Book Review:
Build To Last by Erin Hahn
Written by: Merrill Robinson
I ended up finding a cute little bookshop, Writer’s Block, down the street from where we were and made everyone walk about a mile so that I could get my next read. Thankfully, no one complained too much about getting their steps in. But, I still felt terrible making my parents walk, so when I pulled Erin Hahn’s Built To Last off the shelf and saw the inscription “Sparks and sawdust fly in this romance about home makeovers and love do-overs,” I immediately went to the counter and bought it.
I was really excited to read this since second-chance childhood sweetheart stories are one of my favorite tropes. I had absolutely no idea if this would be a good book. But, when I cracked open this book and couldn’t put it down, I was happy I hauled my family to that bookstore.
Let’s dive in…
Built To Last Erin Hahn Synopsis:
Over the past decade, Shelby Springfield has worked to smooth over her own rough edges, just like she does on the vintage furniture she restores. However, her lackluster musical career, meltdown that the paparazzi widely filmed, and public split with her former co-star Lyle Jessup are all things that fans of hers will remember forever. And then there’s Cameron Riggs, her other co-star, first love, and childhood sweetheart, who has always been the boy who got away.
Cameron has always responded immediately to Shelby’s calls. Dropping whatever he is doing to be by Shelby’s side. He avoids confronting what he really wants from his relationship with Shelby by always running off to different locations to film documentaries. Cameron first resists Lyle’s plan to get them back into the public eye by pitching a home improvement show but eventually gives in.
Cameron longs to return to his roots in Michigan. Shelby is determined to show everyone that she is no longer the slob she once was at a party. And Lyle would like to toy with his two best buddies from boyhood, who had more chemistry than he ever could. In the midst of Shelby and Cameron filming the “HomeMade” pilot, sparks and sawdust fly as they struggle to overcome Lyle’s antics.
Built to Last, Erin Hahn’s debut adult romance and romcom, is a second-chance romance that will have readers head over heels.
Merrill’s Takeaway of Built To Last by Erin Hahn:
Shelby and Cam have such great chemistry. Every exchange they have seems genuine and honest. I loved how their friendship progressed and their playful banter – Hahn didn’t leave anything out of these pages. In fact, I think everyone craves to have that one friend who you are deeply connected to and understand that it’s truly never awkward between the two of you. I was definitely cheering them on and hoping their makeover show would succeed.
The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that I wish we would have gotten more of a glimpse into Shelby and Cameron’s history as childhood stars together. I think it would have really solidified their relationship and established why they have spent the last decade pining over each other. It would have been so cute to glimpse their relationship through flashback sequences like Shelby’s dream of their night together in the field. The entire book contains maybe one real flashback moment. And as a result, it generates a great deal of missed possibilities for connection, growth, and character development – especially the chance to draw the “star-crossed lovers” Shelby and Cameron together and showcase what really draws them back to each other time and again.
That being my only gripe about this book, this is still a heartwarming and genuinely wonderful story. I love a good comeback story and seeing a character rebuild themselves from the ground up.
I really loved Shelby because she was the one who made her romantic relationship with Cameron happen. While Cameron tiptoed around the subject and kept all of his feelings inside, Shelby was the one who was forward enough to bring up the subject and finally get Cameron to admit that he wanted more. It was awesome seeing Shelby go after what she wanted after seeing her character get trampled on repeatedly by her ex-boyfriend.
If you love a comeback story, friends-to-lovers trope, and are crazy about home improvement shows, then this read is for you!!