Member Reviews

Oh Erin Hahn...you give me all the heart-eyes with this one!
If you are looking for a story about OTPs with low angst and slow burn, this is the perfect book for you. I adored the main characters and all the pining (without the whining.)
I am here for more of this world that Hahn is building and I hope we see some of these characters popping up in her next book.
Thanks for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

SO GOOD!!! This book was great and I love how the relationship between Shelby and Cameron not only picked up where it left off, but blossomed into so much more. Lyle and Marcella are both perfectly despicable and Lorelai and Maren are awesome friends for Shelby. I also adored Shelby’s dad Daniel and would love if he and Cam’s mom were around more. I’m hoping a second book comes out with Drake and Lorelai’s story (and so we can see more of Shelby and Cam!) because I definitely need to read that story as well! This was a phenomenal book and I highly recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book, and I am so beyond happy that I did! I read the entire thing in a day. Built to Last had everything I look for in a book; a heart achingly, beautiful romance, a burly-but-gushy male protagonist, and a little bit of spice to boot! I will be recommending this one to all of my fellow rom-com lovers and reading more from Erin Hahn going forward!!

Was this review helpful?

Shelby Springfield is a former child/teen star who burned out in Hollywood a decade ago. She's built herself a good life working on rehabbing homes with her dad in Michigan. But, when the opportunity comes for her to star in a new home-rehab show and help fund her dad's retirement, she jumps on it. Enter her two exes, Cameron Riggs (her first true love) and Lyle Jessup (the one who publicly humiliated her and caused her early exit from Hollywood). They were all co-stars, once upon a time, and now Lyle is producing the show and insists on Cameron co-starring with Shelby. Cam, who also left Hollywood for college and a career as a documentarian, has no knowledge of home repair. He's never been in one place long enough to really have a home. But, as history has proven, he will do anything for Shelby. Will this team of former co-stars be able to work together? Do Cam and Shelby still have their undeniable attraction for each other?

I really loved this story. I thought it would be more of a love triangle, and I'm VERY happy it was not (Lyle is a TERRIBLE human). Cam and Shelby's attraction was undeniable and so very spicy. I also loved that there was not some imagined drama that tore them apart like in so many other books of this nature. I'd read MORE of Cam and Shelby any day!

Was this review helpful?

When I seen another Erin Hahn novel.... I had to jump to request this eARC.
When I read her book Never Saw You Coming last year she instantly became a favorite of mine.

And BUILT TO LAST was just as amazing as her last book.

Readers will find fall in love with the way she writes her characters and develops her story.
This second chance romance was refreshing and oh so wholesome.
I haven’t felt this in love with a contemporary story in awhile. These are my favorite contemporaries. Ones that have the sweet and pure relationship between two characters. This is that!
The book has the depth that I've come to expect from her, and some perfectly written love scenes and moments that just make me hungry for more!
Erin Hahn has yet again filled my heart with joy and left me with that feel good feeling I crave when reading a romance novel!

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

St. Martin's Griffin,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

Was this review helpful?

Erin Hahn has graduated to adult romance in the best new rom com. I love everything Erin writes... I stan all of her relationships. Will read again... always.

Was this review helpful?

Two child actors, right person wrong time, one bed, a house renovation and so much more. If you liked ‘Tools of Engagement,’ THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ! This was the first time I’ve read a story where I actually enjoyed a 2nd chance romance!

Was this review helpful?

I love a classic second chance romance. Throw some friends to lovers in there too for good measure. I really enjoyed the story of Shelby and Cameron. They were both likable characters. As a reader we got to grow up with them and see how they both evolved. Additionally I loved the setting of a reality show/HGTV. I personally could have used a little more steam but it was sweet so that made up for it.

3.5/5

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last
by Erin Hahn
Pub Date: 18 Oct 2022
4/5 Stars

Shelby and Cameron are former childhood stars and first loves. They team up with their old co-star and nemesis to do a home renovation tv show pilot. Sparks fly as the two reconnect and fall back in love. This novel is a fun, satisfying read with characters you’ll love (and a few you’ll hate).

