“Built to Last” by Erin Hahn follows the once famous Shelby Springfield. After a fall from Hollywood grace, Shelby moves back to Michigan and begins refurbishing vintage furniture for the homes her dad remodels. Shelby thought she was done with the L.A. life forever until her ex, Lyle Jessup, asks her to be on a tv remodeling show. The real kicker though is that Lyle wants Cameron Riggs to be Shelby’s co-star. Cam was the love of her life, and Lyle never could quite get over it, even when Shelby was dating Lyle. Now that the three are back together, tensions run high. Shelby finds herself falling for Cam all over again, but this time is their relationship built to last?

Known for her work in the YA genre, Hahn branches out with “Built to Last” into the Romance genre. While I was a little cautious about this switch up, Hahn seems to have the same spark to captivate, with a little more steam and more adult problems for characters to work through.

Shelby was a fun character to read through. Her tangled life of childhood acting mixed with her adult life of rural furniture refurbishing makes her feel like two different people. A before and an after. While I wish we could have spent a little more time in the spiral from Hollywood, you can see Shelby’s clear growth in her new life, especially when thrown into a similar life pattern.

In the end, this book was 4 stars for me. It was light and easy, pretty much a great summer read option. It does have some steamy chapters, so if that’s not your thing, I wouldn’t recommend. BUT if you love romance and are looking for something a little more cute, this would be a great pick.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is an amazing book. I was hooked from page one. This is probably one of my favorite romance books. The author created really likeable (and less likeable) characters that I really rooted for. I really appreciated the dual points-of-view, as we're able to get Shelby and Cameron's inner thoughts and inner conflict.
The plot was unlike other books I've read before. A sort of show-mance, workplace romance. I definetly appreciated that the characters had some backstory, it it wasn't an insta-love.
I couldn't get enough of this book. The ending was really satisfying (and not predictable), however, I would've taken way more of the book—it was that good.
This book is definetly worth the read, with relatable characters, and enpredictable plot.
This is definetly a book that I will remember, and will probably re-read.

(Spoilers) - Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. A classic romance with a trope of ex-lovers turned lovers again but better. Something about the fact that Cam and Shelby were on a tv show when they were younger (in love then, but not "adult love") and then separated (as it happens with life) and then reunited to do a reality tv show was just so good. I loved how this book was written. It was easy to follow and very easy to picture. The characters were actually likeable (excluding Lyle and Ada Mae, for obvious reasons). I am very happy with the ending of this book. I will definitely be looking into more books by Erin Hahn in the future.

2.75
I thought I was a big fan of home reno shows. Always watched them growing up and enjoyed them. I guess I just don't enjoy reading about them.

I had a hard time believing their relationship at times. It didn't help that a lot of it was just picking up from where they left off - and it was "messy". It felt very insta-love - even though we know and get a glimpse into their childhood.

Way too many side characters and rushed ending. <spoiler>I hate when conflict is added in the last 10% but I feel like this needed it.</spoiler>

Somewhat a fast and couldn't finish it fast enough read.

This book was so sweet! A second chance romance about two childhood stars on the same TV show who were good friends (and a bit more) who come together again to do a pilot for a home renovation show.

Cam and Shelby’s romance was wonderful and mature. They didn’t shy away from the mistakes of their pasts and were honest about the growth that had to take place to get them to a place where they could begin a real relationship. They were so cute together and it was fun to watch as they fell in love again.

The background of the home renovation show added a fun, unique setting for a novel. I often felt like I was watching a real TV show.

A solid 4.5/5 stars only because the beginning of the novel felt just a little slow to me. A few chapters in though and I could not put this book down.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book.

This was such a fun, quick, and lovey eARC read. Love the second chance and intense character development, love the dual 1st person POV and the snappy dialogue. The detail put into every scene (from clothes to scenery to music) was engaging and really brought everything to life. I also really thought the communication between the main characters was great, realistic and honest and not just dependent on the miscommunication trope. I would totally watch HomeMade just to see Shelby and Cam IRL!

The only things that kept it from being a 5 star were some unnecessarily messy relationship dynamics that I thought took away from the rest of the book.

I sense a sequel coming along with Lorelei and Maren getting their own chance at love! Sign me up!

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for this e-galley copy.

