REVIEW: Built to Last by Erin Hahn

Built to Last by Erin Hahn: All things in Hollywood eventually crash and burn and for child star Shelby Springfield things between her and her co-star Lyle really went down in flames. Nowadays Shelby is living the quiet life helping her father renovate and flip houses. Hoping that maybe they too can catch on to the ever growing HGTV fame train Shelby pitches the idea of a father daughter team taking on old houses and giving them a second chance, only to be shot down by the studio, who has other plans for her.

The last thing Shelby expected was for her old co-star and cheater ex boyfriend Lyle to be the producer of the show or for him to suggest that Shelby and their other former co-star Cameron Riggs team up as the new hot renovating duo! What could go wrong right? Everyone is going to be professional, right? Well with three bruised hearts on the line, some old insecurities and misunderstandings resurfacing, loads of shared history and the possibility of one heck of a cute second chance love story this is sure to make one interesting show.

Okay let me just say it now, the entire HGTV fixer upper vibe so worked for me! I just love binge watching this channel so this book was definitely one that intrigued me, also I really do love a cute second chance love story and that is what we get with Cam and Shelby. This was one of those books that you really did not want to put down because of how invested you get in the characters. I really liked the fact that they had this shared history and that we got to see their attraction grow as the book progressed. I will say that I would have liked to have a few more flashbacks into their past, this would have only added to their burning connection.

Shelby was such a sweet female character, I really liked getting to see her channel her past pain and pent up emotional frustrations into something so beautiful and really finding her calling in the process. More than anything I liked the fact that she turned her life around and made something positive out what could have turned into a burnt out celeb mess. I really enjoyed getting to see her build her relationship with her father and getting to see them make up for some of the lost time. But gosh did she have some bad luck when it came to the people close to her starting with her toxic relationship with her mother and then the blow up with Lyle. This only made me love the connection that she shared with Cameron all the more.

Cameron was such a sweet heart, this guy really was a gem with a heart of gold. I loved his down to earth nature and that he was always ready to help Shelby in anyway that he could. It was pretty clear that she owned his heart right from the start and that he was all in on their relationship. The only thing that I did not love about this book was Lyle. Gosh this guy just irritated me! Not only was he manipulative but he really got away without a scratch!

Cam and Shelby were just the sweetest couple to follow, these two were definitely meant for one and another but had such bad timing and outside influences in the past keeping them apart! It was pretty clear that these two burned for each other but aside from having some insanely hot chemistry, I really liked that they had a solid friendship that bonded them. I loved that their relationship had no major drama and that there was no major third act blow up, this really was a sweet second chance romance that flowed perfectly. I just adored getting to see them interacting as the filmed the show and all those cute little moments that brought them closer.

Built To Last was a cute slow burn, second chance, HGTV inspired romance, that I would definitely recommend reading.

Book Info:

Publication: October 18th 2022 | St. Martin’s Griffin |

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.