I loved every minute of this book!
Here are all the reasons:

* Second Chance Romance
*Friendships
* Hollywood Secrets
* DIY
* Home Renovation Show
* Banter
* Family
* Proving Yourself

I didn't want this book to end and I'm so happy there are companion novels on the way.!!!!

One thing I really struggle with with dual-POV books is how exhausting they can be with the pining and excuses to not discuss them. Here’s the good thing: this book doesn’t do that!

This was one of my most-anticipated reads this year, and it didn’t disappoint. Shelby and Cameron are far from perfect (we love flawed main characters in this house) but they WORK. They’re not shy about what they want, and it’s refreshing. I loved it.

This what kind of bit of a slower beginning for me but by the 30 to 40% Mark I was really involved in the story and couldn't wait to finish and see what would happen

3.5! Such a fun read. I've heard great things about Erin Hahn and this didn't let me down! Palpable tension and butterflies with largely realistic and relatable dialogue.

Chip and Joanna who? I'm team Cameron and Shelby all the way.

This was a really great second chance/ childhood friends romance! The author's writing and characters were well developed and had a good deal of growth and coming into their own as people and a couple.

This was one of my favorites this year and one of the easiest 5 Stars I have given; frankly I knew at chapter 1 this was going to be wonderful and it did not disappoint!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Built to Last had promise, but did not deliver for me as a reader. I couldn’t connect with the writing or the characters. I had high hopes, but ultimately could not get into the arc of the story.

The first two chapters for me were "not gonna lie, they had us in the first half." If you can get past the first two chapters that portray two kinda crappy, selfish people, then you're golden. I trusted that if this was a romance, then it was going to be about the journey of finding not only each other, but themselves.

This book is about 3 child stars who grew up together and their relationships (rivalries, love triangles, etc.) They come together 10 years after their show ends to work together on a reality home renovation show.

I ended up loving the two main characters, especially Shelby and how her character had evolved (and the responsibility she ultimately took for who she had been and what she had learned).

This was equal parts sweet and spicy. I love coming of age romance, and this book did early adolescent pining really well. This also takes place in Northern Michigan, and the coziness of woodworking workspaces, flannel, flea markets will make this a really cozy read for fall (expected release date is in October '22). I loved this and know that I'll revisit it whenever I need a happy cozy read.


I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin.

Shelby and Cameron have a history - they’re both former child stars who spent years working together on popular sitcom, but they’re also childhood sweethearts who kept getting together at the wrong time. Each has a difficult parent - a pushy staff mom, a distant father - and plenty of emotional baggage from being too famous, too young. They’ve moved on and found new careers, but their former costar has plans for them to do a renovation reality TV show together and neither can turn the offer down. As they with together, they start to take down walls, literally and figuratively, and of course end up realizing they’re still in love despite everything.
I really wanted to like this book, but I never connected with either character or their relationship. I didn’t quite buy why Cameron kept running and I struggled with the difficult parents feeling real and reasonable, too. I loved the concept and some scenes were really fun - Shelby’s joy in baby chicks and woodworking, traveling together to buy new woodworking pieces - but overall I felt a bit unsatisfied with both of them and they didn’t quite fit together for me.

I really loved reading this book. You could tell right away the chemistry and affection these main character had for each other. Watching them finally come to terms with it and adapt to it in their real lives as adults was so nice to read. It wasn’t a matter of “will they, won’t they” it was truly watching two people in love, create the life they both wanted. And how that would work with the two of them together. Having that set against the back drop of essentially a home improvement show was a little on the nose, but overall a nice parallel. The supporting characters we funny, entertaining, and a delightful addition to the story. I do think my favorite part was song titles used as chapter titles. It was a great way to set the mood for each chapter!

Gah!! This book had me at Erin Hahn honestly, but once again she has blown me away!
I absolutely loved this book!
Cameron and Shelby were both childhood stars. They have always had chemistry, but Hollywood wasn’t for Cam, so he left for college and in Shelby’s mind, left her behind.
After a bad breakup 5 years later, she calls on him again, but Cam can’t stay and so starts the cycle again. Shelby leaves Hollywood behind and all her bad decisions and finds herself and her passion in Michigan.
It’s been a decade of missed chances and lost love but now they are back and working on a home renovation show together. And their chemistry, is as hot as ever!!
So good!
You’ll love this book is you like:
A bit of celebrity romance
Second chance romance
Home renovation
Great supporting characters
Cinnamon roll male lead

(Please tell me Lorelai’s book is next!!)

A charming and steamy second chance romance. Great pacing, chemistry, and character development. A quick read that was hard to put down.

This book is romantic and sweet. Very steamy too. The villains were ultra shitty but the other characters bring such good, strong vibes. I didn't really understand the song chapter titles. I know the characters sing but they're not recording artists--just felt a little out of place to me. Overall a lovely way to spend some free time. Special thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

This book is the perfect second chance romance. Former childhood costars are working together once again. It's been ten years since they'd been together. Shelby and Cameron's story was wonderful. If you like a good second chance romance and are a fan of Erin Hahn's young adult books, I recommend picking this up.

I didn't understand the point of the epilogue. I skimmed it and ended up stopping when I realized it was basically a recap of the book.

This review will be posted on Goodreads, and Amazon.
I've also mentioned it on my tiktok as well.

The beginning was a little coarse. I understand wanting to show the backstory, but I think it should have been done differently- maybe through flashbacks. I had a hard time connecting with the protagonist Shelby until much later in the book. By the end, I was invested in her and Cameron, but it took a while. The premise of former child stars and the media industry was new and different.

