Built to last is a second chance romance, but so much more. Shelby Springfield, Cameron Riggs, and Lyle Jessup have a very complicated past. They were all co-stars on a television series as teens, and there was a bit of a love triangle. Shelby and Cameron were each other's first loves, but Cameron is spooked by those feelings and he leaves to go to school. Lyle swoops in, and he and Shelby become an item, for five years until he dumps her for her best friend. Who does she call, Cameron. Cameron has a great career as a National Geographic photographer and documentary maker, but he packs up and takes a rickety plane to LA when Shelby tells him she needs him. Knowing she is living a toxic life, her leaves her a note saying she has to get out of LA, and takes off again, before he can act on his attraction to his former love. Fast forward ten years. Shelby works with her father on home renovations, specifically restoration, as well as owning her own furniture restoration business. Enter Lyle who wants to stir the pot. He is now a director and offers Cameron and Shelby a pilot to make a home renovation show. When Shelby asks Cameron if he is interested, he can't help but come on board, even though he knows nothing about renovating homes.

This was a great story, and I enjoyed it more than I had expected I would. I love home renovation television shows, but this was more about relationship building, coming home, second chances, and finally standing up for yourself. The TV pilot was Shelby's chance to show the world that she wasn't that messy party girl anymore, but had landed on her feet and had a successful business. She wasn't pining over Lyle, the one who dumped her. Cameron is finally ready to face Shelby and all the feelings he has for her, even ten years later since their last meeting. Lyle is just a mess. He is a bit of a narcissist and wants to make Shelby and Cameron look bad, to make himself look self-important. Family plays a huge role in this story as well. Neither Shelby or Cameron have healthy relationships with one of their parents, and we see them come to terms with that in the story. I have to say, Shelby's mom is a piece of work, enough said. This story pulled me in from the start and I was invested in seeing where Shelby and Cameron would go with their lives. There is a lot of baggage to unpack, feelings to share, emotions that need to be explored and finally they can both move on. The romance took a bit to develop, which I liked, but eventually it happened and there were some open door bedroom scenes, but overall, this was a story I recommend to those who enjoy a nice, fun romance. I liked that the audiobook was narrated by two performers, Lisa Zimmerman & Kale Williams. The story is told by both main characters, so having both a male and female narrator, it gave the story a more realistic telling. If you enjoy audiobooks, I suggest you give this one a try.

The World According to Jackson launched the careers Lyle Jessup, Cameron Riggs, and Shelby Springfield

For seven years, the kids grew from preteens to adults Shelby and Cameron had a connection and were each others 1st loves but when Cameron leaves Shelby ends up with her other costar Lyle.
Things were as fine as they could be but like most child to adult actors/singers things ended bad and Shelby decided she had enough of the lime light left it all behind. She has been living a quiet life helping her Dad to flip and renovate homes But of course Hollywood comes knocking with wanting a show about flipping houses. the only problem they don't think the daughter/dad duo has what the show needs to be successful.

New showrunner Lyle Jessup has the great idea to get the gang back together. Now remember his relationship with both his childhood friends ended horrible. What could go wrong now?

This is a second chance romance/ friendship. The 1st half of the book navigates the new friendship and dancing around there past until the past can't stay in the past and it goes full forth into the romance.

It was a slow start and took me a little to get invested but the 2nd half of the story picked up.
The friendship was cute and some of the drama that was dropped into the story I feel like didn't serve quite as much drama as you would want.

If your a fan of 2nd chance and renovation shows this would be a good book for you. The romance could of been a little more for me.

Thank You NetGalley for this audio arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is a childhood romance that gets rekindled later on in life and the chemistry and sparks fly. Of course, there's the villain, if you want to call him that. I never considered this book a love triangle and I don't know if the author wanted us to think that, but the 2nd guy who has always been in the picture, was really never in the picture, in the sense, there was no real chemistry and he's working really hard on sabotaging the protagonists and their relationships. If you like romances, you'll like this one. It was a basic romance, though. Nothing to sing home about and there were no major moments that blew my mind.

