I really enjoyed this book! It was a fun read about two former child stars who have a second chance romance when they team up to shoot a pilot for a home renovation show! Highly recommend if you like: Michigan, the Midwest, famous people, second chance romances, guys with beards who wear flannel, and pop music. Each chapter starts with a song title which was pretty cool! Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press for the copy via NetGalley. This is my honest review. This book came out a while ago so you can read it now!

I really enjoyed this book! The book follows two former child stars that have a second chance romance when they team up to shoot a pilot for a home renovation show. I loved that the big conflict was more external than internal. I really liked that their former co-star was the villain. I thought it added an interesting aspect. I really liked that Shelby and Cameron sorted their stuff out individually and when they finally had their conversation, it was healthy and worked for them. By communicating clearly they were able to avoid the miscommunication mess that is in so many romance books.

I loved all the side characters! Based on some of the reviews I’ve read it seems like some of them may be getting spin-off books which I look forward to reading!

Overall, this was a 4.75 for me! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a super cute second chance contemporary romance book. Shelby, Lyle and Cameron were child stars on a hit show. Cameron and Shelby had instant chemistry, but when they became young adults circumstances led Cameron to leave the show, go to college and start a career creating National Geographic documentaries all over the world. Shelby fell into a relationship with Lyle, which ended publicly, and messily. Shelby left her acting career and went home to Michigan. She worked with her father in his contracting business and became a master furniture restorer. Every time Shelby needed Cameron, he dropped everything and came running. But, he never stayed.

Shelby's latest call comes with a proposition. Star in a home renovation show so they can prove to everyone that they aren't total screw-ups, and Cameron can explore finally settling down. The catch; Lyle is producing the show, and he's got shenanigans up his sleeves to mess with the couple. I loved the chemistry and the "will they or won't they" tension throughout most of the book. Shelby and Cameron and so cute, but they kept sending each other mixed signals. When they finally got on the same page, however, the couple was fire. I loved the trust and support they had for each other, and the minor characters supporting the main story added dimension and humor to the book. I raced through this book in just a few hours and loved it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.

Oh my stars. This book absolutely knocked it out of the park for me! Picturesque setting, adorable characters, and an actual plot line made this a 5 star read for me. I absolutely loved that Shelby found her calling after her acting days were over. I loved the relationship with her dad and all that she learned from him. From the beginning, I was so pulling for her and Cameron to pull through and go the distance. Lyle was such a monster and I was very passionate about how much I hated him. I think him and Shelby's mom had a tie for who I hated the most. Overall, I thought this book had everything it needed to make it a true five star read.

This romcom was cute, though not the most memorable for me. That isn’t to say it doesn’t have it’s good moments— I always appreciate stories told via dual or multiple POVs because it allows to know exactly where both characters are at mentally-speaking in relation to the plot, and I do think that worked in this story’s favor. And while I don’t read too many small-town romances, I adore second-chance ones, so this was a nice happy medium in-between both.

*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.