The first two chapters for me were "not gonna lie, they had us in the first half." If you can get past the first two chapters that portray two kinda crappy, selfish people, then you're golden. I trusted that if this was a romance, then it was going to be about the journey of finding not only each other, but themselves.

This book is about 3 child stars who grew up together and their relationships (rivalries, love triangles, etc.) They come together 10 years after their show ends to work together on a reality home renovation show.

I ended up loving the two main characters, especially Shelby and how her character had evolved (and the responsibility she ultimately took for who she had been and what she had learned).

This was equal parts sweet and spicy. I love coming of age romance, and this book did early adolescent pining really well. This also takes place in Northern Michigan, and the coziness of woodworking workspaces, flannel, flea markets will make this a really cozy read for fall (expected release date is in October '22). I loved this and know that I'll revisit it whenever I need a happy cozy read.


I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin.

Shelby and Cameron have a history - they’re both former child stars who spent years working together on popular sitcom, but they’re also childhood sweethearts who kept getting together at the wrong time. Each has a difficult parent - a pushy staff mom, a distant father - and plenty of emotional baggage from being too famous, too young. They’ve moved on and found new careers, but their former costar has plans for them to do a renovation reality TV show together and neither can turn the offer down. As they with together, they start to take down walls, literally and figuratively, and of course end up realizing they’re still in love despite everything.
I really wanted to like this book, but I never connected with either character or their relationship. I didn’t quite buy why Cameron kept running and I struggled with the difficult parents feeling real and reasonable, too. I loved the concept and some scenes were really fun - Shelby’s joy in baby chicks and woodworking, traveling together to buy new woodworking pieces - but overall I felt a bit unsatisfied with both of them and they didn’t quite fit together for me.

I really loved reading this book. You could tell right away the chemistry and affection these main character had for each other. Watching them finally come to terms with it and adapt to it in their real lives as adults was so nice to read. It wasn’t a matter of “will they, won’t they” it was truly watching two people in love, create the life they both wanted. And how that would work with the two of them together. Having that set against the back drop of essentially a home improvement show was a little on the nose, but overall a nice parallel. The supporting characters we funny, entertaining, and a delightful addition to the story. I do think my favorite part was song titles used as chapter titles. It was a great way to set the mood for each chapter!

Gah!! This book had me at Erin Hahn honestly, but once again she has blown me away!
I absolutely loved this book!
Cameron and Shelby were both childhood stars. They have always had chemistry, but Hollywood wasn’t for Cam, so he left for college and in Shelby’s mind, left her behind.
After a bad breakup 5 years later, she calls on him again, but Cam can’t stay and so starts the cycle again. Shelby leaves Hollywood behind and all her bad decisions and finds herself and her passion in Michigan.
It’s been a decade of missed chances and lost love but now they are back and working on a home renovation show together. And their chemistry, is as hot as ever!!
So good!
You’ll love this book is you like:
A bit of celebrity romance
Second chance romance
Home renovation
Great supporting characters
Cinnamon roll male lead

(Please tell me Lorelai’s book is next!!)

A charming and steamy second chance romance. Great pacing, chemistry, and character development. A quick read that was hard to put down.

This book is romantic and sweet. Very steamy too. The villains were ultra shitty but the other characters bring such good, strong vibes. I didn't really understand the song chapter titles. I know the characters sing but they're not recording artists--just felt a little out of place to me. Overall a lovely way to spend some free time. Special thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

This book is the perfect second chance romance. Former childhood costars are working together once again. It's been ten years since they'd been together. Shelby and Cameron's story was wonderful. If you like a good second chance romance and are a fan of Erin Hahn's young adult books, I recommend picking this up.

I didn't understand the point of the epilogue. I skimmed it and ended up stopping when I realized it was basically a recap of the book.

This review will be posted on Goodreads, and Amazon.
I've also mentioned it on my tiktok as well.

The beginning was a little coarse. I understand wanting to show the backstory, but I think it should have been done differently- maybe through flashbacks. I had a hard time connecting with the protagonist Shelby until much later in the book. By the end, I was invested in her and Cameron, but it took a while. The premise of former child stars and the media industry was new and different.

Built to Last was a spectacular read! If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Erin Hahn has just made my list of if they write it, I read it right up there with Colleen Hoover.

This novel makes my other five stars seem like nothing. The connection and chemistry between the two main characters, Shelby and Cameron, was so strong. The book started as soon as I opened the book, and it skipped all of the typical slow intro parts, which I LOVED. I loved that I got more time to love the characters and started to understand them right from the first page. Fantastic book I will not be forgetting anytime soon.


*I received this ARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely. Quotes used subject to change with publication.

Built to Last is the story of Shelby and Cameron, former child stars who are getting a second chance at love while filming a home renovation show. Shelby and Cameron deal with the pressures of childhood fame and pressures from their families and the people around them and how both characters choose to deal with their circumstances. You can see the chemistry between the two characters reasonably early in the book, even though it is a slow burn. This was my first book from Erin Hahn and I enjoyed how she developed the characters. They felt natural to me— Built to Last benefitted from being dual-POV since it helped me better understand the characters and the world by seeing both Shelby and Cameron's perspectives.

