*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for review. All thoughts are my own.*

This was my first book by Erin Hahn, and I really enjoyed it! I think this was a great adult debut, and second chance romance is a trope I really love.

Shelby Springfield has spent years trying to overcome her past. She was a former child star who had an average pop career, a public meltdown captured by paparazzi, and a big public breakup with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. She also can’t seem to forget Cameron Riggs, her other co-star and childhood sweetheart.

Whenever Shelby called, Cameron would come. Then Cameron would take off, traveling around the world making documentaries, unable to confess what he really wants. Lyle winds up shaking things up and calling both Shelby and Cameron in to do a home renovation show, putting them both back in the spotlight.

Cameron wants to come home and put down some roots, Shelby wants to prove she’s not the party girl anymore, and Lyle wants to mess with them both. As Shelby and Cameron film the pilot for “Homemade”, will they rekindle the flame?

I loved the chemistry between Shelby and Cameron! They have such a sweet relationship, and we got to see some flashbacks into their past that really added to the story. They begin to grow as individuals and face their mistakes. I found myself cheering for them along the way and hoping for a successful show. I believe that the secondary characters in this book may get their own stories, so I am excited about that as well. I really found them to be enjoyable!

If you fancy romance and home renovation, I think you would really like this book!

Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs first met as child stars while working on "The World According to Jackson." As teenagers, they were sneaking off for secret kisses in closets. As adults, they've been pining for each other from a distance, each unwilling to admit their feelings to the other. Finally, after 10 years, the two are pushed back together to film a pilot for "Homemade," a home renovation show.

The chemistry between these two is adorable, and I found their romance story very cute and cozy. Looking forward to more from this author.

This one was a DNF for me. I will not be posting a review of it but thank you for sending I think people would like this one it just wasn't for me. Thank you again for the copy.

This is the type of sweet, swoony story that makes my heart sing.

I am such a sucker for the “build something together while building a foundation for a relationship/rebuilding a relationship” trope. The writing flows so well I just felt myself zipping through the pages, falling more and more head over heels for these characters.

Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs were childhood sweethearts– growing up together on and off camera on a hugely popular show. When things between them heated up too much as teens, they split ways and spent the next decade apart, trying to shed parts of their past they’d long outgrown.

It’s been five years since Shelby split very publicly from her other former co-star, Lyle. The first person she called when it happened was Cameron. He knew the timing still wasn’t right for their relationship, so he ran away again. While Shelby moved back home to Michigan to restore furniture and houses, Cam’s been making documentaries all around the world.

Now the pair gets a chance to reunite on camera– with Lyle begging them to give the spotlight another shot.

The tension and chemistry is palpable, just jumping off the page. The banter is fantastic. The setting is also super easy to picture, with three-dimensional side characters that help bring the world to life. The villains in the story are truly punchable, so you’ll be feeling some type of visceral way for them to get their comeuppance. I’m crossing my fingers for another story in this universe!

Thanks to SMP Romance and NetGalley for a review copy.

Hahn’s first romance novel for adults features a second chance romance between a pair of former child stars–turned House flipper and documentarian. They’re brought back together over the prospect of an HGTV-style renovation show based in Michigan. Local ties, song-related chapter headings, smart leads and fun side characters make this a potential series to watch out for. Shelby has two best friends Hahn could feature later.

Shelby Springfield has spent the last decade trying to sand away the past like she does her vintage furniture. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a dwindling pop career or very public break up with her co-star, Lyle Jessup. And then there’s Cameron Riggs, her other former co-star and childhood love that got away. When the two are brought back together by Lyle’s schemes and a home renovation television show, sparks and sawdust begin to fly.

This book was so good!! I love love love second chance romance. It always gives the best warm and fuzzy feelings! As an HGTV fan, I loved how flipping houses was such a big part of the book. Watching Cam and Shelby reconnect as they worked side by side on the house was just 🥹🥹 Thank you to Erin Hahn and St. Martin’s Press for my gifted e-ARC!

This book was just a miss for me. I tried to enjoy it but I couldn’t get into it or the characters… I thought the story was slow and romance part a bit messy with the love triangle.

Built to Last is the story of Shelby and Cameron, former best friends and child celebrities. They had a secret romance off screen while on screen Shelby’s love interest was Lyle. The Lyle, who cheats on her in real life 5 years later causing Shelby to drunk call Cameron, then exploits her as an addicted has been. The Lyle that brings Shelby and Cameron back together yet again after another five years to make a buck and attempt to exploit her a second time. This time the jokes on Lyle.

I just loved the connection that Erin Hahn creates between Shelby and Cam. Their interactions are perfection in how they naturally sync together whether on screen or in private. Also, the ride or die friendship between Shelby and Lorelei…all the hearts!

This is my second book by @erinhahn_author and I can’t wait to read more.

