Second chance romances and potential love triangles (which the blurb lead me to believe) are usually not my cup of tea, but I’m so glad I got a chance to review this book. It was like a big warm smexy cozy hug y’all! The second chance is kinda true but there’s no love triangle. And I just absolutely adore any book that has renovating in it. Built to Last just made gave me all the happy feels.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC to review. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise. ~

I received an advance reader copy of Built to Last by Erin Hahn…and really enjoyed it!

The Description:

Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like she does the rough spots on the vintage furniture finds she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a mediocre pop career, a meltdown widely documented by the paparazzi, and a huge public break 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 come on board.

There’s something in it for everyone — almost. Cameron wants to come home and set down some roots. Shelby wants to prove to the world she’s not the messy party girl anymore. And Lyle wants to twist the screws on his two childhood friends who had more chemistry than he could dream of with anyone. Sparks and sawdust fly as Shelby and Cameron film the pilot for “Homemade” and battle Lyle’s shenanigans at every turn.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this! It’s a fun, easy read. I love how both of the former child stars have moved on and found new careers. They’ve matured, but both still care for each other. When they reconnect through an HGTV-like renovation show, the sparks are still there, but they focus on their friendship first.

The main characters were very likable, engaging and believable, as were most of the supporting characters (with the exception of the sleazy Lyle). It’s well written, without grammatical errors or typos with an intriguing story.

Sometimes you just need a light, pleasant read and Built to Last fits the bill perfectly. Built to Last will be published October 18, 2022.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Build to Last is a story between Shelby, Cameron, and their co-star who they both don't like Lyle.
Although Lyle is Shelby's ex-boyfriend, her real love is Cameron. After all of them not working together for 10 years, Lyle brings them all together to work in a home renovation show. After a decade of Shelby and Cameron having an almost romance they have finally come back together, and the love they have for each other finally starts to show

This was such a cute novel, I really fell in love with Shelby and Cameron and I was rooting for them the whole time. This was a friends to lovers, second chance story. They had a few miscommunications and when they finally told each other how they felt I was so happy.
Overall this novel made me very happy.

Thank you to netgalley and St Martin's Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really sweet romantic comedy between former co-star child actors. They had a rough beginning: Shelby with her drinking, partying lifestyle; Cameron with his inability to stick around and communicate his feelings with Shelby (which is normal at that age) as well as cope with his father’s obvious disappointment in his life choices. They came together as one last hoorah to lay some things to rest and help out financially but what bloomed from this collaboration was more than they dreamed it could be.

I loved watching their growth and commitment to each other in their late twenties and each of them honing their craft. The renovation of that home makes me want to flip a house or take up woodworking!

My largest issue with this book and the reason for docking a star is the heavy language (98% the F-word) and blasphemies (many uses of the Lord’s name in vain as well as comments like “patron saint of boners”). It was unnecessary and in many cases offensive or repulsive. The first chapter was actually repellant enough that I almost stopped reading the book. Luckily, I pressed on and suppressed my cringing and sneering to try and enjoy the story anyways.

I don’t want to end on that note though because the story was cute and I laughed out loud many times. I’m thankful to NetGalley and St Martin Press for receiving a copy in advance!

From the description alone I went in expecting to love this one, and it delivered!

Shelby and Cameron had a brief thing while child stars on a popular sitcom. It - sadly - doesn’t last. He ends up leaving LA for school and then a documentary career. Left on her own, she gets in an ill-fated relationship with Lyle, former star in that same show. After their disastrous breakup, she heads back to the Midwest town she barely grew up in and, with the help of her father, gets a fresh start and new career rehabbing houses/furnishings.

Cut to the present day and they - all three of them - are going to be working together again. Capitalizing on their lingering fame, but this time on a reality show flipping historical houses. Saying there is potential for drama is an understatement.

Second chance love story - Friends while secretly pining for years - Side characters just as interesting as the mains - All those scenes set in a DIY show that I kind of wish was real so I could watch it - So Much Heart! - Was this book written for me specifically?!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC
(I look forward to this one’s release so I can get it on my physical bookshelf too!)

Built to Last by Erin Hahn was so damn cute! I couldn’t put this book down! Have no fear, no matter what the synopsis might make you believe, there is no love triangle here!

Shelby is a former child star. She worked alongside Cameron when they were kids. They fell in love as kids. Both left acting. Shelby for Michigan and furniture restoration, Cameron for National Geographic and filming documentaries. For years they pined for each other. Any time Shelby needed Cameron, he was there in an instant.

Shelby lives a peaceful life in Michigan while Cameron can’t stay in one place for more than five minutes. They didn’t speak for five years, until both get offered to film a home renovation show together, just like Chip and Jo!

