Built to Last

by Allie Kincaid

Jake Cooper has built homes for families in Laguna Beach for years, watching others make their dreams come true. Now it’s his turn to settle down, or so he thought. When his long-time girlfriend breaks up with him, he’s left with the perfect family home, just without the family.

Erin Johnson grew up with very few possessions, the glamorous lives of her high school classmates out of reach. Right as she prepared to start her life, a family tragedy forces her to derail her plans. Ten years later, with her college diploma in hand, Erin’s ready for adventure and freedom from responsibility.

When she meets Jake, she questions everything she thought she wanted.

Is it possible to build new dreams when the right person comes along?

(formerly published as Dreams Come True in Laguna. Story rewritten and intimacy removed.)

Genres: Romance, Amazon, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Novella

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2018

Reviews

[NaDell]

Erin has been taking care of her dad and sister for the last decade since her mom's death and just finished college and her sister just graduated. She's ready to go and see the world, until she meets someone and isn't sure what her next step is....

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on my Mother's Kindle.

Built to Last is a sweet romance between Jake and Erin and the focus is on starting a new relationship and trusting each other to communicate what they each really want in life. It changes as the romance progresses until the period when Jake becomes an idiot (his words not mine) for a short time.

I love a short story with two very nice main characters and a happy ending too.

[Caroline Goodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

An easy romantic read with some twists which do keep you guessing and shouting at the book!! Would read more by this author.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin’s life hasn’t been easy as she balanced being the caretaker of her dad and young sister after losing her mother to cancer. Recently completing a college degree that took her ten years to earn, Erin is ready to finally explore the world outside of Laguna Beach, she just needs to sign the resignation letter she has had in her desk for weeks. Jake is a master craftsman, building McMansions for the wealthy residents of Laguna Beach. After building his dream home for himself and Lindsay, the woman who was to share his dream and have his children, Jake’s heart was shattered when the love of his life turned down his proposal to pursue her career in Los Angeles.

Built to Last is a well written and sweet story of two hearts coming together. Allie Kincaid has written realistic characters without profanity and explicit sexual scenes that are prevalent in so many romance novels today. I really enjoyed this book.

I was offered an ARC by the author for a fair and honest review.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin Johnson has spent the past ten years since her mother's death raising her sister and taking care of her father while finishing college one class at a time and working a full time job. Now that her sister has graduated and turned 18 and her father seems to be doing better Erin has plans, and they don't include staying in small town Laguna Beach.

Jake has never wanted anything more than to live and work in Laguna Beach, get married and have a big family. He's got the job, the house he built himself, but ever since the girl he loved left him 2 years ago, that's all he has. After spending just one day with Erin he realizes his dreams may come true after all, until fate and misunderstandings mess with his dreams.

Super sweet, clean and adorable, this quick read will leave you entertained to the very last page!

I received an ARC and voluntarily offer this review.

[Ann-Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet romantic novella that will make the two characters fight for their happiness in life and in love. This is a very well written book that will totally entertain you and give you that happy feeling you get with A Happy Ever after the read. This book is currently free so give it a go and this great author as I highly recommend this great read.

Erin Johnson has had a hard life for the last 10 years doing what needed to be done to help her family but life is looking up now she has finished her college degree. The world looks like it’s hers for the taking and her dream to travel and freedom is not that big of a dream anymore.
Jake Cooper job is to fulfil his client's dream when building them their new house but it’s a dream Jake is still looking for himself as well. A home he has a wife to love and a family to build is still not in his reach after a bad breakup a will ago.

But just as you believe your life this going one way something or someone makes you rethink everything.

Or are two different dreams too different to become one?

[Leanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very quick read. The amount she called her dad "daddy" really turns me. Very little character development it was all telling not showing. The sister character feels like an absolute throwaway character to create a sob story for the protagonist but serves no purpose for 80% of the book. Once she gets a job we forget her, I think we only meet her once. But the main issue is that the main character throws away her lifelong dream for a man she's met three weeks ago stating that "you are my home" when they've been on maybe three dates and kissed once. then there's an epilogue where they're married six weeks later and go on honeymoon to Rome as if that makes up for deserting her lifelong dream of travelling the world alone. No. Not happy. I read the whole thing while my flight was delayed. It's an easy read but I can't get past the abandoning of one's own dreams for a new fling

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance novella. You can’t help but admire Erin since she has taken care of her father and young sister for the last ten years since her mother died. I loved her boss Austin and his wife Abby. They were more good friends than anything else, and have helped Erin since she started working for Austin. Jake is the kind of guy most women are looking for. He has a business he loves, is handsome, wants to settle down and have children. I felt bad that his long time girlfriend in essence spit in his face when he had asked her to marry him. She was off to LA. Erin has dreamed about leaving and traveling until she meets Jake. I loved the two together. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, delightful story. It was easy to read and heartwarming making you feel warm and fuzzy. It reminds you there is such a thing as happiness. The characters are very well written and believable. The story is about Jake Cooper and Erin Johnson. Jake mets Erin and feels a spark that he hasn’t felt since his last girlfriend took off when he proposed marriage. Erin too felt the spark but she had other plans. Her family was finally settled after losing her mom. Her dad was doing much better and her sister as well. So now was the time for Erin to go out and discover the world which is what she always wanted until she met Jake. Jake and Erin both feel a lot of each other but what does the future hold. Read the book to find out and you won’t be disappointed.

