Rating: Absolutely Loved It, 5 stars!

I absolutely adored Built to Last by Erin Hahn. In this we follow Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, two child actors on a children's TV show where they fell in love. However, they fell apart and fell back together over the years, both eventually fleeing Hollywood for a life of their own. Now, they are full grown adults: Shelby restores antique furniture and works with her dad flipping houses, and Cameron a successful nature documentarian (?) for National Geographic. Their old co-star and Shelby's ex, Lyle Jessup pulls them in to star in a new home renovation reality show. Obviously sparks fly, and an HEA ensues.

I absolutely adored all the tropes in this one: childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance, home renovation, reality tv, small town romance, dual POVs, and two sunshine souls (not sure if that's a real trope, but I still love it)

I loved the characters in this. I felt like they each were fleshed out and had their own personality, and I loved them both. I was rooting for both of them so much throughout this book. I one hundred percent bought them as a couple and was just so thrilled every time their romance progressed. It was a very slow burn type romance with them both dancing around their feelings for a while, but I thought it was totally worth the wait.

My favorite part about this was that there was no true third act drama, which I LOVED! There is a little bit, but it made sense and didn't make me hate the characters.

I also really loved their friends in this book. Kevin already has Beth, but I'm excited because I'm pretty sure we will get to see Lorelei next, and then perhaps Maren? I'm hopeful at least. I just loved all the little pieces woven throughout this book, and I felt like this was excellent, especially for an adult debut. I will definitely continue to follow Erin Hahn and this (hopefully) series. I highly recommend if these tropes sound like they would work for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Built to Last releases October 18, 2022.

This is a fun quick read. Two former child stars are reunited to film a pilot for a house flipping show. Shelby and Cameron along with Lyle grew up on tv series with singing and dancing. Shelby and Cameron have only seen each other once in the last ten years and that was five years ago after she left Lyle for him cheating on her with her best friend. She moved back to Michigan and joined her father in his house flipping business. In the last ten years, Cameron went to college and has been working filming documentaries. I loved how it all worked out.

I received a free copy of this book to review through NetGalley.

Built To Last was a very quick, entertaining read. I love the setting. The two child co-stars get together to film a home renovation show. This HGTV viewer gobbled up those home restoration pieces.

This is a second chance romance. Main characters of Built to Last, Shelby and Cameron are each others firsts. After being apart for 10 years and one missed connection they finally get it right this time around. They both have their own issues. Shelby is trying to prove herself as a house flipper (with her dad) after growing up in front of the cameras as a child and leading a somewhat scandalous life in her early twenties. Cam exists the acting scenes years ago, goes to college and become a documentary maker but he comes running because he cannot resist the opportunity of helping her. Shelby has a nightmare of a mom and terrible ex who happens to be the showrunner of Shelby and Cam's show. Cam doesn't have the smoothest relationship with his dad,

What I liked about this book
-there was no unnecessary third act drama. It took some time for them to admit their feeling for another but once they were together they were good to go.
-how supportive Shelby's dad and her friends were.
-the setting. furniture restoration, antique market shopping.

What I didn't like
-how comically the bad characters (The ex Lyle and mother Ada Mae) were written.
-the author made Cam into a home renovation expert in no time. I would have enjoyed him stumbling down and struggling a little bit
-Cam bowed out of his documentary career waay to easily. National Geographic would be a tough gig to walk away I'd assume
-Cam's tree trunk thighs! Shelby is obviously obsessed with them because she repeated that about 10 times. I know men's forearms is common attraction object in romance novels but thighs? This must be new. Cam is a bearded lumberjack so he seems to fit right into the romance hearttrob role.

Overall I thought this was an entertaining read but sadly it was not very memorable.

This was a really cute romcom! I really enjoyed the relearning that Cam and Shelby went through when reconnecting, and they were so cute together with how they clearly doted on each other even before they were in a relationship. The fact that there wasn’t a ¾ conflict between the two was super nice since they had already been struggling with repressed feelings and mixed messages the whole book. One pet peeve for me was the nickname “Shelb” that was used, but that’s just a personal thing because I have the same name and cannot stand it. :) The supporting characters were all really nice, and I enjoyed the journey they all went on, even though it felt like there needed to be a bit more of a resolution with the Marcella storyline. It was exactly as described, and I really liked reading it!

Built to Last, the adult rom-com debut by Erin Hahn, is the kind of romance you can relax into. A quaint rural setting and two enigmatic former child sweethearts make this dual point of view second chance romance refreshingly fun! I found myself reading for pure enjoyment, forgetting that I would actually need to review it, as well. And those are the best kinds of books.