3 stars.

A light-hearted romance about a pair of now adult, childhood actors who have spent the past decade or so pining after one another due to miscommunication. Now they have a chance to rekindle that old flame while filming a pilot for a reality house flipping TV show.

There is some great chemistry between the two main characters that leads you to automatically root for them and makes the journey entertaining. The side characters are hit or miss, in regards to how flushed out the characters are and their worth to the story. However, the author did a good job making you love who you are meant to love and hate who you are meant to hate.

It was a rather predictable story, but the journey was fun nonetheless.

**NetGalley review**

I loved this second chance romance! Cam and Shelby were child stars that drifted apart for various reasons. Thanks to a home improvement show idea by their former costar and Shelby's ex, Lyle, they finally get to hash out years of misunderstanding. I loved the pace of this book! I enjoyed seeing their relationship unfold, although looking back I think adding in some flashbacks to their younger years on the show and how they felt about each other might have done the trick to develop a better understanding of their history. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I am looking forward to my next Erin Hahn read. Did I sense a teaser at the end for a spin-off book surrounding Lorelei?? Thank you--NetGalley, Orange Sky Audio, St. Martin's Press, and Erin Hahn for allowing me to read this one in exchange for an honest review.

Built to Last is Erin Hahn‘s fourth book and her debut adult romance novel. This wonderful work of art is perfect for fans of
second chance romance
HGTV home renovation lovers
childhood stars returning back to television
janky exes causing hijinx (lyle that fucker)
wonderful exes causing happiness, peace, and prosperity
interconnected standalones

I would just like to say that Cameron Riggs and Shelby Springfield are literally everything. No notes on them whatsoever besides great things. I love them dearly and they deserve the world. They’ve been in love with each other since they were children. They formed their own identities apart from each other and then came back better than ever. They work through their communication struggles together. What more could you want?

Lyle is an absolute fucker and I despise Shelby's mom with so much in my soul but they’re written so well.

Erin Hahn is a god with words. I love the way she made one of the most wholesome and endearing love stories I have ever read. Erin has a way of making me absolutely love it and fall in love with her characters while also giving me a cute little sucker punch to the gut with the shittery that life has handed them at various points in their existence. I would protect all of these characters with my life. Except for Lyle and Shelby‘s mother. They can afford to rot just a little bit.

Thank you OrangeSky Audio, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It doesn’t take much for me to add books to my TBR. For this one, I saw the Friends to Lovers trope and I immediately added it. Add on to that that this is an author I’ve read before as well? Hell yeah, I was excited for this. And let me tell you, IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

For the most part I really loved this. There were just a few minor things that can be addressed, but I actually don’t really think it took anything away. Like there was a small lull, but it was covered by the people who asked them if they wanted to do the show doing something vile, like inviting his parents and brother, but also her mom. Basically all the people they hate. So basically I was just excited that even though their relationship wasn’t progressing right then, I still had something to stress over lol

For the relationship, I LOVED the two of them together. They were so cute! I actually really enjoyed them together and apart. This is how I know it’s real lol But I think I liked them so much because they were basically like redeeming themselves. They had a long, hard past, and they deserved that. And I loved the way they were so resilient. They both learned what they did like, and from there basically perfected their craft. I love romances that make me root for them both together and apart.

The smexy times tho? I never expect good spicy scenes from a debut author who’s written only YA authors tho lol At the very least, I was expecting for it to be like a fade to black lol But nope. And man I was fanning myself by the time we got to the bench in the work room. (IYKYK lol) I would say it was like a 3.5 on my scale.

This was an unexpected win for me. I knew I would like the book because I loved her YA, but in true cliche fashion, I didn’t know how much. There was so much heart in this and the romance was really cute. And I know it was actually good, because this was giving HGTV vibes and I HATE that channel lol I don’t like looking at things I know I’ll never be able to do lol But even this book made me want to at least try one project. It was just that good. If y’all do a project because of this book tho, let me know in the comments!

