Erin Hahn wasn’t kidding when she nicknamed this book ‘Sad Rodeo’. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” pulls at the heartstrings from the first paragraph. Hahn’s writing is emotional, at sometimes even gut-wrenching. There’s no way you could ever not connect with these characters. Their struggles are realistic; their behaviors typical of young adults finding their stride. Each chapter brings us further and further into their experiences until we’re well in it and have to see it all through. By the end, you’re rooting for every single character as if they were your best friend.

I would have liked a few more flashbacks of Walker and Case’s friendship, but that’s a selfish request. Hahn writes a beautiful story and I live for all the lives I get to live through her words.

I will read anything Erin Hahn writes. Auto-buy author for me. Please keep them coming. I’m ready for whatever comes next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.6 rounded up to 5/5.

Erin Hahn is quickly becoming another author that all of my money will be going to in the future. I am at the point where I don't even hesitate to request anything by her that I see on Netgalley.

Erin Hahn takes readers on a heart-buckling ride of romance and self-discovery in "Even If It Breaks Your Heart." The novel explores the poignant journey of two teens, Case Michaels and Winnie Sutton, as they navigate grief, love, and the courage to pursue their dreams.

The story revolves around nineteen-year-old Case Michaels, struggling to cope with the loss of his best friend, Walker. The only thread holding him together is a list of Walker's unfulfilled wishes, guiding Case to find purpose in the midst of his grief. Reluctant to continue his rodeo career without Walker, Case stumbles upon the determined and hardworking eighteen-year-old Winnie Sutton.

Winnie's life revolves around shouldering the responsibilities of her family on the Michaels family ranch. Graduating early, she works tirelessly to support her siblings and a negligent father. However, her encounter with Case Michaels sets her on an unexpected path, intertwining her destiny with his and challenging her to pursue dreams beyond mere survival.

One of the book's strengths lies in the slow-burn romance between Case and Winnie. Hahn masterfully crafts a genuine connection, allowing the relationship to develop organically. The portrayal of their struggles is honest and level-headed, adding depth to their characters. The author skillfully weaves various tropes, including the rich boy/poor girl dynamic, a rare absence of a third-act breakup in a romance, a slow-burn narrative, and themes of grief and healing.

The characters of Winnie and Case are endearing, and readers easily become attached to their journeys. The novel excels in depicting the nuances of grief, showcasing how Case gradually releases his pain over time. The exploration of the rodeo circuit and the equestrian world adds a unique flavor to the story, enriching the narrative with passion and authenticity.

While the slow-burn romance is a highlight, some readers may find that the internal monologues occasionally overshadow the action, creating moments of pacing imbalance. However, the sweet and heartfelt nature of the story compensates for this minor drawback.

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart" stands out as a sad cowboy romance that resonates with its readers. Erin Hahn's storytelling prowess brings home the tough, emotional realities of life, making this novel a compelling and memorable read. The characters' journey toward healing and love is a testament to the power of resilience and the pursuit of one's dreams, even in the face of heartbreak.

This is the kind of book my readers ask for - hard-hitting, real life, but with the touches of beauty that make life worth living. Erin Hahn's Even If It Breaks Your Heart is a story of grief - after losing his best friend, Case Michaels struggles to find his place on the bull riding circuit - he knows he wants to honor his friend's memory, but Case has to start thinking about himself as well. The only problem is that Case has a to-do list from his friend and it has one very specific item on it - make friends with Winnie Sutton.

Winnie graduated high school early to help take care of her younger siblings. Her mom left, her dad isn't around, but Winnie's a hard worker on the Michaels' ranch. Winnie has dreams of her own, but she can't drop the ball when she has a brother and sister who need her. Working at the ranch gives Winnie a chance to ride horses and taste a bit of freedom during trail rides.

Two worlds collide - worlds of privilege and need - but the story is beautiful.

This author does it again!!!!!!!! I love her books and I knew I was going to love this one. This book I packed with so much emotion, grief, following your dreams, and romance, it was perfection. Case and Winnie have gone through it, Case losing his best friend, trying to find his footing in the world now that Walker is no longer around, then finally finding his passion through the storms in his life. Then Winnie is a teen who is holding down her family, graduated early, started working to pay bills and support her siblings. I loved how Case was there to support her in her new career, how they were there for each other, and how their romance blossomed, it was perfection, this book was so inspiring, and so heartfelt, I had to hold back tears at times. This book is worth the read all the way.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART is an upper-YA romance that deals with more than just two teenagers falling in love. Winnie has had to step up as a parental figure in the lives of her younger siblings, and the only break she gets is working at Case's family's ranch, training horses and mucking stalls. Case is dealing with grief from the loss of his best friend and rodeo partner, Walker, and Winnie ends up being there for him. The romance in this story is very slow-burn (and starts out as enemies-to-lovers, but I didn't see much justification for the enemies portion, haha), which gives time for the characters to work through their own grief, stress, and disappointment without being reliant on a partner. I loved getting both Case and Winnie's perspective; it only amplified their development as individual characters. The discussion of grief and absent parents was prevalent throughout the story, so be aware of that, but it was done well in both cases. The ending--particularly regarding Winnie--was a bit abrupt, but I am happy to report there is no! third! act! breakup! The ranch and rodeo circuit as a backdrop was also entertaining. If you enjoyed the show "Heartland" or have any interest in Texas ranches and rodeos, I highly recommend this one!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My 1st ARC of 2024 was an absolute delight. Erin Hahn writes beautifully. This would be considered a YA /NA with closed door/ faze to black love scene.

