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liciaaaaa's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity and Cursing
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
kelly_e's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Title: Built to Last
Author: Erin Hahn
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: October 18, 2022
I received a complimentary eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Sweet • Hospitable • Basic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like the rough spots on the vintage furniture she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a widely documented meltdown and huge public break up 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 get on board.
There's something in it 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, nothing is getting in the way of their second chance at love.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I added Built to Last to my TBR based on the cute cover and the home renovation/reality TV show elements. I wasn't aware of Erin Hahn's previous books, but it makes sense she'd have a backlist of YA titles because I did find aspects of it in this adult romance.
Told in dual POVs, Shelby and Cameron's characters initially drew me into the story. They had good banter and it was clear to see how deeply they cared from one another despite everything. I was engaged with their story through the first half as I was getting to know them. Yet, by the second half the conflict has been resolved and not a whole lot happened from this point on. The ending wrapped up a little too nicely for my liking and made it less believable. There is a lot of backstory with this one, to the point it overtook the romance. Because of all of this, the characters felt one-dimensional.
I did really enjoy the house flipping, getting a behind the scenes look at show production, and the furniture hunting. The small town setting was portrayed realistically and some of the secondary characters were absolute gems.
Overall, Built to Last had a many solid parts, however, they ended up coming together in an underwhelming fashion. It certainly was a bad book, but rather a typical romance that won't stick in my mind. I'd read this author again if there was a book the piqued my interest and could see how readers who read a lot of rom-coms might like this one more than I did.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• second chance romance
• childhood friends
• house flipping
⚠️ CW: sexual content, toxic relationship, toxic friendship, emotional abuse, child abuse, gaslighting, abandonment, infidelity, alcohol, mental illness, alcoholism, eating disorder, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Child stars have this weird quirk where they're never really kids to begin with, but they never grow up either."
Author: Erin Hahn
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: October 18, 2022
I received a complimentary eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Sweet • Hospitable • Basic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like the rough spots on the vintage furniture she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a widely documented meltdown and huge public break up 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 get on board.
There's something in it 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, nothing is getting in the way of their second chance at love.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I added Built to Last to my TBR based on the cute cover and the home renovation/reality TV show elements. I wasn't aware of Erin Hahn's previous books, but it makes sense she'd have a backlist of YA titles because I did find aspects of it in this adult romance.
Told in dual POVs, Shelby and Cameron's characters initially drew me into the story. They had good banter and it was clear to see how deeply they cared from one another despite everything. I was engaged with their story through the first half as I was getting to know them. Yet, by the second half the conflict has been resolved and not a whole lot happened from this point on. The ending wrapped up a little too nicely for my liking and made it less believable. There is a lot of backstory with this one, to the point it overtook the romance. Because of all of this, the characters felt one-dimensional.
I did really enjoy the house flipping, getting a behind the scenes look at show production, and the furniture hunting. The small town setting was portrayed realistically and some of the secondary characters were absolute gems.
Overall, Built to Last had a many solid parts, however, they ended up coming together in an underwhelming fashion. It certainly was a bad book, but rather a typical romance that won't stick in my mind. I'd read this author again if there was a book the piqued my interest and could see how readers who read a lot of rom-coms might like this one more than I did.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• second chance romance
• childhood friends
• house flipping
⚠️ CW: sexual content, toxic relationship, toxic friendship, emotional abuse, child abuse, gaslighting, abandonment, infidelity, alcohol, mental illness, alcoholism, eating disorder, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Child stars have this weird quirk where they're never really kids to begin with, but they never grow up either."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Cursing, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Eating disorder, and Toxic friendship
fatkidatheartreads's review
emotional
slow-paced
3.0
childhood friends turned adult costars x friends to lovers x renovation show costars
i liked Cam, he was a great guy.
i liked Cam, he was a great guy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
littleredwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
This would have rated much higher as a cute romcom but the use of an abelist slur in the first spicy scene threw me out for the rest of the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism and Alcoholism
ldahms99's review against another edition
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? No
4.5
Love this book! The character dynamics had me enchanted. It’s the scenarios and happiness you’d wish for all of our child stars.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Gaslighting
kalynaobyrne's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.75
I really enjoyed this book! The book follows two former child stars that have a second chance romance when they team up to shoot a pilot for a home renovation show. I loved that the big conflict was more external than internal. I really liked that their former co-star was the villain. I thought it added an interesting aspect. I really liked that Shelby and Cameron sorted their stuff out individually and when they finally had their conversation, it was healthy and worked for them. By communicating clearly they were able to avoid the miscommunication mess that is in so many romance books.
I loved all the side characters! Based on some of the reviews I’ve read it seems like some of them may be getting spin-off books which I look forward to reading!
Overall, this was a 4.75 for me! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
emmas_bookshelf's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really enjoyed this book! It was a fun read about two former child stars who have a second chance romance when they team up to shoot a pilot for a home renovation show! Highly recommend if you like: Michigan, the Midwest, famous people, second chance romances, guys with beards who wear flannel, and pop music. Each chapter starts with a song title which was pretty cool! Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press for the copy via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
kfmcf's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved this book. I thought the characters were cute, the story was fun, and it was sexy in a very grounded way. I don't think it's perfect but I made me laugh and think and feel and escape reality for a bit.
I am a big fan of the really slice of life rom coms, which this very much is. Yes there's the added aspect of ex-child stars but they're adults. could do with out the proposal trope but that's just me I think. I just don't think marriage is necessary all the time right away.
I also very much want to read Hahn's YA books now. And I'll pick up whatever her next adult romance is as well!
I am a big fan of the really slice of life rom coms, which this very much is. Yes there's the added aspect of ex-child stars but they're adults.
I also very much want to read Hahn's YA books now. And I'll pick up whatever her next adult romance is as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism and Emotional abuse
Minor: Addiction
tostita's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
4.25
This was a really charming story about two former child stars reconnecting and falling (back?) in love. I was a little frustrated with the MMC’s slow uptake on the very clear (I thought) signals the FMC was sending him. But of course they do manage to get it together, despite the shenanigans of their former costar/her ex. This is one of the rare romance novels that does not feature a third act breakup, and it’s not missing at all. I needed to see that they now had the fortitude and commitment to stick together during the tough times, and they did. The supporting cast is wonderful and I’m looking forward to the best friend’s story which I presume will come next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
culzean's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship