This read was super sweet and adorable! I loved Winnie and Case! This was a quick and easy read for me. It was definitely a book I’d recommend- even if it’s not my all time favorite.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me early access! You had me at rodeo with this book. I love a unique setting and this one delivered. These characters and this story is going to stick with me.

Erin, how dare you make me feel my own feelings and leak from the eyes! All the stars!

Even If It Breaks Your Heart is a beautiful story of finding your way back to living when the darkness of grief and trauma feel like they will consume you. Author Erin Hahn has a magical way with words and takes you on a journey of discovery where you might learn a bit about yourself as the characters do the same.

I loved Case and Winnie so much. The evolution of their relationship felt natural and sweet and was everything first love should be. I saw so much of myself in Winnie and the pressure she felt to take care of others.

I will be recommending this to anyone who will listen and can’t wait to read more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press (Wednesday Books) and Erin Hahn for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

Pitched to me as Chestnut springs but make it YA - it was a sad but fun read. I didn't love it, but it was worth the read.

This book broke my heart and peaced it back together. I loved this romance and the coming of age portion. Erin Hahn is such a brilliant writer.

Think Chestnut Springs, but make it YA.

Erin Hahn calls this her "sad rodeo" book, and that was definitely true, but it was also a gorgeous love story and a beautiful story about recovering from grief and loss. This is now my new favorite Erin Hahn book, she was able to capture my heart with these characters without any warning. Not just the romantic couple, but also the friendships! Easily became one of my favorite Friends-to-Lover novels!

Erin Hahn's Even If It Breaks Your Heart is a poignant exploration of grief, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams. The novel follows Case Michaels, a young rodeo rider grappling with the loss of his best friend, Walker. Driven by a list of unfulfilled ambitions left behind by Walker, Case embarks on a perilous journey of self-discovery.

Hahn's writing is both tender and raw, capturing the complexities of grief with authenticity. The slow-burn romance between Case and Winnie, a free-spirited horsewoman, adds depth and warmth to the story. Their connection is built on mutual support and understanding, creating a believable and heartwarming relationship.

While the novel effectively delves into themes of loss and healing, some readers might find the pacing slightly uneven. However, the emotional core of the story is undeniable, and Hahn's ability to portray the characters' struggles with authenticity is commendable.

Ultimately, Even If It Breaks Your Heart is a heartwarming and uplifting story about finding strength in the face of adversity. It's a novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate stories of friendship, love, and the power of human resilience.

4.5 stars. I’ve read Erin Hahn’s adult romance so I shouldn’t be surprised that her YA books will also rip your heart right out. In a good way. Watching Winnie and Case grow up and find each other was a delight. Plus horses. So many horses.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

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cowboy romance but young adult!!! loved this so much

- rodeo & horses galore
- rich boy/poor girl
- grief and healing
- slow burn
- terrible parents
- she works for his family
- a cute 10-year-old genius
- no third act breakup
- rock music

another wonderful erin hahn book! this was such a fun, young adult romance while also dealing so well with some harder topics, tackling issues of grief and family struggles throughout. case and winnie were both such well-developed characters, each with their own strong back story and own sub plots of personal growth and discovery which I love within a story. though the romance was obviously a large part of the story, they were not dependent upon one another and took the time to find themselves and what they want to do as individuals as well throughout the story. the setting was also just so fun, taking place in a rodeo environment, which was not something I knew I wanted to read about until I picked this story up! and ofc the romance - the way their friendship grew and continued into more was so sweet and just overall well done. such a lovely book that I would recommend for lovers of a cowboy, contemporary, young adult romance!

This story had some hard topics for both main characters to fight through. It's something that most young adults wouldn't be able to make it through, especially together. I enjoyed the story, but I never felt the connection of the two main characters and that's a huge factor for me liking a romance.

This book was heart wrenching in the best way, (That opening section though!!!) Even If It Breaks Your Heart is a must read for those who crave a love story with two grieving main characters helping each other heal. Watching the journey unfold between Winnie and Case was a beautiful experience, one where the reader really feels a spectrum of emotion alongside the characters. I’ll be looking for more from Erin Hahn in the future!

Even If It Breaks Your Heart is a beautiful blend of romance, grief, and the growth that blooms between the two. The characters are deeply created, the scenery rich, and the overall vibe of the book is a happy/sad cowboy mixture that warms my heart!

listen. ya will always have my heart but i fear ive just grown out of it. i love erin hahn and her writing. i’ve read everything she’s ever released. but i am withholding any review until further notice due to the smp boycott

I've loved just about every book Erin Hahn has published, but this one just didn't meet my expectations. It wasn't bad, and I did enjoy it overall, but it never really pulled me in the way her books have in the past. Like I was just cursing along the surface instead of being completely absorbed. I will say that I wasn't a fan of the fast paced timeline. Because of how much time passes, I just never really fell for the characters.

Even if it Breaks Your Heart was a fun read, and a hard book to put down. Both Winnie and Case were lovable characters, but each fighting their own personal struggles on their own. Though from very different situations, they bond over their love of horses and riding in the rodeo circuit, and eventually realize they have more in common than they thought.

I really enjoyed this book and the development of both characters. I would definitely recommend it to my student.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

A sweet YA about love, loss, and I can completely see why others call this Erin Hahn's sad rodeo book.
I loved the characters and as always, Hahn knows how to pull at the heart strings.

3.5 stars

This was such a sweet little YA cowboy romance, when it delved into romance.

Case and Winnie are well fleshed characters grappling with adulthood, figuring out their dreams and whether or not they can make them a reality. Case is reeling from the loss of his best friend Walker, while Winnie is basically Fiona Gallagher with a deadbeat father as she takes cares of her two young siblings and works a backbreaking job at CMB Ranch. The same ranch where Case is a rich ranchers son who hasn't even noticed Winnie as she worked there the past two years.

Upon Walkers death he leaves a bucket list for Case to fulfill which ranges from tackling a bull outside an arena to jumping off a corn silo. But, the most important item on the list is to befriend Winnie. Drowning in grief Case attempts to fulfil these items and builds a deep and meaningful friendship with Winnie as she navigates her own expectations from her family and herself. Winnie has constantly put herself on the backburner and Case gives her a taste of what it means to recognize and embrace your dreams. To say he's supportive is an understatement, from babysitting her siblings to helping her achieve her dreams, he's a boy who supports his girl in every aspect possible.

While the pacing was a bit weird towards the back end this was a cute ya romance that delved into deeper topics of surviving grief, building friendship and growing up. The romance however is a pretty slow burn and doesn't start kicking in until around 75%. I wish we had more romantic moments between these two but I really appreciated the foundation they grew of friendship.

Charming read and I definitely recommend it.

Thanks Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely adore Erin Hahn and her writing, and if this is her last YA novel I'll be said to see her go from the space but welcome her with full open arms in whatever audience / genre she chooses to publish in next.