I was turned off by the characters and the story within the first few pages. I realize that the bulk of the story happens 10 years later, but it was so full of cringe! It's just really hard to get invested in a story when you hate the characters right off the bat. There's so much backstory drama and miscommunication that it felt like Cam and Shelby were forced together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am obsessed with the way Erin Hahn writes character relationships, especially between romantically involved characters, so I knew I needed to read this. I did find it refreshing how there wasn't a dramatic breakup and that Shelby and Cameron just needed to figure out how their new, mature, 10-years-later selves could fit together with the feelings that lingered from when they were teenagers. I liked the side characters and how supportive they were, and that the main characters' relationships with their families was featured. (I also enjoyed the little references to Annie and Clay from You'd Be Mine.) Shelby and how she's become so much more confident and sure of herself and comfortable with what she does was probably my favorite.

However, while the writing itself was very good as per usual with Erin Hahn, I was not wowed or anything by this book or by the characters' relationship. It was a good and enjoyable read, but nothing spectacular.

I received the ARC of Built to Last by Erin Hahn from Net Galley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5


This book follows Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, two friends who grew up acting on a tv show together. They both consider each other to be their first love but because of communication issues they don’t know that the other feels that way. Their old co-star Lyle Jessup has them both film HomeMade hoping that he can pull the strings of the show and make himself look good while making Shelby and Cameron look bad. Shelby and Cameron handle everything Lyle throws their way with maturity and end up falling in love again.

I loved this story! I am a HUGE fan of the friends to lovers trope. This couple had the whole community rooting for them and helping them when Lyle caused things to go awry. I’m a Michigan girl myself so I love that the majority of this book takes place in MI! I highly recommend this book any book by Erin Hahn. Her books leave you feeling happy!

I quite enjoyed this book. The concept and the story was so cute and well developed.

The couple was sweet and I enjoyed reading about their romantic pursuits. Much of the conflict in the story was in the first part of the novel, surprisingly. But that didn’t make the second part of the novel any less entertaining.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Built to Last starts about 5 years before the main plot starts, and introduces us to Shelby and Cameron right after Shelby and her ex-boyfriend, and former costar to Shelby and Cameron, Lyle, break up. The reader gets a sense of the unfinished business these two have.

Fast forward 5 years, and we see Shelby living her best life away from Hollywood, restoring furniture and flipping houses with her dad. I enjoyed that Hahn made Shelby the handy one out of the three, and portrayed her as a woman who had hit rock, but pulled herself out of it and made something of herself outside fame. A reality show brings Shelby, Cameron, and Lyle back together, and immediately I hated Lyle. And it continued through the book.

The book does a good job with tension, will they or won't they, and growing this rekindled relationship between Shelby and Cam. The side characters are great and add color to the story, they aren't just there to be there. There were a lot of other relationship issues to work through with side characters, Shelby with her mom, and Cam with his dad and brother. I also loved how maternal Cam's mother was to Shelby knowing that her own mom was a trash.

Also, I would love for Lorelei to have her own book!

BUILT TO LAST is a fun, cute, light second-chance romance that is perfect for a weekend of cozying up on the sofa.

Shelby and Cam were meant to be since they were kids. We get to follow them on their long journey of finally admitting their ever-lasting love.

I thought Lyle "played" a good villain. Shelby and Cam's family subplots were interesting, but maybe a bit too similar. I enjoyed their friends. I liked the child-celebrity subplot.

This was just a really nice read. While there were some conflicts between the two characters, I think they could have used more. It was obvious, from the start, these two were meant to be together. And they may have gotten together too soon in the plot.

I wax on and on in my reviews how, in some stories, one of the characters ups and ghosts the other in order to get their lives straight before they can embark on real love. And that is frustrating because the character ghosted is left in the dark wondering what they did wrong. So it was refreshing to see Shelby and Cam communicate all their issues and face their problems … together.

Erin will be an automatic read for me, so onward to her next book, which I'm guessing will be about Shelby's friend. Yay!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an e-copy of BUILT TO LAST to review.

I rate BUILT TO LAST four out of five stars.

In the first chapter, I wasn't sure I wanted to read about over-indulged child stars. By the second, I was hooked and ready to fall in love with Cam and Shelby. I read it all in an afternoon and am definitely left wanting more. I enjoyed the dynamic between the leads and that they were able to grow together without falling back on the standard third act trope. I also really enjoyed the side characters and hope Lorelai gets her own book next! I’ve now added all of the other books by this author to my TBR list.

Built to Last is the cute story about first love, childhood friends to strangers to lovers.

I adored this book! It had me hooked from the start and rooting so hard for Shelby and Cameron! The two we're co-stars on a show throughout their childhood and teen years. Then, circumstances changed and they were separated and didn't see each other for a while. Meanwhile Shelby dates her other co-star, Kyle ( MAJOR YUCK :( ). They break up and Shelby calls Cameron.

