This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A very binge-able, sweet little rom-com about a second chance for childhood sweethearts. This book isn't unnecessarily complicated by the usual romance trope relationship "challenges" that get thrown in the way before the inevitable HEA. It's clear from the beginning that the chemistry between the main characters crackles, they are stupid in love with each other, and would know the other is too if they just got brave enough to fess up and give it a go. Well written banter, and I enjoyed a romance relationship story that didn't have to suffer gratuitous curveballs. It was nice to see the curveballs thrown at the project they were working on together and how they dealt with that as a team.

This book was cute, but ultimately not very memorable. I do enjoy the second chance romance trope in rom-coms and this did satisfy that for me. One thing I had a hard time getting past is that these two characters didn’t have very much chemistry, and I couldn’t really pinpoint why they were so drawn back to each other to begin with, other than their long history as friends. Most of their present day feelings seemed to be rooted in the past as nostalgia, so I wasn’t convinced of them as an authentic pairing in the present day. Honestly, maybe I was just missing the witty banter that seems to be a hallmark of so many romances, and without that it just kind of fell flat for me. I’m not saying it was bad. It was entertaining, and I liked how it ended, I just felt like it needed more to be truly memorable. The secondary characters were some of my favorites in the book, and if you like reality home design shows you may really enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'll start by saying that even though this book is now published, my review is based on the eARC I received because that is what I read in full. Anyway, I enjoyed this book! It follows two main characters, Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, who were once child co-stars and now find themselves in front of the cameras again as reality TV co-stars. This book features the second chance romance trope and contains minimal conflict, which was quite refreshing. While arguments and fights (between a romantic pairing) are interesting as well, forcing them into a story is not necessary, and this book proves that. I appreciated the gentle reading experience of two characters falling in love for the second time, as well as how mature both Shelby and Cameron acted in their decisions and actions. If you're looking for a sweet and easy read, definitely check out this book!

This was a super sweet second chance romance that will have you really rooting for Shelby and Cam. Their chemistry is amazing and I enjoyed their backstory so much. Also really liked the renovation show aspect, I found it super original. Really fun read! *I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well you know I really didn’t like this one.

There was way more cussing than I tend to like and the characters just weren’t likable whatsoever.

I DNF’d it and waited for it to come out to get the audio and gave it another chance. That didn’t help me like it any more than before.

Is it possible to find your true love before you hit your teenage years? Will that person still be the one for you almost two decades later and after years spent apart? In Built to Last, former child costars—and former first loves—Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs are brought together again to film the pilot for a home renovation show. There’s an added wrinkle, though, their former costar—and Shelby’s other ex—Lyle is their producer, and he doesn’t want things to go smoothly for them.

Will Shelby and Cameron be able to rekindle not just their friendship but their romance, too, or will past hurts, distance, and Lyle’s mischief keep them apart?

This one is a good match for readers looking for a mashup between Boy Meets World and Fixer Upper with some steam added in.

I appreciate how Shelby remade herself and came into her own after she left Hollywood; Cameron as a book boyfriend; their supportive friends; and their supportive parents—I’m looking at you Cameron’s mom and Shelby’s dad, but definitely not you, Shelby’s mom.

Read it for the behind-the-scenes moments, the tension, and the chickens.

I received an advance copy from St. Martin’s Press. All review opinions are my own.

Cute synopsis and def made me want to read it but it just fell flat for me.

The male audiobook narrator was so good! But the female just didn't work for me.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the chemistry between Shelby and Cameron. Their story felt genuine and real and I liked that there wasn't a big blowup between them that you usually see in second chance love stories.

This was a perfect fall vacation read for me. I love Shelby and Cam and I could have stayed with them twice as long.

I love second chance romances and I love home renovation shows, so I knew I had to read Erin Hahn’s new book Built to Last, which features both. And what a delightful read it was! The story follows Shelby Springfield and Cameron Riggs, two former child actors who also happen to be former childhood sweethearts.

Shelby, in particular, captured my heart right away. We learn that, after some pretty bad experiences including a public meltdown, Shelby chose to leave show business altogether and move home to Michigan. She has been working with her dad, who renovates and flips houses, and has found new purpose in her life restoring vintage furniture. For the past ten years, she has been building a new life for herself and trying to prove to herself and to everyone else that she isn’t that messed up little girl anymore. I really loved everything about Shelby, from her determination to move on from her past to her absolute passion when it comes to restoration.

The more I got to know Shelby, the more I wanted her to reunite with her childhood sweetheart, Cameron. Why? Because he really is a sweetheart in every way. While Cameron stayed in show business, he changed his focus and now travels the world making documentaries. No matter what Cameron has going on though, if Shelby calls him, Cameron comes running. Their connection just runs that deep, even if Cameron is afraid to admit to himself just how strongly he still feels for Shelby. But when the opportunity presents itself for Cameron to work with Shelby again, on a new reality TV home renovation show, neither Cameron nor Shelby feel they can say no, even if Shelby’s obnoxious ex, Lyle, is the showrunner.