Romances with the celebrity or ex-celebrity trope can often be hit or miss for me, so I went into this one with a little bit of trepidation. But I so enjoyed Hahn’s previous young adult book Never Saw You Coming, that I had faith in Hahn’s writing and storytelling. While Never Saw You Coming dealt with some heavier subjects, Built to Last never dives too deep beyond relationship issues, but I found I was okay with that. It was refreshing and positive. Our main characters aren’t wallowing in their past mistakes, they’ve learned from them and become more well-rounded people as they’ve grown up.

It felt like Hahn had fun writing this novel, and it’s reflected in the characters and story.

Our main characters are Shelby and Cameron, both originally from Michigan. They met when they were children working on a juvenile television series in L.A., along with fellow actor Lyle. Shelby and Cam were each other’s first loves, but when the show ended as they turned eighteen, Cam went away to college. As often happens with young love, they both assumed things about the other and didn’t speak. Shelby fell into a very public relationship with Lyle, and when things ended badly, she left the Hollywood life (thanks to some encouragement from Cam) to return to rural Michigan, giving up acting and singing for a business restoring furniture alongside her father. Cam finished college and began working for National Geographic, following his stories around the world. The two have only seen each other once in the past ten years, but they still care deeply for one another.

When Lyle decides to stir up some trouble, getting the trio back together, he deceives Shelby and Cam into a meeting, proposing a home improvement show they can’t resist agreeing to do. Shelby would like to clear her name and prove to the world she’s changed and Cam would like to put down some roots near his family. And near Shelby.

What ensues is a delightful romance with plenty of hi-jinks from Lyle, a fun cast of side characters, and a love story that is oh so spicy and sweet.

I also enjoyed the musical infusion into the story. Like many young actors, Shelby, Cam, and Lyle all dipped into music, as well, so there might have been a memorable karaoke scene in this one. And it took me a few chapters to notice, but each chapter title is a song title, as well, which is always fun to find in books.

Pick up Built to Last prepared to be entertained and romanced. Enjoy the wonderful side characters, some of whom deserve their own books. (I feel like Hahn was preparing the readers for a sequel centered on Shelby’s best friend Lorelai, and I can only hope that it comes to fruition.) Delight in the picturesque country setting, and let this second chance romance charm your socks off!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer

I am a huge fan of Erin Hahn's YA books and that made me so excited to pick up her first adult romance-- Built to Last. This one is definitely not YA with a few open door romance scenes, so keep that in mind!

Built to Last is about two former child TV stars- Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs- who are now all grown up. Shelby and Cameron are reunited for a home improvement reality TV show, and as they work together to remodel a house for the show, old feelings for each other are reignited.

I really enjoyed the setting of the home improvement reality show. I have watched a gazillion of those shows, and it made for a cute setting for this story. Shelby and Cam were both likeable characters, and I enjoyed their friends as well (who I hear are going to get their own books someday as well).

I did think that the story was lacking conflict. Shelby liked Cam and Cam liked Shelby and they lived happily ever after. The end. It was a very nice, happy story, but I thought it needed more conflict and perhaps some more angst. It reminded me of The Suite Spot by Trish Doller, a book that I also had similar feelings about. However I know there are many readers who would prefer a pleasant, non-angsty romance, so this book could be just the right fit for someone out there!!

I didn't love everything about this one, but it was a quick and easy and happy book. I will still pick up whatever Erin Hahn writes next!!

This is Erin Hahn's first adult novel. I've read her YA novels and enjoyed them I thought Built to Last had a great premise, but it still read more like a YA book with some more swearing and a couple of sex scenes. Shelby and Cameron were child stars who have lost touch with each other. Their other co-star Lyle, tricks them into meeting up to do a reality show - flipping houses. Which for Shelby made sense because she's been working with her dad on refurbishing houses and furniture. It made little sense for Cameron to be involved - he did not do home improvement and Lyle hates him. This was a sticking point for me that I couldn't figure out why Lyle wouldn't cast himself in the show with Shelby since he seemed to want to cause her heartache. I finished the book because I enjoy Hahn's writing style. It was a cute feel good story. If you are looking for a light rom-com type book check this one out!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

4.5 ⭐️

GUYS MY HEART. I can’t. Do you like books where the male love interest is so smitten you can’t help but smile along to everything he says and does? Do you also love home renovation shows? Because this book is for you. Cameron is a literal Lumberjack of a Prince Charming… I would do anything to be loved the way he loves. My heart feels swollen- is that a thing? Can’t be healthy.

Shelby is also a great lead, it was hard not to love her (and her dad if I’m being honest).