Thus brining is to the start of the book where Shelby gets her life straight and flees L.A to stay with her father in Michigan. There, she finds her passion of refurbishing furniture. Now, an opportunity pops up to start her own reality home renovation tv show that leads her former costars back in her life.

This book was unlike anything I have read! It had second chance romance, with friends to lovers! It just had the best tropes! I loved the idea of Shelby coming back to fame but on her terms and showing the world that she's okay!

Cameron is the cutest, we love him and also Kyle is a major piece of shit.

Anyway, I loved the book!

I mean, what's not to love about this book? Second chance at love. Home renovation. Sexy sexy times. It's all here.

Erin Hahn writes from of my favorite coming of age novels. She really gets the highs and lows of falling in love, and what it's like to do that as a young person. She's also really good at showing how complex life can be, and that we don't always get it right the first time. That's what I really love about this new book: Cam and Shelby first fell in love with each other on a kids show at 11, and life just kept getting in the way of them being together. It's only as adults that they are able to talk through their feelings. The way they find their way back to each other--through conversation and a very sweet antiques shopping weekend with a B&B one-room situation (hello, tropes! I see you!)--is really satisfying.

I admire that the female lead, Shelby, has made some mistakes, and owns up to them. She really shows what it's like to be a grown woman who goes after what she wants. And her friendship with her bestie Lorelai is also funny and loyal, and a relationship besides hers with Cam that really made this book for me. Also there's a really great Dad. Who doesn't love a great Dad? There are some less great parents in the book, and a super irritating ex, so that's also some more real life truth. Erin Hahn is the best at real life truth with some country music and a sweet little barn workshop thrown in.

Read it. You'll love it.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

From the cover: Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like the rough spots on the vintage furniture she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a widely documented meltdown and huge public break up with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. It’s also hard to forget her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs—the one who got away.

Anytime Shelby has called, Cameron has come running… And then he runs right off again to chase stories around the world by making documentaries, too scared to admit what he really wants. But when Lyle stirs the pot, getting the two back in the spotlight with a home renovation show, Cameron can't help but get on board.

There's something in it for everyone—almost. Cameron wants to set down some roots. Shelby wants to prove she's not the messy party girl anymore. And a jealous Lyle can’t help but try to get in the way. But for his two childhood friends who had more chemistry than he could ever dream of, nothing is getting in the way of their second chance at love.

I absolutely adored this story! The drama was so well done, not overly so that it took an unbelievable turn. The themes of growing into someone new & owning your past while pursuing love all over again felt so rich. Each character was well developed & watching sparks fly between Shelby & Cam made me want to stay in this story far longer than I was allowed to. Well done!

This light read follows the love/friend triangle of former child stars, Shelby, Cameron and Lyle. After being humiliated in Hollywood Shelby follows in Cameron’s footsteps and leaves LA behind for good. Cameron meanwhile has gone to college and is trekking around the world, running from his past and Shelby herself. After years out of the spotlight Cameron and Shelby are thrown together once again when Lyle orchestrates a proposal for a reality show that could benefit them all. Can Shelby and Cameron stay true to themselves under Lyles constant sabatoging?

This book was so easy and fun to read! The percent read for anyone looking for a little romance and spice isn’t their lives!

I want to thank St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an electronic arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Erin Hahn knows how to write solid, interesting romance novels. This is a second chance romance for two child actors who are now in their 20's. After being on a popular children's variety sounding show, Shelby Springfield has retreated back to her hometown in Michigan where she finds a passion for restoring old furniture. Cameron Riggs works for National Geographic traveling all over the world. I forget how but the two of them are brought together to film a pilot for a home renovation show where Shelby and Cam will flip a house and restore it.

It is clear that the sparks flew between Shelby and Cameron when they were on tv in their teens, and they both have held a torch for each other for over a decade. Thankfully they have adult conversation and share their feelings with each other.

There is some "drama" from the showrunner, who used to be Shelby's ex-boyfriend. Which is very light "conflict" and "drama".

This book was fine. I liked both of the main characters. I liked the dual perspective/alternating chapters. I liked the second chance romance. I liked the setting in Michigan.

However, it was just fine. The writing didn't flow effortlessly for me for some reason. It is not bad writing at all, but I just didn't click effortlessly with it. Maybe I wasn't focused, but it felt like there were some contradictions in the writing, like something being to someone's left and in the next scene or sentence that thing was on the right. I kept finding myself a little disoriented until about the 60% mark. The sex scenes are steamy, but also a bit insta-orgasm for my tastes.

Overall I am very glad I read this book and think it stacks up nicely with Hahn's other releases. If you like home renovation and friends to lovers, this is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Well, wasn’t this just adorable! Shelby and Cameron are second chance friends to lovers who worked on a tv show together from the ages of 11-18, Cameron is the one who got away and Shelby is the washed up young starlet.

