I read this book somewhat shortly after reading the Reunion. Perhaps if I hadn't read that first, this might have made a better overall impression.

I liked the premise of the book , as I tend to always enjoy a "famous behind the scenes" storyline so child actors/ second chance romance seemed right up my alley. The book got off to a slow start, and sadly never really picked up for me. I had a hard time suspending reality of how these 3 child stars would really be thrown back together in a reality TV house flipping show. Considering that my professional life is in architecture and residential construction I sadly just couldn't get myself to overlook how not plausible the scenario would be for Cameron to learn/manage/design renovations without any prior experience. It was a cute/sweet story, but not one that really sucked me.

(ARC review from NetGalley)

Loved this plot line of this book so much and had very high hopes for it. Unfortunately, what let me down was the second half of the book. It felt like the book ending came a lot suddenly than I was expecting. I felt like there was more that could have been flushed out and said.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC copy.

Slow burn, rom-com with a decent story. Just ok for me. Loved the cover and characters. It was not predictable. Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, Erin Hahn and St Martins Press Griffin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available.

Sadly, another NetGally I didn't have time to get to before it archived, and I read it in print once we got it at work.

Erin Hahn is another author I want to be best friends with. I love her and her writing style, regardless of if it's YA or romance. I thought it was a fantastic debut to adult romance. As a Michigan native, I love how EH's books take place in Michigan, even if the towns aren't real. It's fun to read little Michigan easter eggs and be like "Oh, I bet this town is based on *insert actual Michigan town here*" which is just phenomenal fun,

3.5 stars!

I think that this was a fun premise - it was a second chance childhood sweethearts romance - and it involved a home renovation show which I liked. I think my biggest issue with this book is that there really wasn't much conflict. They just meet again, fall in love, and are happy. It wasn't bad but it also wasn't great.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Shelby has spent the last decade rebuilding her life and renovating homes after a very public breakup/breakdown while Cameron has explored the world making documentaries. When former child stars reunite to host a home renovation show, will their past get in the way of a second chance at love?

I LOVED THIS! It was so good! I read a lot of books - and I’m way behind in my reviews - so when a book sticks with me, I know its a winner. I’ve read some of Erin Hahn’s YA books, and she’s made the transition to adult romance flawlessly. Also, I can’t wait to read Lorelai’s story!

3.75⭐
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ adult fiction debut, celebrities, reality stars, childhood sweethearts, second chance, some steamage

Shelby & Cameron
I do enjoy watching home renovation shows so I was drawn into that part of the story. Fixer to Fabulous is my fav in case you were wondering.

Second chance stories usually make me mad because so much time was wasted and is it really realistic that you haven't stopped thinking about someone for years and years and years? And if you really haven't then why not reach out and say "hello, wanna give us a go again?"

I liked both main characters and Shelby's dad. We have a few unlikable side characters, especially Shelby's mom, oye what a mess. Lyle is a close second. Overall, it didn't have a lot of banter, which I could have went for, but I had a great time reading it.

I was able to listen to an audio copy as well. Both narrators did a fine job. I'm not sure the flashbacks were seamless though. There was one part where they just whomped it up and next thing she's crying because he kissed her and said it was a mistake. Lucikly, it's in italics in the ebook, so we could figure it out when reading

*Thanks to the author, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

*Disclaimer: I am a mood reader. When I first attempted to read an ARC of Built to Last in September 2022, I did not finish it (stopping around 48% in the electronic version). On a whim, because that’s what mood reading is, I picked up the audiobook version this week (May 2023). My review below is based on the audiobook.

Built to Last is a cute childhood sweethearts second chance romance story against the backdrop of a chaotic home reno TV show.

I love Erin Hahn breaking into the adult romance department! She speaks “romance” well, and I’m happy to see her growing her audience from YA to include adult readers, too.

One of the biggest reasons I don’t think this book worked for me initially had to do with the unlikeable nature of the characters at the start. I am very much a character-driven reader, and it took too long for me to connect with the characters. With the audio, I did eventually find that connection, but I assume mood readers like me might struggle and give up on this book, like I did my first go-around, because the characters strongly come off negatively or unrelatable in the first half of the book. In the end, I did appreciate the character growth. Honestly, it was probably its redeeming grace for me…that and the side characters of locals, who were fantastic!

The home renovation show plot was fun. I didn’t always find it plausible, but the romance kept the story moving. I absolutely loved Shelby and Cameron’s chemistry and was so pleased with the way the second chance romance played out.

The book is told in dual POVs, read in the audiobook by Lisa Zimmerman and Erin Williams. For me, listening to the audiobook helped bring the story to life and helped me to move past the unlikeable start quicker.

Overall, I am glad I gave Built to Last a second go! I’d recommend this one to fans of the TV show element and character growth — it might take some time, but it is an enjoyable story.

