Built to Last is smashing HGTV and television nostalgia together with Cam and Shelby, two childhood friends-turned-lovers who starred on the same tv show when they were teenagers. Now they're matched back up for HomeMade, a house flipping reality show that's supposed to showcase how together Shelby is now that she's five years out of Hollywood. Cam, being Shelby's total knight in shining armor, decides to star with her, while Lyle, her devious ex, is producing (or something) and will stop at nothing to up the drama in attempts to exact revenge over how he was always second fiddle to Cam in Shelby's life.

Okay, so, this had some good building blocks to it and it's certainly a stronger showing than some other second-chance-romance tv nostalgia books that are running around out there. Shelby and Cam have their good qualities that make you want to root for them, and I loved the secondary characters and the set up for Lorelai's upcoming book. The book isn't weighed down with the more dull aspects of Hollywood (promo shoots, etc) and does really focus on its plot of bringing these two dorks together.

That said, the plot is also where this book started stumbling for me. Cam and Shelby are obviously in love the whole time. They essentially say so rather early, which sucks out all the obstacles between them getting together to the point that I couldn't help wondering why they were acting like they weren't on the same page because they essentially were! The whole time! It was kind of maddening. And all the reasons why things went south between them in the past didn't necessarily make sense either. The whole relationship is confused and a little dull because there's nothing there on the page that they have to overcome--it's just minor miscommunications that don't really work. Also Lyle and his motives made no sense to me.

Ultimately I started skimming after 70% or so. It just didn't keep my attention. That said I'm sure this will appeal to plenty of people and I do like the concept. I just wish the obstacles and the stakes (in terms of Cam) were better drawn.

This is such a cute book! I really like the basis of the story. It’s different and popular right now so readers can relate. The author does a great job of character building. Would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. This a second chance romance book with reality tv thrown into the mix. I always love the Michigan setting of Hahn’s books, particularly the UP references. I look forward to her next book!

4.5* I was already an Erin Hahn stan going into this book and somehow managed to be an even bigger fan after finishing it. This book was full of her ever present charm and whit, with a plot that already made me swoon before reading the first chapter. She just knows what she doing and anyone would be surprised to learn that this is her first adult romance. I see a very long and happy future of me and Erin Hahn adult romances so just keep em coming! The premise was adorably wholesome, drawing you in from the get go but Hahn does an incredible job of grounding her characters and the plot. She writes romances so damn well without overused tropes and cliches, no third act breakups or miscommunication. This is an honest story that is perfectly balanced in the steamy and swoony departments too. I loved watching Shelby and Cam fall in love, their chemistry jumping off the page. The only note I can add would be about the scene between Shelby and Cam when they are younger (around 18). I personally didn’t have a problem with it but I wanted to mention it since I know some readers don’t enjoy teenage steam in their adult romances. I thought that every scene was handled with grace and thoughtful care, each building upon the connection between the two main characters making it even stronger. I think I’m going to need to be auto-approved for all Erin Hahn books from now on because I already need more!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

I was so excited for this one because I adored Erin Hahn's You'd Be Mine YA novel. Her adult debut looked great - cute cover and interesting synopsis. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect to this story. I'm in the minority compared to other ARC readers, so take this review with a grain of salt.

It's a second chance romance, which I love, but Shelby and Cameron were in love with each other and pining from the start. There wasn't much tension. A lot of their issues came down to miscommunication, and they got over them very easily. Even though we know how romances will end, I often find myself worried how the character will work through their issues and get together; for this one, there weren't really obstacles or stakes. I ended up scanning through the second half of the book - if I didn't owe a review, I would have DNFed.

This was a delightful and fun fluffy romance! If you are looking for relatable characters that make some understandable mistakes this is a book for you. I found myself laughing out loud and enjoying every page! My favorite romance of 2022!

