I could not put this book down! Love triangles make me nervous but wow, I ended up loving this one! Friends to lovers is one of my favorites tropes

This book was SO addicting. The chemistry between the two leads have incredible chemistry and the banter and dialogue is beyond cute. I love the extended timeline of the story and the tension of on screen personas versus off screen tension. Amazing!

This rom-com has a cute premise: former child stars who came of age on TV (and had a first kiss on camera that went down in television history) are persuaded to star in a reality TV show in a house makeover show. Shelby is a real restoration artist, her former co-star Cameron is not. He is a documentary artist who has been traveling the world nonstop since their hit teen show ended.

Rom-com is not my genre usually, but "Built to Last" is a must for library collections and bookstores to satisfy the romance demand. The novel is a quick read with realistic, winsome characters; snappy dialogue; and steamy love scenes.

I was fully expecting a twist based on the setup–there was every indication that the producer of the show was not trustworthy, and I expected the main characters to uncover some shocking revelation about hidden cameras that would both boost ratings and add a bit of thriller/suspense frisson with a genuine villain. This factor, in my opinion, would make the novel a real standout, even if it would have to be like a soap opera. I felt a bit let down when I didn't get a twist of any kind, but recommend this for frothy light reading nevertheless.

I received an advanced reader copy of Built to Last from Netgalley

This second chance romance about two former child stars reuniting for a home improvement reality TV show was really cute and there's just the right about of spice.

Shelby and Cameron were in love when they co-starred on a television show as teens (think Boy Meets World), but when Cameron runs off the college, leaving Shelby without a goodbye (RUDE), she turns to a familiar face and falls for her other co-star, Lyle. Years later, after a highly publicized breakup with Lyle (think Britney and Justin-level paparazzi breakup), Shelby calls Cam. He flies on a pedal hopper from Alaska (even though he hates flying... ok, maybe a little redemption moment here) and encourages her to leave her Hollywood life behind, but he runs off again just like that, returning to his work with National Geographic.

Shelby runs home to Michigan and works in her shop restoring furniture alongside her dad who restores old homes. Years have passed, and she's happy, sober (love that for you, Shelb), and ready to prove herself with an HGTV/Fixer Upper-style television show. Lyle takes on the role of showrunner for Shelby's pilot episode (!!!), and the catch is he wants Cameron to be her co-host. Of course, Cam agrees because he'll do anything for Shelby. Except stick around. But maybe, just maybe, this time he will.

"I fell hard for the Old Shelby, but this new version will absolutely destroy me."

The flirty co-host dynamic was akin to the fake dating trope (which I love) to a certain extent because they get to act and play a role and be bolder with each other than they probably would be otherwise. Because it's just for the cameras... right? RIGHT?

I enjoyed the split POV between Shelby and Cameron because I got to see into their heads and understand their motives. But I think I would have loved a split timeline even more. We got a few glimpses into their past - the book opens up at the Shelby/Lyle breakup, jumps to the present day, and then at some point we do get a teenage years glimpse, but it felt choppy. I found myself doing mental math once or twice to figure out their ages. They were teens on the show, early 20s for the big breakup, and late 20s present day. I liked the teenage years scene because it showed how much Shelby and Cameron have matured. Their awkward puppy love was new and exciting but now they've been through a lot and they're more sure of themselves.

"Child stars have this weird quirk where they're never really kids to begin with, but they never grow up either."

I get nervous about the love triangle trope but luckily this story didn't really entertain that. Every character is in agreement that there is no redemption arc for Lyle "That Fucker" Jessup. I wish there had been more to Lyle's story to explain his bad behavior, but he was kind of a flat character. I thought maybe Lyle brought them together on purpose for the greater good or something, but that was never really explored.

There was a cute line at the end that I really liked about couples being "costars in life" and I really vibed with that.

Read this if you're in the mood for:
-second chance romance
-dual POV
-celebrity romance
-a little spice
-small-town romance (it has the vibes)

Note to the author: I'll keep my eyes peeled for Lorelai's story next.

