In This Edition of
The BookBrowse Review
The BookBrowse Review
Published January 24, 2024
ISSN: 1930-0018
The BookBrowse Review
Published January 24, 2024
ISSN: 1930-0018
Contents
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Literary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Short Stories
Essays
Poetry & Novels in Verse
Mysteries
Thrillers
Romance
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Biography/Memoir
History, Current Affairs and Religion
Science, Health and the Environment
Literary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Poetry & Novels in Verse
Thrillers
Romance
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Biography/Memoir
| Critics: |
A heart-buckling ride of a romance by beloved author Erin Hahn, Even If It Breaks Your Heart is about two teens finding out that sometimes, the hardest part of discovering what you want is getting the courage to pursue it.
The only thing keeping nineteen-year-old Case Michaels together after the death of his best friend, Walker, is a list Walker left behind of things he wants Case to accomplish in his absence. So far, though, Case hasn't even been able to continue riding bulls in the rodeo circuit, something he's done his entire life, balking at the thought of competing without Walker by his side. But the list? Case is determined to follow it to the letter– and he follows it all the way to Winnie Sutton.
Eighteen-year-old Winnie Sutton just wants to keep her family together. She graduated high school early to work long shifts at the Michaels family ranch so she can support her younger siblings and a father who's more than happy to let Winnie fill the responsible parent role. If she sometimes sneaks out to ride the horses herself and forget about life for a while– well, that's no one else's business– until the day she crashes headfirst into Case Michaels. Case sees her riding skills and immediately ropes her into competing for the ranch and becoming his friend.
Winnie and Case couldn't be more different, but Case can't help but be inspired by Winnie's badly-hidden passion for riding and competition. And there's something about Case that makes Winnie want to try grasping onto a dream for herself, whether that's a shot at a rodeo trophy, the annoyingly handsome rancher's son who won't leave her alone, or maybe both.
"In this incandescent slow-burn romance, deliberately paced and resolute prose by Hahn (Friends Don't Fall in Love, for adults) paves the way for swoony banter and rough-and-tumble rodeo action. Case and Winnie's relationship is a joy to watch unfold, every payoff feels earned, and subtle meditations on grief quietly ground tear-jerking emotional beats, making for a poignant romantic drama." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A deeply satisfying romance in which personal growth and dreams are realized." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"This feels so genuine. Every scuffed boot. The scent of the barn. Grief. Friendship. Well-earned kisses. I've never been to a rodeo, but after reading this, I feel as though I have. Erin Hahn always writes from her heart, and she always writes true. A lovely, lovely book." ―Jenn Bennett, author of Alex, Approximately
"I've been a fan of Erin Hahn's beautiful love stories for years, and Even if it Breaks Your Heart is no exception. Case and Winnie are fully realized, deeply layered characters, and readers won't be able to help but root for Case and Winnie as they try to find themselves and each other along the way." ―Kristina Forest, critically acclaimed author of Zyla & Kai and I Wanna Be Where You Are
"With the heart-pounding, electric thrill of barrel racing, the romance in Even If It Breaks Your Heart will leave you dizzy and begging for more. Winnie and Case's tender journey of love against a backdrop of grief and growth is as dazzling as the vibrant cast of characters, and a setting that will make you long for ranch life. Hahn has done it again and has reminded me why she remains an immediate buy with every book she produces." ―Serena Kaylor, author of Long Story Short
"No other author can make me swoon over a pair of cowboy boots quite like Erin Hahn does. This book is Romance with a capital R, and Hahn is writing at the top of her game. With richly drawn characters, Even If It Breaks Your Heart is an honest and hopeful story about finding the courage to follow what makes you happy." ―Brian D. Kennedy, author of A Little Bit Country
"If you're looking for a country romance that's honest, heartfelt, and romantic, Even If It Breaks Your Heart is the book for you. Sure to be your next Erin Hahn favorite. " ―Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Five Feet Apart
Erin Hahn is the author of the young adult novels You'd Be Mine, More Than Maybe, and Never Saw You Coming as well as the adult romance Built to Last. Romance is her vibe, grunge is her soundtrack and fall is her signature color. She fell for her flannel-clad college sweetheart the very first day of school and together, they have two hilarious kids who keep her humble. She lives outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has a cat named Gus who plays fetch and a dog named June who doesn't.
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