Shelby’s goal is to prove that she is nothing like the party girl she used to be, while also helping her father afford retirement.

The love story was amazing. There was a lot of flirting, and long looks. Both character grow so much, both individually and together. They COMMUNICATED, and worked through their problems.


Read if you like
•Friends to lovers
•✨communication✨ (not at first but)
•Mutual pining
•Shared hotel room (unfortunately 2 beds🥲)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press / St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Built to Last” by Erin Hahn follows the once famous Shelby Springfield. After a fall from Hollywood grace, Shelby moves back to Michigan and begins refurbishing vintage furniture for the homes her dad remodels. Shelby thought she was done with the L.A. life forever until her ex, Lyle Jessup, asks her to be on a tv remodeling show. The real kicker though is that Lyle wants Cameron Riggs to be Shelby’s co-star. Cam was the love of her life, and Lyle never could quite get over it, even when Shelby was dating Lyle. Now that the three are back together, tensions run high. Shelby finds herself falling for Cam all over again, but this time is their relationship built to last?

Known for her work in the YA genre, Hahn branches out with “Built to Last” into the Romance genre. While I was a little cautious about this switch up, Hahn seems to have the same spark to captivate, with a little more steam and more adult problems for characters to work through.

Shelby was a fun character to read through. Her tangled life of childhood acting mixed with her adult life of rural furniture refurbishing makes her feel like two different people. A before and an after. While I wish we could have spent a little more time in the spiral from Hollywood, you can see Shelby’s clear growth in her new life, especially when thrown into a similar life pattern.

In the end, this book was 4 stars for me. It was light and easy, pretty much a great summer read option. It does have some steamy chapters, so if that’s not your thing, I wouldn’t recommend. BUT if you love romance and are looking for something a little more cute, this would be a great pick.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is an amazing book. I was hooked from page one. This is probably one of my favorite romance books. The author created really likeable (and less likeable) characters that I really rooted for. I really appreciated the dual points-of-view, as we're able to get Shelby and Cameron's inner thoughts and inner conflict.
The plot was unlike other books I've read before. A sort of show-mance, workplace romance. I definetly appreciated that the characters had some backstory, it it wasn't an insta-love.
I couldn't get enough of this book. The ending was really satisfying (and not predictable), however, I would've taken way more of the book—it was that good.
This book is definetly worth the read, with relatable characters, and enpredictable plot.
This is definetly a book that I will remember, and will probably re-read.

(Spoilers) - Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. A classic romance with a trope of ex-lovers turned lovers again but better. Something about the fact that Cam and Shelby were on a tv show when they were younger (in love then, but not "adult love") and then separated (as it happens with life) and then reunited to do a reality tv show was just so good. I loved how this book was written. It was easy to follow and very easy to picture. The characters were actually likeable (excluding Lyle and Ada Mae, for obvious reasons). I am very happy with the ending of this book. I will definitely be looking into more books by Erin Hahn in the future.

2.75
I thought I was a big fan of home reno shows. Always watched them growing up and enjoyed them. I guess I just don't enjoy reading about them.

I had a hard time believing their relationship at times. It didn't help that a lot of it was just picking up from where they left off - and it was "messy". It felt very insta-love - even though we know and get a glimpse into their childhood.

Way too many side characters and rushed ending. <spoiler>I hate when conflict is added in the last 10% but I feel like this needed it.</spoiler>

Somewhat a fast and couldn't finish it fast enough read.

This book was so sweet! A second chance romance about two childhood stars on the same TV show who were good friends (and a bit more) who come together again to do a pilot for a home renovation show.

Cam and Shelby’s romance was wonderful and mature. They didn’t shy away from the mistakes of their pasts and were honest about the growth that had to take place to get them to a place where they could begin a real relationship. They were so cute together and it was fun to watch as they fell in love again.

The background of the home renovation show added a fun, unique setting for a novel. I often felt like I was watching a real TV show.

A solid 4.5/5 stars only because the beginning of the novel felt just a little slow to me. A few chapters in though and I could not put this book down.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book.

This was such a fun, quick, and lovey eARC read. Love the second chance and intense character development, love the dual 1st person POV and the snappy dialogue. The detail put into every scene (from clothes to scenery to music) was engaging and really brought everything to life. I also really thought the communication between the main characters was great, realistic and honest and not just dependent on the miscommunication trope. I would totally watch HomeMade just to see Shelby and Cam IRL!

The only things that kept it from being a 5 star were some unnecessarily messy relationship dynamics that I thought took away from the rest of the book.