They find their way back to one another through Shelby’s abusive ex-boyfriend under the premise of working on a home renovation show. So not only did I get a romance novel, I also got a home reno story which I’m obsessed with.

The side characters felt well enough fleshed out and the romance between Shelby and Cameron was palpable. Like it didn’t take long for them to fall back into step of being young and in love. Their story was very sweet, I liked seeing how they took time for themselves after LA and were able to be better together as adults.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. It was a cute and cozy romance with a satisfying (albeit way too quick) conclusion.

4 stars

I received an ARC of Built to Last by Erin Hahn from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Built to Last will be released on October 18th, 2022.

Premise is on the second slide!

I feel like this book was written for me specifically. I don’t know how Erin Hahn knew that I love a good “former child star” redemption story & am obsessed with home renovation. I have seen just about every single home renovation show on HGTV, including all of those mentioned in the book itself. Home renovation is just so interesting to me & I loved seeing the bits of Cameron’s side of demo and construction, as well as her special restoration projects. In an alternate universe I am doing exactly what she does with an unlimited budget.

I loved Shelby & Cameron’s story. I really love romance novels where the couples come back together after years apart & have a second chance at love (as long as it didn’t involve something bad like cheating). It was cute to hear him say how he would always come back to her, even if she didn’t love him back. He fell in love with her as a kid & the feelings never really dissipated, which I think is so cute. It was the epitome of “right person, wrong time” which allowed them to circle back to each other once they had figured out their own lives.

I normally never end up reading the sequels to books like these if they focus on other characters. Like, I never read To Hate Adam Connor, I just couldn’t get into it. But, I would drop everything for the chance to read a sequel featuring miss Lorelai Jones. Something about her character really drew me in and I think her story would be so so good.

Built to Last was a very cute romcom about a second chance romance. If you are looking for a heartwarming, feel good read, this is the one for you!

Whoa! What a ride. It was very fast-paced. The writing style kept me hooked and I didn't find myself losing any interest. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and how real the story felt. The author did a great job painting the setting, so it was easy for me to visualize the scene played out before me. I recommend giving this one a chance!

Such a cute book, I could not put it down!!! I was prepared for a typical rom-com, but this took on a whole Chip and Joanna Gaines fixer upper vibe that I LOVED. Bonus points for it being set in Michigan, my home state.

This is a story about two childhood stars that starred together in a popular teen show. While they worked together, they had an undeniable attraction and short-lived romance. Then they went their separate ways, reuniting 5 years later. Shelbi eventually leaves Hollywood and moves back home, finding her passion renovating houses while Cameron works for National Geographic in several remote areas, completely cut off from communications.

As fate would have it, they both find themselves together again, working to film a pilot for a home renovation show. While they try and convince themselves they are just friends, chemistry doesn't lie.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a really cute romcom. I couldn’t put it down. If you second chance romance, you will love this one. It starts a bit slow but stick to it, you won’t regret it. I also loved the cover, I’m definitely getting a hard copy when it comes out.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin Press for my ARC

Built To Last 🔨🏠

This novel has it all: the in-depth present day narrative, dual POV, slow reveal, first loves reunited, and well placed steam that is def a step up from the YA I’m used to from Erin Hahn.
Built to Last is different than all of her other novels but that doesn’t mean it isn’t equally as amazing.

All of Erin’s books have amazing plots, deep characters, references to pop culture and social issues but also love and passion, with and without steam. Her recent commentary on toxic purity really gives me depth into where these amazing novels stem from. Even amid the passion and raunch, Hahn shows a strong grasp on the the virtue of purity.

Cameron is a child start heartthrob turned Nat Geo writer turned home flipper; Shelby was his costar who went down the negative rich teenage girl spiral and turned to refurbishing antique wood. Shelby and Cameron’s love is honest and pure - but this story isn’t about the inevitability and fateful/soulmate aspect of their love: it’s more about how they navigate their lives and become who they are, together, after being apart.
Love is one thing, but the foundations for a good relationship need to be BUILT TO LAST - just like they work on renovating a house, they rebuild themselves.

Overall: UGH. I love it! #spriggs

This was my first book from @netgalley! Such an amazing opportunity to contribute to the book community. Social media and particularly bookstagram gives this whole other side to reading that I never had when I binge read growing up. I feel so lucky to be able to read a new book by one of my favorite authors months earlier than it will be released!

#builttolast #erinhahn #netgalley #stmartinspress #digitalgalley @stmartinspress @smpromance #romance #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bluecovers

This is a super cute rom-com! Childhood sweethearts/child stars reunite when one of their previous co-stars sets them up. Their chemistry flies as they work together on their latest show. They are definitely building something that will last. ❤️