Such a cute romantic comedy. Lighthearted and heartwarming. I loved the storyline, the character development! Very well-written and looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Griffin for this advanced readers copy .

Shelby Springfield is a former child star who fled Hollywood after a very public meltdown, Cameron Riggs is also a former child star who fled Hollywood to pursue college and a job at National Geographic. What they have in common: they were each other’s first love. Shelby now works with her dad flipping houses and making furniture and is participating in a new home renovation show…which her ex-boyfriend (and reason for public meltdown) Lysle Jessup as her producer . There is a catch: she has to work with the one that got away Cameron. As the two work closely together, will things rekindle and ignite, or will their own selves get in the way.

Okay so normally I don’t go for the second chance romance tropes, but this one was adorable . Shelby learned to really put herself first and go after what she wanted. She didn’t let her mom or Hollywood tear her down and she ended up finding her passion . Shelby was written as a strong willed woman with an endless capacity to love.

Cameron is definitely added to the book boyfriend list because he’s super cute. He spent most of his life running and not feeling like he was good enough to be anyones choice , specifically where Shelby was concerned.

Their relationship was really fun to watch. It went from circling around each other (because they didn’t know if the feelings were mutual) to their banter and eventually their romance. It was always there for them, but both were too blind by their own insecurities which lead to some pretty big misunderstandings. I was worried that Lyle would completely get in the way and mess it all up, but their connection with each other kept him out and in check. I loved this Author and will read her again. This book gets 5 stars from
Me.

This book in 3 words: Cozy. Sweet. Enjoyable.

Shelby and Cameron, both child-stars and sweethearts, reunite for the filming of a HGTV-esque home flipping show. What happens when they leave LA and end back in Michigan?

YOU. GUYS. I thought this one was so fun! A light read when my heart was heavy and it fit so perfectly. Quick notes:

1. Built to Last is my first read by Erin Hahn... now excuse me as I immediately add the rest of her work to my immediate TBR.

2. MICHIGAN. I'm from this mitten. Naturally... this just clicked for me.

3. Dual POV that doesn't make you want to bang your head against a wall. All jokes aside, the characters are rich and wonderful.

4. Let's take a minute to call out the loser that is Lyle.

5. Fresh pacing and story flow. Sometimes when I read romance, I feel like I know exactly where everything is going all of the time... this has some surprises and I loved that.

6. SONGS INCLUDED AT THE START OF EACH CHAPTER. WE LOVE A PLAYLIST.

This one releases on October 18. Get it on your TBR, request it from your library, try to get an advanced copy.

What is with the bearded lumberjack in every contemporary romance lately? I swear that the last 3-4 romances I’ve picked up have had the supposedly-sexy bearded man and I just don’t get it. Someone explain to me why this is a thing, please.

Anyway…This was fine and entertaining but minus the home-reno angle, very forgettable. The second chance romance trope isn’t my favorite and I’m not clear on why Shelby and Cameron fell for each other in the first place nor what made them fall for each other all over again ten years later. Well, apart from admiring each other’s body, I suppose. I did appreciate that the characters have solid friendships surrounding them and the home renovation aspect was interesting and a little different than usual. I can’t say I would pick up another by this author but it was a light summer read so I guess it somewhat served it’s purpose.

Shelby Springfield is trying to forget her past and he old castmates Lyle and Cameron. As Shelby is offered a way to spotlight her dads business and secure their future, she can't resist the call back to Hollywood. She walks right into a trap set by her ex. Of course she isn't going to entertain the offer, no way. Or is she? Watch the drama unfold as the castmates get back together for one last project. Her chemistry with one of them is off the charts. Her best friends Lorelai and Maren are amazing and I hope there are follow up books about their lives.

Built to Last is a story about redemption and second chances. It follows the story of Shelby Springfield, a childhood TV star, and Cameron Riggs, her old co-star.. For the last ten years Shelby has been trying to reconstruct her image, from a party girl to a respectable furniture refurbisher. Cameron is also trying to reevaluate his present, and future, finding the nomadic lifestyle of a documentary videographer taxing. With the chance to work together in a home renovation show, Cameron and Shelby both recognize that this is a life changing opportunity. As filming for the show commences, readers are provided with insights into construction of a home, as well as the reconstruction of a new(ish) relationship between Cameron and Shelby.