Childhood stars, first loves, poor timing and the most honest miscommunication I have read in years. I love love loved this. This was my first book by Erin Hahn - thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC - but it most certainly will NOT be my last. If her other works were as cute as this I may have found a new favourite author.

The only reason I removed a half a star was because of the overall vision for HomeMade(the name of the home Reno show that brought Cam and Shelby back together). It was too much of a reality tv show to be a good home Reno show, and too much home renovation to be a reality tv show… although I understand why things were thrown into the mix, I wish there was a better way.

Recommended if you like: Love and Other Words, How to Love Your Neighbour, and People you Meet on Vacation.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

This was a delightfully and cozy second chance story of two former child stars who definitely weren't in love when they were on a tv show together in their teens (wink wink) but who find themselves thrown together to make a home improvement show now that they are all grown up. I adored this story of two people finding each other with fairly low stakes, just putting in the work and enjoying love. I wish there had been a little more drama, though their co-star (Shelby's ex and current showrunner) tried to manipulate them all the time, it sort of washes over them, which is great for the characters but not so great if you are itching for some emotional confrontations.

But this book didn't really need them. And I loved the cast of characters circling around Shelby and Cameron. Cameron's college roommate and wife, Shelby's best friend the famous country singer (her story is next, right? RIGHT?), all really rounded out the story.

It felt great to read this on a rainy day, all cozied up on my couch with big socks and a mug of something hot. I can't wait to read more of Hahn's books!

I’m often asked for “light” read recommendations and I think this one will be my new go-to.

This second chance at love rom com is one of my new faves. It’s the perfect uplifting, easy-to-read love story. It’ll especially be perfect after all of our dark, spooky reads this fall.

Built to Last by @erinhahn_author comes out October 18 so snag it once it does! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this e-ARC!

Built to Last by Erin Hahn
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Second chance romance! Former child star Shelby Springfield has spent the last few years helping her dad flip homes. Now she is being guven the chance to co-host her own reality TV show flipping houses. Her co-host? Cam Riggs. Her former co-star and first love.
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This story was super cute and I loved it. Shelby and Cam were both such like able characters from the start. I couldn’t help rooting for them in both their romance and their everyday lives.

I loved the home renovation show aspect to this! It made me rethink that I need to start watching those shows.

And I loved all the side characters!! Beth and her Viking, Shelby’s dad, and Lorelai!!! (I am REALLY hoping that there will be a book about Lorelai one day 🥺)

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 If you love sweet romances then be sure to pick this one up.

Hallmarkie Romcom Within HGTV model. This is a Hallmark type romantic comedy where 90 min+ of movie (or, in this case, 300+ pages) could probably be condensed to about 15 (min or pages) if the characters would just *be honest with each other*. So if that kind of thing irritates the Hades out of you... know up front that this is the kind of story you're getting into here.

For everyone else, this is actually a smart and fun (and yes, steamy - again, if you don't like being in the room with characters having sex... not the book for you either) tale that name drops quite a bit from real-world Hollywood, including National Geographic, Chip and JoAnna Gaines, and several other HGTV home reno type couples. If you enjoy those types of shows and wish you could see more "behind the scenes", particularly as the couple first got together... this is going to be pretty much your ideal romance tale.

Overall this really was quite an enjoyable read, and seemed to read faster than its 300+ page count would generally indicate. Very much recommended.

The following review will be posted on my blog, Sunday, October 16th, 2 days before publication. It will be shared on Twitter and Instagram between that day and the day of publication, and has already been posted on Goodreads. The blog post includes links to order the books and to its Goodreads page, so readers can add it to their to-be-read books.





“On Sunday, I cut off all my hair.
Lyle said trim, so I get a bob. Not just because of Lyle. I wanted a definitive way to show the world I wasn’t that girl anymore. I don’t cry on cue, I don’t take shots of tequila in club bathrooms, I don’t flash my underwear on the red carpet, and I no longer let men make my decisions for me.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Deals with alcoholism, insecurities, cheating, parental neglect, and Hollywood trauma.

“Built To Last” follows Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, two childhood costars and lovers, after they’re reunited years later to take part on a home renovation show that’ll change their lives. Since their childhood show (and their breakup), Shelby hit rock bottom and moved back to Michigan to help in her father’s home reno business, while Cam got his college degree and joined Nat Geo, traveling around the world all alone. When their other former costar, Lyle Jessup, calls in to pitch them HomeMade, a new home renovation show, they don’t say no to that pilot, but aren’t too sure about everything else. Working closing with your ex you still love? Kind of a slippery slope to travel—but they’re set on tackling it.