I’m not going to lie, for a second there, I was worried. Chapter 1 Shelby was not a character I was interested in getting to know. Thankfully, that was just a drunken disaster and her real personality came to play in Chapter 2 and beyond. This book is a second chance friends-to-lovers romance packed full with miscommunication but with a cute Chip & Joanna Gaines premise (did they get divorced? Maybe I won’t use them as my example).

This book was super cutesy and I loved the premise but I felt the added obstacle of Shelby’s ex as the show runner was just a little too random and over the top. Cameron and Shelby had enough going on with their miscommunication and working to reconnect that Lyle coming in periodically to stoke the flames kind of took away from the storyline and was more of a distraction than anything.

Overall, this is a super sweet story that I believe a lot of people are going to enjoy. Perhaps I’m just bitter and overly critical. 3.5 Stars.

This book was such a cute and romantic story. I'm a big fan of Erin Hahn and I cannot wait for more of her adult romances. I really love the Erin Hahn Universe and that all the characters are slightly connected.

Shelby Springfield is a former child star and a home renovation maven with a talent for woodworking. Cameron Riggs is Shelby’s former costar and a travel photographer for NatGeo. The two are cast together as a home renovation duo for a new HGTV-style show.

This book was actually just meh for me. I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between Shelby and Cameron, even though they had a long history together. Lyle and Shelby’s mom were unredeemable jerks and I felt like there was too much external conflict that took away from their relationship. In my opinion this almost read more chick-lit instead of romance, but it did have a dual POV.

Erin Hahn's adult debut Built to Last is written to last for sure! The characters are adorable, and I enjoyed the set up for the next novel in the series

This was such a great read, and a great adult debut. Definitely going to read whatever else Erin Hahn writes, and I need to go back and check out her YA stuff too! I really liked that there was no third act break up in this book. It was refreshing to read a contemporary romance about two people finding their way to each other after not being ready to be together when they were younger. I love friends to lovers, and this one was perfect! Also I am so here for the HGTV vibes.

I don’t know if friends to lovers or a second chance at love is my favorite troupe, but this novel combined both. Cameron and Shelby knew each other as children, had a falling out, and then were given the opportunity to fall in love again.

It was refreshing to read a rom com where issues were handled through communication, rather than running away and fighting. This meant that there was no big reunion scene, but there was no lack of “awww” factor.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I enjoyed this book. I mean it has its odd moments, but mostly for me it was just a feel good book. I loved the main characters and their friends. Shelby's mom was ridiculous, and Lyle was just mean (but don't we all have someone like this in our lives?). Overall, an interesting, worthwhile read...from child stars who fell in love to adults who came back together and did it all over. 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was another really cute second chance romance! I loved the connection between Shelby and Cameron and how they reunite while working together on an HGTVish home reno show, which is so refreshing! I only wish we had gotten more of a backstory on their past relationship when they were younger compared to now being adults.

This was so cute! I literally couldn’t put it down. Two former child actors whose love was never fully explored re-enter each other’s lives after nearly ten years apart. They get the opportunity to do a home renovation reality show and quickly realize that their unresolved feelings and sexual tension are impossible to ignore. Shelby and Cam are the sweetest! Definitely worth the read, thanks NetGalley!

Starting quickly with a revealed love triangle, this book will have you fast picking sides and cheering for certain endings. And the heartbreaking start accurately portrays the twisted way in which Hollywood can bleed child actors/resses dry. Told from multiple viewpoints, I had to recheck the chapter heading especially in the beginning. The book is cute, but a little slow. This is where I typically crave witty banter, light laughs, and great writing to move the plot along.

This was such a cute book - think Hollywood meets HGTV. Shelby is a former childstar who has retreated from public life after her ex humiliated her by cheating on her and then releasing a song about her. Cameron is her co-star from the past but also the one she's always secretly loved, the one who got away.

