Review: Built to Last by Erin Hahn

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Title: Built to Last

Author: Erin Hahn

Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin

Published: October 18, 2022

Pages: 336

Format: NetGalley e-ARC, thanks St. Martin’s Griffin!

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Goodreads Blurb

“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.

Two childhood sweethearts find a second chance at love in this adult romance debut from a critically acclaimed young adult author.“

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My Review

This was my second book by Hahn and I am now a fan! The premise of this book was so intriguing that it made it hard to put down.

Shelby, Cameron, and Lyle all grew up in Hollywood. Cameron gets out but Shelby ends up losing herself and then leaving. There’s a bit of romantic tension between all of them. Well, I mean between Shelby and the boys. There are some times in this book that I found it hard to like any of the characters, to be honest. It was mostly the beginning when they are all terrible people. I didn’t love the way they treated each other and Cam would just turn into a ghost and be gone.

When Shelby finally works on herself and her trauma with her mother, I liked her a lot more. Her change was pretty big and I loved how she found her calling. I did like her romance with Cam but I wish they would have been more honest with each other. There are so many missed opportunities from not communicating! I think that Cam made some big steps to patching things up with his family too.

Lyle is a character that I hated from the start and that didn’t change. haha. There are some amazing supporting characters in this book. I loved Shelby’s dad! He was the best! I think a few of them might be the star of upcoming books?? If not, they should be!

This was a sweet second chance romance with a lot of angst and some spicey moments! I think that both of them had great character development throughout the book too. I can’t wait to see what Hahn comes out with next!

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.