I do love the second chance, romance trope and yet.. this one took a while to get into. Filled with fun & sweet moments. This friends-to-lovers (another BIG favorite) didn’t have the gripping dialogue I was hoping for… I thrive on sassy banter and it was lacking. I enjoyed this enough to pick up one of EH YA reads though. Thank you so much for the eARC, NetGalley & St. Martins Griffin!

Shelby and Cam were childhood actors and grew up together. They were around each other for a little bit as teenagers but haven't seen each other since. Ten years later, they are offered a chance to do a show and reconnect.
This is a second chance romance and I love this trope. This was sweet and cute and I had a fun time.

Built to last is a light hearted book about childhood sweethearts who get a second chance at love.

The story follows Shelby and Cameron, who were TV stars on a show during their childhood. After never being able to fully live their love story the first time, they’re given a second chance on the set of a reality TV show about home improvement. However, they face challenges through their journey as a result of people and events of their past.

Built to last is a fun and light read and great for when you’re looking for a feel good book. Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Child stars Carter and Shelby have grown up and are no longer in Hollywood. They had gone their own way Carter to be come a national geographic documentary producer and Shelby to refinish furniture and help out with her dad's building company.

Shelby needs a home improvement show to work so that she can help with her dad's debt and company so when they come to do screen tests they love Shelby but her dad isn't a natural in comes Carter. He always would do anything for Shelby he has loved her forever but it was complicated with the third child star Lyle, the top star of their show got in the way.

The show starts to become a hit and up shows Lyle who has bought into the show and is making their lives a living hell.

This book is sweet with second chances for first love to blossom again.

I got about halfway through this book and just couldn’t read anymore unfortunately. I just didn’t get interested in it like I thought I would.

I'm gonna be honest, I was super excited to read this and I genuinely thought it was going to be an all time favourite romance for me 'cause this sounded so freaking good. Unforutantely, it didn't turn out like I hoped.

I will say the first half was really engaging. I enjoyed both Cameron and Shelby as a couple and individually, plus their second chance romance seemed believable to me. They truly cared for one another and were also able to communicate their feelings effectively. I liked how they handled their conflicts by talking them out like mature adults and both taking accountabily for their actions (especially Cam as he's had slightly more wrongdoings).

But by the second half, their direct conflct with each other was already solved and as a result not much happened in that department. Which then lead me to feeling less engaged with the story. I found myself bored and not wanting to pick the book back up as often.

Romance aside, I actually enjoyed the home renovation aspects throughout the book; it was cool to see the reality TV element play out. I also love watching HGTV, so it was entertaining to read for sure.

Overall, this wasn't a bad book by any means, but it definetly wasn't my favourite romance. And I would like to read more books from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have trouble at the beginning of the book but ending up enjoying it overall. Two child stars fall for each other as kids and one stays while the other goes away to college. Fast forwards years later when she catches her now ex in bed with her friend and calls Cameron. He comes but then leaves until an opportunity for a shows returns. Together with the help of her dad they do a home flipping house and realize that they are still a fit but are they forever or will something happen again ?
I liked the book and would recommend but not a reread for me.

I loved this one, I went in without any expectations, not having read anything by Hahn but I LOVE second chance romances. I loved the reality TV aspect of this one & the background of Shelby & Cameron. This was my first by Erin Hahn and it definitely won't be my last.

Erin Hahn does it again! My heart is bursting with love after reading Shelby and Cameron's story, and cannot wait to continue to read more in this world Hahn has created.

Shelby and Cameron have a history, one that was televised nationally-an after school teen sit com. They've separated twice before, thinking it was the last time they'd see each other, but fate-and a certain television producer-have something else in mind. Neither of them can say no to the opportunity to co-host a new home renovation show, and as the pilot and first season are filmed, a new kitchen isn't the only thing that will be coming together in an unexpected way.

Hahn has created a fleshed out world that the characters do more than just exist in-there are so many wonderful relationships in this novel, and having a romantic story at the center of it all really highlights the love each of them has for their families and friends (even if Cameron is more reluctant to show affection).

Pick up this book if you want to feel a spark of joy with your sexual tension!

I read this in October and am only finally reviewing it in February. I'll be honest, I only remember the broad strokes. My notes include: "documentary filmmaker, child actor, secret pining, childhood romance, home renovation" and my memory pretty much stops there. I gave it four stars on Goodreads at the time, so I must have liked it. I do love a good home reno book!

I'm sorry this review is useless.

Built to Last reunites two childhood reality actors as adults finding themselves yet again in the reality spotlight. It was a cute romance with not too many open door scenes with more story than steam.

This is not a bad book, please don't get me wrong. It was just not my cup of tea. I usually don't enjoy books about supposedly famous people having a second chance at doing something else, but still related with Hollywood.

This book started out dull and never really found it’s footing. I found myself desperate for it to pick up, but when it finally did, it still didn’t work for me, with sexist stereotypes and jokes running rampant. There is no real conflict — the villain is such a villain there is no reason for them to keep interacting with him (he’s the producer on the show neither of them really needs to be a part of, so just…quit?), and they’re clearly into each other from the beginning, staying apart for flimsy non-reasons they barely pretend to flesh out. This book is one-dimensional and flat, with stilted dialogue and boring characters.

Michigan sounds pretty, though.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book. I was skeptical because I feel like I have been "Hollywood"-ed out recently with books that I have read, but I liked the "HGTV"-spin of this book. I thought the banter was funny and I loved the chemistry between Shelby and Cameron. Not too much and not too little, but just right.

I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did! It was so sweet, and fun - it definitely had some "nora ephron" vibes. I love a good second-chance romance - and this one had all the makings of a perfect one.

Shelby and Cameron were such a cute couple - and I loved learning about their history, and also seeing their relationship develop as the show they were working on together unfolded. Shelby was an amazing character, seeing her do a complete 180 and change her lifestyle was incredibly admirable. She began as a superficial party girl - and threw it all away to save her mental health.

I was in the mood for a cute romance, and this definitely delivered!

If you love home Reno shows and hallmark movies, this is the one for you. I only wish there was a bit more “will they/ won’t they” moments.

2.75/5 stars

This was really cute! I couldn't get completely engrossed in as I would usually like to, but I "awwwwed" a couple of times. I really wanted more. I wanted more angst and development between the characters in a relationship. It just didn’t feel like there was any wowing moments in the read.

The life of childhood stars according to what I know is not quite easy, from personal negative impacts to strains on relationships with family. Kudos to Hahn for exploring these and incorporating romance. I did like that portrayal in the book!

Would recommend it if you're looking for a cute read. It’s easy and simple and gives good feels but it left something to be desired for me! It’s not memorable

The miscommunication killed my intrigue with this book. I liked so much of the premise and the characters. Home renovation and forced proximity is just my absolute dream so I did have high anticipation for this book. Aside from the miscommunication I also struggled with being told they were so in love, it was always each other, that they had insane chemistry etc instead of more so showing us.

Built To Last was my first read from Erin Hahn and it was so great! I will be looking for more of her work. This is her first foray into adult rom-com.

I really liked the premise of the home renovation show with the close proximity. I love the second chance romance, the dual POV, and the way Erin Hahn writes. The characters feel very real and alive. Shelby and Cameron are very likable and it felt like I needed more of them after the book was over. I would have loved to know more about them from when they were younger and knew each other originally.

Thank you to NetGalley, Erin Hahn, and St Martin's Press for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.

I struggled to get into this book. I didn’t love the child star aspect, but I love home reno shows and that part was fun. Overall, it ended up being a cute and sweet story.