Member Reviews

Childhood stars Shelby and Cameron drifted apart as they reached adulthood, Shelby staying in the limelight with their former co-start Lyle, as Cameron takes on nature/adventure series.

Far apart but sharing a connection, Built to Last follows their reunion around a home improvement theme. Not shying away from the challenges of childhood celebrity, the way rumors can be fueled by social media, and how others change behavior, Built to Last balances the emotions and takes you along their journey.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed reading Built to Last; it was a fast, fun and cute story. Shelby and Cameron are former child stars that were co-stars on a Disney Channel type show. Their relationship grew from a crush to a romance that was cut short when Cameron left for college and Shelby stayed in LA. Ten years later they have reunited to star in a home renovation show - Home Made. Great for fans of HGTV - it reminded by of Home Town and Fixer Upper. I love both shows so reading this was a lot of fun.

We get to watch Shelby and Cameron fall back in love while dealing with Lyle - their other former co-star and Shelby’s ex-boyfriend. She dated him for 5 years after Cameron left. He is producing Home Made and stirring up some trouble. But that doesn’t last for too long and I was happy with how the conflict was wrapped up.

I enjoyed this story and recommended this for readers who enjoy::
Second Chance Romance
Small town settings
HGTV renovation shows
Strong female friendships - Shelby‘ s friends - will be getting their own romances!

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last is a sweet second chance romance between two former child stars. The story takes place in a small town during the course of filming a pilot for a home renovation show.

The couple, Shelby and Cameron,are sweet and it is easy to cheer them on to their HEA. The plot did lag in places and I had to work harder than I like to stay engaged.

Overall, I enjoyed this one probably because I am a huge HGTV home renovation show junkie, so I loved that this couple was working on a home reno pilot.

If you enjoy home improvement shows and sweet second chance romance, this book is for you!

3.5/rounded up

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last by Erin Hahn is an entertaining novel with an interesting plot. Cameron and Shelby are former beloved child actors who are now pushing 30. Neither of them are still acting but both have successful careers. There has always been an attraction between Cameron and Shelby but their timing has been off. Shelby's ex-boyfriend Lyle is now a producer and he sells Cameron and Shelby on the idea of filming a home flipping TV pilot.
Shelby has been working as a furniture restorer in Michigan and her dad is a building contractor. Despite their reservations Cameron and Shelby agree to Lyle's proposal and begin to work on the show together. Hahn's characters are interesting and authentic and they add credibility to the story. Sparks fly between Cameron and Shelby while they navigate roadblocks on the way to building their future together.

Was this review helpful?

Out of all romance tropes I think second chance romance is one of my favorites and the one that is nearest and dearest to my heart. So any book with second chance romance always excites me!
Childhood second chance romance even cuter!
I liked the premise of this book- Its a light hearted fluffy read. it was fun, just wasn't very memorable for me!
3.5 stars for me

Thank you to @netgalley and @smpromance for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Was this review helpful?

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up for this former celeb couple romance!

I loved Shelby and Riggs! So refreshing to read a romance where the characters go through their own trials, own their issues, grow, and communicate like adults. There’s no third act break up (really over those) and the 🔥 payoff is worth the slow burn build up! So much swoon.

Now sitting and waiting for Lorelei’s story, if the “comments thread” was any indication (please?!?)

Thanks so much St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

This was a charming, sweet and, in parts, steamy story about a possible second-chance romance. I liked the chemistry between Shelby and Cameron although they seemed to spend a lot of time apologizing for what happened in the past. I kept wondering if they would actually end up together or not. Did they? Not going to say, but I do recommend you read this book. I found it to be a very enjoyable romantic comedy. I love HGTV so I was excited to read a book about home renovations. The story here was very well written, especially with the POV's of Shelby and Cameron. I didn't care for Lyle's character and also for Shelby's mother, but the rest of the characters were all very likable.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last was a fun read! Shelby and Cameron met when they were child actors, and they have each always had a thing for the other. Cameron kept walking away in the past, but this time they have a house to renovate and a new show to make.
I liked watching them together, trying to figure out if their feelings were mutual or not. I loved how Cameron wanted everything on the show to go well and be perfect for Shelby. Their best friends were great side characters and added to the story.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to more adult rom-coms from Erin Hahn. I appreciated that the drama was outside of the main characters' relationship, too.

Was this review helpful?

A contemporary adult romance that incorporates childhood sweethearts that get a second chance at romance.

Built to Last has a really cute storyline about Shelby and Cameron who end up working together, after years apart, on a reality TV show about renovating an old house to sell. Their relationship hasn’t always been great but working closely together changes that.

As much as I wanted to love this one, it was slightly underwhelming for me. I wanted something -anything - to happen sooner than it did. I had zero issue with the writing or the story itself, it was just slow going. I did like the growth we see in Shelby, and her overcoming things from her past.

I thank @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Built to Last by Erin Hahn
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Start date: October 12, 2022
Finish date: October 16, 2022
Pub date: October 18, 2022

▫️second chance romance 💞
▫️dual POV 👀
▫️childhood sweethearts 🥰

Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press for a digital copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This romcom sounded super cute, but it just didn’t grab my attention. I kept waiting for something to happen and it took a really long time to get going. I enjoyed the ending but I think it needed some bigger things to happen sooner, which would have made it easier to want to pick it up and continue reading. I liked the family dynamics & great friendships both Cam and Shelby had. I loved Shelby’s passion for her work, and her relationship with her Dad.
Shelby and Cam are super sweet together, they communicate well and make a great team.