Former child-stars/best friends to lovers was a trope I never knew I needed in my life. Shelby and Cameron fully won my heart in this dual POV, rom-com with a touch of spice. I enjoyed the character development in both main characters and the tension until they finally admitted their love for each other. Also. I really wish the TV show was real. 😍

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute, but it’s definitely a slower burn. I loved the history between them and their costar turned show runner. Also how they came into themselves while apart and more so once they got together. The epilogue was so cute and a creative way to wrap it up, giving us a glimpse into their close future while letting their personalities shine.

🔨Built to Last🔨

Rating: 5/5⭐️

You guys!!! When I tell you I had tears of happiness after finishing this book!! 🥹🥹 I loved absolutely everything about this book. I loved Cameron and Shelby. Their chemistry is amazing and I loved watching them grow into the people that they want to be. This is a second chance romance which isn’t usually my favorite trope, but oh my goodness I loved it!! I will now be going out to buy all of Erin Hahn’s books.

I was laughing so much during reading this as well as just smiling like an idiot. I couldn’t help it I just love Cameron and Shelby together! They gave me Chip and Joanna Gaines vibes and I am here for it! I loved the supporting characters! Kevin and Beth are just the cutest. Lorelei is the best friend that everybody wants who has your back. I don’t think there was a single thing about this book that I didn’t like (well besides Lyle and Ada Mae).

Thank you NetGalley, Erin Hahn and St. Martin’s Press for proving me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was really lovely. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but there was an emotional weight to the story that really kept me reading. I’m generally not a second chance fan, but this worked pretty well. I liked the journey that both leads had to go on. Plus a delightfully sleezy Hollywood antagonist helps keep things interesting.

The premise of this book totally hauled me in. I was so excited about this sweet little story.

The beginning fell flat for me. I struggled a little bit getting into the story and gaining appreciation for the characters. The characters in the book are my age, however, some parts of the book made me feel like they were teenagers. It felt as if I were reading a young adult book.

The characters didn’t totally wow me. When this happens, I have a hard time appreciating the characters and I ultimately lose interest when I’m not totally sold on them.

However, a few things I did love about this book was the use of the friends to lovers & second chance romance tropes. Two of my favourites! Additionally, I am a sucker for dual-POV romance book so I really enjoyed that in this novel!

3.5 stars from me!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't absolutely loved this book, but I still liked it a lot. It was an enjoyable book.

Built to Last by Erin Hanh was wonderful! This is a fun friends to lovers home remodel story set in a small town and I loved every minute of it!

Shelby and Cameron were childhood costars and are reunited to give a home flipping show a shot. Will these two reconnect or will they stay apart?

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC for an honest review. My rating is 2.5 rounded up. I used to enjoy romance novels, but this one just didn't do it for me. The characters were so thinly drawn, they could be stick figures. Two people who were childhood stars reconnect in the context of creating a home improvement show. There was little dramatic tension and essentially no character development. A pleasant enough outcome, but overall, just a repetitive sketch

This is a charming story about two former co-stars who, after nearly a decade apart, reunite on a home renovation show. Shelby and Cameron co-starred on a popular television show when they were teenagers, and they were each other's first loves off screen. But then Cameron left for college, leaving Shelby behind, and she started dating their other co-star, Lyle. A few years later, she and Lyle had a public and messy breakup. Shelby fled LA for her hometown, where she pursued her interest in restoring old furniture. Cameron, meanwhile, embarked on a successful career as a documentarian. Ten years later, Lyle is now a television executive and he pitches Shelby and Cameron on starring in a home renovation show, and both agree to do it. Back together again, Shelby and Cameron find themselves drawn together again -- but their past and current pressures present obstacles to a new chance at love.

This is a great book, full of warm and inviting characters and a fun premise. I could not put this one down.

Highly recommended!

While not as good as some of her others, Hahn's latest book reads more for the adult audience but with the ease of being accessible to her young adult readers. Shelby and Cameron work through their past relationship trauma in this lovers-to acquaintances-to lovers romance by literally working together on a new reality TV show flipping houses. I found this light and entertaining, and while their inability to see past their own insecurities bordered on annoying, they never tipped the story over the edge in the wrong direction for me. The pacing of the romance kept me engaged. The sex scenes didn't give me much, and I could have done without them for the most part. I love that Hahn's writing brings you into the characters' interests and left me feeling invested in flipping houses and restoring quality furniture, even though those aren't normally interests of mine. Hahn does an excellent job providing characters that I grow attached do despite our lack of commonalities.

