“I mean for simplicity’s sake, you can call me your boyfriend. If you want.”
“And you’ll call me your girlfriend?”
“Every chance I get.”
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Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn
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✨ARC READ✨
✨PUBLISHED: February 6th, 2024✨

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OH MY GOODNESS!!! This book deserves all the stars! This book absolutely took my heart and is now my favorite book! I absolutely devoured this book and didn’t want to put it down! I want to re-read this book every month it’s so good! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this! Okay this cover is absolutely gorgeous. A cute lil rodeo romance book but also shows the characters going through struggles but still working hard as hell to achieve what they want. Rich boy-poor girl story. I love that I get both Case and Winnie’s POV and get a view into them both. The plot was amazing and I love how this story played out! I was absolutely rooting for Case and Winnie the whole book! The ending was so so good and I think ima need a second book to this to see more into the future of these characters! I would absolutely devour a second book! Case and Winnie have stolen my heart with their love and determination to reach their goals! Words can’t even describe how much I loved this book! I’m absolutely floored and don’t know how I’m going to find a next read that I’ll love as much as I loved this book! This is one of those books I’d absolutely love to be seen turned into a movie!!

Erin Hahn describes this book as "sad rodeo book," and I'm happy to say, at least for me, that's a slight misnomer. While it's definitely moving, I didn't think it was particularly sad. I expected the climax to be some sort of drama at a rodeo, which fortunately was not the case.

Winne Sutton essentially runs her house. Her dad works third shift and is clueless when it comes to the goings on at home, and her younger siblings need someone who actually cares. She works for a ranch/resort run by Case Michaels' family. Once he stumbles upon some of what Winnie handles, he can't help but care.

The thing I appreciated most about this was how it was a far cry from insta-love, but it isn't exactly enimies-to-more. It's that sweet spot in the middle, and it totally works in this case. I'm a bit biased because I love Erin Hahn (Michigan natives have got to stick together), but this YA is definitely one of her best, aside from possibly Never Saw You Coming.

Thanks, NetGalley!

Gah! Hahn promised sad rodeo and boy did she deliver! I absolutely loved this! The whole package just really worked for me - and it's a sum of great parts. I loved the rodeo aspect, and even though I didn't know a lot about the rodeo, it was presented in a way that made sense and didn't detract from the story. And whew - Winnie's story just packs a PUNCH. I ended up loving her whole family (well, dad can kick rocks, but that's beside the point). The characters just leap off the pages - I truly could not put this down!

Even If It Breaks Your Heart is another brilliant young adult romance from Erin Hahn. It’s about growing up and chasing your dreams, love, loss, and trying to move forward after tragedy. It starts with a death, and ends with hope. Hahn brings her hallmark style once again, with a musical soundtrack and three-dimensional characters with flaws and deep emotions. 

Eighteen-year-old Case Benton Michaels III comes from a wealthy family and lives a very privileged life; Winnie Sutton’s life is stark in contrast. She works as much as she can on Case’s family ranch to support her younger siblings. At first glance, they have nothing in common, but they both have a love of horses and secret dreams they’re afraid to chase. They also had the friendship of Walker Gibson, who recently died at the tragic age of seventeen.

Walker was Case’s best friend, and the two grew up together riding bulls. Walker made a bucket list, but at the end he shifted purpose and gave the list to Case. What started out as a list of things Walker wanted to do before dying ended up being a reason for Case to keep living. He’s broken and miserable when he tackles the strangest item on the list - befriending Winnie.

She doesn’t know she’s on that bucket list, and he didn’t know she was Walker’s friend. As he attempts to crack her armor, Case realizes she’s on the list for him. “…[Walker] knew she needed a friend, too. I lost my best friend, but she doesn’t have one either.”

Case and Winnie both have their whole lives ahead of them, but neither has been planning for the future. They do what’s expected of them, putting one foot in front of the other, keeping their dreams closely guarded secrets. Walker’s list changes both of their lives.

Even If It Breaks Your Heart is an emotional wringer from beginning to end; it’s also another must-read by Hahn. Rumor has it this will be her last YA romance, as she successfully transitioned into adult romance novels. No matter the genre, Hahn hooks readers from the first page and keeps them wanting more. I’ve read all of her books, and highly recommend them. Even If It Breaks Your Heart is a must-read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This story follows the lives of two teens impacted by the untimely loss of a friend. Through grief and determination, they find each other and new outlooks on what living is about.

This is the first YA book I’ve read of Erin Hahn’s and I loved it. I’ve read new adult fiction she’s written and loved that as well. Both genres have distinct voices but the telltale Erin Hahn qualities that make then special.

This worked really well as a dual POV and was well paced. The character development was thoughtful and believable.