I absolutely loved this book. I'm a sucker for a second chance romance, and I loved to see Shelby and Cameron get their HEA. The pacing was good, the spice level was low but enjoyable. I am such an HGTV fan girl that this story was right up my alley - I'd definitely love to watch Home Made!

4 stars.

This was a very good book. I definitely loved reading as I love stories involving renovations. And the use of social media through the process. I became easily engrossed in this book and was able to finish it in one day. This is one of those, the one that got away romance novel. The first half of the book has a spice level of 2/5 which it definitely my taste but then in the second half it definitely moves into a 3/5 spice rating . It was a great story line. If you love Maggie moves on by Lucy score then you will definitely love this book. I loved the amount of drama in this book and found it all very entertaining. There was never a dull moment. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job. Also lovedher voice and pitch. It was more interesting that the relationship in this book wasn't always plain sailing. I have to mention that some of the character names were a but ridiculous and it did annoy me a little. I am not really a fan of silly nicknames. This book had a great medium pace to it. I recommend reading this book if you love reading different styles of romance novels and don't get easily annoyed by relationships that have a lack of communication causing issues.

Many thanks to the author and publishers for creating this great story thatvwas so very different from the normal romance novels.

The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog today https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/built-to-last-by-erin-hahn-orangsky-audio-4-stars either under my name or ladyreading365

I received this audiobook from netgalley for an honest review.

I loved this comeback second chance love story! They grew up together as television stars and when her world fell apart he came running. Then he ran from her so he wouldn't be the rebound boyfriend. So years later they end up doing a home improvement show together. I loved watching the relationship build.

I also can't wait for the love story for Lorelei the singer best friend!

Built to Last is the first adult novel by YA author Erin Hahn. This is a story of new beginnings, second chances, and coming into one’s own. The three main stars of children’s show Jackson’s World are reunited when Shelby Springfield proposes a reality home restoration show to help her Dad, Daniel, as he recuperates from an accident. Shelby would also like to show the world that after her widely documented retreat from Hollywood that she is no longer the party girl of her former reputation, but an accomplished restoration expert.

Shelby is excited when she gets the call for a meeting to discuss a pilot for her show. She is much less so when she discovers Lyle Jessup, who had played Jackson in the show, is the show runner for the pilot. And Shelby is stunned when she sees Cameron Riggs, another costar and teen real life love, has been brought in to work with her.

Cameron, who left Hollywood for college, then used his degree to make National Geographic documentaries, is losing the wanderlust and would like to spend time at home in Michigan, where Shelby also lives and the show will be filmed. When they get the go ahead, Cameron relocates, Daniel takes him on as an apprentice to learn the trade, and they begin by choosing the home to restore. But with cast and crew running smoothly, Jessup throws multiple curves at them.

This is such a fun story. I very much enjoyed the characters, the settings, and the sweet conclusion. I do recommend this book!

Shelby and Cameron are former child pop stars and each other’s first loves. After years apart, they were hired to film a reality show about flipping houses.

Now they are trying to navigate their lingering feelings, clear up their MANY miscommunications, and figure out if they have a chance to rebuild their love.

While I was frustrated by their lack of communication at times, I did find myself enamored by this romance book.

Let me start by saying I prefer the physical book to this one than the audio, but I still really enjoyed it!

As a Michigan girl, I enjoyed having a story in my home state. (There really aren't that many with Michigan as the setting.)

I had the opportunity to review the "advance listen" copy of the audiobook narrated by Lisa Zimmerman and Kale Williams. It was a joy to have a female read the female chapters and the male read the alternate chapters.

It was a good romance, although sometimes you read the perfect book at the perfect time and it makes the whole experience spectacular. Unfortunately I wasn't quite in the right place for a romance at the moment, so I'm rounding up to 4 stars ... but I wasn't quite feeling blown away by this book. Even though I really wanted to like it. I can't quite put my finger on it though. Maybe it was that ... the male protagonist was a little too perfect and the female protagonist a little too desperate.