[Evie V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance

Erin had her whole life ahead of her after graduating from UC Irvine and helping her sister and father get on their feet. What she didn't plan was meet Jake. After a bad breakup Jake didn't think his dreams of a wife and kids would ever come true. When he walked into his friend's doctor office everything changes. Erin and Jake begin dating and before they know it love begins to bloom. That is until Jake's ex-girlfieend asks him if they can talk. After that everything goes sideways. Is Erin still planning to leave town for her adventure or is Jake everything she's been hoping for? Will Jake tell Erin the truth of who he was at dinner with or will he keep it a secret?

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED reading Jake and Erin's story. Jake is a customer home designer and builder who has been burned by a girl who had dreams to move from the small town to the big story. He wants to have a house and family with the right girl in his small town. Erin is a small town girl who has been taking care of her father and younger sister since her mother died. Erin, with her now college diploma in hand, wants to leave the small town and see what is out in the big world. When Jake and Erin meet, the connection is almost instantaneous. Can both Jake and Erin get what they want out of life and still hold on to each other? A great, clean romance!

[K B · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
I received a free copy of the sweet novel Built to Last by Allie Kincaid and this review was given freely.
This full length rocky romance is full of drama and emotion. Set in California, it involves the seemingly opposite recent college graduate Erin and Architect/builder Jake. Complexed and flows easily, contains a twist, has realistic characters, is heartwarming, and thoroughly satisfying.

[Carole D Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story

This was truly a heart warming story. It was definitely written by a woman because As women we understand what we want it in a relationship and so many times it's hard for a man to completely understand. The way the main character Jake is projected is absolutely fantastic. Too bad he can't teach class to so many other man so they might learn how to have a truly meaningful and romantic relationship love the story look for more by this author

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erin is finally ready to pursue her dreams. After ten years of taking care o her little sister and her father when her mother died, all she wants is to leave Laguna Beach behind and see the world. But then she meets Jake and the more the see each other the harder is to leave town. But Jake wants to settle down and have a family. Can they have a happily ever after? A sweet love story

[Jean Marie Bauhaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet, quick read

These characters really drew me in, and I found myself thinking about them in between reading sessions. Though I'm not a big fan of the misunderstanding due to lack of communication trope, the solution was convincing and satisfying. A fun read to while away an afternoon.

[Stephanie Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first release by Allie Kincaid is sweet and romantic. If you are looking for a story without all the harder stuff in other romances then this one is for you. You will fall in love with Erin and Jake in this easy to read novella.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet contemporary romance that will warm your heart. Erin and Jake were opposites in many ways but love brought them together. Set in beautiful Laguna Beach, California. I read a promotional copy and voluntarily wrote this review.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erin and Jake meet and sparks fly but there is a slight problem, Erin is finally able to leave Laguna Beach. Will she tell Jake or will something else come between them? A really sweet romance. Communication is the key to a relationship - just talk!!! Cute couple but of course there is angst.

[Ljones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book!

I loved Jake and Erin's book! It is a sweet romance about love and misunderstandings. Will they trust each other enough to work thru Their problems. Read and find out!

[Kathryn Munsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Jake and Erin are a good match. He comes with a bruised heart and she feels like she’s had the weight of her family in her shoulders. Now they need to figure out how they can become a couple.

[juanita dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Built to Last

This was a sweet romance. Building a relationship is like building a house. You've got to get the foundation right for the structure to stand in both a house and a relationship.

[Andrea Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story

I enjoyed this story. My only thought was it needed one more edit. The characters were well thought out. There was just the right amount of drama, and it was a quick read.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I enjoyed this story. Two characters with an instant connection but Erin is at a crossroads in her life and must take a good, deep look at herself and what she wants.

[MaryEllen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and sweet "opposites attract" romance, but I really wish it'd not been set in OC––knowing the areas talked about actually took me out of the story.

[Lenda Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!
I loved this story with Erin and Jake.
The different problems they worked through brought them to a HEA!!
This is an author I want to read more of.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Allie Kincaid. I really enjoyed reading Erin’s and Jake’s story. Grab your copy and fall in love with Laguna Beach.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short story about two people falling in love. Nothing exceptional At all. A nicely conceived and well written story.

[KimberlyDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Built to last was a sweet story. It kept me interested throughout. Jake and Erin seemed perfect for each other. Their story is not one to be missed.

[RENA DELONEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

You will love this clean, romantic short . I like the clean storyline and thought it was very well written.

[Victoria Risener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet rimance

Well written sweet romantic story. Descriptions and characters make it a fun book to read. Short read but engaging and enjoyable.