Cover Image: Built to Last

Built to Last

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Member Reviews

This was a great read. The book is a great slow burn and it made me want to read more. It’s a great friends to lovers, second chance love story. I couldn’t put this book down and I can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on this book.

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Built to last is a book about to child star costars who end up creating a hone renovation show as adults. It is absolutely adorable and such a lovely, fun read. It is full of joy and I highly recommend it. I wish their show was real so I could watch!

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A light and fun romance that brings two people back together to build something worth living for.

The chemistry between Riggs and Shelby leaps off the page, and the cast of characters were all animated and lovable in different ways. When fate brings former child stars Cameron Riggs and Shelby Springfield back together for the pilot of a home renovation show, they don't know that sparks will fly, but they do.

Built to Last was fun and easy to read and had me stress reading or laughing out loud at different points. If you're looking for a steamy read this Autumn, this ought be on your TBR.

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Built to Last is about two people who can't seem to get their timing right (initially). Cameron and Shelby met when they worked together on a television show as child actors. It is clear from the get go that the pair are madly in love with one another, but with miscommunications and misunderstandings they seem unsure of one another... until they're not. Cameron and Shelby reunite 10 years after they finished filming one tv show, only to begin another. Their new TV project is a reality show that follows Cameron and Shelby as they flip houses (a la 'Fixer Upper' and and 'Flip or Flop').

At first I had mixed feelings about the novel. It felt predictable - two people who can't communicate but love each other immensely. About halfway through, however, you couldn't help but root for Cameron and Shelby both together and individually. I loved reading about their families and reading the pair grow together throughout the renovation. As I finished Built to Last, I realized how much I truly loved the ending. While cheesy at times Cameron and Shelby's relationship was exactly what I hoped as a reader.

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Thanks letting me read this one I loved it, it's adorable and just the right amount steam to love factor and I just couldn't help but fall in love with Cameron and Shelby they are so cute

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Shelby and Cameron were best friends, growing up as co-starts on a children's show, but their timing has never quite worked out to explore their mutual feelings for each other. Now, ten years since they've spent much time together, Lyle-- the lead of the show, and Shelby's ex-- ropes them into a home improvement show. Finally, they're in the same place at the same time together. Finally, Cameron isn't running. Finally, they have a chance to explore the relationship they've both wanted for almost their whole lives.

Built to Last is incredibly sweet. It's a beautiful look at what life can be when you allow yourself to follow your passions and take your own time. Shelby and Cameron might not have worked out had they committed to the relationship in the past, but now that they've both taken the time to discover who they are, they can come back to each other with open minds and hearts. I loved every bit of this book.

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I thought that the plot was sweet, and well done and I love a second chance romance. I did feel like the beginning of the book was a bit bumpy I was very confused on the timeline and exactly who everyone was but maybe that's just because it was an uncorrected copy. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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A love story that has ups, downs, twists, turns and just the right amount of steam. Erin does a masterful job of keeping you engaged with the characters.

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The set up was gold. The romance was sweet. The side characters on point.

One word: Cam.
He is everything you want in a book boyfriend---or perhaps that's me. He will make you go awww and hot dayum.

I loved the character growth for all of the characters. I minused a star because I felt more could have been fleshed out with the parent/child conflicts.

I look forward to more adult books from this author. Solid transition from YA to Adult.

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What an adorable slow burn, second chance rom com! Two child star grow apart after some pretty tumultuous years in the spotlight, but never seem to have forgotten each other. Years later an opportunity presents itself for them to essentially be the next Chip and Joanna Gaines - needless to say you didn’t have to convince me to grab this one and I devoured it in a day or two. There’s enough romance coupled with drama to keep the pages turning. Not only was I in love with the main two characters, I was also obsessed with their friends! Can we get a spin off??

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Remember when I was raving about Built to Last? Well, I raved too soon.