*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book. This did not affect my opinion or the content of my review.

Completely delightful. Loved the witty banter, the home renovation aspect, the chemistry between the characters. A+ romance!

I loved the alternating viewpoints between chapters and the home renovation aspect of this one. I have adored the authors YA books and am so glad she’s ventured into adult romance as well.

I could not just get into the books there was nothing wrong with this book it was cute but I just didn’t care what happened to the characters . This story follows Shelby and Riggs child stars who reunite years later to film a flipping tv show. This plot had me so intrigued but it felt very low stakes and the second chance romance is not my favorite trope so I feel like this book was not for me. I feel like if you are a fan of second chance romance or slow burn you may enjoy this story! I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

When this book started, I was buckling up for yet another romance book about a vapid protagonist who means well but just can't seem to get her life together. This book is far from that. I was so pleasantly surprised. This book follows two child stars who have grown up since they were on a television show together. They grew up in front of the cameras, but then they grew apart. This is a realistic and reasonable story about adults who are getting to know each other again after a falling out, and tells the story about finding love but not being ready for it....and then coming back to it when you are ready. I was there for it.

Second chance childhood lovers, sounded like a perfect trope! But this book was a little messy for me. There was more focus on Lyle, a side character, and his shenanigans than on Shelby and Cameron. Their relationship felt rushed and the romance was kind of fake, which made it hard to connect with this book. I was hoping for more than I got, but it still wasn’t a bad book! It had some perfect moments and some messy lines, which made for a decent plot. I appreciate the opportunity to read!

I DNF’d it. It wasn’t awful but not quite as witty as Erin’s usual books. I might try it again another day!

Shelby and Cameron are former child stars and exes who reunite to film a new home renovation show produced by Shelby’s most recent ex Lyle. Both Shelby and Cameron have something to prove in filming the show, but the chemistry between them is undeniable and they have to team together to work against Lyle’s shenanigans.

Erin Hahn is such an incredible writer who adds so much depth to her characters. I loved how we not only get to see where Shelby and Cameron currently are in their relationship, but also get a look into their full history throughout this story. I loved how they managed to communicate with each other and work through their issues without the third act break up we so often see in romance novels. Also the way they each grew as individuals was perfect to really allow them to finally have that solid foundation for a relationship. This one was just SO good.
I enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Lisa Zimmerman and Kale Williams. They both did a great job bringing this story to life.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, OrangeSky Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copies.

Home improvement shows never get old for me and I consider them a comfort aactivity and guilty pleasure! Based on the synopsis of this book, I anticipated loving it but unfortunately that’s not what happened for me.

This entire story felt very slow with a few funny parts mixed in along the way but overall, I found it a bit forgettable. I did love the FMC’s relationship with her father and thought it was really sweet! I didn’t love any of the characters and as much as I’m a sucker for second chance romance, this just didn’t do anything for me.

All that being said, this was my first book by the author and I would absolutely give her another try!

Thank you so much to the publisher for my eARC copy. I read this synopsis and, loving home renovation shows, immediately requested it. I finally was able to sit down and read the first several chapters. Unfortunately for me, this is going to be a DNF. I wasn't pulled in by the story and didn't want to keep picking it up. That being said, I have seen lots of positivity regarding this book and I'm glad. I think it has an appeal lots of people will be attracted to.

A well-crafted renovation romance with two flawed but likable main characters. The background of how they first met also makes this a celebrity romance, sort of. They’ve both left behind their celebrity lives but are still recognized and famous from their time as kids/teens on a tv show. I was glad the focus of the romance was mostly the renovation show and the Michigan setting. It’s refreshing to read a romance set in the Midwest that gets it right. Toxic Hollywood culture in the age of the internet and an unhealthy stage mom both play a role in the plot but don’t overwhelm it. I thought the antagonists came just shy of caricatures but the other secondary cast are well-rounded, three dimensional characters. I especially liked Shelby’s dad. I also really appreciated how much Shelby and Cameron actually talked about their feelings. There’s very little miscommunication-based conflict. It took me a few chapters to settle in, the book really takes off once it’s fully set in the present in Michigan. And the last few chapters dragged a bit but also seem necessary to wrap up various plot threads. Overall a very compelling, enjoyable second-chance romance!

I really enjoyed Built to Last! It was a fun and a quick read. The characters were very likable, except for Lyle. Nobody likes Lyle!! And the story was cute and I love home remodeling shows, so this book fit perfectly into that genre. Overall I don’t have anything bad to say about it and if you’re looking for a lighthearted read, I would highly suggest Built to Last.

Thank you to netgalley for this arc. This was a sweet story. Second chance romance sometimes doesn’t hit it for me, but this was cute! Solid read.

3.5 stars