Built to Last by Erin Hahn is a heart warming second chance romance. This friend to lovers story is a sweet journey with two likeable main characters you keep routing for the entire book. This was a first adult rom-com for the author and I look forward to the next book, hopefully a continuation with Shelby's best friend 😀

Built to Last is a colorful story with really fun characters. Shelby is the definition of a strong, independent woman and I always love to see a male character come in to accent a strong female, rather than try to rescue or repair them in some way. Erin Hahn did an excellent job of keeping Shelby a strong female lead throughout!

It kind of fell flat for me about 3/4 of the way through and I think if this book was a bit shorter, it would have really brought it home. The end of it was really sweet and I loved how it all tied together!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
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I love Erin Hahn's books, so naturally, I was ecstatic when I found out she was writing an adult book. Built to Last didn't disappoint. This was a quick read, and the chemistry was wonderful.

There were so many tropes, and I admit I was worried that it would be too much, but Erin has a way of knowing just how to blend them together to make something incredible. Shelby and Cameron's story was a fun read, and I loved watching their relationship blossom.

This book was super cute! Slow burn, a little bit of spice, HGTV vibes and house flipping. Such a good combo! It was a little too slow for me at first but it picked up and I ended up enjoying it overall!

I. Love. This. Book. I was first drawn in by the cover, and then the summary. I hyped it up in my head to the point I was just waiting to jinx my reading. But nope, it was even better.

This is a sweet second chance romance between two childhood stars who faced years of wrong timing. When they get the chance to work together in their home state Michigan, both sign on with their own hesitations.

Built to Last is full of warmth, friendships, family, happiness, and laughter. This book is so much more than the home renovating reality show- it shows the struggles and perseverance of former child stars to find themselves outside of their “fame.” And the ending…. Just SWOON.

….and hint hint hint about Lorelai and Drake’s story….I CANNOT WAIT.

Built to Last had me laughing out loud!

I really enjoyed this book. It was actually super interesting, and the plot was unexpected. I'm sure I read part of the description when I requested it on NetGalley, but I completely forgot what it was by the time I started it.

So Cameron and Shelby were best friends and lovers when they were teenagers. They were both childhood stars on a TV show. Some things happened, so Cameron had to leave for college, and they both lost touch with each other. The story start out 5 years in the past; however, 5 years after Cameron left for college, where you can clearly see that Cameron still has feelings for Shelby. Fast forward 5 years, and they are thrown together for a reality TV show about fixing up houses. There is definitely more to the plot than that, but that's basically the gist of it.

I loved both Cameron and Shelby. They were a really cute couple, and I enjoyed meeting all their friends. I'm really hoping this will be a series, so I can find out more about the other characters.

I wish that I would have seen more feelings from Shelby about how she felt about Cameron. It just seemed a little random to me that all of the sudden, she was talking about how she never stopped liking Cameron. Her side just didn't feel genuine at first.

It did take about 70% through the story for the couple to actually get together. Some parts seemed a little slow, while others seemed fast. By this, I mean just the progression of the story. Like several weeks went by that the author just skipped over. Overall, I thought this was a very cute and funny story.

Y'all, I don't think Erin Hahn can write a book I won't love. Built to Last is her first adult romance and it is amazing! Cameron and Shelby grew up together on camera, stars of a successful tween show. Shelby left that world behind, becoming a successful carpenter who loves helping her dad flip houses. Now, she's ready to reenter the limelight with a home renovation show and Cameron is brought on board. Cameron has been running for a long time, but sees this show as way to finally reconcile with his family and with his feelings for Shelby. This was such a fun read- I couldn't put it down. I'm so excited for the next two books as well. Hahn is definitely one of my favorites!

3.5 stars

Thank you St. Martins Press for this eARC through netgalley in exchange for an honest review 🥰

This book was so much fun and so painfully adorable. I loved the second chance love, friends to lovers, man falls first tropes that were used. Shelby and Cameron were so heartwarming to read about. I loved the characters history together and Shelby’s journey of being a celebrity with all the constant judgement was heartbreaking. The premise of the book was intriguing. As a designer, I loved the whole home Reno reality tv plot. Also, the spice scenes were good!