Was this review helpful?

I could not put this book down. Second chance romance and childhood friends are some of my favorite tropes. I knew from the moment the first chapter was done that I was going to be in love with this book.

Erin’s style of writing is addictive and every word rolls off the page capturing you into the story like a movie.

Was this review helpful?

Shelby is a child star trying to overcome her reputation and her relationship with one of her former co-stars. A home renovation show throws them back together, along with another former co-star, Shelby's childhood sweetheart. The fun plot makes several analogies to the importance of building a strong foundation. Read this one now; you won't regret it!

I did receive an advance copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This book was an adorable look at Shelby and Cameron's life long, will they won't they romance. Through in a reality show about home renovation and you get a tender hearted #relationshipgoals story!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cameron Riggs and Shelby Springfield are two former tween child stars secretly in love who lost touch for several years. Shelby moved back to Michigan with her dad and started restoring furniture, while Cameron became a videographer for National Geographic. Their former costar Lyle Jessup dated Shelby for 5 years and cheated on her with her best friend, who then wrote a breakup album and won a Grammy for it.

Fast forward to the current time and Lyle is a producer for an HGTV type network who is pitching a home makeover show called HomeMade. Shelby and Cameron will be the stars, even though Cameron has zero experience. Shelby's dad will act as a consult and Cameron will be his apprentice. They film the pilot and their chemistry is undeniable.

I enjoyed the alternating perspectives and the chapter titles that were pop songs. The characters' banter was witty and adorable, and I liked the little bit of behind the scenes about home renovation. There were some pretty steamy scenes as well. Being the type of genre it is, it was a little predictable.

I would recommend for someone who likes romance, second chance love and home renos.

Was this review helpful?

What do you get when you add a home renovation show, two former child stars and a second chance romance set in a small town in Michigan? That would be BUILT TO LAST by Erin Hahn, and it is just as delightful as it sounds.

Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs are former child stars from a popular tween show. They're also former childhood sweethearts. While Cameron went off to college after the show and made documentaries for National Geographic, Shelby had a few wild years before leaving the Hollywood and moving to Michigan to restore furniture.

Now the two are offered a chance to star in a pilot for a new home renovation show - one that is being produced by Shelby's ex boyfriend and the third star of their show Lyle. Shelby wants to prove she's not the girl she used to be and offer her father something he can fall back on if needed. Cameron doesn't know anything about home reno, but he'd do anything for Shelby.


The chemistry between the two is off the charts, but can they make it work for good off screen this time around?

I really loved this book. Shelby and Cameron were such a great couple. And I loved Shelby's friendship with Lorelei (who is getting her own book!). I used to be a big fan of Fixer Upper when we bought our own fixer upper, so I also really enjoy books about home renovation.

BUILT TO LAST comes out today, so make sure to pick up a copy!</p>

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I love home improvement television shows,
so when I saw there was a second chance romance revolving around a diy show-I just had to read this! The premise was cute and I adored both MC’s Cameron and Shelby. Loved the beginning and it hooked me, then it started to drag just a bit. The last half of the book made up for it. Cameron is the perfect cinnamon roll hero and Shelby was equally lovable. If you enjoy friends to lovers and second chance romance you will thoroughly enjoy this book. A little home improvement, tons of witty banter, and a lot of heart in this one!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 stars

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Second chance romance is my all time favorite trope and this one is particularly adorable.

Shelby and Cameron have known each other since childhood when they starred in a TV show together. After filming ended, their lives went in different directions but he always came running when she called.

Now they are teamed up with their third co-star (and Shelby's ex) to film a home renovation reality show in the town where Shelby has started over after her Hollywood demise.

While there is tons of drama in this book, there's not much between the couple and I liked that. They clearly have loved each other for a long time and just needed a gentle push in the right direction to get together. There's great humor and wonderful side characters.

I highly recommend this one for romance readers.

Was this review helpful?

Shelby Springfield is a former notorious Hollywood party girl, a reputation she has been trying to get rid of since her break up with her high-profile former co-star. Shelby moved back home to Michigan and found her passion for restoring houses. When Hollywood comes knocking in the form of a new home improvement show, Shelby is excited about the opportunity until her new possible co-star, Cameron Riggs, is revealed. Shelby and Cameron have a complicated romantic history, and Shelby isn't sure if she wants to revisit it, but she doesn't know if she can stay away.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Shelby and Cameron's relationship was equal parts sweet and sizzling. Hahn did a great job of integrating commentary on how actresses are represented in the media. The book uses storylines thoughtfully to question the media frenzy around female celebrities while keeping the book playful. The book was a fun, fluffy romance with a little deeper message.

Was this review helpful?

I was able to read "Built to Last" by Erin Hahn on NetGalley. I wasn't sure how much I would like it before I started, but I loved this book! I was hesitant because the main characters were child sitcom stars and I wasn't sure how believable they would be. But I thought all the characters in the book were very well developed. In fact, I'm hoping there will be another book taking up the story of one of Shelby's best friends. The book ending hinted at that!

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book I've read by Erin Hahn and it was definitely a hit! I enjoyed the premise of them being former child stars on a TV show. I found the antagonism between Lyle and his former costars, Shelby and Cameron, to compelling and I just wanted them to take that man down a notch! I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

Was this review helpful?