Hahn does such a wonderful job weaving together the various threads of this story. I loved watching Cameron and Shelby work together and grow closer in the present, while also getting quite a few glimpses into what they were like together as child actors. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching them take on Lyle and his ridiculous shenanigans. Lyle is the character you’ll love to hate, for sure. In addition to Shelby’s relationship with Cameron though, I also absolutely adored her relationship with her Dad. They were just so sweet together and I loved how he helped to get her back on her feet after her meltdown and that she was so determined to do this new show to try to pay her Dad back for all of his help and support. This story just touched my heart on so many levels.

If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming second chance romance that also features plenty of entertaining scenes revolving around a reality TV show, as well as a lovely story about the importance of family, I highly recommend Built to Last!

Fun second chance rom-com. Great group of characters. Really liked the epilogue that gave us a glimpse on what’s ahead. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Former child stars Shelby, Cameron, and Lyle come together to film a the pilot for a new home renovation show. The only problem is, the there was somewhat of a love triangle on the set of the show they filmed together in their teen years. Shelby and Lyle had a messy breakup, and Cameron was the one who got away. The chemistry between Shelby and Cameron is super steamy, but Lyle has a lot of tricks up his sleeves to try to derail their second chance at love. This book is funny, and the small-town charm is a character of its own!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the copy to review. Built to Last is out now.

Shelby was a child star who earned quite the reputation however it wasn’t the way that anyone would want and a large part of it was through no fault of her own but the actions of Lyle, her co-star who was also her boyfriend. She has created a new life for herself and is renovating houses with her father until she is offered a new opportunity not only with her ex but with Cameron, the man who has always owned her heart.

Cameron has always had feelings for Shelby, but it never seemed to be their time between his career as a photographer and her relationship with Lyle and the aftermath. Although he would rather not work with Lyle working with Shelby might just allow them to make amends for the mistakes of the past.

It soon becomes apparent that the chemistry and connection between Shelby and Cameron hasn’t waned over time. Despite the obstacles that they created as well as those from outside forces there is no denying that the only place they belong is with each other.

I really wanted to love this book but it fell a little short for me. It was cute enough but I found the start really hard to get into, and hard to care enough to continue it all. There’s nothing wrong with the writing I think the actual plot just wasn’t for me. It could very much be a good read for you though!

This second chance childhood sweetheart trope will have you swooning, it will have you laughing out loud, and it will remind you just how wonderful love is. With you know the inevitable drama, miscommunication, attitude, and stubbornness.
I couldn’t stop reading, Shelby and Cam’s connection is so apparent, and so transparent, they are the only ones who don’t see it LOL
This humorous, and touching story will have you flipping pages like there’s no tomorrow, but also sad when you get to the end because it’s over.
This is the first book I’ve read from Erin Hahn, but it won’t be my last.. running to get my hands on the others!!

This was my first book by Erin Hahn and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I was drawn in by Shelby and Cameron's chemistry. They bantered back and forth and truly cared for each other. There wasn't a huge angsty conflict which I really liked.
I also enjoyed the side characters. Shelby and Cameron's friends were great, adding heart warming and funny moments to the the book.

Highly recommend if you love second chance romance and HGTV!

3.75 stars. This was cute and I love the idea of redemption for child actors who may have diverged from the “normal” path. Lots of tropes here, first love revisited, plenty of miscommunication between FMC and MMC, small town, all of that. Kept my attention, and was invested in the drama though much of it was over the top as well as Shelby and Cameron as a couple.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So this book was not the book for me but it is a good book. Cameron and Shelby are definitely great characters and grew on me the more the book progress. For me this issue was that this is not really an emeries to lover but more of a former friends to lovers or maybe a work place romance.

For ten long years, Shelby Springfield has worked alongside her father restoring vintage furniture for homes he restores while trying to stay under the media's radar. Shelby was a child star whose life imploded after a public breakup with one of her costars - even though she secretly loved the other. And now, the three find themselves together again, working on the pilot of a home improvement show named Homemade. The meeting is awkward as Lyle reveals his plans to produce this show starring Shelby and Cameron . . . the one who got away. The story that unfolds is about learning to accept who you are when everything else is stripped away and earning the trust of the one true love who got away.

Hahn's become a fantastic voice in the world of young adult stories, capturing the essence of the age group and all the awkwardness that comes with growing up. Built To Last develops slowly as the characters get reacquainted, let go of the past and move into the future. While this story isn't in my normal wheelhouse, I found it believable and entertaining. The character growth and relationship development is great adding a depth to the characters and story line. As chapters alternate points of view, readers get an intimate view of what both Shelby and Cameron are thinking while they're still afraid to own it. Low level conflict, a touch of humor and some sweet romantic scenes make Built To Last another winner for Hahn. Highly recommended to fans of young adult.