The whole love triangle situation between Lyle, Shelby and Cameron was odd to me. I didn’t enjoy the whole Lyle subplot. The history between them led to a super messy situation that I felt was unnecessary to the plot. Also, the miscommunication between Cameron and Shelby to create more tension wasn’t my favourite due to the nonsensical drama.

Overall, this is a quick, enjoyable read full of mutual pining that put a smile on my face 💗

This got me out of a reading slump and I truly can't stop smiling!
I fell in love with Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, both as individuals but even more together.
I loved the detail of Shelby being highly sensitive. I am too, and my only critique of this story is that I would have liked a little bit more about Shelby's experience with that. However, I get that then main point wasn't about that, and really just knowing that fact about Shelby helped make the story make more sense and feel more cohesive, so I understand the choice. I could also related to Shelby on her taste in men, her affinity for Jennifer Garner's Instagram, and her appreciation for a good nook.
Cameron Riggs is straight up swoon-worthy. A former child star who quit to work for NatGeo and then learned how to build houses for the girl he's been in love with since childhood? Um, yes please, I'll take 3. For real though, I loved how much Cameron loved Shelby so unabashedly. Once they went for it, they were both all in and it was so refreshing to read.
Shelby and Cameron were so dang sweet together, I'm still not over it. I loved their dynamic from the very start, and I loved that they were typically on the same page, and when they weren't, they actually communicated and again, this was so refreshing coming from a romance novel. The Dance scene in chapel 13 made my heart swell. The spice in this is top tier, it doesn't take anything away from the plot and instead really cements the chemistry Cam and Shelby have. They were also incredibly fun to read.
I really loved Kevin and Beth as side characters. Lyle was the perfect low-stakes antagonist, I really liked that the conflict there wasn't overwhelming or hard to read or get into.
Overall, this was so fun to read. I think any lover of sweet romance would devour this story, but especially if you have a soft spot for HGTV.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review! I don't usually like friends to lovers because I think either you know or you don't (LOL) but I really loved this book! The chemistry in this book is really well done. I thought the characters evolved really well and just overall a great experience!

I love Erin Hahn's YA books, and I was super excited to see that she is venturing into adult romance!

The main romance trope in Built to Last was not my favorite (second chance/friends to lovers), but I still enjoyed it. I am definitely looking forward to Lorelei's book, too.

Erin Hahn writes complicated, interesting women (and young women) and I enjoy the emotional journeys they take. She has a way of tugging at your heartstrings and making her books extremely hard to put down.

Thank you Netgalley, the author, and St Martin's for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you to Net Galley for the the ARC of Built to Last. It's a great romantic comedy that all should read come its release in October 2022!

It seems everywhere you look LA's child stars are shown in the media to struggle adapting to fame while coming of age. In Built to Last, we meet three child stars who starred in a TV show together in their tween years and they are all grown up now.

This is a wonderfully written story about love at first sight, even in spite of LA's best efforts to break them. Shelby and Cameron reunite years after their show wrapped each having gone their separate ways and we as readers get the pleasure of watching them fall in love all over again. Their paths back to each other took much different routes, but a small town in Michigan, and a reality TV home flipping show are just what they needed to find out that what they felt as young stars, are exactly what they need today.

Shelby and Cameron are a cute couple and everyone knows it.

From the beginning of this sweet read there’s not much will they or won’t they. It’s always so obvious they’ll get together, but I know some readers find comfort in that guarantee. If you’re one of the them, this book is for you.

The family drama adds some colour to the story of two former child stars/lovers/friends as they reconnect for a new home makeover reality show.

I found the most interesting character to be Shelby’s friend Lorelei, who really shines in the last few chapters

The chemistry between the lead characters is great and the heat is definitely felt between them, but I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it was a bit shorter and the will they/won’t they was dragged out a bit more.

**This ARC copy was given to me through Netgalley for a honest review**

Built To Last by Erin Hahn is your classic friends to lovers novel. The author did an amazing job with the characteristics of each character. You grow to love certain ones, and loath some others. But you never stop cheering for the two mains! From the very beginning you can feel and understand the chemistry Cam and Shelby have together. Every twist and turn thrown at them, they take head on and don’t let anyone tell them how things should and shouldn’t be. I laughed, cried and yelled during this novel and if you give it at chance, you will too!