Case Michaels just lost his best friend, Walker, who left him a bucket list. One of the items is to befriend Winnie Sutton, the stable hand at his dad's ranch. The two don't start off on a great foot. Case is rich and privileged and hungover from too many benders. He "sees" the ghost of his best friend, Walker. Winnie lives in a trailer with her dad and 2 younger siblings. Money is tight. Winnie wants to barrel race horses and is incredibly good at it. Case is a well-known bull rider. To be honest, it wasn't something I was super interested in or could picture, aside from the horse back riding I did in high school, which I loved.

I could relate well to Winnie and her struggles. There was a passage about hope that really resonated with me. Erin Hahn has a way with words. Case is struggling with grief and purpose, and life direction. When he makes a decision about his future, I was very proud of him.

There's obvious chemistry between Case and Winnie. They start off as adversaries, then friends, and finally, something more. I was just a little frustrated with the fade to black love scene. I really wanted this moment to be captured, but I guess my imagination will have to do. I also liked the side characters, especially Winnie's little sister Garrett and Kerry.

Trigger warnings for death of a parent, death of a friend, abandonment by a parent, money struggles, alcohol use.
4/5☆ out February 6, 2024.

This book was exactly what I love in a good YA read. Wholesome, sweet and fun, but also packed with emotion and depth. I felt this was just as much a coming of age story as it was a romance, and I adored that aspect. Seeing our two main characters, Case and Winnie, grow and develop not only together, but separately, throughout the overall story was truly special and I will be thinking about them for a while to come.

I felt the author did an amazing job of fleshing out both characters, and I loved that we got dual POV between the two. This really added another dimension to the story and I felt I truly knew the characters and their motives, emotions, etc. by the end. Hahn tackles tough topics that many of us deal with in life, not only as young adults, but as grown adults as well, making her characters relatable and approachable to all ages. The way she captured grief through the eyes of Case was beautiful, and I loved watching his journey throughout this story.

I also really enjoyed the modern references, which I felt made the story feel like it was developing in real time. However, I will say more attention could have been given to developing the overall setting within the scenes. I felt much of the book was dialogue heavy, and it was a lot of telling versus showing with the writing style.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is wanting a wholesome, fun, and flirty YA cowboy/cowgirl romance, but who also enjoys a little depth to their romances!

Case Michaels has just lost his best friend and needs to feel something again. Determined to cross off Walker’s last wishes on his list, Case finds himself having to try and make friends with ranch hand Winnie Sutton. Winnie knows Case is a talented bull rider with all the money and opportunities she doesn’t have. She has had to be the primary caregiver for her two siblings after their mom left them. When Case sees Winnie’s potential as a barrel racer he is determined to change her life for the better. As they spend time together and get to know each other they turn to conversations about grief, familial obligations and dreams that seem out of reach. Will Case ride for the national title again and will Winnie get the opportunity to both support her family and barrel race?

There are so many things I love about this book, but the most lovely and unexpected elements were the numerous vulnerable talks about grief and the familial pressures all kids can relate to in their teens. The way Case and Winnie open up to each other is so sweet and beautiful, specially when they both begin to realize their assumptions about each other were so wrong. Not to mention how they become the steady constant that each of them desperately needs. I was blown away by the depth of this YA novel and cannot recommend it enough!

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

Erin Hahn’s newest YA novel is both heartbreaking and sweet. It’s been a while since I’ve read Hahn’s other YA novels, but this may just be her best one yet.

The slow and steady pacing of Case and Winnie’s story made me want to savor it. Yet it was so much more than just a story of first love. Case is working through the loss of his best friend, while Winnie is single-handedly raising her two younger siblings. I kept setting it down and taking breaks because I didn’t want it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. For me, it was a solid 4.5 stars that I think I’ll bump up to 5 because I enjoyed it from start to finish.

I so enjoy Erin Hahn’s writing. In her new YA novel Even If It Breaks Your Heart, she brings us to Texas with leads Winnie Sutton and Case Michaels. Winnie is a fierce, tough teenager taking care of her family, and Case is the rich-kid rodeo star stumbling along in the grief over his best friend’s death. Winnie and Case have distinct voices, from their southern spirit to their grit and stubbornness. They complement each other well as they become friends and a support system, push each other to figure out and follow their dreams, and find their way to happiness. And while I know nothing about the world of ranches, horses, and rodeos, Hahn drew me right in and provides enough information for the reader to understand the key details. Her writing shines in the emotions, though, and she’s excellent as usual at writing about characters’ passions and emotions: Winnie’s dream of racing and responsibility to her family, Case’s grief and need to find his purpose, the bond they build despite their differences.

