This was super cute. I'm a sucker for a second chance romance and the chemistry between Cam and Shelby was on point! Will we see Lorelai's story next?!

How much did I love this book (and how much did I love Cameron and Shelby?
A) so much I blushed
B) so much I swooned
C) ALL OF THE ABOVE

Cameron was a kid with a crush and *by the way* it was mutual. My face went up in flames as much as Cam’s did whenever someone mentioned his infatuation with Shelby. So adorable! I absolutely loved the childhood friends to first love to redemption tropes. Cameron and Shelby's story just hit my heart in every direction. I also adored the supporting characters and the storylines that went along with them as well. Lyle was a snake who was written with such smarm that we knew to hate him. Every character was so well thought out and so well written.

I Ioved the dual point of view. Loved revisiting first love and growing up. The first I love you. I could go on and on but I'll just end that I loved Everything (even the fun, lyrical chapter titles!).

There is so much to love in Built to Last! Shelby Springfield is a former child star who has rebuilt her life in Michigan, working with her dad renovating furniture and houses. Cameron Riggs, her former costar and current nature documentarian, always comes when Shelby calls, so when the chance to do a home renovation show comes up, the two are given a second chance. I love a second chance romance and this is a perfect example why. The characters just felt so genuine and their relationship felt so natural. Shelby’s journey is so well rounded. She’s so smart and good-hearted and I was just really rooting for her. And Cameron is so sweet. I feel like there was some good growth on his end too and I thought their individual stories really worked together, but Shelby was really the star here! She is just a joy of a character. And their chemistry is so strong and engaging, and cameron just supports Shelby so well—I love the way he cared for her and how open these characters are. They have a good mix of sexy and adorable banter too. I loved these two felt like friends first and grew into their romance. I felt like conflict was a little drawn out and didn’t feel fully closed up, but I like how it helped these two grow and find each other. The father/daughter relationship was also just beautifully done, but in contrast, I wanted a little more with Cameron’s family. The side characters too added so much and I was really invested in everyone. Honestly though, this book is so endearing and sweet and just a lot of fun! I genuinely couldn’t put it down!

Celebrity/Chip&Joanna Gaines style second-chance romance, maybe past its peak, but a fun, low-stakes, but ultimately satisfying read. Child co-stars Shelby and Cam eventually grow into a teen crush but drift apart as life implodes, but come together again to build an adult relationship. They had good chemistry and good growth arcs; they both were willing to try and try again by changing what didn't work.

The plot itself really was a bit of a fantasy: Lyle's manipulations seemed far-fetched (I didn't really understand why Cam and Shelby relented to being involved); it seems quite unlikely that Shelby would have reached the level of expertise she claims in a mere 5 years, with zero prior experience. Cam's transformation from Nat Geo documentarian to master contractor/flipper was a little less unlikely, as he really showed a good work ethic.

Actual rating: 1.5 stars.

Although this may be some readers' cup of tea, this was not mine, despite how much the premise initially drew me in. Normally I love second chance romances with a hollywood (or movie/tv star) premise/setting. I have read a couple of good or even great romances this year with these themes, but this absolutely fell short.

Built to Last is a dual POV second chance romance between two main characters who are former child stars being reunited for a new home renovation show. Shelby left the lime light to move to small town Michigan to help her father with his home renovation and restoration business after her acting career imploded and her ex-boyfriend (another former co-star) cheated on her. Cameron was her first love and another co-star on the television show who left her when she attempted to rebound with him. The cheating ex-boyfriend reaches out to propose that the two former co-stars and lovers reunite for a home renovation show. Shelby wants to prove that she is a new woman, that she has grown, and that she has moved on from hollywood. Cameron wants to be with Shelby and so he decides to drop everything to join the show.

This book has a LOT going on, and overall it just seemed a bit of a mess. There are some flashbacks but these flashbacks actually don't help explain Shelby and Cameron's history fully. There is no worthwhile development here. The reader is simply told that Shelby and Cameron care about each other and we are just supposed to believe it, because the chemistry does not flow naturally here. And there is so much other stuff going on, and the renovation plot itself is a bit of a snooze. Between Shelby's dad, Shelby's mom, Shelby's ex-boyfriend, Shelby's ex-friend, Cameron's dad, Cameron's mom, Cameron's college friend, Shelby's famous friend, Cameron's brother, Shelby's renovation business, etc. etc. there just isn't enough left to make me feel the pay off between Shelby and Cameron in the end.

Can someone, eager to stir up drama for ratings, actually play a role in bringing a couple back together?
That is the overall theme in this charming second chance romance.

Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs first met on the set of The World According to Jackson as teenagers. While young love blossomed, they ended up going their separate ways for reasons I won't get into. Fast forward years later, when the two are brought back together for a reality/home renovation show by her ex, Lyle Jessup. It is clear early on that Lyle is a shit stirrer and will do whatever it takes to drum up drama. What I loved was how Shelby and Cameron worked together to overcome that drama.

