A review by clairetrellahill
Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I'm not crying, it's just raining on my face!

I am such a fan of Erin Hahn's YA novels. The characters feel read and alive and they are fighting tooth and nail for the future they want, and nothing, not their families, not their pasts, not their circumstances or their grief is going to stop them. 

Case Michaels is a bull rider whose best friend has died and he is dealing with the grief and the loss. He's got a list that Walker made for him, though--tasks to complete--and a competition to win for his best friend. Winnie Sutton is a barrel racer--or she would be if she had the money for fees or a horse or hey, even a saddle. But instead she's a trainer at the Michaels ranch and is the main parent figure for her two younger siblings. Case and Winnie collide and pull each other out of their fears and grief and anxieties and inspire each other to go after what they really want. I inhaled this book in one day after having the ARC for months. I think I was just waiting for the right time so I could tear up 50 times in peace. 4.5 Stars.

Heat level: 1 (closed door)
CW: terminally ill childhood best friend's death before the book begins, dead or deadbeat parents, language.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC. EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART comes out February 6, 2024.

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