Built to Last was a spectacular read! If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Erin Hahn has just made my list of if they write it, I read it right up there with Colleen Hoover.

This novel makes my other five stars seem like nothing. The connection and chemistry between the two main characters, Shelby and Cameron, was so strong. The book started as soon as I opened the book, and it skipped all of the typical slow intro parts, which I LOVED. I loved that I got more time to love the characters and started to understand them right from the first page. Fantastic book I will not be forgetting anytime soon.


*I received this ARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely. Quotes used subject to change with publication.

Built to Last is the story of Shelby and Cameron, former child stars who are getting a second chance at love while filming a home renovation show. Shelby and Cameron deal with the pressures of childhood fame and pressures from their families and the people around them and how both characters choose to deal with their circumstances. You can see the chemistry between the two characters reasonably early in the book, even though it is a slow burn. This was my first book from Erin Hahn and I enjoyed how she developed the characters. They felt natural to me— Built to Last benefitted from being dual-POV since it helped me better understand the characters and the world by seeing both Shelby and Cameron's perspectives.

I'm interested in reading other of Erin Hahn's books since I enjoyed this one. Hopefully, everyone else will enjoy this book too when it is published on October 18, 2022!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an ARC given to me to review for NetGallery, St. Martin's Press, and Erin Hahn.

Before you go further - I must let you know... this story was a beautiful masterpiece! I devoured it in one sitting, and Erin Hahn made my favorite authors list just like that. Built to Last was my 78th read for 2022 (we are in May), and this will definitely be a contender for book of the year.

About the book:

It all started in their childhood. 3 young co-stars seemed destined to have their paths cross again.

Shelby, Cameron and Lyle starred on a show together from the time they were 11(?) until they were 18. The show was a loose love triangle of sorts as it progressed. Shelby had romantic encounters with both men - but it was ultimately Lyle she entered a long term relationship with. Cameron had left and pursued a college education, and ultimately his dream job of documenting the remote parts of the world for National Geographic.

After a very embarrassing public breakup involving a ridiculous song ruining Shelby - she desperately calls Cameron (hoping for a rebound). He came running not knowing her true intentions. He romantically takes care of her, and leaves before any real damage can be done. The beautiful thing of this encounter - is that he pushes her to move on from Hollywood, and find her place back in the Midwest (Michigan) with her father.

Her father helps her get her life together - in the ways of carpentry. She finds her niche in historic restoration. Hoping to help her father financially - the two attempt to create a pilot reality tv show. The producers don’t like the reaction to her father’s personality - but love hers.

Lyle throws himself into this opportunity, and comes up with the idea to throw Cameron and Shelby together - similar to the way Chip and JoAnna Gaines are - to really sell the appeal. At first, no one is really thrilled to work together, but then they agree to try.

Cameron has secretly deep feelings for Shelby, and that Cameron was also in fact Shelby's first love as well. Lyle has always been envious of Cameron, and always tried “one upping” him. He is complete garbage in my eyes, and loves to throw wrenches into the pair's plan - calling it "good for business."

Cameron and Shelby are both from Michigan - whereas Lyle was from LA. Cameron moves back to the Midwest for this project, and really dives deep into it - discovering his desire to plant roots, and make a major difference and shift in his personal life.. Shelby’s dad helps him learn more about the trade to help make this pilot remake successful.

TROPES:
-Friends to Lovers
-Love Triangle
-Other Men/Women
-Forced Proximity
-Second Chance
-Childhood Love
-Small Town
-Celebrity

My thoughts:
Cameron is sooo adorable. I really relate to his character. I LOVE that this is set in the midwest. This was very relatable to me. I am jealous that Cameron has gotten to see so many beautiful places in this world. This couple's chemistry is insane. I was swooning, laughing, angry, and rooting for them the entire time. I loved the dynamics of the personal circle surrounding these two - very good vs. bad vibes. Seeing the depth in character and personality of the midwesterners was everything. I have a husband who is a carpenter, and I am a photographer - we both love adventure - so this definitely checked EVERY SINGLE PERSONAL checkbox. If I could have custom designed my own romance book - this would have been it. Another cool side note - this book launches in October the weekend before my wedding anniversary. I cannot wait to purchase this one! If you haven't already added it to your TBR - do it!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review!

I adored this story about two child stars and sweethearts with a messy history getting a second chance at love!

I was wary at first but the story gradually got better with each passing page. There was so much pining and angst between Shelby and Cameron. Even after so many years apart, their chemistry remains undeniable and strong on and off screen. It was a slow burn worth reading about. I was hooked!

I liked that Shelby and Cameron got to reconnect as they worked on the pilot for the home renovation show. Also, I loved how they had each other’s back through the whole process, especially with Lyle (who is the worst, as well as Shelby’s mom) constantly meddling. It’s a rocky slope for the main characters. They have to reconcile with their pasts (as individuals and together) in order to figure out what they most want from life and to have a future together.

I love how interchangeable the theme of renovation is throughout the story. It’s a well-done, exquisite use of theme. The interview with the main characters at the end was nice to read. I liked the brief hint to who the next book will feature (please, let there be a book 2!).

Overall, I ended up really enjoying "Built to Last." Shelby and Cameron’s romance was so sweet and tender and funny. Cameron was so loyal and charming. Shelby was so strong and passionate. I can’t wait to read whatever Hahn writes next!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Very nice novel. I very much enjoyed it .

Highly recommend this book! Erin Hahn has written a sweet story about growing up, growing apart, and getting back to your roots. I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Having grown up in Western Michigan, I was particularly tickled to read her descriptions of the area. Both the main characters were written so well. I loved their connection and was cheering for them all the way.