It started strong (or I just really needed a fluffy pick me up after My Dark Vanessa), but it kind of lacks any will-they won’t-they or clear conflict after the first act. It’s pretty middle-of-the-road. You know where it’s going and what’s coming (Can I really expect anything to not work out when it’s called Built to Last?), but I guess I just wanted something exciting to happen and it didn't. Ever really.

I liked the child stardom angle and I’ll watch anything HGTV so checks a lot of boxes there for a fun, feel-good-enough read, but no complexity that makes for a lasting impression. They tease a lot of drama at the top that unfortunately never played out in an exciting way.

Starts with a bang, ends on a whimper. It was fine. I read it, but there’s other books I’ll pick up before rereading this one. 3.5 rounding to 4.

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This book had me at “by Erin Hanh”. Throw in childhood sweethearts with a second chance romance sprinkled in with a home renovation show, I was a goner.

Holy hell, this author can write emotions like no other author. Her writing is charismatic and mesmerizing from start to finish. My heart ached everytime Cameron and Shelby longed and pinioned for one another, every stolen glance, or words whispered for only their ears. My heart was all in on their love story, so much so that they started to feel like real people rather than fictionalized characters in a book. The author made it easy to fall for Cameron and Shelby with their indisputable chemistry and heartfelt connection. There’s depth to the story that goes beyond a regular lighthearted romance. Both Cameron and Shelby have complexities, but their story is depicted in a way that feels natural.

Shelby is such a firecracker. This former child star is now a thriving, independent woman who finally has the ability to stand on her two feet and demand the respect she so deserves. Time away from the shining lights has given her perspective and authority accompanied with sassy bravado made her the ultimate lead. Cameron felt like the attainable book boyfriend. He’s the guy you dream about. The strong, kind hearted guy that is the perfect mixture of sexy and sweet. He’s the guy who’s gonna protect you by knowing you are strong enough to hold your own.

This author can write me directions to my mailbox and I would give it 5 stars and this book is no exception. From start to finish, this book charmed the hell out of me. I adore this author and this book and I’m very grateful that NetGalley and St. Martins Griffin gave me this eARC

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Shelby and Cameron- Former cast mates who have reunited to work on a pilot about home renovation while working out their feelings for each other and dealing with her vindictive ex, who happens to also be their former cast mate as well.

This book has sweet and heat. There is lots of tension between Shelby and Cameron and when they aren't sizzling, they are the sweetest to one another. There is so much family and ex drama going on in this book, but Cameron is the support beam for Shelby.

The beginning was a little slow for me, but overall, this was an awesome book!

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s an amazing example of a sweet, uplifting rom-com with adorable main characters. The best part? There’s limited angst/obviously fake obstacles, which is usually such a huge turn-off for me.

Built to Last is a sweet contemporary romance novel by Erin Hahn. The story follows Shelby and Cameron, two former childhood stars whose story first began co-starring on a sitcom over a decade ago. After spending several years apart, the two are reunited to film a pilot episode of a home renovation show and sparks fly (not literally though - they hired electricians for that).

I really enjoyed Shelby and Cameron’s dynamic, and thought this book was well-done, fast-paced and engaging. It built up believable tension in a way that wasn’t overly drawn out, and balanced Shelby and Cameron’s history with the new partnership that the two of them were developing while renovating the house. I’m also obsessed with the home renovation part of this story and have a sudden urge to watch some HGTV.

Lastly, can I just say - huge fan of Lorelai. I want her to be my best friend! She deserves her own book, which I’m hoping will be up next.

Thank you to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the ARC.

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Decades ago, when I worked in Hollywood, I had occasion to walk into the studio's outer casting office one day. The aroma of a hundred clashing perfumes nearly knocked me back into the hall, but I soldiered forward, thus warned, to walk into an icy, tense atmosphere: it was an open casting call for five year old girls for a bit part in one of the current crop of TV shows. What I saw in that quiet, tense room were what seemed like 500 Mrs. Temples glaring at each other and minutely assessing each other's five year old daughters, the girls sitting there motionless with their eyebrows plucked to a fair-thee-well, their sprayed hair permed out to there, fingernails gleaming aggressive pink, clothing skin tight, lipstick (yes, five years old) unsmudged because Mom Was Watching.

