e-Audio, 08:35:27
Narrated by: Lisa Zimmerman & Kale Williams
Release Date: October 18, 2022
Published by: OrangeSky Audio
Read from: October 18-19, 2022
Stand-alone
Source: Edelweiss (I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss and the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Toxic Relationship, Toxic Friendship, Talk of past alcoholism, Online bullying
For Readers Interested In: Romance, Realistic Fiction, Celebrity Romance (Child celebrities who have grown up!)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.
*MY THOUGHTS*
It doesn’t take much for me to add books to my TBR. For this one, I saw the Friends to Lovers trope and I immediately added it. Add on to that that this is an author I’ve read before as well? Hell yeah, I was excited for this. And let me tell you, IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
For the most part I really loved this. There were just a few minor things that can be addressed, but I actually don’t really think it took anything away. Like there was a small lull, but it was covered by the people who asked them if they wanted to do the show doing something vile, like inviting his parents and brother, but also her mom. Basically all the people they hate. So basically I was just excited that even though their relationship wasn’t progressing right then, I still had something to stress over lol
For the relationship, I LOVED the two of them together. They were so cute! I actually really enjoyed them together and apart. This is how I know it’s real lol But I think I liked them so much because they were basically like redeeming themselves. They had a long, hard past, and they deserved that. And I loved the way they were so resilient. They both learned what they did like, and from there basically perfected their craft. I love romances that make me root for them both together and apart.
The smexy times tho? I never expect good spicy scenes from a debut author who’s written only YA authors tho lol At the very least, I was expecting for it to be like a fade to black lol But nope. And man I was fanning myself by the time we got to the bench in the work room. (IYKYK lol) I would say it was like a 3.5 on my scale.
This was an unexpected win for me. I knew I would like the book because I loved her YA, but in true cliche fashion, I didn’t know how much. There was so much heart in this and the romance was really cute. And I know it was actually good, because this was giving HGTV vibes and I HATE that channel lol I don’t like looking at things I know I’ll never be able to do lol But even this book made me want to at least try one project. It was just that good. If y’all do a project because of this book tho, let me know in the comments!
Overall, I give this
