A charming second chance romance. I loved the cast of characters.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m not sure how this sat in my NetGalley queue for so long and I’m sorry it did. This was such a good take on second chance romance - not usually my favourite trope - that has me second guessing my usual dislike of epilogues in romance novels and the second chance romance trope itself.

The characters of Shelby and Cameron are really beautiful and make this novel what it is - the Michigan landscape helps too - but these two MCs are beautiful inside and out and it’s a pleasure to have read such a mature love story (even though they’re just 27 and 28). The way that Erin writes their character development and balances the construction and refinishing work (balances or reflects?) is a lovely combination. There are just enough supporting characters and family to support them but not too many to take away from the stars of the show.

I like how Shelby and Cameron have grown in their time apart, but then also grow during the few months of the novel. I think this is key - they both know they’re not ready or where they want to be but they also acknowledge how far they’ve come and what they want for themselves.

I know this is a bit silly sounding but the past few romance novels I’ve read, I’ve barely highlighted any lines or passages because very few spoke to me. This was full of really lovely and at times funny, but always touching and poignant words crafted by Hahn.

I’ll be reading more by this author and truly enjoyed this book.

This is a second-chance romance book. And I had such high hopes for this book because I have been addicted to watching home makeover shows, so this book was right up my alley. Unfortunately, this book fell short for me. The writing style and the story-telling was not my style. I think the general idea of the book about two childhood stars finding each other and falling in love again was great, but the execution was not. I had to force myself to read this book.


Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review!

Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs are two teen actors that grew up in the spotlight. Cameron left Hollywood for college and never looked back. Shelby on the other hand, stayed in Hollywood a little bit longer but ended up having a very public meltdown and breakup from one of her other previous co-stars, Lyle Jessup.

Years later, Lyle brings the two of them back together with a reality show revolving around home renovations. Cameron of course is on board because anything that Shelby does, he wants to be around her. Shelby wants to show the world that she has changed and isn’t the same party girl as she was years ago.
*
Where to even begin with this book, other than the fact that I freaking loved it. This is Erin Hahn’s debut Adult RomCom novel and what a debut novel!! First off, her writing is fantastic. She just draws you into the story and never lets you go. I was laughing out loud multiple times throughout the book and just wanting to know what was going to happen with the characters.

I loved the storyline of two child stars who have always had feelings of each other but it has just never been the right time for the two of them. This couple though, words cannot describe how much I love them. Hahn does such a great job with them and you can just feel the love between the two of them through the pages. I also love how she shines a light on the midwestern community and how people stick up for their loved ones.

Overall, I don’t think I can recommend this novel enough. It’s such a cute story that will make you laugh and just become invested in the characters!

This review will be posted to my Instagram blog (read_betweenthecovers) in the near future!

What a lovely low-key love story! Built To Last is perfect for readers who enjoy low-conflict romance books and/or who like watching home renovation shows. I’m currently going through an unhealthy phase of watching Ben & Erin Napier on their HGTV show, HomeTown. So, this book was the perfect accompaniment to that!

I’ve read and loved Erin Hahn’s YA romances (shoutout to Deanna for the rec). I thought her transition to adult romance was pretty seamless and well-done. Honestly, she’s one of the very few writers who can get me to enjoy a romance with famous people, which is a feat. In Built to Last, Cameron and Shelby are ex-famous people who are brought back together on a completely different platform. Think a home renovation show on HGTV! They used to work together on a Disney-channel-esque TV show when they were younger and had somewhat of a romantic relationship behind-the-scenes, until Cameron left for college. So, what we’ve got here is a childhood second-chance romance!

I LOVE a good second-chance romance, especially when the two parties are obviously meant-to-be. There’s something very exciting about anticipating that moment when they finally get back together the second time around. And these two had history together that made their relationship feel natural. However, this book does manage to be low-angst. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the progression of their romance, and even more that there was no third-act breakup, but I think would have liked a little bit more tension between the two. What could have really helped here are more flashbacks to their relationship when they were younger. Regardless though, their emotional connection with each other was undeniable. I loved that Hahn shows readers just how much these two cared for each other through small but substantial actions. Plus, I loved how they opened their hearts together and weren’t afraid to unabashedly communicate.

You know I’m usually rooting just a teensy bit harder for the heroine in my books, and while I definitely did root for Shelby, I fell a harder for Cameron. He’s down-to-earth, gentle, and would literally drop everything to come help Shelby when she needed it. A+ boyfriend material, if you ask me. And I’m just weak for a hero who is all-in for the heroine from the very start. What can I say? I encourage simp-like behavior in ALL romance love interests. Cameron is very swoon-worthy and I have no doubts readers will fall for him as much as I did.

