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!

I voluntarily agreed to read and honestly review this book.
To me this story shows how two people can take what should have been and changing it into what can be. It shows us that with the communication lines being open, speaking truthfully and honestly to each other, you can build the relationship you both want to have. It reminds me of that ages-old adage: Speak from your heart.

This book has all the makings of a really fun rom-com. But I read just 10% of it and found it had a lot of f-words already. When I searched the Kindle copy on the device, I saw the book has over 100 instances of just that strong profanity, so I just decided to cut my losses and stop reading. There was also a scene at the very beginning where a drunk main character gropes the other one.

(NOTE: My site exists to help readers -- adults-- who don't want to read books with a lot of profanity or other strong content. There are thousands of sites that simply review books. Mine is to serve the many readers who are looking for cleaner reads. If I know early in reading that a book won't be clean, I will give it a pass and let my site visitors know. If I don't share the content information I do know about it, then my readers will be going in blind if they hear someone else recommend it. So I do give it a basic rating so they know what the content is: If they are looking for a clean read, this won't be it for them. It has nothing to do with the quality of the writing or how fun the book is, etc. It's just that some readers won't want to come across the content.)

Shelby, a former child star has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her days as a child star. Her mother treated her as a commodity and she was horribly betrayed by her now ex-boyfriend and ex-best girlfriend, both who were and are horribly vapid egomaniacs with zero awareness of anyone other than themselves. Ugh. They cooked up a plan for their own career advancement and cheated on Shelby, humiliated her publicly and lied to make the world believe it was all her fault. After a major public meltdown she left Hollywood and headed home to her dad. She wanted to start anew and let let go of all of the cesspool of truly despicable people associated with it and her former life. She is now back home and working with her dad. Her new creative outlet is finding and giving new life to old furniture. She is a true artisan. That she doesn’t recognize her new passion is a metaphor for her life shows just how in her head she still is. She mostly wants to be forget everything about her Hollywood experience with the exception of Cameron, a former co-star and the first and honestly only true love. Their last time together didn’t pan out the way she thought she wanted it to. He was a true stand up person who wanted to be there for her, but wasn’t willing to be used. When her ex comes calling for she and Cameron to host a reality show about home rehabbing she says yes, only to be able to create a financial cushion for her beloved dad. We all know reality TV is all scripted, but when Lyle the snake (the truly smarmy ex) starts playing games to make them look bad and inept, they work together to not only do a great job, but to in their own way get even and work the situation to their advantage, Lyle, who with his massive ego cannot possibly fathom anyone being smarter than him or liking anyone more than his charming self ultimately gets his and Shelby and Cameron find their way back to each other. It’s a sweet, funny, witty listen that leads to a great HEA. This was a great introduction to this author for me. Looking forward to listening or reading more of her work.

Read as an e-arc, this 2nd chance troupe was an enjoyable read. A Hollywood vibe and mid-west setting of G.R. Michigan. The main characters had a strong development and the secondary characters enriched the story.

Overall, I appreciated the setting and home improvement show background. I wish there was more diversity in the book. Note slow burn romance for those that need to have more heat quickly.

Shelby and Cameron are former child pop stars and each other’s first loves. After years apart, they were hired to film a reality show about flipping houses.

Now they are trying to navigate their lingering feelings, clear up their MANY miscommunications, and figure out if they have a chance to rebuild their love.

While I was frustrated by their lack of communication at times, I did find myself enamored by this romance book.

WOW I loved this book!! I am so glad I got a chance to read it. It is a wonderful romantic, witty and fun read! I look forward to a sequel!

I love the former friends to estranged friends to lovers trope. I also really loved having both POVs for this book. The misscommunications at time were a little annoying though they finally moved past that toward the end. I liked the tv show aspect of this. Home renovations books are really popular this year and I’m really loving that trend!

3.5 stars, rounded up. Built to Last is a sweet, spicy, open door second chance romance. Shelby and Cameron are reunited in Michigan, years after their public time together as teenagers on a tv show ended. They have both been through a lot during their time apart, but when they have a chance to work together again on a home improvement show, sparks fly. Their co-star during their teenage acting years (and Shelby’s ex!) happens to be the show runner for this new show, and he jealously tries to cause trouble, for Shelby in particular. I adored Shelby and Cameron, and how they handled the drama and their feelings for one another. The supporting characters were also well done. This story isn’t very deep and is somewhat predictable as many rom-coms are, but it is laugh out loud funny in parts and is a sweet story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I gave this a five out of five stars. I loved the friendships and romantic relationships. This is on my list of favorite books now. I can’t wait to get a physical copy for my collection!

Erin Hahn can do no wrong in my opinion! This was her first rom com and I absolutely loved it. It was sweet, hopeful, romantic and dreamy. It was a great second chance romance that shows what happens when time and experiences teaches you what you've had all along. I loved Shelby's strength and Cameron was so great as well. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this sweet light hearted romance.

I liked the real honest family dynamics. I loved the character growth! I loved the idea of a house flipping show where these two meet again, as an HGTV fan. I was not a fan of Lyle at all.

Overall, this was a cute, fun lighthearted read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Built to Last is a fun rom-com about child stars Shelby Springfield, Cameron Riggs, and Lyle Jessup. Ten years ago their super successful show ended. Cameron took off for college while Shelby was in love with him, and Lyle swooped in to sweep Shelby off her feet. Except Lyle turned out to be a liar and a cheat. Now he’s trying to get the gang back together for a new home improvement reality show. With Cameron and Shelby in front of the camera and Lyle calling the shots, there is always a surprise about to happen. Lyle is still bitter that Shelby has always loved Cameron, and Cameron is always running away afraid to find out what will happen if he stays with Shelby. When they have several months filming and working closely together, it’s hard for Cameron and Shelby to forget the past and the love they have for each other. This was a fun, quick read, and the characters were fun to get to know.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

The romance in this story was ok. Would have liked more about the house restoration. It seemed a little slow and drawn out. No real surprises. Would make a good Hallmark movie.