I would recommend this to all rom-com lovers and can’t wait to see what Erin Hahn comes up with in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A home reno with a rom-com vibe is exactly what you are going to get with this book. I loved this love story and Shelby is someone I want in my friend group!

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last was such a fun read! There is home renovation, former child stars, a once-love triangle, and lots of family and reconciliation. What more could you possibly want? Sparks? Chemistry? Yep, there's that too!

This was a quick read filled with all the things we all enjoy about home renovation shows, lessons to be learned, and love. I enjoyed Shelby's relationship with her girlfriends and most especially her father as well as Cam's relationship with his friend Kevin and his wife Beth.

If you're looking for a feel good read that ticks all the right boxes and leaves you wishing to know more about the main characters when the book ends, this is the perfect read for you. Pick it up and escape for a few hours.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Read an ARC.

Full disclosure, I am not into home renovation shows and pop star romances are not exactly my thing either... but I liked this book!

It shifts back and forth in the narrative between Cameron, tv wonderkid turned documentarian, who does not know how or has never tried to settle down and Shelby, tv wonderkid turned pop star turned furniture refinisher. It was somehow refreshing to read the parts about sanding and varnishing. Wax on, wax off, and I would have liked more details about the process or about the house they're flipping.

I did not expect the family reconciliation (or attempted) sections to ring so true. The whole thing wrapped up very nicely but the couple of "article" styled chapters with comments? That was a big miss for me and this review lost a whole star because of it.

Either way, I am curious about other offerings from this author.

Was this review helpful?

You will love this book!
5 Star, slow burn with some spice

Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs have known each other since they were childhood costars on a popular TV show. They had a connection on screen and off that their fellow costar, Lyle Jessup, could not stand! 5 years later, after Shelby and Lyle have a messy, very public breakup, the first person Shelby calls is Cameron, and he comes running. He finds that Shelby is a hot mess and suggests that she leave Hollywood. Shelby goes back home to Michigan to live and work with her dad, finds her passion, and makes a career for herself. Meanwhile Cameron has been running around filming documentaries for National Geographic. Another 5 years passes when Shelby gets a call about starring in a Home Renovation reality TV show with her former costar Cameron! She can't resist, but what the two of them don't know, is that Lyle Jessup is behind the entire thing. Will Shelby and Cameron re-form their connection, despite all that Lyle does to sabotage them?

I loved Shelby and Cameron, and I'm certain you will too! Shelby is a character that you will cheer for and want all the best things for! Cameron is the next perfect book boyfriend that you will swoon over! Lyle, well....you'll just have to wait and find out for yourself!

There are SO many things to love about this book! The beauty of Michigan that is so well described, the profession that Shelby ends up giving her whole heart to, the community that surrounds them, and the amazing cast of supporting characters! But MY personal favorite? Shelby's best friend, Lorelai! She is such a huge support for Shelby and an amazing friend that would clearly do ANYTHING for her bestie! Love a great friendship side story!! Really hoping for a second book about Lorelai and her love life!

Can't wait to get my hands on the physical copy!

Was this review helpful?

Shelby, Cameron, and Lyle grew up together in the spotlight of a television camera. As child stars, they have all wound up with varying degrees of dysfunction. Shelby, trying to overcome the public meltdown, documented around the world by the paparazzi, has withdrawn to the safety of the small Michigan town where her father lives. She left her L.A. lifestyle and career behind, rebuilding her life around her successful furniture restoration business. Loyal to a fault Cameron, has been traveling the world filming Nat Geo documentaries. He is running from the broken relationships he has left in his past. The only time he comes home is when Shelby needs him. He just never stays. Lyle was a conniving, narcissistic snake as a youth and has not changed at all. He is still thriving in the television business and cannot wait to get revenge on Cam and Shelby.

When the opportunity arises to create a reality TV home make-over pilot based on the house flipping business Shelby and her dad have created, she can not resist. The money they could make would set her father up for his retirement. What she did not bank on was Lyle being the showrunner for the pilot or that he wants Cameron to be her co-host. Cameron, her first love. The one that keeps running away.

