Built to Last

Erin Hahn basically owns my reading life. If she writes it, I am reading it. When she announced a romance for adults instead of her usual YA romance, I NEEDED this book. I was right. I really did need it. I loved this story of two child stars who come together as adults to film a pilot for a home renovation show. Their history and tension and their hidden love for each other was so easy to sink into and kept me compulsively reading until the very last page.

I loved that the big conflict was more external than internal.
I loved that they sorted their stuff out individually and when they finally had their conversation, it was healthy and worked for them. It wasn't half talks that made more of a mess later.
I loved their families and their friend groups.
I loved glimpses of Annie and Clay (read You'd be Mine)
I loved Kevin.

I can't wait for more in this series of books and from Erin.

Built to Last is Erin Hahn’s debut Adult RomCom, but it still has all the charm and heart of her YA novels. This novel also connects to her other novels, so the easter eggs were neat to see!

Built to Last is the story of Shelby and Cameron, former best friends and childhood sweethearts. They’ve had a decade full of missed chances and almost romance, but after not seeing each other for five years, they’re forced together by their unlikable co-star Lyle, who happens to be Shelby’s other ex-boyfriend and the showrunner of Shelby’s new home renovation show.

I really enjoyed Built to Last! I loved how each chapter had a song associated with it. I also liked how the songs reflected the feelings of our main duo (and often contrasted each other). It’s always fun seeing how Erin Hahn ties music into her novels!

Cameron and Shelby’s connection is great. They may be one of my favorite Erin Hahn couples. I really enjoy their interactions – and how in sync they are, most of the time. I’ve seen a couple of other reviewers mention this, but they do have a similar vibe to Erin and Ben from HGTV’s Home Town. Even their renovation show, HomeMade, bears a resemblance.

Shelby’s best friends Lorelai and Maren are awesome. I’m so excited that they are each getting their own book! With all the hints and pieces of information about Lorelai in this book, I can’t wait to see how her novel is going to go!

All in all, Erin Hahn never disappoints and her transition to adult romcoms is practically perfect!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of Built to Last!

This book hit all the marks for me … a young cast growing up on a television show (I pictured Saved by the Bell), a home improvement endeavor, and a love that endures many challenging outside negative forces. All of this is accomplished with charm, humor, and honesty. I enjoyed this book a lot and was so happy the the epilogue gave us a glimpse into the future of these characters. I feel as if I would root for them in real life!

Shelby & Cameron start off as child costars and meet again 10 years later as they are reunited to star in a home renovation show. Shelby had given up the party girl life that being a child star had led to and joined her father's business flipping houses and restoring vintage furniture. Cameron had led a reclusive life doing documentaries for National Geographic. Told in dual points of view, it chronicled their increasing attraction to each other. I enjoyed their supportive friends as well as the look into what it's actually like to be a child star. If you like second chance romance and are known to be a fan of HGTV home shows you will love this one. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the early look in exchange for an honest review.

Built to last is a sweet, enchanting book. Former child stars Shelby and Cameron are roped into an HGTV-like rehab and flip show by their sleazy old costar Lyle. Cameron has been filming documentaries around the world for National Geographic while Shelby publicly hit bottom then emerged as an artisan rehabbing houses with her father in Michigan. There is tension at first between Shelby and Cameron. Cameron is still in love with Shelby. And Shelby with Cam. But there is real animosity between the two of them and Lyle, who is producing the show.
Lyle, though he’s the one that brought them together on this project, keeps sabotaging them. He even goes so far as to create a publicity smear campaign.

But we get to see this slow burn, second chances romance as they rehab a house for the show. As they lovingly restore a house to it’s glory they lovingly restore their romantic relationship- but to new heights.

I look forward to recommending this book to my patrons.

I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin, the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun and entertaining read and also informative to an extent. It focuses on romance but also throws light on child actors and what life is like for them. I loved the book cover!! I enjoy watching home renovations shows every once in a while .. so it was fun reading this story based around it!!
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Thank you to Erin Hahn, @netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an Advance Reader Copy.
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👍🏼👍🏼 a MUST READ for any/all Emily Henry fans ala Beach Read

Built to Last is another great contemporary, second-chance romance set in a cute Michigan town. And let me just say, this romance BURNS 🔥🔥🔥

15% into this book and I was screaming!! Holy cow Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs were made for each other! Too bad their timing and communication is epically bad.

Shelby and Cameron first met as co-stars of a sitcom when they were kids. After years of working side-by-side and sidelong glances, Shelby and Cameron were kissing in closets and sneaking off to dimly lit fields in youthful bliss. Until Cameron ran off to college, away from the show, and never even saying goodbye to Shelby. Heartbroken and confused, Shelby ran into the arms of their other co-star, Lyle. Turns out that while Shelby and Cameron were wholesome midwestern kids doing their best in Hollywood, Lyle is as slimy as they come. Finally, the house of cards toppled when Shelby finds out Lyle has cheated on her with her best friend via a brand-new pop single that went on to win a Grammy.

Cameron has taken his broken heart out to the fringes of society filming documentaries for National Geographic. Shelby takes refuge back home in Michigan restoring old furniture with her dependable dad.

Both their lives are flipped upside down when they are asked to film a home renovation show together based on Shelby’s dad’s business. Oh, and slimy, jealous Lyle is the show runner, throwing every obstacle he can at Shelby and Cameron. Honestly it feels like he’s sabotaging the future of the show on purpose.

Will Shelby and Cameron make it through?

📖Built to Last by Erin Hahn comes out October 18, 2022


Oh, also Shelby has two adorable best friends who will each get their own love story. I am so excited for this trilogy to continue! It is so good!!

Next up is Lorelai, former country music star, who is looking to make a comeback!