The writing of this story was engaging and entertaining. I enjoyed the characters - Cameron was so SWOON worthy. At times the plot did drag, and there were some cliche aspects. But sometimes we need those cheesy romances! Overall, the book was a pleasant surprise. It is my first book by this author, and is a great addition to anyone's romantic comedy tbr lists. Also I love a good book with a playlist! Each chapter has a song that fits the plot. Loved this!

Built to Last is Erin Hahn adult debut novel. It is former child actors reconnecting to do an HGTV home type show and they are also two childhood sweethearts.The romance is believable with good chemistry and solid tension that builds.
Overall, a gentle, kind-hearted love story about two people who are absolutely perfect for each other.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Like many Erin Hahn books you instantly fall in love with her characters.

We get to meet Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, both ex-childhood stars and one time items. The connection they once had hasn't faded and you can read it on every page. While they are on a renovation show you don't really focus on home part. Instead we see a renovation on their relationship. It's like when you don't want your favorite DIY show to end or you want more of the behind the scenes parts. We get to see the growth of both characters and get reminded that some celebrities are just regular people and that child actors go through a lot

Of course theres some nods to previous characters of Hahns, but just like their childhood Shelby and Cameron are stars in this book.

While this one is more on the spicy side it isn't the kind that makes you really embarrassed to read in public.

This was a really really cute read!
I first discovered Erin's books in 2020 and felt in love with her writing and her characters, and when i found out she was releasing adult romances i was very excited and this book did not disappoint!
Shelby and Cameron were both delightful and lovable, and their chemistry was 🔥🔥
The parts about the house renovations were cool, too. I wished there were more of that.

And maybe this is a bit of a spoiler but NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!!!!!! I loved that very very much (I'm not a fan of those so that was great)

In conclusion, if you like fluffy romance novels, i would highly recommend picking this one up! Can't wait to read the next one!

It's hard to believe this is Erin's first adult romance! Shelby and Cam are such well-written characters, the story is so interesting, and the romance is so good that you'd swear she'd been doing this for years.

Shelby and Cam are such good characters. Their backstory is interesting and unique but doesn't overwhelm the people they are now. The friends and family around them are also fantastic, even the ones who are written to be disliked!

I loved the concept of the reality show and how the characters took it seriously while acknowledging how odd it was. It was so great to see Cam take everything so seriously because he knew how important it was to Shelby. And I loved how much Shelby's friends and family built her up and told everyone how talented she was! It was also so refreshing to see a male main character be the one to change his life and make concessions for the woman he loves, when so often it's the other way around.

I will be telling everyone how great this book is.

Such a cute friends to lovers second chance romance! The beginning was a little slow but I overall really enjoyed this book

I haven't read any of her YA books, but this was a second chance friends to lovers romance. Cute and fun story.

Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes and Built to Last by Erin Hahn did it justice.

Former child stars Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs are reunited 10 years after he walked away from their successful children’s show (and Shelby). It’s been five years since he walked away from Shelby a second time after she texted him to come to her in LA when her boyfriend, Lyle (also their other co-star), cheated on her and dumped her for her best friend. After the end of her relationship with Lyle and the ruin of her career, Shelby fled for a quiet life restoring furniture in Michigan.

Shelby and Cameron are brought back together by Lyle, now the producer of a home renovation reality show pilot, who wants Shelby and Cameron to co-star on the show together. Both reluctantly agree and it’s clear that feelings still linger between the two, who were each others’ first love. It’s also clear that Lyle is jealous and harboring ill-will towards the two as he throws obstacle after obstacle at the couple during filming, trying to derail the projects and Shelby’s career (again). I won’t spoil the ending, but there is a very satisfying HEA.