A few times I found the dialogue a bit confusing and had to reread to ensure I understood.

I loved the conclusion of this book and hope there will be more stories to tell in this fictional world.

I have enjoyed the Erin Hahn books I've read up to now but have always hovered around the 3-4 star rating. This is the first one that I was very comfortable giving a 4 star rating without hesitation. I liked the characters, and felt that there was some good development of the two main characters. The folks around them stayed secondary and that worked fine for the plot, with the exception I guess of Winnie's sister who gets a bit more of a presence. And maybe a reason I liked this one so much has to do with the horses. Because, I do love horses.

Case was a likeable character, even when he was being stupid, mainly because he recognizes his flaws and tries to figure out how to get past them and to be a better person. Not just for Walker. In fact, while he does a lot of things to get over losing Walker and to fulfill the Walker bucket list, Case actually works on himself. Which is the objective of Walker's list I suppose.

There were some good chuckles. Some growth in the characters. And none of the crazy insta love that you sometimes get. And I was very moved by Case figuring things out at the end. There was still a chapter to go, but I felt like the book could have ended in a few different spots and been equally good. Not that having the rodeo stuff wrapped up a bit more at the end wasn't appreciated.

All in all, I really liked this one. Almost a 5 star read for me.

Would love to see a sequel to this book! What does the future hold for Case and Winnie? Case is dealing with the loss of his best friend, Walker. He has a bucket list Walker made for him because Case has no friends. Winnie has the responsibilities of making sure her younger brother and sister are fed and going to school. When Case and Winnie begin talking at Case’s stables they realize they both have dreams of bull riding and barrel racing. Case realizes he needs to start living his own life his own way. Winnie wonders will she always feel she has to take care of her family? Could Case and Winnie end up as more than friends?

I know absolutely nothing nor have I ever cared about barrel racing, bull riding, horses, or ranches in Texas; but this author’s “show not tell” ability kept me totally entranced. During each rodeo event, all of the adrenaline-rushing experiences drew me in. But trust me, there’s more. How about the heartbreaking story of a seventeen year old girl entrusted with raising her siblings? A nineteen year old boy having lost his dearest friend to cancer? A beautiful love story? I know it sounds trite, but in the hands of this talented writer, it adds up to a wonderful reading experience. At least, for me, it certainly did.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing for letting me read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There isn’t anything I wouldn’t read by this author. She could write her grocery list and I would think it would be the most emotional read of my life. She’s that good at creating characters that become a part of your heart and a story that gets engraved into your soul. This book is beautifully tragic. It’s the kind of book that takes your heart and breaks it into pieces but puts you back together by the end.

This story felt very well balanced. It was a story that is equal parts the journey of Case and Win growing up and the individual challenges they faced while also perfectly intertwining a slow burn romance and how they matured through each other's love. There is so much honesty in the dialogue that the pages felt raw with pure emotion.

Case’s growth from grief was inspiring and written in an unadulterated way that shows the rollercoaster of emotions one person goes through on a daily basis. His internal struggles were not diluted with theatrics but rather handled in a way that was genuine to a person dealing with the death of a loved one. Win had her external struggles in a constant battle with her inner heart, but she was written in a way that made the reader feel empathetic not only towards her but with family.

Where this book shines is how well the reader can enjoy the main characters as individuals as well as rooting for their happily ever after. There’s a personal attachment you feel towards Win and Case and their quest to find more than what hands they have been currently dealt. This truly was a great book that all ages would enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC

Erin Hahn has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I know she is moving into the adult space next, but I was glad to see so much heart in her last YA for now.

This book felt like home for me. I'm from a rural area and the characters and setting popped for me. It was easy to envision what was going on and why.

The book is emotional in a Sarah Dessen way. I would recommend to contemporary readers who want to be hit in their feels, but who also just want to exist in a fictional space that feels authentic. The stakes are both quiet and loud in that they matter so much to the characters.

I highly recommend!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin publishing for allowing me to read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.

Now I’m not a huge cowgirl/boy fan, but when I first read the synopsis, to me it sounded like Heartland, but in Texas, and I was there for it. I read this in one sitting, and the stars speak for themselves. This book just blew all my low expectations out the window. I really connected with both Case and Winnie for various reasons, and thoroughly enjoyed the banter between the two. The side characters were hilarious, and the challenges all the characters face felt incredibly real to me as someone who has seen the aftermaths of losses. And Walker… Walker is this force of change throughout the book, and he was woven in beautifully. Erin Hahn, I applaud you, and can confirm that I will be buying this book when it releases. I will forever recommend this book.