I loved what Erin Hahn did with Shelby too. She’s not perfect by any means but the author takes her on a journey of growth throughout her years. She’s been emotionally manipulated and mistreated by so many people in life including her own mother and her ex-boyfriend, Lyle. So, it’s not hard to understand why she had her hot-mess moments, especially when she’s been in the limelight as a young actor. But she ultimately wound up channeling her emotions into a more productive outlet of restoration along with the support of her father and friends. It was such a great way to stand-up to the naysayers and toxic people in her life.

Let me wrap-up this review by saying how fun I found the home renovation aspects of this book. I really am such a sucker for them though you would not catch me anywhere near a restoration myself. Too clumsy for that. I also really liked the secondary cast (other than Lyle and his wife who were irritable gnats) and I loved the foreshadowing of the potential next couple – I’m already a bit feral for them. Shelby’s friends are amazing and provide a wonderful support system to her! Also, her dad?? MVP of the book! I LOVED that man and would totally read a novella of him finding love with his partner!

In conclusion, I was very satisfied with Erin Hahn’s adult debut and I can’t wait to read more from her. Fingers crossed we’ll see more of Shelby and Cameron in future installments! 🙂

Built to Last is smashing HGTV and television nostalgia together with Cam and Shelby, two childhood friends-turned-lovers who starred on the same tv show when they were teenagers. Now they're matched back up for HomeMade, a house flipping reality show that's supposed to showcase how together Shelby is now that she's five years out of Hollywood. Cam, being Shelby's total knight in shining armor, decides to star with her, while Lyle, her devious ex, is producing (or something) and will stop at nothing to up the drama in attempts to exact revenge over how he was always second fiddle to Cam in Shelby's life.

Okay, so, this had some good building blocks to it and it's certainly a stronger showing than some other second-chance-romance tv nostalgia books that are running around out there. Shelby and Cam have their good qualities that make you want to root for them, and I loved the secondary characters and the set up for Lorelai's upcoming book. The book isn't weighed down with the more dull aspects of Hollywood (promo shoots, etc) and does really focus on its plot of bringing these two dorks together.

That said, the plot is also where this book started stumbling for me. Cam and Shelby are obviously in love the whole time. They essentially say so rather early, which sucks out all the obstacles between them getting together to the point that I couldn't help wondering why they were acting like they weren't on the same page because they essentially were! The whole time! It was kind of maddening. And all the reasons why things went south between them in the past didn't necessarily make sense either. The whole relationship is confused and a little dull because there's nothing there on the page that they have to overcome--it's just minor miscommunications that don't really work. Also Lyle and his motives made no sense to me.

Ultimately I started skimming after 70% or so. It just didn't keep my attention. That said I'm sure this will appeal to plenty of people and I do like the concept. I just wish the obstacles and the stakes (in terms of Cam) were better drawn.

This is such a cute book! I really like the basis of the story. It’s different and popular right now so readers can relate. The author does a great job of character building. Would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. This a second chance romance book with reality tv thrown into the mix. I always love the Michigan setting of Hahn’s books, particularly the UP references. I look forward to her next book!

4.5* I was already an Erin Hahn stan going into this book and somehow managed to be an even bigger fan after finishing it. This book was full of her ever present charm and whit, with a plot that already made me swoon before reading the first chapter. She just knows what she doing and anyone would be surprised to learn that this is her first adult romance. I see a very long and happy future of me and Erin Hahn adult romances so just keep em coming! The premise was adorably wholesome, drawing you in from the get go but Hahn does an incredible job of grounding her characters and the plot. She writes romances so damn well without overused tropes and cliches, no third act breakups or miscommunication. This is an honest story that is perfectly balanced in the steamy and swoony departments too. I loved watching Shelby and Cam fall in love, their chemistry jumping off the page. The only note I can add would be about the scene between Shelby and Cam when they are younger (around 18). I personally didn’t have a problem with it but I wanted to mention it since I know some readers don’t enjoy teenage steam in their adult romances. I thought that every scene was handled with grace and thoughtful care, each building upon the connection between the two main characters making it even stronger. I think I’m going to need to be auto-approved for all Erin Hahn books from now on because I already need more!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

I was so excited for this one because I adored Erin Hahn's You'd Be Mine YA novel. Her adult debut looked great - cute cover and interesting synopsis. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect to this story. I'm in the minority compared to other ARC readers, so take this review with a grain of salt.

