Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn is a beautifully written, emotional ride about love, loss, and the courage it takes to follow your dreams. Hahn’s portrayal of grief, family dynamics, and self-discovery is raw and authentic, and I found myself rooting for both Case and Winnie as they navigate their own journeys. The way they challenge each other and grow together made for such a satisfying read. Even when life feels impossible, the connection they form helps them both heal and embrace new possibilities.

If you enjoy stories that tug at your heartstrings with a mix of romance, personal growth, and a touch of rodeo, you’ll definitely want to dive into Even If It Breaks Your Heart. It’s a must-read for fans of Erin Hahn's work (love her young adult books!), and a perfect choice for anyone looking for an emotional, uplifting story.

This was so sweet and everything my little childhood horse girl heart hoped for growing up. This story had so much packed into it: grief, childhood trauma, dreams, hopes, aspirations, and falling in love. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a sweet story of young love.

Even If It Breaks Your Heart aims for emotional impact but stumbles with clichéd storytelling and underdeveloped characters, leaving the narrative predictable and lacking the depth it strives for. The spice is also completely unnecessary.

When Case Michaels’ best friend on the rodeo circuit dies, he leaves behind a to do list of things for Case to accomplish. Case can’t bring himself to go back to competing, but he can work on the list, including falling for Winnie Sutton. Winnie graduated high school early and works on the Michaels ranch, so she can support her siblings and take care of her father. Riding is her only respite, and when she runs into Case and he recognizes her riding skills, she agrees to begin competing for the ranch.

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. I was not immediately hooked when I first started reading it but a couple chapters in I couldn’t put it down. This book deals with some more serious topics as the MMC has lost his best friend and the FMC is acting as the primary parent for her two you get siblings. I feel like the author handled those topics beautifully and also wove in a very realistic romance between the two.

Sadly this was just meh. That’s it. I have to say more but there’s really nothing more to say here. This definitely wasn’t a book I’d recommend.

Erin Hahn’s insight into the teenage mind is so unique and special. I love how she writes compassionate, strong-willed teenagers who are empowered to feel their feelings, assert themselves, and question the world they live in. EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART echoes the themes of Hahn’s previous YA novels, where she explores teen sexuality, belonging, and difficult family relationships. I’m excited to add this one to my classroom library.

I love Erin book she is a long time favorite author of mine. She knows how to give detail and character building so well. I would recommend her work to everyone in my personal life

I really wanted to like this book. I didn’t know if it was the setting or the story but I had a hard time connecting or rooting for any of the characters.

This was a very heartfelt YA romance that deals with grief, family trauma, finding your own path, and finding love along the way. It's kind of enemies to friends to lovers if you squint. I, personally, thought the pacing in this book was a bit off. Everything happened too quickly with the feelings and the characters were refusing to recognize their obvious feelings being reciprocated OBVIOUSLY from the other person.

The side characters were sweet, the ranch setting and rodeo moments were fun. I think I wanted more angst overall. Also, this book mentions the pandemic which is one of MY least favorite things that has started being written into books nowadays. If you don't mind it, this book should be fine, but it always pulls me right out of a story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn is a heartfelt exploration of dreams, resilience, and love set against a music-filled backdrop. Hahn’s storytelling and characters will resonate with anyone who has ever chased a big dream.

Perfect for fans of contemporary romance with a love for music and stories about following your heart.

This was a cute YA romance with additional depth because of what Case and Winnie are facing in their personal lives. I appreciated that Hahn created teen characters that acted more mature, but they both had reason to, so it didn't feel inauthentic. This had notes of a John Green or Jeff Zentner, but a bit more romance forward.

This book was very cute! It was such a sweet story and it felt like such a good read for a cool, fall week! I enjoyed every minute of it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

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!