Her ex does some evil machinations behind the scenes and offers both Shelby and Cameron an HGTV renovation pilot to see if it works well or not. This isn't completely out of nowhere as Shelby works with her father on some renovations but also does amazing custom pieces that customers pay a lot for.

These two have some major chemistry together and I liked seeing them work together on the houses and to show a united front against her ex. There's some angst due to both of their parental relationships but it's minor. I loved the friends they both have. One runs a bar and cracked me up with the commentary on everything. Another is a previously hot Country singer who has Shelby's back no matter what. I enjoyed all of their dynamics when together. I felt major sequel vibes from Shelby's singer friend.

Overall, this was a cute second chance romance. 3.5 stars

Built to Last was such a cute rom com but don’t let the cartoon cover fool you!! The story follows Cameron and Shelby who were childhood stars turned lovers turned strangers to friends to lovers again ( it’s a rollercoaster!!) While navigating their relationship they have Lyle who is a thorn in the side and also an ex of Shelby when Lyle, Shelby and Cameron worked together.

Lyle is the Hollywood producer who creates a show called “ Homemade” that follows house flips in a small, Michigan town where Shelby and Cameron were the main stars. Through filming the pilot, Shelby and Cameron decide to give their relationship any other go without the pressure of the cameras. Cameron is head over heels for Shelby and one of my favorite quotes is by Cameron when he says “ I had you first and I’ll have you last. It’s only fair , I’ve been yours since the moment I saw you”.

This book has spice 🌶🌶, interesting family dynamics, growth through therapy and getting older, funny banter and it was a very fun read!

Built to Last is my first book by Erica Hahn and I really enjoyed it. I found the plot to be different and I liked that it took place with Hollywood as the background. The book was very charming and I found myself laughing many times. I'm also a huge fan of the second chance romance trope and this was a great addition to the trope.

This book was a quick, easy, & lighthearted read that I enjoyed. The book was a second chance & small-town romance which I very much enjoy, it was between two child stars that have grown up now that didn’t seem to have good timing or good communication throughout their relationship over the years lol. Beginning with the book characters both main characters were easy to like Cameron & Shelby were very kind, selfless & loving. I really enjoyed Shelby’s growth from the very beginning she was ready to love Cameron without hiding or being influenced by others. Cameron seemed to have trouble communicating what he felt towards Shelby but this time working alongside her seeing her passion & selflessness I believe helped him make the decision to stay in one place. I loved their weekend getaway at the B&B haha the one bed…. I also loved the friends both characters had giving their support & encouragement throughout the couple’s journey. The things I felt the story needed more of was drama & backstory, such as why Cameron left when they had last seen each other after Shelby’s breakup with Lyle. I feel it needed more detail how did both characters not contact one another after that?? Nevertheless, this was a cute book that had me smiling & giggling throughout the entire time. Also, I would have loved Shelby’s playlist included I mean Michael Bublé & Josh Groban chef’s kiss**!! Thank You, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin for allowing me to read this book & give an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

Former child stars and childhood sweethearts Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs find themselves reunited as they are both put to work on their former co-star’s (and Shelby’s ex) new home improvement show. As they work together to restore old homes, they also find themselves restoring their fractured relationship and proving that this second chance at love is built to last.

Built to Last is a sweet, low-angst summer rom-com. The storyline flows smoothly and engagingly, and Shelby and Cameron are easy characters to root for. There are a few moments when the characters read a bit younger than their actual ages (late 20s), but overall, Built to Last is a charmer, and fans of HGTV and her YA series will find a lot to enjoy in this one. 3.5 stars.

This was cute. I wanted to like it a lot more than I did (Hahn’s You’d Be Mine is one of my faves), but parts of it just fell kinda flat. The premise was fun and unique and the writing was wonderful, but I wasn’t feeling much from the characters’ chemistry. Mostly I wasn’t buying anything that Lyle did - are there really people like that? And why did Shelby date him for so long? Cameron was sweet and definitely book boyfriend material, and Shelby grew into someone relatable - you wanted to cheer for them. I give it 3.5 stars - would recommend for a cute and quick beach read.