3.5 stars

“The World According to Jackson” launched the careers of eleven year olds Lyle Jessup, who played the lead, Cameron Riggs who played his nerdy best friend Carter, and Shelby Springfield who starred as Jackson’s love interest-Makayla.

For seven years, the kids sang and danced, and mouthed off to their parents, and although Cameron was Shelby’s secret first love-Lyle is who she made headlines with!

Scandalous ones!

And, then it all crashed and burned in typical Hollywood style.

Shelby has been living a quiet life since then, helping her Dad to flip and renovate homes and the two were hoping that an opportunity to showcase their talents would pan out on a TV show they are calling “HomeMade”.
But, the network doesn’t feel the Dad/Daughter duo has the chemistry needed to headline a successful show.

However, new showrunner, Lyle Jessup thinks he has a solution-Pair up his former co-stars as the leads instead.

But, he isn’t as altruistic as he seems..

This second chance romance is the Adult Romance debut from YA romance author Erin Hahn.

It took awhile for me to become invested in their story as not a whole lot happened until “a whole lot happened”! 😉

The friendship between Cam and Shelby was sweet, BUT the dialogue wasn’t sassy enough for my taste-My favorite rom coms are propelled forward by playful, witty banter which was lacking in this one for me.

The second half definitely picked up steam in more ways than one-and I enjoyed getting to know the couple’s friends who are supposed to get their own “starring roles” in books to come.

If you enjoy home renovation shows on HGTV, and romance novels, “Built to Last” could be a fun book for you to add to your TBR! Due to hit shelves on October 18, 2022.

A buddy read with DeAnn! Be sure to check out her amazing review for additional insights!

Thank You to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the gifted copy. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

As a big fan of Erin Hahn’s previous work, I was excited to read her first adult novel. This book was a great adult debut. A strong story of second chance love. The main characters have great chemistry and a unique story. I wished we had more flashbacks, more glimpses into their history but overall I enjoyed their story. We were introduced to a great cast of characters and I would love more books in this world.

I have never used the word besotted in my life. That said, that is the only word that came to mind as I was reading this book.
Cameron and Shelby are so infatuated with each other it hurts as a reader to see them apart. I loved this book, I love these characters, their support system was amazing. It had just enough 'drama', but overall it was a sweet, wholesome love story and I could not get enough... I really hope Lorelai's story is next!

Oh and I have to agree with Shelby.. that was a really good speech!

ARC BOOK REVIEW

Built to Last
By Erin Hahn

Publishing date: 10/18/2022

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Shelby has been through a lot over the past 10 years.  She is  former childstar of a hit sitcom where she met her chilhood bestfriend/ forever crush Cameron, and even dated her other co star Lyle, whose public breakup was devastating for Shelby. ( He cheated on her with her best friend....asshole)  But anytime Shelby has need a friend/support/ ANYTHING, Cameron comes running to be whatver Shelby needs.

But now its been 5 years since Shelby and Cameron have seen each other. Cameron has been working for Nat Geo, and Shelby is laying low, rehabing furniture for her fathers house flipping business. She gets the opportunity to film a pilot for a home renovation show and is super excited! But she quickly realizes it is being organized by.....her ex Lyle? ( huh?!) And the show wants to feature her and......Cameron? What is going on here?!

Willy Shelby and Cameron rehash their past, while trying to make a successful show? Will Lyle sabotage their efforts? And can Shelby stop herself from falling even more in love with Cameron than she already was?

Review:
Ok i loved this! Childhood friends to lovers and second chance romances are two of my FAVES!! This was done well! I absolutley loved Cameron and Shelby and their chemistry was so cute!

There wasn't a TON of spice, but the bit we had, was GOOD! I could feel their tension/attraction which is a bonus!

This one comes out in October and if you like romance, add this one to your list for a fun read.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the chance to read this early! It was great!
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