Not my favorite romance unfortunately. I wanted to mine it more but I sadly just didn’t connect with the characters or plot.

Built to Last is a sweet, slow-burn second-chance romance that blends nostalgia, small-town charm, and a dash of reality TV drama. Erin Hahn brings together two former childhood stars, Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, whose reunion on a home renovation show rekindles old sparks—and stirs up unresolved feelings.

Shelby is a refreshing character—a woman who’s worked hard to rebuild her life after the pressures of fame and a messy past. Cameron is equally likable, with his steady presence and patient heart. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Hahn does a great job of making their romantic journey feel authentic and earned.

Where the novel shines is in its heartfelt exploration of personal growth and second chances. The renovation show setting adds a fun twist, and the rural Michigan backdrop is cozy and vivid. That said, the pacing occasionally drags, particularly in the middle, and some of the plot threads (especially involving side characters and the showbiz angle) could have used more depth.

Overall, Built to Last is a charming, feel-good read perfect for fans of romance with a dash of HGTV. It may not break new ground, but it’s built on a solid foundation of heart and hope.

This was a cute second chance romance. If you are a fan of HGTV and home renovations, you'd love this!

How can you overcome your past? Shelby has been trying to do that.
I love second chance romances, and this one was great!

Normally, I’m all about the childhood friends-to-lovers trope, but this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While it was still entertaining (after a slow start) and sweet, I had a hard time fully buying into Cameron and Shelby still having such strong feelings for each other after nearly a decade with no communication, especially considering how things ended. I get that they both needed time to grow, and they were really young when everything started, but their feelings felt more rooted in nostalgia than in real, present-day connection.

That said, I did appreciate that there wasn’t a third-act breakup or unnecessary miscommunication, and once these two finally decided to give it a go, they were all in. Cameron was such a cinnamon roll, and his pining for Shelby was off the charts. Overall, it was a cute read (with some open-door scenes), but unfortunately, I didn’t love it as much as I had hoped.

“I release a long, slow breath, giving myself plenty of time to back out. But I don't. "Cam, if the whole wide world was on fire and I had to give up everything I owned, I would still have your T-shirt.”

Built to Last by Erin Hahn is an adorable second-chance, childhood sweetheart romance. The connection between Cam and Shelby is written beautifully. Although the story didn't meet all of my expectations, it was a cute read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solid and enjoyable story. I liked the characters, but struggled to really connect with them.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! I just couldn't get in the mood for this one, but I do love this author!

This is a second chance, friends to lover's romance, and usually friends to lovers' romances are just boring for me, but I really liked this book. I loved the writing and adored Shelby and Cameron and absolutely hated Lyle. LOL I definitely need to read Lorelai and Maren's story now.

The unique thing that I loved about this romance is that the final act “climax” wasn’t due to miscommunication and/or lack of communication between the two protagonists. As someone who hates that, I usually have to fight the urge to not stop reading a romance about 4/5 of the way through so I can avoid it. Not here, though!

Built to Last is a sweet, feel-good romance about second chances, personal growth, and finding your way back to love. Shelby and Cameron’s chemistry is undeniable, and the home renovation show backdrop adds a fun twist. Lyle’s drama stirs the pot a bit too much at times, but the heartwarming moments and humor make up for it. A charming read that’ll leave you smiling—4 stars!

Childhood sweethearts who get a second chance at love as adults? LOVE. Mix it with a home renovation show and double-love. Only rating it 4 instead of 5 stars because I felt like all the rehashed drama with Lyle was unnecessary and took away from Shelby and Cam's rekindled romance.

Erin Hahn’s Built to Last is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, and the complexities of growing up in the shadow of fame. The story follows two childhood friends who reconnect as adults, navigating their past and the pressures that come with their ambitions.

Hahn's writing is engaging and lyrical, beautifully capturing the emotional nuances of her characters. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, and their journey of self-discovery feels authentic and relatable. The themes of family, identity, and the impact of childhood experiences add depth to the narrative, making it resonate deeply.

While the pacing occasionally lags, the overall experience is captivating and emotionally rewarding. Built to Last is a touching tale about the power of second chances and the strength of true connection. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance! 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨

Review to come, I accidentally got this one and didn’t download before archive. Will read and update

I absolutely loved this book. I'm a sucker for a second chance romance, and I loved to see Shelby and Cameron get their HEA. The pacing was good, the spice level was low but enjoyable. I am such an HGTV fan girl that this story was right up my alley - I'd definitely love to watch Home Made!

4 stars.

A cute romance! I enjoyed the premise of the story. The characters were well written. I found myself going back to keep reading because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next

I'm a sucker for second chance romance AND home renovations. The themes can be a bit heavy handed at times, but it's exactly what you need sometimes. I was charmed through and through.

Who doesn’t love a second chance romance? Add in a fixer upper renovation show and you’ve got me hooked. Shelby and Cameron were costars on a children’s TV show but when it wrapped, they went their separate ways. They are reunited as adults on a renovation show, and it’s clear these two have had feelings for one another for a long time. Excellent banter, fantastic chemistry, and definitely some sexy spice.

I absolutely adore a celebrity romance and when I read, Erin was writing one, I knew I had to read it. This book was so cute, flirty, and so much fun.

I think it's so fun that home renovation plots are showing up so often in the romance genre (ex. i loved maggie moves on by lucy score!) and this was another fun entry to this hyper-specific subgenre. Teenage acting costars to lovers + redoing a house on reality tv + second chance romance + the cutest family vibes + the steamy romance = Built to Last by Erin Hahn!