It's a second chance romance, which I love, but Shelby and Cameron were in love with each other and pining from the start. There wasn't much tension. A lot of their issues came down to miscommunication, and they got over them very easily. Even though we know how romances will end, I often find myself worried how the character will work through their issues and get together; for this one, there weren't really obstacles or stakes. I ended up scanning through the second half of the book - if I didn't owe a review, I would have DNFed.

This was a delightful and fun fluffy romance! If you are looking for relatable characters that make some understandable mistakes this is a book for you. I found myself laughing out loud and enjoying every page! My favorite romance of 2022!

Former child-stars/best friends to lovers was a trope I never knew I needed in my life. Shelby and Cameron fully won my heart in this dual POV, rom-com with a touch of spice. I enjoyed the character development in both main characters and the tension until they finally admitted their love for each other. Also. I really wish the TV show was real. 😍

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute, but it’s definitely a slower burn. I loved the history between them and their costar turned show runner. Also how they came into themselves while apart and more so once they got together. The epilogue was so cute and a creative way to wrap it up, giving us a glimpse into their close future while letting their personalities shine.

🔨Built to Last🔨

Rating: 5/5⭐️

You guys!!! When I tell you I had tears of happiness after finishing this book!! 🥹🥹 I loved absolutely everything about this book. I loved Cameron and Shelby. Their chemistry is amazing and I loved watching them grow into the people that they want to be. This is a second chance romance which isn’t usually my favorite trope, but oh my goodness I loved it!! I will now be going out to buy all of Erin Hahn’s books.

I was laughing so much during reading this as well as just smiling like an idiot. I couldn’t help it I just love Cameron and Shelby together! They gave me Chip and Joanna Gaines vibes and I am here for it! I loved the supporting characters! Kevin and Beth are just the cutest. Lorelei is the best friend that everybody wants who has your back. I don’t think there was a single thing about this book that I didn’t like (well besides Lyle and Ada Mae).

Thank you NetGalley, Erin Hahn and St. Martin’s Press for proving me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was really lovely. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but there was an emotional weight to the story that really kept me reading. I’m generally not a second chance fan, but this worked pretty well. I liked the journey that both leads had to go on. Plus a delightfully sleezy Hollywood antagonist helps keep things interesting.

The premise of this book totally hauled me in. I was so excited about this sweet little story.

The beginning fell flat for me. I struggled a little bit getting into the story and gaining appreciation for the characters. The characters in the book are my age, however, some parts of the book made me feel like they were teenagers. It felt as if I were reading a young adult book.

The characters didn’t totally wow me. When this happens, I have a hard time appreciating the characters and I ultimately lose interest when I’m not totally sold on them.

However, a few things I did love about this book was the use of the friends to lovers & second chance romance tropes. Two of my favourites! Additionally, I am a sucker for dual-POV romance book so I really enjoyed that in this novel!

3.5 stars from me!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't absolutely loved this book, but I still liked it a lot. It was an enjoyable book.

Built to Last by Erin Hanh was wonderful! This is a fun friends to lovers home remodel story set in a small town and I loved every minute of it!

Shelby and Cameron were childhood costars and are reunited to give a home flipping show a shot. Will these two reconnect or will they stay apart?

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC for an honest review. My rating is 2.5 rounded up. I used to enjoy romance novels, but this one just didn't do it for me. The characters were so thinly drawn, they could be stick figures. Two people who were childhood stars reconnect in the context of creating a home improvement show. There was little dramatic tension and essentially no character development. A pleasant enough outcome, but overall, just a repetitive sketch

This is a charming story about two former co-stars who, after nearly a decade apart, reunite on a home renovation show. Shelby and Cameron co-starred on a popular television show when they were teenagers, and they were each other's first loves off screen. But then Cameron left for college, leaving Shelby behind, and she started dating their other co-star, Lyle. A few years later, she and Lyle had a public and messy breakup. Shelby fled LA for her hometown, where she pursued her interest in restoring old furniture. Cameron, meanwhile, embarked on a successful career as a documentarian. Ten years later, Lyle is now a television executive and he pitches Shelby and Cameron on starring in a home renovation show, and both agree to do it. Back together again, Shelby and Cameron find themselves drawn together again -- but their past and current pressures present obstacles to a new chance at love.

This is a great book, full of warm and inviting characters and a fun premise. I could not put this one down.

Highly recommended!