Reviews

Built to Last by Erin Hahn

whendevreads's review against another edition

4.0

*Actual rating is 4.5 stars*

I received an ARC of Built to Last by Erin Hahn from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Built to Last will be released on October 18th, 2022.

I feel like this book was written for me specifically. I don’t know how Erin Hahn knew that I love a good “former child star” redemption story & am obsessed with home renovation. I have seen just about every single home renovation show on HGTV, including all of those mentioned in the book itself. Home renovation is just so interesting to me & I loved seeing the bits of Cameron’s side of demo and construction, as well as her special restoration projects. In an alternate universe I am doing exactly what she does with an unlimited budget.

I loved Shelby & Cameron’s story. I really love romance novels where the couples come back together after years apart & have a second chance at love (as long as it didn’t involve something bad like cheating). It was cute to hear him say how he would always come back to her, even if she didn’t love him back. He fell in love with her as a kid & the feelings never really dissipated, which I think is so cute. It was the epitome of “right person, wrong time” which allowed them to circle back to each other once they had figured out their own lives.

I normally never end up reading the sequels to books like these if they focus on other characters. Like, I never read To Hate Adam Connor, I just couldn’t get into it. But, I would drop everything for the chance to read a sequel featuring miss Lorelai Jones. Something about her character really drew me in and I think her story would be so so good.

emileers's review against another edition

5.0

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.

book_nerd_13's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jo_reads_'s review against another edition

5.0

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.

lilbroccoli's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kaitbailer's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I loved this so much! Honestly, Im such a big fan of Erin Hahn. All of her books suck me right in. You can't help but fall in love with these characters and become invested in their story.

syndi3's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 Built to Last is cute. I like the plot and the story idea. I like the characters. But the writing is more YA and not so much NA/ adult rom com.
When I read about Miss Hahn turns out she is a YA writer. 

Overall still enjoyable book. 

cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition

3.0

Built to Last is Erin Hahn adult debut novel and let's juist say perfer her young adult contemporary
books. This is about former child actors reconnecting to do an HGTV home type show and they are also two childhood sweethearts.The romance is believable with okay chemistry and solid tension that builds.
Overall, a gentle, kind-hearted love story.

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

meganquirk's review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

ladyareads's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Child stars all grown up is something everyone loves to see when they popup. Shelby and Cam were everyone’s favorite onscreen kids. They both left the limelight before become adult stars. It’s been years but now they are offered the opportunity to cohost a home renovation reality show. The sparks fly instantly but will the show go up in flames? This is an adult romance. There is drinking, profanity, and spice. As always in Erin Hahn romances there are some overlapping characters. I do recommend reading these stand alones “in order” since while all are separate stories they do follow a loose timeline and it’s nice to not have spoilers. 

# Built to Last
# 4/30/2024 ~ 5/1/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0