This delightful story is about childhood sweethearts reuniting after years apart, offering them a second chance at love. Allowing them both to find peace with the past and the present. Shelby’s journey to find personal redemption is the main storyline, but there are thoughtful subplots dealing with coming to terms with the past and difficult family members. I loved the dynamic between all the characters. It kept the story flowing well and kept my interest. You had estranged parents, long-lost loves, friends who were never really friends and the best friends everyone wishes they had. It was a feel-good story with a sweet romance. I did thoroughly enjoy watching Shelby and Cameron team up to knock Lyle down a peg or two and put him in his place. Erin Hahn’s first foray into adult rom com was a win for me. I would highly recommend this to any romance lover. If you are an HGTV fan, this is an excellent book for you. I am hoping best friend Lorelei’s story will be available soon.

Overall, this book was romantic, sweet, and well written. I absolutely enjoyed the premise and plot! Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is due for publication on October 18, 2022.

Was this review helpful?

This book was so frigging cute! I absolutely loved the originality and allll of the characters! I would highly recommend to rom com lovers

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last by Erin Hahn is just the sort of lighthearted love story we need coming out of the pandemic.. It's perfect for those of us who can't get enough of Erin and Ben or Jenny and Dave and their wonderful home renovation shows. In this novel, we follow childhood stars, Shelby Springfield, Cameron Riggs and Lyle Jessup, who have disappeared from the public eye after Shelby and Lyle have a public teenage breakup and Lyle and Shelby then get together and breakup. Cameron has always come whenever Shelby needs him, but this time, when Lyle wants them to star in a home makeover show, will they be able to be together again with Lyle pulling the strings?

This novel is a delight from beginning to end. Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book was the epitome of a great rom com. I LOVED the entire storyline. Loved how fun the banters were. It was a quick and fun read. Reminded me of something I would see on the Hallmark Channel.

Thanks publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed the start of the book, but sadly I think Shelby’s overall character turned me off the rest.

Two childhood stars and sweethearts meet up again later for a home renovation show. I didn’t really connect with the characters or the second chance plot.

Was this review helpful?

3.5/5 stars

3.5/5 stars

I ONLY COULD SEE BEN AND ERIN FROM HOMETOWN USA WHILE READING THIS. I MEAN SHELBY HAS A BOB HAIRSTYLE?? CAM HAS A BEARD? THEIR COLORINGS MATCH? Anyways.

This is a very solid rom-com by Erin Hahn. I am not a huge fan of second chance romances, but I was rooting for Cam and Shelby and it worked for me in this novel. The years of shared history and the pining were excellent. (I thought the flashback was weird, but whatever)

The home renovation show was a fun setting and overall I just loved how midwestern this was (yay for the fleet farm reference).

My only critique is that it just got a tad boring as we went along and I'm not sure if that is just my current headspace or if the plot just slowed down. I tend to struggle in romance once the characters get together and I wish we had prolonged the tension of "will they, won't they" for a bit longer.

I also thought it was strange that Cameron knew what a "himbo" is, but didn't know what a hashtag was. The relationship to social media in this was a tad weird, like Shelby doesn't have an Insta??

This novel is very mature, once Cam and Shelby figure their stuff out they're isn't miscommunication between them and there isn't a third act breakup. I appreciated their directness and how Shelby didn't want Cameron to protect her.

Overall, I enjoyed this one, it just wasn't the perfect novel for me.

I'm not sure if Hahn has sold her next adult romance, but if so...it's Lorelai's book right?

Was this review helpful?

I was excited to read this star-crossed, friends to lovers romance because the premise was a little different for me. I found both lead characters to be easy to relate to, and I enjoyed reading both perspectives of the story. While the development of Shelby and Cameron's romance seemed a little slow at times, it was accompanied by some nice character development, which gave the story a richer feel. I am extremely appreciative that the author avoided the seemingly inevitable "misunderstanding/break up" towards the end of the book. Rather than adding unnecessary drama, Ms. Hahn opted to have the characters act like adults. Lorelei seems like an obvious choice for a second book, which I would be very happy to read!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?