4 Stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #builttolast #erinhahn

A fun sweet romance with a lot of heart, really enjoyed the pacing and character development in this treat of a novel

If you love
2nd chances
Sweet romance
Fast read
This is for you. Such a cute romance story definitely recommend!

This book was perfect! I loved the little bit of Hollywood, music industry, child star start and then the HGTV side. The growth of the characters felt genuine, and the drama was not the usual “Will they or won’t they” type. Would love to see the side characters in a sequel!

3.5 This story is told in Dual POV from Shelby and Cameron.

Overall I liked the second chance story. It was interesting and different than what I have read recently. It was a mix of sweet and steamy. The characters were well developed and most were likable.

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

When childhood tv stars, Shelby and Cameron, get back together to rehab a house for a new pilot the sparks fly. This book will appeal to lovers of the second chance trope and to those of us who live and breathe by HGTV. There is great banter, touching moments, and times that will make your heart melt for these two.

Sometimes you just need a feel-good story to keep you going throughout the busy time in life. Built to Last was just that. I loved the characters, I loved the storyline, and I loved my time in this world. Shelby has tried to hide from the outside world for the last ten years after a horrible breakup and her stardom being crushed. Cameron has left his childhood acting career long behind him and found a new life traveling the globe with National Geographic. When Shelby calls, Cameron can't help but come running. His long-time crush on his co-star has never been forgotten. When they two are brought back together for a home renovation show, will they be able to continue on with life, or will their true feelings for each other conquer all? I loved this story. It was perfect in every way. There were laughs, sighs, some steamy bits, and an all-around happy feeling. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Erin Hahn for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn’t help but cruise through this one. The characters are adorable and I love the way they work together. The house flipping idea is amazing and I love fix it up shows so much. It was so immersing and I couldn’t stop reading.

Shelby, Cameron, and Lyle were childhood stars on a show together and that ended 10 years ago. Lyle, Shelby's former beau, is once again trying to get under Shelby's skin. He wants her to do a reality renovation show with her best friend, Cameron. Lyle has some things under his sleeve to get under Shelby's skin but Shelby is really wanting to prove herself. As Shelby and Cameron work on the show, Shelby's true feelings for Cameron resurface and this time she is ready to act on those feelings. Problem is, is Cameron on the same page. Shelby needs this episode to be successful so there will be more to film. Really enjoyed reading this book by Erin Hahn and will be reading more of her books. Thanks to Ms. Hahn, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Griffin, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book is wonderful!! I liked the childhood star aspect and wanting to grow up. Second Change romance is always a fun one too. Cam is swoon worthy and Shelby is a great strong female lead! I love love loved the flipping houses aspect. That’s been popular lately but this is one of my favs!

Thank you for the advance reader copy of this novel. I wanted to like this novel that seemed so fresh and ROM com worthy. I tried several times to read but couldn't get into this novel.

This second chance, friends to lovers romance follows Shelby and Cameron. The two were child actor co-stars on a TV show but when outside pressures killed their clandestine romance, they go their separate ways for 10 years. Shelby now works for her dad's business restoring and flipping old homes and Cameron is a documentary film maker for National Geographic. Neither plan to return in front of the camera, but when their other co-star (and Shelby's ex), Lyle, comes to them with a plan for a home restoration TV show Shelby and Cameron agree to try a pilot episode. Working together again bring back a lot of old feelings and history but Shelby and Cameron are both different people than when they were 18 and their new friendship turns into something more - despite Lyle's best attempts at sabotage. This was a fantastic read and I absolutely loved it from beginning to end. It feels like Hahn reached into my brain and wrote this book specifically to hit everything I love in a romance. Shelby and Cameron are interesting, complex, and sincere characters with great support side characters. The set up of the story and past history between them feels so natural that I could be 100% on board with their second-chance romance. Shelby and Cameron have sizzling hot chemistry but they could never quite figure out how to actually be together. I thought this was going to be the main conflict in the relationship - complete with multiple misunderstandings. However, I was so excited when they actually talked to each other very early on in the story and continued to have good communication throughout the story. The main source of conflict comes from outside of the relationship, which I always prefer because it usually makes for a low-angst read (and I would categorize this as low angst). I really loved the side characters and how they were all very well developed and the friendships between them and our main couple felt very fleshed out. For anyone who really loves these HGTV-esque romances, I think this one will really hit the spot as well - I loved how much behind the scenes we get and since Shelby and Cameron grew up as child actors, they have a pretty interesting view of the whole process that I don't see very often.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC

Publication date was October 18, 2022

Built to Last by Erin Hahn introduces us to two childhood sweethearts, who also used to be child TV stars, and their journey of a second chance romance. The characters are super likable and I was routing for Shelby and Cameron throughout. So many cute moments between these two! I loved the whole home improvement show idea as well. Great story and I can't wait to read more from Erin Hahn in the future!