As a big fan of home renovation shows, this author did a great job of bringing Shelby's enthusiasm for furniture restoration to the page. And Cameron fed on that enthusiasm, delving into this unknown world of flipping a home without hesitation. Reviving Shelby's reputation may have been the reason for his dedication to the project, but his feelings for her were an obvious motivator.
The connection and confessions Shelby and Cameron shared felt real and long overdue. I loved how they approached their second chance romance and found ways to minimize the drama caused by Lyle.

Based on how this book ends, I'm assuming Shelby's friend Lorelei Jones may get her own story, fingers crossed. We shall see if I'm right . . .

I am so excited to have finished this delightful adult rom-com debut by Erin Hahn. Built to Last has so many things I love in a good romance:
• Childhood sweethearts (while child actors!)
• First Love
• Second chance romance
• Total cinnamon roll love interest
• Friends to lovers
• Steamy chemistry
• Home renovation/reality TV show setting!

And so many things I just adore in a good book:, like the Michigan setting thrills this Michigander and all of the Midwestern charm.

I really loved everything about this one. The main conflicts in this were much more internal/emotional and it was really well done. The characters had heart and depth, it was such a feel-good love story.

I adored the side characters and finishing this book made me so excited that Hahn is continuing this series with Lorelai’s story. This was a fantastic comfort read and I will absolutely be reading more of Erin Hahn’s adult romances.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for providing me an e-arc of this book.

DNF - this just wasn't for me. I know a great deal of readers who will adore this premise & the plot as a whole.

This book was adorable! It made me feel like I was reading the love story for Chip and Joana Gaines or something like that.

There were so many wonderful tropes in this book that added up to create a lovely rom-com. A few for your reference include:
- second chance romance
- celebrity romance
- friends to lovers
- mild miscommunication
- It's always been you

This book was a true rom-com in my opinion. It had lots of really cute, romantic moments, but also had many moments that made me laugh out loud. Shelby was a funny character to get to know and so fun to hear the thoughts of. She was a recovering child actor with things to overcome and relationships to mend. I loved seeing how she handled her past when it showed up at her doorstep five years later.

This book had so much angst and pining and I loved every second of it. The romance, as I mentioned above, had a few different tropes that it drew from and I thought it suited it well. Additionally, there was no third act break up. I always have mixed feelings about that because I like the drama and heartache, but I know others hate the breakups. This would be a good book for those people. The romance was amplified in my opinion because of the dual pov. Hahn did the pov of Cam very well. His thoughts felt different than Shelby's which I was so happy about.

I have to put in a plug about Cam. He was the absolute sweetest man ever. I fell in love with him from page one for so many reasons. One big one though was because of his heart. He was running from his demons for most of the book, but that didn't stop him from being so sweet and kind and loving.

I do wish there had been more specifics talked about on-page before Shelby and Cam jumped into things. Like, it was all implied (you'll know what I mean when you read the book), but I would have liked to have it spelled out on page.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will now have to go back and read Hahn's YA novels.

This was such a lovely contemporary romance. It was a bit slow to start for me, but I did really like it as the pace picked up. Some parts were less believable - it didn't make a lot of sense to me that Lyle all the sudden got out of their way - but it was overall really enjoyable.

3.5 stars

This is the first of Hahn's books that I've read and I really enjoyed her writing style! The characters were all lovely, except for Lyle, Marcella & Ada Mae but they were supposed to be terrible.

I loved the two MCs, Shelby & Cameron. Seeing their growth from child stars to adults outside of the film industry to co-stars again & lovers worked so well.

I also loved the TV reno show aspect. I love reno shows but I find books involving that can be a little lacking but it really worked in this one because there was so much more than just the show.

More romance books need to skip the third act break up 👏

I did find it was slow to get into the book. But once I got into it I enjoyed it. And while the ending was good, what it did wrap up it did so too nicely and some stuff it didn't fully conclude IMO.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. The characters felt VERY immature and selfish, and I could not enjoy their behavior and interactions enough to continue with the book past a few chapters. With the dynamic they already had in place, I couldn’t see how their relationship could evolve in an enjoyable way that would keep me engaged.

I couldn’t put this book down! When I first read the blurb, I was afraid of reading a love triangle but as soon as I start reading more about Shelby and Cameron’s back story, I truly wanted them reunited and I was relieved to find out this is friends to lovers or second chances love story! Shelby and Cameron have burned for each other since they were kids and they let other people intervene on their behalf’s! Their chemistry is combustible, their banter are sweet and sexy! Both of them are adorable characters!

Shelby Springfield ( 27), a famous childstar with ruined reputation, leaving her past behind after her co-star ex Lyle a-hole Jessup cheating on her with her close friend and humiliating her by making a Grammy awarded song with the lyrics mentioning her as a cheater!