The thing that struck me about Erin Hahn's romance is that she absolutely nailed certain Hollywood types--and the emotional fallout therefrom. Including the teen actor who discovers that life isn't a script, and they are not actually the heroes of the cosmic tv show Life In LA, and end up crashing and burning, sometimes literally.

But this is not one of those dark, dark Hollywood stories. Instead, Hahn gives us Shelby, who, yep, did the crash-and-burn, left her horrible Hollywood mom, went back to her midwest dad and sobered up, also learning a trade. Shelby has gone from the most ephemeral life possible to refinishing antiques, in other words, working with her hands to make things that last. Beautiful things.

But there is one lingering regret from her old life: Cameron, one of her two co-stars. He was the goofy sidekick to Lyle's leading man. Lyle has gone on to embrace all the dark side of Hollywood, and successfully, too. He brings Shelby and Cameron back together for a reality show, trading on their old stardom (and trashing their reps now for bread-and-circuses power), also to emotionally bat them around.

What he doesn't count on is the fact that they both have emotionally grown up. How Shelby and Cameron come together, building a life as well as art, in spite of the Hollywood crazy that still shadows them, made this a really pleasurable read. Pacing was fast, the characters fun, the images, especially of the crafts, just lovely.

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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

This was an enjoyable second chance, friends to lovers read. The beginning reels you in quickly and the ending was great. I thought it dragged a little bit in the middle but overall enjoyable read.

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Cameron and Shelby practically grew up together on screen and off screen. Years after the show ends Cameron and Shelby's former cast member and shelby's ex ask them to appear on screen again in the form of a home renovation show. They've both moved on from T.V. but not each other so they agree.


I liked the duel point of view. It was nice to switch between characters and get an idea of what each of them were thinking. The relationship was super sweet and maybe a little cheesy for my taste. I wasn't expecting an adult book to feel that way.

I really wish it didn't have so much drama. I get that it's Hollywood and people like to be dramatic but it felt slightly YA in that way.

Shelby's best friends were my favorite and I really hope we get to find out more about them!!

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Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions expressed are my own. This review does NOT contain any spoilers. :)

☆☆☆☆☆ Overall
(Spice: ☆☆☆☆)

Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of alcohol and drug abuse, abusive/controlling parents, cheating, (If I’m missing anything here that should be included, please let me know! Thanks!)

I have never been a huge fan of second chance romance, but this book? This book held my hand and stroked my hair and wrapped me up in a big fluffy blanket while it provided me with one of the best love stories I have read in what feels like forever.

Shelby and Cam are the epitome of wholesome to me. Their chemistry leaps off the page and literally made me giddy. Their banter, the protectiveness that they have for each other, everything is just. Beautiful.

I loved Shelby’s redemption arc, and how her goal of improving herself and finding her way doesn’t have anything to do with the opinion of the public. It’s just for herself. Shelby and Cam work so hard to allow themselves to be vulnerable and you can see the growth that they are working so hard for.

Also, just the whole plot idea of friends to lovers coming together while filming a reality TV house flipping show is amazing, 10/10 entertainment.

I love this book. I already want to reread this book because I miss them already. Also the epilogue????? Genius. Pure genius. Read this book, you will not regret it.

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Friends to lovers and HGTV vibes, what's not to love about this amazing read?! Former child stars and first loves reunite after after a decade apart in their home state of Michigan. This book explores how they’ve grown since their child star days and if their friendship is really something more. I adored the home renovation show aspect, as well as the relationship between Shelby and Cameron. Highly recommend!

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

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I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect lighthearted romance that I could enjoy and read fast! I liked how Shelby and Cam interacted and how they found love. The only thing I hated was Lyle, but I think everyone will hate him when they read it. I will totally recommend this!

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