Case wants to finish his best friend Walker's list of things to accomplish after his death. Winnie wants to keep her family together and ride horses in her spare time. Case sees her riding and ropes her into competing for the ranch. They fall in love along the way.

This is a very emotional book and filled with some difficult topics. But it's all worth it. Case and Winnier are wonderful characters. And there's a happy ending despite the difficult topics...

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

DNF, too much language for me. Loved the premise, and had so much potential, but unfortunately can’t recommend in good conscience to teens. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

What a cute and great read--just what I needed. This book follows the friendship, which leads to a relationship, between Case and Winnie. Case is the typical rich, ignorant boy and Winnie is the poor girl who is taking care of her younger siblings. Both face big adversities. Case lost his best friend, Walker, to pneumonia and Winnie struggles to be a teenager when her father and mother are practically useless in taking care of her siblings. Their lives intertwines when Case tries to fulfill one of Walker's wishes (Walker left him a list of things to experience/do after he died): befriend Winnie. They start off hostile towards each other, but then slowly turn into really good friends who can be honest with each other.

If you're looking for a really cute read about growing up and discovering who you are and how you fit in the world, this one is for you. This book is geared towards young adult so there aren't any explicit sex scenes or tons of swearing. Family dynamics and coming of age are big parts of this story as well, so you're not just getting the romance/friendship building.

Would I recommend this book? Yes!

This book seemed very one note for me... there weren't any highs or any lows that captivated me. It was good, but not great in my opinion. I was waiting for a climax to end the story... but it just stayed the same.

Erin Hahn can do no wrong!

Yet again, another stunningly emotional novel in the YA sphere. Her characters are always flawed, human, relatable, and Case and Winnie are no exception. She weaves a plot so full of moments that reflect the true nature of reality—and isn’t afraid to bring up tough topics in such a compassionate way. I came for the author but I stayed for the characters.


Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this one early. Opinions are my own.

I think I’ve read almost all of Hahn’s books, “Never saw you coming is my favorite and I’m afraid I measure the others with this one.
Now, the first thing I need to say is that I’m so glad that Hahn went back to writing Y/A this is the genre for her.
The story has a compelling plot with complex issues, families’ issues, tragedy, and horrible parenting, the characters have a great ARC, however, some realizations come out of the blue, and "the end" seems to me a little in your face.
I gave the book 4 stars for how it made me feel, how much I enjoyed and how well done was the happy ending.
I received an ARC from St Martin’s Press& Wednesday Books through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. And I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I swear I saw Erin Hahn call Even if it Breaks Your Heart her "sad cowboy romance". That is the perfect description of this book. It's a sad cowboy romance with a lot of hope. It wasn't a happy read at times (obviously), but it was a great one.

Case is not dealing with the loss of his best friend to cancer. He's stuck in a cycle of making poor choices. All he has left of his best friend is a list of things Walker wants him to do. Winnie is starting to crumble from the pressure of helping support and raise her siblings. She's more mom and dad to them than her own parents. They both need someone to help lift them up and Walker helps them find it in each other. 

I loved the friendship Case and Winnie built. They gave each other support they desperately needed and also a hope of the future they had both lost. Case and Winnie were attracted to each other from the start, but it was nice to watch their feelings for each other build over the course of the story. Their romance was really sweet. There was also a ton of personal growth for each of them. I loved how they grew emotionally together and learned a lot about themselves. 

Even if it Breaks Your Heart was a very special YA romance that brought hope in a couple of very tough, emotional life situations. I'm sad that Hahn has declared this book her final YA release, but happy I had the chance to read and experience it. It was such a good book. 

CW: childhood cancer, parental abandonment

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart", by Erin Hahn, is focused on two teenagers right on the cusp of adulthood who are looking to find their place in the world. Case Michaels, award-winning bull rider, has just lost his best friend and is determined to make that loss make sense. His friend left behind a bucket list for him to complete, but his mental health has taken a big hit. Winnie Sutton, a hard worker at Case's family ranch, has problems of her own: her dad is a deadbeat and her mom took off years ago, leaving her to take care of her younger brother and sister. When Winnie and Case cross paths at the ranch one day, neither of them think much of it. But when their paths continue to cross, they quickly learn that they have more in common than they originally thought. And what will happen when sparks begin to fly?

This was a fun, quick read and I look forward to reading more by Erin Hahn. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

not my favorite of hahn’s but definitely still good. i liked the characters, i just think the story didn’t suck me in as much as her others have. pacing was nice; i especially liked the progression and beats of case & winnie’s love story. it complimented the STORY story (their professional lives, family lives, hopes & dreams) rather than one overshadowing the other, which i think is the desired outcome with ya. i think case’s grief and the pressure winnie was under with her family were bigger, heavier themes that hahn handled well, as well.

#netgalley