This second-chance romance is the sweet break you’ve been waiting for. With some close proximity and mutual pining, Shelby’s and Cam’s love story is a somewhat slow-paced one, but one that’s worth the wait.

This is the first time I’ve read the “one room/one bed” trope where, in fact, they don’t end up sleeping in the same bed, and nothing actually happens throughout it. It was weird, and perhaps refreshing, being so sure something would happen, and then it didn’t.

The one thing I didn’t like about this book was it’s spicy content. The intimate scenes were weird and climax kept being described as a feeling of bonelessness, and that just really threw me off. Not that Shelby and Cam don’t have chemistry, because they do, it’s just those moments felt weirdly described to me.

All in all, I really enjoyed this read. I would recommend it specifically if you’ve enjoyed other reality tv show-ish books, like “For Butter or Worse” by Erin La Rosa, or if you just like those kinds of show in real life. But even if you’re not the biggest fans of these kinds of shows, like me, “Built To Last” is a cute, relatively short, lighthearted, second-chance romance with a HAE that’s definitely worth grabbing for this fall season.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 18, 2022

What a delectable childhood sweethearts turned second chance romance! Hahn has become an auto-buy author for me, so I was BEYOND excited when I received an eARC of Built To Last on NetGalley. This book had me smiling every time I sat down to read it; it is beyond perfect.

As a reader, I am very character-driven and this book was jam packed with the best characters. Not only did I love them all (except those two - iykyk) at face value, but their depth and development had me obsessed. Though they were childhood co-stars, I really liked the fact that Lyle, Shelby and Cam all took very different paths following their show and yet, found themselves back together again many years later. I think it made for a diverse story, as we learn about their journeys, and also allowed the story to come to conclude with a full circle. Shelby and Cam’s connection was so stinking cute and I look forward to possibly having some updates about their relationship when Hahn publishes Shelby’s BSFs stories!

I also must mention, because it was a detail that I very much enjoyed… Hahn named all her chapters after popular song titles and I ate that shit right up! Not only did it give a little clue as to what that chapter had in store, but it also provided me with an internal playlist as I read. And I love, love, LOVE her overlap of book characters! To me, when author’s do this, it makes their stories that much more real in my head. If a character from a previous book I read, lives within the pages of another, unrelated book, it helps me to keep them alive forever!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress @smpromance for putting this book in my hands before it’s publication!

DNF 80%.

I think this is more a me being in the midst of the worst reading slump ever but I just couldn't finish this. I couldn't fully connect to the characters and I didn't care that they got together. They were fine together and separately, but nothing was setting me on fire to know what happened next.

That being said, I will continue to read Erin Hahn's work as I have loved her past three books.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and Erin Hahn for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Can you feel that? That is the chemistry between Shelby and Cam. I absolutely love them. And the banter! Oh gosh, I loved it, Did I wish for me? Yes, but this is not me complaining. I promise. There were so many sweet moments, that I was left smiling ear to ear. I wish there was more to this book. I wasn't ready for it to end.

Erin Hahn you are NOW a auto read author - First it was Never Saw You Coming and now Built to Last.

This love story is years in the making, from their first encounter as kids on the set of their TV show to years later on the shores of Western Michigan. Shelby and Cameron come together to shoot a pilot for a home renovation show, only problem their nemesis is running the show and calling the shots.

Shelby escaped the Hollywood scene by coming home to Michigan landing a job with restoration work in older homes with her father. She's finally found her niche. Cameron has been living his best life since abruptly walking away from LA, jet setting across the world with National Geographic. His travels have kept him away from home, and this TV show gives him the perfect excuse to head back to Michigan to visit his mother.

This romance had adults facing years of hidden attraction, and finally admitting said love to each other. They communicate with each other, work through issues and DON'T break-up to make-up like many romance novels do at the end. The secondary characters are simply the best - we need a fandom to make the music video from Lorelai Jones!

Thank you St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for the advance reader copy.

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

I really wanted to like this, but it missed the mark for me. I am super picky about my second chance romances, and this just was not done right for me. There was no real conversations about the issues of the past, and it felt a bit glossed over when they got together.

We are told so many times how much chemistry Cam & Shelby have, but we’re never really shown the chemistry between them. I liked them separately, but I truly did not like them together or believe in their relationship.

Second-chance romances are typically a win in my book. This story was a fast read with wanting to see what would happen between Cameron and Shelby; throwing Lyle in was a good twist. I also love it when romance books give us a dual POV.
I would not recommend it for classrooms due to the sexual content in it.

A great read. Shelby and Cameron were child stars together but haven't seen each other for years. Will now be their second chance of will.interference from their other old co star ruin everything.
Hoping that Lorelei and Marem healthier own books next.