Thank you to NetGalley for (once again) introducing me to a "new to me" author. And also for the opportunity to review the audio of Built To Last in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to the author Erin Hahn and the narrators (Lisa Zimmerman and Kale Williams) and the publisher OrangeSky Audio. Publication date is 18 Oct 2022.

4.5/5 stars.

Tropes: second chance romance, friends to lovers

What an adorable story!!! Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs have long since grown apart. They, along with Shelby's jealous ex, Lyle, starred in a TV show as kids. When Lyle and Shelby's relationship falls apart, she reaches out to Cam, mistaking his reaction for rejection. 5 years later, Lyle tricks them into submitting a pilot episode for a new home renovation show. Things fall together, and we're taken on the journey of navigating Lyle's jealousy and manipulation, plus decades of feelings between Shelby and Cameron that were never given the chance to come to fruition before.

I absolutely loved both Shelby and Cameron's characters. They were so likeable and easy to cheer for. Both had great friends and support systems that made them even ore loveable. Their love story was sweet and corny, but not overly so. There were a few issues/miscommunications, but this wasn't dragged out throughout the story, which I appreciate. The beginning of this book was little confusing to me on audio and it took me a second to connect with the characters, which is why this is not a 5/5, but other than that it was pretty close to a perfect romance!

Shelby Springfield , a former child star, has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past,. She's become a master vintage furniture restorer and works with her father on flipping old houses. But she'd had a widely documented meltdown and huge public break up with her former co-star Lyle Jessup that people just don't want to forget, plus an obnoxious stage mother who Lyle calls to try and get Shelby off the right track. Then there's her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs, aka the one who got away. Cameron always comes when Shelby calls, then runs away again to making documentaries for National Geographic. He really wants to stay home, with Shelby, however. But until Lyle resurfaces and wants to put the two together in a reality/home renovation show, he's managed to stay mostly away. Her Dad doesn't make a good onscreen personality. so Cameron agrees to put his Nat Geo career on hold to learn from Shelby's Dad and work with them to renovate and flip a house for the pilot. Lyle keeps on intruding and tries very hard to stir up drama, including bringing in Shelby's former best friend, the one who caused Shelby and Lyle to break up a few years earlier. .

There's something in the show for everyone—almost. Cameron wants to set down some roots. Shelby wants to prove she's not the messy party girl anymore. And a jealous Lyle can’t help but try to get in the way. But for his two childhood friends who had more chemistry than he could ever dream of, there was a stable and steady presence in their relationship. Shelby and Cameron still have a lot to learn about themselves and relationships, and I fully believe that they will.

Thank you so much to net galley for sending me a copy of this book. I fell in love With these characters. It was truly amazing, I love Erin Hahn!’

Shelby and Cameron were childhood tv stars together and each other's first love. They find each other and their chemistry again after 10 years. I love the sweetness of their connection; I love that they learn to really trust each other despite the meddling of Shelby's ex and their costar from childhood. Built to Last is stock full of awesome characters, they all add to the story and the community that is built around the hero and heroine of this love story. Hahn gave us so many characters to love and to love to hate!

Built to Last is a second chance romance about two adolescent actors who were each other's first loves and reconnect ten years later through a remodeling TV show after having drastically changed their lives.

This was a short and effective second chance romance. I loved the main characters, and the fact that it was dual point of view. I also really enjoyed the setting and the secondary characters. I really liked the whole remodeling TV show thing, I thought it was done very well. The only reason I'm not rating this more than five stars is that I was never overwhelmed with emotion? I thought it was cute but I wasn't 100% committed to the whole thing and I'm already starting to forget some details. Maybe this was because I listened to this though. Also, I really liked the narrators.
So, overall, this was very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good m/f romance.

I absolutely loved this book. It was a breath of fresh air compared to other books with similar premises. Even though there was conflict - w/ the FMCs mom, the MMC's family and even their former co-star there wasn't any angst, and that was so refreshing. I also thought the two leads were just super cute together and I liked that they had come from stardom, but wanted something different for themselves. Overall, loved this one and will definitely be reading more from Erin Hahn.