I'm interested in reading other of Erin Hahn's books since I enjoyed this one. Hopefully, everyone else will enjoy this book too when it is published on October 18, 2022!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an ARC given to me to review for NetGallery, St. Martin's Press, and Erin Hahn.

Before you go further - I must let you know... this story was a beautiful masterpiece! I devoured it in one sitting, and Erin Hahn made my favorite authors list just like that. Built to Last was my 78th read for 2022 (we are in May), and this will definitely be a contender for book of the year.

About the book:

It all started in their childhood. 3 young co-stars seemed destined to have their paths cross again.

Shelby, Cameron and Lyle starred on a show together from the time they were 11(?) until they were 18. The show was a loose love triangle of sorts as it progressed. Shelby had romantic encounters with both men - but it was ultimately Lyle she entered a long term relationship with. Cameron had left and pursued a college education, and ultimately his dream job of documenting the remote parts of the world for National Geographic.

After a very embarrassing public breakup involving a ridiculous song ruining Shelby - she desperately calls Cameron (hoping for a rebound). He came running not knowing her true intentions. He romantically takes care of her, and leaves before any real damage can be done. The beautiful thing of this encounter - is that he pushes her to move on from Hollywood, and find her place back in the Midwest (Michigan) with her father.

Her father helps her get her life together - in the ways of carpentry. She finds her niche in historic restoration. Hoping to help her father financially - the two attempt to create a pilot reality tv show. The producers don’t like the reaction to her father’s personality - but love hers.

Lyle throws himself into this opportunity, and comes up with the idea to throw Cameron and Shelby together - similar to the way Chip and JoAnna Gaines are - to really sell the appeal. At first, no one is really thrilled to work together, but then they agree to try.

Cameron has secretly deep feelings for Shelby, and that Cameron was also in fact Shelby's first love as well. Lyle has always been envious of Cameron, and always tried “one upping” him. He is complete garbage in my eyes, and loves to throw wrenches into the pair's plan - calling it "good for business."

Cameron and Shelby are both from Michigan - whereas Lyle was from LA. Cameron moves back to the Midwest for this project, and really dives deep into it - discovering his desire to plant roots, and make a major difference and shift in his personal life.. Shelby’s dad helps him learn more about the trade to help make this pilot remake successful.

TROPES:
-Friends to Lovers
-Love Triangle
-Other Men/Women
-Forced Proximity
-Second Chance
-Childhood Love
-Small Town
-Celebrity

My thoughts:
Cameron is sooo adorable. I really relate to his character. I LOVE that this is set in the midwest. This was very relatable to me. I am jealous that Cameron has gotten to see so many beautiful places in this world. This couple's chemistry is insane. I was swooning, laughing, angry, and rooting for them the entire time. I loved the dynamics of the personal circle surrounding these two - very good vs. bad vibes. Seeing the depth in character and personality of the midwesterners was everything. I have a husband who is a carpenter, and I am a photographer - we both love adventure - so this definitely checked EVERY SINGLE PERSONAL checkbox. If I could have custom designed my own romance book - this would have been it. Another cool side note - this book launches in October the weekend before my wedding anniversary. I cannot wait to purchase this one! If you haven't already added it to your TBR - do it!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review!

I adored this story about two child stars and sweethearts with a messy history getting a second chance at love!

I was wary at first but the story gradually got better with each passing page. There was so much pining and angst between Shelby and Cameron. Even after so many years apart, their chemistry remains undeniable and strong on and off screen. It was a slow burn worth reading about. I was hooked!

I liked that Shelby and Cameron got to reconnect as they worked on the pilot for the home renovation show. Also, I loved how they had each other’s back through the whole process, especially with Lyle (who is the worst, as well as Shelby’s mom) constantly meddling. It’s a rocky slope for the main characters. They have to reconcile with their pasts (as individuals and together) in order to figure out what they most want from life and to have a future together.

I love how interchangeable the theme of renovation is throughout the story. It’s a well-done, exquisite use of theme. The interview with the main characters at the end was nice to read. I liked the brief hint to who the next book will feature (please, let there be a book 2!).

Overall, I ended up really enjoying "Built to Last." Shelby and Cameron’s romance was so sweet and tender and funny. Cameron was so loyal and charming. Shelby was so strong and passionate. I can’t wait to read whatever Hahn writes next!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Very nice novel. I very much enjoyed it .

Highly recommend this book! Erin Hahn has written a sweet story about growing up, growing apart, and getting back to your roots. I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Having grown up in Western Michigan, I was particularly tickled to read her descriptions of the area. Both the main characters were written so well. I loved their connection and was cheering for them all the way.