I loved seeing how Shelby and Cameron grew and changed during their years apart, but their love never faded. This was exactly what I wanted from a second chance love story. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shelby and Cameron were just kids when they worked together on a tv show. At 18 Cameron leaves it all behind. Shelby stays in Hollywood and her life spirals.
They come together 10 years later to do a reality show flipping houses. Things should go smoothly but, Shelby’s ex likes to stir things up. I would definitely recommend this book.
This story is really sweet but just a bit predictable.
It’s a slow burn romance with minimal spice.
I really hope the author makes this a series I would love to read Lorelais story

I was turned off by the characters and the story within the first few pages. I realize that the bulk of the story happens 10 years later, but it was so full of cringe! It's just really hard to get invested in a story when you hate the characters right off the bat. There's so much backstory drama and miscommunication that it felt like Cam and Shelby were forced together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am obsessed with the way Erin Hahn writes character relationships, especially between romantically involved characters, so I knew I needed to read this. I did find it refreshing how there wasn't a dramatic breakup and that Shelby and Cameron just needed to figure out how their new, mature, 10-years-later selves could fit together with the feelings that lingered from when they were teenagers. I liked the side characters and how supportive they were, and that the main characters' relationships with their families was featured. (I also enjoyed the little references to Annie and Clay from You'd Be Mine.) Shelby and how she's become so much more confident and sure of herself and comfortable with what she does was probably my favorite.

However, while the writing itself was very good as per usual with Erin Hahn, I was not wowed or anything by this book or by the characters' relationship. It was a good and enjoyable read, but nothing spectacular.

I received the ARC of Built to Last by Erin Hahn from Net Galley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5


This book follows Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, two friends who grew up acting on a tv show together. They both consider each other to be their first love but because of communication issues they don’t know that the other feels that way. Their old co-star Lyle Jessup has them both film HomeMade hoping that he can pull the strings of the show and make himself look good while making Shelby and Cameron look bad. Shelby and Cameron handle everything Lyle throws their way with maturity and end up falling in love again.

I loved this story! I am a HUGE fan of the friends to lovers trope. This couple had the whole community rooting for them and helping them when Lyle caused things to go awry. I’m a Michigan girl myself so I love that the majority of this book takes place in MI! I highly recommend this book any book by Erin Hahn. Her books leave you feeling happy!

I quite enjoyed this book. The concept and the story was so cute and well developed.

The couple was sweet and I enjoyed reading about their romantic pursuits. Much of the conflict in the story was in the first part of the novel, surprisingly. But that didn’t make the second part of the novel any less entertaining.

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

Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Built to Last starts about 5 years before the main plot starts, and introduces us to Shelby and Cameron right after Shelby and her ex-boyfriend, and former costar to Shelby and Cameron, Lyle, break up. The reader gets a sense of the unfinished business these two have.

Fast forward 5 years, and we see Shelby living her best life away from Hollywood, restoring furniture and flipping houses with her dad. I enjoyed that Hahn made Shelby the handy one out of the three, and portrayed her as a woman who had hit rock, but pulled herself out of it and made something of herself outside fame. A reality show brings Shelby, Cameron, and Lyle back together, and immediately I hated Lyle. And it continued through the book.

The book does a good job with tension, will they or won't they, and growing this rekindled relationship between Shelby and Cam. The side characters are great and add color to the story, they aren't just there to be there. There were a lot of other relationship issues to work through with side characters, Shelby with her mom, and Cam with his dad and brother. I also loved how maternal Cam's mother was to Shelby knowing that her own mom was a trash.

Also, I would love for Lorelei to have her own book!

BUILT TO LAST is a fun, cute, light second-chance romance that is perfect for a weekend of cozying up on the sofa.

Shelby and Cam were meant to be since they were kids. We get to follow them on their long journey of finally admitting their ever-lasting love.

I thought Lyle "played" a good villain. Shelby and Cam's family subplots were interesting, but maybe a bit too similar. I enjoyed their friends. I liked the child-celebrity subplot.

This was just a really nice read. While there were some conflicts between the two characters, I think they could have used more. It was obvious, from the start, these two were meant to be together. And they may have gotten together too soon in the plot.

I wax on and on in my reviews how, in some stories, one of the characters ups and ghosts the other in order to get their lives straight before they can embark on real love. And that is frustrating because the character ghosted is left in the dark wondering what they did wrong. So it was refreshing to see Shelby and Cam communicate all their issues and face their problems … together.

Erin will be an automatic read for me, so onward to her next book, which I'm guessing will be about Shelby's friend. Yay!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an e-copy of BUILT TO LAST to review.

I rate BUILT TO LAST four out of five stars.