The childhood crushes on each other work. The needing time to find themselves as adults works. The unrequited love that brings them back together works. And despite the fact that it's all very implausible in real life, it feels like a very natural story. Even though the story is primarily about Cameron and Shelby reconnecting and falling in love, the supporting cast helps round the story out. Shelby has a chance to connect with her dad as an adult, something withheld from her by her self-serving and hurtful mother. Cameron begins to make inroads of his own with his brother and his dad. Kevin and Beth, Cameron's friends, and Lorelai and Maren, Shelby's friends, help form a sense of support and community in the book. The story also doesn't rush right into the romance, Hahn allows it to build so the readers want it to happen just as much as Cameron and Shelby do, which means when it happens it feels that much more rewarding. And stay tuned, because I'm pretty sure a story about Lorelai is in the works to follow. A complimentary copy of the book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don’t know why, but a romance book with a home renovation angle will always catch me. Typically, second chance romance or celebrity romance doesn’t draw me in, but I love this book. It was a quick read, very sweet, and a little spicy. My brain kept envisioning a Boy Meets World dynamic between the main characters, which was a happy throwback memory along the way. The chemistry between the main characters was clear, and I found myself instantly invested in their HEA. I also really liked the side characters and would love to see this as a series – perhaps a book for Lorelai? I wish there had been a bit more Kevin and Beth along the way. This was my first book by Erin Hahn, but definitely not my last!

This book was super cute!! It honestly took me a while to get into it, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Erin Hahn made the characters seem super relatable, even though they were child stars and well known.

Loved the ending. I gave it 4/5 stars on Goodreads :)

Built to Last follows Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, two former child acting darlings who reconnect after years apart from both each other and Hollywood. After struggling to break free from the clutches of her past reputation, Shelby has made a name for herself restoring old houses with her dad. Cameron has been exploring the world as a documentarian. Both their lives get flipped upside down when they sign on to star in a home remodel show run by Shelby’s ex and their former costar, Lyle. Drama and love ensues!

This book was a lot of fun - what second chance romance, friends to lovers romance book isn’t? Especially with a spectacular setting like a home remodeling show. It had just enough drama and spice to keep me interested without being overbearing. Extra plus - the main conflict in the book wasn’t a miscommunication issue with the main couple, but more of a them against the world thing. I can definitely see this one being popular once it’s out. 🥳

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I have many library patrons who would enjoy this book. The story and characters were interesting. I kept trying to put it down in order to get other things done but kept returning to it instead. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Before I get into the bulk of my review, I want to say a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at St. Martin’s Griffin for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Build to Last is an adult rom-com about two child stars who find their way out of that world. It’s been 5 years since Shelby has seen her ex-costar Cameron and in that time they’ve both built lives for themselves. Shelby doing carpentry and woodwork for her father’s business and Cameron shooting documentaries for National Geographic. But they’re brought together to shoot a pilot of a home remodel show called ‘HomeMade.’ They are forced to confront their past and to decide if they want to build a future together. Built to Last comes out on October 18th and is available for pre-order now.

There is so much to love in this romantic comedy. I found Cameron and Shelby adorable and instantly relatable. Their love and their fears all feel authentic and realistic. I also loved almost all of the side characters and could see them having love stories of their own in a companion series. There’s so much I want to know about the distillery owner and his wife or the ex-musician and her ex-boyfriend. I really hope the author gets the chance to explore these background characters’ backstories. I like the setting and also the sense of community the author built up around our main characters. I think it’s what helps make the two main characters seem so realistic, but also it feels cozy and warm. I think it’s coming out at the perfect time of the year for something that reads the way Autumn feels.

The place I struggled with this one was the Hollywood aspect of it. It felt like there was constantly a hurdle that our couple had to jump over while trying to just remodel a house and discover if this is something they want to do after the pilot is shot. Not to mention dealing with their own issues from when they were younger. I felt like Lyle was a mustache twirling villain in this story which is annoying since he seems to only be there to move the plot along. He also never seems to change despite the ending. Maybe he could have gotten some sort of redemption if he would have done something nice or apologized at the end. Anything to make him into less of a caricature of a villain.

Overall, this was such a cute romance and a quick read despite how many days it took me to read it. I had a lot of stuff going on this week so I was only able to read a chapter a day for several days. But when I finally got the chance to just sit and read, I got through this one so fast. By the last 150 pages, I never wanted to put it down.

Built to Last by Erin Hahn
Cute HGTV story staring Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs - once childhood stars and sweethearts getting a second chance at love. Plenty of old memories and friends and ex's, angst, cheating, deception, redemption, love, tears and some steam to get to their HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Tear-jerker Easy-to-read Great world building Happily Ever After Wonderful characters Entertaining Romantic Funny Page-turner. I was happy to read and review this book.

This one sounded so cute because I love a home renovation. Maggie Moves On is the main one I think of. But add in the childhood friends to lovers and mutual pining and I was sold.

There was a lot of drama in this one. Lyle was something else. I didn't love the idea of him being involved in the project even thought it was his idea to bring them together. He was super childish and obviously not over what happened when they were younger. I honestly would have felt bad for his wife, if she wasn't just as bad.

I did love the strong female friendships in this book. Lorelei and Maren were pretty great. I hope they get their own books! I know there were definite hints to Lorelei and her ex Drake getting a book, so I will be looking out for that.

I will say I wanted more explanation or closure about Cam's family situation. I wasn't completely sure why he and his dad were so at odds? And I guess he felt like his dad liked his brother more? That wasn't super clear to me. And did we get a reason for his parents divorce? I would have liked more development on that front,

But if you love a sweet love story and home renovations, you will like this one!

Check it out October 18!