What a great story. This was my first book by Erin Hahn and I was not disappointed I really enjoyed the story. I’m a big fan of renovations shows and reading about a renovation was so fun. I loved the characters and their character development throughout the story was beautifully written. I loved that the story wasn’t a clear cut cookie cutter fix there was work involved on both the main characters sides. I really enjoyed the story it was an easy to read and follow story and I would definitely recommend it to all my fellow readers. Also something I have to note is that the story has my favorite troupe ever which is the single bed troupe and well just yes yes yes thank you for that

Thank you to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this early and I can’t wait for the release so I can buy the physical copy.

**Disclaimer: I received a free eARC of Built to Last by Erin Hahn through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.

Built to Last by Erin Hahn is an adult contemporary romance novel.  It stars two former childstars who were each other's first love who reunite to work together on a home renovation show.  Built to Last is set to publish on October 18th, 2022.  I rated it four stars on Goodreads.

Here's the summary from Goodreads:

Two childhood sweethearts find a second chance at love in this adult romance debut from a critically acclaimed young adult author.
Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like she does the rough spots on the vintage furniture finds she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a mediocre pop career, a meltdown widely documented by the paparazzi, and a huge public break with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. It’s also hard to forget her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs -- the one who got away.
Anytime Shelby has called, Cameron has come running… And then he runs right off again to chase stories around the world by making documentaries, too scared to admit what he really wants. But when Lyle stirs the pot, getting the two back in the spotlight with a home renovation show, Cameron can't help but come on board.
There's something in it for everyone -- almost. Cameron wants to come home and set down some roots. Shelby wants to prove to the world she's not the messy party girl anymore. And Lyle wants to twist the screws on his two childhood friends who had more chemistry than he could dream of with anyone. Sparks and sawdust fly as Shelby and Cameron film the pilot for "Homemade" and battle Lyle’s shenanigans at every turn.
Erin Hahn’s sparkling rom com debut, Built to Last, is a second chance romance sure to have readers falling in love fast.

Erin Hahn is one of my all time favourite authors, and she's definitely on my auto-buy list, and I guess auto-request from NetGalley as well.   I've read and loved all three of her YA titles and so I was excited to see what she would do with an adult romance novel.   Romance isn't my favourite genre but I've had a lot of fun reading it lately.

I was not at all disappointed by this book, and honestly had so much fun reading it.  I like reading celebrity romances apparently because I really enjoyed reading about how the characters came up together as child stars and also about the pressures of fame that came with that.  I also liked reading about how they dealt with it as adults.  It speaks to the fascination a lot of people have with celebrities and while I'm not the biggest on reading tabloids, I can't say I'm not interested in knowing what the lives of the social elite are like.

I really enjoyed the romantic tension that was present between Shelby and Cameron from pretty much page one.  They're really interesting characters and I felt like they had a great dynamic.  Cameron is a pretty great book boyfriend as far as book boyfriend's go.  He's quite dreamy.  I also liked seeing how much Shelby grew from the prologue at the start of the book to how she was as more of an adult.

Storyline wise, I liked that there wasn't a ton of relationship conflict once they actually got together.  I liked that the plot was more about them dealing with the Hollywood manipulations of Lyle.  I prefer that kind of messy drama in a romance to the near the end relationship split.

I also really liked that it was tied in to the rest of her Hahn-universe as it mentioned Annie Mathers, who was one of the protagonists of You'd Be Mine, her debut novel. 

This wasn't my favourite ever novel by Hahn, but it was a great adult debut with a great helping of spice.  I highly recommend that you check this one out if you like adult novels.  It's a great, fun read.

Great vacation read!

The story is about Cameron and Shelby, child actors who landed on the same set at about age 10. You meet them in their 20's and learn about their journey's up until now, which involves lots of chemistry neither of them want to admit. Then an opportunity for them to work on a reality show together comes up and neither of them want to let the other down, but it does mean working with Shelby's egotistical ex who seems to want to slander her at every turn. Cam and Shelby show up as the bigger people, making the opportunity work in their favour and, of course, find love along the way.

I liked how Erin Hahn went between Cameron and Shelby's points of view through the story, giving the story more depth.

I was totally swept up reading this book. First of all, Cameron is what book boyfriends are made of. I am a huge sucker for dual POV and so really enjoyed being in both lead character’s heads. I do wish there was a little more angst and I wanted there to be a larger obstacle to overcome than bad communication. With that being said I still was sad to see this book end and 100% recommend it to all.

I fell in love with this story from the first 20 pages. Hahn's humor kept me entertained and had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. The vibes of this were very HGTV with a romance twist, and I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect. Such a fun, light-hearted read that packed the heat and all the feels!

What a fun, sweet romance. Shelby and Cameron were child stars who grew up and apart. They are brought together to work on a home improvement show but another of their co-stars, Lyle. It's a great story, one with a couple I hoped solved their problems and Lyle who I wished would go away. It's a perfect beach read or palate cleanser.

Thank you to Erin Hahn, @netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an Advance Reader Copy.