Shelby is in love with her other co-star Cameron Riggs from the beginning. But when Cameron leaves the show the college, cutting contacts with her, she starts dating with Lyle. Even though this is under the belt punch, that results in loveless relationship, regrets, ruined career. When she breaks up with Lyle, the only one she calls was Cameron who is in Alaska, working for National Geo. And he takes the plane to come back to her! But he doesn’t want to be rebound so he leaves her when she is sleeping, writing her a note advising to leave La La Land forever!
This is the summary of their unfinished love story!

Years later, Shelby who moved to Michigan, working with her father reconstructing old houses and vintage furniture business, wanting to prove to the world that she is not the same child star actress and mediocre pop star parting nonstop, making impulsive decisions with a documented public meltdown!

Well, the love story of Shelby and Cameron is amazing. Their evolving, growing up, facing their problems, learning from their mistakes were well written!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this romance! It's a slow build, with the unique set up of child actors who fall in love, and then meet years later. The fact that our main leads seem mature is really refreshing. You don't have to deal with annoying tropes (miscommunication, infidelity, etc.). It's a simple love story between two people finding each other again, and growing in their love for each other. Happy to recommend to people who want depth in their romance!

When two former child stars reconnect years later, the sparks from the beginning are back with a vengeance. Shelby Springfield and Cameron Briggs team up again, a decade after they were starring together on a child’s show, to work on a house flipping pilot episode. As they reconnect, they make sense of the past and pave a future together.

I enjoyed Built to Last and found it to be a good romance that was easy to read. The characters of Shelby and Cam were fun and layered, but I wasn’t a huge fan of a lot of the secondary characters, especially Lyle. They added to the story, but they just bugged me in a way that made it hard to reconcile that they were vital to the story. Overall this was a good read and I liked the angle of child stars and seeing where they were then and how they have moved on to form their new lives now. This was a good romance and I think most romance fans, especially house flipping fans, would find something they like in this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I think it is now just a fact I will love anything I read by Erin Hahn, regardless of the book content. This happened to be a book that was everything I loved in a novel (teen actors grown up, home renovation, romcom, dual POV, etc.), and Erin just writes in a way that is addicting. For her first adult novel she came out swinging, because I couldn't put this book down. It is funny and the friends-to-lovers kind of story that makes my heart sing. The characters actually struggle with their identities and their relationships, grow as people both individually & in their interactions with others, and take responsibility for their actions. The characters are all flawed, but the "villain" clearly the villain due to terrible behavior and not just as a plot device, and it makes it believable. There are boundaries and respect between all of the characters (save the villain-esq characters) and it makes this book real, to the point I am sad I cannot actually watch the reality show being filmed in this book. End result- I can't wait to read her next book, whatever that book might be.

Great second chance and childhood sweetheart trope book! Cam & Shelby’s interaction is EVERYTHING! I’m OBSESSED with home DIY shows, so this book really peaked my attention. Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read & review

Built to Last was a really cute second chance love story about two childhood friends/costars that both escaped Hollywood as adults and were able to work on themselves before coming back together to film a home renovation show in their late twenties! If any of that sounds intriguing to you, definitely check this one out when it comes out next month! 🥰
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I’ve loved Erin’s YA books, especially Never Saw You Coming (if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend!!), so when I found out she was writing an adult romance, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! And it did not disappoint! I’m a sucker for the second chance romance trope and any kind of famous trope so I went in with high expectations and while it was actually a lot different than I expected, I really enjoyed it 🥰 Shelby & Cam are two people that have been poked and prodded at by the entire world for most of their lives but found a way to escape the toxicity of Hollywood and find themselves in much healthily spaces in their lives! And because of this, they’re able to come back together and be in the right place in their life to finally give their relationship a real chance and the result is so satisfying!
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Anyway, enough of me rambling! This book is adorable and I already can’t wait to read Lorelei’s story 🥰 thank you to @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I didn't know that this was going to be a Hollywood romance sort of book. Although it is not the typical type of story that I like to read I went through with it because the cover drew me in. I was under the impression that this book was going to be more about renovating a house and having romance be secondary.

That being said, I couldn't relate to much of what was going on in the story and I wasn't invested in the characters. Nothing really grabbed my attention about this book and I didn't like any of the characters. Shelby and Cameron are two people that I could care less about. Next time I will read the synopsis more carefully before I pick up my next book.

If you would like to read this book, it publishes in October 2022.

This book was cute but unfortunately just not for me. I felt the characters were immature for their age and it kind of felt like reading a YA book at times. The complications they had with their relationship throughout the book was repetitive and made me lose interest pretty quickly. I also really disliked Lyle. This took me months to finally finish.

All that said, I did enjoy some of the banter between the main characters and I can see why others loved it. Like I said, it just wasn’t my jam.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the eARC of this book!