I’m giving my opinion in exchange for the opportunity from netgalley and the publisher to read this early.
My opinion is..this is a book and now I’ve read it. There were the usual things going on, there were problem, there was laughter and joy. A surprise or 2. This was not a bad book by any means, it just didn’t wow me.

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart" by Erin Hahn is an emotionally charged romance that tugs at the heartstrings. This book is a touching exploration of love, loss, and the courage to pursue one's dreams.

Erin Hahn masterfully addresses the theme of grief, depicting its various forms, from the loss of a loved one to parental absence and unfulfilled dreams. The author's writing style is smooth and soothing, making the story a gentle exploration of these difficult topics.

The story is a great narrative of finding one's way in life, balancing heartbreak and heartwarming moments. The characters, especially Case and Winnie, are well-developed and endearing. This story beautifully captures the essence of resilience and the power of love.

3.5/5 stars rounded down.

This was really cute! Winnie and Case's relationship is such a healthy portrayal of a romantic relationship. Seeing them go from near-strangers to friends to lovers through them supporting each others' goals and hardships was very satisfying. I also love that there was no arbitrary third act conflict that forced them to fight and separate before inevitably coming back together. They got together at the beginning of the last third of the book, and the rest is them doing couple things while wrapping up other lingering plot threads! That's great! I wanna see this more in romance books.

Despite how much I like Winnie and Case's relationship, my admiration never went beyond Hahn's writing. I don't know why because, even though this book has things I want to see more in YA books (Good/fun dialogue between characters, healthy romantic relationship, leads with strong, distinct personalities, etc.), I don't love it as much as I should. It's some things that hold it back for me, like the pacing being a bit off and that the side characters aren't as well developed as the main two (I kept mixing up two different friend characters because both of their names started with 'M'). There's also the fact there's a lot of focus on horses, races, rodeos, etc., all of which are things I have never been interested in. I don't think there's any book that could convince me to become a horse girl, lol.

All in all, this is a really sweet story. I really liked how the author wrote this romance, but there will be people out there who will love this book more than I do.

I have loved many of Erin Hahn's books and this is no exception. This was a great book about the rodeo life -- it really reminded me of Nicholas Spark's The Last Ride. Definitely worth the read for anyone who loves a good contemporary romance or a cowboy love story.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.

Winnie is just trying to keep everything together. Her mom left long ago and her dad is not parenting her, or her 2 younger siblings. Winnie graduated HS early, is working her tail off and taking care of the kids and house. She's having to put her dreams on hold to keep her family together. Very adult problems for a very young adult.

Case is very privileged but going through a lot after his best friend died. Winnie is not impre when she first meets Case but that all changes when Case shows up for her. They become a team and Case encourages Winnie to find more balance in her life. They make each other better!

I really enjoyed this book. There was no third act breakup 🤌🏼 and their discussions about intimacy were great.

This book is so heartfelt and deep. There is so much character growth from the two main characters both separately and together. They both have impossible things to overcome, and their journeys are inspiring.

I also loved the cowboy and rodeo aspects of this romance. I don't think I've read a romance with a rodeo setting before, and I've been missing out! I love going to the rodeo, and it was fun to see rodeos through the characters' perspectives.

I think so many readers will fall in love with this story and with the characters. I think if I'd read this book in the summer when I was loving rodeos and craving cowboy romances, I would have loved this even more. But I think I'm hitting a stage where YA contemporaries aren't for me. Teens in books annoy me too much. And I found parts of this too slow to keep my attention. But overall, I think it's an impactful, sweet romance.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 4
Overall: 3

Thank you, Wednesday Books, for the arc!
Releases Feb 6, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: child terminal illness and death, parent abandonment and neglect, language, one tame fade to black scene

I was hooked at the start of "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" by Erin Hahn, and I really enjoyed the beginning. However, the story lost me a little towards the middle, and I found the ending a bit underwhelming. A few of the dialogues felt repetitive to me, and the plot progression happened at a weird pace. I really loved the characters, though.

Oh sweet, sad rodeo book - you are awesome. It was so atmospheric that I felt like I was on the ranch and could smell the leather and horses. I loved Winnie’s interactions with her siblings. I loved Case’s character growth - he really was a good guy going through some heavy stuff. Erin Hahn’s writing just makes me so happy, whether it’s her YA or adult novels. Keep ‘em coming!

I received a copy of this book from Wednesday Books.

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

This was beautiful. Erin Hahn doesn't shy away from an honest, searing depiction of grief and growth.

Case and Winnie were both excellent characters. As they learn to face their lives head on, it's incredibly satisfying to go along with them. Their romance was gentle, sweet, and a joy to read.

My quibbles were few: thinly drawn side characters, too-quick resolution of issues. But these were relatively insignificant compared to the skill with which Hahn tackles sticky subjects.

One of the things I loved the most was the age of the protagonists. Shown in a very transitional time of life, I want to give this to every newly-turned adult who is just out of high school and feels like they should already know what they want to do for the rest of their life. Absolutely lovely. 4/5.