I sense a sequel coming along with Lorelei and Maren getting their own chance at love! Sign me up!

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for this e-galley copy.

Built to Last by Erin Hahn is a heart warming second chance romance. This friend to lovers story is a sweet journey with two likeable main characters you keep routing for the entire book. This was a first adult rom-com for the author and I look forward to the next book, hopefully a continuation with Shelby's best friend 😀

Built to Last is a colorful story with really fun characters. Shelby is the definition of a strong, independent woman and I always love to see a male character come in to accent a strong female, rather than try to rescue or repair them in some way. Erin Hahn did an excellent job of keeping Shelby a strong female lead throughout!

It kind of fell flat for me about 3/4 of the way through and I think if this book was a bit shorter, it would have really brought it home. The end of it was really sweet and I loved how it all tied together!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
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I love Erin Hahn's books, so naturally, I was ecstatic when I found out she was writing an adult book. Built to Last didn't disappoint. This was a quick read, and the chemistry was wonderful.

There were so many tropes, and I admit I was worried that it would be too much, but Erin has a way of knowing just how to blend them together to make something incredible. Shelby and Cameron's story was a fun read, and I loved watching their relationship blossom.

This book was super cute! Slow burn, a little bit of spice, HGTV vibes and house flipping. Such a good combo! It was a little too slow for me at first but it picked up and I ended up enjoying it overall!

I. Love. This. Book. I was first drawn in by the cover, and then the summary. I hyped it up in my head to the point I was just waiting to jinx my reading. But nope, it was even better.

This is a sweet second chance romance between two childhood stars who faced years of wrong timing. When they get the chance to work together in their home state Michigan, both sign on with their own hesitations.

Built to Last is full of warmth, friendships, family, happiness, and laughter. This book is so much more than the home renovating reality show- it shows the struggles and perseverance of former child stars to find themselves outside of their “fame.” And the ending…. Just SWOON.

….and hint hint hint about Lorelai and Drake’s story….I CANNOT WAIT.

Built to Last had me laughing out loud!

I really enjoyed this book. It was actually super interesting, and the plot was unexpected. I'm sure I read part of the description when I requested it on NetGalley, but I completely forgot what it was by the time I started it.

So Cameron and Shelby were best friends and lovers when they were teenagers. They were both childhood stars on a TV show. Some things happened, so Cameron had to leave for college, and they both lost touch with each other. The story start out 5 years in the past; however, 5 years after Cameron left for college, where you can clearly see that Cameron still has feelings for Shelby. Fast forward 5 years, and they are thrown together for a reality TV show about fixing up houses. There is definitely more to the plot than that, but that's basically the gist of it.

I loved both Cameron and Shelby. They were a really cute couple, and I enjoyed meeting all their friends. I'm really hoping this will be a series, so I can find out more about the other characters.

I wish that I would have seen more feelings from Shelby about how she felt about Cameron. It just seemed a little random to me that all of the sudden, she was talking about how she never stopped liking Cameron. Her side just didn't feel genuine at first.

It did take about 70% through the story for the couple to actually get together. Some parts seemed a little slow, while others seemed fast. By this, I mean just the progression of the story. Like several weeks went by that the author just skipped over. Overall, I thought this was a very cute and funny story.

Y'all, I don't think Erin Hahn can write a book I won't love. Built to Last is her first adult romance and it is amazing! Cameron and Shelby grew up together on camera, stars of a successful tween show. Shelby left that world behind, becoming a successful carpenter who loves helping her dad flip houses. Now, she's ready to reenter the limelight with a home renovation show and Cameron is brought on board. Cameron has been running for a long time, but sees this show as way to finally reconcile with his family and with his feelings for Shelby. This was such a fun read- I couldn't put it down. I'm so excited for the next two books as well. Hahn is definitely one of my favorites!

3.5 stars

Thank you St. Martins Press for this eARC through netgalley in exchange for an honest review 🥰

This book was so much fun and so painfully adorable. I loved the second chance love, friends to lovers, man falls first tropes that were used. Shelby and Cameron were so heartwarming to read about. I loved the characters history together and Shelby’s journey of being a celebrity with all the constant judgement was heartbreaking. The premise of the book was intriguing. As a designer, I loved the whole home Reno reality tv plot. Also, the spice scenes were good!

The whole love triangle situation between Lyle, Shelby and Cameron was odd to me. I didn’t enjoy the whole Lyle subplot. The history between them led to a super messy situation that I felt was unnecessary to the plot. Also, the miscommunication between Cameron and Shelby to create more tension wasn’t my favourite due to the nonsensical drama.

Overall, this is a quick, enjoyable read full of mutual pining that put a smile on my face 💗